Because Doctor Who is off air for a week as its being pre-emptied by the Eurovision Song Contest, The Lazarus Experiment had a special "Coming Soon" trailer made from clips from the rest of the season.
Here it is on YouTube. Enjoy Captain Jack's return and a somewhat sinister gas-masked Mr Saxon and more.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqGPHrE3hi8
The 2007 Doctor Who (and spin-offs) Thread
Most of my Blu-ray collection some of my UK discs aren't on their database
No updates for a while, because the Eurovision pushed the series back a week, and the news hasn't been that inspiring; More DVDs pushed back *yawn*, Christmas Special casting rumours *yawn* and... well that's it.
Until... until I came across this
http://www.syfyportal.com/news423640.html
McGann for a Movie? I hope so!
Even though Paul McGann's on screen time as The Doctor was probably less than an hour, I feel close to this incarnation via the various books, comic strips and audio plays which feature the 8th Doctor in ongoing adventures (and he's by far had the best companions - Izzy in the DWM comic strip and Lucie in the new Big Finish audios).
This is exciting news if true - but would it confuse the general public having another Doctor to follow?
Until... until I came across this
http://www.syfyportal.com/news423640.html
McGann for a Movie? I hope so!
Even though Paul McGann's on screen time as The Doctor was probably less than an hour, I feel close to this incarnation via the various books, comic strips and audio plays which feature the 8th Doctor in ongoing adventures (and he's by far had the best companions - Izzy in the DWM comic strip and Lucie in the new Big Finish audios).
This is exciting news if true - but would it confuse the general public having another Doctor to follow?
Most of my Blu-ray collection some of my UK discs aren't on their database
-
Escapay
- Ultimate Collector's Edition
- Posts: 12562
- Joined: Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:02 pm
- Location: Somewhere in Time and Space
- Contact:
I wouldn't mind seeing a McGann movie. Maybe its theatrical release will prompt Universal to release Doctor Who: The Movie to us in R1 (since they hold the distribution rights, and not WB).
Escapay
Escapay
WIST #60:
AwallaceUNC: Would you prefer Substi-Blu-tiary Locomotion?
WIST #61:
TheSequelOfDisney: Damn, did Lin-Manuel Miranda go and murder all your families?
AwallaceUNC: Would you prefer Substi-Blu-tiary Locomotion?
WIST #61:
TheSequelOfDisney: Damn, did Lin-Manuel Miranda go and murder all your families?
Bit late, I'm on holiday. But I'm still watching Dr Who.
42
I wanted to like this, because it's written by the show runner for Torchwood, which is getting some (in my opinion, mostly) unfair critisisms directed at it by fans. So this was to show that he could write a good story (as indeed he has on Life on Mars). But, it wasn't quite there.
The idea of a real-time adventure was good, and I enjoyed the concept and the nature of the "monster". But, it still seemed to fall into some of the holes people critisise Torchwood of having. The "pub quiz" locks were stupid, and echoed the poetry lock in Torchwood's "They Keep Killing Suzie" which most people found silly. Well, the "pub quiz" locks took that stupidity and upped it by 100. And sadly, the story did ultimately become lots of people screaming by the end.
6.5/10
42
I wanted to like this, because it's written by the show runner for Torchwood, which is getting some (in my opinion, mostly) unfair critisisms directed at it by fans. So this was to show that he could write a good story (as indeed he has on Life on Mars). But, it wasn't quite there.
The idea of a real-time adventure was good, and I enjoyed the concept and the nature of the "monster". But, it still seemed to fall into some of the holes people critisise Torchwood of having. The "pub quiz" locks were stupid, and echoed the poetry lock in Torchwood's "They Keep Killing Suzie" which most people found silly. Well, the "pub quiz" locks took that stupidity and upped it by 100. And sadly, the story did ultimately become lots of people screaming by the end.
6.5/10
Most of my Blu-ray collection some of my UK discs aren't on their database
Human Nature
Being somewhat familiar with the story in book form (where it has constantly topped the polls as the best "New Adventure" of all time) I'm probably not the best to review this episode. Because, it could be argued I'm going to be biased by my memories of the story in it's original and purest form. But, blow that, I can't bite my tongue, because this... this is the greatest Doctor Who since it's 2005 revival.
Doctor John Smith is a new teacher at an English public school for boys in 1913... the eve of the First World War. Here he tries to fit in, but he is troubled by strange dreams... dreams of traveling through time in a strange blue box and of fighting unimaginable monsters. His Maid, Martha seems to know more about these dreams than she should, and when strange lights are seen in the sky, monstrous living scarecrows and the cunning Family of Blood - desperate for the body of a Time-Lord - walk the dark country lanes in stolen bodies, she has to convince John Smith that he really is "The Doctor" and only "The Doctor" can save them.
But John Smith is merely human, and in love with the school nurse Joan, and can remember nothing… So he dismisses Martha's explanation as pure fantasy and goes about his normal business. Much to Martha's horror she discovers the means to turn John Smith back into a Time-Lord and The Doctor has been stolen…
Breaking into the village dance, the Family of Blood grab Martha and Joan to hold them hostage as they demand the John Smith changes back into a Time-Lord. John Smith protests that he doesn't know how. So the Family of Blood give him a choice... he can choose who will die first… Martha or Joan.
(And I'm one who'll be on the edge of their seats until Saturday, being as the television version has included a cliff-hanger which was not part of the original novel.)
I don't know what it is... it just feels so "right". So "Doctor Who". Even though the Doctor is hardly in the episode (apart from flashbacks, because David Tennant is playing John Smith). But like the novel, it’s a perfect blending of new and old "Who". The set-up and motivations of the villains is pure old-school "Who" and the episode is full of clichés used with various frequency by the classic series over the years – the period setting, misty woods in the dark, the subversion of the ordinary(in this case, the creepy living scarecrows), the blundering locals and the fact that they are possessed by the villains… In fact, nothing would be out of place in a Jon Pertwee or Tom Baker story from the 70s.
But there's more than that.
As well as adding the emotion we're so used to ever since the 2005 revival, it also, basically, examines and deconstructs the character of The Doctor. It could been seen, in many ways, as being post modern.
The story has been altered for the screen. The villains are much more sinister than the novel, where at times they were almost comical (they were never the focus of the story – the story was simply would a man with the same qualities of the Doctor, but without his knowledge or abilities still fight injustice? And if so, would he still win?). We also have the addition of the scarecrows – somewhat clumsily I must admit, hopefully they will be explained better next week.
Other changes are more to do with the timeslot. In the book, Joan harbored real racial prejudices (simply being a character of the time) which have been excised from the television adaptation (although she appears to have some class prejudices in their place). Also in the book, the older students brutally bulled those weaker and younger than themselves – again toned down for the television. However, both issues are not totally ignored – Martha briefly encounters racism from a student, and although not as explicit, it is implied bullying and beatings are a daily occurrence at the school.
It's always hard rating episodes which are part one of two part stories. I will understand if some people think this episode was slow – it was certainly slower than, for example the episode before, "42". But I think the slow pace was not only intentional, but required. It's needed to set up not only how different John Smith is to the Doctor, but also to let the viewer acclimatize to the period setting. So that when the seemingly idyllic life is shattered by the invading Family of Blood, we understand how disruptive they are.
I have no hesitation in giving this a 10.
10/10
Being somewhat familiar with the story in book form (where it has constantly topped the polls as the best "New Adventure" of all time) I'm probably not the best to review this episode. Because, it could be argued I'm going to be biased by my memories of the story in it's original and purest form. But, blow that, I can't bite my tongue, because this... this is the greatest Doctor Who since it's 2005 revival.
Doctor John Smith is a new teacher at an English public school for boys in 1913... the eve of the First World War. Here he tries to fit in, but he is troubled by strange dreams... dreams of traveling through time in a strange blue box and of fighting unimaginable monsters. His Maid, Martha seems to know more about these dreams than she should, and when strange lights are seen in the sky, monstrous living scarecrows and the cunning Family of Blood - desperate for the body of a Time-Lord - walk the dark country lanes in stolen bodies, she has to convince John Smith that he really is "The Doctor" and only "The Doctor" can save them.
But John Smith is merely human, and in love with the school nurse Joan, and can remember nothing… So he dismisses Martha's explanation as pure fantasy and goes about his normal business. Much to Martha's horror she discovers the means to turn John Smith back into a Time-Lord and The Doctor has been stolen…
Breaking into the village dance, the Family of Blood grab Martha and Joan to hold them hostage as they demand the John Smith changes back into a Time-Lord. John Smith protests that he doesn't know how. So the Family of Blood give him a choice... he can choose who will die first… Martha or Joan.
(And I'm one who'll be on the edge of their seats until Saturday, being as the television version has included a cliff-hanger which was not part of the original novel.)
I don't know what it is... it just feels so "right". So "Doctor Who". Even though the Doctor is hardly in the episode (apart from flashbacks, because David Tennant is playing John Smith). But like the novel, it’s a perfect blending of new and old "Who". The set-up and motivations of the villains is pure old-school "Who" and the episode is full of clichés used with various frequency by the classic series over the years – the period setting, misty woods in the dark, the subversion of the ordinary(in this case, the creepy living scarecrows), the blundering locals and the fact that they are possessed by the villains… In fact, nothing would be out of place in a Jon Pertwee or Tom Baker story from the 70s.
But there's more than that.
As well as adding the emotion we're so used to ever since the 2005 revival, it also, basically, examines and deconstructs the character of The Doctor. It could been seen, in many ways, as being post modern.
The story has been altered for the screen. The villains are much more sinister than the novel, where at times they were almost comical (they were never the focus of the story – the story was simply would a man with the same qualities of the Doctor, but without his knowledge or abilities still fight injustice? And if so, would he still win?). We also have the addition of the scarecrows – somewhat clumsily I must admit, hopefully they will be explained better next week.
Other changes are more to do with the timeslot. In the book, Joan harbored real racial prejudices (simply being a character of the time) which have been excised from the television adaptation (although she appears to have some class prejudices in their place). Also in the book, the older students brutally bulled those weaker and younger than themselves – again toned down for the television. However, both issues are not totally ignored – Martha briefly encounters racism from a student, and although not as explicit, it is implied bullying and beatings are a daily occurrence at the school.
It's always hard rating episodes which are part one of two part stories. I will understand if some people think this episode was slow – it was certainly slower than, for example the episode before, "42". But I think the slow pace was not only intentional, but required. It's needed to set up not only how different John Smith is to the Doctor, but also to let the viewer acclimatize to the period setting. So that when the seemingly idyllic life is shattered by the invading Family of Blood, we understand how disruptive they are.
I have no hesitation in giving this a 10.
10/10
Most of my Blu-ray collection some of my UK discs aren't on their database
The Family of Blood
Well, it finally happened. I cried at an episode of New Who. I've been close in the past, but not at the moments people would expect (I was stony faced throughout Father's Day and Rose's departure for example).
What got me this time was the little coda at the end of the story, where the Doctor and Martha visit an aging Tim at the memorial service. Bless. Such a little thing (and so obvious), but it did make my emotional walls crumble.
As for the episode, it was different than what I was expecting, but I still thought it was almost flawless. (I'll get to the major flaw later). It didn't explore the emotional dilemmas presented to both the Doctor/John Smith and his companion as much as the book did (and you can read the book as an e-novel on the BBC website - http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/ ... an_nature/ ) but to a certain extent that's to be expected. The fact that it was made for television means it has to keep moving, story wise. It was still deeper than most TV out there.
What did surprise me was how ineffective "John Smith" was. Martha says something along the lines of "You're rubbish as a human" to him, and it's right. Throughout the book, "John Smith" still uses his mind to trick and frustrate the villains. Here he doesn't.
I think that wasn't done in this version, because the villains here were presented in a much more sinister and threatening manner than they were in the book. Unless it was done carefully, it would diminish them to be constantly outfoxed by a "human".
So John Smith wasn't quite as heroic as he was in the book. But we still got most of the emotional beats of the story. In order to save the world… if not the universe… Martha was effectively asking John Smith to sacrifice himself. We saw what John Smith's life could be. Tennant turned in some excellent acting. His character almost went through some of the classic stages of grief; denial, anger, bargaining. What struck me the most was when John Smith was almost pathetically seeking reassurance that he was "real".
Jessica Haynes/Stevenson was also excellent (as we would expect). All of her scenes were a delight to watch. Props should also go out for the other actors – all of them put in wonderful performances. Bains, one of the Family of Blood was excellent. He totally understood how to play the role.
But, I did feel let down a bit by the ending – the only flaw. To me, the Doctor's actions to the defeated Family were much too cruel. Some my claim poetic justice, but to me, the production team went too far. To me, the Doctor should never be as "dark" as presented here. I'm even more disappointed given the writer Paul Cornell is a huge supporter of the Doctor never being "cowardly or cruel" in interviews. Here he seems to have ignored his own principles.
10/10
Well, it finally happened. I cried at an episode of New Who. I've been close in the past, but not at the moments people would expect (I was stony faced throughout Father's Day and Rose's departure for example).
What got me this time was the little coda at the end of the story, where the Doctor and Martha visit an aging Tim at the memorial service. Bless. Such a little thing (and so obvious), but it did make my emotional walls crumble.
As for the episode, it was different than what I was expecting, but I still thought it was almost flawless. (I'll get to the major flaw later). It didn't explore the emotional dilemmas presented to both the Doctor/John Smith and his companion as much as the book did (and you can read the book as an e-novel on the BBC website - http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/ ... an_nature/ ) but to a certain extent that's to be expected. The fact that it was made for television means it has to keep moving, story wise. It was still deeper than most TV out there.
What did surprise me was how ineffective "John Smith" was. Martha says something along the lines of "You're rubbish as a human" to him, and it's right. Throughout the book, "John Smith" still uses his mind to trick and frustrate the villains. Here he doesn't.
I think that wasn't done in this version, because the villains here were presented in a much more sinister and threatening manner than they were in the book. Unless it was done carefully, it would diminish them to be constantly outfoxed by a "human".
So John Smith wasn't quite as heroic as he was in the book. But we still got most of the emotional beats of the story. In order to save the world… if not the universe… Martha was effectively asking John Smith to sacrifice himself. We saw what John Smith's life could be. Tennant turned in some excellent acting. His character almost went through some of the classic stages of grief; denial, anger, bargaining. What struck me the most was when John Smith was almost pathetically seeking reassurance that he was "real".
Jessica Haynes/Stevenson was also excellent (as we would expect). All of her scenes were a delight to watch. Props should also go out for the other actors – all of them put in wonderful performances. Bains, one of the Family of Blood was excellent. He totally understood how to play the role.
But, I did feel let down a bit by the ending – the only flaw. To me, the Doctor's actions to the defeated Family were much too cruel. Some my claim poetic justice, but to me, the production team went too far. To me, the Doctor should never be as "dark" as presented here. I'm even more disappointed given the writer Paul Cornell is a huge supporter of the Doctor never being "cowardly or cruel" in interviews. Here he seems to have ignored his own principles.
10/10
Most of my Blu-ray collection some of my UK discs aren't on their database
Doctor Who: Robot
I got this DVD today; Tom Baker's first story. I'll not beat about the bush, this is a very disappointing release for such an important story. That said, we have been somewhat spoilt with Doctor Who releases recently - what with Animated reconstructions of lost episodes and a stunning two-disc release for Survival (the last 'Classic' Doctor Who story). That said, its the first DVD under the new management, so hopefully its just a brief blip in supplemental quality which will soon be rectified.
I hope so, because I've just ordered:
TimeLash (which is a standard edition, so don't expect much)
TimeFlight/Arc of Infinity 2 pack (1 standard/1 special)
The Time Warrior
The Key To Time boxset - yes, with all new UK extras!
In other news, the vanilla release of Series 3 Vol 1 featuring Smith & Jones, The Shakespeare Code and Gridlock arrived last week. Series 3 Vol 2 is due in about 2 weeks, and has four episodes - Daleks in Manhatten/Evolution of the Daleks, The Lazarus Experiment and 42.
Also today, the 6th of the BBC/Big Finish 8th Doctor radio plays arrived on CD. Only 2 more to go now, and the "season" is complete. And they're a Cybermen two-parter.
I got this DVD today; Tom Baker's first story. I'll not beat about the bush, this is a very disappointing release for such an important story. That said, we have been somewhat spoilt with Doctor Who releases recently - what with Animated reconstructions of lost episodes and a stunning two-disc release for Survival (the last 'Classic' Doctor Who story). That said, its the first DVD under the new management, so hopefully its just a brief blip in supplemental quality which will soon be rectified.
I hope so, because I've just ordered:
TimeLash (which is a standard edition, so don't expect much)
TimeFlight/Arc of Infinity 2 pack (1 standard/1 special)
The Time Warrior
The Key To Time boxset - yes, with all new UK extras!
In other news, the vanilla release of Series 3 Vol 1 featuring Smith & Jones, The Shakespeare Code and Gridlock arrived last week. Series 3 Vol 2 is due in about 2 weeks, and has four episodes - Daleks in Manhatten/Evolution of the Daleks, The Lazarus Experiment and 42.
Also today, the 6th of the BBC/Big Finish 8th Doctor radio plays arrived on CD. Only 2 more to go now, and the "season" is complete. And they're a Cybermen two-parter.
Most of my Blu-ray collection some of my UK discs aren't on their database
Blink
I love these Doctor "lite" episodes. While they're a necessity of having to a Christmas special in the same time as the normal 13 episode season, they offer a chance to do something more with the format of the series. Something incredibly liberating when the whole format of the series is, basically, it essentially has no format.
Love and Monsters from last year met a mixed response – including initially a negative one from myself, but familiarity has made me appreciate that episode more. A lot more. It is probably one of the best scripts of the new series to date. But enough about Love and Monsters… on to Blink.
It is basically a reworking of a 2005 story from the Doctor Who annual, which also had Sally Sparrow receiving messages from the Doctor who's trapped in the past – Stephen Moffett just added a threat this time as well as a little expansion. (So sadly this negates that story, which in itself was fantastic).
I don't want to give too much away for those who have yet to see the story, but the monsters are very original and high-concept. It starts as a haunted house type story, but soons becomes more. I can't really say anything more without giving some of it away. Let's just say it is quite creepy (the weeping angels are very spooky), and has a good ending. Not so much a twist, but a clever resolution. And the monsters aren't the only high concept idea – the story is basically about how some DVD Extras save the Universe!
I don't expect this to go down well with everyone – some people just can't accept a programme called Doctor Who having a story (virtually) without the Doctor. To me though they revive fond memories of the old back-up comic strips in Doctor Who Weekly comic from the early 80s. ('Business Unusual' with the Autons is by far my favourite of these, and being as the Autons have been in the new series would be ideal to adapt to the Doctorless episode next year). The legacy and scope of the Doctor Who universe is truly massive – virtually every single month since 1963 multiple stories on TV, Audio or in-print have added something new. Why not have a story every year just exploring some of that universe?
I think I will have to give this an 11/10. I hope the net rumors about Sally Sparrow getting a spin-off are true.
Stop press: The Original Sally Sparrow short story is on the BBC Doctor Who site
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/episodes ... nual.shtml
I love these Doctor "lite" episodes. While they're a necessity of having to a Christmas special in the same time as the normal 13 episode season, they offer a chance to do something more with the format of the series. Something incredibly liberating when the whole format of the series is, basically, it essentially has no format.
Love and Monsters from last year met a mixed response – including initially a negative one from myself, but familiarity has made me appreciate that episode more. A lot more. It is probably one of the best scripts of the new series to date. But enough about Love and Monsters… on to Blink.
It is basically a reworking of a 2005 story from the Doctor Who annual, which also had Sally Sparrow receiving messages from the Doctor who's trapped in the past – Stephen Moffett just added a threat this time as well as a little expansion. (So sadly this negates that story, which in itself was fantastic).
I don't want to give too much away for those who have yet to see the story, but the monsters are very original and high-concept. It starts as a haunted house type story, but soons becomes more. I can't really say anything more without giving some of it away. Let's just say it is quite creepy (the weeping angels are very spooky), and has a good ending. Not so much a twist, but a clever resolution. And the monsters aren't the only high concept idea – the story is basically about how some DVD Extras save the Universe!
I don't expect this to go down well with everyone – some people just can't accept a programme called Doctor Who having a story (virtually) without the Doctor. To me though they revive fond memories of the old back-up comic strips in Doctor Who Weekly comic from the early 80s. ('Business Unusual' with the Autons is by far my favourite of these, and being as the Autons have been in the new series would be ideal to adapt to the Doctorless episode next year). The legacy and scope of the Doctor Who universe is truly massive – virtually every single month since 1963 multiple stories on TV, Audio or in-print have added something new. Why not have a story every year just exploring some of that universe?
I think I will have to give this an 11/10. I hope the net rumors about Sally Sparrow getting a spin-off are true.
Stop press: The Original Sally Sparrow short story is on the BBC Doctor Who site
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/episodes ... nual.shtml
Most of my Blu-ray collection some of my UK discs aren't on their database
-
ichabod
- Diamond Edition
- Posts: 4676
- Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2003 8:29 am
- Location: The place where they didn't build EuroDisney
- Contact:
OK, after my initial start of series joy, I must admit that my interest waned and for the past couple of weeks I've found season 3 uninteresting to the point where I haven't even really been watching.
I knew tonight's episode would be the one with very little Doctor in it, and after last year's love and monsters I sat my self down and prepared for the worst.
However, I knew about 15 minutes into Blink I realised I was watching the best Doctor Who episode ever.
All you need to know is my rating. 73/10, absolutely brilliant!
I knew tonight's episode would be the one with very little Doctor in it, and after last year's love and monsters I sat my self down and prepared for the worst.
However, I knew about 15 minutes into Blink I realised I was watching the best Doctor Who episode ever.
All you need to know is my rating. 73/10, absolutely brilliant!
Utopia
Not brilliant, but a prelude to the finale over the next two weeks. Based just on the MASTERFUL last 5 minutes of this, I'm giddy with excitement.
Too excited to type any more, my head is spinning!
8/10
Not brilliant, but a prelude to the finale over the next two weeks. Based just on the MASTERFUL last 5 minutes of this, I'm giddy with excitement.
Too excited to type any more, my head is spinning!
8/10
Most of my Blu-ray collection some of my UK discs aren't on their database
The Sound of Drums
Oh My God! This is massive
Simply huge. I've never seen such ambition on television before. Never has the BBC done anything so epic.
It's bound to be a controversial episode though. The Master is most un-Master like, quite, quite insane. Never before has he been shown like this – I would say he is quite demented. He's more Batman's Joker than Holmes' Moriarty.
We get an explanation of the origin of his mania (with a cool flashback to Gallifrey), but I think him having to acknowledge his own weakness during the Time War is what finally drove him over the edge.
It's also likely to be controversial because it's a little – to pardon the expression – "fanwanky". So many "kisses to the past", both recent and classic (and even Captain Jack's Torchwood crew get a "not-quite" reference – after all we can't be having a family show "promote" the adult spin-off) . How he escaped his fate in the Paul McGann TV movie is explained, and there's nods to various other Master stories, as well as those making the "arc" for this season's stories.
I'm still a little confused as to who the "aliens" are. They do seem a little cybermen-y in certain respects. But… what's with the kids voices? I hope we get to find out more.
I can't say much more because I want this to be as spoiler free as possible, but it's fair to say The Doctor is virtually incapacitated. So it looks like it's all down to Martha to save the world from the Master's grip. She vowed she would be back, and I don't doubt her for a second.
Go Martha! You go girl.
Show the doubters what we already know. That you are vastly superior to Rose.
"And I looked down upon my new dominion as master of all… and I thought it was good." – The Master: The Sound of Drums.
10/10
Oh My God! This is massive
Simply huge. I've never seen such ambition on television before. Never has the BBC done anything so epic.
It's bound to be a controversial episode though. The Master is most un-Master like, quite, quite insane. Never before has he been shown like this – I would say he is quite demented. He's more Batman's Joker than Holmes' Moriarty.
We get an explanation of the origin of his mania (with a cool flashback to Gallifrey), but I think him having to acknowledge his own weakness during the Time War is what finally drove him over the edge.
It's also likely to be controversial because it's a little – to pardon the expression – "fanwanky". So many "kisses to the past", both recent and classic (and even Captain Jack's Torchwood crew get a "not-quite" reference – after all we can't be having a family show "promote" the adult spin-off) . How he escaped his fate in the Paul McGann TV movie is explained, and there's nods to various other Master stories, as well as those making the "arc" for this season's stories.
I'm still a little confused as to who the "aliens" are. They do seem a little cybermen-y in certain respects. But… what's with the kids voices? I hope we get to find out more.
I can't say much more because I want this to be as spoiler free as possible, but it's fair to say The Doctor is virtually incapacitated. So it looks like it's all down to Martha to save the world from the Master's grip. She vowed she would be back, and I don't doubt her for a second.
Go Martha! You go girl.
Show the doubters what we already know. That you are vastly superior to Rose.
"And I looked down upon my new dominion as master of all… and I thought it was good." – The Master: The Sound of Drums.
10/10
Most of my Blu-ray collection some of my UK discs aren't on their database
Even though the "Toclafane" name is from Gallifreyan legends, I don't think that they have anything to do with the Time Lords. The Master seemed surprised that Gallifrey had been destroyed in the Time War when talking to the Doctor on the mobile phone.
There's also 6 billion of them. I can't see 6 billion Time Lords going missing and nobody noticing.
However, at one point he does refer to the Toclafane as "kids". He says something like "Off you go Kids". And they do speak in a childish manner and turn of phrase.
The Master also says that if the Doctor knew what they were, "it would break both your hearts". This implies they're something the Doctor knows, and probably cares for. Humans? Time Lords?
I think it could be The Cybermen escaping from the Void (the split in the sky is similar to rip the TARDIS fell through in Rise of the Cybermen). After all, the Doctor lost Rose banishing the Cybermen in Doomsday. It would hurt him if they were to be set free again.
There's also 6 billion of them. I can't see 6 billion Time Lords going missing and nobody noticing.
However, at one point he does refer to the Toclafane as "kids". He says something like "Off you go Kids". And they do speak in a childish manner and turn of phrase.
The Master also says that if the Doctor knew what they were, "it would break both your hearts". This implies they're something the Doctor knows, and probably cares for. Humans? Time Lords?
I think it could be The Cybermen escaping from the Void (the split in the sky is similar to rip the TARDIS fell through in Rise of the Cybermen). After all, the Doctor lost Rose banishing the Cybermen in Doomsday. It would hurt him if they were to be set free again.
Most of my Blu-ray collection some of my UK discs aren't on their database
The season finale is 6.5 minutes longer than a normal episode! 
I guess this means when its shown on Sci-Fi in the USA, it will be more edited then usual.
I guess this means when its shown on Sci-Fi in the USA, it will be more edited then usual.
Most of my Blu-ray collection some of my UK discs aren't on their database
Sadly, this could be true. 
I think this is a little shortsighted of the production team if this is the case. I do believe 100% Martha is a better character than Rose, and works much better than Rose narratively too. And while Rose got more annoying as her time on the programme went on, Martha gets better and better. For crying out loud, she's going to save the Earth this Saturday single-handed (probably).
And while being with Captain Jack for the last three episodes of this season gives Martha a foot-in-the-door so to speak with Torchwood, why would the production team want another regularly crossing-over character in Torchwood when they take great pains not to "promote" the adult Torchwood show on the "family" Doctor Who show?
On the Outpost Gallifrey forums, there's mention of John Barrowman filming new scenes with Freema since the conclusion of the Doctor Who filming - which can only be for Torchwood which has been in production since April (Filming on the new Doctor Who is due to start any day now, with the Xmas special being filmed first).But the new arrival prompts Martha, played by Freema Agyeman, to take a bit of a back-seat. She is expected to flit in and out of the show, also popping up in spin-off series Torchwood.
I think this is a little shortsighted of the production team if this is the case. I do believe 100% Martha is a better character than Rose, and works much better than Rose narratively too. And while Rose got more annoying as her time on the programme went on, Martha gets better and better. For crying out loud, she's going to save the Earth this Saturday single-handed (probably).
And while being with Captain Jack for the last three episodes of this season gives Martha a foot-in-the-door so to speak with Torchwood, why would the production team want another regularly crossing-over character in Torchwood when they take great pains not to "promote" the adult Torchwood show on the "family" Doctor Who show?
Most of my Blu-ray collection some of my UK discs aren't on their database
Sorry, 'Bod. It's Kylie this year.
Most of my Blu-ray collection some of my UK discs aren't on their database
Well, lots to commend about this epic conclusion, but there's also signs of repetition. While I liked it (we were led to believe violence would be the answer, but in true Doctor Who tradition, the answer was hope, and faith), the Deux ex Machina which restored the Doctor was similar to the "Bad Wolf" Rose in Parting of the Ways. Likewise, while I can understand the idea of ending of a Cliffhanger, this is virtually the same as the "cliffhanger" at the end of Doomsday, down to the TARDIS being invaded and the repeated "What?" from The Doctor.
However, even in the extended run-time we were allowed, there's only so much you can do in a single episode. And this moved a breakneck speed, painting the screen with so many concepts and ideas in typical Russell T Davies style. Surprisingly, considering how continuity bound the previous episode was, this one was quite continuity free, refering back only to the previous two parts of the story.
I've also warmed to this madder Master too. Now, with The Doctor out of comission for most of the episode - and not his normal quick talking frantic self, it makes sense for the Master to be more manic and energetic. In many respects this Master is both the dynamically opposite and the same as the Tenth Doctor, just like the Original Master was both dynamically opposide and the same as the Third Doctor.
It looks like Martha is semi-written out after all, but there's a plot device to bring her back. I guess she will become a semi-regular. Shame, because Martha really did shine this episode. I think its a mistake, but who knows, maybe she will come back full time next year, and the newspaper stories are based on the reporters only seeing this episode's ending. There's no reason she couldn't appear in a few Torchwoods before joining the Doctor full-time again.
10/10 - but let's hope for something more different next finale.
Other notes:
The Face of Boe's story is finally ended in style (Incidently, I managed to get a Deluxe Face of Boe action figure this week at long last. So happy)
The Doctor will return at Christmas in... Voyage of the Damned. (I'm not so sure an episode set on the Titanic will be suitable Christmas jollies though)
And who's that picking up the Master's ring and laughing at the end? The Rani, another contemporary of The Doctor and The Master? I guess we'll find out next year.
Roll on Christmas and roll on Series 4!
However, even in the extended run-time we were allowed, there's only so much you can do in a single episode. And this moved a breakneck speed, painting the screen with so many concepts and ideas in typical Russell T Davies style. Surprisingly, considering how continuity bound the previous episode was, this one was quite continuity free, refering back only to the previous two parts of the story.
I've also warmed to this madder Master too. Now, with The Doctor out of comission for most of the episode - and not his normal quick talking frantic self, it makes sense for the Master to be more manic and energetic. In many respects this Master is both the dynamically opposite and the same as the Tenth Doctor, just like the Original Master was both dynamically opposide and the same as the Third Doctor.
It looks like Martha is semi-written out after all, but there's a plot device to bring her back. I guess she will become a semi-regular. Shame, because Martha really did shine this episode. I think its a mistake, but who knows, maybe she will come back full time next year, and the newspaper stories are based on the reporters only seeing this episode's ending. There's no reason she couldn't appear in a few Torchwoods before joining the Doctor full-time again.
10/10 - but let's hope for something more different next finale.
Other notes:
The Face of Boe's story is finally ended in style (Incidently, I managed to get a Deluxe Face of Boe action figure this week at long last. So happy)
The Doctor will return at Christmas in... Voyage of the Damned. (I'm not so sure an episode set on the Titanic will be suitable Christmas jollies though)
And who's that picking up the Master's ring and laughing at the end? The Rani, another contemporary of The Doctor and The Master? I guess we'll find out next year.
Roll on Christmas and roll on Series 4!
Most of my Blu-ray collection some of my UK discs aren't on their database