241 replies to this topic

[darkestboy]

It's Dalek time for Eleven.

Edited by TWoP Mars, Aug 1, 2010 @ 11:16 AM.

[Buni]

Everything officially pales in comparison to the awesomeness of:

"Would! You! Care! For! Some! Tea!"

D'oh, fixed the quote right...

Edited by Buni, Apr 17, 2010 @ 1:39 PM.

[chianna]

headdesk Doctor/Martha part deux oh fun.

[jtr1812]

Loved The Doctor taking on the Daleks with a jammie dodger.

One dalek and the Doctor's terrified.

Why doesn't Amy remember the daleks?

[Heatherbelle]

Would! You! Like! A! Cup! Of! Tea!"

Hee. Yes, I Would. Also appreciated the use of a Jammie Dodger in a standoff situation...

Was surprised at the KBO lines. Wonder if people will complain about it?

I quite enjoyed this. Although my brain was going 'er, isn't Jack running about somewhere, wouldn't he had something to say about the Ironsides?'

Amy doesn't remember the Daleks? Either its more timey-wimey stuff, or something odd about Amy herself.

[BluWacky]

I think I was looking away when they explained the laser spitfires...

A perfectly acceptable episode once it warmed up; the Doctor thwacking the Daleks into self-recognition seemed completely and utterly ludicrous until the script made a stab at explaining it, but I was a little bemused at that whole sequence to begin with (I get it - the Daleks are the Doctor's mortal enemy, but can't he get quietly furious rather than ranting and bashing things about?)

Loved the Doctor staving them off with a Jammie Dodger, and was quite surprised they "went there" with what I took to be a reference to Amy feeling suicidal at some point... but otherwise there's not much to say. Generally entertaining, but hardly super-exciting stuff - I think I'm just over-familiar with the Daleks so they're not especially scary.

And I never understand why they just don't exterminate everyone toot-sweet. Except when they're being held up with a Jammie Dodger.

[Fiene]

Wow, those Daleks are really disco. I do like how their shape's changed though, more like how they used to be?

I'm not feeling too good right now. This is the second episode in a row where the writing was at times way too heavyhanded. I felt like 11 and Churchill had the same discussion at least three times:

"They are evil aliens!"

"They will beat the Germans for me!"

And the dilemma the Daleks gave the Doctor was so anvilicious. Then there were the plotholes, like how the professor manages to install gravitybubbles he's only invented as concepts in airplanes within minutes. It's like the writing staff is confusing "magical" with "implausible".

That's not to say there weren't any good bits. Eleven feeling terrible because the Daleks had beaten him in the chessgame they were playing was great, as was "Ok it's only a cookie, but you did promise me tea."

[Ransom]

Attack of the Magical Dalek Rainbow! Well, looks like Private Eye was right, and the point of this episode was to sell a whole new bunch of Dalek toys. Ah, well. At least there was some WW2 nostalgia to fill in the gaps in the plot, because I feel that we as a country don't dwell enough on WW2 and really need to see more Finest Hour bollocks on TV.

Eh, can't think of much good about this one. Churchill was alright, and the robo-boffin got some effective angst (hey, it turns out unrequited horniness is what makes us human after all). And the Daleks won, which is always nice to see, they need a victory every now and then to stay even vaguely plausible as a threat.

It's going to get pretty silly if the Evil Crack shows up at the end of every episode. Christ, I thought RTD's arcs felt forced.

[xtreme]

Yeah I'm sorry but Power Ranger Daleks? I don't like it... It's either that or it's meant to be a DC Comics Green Lantern reference.

[OverrideB1]

That wasn't too bad actually - certainly better than last week's offering. It definitely had a much more "old school" feel about it than any of the NW that I've seen.

The Good

• Old School Daleks with a modern twist The daleks have long since been my favourite Who villain but I was never very taken with the bronze finish. So it was really nice to see multi-coloured Master Race Daleks turn up again. I'm pretty much assuming that the colour-coding for the new old Daleks is the same as it was - White for Emperor, Red for Saucer Commander, Blue for Strategist... but I don't remember what yellow was for.
  Also, most awesome line - Would.You.Like.A.Cup.of.Tea!
• Spitfires in spaaace!
  There just something so very Dan Dare about the idea of space-faring Spitfires that appealed to the 7-year old in me and had me jumping up and down in glee.
• Say hello to my little friend... the Jammy Dodger
  This is so reminiscent of Four that it has to be a call-back to one of those occasions where jelly-babies were "the ultimate weapon". I really love the idea that the Daleks are so uncertain of the Doctor that he can effectively hold them back with a slightly naff jam-filled biscuit.

The Bad

• Propellers in spaaace! Propellers... in space? Ignoring the fact that there's no bloody air up there so the prop is totally superfluous, wouldn't the torque from the rotation spin the whole plane rather uncontrollably around its central axis?
• Anachronisms ahoy Let's ignore the fact that those were later model Spitfires shall we? And, also, the fact that bakolite phones came in black, white or... well, nothing else actually.
• Dodgy accents Ouch, Winnie's accent wandered a bit didn't it? When Ian McNeice got it right it was pretty damn' good actually. Unfortunately the "getting it right" bit didn't happen all that often.

The Ugly
Eleven and Amy talking the "living bomb" Bracewell out of exploding. That bit just felt so wrong somehow - especially as super-empath Amy managed (again) to hit just the right note with Bracewell - just as she did with the Space Whale last week.

As I said, a much better episode than last week's and it introduces yet another mystery beside the reoccurring crack in reality - just why doesn't Amy remember the Daleks?

I'm pretty much sold on Matt Smith as the Doctor now, the first two outings made me very wary but this episode pretty much confirmed MS's Doctorishness. The jury is still out on the new theme but I think I have come to the conclusion that I loathe and detest that new logo. Hate it!

Ahem.. so, next week... a whole planet of Weeping Angels? (Brown trouser time me thinks)

Edited by OverrideB1, Apr 17, 2010 @ 1:51 PM.

[James Moar]

It's going to get pretty silly if the Evil Crack shows up at the end of every episode

Didn't mind that. This is the appearance where the Crack stops being an easter egg for the sharp-eyed, and starts being something everyone knows about, so maybe it won't be played the same way again anyway.

This episode was kind of what I was expecting, in that it obviously had a goal of getting away from how the RTD Dalek episodes always ended by killing off all the Daleks forever (it helps that I've read one too many comics all about setting up the pieces the way the new writer wants them). Wish we'd seen more development of the Daleks masquerading as "Bracewell's Ironsides". Generally enjoyed it though, and liked Bracewell being allowed to do a runner -- I'm a sucker for any SF story where a character who has to make a Heroic Sacrifice for the state of restoring the status quo gets out of it.

[kelseyg]

Propellers in spaaace! Propellers... in space? Ignoring the fact that there's no bloody air up there so the prop is totally superfluous, wouldn't the torque from the rotation spin the whole plane rather uncontrollably around its central axis?

They didn't really explain it... but I got the impression they used the atmosphere bubble to create little air-pockets around the planes (or extend it from the earth up to the spaceship), and that's how they could go into space and fly.

The episode was okay. I did think it had a really clever and interesting plot, though. I liked when the Doctor was going a bit crazy hitting them and provoking the Daleks - even though we understood why he was doing it, it still made me feel bad for the daleks and gave Amy a nice view of "Whoa, maybe this guy has it less together than I thought."

I'm also glad they addressed Amy not remembering the daleks. Nice continuation of the overall arc.

Edited by kelseyg, Apr 17, 2010 @ 2:07 PM.

[Effra]

This had a really good premise and then descended into being very poor. The pacing was a mess, the new daleks look horrible, the Doctor's confrontation with the daleks and his anger didn't work and I think Smith struggled with those confrontational scenes, the stuff about being human was rehashing old stuff in a very inferior way, the characterisation of Churchill was dull - contrast all the previous historical characters we have seen -, Amy is a two-dimensional character, and some of the shots in the Tardis just ended up being half a whitish wall. Ultimately the only thing that interested me is that Amy can't remember the dalek invasion. I have loved Gattis' previous episodes and so I was really hoping that this might turn me onto the new season but it hasn't helped one jot.

Edited by Effra, Apr 17, 2010 @ 2:37 PM.

[John Potts]

I thought it was the best Dalek story we've had for a while - since at least Doomsday, (though unfortunately with the same "Coward, every time!" resolution). The daleks were actually sinister and clever and they caused the Doctor to do exactly what they wanted, though I loved the idea of a race of genocidal monsters who discover they're not Aryan, sorry, Dalek enough to be recognised by one of their devices. Also liked the idea of the Doctor and Churchill being friends, especially the inclusion of Churchill's (real) comment on how he'd put in a good word for the devil if Hitler declared war on hell (though he was - at least in the official history! - referring to Stalin).

However, the Doctor could have had his cake and eaten it too had he not backed down to the Daleks, allowed the (Space!) Spitfire to blow up the daleks and then grabbed the android and pulled him into the TARDIS and warped away. It might have required the Doctor to perform a heroic sacrifice, but he seemed quite prepared to do that.

I assume the crack in the world/Universe that chases Amy around is what caused her to forget about the Daleks. No doubt we'll find out in the Finale.

[Aravis]

Grrr - internet just ate my response.

Which may be a good thing as it was a bit ranty, so here's a quick summary

The good
Spitfire's in space! Just cool enough for me to get over the gaping plot holes
Amy's subtle save with the good memories - this could be revised if we start getting into St Rose territory, or if her 'fancying someone she shouldn't' turns into the Martha quagmire, but beats the whale anvils last week
Teasmaid daleks - just cos

The bad
The acting - particularly Bill Patterson (who's normally pretty good) waving his plot devices around and the cariacuture pilots. Also does anyone know whether this was earlier in the filming order than the first two? Both MS and KG felt really off in their character's and the through line was very confused. Amy - after seeming like a real breath of fresh air - is feeling very two dimensional
The budget cuts - the Tardis effect looked horrendous, the whole story was set in about four rooms, which felt like a budget issue, not a story one and the new daleks look cheap.

The hate
The new daleks. Why? Just because Stephem Moffatt can? They may be retro, but there's a reason why it's called progress (that's a comment on the real production world, not the DW world) It's the sillhouette I can't stand, someone get them a copy of atkins and whatever the Dalek equivalent of a stairmaster is, because they need some serious toning.

Wish we'd seen more development of the Daleks masquerading as "Bracewell's Ironsides".

In some ways I wish this had been a two parter - half of the above with the Doctor trying to figure out what they were up to, then a longer build up (and better execution) of the Dalek strategem. The story didn't go in the direction I thought it was going to, and, to be frank, I prefer mine.

Anyway - three episodes in and I'm disappointed. I haven't got excited, jumped, laughed out loud or bounced around like a four year old once yet. I didn't like RTD's OTP finales with their overall reliance on reset buttons, but I think he opened his seasons much better than Moffatt seems to have done. Then to top it all of River Song shows up next week. Joy.

[cutecouple]

Yeah I'm sorry but Power Ranger Daleks? I don't like it... It's either that or it's meant to be a DC Comics Green Lantern reference.

Me too! Plus, the design is thicker and slightly more Scandinavian. It'll sell more toys, but also probably play better on the canonical computer adventure games coming out.

As I said, a much better episode than last week's and it introduces yet another mystery beside the reoccurring crack in reality - just why doesn't Amy remember the Daleks?

Maybe one has something to do with the other. Remember back to "The Eleventh Hour". When the Doctor was scanning the crowd in the park taking pictures of the sun, he found Nurse Rory, and the scan included a look at his badge, which had an issue date of 30/11/1990. This makes no sense with the tech in that episode, unless reality was already cracked.

Anyway, I generally liked it, but it was fluff with not too much depth to it. Would have been better as a two parter, but it got the job done.

[darkestboy]

Something must be in the water because I went from being slightly underwhelmed to actually loving this episode a whole lot.

Okay, the Daleks - a revamp here and some talk of the Doctor's compassion and tricking him and they're basically the same. Still, they managed to get one over on him.

An intellectual victory and the promise of a return. I'll be genuinely surprised if they don't come back in the finale to be honest because i could do with seeing Eleven and Supreme going head to head again.

The niceness didn't last long and I felt bad for poor deluded Bracewell more than I should. Maybe it's Bill Patterson.

I wish I could get annoyed about Amy having a thing for the Doctor but it's not bothering me and I'm a Rory fan here. Also I think the Doctor will probably nip it in the bud anyways before it dares to intensify.

But how does Amy not know about the Daleks, that's the troubling thing? I liked that the Doctor confronted her about it towards the end of the episode and oh look, another crack appearance. Amy has to be connected to them.

Churchill was fun in this episode I guess and I could see him trying his darndest to keep the Doctor here but Amy was wise enough for him on that TARDIS key bit.

Jammie Dodgers and Daleks offering tea? I think I really have seen it all now, 9/10.

[bitchbully]

I am liking Matt as the doctor but Amy turning to Mary Sue is starting to annoy me. Anyhow, does anyone think the crack in the wall/reality and Amy forgetting about the daleks, are connected? Maybe Amy escaped from another parallel universe or something or it may just be a case of me, missin billie and tenant. Loved the Doctor-Rose era btw

Edited by bitchbully, Apr 17, 2010 @ 4:22 PM.

[OverrideB1]

The new daleks. Why? Just because Stephem Moffatt can? They may be retro, but there's a reason why it's called progress (that's a comment on the real production world, not the DW world) It's the sillhouette I can't stand, someone get them a copy of atkins and whatever the Dalek equivalent of a stairmaster is, because they need some serious toning.

I was actually pleased to see the older style of Dalek back - even though there are some modern twists - such as the eye-stalk and the vent around the collar being radically different.
I always felt that the modern "bronze" Daleks failed to exude menace in the way that I remember from the "classic" Who. They were squatter and slimmer than "old-school" Daleks. (Really, who's going to take them seriously when Mickey the Tin Dog is taller than the genocidal monster that wants to rule the Universe?). These new old Daleks have much more of a presence to them.
And yes, they'll probably play better in the computer game too :)

[cutecouple]

I was actually pleased to see the older style of Dalek back - even though there are some modern twists - such as the eye-stalk and the vent around the collar being radically different.

What's with the extra space on the back then?

[antmoose]

I was irresistibly reminded of Apple products when I saw the new Daleks. Or perhaps I should say iDaleks. Now in a range of hip colours!

Churchill wasn't very Churchillian. If he and the Doctor had been friends already and he had some means of contacting him, why hadn't he done so before the Ironsides turned up? It's not like the war had been going fabulously up to that point, and the Doctor's help would have been more than welcome, no doubt. Plus Churchill let the Doctor go a lot more easily than he should have.

So far, this season seems less dark, less gritty, but also less gripping. I mean, it's funny to hear the Dalek asking the Doctor if he wanted a cup of tea (I was sipping some tea at the time, which almost came back out the wrong way), but this WWII didn't feel anything like the terrifying, doom-laden WWII of "The Empty Child", which must have been taking place at more or less exactly the same time, in another part of London. I did miss Captain Jack.

Plot holes abounded. But I really like Matt Smith as the Doctor. Excellent Doctorishness. And Amy -- I don't think she has a crush on the Doctor. I was relieved to see she was no longer in her nightdress and dressing gown.

[aceplace57]

The Doctor Who series deserves better than this. The episode felt very rushed. It would have been better as a two part. Maybe then they could have developed the characters better.

What happened to the preview scene(s)? I didn't see the Doctor point a gun. Or that dialog he spoke about the Daleks setting a trap for him. Unless I fell asleep, that wasn't in the show.

I lost interest when the robot scientist somehow modified the spitfires to fly in space. Yes, he had advanced knowledge, but how did he do it in only a few minutes? He would have needed several days to make modifications.

Wasn't the actor playing Churchill too fat? I've seen pictures of Churchill during WWII, and he didn't have three chins. He was overweight, but not that big.

This show needs to get better soon. It's not much different than the Sarah Jane Adventures, and that show is written totally for children.

Edited by aceplace57, Apr 17, 2010 @ 6:23 PM.

[rowan sjet]

What happened to the preview scene(s)? I didn't see the Doctor point a gun. Or that dialog he spoke about the Daleks setting a trap for him. Unless I fell asleep, that wasn't in the show.

It wasn't in this episode. ;)

Edited by rowan sjet, Apr 17, 2010 @ 6:23 PM.

[Marquis Carabas]

No one's mentioned the mysterious person who turned on the one light. I think maybe it was the same thing we saw in Amy's house after she left with her suitcase (because I don't think that was Prisoner Zero i think PZ was in the room.)

[expelliarmus]

Plot holes abounded. But I really like Matt Smith as the Doctor. Excellent Doctorishness. And Amy -- I don't think she has a crush on the Doctor.

I don't think so too. I think they've established in the interviews with Karen Gillan that there's no romance between the Doctor and Amy.

This was the first episode filmed right? It showed through at some points.

[becks477]

The pacing was really off this episode -- I agree with aceplace57 that the plot felt rushed, and the Doctor's volume was turned up all the way almost the whole time. What happened to the new toned down Doctor? Also, the Doctor has to make A Big Choice again?

I agree that instead of feeling darker, so far this series feels like it's aiming more for kids. The music is not helping.

The only good thing for me was Amy not remembering the Daleks... I'd love for there to be something really interesting about her, rather than her just being some cute girl the Doctor picked up. (Although, I do appreciate the set-up by Moffat as explained in the Confidential, that the Doctor sort of picks her because she's known the new him 10 years longer than he has.)

I'm really looking forward to next week, though. If anything can restore my faith in Moffat, I have a feeling it's uncovering more of the River Song story + the weeping angels.

Can anyone refresh my memory -- what year should Amy have seen the Daleks, or how old should she have been?

[jennifda]

Did the zepplins really look like Goldfish crackers?

I liked the new Daleks, but thought they looked like they were the love child of Apple and Frigidaire. Did they seem to have a new voice though? A bit lower and less screechy?

Anachronisms ahoy Let's ignore the fact that those were later model Spitfires shall we? And, also, the fact that bakolite phones came in black, white or... well, nothing else actually.

On Confidential afterwards, they showed the Churchill Museum and there were red and green phones there.

Edited by jennifda, Apr 17, 2010 @ 8:12 PM.

[Dree]

Did they seem to have a new voice though? A bit lower and less screechy?

The blue iDalek was just as hysterically screechy as ever, to my ears.

[Marquis Carabas]

Apparently according to confidential the iDaleks haqve names/roles

Red=Drone, White=Supreme, Yellow=Eternal, Blue and Orange are Scientist and Strategist though I didn't quite catch which is which.

We'll see how that works out.

[jennifda]

Watched it again and I was just thinking of the white one (iEmporer - I, Claudius?) , which apparently always had the lower voice.

Red=Drone, White=Supreme, Yellow=Eternal, Blue and Orange are Scientist and Strategist though I didn't quite catch which is which.

Blue-Strategist, Orange=Scientist.

Edited by jennifda, Apr 17, 2010 @ 8:42 PM.