Doctor Who
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I loved this! John Simm is on top form, as ever, and totally stole the show! Not to mention the cross-dressing... I don't want David Tennant to leave! He has been magnificent!
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Did any UK members catch David Tennant reprise his spell at The Royal Shakespeare Company in the TV presentation of the RSC modern dress version of Hamlet? Shown on BBC2 on Boxing Day - Saturday 26th Dcecember - so it remains available on the BBC iPlayer for a few more days yet: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00pk71s/Hamlet/ It was David's tenancy with the RSC last year that led to this being a season of "Specials" rather than a full blown season of Doctor Who episodes. I wonder if this TV version of the RSC Hamlet - starring many of the actors who acted the play with David in Stratford Upon Avon is a result of the negotiations between David, The BBC and the RSC for them to share him for that period. At 3hrs and 5 minutes long i's not the best thing to watch on a PC monitor but until it's repeated this is the best available. Full details from the link above:
David Tennant stars in a film of the Royal Shakespeare Company's award-winning production of Shakespeare's great play. Director Gregory Doran's modern-dress production was hailed by the critics as thrilling, fast-moving and, in parts, very funny. Hamlet must decide whether to avenge his father's murder at the hands of his uncle Claudius (played by Patrick Stewart), who has married his brother's wife - Hamlet's mother, Gertrude. This visually sumptuous screen version was filmed on location with all of the original stage cast. Part of the BBC Christmas 2009 season. BBC Productions in association with Illuminations and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Broadcast on:BBC HD, 4:40pm Sunday 27th December 2009 Duration: 185 minutes Available until: 8:09pm Saturday 2nd January 2010 Categories:Audio Described, Drama, Classic & Period Credits: Hamlet David Tennant Claudius/The Ghost Patrick Stewart Gertrude Penny Downie Polonius Oliver Ford-Davies Ophelia Mariah Gale Laertes Edward Bennett Horatio Peter De Jersey Rosencrantz/Second Gravedigger Sam Alexander Guildenstern Tom Davey Gravedigger Mark Hadfield Player King John Woodvine Osric/Player QueenRyan Gage Dumbshow King Samuel Dutton Dumbshow Queen/Priest Jim Hooper Reynaldo/Dumbshow Poisoner David Ajala Marcellus Keith Osborn Barnardo Ewen Cummins Francisco/Fortinbras Robert Curtis Voltemand Roderick Smith Cornelia Andrea Harris Lucianus Ricky Champ Lady-in-waiting Riann Steele Lady-in-waiting Zoe Thorne
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martinput:
Did any UK members catch David Tennant reprise his spell at The Royal Shakespeare Company in the TV presentation of the RSC modern dress version of Hamlet? Shown on BBC2 on Boxing Day - Saturday 26th Dcecember - so it remains available on the BBC iPlayer for a few more days yet: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00pk71s/Hamlet/ It was David's tenancy with the RSC last year that led to this being a season of "Specials" rather than a full blown season of Doctor Who episodes. I wonder if this TV version of the RSC Hamlet - starring many of the actors who acted the play with David in Stratford Upon Avon is a result of the negotiations between David, The BBC and the RSC for them to share him for that period. At 3hrs and 5 minutes long i's not the best thing to watch on a PC monitor but until it's repeated this is the best available. Full details from the link above:
David Tennant stars in a film of the Royal Shakespeare Company's award-winning production of Shakespeare's great play. Director Gregory Doran's modern-dress production was hailed by the critics as thrilling, fast-moving and, in parts, very funny. Hamlet must decide whether to avenge his father's murder at the hands of his uncle Claudius (played by Patrick Stewart), who has married his brother's wife - Hamlet's mother, Gertrude. This visually sumptuous screen version was filmed on location with all of the original stage cast. Part of the BBC Christmas 2009 season. BBC Productions in association with Illuminations and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Broadcast on:BBC HD, 4:40pm Sunday 27th December 2009 Duration: 185 minutes Available until: 8:09pm Saturday 2nd January 2010 Categories:Audio Described, Drama, Classic & Period Credits: Hamlet David Tennant Claudius/The Ghost Patrick Stewart Gertrude Penny Downie Polonius Oliver Ford-Davies Ophelia Mariah Gale Laertes Edward Bennett Horatio Peter De Jersey Rosencrantz/Second Gravedigger Sam Alexander Guildenstern Tom Davey Gravedigger Mark Hadfield Player King John Woodvine Osric/Player QueenRyan Gage Dumbshow King Samuel Dutton Dumbshow Queen/Priest Jim Hooper Reynaldo/Dumbshow Poisoner David Ajala Marcellus Keith Osborn Barnardo Ewen Cummins Francisco/Fortinbras Robert Curtis Voltemand Roderick Smith Cornelia Andrea Harris Lucianus Ricky Champ Lady-in-waiting Riann Steele Lady-in-waiting Zoe Thorne
cheers
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Only a few hours now until the UK sees the end of David's tenure and the arrival of Matt Smith. Watching the repeat of part one this lunchtime I had to giggle at the "closure" of a previously unexplained series arc. Wikipedia describes the end moments of the episode set in Elizebethan England starring Shakespeare and The Globe Theatre called the Shakespeare Code:
In the morning, Shakespeare flirts again with Martha and with the Doctor, whom he has deduced be an alien, but he is interrupted by the entrance of Queen Elizabeth I, who calls the Doctor her "sworn enemy" and declares, "Off with his head!" The Doctor, who has not yet met the Queen, but comments that he is looking forward to finding out how he will offend her, flees with Martha to the TARDIS, slamming the door just as an arrow embeds itself before dematerialisation.
Well, when The Doctor stumbles out of the Tardis in response to a summons to meet the Ood Elders he gave a variety of reasons for his delay including: "Got Married - that was a mistake - to Good Queen Bess - suffice it to say she's no longer the ...... ......" The words left hanging, for those not familar with English history, are probably "Virgin Queen" one of Queen Elizabeth the First's nicknames. Clearly the meeting that triggered the Shakespeare Code confrontation happened during the Tenth Doctor's incarnation otherwise Queen Elizabeth wouldn't have recognised him. Nice to see that little teaser arc put to bed. Martin
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allons-y was a a cracking two parter
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BBC America is running a Doctor Who marathon all day today, through the night, and all day tomorrow, leading up to The End of Time, part two on Saturday, 2nd of January at 8:30PM EST. Heads-up, Hitchcock lovers...January is Hitchcock month on BBC America! The Birds, Psycho, Vertigo, and Rear Window.
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WOW...Absolutely LOVED it!!!
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New Dr Who preview.....
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Well time to dust off this dormant topic and get excited all over again. As I write, there are people here in the UK that have officially seen episode one of the new Matt Smith Eleventh Doctor tenancy - lucky people. The first episode is taking a tour of the UK - three venues, three preview screenings to both press and selected fans ahead of the release this Easter. They had the new executive producer/writer Steven Moffat on Breakfast TV this morning for an "after the party" interview and Matt and the new sidekick - sorry "companion" - have been doing the rounds. They were boasting they've just viewed the final edit of episode 12, let alone episode one.... For us mere mortals, without the benefit of a time machine, we have to wait until Saturday 3rd April for our first taste. At least this time round we are back to the old format of weekly epsiodes - no more "specials" like last year when David Tennant did other things. This series has already been in production for nine months. Steven Moffat has written some of the most interesting Doctor Who storylines in recent years. In particular the charming The Girl In The Fireplace and the impressive Blink with the scary Weeping Angels - voted by parents as the most scary episode for younger children. Both of those were the only episode Steven Moffat wrote in each of those series. He wrote the more recent Silence In The Library/Forest Of The Dead two parter which introduced Alex Kingston as Professor River Song, a future as-yet-unmet companion of the Doctor, who carried with her a Tardis shaped diary of her future adventures with the Doctor - but given the chance to open it David Tennant's tenth Doctor passed up the opportunity. So we can certainly expect more of that story arc. We're also promised by Steven that the Weeping Angels reappear in this series and are even scarier..... Martin BTW what is BBC America saying about the new series? Do you get it concurrently like the Xmas special or are they going to make you wait again?
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martinput:
BTW what is BBC America saying about the new series? Do you get it concurrently like the Xmas special or are they going to make you wait again?
The US season premiere is Saturday, 17th April. Two weeks to wait, but at least we won't be waiting months!
martinput:
The first episode is taking a tour of the UK - three venues, three preview screenings to both press and selected fans ahead of the release this Easter
BBC America is presenting special premiere screenings here in the US as well... San Francisco on 3rd April, and Chicago on 16th April.
martinput:
Steven Moffat has written some of the most interesting Doctor Who storylines in recent years. In particular the charming The Girl In The Fireplace and the impressive Blink with the scary Weeping Angels - voted by parents as the most scary episode for younger children. Both of those were the only episode Steven Moffat wrote in each of those series. We're also promised by Steven that the Weeping Angels reappear in this series and are even scarier.....
The triplets have always considered Blink to be the scariest Doctor Who episode. Audrey will not watch Blink during evening hours...too close to bedtime! The triplets have noted the "Weeping Angles" in both the teaser, and the trailer...They are dreading their return! Looking forward to the new season with great anticipation!
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The Doctor returns to our screens in Easter but before he travels the universe he'll be touring the UK at the end of March. Matt Smith and Karen Gillan - the Eleventh Doctor and new companion Amy Pond - will be hopping onboard a specially themed Doctor Who tour bus and visiting five communities from Northern Ireland to Northampton. Each location will host a regional premiere of the new series opening episode, The Eleventh Hour. Please note, tickets are not available for these screenings. The tour bus will be visiting Belfast before moving on to Karen Gillan's hometown of Inverness. Sunderland and Salford are the next stops before journey's end in Matt's hometown of Northampton. Although tickets are not available for any of the screenings we'll be onboard the bus to bring you exclusive coverage of the tour. And in early April there'll be a separate series of events in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Plymouth and Swansea. These will feature giveaways, the chance to see the new trailer in 3D, get your photograph taken whilst tumbling through the vortex and come face-to-face with some of the Doctor's deadliest enemies! We'll be bringing you more details of this nearer the time. http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/features/bulletins/bulletin_100310_01
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Well the day is finally here. Time to see the various hints from the teaser trails unfold - how The Doctor meets his new assistant, who will be the first "baddie"? new character or old adversary? The BBC kindly ran the whole double episode of the seasons closure - with the transformation scene - last night on BBC Three. Followed by the Doctor Who Confidential episode showing the final scene of David and first scene of Matt Smith - his first few hesitant moments on set. David was truly tearful as they pulled a stunt on him to say a proper bye bye. Matt showed a lively sense of fun out of character which hopefully will translate well into his playing of The Doctor. As Triplets Love Paul mentioned the USA has to wait two weeks more so no spoilers in replies tonight please. Martin
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I had to come on and post after such a fantastic start to the new season. I've tried not to include any spoilers, but concentrated more on general impressions of the new era rather than giving away any of the plot. If you don't want to know anything at all, then look away now! Matt Smith's first hour (yes it was a whole 63 minutes long!) was a madcap, magical and laugh-out-loud funny rollercoaster ride of an episode, full of mystery, suspense and great gags. The whole episode was beautifully lit and the special cameras they've invested in (like the ones they use for the Harry Potter films apparently) give the show a real fairytale feel. The Russell T Davies years were full of grand spectacle. This is more of a monster under the bed, Tim Burton style of film-making. Think the new Alice in Wonderland movie set in a sleepy English village and it will give you a good feel for the tone of this first episode. That's not to say that Steven Moffatt can't write some beautiful character moments just like Russell, and include some great stunts, it's just that they've got that extra fairydust sprinkled on top. I'm really warming to Matt's doctor straightaway. It helps that Steven's given him some great dialogue to play with (including a couple of slightly risqué jokes that thankfully went straight over the heads of our two kids!!). But he's got a real warmth and a genuine eccentricity about him that makes him perfect for the role. At times you do notice just how young he looks and sounds, but at the same time there's something almost of an old man about him - even when he's running around or falling over, which he does a lot. He saves the day by the seat of his pants, although he's clearly in control, even when giving the impression that he hasn't got a clue what he's doing. Whether his wild-eyed mannerisms and general clumsiness will grate in time remain to be seen, but on first impressions I think he'll be adored by children. His physical traits make him endearing and don't seem affected. Karen Gillan as the new assistant Amy is feisty and a strong character, yet still in awe of the things the doctor opens her eyes to. And the TARDIS - wow!!!!!!!!!!! I'll say no more until our American friends have seen the episode! But just wait and see - and it's only right and proper that we see it through Amy's eyes first, not the Doctor's. The trailers for the rest of the season look spectacular. Again I won't give anything away, but there's plenty of treats in store. And the acid test - does it score with the kids? Our 13 year old really enjoyed it - and he's a big Harry Potter fan. Our 9 year old, who cried for ages when David Tennant regenerated and was determined to dislike Matt from the start, was transfixed. His face was a picture while he watched the episode and gave the show a thumbs up (albeit reluctantly at the end ).
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Wonderful. Despite the many preview snippets shown in the trailers the first episode took us in unexpected directions - the trailers were clearly designed to tantalise and tease. Yes the Doctor Who franchise is in excellent hands with Matt Smith and the new executive producer Steven Moffat. The last year of David Tennent has been very dark and full of angst/soul searching, this episode makes it clear that the transformation has flushed away all that and we can expect some more joyous storylines free from the foreboding conflicted stories of late. Bring it on...... I must check that we're getting episode two, same time(ish) next Saturday I haven't seen schedules yet. Martin
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martinput:
I must check that we're getting episode two, same time(ish) next Saturday I haven't seen schedules yet.
Phew, yes.... http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/dw/news/bulletin_100403_02/The_Beast_Below Saturday 10th at 18.15 - 5 minutes earlier. Martin
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Good results from the overnight viewing figures, according to BBC News. Audience figures for Matt's debut peaked at 8.4 million and averaged eight million, an audience share of 36.9%. Over on ITV1, Harry Hill's TV Burp was watched by an average of just 3.5 million viewers. The full report, including reaction to Matt's doctor here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8602698.stm Warning: mild spoiler about the opening scene in the report. The video clip at the bottom of the report also includes a big chunk of the opening scene, so don't watch it if you want to save it up til you see the whole episode.
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You're killing me, Birthday!!!
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I didn't see the first one, and I don't really want to because of the new doctor. He's not the same as David.
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Triplets Love Paul:
You're killing me, Birthday!!!
Sorry TLP. Hopefully not too long for you til the show airs in the US. Believe me it will be worth the wait. I've posted some thoughts on the episode on the previous page of this thread (spoiler free). I think your family will love it. Looking forward to reading what you think of the episode.
James Rowat:
I didn't see the first one, and I don't really want to because of the new doctor. He's not the same as David.
Matt isn't David and no-one misses David more than we do in our house. But Matt is very definitely the Doctor and he plays a blinder in his first episode. Give him a chance James, it always takes a while to get used to a new doctor, especially if you loved the last one. But I think Matt will be something special.
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Mod Edit. This post contains spoilers - would members please note the USA does not view this programme until the 17th April and US members have asked that plot-line details are not posted ahead of that broadcast. Scroll down to see the post if you wish to proceed...