Without explicit agreement, we all seem to have adopted this technique for getting through recent episodes.
The Pilot (Grade & Discussion Thread)
- Thread starter TommyR01D
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Without explicit agreement, we all seem to have adopted this technique for getting through recent episodes.
Having not been paying attention to anything anywhere, I almost managed to miss the fact that this was even on. 
But for the first time in much too long, a Who episode kept my attention almost all the way through. I liked Bill. Nardole was annoying but not unendurably so. One or two pretty creepy moments. A few pretty good moments (really nice touch with the photos; good one, Doctor). Not a lot of plot to speak of but not so non-existent as to be worth complaining about. Basically, I enjoyed it. Will probably watch next week.
But for the first time in much too long, a Who episode kept my attention almost all the way through. I liked Bill. Nardole was annoying but not unendurably so. One or two pretty creepy moments. A few pretty good moments (really nice touch with the photos; good one, Doctor). Not a lot of plot to speak of but not so non-existent as to be worth complaining about. Basically, I enjoyed it. Will probably watch next week.
The thing that I want to stress out, of course, is how much Capaldi is owning the role by this point. He's so clearly definitive in the role, and enjoys it so completely, it reminds of Tom Baker circa City of Death, Graham Williams-era. I feel very sad watching it the second time, because this is his last batch of stories and there sadly won't be even more of him. Fuck you, BBC. Honestly, do go fuck yourself.
Yeah, Capaldi is great. Seeing him with a companion who isn't taking all the focus is nice. I think, with a different showrunner, Capaldi could have had an amazing run instead of an ok run. Still, his last series can still be very good, and based on the first episode it has the potential, in my opinion, to be his best series.
I didn't even catch what happened at first. At the end, I was thinking they never addressed why the Doctor was in those photos and then it hit me.
What's funny is that Bill is in almost every scene but it goes to show it's all in the execution.
yeah, it really is. Bill was important to the story, but it wasn't obnoxious like it was with Clara. Probably because Bill isn't "impossible", she's just an interesting character who happened to be at the center of the story.
The episode did a good job of making her likable. What was nice is that her character helped bring out the best in the Doctor. At the end, for example, she didn't hate him for the memory wipe, she made her case but didn't insist he not do it.
I think they were going for a sort of codependency with Clara and the Doctor, and it was more complex, perhaps even experimental at times, but she could rub people the wrong way. Like I don't know if we were supposed to always like the relationship between them but it wasn't necessarily presented that way.
Bill's dynamic with The Doctor was very interesting. I wasn't sure what I'd think about her based on the trailer, but I liked her in this episode. I don't think she'll be beating Amy/Rory as my favorite companions, but I think she's going to be a solid character and a good addition to the show.
How long does it take.... Actually that's a sexual fetish.
Bill is not a feeder.
(trailer is not completely safe for work, or people.)
Bill is not a feeder.
(trailer is not completely safe for work, or people.)
^ What are you responding to Guy?
It just occurred to me that Bill also was prompt and put in time studying and working hard. She earned her place by more than just virtue of being interesting in and of itself. It will be interesting to see how she's treated by the Doctor, if he respects her needs and vice versa. Granted it's only one episode but a less mercurial relationship between the two might be a refreshing change.
It just occurred to me that Bill also was prompt and put in time studying and working hard. She earned her place by more than just virtue of being interesting in and of itself. It will be interesting to see how she's treated by the Doctor, if he respects her needs and vice versa. Granted it's only one episode but a less mercurial relationship between the two might be a refreshing change.
That put an image in my head of the deep, rumbling tones of the Emperor Dalek saying "That's what she said."He doesn't get any complaints.
Bill kept giving that pretty girl an extra helping of chips, until she wasn't pretty anymore (to Bill).
How long does that take?
Weeks or months?
Bill is shallow.
How long does that take?
Weeks or months?
Bill is shallow.
It sounded like you were responding to someone. The "beauty or chips" comment was a bit unfortunate.Bill kept giving that pretty girl an extra helping of chips, until she wasn't pretty anymore (to Bill).
How long does that take?
Weeks or months?
Bill is shallow.
Honestly, I doubt an extra helping of fries every lunch would result in making someone overweight.Bill kept giving that pretty girl an extra helping of chips, until she wasn't pretty anymore (to Bill).
How long does that take?
Weeks or months?
Bill is shallow.
Yeah, I said fries, deal with it. To me, chips are what you Brits call "crisps."
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Wait till you find out what a fanny is to Brits.
And why exactly DO Americans call them chips when they are clearly sliced rather than chipped?
I can only hope that is the case.
Yeah, here's hoping!
I'm voting good.
I enjoyed the Doctor and Bill on screen. Being Moffat, I was confident that the slow burn would reward us with an interesting pay-off, and it basically did. The only issue I had with the premise is that I came away feeling like I'd basically seen the idea before. Thinking back, "The Empty Child"/"The Doctor Dances" (also Moffat) has a somewhat similar premise, involving alien technology not originally intended to be malevolent that malfunctions or whatever and transforms people into something like zombies.
Two thumbs-up for Bill, and as usual, I love Capaldi. The creep factor was also really good.
I enjoyed the Doctor and Bill on screen. Being Moffat, I was confident that the slow burn would reward us with an interesting pay-off, and it basically did. The only issue I had with the premise is that I came away feeling like I'd basically seen the idea before. Thinking back, "The Empty Child"/"The Doctor Dances" (also Moffat) has a somewhat similar premise, involving alien technology not originally intended to be malevolent that malfunctions or whatever and transforms people into something like zombies.
Two thumbs-up for Bill, and as usual, I love Capaldi. The creep factor was also really good.
The episode was enjoyable. I see in this episode the groundwork, possibly, for two season-long arcs - Heather and the Vault. I wonder if they will be followed up, and whether the payoff will be worth it. In the last few seasons, the season-long arcs ended with disappointing payoffs.
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