Feelings Halfway Through The Series

[The Wormhole]

I've had doubts about it. But, I don't think it's been officially confirmed or denied. No official word either way as far as I know. Unless you've seen an official announcement?

Official? No, I've just read statements from trustworthy insiders. Though it does track with some official info I have concerning BBC and the Daleks. Specifically, in The Writer's Tale RTD talks about how every season he oversaw, BBC was constantly pressuring him to use Daleks in the premiere. He always resisted, and the fact the Daleks got used in epic finales seemed to mollify the BBC. It seems Moffat did succumb to BBC pressure, using Daleks three of his premieres. In fact, with the exception of season 6 the Daleks always appeared within the first three episodes of a Moffat season, sending the impression he was intentionally getting the Dalek obligation out of the way.

Part of it is the music too. There has been nothing IMO that sticks out.

The music certainly isn't anywhere near as bombastic as Murray Gold's fare, but I'm liking it all the same. It has an interesting sound and is giving the show a bit of a unique feel.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

One of the reasons I'm loving Segun Akinola's music is because it's not bombastic. I got sick of that shit waaay back in series 1. Gold produced a lot great quiet music but his bombastic works were awful.

 

[Mr Awe]

Considering the Thijarians' reputation as intergalactic assassins, it was an easy mistake to make. It's not like Frick and Frack sent out flyers explaining their change in philosophy. I reckon the question is, where do the Doctors get their information on this type of thing?

I agree, they gave an in story reason for the confusion. I'm just saying, in terms of character development, it's not really helping. The antagonist helps build the protagonist. And, she hasn't had a strong one to face off against. This story looked like it might change that, but no, turns out she was wrong! All she had to do was observed and things would work out fine.

Yeah, not her fault maybe but it doesn't help build her character.

 

[Mr Awe]

Official? No, I've just read statements from trustworthy insiders. Though it does track with some official info I have concerning BBC and the Daleks. Specifically, in The Writer's Tale RTD talks about how every season he oversaw, BBC was constantly pressuring him to use Daleks in the premiere. He always resisted, and the fact the Daleks got used in epic finales seemed to mollify the BBC. It seems Moffat did succumb to BBC pressure, using Daleks three of his premieres. In fact, with the exception of season 6 the Daleks always appeared within the first three episodes of a Moffat season, sending the impression he was intentionally getting the Dalek obligation out of the way.

Interesting. So, there was pressure. Was the pressure only to push for early appearances, but they would've been required to appear at some point in each series anyway? That's not clear. In other words, the pressure to have them appear early in a series does not indicate their appearance at some point was optional. It'll be interesting whether there's even a cameo this season.

I'd be completely fine with a break from the Daleks. But, I do hope from some sort of strong villain even if not one seen before.

 

[The Wormhole]

Interesting. So, there was pressure. Was the pressure only to push for early appearances, but they would've been required to appear at some point in each series anyway? That's not clear. In other words, the pressure to have them appear early in a series does not indicate their appearance at some point was optional. It'll be interesting whether there's even a cameo this season.

It's not made clear, no, but given the pointless Dalek cameo in Waters of Mars, I suspect there was pressure to include at least on Dalek appearance on an annual basis. Indeed, The Writer's Tale also reveals that early drafts of TEOT was going to include a group of renegade Daleks who sided with Rassilon and were working with him to implement his plan. RTD eventually removed them because their presence was bogging the script down with too much exposition. I wonder if the Dalek scene in Waters of Mars might have been added in reaction to their removal from TEOT?

 

[Mr Awe]

It's not made clear, no, but given the pointless Dalek cameo in Waters of Mars, I suspect there was pressure to include at least on Dalek appearance on an annual basis. Indeed, The Writer's Tale also reveals that early drafts of TEOT was going to include a group of renegade Daleks who sided with Rassilon and were working with him to implement his plan. RTD eventually removed them because their presence was bogging the script down with too much exposition. I wonder if the Dalek scene in Waters of Mars might have been added in reaction to their removal from TEOT?

Interesting. I have no idea. I really need to read The Writer's Tale at some point!

I'd guess that the more likely scenario is that there is no requirement for the Daleks to appear. But, the BBC must've bought the rights to use them and, by golly, the bean counters are going to push to include them. "Why are we paying for them if they aren't going to appear?" I suspect there is that type of pressure--which makes sense.

But, just because you bought the rights to use something doesn't require that you use them. It's like buying media of any type (video, audio). You don't have to watch/listen to it, but it's kind of silly not to after buying the rights to use it!

That would be my guess at least. Although I suppose the Nation Estate could've insisted on some clause that keeps them in the public eye to prevent them from losing relevance (and market value).

 

[SpocksOddSocks]

I think that if there is pressure to include Daleks all the time, it might be to do with initial difficulties securing the rights to use them from Terry Nation's estate. I'm sure I recall there being ongoing negotiations right up until the filming of the first series. The BBC might have felt they needed to get their money's worth.

 

[The Wormhole]

I suspect that rather than the Nation Estate insisting on the condition of annual appearances, it is a BBC mandate. After all, the Nation Estate put the BBC through the ringer to get the Dalek rights, to the point that it seemed a very real probability they wouldn't get the rights. Indeed, RTD created the Toclafane in the first season with the intent of making them the enemy the Time Lords fought in the Time War, and the Toclafane were even in the concept design stages by the time BBC did get the rights to the Daleks. So I suspect it's been a case of "we worked our asses off to get these rights, now you're going to make it worth our while."

 

[BritishSeaPower]

I feel like Moffat made a remark that they don't have to use the Daleks every year, but the BBC strongly encouraged them to use the Daleks at least once a season because there is a demonstrated uptick in Daleks being explicitly in an episode and viewership.

 

[arch101]

Anyone know what the ratings in the US and UK have been like?

 

[The Wormhole]

I feel like Moffat made a remark that they don't have to use the Daleks every year, but the BBC strongly encouraged them to use the Daleks at least once a season because there is a demonstrated uptick in Daleks being explicitly in an episode and viewership.

Moffat did say after season 5 aired that season 6 would be a "Dalek free year." Then after The Wedding of River Song aired and there was not only a Dalek appearance, the Dalek was used to promote the episode Moffat was asked about the Dalek appearance after he promised no Daleks in the season, and his answer was "at the time I didn't think there would be any Daleks in season 6."

 

[BritishSeaPower]

^
Ahh, I'm probably conflating the two. But yeah, to my mind the "required to keep using the Daleks, so the Daleks must appear" thing felt quashed a while back.

 

[Worf2DS9]

I can’t see any of the new episodes get much of a rewatch, and that’s what I hate most about the new series.

While I still look forward to watching the new episodes each week, so far I haven't really felt inclined to rewatch any.

This is pretty much my viewpoint as well. I still have each of them on PVR, but so far, with the exception of the first episode I haven't rewatched any of them yet. I may wait until some point during the break between seasons before I revisit the episodes -- unless a really spectacular episode comes along this season.

I do love Jodie as the Doctor, no issues there. Having to focus on three companions, though, seems to be a disservice to each of them as far as development goes. I think Graham comes off the best of the trio; I like Yaz next, but I wish she had more to do; and Ryan is kind of boring to me a lot of the time. Looking forward to seeing each of their characters (hopefully) expand during the rest of the season.

 

[Turtletrekker]

I feel like Moffat made a remark that they don't have to use the Daleks every year, but the BBC strongly encouraged them to use the Daleks at least once a season because there is a demonstrated uptick in Daleks being explicitly in an episode and viewership.

I imagine that merchandising is a factor as well. Gotta sell toys!

 

[Marynator]

I love her companions, I think it's a great dynamic those three have together, and I feel they compliment each other well. I never knew she only had one companion at a time before, so for me this is fresh, and I feel different than before isn't necessarily bad, but I understand sometimes when you're used to something you like things to be familiar.

I feel each companion adds something different, Graham is experienced and kindly, he has street smarts from his time being a bus driver, and he's sort of their grandpa figure. Yaz has exuberance and she has that sort of adventurous spirit, and you know she has skills as a police officer. Ryan is innocent but damaged (I mean emotionally from his father), he's a wonderful moral compass. And I feel the Doctor is sort of their guide on their journey, and so far I love how they're doing things.

I kind of like how it's sort of their story, she's obviously their knowledgeable leader and taking them on an adventure through time and space, and she provides expertise and resources, but I enjoy seeing the others really standing out for a lot of things. I never watched other Doctor Whos before, so I don't have anything to compare her to, but she's working really well for what I was hoping to see from a show like this, she's sort of a mystical figure and I find myself relating more to her companions, which I think is a fine way of doing things for this type of program.

I haven't felt bored by any episode so far, and I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more

 

[The Nth Doctor]

I love her companions, I think it's a great dynamic those three have together, and I feel they compliment each other well. I never knew she only had one companion at a time before, so for me this is fresh, and I feel different than before isn't necessarily bad, but I understand sometimes when you're used to something you like things to be familiar.

Well, most times, The Doctor only had one companion at a time, but there were some Doctors (most notably First, Second, Fifth, and Elventh) who only had two or more companions at any given time (well, the back half of Eleventh's final season there was only one). However, this is the first time The Doctor has had three companions since The Fifth Doctor in 80s (not counting one-off stories with returning companions).

 

[Mr Awe]

I love her companions, I think it's a great dynamic those three have together, and I feel they compliment each other well.

I love the companions too. The characters are the highlight of the season for me so far. I think one problem has been that the scripts don't always know how to use all three companions in each story. That's not an inherent problem with the number of companions, but rather it is a writing problem. I hope they get that figured out. For example, in the Punjab episode, Ryan was mostly just in the background. Yaz had been under used in the earlier stories.

But, the show started out with three companions way back in 1963 and that worked fine. So, it is doable.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

I love the companions too. The characters are the highlight of the season for me so far. I think one problem has been that the scripts don't always know how to use all three companions in each story. That's not an inherent problem with the number of companions, but rather it is a writing problem. I hope they get that figured out. For example, in the Punjab episode, Ryan was mostly just in the background. Yaz had been under used in the earlier stories.

But, the show started out with three companions way back in 1963 and that worked fine. So, it is doable.

But if they give all 3 companions more to do in each episode, what are they taking away from? I think we're already not getting quite enough Doctor, and certainly not enough of the Doctor vs. the Bad Guy.

I like all three companions. Graham and Ryan are a lot of fun to watch, Yaz goes along well with the Doctor.

 

[Mr Awe]

But if they give all 3 companions more to do in each episode, what are they taking away from? I think we're already not getting quite enough Doctor, and certainly not enough of the Doctor vs. the Bad Guy.

I like all three companions. Graham and Ryan are a lot of fun to watch, Yaz goes along well with the Doctor.

You can write good stories that have more than two main characters. It's done all the time on most shows. Most shows have a main cast that usually have more than two, right?

 

[Turtletrekker]

But, the show started out with three companions way back in 1963 and that worked fine. So, it is doable.

There are a lot of things about Jodie's first series that makes me think of the very early days of Who.