Feelings Halfway Through The Series

[Starkers]

I think aside from the lack of agency at times, the big thing I've noticed this year is just how aimless the show feels. I wasn't always the greatest fan of every arc the show's had (RTD or Moffat) but at least those seasons felt like they had a common thread, like they were going somewhere (even if they ended up disappointing in the end) whereas this season just feels adrift, it's just the Doctor and companions bouncing from adventure to adventure. And YES, I realise that for the most part this is how the classic series rolled aside from some exceptions (Pertwee trying to repair the Tardis, the Key to Time, The Black Guardian trilogy,Trial of a Timelord etc.) but TV has moved on outside of your procedurals (and even they have ongoing story threads).

There was a reference to "the Timeless Child" in Ghost Monument, but this hasn't been followed up in any way shape or form, and whilst the first two episodes referenced the Stenza, suggesting they might be the season's big bad, again we've heard nothing since then. Heck even the antagonism between Ryan and Graham has dropped off the radar, it hasn't been resolved, it's just been forgotten. And this week was the first time Ryan's dyspraxia has been mentioned since the pilot I believe.

At the moment you could probably show the episodes in any order and it wouldn't make a huge difference side from you having to show Arachnids before Demons. Maybe that's intentional but even if it is, for me it's a mistake.

Hopefully I'll be lauding Chibnall's clever plotting as everything comes together in the finale and blows me away...

 

[Mr Awe]

The company didn't kill her, a compromised computer system which the villain of the piece had hacked into and prevented from raising the alarm in any other way did.

True, but it is a bit odd--that the system that was worried about people vanishing would kill one intentionally. Why not just use one of the robots to verbally communicate with the Doctor? Why couldn't the system change the delivery addresses like the Doctor ultimately did?

Like the spider episode, this ending didn't seem particularly well thought out.

 

[Starkers]

True, but it is a bit odd--that the system that was worried about people vanishing would kill one intentionally. Why not just use one of the robots to verbally communicate with the Doctor? Why couldn't the system change the delivery addresses like the Doctor ultimately did?

Like the spider episode, this ending didn't seem particularly well thought out.

The system did try, remember the Doctor was originally supposed to be working with Charlie. Charlie had hacked the system the Doctor just hacked Charlie's hack in a way the system couldn't.

 

[Mr Awe]

^ I still think it's odd that a system that could track the Doctor through time and space, and send a message because it was concerned about missing people would:

1) Kill more people
2) Couldn't send a more explicit message
3) Find a way to communicate with the Dr while she was there

Perhaps you could argue that the system being hacked could explain some of that. Maybe.

I enjoyed the episode. Up there with the Punjab episode as a favorite this season. But, you have to overlook a few plot holes.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

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.

This tracks with what I've heard. Years ago, I was told by a credible source that the BBC really wanted Moffat to start off Matt Smith's era with a Dalek story. I'm glad he didn't. I wouldn't have wanted to lose "fish fingers and custard" for a Dalek story.

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."

In Moffat's defense, he had a hell of a time writing "The Wedding of River Song." Throwing a Dalek in there may have been his way out of the problems he faced.

 

[starsuperion]

Well between thw rumours of the showrunner leaving, and Jodie, the Neil Gamman admission that the BBC edit and are actively messing with scripts..I can see now why the series comes off preachy, leftist, bland, and boring. So far, I wish there could have been better writing and acting from the Doctor, and crew. As for Yas, she does nothing to add to anything, and for the most part is a useless companion. I can't believe she's a cop! I was dead set against this season because I felt that after 10, and all the inserted PC nonsense that 11 would get the same. Its actually worse then I thought. If the BBC rumours of them messing with scripts and such are true, I don't blame Chibnall and Whittaker, because their vision is being tailored to fit a political agenda by higher up. If that's the case, art is suffering to propaganda, I wouldn't blame Chibnall for wanting to get out.

 

[Professor Zoom]

Well between thw rumours of the showrunner leaving, and Jodie, the Neil Gamman admission that the BBC edit and are actively messing with scripts..I can see now why the series comes off preachy, leftist, bland, and boring. So far, I wish there could have been better writing and acting from the Doctor, and crew. As for Yas, she does nothing to add to anything, and for the most part is a useless companion. I can't believe she's a cop! I was dead set against this season because I felt that after 10, and all the inserted PC nonsense that 11 would get the same. Its actually worse then I thought. If the BBC rumours of them messing with scripts and such are true, I don't blame Chibnall and Whittaker, because their vision is being tailored to fit a political agenda by higher up. If that's the case, art is suffering to propaganda, I wouldn't blame Chibnall for wanting to get out.

"Propaganda," lol.

 

[David cgc]

Yes, what could be more leftist than an episode showing the megacorp giving menial jobs at slave wages to provide consumer goods was right all along (laudable, in fact, for being a job creator above and beyond what was required by burdensome government regulation, and kind enough to give its workers two weeks pay to last them through a month-long shutdown), and the icky terrorist who thought people shouldn't be forced into poverty by the system was so evil ad the Doctor tacitly endorsed fridging an innocent woman to try and change his mind.

 

[cultcross]

the BBC edit and are actively messing with scripts

Find me a TV franchise where the scripts don't get extensive rewrites.

 

[Starkers]

Anyone who thinks Chibnall and Jodie are somehow being forced the make the show the way it's being made frankly hasn't been paying attention to either of them and, even more frankly, probably isn't firing on all thrusters, to quote Leonard H McCoy

 

[VDCNI]

Oh no, regular team behind hit TV show rewrite freelancer scripts - who has ever heard of such a thing!!!!

 

[cultcross]

Oh no, regular team behind hit TV show rewrite freelancer scripts - who has ever heard of such a thing!!!!

Must be a left wing conspiracy! I bet they make decisions on budget too, like Communists.

 

[Starkers]

Neil Gaiman is notoriously an alt right writer as well...

 

[starsuperion]

Wow! Post something outside of the norm, and get 5-6 responses of like minded Borgs. Too funny. Not a whit of individuality amongst the mob. Seems appropriate the ratings are down. Oh! But they aren't..sure..sure..keep telling yourself that. But the consolidated Ratings are way up compared to Capaldi's last season! Hmmm..sure..sure..but they are exactly where Capaldi's were in his first season, so really whats the difference. The new season was supposed to be the reboot. Better ratings. All the shill media websites were touting this as the new era, higher ratings, it will be like the RTD era, only better because now, its time. Its about time for a woman. Did it work? The new direction was supposed to raise ratings, not maintain it at its lower levels. Where are all these new fans that were supposed to return it to its glory? The premier was pretty much the only thing supporters of this new iteration point to constantly, but in the end, much like Star Trek STD, Disney Star Wars and such "modern" revamps, they suck. This season, I'm sorry it sucks. I expect 5-6 more mob like responses..too funny this happens all over any board discussion. One person has an opposing opinion to the Group thought gang an gets lynched..authoritarians abound I guess.

"Think like us or You're a baf horrible person!"

Too funny. Reminds me of the thought police in 1984. Not enough self introspection to realize that I suppose. Sad really. No one can really express an opinion outside the norm. If one gets offended by an opinion contrary to the group, one is called a troll..what a sad state of discourse the Whovian fandom has become. Snarky, smartass comments abound rather then intelligent, and non-agenda gotcha driven discussion.

No agenda? Its a myth by crazed nonbelievers...then why are there articles saying the same out there?? Look outside your bubbles at the comments sections..there are alot more fans like me then you probably believe..its not a vocal minority, no matter what you try to tell yourself.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

We are the Whovian Collective. Existence, as you know it, is over. From this time forward, you will service us. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Resistance is useless.

 

[CuriousCaitian]

Snarky, smartass comments abound rather then intelligent, and non-agenda gotcha driven discussion.

You do realise that most of the post this snippet concludes is made up of snarky, smartass comments...right? Frankly, discussion seems to be the last thing on your mind, which is a pity, as there is plenty to discuss about the show, as multiple threads clearly demonstrate.

 

[Starkers]

But the consolidated Ratings are way up compared to Capaldi's last season! Hmmm..sure..sure..but they are exactly where Capaldi's were in his first season, so really whats the difference.

Exactly where Capaldi's were? Fake news. Comparable ratings for the first six episodes of Capaldi's second and third seasons added for extra context. I'm sure the BBC are tearing their hair out.

Although I have heard that sometimes people watch the episode, then put on a disguise and watch it again so they're counted twice.

 

[VDCNI]

The problem is you are coming in from the perspective that ratings are down because people don't like the so called agenda driven approach even though that isn't held up by any evidence. Ratings are up considerably on last season and are up on Capaldi's first even if you restrict it to TV only.

I'm one of the fans who switched off during the Moffat/Capaldi years despite being a fan all my life and I'm back. That's nothing to do with diversity or a female Doctor, I don't object to these things but they aren't what get me to watch a TV show, just that I was tired of the approach Moffat took and this new series has been a breath of fresh air.

At the end of the day you don't seem particularly interested in a discussion, just a rant about your particular issues with the show and to prophesize disaster.

 

[Professor Zoom]

Wow! Post something outside of the norm, and get 5-6 responses of like minded Borgs. Too funny. Not a whit of individuality amongst the mob. Seems appropriate the ratings are down. Oh! But they aren't..sure..sure..keep telling yourself that. But the consolidated Ratings are way up compared to Capaldi's last season! Hmmm..sure..sure..but they are exactly where Capaldi's were in his first season, so really whats the difference. The new season was supposed to be the reboot. Better ratings. All the shill media websites were touting this as the new era, higher ratings, it will be like the RTD era, only better because now, its time. Its about time for a woman. Did it work? The new direction was supposed to raise ratings, not maintain it at its lower levels. Where are all these new fans that were supposed to return it to its glory? The premier was pretty much the only thing supporters of this new iteration point to constantly, but in the end, much like Star Trek STD, Disney Star Wars and such "modern" revamps, they suck. This season, I'm sorry it sucks. I expect 5-6 more mob like responses..too funny this happens all over any board discussion. One person has an opposing opinion to the Group thought gang an gets lynched..authoritarians abound I guess.

"Think like us or You're a baf horrible person!"

Too funny. Reminds me of the thought police in 1984. Not enough self introspection to realize that I suppose. Sad really. No one can really express an opinion outside the norm. If one gets offended by an opinion contrary to the group, one is called a troll..what a sad state of discourse the Whovian fandom has become. Snarky, smartass comments abound rather then intelligent, and non-agenda gotcha driven discussion.

No agenda? Its a myth by crazed nonbelievers...then why are there articles saying the same out there?? Look outside your bubbles at the comments sections..there are alot more fans like me then you probably believe..its not a vocal minority, no matter what you try to tell yourself.

So, non-agreement must be a conspiracy of groupthink. Couldn’t possibly be more people just disagree with you.

Do you encounter this feeling often?

 

[The Wormhole]

Find me a TV franchise where the scripts don't get extensive rewrites.

Indeed. Besides, Gaiman's problem wasn't with re-writes per se, but rather the fact he wasn't consulted on the re-writes on Nightmare in Silver like he was The Doctor's Wife. But really, The Doctor's Wife was outside the norm. Moffat consulted with him as a courtesy, not an obligation. Indeed, no other writer under Moffat, and none under RTD were ever consulted regarding re-writes to their episodes.

All the shill media websites

And after that statement I'm convinced you're an orange person wearing a red baseball cap.