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5x012 The Pandorica Opens (Grading/Discussion) SPOILERS!!

Grade "The Lodger"

  • Who da Man?!

    Votes: 93 73.2%

  • Good

    Votes: 26 20.5%

  • Average

    Votes: 6 4.7%

  • Poor

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • What episode? The crack erased it

    Votes: 2 1.6%
  • Total voters
    127
  • Poll closed .
The Mirrorball Man said:
Those speeches are to the Doctor what martial arts are to Bruce Lee movies.
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I'm kind of in agreement with your point. That being, no one can work a bluff like The Doctor. But, I'm also in agreement that I am getting tired of the 'direct' way of showing this. Older Doctors (when the Time Lord was younger) was far more, shall we say, subdued when it came to his normal bragging? His stolid arrogance has been replaced, over time, with excessive bravado. I'm not quite sure how to rationalize this change in character, in-universe-wise, other than to point towards natrual aging, maturity, experience, and regeneration. Maybe the war just brought it out in him? Let's not forget, just because he doesn't whine and moan about The Time War anymore doesn't mean he's not still feeling aspects of it. I'd expect that the man we know as The Doctor was quite changed on very fundamental levels by his experience in war. Who knows the depths he had to sink in order to keep the universe from collapsing? If nothing else, imagine if you had to kill every human being on this planet. Regeneration or not, that would change you.

But, I digress... ;)
 
The said:
The Mirrorball Man said:
Those speeches are to the Doctor what martial arts are to Bruce Lee movies.
Click to expand...

I'm kind of in agreement with your point. That being, no one can work a bluff like The Doctor. But, I'm also in agreement that I am getting tired of the 'direct' way of showing this. Older Doctors (when the Time Lord was younger) was far more, shall we say, subdued when it came to his normal bragging? His stolid arrogance has been replaced, over time, with excessive bravado. I'm not quite sure how to rationalize this change in character, in-universe-wise, other than to point towards natrual aging, maturity, experience, and regeneration. Maybe the war just brought it out in him? Let's not forget, just because he doesn't whine and moan about The Time War anymore doesn't mean he's not still feeling aspects of it. I'd expect that the man we know as The Doctor was quite changed on very fundamental levels by his experience in war. Who knows the depths he had to sink in order to keep the universe from collapsing? If nothing else, imagine if you had to kill every human being on this planet. Regeneration or not, that would change you.

But, I digress... ;)
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He's old, that's all. Whereas a younger man would say get annoyed and talk a solid but big game, an old man would simply say, "GET OFF MY LAWN!" :)

In yo' face, massive allied-alien invasion force!
 
On the subject of River:

River may be in prison for something OTHER THAN murder at the start of "Pandorica Opens." For all you know, she's a Carmen Sandiego type of criminal, and she's locked up for theft, etc.

At some point between now and Flesh & Stone, River commits murder (likely both of the Doctor and to save the Doctor, "My love") and is locked up on new charges.
 
Brent said:
NOOOOOOOOOOO! YOu can't end it there!?!? I MUST know what happens! GAH, what a cliffhanger

I wonder though, WHAT caused the TARDIS to explode? Did River do something wrong, or did the TARDIS just get tired and decided to blow itself up? lol Seriously, what is causing it to explode!?

Oh wait, someone is controlling the TARDIS right? There was a voice? What if it is the Black Guardian!!!!!!!!1111 Would be great to bring back the White and Black Guardian back into the series!

So they imprisoned the Doctor, a BOLD plan, and it worked! But they are not aware that River is in the TARDIS and it is exploding right now!!!

How will the Doctor escape the box?

Argh, I want next week to be here now!
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The thing you have to remember is that if this were an American Series, you'd have to wait anywhere from 3-5 months for the resolution.

I can take a week of wondering over months of suffering.

BUT

If I had my druthers....

I'd want Next Week to be HERE now too.
 
So - I was wondering...

If the breadcrumb trail that brought The Doctor to the Pandorica leads back through River and Churchill to the coordinates in Vincent's painting, what part did the Alliance Of Naughty Bad Aliens play in luring him there?

Yes, they constructed a scenario from Amy's memories, but it seems as though everything hinges on Vincent putting the coordinates in the painting to start with. If not for the painting, would The Doctor have gone at all?

Am I being really thick, again? I would not be surprised if I am, TBH. :D

BTW - great episode, lots of fun.
 
Bacl said:
On the subject of River:

River may be in prison for something OTHER THAN murder at the start of "Pandorica Opens." For all you know, she's a Carmen Sandiego type of criminal, and she's locked up for theft, etc.

At some point between now and Flesh & Stone, River commits murder (likely both of the Doctor and to save the Doctor, "My love") and is locked up on new charges.
Click to expand...

Exactly, River seems like the thief type, in fact, she said she was allowed phone calls, so no murder would probably get those privileges, she was obviously in prison for a lesser crime this first time.
 
Well, I'm gonna go against the grain and say it was fairly average. Matt Smith really didn't seem to act at all during this episode. The first half he just seemed to read his lines and walk around. He wasn't even that blown away by finding the Pandorica. His speech to the alien fleet, while impressive, still required the skills of David or Christopher to pull it off.

The ultimate task of trapping the Doctor was so stupid and pointless. He was cornered, trapped by almost every species he's ever fought (why were the Draconians listed? I thought he was their ally?) and yet they didn't kill him. He could've been obliterated with one shot and instead they thought they'd simply lock him up. Naturally he'd never be able to escape. Ever. And why kill Amy? There must be a reason? I have read the spoilers about next week so I know what happens to Amy but it just seemed a waste of a companion for a season. No doubt Amy will be "different" next season, as Karen seems to have hinted at.

The final shot was confusing as well. How do stars/galaxies suddenly explode and are all visible at once. Wouldn't it take millions of years for the explosions to reach Earth? There's artisitc licence granted, but it was just a bit beyond for my tastes. There had better be a good reason as to why the Earth didn't explode as well.

As far as ep12 finales go, I rank it least impressive of the five seasons so far. I even enjoyed The Sound of Drums more. I was hoping it would explain more as well, but somehow I doubt the Tardis has actually exploded. Fading to white after an explosion on the console doesn't make me a believer.

What I did like was the damaged Cyberman. They were finally impressive in this episode. Pity I can't say the same for the Daleks. They just don't hold the same threat level. When the Supreme popped up it was a joke. When Dalek Caan emerged from the elevator in Daleks in Manhattan; well, that was still daunting. Up until now we've only see the new Paradigm Daleks kill other Daleks, and even then they didn't put up a fight. I have my suspicions as to how the Doctor will defeat the Alliance, but I hope I'm wrong.

Very disappointed with this. I had high hopes for it as well.
 
Candlelight said:
Well, I'm gonna go against the grain and say it was fairly average. Matt Smith really didn't seem to act at all during this episode. The first half he just seemed to read his lines and walk around. He wasn't even that blown away by finding the Pandorica. His speech to the alien fleet, while impressive, still required the skills of David or Christopher to pull it off.
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Wow, do I ever disagree. The more I see of Matt Smith in the role the more I realize just how unbelievable Tennant was. He was good at the comedy; anything else was just :rolleyes: .
 
I know this is rather far-fetched, but i wondered if Moffat is giving us some major misdirection on River and Dr. Who. I mean, by now it's obvious that they have been an item -- which is why I'm suspicious!

I liked it. I like Amy, so I hope this isn't the end for her. Unlike many, I think she's the most empowered companion yet. She's not wishy-washy, not afraid to be a woman and yet powerful and is fairly dynamic. I mean, I could see her as a River type in oh, twenty years.
 
Actually I think Matt's performance was brilliant in this episode as I stated in my original post. I think that he was shocked but subdued upon discovering the Pandorica. While David would have probably been more "What? What? What?" about it Matt was simply "Whaaaat?" Then he went right about investigating the Pandorica which is well within his character that has been established this season.

What spoilers?
 
Captain Pike said:
I hate having to grade the first part of multi parters, so I won't - I am going to call this tentatively 'good', but I'll reserve full judgement and polling rights until next week. If that delivers, then I expect that will elevate this weeks to brilliant status. However, if the Moff pulls a Russell Tea Lady this could have the opposite effect..

ETA -
Starkers wrote: Loved River in this, Alex Kingston really is channelling Jacqui Pearce and obviously loving it...and I have to say I love the cat burglar outfit!
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I never thought of that but you are right. She'd be make a pretty decent Servalan if the proposed Blake's 7 reboot ever happens..
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It's weird but I hated her in the Library 2 parter but this year I've bloody loved her!
DAK said:
Candlelight said:
Well, I'm gonna go against the grain and say it was fairly average. Matt Smith really didn't seem to act at all during this episode. The first half he just seemed to read his lines and walk around. He wasn't even that blown away by finding the Pandorica. His speech to the alien fleet, while impressive, still required the skills of David or Christopher to pull it off.
Click to expand...
Wow, do I ever disagree. The more I see of Matt Smith in the role the more I realize just how unbelievable Tennant was. He was good at the comedy; anything else was just :rolleyes: .
Click to expand...

While I wouldn't quite go that far (Tennant playing Smith in the Family of Blood was just amazing) I don't think he was nearly as good as people thought he was, and I don't think you ever lost sight of the fact that he was playing the Doctor, whereas Smith just is the Doctor!
 
I listened to that voice very closely and it didn't sound anything like Toby Jones or anyone else that we've heard...but wouldn't be totally surprised if it was someone who we've been shown or are familiar with. The Doctor Who Wiki states that fans think it's Omega.
 
^ All that really proves is that the guy who edited that page thinks that the majority of fans thinks it's Omega... which had got to be the flimsiest thing I've ever heard. Lucky for him, the TARDIS wikia is edited by about two people.
 
Admiral_Young said:
The Doctor Who Wiki states that fans think it's Omega.
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You know I've been thinking, when did this rumor start and who started it. Why Omega? Why isn't it the Master or Davros or the Rani or Rassilon or some other enemy? I think it's weird that people started focussing on Omega all of a sudden.

Finally did anyone see the stars going supernovas and think stellar manipulator/Hand of Omega?
 
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