6x01 The Impossible Astronaut (Grading/Discussion) (SPOILERS!!)

[Gov Kodos]

April 8th, 1969 The Montreal Expos (the first Canadian francise to join the ML Baseball teams) defeat the New York Mets. Maybe the Silents are a bunch of crazy Mets fans out to change that outcome? Might explain why no one notices them when not looking at them?

 

[Kira's Mom]

^But the Mets go on to win the World Series in '69.

Thought it was great- the first ten minutes shocked me, even though I had been spoiled! Can't wait for next week...

 

[Gov Kodos]

^But the Mets go on to win the World Series in '69.

Thought it was great- the first ten minutes shocked me, even though I had been spoiled! Can't wait for next week...

How do you think the Mets managed that miracle without the Doctor?

 

[Australis]

Oh and that woman in the White House's bathroom made a comment about the Silence looking like something from Star Trek. Just how many people were aware of Star Trek in 1969? Yeah, I know someone would have been, but I somehow doubt someone back then would automatically think of Star Trek upon seeing an alien.

Dude, TOS finished in '69, and had the head that was used, iirc, in 'The Corbomite Manoeuvre', which it did bear a resemblance to.

Well, having read through the comments here, I'm going to give it an 8/10. There were some very funny one liners ("She's packing again!") and the whole whipped along pretty fast, if a little on the dark side. But when they got to the warehouse and the tunewls, boy, that was dull city for me!

Here's a thought: the Lodger TARDIS is the future Doctor's TARDIS. It's fine if I'm wrong. just throwing it out there as a possibility.

(PS: watched the Lis Sladen tribute, and admit to tearing up al lot. Also, nice to see all the avs here. Kudos)

 

[Gov Kodos]

Oh and that woman in the White House's bathroom made a comment about the Silence looking like something from Star Trek. Just how many people were aware of Star Trek in 1969? Yeah, I know someone would have been, but I somehow doubt someone back then would automatically think of Star Trek upon seeing an alien.

Dude, TOS finished in '69, and had the head that was used, iirc, in 'The Corbomite Manoeuvre', which it did bear a resemblance to.

Also the space program and space related stuff were as topical as Facebook and social networking today. She could have been aware of the show without having seen it.

 

[PorthosShadow]

Also, that diner made me gag, it looked like an American themed diner you'd find in another country who has badly replicated what they think an American diner looks like, all the neon signs and posters on the back wall, it just screamed that they were trying too hard, no diners here really look like that.

Well, I don't know where you live but I've been to diners that look like that. So the diner didn't bother me because those places exist in America.

 

[Kelso]

Those diners are everywhere. Hell, they franchise. That decor wouldn't be at all out of place in a Steak 'n Shake or Johnny Rocket's.

 

[theonering]

Just finished watching it for the second time, and while I think its obvious from a production standpoint that the doctor isn't really going to stay dead. I also don't think its going to be as simple as "all that needs to be done is XYZ and everything goes back to normal" after all, this isn't the first time we've seen a time lords body cremated.
I also think there's an underlying reason why he was killed, not the typical "I'm a bad guy and I want the doctor dead" kind of thing. He HAD to die for a reason, and not just to preserve the time line.

 

[Sindatur]

You know what, expanding on the American cliche bit. This whole episode is kind of a cliche of what America is perceived to be. For example, they chose the Utah scene, with wide open deserts, an old muscle car, and a stetson.

Contrary to what people may think, America is not a western lol. Those parts of America are sparsely populated. We don't actually all wear cowboy hats, drive muscle cars, and eat at drive ins and diners and have shootouts at high noon. Most of us live pretty civilized lives lol.

The typical American doesn't live like a cliche. Plus, America is varied in culture, we are indeed a melting pot, and those influences are seen throughout this country, which is pretty darn big and varied. Every state, every region, has its own unique feel.

I'm American, California/Nevada born and bred. I've been sent to Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, a week at a time, a few times for work, and I barely saw a Cowboy Hat or Cowboy Boots on any of the trips, talk about jarring stereotypes.

 

[Sparky]

One part that stood out for me was when they returned to the diner after burning the Doctor's body. Amy kind of mutters something to herself and then says "It doesn't matter, he's dead." They way she said that sentence kind of stood out to me. Then she almost hisses the words "He's dead" I have a feeling that little part is significant somehow.

 

[Shatnertage]

^ I see tons of cowboy hats in Vegas when National Finals Rodeo's in town, so I guess somebody's wearing them.

Just finished watching. I liked it. I didn't love it. Really liked the interplay between the Doctor, River, Amy, and Rory. Thought Nixon looked like a cross between Nixon and LBJ. I think, but don't know, that they botched the reference to the Nixon tapes by having him press a record button--I'm pretty sure the taping system was automatic.

So that's The Silence? Not bad, though a little derivative of the Weeping Angels with the "stuff happens when you don't see them."

Liked the Star Trek reference.

I'll have to watch this again when I don't have a three year old shouting "Doctor Who! Doctor Who!" and crawling on me, because I think I missed a lot of stuff. But I liked it.

 

[NickInABox]

I see tons of cowboy hats in Vegas

On Texan billionaires, maybe.

Just finished watching. I liked it. I didn't love it.

Agreed! I actually walked away from this episode feeling the same as I did when I saw JJ Trek; "I think I'm okay with this..."

I have to say I was really disappointed by this episode, but in a Godfather 3 kind of way. As an episode of ANY television series, it was fantastic. As an episode of Doctor Who, it could have gone better.

Thought Nixon looked like a cross between Nixon and LBJ.

Lychard Bailhouse Jixon?

I think, but don't know, that they botched the reference to the Nixon tapes by having him press a record button--I'm pretty sure the taping system was automatic.

Suspension of disbelief!

So that's The Silence? Not bad, though a little derivative of the Weeping Angels with the "stuff happens when you don't see them."

Weeping Angels! That's an interesting comparison! I didn't realize that was "The Silence" until I read about it online. I thought the little girl was the Silence. I might have missed a line of dialogue.

I'll have to watch this again when I don't have a three year old shouting "Doctor Who! Doctor Who!" and crawling on me, because I think I missed a lot of stuff. But I liked it.

Very good. Carry on

 

[theonering]

You know what, expanding on the American cliche bit. This whole episode is kind of a cliche of what America is perceived to be. For example, they chose the Utah scene, with wide open deserts, an old muscle car, and a stetson.

Contrary to what people may think, America is not a western lol. Those parts of America are sparsely populated. We don't actually all wear cowboy hats, drive muscle cars, and eat at drive ins and diners and have shootouts at high noon. Most of us live pretty civilized lives lol.

The typical American doesn't live like a cliche. Plus, America is varied in culture, we are indeed a melting pot, and those influences are seen throughout this country, which is pretty darn big and varied. Every state, every region, has its own unique feel.

I'm American, California/Nevada born and bred. I've been sent to Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, a week at a time, a few times for work, and I barely saw a Cowboy Hat or Cowboy Boots on any of the trips, talk about jarring stereotypes.

Did you spend any time at all in Fort Worth? cause i just moved here 2 moths ago after living 10 years not 20 miles east of my current address, and I've seen more people wearing cowboy boots and hats in the past couple of months then the 10 years combined.

 

[NickInABox]

Also, I will settle the cowboy hat debate:

Watch "Justified"

 

[Gov Kodos]

^ I see tons of cowboy hats in Vegas when National Finals Rodeo's in town, so I guess somebody's wearing them.

Just finished watching. I liked it. I didn't love it. Really liked the interplay between the Doctor, River, Amy, and Rory. Thought Nixon looked like a cross between Nixon and LBJ. I think, but don't know, that they botched the reference to the Nixon tapes by having him press a record button--I'm pretty sure the taping system was automatic.

So that's The Silence? Not bad, though a little derivative of the Weeping Angels with the "stuff happens when you don't see them."

Liked the Star Trek reference.

I'll have to watch this again when I don't have a three year old shouting "Doctor Who! Doctor Who!" and crawling on me, because I think I missed a lot of stuff. But I liked it.

Cowboy hats at a cowboy themed event? Who'd have thought?
I liked the Silents, but as someone mentioned above they probably would have seemed scarier, if we hadn't been hearing so often how scary they were supposed to be. Not much is going to live up to being hyped so much. I sort of expect much the same with River. Arthur's reaction to River's self-revelation was much more moving in that he and Amy's situation is understated and the audience gets to be in the moment with him. With River, a lot of the mystery was the unknown in Tennent's encounter, at this point I am not quite so invested when I am being hit over the head with 'The Mystery'

 

[Cutter John]

I live in a small town here in WA state and I see the ocassional cowboy hat. Not common, tbut they're there.

I started to fist-pump when the Doctor said he was 1100, figuring Moffet had finally decided to fix the age discrepency thing. Only to be dissapointed a few minutes later.

Not quite sure what to think yet. Theres just too much going on here, and frankly I've no idea whats even going on. But you can bet I'll be back next week for the continuing adventures of The Legs, The Nose, and Mrs Robinson.

"Two of them fancied me." Daaaayum! If that doesn't piss off some right-wingers, I dunno what will.

"I'm quite a screamer. Now theres a spoiler for you."

And the Doctor never did get the fez he asked for.

 

[Sindatur]

You know what, expanding on the American cliche bit. This whole episode is kind of a cliche of what America is perceived to be. For example, they chose the Utah scene, with wide open deserts, an old muscle car, and a stetson.

Contrary to what people may think, America is not a western lol. Those parts of America are sparsely populated. We don't actually all wear cowboy hats, drive muscle cars, and eat at drive ins and diners and have shootouts at high noon. Most of us live pretty civilized lives lol.

The typical American doesn't live like a cliche. Plus, America is varied in culture, we are indeed a melting pot, and those influences are seen throughout this country, which is pretty darn big and varied. Every state, every region, has its own unique feel.

I'm American, California/Nevada born and bred. I've been sent to Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, a week at a time, a few times for work, and I barely saw a Cowboy Hat or Cowboy Boots on any of the trips, talk about jarring stereotypes.

Did you spend any time at all in Fort Worth? cause i just moved here 2 moths ago after living 10 years not 20 miles east of my current address, and I've seen more people wearing cowboy boots and hats in the past couple of months then the 10 years combined.

Forth Worth, no. Surrounding area of the DFW Airport, is apparently called DFW Airport as a City, and Colomas and Irving, is where i spend most of my time.

 

[DAK]

Well I for one loved it! The banter between the Doctor and River was hysterical. "Mrs Robinson"! Poor River. Matt Smith was, as always, awesome and adorable.

Where can I get a copy of that painting?

I wonder if Amy shooting the astronaut is somehow responsible for the Doctor being killed by the astronaut 200 years later. Maybe he makes some sort of bargain to save Amy?

 

[Checkmate]

It would have been nice if the Silence wasn't a cross between the Weeping Angels and the Ood. In a universe as full of alien life as the one in Doctor Who, they could have at least tried to make them look significantly different than things we've seen before.

 

[Gov Kodos]

Well I for one loved it! The banter between the Doctor and River was hysterical. "Mrs Robinson"! Poor River. Matt Smith was, as always, awesome and adorable.

Where can I get a copy of that painting?

I wonder if Amy shooting the astronaut is somehow responsible for the Doctor being killed by the astronaut 200 years later. Maybe he makes some sort of bargain to save Amy?

Here ya go DAK