How do you want the regeneration limit dealt with?

[Bones2]

Been watching this chat for awhile...Personally, I'm comfortable with the idea that the 12 regeneration limit was imposed by the Time Lords and has now been lost...

I've mentioned many times how ridiculous this notion is. So the Time Lords magically knew where some poor bugger was about to die for the thirteenth time and nipped over there to make sure he didn't pull a crafty regen? No, that's absurd, and just in case you didn't think so, they didn't show up in The Twin Dilemma to make sure Azmael didn't try for another roll of the dice. We know the Time Lords give out regenerations. It makes far more sense that they'd give you your cycle in your first incarnation, and then whatever happens to you happens. So not only does saying "no more Time Lords, no limit" show a complete lack of imagination in terms of possible ways for the Doctor to live on after thirteen lives, but it's also stupid on a basic level of logic.

Been watching this chat for awhile...Personally, I'm comfortable with the idea that the 12 regeneration limit was imposed by the Time Lords and has now been lost...however, i also think it should be dealt with further...Say with the idea that there is, in fact, a good reason for the limit...and a believable one. For example, I should think that by regeneration 507, a Time Lord would be quite out of his mind. So, let's have a story where the Doctor peers into his own future...he meets Doctor 508 and finds that Doctor 508 is completely out of his mind, and that it all began after his 12th regeneration. is that really a future the Doctor wishes for himself?

Dear god, RTD, look what you've wrought.

Can we please ignore anything RTD or the Sarah Jane Dull-ventures says at this point?

And that includes "I don't want to go!" You're not going anywhere, genius, don't you remember saying "SAME man, new face"?

le sigh.

Post more. I like you.

Sorry, one of my absolute favorite DW moments. I'll throw decades of nonsense about regeneration under the bus in an instant for a moment of real emotional power, and that was one.

A prancing mockney crying his eyes out like a big fucking baby? It wouldn't have been so bad, but for his ridiculous 20 minute vanity tour diminishing whatever impact it might have had. Maybe he shook the radiation into his shoe and kept it there until he felt he'd done enough in marrying off Martha and Mickey (because despite being completely mismatched in terms of personality, black people should marry other blacks) and getting Captain Jackoff a young man to give one to (because nothing helps you forget your troubles better than a promiscuous boning, kids).

 

[The]

And that includes "I don't want to go!" You're not going anywhere, genius, don't you remember saying "SAME man, new face"?

Thank you!!! It's amazing that Russel didn't remember how he had written the regen stuff just a couple of years previous. They took twenty-minutes to build up to it, and suddenly he wimpers "I don't want to go". My wife burst out giggling, due to how overtly silly he was being. I just frowned, trying to figure out why The Doctor suddenly thought he was "going" somewhere.

The shallow and dull can take the piss out of Classic Who all they want. At least The Doctor died like a man, each and every time, right up until Ten. At least now with Smith we can tell that the regeneration gave him some balls again...

 

[Shatnertage]

^ Didn't Two go out kicking and screaming? War Games is on my Netflix queue, but I read the novelization as a kid and remember that he wasn't too happy about it.

I've got to say that Ten's end was so telegraphed that, by the time he finally regenerated, I was feeling more relief than regret. It just didn't really work for me. There's foreshadowing, then there's playing connect the dots.

 

[Peacemaker]

So not only does saying "no more Time Lords, no limit" show a complete lack of imagination in terms of possible ways for the Doctor to live on after thirteen lives, but it's also stupid on a basic level of logic.

If it's so stupid on a basic level of logic, then, instead of throwing around adjectives in lieu of logical laws violated, you could try the opposite tactic for a change.

 

[Bones2]

So not only does saying "no more Time Lords, no limit" show a complete lack of imagination in terms of possible ways for the Doctor to live on after thirteen lives, but it's also stupid on a basic level of logic.

If it's so stupid on a basic level of logic, then, instead of throwing around adjectives in lieu of logical laws violated, you could try the opposite tactic for a change.

You what?

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

I voted for doing a story in which he gets more regenerations, which is pretty clearly and inevitably what they will do. No way the producers are going to let a dramatic opportunity like that get away just because of a throwaway joke on a spin-off. ;-)

 

[Capt_Pickirk]

^ Didn't Two go out kicking and screaming? War Games is on my Netflix queue, but I read the novelization as a kid and remember that he wasn't too happy about it.

To be fair, the time lords did force him into it. He hadn't been killed or anything, he was having to do something simply because the guys at the top said so.

I've got to say that Ten's end was so telegraphed that, by the time he finally regenerated, I was feeling more relief than regret. It just didn't really work for me. There's foreshadowing, then there's playing connect the dots.

I have to agree with you there. At every set piece he went to prior to him actually regenerating was irritating to say the least. I kept yelling at the screen telling him to get on with it and stop moaning.

And that bit where those Ood people started singing was really annoying too.

 

[DWF]

I've got to say that Ten's end was so telegraphed that, by the time he finally regenerated, I was feeling more relief than regret. It just didn't really work for me. There's foreshadowing, then there's playing connect the dots.

I have to agree with you there. At every set piece he went to prior to him actually regenerating was irritating to say the least. I kept yelling at the screen telling him to get on with it and stop moaning.

And that bit where those Ood people started singing was really annoying too.

Well we knew he was leaving for the better part of a year so the regeneration was aforegone conclusion.

 

[Shatnertage]

^ That's the thing. It just felt so plodding by that point, and it's not like there was any dramatic tension for the story itself at that point.

It's like if 4 had saved the universe from the Master cut-out's entropy...thing, got down safely, had a chat, went back up to wave to the Brig off in the distance, tripped over a brick and fell off the telescope, then went around to see Sarah Jane, Harry, Leela, and Romana before finally merging with the Watcher.

 

[DWF]

^ That's the thing. It just felt so plodding by that point, and it's not like there was any dramatic tension for the story itself at that point.

It's like if 4 had saved the universe from the Master cut-out's entropy...thing, got down safely, had a chat, went back up to wave to the Brig off in the distance, tripped over a brick and fell off the telescope, then went around to see Sarah Jane, Harry, Leela, and Romana before finally merging with the Watcher.

Yeah but we knew it was end the of the fourth Doctor ahead of time as well in Logopolis, he was tld by the Watcher what going to happen. He told Adric after that: "I've dipped into the future and we must be prepared for the worst."

It'd be a shock if we didn't know ahead of time that it was going to happen on the show.

 

[captcalhoun]

like in the Stolen Earth.

 

[Shatnertage]

^ That's the thing. It just felt so plodding by that point, and it's not like there was any dramatic tension for the story itself at that point.

It's like if 4 had saved the universe from the Master cut-out's entropy...thing, got down safely, had a chat, went back up to wave to the Brig off in the distance, tripped over a brick and fell off the telescope, then went around to see Sarah Jane, Harry, Leela, and Romana before finally merging with the Watcher.

Yeah but we knew it was end the of the fourth Doctor ahead of time as well in Logopolis, he was tld by the Watcher what going to happen. He told Adric after that: "I've dipped into the future and we must be prepared for the worst."

It'd be a shock if we didn't know ahead of time that it was going to happen on the show.

Rationally, of course those who follow the show know when it's time for the Doc to go. But there's something inside of me when I'm re-watching Caves of Androzani that says maybe this time 5 will make it back with enough bat's milk for both of them. Do you know what I mean?

I didn't get that watching 10 regenerate. It was more a feeling of relief.

 

[DWF]

^ That's the thing. It just felt so plodding by that point, and it's not like there was any dramatic tension for the story itself at that point.

It's like if 4 had saved the universe from the Master cut-out's entropy...thing, got down safely, had a chat, went back up to wave to the Brig off in the distance, tripped over a brick and fell off the telescope, then went around to see Sarah Jane, Harry, Leela, and Romana before finally merging with the Watcher.

Yeah but we knew it was end the of the fourth Doctor ahead of time as well in Logopolis, he was tld by the Watcher what going to happen. He told Adric after that: "I've dipped into the future and we must be prepared for the worst."

It'd be a shock if we didn't know ahead of time that it was going to happen on the show.

Rationally, of course those who follow the show know when it's time for the Doc to go. But there's something inside of me when I'm re-watching Caves of Androzani that says maybe this time 5 will make it back with enough bat's milk for both of them. Do you know what I mean?

I didn't get that watching 10 regenerate. It was more a feeling of relief.

You mean you've asked yourself why the Doctor didn't take his bat's milk right away? Sorry but it's known to us the viewers/fans ahead of time there's really no way a regeneration can't be telegraphed.

 

[Shatnertage]

^ No, that's not it at all.

What I mean is that the way the story's constructed, there's just enough dramatic tension that you get caught up in the story and, for a while, suspend your disbelief enough to hope that 5's going to make it through OK, even if you "know" he won't.

 

[Starkers]

Hell I still watch films like The Wild Geese and Von Ryan's Express thinking a certain character in each film can make it at the end, even though I've seen both films dozens of time and know it ain't gonna happen!

I doubt we'll ever get a regeneration we didn't know about in advance, there's just too much chance of it being let slip by someone. I reckon they could keep the identity of the next Doctor a secret if they worked at it, but I don't think they'd be able to keep the fact that there was a regeneration itself a secret.

 

[Shatnertage]

^ That's exactly what I mean. And yes, in this day you're going to know the regeneration is happening if you're plugged into teh Interwebz (Doctor Who doesn't make the mainstream news over here), but if it's a good enough story, that's not going to matter.

 

[The]

like in the Stolen Earth.

Where they missed their greatest opportunity to really make Doctor Who history with Tennant's departure. How damn exciting was it when Ten was hit by the Dalek and then started to regenerate. I thought, HOLY SHIT THEY DID IT! They kept it a secret! This is one of the greatest moments in Who history! I take back everything I've ever said about RTD! He's brilliant! THIS is what makes Doctor Who great! The surprise! The shock! The lack of knowing whether you will lose the lead actor at ANY moment! This is how I've always wanted to see it done! One Doctor dies, and the new one has to finish the mission. Awesome!!




.......wait....he's...shooting the hand........oh. Oh. I see. The whole thing was a pointless lie. Nevermind. Nothing has changed....

 

[Icemizer]

^Totally agree The. That would have been an epic time to change out the lead actor.

 

[Satyrquaze]

I think that it's hilarious that someone can enjoy a series clearly an immense amount, but believe in their heart of hearts that the head writer is a hack, and be quite verbose about it.

anyway, on topic...

Yes, the regeneration limit should be dealt with, probably similarlly as the Master, who has apparently gotten around it at least twice.

 

[Starkers]

like in the Stolen Earth.

Where they missed their greatest opportunity to really make Doctor Who history with Tennant's departure. How damn exciting was it when Ten was hit by the Dalek and then started to regenerate. I thought, HOLY SHIT THEY DID IT! They kept it a secret! This is one of the greatest moments in Who history! I take back everything I've ever said about RTD! He's brilliant! THIS is what makes Doctor Who great! The surprise! The shock! The lack of knowing whether you will lose the lead actor at ANY moment! This is how I've always wanted to see it done! One Doctor dies, and the new one has to finish the mission. Awesome!!




.......wait....he's...shooting the hand........oh. Oh. I see. The whole thing was a pointless lie. Nevermind. Nothing has changed....

Say what you like about Davies, he does great set ups...it's just resolving it where it falls down (but again he isn't the only writer with that flaw-a cliffhanger is easier to create than a way out of the cliff hanger!)

Wouldn't it have been fantastic though? Of course if it had hapened then likely we wouldn't have Matt Smith now...so let us be grateful