Need help with Series 5

[Procutus]

Until recently, I had no access to BBC America, so when the Doctor left SyFy, I didn't get to see Series 5.

As we've now upgraded and I'll be able to catch Series 6 when it starts in April, I've ordered the DVDs from the library to catch up. My question is this: in case I run out of viewing time and can't watch the entire season, which eps (aside from the most obvious, the first and final two) are more crucial to watch, and which can be skipped?

I appreciate any and all comments.

 

[Admiral_Young]

I had the DVD from the library for two weeks and managed to watch all of it but then again I'm not exactly working right now. Hmmm MUST see episodes? I'll do my best, no doubt others will have differing opinions.

-The Eleventh Hour
-The Beast Below
-Victory of the Daleks (you can skip this if you want)
-The Time of Angels and Flesh and Stone
-The Vampires of Venice (skip it if you want although it's Rory's first outing as a companion)
-Amy's Choice
-The Hungry Earth and Cold Blood
-Vincent and the Doctor
-The Lodger (maybe can skip this but it's fun episode and has story points in it)
-The Pandorica Opens and the Big Bang

 

[Procutus]

Thanks AY, I appreciate the input. I hope to be able to watch the whole thing, but the library is notorious for one week due-dates on inter-system transfers, which this is. That, coupled with my schedule, will make it difficult to watch the entire season.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Alex Kingston's eps; I've been a big fan of hers since E.R.

 

[Turbo]

I've got a slightly different list. Honestly, it seems that the only "crucial" episodes are "The Eleventh Hour" and the two-parters.

The Eleventh Hour
Victory of the Daleks
The Time of Angels/Flesh and Stone
Amy's Choice
The Hungry Earth/Cold Blood
Vincent and the Doctor
The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang

 

[OmahaStar]

I don't agree with the above. There aren't any "filler" episodes. Victory of the Daleks, mentioned above, directly ties in with the season finale. The Lodger can't be skipped because it directly ties in with its sequel episode in season 6 with the return of those characters. Vincent and the Doctor can't be skipped, as it's pretty much the very best episode of the season.

If anything, season 5 was more of an arc-based season than any previous seasons, and each one leads into the next one.

 

[Sindatur]

We have to follow the Crack, River, and the plot points leading up to the finale and the guarding and we also need to consider the plot points that were unexplored in S5, that are probably setup for S6 arc.

I'm not sure I could suggest ones to do without.

I wouldn't skip the Lodger, because of the unanswered questions.

Daleks, yea probably, don't think you'd be any losing any of the S5/S6 arc there.

I suppose, from an "important to the Arc" point of view you could skip Vincent and the Dr, but, it's such a good episode, and there is Amy character development and learning what can and can't be influenced...

Eh...I don't think I'd suggest skipping anything other than Daleks, and I wouldn't encourage it.

 

[23skidoo]

Yeah, I'm afraid I have to concur with the above that Season 5 had no filler. Not if you want to really understand the whole season. Watch as many as you can and if you run out of time, surely you can renew the loan?

I have to disagree with ^, you can't skip Vincent and the Doctor. Aside from it being this season's equivalent of Blink, it's no standalone. Not even an episode considered by some a throwaway, The Beast Below, or the one based upon a Doctor Who Magazine comic strip, The Lodger, can be omitted without making a major dent in understanding what's going on. This is literally one of those seasons where something will be referenced in one episode, only for it to be dropped for the next few episodes only to be brought back. One of the things I love about Moffat's Doctor Who is it forces you to pay attention to details, even more than RTD's version.

Mind you by the time you're halfway through the season, I bet you'll be making plans to go to the nearest Best Buy and buy a copy for yourself. This isn't a season that bears single viewing (especially if ... well, that might be too much of a spoiler).

Alex

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

Vampires Of Venice only references the cracks, but has, by far, the funniest reference to Doctor #1 of any episode. So still a really good episode.

I think Matt brings a lot of fun & energy to the role, I wouldn't have chosen to miss any of them.

 

[Admiral_Young]

I can't believe I forgot "Vincent and the Doctor" among series five's must watch episodes. I agree that series five is meant to be watched as a whole thanks to the story arc that stretches across the episodes. Really though I tried indicating the most crucial episodes to view. While "Victory of the Daleks" is important as it establishes the new Dalek paradigm and the fact that Amy doesn't remember the Dalek invasion it isn't a must watch and was one of the weakest episodes of the series in my opinion, my least favorite to be honest.

 

[Sindatur]

I can't believe I forgot "Vincent and the Doctor" among series five's must watch episodes.

Oh, OK, I thought it was deliberately left off your list, and that maybe you were amongst the 3 or 4 people who didn't like it

 

[TiberiusMaximus]

When I watched Season 5, I watched:

-The Eleventh Hour
-The Beast Below
-Victory of the Daleks
-The Time of Angels and Flesh and Stone
-Amy's Choice
-The Hungry Earth
-Vincent and the Doctor
-The Lodger
-The Pandorica Opens and the Big Bang

I skipped:

-The Vampires of Venice
-Cold Blood

The only thing I had a hard time understanding was

Spoiler: I missed

Where Rory went between The Hungry Earth and Vincent and the Doctor.

A quick Google search fixed that, though and the rest made sense.

I think my favorite episodes were the last 4, closely tied with The Time of Angels 2-parter.

 

[Procutus]

Thanks everyone, I greatly appreciate it. I'm going to give it my best shot to fit all of them in; it sounds like a pretty decent season, all in all.

I'll report back in this thread once I get going; I'm sure I'll probably come up with a few other questions.

 

[The Borgified Corpse]

While I'd agree that Season 5 was thoroughly brilliant and every episode is worth watching and adds up to a more understandable whole, here's how I would strip the season down to its barest chassis:

"The Eleventh Hour" obviously.
"The Time of Angels"/"Flesh & Stone" for River Song, crack-related exposition, and a surprising call-back in "The Big Bang."
"The Vampires of Venice" because it's Rory's 1st story as a companion.
"The Hungry Earth"/"Cold Blood," although really only the last 20 minutes are absolutely essential because of what happens to Rory.
"The Pandorica Opens"/"The Big Bang" because it's the big season finale.

What you can skip:
"The Beast Below" and "Vincent & the Doctor" don't have any lasting impact beyond brief cameos by Liz10 & Vincent Van Gogh at the beginning of "The Pandorica Opens."
"Victory of the Daleks" is totally irrelevant. Here's all you need to know: The Daleks are back (again) and they've been redesigned (they look rubbish).
"A Christmas Carol" is a total stand alone (and sadly doesn't follow-up on the teaser at the end of "The Big Bang").

"Amy's Choice" would seem to be a stand alone although there's a lot of speculation that the Dream Lord will be coming back for Season 6.
"The Lodger" would seem to be a stand alone although apparantly they are doing a sequel to it in Season 6.

 

[Worf2DS9]

"A Christmas Carol" is a total stand alone (and sadly doesn't follow-up on the teaser at the end of "The Big Bang").

Yeah, I sure would like to see the Doctor, Amy & Rory dealing with an Egyptian goddess loose on the Orient Express...in space.

 

[Pseudo]

The only ones that I can think of that are skippable plot-wise are Victory of the Daleks and Vincent and the Doctor. You could skip Vampires of Venice, but as has already been mentioned it's Rory's first outing. As for The Lodger, I wouldn't skip it. It doesn't really have much baring on the plot for Series 5... as for what baring it has on Series 6 we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[Samurai8472]

I would say watch the whole series since I think everything matter.

It's a nice contrast from RTD's filler episodes that didn't matter all

"Love and Monsters"
"Midnight"

 

[Winterwind]

"A Christmas Carol" is a total stand alone (and sadly doesn't follow-up on the teaser at the end of "The Big Bang").

Yeah, I sure would like to see the Doctor, Amy & Rory dealing with an Egyptian goddess loose on the Orient Express...in space.

Well, if you want something close you can always watch Bogg and that annoying, crying brat Jeffrey, with Cleaopatra in 1920s New York. I have the complete Voyagers series... all one season of it... on DVD. It's still good fun.