Stepping into the TARDIS: Series 1
- Thread starter Neroon
- Start date
Does this type of event enter into the series often? The lack of pinpoint accuracy, for a better reason, or was this one Rose's fault that they landed in 1860 Cardiff?
It happens quite often. There's a fan theory that sometimes the TARDIS goes where The Doctor is needed, rather than where The Doctor tells it to.
There's also the fact that the Doctor stole the TARDIS and isn't really qualified to pilot it, and to be properly piloted a TARDIS usually has 6 people operating it, so it could just be errors on the Doctor's part.
It's a plot device that I am totally onboard with.
Well you kinda have to be onboard with that sort of stuff to really enjoy WhoIt's a plot device that I am totally onboard with.
The TARDIS is kind of like the Millenium Falcon or Serenity-it's sort of a beat-up, old and outdated ship that doesn't always work. The reason it's a police box is because of this; the "Chameleon circuit" (Which allows the TARDIS's shape to adapt to it's surroundigns) broke.
The Doctor has attempted to fix it twice in the classic series, but by the time of the new series he's really come to accept the shape.
The Doctor has attempted to fix it twice in the classic series, but by the time of the new series he's really come to accept the shape.
Eeeeeexactly.Well you kinda have to be onboard with that sort of stuff to really enjoy Who
Otherwise the just-happened-to-accidentally-drop in-during-a-crisis-that-needs-TEH-DOCTOR! coincidence factor goes through the roof! And we love it that way.
Good analogies on those other two vehicles. When the Doctor was getting Rose to decide where/when she'd like to go, I got the impression that the TARDIS was indeed old tech. A sort of lovable old junker akin to those great, beat-up old ships we couldn't dream of ever being without. And this notion that he stole it.... now that's a sweet little appetizer!!
The idea of the war which destroyed the Doctor's homeworld.... it was interesting to see impact on his face as it was discussed. As Jabe expressed such compassion for him. And Eccleston conveyed a nice bit of evasiveness as Rose pressed him on the question of "who are you".
The TARDIS going where the Doctor is needed, as opposed to where he wants it to go .... intriguing. Sort of a precursor to Sam Beckett almost.
Re: 1 x 03 - "The Unquiet Dead"
Something has been pestering me since I watched this last night. Since I'm at work, that makes verifying this on the DVD somewhat problematic.
If Gwyneth died the moment she stepped under that arch, was it her actual spirit that was talking to Rose and the Doctor? Imploring them to let her finish her work?
Something has been pestering me since I watched this last night. Since I'm at work, that makes verifying this on the DVD somewhat problematic.
If Gwyneth died the moment she stepped under that arch, was it her actual spirit that was talking to Rose and the Doctor? Imploring them to let her finish her work?
Re: 1 x 03 - "The Unquiet Dead"
Yep.
About one of your earlier comments ... You seemed to imply the special effects weren't so good. Something you might find interesting is the lack of CGI in the classic series. See, the originals had no budget. At all. While watching and seeing 'splosions, I imagine the cast and crew had to go door to door and ask people to dig the change out of their couches and chairs, to be able to pay for them. One of the fx shots in the modern series could pay for an entire season of the classic. The cast and crew just had to make that work to their advantage. And for the most part, they did.
You mentioned subtitles. It gets easier to understand them, the more you watch and listen. Eventually you won't need them.
The first few seasons are written in such a way that if you are a fan of the classic, you'll notice things (the return of the Autons - the plastic men, for example), but you don't have to know the original. You can enjoy it for what it is. Starting around the third season, the show references itself quite a bit, its own past ... not necessarily the classic series, but the first two seasons and such. By the time you get to season 4, you really do need to have seen the previous seasons.
As with B5, each season has an overall arc. You've already caught on to the first season's arc. You're picking up on the clues that are there in every episode. This is a good thing. The first time around, viewers don't necessarily pick up on them in the first few episodes of the season.
By the time you get to the fourth season, you'll be expecting it, and will probably latch on to anything that gets referenced more than once in an episode, trying to figure out what that season's arc is. It can be fun.
Just try to take it slow. There's 40+ years of the show to get through. Plus all the spin-offs. Just take your time and try not to get overwhelmed.
Yep.
About one of your earlier comments ... You seemed to imply the special effects weren't so good. Something you might find interesting is the lack of CGI in the classic series. See, the originals had no budget. At all. While watching and seeing 'splosions, I imagine the cast and crew had to go door to door and ask people to dig the change out of their couches and chairs, to be able to pay for them. One of the fx shots in the modern series could pay for an entire season of the classic. The cast and crew just had to make that work to their advantage. And for the most part, they did.
You mentioned subtitles. It gets easier to understand them, the more you watch and listen. Eventually you won't need them.
The first few seasons are written in such a way that if you are a fan of the classic, you'll notice things (the return of the Autons - the plastic men, for example), but you don't have to know the original. You can enjoy it for what it is. Starting around the third season, the show references itself quite a bit, its own past ... not necessarily the classic series, but the first two seasons and such. By the time you get to season 4, you really do need to have seen the previous seasons.
As with B5, each season has an overall arc. You've already caught on to the first season's arc. You're picking up on the clues that are there in every episode. This is a good thing. The first time around, viewers don't necessarily pick up on them in the first few episodes of the season.
By the time you get to the fourth season, you'll be expecting it, and will probably latch on to anything that gets referenced more than once in an episode, trying to figure out what that season's arc is. It can be fun.
Just try to take it slow. There's 40+ years of the show to get through. Plus all the spin-offs. Just take your time and try not to get overwhelmed.
Re: 1 x 03 - "The Unquiet Dead"
RE: the comment on the special effects. I just could not find the right way to describe it. What I meant was that there wasn't an over-reliance on the "gee whiz" factor or scenes to imply "see what we can do with our new toys?" In fact, I rather liked it because I was aware of the original series reputation for low budget in areas like that. It seems to me to be a nice way to evoke the original show while still breaking new ground.
RE: the comment on the special effects. I just could not find the right way to describe it. What I meant was that there wasn't an over-reliance on the "gee whiz" factor or scenes to imply "see what we can do with our new toys?" In fact, I rather liked it because I was aware of the original series reputation for low budget in areas like that. It seems to me to be a nice way to evoke the original show while still breaking new ground.
Incidentally, I'd like to know if you all have any caveats for watching Doctor Who. For example, are there any particular episodes you feel are atypical in quality or some other such element? What about how to refer to any particular character?
I do not mind spoilers, so no worries on that front. Well, unless there is something of special power and impact, that is so much more effective if you see it "first-hand".
I do not mind spoilers, so no worries on that front. Well, unless there is something of special power and impact, that is so much more effective if you see it "first-hand".
Doctor Who, and especially the new series, is meant to be enjoyed by a wide audience, so no, in my opinion, there are no caveats, no initiation rituals, no special handshakes. There are a couple of episodes which are a bit controversial within fandom, but there's really no way to know if you'll enjoy them or not, so I don't think any warning is in order.
Actually, it's best to not be aware of such "controversial episodes" ahead of time. Makes it more interesting to see how I react to them when they come along.
Incidentally, my daughter (age 13 going on 25) was hooked into it immediately, while I was watching "Rose". Hooked enough that she went Wiki-ing to learn of future events (interesting metaphor given the show). This is the same young lady who so thoroughly enjoys B5 with me.... and it's nice to know we can share another common interest, for however long it lasts.
Incidentally, my daughter (age 13 going on 25) was hooked into it immediately, while I was watching "Rose". Hooked enough that she went Wiki-ing to learn of future events (interesting metaphor given the show). This is the same young lady who so thoroughly enjoys B5 with me.... and it's nice to know we can share another common interest, for however long it lasts.
Re: 1 x 03 - "The Unquiet Dead"
A perfect example of that is in Dalek, you'll see a Dalek do things they couldn't do in the old days, although we did see one fly on the old show, but what that one does in Dalek is just amazing.
A perfect example of that is in Dalek, you'll see a Dalek do things they couldn't do in the old days, although we did see one fly on the old show, but what that one does in Dalek is just amazing.
The final three parts of season three should be seen without spoilers IMO, but you're not there yet.
Hm, could you refresh my memory? I definitely caught the ones in "The Shakespeare Code," but I'm drawing a blank with any references in this episode.
And Bad Moon Rising, I hope you enjoy the new series. I've enjoyed reading your comments on the episodes you've seen so far and look forward to future posts!
So there's finally going to be a SF&F sub-forum where all three mods watch the show. 
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