The End of Time, Part 1 US Premier Discussion-Grading SPOILERS
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That bit was fantastic. I think my favorite shot is where he's become crack news reporter Trinity Wells and his face is in the little inset where he's the President.
I would really be fine if Murray Gold were gone for the fifth season, but Moffat has to keep Trinity Wells!
^ Oh yes. Only actor to play one character in all four seasons, plus only actor to play one character in all three shows. And how else could we learn the American perspective on the Moff's world crises?
The laugh didn't bother me that much. The whole scene is growing on me a little. The twisty face bit, not so much.
They used a similar effect in "The Sound of Drums" when the Master age-ified the Doctor. It was lame then, too.
Personally, though, I loved the idea of the Master turning everyone into him.
"Breaking news: I'm EVERYONE!"
I found it pointless and all over the place. However, there was some form of primal comfort I got out of it. I think it was structured like a Classic Who episode, and that appealed to my subconscious nostalgia. Standing back from it, you can see exactly where RTD had a great plot (Master/Doctor). But, then you see where the "studio-influence" comes in. The Master's action-figure-worthy "superpowers". The family demographic comforted by a bit of vaguely rude humor. Take note that the tempo and pace builds when The Doctor first starts chasing The Master. Then, at the height of the chase, a crowd of old people rush in to molest him. Thus, the "wink-nudge" to adults and kids alike, as to not take it too seriously. I think that's the part I dislike the most. Take it seriously. It's fucking Doctor Who. Have enough respect for the show, and its audience, as to not dumb down the emotional and visceral nature of drama... 
Thus, the "wink-nudge" to adults and kids alike, as to not take it too seriously. I think that's the part I dislike the most. Take it seriously. It's fucking Doctor Who. Have enough respect for the show, and its audience, as to not dumb down the emotional and visceral nature of drama...
I get this a lot from new Who. It's what stops me from really connecting with it as an absolute favourite show. I'm always shying back from it because I know there will always be something like this cropping up to undermine my emotional reaction to it. I never really feel entirely "comfortable" watching it. (I know this sounds a bit pompous but it's how I feel).
It is Doctor Who, and that's why it's being done like it always has: with the whole family in mind. The show has always been a mix of drama, humor, science-fiction and adventure, with tongue planted firmly in cheek. That's Doctor Who. They are taking it seriously, that's why the show itself is not always serious.
Okay, they had me right up to the moment everyone turned into the Master. That’s his plan?! 
Yes, I know the guy’s crazy, but having that be The Master’s coup de grace just sucked all the gravitas out of the episode for me.
And again, I know this isn’t Torchwood, and that the darkness of these last Tennant Doctor Who specials has to be mitigated somewhat… but damn. Blow the planet up, take the human species hostage, turn off the sun… now those are some plans. But turn everyone into a carbon copy of you?! The Master needs some refresher courses at the Twirling Mustachioed Antagonists College.
Yes, I know the guy’s crazy, but having that be The Master’s coup de grace just sucked all the gravitas out of the episode for me. And again, I know this isn’t Torchwood, and that the darkness of these last Tennant Doctor Who specials has to be mitigated somewhat… but damn. Blow the planet up, take the human species hostage, turn off the sun… now those are some plans. But turn everyone into a carbon copy of you?! The Master needs some refresher courses at the Twirling Mustachioed Antagonists College.
But it isn't about power or domination or wealth. It's about kicking the Doctor in the nads over and over and over and over again. Each time in a more painful and more creative way. "Oh, so you've shut off the sun?! Well, let me just reverse the technobabbly flow of your sunmachine with my sonicy screwdriver!"
But, all the humans becoming the Master. Even my nuts hurt figuratively in sympathy for the Master's kick to the Doctor's balls.
But, all the humans becoming the Master. Even my nuts hurt figuratively in sympathy for the Master's kick to the Doctor's balls.
Okay, they had me right up to the moment everyone turned into the Master. That’s his plan?!
And again, I know this isn’t Torchwood, and that the darkness of these last Tennant Doctor Who specials has to be mitigated somewhat… but damn. Blow the planet up, take the human species hostage, turn off the sun… now those are some plans. But turn everyone into a carbon copy of you?! The Master needs some refresher courses at the Twirling Mustachioed Antagonists College.
Well it WAS kind of a last-minute, improvised idea. Not something he'd been cooking up for months or anything.
It wasn't a plan or grand scheme.
He didn't have anything like that.
He saw the machine figured out what it was really for, managed the same instance to devise a way to abuse it in the most evil way and went for it.
Although the whole scenario somehow IS part of Evil-Dalton-Timelord's plan to restore Galifrey somehow.
He didn't have anything like that.
He saw the machine figured out what it was really for, managed the same instance to devise a way to abuse it in the most evil way and went for it.
Although the whole scenario somehow IS part of Evil-Dalton-Timelord's plan to restore Galifrey somehow.
Exactly. It's Doctor Who -- a show about an alien with a British accent who flies through time and space in a wooden box and fights genocidal salt-shakers and men dressed in robot costumes. You're not supposed to take it too seriously most of the time, you're supposed to have fun! It's Doctor Who, not bloody Hamlet.
Have enough respect for the show, and its audience, as to not dumb down the emotional and visceral nature of drama...
Putting in contrasting emotional tones, adding in humor... reminding us that we can have fun and that the show is not trying to be ART!, is not the same thing as not taking the show seriously.
As the brilliant Dennis put it:
Besides, the absolute worst part of "The End of Time, Part One" was the five-minute sequence where it did take itself way too seriously, when it did indulge in pure melodrama without mitigating it with any sense of just how absurd it was being: The Master's resurrection.
Which, I will repeat, was the first time nuWho ever made me yell at the screen, "WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS SHIT?!"
Doctor Who gets absolutely dreadful if it takes itself too seriously most of the time.
I didn't really mind the BBC Bugs. Yeah, they took up the bottom right corner, and the bottom left corner occasionally exploded into an ad for part two, but it wasn't particularly distracting. That's what BBC America is like, after all.
I could have done without the three commercials for part two, including footage about the Time Lords, that aired during the episode. I mean, really. You're going to spoil the sodding cliffhanger reveal during the episode?
It was a good commercial, though. With different footage than the BBC's trailer.
Here's the link.
Nonsense. I don't remember a single episode of ass-grabbing in the past. Of course, if we're talking about the current era, then, yes. It's always masturbating over its own sillyness. RTD always sees to that end...
I love any time someone requests coherency of plot or tighter writing, someone always throws out the "but it's about an alien, timetravel, blue box, etc., etc." Requesting a modicum of respect for its own narrative, as well as the audience, is not to request Shakespeare. It's called adult storytelling. It's called serious drama. Serious drama doesn't need blood, sex, or tits to be serious. It just requires serious talent, self-confidence, and hard-work. RTD has the former, some of the middle, but has never mastered the latter. Too many campy shrugs of "don't bother getting involved, we don't mean it".
If you think THAT was "serious" writing, then you may need to repeat a few drama courses. That was hollow as popcorn on par with fluff like Buffy. Ridiculous. But, it's RTD, so what did I expect?
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