"Under the Lake" Grading and Discussion Thread

[Lakenheath 72]

It does not make sense, to me, why Clara nor the Doctor could not understand Cass. The TARDIS' telepathic circuits translates alien languages for the Doctor and his companions. The word "telepathic" implies that the thoughts of a speaker are received by the TARDIS, which then translates that thoughts into a form understandable to the receiver. So, what is it about deaf speakers that the TARDIS cannot perform this translation? (This could be another Star Trek reference. Deanna Troi had difficulty in communicating with Rivas, because he too was deaf.)

This is the first episode with the new Doctor where I felt an interest in what he and Clara did off-episode. I am getting comfortable with this new Doctor. I hope that Capaldi is given the chance at exploring this character with a new companion in a 12 episode run in 2016.

 

[publiusr]

The Dalek shuttle is just the corridor. The base is the inside of the eyestalk from the into-the-Dalek episode. That's an expensive set, so I don't doubt they re-use it as much as possible.

Re the shuttle - I was thinking, McKay crashed a puddlejumper!

That or Harriman from the 1701-B lost an aquashuttle.

As far as the temple--shades of Gloon
http://cosmic-horror-rp.wikia.com/wiki/Gloon
http://lovecraft.wikia.com/wiki/The_Temple

Under The Lake also bespeaks Carcosa

 

[MacLeod]

Well considering the TARDIS should have translated the writing on the ship, something could be interferring with the telepathic circuits. Of course we've seen in "The Impossible Planet" that if the writing is old enough the TARDIS might not be able to translate.

 

[matthunter]

Well considering the TARDIS should have translated the writing on the ship, something could be interferring with the telepathic circuits. Of course we've seen in "The Impossible Planet" that if the writing is old enough the TARDIS might not be able to translate.

The writing is already sort of translating itself by rewriting the viewers' neural connections to "prep" them for conversion to ghosts. So the TARDIS may not be able to further jigger about with it (or, if next week we learn the Doctor is the one to set the message, he may have to deliberately make it untranslatable so it can work).

As for the sign language, I just took that as a bit of fluff to 1) ensure translator guy got something to do, 2) prick the Doctor's ego a bit and 3) give a tip of the hat to the idea from the Virgin novels that the Doctor occasionally deletes less useful memories.

I could buy that the TARDIS can't easily translate non-verbal languages (yes, it does writing, but sign is more active) and the Doctor has actually had to learn these... The Delphon eyebrow wiggling, speaking baby (hey, he's a dad... Wouldn't you learn it if you could?)...

 

[matthunter]

Also, new Next Time trailer up at bbc.co.uk/drwho. Spoilers as to the villain and it looks like yet again the Doctor needs to leave a big sign near the TARDIS exit with "DO NOT TELL ME THE FUTURE OR I CAN'T CHANGE IT!" in big red letters and triple underline...

 

[Captrek]

I could buy that the TARDIS can't easily translate non-verbal languages (yes, it does writing, but sign is more active) and the Doctor has actually had to learn these... The Delphon eyebrow wiggling, speaking baby (hey, he's a dad... Wouldn't you learn it if you could?)...

Don't forget Tersuran flatulence.

 

[diankra]

Well considering the TARDIS should have translated the writing on the ship, something could be interferring with the telepathic circuits. Of course we've seen in "The Impossible Planet" that if the writing is old enough the TARDIS might not be able to translate.

Non canon, but the Virgin books state that the TARDIS can't translate writing unless tthere's someone living who can read it to tap into.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

I could buy that the TARDIS can't easily translate non-verbal languages (yes, it does writing, but sign is more active) and the Doctor has actually had to learn these... The Delphon eyebrow wiggling, speaking baby (hey, he's a dad... Wouldn't you learn it if you could?)...

Don't forget Tersuran flatulence.

We'd need the Master back for that one. Could you imagine Missy communicating by precisely modulated gastric emissions?

Not very lady-like.

 

[The Wormhole]

A nice look at the sea serpent mural, courtesy of the Beeb.

What the hell? The sea monster is eating a blue shirt? Way to ruin that Trek reference.

Although, if we assume the four are supposed to represent Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Scotty, the question becomes is it Spock or Bones getting eaten?

 

[Mr. Adventure]

This is what happens when you try to keep the Star Trek franchise fresh into the year 2150.

 

[MacLeod]

A nice look at the sea serpent mural, courtesy of the Beeb.

What the hell? The sea monster is eating a blue shirt? Way to ruin that Trek reference.

Although, if we assume the four are supposed to represent Kirk, Spock, McCoy and Scotty, the question becomes is it Spock or Bones getting eaten?

In that sceanrio I'd say the Doctor, the yellow and red shirts on the boat look like they are reacting to something whilst the blue shirt on the boat doesn't.

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

Hey with so many shout outs to Star Trek could the Doctor meet something Star Trek, maybe not in parson but maybe the TARDIS flies past the Enterprise haha. That would actually be very cool.

 

[auntiehill]

I really liked this episode--would've been great for Halloween. Witty banter, a real sense of threat, likable secondary characters and very creepy "monsters."

I just hope the payoff doesn't fall short. But if the second half is even close to the level of the first, I'll be happy.

PS...what was in the mural in the cafeteria? For a minute, it looked like Star Trek characters.

Anyone else notice that Lun was not killed because he never saw the symbols in the spaceship. Twice in the episode Cassie prevented him from going in the ship. I wonder if that advantage will help the crew somehow in the next episode.

Also another Star Trek reference you guys may have missed. In the beginning when the Doctor and Clara explore the base, the Doctor puts his finger in the coffee, if you look at the painting behind him. You see a sailing ship getting attacked by a monster, the 3 sailors on the ship are all where TNG'ish style uniforms, One gold, blue and maroon.

Thanks for posting that. Glad my eyes didn't deceive me.

 

[Starkers]

I thought that was really good, although as with all two parters the proof of the pudding with be in how it all hangs together (hopefully like the first two eps the second part will actuall manage to be better!)

I think as of right now there’s only been one Whithouse script I haven’t liked (A Town Called Mercy) so surely he must be in the running when it comes time for a new showrunner?

I think the only thing I found a little jarring was that it’s another base under siege story so soon after Last Christmas (I know that was ten months ago but we’ve only had two new episodes since then, it doesn’t help that I watched Last Christmas as part of a recap before series 9 started again) Anyway it didn’t dent my enjoyment of what was a very solid outing.

Some great banter and loved the cue cards, especially the Aberdeen reference and the friend/family member/slash pet

Capaldi’s finally managed to find a great balance between grumpy and funny now so it would be a shame if this were his last season. Annoying I probably like Clara more now than I ever have so its typical that she’s leaving!

Anyway, a good solid 4/5 for me.

 

[Pindar]

Another great episode, the signing was a bit annoying as she hardly ever looked at the signer.

If she was lip reading then fine, but I don't know why he bothered most of the time.

 

[Redfern]

In the pre-season promos, I thought the "ghosts" were wearing some type of shades.! Even upon learning they were supposed to be hollow eye sockets, I still kept perceiving them as shades!

Sincerely,

Bill

 

[Mr Awe]

Hey with so many shout outs to Star Trek could the Doctor meet something Star Trek, maybe not in parson but maybe the TARDIS flies past the Enterprise haha. That would actually be very cool.

That would be a lot of fun. However, I can't imagine that happening. The cost for one thing. The most I could imagine would be a story set in a "Star Trek"-like environment. Maybe materializing on an exploration vessel that gives an impression of Star Trek. Maybe.

But, I suspect that this is just some designer(s) having fun making Trek references more than anything else!

Mr Awe

 

[davejames]

Maybe I need to watch it again, but on first viewing the episode just didn't really grab me at all. It started out solid enough with the first appearance of the ghosts, but pretty soon started to feel repetitive and tiresome with all the running around random corridors and the ghosts chasing people around but... not really doing much.

And the mystery behind the ghosts and symbols and spaceship was so muddled and convoluted I had a hard time working up much interest in it.

 

[Mr Light]

^^

That was all straight out of the classic series haha lot's time wasting and running around random corridors

 

[Marsden]

I was wondering, if the captain was killed and turned into a "ghost", then where was his body? I didn't even realize he got killed then, I thought he just moved the other person out of the way.


I voted very good. I really enjoyed the actual dialogue in this one, the writing of that seemed much better. Not the whole plot/background necessarily, but the actual words spoken, and I thought that some of those lines by the Doctor could have been spoken by Smith's Doctor. I enjoyed it. I know some people didn't like that kind of thing.