Skip to main content

Posts

Notes on - Doctor Who: The Reality War

  The Reality War notes Very brief recap. Cut straight to falling balcony. Good choice I like the falling buildings imagery. ANITA!!! Love her! Did they know Anita was going to come back all along, or did they just recognize her awesomeness? Rani: A magic door? He had an actual MAGIC DOOR?! The little… Mrs. Flood: Too late. Wait, the day just reset?   We’re back to the start of 5/23 But of course the Doctor was out of the reset area, so Belinda woke up alone So the world isn’t destroyed on May 24 th , It just never gets there. That’s an interesting twist. I did not see that coming. Very clever resolution to the cliffhanger that furthers the plot with new information This is such a good usage of the last Christmas episode Anita is seeing Ricardo, head of HR The hotel is in spasm, because their time shouldn’t exist. Anita has taken a class on Doctor Who terms, apparently On her days off she looks for the Doctor. Fun clips from new and classic Who. I w...
Recent posts

Notes on - Doctor Who: Wish World

  Wish World notes Pretty white horse Bavaria 1865. I wonder what’s special about that year? Very fairy tale atmosphere It’s the new Rani Frau Rani Herr Zufall. Seventh son of a seventh son. And his 7 th son was just born Do not hand your baby to this woman. If she hadn’t, would the Rani have had control over the baby’s powers? Bavaria is kind of the home of fairy tales They’re very much setting the atmosphere by associating this with the foundation of so many fairy tales. The 7 th sons, and the woodcutter, and the cottage in the forest and all that Good on you Violett How is the Rani magically turning women into violets? Cool effect though The Rani has always stood for the opposite of this magic stuff All of her transformations are fun to watch though. I like the ducks Does this track with the Rani we’ve always known? What’s the one very special wish. We totally expect the alarm to be stopped by Ruby, but it’s the Doctor in bed with Belinda??? ...

Notes on - Doctor Who: The Interstellar Song Contest

  The Interstellar Song Contest notes Nice opening space station establishing shot Cat woman host I’m not familiar with Rylan Harmony Arena. I expected a return of Harmony Shoal 2925 I love how phony their kisses were The TARDIS materializing in a pod/booth. I don’t think we’ve seen that before This is the last Vindicator reading they need to get Belinda home Belinda: Oh, we’re so staying The Doctor: We’re staying That’s pretty accurate for what the booth looks like during live telesivion Cool that the director is of short stature and it never matters I like Wynn’s horns This is transmitted across thew entire westen spiral arm. That’s impressive Poppy Honey as the sponsor – fake honey Mrs. Flood is there with Barbara’s hairdo Of course the Doctor was there in 74 I love Belinda’s childhood memory of watching the Eurovision in jammies as a special night. So sweet Belinda is surprised that they’re in a space station inside a bubble Final vindica...

Notes on - Doctor Who: The Story and the Engine

  The Story and the Engine notes Love thre comic images of the stories being told in the barber shop. Not clear if it’s diagetic or not *** The Doctor!   We need him now! It needs feeding! Do we need to restate the season trying to get Belinda home concept every episode Omo’s palace is a barbershop Lagos really is a major hub for communication for sub-saharan Africa The Doctor: Omo, the owner, is a friend of mine. We met in a fire. The TARDIS does the Doctor’s haircuts. I’d wondered The Doctor: It’s a little hard to explain. Belinda: OK. Try explaining. I love that they’re acknowledging that this is the first time he’s been black Having a place where you’re not different is so important. The Doctor: We laugh. We tell stories. They… Belinda: Treat you like one of their own? The Doctor: Yeah. It’s so cool that Belinda understands why having this place is important to the Doctor I love the outfits, the colors, the hats, just everything. Why is th...

Notes on - Doctor Who: Lucky Day

  Lucky Day notes New years eve. I wonder which hotel the time door is at right now His grimace when he smells that it’s London Young Conrad Ah, that’s how Conrad knew Belinda’s name It’s 2007 Conrad’s mom sucks 8 years old when he saw the Doctor and now does a podcast which is having Ruby on as a guest That means Conrad is 26 in present day This feels so much like Love and Monsters. On purpose, I suppose Conrad saw the TARDIS with The Doctor and Ruby last year during an unseen story The narration is even echoing Love and monsters. I half expect a Scooby Doo chase scene Touching green goo is never a good sign And now it feels very like Rose with all the manequins Ruby: Please tell me I wasn’t just peed on. The Doctor: No. It’s more like vomit. Conrad is marked now They just confirmed that this takes place right after Devil’s Chord We see lots of people listening to Conrad’s podcast. Including one guy at a UNIT locker Conrad’s doing a good job o...

Notes on - Doctor Who: The Well

  The Well Notes The Doctor and Belinda are trying to get back to 5/24/25 after just one vindicator reading.   That seems optimistic, but it is a good way to remind audience of the basic setup of ‘stop and take readings. Belinda is very methodical and logical. Good skill set for a nurse. Belinda: Have we been invaded? Or hit by a meteor? Or swatted by a giant moth? The Doctor: Oh.   Imagine a moth that big! I love how healthy Belinda’s relationship with her parents is *** I will meet your mum and dad. And I will make your dad laugh. And your mum can whistle at my behind. And I will sing.   I will do the singing. That is a promise. So a second triangulation reading from the vindicator 500,000 years in the future She’s asking good questions and it’s allowing the Doctor to   give his standard ‘humans are awesome’ shtick, but is also very cleverly letting them slip in the required ‘The TARDIS translates’ explanation. OK, I am officially in love w...

Notes on - Doctor Who: Lux

  Lux notes I love old newsreels They’re so useful for establishing a specific era quickly Not many people in the movie theater It’s notable that the candy girl isn’t selling cigarettes Queen Elizabeth gets a shout out in the newsreel I like the projectionist They’re establishing that all the film is stored ina separate room There’s something about the threading of physical film that’s magical. Love that era of newsreels and cartoons ‘Don’t make me laugh’ is an irritating catch phrase They did a good job copying that super early animation style Sinister moonlight Reflected off a spoon and a poster into the light from the projector The moonlight speech is really sinister The effect of him climbing out of the screen is pretty well done I always love the image of the Doctor tinkering underneath the TARDIS console.   And this is a sweet ‘new friends’ conversation’ It’s refreshing to have a companion who has a normal, healthy relationship with what s...