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October 14th, 2018 90 comments

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Poll – What Did You Think of The Ghost Monument?

Now that the second episode of series 11 has aired what did you think? Was it everything you had hoped for or not what you expected.

Still reeling from their first encounter, can the Doctor and her new friends stay alive long enough, in a hostile alien environment , to solve the mystery of Desolation? And just who are Angstrom and Epzo?




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90 comments

  • Lightningboy

    October 20th, 2018 - 9:19am

    “Old” Who may have had wooden sets but “new” Who has wooden actors…you can have all the cgi & flashy special effects you want but at the end of the day this isn’t a patch on the original series which was theatrical,creepy,eerie,quirky,entertaining & most of all watchable – over & over,again & again..i’ll struggle to stay with this new one now,could you imagine some of these stories being played out over 6 episodes?..the quality of stories & writing is bland beyond belief..alas it’s become all about box-ticking…zzzzzzzz.

    Reply
  • obsie

    October 17th, 2018 - 8:24am

    I’m curious to know how The Doctor managed to find time at such short notice to have her ear pierced and why. I know a possibility is somewhere between the funeral scenes and the finding new clothes in story one but no reference is given to such an obvious addition.

    Reply
    • Anonymous

      October 19th, 2018 - 4:02pm

      Maybe they’ll make a big finish series about how she got her ear pierced. We just can’t go on not knowing.

    • Anonymous

      October 19th, 2018 - 4:57pm

      I swear in twwfte, she had a different paid.

    • Anonymous

      October 19th, 2018 - 10:16pm

      Pair I meant to say.

  • Lorraine

    October 16th, 2018 - 11:01pm

    Just a thought perhaps Jodie is a regeneration of Susan her own grand daughter. We are not from Gallifray so what do we know. Can’t even sort of Brexit!

    Reply
  • obsie

    October 16th, 2018 - 4:34pm

    Did anyone notice that when The Doctor entered the TARDIS the new “porch” bit, the interior windows had pull down catches on them. Perhaps an idea to be used showing the windows open from the outside, happened a few times during the black and white stories.

    Reply
    • The Living Shadow

      October 19th, 2018 - 3:59pm

      Oh I didn’t notice that in the episode, but I do remember there were some pictures of the new Tardis with one of the Windows open (I think it was at a convention, but I could be wrong)!!! I do hope they use this in some way!

  • Peter Williams

    October 15th, 2018 - 9:43pm

    For me, that’s it.

    No negative comments on the actors and actresses or their performance. But Doctor Who since it started with ‘series 1’ (or season 1) has always had some continuity.

    This feels like an alternative reality spinoff of Doctor Who. It doesn’t compell me to view an episode in the least. Boring, unappealing storylines. I’ll see what future seasons will bring. Perhaps I’d have to wait for a new Doctor, and it may never return to what it was.

    Surprised at the almost unanimous approval.

    Disappointed older viewer.

    Reply
    • Lorraine

      October 16th, 2018 - 10:47pm

      Peter i know how you feel as I am 61 and love DW. This is not the programme we know. Jodie is not an alien timeperson but more Sarah Jane with not so good storylines but better CIG but we knew it was going to happen so I am trying to grab the best I can. Villains so far are a bad blue tooth fairy and a cross loo roll. It is an alternative spinoff. Try to keep on-board

    • Pats86

      October 17th, 2018 - 6:08pm

      Peter, Lorraine is right try keep on board and cling to the positives, there are some.

    • The Moffat Paradox

      October 18th, 2018 - 4:51pm

      If it doesn’t start convincingly match or exceed the previous heights of even the modern series then, in a way that those of us sceptical about the change visualised, there’ll be a reckoning that no amount of spinning can continue to be in denial against. If the viewing figures start to tumble and tumble. Mind you I thought Star Trek The Next Generation was going to be pants judging from most of the first season until the Romulans and the Borg were brought into it so the jury is still out.

    • Lorraine

      October 21st, 2018 - 3:30pm

      I disliked some of Next Generation at first but it surpassed the original. Think we are heavily in pc tonight. This might be okay if treated well but if not and it becomes a lightweight lecture it will be hard. We have no choice but to turn off or watch. I suspect it is older viewers who are not connecting and the reasons are fair. Chibnall said at a conference in America thank you for letting me do this. Did we?

  • R1ch1e

    October 15th, 2018 - 7:51pm

    This series, imo, has started very strongly indeed.
    I had two quarrels with TWWFTE. Firstly, it was too long. Secondly it was too dark, literally. The whole episode was set at night and it didn’t fit with all the bright promotion that had been doing the rounds. But generally I thought I did everything it needed to do and was enjoyable.
    Episode Two had none of those problems and was a huge step up. Although not perfect, as I don’t think any episode ever is. There did seem to be alot of walking and talking in the middle, but I didn’t think it was boring. It was fun, exciting, had a really engaging guest cast and set up a very interesting story arc. Which by the way Chibbs said there were going to be none of. The timeless child thing has obviously touched a nerve with the ‘Doc’ but I will take it with a pince of salt as we’ve been let down in the past ie the Hybrid.
    But gone are the Moffat says of Hell Bent. Say what you like about Chris Chibnall, he has written a cracker here. He clearly thrives when he is running the show rather than writing the odd episode for other experiments and has a great vision for the show so maybe the Timeless Child will come to something interesting. I can’t wait for the rest of this series.
    Jodie Whittaker continues to impress. Whatever it is you need to be the Doctor, she’s just got it in my opinion. I love the companions. Especially the developing relationship between Graham and Ryan. I really like Yaz too. I just hope her character develops. All we have so far is that she doesn’t like her family much. But she will get there. Chibbs is also very good at developing characters.
    Finally a Doctor Who first. At least it was for me. We all know what the Tardis is, bigger on the inside, but because of this spoiler embargo they got going on we didn’t know what it was going to look like. We found out at the same time as the Doctor which actually choked me up a little. Jodie acting here i thought was superb as it has been throughout.
    I think if the rest of this series continues this standard we are really in for a treat. I know it’s quite early, but I’m calling a finale involving the Stenza and the Daleks and Angstrom and Epzo will be back. Just saying!
    9/10

    Reply
  • Arthurian2

    October 15th, 2018 - 7:48pm

    We all had to suspend belief on the classic series, and for those of us that saw it as it was transmitted, we accepted a lot! But the 2005 rebooted series was able to address these effects with the doors opening straight into the console room. Now it’s like entering a small porch, somewhere to leave your boots, and stack a few logs, before you get into the main room.

    Reply
  • Pats86

    October 15th, 2018 - 2:41pm

    Not too bad and the Timeless child comment sounds interesting. Bradley Walsh is the best thing so far in this series for me.

    I did find the acting clunky in parts even form Jodie? Hope this improves in the coming weeks, I am sure it will.

    Next week’s episode looks interesting as does episode four.

    For anyone interested in how the Doctor had the sunglasses from Audrey Hepburn or whoever else she said she had got them from I have the answer, she emptied her old clothes pockets when she got changed.

    5/10

    Reply
    • Arthurian2

      October 15th, 2018 - 4:47pm

      She actually commented that she had empty pockets while wearing the Capaldi coat! Just another of Mr Chibnails errors!

    • the ergon

      October 15th, 2018 - 4:51pm

      I,m in total agreement with regards to Bradley Walsh. He,s a very fine actor and surpassed himself. He and jodie for me have been the best things about it so far.The monsters and aliens have seemed like a parody of some of the series worst. That definitely needs to improve. Snipers/sniperbots indeed. Its been fine so far, but it does seem rushed and the scripts could be a lot tighter and it seems as though they wasted some good oportunities to make it grip and more exciting. The quieter moments were the best parts when they invest a little time you get to care and get to know more about the characters. I do worry for poor graham, is he going to have an heart attack later on with all that rushing around?

    • the ergon

      October 15th, 2018 - 5:09pm

      booboo why have you deleted my comment? it was a fair summary. Was it my comments about Graham?

    • booboo

      October 15th, 2018 - 5:45pm

      nothing has been deleted all comments are on moderation, putting them through as quickly as i can

    • Pats86

      October 15th, 2018 - 5:24pm

      Cheers, I didn’t catch that. Errors indeed.

    • the ergon

      October 15th, 2018 - 8:37pm

      Sorry for that booboo, its just some of the stuff i put up before didn,t quite make it through and thought it might have seemed inappropriate, too revealing or might have seemed offensive in some way.
      And yes for snipers they were very bad shots.

  • obsie

    October 15th, 2018 - 2:27pm

    All the way to the end of the story and were presented with the most static console instrument wise ever, I’m losing hope here.

    Reply
  • obsie

    October 15th, 2018 - 2:24pm

    Watching it I could feel the long trek they were on, never has 50 minutes been so tiring to watch. Was there really any point in going to South Africa to film this story and Art Malik was a pointless inclusion as well.

    Reply
    • The Living Shadow

      October 15th, 2018 - 7:21pm

      Because the setting looked beautiful (Art Malik too!) and vast! For me it really added to the sense of scale, which is important for an adventure about travelling a long distance! Would you have preferred it to be set in a boring old quarry or stuffy studio set?

    • R1ch1e

      October 15th, 2018 - 9:24pm

      I agree. South Africa provided the perfect setting. There is nowhere in on England that could have provided that setting.
      Also I have a feeling there will be more to come from Art Maliks character somewhere down the line.

    • obsie

      October 16th, 2018 - 4:31pm

      Fair enough to both of you, as long as it has something to please everyone it will serve it’s purpose.

  • ADAM

    October 15th, 2018 - 2:03pm

    I really want to like this new version but this was another dull episode. It feels more like a show that belongs on the CBBC channel.
    There’s little chemistry between any of the regulars and Ms Whitaker just doesn’t have the gravitas or any kind of eccentricities to make me believe it’s the same timelord/lady/thingy that i’ve been watching for the past forty plus years. And as for the new tardis interior,to quote the sixth doctor…YUCK!
    Love the new theme tune arrangement though.

    Reply
    • Pats86

      October 15th, 2018 - 2:50pm

      I agree about the lack of gravitas from Jodie, I will give her time to settle but she is not the best thing about this new series, Bradley Walsh is.

    • The Moffat Paradox

      October 15th, 2018 - 3:48pm

      And competing against himself on Sunday nights at the same time in new celebrity editions of “The Chase”.

    • Peter Williams

      October 17th, 2018 - 3:21pm

      Absolutely agreed, Jodie doesn’t have the ‘gravity’ of any of the previous doctors since the series was rebooted about 10 years ago.

      She’s not a bad actress, but no.

  • Arthurian2

    October 15th, 2018 - 11:07am

    I genuinely want to love this series but I’m really struggling with it. Positives for me, the new title graphics, very reminiscent of the 1970’s version. The art department have given us strong visuals, and there’s some great photography, all of what we have come to expect form the recent series, considering they don’t have a massive budget. I thought the three co stars were good, although Art Malik seemed a bit underused. Don’t want to use the word negatives, so let’s just say things that don’t seem to gel! Sorry, Ryan and Graham have one look on their face throughout the show, Ricky, sorry Micky, Captain Jack, Rory and Nardole, love em’ or hate em’ they could all act dots off these two. A beloved grandmother and wife has ended up dead partially due to the Doctors actions and yet they feel no remorse or scepticism towards her.I know the Doctor saved the world but most human beings only see the smaller picture, (Rose, the Doctor has a time machine, I can see my dead father again, never mind the consequences). Then there was the wonderful Bernard Cribbins, that scene at the allotment with Donna was so poignant. The whole cast just feel like they’re acting. The Dr is still full on, but funny lines just don’t seem to be that funny, and someone needs to to blast the sonic. Perhaps I had always seen the Doctor as an uncle figure, the one who took you to places and let you do things your parents would never allow, but would always look after you. At the moment I just see the Dr as another character, never really grasping control. The Tardis interior reveal hasn’t really revealed that much and it just looks a bit like a big rock in an empty space, and why have three sides of the Police Box exterior as you enter, surely the magic is that you walk through that ridiculous small door straight into a large void? Because I genuinely love the show, I’ll keep watching, but I’m losing that buzz I felt as each new episode was broadcast.

    Reply
    • Mick C

      October 15th, 2018 - 11:28am

      Sorry but there was a scene where Ryan and Graeme were talking about Ryans Grandma.

    • Arthurian2

      October 15th, 2018 - 1:45pm

      Yes, there was and they had just been transported into space, rescued, and crash landed on an alien planet, and trusting a woman they hardly knew, wouldn’t you have a few other things on your mind than a cosy chat about grandma’s passing? Also you’ve missed the point, the scene was just a throwaway, neither performers, for me, gave me a reason to engage in their loss. Also this new reboot seems to be aimed at a younger, and more accepting audience, in my point of view that is…..

    • the ergon

      October 15th, 2018 - 5:07pm

      I think those three sides as you mention as they enter might answer that in the classic series they used to have the doors ajar and all you could see was an empty shell which took away the expanse and magic away from believing the size of the TARDIS interior. I just had to suspend disbelief at times. So now you see the those interior exterior panels before you actually enter into the console room. Its a difficult thing to explain away when you look at some of the old interiors.

    • Nygel Harrot

      October 15th, 2018 - 9:45pm

      Well written Arthurian2, you took the words out of my mouth.

      It also feels like no money what so ever has been spent on this series. Even comments about ‘a big door , i love a big door’ and we don’t even see it… unless that’s ‘post modern irony’.

      It comes to something when the guest stars and Bradly Walsh out-act the main roll. :/
      (The female space captain was very good)

      There’s no heart in it. no soul. just empty lines.

      Ahh the old opening doctor stories when instead of ‘wacky’ forced dialogue all the Doctor had to say to show his ‘Doctorness’ was….”Ahhh both a bit fast are they?”
      (Tom Baker -Robot, but of course you knew that).

      Why haven’t the production team knocked our socks off?
      It all seems like its been brought back just to sell products!
      Even the title logo says ‘BBC doctor who’ as it flies in your face.

      Such a shame.

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