(no subject)

[themidnightgirl]

The Pope is fading, according to news reports. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4399189.stm

Soon a convocation of high-ups will meet in secret to determine which unlikely candidate is best suited to fill a position with such an illustrious history - to follow in the footsteps of some truly great men.

But enough about the casting of the new Doctor Who...

Comments

[jonnyargles.livejournal.com]

If Sylvester McCoy hadn't bucked the system, the Doctors would have been getting progressively younger.

Someone described Christopher Eccleston as "Acting like one of the Chuckle Brothers" which wasn't that far off the mark.

[borusa.livejournal.com]

I thought he was excellent, actually.

[jonnyargles.livejournal.com]

It was too self-consciously camp and referential for me, really; I like my sci-fi humour more deadpan. It was also painfully contrived plot-wise; the problem wasn't solved by logic or science, but by dropping a small vial onto a rubber monster with Billie's gymnastics. On UK Gold they were running the Sylvester McCoy season - now that was either dark and chilling or ludicrous and an homage, depending on how you wanted to look at it. Eccleston, too, would have been better without the Northern accent - more similar to his cameo in League of Gentlemen. There was no menace there, no ages upon his brow. And he CAN play it.

[borusa.livejournal.com]

You've obviously never seen the original series then, if you think Dr Who has ever featured logical plots, or much in the way of real science.

Gold clogs their breathing apparatus because it can't be corroded, I say!

I loved it. It wasn't perfect, but it was funny without taking the piss out of itself, it had a couple of creepy moments and it zipped along without excess padding, stupid capture-escape-capture sequences or running up and down corridors for no particular reason.

[jonnyargles.livejournal.com]

No, but they were at least original. The science aspect was always secondary to the idea of an entire universe being explored. Political intrigue in the court of Genghis Khan in the first series, wasn't it - designed to showcase and exploit the theatrical strengths of the writers and actors? This, on the other hand, was shameless comic book fare, that made the McGann/Roberts attempt shine in comparison.

[borusa.livejournal.com]

Well, no. It was designed to entertain children and teach them a thing or two about history in the process.

Of course, the true historical disappeared fairly early, to be replaced by the pseudo-historical - compare, for example, "The Time Meddler" with "The Aztecs". Interestingly, Big Finish revived the true historical with the excellent "The Marian Conspiracy", but haven't been back to that well, though they did give us the stonking "Church and the Crown".

Dr Who is a sci-fi adventure serial, and has been from very early in its inception. While there are episodes of great writing, they're the exception rather than the rule - there's a lot of running about, there's a lot of excitement, there are some scary bits.

Steve Moffat explained it thus : Dr Who is at it's best when it's very funny, or very scary. It should be able to switch between the two effortlessly, and it should be for family viewing.

The new series was never going to be a slice of grim realism. Well, not and get any viewers.

The first episode introduced Rose, re-introduced the Doctor and had a little plot about some Autons as well. In that order. And it did it with style, wit and panache. Future episodes will be different, but I doubt you'll be watching them.

[jonnyargles.livejournal.com]

I don't know, I'll give it another chance. The last human voiced by zoe wannamaker who's actually a piece of skin with a face holds as much dark appeal as the Gods of Ragnarok or the Cleaners.

[libellum.livejournal.com]

what do you make of Dave Tennant then? (I just wrote "Tarrant". Uh ...)

[borusa.livejournal.com]

I've not seen him, to be honest, which is a poor state of affairs. I'll try and catch an episode of Casanova.

I've been throwing left field suggestions out, mostly to annoy people. My two favourites are

Aden Gillett (he was in House of Eliott, and numerous other things - good solid actor, tall, angular face.)

David Troughton (he'd never do it, but what an actor he is!)

[libellum.livejournal.com]

Personally, I'd like to see Sean Bean. "A lot of planets have a Sheffield!"

I haven't seen Casanova either. In the photographs he looks very camp and floppyhaired though. I think I prefer my Doctors more rugged.

[fluffymark]

He'd make a great Pope. Just imagine. :)

It'll never happen, but Alan Rickman as the new Doctor? That'd be nice. :)

[borusa.livejournal.com]

It would be fantastic, but it's really never going to happen. He's too big a star!

[zonestalker.livejournal.com]

Hi Borusa - just wanted to let you know that I have started a new forum at

http://www.livejournal.com/community/doctorwho_forum/

I feel a bit like a used car salesman touting for business here, but it would be great to see you over there if you ever fancy popping over to say hello!