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The Sensorties Revisit The Friday Docback (And Still Smell)!! DOCTOR WHO Story #7 Again, The Coming Of Season/Series 7, And More!!

Published at: Feb. 10, 2012, 10:18 a.m. CST Share On Facebook Twitter

 

 

- submitted by dj_bollocks x

 

 

Merrick here...

...with a quick revisitation of “The Sensorites."  Arriving on DVD next week in the U.S. (HERE), it's already available HERE in the U.K.  This is the seventh Hartnell story...making it the seventh-ever of DOCTOR WHO on the whole...and it aired June - August 1964. 

 

I wrote about “The Sensorites” a while back,  in an article you can find HERE.  That viewing was via a video file which was lifted from the story’s 2002 VHS release.  Predictably, this new DVD version of the episode is considerably crisper and cleaner in image and sound, each quality lovingly restored to admirable robustness.  Alas, how does the saying go?  You can’t polish a turd...

 

To acknowledge the arrival the proper release of “The Sensorites” on DVD, I’m reprinting my original VHS-based article herein - incorporating a few additional thoughts , adding an enumeration of the disc's "extras," and essentially turning what  I ran before into a full fledged DVD review like others we’ve run in the past - for thoroughness, posterity, continuity, and all that.     Added musings are visible via colored text below.

 

By the way:  this article, in all likelihood, represents (what is to my knowledge) the world's first and only application of the word "Moffle."  Which makes this a very important document.  Or not.  

 

But first... 

 

 

 

SEASON / SERIES 7 ROLLS FEBRAURY 20!!!

 

"The first director to shout 'action' will be the award-winning Saul Metzstein whose previous credits include Micro Men (starring Alexander Armstrong and Martin Freeman), the critically acclaimed Late Night Shopping and BBC Wales' Upstairs Downstairs."  per THIS piece over on BBC.  

 

This Season/Series also marks the first time the show will be filmed in the new Roath Lock Studios in Cardiff.  

 

 

 

BBC recently confirmed two of the writers who'll be propelling the good Doctor on adventures this Season/Series.  The roster includes Toby Whithouse, who previously scripted Season/Series 5's "The Vampires of Venice" and S6's "The God Complex."  I loved both of these episodes, so  news of Whithouse's return has me rather stoked.   THIS RadioTimes write-up indicates that he'll pen one of Amy and Rory's last appearances - the characters' exit is described as "quite heartbreaking" by one Steven Moffat.  

 

CAMELOT and LAW & ORDER: UK's Chris Chibnall is also coming back, he scripted "The Hungry Earth" and "Cold Blood" in S5, and "42" back during the Russell T. Davies era. 

 

No word on an offical transmit date for Season/Series 7 - but every indication points toewards later this - Fall/"Autumn" - for a run which should rely less heavily on two-parters than S6 (if they're any at all).  The Docback will be here for Season/Series 7.  Wondering.  Contemplating.  Waiting.  

 

As mentioned above, S7 will move Amy and Rory off the playing field.  My personal, completely uninformed prediction for a new companion?  Is probably very, VERY off base... But for purposes of discussion...

 

-- I don't have his exact quote in front of me at the moment, but Matt Smith recently made an allusion to seeing Australia "soon"...

 

-- The Moff recently indicated that the Doctor is "...about to say hello to someone very different - the Doctor is going to meet someone very new in the very last place he could ever have expected..."

 

-- My personal guess and probably erroneous extrapolation is that the Doctor's new companion will be Aborigine, and said companion will initially be encountered in the Outback.  A scene from THE RIGHT STUFF, one of my favorite films of all time.  

 

 

 

Can you see it?  I can...very much so.  Although this would admittedly be out of far left field, having an existential companion who's "connected" to the universe in some way could be a very interesting spin on the commonly understood companion conceit.  

 

My second guess would be a cute robot.  I think the Doctor needs a wacky robot sidekick.  Like THIS ONE, maybe?  I'm kidding.  I think.  

 

 

 

"The Sensorites" (Story #7) 

 

                        

 

Regular Docbackers may recall a fateful day back in June.  On that day, I set out to watch every DOCTOR WHO ever made (this includes Telesnap reconstructions of episodes available on VHS, but not DVD yet, like this one).  Starting from the show's earliest 1963 episodes and working my way forward, more or less in sequence).  

At that time, many Docbackers warned me that rough patches lie ahead ("The Web Planet," "The Twin Dilemma")  - that certain episodes may strain my patience, and even the show's overall credibility, to the breaking point.  With this in mind, and with some sense of budgetary and political context (by "political" I mean the show's sometimes strained interaction with BBC back in the day), I soldiered bravely foreword and have…on the whole…enjoyed what I've seen immensely.   I can not express how much I've enjoyed making my way through DOCTOR WHO on the whole. My boundless gratitude to my friends Ken Plume and Paul Alvarado-Dykstra for nagging and pestering me to "try it out."  WHO, both vintage and current, has been instrumental in rekindling my belief in the creativity of others - and helped ignite a much needed fire under my own ass as well.  

 

Sure, nearly every episode was imperfect.  A few stories were grand on the whole but let me down somewhere along the way.  Other stories were quite capable and solid, but not as fully realized as they might've been with a larger budget (such is the reality of many television series).  But, in general, the experience of watching WHO has been remarkable, eye opening, and in many regards, transformative. DOCTOR WHO - especially the show's current Moffat Model (Moffle?) - has truly re-jiggered my perception of storytelling, mythology, and the hows, whens, and whys of imagination.  Where and when to hold back, where/when to apply them, etc.  Until now, as funky as DW could sometimes be, I hadn't once encountered a WHO that was anywhere near as rank as I'd been expecting…or as deeply unfortunate as folks had warned me the show could occasionally become.  I was beginning to wonder if readers were being too critical of the show, or if I was, perhaps, being too forgiving.

 

Then came "The Sensorites." 

 

In what is, fortunately, his soul script for the WHOverse, Peter R. Newman opens his story with The Doctor (William Hartnell) arriving on a disabled Earth vessel with companions Barbara (Jacqueline Hill), Ian (William Russell), and "granddaughter" Susan (Carole Ann Ford). 

 

Crew members Maitland (Lorne Cossettes), Carol Richmond (Ilona Rodgers) and John (Stephen Dartnell) are still onboard the vessel, having been forced into a dormant state by the inhabitants of the planet below.  That planet, we quickly learn, is called The Sense Sphere - and its occupants are called Sensorites.  "They are hostile, these Sensorites.  But in the strangest possible way. They won't let us leave this area of space, yet they don't attempt to kill us..." ponders Maitland in one of his waking moments (which are often difficult to distinguish from his sleepier mode).  

 

By the end of the story's opening episode we're introduced to The Sensorites themselves - who we first see crawling around on the outside of the ship's viewport like bugs an a car windshield.  

 

 

(l - a Sensorite, r- Burl Ives)

 

 

As the second and third installments of this six part tale unfolds, we learn more about the mystery of why this human ship has been deliberately kept in Sensorite space.  The current situation stems from an interesting backstory involving the species' failed first contact with humans ten years earlier - the Sensorites now fear that the catastrophe which befell their people the first time around may be compounded by this new batch of humans.  Furthermore, the Sensorites' telepathic perception tells them that one of these current visitors may be scheming to plunder the resources of the Sense Sphere, which doesn't help matters at all.  

 

That's a great set-up, and I've always been a sucker for stories exploring the ramifications of troubled first contact scenarios (Ray Bradbury's THE MARTIAN CHRONICLES, several episodes of the original STAR TREK series, and much of human history being good examples of this.  Bradbury was Best Man at my parents' wedding, by the way).  After a bit of hemming and hawing, our heroes make their way to the Sense Sphere in the hopes of brokering new and anxiety-free relations between humans and Sensorites.  Alas, a hyper-isolationist faction of Sensorites feels that healthy interaction with humans is impossible and should not to be trusted, and is willing to do anything to reinforce this point. 

 

So, "The Sensorites" is essentially STAR TREK VI: THE UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY, but told 27 years earlier and spun with considerably less budget and vigor.  Which is completely fine - DOCTOR WHO has proven time and time again that large budgets are not required to advance solid storytelling and sometimes remarkable characterizations and interpersonal moments.  The problem with "The Sensorites" is several fold, but chiefly lies with the Sensorites themselves.  

 

They just aren't interesting.  

 

The culture and internal machinations of the Sensorties is hugely meaningful component of how this story unfolds, but the presentation of these titular entities is hamstrung by stiff and shoddy make-up which doesn't allow actors to project through their appliances, as well as Sensorite performers' slavishly tedious presentation of their dialog.  Even when we're unable to see an actor's face, remarkable nuance can be brought to performance through voice alone (Christopher Gable's Sharaz Jek character in "Caves of Androzani," for example) .  But no such thought was devoted here.  Here, every Sensorite sounds like a contemptible city council person during a disagreeably long meeting.  Or that tiresome teacher we've all had at some point in our lives.  You know…the ones who don't inspire?  The ones you wished would just…shut…up?  

 

Worsening matters is their basic conceptualization.  Their use of "telepathy" seems inconsistent and appears to support the requirements of the narrative at any given moment rather than any continuous logic or common sense.  They recoil when shouted at and are terrified of the dark (good thing they have no problem drifting around in space then!)  Would The Doctor forcing them to return a much-needed/stolen item truly be as difficult as this episode would have us believe?  The doddering old Doctor could have easily shouted the Sensorites into submission, or tortured them into compliance by merely flipping off a light switch.  Even when they're doing something vaguely menacing, they're not believable foils, and they lack the force of presence to make the problems they create believable.  

 

I do understand that the Sensorites aren't meant to be presented as "big bads" here - but too much drama hinges on their flimsy essence.  Thus, the story unravels around them, climaxed by a desperate plot machination which hinges on all Sensorites looking alike - even though their faces are clearly distinguishable from one another, and each of their body types are radically different from those around them.  This is clumsy madness.  

 

To be fair to the woefully inadequate denizens of the Sense Sphere, their human irritants don't come across much better.   Lorne Cossettes, Ilona Rodgers, and Stephen Dartnell are all equally lost in this episode - their performances suggest an OTT, soap-operatic grab at this material rather than any innate comprehension of the universe they're inhabiting (there's even a cheesy orchestral 'duh-duh-duuuuummm' music cue when something important is discovered). 

 

Episodes five and six of "The Sensorites" were directed by Frank Cox, who'd helmed the vastly superior "Brink of Disaster" for DOCTOR WHO previously. Not sure why he didn't fare so well this time around, but given the profoundly muddled mess that this episode represents, he may've never had a chance.  

 

I continue to love DOCTOR WHO deeply and forever, but in many relationships there's a quality about our companion which simply doesn't sit well with us…and possibly even makes us insane.  That's what "The Sensorites" represents to me in this dynamic.  It makes me want to pull (what hair I have left) out.  It makes me feel vaguely abused, even though it never raised a finger.  I disapprove of this episode in the same way Steven Moffat disapproved of Matthew Watterhouse - it's just plain unwelcome.  "The Sensorites" is a sloppy, under-developed, tedious, and generally joyless wreck that begins with bizarrely misplaced exposition about our travelers' past adventures in the TARDIS (including a Henry the 8th story we've never seen), and then sticks around for about 110 minutes too long.  

 

This story does bring two noteworthy contributions to the WHO mythos (besides apparently being some sort  inspiration for the Ood - I love me some Ood - Oodles of Ood still wouldn't be enough):  1)  for the first time in DOCTOR WHO that I can recall, the future history of Earth is alluded to pointedly and interestingly, and 2) this is the first instance I can recall instance of The Doctor posturing like a badass - i.e. that  "don't fuck with me" thing they do.  In this case,  we get one great and memorable line from the carcass of an otherwise heinous embarrassment:  

 

"I don't make threats.  But I do keep promises.  And I promise you I shall cause you more trouble than you bargained for if you don't return my property. " 

 

Oh yeah - to Docbacker Hornorsilk, who once affectionately taunted me because I'd yet to see this episode? I now respond, "Yeah.  Whatever…"

 

FURTHER ADDENDUM :  In my journeys through DOCTOR WHO, there've been a umber of episodes I felt could use tweaking - i.e. the "Special Edition" version we get with updated effects, and all that (a la "Day of the Daleks").  But "The Sensorites" is the only episode I've seen so far that I wish someone would, simply, remake entirely.  NOT tweak ("Keys of Marinus"), NOT revisit ("The Web Planet")...but remake entirely.  I know this is never going to happen, nor should it, I'm expressing this merely as a point of Geeky conversation.  

 

The core notions driving "Sensorites" are remarkably strong.  To me, "The Sensorites" is about the inherent duality of our existence.  It considers xenophobia - its perils and assets.  It contemplates power of several varieties, how it can be used and misused both deliberately and unintentionally.  It assess fear, and how it can be both an empowerment and an obstacle.  These equate to the soul of this episode, and are very heady and potent conceits.  Alas, the script feels like it is in desperate need of focus and polish, and directors  and  simply failed to recognize the potential that was already there.  A Perfect Storm of fail.  

 

I've come across a number of STAR TREKy moments in DOCTOR WHO, but "Sensorites" may be the most STAR TREKy episode I've come across when assessed as a whole.  Its predilection with social machination and its contradictory exaltation and skewering of human nature could've made "Sensorites" a dazzling and potent and memorable installment of the show, even WITH the crappy creature design of its title characters.  As is, it's a woefully missed opportunity which feels a bit like a write-off when all is said and done.  This a tremendous disservice to the complexion of that era's WHO, and to the innate concepts which glide under the surface of this peice...concepts which remain more or less unrealized and obscured from view even now.  

 

The new DVD looks and sounds quite nice, and should definitely be checked out by WHO completists  - or those  interested  in figuring out what the hell I'm ranting on and on about.  But don't approach it as a classic, and don't expect much from it. in terms of "fun" factor.  View it as a lesson of what can go hideously  wrong on a show like WHO, and as an intriguing hint and grim monument to what might've been...

 

 

 

 

Extras on the new DVD include...

 

 

"Looking For Peter"  (21:15)

"Sensorites...didn't even have the decency to get wiped, so that we could all mourn its loss and imagine how brilliant it must of been..." - Presenter Toby Hadoke

 

Hadoke hunks down information about Peter R. Newman, who passed away in 1969 and 1975 depending on sourcing.  (Peter Richard Newman, a "writer," died in 1975, according to death certificates in Westminster).  

 

 

Along the way, he makes some fascinating and emotion-filled discoveries about the elusive and mysterious author of "Sensorites":  Newman wrote YESTERDAY'S ENEMY - an uncompromising and a-typical Hammer film about war and its violent methods.  He was commissioned for several other scripts but he priced himself out of the market and they were never produced, worked "Sensorites" on DOCTOR WHO, but those are those only two known credits.  

 

-- He was a frustrated writer who was not produced after "Sensorites."  He ended up working at an art gallery.  

This is a wonderful and touching little extra - VERY highly recommended, even if you don't like "The Sensorites."  

 

 

 

 

 

"Vision On" (7:02) - presenter Clive Doig

 

A vision mixer was, essentially, a real-time editor who cut between cameras during recording of vintage WHO eps, based on the script's dialogue and a director's pre-prepared "camera script" (camera placement, shot descriptions, etc.) - the job also included integrating VFX on the fly, etc.

 

-- Doig describes challenges of actors (like Hartnell) deviating from lines, effectively convoluting   ability to follow plans effectively 

 

 -- Discusses working with Verity Lambert (Producer) 

 

 

 

 

"Secret Voices of the Sense Sphere" (2:02)

 

-- Vision Mixer Clive Doig returns to discuss a woman calling out instructions during a scene in Episode Six of the story - and conjectures what likely happened (technical glitch?  Human error?) that resulted in the woman's voice being laid into the actual soundscape of the episode.

 

 

 

 

"Photo Gallery" (4:35)

 

 

 

PDF materials (Radio Times Listings, original designs)

 

 

Trailer

 

...for "The Three Doctors" (Pertwee, Story # ), "The Robots of Death" (Baker, Story #. ) and "Tomb of the Cybermen" (Troughton, Story # ) - all coming to DVD in March.

 

 

 

 

 

 

PREVIOUS DOCBACKS

 

[SEASON / SERIES SIX DOCBACKS]

"The Impossible Astronaut"

"Day of the Moon"

"The Curse of the Black Spot"

"The Doctor's Wife"

"The Rebel Flesh"

"The Almost People"

"A Good Man Goes To War"

"Let's Kill Hitler"

"Night Terrors"

"The Girl Who Waited" 

 

"The God Complex""

 

"Closing Time"

 

"The Wedding of River Song" / "Death Is The Only Answer" mini-eipsode

"The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe" (2011 Christmas Special)  

 

[RETRO-WHO DOCBACKS - MOST RECENT DOCBACK IS HIGHLIGHTED]

"An Unearthly Child" (Story #1)

"The Daleks" (Story #2)

"The Edge of Destruction" (Story #3)

"Marco Polo" (Story #4)

"The Keys of Marinus" (Story #5)

"The Aztecs" (Story #6)

"The Sensorites" (Story #7)

"The Reign of Terror" (Story #8)

"Planet of Giants" (Story #9) 

"The Dalek Invasion of Earth" (Story #10)

"The Rescue" (Story #11) 

"The Romans"  (Story #12) 

"The Web Planet" (Story #13) / SHERLOCK - "A Scandal in Belgravia" (Story #4)

"The Crusade" (Story #14) 

"The Space Museum" (Story #15) 

"The Gunfighters" (Story #25)

"The Colony in Space" (Story #58) 

"Day of the Daleks" (Story #60) + Preview of the DotD Special Edition

"Invasion of the Dinosaurs" (Story #71) and SHERLOCK: "The Reichenbach Fall" (Story #6) 

"The Android Invasion" (Story #83) and SHERLOCK: "The Hounds of Baskerville" (Story #5) 

"The Talons of Weng-Chiang" (Story #91)

"The Sun Makers" (Story #95)

"The Awakening" (Story #131)

"Frontios" (Story #132)

"The Caves of Androzani" (Story #136) 

"Time and the Rani" (Story #144)

"Paradise Towers" (Story #145) + New WHOvian Documentary / Newsbits

DOCTOR WHO: THE COMPLETE SIXTH SERIES 

Merrick's Personal Journey With The Doctor (How Merrick Got Hooked On DOCTOR WHO)

DOCTOR WHO Title Sequences & DW At Comic-Con 2011

"The Crash of the Elysium" (Manchester version - interactive DOCTOR WHO adventure)

Why Eccleston Left, Here Comes Caroline Skinner, And Season/Series Six Part 1 on Blu-Ray And DVD

New Trailer For Season/Series Six Part 2

 

 

 

DOCBACK CODE OF CONDUCT

 

1) a Docback should be about completely open and free discourse regarding all things WHO with, obviously, some variation on subject matter from time to time - the real world intervenes, discussions of other shows are inevitable, etc.)... 

2) matters of SPOILAGE should be handled with thoughtful consideration and sensitivity.  Posts containing SPOILERS should clearly state that a SPOILER exists in its topic/headline and should never state the spoiler itself . "** SPOILER ** Regarding Rory" is OK, for example.  "** SPOILER ** Battle of Zarathustra" is fine as well.  " **SPOILER** Why did everyone die?"  Is NOT good.  

 

 

And, above all... 

3) converse, agree, disagree, and question as much as you want - but the freedom to do so is NOT a license to be rude, crass, disrespectful, or uncivilized in any way.  Not remaining courteous and civil, as well as TROLLING or undertaking sensational efforts to ignite controversy, will result in banning.  Lack of courtesy may receive one (1) warning before a ban is instigated.  Obvious Trolling or Spamming will result in summary banning with no warning.  One word posts intended to bump-up any Docback's figures on AICN's "Top Talkbacks" sidebar will be considered actionable Spam - they not only complicate efforts to access Docback from mobile devices, but impede readers' abilities to follow or engage in flowing conversation. 

 

In short, it's easy.  Be excellent to each other.  Now party on...

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Readers Talkback

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• Feb. 10, 2012, 10:23 a.m. CST

  Doctor Who?

  by pikazerox

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 10:27 a.m. CST

  An Aborigine?

  by Mister Vertue

  That's an interesting guess Merrick. I like your reasoning for thinking so. It's a shame we won't find out for sure if you're right or not for months and months and months...

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 10:29 a.m. CST

  By the way...

  by Mister Vertue

  I really enjoyed that fan trailer at the top of the page. Very well executed.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 10:30 a.m. CST

  clyde rani and luke should be in an episode, with k9 maybe and k9 stays behind, i always thought clyde would be a great companion and he already has a huge connection with space and the doctor and such

  by Daniel

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 10:38 a.m. CST

  the Doctor is going to meet someone very new in the very last place he could ever have expected...

  by DoctorTom

  ...the TARDIS bathroom. *Hello, I'm the Doctor. How did you get in here? The door was locked.* *I needed to use the bathroom really badly, so I got a spare key from the practical effects team and let myself in.* *Isn't that a little bit fourth-wall there?* *Well, Doctor, you've talked directly to the camera before in at least one previous incarnation, so it's not so much breaking the fourth wall as stepping through the hole already made in it* *Oh dear, does that mean we're going to become.....a SITCOM?* *I'm not quite sure, Doctor, let's see who's been lined up to write the stories....oh dear, it might be true.* ************ As an alternative, the Doctor leaves the Ponds, and when he next materializes he finds himself on Satellite 5 again, on the set of Who Wants To Be A Companion. This surprises him because he hadn't known he was going to turn it into a game show.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 10:40 a.m. CST

  Riffing on your Aboriginee thought, Merrick

  by DoctorTom

  I wouldn't think Australia would count as the place he would least expect. Meeting someone in The Dreamtime, however, might. And, if we have the Dreamtime, and knowing that Moffat likes the Davison Era, are we going to end up with the return of the Mara, this time in Australia?

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 10:43 a.m. CST

  Merrick, a Sensorites question for you

  by DoctorTom

  on the last batch of DVD releases they had a Coming Soon trailer for the Sensorites. If you had not watched the show before seeing that trailer, would you have thought that the trailer was previewing something with a bit more action (i.e. actually had some?). Do you think it was stretching things from the small selection of the clips to make it story seem a lot better than it actually was?

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 10:44 a.m. CST

  And, since Gotilk hasn't popped in yet to bring this up....

  by DoctorTom

  Whotininnies? (he asked, in the sheerest of optimism... ;) )

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 10:54 a.m. CST

  Doctortom

  by gotilk

  Thank you very kindly, sir. Much appreciated.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 10:59 a.m. CST

  What draws the Doctor back to the 51st century and the 20th century?

  by V'Shael

  What is it about those time periods he finds so endlessly fascinating? And could we see another character from the 51st century as a companion, just like Captain Jack was? Or River was? Doubtful. A place least expected... Not a time. A place. Hmm...

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 11:01 a.m. CST

  That 50th promo clip above actually gave me chills.

  by gotilk

  And the inclusion of McGann made me feel all warm and happy inside. I was actually shocked to see it was official, seeing as how he was included. I just assumed at first it was fan-created. Very, very happy right now. I'm so excited for the next series that I will jump aboard ANY provider that gives me BBC America in HD. Period. At least for the run of the series. This will be event programming here. Lights off, quiet insisted upon, no distractions (except during those pesky commercials) and my full attention. I will then do my little extra and DVR it, as well as watch it again within 24 hrs. Anyone else as excited? I really wish/hope that there's a group in my area interested in a meet-up type live viewing. I would prefer that actually.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 11:03 a.m. CST

  I think I'd like to have that DVD just for the extras.

  by gotilk

  Looks like one of the better ones.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 11:03 a.m. CST

  On Whotininnies

  by gotilk

  I think someone just forgot to put the link in. I'm sure of it.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 11:05 a.m. CST

  Oh it IS a fan Trailer??

  by gotilk

  *Sad face*.... But well done!! I was so genuinely hoping that it was the real deal based on the BBC One logo that I didn't investigate. Oh well. *fingers crossed*

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 11:20 a.m. CST

  Shows that could use a good application of the Moffle.

  by gotilk

  Big Bang Theory - Not because it's bad, but because I think it would be a blast to see what he could do with a single episode. I bet the *universe* could be expanded in 30 minutes into something they could feed off for multiple seasons. Once Upon A Time - As much as this show is pretty *meh* overall, it does incorporate fantasy and fairy tale, which I think The Moff does very nicely. It could use a good talent boost. Misfits - I'd just love to see what he could do with that rich universe of characters. Although I love the show, they could use a little bit of a nerd-injection to counter-balance the punk-rock. A US update of Sherl.... oops. Someone else is doing that already. I wonder where they got that idea? You know what they say.. Great minds.... come up with their own damn ideas.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 11:28 a.m. CST

  gotilk - you had me worried for a moment there

  by Mister Vertue

  I thought to myself 'that's official and I didn't know about it?!', but thankfully, it *is* a fan made trailer, and a very good one at that! And regarding Mr McGann's Doctor, he is an official Doctor, so don't worry about him being ignored by the new show. We already saw his face in the Doctor's Book of Impossible Things (his face is seen in the middle of the right hand side page), and he's definitely, absolutely 100% part of the show's history, and its future, if I'm not very much mistaken.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 11:45 a.m. CST

  part of the show's history, and its FUTURE, if I'm not very much mistaken.

  by V'Shael

  I need a new pair of pants.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 11:51 a.m. CST

  I quite like The Sensorites

  by Stegman84

  Yes, it's a bit slow, yes there's more line flubs than usual (by regulars and guests), yes it's definitely padded out at six episodes, and the guy playing Maitland is truly terrible in an oddly endearing sort of way, but the story has more depth and interest to it than it is often given credit for, and the Sensorites are interesting creations, and solid designs for the era and limited budget they had to work with. It's not a classic by any stretch, and it is one of those stories that likely benefits by watching it across a couple of viewingsm rather than straight through, but it's certainly a solid outing for Hartnell's Doctor, and I quite enjoyed watching it again (after a great many years) when my dvd arrived last week.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 11:53 a.m. CST

  Sensorites COULD be redone -- as a revisit

  by HornOrSilk

  Add some OOD and new Who sensibilities, it can easily be done for a one episode story. And we all know. That's what's going to happen. No one expects a Sensorite companion. Least of all, the Doctor ;)

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, noon CST

  Oh, and as for The Doctor's next companion...

  by Stegman84

  I took the whole 'the Doctor is going to meet someone very new in the very last place he could ever have expected' bit to mean that the TARDIS is going to somehow give (fully formed) birth to his next companion (perhaps as it recognises that he needs someone, after Amy and Rory leave and he is alone again), or, at the very least, that his next companion is going to be discovered inside the TARDIS, and thus another new mystery begins. How, who, why, etc. Probably wrong, but that's my guess anyhow. And Matt Smith was interviewed by Australia's ABC News 24 on the interview program One Plus One,and that's where he mentioned that he'd like The Doctor to visit the outback of Australia for a story, however it should also be noted that he may have just been pandering to the aussie audience with said comments. Mind you, it would be a cool and suitable place to set a new Mara story, something that Moffat had been rumoured to be toying with doing, so you never know I guess.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 12:01 p.m. CST

  Good points, hornorsilk

  by DoctorTom

  The key is taking the original 6 part story down to one 45 minute story.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 12:02 p.m. CST

  Actually, I know where the Doctor's going to meet his new companion.

  by DoctorTom

  We're going to have a historical adventure (maybe with aliens) and meet the new companion in Spain. Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition!

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 12:13 p.m. CST

  That was my guess too.

  by gotilk

  Inside the TARDIS. Not a manifestation of Sexy, but like Stegman says, created by or from. LOL Doctortom, you're right. Nobody expects them.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 12:16 p.m. CST

  RE: "You can’t polish a turd..."

  by The_Mad_Groper

  Actually, they proved you CAN polish a turd on Mythbusters! LOL As far as a new companion, I will be sad to see Mr and Mrs. Pond go but it will be nice to have some new blood. They should bring back his "daughter" for a season... it would be fun to see how they would get along.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 12:19 p.m. CST

  doctortom

  by vadakinX

  To this day I wish the Python crew had done a brief sketch where the Inquisition shows up at someone's door, a person opens it and says "I've been expecting you."

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 12:22 p.m. CST

  Hello all, what have I missed?!

  by Michael_Jacksons_Ghost

  I hope everyone is doing good.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 12:34 p.m. CST

  I liked this bit, MOV....

  by gotilk

  *and its future, if I'm not very much mistaken* Liked it a lot.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 12:35 p.m. CST

  michael_jacksons_ghost

  by gotilk

  Great to see you.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 12:45 p.m. CST

  Roath Lock Studios

  by gotilk

  It looks like such a wonderful facility from the outside. It's rather sad that we won't have Confidential to give us the grand tour. Maybe someone with a prosumer HD camera will take a little bit of time to do what Confidential used to do and give us a tour. I can't wait to see what the place looks like on the inside. The Upstairs/Downstairs producer called it *Better than Pinewood*. That's some powerful words right there. Congrats to everyone using the facility. It looks like a really good investment that I'm sure will pay off.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 12:55 p.m. CST

  HE'LL MEET HIS NEW COMPANION.... AT A STAR TREK CONVENTION!

  by CHRISTIAN_BALE_TRASHED_MY_LIGHTS

  Or possibly a BNAT.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 12:57 p.m. CST

  He's going to meet someone on Friendster...

  by notspock2

  He is a time traveller after all...

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 12:59 p.m. CST

  The Doctor's new companion

  by HornOrSilk

  Hugh Laurie coming off the set of House. No one expected this, least of all the Doctor. The Doctor and the Pretend Doctor.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 1:03 p.m. CST

  honosilk

  by Joe Plumber

  They're both pretend doctors. Dr. House is more akin to Dr. Walter Bishop than he is to Doctor Who.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 1:12 p.m. CST

  darth_meh The Doctor is a real Doctor, in many fields and subjects

  by HornOrSilk

  But having Hugh Laurie play Hugh Laurie coming off of House would be unexpected. He wouldn't be House, he would play a fictional Hugh Laurie.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 1:13 p.m. CST

  More 'most unexpected' possibilities for where he meets his new companion

  by DoctorTom

  On a Firefly class ship.... On board Babylon 5.... In Servalan's boudoir... He picks up a watch on a spaceship 3 million years in the future. Yes, the reason Holly isn't in the next season of Red Dwarf is because he's going to be a companion in the TARDIS! In the Village... (In something unexpected to us, but not to him) the Doctor arrives in London, pokes his head out of the TARDIS and says *Mrs. Peel, we're needed*... of course, these all would rise to the level of Most Unexpected Place because it would involve getting involved with a different licensed property. Not to say it can't be done, but it makes it far more unlikely.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 1:18 p.m. CST

  Invisible Enemy 2

  by HornOrSilk

  The Doctor finds someone is hiding out in his own body.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 1:21 p.m. CST

  The Triplet Dilemma

  by DoctorTom

  because nobody would expect a sequel to The Twin Dilemma.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 1:25 p.m. CST

  Inferno II

  by HornOrSilk

  Alternative History Hitler is a good guy. No one expected that.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 1:47 p.m. CST

  Unexpected companion...

  by Stegman84

  A live action version of Frobisher, found sleeping out back in the TARDIS, and claiming to have known the Doctor in previous incarnations. I travel with a Penguin now. Penguins are cool.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 1:49 p.m. CST

  That would actually be a hoped for companion, stegman84

  by DoctorTom

  I give the likelihood of it happening as just slightly greater than actually having Professor Bernice Summerfield appear in the show.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 1:59 p.m. CST

  Unexpected companion

  by KanekoFan

  The Doctor finds himself backstage at a performance of Much Ado About Nothing, and brings aboard popular actors David Tennant and Catherine Tate. That'd shut up the "Bring Back Tennant" crowd.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 3:09 p.m. CST

  An Unexpected Companion

  by Ken Plume

  A ship plummeting towards Earth. The Doctor makes a last-minute save. Welcome back Adric. As we all know, The Moff is a HUGE fan, and only has been saying otherwise in public to keep fans off the trail. Badges for all!

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 3:11 p.m. CST

  Whotininnies

  by Ken Plume

  Yes, it would be nice if there were a new episode. Who do we have to ask about that?

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 4:02 p.m. CST

  The Doctor lands in the middle of a giant jelly baby

  by HornOrSilk

  And an elderly giant 4th Doctor clone with a cabbage on his shoulders becomes his new companion.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 4:38 p.m. CST

  Doctor Who/ Star Trek crossover

  by DoctorTom

  IDW's going to be doing a Doctor Who (11th Doctor and the Ponds)/ Star Trek: TNG miniseries.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 4:58 p.m. CST

  kenplume - The Moff *loves* Adric

  by Mister Vertue

  He wouldn't have written an episode where Adric marries the Rani for the new series if he didn't love the wee mathematical genius. Spin-off series to follow. Obviously.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 5:01 p.m. CST

  MOV - The Adric Adventures...

  by Ken Plume

  Have Badge, Will Time Travel

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 5:02 p.m. CST

  Sorry, that should have been marked 'SPOILER'

  by Mister Vertue

  Although it's hardly a spoiler when we all knew it was coming anyway. It's been foretold since the beginning. All the signs were there. Adrani, son of Adric and the Rani, will travel back in time and become the classmate of our favourite Timelord... This stuff writes itself. It really does.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 5:04 p.m. CST

  Adriani

  by Ken Plume

  That was Adriani's crib, wasn't it? IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 5:18 p.m. CST

  the very last place he could ever have expected...

  by Dreamfasting

  Ok, I have to stop the hype train here for just a second ... when was the last time the Doctor went anywhere *expecting* to find a companion? :) I mean it's not like he routinely stops by the local Mos Eisley, clears his throat and announces to the assorted lingering young adventurers "level elventy-hundred time lord healer, looking for group".

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 5:44 p.m. CST

  The companion will be a girl, it has to be, teenage/college girls are the bread & butter of Dr Who now

  by Rebel Scumb

  the whole reason the relaunch became so huge is because droves of girls (many of whom were otherwise no interested in scifi) became obsessed with the show. They all want to imagine they are amy/rose/martha/donna, whatever else may happen, there will always be a cute girl in the Tardis with him going forward just like the doctor will always be someone girls can swoon over now.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 6:14 p.m. CST

  I know where the Doctor least expects it

  by HornOrSilk

  At a Doctor Who convention.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 6:15 p.m. CST

  How do the Ponds return?

  by Dreamfasting

  So how are the Ponds/Williams going to return? The Doctor's reasons for parting at the end of the God Complex sounded pretty sincere and pretty good. Why get involved in their lives once more, especially when he's supposed to be dead? Then again, time travel being what it is, how would his enemies know whether or not he's been to Lake Silenco yet. He can walk up to any member of the Silence, look them in the eye and lie: "you know my death is a fixed point, do you really think you can stop me here and now before I go?" Then again, that would make for a pretty funny reinterpretation of the Stonehendge scene.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 7:01 p.m. CST

  The Ponds return filled with Ducks

  by HornOrSilk

  Of course!

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 7:12 p.m. CST

  HAT 1123: The End of The Ponds

  by veteran_of_mu

  On the fields of Trenzalore, the question is asked. I don't pretend to know the answer. But I know that before this the Doctor gives River his Sonic and sends her to the library. Because that's not the only question. Just being flip, perhaps, Amy asks ~Rory Who?~ And with a look of horror at the revelation, Rory is compelled to say ~Rory … the Roman. Yes. Rory Williams. Rory … Pond. Rory the last centurion. Rory the … the … Nurse. Rory the …Master!- Cue chameleon arch effects. Rory, agonised, says, -No. No. I won't let you. Not again. I'm strong. I love her. I loved her. Two Thousand Years. I've been her husband for two thousand years. I won't. I WON'T. I …~ And then he screams. Amy holds him in her arms as he screams and screams. The Doctor tries to reach them. But he can't. And slowly, inevitably, Rory's hands close on Amy's throat. And now the Doctor takes the Sonic from his pocket. With the red settings. And points it at himself. The Tardis explodes. The universe ends. Silence falls. There is the sound of clapping. A small round of applause. Tom Baker, old and wise, walks into the light, still clapping. So do the others. ~Oh, bravo. Very good! Very good.- ~But, ~ says Pertwee, ~it really can't end like that, you know. Won't do.~ ~Wont do at all, ~ agrees Tennant. ~Really it's a bit - ~ ~Naff.~ says Ecclestone. ~Try again I say.~ And so on around the stage. Finally Smith pipes up. ~I understand, my lords, you'd all have done it otherwise. But I have a plan. Watch.~ And turns on his heel, walks purposefully to the Tardis, smiles, tips them a wink, and closes the door. McGann asks Tom Baker as the grind sets in, ~Do you know what he's talking about?~ And Baker smiles with all his teeth and says, ~No, not a clue. Jelly baby?~ Roll closing credits.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 7:20 p.m. CST

  hmm last place he would expect...

  by Ryan Greenwood

  would have to be the tardis or maybe even galifrey. i really hope its another timelord. i just started watching classic episodes and it really makes me want to see time lords and galifrey in the new series somehow. maybe he never blew up galifrey in the rebooted universe. didnt he not exist in the rebooted universe until amy remembered him at her wedding?

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 8:24 p.m. CST

  Colorized 60s "Who" - The next frontier?

  by obijuanmartinez

  Recall when Ted Turner took to colorizing classic Hollywood films back in the 80s, and stirred up a HUGE groundswell of outrage. For my part, I'd love to see some of the Hartnell / Troughton stuff in color. I reckon if they can spruce up a stinker like 'Day of the Daleks' w/ extra whiz-bangs, lasers and actual Dalek voices, some visual effects wiz has his work cut out for him!

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 8:27 p.m. CST

  @hornorsilk: Thanks for subliminally planting the 'Invisble Enemy' in my brain - I've been walking around the house all night saying "CONTACT...HAS BEEN MAAAAAADE..."

  by obijuanmartinez

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 8:29 p.m. CST

  Adric = He Who Must Never Return. OK: Worst "Who" companions EVER roll-call...

  by obijuanmartinez

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 8:46 p.m. CST

  Mel. I even hated typing that name.

  by veteran_of_mu

  Ugh.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 8:51 p.m. CST

  Pond? Duck? Unexpected? HOWARD!!!

  by Perigee

  Yes, Howard the Duck leaves Cleveland and joins the Doctor for adventures in Time and Space! ~My name is Howard. I'm a duck. I was pulled from Duckworld and exiled on Earth, but then I met this crazy guy who calls himself The Doctor who said I could go home if I joined him in his little box. Like I hadn't heard that one before. So, I figured, what the hell; but, honestly, I don't think this guy knows how to drive...~ WooooWoooo! WooWooWoooooo!

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 8:53 p.m. CST

  ... After all, Nobody Expects Cleve-Land.

  by Perigee

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 9:09 p.m. CST

  Peri - "DOC-TERRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!"

  by obijuanmartinez

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 9:21 p.m. CST

  Boing.........time for bed :)

  by shibleybc

  Be well Docbackers!

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 10, 2012, 11:03 p.m. CST

  You know...

  by Kevin Bolinger

  I love coming here on a Friday, seeing a new Docback, and then cracking up at some of the things that get bantered back and forth, you guys crack me up consistently. :)

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 7:04 a.m. CST

  perigee -- All hail the talking bird

  by HornOrSilk

  So we know now what is going to happen. The Doctor is going to pick up Howard the Duck Donald Duck, Daffy Duck and take on Elmer Fudd.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 7:05 a.m. CST

  darthdevious part of the fun of good Who fandom

  by HornOrSilk

  Laugh at ourselves.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 8:55 a.m. CST

  Just don't start knocking Leela

  by I am_NOTREAL

  Best companion ever.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 9:13 a.m. CST

  Glad you enjoyed the video...

  by dj_bollocks

  naturally can't take credit for it but when I saw it I knew it would moisten a few fans... But erm... is that a kiss from Merrick "submitted by dj_bollocks x" Ooh er !

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 10:01 a.m. CST

  hornorsilk - Be Vewwy quiet - I'm hunting Timelords...

  by Perigee

  hehheheheheh...

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 11:19 a.m. CST

  I'd really like to see Teegan make a guest appearance along side Matt Smith

  by Rebel Scumb

  Bring back the Mara and have them reunite. I also really want a 3rd Peladon story The Leela season is probably my fave of classic WHO so I'd love to see her come back to.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 11:50 a.m. CST

  dreamfasting

  by gotilk

  Best DocBack line of all time, you are now responsible for. Congrats! *level elventy-hundred time lord healer, looking for group* I swear I laughed for a solid minute.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 11:52 a.m. CST

  And good to see you, caractacuspotts

  by gotilk

  and the return of your HATs. You were very missed last DocBack.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 11:56 a.m. CST

  Nice to see a *Boing* as well.

  by gotilk

  I have not seen a good boing here in a while.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 12:10 p.m. CST

  On DocBacks and the Hangout feature on Google+

  by gotilk

  It could be a very fun thing from time to time. I have added Ken Plume and Merrick into my *Whovians* circle. But I should probably change the name to DocBackers. Does that sound like fun to anyone? The Hangouts are actually great and work very well. Problem is I can't find too many people actively using Google+ (at least not here in DocBack) . Here's my profile. http://tinyurl.com/7wcd37z If you add me in some way, I will be more than happy to add you to the DocBackers circle and maybe we could work out a time on the weekend for a casual get-together. The Hangouts are audio/video and the way they work is you have all of the video participants at the bottom (like thumbnails) and whoever is talking at the moment is at the top/center of the screen in a larger window. Anything more than, say, 6 people and it gets kinda hairy. But 7 or 8 would be do-able. Now I just need to get my decent mic/cam working rather than my crappy netbook built-in jobber. Any takers?

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 1:12 p.m. CST

  Doctor Tom re: Sensorites promo

  by Merrick

  *** . If you had not watched the show before seeing that trailer, would you have thought that the trailer was previewing something with a bit more action (i.e. actually had some?). Do you think it was stretching things from the small selection of the clips to make it story seem a lot better than it actually was? *** Yes. The promo makes truly brilliant use of material which is decidedly not brilliant.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 3:25 p.m. CST

  Just a reminder, just in case anyone wants to be reminded..............................................

  by axcel1

  Mark Sheppard's (well, Jules Verne's) Mysterious Island is on tonight at 9 on Scify. Ooooo, both movies are playing at the same time, one, on tv, the other, we have to pay to see. I think I'll watch Mark Sheppard's version and wait for the other one to go to DVD.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 3:38 p.m. CST

  Thanks for reminding me, axcel1

  by DoctorTom

  I was actually going to check it out.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 4:06 p.m. CST

  You are very welcome, sir............................................

  by axcel1

  I can't remember the last time I watched a Scify Saturday night movie, oh wait, yes I can, and, it's being replayed now, "Ferocious Planet". It's the first of two unoffical SGA movies, the other being, "Morlocks". LOL, yes, I am joking.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 4:21 p.m. CST

  @Gotilk

  by veteran_of_mu

  Ta, mate. Indeed real life can be rather more distracting, on occasion, than one might otherwise expect. As for real time, I regret that, as Caractacus, I don't believe I comfortably fit in real time. Oh there's some stumbly bumbly bloke out there who does my typing for me, true. But he's got his own life and I don't want to distract him from it. Wouldn't be fair. I was a bit loathe to label the above skit a HAT because it's rather specific about presentation and short on generalities. But it comes from the same post office box in Schenectady as the others, so I hoped you wouldn't mind. And I'm keenly aware I still owe folk replies, fwiw. Not to mention more Sherlock overanalysis - s2e1! Oh, and if anyone is interested, it was me mishearing "in your own voice" in s1e3. Sherlock is asking him to, not saying he is.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 4:24 p.m. CST

  Did Ken & I just record a new WHOTININNES?

  by Merrick

  I believe we did...

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 5:09 p.m. CST

  WHOTININNIES?

  by Ken Plume

  We did? I'd don't recall... OH WAIT... Yeah. Yeah we did. Go figure.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 5:36 p.m. CST

  WHOTININNIES??

  by gotilk

  It rolls off the tongue rather nicely, does it not? But the question is.... Posted?

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 6:30 p.m. CST

  How do the Ponds return?

  by jnsin1960

  The Doctor's already revealed himself to them, at the end of the Doctor, the Widow, and the Wardrobe, when he decides to Christmas with them.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 6:36 p.m. CST

  @HAT1123 - Will we finally get his name?

  by jnsin1960

  Or are they saving that for the 50th anniversary. Obviously the eponymous show title question will be asked. But will it be answered? Is it like Spock's first name ("you couldn't pronounce it) Or is it going to be some cheeky BBCist wordplay eg an anagram or a palyndrome or an oxymoron, a metaphor or catch phrase (something Gallifreyan for "Oncoming Storm") or will it be simply Doctor ..... Doctor?

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 6:47 p.m. CST

  Actually, we should roll the first syllable a little - WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTININNIES!

  by DoctorTom

  I think it's just a palpable taunt. We don't have a link yet.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 7:36 p.m. CST

  Whotininnies

  by Ken Plume

  I'm not going to say that the new episode is available at asitecalledfred.com but... oh. I just did.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 7:37 p.m. CST

  New WHOTININNIES Link HERE:

  by Merrick

  This week: ** the greatness of Kubrick's PATHS OF GLORY ** the misguidednesss of THE THING (2011) ** the awesomeness of WINGS (1927) ** the not-so-awesomeness of RED TAILS ** lambasting PHANTOM MENACE 3D and the STAR WARS Special Editions in general ** pondering why contemporary Science Fiction television and film rarely seems to carry social resonance ** why DOCTOR WHO: "The Sensorites" may've ended up sucking when it didn't have to ** an exaltation of ICE PIRATES ** a disagreement regarding DOCTOR WHO: "The Caves of Androzani" ** Ken evokes Rick Moranis and sends Glen into a PTSD meltdown ** and more!! At least, I think that's what's in this week's installment...I haven't actually listened to it yet. Find it HERE: http://www.asitecalledfred.com/2012/02/11/whotininnies-9/ Will post a proper link within the article above whenever this stubborn site allows me to do so.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 11, 2012, 7:45 p.m. CST

  I think the closest they got to the Doc's name was in "The Armageddon Factor" when...

  by obijuanmartinez

  ...he ran into his Time Lord classmate Drax from Prydonian Academy, who referred to him by the nickname 'Theta Sigma', or 'Thete'

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 12, 2012, 2:57 a.m. CST

  Theta Sigma is also in River's message

  by veteran_of_mu

  http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_s59ARuFLHSs/TB1ngPZFPUI/AAAAAAAACaE/NQBQtWrBgY8/s1600/Pandorica1.jpg has it - it appears to be ancient greek: Theta Sigma _ phi _ Gamma gamma Delta Backwards-Zeta. And if that helps you even one little bit you're doing better than I am.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 12, 2012, 4:41 a.m. CST

  HAT 1124 - the meaning of the oldest writing in the universe.

  by veteran_of_mu

  Thinking about it, the middle character, phi, must mean love. It's quite similar to a love-heart - except of course it's divided down the middle. Two love-hearts, naturally. So I think the message must represent something like a love note carved on a tree - ~The Doctor Loves River~ Which makes the last word river. Gamma gamma ... well, we do have a Gamma forest in there somewhere. Delta ... of Venus perhaps. And a character that looks like lightning ... which could have something to do with the oncoming storm ... I went and looked at the last scene of AGMGTW to see if I could see any relation between the last word on the cliff and the prayer leaf. But no good I'm afraid - the alphabet is clearly different to ancient greek.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 12, 2012, 1:06 p.m. CST

  Worst Companions: David Brierley, the "scab" voice of K-9 - AWFUL. There can be only one K-9 voice: John Leeson)

  by obijuanmartinez

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 12, 2012, 1:10 p.m. CST

  Worst companion

  by DoctorTom

  The Silence, or whoever's mucking up the TARDIS in Season 5. It's bad enough when your companion wants to kill you (Turlough at the beginning), but when your companion wants to wipe out the entire universe as well, you know it's a bad companion. Besides, as far as we know it never even asked to join the TARDIS crew...

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 12, 2012, 1:30 p.m. CST

  Good Whotininnies!

  by DoctorTom

  I was amused how you still had 20 minutes or so left in the show after rolling the ending song. So, a comparison of Ice Pirates and Philadelphia Experiment next time? When I heard the razor at the beginning, I first thought that Glen was trying to make light saber sounds (which would have worked if you had started the show with the Phantom Menace instead of later). Which of course made things more amusing when we heard Glen go ouch - bringing the image of shaving with a light saber.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 12, 2012, 1:32 p.m. CST

  Did anyone else watch Mark Sheppard's (well, Jules Verne's) Mysterious Island???????????????????????

  by axcel1

  I thought it was pretty good, not as flashy and monster-filled as the one playing in the theater, judging from the trailers on tv, but, it was ok. Now, I have read a few negative reviews, all of the reviewers expected a direct adaption of the novel. Now, come on, first, with only a budget of 2 1/2 million(according to imdb), that's not possible, and, second, the novel has been made into a movie several times before, so, do we really need more of the same? Consider this one a "modern retelling" of Jules Verne's Mysterious Island. Interesting thing about this is Mark Sheppard had a non-speaking part as the younger Captain Nemo in a brief flashback, creating time travel and causing the Bermuda Triangle. Like I said, a different take on Jules Verne's 1874 novel "The Mysterious Island".

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 12, 2012, 2:01 p.m. CST

  I saw it axcel1

  by DoctorTom

  I was actually pretty meh about it until Morgan Sheppard showed up, but enjoyed the parts with him (or Mark) in it a lot. I wasn't expecting a direct adaptation. The cheesy sound effect for going through the wormhole didn't help things - I think they just lifted that off some public domain sound effects album. Didn't we hear that effect once in Star Trek (the original series)?

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 12, 2012, 2:15 p.m. CST

  doctortom, since it was on Scify, I never expect anything good...............................

  by axcel1

  Like you said, both Sheppards elevated the movie higher than the usual grade z movies Scify has on Saturday. And, god, did you see the previews for next week's movie? 'nuff said

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 12, 2012, 3:36 p.m. CST

  Reviewing AGMGTW

  by veteran_of_mu

  Observations: The first time the Doc figures out who River is he says. ~Hello~. Exactly the same way that Sexy did when he last saw her. I know I've said this before but the name he reads is definitely on the crib. Look at the angle of his eyes. The camera focusing on the Galifreyan is not misdirection. What's more River places his hand on the crib, not on the prayer leaf. ~River, get them home.~ How? The vortex manipulator doesn't carry more than one person. The Doc goes from absolute despair to absolute confidence upon figuring out who River is. He doesn't say, hey, look, this is Melody, right here, it'll all be fine, won't it, Melody? Instead he's startled that they kissed. Why? ~It's the TARDIS translation matrix. It takes a bit of time to kick in with the written word.~ Yeah but ... the TARDIS isn't there any more. Only River is. And look at the way Kingston says that. She knows. Let's see, which HAT? I'll have to go find it ... River is Sexy. It took a billion years for TL DNA to evolve. But Sexy is capable of instilling it in the course of Melody's conception. If she wanted to. Why would she want to? There has been a human Tardis before. Sexy knows that. She loves the Doctor, wants to be his ~Wife~ says Gaiman with his episode title. Well, how else can that happen?

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 12, 2012, 3:37 p.m. CST

  Next Companion

  by veteran_of_mu

  It's Lorna Bucket. Gotta be.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 12, 2012, 3:52 p.m. CST

  The last place the Doctor expects a companion

  by HornOrSilk

  At a showing of Star Wars Episode I in 3d.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 12, 2012, 4:45 p.m. CST

  Doc. Tor. … is the way Daleks say it.

  by veteran_of_mu

  And … don't the Silents look rather a lot like Davross?

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 12, 2012, 5:36 p.m. CST

  Thanks for the link Ken and Merrick!

  by gotilk

  Any plans for the show's 10th anniversary? It's a big deal, you know. 10 shows means you're here to stay. Them's the podcast rules you know.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 12, 2012, 7:46 p.m. CST

  caractacuspotts

  by gotilk

  Oddly enough, The Silents always reminded me of *The Scream*.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 12, 2012, 7:55 p.m. CST

  Doc. Tor...is also the way the Sontarans (used to) say it...

  by obijuanmartinez

  ...especially in "The Invasion of Time"

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 12, 2012, 8:49 p.m. CST

  *Anything but flat*

  by gotilk

  ...delivery that is. Lol, guys.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 12, 2012, 9:10 p.m. CST

  Whotininnies: On Satire and social commentary.

  by gotilk

  I think actually shows used to get away with more than they do now. Back then, in many cases, I think directors/producers/etc didn't know how to deal with such stories and that's true. But I think nowadays, writers and even directors and producers are almost afraid of making any kind of social commentary for fear of being seen as having a political agenda, or taking sides. We see a lot less direct commentary now for that reason. It's a little sad, if you ask me. Society has drawn such a sharp, thin line across party and political ideology sides that it makes it hard to stand in the middle and make a statement without falling over across one line or the other. Or at least being accused of it, true or not. Anything progressive is liberal. Anything critically skeptical of change is conservative. etc etc. Kind of limits things a bit. Great Whotininnies this week, guys. And I' not even done with it yet. Had to pause for dinner.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 12, 2012, 9:48 p.m. CST

  Just a passing thought...

  by gotilk

  That perhaps the *last place* he would find a new companion could actually literally BE *the last place he found a companion*. As in where he found little Amy of the Ponds. Nah. Mayb.... Na.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 12, 2012, 10:50 p.m. CST

  Good news! More Target novelizations to be republished!

  by DoctorTom

  I just happened to be looking at Amazon and decided to see what Doctor Who books were coming out. They claim that on June 26 (the same day that the Shada novelization by Gareth Roberts comes out in hardback) that there will also be another half dozen Target novelizations released. The novels are: Doctor Who and the Tenth Planet (Gerry Davis) Doctor Who and the Ice Warriors (Brian Hayles) Doctor Who and the Day of the Daleks (Terrance Dicks) Doctor Who: The Three Doctors (Terrance Dicks) Doctor Who and the Ark in Space (Ian Marter) Doctor Who and the Loch Ness Monster (Terrance Dicks) We'll be getting a couple of Tom Baker stories this time around!. No mention of introductions in this round of novels, though. (It doesn't mean there won't be, it just means that if there are, Amazon hasn't listed them yet.)

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 12, 2012, 11:13 p.m. CST

  I hope it's Lorna Buckett too but not as yet another girl who waited in a field, house or by a fireplace...

  by thecomedian

  She's a cutey so yeah I think we'd all like to see her on the show again hopefully as a new character. If not then maybe she can replace the hot girl they killed off Misfits when it returns in the fall.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 12, 2012, 11:26 p.m. CST

  Christina Chong, I meant. I can't believe I thought her real name was Lorna Buckett.

  by thecomedian

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 12, 2012, 11:39 p.m. CST

  The Doctor meets his companion in the most unexpected place

  by DoctorTom

  In his TARDIS. He meets the 12th Doctor. Actually, what would get the internet all a-tizzy would be to have Romana's daughter show up. I hear people saying *but Romana doesn't have a daughter!* to which I would reply *not that we know of yet.* It would be interesting the speculation on where the daughter came from (if it's hal-Tharil, or if it's the 2nd Romana's and the 4th Doctor's love child). It would also be nice to see Romana pop back up, and demand what the Doctor's intentions toward her daughter are. Actually, you could have almost as much fun if you introduced Leela and Andred's daughter, who combines a lot of the knowledge of Gallifrey with the hunting skills of her mother.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 12, 2012, 11:42 p.m. CST

  I don't see Lorna Bucket being the next companion

  by DoctorTom

  unless the Doctor told her to lie about only meeting him the once, running in the Gamma Forests. There's a little difference between a brief encounter and being a companion for a while. I think the Doctor would try to avoid having her join as a companion because of possible damage to the space time continuum if he brings her along and she dies before she can warn his younger self at Demon's Run.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 13, 2012, 1:48 a.m. CST

  Ah, had forgotten about Marie Antoinette. Maybe …

  by veteran_of_mu

  Maybe in the revised universe he can save her. Then again, what would River think of that?

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 13, 2012, 4:51 a.m. CST

  Going to go read the S1E2 Screenplay

  by veteran_of_mu

  Online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/insight/downloads/scripts/sherlock_the_blind_banker.pdf - there's got to be some kind of clue to the mystery in there. Either Stephen Thompson or someone else put the mystery in there. If it's not Thompson ... well, let's see ...

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 13, 2012, 7:15 a.m. CST

  Why Lorna? Why not Hyacinth Bucket?

  by Perigee

  Now THERE's a season, right there...

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 13, 2012, 7:27 a.m. CST

  Prince George is going tobe the companion

  by HornOrSilk

  Hello Hugh

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 13, 2012, 9 a.m. CST

  Actually, hornorsilk, Bertie Wooster could be the companion

  by DoctorTom

  and it would still be Hello, Hugh

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 13, 2012, 10:20 a.m. CST

  Yeah, it would ruin all the River continuity to bring Christine Chong back as THAT character but she would be great as someone else...

  by thecomedian

  Like I said, no more little girls who the Doctor leave and comeback to 15 years later. That's sorta creepy after a while. This is Doctor Who not "The Time Traveler's Wife". Would love to see Christine Chong again though. If not on Who then maybe they can make her Antonio Thomas' replacement on Misfits.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 13, 2012, 11:08 a.m. CST

  one other spot you would least expect the Doctor's next companion to come from

  by DoctorTom

  *Hello, I'm the Doctor. Who are you and how did you get in my baby crib?* *Yo, Doc, I was hanging with Stormageddon and he slipped me the 411 on you, and he told me if I got a chance I should hang out with you and your peeps in your crib. Call me DJ Big Daddy. While I'm around I've got your back. Anybody tries anything and I'll bust a cap in 'em. * *Bust a cap? Hold on , I'm not quite sure I'm translating right* *Bust a cap, ventilate him, fill him full of holes...put a bullet in him* *Put a bullet in them? No, I don't like guns. Besides, where would you have a gun? Are you hiding it in your diaper?* *My lawyer advises me not to confirm or deny it. All I can say is my homie Captain Jack showed me a thing or two about concealed weapons.*

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 13, 2012, 11:23 a.m. CST

  Hello. I'm Betsy. How did you get inside Davros' Brain?

  by HornOrSilk

  Heavens to Betsy indeed!

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 13, 2012, 1:32 p.m. CST

  Hornorsilk - ssssssshhhhh, don't give away the plot for Invisible Enemy II

  by DoctorTom

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 13, 2012, 1:38 p.m. CST

  Hello, Doctor, I am the TARDIS Voice Interface System. How can I be existing outside the TARDIS?

  by DoctorTom

  This wouldn't be Sexy (as she's the TARDIS herself), but the voice interface becoming its own AI that suddenly finds itself with mobility in the real world (undoubtedly after a crossover with Red Dwarf, where the Doctor gets one of the light bees that allows Rimmer to be a solid hologram projection). And, we can have Vi (since we can't just keep calling her the Voice Interface) change its appearance to whatever it wants to look like. Want to have old Doctors or companions guest star? They get to be Vi for a story (or at least part of one). And, Vi's ending is already built in with these abilities. In an error of judgment of cataclysmic proportions, in one story Vi decides to look like Adric. Upon taking Adric's appearance, Vi suddenly and violently crashes.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 13, 2012, 4:08 p.m. CST

  Last place is with the Last Detective

  by HornOrSilk

  But which one?

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 13, 2012, 4:33 p.m. CST

  More on the Doctor Who/ Star Trek crossover

  by DoctorTom

  unsurprisingly, the comic will use the Borg and the Cybermen. *You will be assimilated* *You will become like us* *Assimilate* *Delete! Delete* Somehow I suspect the conversation between the two groups won't be as sparkling as the Daleks' dialog when they first met the Cybermen in Doomsday.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 13, 2012, 5:27 p.m. CST

  Doctortom

  by HornOrSilk

  Resistance is futile.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 14, 2012, 9:20 a.m. CST

  Hornorsilk - unfortunately, you're correct

  by DoctorTom

  That's probably what the dialog for them will boil down to. Oh, and since the cover that's been shown for one of the issues (showing the Doctor in the Captain's chair, and Rory and Amy Pond on the bridge of the Enterprise D) shows that the Ponds are in the story, you can pretty much predict right now that Rory's going to get turned into a Borg during the miniseries, before he gets turned back. Personally, if they weren't going to go with the original Star Trek, they should have gone with Deep Space 9, and shown the Ferengi involved in a trade war with either the Usurians (The Sun Makers) and/or Sil's race (Vengeance on Varos/Mind Warp). If you're going to go with TNG, show a war between the Klingons and the Sontarans - both races would probably relish the battle. Or have the Enterprise visit Peladon. Or have the meeting between the Enterprise crew and the Doctor's scooby gang be part of a game being played between Q and the Dream Lord (if you need to have the Dreamlord at the same power level as Q, have him using dream versions of the Key to Time). It just seems like there isn't much thought going into choosing the cybermen/borg/cybernauts (oh, sorry, we only get that if they do a sequel series that also has Mister Steed and Mrs. Peel in it). Or, if you must have the Borg, show them trying to assimilate a Dalek.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 14, 2012, 2:25 p.m. CST

  Doctortom

  by HornOrSilk

  Well, I still think it would be cool if it is something deeper like the Borg turn out to be a group of Cybermen which got caught up in another universe.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 14, 2012, 2:45 p.m. CST

  Hornorsilk

  by DoctorTom

  That might not be bad, but I suspect they won't go that way with it. You're more likely to have them say that the ST Universe's Mondas got dropped through a wormhole into the Gamma Quadrant (or whichever one it is the Borg came from). And I don't think we'll get that either. They might just say parallel development. Actually, you know what might be fun? All the Silurian bases on Earth activating and having them wake up at the time of the story, and aren't too happy with the vermin infesting Earth. How would the enlightened (?) Federation deal with the situation, and would the Doctor find himself as a negotiator (again)?

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 14, 2012, 3:14 p.m. CST

  doctortom true just was trying to give a way to have a positive outcome

  by HornOrSilk

  Of course, Cybermen vs Borg's outcome depends upon what era of Cybermen we are talking about.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 14, 2012, 4:51 p.m. CST

  DocTom - Federation - 1, Silurians - 0

  by Perigee

  The Feds were more than competent to take care of the Silurians back in TOS days; Frankly, the Silurians are whooped the minute they come tpo the surface, where we would have space-born, wide-area weaponry. Add to that the ability to ~Beam~ into and out of Silurian caverns, and there's no chance. The TNG guys would pretty much yawn and patiently contain them as Picard speechifys them so much they go back to sleep just to get away from his sonorious blather. Honestly. Silurians are SUCH a tactical mistake. ~Lets go to sleep and give them 1,000 years to upgrade their tech...~

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 1:55 a.m. CST

  Doc vs Borg

  by veteran_of_mu

  One zzz of the sonic and they'd be pirouetting like ballet Daleks.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 1:58 a.m. CST

  Doc vs Q

  by veteran_of_mu

  Q magics Doc out of existence. Amy imagines him back. Q magics Amy and Doc out of existence. River reboots the universe, Amy imagines Doc back. Fin.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 2 a.m. CST

  Doc vs Organians

  by veteran_of_mu

  Organians throw a welcome home party for Doc. Doc leaves early.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 2:01 a.m. CST

  V'ger vs Doc

  by veteran_of_mu

  Sonic boom.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 2:06 a.m. CST

  Super whales vs Doc

  by veteran_of_mu

  Doc translates message, transports whales, done.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 2:11 a.m. CST

  Doc vs Kirk

  by veteran_of_mu

  Kirk punches out Doc, transports Rory to the brig, and makes out with Amy and River in serial and in parallel. Then steals the TARDIS and boils Rose, SJ, Romana and Leela. Then discovers Sexy and the Voice Interface and leaves the entire TARDIS desktop covered in lube. Last seen penetrating the untempered schism.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 3:15 a.m. CST

  Kirk meets his match....

  by HornOrSilk

  Captain Jack

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 4:56 a.m. CST

  Caractacus vs apple spellchecker

  by veteran_of_mu

  Boinks, not boils.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 5:19 a.m. CST

  Spock vs Jack

  by veteran_of_mu

  Meanwhile Jack furtively steals aboard the Enterprise A. Follows pheromones directly to Uhuras cabin where he shows her a new way to use her earphone. Dares her to page Sulu which she does with a giggle and proceeds to make the beast with three backs. The two mere mortals collapse in a santorum covered heap but Jack is just getting warmed up. He spots a tall poised pointy eared chap, gooses him and asks which way to the gym. Spock raises an eyebrow and asks Jack to turn around, which Jack does with a smile. Recognizing that Jack is not part of the crew Spock pinches him out. Jack wakes in the brig and strikes up a conversation with the guard. Showing him how to set a phaser on electrostim, Jack wheedles out an explanation of Spock's Pon Far cycle. He asks the computer for the star date of Spock's last peak and unceremoniously sets his vortex manipulator to the coordinates. Jack sneaks up to Spock's cabin with a gleam in his eye but, alas, there are 400 crew members in line waiting their turn …

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 5:24 a.m. CST

  Almost forgot the bit …

  by veteran_of_mu

  Where Spock explains about the needs of the many …

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 7:20 a.m. CST

  CBS doesn't get the hint - Vertue apparently has not sicced balls sufficiently...

  by Perigee

  http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/02/14/cbs-sherlock-holmes/

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 7:27 a.m. CST

  Picard VS Doc

  by Perigee

  Picard starts quoting Shakespeare, The Doctor corrects him from the second draft, or claims earlier ownership of the line. Annoyed, Picard decides to wax poetic about his archeological digs and the remarkable gizmos he unearthed. The Doctor picks out a Mandilagian juicer and three Aquaian sex toys from his collection. Picard is now positive The Doctor is a Q, and totally pissed off that his blowhard intellectualism is being deconstructed board by board by some guy in a bowtie and a fez.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 8:53 a.m. CST

  Krik and Captain Jack meet in an Orion topless bar

  by DoctorTom

  because if anybody besides Kirk deserves to get it on with a green Orion woman, it's Captain Jack. Or would Jack be busy trying to hit on Kirk?

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 9:01 a.m. CST

  Perigee, yes, I imagine the Federation eventually wins, but Earth is probably a mess

  by DoctorTom

  especially if we get to use the original Silurians - the ones who would trigger the primal fear race memories in humans merely by being seen, who had plagues to wipe out mammals, and kept pet dinosaurs. (I don't see the dinosaurs being a big deal in this case - phasers on disintegrate - but it's still fun to say that they kept pet dinosaurs.) They pop up, most of Earth goes mad before they catch the plague. You'd need nonhumans to handle the Silurians, and you'd most likely need to bring the nonhuman force in from offplanet since the ones on the ground are going to be overwhelmed by the chaos. Unless, of course, Captain Jack shows up to shag the lead Silurian and get him to mend his/her ways while Kirk is busy shagging one of the Silurians with the large venom sacs on her. Then, through the power of shagging, the Silurians see the error of their ways, call the whole mammal culling thing off, and make peace with the Federation. (Now THERE'S a way to get the Star Trek ending for the story!)

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 9:02 a.m. CST

  Caractuspotts - the fun thing about Doc vs. Q

  by DoctorTom

  if it's all a game between Q and the Dream Lord, then you'd have the Dream Lord actually helping the Doctor. Can you imagine how the Doctor would react to having to accept help from him?

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 9:07 a.m. CST

  Daleks vs Borg

  by DoctorTom

  in a grand strategy meant to incapacitate the Borg, the Daleks pull the one Dalek soldier who thought he was the only one left out of his timestream just before he self destructs. (This is the one from the episode Dalek.) Now, we know that the Dalek had absorbed all the knowledge from the internet. The Supreme Dalek has the soldier make a sacrifice by offering himself up for Borg conversion. The Borgs go ahead and convert him, and just as soon as the borg mindlink kicks in, the knowledge of all the internet floods into all the other borg. Overwhelmed by the sheer amount of porn assaulting their minds, the Borg collapse into catatonia, whereupon the Daleks exterminate them at their leisure.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 9:29 a.m. CST

  Perigee, that's a good news/bad news thing

  by DoctorTom

  Johnny Lee Miller's probably a good choice to play Sherlock. I liked him in Eli Stone, and I could see him doing a Sherlock. I'm still hoping, though, that CBS settles with the BBC for a licensing fee. Unless they do a radically different take from Moffat (which will probably be hard, though I suspect that CBS will think that if they do something *radical* - damn this board for not working well enough to give that the quotation marks it deserves - like make Watson a woman) that they'll be able to dodge a lawsuit. I don't see that happening, though. Maybe the BBC can retaliate by making a thinly veiled version of CSI, even more fun if they mock it a little. CSI: Brighton or something like that (obviously you couldn't use CSI in the title, though).

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 9:36 a.m. CST

  Actually, Perigee, if the BBC did that, then a better show might be

  by DoctorTom

  do an equivalent to CSI set in a town in the more rural areas. CSI: Leominster. The team gets to do forensic analysis of crimes involving farm animals and the like. *I've performed forensic analysis on this rabbit and have conclusively determined that it was run over by a people carrier. We have samples of the tread marks and we're looking for the perpetrator now.*

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 2:37 p.m. CST

  DocTom - Once again, the advantage of space-based defenses

  by Perigee

  I think that off-planet forces would be able to handle their part with extreme efficiency; 1) Force fields over the gopher holes. 2) Scan for Sulurians 3) Beam. Buffer. 4) Chuck 'em back downstairs - or better, into cargo pods in orbit. They're not gonna be able to just walk out of those. There isn't even a stand-up fight to be had here. It's pest disposal, from a distance, where the crew is insulated from the enemy by a 150 miles or so. Underground, the Silurians could not possibly have accounted for or expected the kind of weaponry that is not line-of sight: it doesn't pertain to their entire worldview... Ok. Now I know exactly how big a geek I am. Wow. Ok... sitting down now. Sorry.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 4:31 p.m. CST

  Silurians Triumphant

  by veteran_of_mu

  Just as the last Silirian is sealed into an orbiting cargo pod (which some wag has graffitied ~Botany Bay~, a familiar blue box materializes on the deck of the Federation flagship. Out hops an embarrassed looking man in a Roman centurion outfit. ~Commodore Bugger-up. I'm … er … looking for Commodore Bugger-up. Which one is that?~ Picard regards the apparition with mild alarm. ~I'm Commodore Jean Luc Picard in command of the Enterprise F. Who are you and how the devil did you get past my multiphasic shielding?~ ~Ah, it's you then. Not known as Bugger-up yet? Okay. Well my friend - um, you haven't met him yet - asked me to give you a message. About the Silurians.~ ~The Silurians are safely contained. No harm will come to them. We're transporting them to Ceti Alpha … um … Seven.~ ~Yes, we'll my friend said to remind you of something.~ ~Yes?~ ~Something called the Prime Directive. Right then, must be going, nice to meet you.~ Rory turns and re-enters the TARDIS. ~Prime Directive …~ mutters Picard ~Damn me he's right, it applies! Mr Data, get me Starfleet command on the main viewer. Make it so!~ …

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 4:42 p.m. CST

  Watch again A Good Man Goes To War

  by HornOrSilk

  Silurians have more technology than they appear to have. They have space technology, even.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 4:51 p.m. CST

  The Prime Directive? We just ~say~ that... ~LOL~

  by Perigee

  The poor Prime Directive; such a noble ideal, and the most repeatedly arse-raped in the entire Trekverse. TOS was Horrible with it. They were continuously either screwing up entire civilizations (Gangster planets, Yangs and Koms, Killing Vaal, Destroying Landru, Destroying the Eminiar VII computer...) or just plain putting the smackdown on civilizations that weren't coming up *right*. TNG wasn't much better - in fact, you could almost say that breaking the prime directive was their prime directive. Wesley rebels against the Empire/Federation evacuating a planet for political gain in ~Journey's End~, the movie Insurrection had wholesale repopulation with political motive, and, if it wasn't 3 minutes to escape from damned Trenton, I could list a group of others - as I'm sure you could. Prime Directive. We knew ye well, but we hardly knew ye...

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 6:21 p.m. CST

  Silurians

  by Perigee

  Yeah - I was rather curious about that one... although, honestly, I think everybody staged on the TARDIS and deployed from there; otherwise, a fleet probably would have been noticed if it came in for boarding. Nice cloaking technology, though. What I Really need to do is see if the Silurians were included in the roll call of ships in "The Pandorica Opens."

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 6:32 p.m. CST

  DocTom - All Creatures, CSI...

  by Perigee

  We MUST Get Davison in on that one. And, considering the stories about the Welsh and sheep, a spin-off series, All Creatures, Special Victims Unit, can not be far behind... ~O, aye, that's me Mandy... sooch a gentle thing..~ ~Perhaps too gentle, Farmer Brown...~ DONG DONG!

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 15, 2012, 7:11 p.m. CST

  50th anniversary idea

  by HornOrSilk

  Tom Baker comes back as Rasputin Peter Davison comes back as Dangerous Davies Colin Baker comes back as Bayban the Butcher Sylvester McCoy comes back as the man with the ferrets up his pants Paul McGann comes back as Golic Christopher Eccleston comes back as Destro David Tennant plays Zombie Hamlet. There.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 16, 2012, 8:31 a.m. CST

  hornorsilk - Silurian technology

  by DoctorTom

  Don't forget that A Good Man Goes To War looks to have Demon's Run in the 51st century. After Silurians come up in the 30th - 31st century they have plenty of time to come in contact with other races and develop further. I will agree that they have advanced technology, but the space travel part (if they didn't just travel in the TARDIS) would have come after they awoke again. If they had it before, when they saw the problems the planet was going to have they would have built space arks instead of just going into hibernation. Which brings us to the point, has anybody noticed how crafty Moffat was with his timeline? He has the solar flares having people evacuate Earth in the 29th century (presumably late). The Silurians should be coming up again early 31st century. How many humans will be on the planet to greet them when they wake up again? It might be a case of us getting a story where some of the descendents of people on space arks come back to their ancestral planet, only to find it occupied again by its original inhabitants.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 16, 2012, 8:34 a.m. CST

  Perigee - and then there will be the crossover with Torchwood or Doctor Who

  by DoctorTom

  A special episode of CSI: Yorkshire (or wherever it's set) has visitors from a shadowy agency when cattle mutilations are discovered. And are the disappearance of some farmers and appearance of crop circles in their fields due to college lads having hijinks, or is there an actual alien invasion underway?

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 16, 2012, 8:36 a.m. CST

  and then the other spinoff

  by DoctorTom

  All Creatures: Criminal Intent hmmm, there's definite implications with that series title.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 16, 2012, 9:49 a.m. CST

  Perigee - on the CBS casting

  by DoctorTom

  I don't know if you saw the article on BleedingCool about Johnny Lee Miller being cast, but that article brought up that last year he starred in Danny Boyle's stage play of Frankenstein with Cumberbatch. What was interesting was that the two would alternate parts, sometimes one was the doctor and the other the monster, other times it was reversed. I'm suspecting somebody might have seen the stage play and got the idea that if Johnny Lee can be substituted for Cumberbatch in a stage play, he can do it for Sherlock also. I suspect that down the line we're going to have CBS try to do a miniseries or tv show based on the Hobbit, which will have Johnny Lee doing the voice of Smaug. (I'm not knocking Johnny Lee Miller - I really liked him in Eli Stone - this is just aimed at some of the CBS chowderheads.) Following this, we'll probably have to see if CBS casts Watson based on who's acted with Martin Freeman. Just going from the Hitchhiker's Guide movie, I'm sure they'd love to get Sam Rockwell (but I doubt he'd do it even if he were in CBS's price range), Zooey is busy with her own series, does that mean we're going to get Mos Def at Watson? Or possibly Bill Nighy?

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 16, 2012, 10:12 a.m. CST

  CBS needs James Duncan

  by HornOrSilk

  Then they REALLY will have the alt-Holmes. But it won't have the writers!

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 16, 2012, 10:13 a.m. CST

  doctortom -- Silurians

  by HornOrSilk

  Maybe there were arks in space, too. We don't know! What if there were many different groups with differing solutions?

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 16, 2012, 10:25 a.m. CST

  hornorsilk - good point

  by DoctorTom

  maybe the Draconians were an offshoot of homo reptilia. But, another question now occurs to me. Since Mondas was supposed to have had a parallel development to Earth (except presumably at different times) what happened to Mondas' Silurians?

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 16, 2012, 10:25 a.m. CST

  doctortom they became

  by HornOrSilk

  the Borg, of course ;)

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 16, 2012, 10:48 a.m. CST

  Oh, silly me

  by DoctorTom

  I should have realized that. I would have guessed that they went into a pocket universe and became known as the Sleestaks (yes, I definitely dated myself with that reference)

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 16, 2012, 11:50 a.m. CST

  CSI+Torchwood = South Park?

  by Perigee

  All I need to know is does that whole investigation end with Jack with a Radar Dish popping out of his butt..?

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 16, 2012, 12:35 p.m. CST

  They killed Jack! Those b*st*rds!

  by DoctorTom

  Knowing Jack, the radar dish being there could be some weird form of foreplay with the alien.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 16, 2012, 2:53 p.m. CST

  The Great thing is, Barrowman could really pull off the "I Wanna Singa" segments.

  by Perigee

  And this is why we'll never, ever get to be showrunners, DocTom. All of Western Civilization hangs in the balance. ...It's like we stared into the Great Scism, and found madness there...

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 16, 2012, 4:13 p.m. CST

  Of course there's great madness there...

  by DoctorTom

  ..because that's where the Old Ones are. And they know that we'd take bits from the C'thulhu episodes of South Park to include with Torchwood Scene Investigations. And also go off in some other directions. Gwen: C'thulhu's rising from Cardiff Bay? What do we do? Jack: There's only one thing to do to placate him. I'm going to shag him. Yes, that's why we won't be showrunners.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 16, 2012, 4:21 p.m. CST

  Perigee, I suppose that means

  by DoctorTom

  we shouldn't make plans for John Barrowman to star in Call of C'thulhu, the Musical? Now, if they do a musical episode of Doctor Who, they'll HAVE to get Captain Jack into the episode! You could do a multi-Doctor story with Davison and Tennant back as well as Matt Smith. (Davison had time in Spamalot, and Tennant got some singing bits in Viva Blackpool). Surprise everyone by having Hugh Laurie as the 17th Doctor. Special guest appearance by the 2nd Doctor, playing musical accompaniment with the recorder. It's unclear whether they could use colorized footage from previous shows, or if they'd have to have a fake Shemp for him). And the 7th Doctor playing the spoons. And, the return of Kamelion, playing Mandolin. And, the return of Anthony Head as Mr. Finch. Of course, the show could end with an orchestra playing the 1812 Overture, and when the final bang is supposed to occur, we cut to the space freighter with Adric in it just as it makes impact.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 16, 2012, 4:38 p.m. CST

  Star Trek: Conspiracy Squared

  by veteran_of_mu

  It's all Kirk's fault. Upon the return of Voyager it turns out those ear worms from Ceti Alpha Five. Which turned up slightly evolved in the STNG Conspiracy episode - succeeded. Galactic domination is their game, with the prime directive as a cover story. Much the way America uses democracy as a cover for its adventurism. But a conspiracy within a conspiracy led by grand moff 7 of 9 and her lover Chakotai use Borg implants to seize control of key installations starting with DS9. The prime directive is holy to them. And so begins a bloody struggle for freedom. Um, and the Doctor was there.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 16, 2012, 4:40 p.m. CST

  Oh, and …

  by veteran_of_mu

  The Q are just illusions created by the neural parasites …

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 16, 2012, 8:34 p.m. CST

  Fake Shemp. I KNEW there was a reason I liked you, DocTom

  by Perigee

  Only One Fan knows the Fake Shemp. You have good taste.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 16, 2012, 10:42 p.m. CST

  Missed you all.

  by gotilk

  See you tomorrow! And that was a great Whotininnies!!

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 17, 2012, 3:51 a.m. CST

  I think most of us Doctor Who fans know about the Fake Shemp

  by HornOrSilk

  We are Shemp. You will be like us. Er, no, I'm not that evil.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 17, 2012, 8:43 a.m. CST

  Moe, Larry, they wanna assimilate us!

  by DoctorTom

  Nyuk nyuk nyuk. I'd like to see the Doctor blended into a 3 Stooges short the way they did with Laurel and Hardy.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 17, 2012, 8:47 a.m. CST

  Darn, now I want them to make an "extra special" edition of Earthshock.

  by DoctorTom

  Keep the Earthshock part 5 short, but have optional added special effects showing the freighter actually smacking into the planet. (Ideally, with the 1812 Overture playing as the music at the time). Even better if you can add in a scene right after that looking at the plume of dirt and smoke being thrown up from the impact, then looking at each other with a We're Screwed look on their faces.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 17, 2012, 8:49 a.m. CST

  And, as to the post before last

  by DoctorTom

  yes, that was Curly and not Shemp, but I think Curly would get off some better one-liners in the situation. Oh, and how to work the Doctor in on it - the Doctor, fresh from his stint with the Stooges in one of their shorts, determines that the Borg are vulnerable to the Pick Out Two strategem.

  Reply to Talkback

• Feb. 17, 2012, 9:03 a.m. CST

  New Dirk Gently on TV!

  by DoctorTom

  I wonder if http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/160212dirkgently.html Episode 2 is written by Matt Jones (The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit). Howard Overman (who did the pilot and does Misfits) wrote the 1st episode.

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