Comments on: As if I didn’t have enough reason to watch Doctor Who… http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/07/03/as-if-i-didnt-have-enough-reason-to-watch-doctor-who/ I am an astronomer, writer, and skeptic. I likes reality the way it is, and I aims to keep it that way. My real name is Phil Plait, and I run the Bad Astronomy blog. Sat, 10 Jan 2009 03:18:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: Kimpatsu http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/07/03/as-if-i-didnt-have-enough-reason-to-watch-doctor-who/#comment-40623 Kimpatsu Sun, 08 Jul 2007 21:14:26 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/07/03/as-if-i-didnt-have-enough-reason-to-watch-doctor-who/#comment-40623 So how far along are you, Phil? Just so I know which episodes I can comment on, and which you haven't yet seen. So how far along are you, Phil? Just so I know which episodes I can comment on, and which you haven’t yet seen.

]]> By: Mike http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/07/03/as-if-i-didnt-have-enough-reason-to-watch-doctor-who/#comment-40622 Mike Thu, 05 Jul 2007 08:21:06 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/07/03/as-if-i-didnt-have-enough-reason-to-watch-doctor-who/#comment-40622 In others news, the sci-fi channel starts season three of Doctor Who tomorrow! In others news, the sci-fi channel starts season three of Doctor Who tomorrow!

]]> By: tacitus http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/07/03/as-if-i-didnt-have-enough-reason-to-watch-doctor-who/#comment-40621 tacitus Thu, 05 Jul 2007 07:19:09 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/07/03/as-if-i-didnt-have-enough-reason-to-watch-doctor-who/#comment-40621 Phil, it can't be helped, I'm afraid. (I did try, in an earlier post!) I have to bail on the scifi part of the Internet during seasons of my favorite scifi shows like Doctor Who or Battlestar Galactica because the tisk of spoilage is just too great. Even trailers are hopeless these days--they give away far too much of the plot. If I know I'm going to watch the show, then I don't watch the trailers, including the ones the BBC sticks on the end of Doctor Who episodes. Phil, it can’t be helped, I’m afraid. (I did try, in an earlier post!) I have to bail on the scifi part of the Internet during seasons of my favorite scifi shows like Doctor Who or Battlestar Galactica because the tisk of spoilage is just too great.

Even trailers are hopeless these days–they give away far too much of the plot. If I know I’m going to watch the show, then I don’t watch the trailers, including the ones the BBC sticks on the end of Doctor Who episodes.

]]> By: The Bad Astronomer http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/07/03/as-if-i-didnt-have-enough-reason-to-watch-doctor-who/#comment-40620 The Bad Astronomer Wed, 04 Jul 2007 17:47:27 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/07/03/as-if-i-didnt-have-enough-reason-to-watch-doctor-who/#comment-40620 Folks-- Which part of <b>NO SPOILERS</b> got past you? In the US, season 3 has not yet started, and you're spoiling season 4! Folks–

Which part of NO SPOILERS got past you?

In the US, season 3 has not yet started, and you’re spoiling season 4!

]]> By: Stu http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/07/03/as-if-i-didnt-have-enough-reason-to-watch-doctor-who/#comment-40619 Stu Wed, 04 Jul 2007 17:13:41 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/07/03/as-if-i-didnt-have-enough-reason-to-watch-doctor-who/#comment-40619 I think the problem Gary is that the actor playing the lead character in Dr Who isn't replaced, they choose when to leave themselves. It's hard to explain just what a huge, huge deal being "The Doctor" is here in the UK, I can't think of a US equivalent (tho I'm sure someone can). There's enormous pressure on the actor playing The Doctor from Day #1, they're seen as public property, speculation about how long they'll Be the Doctor begins even before the ink dries on their contract, and eventually they just decide "Enough is enough" and leave the series, making way for the next guy. Chris Eccleston was a good Doctor, but I think the problem was he is such an intense guy, such a private guy, a real "actor's actor" that when the tsunami of public interest and acclaim hit him he was spooked and bailed at the first chance. David Tennant is much more audience friendly, a real showman, who loves - but doesn't get arrogant on - all the media interest and public recognition. But he is a versatile actor too, still playing different roles whilst playing The Doctor, so he can't be expected to stay in the role forever. I'll be gutted when he goes, but thankful to him for giving me several years of blisteringly good TV. As for Catherine Tait... after a day's reflection on this I'm in two minds about it now. Either she'll be mega-annoying, a chav in a Tardis, who makes me want to throttle her within 5 mins of each episode beginning... or, as Tate is actually a VERY good actress when not dressing up as thick schoolgirls or foul mouthed grannies, she might bring something new and exciting to the role... I hated The Runaway Bride intensely, until the last 5 mins, when Donna became quite sensitive and introspective... if that's the Donna that comes onboard, then maybe we'll all have a pleasant surprise. We'll see. But I'm looking forward to seeing Martha in Torchwood - she's got great chemistry with Cap'n Jack - and when she returns to the Tardis to find Donna there I reckon she'll grow claws that make Wolverine's look like toothpicks... I think the problem Gary is that the actor playing the lead character in Dr Who isn’t replaced, they choose when to leave themselves. It’s hard to explain just what a huge, huge deal being “The Doctor” is here in the UK, I can’t think of a US equivalent (tho I’m sure someone can). There’s enormous pressure on the actor playing The Doctor from Day #1, they’re seen as public property, speculation about how long they’ll Be the Doctor begins even before the ink dries on their contract, and eventually they just decide “Enough is enough” and leave the series, making way for the next guy. Chris Eccleston was a good Doctor, but I think the problem was he is such an intense guy, such a private guy, a real “actor’s actor” that when the tsunami of public interest and acclaim hit him he was spooked and bailed at the first chance. David Tennant is much more audience friendly, a real showman, who loves - but doesn’t get arrogant on - all the media interest and public recognition. But he is a versatile actor too, still playing different roles whilst playing The Doctor, so he can’t be expected to stay in the role forever. I’ll be gutted when he goes, but thankful to him for giving me several years of blisteringly good TV.

As for Catherine Tait… after a day’s reflection on this I’m in two minds about it now. Either she’ll be mega-annoying, a chav in a Tardis, who makes me want to throttle her within 5 mins of each episode beginning… or, as Tate is actually a VERY good actress when not dressing up as thick schoolgirls or foul mouthed grannies, she might bring something new and exciting to the role… I hated The Runaway Bride intensely, until the last 5 mins, when Donna became quite sensitive and introspective… if that’s the Donna that comes onboard, then maybe we’ll all have a pleasant surprise. We’ll see.

But I’m looking forward to seeing Martha in Torchwood - she’s got great chemistry with Cap’n Jack - and when she returns to the Tardis to find Donna there I reckon she’ll grow claws that make Wolverine’s look like toothpicks…

]]> By: Gary Ansorge http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/07/03/as-if-i-didnt-have-enough-reason-to-watch-doctor-who/#comment-40618 Gary Ansorge Wed, 04 Jul 2007 14:58:16 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/07/03/as-if-i-didnt-have-enough-reason-to-watch-doctor-who/#comment-40618 I'm really anticipating Eureka which, for those of you in furrin lands, is about the smartest little town on earth. I've wondered why the Dr. Who series is so intent on replacing the lead characters every season. We barely have time to get to know those characters and then they're gone,,,I think I much prefer the US method, where , if the character interaction and stories warrant, the series continues,,,forever,,,(or ten years, whichever comes first???) Then, of course, there's Heros, Battlestar GAlactica,,,ah, so many cool shows to look forward to,,, GAry 7 I’m really anticipating Eureka which, for those of you in furrin lands, is about the smartest little town on earth. I’ve wondered why the Dr. Who series is so intent on replacing the lead characters every season. We barely have time to get to know those characters and then they’re gone,,,I think I much prefer the US method, where , if the character interaction and stories warrant, the series continues,,,forever,,,(or ten years, whichever comes first???)
Then, of course, there’s Heros, Battlestar GAlactica,,,ah, so many cool shows to look forward to,,,

GAry 7

]]> By: Morgan http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/07/03/as-if-i-didnt-have-enough-reason-to-watch-doctor-who/#comment-40617 Morgan Wed, 04 Jul 2007 12:23:29 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/07/03/as-if-i-didnt-have-enough-reason-to-watch-doctor-who/#comment-40617 Oh, god, no. This may actually stop me watching Who. I've not been wild about Tennant in the role and Davies seems to just rub me the wrong way with his every major plot point. Rose was fine because she was enthusiastic and into the whole adventuring thing, Martha dragged terribly because she just mooned after the Doctor more than anything else, Donna... if this is just a huge bluff and she actually gets murdered by <em>every Who villain at once</em> in the first episode, that might be bearable. Oh, god, no. This may actually stop me watching Who. I’ve not been wild about Tennant in the role and Davies seems to just rub me the wrong way with his every major plot point. Rose was fine because she was enthusiastic and into the whole adventuring thing, Martha dragged terribly because she just mooned after the Doctor more than anything else, Donna… if this is just a huge bluff and she actually gets murdered by every Who villain at once in the first episode, that might be bearable.

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