Doctor Who Season Two: Discussion With Spoilers!

[CalliArcale]

The title is to provide fair warning to the Americans only just now getting to see the show. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /><br />My brother "obtained" a copy of "New Earth", the Series Two premier. I absolutely loved it. Yes, I will watch it when Sci-Fi airs it, and yes I will buy it on DVD at least once. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> Billie Piper is really coming into her talent. She portrayed Cassandra very well in this episode -- and imitating Zoe Wannamaker is no small feat. It was also fun to see Zoe Wannamaker actually in the episode, as the past, unsurgically-enhanced Cassandra. And the cat makeup was magnificent. Better than in "Survival", that's for sure, although those Cheetah People costumes weren't all that bad, really.<br /><br />I like David Tennant. I think he's doing a fine job. I especially liked when he confronted one of the sisterhood and demanded that they undo whatever they did to Rose, revealing that Cassandra hadn't done a very good job of fooling him. It was well acted. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[vogon13]

I saw the last Dalek (I bet!) zorch himself because he was 'impure'.<br /><br />Funny and pathos filled at the same time.<br /><br />The Doctor seems a little 'gritty'.<br /><br /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#ff0000"><strong>TPTB went to Dallas and all I got was Plucked !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#339966"><strong>So many people, so few recipes !!</strong></font></p><p><font color="#0000ff"><strong>Let's clean up this stinkhole !!</strong></font> </p> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

Warning: you may see spoilers in this thread, because I'm inviting replies from folks who've seen all of Season One. "Dalek" is in Season One.<br /><br />I liked "Dalek" too. I watched it again on Friday. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> (I have a pirated copy, and I have purchased it on DVD.) It's too bad Chris Eccleston would only do one season; I liked his Doctor. Gritty, yes, but exactly what he would be right after seeing his entire race die.<br /><br />"You would make a good Dalek."<br /><br />That obviously horrified the Doctor -- to be complimented in this way by a Dalek. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[yevaud]

Warning! Spoiler!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Yes, but when the Supreme Dalek invited him to terminate the entire Dalek Race, he refused. So he retained his "Timelord Humanity." Well done, I thought. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis:  </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>

 

[lampblack]

Aww, man... y'all keep talking like this, and I'm going to have to break down and get cable or something. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <font color="#0000ff"><strong>Just tell the truth and let the chips fall...</strong></font> </div>

 

[JonClarke]

"You would make a good Dalek." <br /><br />Yes, the danger of becoming the moral equivalent of the very thing you oppose. There's a lesson there for everyone.<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em>  Arthur Clarke</p> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

Of course, it's a very old archetype in literature. "Oedipus Rex", often regarded as the best tragic play ever written, makes use of it. (The tragedy is that precisely by trying to avoid prophecy, Oedipus fulfilled it -- he fled his home to avoid the prophecy that he'd kill his father and marry his mother.) But probably the best codification of the principle comes from the philosopher Niezche (apologies for the spelling; I can never get it right). He said something to the effect of "battle not with monsters, lest a monster you become." <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[yevaud]

“If you stare into the Abyss long enough the Abyss stares back at you.” - Friedrich Nietzsche <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Differential Diagnosis:  </em>"<strong><em>I am both amused and annoyed that you think I should be less stubborn than you are</em></strong>."<br /> </p> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

C'mon, hasn't anybody else seen "New Earth"? I'm dying to talk about it with somebody! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

Alas, yes. He didn't commit to two seasons. He might've intended to leave at the end of Season 1 anyway, but the BBC lost any chance of getting him back when they told a reporter that he was leaving -- before he was ready to make that announcement -- and attributed it to a desire not to be typecast (which wasn't true either). Oops....<br /><br />You'll like the next guy too, though. David Tennant, who grew up a raving mad Whovian, does a wonderful Doctor. I truthfully wasn't crazy about his debut episode, "The Christmas Invasion", but "New Earth" more than makes up for it. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[craig42]

I didn't like episode two very much. And I missed the thrid school reunion yesterday. Arrgh! Does any one know when I can catch a repeat here (UK)

 

[chriscdc]

I have been watching season 2 over here in the UK. I loved the way both Tennant and Piper behaved when Cassandra infected them. Looked like the writer had recently watched 'Resident Evil'.<br /><br />I hardly saw much of the werewolf episode due to a poor aerial reception. Poor reception + digital = random slideshow.<br /><br />Saw the one yesterday with Anthony Stewart Head (Giles from Buffy the Vampire slayer). The best bit was when Rose and Sarah Jane Smith had the 'current meets ex-girlfriend' argument.

 

[CalliArcale]

I am anxiously awaiting "School Reunion" from my supplier. <img src="/images/icons/crazy.gif" /> I loved "Tooth & Claw", the werewolf episode. They obviously had a blast writing Queen Victoria's dialog.<br />.<br />The running gag of Rose trying to get the Queen to say "We are not amused", embarassing the Doctor, was funny, but sometimes a bit forced. But that paid off beautifully when she finally succeeded and it clearly wasn't funny at all. The Queen not only was not amused, she was quite thoroughly offended by Rose and the Doctor, despite them saving her life.<br />.<br />It seems that Torchwood may be the running theme of the season, presumably tying into the upcoming spinoff series. On that note, I was intrigued when the werewolf made a very clear Bad Wolf reference, telling Rose she has the wolf in her, but burns like the Sun. Strange, that he would know about that.... Makes one wonder, doesn't it?<br />.<br />I'm very much enjoying this season! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[SpaceKiwi]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>I am anxiously awaiting "School Reunion" from my supplier.<p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br />Why does supplier almost read like dealer when considering your 'addiction' to all things Who-ie! <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /><br /><br />Just a comment on the Doctor becoming the thing he most despises; surely, in reality, that's just the Dalek winding the Doc up. Their baddies, that's their job ... undermine by any means, foul or fair. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em><font size="2" color="#ff0000">Who is this superhero?  Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!</font></em></p><p><em><font size="2">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></em></p><p><font size="5">Bring Back The Black!</font></p> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p>Why does supplier almost read like dealer when considering your 'addiction' to all things Who-ie! <p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />Don't worry -- it's quite intentional. <img src="/images/icons/tongue.gif" /> I am definitely addicted, and since I'm getting it pirated, it's a fair term to use. I have every intention of buying it the moment it becomes available on DVD. Heck, I bought Season One the moment it became available in Region 2, even though it meant buying a new DVD player as well. <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> I am seriously addicted.<br /><br />"School Reunion" was fantastic. It was a joy to see Sarah Jane again, and a joy to see K9. It was also fun to see Micky join the TARDIS crew. He deserves it, in my opinion. But I do hope this doesn't turn Doctor Who into a soap opera. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[CalliArcale]

So, has anybody else seen "The Girl in the Fireplace" yet? I loved it.<br /><br />One question has been nagging me, though. There's supposed to be another recurring word this season. It's something we heard first season. "Torchwood" is a possibility; however, I did not catch it anywhere in this episode, and it seems far too obvious -- more likely, the Torchwood references merely are foreshadowing the spinoff series.<br /><br />Does anybody have a theory as to what this season's secret word is? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>

 

[craig42]

The Girl in the Fireplace was great but the next episode was even better and clifhanger ending. Nooo! I can't wait till Sat

 

[CalliArcale]

Me neither! The new Cybermen are awesome. Being from an alternate universe, they have a different origin. These did not come from Mondas and attempt to take over Earth. These started out on Earth.<br /><br />It's chilling.<br /><br />It also had the most concise explanation yet as to why Cybermen have had their emotions removed. "Because it hurts." You hear the bloodcurdling screams of those being converted into Cybermen, and there is no doubt that they are in agonizing pain. Their only salvation is that when stripped of emotion, they no longer care that they are in agonizing pain.<br /><br />When you don't care that you hurt, that's very scary indeed.<br /><br />The cliffhanger really has me on the edge. It's very like the end of "Empty Child" -- they're completely surrounded, with no conceivable avenue of escape. But I doubt the Doctor can save the day by telling the Cybermen to go to their rooms. So how will they escape? We have to wait a whole week to find out!<br /><br />whoisdoctorwho.co.uk is now showing Ricky instead of Micky. And there are a whole host of new tie-in websites. International Electromatics, Cybus Industries, and the alternate universe version of Henrik's (the store Rose worked for before the Doctor blew it up). Probably more. I'm having trouble figuring out the first step in this week's game; Ricky wants me to find the code to help fix his radio, but I'm not having much luck yet.<br /><br />It's fun! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em>  -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>