Doctor Who: Deep Breath - Controversies & Mysteries

     Doctor Who came back last weekend with series 8 and a new Doctor. Their task was to meet some very high expectations, and to smash some very low ones. To me they succeeded in both. I hope today I will do a full review of the episode because there are so many things to discuss. I think it was one of Moffat's best, as well as one of the best Doctor introductions. There always felt like there was a separation between the classic show and the new one, despite obvious exceptions like the Daleks. At first I thought I was enjoying a seamless blend of the two, but in actuality it was a whole new show that was drawing strongly from both eras, all while breaking new ground.

     Like I said, I'm going to do a review, but there are a few things that merit separate discussion. Two controversies and a mystery.First I'm going to tackle the mystery of Missy.

     We were told Missy would be coming in the finale episodes. She was described as the Gatekeeper of the Nethersphere. What we didn't know is she would pop up at the end of Deep Breath. Sound familiar? We knew Rose was coming in series four, not that she would have a cameo in Partners in Crime. We knew Clara was coming, but not in Asylum of the Daleks. We know now that Rose was bouncing, trying to find the Doctor. We know that was an echo of Clara in the asylum. Missy welcomed the clockwork man to "heaven", first describing in terms he could understand. Nethersphere, heaven? The finale is titled Death In Heaven. Who is she?

     I've seen lots of speculation. The Rani, The Master, The TARDIS, Clara somehow. It's the referring to the Doctor as her boyfriend that's interesting here. She said it was hard to see whether the Doctor pushed him or he jumped. Where was she? Heaven? I don't think it's River, and there isn't much information so my current thoughts are that she is a new character.

     Did he or didn't he....

     The first controversy is whether or not The Doctor killed the clockwork man. I struggled back and forth about this, figuring we will probably see what happened at some point. It wouldn't bother me if he did. Just in the past couple of days I kind of changed my mind, thanks to my niece, Andrea. She pointed out that while the Doctor said one of them was lying, we also know for sure he has killed. Remember Solomon in Dinosaurs on a Spaceship, for one? It will be interesting to see how this whole possible shift in the perception of The Doctor's morality plays out.

Finally I want to try and be as brief as possible when I talk about the other controversy, the "kiss." So much has been made about a homosexual kiss happening between Vastra and Jenny and with full disclosure that I am a gay man, that doesn't even matter because what I have to say is that you're all a bunch of freaking idiots. One moron posted a comment on another site that she didn't see why they needed to give an explanation about the kiss, the lung reserves and sharing of air, and just have the kiss. Um,  I have an answer for you, stupid. Because it wasn't a fucking kiss! They said all of that about the air reserves because Jenny was desperate for air. That's what it was about. Why the hell would she kiss her when she's starving for air? I don't care what it looked like. Have you ever seen what it looks like when a homoreptilia transfers air to a human? I didn't think so.

I want you to turn to your hypothetical partner and hold your breath for about a minute. then have your partner take air into their mouth and pass it to you. Now kiss while you're doing that. It makes no sense, you're all stupid homophobes who are just trying to make it into something that it is sooo ridiculously obviously not just so that you can have an outlet for your hatred. How so very, very pathetic.

Dying to know one thing

With series 8 premiering tomorrow, I've done very well at avoiding spoilers. Now that I'm regenerating my blog to fit the new Doctor, I'm left with one burning question left by a screenshot from one of the trailers, or perhaps it was a promo picture, but it looks like a screencap. Here's the pic...

That looks like a regeneration happening inside Matt's Doctor's TARDIS. I don't see Clara anywhere, so are we going to see more on Trenzalore at the beginning? I hear there is a nice cameo, could it be Matt?

Tegan's Nipples Remind Me Of Grandpa -or- The Story Of My New Who Tattoo

For a while I have been wanting to get a traditional pin up tattoo to remind me of my grandfather. His were the first tattoos I saw, and being in the Navy during WW2, he had more than on pin up. A pin up may seem an odd tattoo for a gay man to get, but that literally doesn't matter. It makes perfect sense to me.

I found a picture of a pin up Geisha and for the longest time was going to get it. As time passed, though, I found myself drawn to a more neo-traditional style of Geisha. At the same time I was wondering what my second Doctor Who tattoo would be. I had no ideas of doing any character from the show, until I was in Google images and saw a picture of Tegan in her uniform. Almost instantly my mind hit upon the idea of creating more of a pin up version, effectively killing three birds with one stone because I also wanted a tattoo with purple in it. I call it parallel universe Tegan.

So you know the why of the style, but why Tegan? Of all the characters in the show, both old and new, why Tegan? Besides the fact that she and her uniform translate well to pin up style, it fit perfectly because quite simply she is my favorite classic Who companion.

They say you never forget your first Doctor, at least my t-shirt does. I have also never forgotten my first companions. My favorite thing is when The Doctor travels with an ensemble, and the ensemble who were with The Doctor when Tom Baker regenerated into Peter Davison were the best for me. The young girl who had lost her entire world. The stowaway from a different universe. And the accidental companion, Tegan Jovanka.

Tegan was strong, and vulnerable in ways she didn't see. She was also no nonsense, opinionated, had heart, and was fiercely loyal. Something about her journey just resonated with me. So much time spent trying to get back home at the right time, but time spent growing in character, spirit, and strong bonds. I think when she was left behind she became aware of the insignificance of so many things. She was right back in the next series, thankfully, ready to join back up with full knowledge of what she was getting into.

Tegan was no longer trying to get home. She was travelling space and time seeing the wonders and making a difference. As it does, however, it became too much. No tragic goodbye, just bittersweet. A door had opened leading back home which Tegan decided to go through, and break my heart. That's so Doctor Who. Breaking hearts for 51 years.

There would be no Tegan without Janet Fielding. She's just adorable for starters. No one else could have voiced this companion, in my opinion. Tegan was far from one dimensional, and the same can be said for Janet. Besides seeing her transform Tegan over time, we saw her happy, grumpy, scared, heartbroken, and even possessed. And at times a bit sassy. I will always love Tegan Jovanka, and subsequently Janet Fielding for bringing her to life. Oh, and I can't forget how Tegan's nipples will always remind me of grandpa. Love you, Monty.

In honor of my grandfather and Tegan Jovanka, I present my fresh, parallel universe pin up Tegan tattoo...

I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Fielding at a convention in Atlanta many, many years ago. Charming at the panel, she was very gracious to those of us who stood in line for an autograph. That's when she said yes to my request for a picture. I will always be thankful to her and Mark Strickson for their kindness and patience with young fans. (ok ok I didn't say really young)

Remembering Christmas: 2005 & 2006

2005- The Christmas Invasion

I liked The Christmas Invasion okay. It was our first such special, but was more of a post-regeneration story. That aspect is what saved it for me. One of my favorite scenes was when Rose was struggling to sound authoritative to the Sycorax, and upon hearing them translated for her, she realizes The Doctor, absent for the most part up until then, must be better....

I loved seeing Harriet Jones again, we will always know who she was. I didn't care for the direction her character went, but I still appreciated her, especially in her next appearance. My other favorite scene was The Doctor picking out his new clothes. This is always fun, and we saw some nods to old Doctors and companions hanging in the wardrobe. But the wardrobe room itself was worth it, the first room outside the console room to be seen, and only other until The Doctor's Wife. To be technical, we didn't see any new rooms until Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS.

2006: Runaway Bride

Besides The End of Time, Runaway Bride is my favorite pre-Moffat era Christmas special. A lot of that could be my huge love of Catherine Tate. But aside from that it was fun. Seeing the viewpoint of a companion who found herself unwillingly in the TARDIS, as portrayed by Ms. Tate, was a riot. One of my favorite scenes is her first after finding herself inexplicably beamed into the TARDIS. Which is not even a proper word!

Donna struggles to get back to the church she had been getting married in. She's not impressed by The Doctor at all, something new, and she's also not carrying any money. (pockets) My favorite scene of the whole episode comes after she finds a cab driver willing to giver her a lift.

They really played around with the TARDIS in this one, and I don't just mean going back to the creation of the Earth. My other favorite scene is when The Doctor uses the same Huon particles in Donna that pulled her into the TARDIS to bring the TARDIS to them.

SPOILERS!!! Big Christmas Hints And Quote From The New DWM

The new issue of Doctor who magazine has a couple of very interesting tidbits...



Stephen Moffat says the question was not asked in The Name of The Doctor, claiming surprise that fans thought that was it. This really changes things. So what was all that "Doctor who?" about coming from Dorium, among others.


Matt is supposedly in almost every scene and even helps Cara cook Christmas dinner!



There is a 'fair bit' of nudity, but knowing Moffat this could be Silence or Cybermen.



We get some clarification on Tasha Lem. She s someone we have never met, but is an old friend of The Doctor and knows him well. I'm kind of excited because she is the Mother Superious of the Papal Mainframe. (Last mentioned, I believe, in A Good Man Goes To War) And confused by the image released. (See previous post)

Is this going to be the endless war mentioned by Madame Kovarian?



We also got a newer synopsis:

"The Doctor dies on Trenzalore. It's a fact. He's seen it. His own tomb, somewhere out there in the future. The Great Intelligence knew it to be true: "One day it was just too much for the old man." The Doctor's death is inevitable - and the time has come for him to return to Trenzalore to fight his final battle. But first there's Christmas dinner to prepare..."



Here is a quote from the episode:

CLARA: "But you don't die. You change-you pop right back with a new face."
THE DOCTOR: "Not forever. I can change 12 times. 13 versions of me. 13 silly Doctors."
CLARA: "But you're number 11, so-"
THE DOCTOR: "Are we forgetting Captain Grumpy? I didn't call myself The Doctor during the Time War, but it was still a regeneration."

Spoiler-y New Images For Christmas

Okay, I put this one first because WHAT the WHAT?? This kind of blows a few theories as to who Tasha Lem will be out of the water.

I don't think the rest are spoilery, bu they are very nice. There are a couple of new views of the kid's drawings, too.

How sweet. Looks like for Christmas we get a Silence singing O' Holy Night.

Previewing The Time Of The Doctor

We got the first trailer today. It's short but interesting.

In it we can hear Clara narrate: "And now its time for one last bow, like all your other selves. Eleven's hour is over now. The clock is striking twelve's."

The mysterious woman says, "The siege of Trenzalore has begun." and "The Timelord has entered the trap."

Clara begs someone to help The Doctor change the future.

A Dalek bleats, "The Doctor is regenerating."


Here are some of the images I found interesting. First the mysterious woman, Tasha Lem. I don't know where the name comes in, but we've been told she is someone from The Doctor's past. By the look of her, and how she has taken charge of this army, it really looks to me like it might be The Rani, the evil Timelady we last saw in "Time and The Rani." Which is good, and a regeneration episode, but not as good as "The Mark of The Rani." IMHO.

And given the other images we have seen, I wonder where this is...

Looks like The Doctor is legend on Trenzalore, but is this before or after whatever happens happens?

I was wondering what this huge Dalek gun was sticking out from the one on the left, but when looking at the second picture, it looks like it might have been attached to that tank.

Speaking of the Daleks, look in the first photo, has The Doctor become King of the Daleks? In the second pic I find the painting with a Silence in it interesting. Looks like it might be Timelord art.

Here are three of our villains. Quite a spooky image of the angel. The Silence appears to be singing a power ballad. I love the look of the wooden Cyberman. It's been put out there that they upgraded when they found out the sonic screwdriver doesn't do wood. (He has GOT to fix that) I think it could be that or to do with the gold allergy they used to have, which was brought up in "The Nightmare In Silver."

Lastly I'll share more proof of The Doctor's legend on Trenzalore. How these children would know all of these things to draw I have no idea. Mostly the images are familiar, but there are a couple I question.

Gallifrey Found

This is planet "HD 106906 B" and it was found in the farthest orbit of a sun yet discovered. Probably because of a combination of it's appearance as well as the 50th anniversary and the revelation that Gallifrey is out there, not surprisingly there is a petition to have the planet named Gallifrey.  I don't normally go for petitions, but I signed this one, and I hope enough people do to have it named, as it would be a fitting tribute for the show, as well as a wonderful 50th birthday gift. They are still a number of people away from their goal of signatures, so please go here and sign the petition today. 

Here is a Youtube video from the person who started the petition.

We might not get a more perfect opportunity to immortalize Doctor Who in our reality's stars.
#GallifreyFound

The Christmas SPOILERS You're Being Warned About

"Orbiting a quiet, backwater planet, the massed forces of the universe's deadliest species gather, drawn to a mysterious message that echoes out of the stars. And amongst them - The Doctor. Rescuing Clara from a family Christmas dinner, the Time Lord and his best friend must learn what this enigmatic signal means for his own fate and that of the universe."

Want to know more? Me too. So far we saw in the trailer and photos that there are Weeping Angels, Daleks, Cybermen and Silence. We know about the regeneration. New information has come out, if The Sun is to be believed, and believe me that's not even easy for me to believe I'm typing it.

I am always scoffing at information that comes from a "BBC source." Recently everyone has blown up about Steven Moffat including the regeneration in Journey's end, making Matt the 13th Doctor. I can't actually find him saying that, only a "BBC source." It would, though, fit with the regeneration solution The Sun is proposing will happen. Unless this is all a clever ploy by the Moff to fool us. The difference is that this source provides a good bit of information, including the big solution to a series 5 problem.

But you are forewarned that this information, if it proves to be true, is EXTREMELY SPOILERY and should be avoided if you don't want to know anything. I just found what they say too delicious to pass up sharing....






SO






BE WARNED





SPOLIERS AHEAD








BIG TIME SPOILERS






POSSIBLY IF ITS TRUE







BUT IF IT IS WOW!!!








LAST CHANCE







SPOILERS  SPOILERS  SPOILERS  SPOILERS   SPOILERS  SPOILERS  SPOILERS




Okay, if you've made it this far you must be sure. Here is what The Sun says a "BBC source" says will happen in "The Time of The Doctor"

Trenzalore will be the "backwater planet" and Christmas Town is the location of a centuries long battle between The Doctor and a number of his deadliest foes, including the Sontarans. The Doctor is summoned to Trenzalore by a bell echoing across the universe, a sound that also brings his enemies. The Doctor hides in a clock tower, presumably the source of the bell. Supposedly The Doctor loses a leg after a Weeping Angel grabs it (implausible) and we will see him wage the 300 year war as Clara is tucked safely in the TARDIS.

Then they throw this in. The time crack was caused by the Timelords when The Doctor saved them in the 50th. At the climax a time crack will appear and the Timelords will be there. They will reward The Doctor with a new set of regenerations. If this is true then it really is set up for another 50 years like Moffat said he wanted to do. The time crack can even wipe out what happens at Trenzalore.

It's at least an interesting theory. At most a first for The Sun.

Here's a little theory of my own, assuming part of what I wrote here is true. What if we get a regeneration early on or midway through the episode? Steven Moffat said there would be explanation as to why his face was aged. If he fights part of the way that could age him. Just an idea.

Doctor Who: My 50th Anniversary Roundup

So I don't know much about per screen sales, and have seen different numbers, a problem common when looking for information on different sites. I try my hardest not to just make up what I think they are saying and will say when I just don't know. What I do know is that after you factor in the 7pm airing on the 23rd, the special had 3.6 million viewers on BBC America. This sure doesn't seem like a high number to me, even though it broke a record for them. I just think we need to work harder at getting more Whovians. It set a Guinness world record for largest simulcast of a drama. Funny little awards they give. The word is that it had a higher per screen amount than even Catching Fire, but one site said per theater, so I'm not sure where the nugget of truth is there. I did see it was the #2 'movie' on Monday in America. All great and it's nice to have validation but puhleeze don't rush into a movie franchise. I'd be perfectly happy if it didn't move in that direction at all.

As far as "The Day of The Doctor" itself, I loved it. From the way it opened to the story to Billie Piper being The Moment/Rose/Bad Wolf. John Hurt was amazing and as predicted stole many scenes. "Am I having a mid-life crisis?", "Timey wimey?!?", "Are you capable of speaking without flapping your hands about?" Doctor gold I tells ya. Yes, the treaty with the Zygons manifested a bit quickly, but right now I love Steven Moffat for bringing back Gallifrey, my one beef with RTD. The little nods here and there to the past were well appreciated. Multiple TARDISES, great battle scenes, a winding storyline, a moving final moment and every Doctor. What more could you want? I'll tell you what more. Tom Baker as the curator, that's what. A very poignant moment for me. It was well worth the wait Tom. Shh.

More great pics I found from the special at the end.

One of the real gems of the 50th week was the movie Mark Gatiss made, "An Adventure In Space and Time." Better than a behind the scenes special, you got to see what it was like working on set in 1963-1966. You see the first ideas and the first designs. You also see behind the man behind the man, and delve a little into what it was like being Doctor Who, and indeed being William Hartnell. It was funny too, a bit sad and quite fun. A little bit delightful in fact. Check it out. Spot the cameos :)

Big Finish, who produce most excellent audiodramas, did a whopper for the 50th. An 8, yes EIGHT, Doctor multi Doctor tale that captured my attention and didn't let go. Read my spoiler free review here on my classic page.

By far my favorite thing besides the actual special was a 30 minute film offered on BBC's red button, which frankly I know nothing about. "The Five(ish) Doctors Reboot" was written and directed by 5th Doctor, Peter Davison. It's the hilarious tale of former Doctors from the 80's trying desperately to be in the 50th special.

The actors poke great fun at themselves as they scramble to be noticed by the likes of Moffat himself. There are cameos from old and new companions and even a star and director from a major Hollywood film franchise a certain Doctor can't help but keep mentioning he's in. Colin Baker trying to get his family to watch his old episodes, Doctors as Daleks and REALLY outing John Barrowman. I'll state again here that this is a perfect companion piece to the 50th special and it would be a shame if it weren't included on the release.

One thing I almost missed out on was the 2 hour show, "Doctor Who: The Ultimate Guide" but I'm glad I didn't miss it. It was the most entertaining of all the 'looking back' specials I saw. It had humor and great guests and really did a good job aiming for that ultimate guide title they claimed. If you can find a copy I suggest it, but it didn't air in America.

The single best event was the theater experience. It was probably a combination of actually being in a theater watching Doctor Who on the big screen after watching for over 30 years, it being the 50th anniversary, it being in 3D and being in a room filled with Whovians. It was a day of big feels.


So now what? Exhale first. Relax. The marathons are over. Then it hits me, only 27 days to Christmas. "The Time of The Doctor" is coming. To prepare I have pulled out all the regeneration episodes and then will alternate them with all the Christmas episodes. That's just how I roll. I did finally get the last of the 11 short stories they released. That's the last 50th thing to cross off my list as soon as I read them. It'll be interesting to see what info about Christmas comes out in the next couple of weeks, which reminds me, if you don't like spoilers, don't read my next post.

These are some nice pics I found from "The Day of The Doctor"