March 29, 201312 yr DWTV have posted a spoiler-free preview: (but I'll put spoiler tags around it, just in case some of you want to know nothing about it!) It seems like Steven Moffat has been trying to channel a bit of Russell T Davies in his era of late. If you took Rose or Partners in Crime and added in a dash of Sherlock you have a pretty good idea of what to expect from The Bells of Saint John. Your opinions on the quality of those will vary, but this episode evokes strong memories of the aforementioned. If you liked them, it’s pretty safe to say you’ll like this. This episodes has the tricky task of introducing Jenna-Louise Coleman for the third time. As with The Snowmen this episode basically serves as another entry point not just for the character, but for the newer viewer. Coleman’s latest variation on Clara is probably the best yet. She’s another contemporary companion and feels more grounded. Obviously there are similarities with the other companions, but Coleman does enough to make Clara stand out. The central mystery behind Clara is still the most intriguing part about the character, although it’s not really the main focus here once the plot really gets going. Coleman should be praised for playing what is essentially three different characters (or is it?) with enough nuances to make them feel different. This Clara is a less feisty one than before and more vulnerable at times. Despite the fact the Doctor and Clara have to get reacquainted with each other once again, the all important chemistry between the pair doesn’t take long to get established once more. This is partly because everything moves along at such a brisk speed. There’s little time for the Doctor to stop and explain everything to her. Matt Smith is great as always, and a bit more of an action-man Doctor than usual, though with the usual quirks to make him feel distinctly alien. Moffat has said that that the episode is a bit like Doctor Who’s take on the Bond or Bourne films. It’s a half truth. Obviously the Doctor isn’t gun toting and killing/beating up hundreds of goons, but it’s definitely a fast-paced and pretty action-packed episode. The most hyped up of the set pieces – the motorcycle ride on the London Shard – is well done. Director Colm McCarthy, new to Doctor Who, takes full advantage of the London scenery where the episode is predominately set. Unlike Russell T Davies’ era which was regularly back in the British capital, Moffat’s era has been the polar opposite. The location feels so much fresher as a result and really works in the episode’s favour. The earlier Sherlock comparison comes from some of the visuals McCarthy employs in the episode, such as the fancy on-screen text. The episode isn’t your typical Moffat scare-fest. There’s a few creepy moments but it’s not the focus. The main monsters, the “Spoonheads” are another of those enemies that feel a little peripheral at times. The real villain of the piece comes in the form of Celia Emrie. She puts in a scene stealing performance as the evil Miss Kizlet and gets some killer lines. It’s an exciting, funny and fast-paced start to the 2013 run overall. A couple of the tricks that Moffat pulls out of the hat are feeling well-worn, but it’s not enough to distract from the enjoyment as a whole.
March 30, 201312 yr TONIGHT *_* But i'm out. Will have to Iplayer it. I'm slowly developing a growing crush on Jenna-Louise Coleman.
March 30, 201312 yr Author Apparently David Tennant and Billie Piper have been confirmed for the 50th anniversary special! That would be so so so so so amazing!
March 30, 201312 yr Apparently David Tennant and Billie Piper have been confirmed for the 50th anniversary special! That would be so so so so so amazing! Yep, it's in this month's issue of DWM! :D SO happy about that! :w00t: Plus, John Hurt has also been cast.
March 30, 201312 yr Author Yep, it's in this month's issue of DWM! :D SO happy about that! :w00t: Plus, John Hurt has also been cast. He doesn't really require a spoiler, but yes I also saw that but it wasn't life-changing (as we know nothing about his character). I'm interested to how the 50th anniversary episode will work if more than one Doctor is present. And the episode's only 60 minutes apparently, which is v. disappointing. Although it's being released in cinemas too!
March 30, 201312 yr He doesn't really require a spoiler, but yes I also saw that but it wasn't life-changing (as we know nothing about his character). I'm interested to how the 50th anniversary episode will work if more than one Doctor is present. And the episode's only 60 minutes apparently, which is v. disappointing. Although it's being released in cinemas too! With the 10th Doctor AND Rose returning, remember that in Journey's End, the Doctor left Rose with the human Doctor (the version with only one heart). It could surround the basis that it's Rose and her human Doctor returning, instead of the 10th Doctor returning, acquiring Rose. Steven Moffat denied that it would be 60 minutes, so rather surprising to see that DWM have confirmed it is 60 minutes in length. :o Edited March 30, 201312 yr by Calum Sandé
March 30, 201312 yr BILLIE PIPER?? I'm just in heaven right now. It'll be interesting to see what story Moffat has for her - and how he'll actually write for her, as opposed to how RTD wrote the character.
March 30, 201312 yr Typically I really enjoyed the episode, it's not among the very best episodes of the series but it's certainly in the top half. I really really like Clara/Jenna and I think she did a good job of once again introducing the character in what wasn't exactly the most interesting story. I liked that it seems to be hinting at much bigger things to come, which is always nice, though right now I'm struggling to see how any of the pieces fit together. Celia Imrie should have had more to do, which is more of a general complaint with the lack of actual action going on and indeed the lack of focus on the 'villain' story beyond a vehicle to bring the 2 together again. It didn't stop me enjoying the episode, it's just that it could have been much better.
March 30, 201312 yr That was an absolutely fantastic way to bring the show back! The visual effects were particularly fantastic, and I loved how they looked on-screen. Once again, JLC gave a brilliant performance, re-introducing the character, and still managing to make it seem like the first time we had seen her. The motorbike scenes were excellent, and the story as a whole was very chilling. Shame Fady wasn't in it that much, but his part at the beginning was fab! The Rings of Akhaten looks BRILLIANT! :D
March 30, 201312 yr I loved the concept and felt it was completely relevant to today's world, I wrote an essay about Doctor Who a few weeks back and I felt that the concept would haver tied in excellently with what I was discussing there. Alas the execution wasn't as good and it felt a little bit slow and just not as terrifying as it could have been. All the strands to this Oswin character are just confusing me atm (though she is very good), I'm just gonna hope it all comes together and makes sense eventually!
March 30, 201312 yr All the strands to this Oswin character are just confusing me atm (though she is very good), I'm just gonna hope it all comes together and makes sense eventually! 'Eventually' is probably going to be a long way away yet. JLC's signed up for Series 8, but the gap between this year's Christmas special and Series 8 is probably going to be very long, given Matt Smith's future is uncertain. But even if Series 8 comes sooner than expected, Steven Moffat's "leading us up the garden path" with Clara's story, and then surprising us at the very end. Interesting points to note, though are that Clara's date of birth, and date of death are significant in Who's history.
March 30, 201312 yr Quite an enjoyable romp, it felt like a safe episode like it normally does with an opener of a new series, I can see the series improving as it goes along. As for Matt's career at the end of this year's Xmas episode still remains up in the air, as he wants to crack America, after his last appearance on Jonathan Ross show.
March 30, 201312 yr Quite an enjoyable romp, it felt like a safe episode like it normally does with an opener of a new series, I can see the series improving as it goes along. As for Matt's career at the end of this year's Xmas episode still remains up in the air, as he wants to crack America, after his last appearance on Jonathan Ross show. Well the filming for Doctor Who is scrambled all over the place at the moment, what with Matt over filming for Ryan Gosling's film. I can see him leaving in this year's Christmas special to go back to Hollywood, or wherever else a leave will take him.
March 30, 201312 yr Well the filming for Doctor Who is scrambled all over the place at the moment, what with Matt over filming for Ryan Gosling's film. I can see him leaving in this year's Christmas special to go back to Hollywood, or wherever else a leave will take him. Even Sherlock seems to be hanging in the air, it was due back at the beginning of this year, but now the series is on hold for Winter 2013, Benedict's career has snowballed due to filming schedules with the Hobbit and other projects. I just have a feeling Benedict would want more money to play Sherlock now as the actor is in heavy demand, my main worry is having Sherlock re-cast, Benedict is just perfect for Sherlock, but the actor is moving on. Jonathan Creek is returning to fill that void soon as a 3 one hour and a half episodes, with the special coming up on BH Monday.
March 30, 201312 yr Even Sherlock seems to be hanging in the air, it was due back at the beginning of this year, but now the series is on hold for Winter 2013, Benedict's career has snowballed due to filming schedules with the Hobbit and other projects. I just have a feeling Benedict would want more money to play Sherlock now as the actor is in heavy demand, my main worry is having Sherlock re-cast, Benedict is just perfect for Sherlock, but the actor is moving on. Jonathan Creek is returning to fill that void soon as a 3 one hour and a half episodes, with the special coming up on BH Monday. Well, Steven Moffat's been trying to sort out Doctor Who lately (after several disputes with Danny Cohen about when Doctor Who airs, etc), and Mark Gatiss will have been busy with both of his scripts for this half of the series (Cold War, The Crimson Horror), so I doubt either of them have had any time to even consider scripts for Sherlock S3, but I'm sure it should possibly return in the Autumn of this year, at the earliest. Steven and Mark will both have some spare time on their hands once Steven has completely finished the script for the 50th Anniversary, and the Christmas special. On the subject of Benedict, though - I'm sure he'd stay on if the 3rd series was still to go ahead.
March 30, 201312 yr I'm sure Series 3 of Sherlock is being filmed now and a Series 4 has been confirmed!
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