Jesus Christ, we’ve officially reached the point where bad storytelling is determined by what part of a street the TARDIS happens to be parked or land on. :cheer:

 

Also let’s not bring Ncuti’s sexuality into debating the characterisation of 15… :drama:

 

The former shows bad production - not writing. Blocking a road and causing an accident, that's what the Doctor is all about, being a dick? No they aren't, they are about keeping beings safe. Move it 3 meters back on the footpath no issue. That's just shoddy direction for the sake of an easy shot.

 

The latter, I just assumed it is no longer fine these days for an apparent male to start holding the face of a young female girl they've barely just met without any indication that they are OK with it

(she didn't know she'd just avoided being eaten as a baby)

? I suspect had it been Peter Capaldi there would have been comments, but that's just a minor quibble in the context of the whole episode. RTD doesn't do anything by mistake BTW, it's a choice and he likes to stir things up and make points.

 

As I said though, there were loads of other reasons I couldnt be bothered to list, that all came down to "the script". It was trying to be a blockbuster fantasy movie romp, I guess whether it succeeded depends on how you view Who - as fantasy escapism, or sci-fi-based escapism.

Baby-eating goblins in a flying rope magic pirate ship

was one-step too far for me into fantasy.

 

Just an opinion though! :)

Just watched it and whilst I wouldn't claim it was a classic Who episode or anything, I thought it was perfectly fine. Ncuti did a really good job I thought, really warmed to him very quickly during the episode and think he's going to potentially be very good in the role. Also liked Ruby and thought she felt like a natural fit. Yeah the singing bit was a bit odd but Ncuti somehow managed to save it from being quite as bad as it could have been.

I think I was actually too kind to this because i'd had quite a few wines on Christmas Day. On reflection it really was not good at all. I will stand by the two lead actors showing good promise despite the writing as the main positive though.

I am in agreement here too. I watched it again last night and it was worse than I remembered. Some things just seem poorly thought out - for example The Doctor suddenly declares he forgot something, then proceeds to go back in time to rescue Davina despite there being nothing in the show previously to suggest he would have any knowledge of her peril. Characters blithely pass off potentially life changing moments as though it's a mildy odd event in a normal day (the policeman, Ruby)

 

I'm still unsure if Mrs Flood's scenes are coherent too, but they probably are. Her initial reaction to the TARDIS being there is anger and irritation but as the story progresses and after she sees it demateriaise, she realises it's a TARDIS, and her attitude changes completely to warmth and ending with the 4th wall in pieces. I think she's probably Ruby's mother and at some point down the timeline, sitting between this episode's beginning and its ending, Mrs Flood will have a moment where she has a situation where she learns exactly what it is. We just haven't seen that bit yet.

 

I'm currently ruling out The Rani, Susan, River Song, Romana, a Time Lady etc. Still open minded if it could be an older Ruby herself too.

Second most watched show of Christmas Day and third for the week. The four episodes average out to make Doctor Who the second most watched drama of 2023 *.*

Didn't know where else to put this but... this is great and answers that question

Edited January 13, 20241 yr by Severin

Omfg I had a dream that Miranda played the 16th Doctor,and Trump, because of Disney money, became the 17th doctor!!! Miranda fot attacked by a Slytheen, and she regenerated into Trump, as a ... Slytheen Doctor!!! :lol: :lol:

Ruy has been axed!! :o Also apparently 15 is only in it for 2 seasons! If this is true, I'm gonna guess that Disney wants a fast turnover of actors, seding as tbe regeneration and post regen episodes are usually the highest rating, and then docs/ companions slump in their middle series? We might end up with a bunch of Ecclestones, only around for 1 series and then off, for constant regeneration viewer boosts

Happy 90th Birthday to Tom Baker :)

Mmm Ruby going after just one season does feel a bit sudden and not a lot of time to get to know her, granted some companions (and indeed, Doctor in one case) have shown great depth in just one season, just gotta hope RTD knows what he's doing x

I’m not too worried about that. Pearl Mackie only got one series and for me she was the standout companion of the last ten years.

True, she was brilliant, and had a tragic end that completely wrapped up her arc, BUT we now have more TIMELESS CHILD crap, and Disney execs wanting consistently high ratings, so the Doctor could regenerate 100s of times now. The actor now has 0 power, as there's no limit. The writers can chop and change at will!!

 

I also think those rumours about her having tantrums on set are pobably true now. Before there was always the doubt that she had offended someone in media or tv, and they were planting stories. However, now she's been announced as being axed before she's even been in two episodes, with her replacement announced too before she even really begins!!! Something went on.

From tje Mirror: "the word ‘diva’ has been used once or twice when tempers are fraying.

 

“Everyone on set wants the show to be as good as it can be within the time frame they have, and that does take its toll on people at times.”

 

Somwthing went on!

Fairly sure the rumours of her being a "diva" are coming from one deactivated Twitter account with absolutely no substance. It's dragging a talented woman down just as her career is really taking off. If she was that bad on set RTD would've written her out in the Christmas episode for 2024 rather than keeping her for a few episodes in 2025.

I read them on twitter yup, but it was in the papers too! This isn't exactly a graceful exit either!

Ah yes, the papers that are famously always correct! :kink:

She became my least favourite companion ever on hearin about her on set behaviour anyway, so I'm lookin forward to the next! Just because you are on a show does NOT guarantee you a Hollywood future, a la Rose, Amelia and Cap Jack, and does not give you the right to fight with production staff like that.

Michael you're making stuff up at this point. Please give it a rest.

@1748648666468962473

 

Ncuti Gatwa, a class act.

I BRING LEAKS!!!

 

My source has told me

 

- The only water in the 15-season 2 return cast is the River!!!!!!!!!!!!

- Jo Martin is getting a Disney+ spin off!!!

- As are Donna and 14/10!!!!!