Rebooting the Universe?

So, what are we to make of the Doctor’ sudden transformation into a renowned warrior, one who has enemies who consider that they’re fighting an “eternal war” with him (which is why I don’t quite believe Mr. Moffat telling us that the Daleks are on holiday exterminating each other over the sun loungers) and who is expected to raise an army to get his companion back?

Whilst it’s possible to imagine any previous Doctor pulling the “surprise” trick with the monk outfit, blowing up an entire cyber fleet (who so far actually didn’t seem to be doing anything particularly wrong here) just to get the answer to a question, there’s something strange.

Meanwhile, there’s more than a suggestion that Rory’s legend as the Lone Centurion has spread far wider than Amy’s memories. The Doctor’s allies called him “Centurion” even though they obviously knew his name.

Is this entire series dealing with the consequences of what the Doctor so casually referred to his “rebooting of the Universe”? (Which must have given his allies pause for thought, that’s not exactly an everyday deed).

So what was used to reboot the Universe? The contents of the Pandorica, which was all that was left intact from the previous reality. The light from the Pandorica could have strange effects on its own (bringing a petrified dalek to life, for instance) and this rather begs the question as to the effects on Amy, Rory and River who also were bathed in that light (in Amy’s case for rather a long time, depending on whether it’s the fridge-light on or fridge-light off when the doors were closed). Plus of course the Doctor.

In fact, it seems that a large part of what went into creating Big Bang 2 were the atoms of the Doctor himself. After all, he could be heard but not seen whilst rewinding, which rather suggests his physical existence was in serious doubt at this time.

Reality was now created from the Big Bang onwards in a large part by the Doctor himself! No wonder his reputation has become uncomfortably god-like and violent and widespread. Between Amy’s remembering him (and remembering Rory’s sacrifice), we’re now in a Universe where the Doctor is considered by many to be an almost insanely powerful character with ultimate power of life and death, whilst the legend of Rory’s sacrifice as the last Centurion is a legend known throughout the ages.

I find myself wondering if the Doctor’s supposed death by the lake was done entirely to try to put the balance back. Unfortunately, we all have to wait until September to find out.

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Farewell Sarah Jane

Devastating news that the actress Lis Sladen, who played Sarah Jane Smith for my generation and today’s generation has died.  Terrible news for people young and old.

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Nicholas Courtney RIP

Terribly sad news about Nicholas Courtney (aka The Brig).  I feel as though I’ve lost somebody who I grew up with, somebody who on Saturday Nights could be guaranteed to turn up just in the nick of time and rescue the Doctor (and often the Earth) from a terrible fate.  Such as shame that he never got to appear in the modern series (though it was good to see him in Sarah Jane).

Rest in Peace, though we’d all understand if he’d rather have a pint.

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The Seeds of Doom

When Plants fight back!

This is a great story for characters.

Has there ever been a better villain than Harrison Chase?  His motivation is both bonkers and somehow makes sense.  This isn’t somebody after Universal domination, this is a bloke who has a fetish for plants which makes Troy McClure’s feeling towards fish look like a gentle hobby.  Harrison Chase is really into plants, identifies with plants and likes to spend his time making horrible synthesised music surrounded by greenery.  A glorious villain, who even manages to be racist about hybrids (plants that is).  I only wonder what he actually eats?  (Even before he got possessed!).  He’s obviously repelled by meat and yet eating vegetation obviously causes him qualms too.

Add to that Amelia Ducket (who has more than a touch of Hyacynth Bucket when it comes to the pronunciation of her surname) and Scorby, the wonderful hired thug and this story becomes a joy.

Here we are in deepest Antarctica, where the snow looks like expanded polystyrene and sticks to actors as though it’s full of static.  Fortunately, we switch swiftly to the marvellously camp Harrison Chase who is complaining about plant abuse, such as bonsai.

Doctor Who is never kind about civil servants and Dunbar is no exception, but this must be one of the last occasions when the Doctor turned up as an active part of UNIT (though sadly, with none of the regulars).  It’s nice to see the 4th Doctor twitting civil servants just as much as the 3rd loved to do.

I liked Moberley, throttled just as he was manning up to lop off his killer’s arm, though Scorby and Keeler were shaping up nicely as a double act early in the second episode, though Keeler’s subsequent fate splits that pairing up.

I’m sure I’ve seen that Krynoid costume worn by contestants in Jeux Sans Frontiers…

The Doctor and Sarah Jane really are a great double act aren’t they? Though the Doctor has rarely been so personally violent.  Leaping through the skylight, fighting his way through when he has to.

All in all, one of the better 4th Doctor adventures.

Quote, unquote

“I’ve got my toothbrush”

“A human being whose blood is turning into vegetable soup.”

“Turn around Doctor… facing this way!”   (As the Doctor does a 360 turn).

“Even your pension, Dunbar!”

When is this?

Seems to be the 1970s, or is that the 80s?

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Prepare for the veg

Coming next, attack of the vegetables, The Seeds of Doom!  Probably posted in a few chunks, as six parters take time to grow.

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The King’s Demons

History will never be the same again!

It’s hard to think what the Master was after on this one.  It was teeny-tiny twiddling with history, as opposed to his plans for Universal Domination.  Really it just seemed like he wanted an excuse to hang out in a ridiculous disguise and wait for the Doctor to rumble him with exasperated sigh.

My word, nothing like a nice medieval banquet for starters.  Nothing but meat on the table (veg is just so 20th Century), which nobody seems to be eating.  There might be a good reason for this.  This is the day when King John famously took the Crusaders’ Oath, on Ash Wednesday.  That and Good Friday are the most meat-free days of the Medieval culinary calendar.  So were they just starting enthusiastically at yesterday’s leftovers, afraid to eat, or did London operate on a different date to the rest of the Country?  After all, “fish” had a wide application in those days, including whale, dolphin and porpoise (fish apparently) and barnacle goose (shellfish!).

So, on to our first hearing of Sir Giles’ accent.  A splendid attempt to audition for the French people in Spamalot.  Wonder who it could be under that wig?  Playing against him the Doctor seems to be doing a King Arthur impression.  Well that’s a thought for later, Peter, should Spamalot beckon.

So, a long joust (long, long joust, just two episodes and they needed filler?) and some very dodgy history regarding King John’s willingness to sign the Magna Carta.  A document that he spent the rest of his reign trying to get overturned, even selling England to the Pope in the cause!

Amazing how long it takes them to even start worrying about Turlough isn’t it? When his absence is raised, it’s met with a mild concern.

Dear God, no the singing!  Definitely not kum by yah with its “Total Warrrrr” lyrics.  Then shock! Horror! Who could have imagined that Sir Giles was The Master?  Well, the Doctor for one, given his look of mild astonishment.  Seriously, the Master’s starting act like a stalker by now.  Turning up everywhere in rubbish disguises trying to impress the Doctor.

The second episode is an enjoyable mild and forgettable runaround until the reveal of the next Companion.  Kamelion!  Travelled in the Tardis for so many adventures where he just seemed to clank around the back room, forgotten by all.  Or else horribly abused by the Tardis crew for entertainment.

So leaving the corpsing corpse, the Master gives up on his minor plot and heads off to find another way to waylay the Doctor. But honestly, how did they expect to get away with the design of the TCE?

And yes, Brer Rabbitting, “don’t lock me in the Iron Maiden!”

Not a classic, but still fun.

Quote, unquote

“Another way of keeping warm”  oh, really Doctor?

“Would not boiling in oil be a more fitting end?” Yes, let’s do that!

“You’re getting old, Doctor. Your will is weak” – the Master should be the one to know.

When was this?

A rarest of rare events – a Doctor Who adventure with an actual date of Ash Wednesday, March 4th 1215.

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Let the scary commence!

This is a new site intended for people who enjoy reviewing (in no particular order) the many and varied Worlds of Doctor Who. All welcome to come along and join in.

The first for no reason at all (except an enjoyment of dodgy French accents) will be The King’s Demons.

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