Amy Pony.

Well, I can't really say what I think of the new Doctor, I'm just going to have to see him in action to decide.

Actually, the new Doctor does look pretty old.  It's funny, because with a bit of imagination he almost looks like an older version of Eleven.

I haven't seen him an anything else (aside from the Doctor Who episode in which he plays that Roman ).  It'll be interesting to see his interpretation, and what sort of costume he'll wear.

On another note, I've been on something of a Who-thon lately and watched the first four series of the revived show.  I might post my thoughts on it (if anyone is interested, that is...)

Without this degenerating into a massive argument, is Matt really that bad?

Sadly, it won't happen--it's been stated several times that Eleven is going to regenerate in the Christmas Special.

Super bump!

Warning, spoilers galore!

I'm hyped, and just can't wait. This is going to be amazing, I know it.

Well, Moffat does seem have quite a reputation for being less than truthful when comes to the TV shows he's involved in... though I do agree, 75 minutes seems pretty short (to be fair, most DW "specials" are usually around an hour, but then again this is hardly a typical special...).  Still, I'd rather have an excellent short special rather than a bad long one.

Last edited by Mr Vertigo (September 11, 2013 (02:04pm))

I'm not too sure but it looks like John hurt is holding the futuristic sonic screwdriver in his left hand... This looks like it's going to be epic.

These jokes got old about a month ago and I'm getting pretty tired of people constantly going on about it--especially considering Malcolm Tucker is hardly the only character Capaldi has played.  He's being typecast before he's even started...  That said, I couldn't help but burst out laughing at the "Run, you clever boy!" "Oh, **** off!" line.  And you just know that somebody at the BBC is going to reference that time-travel line...

Anyway, I'm glad to see some RTD-era characters return; this is one thing I kind of missed from what I've seen of Moffat-era Who.  Back in the Eccleston/Tennant days you'd have various companions teaming up at some point, or Captain Jack randomly popping up for an episode or two ("DOOOOCCCTTTTTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRR!").  Though I just wish it wasn't Rose.... again.  I would much rather see Martha or Donna appear in the 50th--the latter especially would go a long way to rectify the downright insulting story-arc ending she received...  Seriously, Rose has got to be the most annoying and overrated companion of all time (for the record, I actually liked her until after Doomsday, after which she became really annoying and clingy and basically suffocated any chance of the other companions developing their own characters....)

I'm also glad the Daleks are appearing in the 50th.  Seeing as they are the Doctor's oldest and most famous enemy, it's only fitting they should be a part of it.  I'd really like to see the Master make an appearance, too, since he's one of my favourite DW villains--though that's probably going to be pretty unlikely unfortunately.

Also, something random I noticed: if you take the names of the last two actors who've played the Doctor [Peter Capaldi doesn't count since he hasn't officially appeared on-screen as the Doctor yet] you get this:

Matt Smith + John Hurt =

John Smith

John Smith (as you should know) is an alias the Doctor sometimes uses.  Coincidence....?

why not be optimistic instead?  i find it's much better for your health

Well anyway, sorry for my somewhat long post, hope you don't mind.

Being pessimistic about the future can actually occasionally have a positive effect.

By being pessimistic, about it, you won't really feel disappointed if it really is bad, as you were not really expecting better anyway, so there's not really any loss.

If you're optimistic, and it's bad, you might feel very disappointed that it's bad when you were expecting so much more.

Of course, there's also negative pessimism (or excessive pessimism) where one is so pessimistic about something that they refuse to even try it or look at every single bad detail and don't enjoy it when it might have actually been possible with a more open mind (I myself am guilty of this sometimes).

I try to maintain a slight level of pessimism along with some healthy optimism most of the time.

Though, being a person who enjoys every single Moffat episode with great delight, I don't really feel a need to be pessimistic here.  But almost anything could happen.

Go to your room.

Yeah, I was the same way. HATED Donna in her first episode, warmed to her by her third, and was sad to see her go in the end.

I'm super-hyped about the 50th, I mean, the first truly multi-doctor story of the modern series, a longer than normal episode, time-war stuff, the reviving of a classic villain, Dalaks, and Moffat's sweet timey-wimey writing. Yeah, it will have flaws, it will have some less-than-perfect elements, but I'm sure it'll be fantastic.

I know people are mad about Rebound Rose coming back again, but here's a few thoughts on that.
Had Nine returned for this, we would have gotten her anyway. But a less mature, more annoying version.
She is the first companion of the modern series, and was a huge part of getting the show back on air.
From what we can guess right now, she really isn't in it that much.

Yeah, like others I would have liked a classic doctor and companion in the mix somewhere, but since my two favorite doctors are in it, I am not complaining.

I too am sick of all the Doctor/Malcom 'Jokes'. I'm also not convinced about how much I'll like his doctor, so that slightly pessimistic attitude that Squid just talked about perfectly describes things. So far, I've loved each modern doctor more and more, and I guess that may reach a peak point and start dropping with 12. Still, I'll wait for his first episode or two to pass before casting judgement.

Also, one last rant....WHERE IN THE NAME OF PEACE AND SANITY IS THE 50TH TRAILER?????

I think it's perfectly justified to be even slightly pessimistic about the upcoming Doctor Who 50th. Especially so if you contemplate how much of an overall train-wreck (subjective, yes, but still applicable) the past few seasons were. I see around three rough potential outcomes for the 50th Anniversary Special, either:

a. It follows the same general direction as the rest of the Moffat-as-showrunner-era and thus succumbs to/contains elements of:     

- Overly complex and convoluted plot lines.
- Overuse of such conventions as timey-wimey and the totes underused reversed timeline.
- The regular appearance of the 'reset the universe button' to amend story lines.
- Underdeveloped yet supposedly pivotal/universe-changing characters.
- Large amounts of silliness and stupidity that are not compensated by good acting/gravitas.
- Poor scripts and writing.
- How much a kid's show Doctor Who has descended into recently.
- I would put 'poor casting' on the list, but since John Hurt and David T are onboard, it isn't relevant on this occasion.

... and ultimately fails to be a substantial and fitting tribute to the long running and very fantastic show that is Doctor Who.

b. Moffat recovers his DW writing mojo from whatever dark crevice it has been hiding in for the past three years and manages to pull off an entertaining and fitting 50th that truly deserves praise. If he could produce a script akin in quality to his work in the RTD era and utilise the great actor lineup, there is potential for a great 50th. I feel sad to say this, but I highly doubt the wishful thinking above will eventuate.

c. In my opinion, the most likely - the Doctor Who 50th ends up being the love-child of the above two points. A strange mixture of both the typical mediocre Moffat-as-showrunner-era annoyances + the arguable brilliance of Steven Moffat during the RTD days. Very good in some places, but thoroughly flawed in others. I'd think the combination would lean more towards the latter.

I'm also pissed that there is great potential for Steven Moffat to ruin yet another classic monster, the Zygons (who happen to be one of my favourites).

Another thing, why not utilise Tom Baker (the Fourth Doctor) whilst he's still alive? Quite irritating.