Will Martin Sep 4, 2017
Steven Moffat's recent work with Doctor Who may have given Chris Chibnall a reset switch...
It’s a dilemma for Doctor Who writers that has been dodged since the show began and one that’s felt even more noticeable in recent years: why doesn’t everyone remember previous Earth-based stories?
During Russell T Davies’ era, in which we were presented with a continuity and consistency of world-building perhaps only previously seen during the Unit years in the early 1970s (or ‘80s, but let’s not get into that), frequent references were made to the increasingly long list of Earth-based invasions and incidents that had taken place in the present day.
But a few years in, this was already becoming problematic from a characterisation point of view. Why would a companion from contemporary Earth have a realistic response to seeing aliens and spaceships that fulfils their role...
Steven Moffat's recent work with Doctor Who may have given Chris Chibnall a reset switch...
It’s a dilemma for Doctor Who writers that has been dodged since the show began and one that’s felt even more noticeable in recent years: why doesn’t everyone remember previous Earth-based stories?
During Russell T Davies’ era, in which we were presented with a continuity and consistency of world-building perhaps only previously seen during the Unit years in the early 1970s (or ‘80s, but let’s not get into that), frequent references were made to the increasingly long list of Earth-based invasions and incidents that had taken place in the present day.
But a few years in, this was already becoming problematic from a characterisation point of view. Why would a companion from contemporary Earth have a realistic response to seeing aliens and spaceships that fulfils their role...
- 9/3/2017
- Den of Geek
Pete Dillon-Trenchard Jul 1, 2017
Huge spoilers, as we go into detail on the ending of Doctor Who series 10, The Doctor Falls...
Massive Spoilers Lie Ahead
See related Ripper Street series 5 episode 2 review: A Brittle Thread Ripper Street series 5 episode 1 review: Closed Casket Ripper Street: confirmed to end after series 5 Ripper Street series 4: Matthew Macfadyen & MyAnna Buring interview
Ah, let's just start with the spoiler squirrel. Best to be safe. Scroll only below the friendly squirrel-y one if you want the spoilers. For new readers, we put said squirrel in place to stop spoilers accidentally being read at the top of an article. Once you're down there, you're on your own...
Still with us? Here we go...
Tonight’s Doctor Who finale was very much one that rewarded loyal viewers of the programme - by which we mean you have to have been paying attention or there’s a...
Huge spoilers, as we go into detail on the ending of Doctor Who series 10, The Doctor Falls...
Massive Spoilers Lie Ahead
See related Ripper Street series 5 episode 2 review: A Brittle Thread Ripper Street series 5 episode 1 review: Closed Casket Ripper Street: confirmed to end after series 5 Ripper Street series 4: Matthew Macfadyen & MyAnna Buring interview
Ah, let's just start with the spoiler squirrel. Best to be safe. Scroll only below the friendly squirrel-y one if you want the spoilers. For new readers, we put said squirrel in place to stop spoilers accidentally being read at the top of an article. Once you're down there, you're on your own...
Still with us? Here we go...
Tonight’s Doctor Who finale was very much one that rewarded loyal viewers of the programme - by which we mean you have to have been paying attention or there’s a...
- 6/30/2017
- Den of Geek
Simon Brew Jun 10, 2017
Mark Gatiss pens Doctor Who series 10 episode 9, as we head off to the red planet in Empress Of Mars...
This review contains spoilers. Our spoiler-free review is here.
10.9 Empress Of Mars
“Is this Neil Armstrong?”
Now that’s how to end a Doctor Who episode.
Following what had been a fairly enjoyable 40-odd minutes, Mark Gatiss demonstrated again his underappreciated love of adding in a classic Who reference to his stories, by having a good chunk of the audience scrambling for their Peladon DVDs. The appearance of Alpha Centauri – voiced again by Ysanne Churchman! – was just the kind of surprise that I thought the show had lost the ability to keep. A small addition, but one that both gives long-time fans an added grin, and also gives the impression that the universe ticks along whether the Doctor is visiting or not.
If Alpha Centauri is entirely new to you,...
Mark Gatiss pens Doctor Who series 10 episode 9, as we head off to the red planet in Empress Of Mars...
This review contains spoilers. Our spoiler-free review is here.
10.9 Empress Of Mars
“Is this Neil Armstrong?”
Now that’s how to end a Doctor Who episode.
Following what had been a fairly enjoyable 40-odd minutes, Mark Gatiss demonstrated again his underappreciated love of adding in a classic Who reference to his stories, by having a good chunk of the audience scrambling for their Peladon DVDs. The appearance of Alpha Centauri – voiced again by Ysanne Churchman! – was just the kind of surprise that I thought the show had lost the ability to keep. A small addition, but one that both gives long-time fans an added grin, and also gives the impression that the universe ticks along whether the Doctor is visiting or not.
If Alpha Centauri is entirely new to you,...
- 6/9/2017
- Den of Geek
Some quick reviews this week. Well, not quite reviews, as I’m not going to get much into plot synopses, but as always I will express some definitely personal opinions. (You know me.) There will be S*P*O*I*L*E*R*S inferred, so caveat emptor!
“The Lie of the Land” (Episode 8, Doctor Who, Series 10): The final episode of a three-episode arc – the first two being “Extremis” and “The Pyramid at the End of the World” – in which alien “monks” have taken over the world through the consent of Bill Potts, the Doctor’s newest companion. She did this in order to have the monks cure the Doctor’s blindness – which occurred in Episode 5, “Oxygen.”
I wasn’t sure where the show was going with this, and to tell you the truth, I wasn’t much engaged by our hero’s disability; I found it more annoying than anything else,...
“The Lie of the Land” (Episode 8, Doctor Who, Series 10): The final episode of a three-episode arc – the first two being “Extremis” and “The Pyramid at the End of the World” – in which alien “monks” have taken over the world through the consent of Bill Potts, the Doctor’s newest companion. She did this in order to have the monks cure the Doctor’s blindness – which occurred in Episode 5, “Oxygen.”
I wasn’t sure where the show was going with this, and to tell you the truth, I wasn’t much engaged by our hero’s disability; I found it more annoying than anything else,...
- 6/5/2017
- by Mindy Newell
- Comicmix.com
When politics inspires a show like Doctor Who, we tend to see the extremes of what can happen. This week’s episode handles the nature of fascism, and that ever popular topic of fake news. What could go wrong?
With Earth now under the control of The Monks, Bill (Pearl Mackie) and Nardole (Matt Lucas) go in search of The Doctor (Peter Capaldi). With him working as the spokesperson of The Monks though, will he go willingly with his companions, or will drastic action need to be taken?
There is a moment in this episode of Doctor Who where something will click in your head, and you’ll get what this is about, and yes the title does give it away. The Doctor gives a brilliant line that is very relevant to society today, and you realise where this is heading. Yep, this is an episode about politics which will...
With Earth now under the control of The Monks, Bill (Pearl Mackie) and Nardole (Matt Lucas) go in search of The Doctor (Peter Capaldi). With him working as the spokesperson of The Monks though, will he go willingly with his companions, or will drastic action need to be taken?
There is a moment in this episode of Doctor Who where something will click in your head, and you’ll get what this is about, and yes the title does give it away. The Doctor gives a brilliant line that is very relevant to society today, and you realise where this is heading. Yep, this is an episode about politics which will...
- 6/5/2017
- by Paul Metcalf
- Nerdly
Mark Harrison Jun 5, 2017
Arcing storylines enrich Doctor Who and reward its audience, Mark suggests...
Warning: contains spoilers for Doctor Who series 10.
See related Broken episode 1 review How Jimmy McGovern's Common challenged injustice Accused: Tracie’s Story review
Unlikely as it might seem to long-time readers of this site, there might be some people who have only just started watching Doctor Who this year. After a year off air, Steven Moffat's brief going into this year's excellent tenth series seems to have been to give the show a soft reboot, picking up with Peter Capaldi's Doctor some time after the last series and ushering in the arrival of Pearl Mackie's new companion, Bill Potts.
To that end, the series started out with an enjoyable run of standalone episodes, boiling the show down to its essence of a madman in a box taking a young woman on adventures in time and space.
Arcing storylines enrich Doctor Who and reward its audience, Mark suggests...
Warning: contains spoilers for Doctor Who series 10.
See related Broken episode 1 review How Jimmy McGovern's Common challenged injustice Accused: Tracie’s Story review
Unlikely as it might seem to long-time readers of this site, there might be some people who have only just started watching Doctor Who this year. After a year off air, Steven Moffat's brief going into this year's excellent tenth series seems to have been to give the show a soft reboot, picking up with Peter Capaldi's Doctor some time after the last series and ushering in the arrival of Pearl Mackie's new companion, Bill Potts.
To that end, the series started out with an enjoyable run of standalone episodes, boiling the show down to its essence of a madman in a box taking a young woman on adventures in time and space.
- 6/4/2017
- Den of Geek
Pete Dillon-Trenchard Jun 3, 2017
Doctor Who series 10 episode 8: join as we dig deeper into The Lie Of The Land...
Everything’s wrapped up, and much later than usual… After three episodes, we’ve finally said goodbye to the Monks. Fortunately, we’ve not said goodbye to our weekly round-up of references, similarities and general observations, so here’s our guide to this week’s episode… If you’re more eagle-eyed than we are, let us know what you’ve seen in the comments below!
See related Gambit movie delay explained Gambit movie still on, Channing Tatum still attached Gambit: Simon Kinberg on why the film was delayed
The Memory Cheats
Though this is the first time the human race’s memories have been rewritten en masse (as opposed to time itself being rewritten, which has happened on multiple occasions, particularly since 2005), individuals’ memories have been played with from time to time,...
Doctor Who series 10 episode 8: join as we dig deeper into The Lie Of The Land...
Everything’s wrapped up, and much later than usual… After three episodes, we’ve finally said goodbye to the Monks. Fortunately, we’ve not said goodbye to our weekly round-up of references, similarities and general observations, so here’s our guide to this week’s episode… If you’re more eagle-eyed than we are, let us know what you’ve seen in the comments below!
See related Gambit movie delay explained Gambit movie still on, Channing Tatum still attached Gambit: Simon Kinberg on why the film was delayed
The Memory Cheats
Though this is the first time the human race’s memories have been rewritten en masse (as opposed to time itself being rewritten, which has happened on multiple occasions, particularly since 2005), individuals’ memories have been played with from time to time,...
- 6/3/2017
- Den of Geek
Simon Brew Jun 3, 2017
Doctor Who series 10 episode 8 is Toby Whithouse's The Lie Of The Land. Here's our spoiler-packed review...
This review contains spoilers. Our spoiler free review is here.
See related 162 movie sequels currently in the works
10.8 The Lie Of The Land
“It’s me! Nardy!”
I’m filing this with ‘episodes I wished I liked more’, I'm afraid. Rounding off what we’re calling – even if nobody else is – the ‘Monk’ trilogy of stories, The Lie Of The Land kicked off promisingly, with flavours of The Last Of The Time Lords and The Stolen Earth. For, just past the half way point of the series, we’ve had the kind of ambitious story that once would have ended a run. I was half expecting a teaser for the Christmas special at the end.
It picks up in the aftermath of last week's installment. We learn then, through the...
Doctor Who series 10 episode 8 is Toby Whithouse's The Lie Of The Land. Here's our spoiler-packed review...
This review contains spoilers. Our spoiler free review is here.
See related 162 movie sequels currently in the works
10.8 The Lie Of The Land
“It’s me! Nardy!”
I’m filing this with ‘episodes I wished I liked more’, I'm afraid. Rounding off what we’re calling – even if nobody else is – the ‘Monk’ trilogy of stories, The Lie Of The Land kicked off promisingly, with flavours of The Last Of The Time Lords and The Stolen Earth. For, just past the half way point of the series, we’ve had the kind of ambitious story that once would have ended a run. I was half expecting a teaser for the Christmas special at the end.
It picks up in the aftermath of last week's installment. We learn then, through the...
- 6/3/2017
- Den of Geek
Simon Brew Jun 2, 2017
Doctor Who series 10 episode 8 sees the world in deep trouble. Here's our The Lie Of The Land spoiler-free review...
10.8 The Lie Of The Land
Lots going on here, in an episode of Doctor Who that does, as expected, ramp up the threat of the meddling Monks we’ve seen over the past two weeks. At the end of The Pyramid At The End Of The World last time, we saw Bill giving consent to the Monks to invade the Earth. It would be correct to assume we quickly see the consequences of that as The Lie Of The Land takes up the story, and we see what happens when that permission is given to take over. No spoilers here, of course, save for the fact that there are global consequences that reach far beyond the quarries of Wales.
The story this time comes from the pen of Toby Whithouse,...
Doctor Who series 10 episode 8 sees the world in deep trouble. Here's our The Lie Of The Land spoiler-free review...
10.8 The Lie Of The Land
Lots going on here, in an episode of Doctor Who that does, as expected, ramp up the threat of the meddling Monks we’ve seen over the past two weeks. At the end of The Pyramid At The End Of The World last time, we saw Bill giving consent to the Monks to invade the Earth. It would be correct to assume we quickly see the consequences of that as The Lie Of The Land takes up the story, and we see what happens when that permission is given to take over. No spoilers here, of course, save for the fact that there are global consequences that reach far beyond the quarries of Wales.
The story this time comes from the pen of Toby Whithouse,...
- 5/31/2017
- Den of Geek
Michael Noble May 31, 2017
Casting Ewan McGregor as a pair of brothers in Fargo season 3 is a masterstroke...
This review contains spoilers.
See related Doctor Who: The Lie Of The Land geeky spots and Easter eggs
3.1 The Law Of Vacant Places
'We are not here to tell stories,’ says the cold East German official at the beginning of this episode, ‘we are here to tell the truth'. Seeing a stark difference between ‘stories’ and ‘truth’ is pretty standard for someone in authority, particularly someone whose strict adherence to dogma blinds him to the absurdity of his position. Here however, with an explicit link to Fargo’s standard anti-disclaimer that ‘this is a true story’, the line is given a further inflection. There’s the truth, there are stories and then there are true stories. The distinction is a little more grey. Fargo, of course, is a work of fiction but...
Casting Ewan McGregor as a pair of brothers in Fargo season 3 is a masterstroke...
This review contains spoilers.
See related Doctor Who: The Lie Of The Land geeky spots and Easter eggs
3.1 The Law Of Vacant Places
'We are not here to tell stories,’ says the cold East German official at the beginning of this episode, ‘we are here to tell the truth'. Seeing a stark difference between ‘stories’ and ‘truth’ is pretty standard for someone in authority, particularly someone whose strict adherence to dogma blinds him to the absurdity of his position. Here however, with an explicit link to Fargo’s standard anti-disclaimer that ‘this is a true story’, the line is given a further inflection. There’s the truth, there are stories and then there are true stories. The distinction is a little more grey. Fargo, of course, is a work of fiction but...
- 5/31/2017
- Den of Geek
[Editor’s Note: The following review of “Doctor Who” Season 10, Episode 7, “The Pyramid at the End of the World,” contains spoilers.]
The Rundown
Last week’s excellent episode played mind games with us and “Doctor Who’s” characters when it was revealed that everyone’s journey that we were following (in that episode anyway) was fake, just part of an elaborate simulation of Earth by alien beings. While we know that they were all part of a program, it was nevertheless heartbreaking to see these “people,” who definitely seemed to have gained sentience, realize their lives were a lie. We also learned that the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) was supposed to execute Missy (Michelle Gomez), but instead agreed to watch over her for 1,000 years, presumably in the vault. We say “presumably” because, well, when Steven Moffat is writing, sneaky surprises might be in store.
Read More: ‘Doctor Who’: The Next Doctor Rumored to Be ‘Chewing Gum’s’ Black Female Star — Report
This week’s episode is the second part of a...
The Rundown
Last week’s excellent episode played mind games with us and “Doctor Who’s” characters when it was revealed that everyone’s journey that we were following (in that episode anyway) was fake, just part of an elaborate simulation of Earth by alien beings. While we know that they were all part of a program, it was nevertheless heartbreaking to see these “people,” who definitely seemed to have gained sentience, realize their lives were a lie. We also learned that the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) was supposed to execute Missy (Michelle Gomez), but instead agreed to watch over her for 1,000 years, presumably in the vault. We say “presumably” because, well, when Steven Moffat is writing, sneaky surprises might be in store.
Read More: ‘Doctor Who’: The Next Doctor Rumored to Be ‘Chewing Gum’s’ Black Female Star — Report
This week’s episode is the second part of a...
- 5/28/2017
- by Hanh Nguyen
- Indiewire
Simon Brew May 27, 2017
With spoilers, our review of Doctor Who series 10 episode 7, The Pyramid At The End Of The World...
This review contains spoilers. Our spoiler-free review is here.
10.7 The Pyramid At The End Of The World
This is an episode, I’d suggest, where the bulk of conversation is going to be centered on the ending. But we’ll get there. Because it’s also one that demonstrates it’s the small things that matter. In the case of the world ending this time around, it’s miniscule details that can kickstart the process. A dropped glass after a few drinks the night before. A pair of spectacles getting smashed in an innocent accident, in turn limiting the eyesight of Rachel Denning's otherwise super-efficient scientist. A Time Lord losing his sight – save for the ability to read some emails in his glasses - by trying to save his companion.
With spoilers, our review of Doctor Who series 10 episode 7, The Pyramid At The End Of The World...
This review contains spoilers. Our spoiler-free review is here.
10.7 The Pyramid At The End Of The World
This is an episode, I’d suggest, where the bulk of conversation is going to be centered on the ending. But we’ll get there. Because it’s also one that demonstrates it’s the small things that matter. In the case of the world ending this time around, it’s miniscule details that can kickstart the process. A dropped glass after a few drinks the night before. A pair of spectacles getting smashed in an innocent accident, in turn limiting the eyesight of Rachel Denning's otherwise super-efficient scientist. A Time Lord losing his sight – save for the ability to read some emails in his glasses - by trying to save his companion.
- 5/26/2017
- Den of Geek
Rob Leane Apr 13, 2017
We chatted to Toby Whithouse about his terrific one-man show Executioner Number One, and his episode of Doctor Who series 10...
Toby Whithouse, known by many as the creator of Being Human and The Game, and a recurring writer on Doctor Who (so far he’s written for David Tennant, Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi’s versions of the iconic Time Lord), has a wonderful one-man show on in London at the moment.
See related Bill Condon interview: Mr Holmes, Beauty & The Beast Bill Condon interview: Beauty And The Beast, Twilight, fandom
It’s called Executioner Number One, and it takes place in an alternate version of the present day. In this parallel world, a referendum was held in Britain after the 1974 Ira bombings in Guildford and Birmingham, asking one massive question to the British public: should Britain reinstate the death penalty for murder?
Whithouse’s script imagines...
We chatted to Toby Whithouse about his terrific one-man show Executioner Number One, and his episode of Doctor Who series 10...
Toby Whithouse, known by many as the creator of Being Human and The Game, and a recurring writer on Doctor Who (so far he’s written for David Tennant, Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi’s versions of the iconic Time Lord), has a wonderful one-man show on in London at the moment.
See related Bill Condon interview: Mr Holmes, Beauty & The Beast Bill Condon interview: Beauty And The Beast, Twilight, fandom
It’s called Executioner Number One, and it takes place in an alternate version of the present day. In this parallel world, a referendum was held in Britain after the 1974 Ira bombings in Guildford and Birmingham, asking one massive question to the British public: should Britain reinstate the death penalty for murder?
Whithouse’s script imagines...
- 4/10/2017
- Den of Geek
They win awards and critical acclaim – but are in-depth documentaries under threat? Mark Lawson talks to film-makers about risk-taking, total immersion and the cult of celebrity
Is this a good time for factual film-making? It depends on your definitions of fact and film. There are executives and directors who complain that there are too few documentaries on television these days; and yet programmes from Brian Cox's The Wonders of the Universe to My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding have large and enthusiastic audiences. The problem is that what traditionalists mean by documentary (Adam Curtis's new series) is quite different from the star vehicles and "constructed reality" shows (Made in Chelsea, The Only Way is Essex) that are currently popular.
The past decade has also seen a big increase in the number of documentaries made for cinema. The success of Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine (2002) and Morgan Spurlock's...
Is this a good time for factual film-making? It depends on your definitions of fact and film. There are executives and directors who complain that there are too few documentaries on television these days; and yet programmes from Brian Cox's The Wonders of the Universe to My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding have large and enthusiastic audiences. The problem is that what traditionalists mean by documentary (Adam Curtis's new series) is quite different from the star vehicles and "constructed reality" shows (Made in Chelsea, The Only Way is Essex) that are currently popular.
The past decade has also seen a big increase in the number of documentaries made for cinema. The success of Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine (2002) and Morgan Spurlock's...
- 5/26/2011
- by Mark Lawson
- The Guardian - Film News
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