GOOD / BAD

[drakula63]

I don't watch much telly these days, as it seems to be a load of old tosh. Having said that, and for entirely different reasons, I sat openmouthed in front of the TV not once but TWICE at the weekend.

First of all (and it pains me to say this), as a Doctor Who fan of many years standing (and several sitting down), I watched in disbelief the inane mess that was this week's episode. The writing has descended to a point of farce way below just being risible. The dialogue is clichéd and seems to consist of soundbites. Peter Capaldi is OK, but Michelle Gomez (as a female version of The Master) just makes me cringe! Just because it's sci-fi doesn't mean that it has to be total nonsense. Head writer Steven Moffat should hang his head in shame. Sadly I shall have to miss next week's episode, as I shall be somewhere between Maidenhead and Cambridge (so somewhere below London on the tube). I wonder if there will be any Yeti down there...?

Secondly; and for an entirely different reason, I was absolutely transfixed on Sunday evening by episode three of Shane Meadows' This is England '90. The standard of writing and acting is right up there with the best and I can confidently say that the 'dinner table revelation scene' contained the best acting I have seen on TV this year. Impossible to pick just a couple of actors for particular praise, but Vicky McClure and Joseph Gilgun are rapidly becoming TV's latest 'dream team' - i.e. put them on the screen and they are mesmerising to watch. Next Sunday's feature length final ep is going to be incredible. In my opinion.

That's all folks!

[Uncle Fiesta]

As Clara is about to leave Doctor Who, I don't suppose I shall be watching it for much longer either.

[George Geddes]

Sorry, Chris, I have to totally disagree.

I think Capaldi is on his way to being one of the best Doctors ever. Note the change of costume though - check trousers a nod to Hartnell? Michelle Gomez is outstanding, and in the middle is Jenna Coleman, the Everyman (or everywoman) character the series needs. DW has never been hard sf, there is always a fantasy element, and the first two episodes of this series - while a tad overblown in the style of Moffat finales - kept me gripped. OK the twist was probably pretty obvious, but nevertheless satisfying.

Happy bunny here

George

[Steve Parish]

I haven't regularly watched much of Doctor Who since Sylvester McCoy played the Doctor. When was that... '89?
However, I did pay a bit of attention when Billie Piper was in it, purely for personal reasons, of which I'd like not to share on Shadow Music!

[jimuc]

WHAT!!!!, has William Hartnell stopped playing The Doctor ? ?

[drakula63]

Yeah, Sylv was the Doctor between 1987 and 1989.

I just find Steven Moffat's style of writing so... well, he doesn't actually write 'stories' any more, just 'scenes' that may or may not hang together. No, Doctor Who was never about hard sci-fi, but stories like 'Inferno' (1970); The Ark in Space and Genesis of the Daleks (1975); Terror of the Zygons (1976); Kinda (1982) or Evil of the Daleks (1966) were so far ahead of the rubbish we get now as to literally belong to a different series.

Oh and my 'guilty pleasure' was always Tegan (1981 - 1984). And, of course, her successor, Peri. Ahhh, such great memories.

[drakula63]

I'll admit that I am quite looking forward to watching this Saturday's episode of Doctor Who, as it features the return of one of my all-time fave DW monsters - the Zygons. I can still remember their first story, from September 1975, will alarming clarity. This one will have a lot to live up to. Still, it is Halloween, so maybe it'll give me a sleepless night or two - as did the original.

[Iain Purdon]

I want to see Michelle Gomez as often as possible. Terrific comedy actress.

[drakula63]

I want to see Michelle Gomez as often as possible. Terrific comedy actress.

She certainly makes me laugh!

Seriously; yeah, I have no doubt that she is a great comedy actress, but I personally don't think she suits the role of 'The Master'/'Missy'. Having said that, the programme has gone so far down hill under Moffat's leadership that maybe she does suit it after all.

I haven't watched it for a couple of weeks, having been so disappointed and disillusioned with the first four eps, but I'll give this week's a chance.

Fingers crossed. If not, there's always the DVD of 'Terror of the Zygons' and a large bottle of whisky. The Macallan, naturally!