Doctor Who – 50th Anniversary Episode: “The Day of the Doctor”

                      

Now that I’ve had a couple of days to digest it, I think I’m ready to talk about this episode.  It was fantastic!  It is probably my favorite episode of any TV show since Buffy the Vampire Slayer was on.  I loved all the callbacks to the original series.  That doesn’t mean I don’t have anything to discuss.

I wonder how much time has elapsed between The Name of the Doctor and now?  Clara apparently is teaching school (at Susan’s old school) and not a nanny anymore.  Obviously, she doesn’t travel with him constantly, but how can she just leave from a job when he calls?  He doesn’t have the best track record of getting people back to the exact time they left from.

Why did Kate Stewart have the Tardis picked up?  She was supposed to summon The Doctor, found it in the middle of a field and had it hauled in?  She told him she didn’t realize he was in it so how did she expect to find him?  Did she think he’d just find his way to it somehow?  She also knows that he parks in odd places sometimes.  It made for a great, funny visual but it bugged me for some reason.

Rose was never my favorite companion.  Having said that, even I was a bit disappointed that Rose and Ten didn’t have any interaction with each other.  Why didn’t she make herself visible to the others?  The guys over at tomandlorenzo.com posited a theory that didn’t occur to me while I was watching the episode but it’s a good one.  The Moment was actually Rose during that brief time when she was the Bad Wolf.  Remember, she made stops along the time line and left messages.  This was one of those stops.  Really, go read it, I put a link below.

I loved seeing Matt Smith and David Tennant together.  They were just like two teenage boys goofing around with each other.  John Hurt was great as well.  I was sure that his Doctor would be so serious but, even though he was a warrior, he still had that lightness and spark that all The Doctors have had.  I liked seeing the Doctors interact with Clara but I would also have liked to see her and The Doctors interact with another of the companions.  They could have gone to any point in Ten’s timeline and met up with him when he was with Martha or Donna.

As fun as this episode was, it carried a lot of emotional weight.  I teared up at several places in this episode.  When The War Doctor was talking about what extraordinary men Ten and Eleven are but couldn’t see the same about himself.  Strangely, when all The Doctors showed up to save Gallifrey, it was when Thirteen showed up that I got misty again.  The last one, I’ll talk about in a bit.

What happened with the negotiations with the Zygons?

I sort of understand why The War Doctor and Ten won’t remember what happened.  It was out of sync with their original timelines but I got the impression that Eleven will remember.  If The War Doctor and Ten don’t remember, what do they think happened that day?  Won’t they still have this immense sadness because they think they destroyed their planet?

Tom Baker!!!  I nearly sobbed when he came on screen.  When I was a kid, I used to catch the odd episode on PBS late at night.  He was my first Doctor.  The whole scene between Tom and Matt was just wonderful.  It gave Eleven hope that he will live a life long enough to be able to retire and enjoy himself.  I love the idea that, at some point, The Doctor will choose to go back and re-visit old faces.  Will he have a family?

I’m sad and excited about the next episode.  Christmas is too soon and too far away at the same time.

Favorite Lines  (There were a lot.):

• “Make no more argument about what a good man should be. Be one.” – Marcus Aurelius (via Clara)
• “Someday, you could just walk past a fez.” – Clara  “Never gonna happen.” – Eleven
• “Compensating?” – Ten  “For what?” – Eleven  “Regeneration. It’s a lottery.” – Ten
• “Why are you pointing your screwdrivers like that?  They’re scientific instruments, not water pistols!” – The War Doctor
• “Are you capable of speaking without flapping your hands about?” – The War Doctor  “Yes. No.” – Eleven
• “The pointing again.  They’re screwdrivers!  What are you gonna do, assemble a cabinet at them?!” – The War Doctor
• “Timey wimey?” – The War Doctor  “I have no idea where he picks that stuff up.” – Ten
• “Do you have to talk like children?” – The War Doctor
• “Hey,  look!  The round things!” – Eleven  “Oh, I love the round things!” – Ten  “What are the round things?” – Eleven  “No idea.” – Ten
• “Oh, you’ve redecorated! Ooh, I don’t like it.” – Ten

Related:

http://tomandlorenzo.com/2013/11/doctor-who-the-day-of-the-doctor.html

http://acollectivemind.wordpress.com/2013/11/23/no-more-whovians-the-wait-is-over/

http://snootyandgoon.wordpress.com/2013/11/24/you-can-never-just-walk-past-a-fez-goon-reviews-doctor-who-day-of-the-doctor/

 

Photo Credit:  GetGlue.com and BBC

 

 

Bones – Season 9, Episode 7: “The Nazi on the Honeymoon”

Of course Brennan would hate being on vacation.  But, their honeymoon ended up being perfect for them, a little fun in the sun, a little crime-solving.

Brennan hates when someone comes into her lab and acts like they know more than she does but she did the exact same thing to Dr. Perez.   Brennan didn’t take the other woman’s feelings into consideration.  To her, it was perfectly logical that Dr. Perez would welcome her help.  I was suspicious of Dr. Perez from the start.  First, if Brennan could spot the charring on the bones from a glance at them, Dr. Perez should have definitely seen it.  Second, the killer had to be someone who knew about the burial site.

Since when are Michael Vincent and Christine approximately the same age?  There’s at least a year between them but those kids looked about the same age and older than they should be.

Valenza was a bad influence on Booth.  He started to enjoy doing his work out of the cafe and being a celebrity.  He liked it so much, I’m surprised he wasn’t more upset when Brennan said she was thinking about killing Andy.

Hodgins and Angela want another baby.  Maybe Booth and Brennan will be pregnant around the same time.  How cute would Angela and Temperance going through their pregnancies together be?

Favorite Lines:

• “Relaxing makes me tense.” — Brennan
• “You are the worst vacation-taker in the world.” — Angela
• “I’m a national hero!” — Booth

Photo Credit:  Get Glue and Fox

American Horror Story: Coven – Season 3, Episode 5: “Burn, Witch, Burn”

Just when I start to feel some sympathy for Madame LaLaurie, they show a flashback that kills it. What, exactly, did she do to her daughters?  They weren’t still locked up in the cages by the time they died.  Did she perform her weird experiments on them, or just keep them in there and torture them a bit?  What did she think was going to happen if her zombie daughter did remember her?  Her daughters hated her and she was indirectly responsible for their deaths.  Did she think it was going to be all hugs and puppy dogs?

Who really threw the acid on Cordelia?  I think Fiona might actually think Myrtle had something to do with it, she was hallucinating a lot when she was tripping on all the pills she took.

It never occurred to me that Fiona had Misty’s power.  I know the Supreme has multiple powers but because the Supreme has to be able to perform the “Seven Wonders”, I didn’t think they necessarily had all the powers that other witches have.  I saw her revive Queenie, but I thought she was just unconscious or close to death, not actually dead.  If that’s the case, why is she so afraid of dying? Misty resurrected herself after she was burned at the stake, couldn’t Fiona do the same?

Zoe sure went from wimp to kick-ass in zero flat.  It seems pretty obvious that the show wants us to think that she’s the next Supreme but I’m not so sure.  If there’s one thing I’ve learned watching AHS, it’s that they usually lead you one place and end up in the exact opposite direction.  Is Zoe more powerful than Fiona?  Marie LaVeau said there was some real power in the house now.  Was the chainsaw a nod to Evil Dead?  I really expected Kyle to show up and save her.  Where did he go anyway?

Myrtle’s going to be m-a-a-d when she comes back.  I wonder if she’ll direct her rage directly at Fiona or go after Queenie and the council members as well?  How does Misty know where to go?  She was drawn to Kyle and now to Myrtle.  What’s drawing her to those places?

Favorite Lines:

• “Fiona wouldn’t like it.  I’d be more scared of her than the things outside.” — Queenie
• “I doubt it.  You are, after all, the maid.” — Fiona

Photo Credit:  Get Glue and FX

The Walking Dead: Season 4, Episode 6 – “Live Bait”

I don’t have much to say about this episode.  It wasn’t the most enjoyable I’ve ever watched.  In fact, I found myself bored during parts of it.  As excited as I was to see The Governor show up at the end of the last episode, I didn’t really care much about what he’d been up to the last six months.

Should we take The Governor’s seeming change of heart at face value or is it just another one of his ploys?  I can see the situation being that he snapped and that’s what caused him to do all those horrible things at the end of last season.  Possibly, he’s come back to himself and realizes what he’s done.  That could explain his near-catatonia.

Even if that’s the case, it’s been mentioned a couple of times this season that you can’t come back from the things you’ve done.  It almost seemed like the show was trying to redeem The Governor last night but there’s no way that can happen.  It would take a lifetime of good deeds to make up for the atrocities he’s committed.

I don’t think that’s what’s going on though.  I think most of his “change” centers on not-Penny.  The Governor never does anything without an ulterior motive.  I think he’s realized that he needs people to protect to feel like he has any worth.  Remember, he wasn’t “important” before the walkers.  This family looks up to him and makes him feel important again.  Nothing selfless on his part.

Photo Credit:  Get Glue and AMC

Related:

http://piecesofdarkness.wordpress.com/2013/11/18/tidbits-of-the-dead-live-bait/

http://allthingshorror666.wordpress.com/2013/11/19/the-walking-dead-episode-6-dead-weight/

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – Season 1, Episode 7: “The Hub”

Coulson in a gray suit/blue shirt!  Have we seen him in anything other than black and white before?

If I was going to pick between Fitz and Simmons to go on a mission, I wouldn’t have picked Fitz.  I know the reason was his skillset but, up until now, field work hasn’t been his strong point.  Who could have known how things would turn out?  Fitz is the one who wants to be in the field but she froze up when confronted with a minor obstacle in a situation that was far from dangerous.  Simmons, on the other hand, rose to the occasion when his and Ward’s lives were in danger.  Whether their reactions are residual effects from Fitz nearly dying remains to be seen.

I did not like Victoria Hand until the end of the episode and even then my opinion only improved marginally.  I understand that she knew Coulson would figure out a way to save his men, but why did she keep secrets?  Why not tell Coulson that there was no extraction team for Ward and Simmons?  What if Skye hadn’t been suspicious and started digging?  Would Hand have told Coulson?  Maybe she just wanted to see Coulson get extremely angry.

Ward can be a bit stiff at times but he’s really starting to soften as he becomes more attached to the group.  Brett Dalton did a really good job this episode, conveying Ward’s emotions using only facial expressions.  The looks on Ward’s face when, first, he realized there was no extraction team coming for them and then, when Simmons refused to leave him, were perfect.

I want more of May’s back story.  It’s apparent that she’s trying to keep her distance from the rest of the team emotionally though, occasionally, there’s a slight crack in the armor.  What happened to her?

When Coulson was talking to Skye about the redacted file, I knew he was keeping something from her.  I thought maybe May was the agent who had dropped her off at the orphanage.  Apparently, it’s something bigger and tragic, but what?  Even on pause, I couldn’t quite make out what was in that picture.  It almost looked like a burned body.  Did S.H.I.E.L.D kill her parents?  Were her parents agents?

S.H.I.E.L.D. is trying so hard to protect Coulson from something but they are being pretty stupid about it.  Denying him access to his file just sends up HUGE red flags.  Why didn’t they dummy up a fake file to give him?

Favorite Lines:

• “I don’t mean to alarm you, but I think you may have a mold problem.” — Coulson
• “Ok, maybe we’ll both stay here.” — Ward

Photo Credit:  Get Glue and ABC

Related:

http://weminoredinfilm.com/2013/11/13/tv-review-agents-of-shield-hub-s1ep7/

Grimm – Season 3, Episodes 1 & 2: “The Ungrateful Dead” and “PTZD”

I’m so glad they were able to wrap up Zombie!Nick in a couple of episodes.  I know there will be lingering effects but I didn’t want to spend half the season with Nick on a rampage.  He didn’t seem to be as rage-y as the other people that had been affected.  They just randomly attacked anyone and everyone.  Nick stopped and listened to things first.

When Monroe, Juliette and Rosalee were throwing people off the top of those storage containers, I wonder how many of them died?  That was quite a distance to fall.

After the plane crashed, why did they show us the empty coffin?  We already knew Nick wasn’t in it, he got out before the crash.

For a Hexenbiest, Adalind is awfully squeamish.  I’m kind of over her storyline.  I like the actress but I feel like her character is kind of played out.  Since they killed (or did they?) Captain Renard’s brother, I guess they need someone to stir up trouble though.

The gang is trying to protect Nick, but he was seen by a lot of people.  He’s a police officer so it’s possible those people will see him again and recognize him.  What happens then?

How will Nick handle killing someone?  The video showed that it was, basically, self-defense but that guy wouldn’t have attacked Nick if he hadn’t come in seeing red.

Speaking of the video, what’s Renard going to do with it?  He’s done a pretty good job of helping Nick and the gang but I feel like his motives still aren’t quite known.  Is he really a good guy or is he trying to take over his family business?  Will he use that video against Nick at some point?

Favorite Lines:

• “I’m going to have to throw the carpet away.   You just can’t get Hexenbiest blood out of anything.” — Stefania
• “I wish I could do that.” — Hank
• “I gotta feel better than you guys.” — Juliette

Photo Credit:  NBC and GetGlue

 

So Far Behind!!!

I’m so far behind on my TV watching.  Life gets in the way, lol.  Random posts may happen.  I’m going to try to get last week’s AHS posted today before tonight’s episode.  I have Dracula on the DVR but haven’t watched any of them so far.  Anyone else watching it?  Is it worth my time?  Expect a Grimm post soon.

Sleepy Hollow – Season 1, Episode 7: “The Midnight Ride”

Andy’s back!  I wondered what happened to him.  It wasn’t obvious the last time we saw him, but he can blink in and out of existence at will, it seems.  I want to know how he got mixed up with The Horseman to start with?  He doesn’t seem like a bad guy.  He seems to be trying to help Abbie, but to what end?  Is he trying to save his soul or is there another reason?  Maybe it was fear that made him turn to the dark side.  I can see the beginnings of that with Luke.

If The Horseman and Ichabod are no longer connected, why didn’t he kill Ichabod in the Freemason house?  It was the perfect opportunity and it’s not like Abbie or Ichabod can kill him.

Was James Frain one of the Freemasons that The Horseman killed?  It was hard to tell from the heads.  Did he kill four random Freemasons we hadn’t met yet?  What was the ring that Ichabod took off one of the bodies?  He never mentions it to Abbie and we never see him with it again. Does it have some significance or did it just remind Ichabod about the manuscript?

How did The Horseman find Captain Irving?  For that matter, how did he know Irving had his head? He doesn’t seem to know where it’s at any other time.  Finally, Captain Irving has seen The Horseman with his own eyes.  At least he doesn’t think they are crazy now.  Even though I remain suspicious, it seems that he’s a good guy.

What happens if there is a power outage before they get The Horseman into the magical cell?  How are they going to keep the UV light on him until they get him to the cell?  I guess they just have to keep him trapped until daylight, then they can move him.

Favorite Lines:

• “See, we, too, were British at the time so that would have been most unhelpful.” — Ichabod
• “I’m the only one amongst you who doesn’t require medication.” — Ichabod

Photo Credit:  Fox and Get Glue

The Walking Dead: Season 4, Episode 5 – “Internment”

Hershel is a bad ass.  That is all.  I could have written just those five words and it would have been enough for this episode.

I see a lot of speculation online that Hershel will die this season.  It seems that whenever an episode focuses on a character, that character meets their end.  Last week’s episode was Carol heavy and she was banished.  Given that, I was worried for Hershel this whole episode.  This was a great heart-thumping, fingers-crossed, jumping up and down in my seat episode.  It definitely kept me on edge and every time things seemed safe, I expected something bad to happen.

I feel like this week’s episode should have had last week’s title, “Indifference.”  There were so many instances of hesitation and mistakes being made.  The walker threat for these people is greater than ever since anyone inside the prison could die and turn and they still don’t seem to take it that seriously.  Do the cells even lock?  I’m pretty sure I saw Hershel close the door on the same person at least twice.  If they can open the door when they are alive, what’s to stop them after they turn?  All they would have to do is accidentally push it the right way and it would open.  Hershel was in such a rush to help Sasha, he didn’t close the door on the dead girl.  They hear a gunshot and Maggie doesn’t immediately go to help?  Rick had to convince her?

Just when I think Lizzie may be making progress in her thinking toward the walkers, she goes and does something weird like play with the puddle of blood.  Where’s her sister, by the way?

Carl is one the best shots they have and Rick still doesn’t want him to help with the walkers.  He only did this week because he had no other choice.  This is the world you live in now, Rick.  Everyone needs to learn how to protect themselves and others.

The Governor!!!  I bet he’s been watching the prison for a while and  leading the walkers to the fence.  He’s not exactly hiding, why hasn’t anyone seen him standing there?

I’m glad Rick and Daryl didn’t have the Carol conversation this episode.  It was already so full, there really wasn’t time to devote to it.  But, I can see a scenario where The Governor attacks before they talk about it and the group gets split up in the chaos.  Maybe they will meet up with Carol without anyone besides Rick, Maggie and Hershel knowing.

I may have more to add to this later, I fell asleep during my second watch while I was taking notes last night.

Favorite Lines:

• “I propose we have Spaghetti Tuesdays every Wednesdays.  First, we have to find spaghetti.” — Hershel

 

Photo Credit:  Get Glue and AMC

Related:

http://allthingshorror666.wordpress.com/2013/11/11/the-walking-dead-internment/

Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – Season 1, Episode 6: “FZZT”

Has May died too?  That conversation with Coulson seemed to hint at it.  I think she knows more about what happened to Coulson than she’s letting on.  She’s been suspicious of what’s going on with him and Amador flat out told her something was different about him.  So why did she work so hard to reassure him that what he was feeling was perfectly normal after a near-death experience? Maybe she knows what Agent Hill and Dr. Streiten know and is trying to throw Coulson off track.

When Coulson was talking to the fireman, I half expected him to say that the afterlife was a “magical place.”  I’ve read speculation that Coulson is an LMD.  Things that happened in this episode make me question that.  Several people now have commented on how different Coulson is now.  If an LMD is meant to be an exact copy of a person, he shouldn’t be any different.  Dying shouldn’t have had a psychological effect on an android.  An electromagnetic pulse like the ones that happened in this episode, should have had an effect on him.  That’s a nasty looking scar on his chest.

I really like the way the show is tying into the Marvel movie universe.  I think this episode made the most use of that connection.  Yes, a couple of the episodes have revolved around Extremis but what happened in this episode was a direct result of what happened in The Avengers.  How many more people might be infected with that virus?  I would assume other people took souvenirs from the battle in New York.

It’s pretty obvious to me, and I think Skye too, that Fitz is in love with Simmons.  I don’t think Simmons has any clue.  How funny is it that they failed their field agent tests but Simmons jumped at the chance to board “The Bus?”  Fitz tagged along, even though he pretty much hates everything about being in the field, because I don’t think he’d know what to do if he didn’t have Simmons by his side.

Of course, FitzSimmons would be the first to forgive Skye.  They’re the least agent-y people on the team.  Ward  is having a harder time not only because he’s so by the book but because he had started to care for Skye.  Other than Coulson, I think he was probably the most hurt by her lies.  Not that he’d ever admit that.  It was nice to see a bit of a thaw there.  Does he know about her parents?

I think this has been my favorite episode of the season so far.  I’m beginning to become emotionally invested enough in the characters that I worried for Simmons and got a little misty in a couple places.  Joss’ shows tend to start out slow, but it seems like it might be starting to find it’s footing.

Favorite Lines:

• “I don’t sweat, I glisten.” — Coulson
• “You don’t have to call me IronMan.” — Coulson

Photo Credit:  Get Glue and ABC