Doctor Who Series 4 (BBC) General Discussion [includes spoilers]
#401
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I have mixed feelings on this one. On one hand, I think its better to go with a lesser-known actor as they bring less baggage to the role. On the other, I wish they'd gone older.
That said, I trust Moffat on this, and am more than willing to give this guy a fair shake. Apparently, he was on an episode of Secret Diary of a Call Girl, but admittedly I don't remember him.
That said, I trust Moffat on this, and am more than willing to give this guy a fair shake. Apparently, he was on an episode of Secret Diary of a Call Girl, but admittedly I don't remember him.
#402
Wow, I get on the computer for some lazy Sunday afternoon internettin' and find out they announced the next Doc!?!?
Well, I've said I hoped they would cast an older character actor, so much for that. Knew none of the buzz names being bandied about were realistic and it'd be some Brit guy I'd be clueless about. My greatest fear was producers going either too heroic or too pretty boy. Have no idea about him as an actor but he's got the right oddish looks and in the interview I saw his hand gesturing had a very Golblumesque quality- a slight but promising sign IMO.
In the end, aside from the writing, it will all come down to his acting chops and take on the character. The key I think, is to adsorb the main qualities other actors brought to the role while not emphasizing some signature that other Doc's were known for, particularity the last guy to play the Doc. Like, for instance, the T Baker-Davison and Davison-C Baker changeovers (wildly eccentric-to-almost bland & stuffy... bland & stuffy-to-arrogant & abrasive).
That was a real problem to me with the Who relaunch. Eccleson and Tennant more or less played a similar smiley and affable Doc who switched into grandstanding hero when needed. There was absolutely no 180 between their approach. On that end, this kid and the producers should think of going in character directions like aloof, world-weary, maybe even paranoid*, stuff like that, take an angle that hasnt quite been played to the hilt previously and is totally different from Tennat.
One things for sure, if they let this kid come out all commercial pandering, swashbuckling, and charming it up for pin-up pages, I'll puke.
*You know, like having the most youthful, freshest-faced actor play the Doc as kinda' bored or tired after all these lifetimes. That would be neat.
Well, I've said I hoped they would cast an older character actor, so much for that. Knew none of the buzz names being bandied about were realistic and it'd be some Brit guy I'd be clueless about. My greatest fear was producers going either too heroic or too pretty boy. Have no idea about him as an actor but he's got the right oddish looks and in the interview I saw his hand gesturing had a very Golblumesque quality- a slight but promising sign IMO.
In the end, aside from the writing, it will all come down to his acting chops and take on the character. The key I think, is to adsorb the main qualities other actors brought to the role while not emphasizing some signature that other Doc's were known for, particularity the last guy to play the Doc. Like, for instance, the T Baker-Davison and Davison-C Baker changeovers (wildly eccentric-to-almost bland & stuffy... bland & stuffy-to-arrogant & abrasive).
That was a real problem to me with the Who relaunch. Eccleson and Tennant more or less played a similar smiley and affable Doc who switched into grandstanding hero when needed. There was absolutely no 180 between their approach. On that end, this kid and the producers should think of going in character directions like aloof, world-weary, maybe even paranoid*, stuff like that, take an angle that hasnt quite been played to the hilt previously and is totally different from Tennat.
One things for sure, if they let this kid come out all commercial pandering, swashbuckling, and charming it up for pin-up pages, I'll puke.
*You know, like having the most youthful, freshest-faced actor play the Doc as kinda' bored or tired after all these lifetimes. That would be neat.
Last edited by Slumbering Fist; 01-04-09 at 11:57 AM.
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Just because he is young does not mean they are going to make him a teen idle.
#404
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I watched the Confidential episode. I found it interesting how both Davies and Moffat were aglow of practically all Doctors 1-8, whereas I felt Tennant was a little more critical if you read between the line.
Anyway, I do like some of the oddness that Smith has about him. I feel like he'll play the role (within the scripts) as an essentric braniac prodigy with an old soul. However, maybe that's too close to how Tennant has played the role.
As a new person to the Who universe I was sad to see Ecclestone go since he grew on my over the course of the first year. It made me feel a little torn since I warmed to Tennant from the start and he has just become better with time. However, I feel like I'm going to have a difficult time giving Smith a fair chance due to my like for Tennant. I'll likely like him, but even if he is "the best" I'm not sure I'll buy it coming right after Tennant.
If the press and fans are critical of him I wonder if he'll only do two years and then call it quits.
Anyway, I do like some of the oddness that Smith has about him. I feel like he'll play the role (within the scripts) as an essentric braniac prodigy with an old soul. However, maybe that's too close to how Tennant has played the role.
As a new person to the Who universe I was sad to see Ecclestone go since he grew on my over the course of the first year. It made me feel a little torn since I warmed to Tennant from the start and he has just become better with time. However, I feel like I'm going to have a difficult time giving Smith a fair chance due to my like for Tennant. I'll likely like him, but even if he is "the best" I'm not sure I'll buy it coming right after Tennant.
If the press and fans are critical of him I wonder if he'll only do two years and then call it quits.
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As a new person to the Who universe I was sad to see Ecclestone go since he grew on my over the course of the first year. It made me feel a little torn since I warmed to Tennant from the start and he has just become better with time. However, I feel like I'm going to have a difficult time giving Smith a fair chance due to my like for Tennant. I'll likely like him, but even if he is "the best" I'm not sure I'll buy it coming right after Tennant.
If the press and fans are critical of him I wonder if he'll only do two years and then call it quits.
If the press and fans are critical of him I wonder if he'll only do two years and then call it quits.
#407
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Can't comment on the new Doctor, as I don't know anything about him. However, we watched "The Next Doctor" last night and enjoyed it very much. Good mix of action, drama and silliness. That steampunk robot clomping through London was terrific!
#408
Re: Doctor Who Series 4 (BBC) General Discussion [includes spoilers]
I think the real worry is that the New Who era is much more commercially minded and so self consciously pandering to a wider audience and that has kinda' bled into the character. Just like the failed Fox relaunch, they are much more prone to making him likable and even romantic. Its hard for me to imagine them taking this new guy and allowing him to be, you know, brusque, snobby, or more oddly alien. Like I said, I think they need to do a 180 from the Tennant take, but I doubt they will.
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Re: Doctor Who Series 4 (BBC) General Discussion [includes spoilers]
Just watched the confidential. Nothing about this new guy makes me confident he will do well, but like others have said I'll wait and see.
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Re: Doctor Who Series 4 (BBC) General Discussion [includes spoilers]
I think the real worry is that the New Who era is much more commercially minded and so self consciously pandering to a wider audience and that has kinda' bled into the character. Just like the failed Fox relaunch, they are much more prone to making him likable and even romantic. Its hard for me to imagine them taking this new guy and allowing him to be, you know, brusque, snobby, or more oddly alien.
Back in the day Colin Baker began by playing the character in a rather "spikey" manner which I thought was pretty good but, because of internal/BBC politics, the show was shelved for a while and CB was unavailable at the end of the hiatus. If they aren't going to have a seasoned/character actor in the role then markedly quirky (and dropping all the romantic tosh) could be the way to go.
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Re: Doctor Who Series 4 (BBC) General Discussion [includes spoilers]
I have that concern too. I don't think they are going to take the Davison route of having him be young but with an old soul, not after all the work they've done to make him a young, sexy, romantic lead.
That reminds me. During the confidential they had a few montages but the only bit that made me rewind was the gloriously gratuitous shot panning up from Peri's bikini. The fact that Davison never even gave her a second look really showed how alien he was.
That reminds me. During the confidential they had a few montages but the only bit that made me rewind was the gloriously gratuitous shot panning up from Peri's bikini. The fact that Davison never even gave her a second look really showed how alien he was.
#412
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Re: Doctor Who Series 4 (BBC) General Discussion [includes spoilers]
I have that concern too. I don't think they are going to take the Davison route of having him be young but with an old soul, not after all the work they've done to make him a young, sexy, romantic lead.
That reminds me. During the confidential they had a few montages but the only bit that made me rewind was the gloriously gratuitous shot panning up from Peri's bikini. The fact that Davison never even gave her a second look really showed how alien he was.
That reminds me. During the confidential they had a few montages but the only bit that made me rewind was the gloriously gratuitous shot panning up from Peri's bikini. The fact that Davison never even gave her a second look really showed how alien he was.
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Re: Doctor Who Series 4 (BBC) General Discussion [includes spoilers]
I have similar concerns.
Back in the day Colin Baker began by playing the character in a rather "spikey" manner which I thought was pretty good but, because of internal/BBC politics, the show was shelved for a while and CB was unavailable at the end of the hiatus. If they aren't going to have a seasoned/character actor in the role then markedly quirky (and dropping all the romantic tosh) could be the way to go.
Back in the day Colin Baker began by playing the character in a rather "spikey" manner which I thought was pretty good but, because of internal/BBC politics, the show was shelved for a while and CB was unavailable at the end of the hiatus. If they aren't going to have a seasoned/character actor in the role then markedly quirky (and dropping all the romantic tosh) could be the way to go.
Last edited by The Valeyard; 01-06-09 at 12:27 PM.
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Re: Doctor Who Series 4 (BBC) General Discussion [includes spoilers]
Well, it traumatized me!!!!! As a kid, I had no idea about the regeneration thing and when they went from Baker to Davison I freakin' balled my eyes out. I hated the Davison's run for a long time because of that (now I just dislike them because his take was so dry + the writing largely blew chunks- until his final season that is).
Emotionally, the first regeneration that had any impact for me was the Fox movie because it was "new" and happening in the now. I stifled a tear for McCoy and again for Eccleston during the new series.
I'm probably gonna bawl when it's Tennant's turn.
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Re: Doctor Who Series 4 (BBC) General Discussion [includes spoilers]
Steven Moffet is a lifelong fan who's given us some of the best DW stories ever. I have faith that he's not going to let us down.
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Re: Doctor Who Series 4 (BBC) General Discussion [includes spoilers]
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Re: Doctor Who Series 4 (BBC) General Discussion [includes spoilers]
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Re: Doctor Who Series 4 (BBC) General Discussion [includes spoilers]
Watch him and then judge him.
I know Steven Moffet won't let us down.
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Re: Doctor Who Series 4 (BBC) General Discussion [includes spoilers]
Anyway, my point remains that I'd prefer an irascible, unpredictable Doctor to a "heart-throb" type.
And I'm hoping that the remaining specials are not used by Davies to leave such an indelible imprint on the Whoniverse so as to tie up his successor. I didn't see the special Confidential episode that sparked off this discussion but it does seem as if Davies has avoided interfering with Moffat's work until now, so....
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Re: Doctor Who Series 4 (BBC) General Discussion [includes spoilers]
Unless they keep that ridiculous hair. Then it's .
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Re: Colin Baker
The Valeyard is right. Basically Colin had one season with bad ratings then the BBC [Michael Grade] put the show on hiatus for over a year. The BBC then commissioned basically a half-season which was the Trial of a Time Lord series. That series was plagued by production problems. Robert Holmes died, leaving an incomplete script. Series script editor Eric Saward left mid-production after years of fighting with Nathan-Turner. The end result was that the shortened series did even worse ratings than the previous year and Grade forced Baker out.
I've seen it reported since that Colin was willing to return for a regeneration story but was unable to work out the particulars with the producers. That might be true or just a more pleasant revision. At the time Baker gave a scathing interview to The Sun headlined "Why I'll Never Forgive Gutless Grade by Axed Dr Who" in which he said:
I've seen it reported since that Colin was willing to return for a regeneration story but was unable to work out the particulars with the producers. That might be true or just a more pleasant revision. At the time Baker gave a scathing interview to The Sun headlined "Why I'll Never Forgive Gutless Grade by Axed Dr Who" in which he said:
[BBC Director of Programmes Michael Grade] didn't want me to say I had been fired. My boss, Jonathan Powell, the Head of Series and Serials said that the BBC would stand by any statement I made. He strongly suggested to me that I should claim to be leaving for personal reasons. They actually wanted me to come back and do four more episodes, just so I could be killed off and fit in with their plans! I told them what they could do with their offer.
#423
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Re: Colin Baker
The Valeyard is right. Basically Colin had one season with bad ratings then the BBC [Michael Grade] put the show on hiatus for over a year. The BBC then commissioned basically a half-season which was the Trial of a Time Lord series. That series was plagued by production problems. Robert Holmes died, leaving an incomplete script. Series script editor Eric Saward left mid-production after years of fighting with Nathan-Turner. The end result was that the shortened series did even worse ratings than the previous year and Grade forced Baker out.
I've seen it reported since that Colin was willing to return for a regeneration story but was unable to work out the particulars with the producers. That might be true or just a more pleasant revision. At the time Baker gave a scathing interview to The Sun headlined "Why I'll Never Forgive Gutless Grade by Axed Dr Who" in which he said:
I've seen it reported since that Colin was willing to return for a regeneration story but was unable to work out the particulars with the producers. That might be true or just a more pleasant revision. At the time Baker gave a scathing interview to The Sun headlined "Why I'll Never Forgive Gutless Grade by Axed Dr Who" in which he said:
That's pretty much it. They offered him one more story but he wanted to do one more season which ended with his regeneration. Neither budged and Colin gave them the bird.
#424
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Re: Doctor Who Series 4 (BBC) General Discussion [includes spoilers]
Matt Smith was on episode 6 of the first season of Secret Diary of a Call Girl. I couldn't remember him, so I pulled it up via Showtime On Demand. He plays the dude who Hannah has a one-night stand with during her hiatus from hooking. He does a good job, but there's nothing there that makes me stand up and shout "HELLA YEAH, cast HIM as the Doctor!!!"