Showing posts with label doctor who. Show all posts
Showing posts with label doctor who. Show all posts
Sunday, 26 December 2010
New Year of Squee!
Merry Christmas! Happy New Year (well not yet, but you might be reading this post a bit late). Now pleasantries aside, to business!
We waited. We watched. We blogged. We bitched. And now, the moment has come, to make it all worth it...January 1st. Primeval. Is. BACK.
And now if you will forgive me, I feel like using everyones's favourite online exclamation. Squee! *Coughcough*, now I feel better.
Well everyone knows the story of how fans worldwide couldn't bear a world without Primeval in it. We complained until the eardrums of ITV executives burst, and their email inboxes melted. Mammoths were loosed on the motorways, and top government officials found socks in the breadbin (it's possible I may be exaggerating slightly). Anywhoo, long story short, we, the fans, beat those faceless execs down.
Chances are you know this. And chances are you've also been following such admirable blogs as Primeval Anomalies, who have been keeping us up-to-date with any tiny tidbit of news that trickles through. If so, you'll now know all about new characters, Jess and Matt (So far, incidentally, the jury's still out for me - Jess has a cool wardrobe, but she's almost offensively perky, reminding me of a small woodland creature which is beseeching you not to step on it. As for Matt, the whole "Bad or Good, Is he or Isn't he?" thing has kind of been done. Helen in series 1, Caroline in series 2, even Danny was portrayed as a mysterious potential enemy at one point!)
And now to the webisodes - five taster scenes available exclusively from itv.com, each lasting around 5 mins. Frankly, I'm amazed at ITV's foresight about this - so far they've been pretty clueless about Primeval fans' needs (cancellation, ITV, we do not forget!) But in an unusual blast of sense, some top bod somewhere has seen that a jump of a year might be too hard for even the best of fans to keep up with. These little clips show the events which bring Jess and Matt to the ARC, help us get to know the previously aloof Becker (I don't care what Sarah/Becker shippers say, I never considered him a proper ARC team player before) and just fill in some of the background. For example, the new 50/50 management split between Lester and some chappy called Philip Burton, or the new (and, I think much uglier) ARC building. I just hope they don't change their logo before I get a chance to buy my T-shirt! In all seriousness though, if you like Primeval (which I assume you might, if you've persevered with my ramblings thus far), check out the webisodes. The new content, references to old friends, and future happinesses will really get your TV tastebuds juiced. Less than a week to go my friends, less than a week to go...
Elsewhere, In The World of Doctor Who
It's here! The trailer for Doctor Who series 6 has landed. Critically, because it moves flipping fast (I suppose this is the point to keep us guessing), I had to grab my impressions as I watched, and they flew by quick. So here goes (this is not necessarily in order of appearance, but in order of memorable-ness) a greater historical focus - nazis, pirates, etc; a naked River Song; A beardy Doctor; another fez craving; the Doctor wearing a stetson now (stetsons are cool); what looks like the Whitehouse; a quite epic western landscape; an Ood (or perhaps two) and the fact that monsters are real.
Now if that doesn't whet one's appetite, what will?
Something I've noted with interest in this trailer, and in yesterday's Christmas Special, was the almost Gothic feel there's been. At the start of series 5, the Moff made a bit of noise about making Doctor Who darker, more of a fairytale. I also believe that comparisons to Tim Burton were made. Well I love the work of Burton, so I was well into that idea... Yet (to my mind) it just didn't materialise. With the exception of a few brilliant scenes like the young Amelia's house, and Liz Ten's masked wandering, Doctor Who remained unchanged - still brilliant, but definitely not living up to it's Burtonesque hype. However, yesterday's A Christmas Carol was finally in the promised new vibe. A victorian planet, where people wear velvet jackets, white lace dresses and flying goggles. Little boys are got up in stripy pygamas, old men grouch around in tall towers, and beautiful ice maidens hang out in the basement. The lighting was darker, richer, as were the concepts. And, from the teasing trailer, Series 6 seems set to be cut in the same cloth. Perhaps this change (if, it sticks around, that is) won't be to everybody's taste, but I'm loving it!
Oh yes, 2011's going to be a very good year for entertainment.
Sassy xx
We waited. We watched. We blogged. We bitched. And now, the moment has come, to make it all worth it...January 1st. Primeval. Is. BACK.
And now if you will forgive me, I feel like using everyones's favourite online exclamation. Squee! *Coughcough*, now I feel better.
Well everyone knows the story of how fans worldwide couldn't bear a world without Primeval in it. We complained until the eardrums of ITV executives burst, and their email inboxes melted. Mammoths were loosed on the motorways, and top government officials found socks in the breadbin (it's possible I may be exaggerating slightly). Anywhoo, long story short, we, the fans, beat those faceless execs down.
Chances are you know this. And chances are you've also been following such admirable blogs as Primeval Anomalies, who have been keeping us up-to-date with any tiny tidbit of news that trickles through. If so, you'll now know all about new characters, Jess and Matt (So far, incidentally, the jury's still out for me - Jess has a cool wardrobe, but she's almost offensively perky, reminding me of a small woodland creature which is beseeching you not to step on it. As for Matt, the whole "Bad or Good, Is he or Isn't he?" thing has kind of been done. Helen in series 1, Caroline in series 2, even Danny was portrayed as a mysterious potential enemy at one point!)
And now to the webisodes - five taster scenes available exclusively from itv.com, each lasting around 5 mins. Frankly, I'm amazed at ITV's foresight about this - so far they've been pretty clueless about Primeval fans' needs (cancellation, ITV, we do not forget!) But in an unusual blast of sense, some top bod somewhere has seen that a jump of a year might be too hard for even the best of fans to keep up with. These little clips show the events which bring Jess and Matt to the ARC, help us get to know the previously aloof Becker (I don't care what Sarah/Becker shippers say, I never considered him a proper ARC team player before) and just fill in some of the background. For example, the new 50/50 management split between Lester and some chappy called Philip Burton, or the new (and, I think much uglier) ARC building. I just hope they don't change their logo before I get a chance to buy my T-shirt! In all seriousness though, if you like Primeval (which I assume you might, if you've persevered with my ramblings thus far), check out the webisodes. The new content, references to old friends, and future happinesses will really get your TV tastebuds juiced. Less than a week to go my friends, less than a week to go...
Elsewhere, In The World of Doctor Who
It's here! The trailer for Doctor Who series 6 has landed. Critically, because it moves flipping fast (I suppose this is the point to keep us guessing), I had to grab my impressions as I watched, and they flew by quick. So here goes (this is not necessarily in order of appearance, but in order of memorable-ness) a greater historical focus - nazis, pirates, etc; a naked River Song; A beardy Doctor; another fez craving; the Doctor wearing a stetson now (stetsons are cool); what looks like the Whitehouse; a quite epic western landscape; an Ood (or perhaps two) and the fact that monsters are real.
Now if that doesn't whet one's appetite, what will?
Something I've noted with interest in this trailer, and in yesterday's Christmas Special, was the almost Gothic feel there's been. At the start of series 5, the Moff made a bit of noise about making Doctor Who darker, more of a fairytale. I also believe that comparisons to Tim Burton were made. Well I love the work of Burton, so I was well into that idea... Yet (to my mind) it just didn't materialise. With the exception of a few brilliant scenes like the young Amelia's house, and Liz Ten's masked wandering, Doctor Who remained unchanged - still brilliant, but definitely not living up to it's Burtonesque hype. However, yesterday's A Christmas Carol was finally in the promised new vibe. A victorian planet, where people wear velvet jackets, white lace dresses and flying goggles. Little boys are got up in stripy pygamas, old men grouch around in tall towers, and beautiful ice maidens hang out in the basement. The lighting was darker, richer, as were the concepts. And, from the teasing trailer, Series 6 seems set to be cut in the same cloth. Perhaps this change (if, it sticks around, that is) won't be to everybody's taste, but I'm loving it!
Oh yes, 2011's going to be a very good year for entertainment.
Sassy xx
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
I'll Keep This Brief
Dear readers of SassySciFi. I shall take this chance to apologise for the fact that I haven't blogged in quite some time. The reasons for this are the following:
- Exams ended, term ended, I crashed out.
- Frenzy was epic, but exhausting, causing me to crash out.
- Doctor Who (every episode which has passed since my last post) has been epic - so epic, I can't quite get my head around reviewing it, right now!
- A crack ate me.
- I then turned into an auton, which, while meaning I could absorb the Internet, also severely damaged the creativity required to ramble randomly about my weird life.
- Then everything went kind of mental, and the world was saved by a man in a fez. Then 2000-odd years later, I was suddenly no-longer an auton (I may be confusing my life with someone else's, here...)
- I joined an obscure sect called The Cult of Moff, which worships a great man and genius.
- I realised I was crazy, and decided to leave the sect (but never stop loving the Moff)
- I remembered this blog, and decided to leave a post of lame excuses.
- My dog ate it.
I know this makes exactly NO SENSE, but it is rather late, and I am rather tired. (Slightly) more logical ramblings soon. Keep the Blue Light Flashing,
Sassy xx
PS - The IT Crowd. How good is it?! I fear that is how my life will end up, some day...
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
Things I Have Learned From Playing The Adventure Games
So the first installment of Doctor Who's The Adventure Games rocked onto our screens last week (much earlier than scheduled, which is most unlike the BBC... to give us pleasure rather than irritation from their shoddy scheduling!) so here's some lessons I've learned from the awesome game!
- Daleks are MUCH scarier when you are the actual one running away from them.
- I wouldn't be a very daring companion... When the game said I had to sneak through a Dalek patrol, I was like, "Oh noooo, can't I just hang out here, in this nice, safe little room?!"
- Amy looks like a chicken having a heart attack if she gets exterminated.
- I actually DO like video games! I was just playing the wrong ones...
- I totally can't steer - at one stage I spent about a minute walking the Doctor into the same wall!
- Most things are better free - love, chocolate, the Metro... But ESPECIALLY Doctor Who related things!
- The graphics fall down when they automatically zoom into the Doctor's head or a random wall - or maybe it's my fault and I'm just being dense?
- I will never stop loving Doctor Who!
- (But I think we knew that already!)
Sassy xx
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
The Podosphere
Those of you who are listeners of the Doctor Who Podcast (website link in the sidebar), featuring Trevor, Tom and James may have noticed a familiar face - or voice, in episode 21... Me, Sassy! Damn right, I sent in my audio feedback! To hear my own voice on the podcast was tremendously exciting. Unfortunately, it was done on my phone (my lack of sophisticated recording equipment is the reason I write a blog, rather than have a Youtube channel or do a podcast), and I had a relatively bad headcold, so I sounded proper nasal! As far as I know, I don't normally sound that way... So tune in everyone and hear my views on The Hungry Earth, it'll save me some time!
In other news, my exams are officially over! I've got a week to recover before returning to the grindstone of school. Now all I have to occupy my time is worrying about the results... And blogging about Sci-fi!
Talking of science (though not fiction) anyone know how to fix iTunes? Mine's gone mental and deleted half my tracks, for no apparent reason! I feel so aggreived, cause I work really hard to maintain my library, full of all my favourite music... Grr!
Oh well, lets wrap up there, since I've got no other news. Keep the Blue Light Flashing!
Sassy xx
In other news, my exams are officially over! I've got a week to recover before returning to the grindstone of school. Now all I have to occupy my time is worrying about the results... And blogging about Sci-fi!
Talking of science (though not fiction) anyone know how to fix iTunes? Mine's gone mental and deleted half my tracks, for no apparent reason! I feel so aggreived, cause I work really hard to maintain my library, full of all my favourite music... Grr!
Oh well, lets wrap up there, since I've got no other news. Keep the Blue Light Flashing!
Sassy xx
Monday, 24 May 2010
Mmm... Fandom!
In the spirit of displaying the wild, weird and wacky things we Doctor Who fans do, I thought I would continue the theme of such features as my TARDIS search, and Fandom Tattoos and show you some of my favourite edible Doctor Who art... They're all awesome, but I must admit I have a soft spot for the Pizza of Rassilon and the Gingerbread Doctors (he finally got his wish!)Sassy xx
Thursday, 20 May 2010
David Tennant in Primeval! (But Not Really...)
Hey all, sorry about the rather shameless headline-grab! I was watching an old episode of Derren Brown: Trick or Treat, and guess what I saw?
David Tennant and Derren Brown, taking a walk outside a building which looks suspiciously like the ARC... Here they are again in close-up:
Am I crazy or is that totally the ARC, there?! We usually see it from a different angle, but if you look at it, the shape's the same, and that funny rising-up effect... compare with the ARC as shown in Primeval:
The building's been CGI'd, and filmed from a different angle, but it's sure similar, huh? Especially in the shot with the ARC explosion... DT in Primeval, eh? A fangirl's dream!Just a lil thought from the infinitely random mind of Sassy (I may not look too bright, but my head...? It's bigger on the inside!)
Keep the Blue Light Flashing!
Sassy xx
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Dawn of the Elderly!
Just a quick thought about the killer OAPs in Amy's Choice. In that scene where they slowly but deliberately approach from the field, was anyone else reminded of a zombie apocalypse style scene? The slow movements, the wide eyes and the gaping mouths are very stereoptypical of Hollywood zombie flicks.
Talking of zombies, I reached a really interesting conclusion tonight. For the past few years, I have had zombie nightmares, in which I was recurringly chased to and from various locations by a Horde of the Undead - and I'm not talking friendly zombies, like in Daniel Waters Generation Dead books - after reading some stuff on the internet, and having a good old think, I realised that these dreams are a reflection of security issues on my part. For example, that nothing and no one is safe, the fact that the zombies seem to be able to breach defenses like locked doors and barricaded windows, the idea that there is no permanent resting place, because zombies are never far away... Interesting stuff, huh? And I bet, after all that I'll have a nightmare tonight!
More thoughts on Amy's choice: I'm not sure, but I don't think I saw a crack this week... Did anyone else? Maybe because in the Dream Worlds/ The TARDIS there's no danger to the fabric of reality. Another thing - I heard someone bring up the fact that Series Five seems very Mouth centric (i.e. the immense teeth on Prisoner Zero; the Doctor and Amy being propelled onto the Starwhale's tongue; the frightening leers of the Smilers; the vampire girls sucking blood...) and now eyes popping out of mouths.
Eyes, too seem to have a focus - the gigantic Atraxi EYEball; the Doctor's POV scene where he observes everything (including close-up on his EYE); the dangers lurking at the corner of your EYE; the fact that looking a Weeping Angel in the EYE, means they take you over via your EYE; the perception filter of the Saturnyne Vampires meaning you can't believe your EYES; and, finally, once again EYES popping out of mouths.
Could these things be significant? Well, I doubt it, to be honest. I reckon it's just a coincedence, but it's certainly an interesting one. It would be good if the cracks were just a red herring, and the real story arc was infinitely more subtle, instead of something glaringly obvious cracking us on the head every episode.
Anyway, them's my thoughts!
Keep the Blue Light Flashing
Sassy xx
Talking of zombies, I reached a really interesting conclusion tonight. For the past few years, I have had zombie nightmares, in which I was recurringly chased to and from various locations by a Horde of the Undead - and I'm not talking friendly zombies, like in Daniel Waters Generation Dead books - after reading some stuff on the internet, and having a good old think, I realised that these dreams are a reflection of security issues on my part. For example, that nothing and no one is safe, the fact that the zombies seem to be able to breach defenses like locked doors and barricaded windows, the idea that there is no permanent resting place, because zombies are never far away... Interesting stuff, huh? And I bet, after all that I'll have a nightmare tonight!
More thoughts on Amy's choice: I'm not sure, but I don't think I saw a crack this week... Did anyone else? Maybe because in the Dream Worlds/ The TARDIS there's no danger to the fabric of reality. Another thing - I heard someone bring up the fact that Series Five seems very Mouth centric (i.e. the immense teeth on Prisoner Zero; the Doctor and Amy being propelled onto the Starwhale's tongue; the frightening leers of the Smilers; the vampire girls sucking blood...) and now eyes popping out of mouths.
Eyes, too seem to have a focus - the gigantic Atraxi EYEball; the Doctor's POV scene where he observes everything (including close-up on his EYE); the dangers lurking at the corner of your EYE; the fact that looking a Weeping Angel in the EYE, means they take you over via your EYE; the perception filter of the Saturnyne Vampires meaning you can't believe your EYES; and, finally, once again EYES popping out of mouths.
Could these things be significant? Well, I doubt it, to be honest. I reckon it's just a coincedence, but it's certainly an interesting one. It would be good if the cracks were just a red herring, and the real story arc was infinitely more subtle, instead of something glaringly obvious cracking us on the head every episode.
Anyway, them's my thoughts!
Keep the Blue Light Flashing
Sassy xx
Monday, 17 May 2010
Whirly Stuff
Finally I get what the Tenth Doctor is on about when he yells "Oh, my head, my head!" At the moment my head is full of the eponymous whirly stuff; I have far too much to think about and not enough space to do it in.
First is image. At the moment I am in desperate need of a summer wardrobe, but have no time or money to go shopping. I find that I literally have a file on my internet favourites which is simply called Clothes I Want, and is full of links to everything I desire, and cannot afford. I am also in need of a haircut - not desperately, but moderately. I am beginning to find hairs in irritating places like the washing up or clogging the vaccuum, which is never a good sign. Plus, as mentioned I have no money...
Which leads me to another train of thought. I have no money because it's all being saved for Frenzy! As previously mentioned, I am extremely excited about my visit to this Christian rock festival, in the town of Edinburgh on June 12th, in part because it'll be a chance to bag some cool Switchfoot merchandise. And I'm thrilled about that. Having said that, it is kinda getting on my nerves that my cash is all tied up in the "Frenzy Fund" as I call it.
Thirdly, there's revision. At this point I'm taking exams, so a fairly large part of my day is spent trying to cram knowledge into a reluctant brain, which would rather be thinking about clothes, hairdos, science fiction and good looking men...
Talking of science fiction (and perhaps also good looking men, depending on your taste) my brain is also full of Doctor Who, and other sci-fi. Random thoughts include:
How can I ever send in feedback to the various Doctor Who podcasts I listen to, when they update faster than I can catch up? And why do they all insist on audio format?!
Man, I really want that book, Chicks Dig Timelords (No Sassy, no! You have no money!)
Why is there Doctor Who and Torchwood magazines, but no Primeval magazine? It would really fill the gap between now and 2011... Also, why has nobody thought of a Primeval graphic novel... I draw Primeval art (badly), what's stopping more talented cartoonists?
- A thought for anyone who draws Primeval art!
I has brainy specs (£1 from Primark, with clear glass. See above): "You don't even need them , you just think they make you look a bit clever!"
Does the fact that I can very, very rarely find fault with any Doctor Who episode make me a better or worse fan?
What little part of my brain that's left is occupied with the other miscellaneous shenanigans of life - If I had a Tennant-style mop of hair, I'd be ruffling it right now, with gusto... I realise anyone who reads this is probably crying out for me to get to the point and do some reviewing of the last few episodes, but I find my head is too Wibbley-Wobbley, Timey-Wimey to do it... And , as I've said, I find it hard to review after watching an episode just once, or even twice... MY advice? Download the Doctor Who Podcast, or the DWO Whocast, for extensive reviewing, and come to me for the more frivolous side of fandom...
Keep the Blue Light Flashing!
Sassy xx
PS - The Pandorica will open, and Silence will fall... and when it does, try not to leave the handbrake on!
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
The Wonders of Merchandise!
I am currently suffering from a severe case of merchandise envy! It has come to my attention that on the wonderful wiggly lines of the Interweb, Whovians everywhere are making and selling specially themed Doctor Who products. I consider my Doctor Who collection to be fairly extensive, but on seeing some of these products (see pictures above and below for my favourites) I was seized with some SERIOUS product-lust.
You see, at the moment I am surrounded by a group of people who fear technology - particularly the wondrous world of Internet Purchasing. My current finances are not in good shape: I have no accessible bank account, PayPal account or other financial equipment with which to buy online. I would rely on other dear friends and family to supplement my Internet needs in exchange for cash, however they all seem strangely reluctant.
For the reason of this, I refer you back to earlier blogs, on the subject of my family and how it seems to want to curb my science fiction enthusiasm. Their campaign, naturally has failed, however they seem rather stubborn in their refusal to buy me sci-fi related gifts for birthdays or Christmas. Case in point, at Xmas I asked a member of my family for a monthly subscription to Doctor Who Magazine. The suggestion was edged around to the point where I was asked outright to choose a different gift - this was on the grounds of "practicality". I find it unfair , that I should have to put up with being stereptyped within my own family - young sci-fi geeks put up with enough crap from their peers without it being added to by their own families. My mother looks at me with a bemused expression; my father likes to wind me up by making imflammatory Doctor Who or Primeval related remarks. Why? What do they gain from this, except making me feel foolish?
What they don't understand is that the days when sci-fi fandom was a shameful secret are over! It is generally acknowledged that British sci-fi is a force to be reckoned with in the worldwide entertainment field. It's no longer the sole property of spotty, balding men who still live with their Mums! So, let us cast aside these dark thoughts and enjoy some of the quality goods on offer (and if anyone knows a stockist with an actual physical shop, who I can pay real money, please let me know, ASAP!)
Keep the Blue Flag Flying!
Sassy xx
Monday, 19 April 2010
Tallyhoo!
All judgement I may have been withholding about Series Fnarg (Series Five! It just is, let's face it!) ended with Victory of the Daleks.
In the past, though I find them extremely entertaining, I've been a bit unimpressed by the Daleks. They just seem such a boyish part of Doctor Who - and yes I know that what I just said is sexist, as well as practically sacriligeous amongst Who fans - but whatever. They've never terrified me. Well, you'll be pleased (or maybe horrified) to know they still don't.
However, I have to say that thus far, Victory of the Daleks has been the highlight of the season for me. Daleks! In khaki! With union flags! Offering cups of tea! To Churchill! Does it get any better than this...?
Damn right it does! Doctor wielding hammer! Teleport! Daleks in pretty colours! Self destruct jammy dodger! Just when you think my sweet little fangirl heart can't get any gladder, there comes the piece de resistance:
SPITFIRES. IN. SPACE.
Scientifically, it's a heap of cabbage, but my God it made me cheer to see Danny Boy attacking a stonking great Dalek ship in a spitfire. And the Dalek-destroying catchphrase which will endure eternally?
"Tallyhooooo!"
Perfect. Add to that a pepperoni pizza, a bar of Dairy Milk, and a Cola float, and that's about as close as SassyScifFi gets to heaven... And I had those things!
It'll be interesting to see how Time of Angels/ Flesh and Stone live up to Victory. Since I adore the Weeping Angels (a truly psychological creature, don't you think?) and am fascinated to find out the story of River Song, it's looking good... But it's got high standards to live up to!
Before I go, I realised something about the Series 5 naming argument. I was watching confidential, and saw the Clapper Board, which had Series 1 emblazoned on it... When it hit me! Never mind the Moff's chat about tired brands and radical rethinks - this is just the BBC saving money! You think those boards come cheap? Nah, they're saving the money by recycling clappers, and spending it on new and fancy FX! And fair play to them, if it makes the show better, so long as they know the fans will always call it Series 5.
Tallyhooooo! (Keep the Blue Light Flashing)
Sassyxx
In the past, though I find them extremely entertaining, I've been a bit unimpressed by the Daleks. They just seem such a boyish part of Doctor Who - and yes I know that what I just said is sexist, as well as practically sacriligeous amongst Who fans - but whatever. They've never terrified me. Well, you'll be pleased (or maybe horrified) to know they still don't.
However, I have to say that thus far, Victory of the Daleks has been the highlight of the season for me. Daleks! In khaki! With union flags! Offering cups of tea! To Churchill! Does it get any better than this...?
Damn right it does! Doctor wielding hammer! Teleport! Daleks in pretty colours! Self destruct jammy dodger! Just when you think my sweet little fangirl heart can't get any gladder, there comes the piece de resistance:
SPITFIRES. IN. SPACE.
Scientifically, it's a heap of cabbage, but my God it made me cheer to see Danny Boy attacking a stonking great Dalek ship in a spitfire. And the Dalek-destroying catchphrase which will endure eternally?
"Tallyhooooo!"
Perfect. Add to that a pepperoni pizza, a bar of Dairy Milk, and a Cola float, and that's about as close as SassyScifFi gets to heaven... And I had those things!
It'll be interesting to see how Time of Angels/ Flesh and Stone live up to Victory. Since I adore the Weeping Angels (a truly psychological creature, don't you think?) and am fascinated to find out the story of River Song, it's looking good... But it's got high standards to live up to!
Before I go, I realised something about the Series 5 naming argument. I was watching confidential, and saw the Clapper Board, which had Series 1 emblazoned on it... When it hit me! Never mind the Moff's chat about tired brands and radical rethinks - this is just the BBC saving money! You think those boards come cheap? Nah, they're saving the money by recycling clappers, and spending it on new and fancy FX! And fair play to them, if it makes the show better, so long as they know the fans will always call it Series 5.
Tallyhooooo! (Keep the Blue Light Flashing)
Sassyxx
Wednesday, 14 April 2010
The Votes Are In, and The Moff Is Definitely Easier!
Turns out I have been spelling Steven Moffat wrong... Oh the shame!
That name just gets me... Is it a "V"? Is it A "PH"? Who can tell? Grr... The Moff is definitely easier to remember, and it turns out he is officially called that by Doctor Who insiders! I thought I just made that up, but I guess I may have heard it and let it mulch into my subconscious somehow...
In other news, the Guardian published a poll - Who Is the Better Doctor: Matt Smith or David Tennant? David Tennant won, with 82% to Matt Smith's poor 18%. Let's be fair, people! David Tennant has appeared in three seasons of Doctor Who, as well as eight specials, and those Children in Need thingys. Matt Smith, on the other hand, has been in two episodes, and already folk are saying things about him! Give the poor dude a chance!
I think it's totally unfair how people make snap decisions on things like this (and yeah I am being a bit hypocritical here). Actors are people too, not just animals in a zoo for us to jeer at. If you were to go into a new job, and on your second day, came in to find people voting on your performance, you'd be pretty damn offended! Give Matt Smith a chance to prove his worth, rather than jumping instantly to DT's defence - yes, he was a brilliant Doctor, and nobody loves him more than I, but it's time to let go...
Reading that back, it was a total rant, so I'm gonna chat for a bit about happier subjects. (These are mostly to do with my life, rather than anything newsie or viewsie, so if that's what you came for, press the big X in the top right corner now!)
I spent a pretty blissful afternoon watching Doctor Who series 4 from my bed (when I should have been revising for my damn exams - oops!) and later, when the sun came out, I went into my garden to sunbathe and read the Writer's Tale - I find Russell T Davies fascinating, possibly because I can't decide whether he's a lovely man with a hard job, or a total diva! I also love the book because it's so massive it'll take me a good, long while to get through.
A friend of mine who doesn't follow SciFi was eyeing my Torchwood DVD today... or more specifically eyeing John Barrowman! The conversation went like this:
R: *Eyes JB* He's quite HOT!
Sassy: John Barrowman? Er...
R: Oh, don't tell me - he's married with two beautiful sons!
Sassy: R, you do realise John Barrowman is, like, 40 and VERY VERY GAY?
R: *looking scandalised* Why is it that all the gorgeous ones are married or gay?!
Sassy: Technically he's married, too. To a guy.
R: *Gasp, followed by long sigh* Oh, you were serious. Damn.
Aw, I love R, she is comedy gold! Man, imagine JB saw this? I can totally imagine him hooting with laughter!
Well that's all the news and busybodying from SassyScifi! Until next time Keep the Blue Light Flashing (BTW who did I steal that line from? I own NOTHING original!)
Sassy :) xx
That name just gets me... Is it a "V"? Is it A "PH"? Who can tell? Grr... The Moff is definitely easier to remember, and it turns out he is officially called that by Doctor Who insiders! I thought I just made that up, but I guess I may have heard it and let it mulch into my subconscious somehow...
In other news, the Guardian published a poll - Who Is the Better Doctor: Matt Smith or David Tennant? David Tennant won, with 82% to Matt Smith's poor 18%. Let's be fair, people! David Tennant has appeared in three seasons of Doctor Who, as well as eight specials, and those Children in Need thingys. Matt Smith, on the other hand, has been in two episodes, and already folk are saying things about him! Give the poor dude a chance!
I think it's totally unfair how people make snap decisions on things like this (and yeah I am being a bit hypocritical here). Actors are people too, not just animals in a zoo for us to jeer at. If you were to go into a new job, and on your second day, came in to find people voting on your performance, you'd be pretty damn offended! Give Matt Smith a chance to prove his worth, rather than jumping instantly to DT's defence - yes, he was a brilliant Doctor, and nobody loves him more than I, but it's time to let go...
Reading that back, it was a total rant, so I'm gonna chat for a bit about happier subjects. (These are mostly to do with my life, rather than anything newsie or viewsie, so if that's what you came for, press the big X in the top right corner now!)
I spent a pretty blissful afternoon watching Doctor Who series 4 from my bed (when I should have been revising for my damn exams - oops!) and later, when the sun came out, I went into my garden to sunbathe and read the Writer's Tale - I find Russell T Davies fascinating, possibly because I can't decide whether he's a lovely man with a hard job, or a total diva! I also love the book because it's so massive it'll take me a good, long while to get through.
A friend of mine who doesn't follow SciFi was eyeing my Torchwood DVD today... or more specifically eyeing John Barrowman! The conversation went like this:
R: *Eyes JB* He's quite HOT!
Sassy: John Barrowman? Er...
R: Oh, don't tell me - he's married with two beautiful sons!
Sassy: R, you do realise John Barrowman is, like, 40 and VERY VERY GAY?
R: *looking scandalised* Why is it that all the gorgeous ones are married or gay?!
Sassy: Technically he's married, too. To a guy.
R: *Gasp, followed by long sigh* Oh, you were serious. Damn.
Aw, I love R, she is comedy gold! Man, imagine JB saw this? I can totally imagine him hooting with laughter!
Well that's all the news and busybodying from SassyScifi! Until next time Keep the Blue Light Flashing (BTW who did I steal that line from? I own NOTHING original!)
Sassy :) xx
Sunday, 11 April 2010
In Which Sassy Has a Good Old Ramble
Disclaimer: this Blog will have no specific news, but will mostly consist of random ramblings.
Parents, eh? You can't live with them, and you can't afford to live without them. Yesterday I went on a wee day out with my Dad, to cement the whole "Father-Daughter Bonding" thing. What a drag... Not that I don't love my Dad but he can be a bit of an old fart, as well as pretty damn embarrassing. Anywhoo, we headed to a bookstore.
I purchased the new edition of the Writer's Tale, a 700-plus tome, composed of correspondance between writer Russell T Davies and Doctor Who journalist Benjamin Cook. What a book! It really is freaking comprehensive... For example, I've learned that the Series 4 companion came perilously close to being Penny Carter, not Donna Noble! Who knew? And, if you want to hear the words Doctor Who and Primeval uttered in the same sentence, The Writer's Tale is the place to go. RTD is a fan of Primeval! This has shot him even higher in my estimation.
Talking of Primeval, amongst fans of the show it is pretty old news that it will be returning in 2011, but God, how I 'm missing it! I bought the last Primeval Book, to complete my collection - The Lost Island by Paul Kearney, if you're interested - and am now acutely aware that it's the last piece of new material I'll get for nearly a year. Ouch, that stings. Hurry back Primeval, I miss you - you were about the only thing worth watching on ITV!
Anyway, back to parents. D'you know what mine said to me? Not just once, but twice (in relation to Doctor Who and Primeval respectively):
"Aren't you getting a bit old for all that?"
I ask you! The obvious answer to that question is NO, and they know it. They ask, not because they genuinely feel I will grow out of this "phase", but because the fear I will not is growing in their hearts. I was joking about the idea of going on Mastermind - specialist subject: Doctor Who, 2005 to Present Day. I could answer every question they put to me, all bar one.
What IS the "T" in Russell T Davies, by the way?
I think what they fear is that I will be a horrifically stereotypical nerd - you know the type, spotty, messy, lonely and fat - when I am older. But truly, I don't think that's gonna happen. Scifi is a hobby, albeit a passionate one, and if New Who has proved anything, it's that Science Fiction can attract a wide range of fans and age-groups. Long gone are the days of spotty teens dressed up in makeshift Cybermen costumes. Let me have my passions - anything's better than the endless episodes of Coronation Street my Dad watches!
One last message, before I go - The Eleventh Hour? Loved! I literally applauded at the end. When I heard about all the changes ( The logo, title sequence, reset to "Series 1", TARDIS interior AND exterior, to say nothing of the Kissogram companion) I was a little apprehensive. I actually trusted Matt Smith to be a great Doctor, it was Stephen Moffat I was wary of - he seemed to be changing too much!
However, the new episode made me eat my words. Amy Pond was a great partner to the Doctor; the logo and title sequence were logical evolution, rather than a radical about turn; the new TARDIS complimented the new Doctor, and still held elements of the old (plus, let's be honest, who didn't love the "sexy thing"?) and, most amusingly, I noticed the BBC Iplayer have Doctor Who marked as Series 5. Guess the Moff can't get his way all the time!
Some have said that Matt Smith was trying too hard to be like the Tenth Doctor, and I did see some mannerisms that lingered at first. However, as the story progressed, it became clear (at least to me), that what Smith was doing was portraying a character regeneration as well as a physical one. By the time he had stripped off - yummily - and changed into his bow tie 'n' braces attire, he was very much his own man. This theory of mine was backed up in The Beast Below, in which, from the start, the Doctor felt like a very new character who we were getting to know. And I was loving it!
Keep that Blue Light Flashing
Sassy xx
Parents, eh? You can't live with them, and you can't afford to live without them. Yesterday I went on a wee day out with my Dad, to cement the whole "Father-Daughter Bonding" thing. What a drag... Not that I don't love my Dad but he can be a bit of an old fart, as well as pretty damn embarrassing. Anywhoo, we headed to a bookstore.
I purchased the new edition of the Writer's Tale, a 700-plus tome, composed of correspondance between writer Russell T Davies and Doctor Who journalist Benjamin Cook. What a book! It really is freaking comprehensive... For example, I've learned that the Series 4 companion came perilously close to being Penny Carter, not Donna Noble! Who knew? And, if you want to hear the words Doctor Who and Primeval uttered in the same sentence, The Writer's Tale is the place to go. RTD is a fan of Primeval! This has shot him even higher in my estimation.
Talking of Primeval, amongst fans of the show it is pretty old news that it will be returning in 2011, but God, how I 'm missing it! I bought the last Primeval Book, to complete my collection - The Lost Island by Paul Kearney, if you're interested - and am now acutely aware that it's the last piece of new material I'll get for nearly a year. Ouch, that stings. Hurry back Primeval, I miss you - you were about the only thing worth watching on ITV!
Anyway, back to parents. D'you know what mine said to me? Not just once, but twice (in relation to Doctor Who and Primeval respectively):
"Aren't you getting a bit old for all that?"
I ask you! The obvious answer to that question is NO, and they know it. They ask, not because they genuinely feel I will grow out of this "phase", but because the fear I will not is growing in their hearts. I was joking about the idea of going on Mastermind - specialist subject: Doctor Who, 2005 to Present Day. I could answer every question they put to me, all bar one.
What IS the "T" in Russell T Davies, by the way?
I think what they fear is that I will be a horrifically stereotypical nerd - you know the type, spotty, messy, lonely and fat - when I am older. But truly, I don't think that's gonna happen. Scifi is a hobby, albeit a passionate one, and if New Who has proved anything, it's that Science Fiction can attract a wide range of fans and age-groups. Long gone are the days of spotty teens dressed up in makeshift Cybermen costumes. Let me have my passions - anything's better than the endless episodes of Coronation Street my Dad watches!
One last message, before I go - The Eleventh Hour? Loved! I literally applauded at the end. When I heard about all the changes ( The logo, title sequence, reset to "Series 1", TARDIS interior AND exterior, to say nothing of the Kissogram companion) I was a little apprehensive. I actually trusted Matt Smith to be a great Doctor, it was Stephen Moffat I was wary of - he seemed to be changing too much!
However, the new episode made me eat my words. Amy Pond was a great partner to the Doctor; the logo and title sequence were logical evolution, rather than a radical about turn; the new TARDIS complimented the new Doctor, and still held elements of the old (plus, let's be honest, who didn't love the "sexy thing"?) and, most amusingly, I noticed the BBC Iplayer have Doctor Who marked as Series 5. Guess the Moff can't get his way all the time!
Some have said that Matt Smith was trying too hard to be like the Tenth Doctor, and I did see some mannerisms that lingered at first. However, as the story progressed, it became clear (at least to me), that what Smith was doing was portraying a character regeneration as well as a physical one. By the time he had stripped off - yummily - and changed into his bow tie 'n' braces attire, he was very much his own man. This theory of mine was backed up in The Beast Below, in which, from the start, the Doctor felt like a very new character who we were getting to know. And I was loving it!
Keep that Blue Light Flashing
Sassy xx
Labels:
doctor who,
matt smith,
primeval,
russell t davies,
steohen moffat
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
All Happening In Sci-Fi Land...
Well, it has been a busy busy few months for science fiction. Equally it has been a busy few months for me, Sassy.
In terms of my life, this is because I have been taking exams (preliminary examinations AKA prelims. Basically the Scottish equivalent of mocks). Stressy for me. Also, living in the wild, dangerous and wooly-jumper-clad realms of Scotchland, I have been shuddering at the frozen conditions in many many layers - BRR!
But me and my sad, cold lil life are not the subject of this post - SCIFI IS! And if you are here because you're a scifi fan, I'm assuming you're gonna know what I'm talking about. SO here are my thoughts on the latest news in the land of geek.
First, what else can I talk about, but the ABSOLUTELY EPIC End of Time?! Have to say, Part 1 on Christmas Day left me slightly cold. For one thing it was enormously laugh-light, and what I wanted to see was some classic Tenth Doctor, before he left us forever. I wanted laughs, a Doctor/Donna scene, and a general bit of "Allons-y!" Aside from the Comedy Gold of mischevious Minnie's wandering hand, End of Time did not deliver. Part 2 was slightly better, with a fantastic Wilf/Doctor repartee, and the immortal words (which I am sure are gonna end up on a t-shirt):
Wilf: God Bless the Cactuses!
The Doctor: It's Cacti.
Vinvocci: That's Racist!!
LOL. Loved seeing Gallifrey, and squealed out loud at the little mention of the disgraced Time Lords being punished as Weeping Angels - a fantastic touch which seriously has me wanting more details. How? Why? How again! Again squealed I, at the mention of Rassilon - though I don't watch much classic Who, I know who Rassilon is, and loved that touch for the older fans.
Now, comes the controversial part: The Goodbye Scene. From what I've heard from other Who fans, people seem to be separated into two camps: Loved and Hated. Well sorry haters but I loved it BIG TIME! I thought it was a fantastic farewell to the Doctor, to David Tennant himself, to Russell T Davies, AND to all the wonderful characters who (presumably) we wont be seeing in Series 5/ 1/ 31/ Whatever. Just 3 problems with that:
1. What exactly happened to Tom Milligan?! Martha/ Mickey... They're actually a cute looking couple but just ... huh? Did Tom die? Killed as in crossfire while Martha worked for Torchwood? 'Cause as I recall in Children of Earth, Gwen told Jack that Martha was "On her Honeymoon" but with Tom, or Mickey? Was Tom just dumped in favour of a man who understood the world of the Doctor...? Confuzzled.
2. Jenny should have been there! I know the Doctor thought she died, but supposedly he can "sense" other Time Lords about the place... he should've said goodbye to his Daughter before he regenerated.
3. Rose. Loved seeing her. Loved seeing Jackie. Didn't love the look. Liked the touch of the Boom Town Scarf, but the makeup artist screwed up - this was pre-Doctor Rose, all pink lippy and spidery eyelashes... But those are my only qualms, Other than that the goodbyes were perfect.
In terms of that last line? What a heartbreaker! OHH Doctor, I don't want you to go either... *Sob*
Moving on to a happier note: Dreamland - an Animated Doctor Who Adventure. Liked the storyline, because I find Roswell and the Fifties and all that interesting. Animation? Crap. Someone writing in to Doctor Who magazine said that she was "completely blown away" and that "the visual effects were stunning (a giant leap from the Infinite Quest)". Have to disagree on that front. The animation had the look of a Playstation 1 game, and the movement of the character's limbs were embarrassing to watch. Additionally, the Viperox bug eyes pissed me off INSANELY with the constant popping - considering their supposedly super-sensitive hearing (though, I observed, only super-sensitive when it suited the plot) you would think that pop would have annoyed them too! in terms of the animation, I think the Infinite Quest did the job far better. The excellent script redeemed this, as it had all the classic, happy Tenth Doctor which was almost totally missing from Waters of Mars and End of Time. A keeper for that reason, and that reason only.
Lastly: a note on Doctor Who audiobooks. I received an audiobook for Christmas - The Day of the Troll. I expected to enjoy it, but not to LOVE it as I did. I think this is because I know that there will be no more Tenth Doctor, and I'm keen to soak up every adventure featuring him that there is. The adventures read by David Tennant himself are, to be honest, the only ones I'm interested in, simply because I don't think anyone could be the Doctor better. I love his sexy Scottish burr, I love that he can shift from accent to accent and I just love these stories! ( Love you DT!!)
They're a great idea to get hold of if you're already missing Ten, or you just feel that there is too long a wait between now and New Who in the Spring. Doctor Who titles (as read by David Tennant) are:
The Resurrection Casket (Abridged), by Justin Richards
The Stone Rose (Abridged), by Jacqueline Rayner
The Feast of the Drowned (Abridged), by Stephen Cole
Pest Control, by Peter Anghelides (Specifically written for audio)
The Day of the Troll, by Simon Messingham (Specifically written for audio)
The Last Voyage, by Dan Abnett (Specifically written for audio)
Of those 6 titles I own 4, and am hoping to have all of them soon - Seriously, I must be earning the BBC millions from all my shameless plugs! Just one more... The Specials Box Set looks lush! Think I know what to spend my Xmas money on!
Well, I've rattled on enough! Keep the Blue Light Flashing!
Sassy xx
In terms of my life, this is because I have been taking exams (preliminary examinations AKA prelims. Basically the Scottish equivalent of mocks). Stressy for me. Also, living in the wild, dangerous and wooly-jumper-clad realms of Scotchland, I have been shuddering at the frozen conditions in many many layers - BRR!
But me and my sad, cold lil life are not the subject of this post - SCIFI IS! And if you are here because you're a scifi fan, I'm assuming you're gonna know what I'm talking about. SO here are my thoughts on the latest news in the land of geek.
First, what else can I talk about, but the ABSOLUTELY EPIC End of Time?! Have to say, Part 1 on Christmas Day left me slightly cold. For one thing it was enormously laugh-light, and what I wanted to see was some classic Tenth Doctor, before he left us forever. I wanted laughs, a Doctor/Donna scene, and a general bit of "Allons-y!" Aside from the Comedy Gold of mischevious Minnie's wandering hand, End of Time did not deliver. Part 2 was slightly better, with a fantastic Wilf/Doctor repartee, and the immortal words (which I am sure are gonna end up on a t-shirt):
Wilf: God Bless the Cactuses!
The Doctor: It's Cacti.
Vinvocci: That's Racist!!
LOL. Loved seeing Gallifrey, and squealed out loud at the little mention of the disgraced Time Lords being punished as Weeping Angels - a fantastic touch which seriously has me wanting more details. How? Why? How again! Again squealed I, at the mention of Rassilon - though I don't watch much classic Who, I know who Rassilon is, and loved that touch for the older fans.
Now, comes the controversial part: The Goodbye Scene. From what I've heard from other Who fans, people seem to be separated into two camps: Loved and Hated. Well sorry haters but I loved it BIG TIME! I thought it was a fantastic farewell to the Doctor, to David Tennant himself, to Russell T Davies, AND to all the wonderful characters who (presumably) we wont be seeing in Series 5/ 1/ 31/ Whatever. Just 3 problems with that:
1. What exactly happened to Tom Milligan?! Martha/ Mickey... They're actually a cute looking couple but just ... huh? Did Tom die? Killed as in crossfire while Martha worked for Torchwood? 'Cause as I recall in Children of Earth, Gwen told Jack that Martha was "On her Honeymoon" but with Tom, or Mickey? Was Tom just dumped in favour of a man who understood the world of the Doctor...? Confuzzled.
2. Jenny should have been there! I know the Doctor thought she died, but supposedly he can "sense" other Time Lords about the place... he should've said goodbye to his Daughter before he regenerated.
3. Rose. Loved seeing her. Loved seeing Jackie. Didn't love the look. Liked the touch of the Boom Town Scarf, but the makeup artist screwed up - this was pre-Doctor Rose, all pink lippy and spidery eyelashes... But those are my only qualms, Other than that the goodbyes were perfect.
In terms of that last line? What a heartbreaker! OHH Doctor, I don't want you to go either... *Sob*
Moving on to a happier note: Dreamland - an Animated Doctor Who Adventure. Liked the storyline, because I find Roswell and the Fifties and all that interesting. Animation? Crap. Someone writing in to Doctor Who magazine said that she was "completely blown away" and that "the visual effects were stunning (a giant leap from the Infinite Quest)". Have to disagree on that front. The animation had the look of a Playstation 1 game, and the movement of the character's limbs were embarrassing to watch. Additionally, the Viperox bug eyes pissed me off INSANELY with the constant popping - considering their supposedly super-sensitive hearing (though, I observed, only super-sensitive when it suited the plot) you would think that pop would have annoyed them too! in terms of the animation, I think the Infinite Quest did the job far better. The excellent script redeemed this, as it had all the classic, happy Tenth Doctor which was almost totally missing from Waters of Mars and End of Time. A keeper for that reason, and that reason only.
Lastly: a note on Doctor Who audiobooks. I received an audiobook for Christmas - The Day of the Troll. I expected to enjoy it, but not to LOVE it as I did. I think this is because I know that there will be no more Tenth Doctor, and I'm keen to soak up every adventure featuring him that there is. The adventures read by David Tennant himself are, to be honest, the only ones I'm interested in, simply because I don't think anyone could be the Doctor better. I love his sexy Scottish burr, I love that he can shift from accent to accent and I just love these stories! ( Love you DT!!)
They're a great idea to get hold of if you're already missing Ten, or you just feel that there is too long a wait between now and New Who in the Spring. Doctor Who titles (as read by David Tennant) are:
The Resurrection Casket (Abridged), by Justin Richards
The Stone Rose (Abridged), by Jacqueline Rayner
The Feast of the Drowned (Abridged), by Stephen Cole
Pest Control, by Peter Anghelides (Specifically written for audio)
The Day of the Troll, by Simon Messingham (Specifically written for audio)
The Last Voyage, by Dan Abnett (Specifically written for audio)
Of those 6 titles I own 4, and am hoping to have all of them soon - Seriously, I must be earning the BBC millions from all my shameless plugs! Just one more... The Specials Box Set looks lush! Think I know what to spend my Xmas money on!
Well, I've rattled on enough! Keep the Blue Light Flashing!
Sassy xx
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