[number3fac]

Really, BBCA?  Spearhead From Space for the 3rd Doctor?  How about the Auton episodes with the Master?  Or really, ANY adventure with the Master, 'cuz Delgado is kinda awesome and Jo even gets some good moments of bravery.  Or the Time Warrior, with the first Sontaran appearance but also the first Sarah Jane appearance.  Well, at least it's good to see the Brig and I guess there's some viewers who think it's neat to see the Doctor in the shower (though I suspect the current audience is more interested in such scenes with Matt Smith rather than Jon Pertwee).

A brief re-observation from the new episode: I liked that Clara called the Doctor on holding back info and he admitted it (it was getting tiring to hear "the Doctor lies" from his friends).  It also makes me wonder if he's already made the connection (or at least suspects) that the Great Intelligence was behind this, as the last time he bumped into Clara (in the XMas episode) he did read a business card with "the Great Intelligence" on it and remarked that it rung a bell.  At any rate, if the Doctor is going to play a long game of playing against the Intelligence, I hope we see some evidence of that rather than dropping the plot until the finale, because that would be disappointing.  But I'm still optimistic...this episode was a departure from Moffat's usual so-fast-and-busy style that I could really enjoy the action with our new TARDIS Crew.

[TheZookie007]

I'm getting mixed signals about the continuation of Matt Smith in the role of the Doctor. Are any of you guys interested in seeing a female Doctor in his/her/its new regeneration?

[Eliza D]

^No.

(admittedly, not a guy) 

[Breasts]

I'd also say no. It'd just be wrong.

[number3fac]

Where are you seeing that Matt Smith is considering leaving the role?  Are you sure it's not one of those infernal April Fools things?

Also, ever since Moffat's Whovian comedy special "Curse of the Fatal Death", speculation about the next Doctor always includes the option that it'll be a woman.  I expect that the showrunner would have to have a very specific vision for the show and the Doctor's character to pull off something like that.  And for the moment, I'm pretty sure Moffat's comfortable with a male Doctor getting all awkward in weird-yet-sitcommy ways around women he meets who fancy him.

[Eliza D]

This from io9.com

"Yesterday 4:09pm
Matt Smith confirms he'll still be starring in Doctor Who in 2014

There have been tons of rumors about Matt Smith leaving the role of the Doctor, that ageless, mercurial time traveler, on Doctor Who at the end of this year. In the 50th anniversary special, or the Christmas special after that. But now it's official: He's on board for season eight.

In the latest issue of the British magazine Radio Times, Matt Smith confirms that he'll stick around next year -- although it's not 100 percent clear that he'll be there for all of the eighth season, but it seems likely. So those of us who want to see Smith continue to find new dark folds and permutations in his giddy portrayal of the Time Lord can relax, and rejoice."

The Sun says otherwise, though, their news is from March 22nd --> Matts All Folks

[Eliza D]

From the cartoon & anime thread in GD...

[number3fac]

I missed the first few minutes of tonight's episode (everything pre-credits), but so far I think there's been great improvement in the show.  There's been a stronger focus on characters (both heroes and antagonists) and their motivations and far less reliance on crazy multilayered twists, which has made the episodes much more coherent, and I obviously prefer that to what Moffat had been throwing at us before the last Christmas special.  Admittedly, the plots have been pretty minimal but as far as I'm concerned that was also the case for most of Moffat's run so far anyway, and at least now some sense can be made of what's happening.

[salem]

The Daily Mirror (a tabloid rag which in my opinion is about as accurate as your average School Newspaper) has a 'Matt Smith to Quit' story every year since he started. Hey ho, they'll be right about it eventually!

**Spoiler alert**

I see filming has begun on the 50th anniversary special, which is to be in 3D and will also (apparently) go on limited release worldwide in cinemas. Be good to see that on the big screen in 3D.

Billie Piper and David Tennant are in the special, no word yet if any other of the older Doctors will be in it, although apparently Christopher Ecleston turned down the chance to appear. The older (i.e. 20th century) Doctors have 'not been approached' but this could all be a massive cover-up.

The Zygons will be appearing on screen for the first time since 1975, and rumours are that Cybermen and Daleks will be in it. John Hurt, veteran movie actor of among other things, Alien, is to appear too, along with Joanna Page of Gavin and Stacey fame and also Jemma Redgrave is back as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart. Would not be surprised if James Corden didn't appear back in it too.

Filming has taken place at, among the usual Welsh locations, Trafalgar Square and The Tower of London.

**Spoiler alert over**

Didn't enjoy The Rings of Akhaten much, bit too much like a cross between Lexx and Farscape, not that I don't enjoy those shows, but it doesn't quite sit right with me, I feel the stories are always better if they are relatable. How do you relate to, or even care about an alien race and a soul eating monster?

Loved Cold War, great to see the Ice Warriors back, oh and was great seeing the Doctor back in contemporary London. Cool seeing the Shard and St Pauls on screen. Jenna-Louise Coleman is shaping up nicely in the role.

Phew, pause for breath! Time to peruse my copy of Doctor Who Magazine issue 459!

[salem]

 

The Zygons are BACK!

[Eliza D]

I don't know the Zygons.  Were they in any of the NEW Doctor Who episodes, or are they from the 20th century?

[Breasts]

I don't know the Zygons.  Were they in any of the NEW Doctor Who episodes, or are they from the 20th century?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terror_of_the_Zygons
Very good story.

[number3fac]

I don't know the Zygons.  Were they in any of the NEW Doctor Who episodes, or are they from the 20th century?

They've only been mentioned in conversation in the new series...the Doctor talking with the Master, and I think Sarah Jane and the Brig on SJA (although now that I think of it, I may be thinking of Axons instead).  But they were a distinctive alien design, and the story involved the Loch Ness Monster (which was also referenced when Sarah Jane and Rose compared their respective adventuring milestones).  So, despite only making a single appearance they're memorable in their own weird little way.

[Eliza D]

Thanks guys! 

[salem]

Apparently they are David Tennants favourite Monster, so it is nice to have them back and him with them at the same time. Incidentally, their design is based on a human foetus.

Terror of the Zygons is one of my favourite stories, and although it is set in Loch Ness, it was actually filmed in Sussex.