Doctor Who - Blink

[matgb]

Um, yeah. Loads of people reacting to it all over the place, and so far all good. Which I have to say I'm in agreement with. So, if you haven't watched it yet, be aware that a) it's a damn good story even if you're not a Doctor Who fan (or even if you generally dislike SF stuff anyway) and b) You can't vote in this poll until you have because, dude, spoilers. And I'm normally one who seeks out spoilers; if I'm telling you to watch it first, that means watch it first, damnit!

[Poll #1000593]

Right, that's it, time to go get some more coffee. Oh, the BBC site has the short story it's based on (that's two great stories in a row based on existing fiction), although I do concur with the person who said the online formatting is awful.

Comments

[nadriel.livejournal.com]

*pokes you to remind you you're coming over...*

[el-staplador.livejournal.com]

A couple of notes:

a) have voted 'Who?' re. Sally, because my main reaction to her was 'Meh'.
b) the episode was sooooo much better than I expected, having read the Radio Times mini-blurb, which said something about not seeing much of the Doctor. I thought it was going to be another Love and Monsters. Words cannot express how relieved I am that it wasn't!
c) But I still think John Wyndham did it very slightly better in Chronoclasm
d) 'Sparrow & Nightingale - Antiquarian Books and Rare DVDs' loses all points due to an apostrophe in 'DVDs'. Gah.

[matgb]

Oh gods yes, I hadn't noticed that; I was even looking directly at it when I transcribed it into the poll and got it right. Ouch.

Still, if I were to run a shop, I think old books and cool films would be heaven. Hmm, wonder if we could attach that to our pub...

D'you know, despite having read many many Wyndham's, I've not read that one, and yes, despite me sort of liking L&M for the in-jokiness, and not actually having read any prep for this one, I was very impressed.

[miss-s-b.livejournal.com]

Well, you know, library in one room and big screen not ever showing sport in another... tis a small step to rotating stock by selling it.

[matgb]

True, true.

And old books means people have already read them, so no real worries about creasing the books, etc. Hmm...

[(Anonymous)]

Yes, very good... enjoyed it nearly as much as the Girl in the Fireplace which, oh, Mr Moffat wrote as well :)

And he's being given a two part episode to write in the next series, so all is good.

[matgb]

All of these points are indeed very good. And didn't know he was getting a double parter.

And the anonymous comment makes me want to hurry up my 'how to comment non-anonymously without an account' post a bit. Possibly.

[sexygoldfish-uk.livejournal.com]

Of course, if the anonymous poster already has an account but is just having an disagreement with his PC... the news about the two-parter came from the BBC website.

[matgb]

Fair enough; I wonder at times if I ought to switch to some other option for anons as a fair number of friends post inadvertently, but I also know I've a number of non-LJ readers so it could put them off.

And I rarely read the official websites, not sure why really.

[js84.livejournal.com]

I've only seen less than 20 episodes of DW in total, but it was the best out of those that I have seen. You could tell a lot more effort had gone into the script than the usual offerings. It did take a long time before the Doctor properly appeared, which suggested it might turn out to be another budget episode like the Olympics one where all the monsters are just off-screen shadows. Fortunately, it was done in such a way that it became clearer as it progressed. I didn't vote for the last 'Best bits' item as, although the statues are a very good idea, the ending that showed a lot of other statues wasn't believable as they had a quick shot of an ornamental dog in there too. What harm could that do?

[matgb]

Aye; I've seen a lot more than that, obviously (blame my grandmother, she used to make me watch it when I visited). And as it happens I'm of the opinion (shared by others) that it may possibly be one of the best episodes ever; definitely one of the most accessible to a non-fan, but still definitely Who with a decent plot related to time travelling.

The same writer wrote last years best, The Girl in the Fireplace, which is nominated for a Hugu, and it won't surprise me at all if this one is nominated next year.

I think the statues bit at the end was more there as an implication thing, combined with a give the kids something to be scared of/play around with in reality; who's to know which, if any, statues could really be like that?

Don't Blink. Actually, I think I'm going to yoink that icon as well.

[davegodfrey.livejournal.com]

"Go to the police you stupid woman, why don't people ever go to the police."

[matgb]

Actually, yeah, that should be in there as well, ah well.

[raksaksa.livejournal.com]

The only slight niggle I had about the episode was timing.

I sat through the first 15 minutes and thought 'My God, this story is taking a while to get going'.

Beef and I seem to concur that it was right on the edge of falling into 'boring' before the action got going.

[matgb]

Yeah? I actually liked the build up, thought it was rather well done. YMMV I guess - the only bit I thought a bit OTT was when she was talking to the grandson with the letter, a little bit over long.

[doccy.livejournal.com]

Just for the record? I voted for 'timey wimy detector' simply because of the full quote which made me giggle :D

“This is my timey-wimy detector. Goes ‘ding’ when there’s stuff. Also, it can boil an egg at thirty paces. Whether you want it to or not, actually, so I’ve learnt to stay away from hens. It’s not pretty when they blow.”

[matgb]

Yeah, I couldn't fit the whole quote in, LJ doesn't like it, but I did like it.

[eldar.livejournal.com]

Just finished watching the BBC3 repeat... best one this season (though not seen previous two due to being on holiday).

P.S. Holding a baby is a great way to develop one-handed touch typing.

[matgb]

Ah; the last two were also damn fine, perhaps not as good as this one but up there with the best of them, so if you can get hold of copies I highly recommend trying. *cough*I don't have a TV*cough*

One handed typing is something I hate doing, but I can imagine it would be, yes. Still, good that you're all safe and well *cough*update*cough*

[eldar.livejournal.com]

I have the one from 2 weeks ago recorded - now if could find the time to watch it...

I'd have last week's recorded as well (along with a bunch of other stuff) if I'd had the time to fiddle with my new toy long enough.

I have no problem sourcing anything downloadable. Whilst I personally won't have anything to do with file-sharing software, I happen to know someone (who shall remain anonymous but who I might just be married to) who doesn't.

I'll update when I have more time on my hands - i.e. when I get to work....

[emurphy42.livejournal.com]

IE and Opera both display the short story correctly. Firefox botched it yesterday (the two columns overlapped), but now they've switched it to a single column (not ideal, but not broken).

Sally Sparrow

[emurphy42.livejournal.com]

A few minutes in, I was thinking "when did Julia Styles become British?". A few more minutes in, I was thinking "I will stand up and bloody cheer if she joins Torchwood".

Re: Sally Sparrow

[matgb]

*searches IMDB*

Not someone I think I've ever seen, but yes, can see the resemblance. And yes, I think I agee. Hmm, wonder if starting a campaign for that would make it more or less likely...

Re: Sally Sparrow

[emurphy42.livejournal.com]

Upon further reflection, I'm torn between wanting to see her with Torchwood, and not wanting to see Torchwood do to her and Larry what it did to Gwen and Rhys...

[stillcarl.livejournal.com]

So, is it available on the net? As A, I doubt it is on NZ TV yet and B, I'd have to, you know, remember to turn it on at the right time...

Oh, or C, figure out how to set my new DVD recorder's timer...

[matgb]

I wouldn't know anything about online sources, as far as I know there are no legitimate downloads available outside the UK because the BBC is bound by some regulations it doesn't like.

Oh, you might find this post interesting by the way.

[stillcarl.livejournal.com]

Hee, thanks. Though I was really just wishing for a good, legit source. Joost is my default idea of how online TV should be, and am waiting for the BBC's alternative to show up.

Does search - finds: http://beelinetv.com/ Maybe useful sometimes, but live-streaming only sucks...