So here we are are at the penultimate episode of FLUX.
Thus far, the road through S13 has been rocky at best, with some 'hits' and far more 'misses,' although the whole of the affair has generally felt far more entertaining than any of the WHO storytelling we've gotten from Showrunner Chris Chibnall up to this point in his tenure. Last week's Village of the Angels proved no exception, offering largely 'enjoyable' fare that sometimes ruffled its better qualities with (very Chubby) convolutions, and dodgy-at-best logic. Performances were largely interesting and invested, Whittaker once again proving the exception here. There's an irony to Whittaker's presence: in the episodes in which Chibs actually brings to bear stronger production qualities, Whittaker feels even more sleight and out-classed than she regularly does on the show. Suggesting there's really no way to win with her in place. Robin Whenary's photography for this episode was top notch - classy and atmospheric. I'd argue that this was among the better-shot DW episodes in a very long time. Joel Skinner's editing was taut throughout, lending even Village's slowest sequences a pop and crispness which has been much needed in the Chibs Era across the board. Compared to some recent episodes, visual effects were agreeably solid to excellent - and were, above all, relatively consistent. On the whole, Village of the Angels was an atypical well-made installment for the Chibs Era, suggesting a level of shiny finish that makes one wonder why this level of quality control hasn't bee present all along. In episodes like War of the Sontarans and Village of the Angels, we're seeing DW produced with a keen eye towards 'keeping up with the joneses' in terms of style and execution - closing that sometimes abyssal gap between DW and (admitted more robustly financed) shows like the current TREK fare, or THE EXPANSE. Yet, the question again remains: why does this only happen sometimes in the Chibs Era? It's hard not to image the answer to that question, at the end of the day, simply comes down to one word: Chibs. So - it was imperfect and hinky in terms of landing some of its broader notions. BUT - it was fun...and had a good laugh or two (Peggy's reaction to her grandfather's disintegration is gold). And if 'fun' is the best we can manage during the Chibs Era? I'll happily take that - as much of Whittaker's run has been anything but. With this...onward! The Survivors of the Flux discussion forum awaits! We warmly invite and encourage an open discourse and free exchange of ideas, but will enforce a strict zero tolerance policy regarding trolling, disrespect, or hate speak of any kind. COMING NEXT WEEK: The Vanquishers
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Last week's Twice, Upon Time marked a tragic (but rather expected) backpedaling of quality, not coming even vaguely close to equaling the remarkably solid War of the Sontarans which preceded it.
Star Jodie Whittaker again flolloped about in her role - this time literally - in sequences involving astonishingly poor visual effects as her Doctor flapped and flailed about in air suspended by dodgy wirework. In a healthy production, no one associated with these sequences should've looked at those effects and truly felt they were in any way adequate. But, somehow, they got passed through. Which, really, sums up the situation with current WHO in a nutshell. Storylines were muddled, tones were inconsistent and confused, and the clarity of vision which had been brought so forcefully to bear in War of the Sontarans was nowhere to be seen. And, once again, the WhittaDoc was substantially upstaged by new 'companion' John Bishop - whose very presence makes an argument for his Dan Lewis character deserving a show far better than the one currently wrapped around him. Bishop's Dan Lewis could anchor his own show - and is trying to anchor this one - a dynamic almost embarrassingly accentuating Whittaker's general lack of gravity and command of her role. One would be tempted to say something caddy like "It was back to business as usual..." - but Once's inadequacy stung just a little bit more than the average Chibnall Era DOCTOR WHO given how thoroughly it dispelled the good will and (and admittedly desperate hopes) which had been extended towards it in the slipstream of War. Given the exhaustingly 'up and down' nature of FLUX thus far, the biggest question that can be asked going into Village of the Angels is: 'What flavor of Chibs will we get this week?' Village is described thusly by BBC: Devon, November 1967. A little girl has gone missing. Professor Eustacius Jericho is conducting psychic experiments. And in the village graveyard, there is one gravestone too many. Why is Medderton known as “The Cursed Village”? And what do the Weeping Angels want?
And with that, we're off! The Village of the Angels awaits your commentary, theorizing, dissection, admiration, pummeling, love, derision, and bewilderment. As always...
We warmly invite and encourage an open discourse and free exchange of ideas, but will enforce a strict zero tolerance policy regarding trolling, disrespect, or hate speak of any kind. COMING NEXT WEEK: Survivors of the Flux
This weekend brings us Once, Upon Time - the third of six installments in Chris Chibnall's FLUX cycle. The episode is described thusly by BBC:
Time is beginning to run wild. On a planet that shouldn’t exist, in the aftermath of apocalypse, the Doctor, Dan, Yaz and Vinder face a battle to survive. Last week's War of the Sontarans was unexpectedly solid and energized, featuring crisper writing and directing than any other episode of the Chibs Era thus far. Lead Jodie Whittaker remained one of the show's weaker elements, but the installment was elevated by often shifting focus away from her - and onto considerably more interesting and charismatic guest cast and companions (further illustrating her inadequacy for this role). If a show is more interesting when its lead character is off screen? There's something clearly wrong and imbalanced. While never rising to the greatest heights of the Davies or Moffat tenures, War could legitimately stand amongst the mid-to-higher tier episodes of those previous show runners. Leaving one to wonder: 'Where has this Chibnall been all along?' And, more germanely, will we see this Chibnall again during the remainder of his run? Safe money would say, 'We are unlikely to see this Chibnall again during the duration of his run' - due simply to the inconsistency he has demonstrated from the get-go. If this likelihood proves incorrect - and if Chibs actually swings and hits moving forward? - then it's a 'win' for all involved. The Once, Upon Time reader reaction forum is now open for business, following the same simple standards as always: We warmly invite and encourage an open discourse and free exchange of ideas, but will enforce a strict zero tolerance policy regarding trolling, disrespect, or hate speak of any kind. COMING NEXT WEEK: Village of the Angels
This weekend brings us Part 2 of FLUX, Chris Chibnall's 6 part maxi-story/mini-season.
This weekend's episode is described thusly by BBC... During the Crimean War, the Doctor discovers the British army fighting a brutal alien army of Sontarans, as Yaz and Dan are thrown deeper into a battle for survival. What is the Temple of Atropos? Who are the Mouri? ...and this way by Radio Times... The Doctor has an unexpected encounter with one of her deadliest enemies when the Sontarans become a new faction in the Crimean War. As the British army goes into pitched battle with the warlike aliens, the Doctor and her companions seek the help of renowned nurse Mary Seacole (Sara Powell), while an ancient temple hides mysterious secrets The Halloween Apocalypse demonstrates that Chibnall's unevenness is continuing into the long-form storytelling offered by FLUX's six episode arc (there had been hopes amongst fans that, perhaps, he'd prove himself more focused consistent upon a lengthier, broader palette). Incoming 'companion' John Bishop acquitted himself nicely, brining an everyman charm and grounding to otherwise daffy proceedings. Bishop with any other Doctor would be a true sight to behold. Sadly, he feels a bit wasted here - surrounded by Whittaker's unerringly lackluster and disinvested performance, and the 'I'm over this' vibe Mandip Gil is increasingly conveying. Note how 'different' Bishop's Dan Lewis performance feels when working against Whittaker and Gils' character compared to his showing against Craige Els' Karvanista. There's so much more zing in his interactions with the later. Which points back to casting issues with Whittaker and Gil (chiefly Whittaker). In the Pantheon of Chibnall Meh-ness, Halloween Apocalypse fares better than much of the Chibnall Era, but the erratic nature of its writing and directing often mutes some of the episode's more admirable accomplishments. Great and compelling scenes are counterbalanced by long-feeling, awkwardly lifeless scenes. Moments of lovely scoring are neutralized by the ever-recurrent 'game show suspenseful reveal music' which plods lifelessly through the background of every episode. A number of lovely visual effects are shorted out by some relatively cheap looking work. Etc. While more enjoyable than many recent installments, Halloween Apocalypse, on the whole, stands as a perfect metaphor for the Chibs Era itself: unclear vision, inconsistency conveyed, lurching and sputtering toward an end result of mediocrity. Apropos of everything, various sources, including Radio Times, are reporting that 'creative control' of Russell T. Davies' forthcoming return to DW will rest largely in the hands of Team Davies, and that BBC has essentially seeded said 'creative control' of the franchise to Davies. The Times is reporting that BBC could miss out one 'up to £40 million in commercial revenue for every ten episodes.' Strongly suggesting that BBC has 1) admitted defeat, and 2) may have never fully understood DOCTOR WHO all along - which I have forcefully posited on many occasions, and witnessed first had in my previous dealings with them. Throughout its epic run, BBC has consistently been DOCTOR WHO's worst enemy. For my money, it may very well be best for the network to get out of the show's way at this juncture - before they mismanage it into oblivion. Former Doctors Matt Smith and David Tennant have individually indicated an interest in appearing on the show at some point, which isn't particularly surprising given the number of times previous Doctors have showed up in a current iterations of the series. What is particularly interesting, however, is that Smith and Tennant made these comments in close proximity time-wise to one another, and also in the wake of the announcement of RTD's return to the franchise. This timing may all be completely happenstantial, but it's hard not to wonder if some kind of planning toward such ends is actually afoot already - as one way to repair the damage caused by Chris Chibnall's lackluster performance would be to recall the show's past popularity and glory via highly promotable guest appearances (like Smith or Tennant - and even more). Tennant's comments can be found HERE, and Smith's word are HERE. With that, the War of the Sontarans discussion thingie is good-to-go!
The only rules here are simple but unbendable:
We warmly invite and encourage an open discourse and free exchange of ideas, but will enforce a strict zero tolerance policy regarding trolling, disrespect, or hate speak of any kind. COMING NEXT WEEK: Once, Upon Time
At long last, this weekend brings us to Series/Season 13 of DOCTOR WHO. Which also brings is thismuch closer to a new era of DOCTOR WHO.
A lot has happened since our last posting: the news that current showrunner Chris Chibnall is on the way to departure, the news that former DW show runner Russell T. Davies would be returning to the franchise, the news that Jodie Whittaker's tenure as the Doctor is coming to a close this Season/Series as Chibnall departs. What will DW look like and feel like with RTD revisiting his stewardship? Given the unquestionable consequence and influence of his past work with the show, there are innumerable fascinating questions and possibilities here - and a few perils as well. How will, for example, RTD retcon some of Chibnall's more ham-handed contributions to the show's mythology? Or, will his New WHO simply brush past them, make the best of whatever rubble Chibnall leaves in his wake, and hit the ground running with greater clarity and resolve than was ever evident in the Chibs Era? Will past DW personalities and influencers - like Mark Gatiss or Steven Moffat - return in some capacity, given their history with Davies? What kind of Doctor might we expect now that the show's continuity - and the world in general - has made room for more inclusive interpretations of the role? All of this said, and with no detail yet available about how RTD will be approaching his renewed WHO, it's time to turn our attention to Series/Season 13. S13, to me, feels like the day of departure of that houseguest we really can't stand - but whose visit we have somehow suffered our way through. And, now, we've come to the realization that there's only a few more hours of that guest's visit before he or she gets on a damn plane, likely never to be heard from again. Thus, it's a strain to be sure - but it's also a relief. A light at the end of a tunnel. A path to days that, IN THEORY, should be 'better' not only for the show, but its viewers in general. For this reason alone, I eagerly anticipate getting through FLUX - and the 'event' installments which follow it - as I am quite ready to move on to theoretically greener pastures. Subtitled FLUX as a way of encompassing a Season/Series-long storyline, and presumably also to present the appearance of S13 being some sort of 'event' (even though it doesn't really feel like one) - this next batch of episode begins with The Haunted Halloween, described thusly by The Powers That Be: On Halloween, all across the universe, terrifying forces are stirring. From the Arctic Circle to deep space, an ancient evil is breaking free. And in present day Liverpool, the life of Dan Lewis is about to change forever. Why is the Doctor on the trail of the fearsome Karvanista? And what is the Flux? Which doesn't necessarily sound unappealing at face value. This recently released tease, however, looks and feels hinky and cheap, and evokes a Public Access spot more than anything particularly legit. Fingers crossed that this was a pseudo-viral gag which simply stumbled and fell on its face, rather than representing where The Powers That Be's head may be at throughout the upcoming Series/Season...
FLUX is also notable for its conspicuous return of many 'classic' DOCTOR WHO institutions, including Ood, Cybermen, Weeping Angels, and Sontarans.
The cynic in me can't help but ask: why? Not 'why' in a narrative sense, but in a real-world sense.
Given Chibnall's (apparent) attitude toward established DOTOR WHO mythos, it seems peculiar that, suddenly, a parade of favorites - conspicuously evidenced in S13's marketing - is now on display. It would be easy to say this is merely Chibs' way of honoring the show's legacy and its fans as he's on the way out - but such hasn't been his MO from day one. I would guess that it's far more likely, and I may be completely wrong here, that these icons are now put into place via behind the scenes politics to remind fans that DOCTOR WHO is still DW - a particularly consequential reassurance considering how many souls have drifted from the show in its current iteration. And, I don't think it's happenstance that we receive such a reminder as it becomes clear to onlookers that Chibnall is on the way out. Am I reading too much into all of this? Perhaps. On the other hand, it's hard to imagine BBC didn't have an innate understanding that the show needed at least some degree of saving as it moved into S13 - and set about doing just that by re-associating the property with the man who so triumphantly inserted the franchise into the zeitgeist - like never before - back in 2005. Come what may, at the very, very least the months and years ahead will be interesting on the DOCTOR WHO front. Perhaps not only interesting, but even - dare I say it? - 'exciting!' And Geeklectica's DW Reader Response forums will continue as the wildness unfolds.
With this, The Haunted Halloween discussion threads are now open for business! The rules are as simple and inedible as they've always been:
We warmly invite and encourage an open discourse and free exchange of ideas, but will enforce a strict zero tolerance policy regarding trolling, disrespect, or hate speak of any kind. COMING NEXT WEEK: War of the Sontarans So, this here's the place to go to talk about DOCTOR WHO both past and present, including all rumors and official developments pertaining to the upcoming Series/Season 13. When S13 unfolds, we will, as always, revert to episode specific reader reactions/discussion forums. January 1's Revolution of the Daleks proved a doggedly middle of the road installment that - while more 'fun' and 'interesting' than many Chibnall Era episodes - in no way suggested any kind of genuine course correction for this Era. The notion of course correction bringing us to: Rumors are now afoot that series lead Jodie Whittaker may be on the verge of departing the show, presumably at the end of S13. Interestingly, BBC has (as of the the date of this posting) declined to comment on said rumors. Glen Note: Wouldn't it be interesting if Team Chibs pulled a fast one and swapped Doctors mid-stream? The rumors of Whittaker's departure should hardly come as a surprise. As inconceivable as it may seem, she's already been with the show for (around the) same amount of time an actor/actress has traditionally held the role. When also factoring in the show's fluctuating ratings and (currently) less-than-stellar imprint on the Geekscape, this would seem a very logical - potentially even wise - juncture to steer the show in some other direction. The challenge is: in theory, replacing Whittaker (with a more charismatic and compelling onscreen presence) would certainly help to minimize the gravity well generated by the Chibnall Era's endlessly tepid scripts; a little on-screen 'zing' can go a long way towards balancing dull writing. The reverse of this is: at the end of the day, replacing the performer playing the Doctor will not be enough: the true monkey in the wrench here is show runner Chibnall himself. Should he remain present, even the smartest, boldest Doctor casting will face an uphill push against lackadaisical filmmaking and frequently mamby-pamby writing. The only way the skies are going to open up fully for DOCTOR WHO is if both Chibnall and Whittaker step down. Will this happen? Will either of them exit DW during S13? Will both of them go? Who might replace either - or both? If either or both occurs, what will the fresh complexion of the show be? Might it morph into something more daring, more energetic, and more truthful to the overall history and vibe of the franchise? Wouldn't take much. Could it end up sucking more than it has recently? You know...it's kinda hard to imagine this...but, yeah, it could still suck worse. As ham handed and misguided as the Chibnall Era has been to date...and as unrepentantly 'meh' both its filmmaking and storytelling have felt... imagine a reality in which all casting is stunt casting, in which all storytelling represents some element of (for example) Social Justice. A reality in which the entirety of WHO is shaped by a crass effort to appear cool and relevant - being more attuned to audience concerns than narrative fidelity. That's not what we have now (although there are certainly hints of such proclivities), and that's not what DOCTOR WHO should ever be. With this example, by the way, I'm not defending the Chibnall Era in any regard - merely exemplifying how much more the show could potentially slide. DW stands at a very interesting crossroads. No matter what it does from this point forward, it will be impacted by this tremendously transformative time. Global culture and politics will, perhaps more than ever before in the show's history, factor into the equation considerably...as they do for any production currently underway, large or small. For the the foreseeable future, the entertainment industry on the whole will remain fractured and scrambling, with production economics and capabilities still not being fully understood in a dangerous reality shaped by COVID. What happens next for DW...could be fascinating, and fateful, in any number of ways. The IT'S 2021's 'LONG HAUL' TO SERIES/SEASON 13 MEGATHREAD!! is now open for business! Have at it, have fun, stick around! Welcome back to every regular contributor to our discussions. A respectful tip of the hat - and perpetual open invitation - to all the lurkers out there! We know you're out there! We warmly invite and encourage an open discourse and free exchange of ideas, but will enforce a strict zero tolerance policy regarding trolling, disrespect, or hate speak of any kind. COMING SOON: DOCTOR WHO Season / Series 13 Wow. So much has happened since I opened our last episodic commentary. So very much. I sincerely hope this Holiday Season finds our regulars, contributors, lurkers, and passers-by as safe, healthy, as well as can be expected during such trying circumstances. Sending all of you my best! January 1 brings us the first new DOCTOR WHO episode in 9ish months (depending on how one counts it), in the guise of a New Year Special described thusly by BBC: Viewers last saw the thirteenth Doctor at the end of Series 12 where her fate was left hanging in the balance as she was taken by the Judoon and locked away in a high-security alien prison with no hope of escape. Far away, on Earth in Sheffield, her best friends, Yaz, Ryan and Graham have to pick up their lives ten months without her. But it’s not easy. Old habits die hard. They soon discover a disturbing plan forming. A plan which involves a Dalek. How can you fight a Dalek without the Doctor? Even with Captain Jack’s help, the gang are set to face one of their biggest and most frightening challenges yet… This episode will evidently see a significant casting shakeup amongst the Doctor's companions (details HERE should spoilers be your thing), and will feature the return of not only John Barrowman's Captain Jack Harkness, but Chris Noth's Jack Robertson - who last appeared in S11's Arachnids in the UK. That's two Jacks in one show - huh. My memory of Arachnids is telling me that it wouldn't take much to improve upon Noth's purpose or performance in that episode, so it'll be interesting to see if his abilities are again squandered here.
And with this, the Revolution of the Daleks reader reaction is open for business! Same rules as aways - which are the same rules forever and ever in these here parts:
We warmly invite and encourage an open discourse and free exchange of ideas, but will enforce a strict zero tolerance policy regarding trolling, disrespect, or hate speak of any kind. Series 13 has evidently been filming - to some extent, at least - in the face of complications and health concerns orbiting the ongoing pandemic.
Despite my considerable misgivings regarding this current era/iteration of DOCTOR WHO, I extend every good wish and positive vibe to those risking so much to bring us any form of entertainment during such mad and uncertain times.
And when the fruits of Team Chibnall's current efforts at long last arrive for us to behold? Geeklectica's discussion forums will be ready... COMING SOON: DOCTOR WHO Season / Series 13 After a largely mediocre Season/Series peppered with commendable highs, contemptible lows, and confounding mediocrity, we've arrived at the finale of S12. Many of us with no small amount of ambivalence. In some ways, this moment seems 'far too soon.' In other ways, S12's prevalent inconsistency has been stressful, aggravating, and divisive. Thus, it's not entirely a sorrow to have DW taking a bit of a break. With sagging ratings, defiant Powers That Be, and BBC under siege by the Bojo regime, these are strange days for DOCTOR WHO. What happens next could be interesting. compelling, or distressing on a number of levels. Or perhaps some quantity of each. It's also feasible that out of diversity and strain might rise...improvement. This particular discussion forum will, in all likelihood remain the singular forum for DOCTOR WHO discussion here on Geeklectica until either the next Special, or next full Series/Season, is at hand. Be sure to regularly check this ONGOING discussion for current DOCTOR WHO chat, news, media, theories, announcements, armchair quarterbacking both snarky and wise, revisitations, exaltations, explorations, commiserations, and lamentations. The rules are, as always, quite simple - but indelible: We warmly invite and encourage an open discourse and free exchange of ideas, but will enforce a strict zero tolerance policy regarding trolling, disrespect, or hate speak of any kind. Welcome. And, enjoy! COMING HOLIDAY 2020: Revolution of the Daleks
With The Timeless Children, Sunday brings us to the end of DOCTOR WHO Season / Series 12 proper.
It's been an odd run, filled with a few highs, a considerable portion of mediocrity, and a few highly aggravating lows. Despite this unevenness, S12 represents a quantifiable - albeit inconsistent - uptick from S11. A sputtery, precarious positive trend one hopes can continue through The Timeless Children and beyond. This said: last week's installment, Ascension of the Cybermen, was messy in a number of regards discussed at length in the forums HERE. As such, it's difficult not to feel at least a bit apprehensive about how these much ballyhooed 'changes everything!' episodes will actually play out, when the road to merely get to this point has been rocky at best. To prime us for whatever awaits, BBC has released this official retrospective reflecting on Galifreyan Shenanigans.
Written by Chibnall and helmed by Jamie Magnus Stone (Spyfall Part One, Praxeus, Ascension of the Cybermen), Children represents the last episode of DOCTOR WHO for some time. No formal date has been announced for future installments.
NOTE: As in the past, a day or two after Children's Sunday transmission, I'll open up a 'megathread' to carry us between S12 and the next fresh episode. This megathread will likely unlock on Monday.
So...
Here we go. Despite the regrettably rickety nature of S12, the discussion point these forums has been consistently lovely, smart, insightful, fun, and much appreciated. I'd like to extend vast appreciation to all who have participated, and sincerely invite any lurkers out there to join our discourse. It's never too late! We warmly invite and encourage an open discourse and free exchange of ideas, but will enforce a strict zero tolerance policy regarding trolling, disrespect, or hate speak of any kind. COMING HOLIDAY 2020: Revolution of the Daleks This weekend propels us towards the final two episodes of DOCTOR WHO Series / Season 12: Ascension of the Cybermen, and The Timeless Children. Note: I've seen a great deal of theorization regarding 'the Timeless Child,' but most folks (that I've come across, at least) aren't addressing what may be an important clue here. We're talking about the Timeless Child, but the final episode title is pluralized. Food for thought? Reaching for straws? Here's a clip from Ascension...
BBC has also issued a Cybermen's Greatets Hits reel. It's a tad on the simple side, but a fun trip down memory lane all the same. I'd forgotten, or repressed, how much early Cybermen sounded like Latka from TAXI. Or the Thermians from GALAXY QUEST.
Ascension is scripted by Chris Chibnall, who has injected an admirable number of gargantuan, canon-impacting notions throughout S12 which will presumably pay off before next week's finale.
Who, or what, is Jo Martin's Doctor? What's up with her buried TARDIS? What really happened back on Gallifrey, and who is truly responsible for it? The Master, and all the nagged he brings with him. Are Graham, Yaz, and Ryan really, truly on the way out of the show? Many elements seem to be portending this, although part of me is wondering if the layers of foreshadowing we've thus far seen may be deliberately misleading us. While The Powers That Be have indicated Captain Jack won't make a return appearance this Season / Series, it's certainly feasible we're being misdirected in this regard, as well. I'm probably missing a few other points.
This is all...quite a bit to chew on, and represents something of a stressy meal given the uneven nature of showrunner Chris Chibnall's overall execution and narrative. It'll be fascinating to see whether or not he is capable of sticking the landing here, and whether or not he has actually thought through whatever pay offs he's gone through so much effort to set up. Previous showrunner Steven Moffat was, after all, extraordinarily, spectacularly capable of generating 'What the FUCK!?!?!?" moments. But by the time their endgame rolled around, there was often an inescapable sense that he hadn't thought through...or at least could not clearly demonstrate...the macro value of his initial narrative teases and intent.
Both Ascension and Timeless are helmed by Jamie Magnus Stone (Praxeus, Spyfall Part One), whose direction on this show to date has been one of the brighter points of the Chibs Era, story points not withstanding.
Our Ascension of the Cybermen forum is waiting for you to upload your essence into it. Ewwww - that sounds kinda wrong. How bout: here's the Ascension of the Cybermen forum! Go use it!
We warmly invite and encourage an open discourse and free exchange of ideas, but will enforce a strict zero tolerance policy regarding trolling, disrespect, or hate speak of any kind. COMING SUNDAY MARCH 1: The Timeless Children |
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