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What a difference one week makes... Fugitive of the Judoon threw viewers a whopping curveball on Sunday with the introduction of Jo Martin's 'Doctor' character, and her freakin' gorgeous TARDIS.
Showrunner Chris Chibnall quickly took to media to assure viewers that Martin's Doctor is 'real' and not some parallel universe facsimile, or whatnot. Giving rise to fervent hypothesizing amongst both casual and longtime viewers, who...oif the tenor of message boards is any indication, are currently more engaged with the show than they have been min years.
Come what may, love it or hate it, it's a compelling and provocative turn of events which represents the first 'big swing' Team Chibnall has made on this show to date. The move sports a decidedly Moffat / Davies vibe, a comforting turn of events given the lackluster blather which has thus far characterized most of S11, and to a far lesser degree, S12.
The Martin reveal, coupled with the unexpected but hugely welcomed surprise appearance of John Barrowman's Captain Jack Harkness, was more than enough to send viewers' heads spinning.
It's important, perhaps critically important here in fact, to pay credit where credit is due: 1). Hats off to Chibs for going 'big' when, to date, he appeared to have been thinking so very small. And, without any doubt or reservation, vast respect is in order to helmer Nida Manzoor and co-scripter Vinay Patel for forging an episode which was... 2) Highly amusing and briskly paced on its own merits, and... 3) Largely among the better DOCTOR WHO episodes we've had in some time. Will this upward trend of episodes which are at least 'interesting' continue with Praxeus? To what extent will the whack-a-doodle strands introduced in Fugitive carry over into this week's adventure (or the rest of this Series / Season, for that matter)? Are Martin's 'Doctor' and Harkness' apparent plight being queued up for payoff by the end of S12? Or are they part of a more protracted game? Perhaps they're instrumental to the macro '5 year plan' Chibnall has claimed to be working with? Many questions, many theories. And while uncertainty and discomfort are certainly prevalent given Team Chibs' markedly lackluster stumbling to date, it's...highly agreeable...to finally be able to talk about DOCTOR WHO as if it's a real show again. And regarding it with a show which, after such a floppy start, just may remain a show with something to do, and something to say. Fingers crossed the foundations of this path will only strengthen as we move tentatively into the second half of S12. This week's Praxeus sees the return of Jamie Magnus Stone to DOCTOR WHO; he preformed admirably with S12's opener, Spyfall, so presumably our chances of seeing solid work out of him this week are at least reasonable. Kerblam!'s Pete McTighe is co-scripting along with Chibnall. This is interesting as Chibnall also shared writing credit on Fugitive - potentially implying further canon/arc related material may well be infused into Praxeus.
The Praxeus discussion forums are now online! One simple indelible rule applies:
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. Enjoy! Fingers crossed. And, onward! Always onward... COMING SUNDAY FEBRUARY 9: Can You Hear Me?
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This week brings us the shamelessly, simply titled Fugitive of the Judoon, which in all likelihood will involve a fugitive of some sort, and definitely features the welcomed return of long-standing DW antagonists, the Judoon. This installment also serves as a half-way marker for Season / Series 12, which BBC has noted with a sizzle reel pimping upcoming adventures.
When weighed as a whole, Series / Season 12 has fared quite a bit better than S11, while still falling short of a comfortable or reliable baseline in terms of either storytelling or presentational quality. Directorial energy, editorial cadence, and wisdom in scripting are still all over the place here, and an nerving sense of 'waiting for the other shoe to fall' prevails.
This said, there does seem to be consistent effort being expended to course correct a few of S11's more egregious waverings. Such efforts should never be taken for granted in situations like this, given the economies and egos invariably surrounding the making of any show. So, hats off to...whomever...for at least trying. But are such efforts arriving too late to stem the show's wavering, but continuing, bleed of viewers? Fugitive of the Judoon is helmed by Nida Manzoor, whose directing of last week's Nikola Tessla's Night of Terror ranged from serviceable to commendable (skewing towards the later). Vinjay Patel, who last season scripted S11's Demons of the Punjab, is writing. I wasn't as in love with Punjab as many out there seem to be; I found its premise compelling and well on the way to being worthy, but felt it lacked supporting historical context to earn the dramatic impact it was clearly reaching for. Hopefully Fugitive will be more well rounded.
On a related note: as an accessory to last week's Tesla episode, BBC has issued a 33 minute reel featuring the Doctor's previous encounters with personages of historical significance.
At face value, the assemblage itself is a tad lazy.
On the flip side: Since the beginning of the Chibs/Whittaker Era, The Powers That Be on current DOCTOR WHO have effectively marginalized (or sidelined) the 'past' of the show. Its history, both in real world and in terms of canon, have been scantly referenced, and even maligned on a few occasions (within the context of Whittaker episodes, and in a few interviews/press statements). This new reel represents The Powers That Be's most pointed and open acknowledgment of the show's background since the Chibs/Whitaker Era began, which is noteworthy at the very least. Is this a case of a 'need to inform' giving rise to begrudging recognition? Or, are we witnessing the beginning of a much-needed walkback of the historical revisionism which has subtly, but pointedly, characterized the Chibs/Whittaker Era to date? It'll be interesting to see where this goes, if anywhere. Or what this means in the bigger picture, if anything. Behold the Fugitive of the Judoon reader-reaction-talky-thing! For it is now active, and awaiting your horny input! Wait, that sounded wrong... 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 FEBRUARY 2: Praxeus Last week brought us Orphan 55. Much like Spyfall Part Two before it, Orphan towed the line well enough, but still fell far short of resounding success. Series lead Jodie Whittaker, who has yet to truly demonstrate 'command presence' as the Doctor, is feeling increasingly less invested in her role as her tenure continues. Her lackadaisical approach to characterization considerably amplifies the shortcomings of serviceable-at-best directing from helmers like Orphan's Lee Haven-Jones, whose work on this show to date has proven neither shoddy nor bolstering. Resulting in a frustratingly, sometimes staggeringly 'middle-of-the-road' approach to storytelling which smells like it's driven by a production team bent on merely getting things done, as opposed to generating a brand of storytelling which is either noteworthy, progressive, or engaging. Despite Orphan's floppiness, and factoring out the embarrassing, pedestrian messaging clouding its final moments, the episode upheld the trembly, awkward trend of DW S12 feeling 'improved' over S11. Will the trend continue with this week's Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror? It's described thusly by BBC: It is 1903 and on the edge of Niagara Falls, something is wrong at Nikola Tesla’s generator plant, where someone – or something – is sabotaging the maverick inventor’s work. Has Tesla really received a message from Mars? And where does his great rival Thomas Edison fit into these events? The Doctor and her companions Yaz, Ryan and Graham must join forces with one of history’s greatest minds to save both him and planet Earth. Nida Manzoor directs, whose credits chiefly consist of ENTERPRICE, a brief comedy-drama transmitted by BBC Three a few years back. It's written by Nina Metivier, a writer/producer of a BAFTA winning CBBC children's show called DIXI. Metivier also served as a script editor for The Woman Who Fell to Earth and It Takes You Away for DW last Season / Series.
Will Team Chibs at least stay the unremarkable course they've thus far set this Series / Season? Or will S12, which currently feels as if it's on uneven footing at best, revert to the the roundly clunky, doggedly primal state we were forced to contend with though much of S11?
On to discussion! 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 JANUARY 26: Fugitive of the Judoon While Spyfall Part Two never came close to rising to the clarity, confidence, energy or overall competence of Part One, it nonetheless ranked above a majority of S11 entries. Representing a tenuous (but not altogether satisfying) overall uptick in quality over Whittaker's introductory year. So far, at least. Will this uncomfortably rickety restorative trend continue with this week's Orphan 55? The episode is described thusly by BBC: Having decided that everyone could do with a holiday, the Doctor takes Graham, Yasmin, Ryan to a luxury resort for a spot of rest and relaxation. However, they discover the place where they are having a break is hiding a number of deadly secrets. What are the ferocious monsters that are attacking Tranquillity Spa? Is it feasible said 'ferocious monsters' may turn out to be a Chib Era revisitation of classic DOCTOR WHO nemeses? The Doctor has, in the past, grappled with the completely sucky Zygons... 
(see what I did there?)
...and we know that S12 will feature a number of 'classic' DOCTOR WHO baddies...and promo images for this week's story feature what, to my eyes, may well be a Zygon Dong (perhaps abbreviated as Zydong?)
I'm not sure how seriously I actually am when positing this theory. And the fact that I'm not sure how serious I am is likely troubling in itself when weighed objectively.
Lee Haven Jones, whose workmanlike mediocrity dragged down Spyfall Part Two a bit, returns to helm Orphan 55. This week's adventure is scripted by Ed Hime, wrote It Takes You Away back in S11.
With this, the Orphan 55 reader reaction is now operational.
I'd like to extend a warm welcome to all of our beloved and amazing 'regulars', and as tip my hat to anyone who remains lurking in the great cyber-ether - and I do believe 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 SUNDAY JANUARY 12:
Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror January 1st brought us an unexpectedly strong Season / Series premiere in Spyfall Part One - an episode which confusingly, paradoxically illustrated Chris Chibnall's hitherto unrealized potential as DOCTOR WHO showrunner, while also highlighting the relative ineffectualness of series lead Jodie Whittaker. Is Whittaker up to anchoring a show which could theoretically end up feeling more energized and robust than her own lead performance to date? Based on Spyfall Part One - arguably the most 'DOCTOR WHOish' episode of Chibnall's rein thus far - the answer would seem to be 'no.' However, part of me would like to be believe that Chibnall's chief efforts are, for the moment, oriented towards fixing a show which was in many regards inadequate and even 'broken' during much of its previous Series / Season. Perhaps once such issues have been reliably smoothed out, more attention will be paid to refining Whittaker's sometimes bewildering and mushy performance? Come what may, Spyfall Part One - based on general reviews and substantive social media feedback - seems to have gifted those skeptical of the Chibnall era the possibility of hope. The hope that maybe Team Chibs may finally be pulling their act together. The hope that Team Chibs actually has an act to pull together at all. Evaluating Part One is a tricky proposition, as it must be considered on several complex and intertwined fronts. Chief among them: 1) does the episode work on its own merits? And, 2) how does Spyfall look, sound, and feel when weighed against the majority of S11 episodes (a majority of which felt strangely tepid and clunky when compared to the Davies and Moffat eras). The answer is: as an episode in itself, Part One worked quite nicely. And some of what made it work very directly informs the answer to Question # 2. Editorial pacing and crispness was turned up a few notches when compared to S11's more languid ethos; even scenes which ran the risk of dragging felt agreeably concise and breezy. The score from S11's Segun Akinola is far more robust and narratively consequential than a majority of S11's music - less ambient and utilized more for drive, scale, and effect here. Cinematography - while still far from rising to the levels of shows like WATCHMEN, the new TREK series, or THE EXPANSE - was also afforded greater consideration. This installment of DOCTOR WHO didn't exactly 'feel like a movie ' (as Chibnall had promised before S11's arrival), but it <I>did</I> feel more in the wheelhouse what we'd come to expect given the current market place. Which pretty much sums up Spyfall Part One in a nutshell. While a few cringe worthy moments felt discordant with the material around them (those motorcycles...) 
...the whole of the affair felt tonally and energetically consistent throughout. Part One even managed to stick its landing with an admirably 'WTF?!' conclusion - a reveal which reports indicate will resonate throughout this Series / Season.
Spyfall Part One felt as if The Powers That Be have walked back some of presentational changes which rendered S11 so profoundly problematic. The result is an episode which felt 'different' from the Seasons / Series that had come before. But...unlike much of S11...also felt vastly more respectful of the energy, style, and 'vibe' which was developed so carefully over the years by previous showrunners Russell T. Davies and Steven Moffat. As I suggested in a text message to a good friend, Part One felt like the show many of us were expecting to get - or al least felt might be possible - when Whittaker's Doctor debuted last year. Considering the roundly ineffectual nature of S11 on the whole, it's going to take more than one episode of S12 to ascertain whether Spyfall Part One was a freakish one-off, or whether BBC & Team Chibnall have actually learned some much-needed lessons regarding respecting the accomplishments and 'world building' of DW's previous show runners. Spyfall Part Two should be quite telling, as it is driven by a different director than Part One. Jamie Magnus Stone directed Part One (and will return for the two episodes which close S12), while Lee Haven Jones takes the reins for Spyfall Part Two. Issues like style, editing, scoring, cinematography, etc. all tend to be pre-determined and 'baked in' to a season's / series' DNA - with directors amplifying these baseline qualities in accordance with their individual abilities and talents. Thus, if the uptick in quality represents a genuine paradigm shift - Part Two should feel (more or less) in the ballpark of its predecessor. If the principle reason Part One shone was chiefly due to Jamie Magnus Stone? Then we're back to the drawing board...
So here we stand...
At an unexpected crossroads which may be even more fascinating, and more vexing, than the changing of Doctors, or the deployment of a new showrunner: can the existing Powers That Be reverse their own course, and successfully restore their own show after needlessly and recklessly compromising its quality across the entirety of the previous Season / Series? Managing to do so would be an admirable - perhaps even honorable - accomplishment. 
Oughta be an interesting forum this week...
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.
"Okay, yeah. THAT'S how you do it..."
COMING SUNDAY JANUARY 12: Orphan 55 |
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