S11 inched a smidgen closer to stylistic and tonal legitimacy last week with The Witchfinders. Sadly, what began as an edgy, off-kilter, agreeably propulsive tale - much of which very much embodied the best sensibilities of contemporary DOCTOR WHO - collapsed completely in the final 13 minutes of its story. Resulting in a frustrating, tantalizing glimpse into how efficiently and smartly a Chris Chibnall-era DW episode could unfold, while also bludgeoning viewers with the inescapable reality that Team Chibs struggles to fully land its premises remain considerable, and may be altogether insurmountable by the talent currently on deck. This week brings us It Takes You Away, the second to the last episode of S11 proper. It's scripted by Ed Hime, whose IMDb credits are scant at best, although crediting offered via his agency suggests a varied, interesting, and voluminous background. ITYA is helmed by Jamie Childs, who has (almost admirably) developed listlessness into an art form during his previous two assignments the Season/Series (The Woman Who Fell to Earth, Demons of the Punjab).
Meanwhile, BBC has unveiled a tweaked costume for Jodie Whittaker's Doctor. Which, by inference, will be unveiled in the forthcoming New Year's Special.
When I look at this image, I see the Peter Davison merged with Tom Baker - played by an actress whose affinity for the Tennant Era is clearly apparent. Meaning: a Doctor whose characterization is still struggling to find its own distinct voice...is being pointedly configured to evoke past Doctors...thus embracing the same history BBC went out of its way to besmirch and denigrate during the launch of the Chibnall/Whittaker Era? So...what is the takeaway here? It's okay to malign over five decades of franchising and storytelling in order to entice new viewers - but it's equally OK to embrace and evoke that same marginalized background in order to create points of association with what one claims to be ashamed of? This publicity approach is feeling passive-aggressive, a touch sociopathic, and more than a bit Trumpian. BBC should be ashamed of itself, and fans of this show...as well as BBC viewers in general...should hold the network accountable for such bizarre behavior. A very, very dangerous precedent is being courted here. In regards to the scarf itself? I love the colors, don't mind the scarf (beyond my qualifications above), but I'm interpreting it as a 'rainbow flag' of sorts. It's an unnecessary, far too insecure (and on the nose) proclamation/statement for a show which has, historically, handled inclusion quite skillfully. Perfectly encapsulating the same clumsiness, and absence of self-confidence, that has defined the Chibnall Era thus far. Along with the costume image came a thumbnail of the forthcoming New Year's episode: As the New Year begins, a terrifying evil is stirring, from across the centuries of Earth’s history. As the Doctor, Ryan, Graham and Yaz return home, will they be able to overcome the threat to planet Earth? Our It Takes You Away discussion threads are now operational! 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: The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos
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This week bring us The Witchfinders, the third to the last installment of S11 (not counting the New Year’s special). It stars Alan Cumming as King James, and is described thusly by BBC: The Doctor, Ryan, Graham and Yaz arrive in 17th century Lancashire and become embroiled in a witch trial, run by the local landowner. As fear stalks the land, the arrival of King James I only serves to intensify the witch hunt. But is there something even more dangerous at work? Can the Doctor and friends keep the people of Bilehurst Cragg safe from all the forces that are massing in the land? Witchfinders is helmed by Sallie Aprahamian, whose work on Arachnids in the UK a few episodes back sometimes approached fine(ish). It’s scripted by Joy Wilkinson (Doctors).
Last week's Kerblam! was kinda/sorta entertaining, but...like nearly every episode of this run...it never full engaged or compelled, and felt more like 'going through the motions' instead swinging for the fences.
Aspirations that DOCTOR WHO's current conceptual and energy struggles will be overcome by S11's conclusion now seem a fool's hope at best. After this week, one of the two remaining tales is written by a scripter who is close to a complete unknown (which may or may not work to his advantage - his name is Ed Hime), and the other is from Chris Chibnall (who has yet to fully land one of his five scripts for this series to date). Compounding the improbability of a rally? Both remaining episodes after this week are helmed by Jamie Childs - whose work on S11 thus far has never come remotely close to catching fire (The Woman Who Fell to Earth, Demons of the Punjab). Unless a miracle happens...which it could, in theory...Witchfinders is pretty much our last chance of S11 experiencing any infusion of awesomeness whatsoever. Given the overall vibe of how S11 has unfolded both before cameras and behind the scenes, the likelihood of any kind of broader S11 recovery seems dubious at best. Geeklectica's The Witchfinders discussion boards are online! 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: It Takes You Away This week brings us Space Amazon - errr - Kerblam!, scripted by Pete McTighe, a veteran of NEIGHBOURS (the Australian Soap Opera, not the 2014 Seth Rogan movie, or the 1981 John Belushi film) and EASTENDERS. Kerblam! is helmed by Jennifer Perrott, who brought usThe Tsuranga Conundrum a few weeks back, and is described thusly by BBC: “Delivery for the Doctor!” A mysterious message arrives in a package addressed to the Doctor, leading her, Graham, Yaz and Ryan to investigate the warehouse moon orbiting Kandoka, and the home of the galaxy’s largest retailer: Kerblam!” Last week's Demons of the Punjab managed to botch the landing of a number of solid, worthy notions. While a compelling background at face value, there seemed to be no urgency (or particular audience connection) to its 'Partition of India' storyline. The characters cared - they cared a lot, from the looks of it - but there was never ample illustration regarding why they cared, or why viewers should care in turn. This, combined with the intriguing (but ultimately hamhanded) shell game regarding the Thijarian's nature and mission diluted any innate poignancy the overall story may've carried. Will Kerblam! be more sure footed? We'll see...
Meanwhile, BBC has released official synopses of the final two episodes of S11 (not counting the New Year's special):
It Takes You Away (S11E09) On the edge of a Norwegian fjord, in the present day, The Doctor, Ryan, Graham and Yaz discover a boarded-up cottage and a girl named Hanne in need of their help. What has happened here? What monster lurks in the woods around the cottage – and beyond? The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos (S11E10) On the planet of Ranskoor Av Kolos, lies the remains of a brutal battlefield. But as the Doctor, Graham, Yaz and Ryan answer nine separate distress calls, they discover the planet holds far more secrets. Who is the mysterious commander with no memory? What lies beyond the mists? Who or what are the Ux? The answers will lead the Doctor and her friends towards a deadly reckoning.
The final two epodes are directed by Jamie Childs, whose S11 track record to date has been doggedly mediocre at best (The Woman Who Fell to Earth, Demons of the Punjab). I really wish Team Chibs had picked another helmer from the directors tree for the final two of this run, although I'm not at all surprised they didn't.
Geeklectica's Kerblam! discussion boards are now open for business. Welcome, and enjoy! 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: The Witchfinders
The Season of Many Viewers' Discontent continues with Demons of the Punjab, representing the first S11 episode not written by reigning WHO Boss Chris Chibnall.
This time around, scripting duties go to Vinay Patel - whose writing credits are scant and obscure to say the least. Having myself hacked through the scriptwriting meat grinder in Hollywood, I can attest to the fact that Patel not being a 'high profile' writer should in no way suggest he's unqualified for this job; how much work he has (or has not) done doesn't intrinsically impact his innate ability to deliver an exquisite piece of work. Alas, with the erratic ghost of Chibs shadowing over S11, the better question in this circumstance might be: whether or not Patel is any good, will he be able to truly 'show his stuff' within the doggedly mediocre ethos Chibnall has advanced thus far? Patel being something of a wild card is neither here nor there, but is at least an interesting development in an otherwise predictably static Season/Series. Frustratingly though, Patel's script will be helmed by returning director Jamie Childs, who underwhelmed considerably with S11's opening volley, The Woman Who Fell to Earth. DotP is described thusly by BBC: “What’s the point of having a mate with a time machine, if you can’t nip back and see your gran when she was younger?” India, 1947. The Doctor and her friends arrive in the Punjab, as the country is being torn apart. While Yaz attempts to discover her grandmother’s hidden history, the Doctor discovers demons haunting the land. Who are they and what do they want?
While on the subject of 'official synopses,' THIS article in Radio Times has revealed the official thumbnails of the two episodes succeeding Demons.
Kerblam! ... “Delivery for the Doctor!” A mysterious message arrives in a package addressed to the Doctor, leading her, Graham, Yaz and Ryan to investigate the warehouse moon orbiting Kandoka, and the home of the galaxy’s largest retailer: Kerblam!” After which we'll see The Witchfinders, Guest Starring Alan Cumming as King James. The Doctor, Ryan, Graham and Yaz arrive in 17th century Lancashire and become embroiled in a witch trial, run by the local landowner. As fear stalks the land, the arrival of King James I only serves to intensify the witch hunt. But is there something even more dangerous at work? Can the Doctor and friends keep the people of Bilehurst Cragg safe from all the forces that are massing in the land? An image from The Witchfinder... ...finds the Doctor sporting a far more agreeable look than that 'Tennant Sneer.' Small steps. Geeklectica's Demons of the Punjab messages boards are now online and operational. Welcome, and...ENJOY! 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: Kerblam! |
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October 2022
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