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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 |
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