Quote: sootyj @ June 2 2009, 5:53 PM BSTEcclestone shows what happens when you've got a real actor as the Dr.
While I'd agree that Ecclestone is a great if somewhat full of himself actor, I always thought he was something of an uneasy fit in Dr Who. The scripts called for him to alternate between serious and mad gurning clown - which jarred. Tennant is better able to mix humour with seriousness.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ June 3 2009, 9:33 AM BSTWell, I'd argue that those are probably the only real classics from the first series, there were other really good stories, the Dickens one for example, but those three are the only real sone cold stonkers. Tennants still had more, if only due to the fact, again, that he's done a lot more.
The final two episodes, that one with the talking tree, the Dickens one all class.
Quote: sootyj @ June 3 2009, 11:58 AM BSTThe final two episodes, that one with the talking tree, the Dickens one all class.
The final two had a great cliffhanger for part one, and of course him regenerating was great, but as a whole it doesn't quite come together as a classic for me, always felt, probably due to budget, that it didn't go as all out epic as it seemed to want to be. The one with the the talking trees was a good episode, but hardly in the 'Satan Pit' or 'Human Nature' league.
Human Nature totally ace, but that's because it's a rare one that allowed David Tenant to act (which he can do).
Satan Pit majorly over rated.
The first of the last two episodes was probably one of the funniest cleverest bits of Who ever.
Quote: sootyj @ June 3 2009, 12:34 PM BSTThe first of the last two episodes was probably one of the funniest cleverest bits of Who ever.
I suppose what gets to me about it was the fact there was this huge build up, this promise of a huge battle, and then it was just a couple of Daleks sliding down a corridor while people shot machine guns at them. But like I say, I imagine that was down to budget rather than them thinking that would add up to an exciting spectacle!
Well series one was very low on budget but it still did a good enough job to justify alot more money for season 2. And oddly enough I prefer less Daleks, these Daleks killed and were merciless. There may have been less of them.
But they were where scarier than Tenant era "Exterminate...just not yet," ones.
Quote: sootyj @ June 3 2009, 12:40 PM BSTBut they were where scarier than Tenant era "Exterminate...just not yet," ones.
The Daleks second series on have been pretty feeble. RTD established them as actually scary, unstoppable evil, then stuck them in a bunch of underwhelming stories. The one set in America being the worst offender. I enjoyed the last series finale, but that was down to a great Davros, not The Daleks themselves.
Something of a rose in a dunghill that one. It was a mess and an expensive looking mess at that.
Daleks in New York was horrible. Ergh! I enjoyed the Slitheen episodes for what they were - silly.
IMO, the only really bad Eccleston story is "The Long Game." With an apperance by Simon Pegg I thought I would love it, but I can barely watch it.
True that is the only really poor one.
And Ecclestone's era was the only one to have a traiterous assisstant the Dr punishes.
Quote: hotzappa11 @ June 3 2009, 12:56 PM BSTI enjoyed the Slitheen episodes for what they were - silly.
Imagine if that had been the first story to go out. I remember being quite pissed off at the time that the first two parter, the first chance for a story to stretch its wings a little, was given to something so fluffy, silly and with such rubbish monsters. Who thought that suit looked good when it was delivered?!
And then the next week we had 'Dalek'! Adult, dark and bad ass.
Quote: sootyj @ June 3 2009, 12:58 PM BSTAnd Ecclestone's era was the only one to have a traiterous assisstant the Dr punishes.
Though he was such a crappy character, I much prefered Turlough as the possibly nasty companion.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ June 3 2009, 1:01 PM BSTImagine if that had been the first story to go out. I remember being quite pissed off at the time that the first two parter, the first chance for a story to stretch its wings a little, was given to something so fluffy, silly and with such rubbish monsters. Who thought that suit looked good when it was delivered?!
And then the next week we had 'Dalek'! Adult, dark and bad ass.
Rose (which I love!) and the Slitheen 2-parter were the first episodes they ever filmed, so I guess it was a matter of trying to find the right tone. I did read Keith Boak (the director) was difficult to work with and explains why he hasn't been asked to direct since.
I have to agree, Dalek is amazing though. I just wish they'd ask Robert Shearman back. Rumor has it he had a big fallout wit RTD. Maybe Moff will ask him back.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ June 3 2009, 1:01 PM BSTThough he was such a crappy character, I much prefered Turlough as the possibly nasty companion.
True but it was a good idea and Ecclestone was properly mean.
Turlough was great. I think some one in SFX suggested it would be great if the next assisstant wasn't a lovely girl from London.
Quote: sootyj @ June 3 2009, 10:55 PM BSTTrue but it was a good idea and Ecclestone was properly mean.
Turlough was great. I think some one in SFX suggested it would be great if the next assisstant wasn't a lovely girl from London.
I should hope everyone thinks that.
How bloody boring it's getting.
A Turlough type would be fantastic.
And frankly I am ruddy sick of "ooh the Dr fancies his assisstant and she's going to be like universe changing and stuff,"
I want Harry Sullivan, posh female time lords and talking dogs.