Nu Who

[sandman slim]

As the show begins its third era, here's a new nu thread to discuss the upcoming 15th Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa & those who will inevitably follow him. I would suggest keeping discussion here only to "The Giggle" & beyond, but I know how you lot are. Let's at least attempt to keep things on topic & civil, eh?

Allons-y!

[Teddy Westside]

Is that not Nu Nu Who?

Welcome, one and all, to Series 40/14/1/whatever it is.

Granted, Dr Who has always played fast and loose with origin stories and continuity but RTD has set new levels of disregard, alienating the longest-term fans in preference for making Dr Who his baby to steer as he wishes whilst enjoying the reactions of those older fans.

There, that's a healthy dose of negativity to get things going. On to the Nu Nu love-in...!

[sandman slim]

Been a fan since 1980, not alienated by anything I saw yesterday. The Giggle was fantastic, the bi-generation was inspired, NPH is one of the best guest stars the show has ever had, and Ncuti won me over in about ten seconds. Loved it.

[Janjira54]

I really loved Wild Blue Yonder and The Giggle. The bi-generation was a great way to reboot the show for newer audiences and allow there to be a Doctor on-screen who doesn't have to deal with a lot of that trauma from prior seasons.

Also, first look at the new sonic. Really like how alien this looks.

[kevin87]

Originally Posted by Teddy Westside

Is that not Nu Nu Who?

Welcome, one and all, to Series 40/14/1/whatever it is.

Granted, Dr Who has always played fast and loose with origin stories and continuity but RTD has set new levels of disregard, alienating the longest-term fans in preference for making Dr Who his baby to steer as he wishes whilst enjoying the reactions of those older fans.

There, that's a healthy dose of negativity to get things going. On to the Nu Nu love-in...!

Clearly it's N'Who

The only thing I thought was weird was how the Doctors almost acted like two completely different people, not two versions of the same. When it was Tennant and Smith, they felt same-but-different but this felt more like two distinct people. Been better than most of Moffat and all of Chibnall and it's only been 3 specials lol

I thought for sure 15 would do some thoughtful dialogue and then be like "wait, I don't have on pants?!" or something.

[Teddy Westside]

Originally Posted by sandman slim

Been a fan since 1980, not alienated by anything I saw yesterday. The Giggle was fantastic, the bi-generation was inspired, NPH is one of the best guest stars the show has ever had, and Ncuti won me over in about ten seconds. Loved it.

Good for you that you can feel that positive about it. No, really, I don't say that in a sarcastic way. But for me, it just made a travesty of Dr Who.

But, it's a show that will always divide fans as much as unite them.

I'll still watch because I am a fan, but after feeling so negative about what Chinballs did to the franchise, I had really hoped RTD would bring it back on track. Instead, he's created a whole new railway (or railroad, since it's now Disneyfied!).

Hey-ho.

[Teddy Westside]

Originally Posted by Janjira54

... allow there to be a Doctor on-screen who doesn't have to deal with a lot of that trauma from prior seasons.

The Doctor has always had baggage though, right from the first episode in 1963. It's 'Who' he is.

Also, first look at the new sonic.

It's either some new attempt at an ergonomic computer mouse or a double compact for his make-up.

[Janjira54]

Originally Posted by Teddy Westside

The Doctor has always had baggage though, right from the first episode in 1963. It's 'Who' he is.

I understand, but that's also not quite true. Hartnell-Pertwee were pretty light tonally for a lot of their runs and definitely didn't have the baggage of the time war or the timeless child hanging above their heads. I just think shedding that and making it easier for newer fans to come in is a smart move that allows people to not have to catch up with 13 seasons of material.

[Teddy Westside]

Originally Posted by Janjira54

Hartnell-Pertwee were pretty light tonally for a lot of their runs and definitely didn't have the baggage of the time war or the timeless child hanging above their heads.

I didn't say it was the same baggage.
But he was always 'on the run' so to speak, having stolen the Tardis, manipulated by the Time Lords, conflicted by a desire to make things right whilst interfering with natural progress, even wondering if he had the right to prevent the birth of the most evil menace to the universe, and tortured by the loss of companions, both literally and figuratively. It was generally more subtle in its handling too. That's what I was referring to in terms of classic story history.

Personally, I think it's a sad indictment of modern society and viewing habits that new viewers won't feel the need to catch up. People just don't seem to have the patience any more, binge-watching entire shows the day the first episode is broadcast instead of enjoying the anticipation of that 'eternity' of a whole 7 days wait.

[Batterdammerung]

Although I've enjoyed these three episodes, it is frustrating that the show is clearly having trouble letting go of David Tennant, hopefully not at the expense of Ncuti Gatwa.

[frankrizzo13]

Matt Smith was the Doctor right from the get-go. Paul McGann owned the part as soon as he appeared. The new guy was...just sort of there. Maybe it's unfair since he had to share the screen with Tennant, but he didn't make much of an impression. The Doctor is supposed to be mysterious, eccentric and otherworldly. Gatwa doesn't have any of those qualities, he just seems like a generic good-looking nice guy, like if the CW was making Who. Maybe he'll grow into the part, we'll see.

[Janjira54]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KB87uGgoKBg

[principehomura]

[JamesKurtovich]

Originally Posted by frankrizzo13

Gatwa doesn't have any of those qualities, he just seems like a generic good-looking nice guy, like if the CW was making Who. Maybe he'll grow into the part, we'll see.

To be fair, I've felt this way about every 2005 Doctor except for Smith and Capaldi. I remember thinking Eccleston looked and acted like a sorry excuse for a Time Lord.

[StingingVelvet]

I don't avoid spoilers so I heard about the youknowwhat ahead of time and hated the idea of it, but the episode actually pulled it off IMO. I think blaming it on the Toymaker's influence makes it more palatable. Still weird though, I would have preferred a normal hand off.

Not sure what to expect for the next run. I honestly do not like RTD's writing style. Tennant and the Moffat episodes are the things that made series 1-4 great IMO, and I expect series 14 will have none of either, so... eh. We shall see.

[sandman slim]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

I don't avoid spoilers so I heard about the youknowwhat ahead of time and hated the idea of it, but the episode actually pulled it off IMO. I think blaming it on the Toymaker's influence makes it more palatable. Still weird though, I would have preferred a normal hand off.

Christmas Invasion says hi. "It's a fightin' hand!"

[Teddy Westside]

I'll likely be watching through gritted teeth, but for anyone interested, 'imagine... Russell T Davies: The Doctor and Me' is on at 22:40 UK time on BBC1 tonight. "follows celebrated British TV writer Russell T Davies as he prepares to return as the showrunner of Doctor Who - with two Doctors and bigger ambitions". Link to view after broadcast.

In other words, RTD gets all excited about how it's his show and he can do whatever he likes so long as it makes him happy. It'll be full of chocolatey loveliness between him and his buddies Phil and Julie, no doubt.

Honestly, I'm grateful he brought the show back, just not so enamoured by how it's gone since then.

[CouncilSpectre]

I'm past caring. I watched the first special but didn't bother with the other two.

If Mr Davies can find an audience for the new show good luck to him, but I won't be part of it I'm afraid.

Most long-running shows eventually end up outstaying their welcome. For Doctor Who it should probably have ended with The Time of the Doctor, or failing that Twice Upon a Time.

[Mike0284]

I had a fun time with this Christmas special.

[icy hot]

Positive first impressions of Ruby and second impression of 15. Really the only thing I hated was the musical number, but I knew that going in and had kind of braced myself for it.