Torchwood: Children Of Earth. We're all impressed

Yes, all of us are impressed with Torchwood Chldren Of Earth. All three of us. We decided to take the risk and let Molly stay up late and watch it, hoping that it wouldn't be too extreme or rude and trusting that Molly could refrain from repeating any swear words in front of her teacher the next day.

So far so good. Although I am right in thinking that if they did drop some of the swearing, maybe didn't have the graphic corpse scene and possibly not the full frontal arse shot of Captain Jack, this could have easily gone out earlier - just like the first series there's no real need for the supposedly adult content.

And don't tell me it's because of the sexual nature either. Far worse on bloody Eastenders. Dad was a little concerned when he realised (bless him). So we pointed out that Molly knew quite a few GLBT folks. Indeed, her first wedding was the lovely Tara and Krystal's wedding. And Molly handles stuff like this just fine - "as long as they're happy" is what we usually get round to on any argument like this.

But that aside, isn't the whole thing rather bloody good? All three of us are really enjoying it. And unlike previous Torchwood series they've not gone with a bloody stupid monster this time - less is definitely more. With two episodes to go there's always time to mess it up I suppose, but so far, so good. The concept - big threat, big secret, put Torchwood against the government - is such a cliche but it does work surprisingly well. None of the sometimes overbearing nature of either Jack or Gwen have come out here and there's just enough shock and chills to keep us all watching. Very good indeed.

Doctor Who? Matt Smith? Doctor Who?

So that’s it then. The new 11th Doctor Who is Matt Smith.

All of the speculation, all of the hype. It’s now been replaced by cries of Who? Who is Who?

So congratulations to Steven Moffat for keeping it so quiet and spinning the speculation away from Matt Smith. Everyone was wrong. Rich Johnston called it for Matt Smith earlier today via twitter. But it does mean that his daughter doesn’t get new shoes for a while because Rich put a bet on Paterson Joseph.

Matt Smith is the youngest Doctor yet at 26 and his C.V. is hardly substantial, with his biggest part so far being Party Animals and The Ruby In The Smoke (with that strange Docotr Who synchronicity of sharing the screen with Billie Piper). And there’s this interview with Smith in the London Theatre Guide. And a piece on thisislondon.co.uk with an article entitled “That Face To Watch”. Oh how right that proved to me.

But I imagine the Internet will be awash with information about him in the next few months. The backlash will probably start with cries of “he’s too young” but this happens every single time the Doctor regenerates. The only way we’ll know for sure is when the 11th Doctor takes his place sometime in 2010. (Unless some of the wilder rumours about Tennant stepping down earlier than planned due to the back problem are true.)

And the new Doctor Who is ........

Ah, for that you'll have to wait until Saturday 3rd January at 5:35pm when it's going to be announced as part of the Doctor Who Confidential on BBC1. (BBC story)

But tomorrow may finally prove that you should always back Rich Johnston's predictions early at the bookies. He made his prediction for Paterson Joseph on October 13th:

"My last couple of Doctor Who leaks were fairly solid — Neil Gaiman to write 2010 “Doctor Who” and Tom Baker returning to the series proper in an unnamed role. Both have been bubbling under ever since. The next one is not so tied down. It’s still rather up in the air. But it’s quite a possibility.

The sixth series of “Doctor Who” (2011) will star Paterson Joseph as The Doctor.

Previously playing Roderick in the “Doctor Who” episodes “Bad Wolf”/”Parting Of Ways,” Joseph is known for fine upstanding and terribly-well-spoken-dontcha-know roles as Johnson in “Peep Show,” the Marquis De Carabas in “Neverwhere,” Space Marshall Clarke in “Hyperdrive,” Lyndon in “Green Wing”……and more importantly Benjamin in “Jekyll.” Written and produced by upcoming “Doctor” Who showrunner, Steven Moffat."

I imagine the odds would have been fantastic then, as opposed to todays 10-11 (bet £10 to win = £9 profit). I'll kick myself and promise to always listen early if Paterson Joseph is finally confirmed tomorrow.

2011: The new Doctor Who? Paterson Joseph?

This is Paterson Joseph, the new Doctor Who in 2011. That's the story according to Rich Johnston anyway. Over on the latest Lying on the Gutters Rich has this to say:

My last couple of Doctor Who leaks were fairly solid — Neil Gaiman to write 2010 “Doctor Who” and Tom Baker returning to the series proper in an unnamed role. Both have been bubbling under ever since. The next one is not so tied down. It’s still rather up in the air. But it’s quite a possibility.

The sixth series of “Doctor Who” (2011) will star Paterson Joseph as The Doctor.

Previously playing Roderick in the “Doctor Who” episodes “Bad Wolf”/”Parting Of Ways,” Joseph is known for fine upstanding and terribly-well-spoken-dontcha-know roles as Johnson in “Peep Show,” the Marquis De Carabas in “Neverwhere,” Space Marshall Clarke in “Hyperdrive,” Lyndon in “Green Wing”……and more importantly Benjamin in “Jekyll.” Written and produced by upcoming “Doctor” Who showrunner, Steven Moffat.

If true, it’s a great call on Moffat’s part. A damn fine call. Paterson has a very British Authority approach to many of his characters, comparable with Jon Pertwee. It’s not a traditional choice, but then neither was Christopher Eccleston. And, like I say, it’s bloody brilliant.

Right or wrong? Time will tell. But good fun to play the game anyway.

Doctor Who - over for another year, a season 4 review of sorts

Doctor Who Season 4 has finished. This should not of course be huge news to you, seeing as I meant to post this on the day of broadcast but happened to be 131 miles south at the time and couldn't get to a computer, you'll have to cope with it coming at you now.

Firstly, the final episode.
If, for some reason, you haven't seen it yet, just don't bother reading any further. But if you haven't watched it yet - why not? Wasn't the whole series the best one yet? Please don't tell me you're one of those sniffy folks who turned their noses up at the idea of Catherine Tate being in it? Oh, how wrong you were.

Okay. On we go.....

So, last Saturday night we found ourselves in Birmingham. We'd cleverly arranged for Molly to sleep over at a friends house. Clever because we knew they were a Doctor Who family as well and we timed the arrival to mean we could combine dropping Molly off, grab some pizza and a few drinks and settle down to 65 minutes of Doctor Who goodness.

So full of expectation and excitement, family Bruton settled down to watch the season 4 finale.
The good feelings didn't last long.

Following last weeks penultimate episode I was really looking forward to this to provide the culmination of what I thought had been the best series yet. Although I shouldn't have been too excited, as Russell T Davis always seems to overdo things when he really tries to bring it all together. This may be a reflection of the buildup throughout the series, or it may be that it's just a little crap.

The first five minutes set the tone really. Alright, so we all knew that he wasn't really going to regenerate but the way they just threw away every climactic moment from the penultimate episode just ruined it for me from the start. Torchwood in peril. Sorted with a time bubble (timey-whimy bubbly-wubbley?). Sarah Jane in peril. Along comes Mickey. And we knew RTD would be running through all the characters incredibly quickly just to get to the end of the episode but frankly it was all just too much of an ensemble cast getting minimal screen time and contributing nothing of any value. Heck, he even threw in the kitchen sink in the shape of K-9.

And Louise and I are both agreed that the two doctors idea is a cop out. Just so that Rose could get a not quite the same, yet just the same, yet slightly broken version of the man she maybe loves. That just grated with all of us. Except Molly, she was just happy to see Rose happy. I've said it since Rose left that bringing her back is just pointless. And I think the finale proved that one.

And then Donna. Obviously getting rid of Donna was a terrible thing, although not a surprising development, but the way it was done was the worst part and the highlight of an otherwise bitterly dissapointing episode. And of course, losing Donna also means we'll lose Bernard Cribbins. As Wilf he managed to get so much across in such a small part, and the emotion in those last few lines when he realises what Donna is about to lose: "But she was better with you".

I'll miss Donna because of what she brought to the show. It was refreshing when the series started to have a companion that didn't simper and moon over the Doctor. But as the series developed we realised another thing, as Donna she was the embodiment of what makes us watch. She just wanted to explore the stars and her sheer joy at doing so was infectious. We're all going to miss her at Bruton mansions.


And is anyone else just fed up of that shot of a lonely doctor on the bridge of the Tardis at the end of each season?

But Season 4 overall, regardless of the last episode that rather left us feeling a little letdown, was by far my favourite. The high points have far exceeded any problems. Donna and the Doctor just clicked perfectly without a hint of the supposed overbearing Catherine Tate personality that all the nay-sayers were prophesying. The storylines were fantastic and everything just worked wonderfully well. Sadly there's no series 5 until 2010, but we're starting the Christmas countdown already.

Doctor Who ...... gosh

Well, bloody hell.
Didn't see that one coming.

& don't read on if you haven't seen the episode yet......



Okay.
Bruton family settled down tonight to watch the Stolen Earth episode of Doctor Who with much expectation. And yet again, as is becomming the pattern with this series, it was bloody great.....

And what about Donna?
Did anyone else think of the Master's sound of drums when she was sitting in the Shadow Proclamation room? Just not quite the right sound, not drums. But what?
What about Harriet Jones? Funny how the dalek very deliberately changed the aim on the dalek zappy thingy wasn't it. Is she dead? In league with the Daleks?
What is the Copper Foundation? (Just answered that one with some very sad interwebby surfing - he's the survivor from Voyage Of The Damned left on earth with lots of money to make something better - obviously this is what he did with it.

The Bruton mansions verdict on the regeneration is split: Either it's not happening really or Donna will do something to reverse it and sacrifice herself or it's for real and is one of the best kept secrets all year.
Think about it - the only reason we didn't think it possible was the shots of Tennant on set for the Christmas special. But perhaps Russell T Davies just got Tennant on set for a while to either film flashbacks or, even better, just to get a few photos sorted by the press to confirm he's definitely not going to be leaving. Genius.

Next week's 65 minute long episode just can't come quickly enough.

Doctor Who - The Ten Doctors

The Ten Doctors by Richard Morris. is a work of speculative fan fiction. Doctor Who and all characters featured are absolutely, definitely and completely (c) the BBC.

This stole away an hour of my night last night so it’s time to share. Richard Morris has spent 15 months to give us 102 pages of Dr Who comics. (And he’s not done yet!) This is just the ultimate fan’s idea of “how can I get everyone into one Doctor Who comic?” and features all 10 doctors, plus companions, plus enemies galore.

It’s such fun to start with as it quickly introduces the huge cast, with each doctor arriving in a flurry of stereotyped clothing, speech and mannerisms. Morris obviously has an extensive fan’s knowledge and uses it along with a fine sense of humour to produce a great series of pages (at least in the early days of the strip). It’s absolutely great fun at first, but once the novelty of cramming every new character in with a few funny gags along the way, it gets a little clunky as the attempt to hang a proper story on the extensive cast proves a little too much to handle.

The Ten Doctors is presented in pencilled rough form with a cartooning style that’s nice and tight, caricaturing the cast perfectly and with great fondness. Some of the earlier strips are also presented in a finished, inked and coloured version which wouldn’t be out of place in the Doctor Who Magazine. In fact, it’s just crying out for serialisation in Doctor Who Adventures surely?

(The 10 Doctors black & white version page 3. Completely and utterly (c) BBC. It’s a piece of fan fiction by Richard Morris. He’s a big fan. Please don’t sue him.)

(The same page, with added colour. Much better I think. Again (c) BBC.)

Either head for his archives or start here for episode 1.

A quick mention of Doctor Who ....

Turn Left:
Great episode and set the whole thing up brilliantly for the next two episodes sure enough. Molly was overjoyed to see Rose back and we thought Catherine Tate did a marvellous job. We're still worried that she hasn't got a future beyond episode 13 though.

Next time: It seems everyone is back.

Doctor Who - Midnight, Rose's return and my worries for Donna....

Molly sat open mouthed when the Rose moment happened and then jumped up and down screaming with joy at next week's trailer.

Me? I really enjoyed the episode, but concerned for Donna's future. At last, a companion who doesn't get doe-eyed at the sight of Tennant and what happens?
Instant death after one series is being hinted at quite heavily now. All that stuff about having no future in the library episodes and the bit in the Pompei episode talking about something on her back? And then the scenes in the trailer for next week with something insecty on her back. It's just not right.
But it was a cracking episode, with a nice sense of mystery and foreboding developed by RTD. Of course, once it all went a bit chaotic at the end we did fall back on the noble sacrifice that's been used at least once before with Astrid and possibly more (but it's too late to check that now). But overall a great episode. We were talking Doctor Who in the restaurant and all three of usa agreed that this series has been far better than series three - which was only rescued from the absolute depths of the Dalek-Human hybrid farce by Paul Cornell's Human Nature two parter and the fun of the Master finale.
But if we're already at the high point of the series can the ending be any better? Or will it, as prophesised at various points around the interwebby thing, be just an over-complicated, get everybody back for the finale, mass reset of the Doctor Who universe for Moffat's arrival?

Whatever happens I'm really hoping that things aren't looking as black for Donna's future as we're led to believe. It's been wonderfully refreshing having a relationship between the two principals that involves more love of travel and adventure than simpering puppy love for each other.

Next week it's the Doctor Lite episode and it's also the return of Rose. Molly will be climbing the walls all this week in anticipation.

Doctor Who - the silence in the library

The Bruton family missed out on this episode on Saturday night as we were in Whitby Youth Hostel on our way out for tea.
But we did manage to catch it last night.
We all thought it was absolutely wonderful. In fact, as far as we're concerned this series has been the best since series 1. The only spanner that can possibly be thrown in the works now is when Russell T has a bit of a clearing the decks at the end of the series and decides to leave everything open for Moffat to come in. I fear that we'll have a mass cull of some kind in the cast. And since she's by far my favourite of his companions I'm particularly worried that Donna isn't going to be around by the end of the series. Which would be a terrible shame indeed.

But that's getting ahead of ourselves. Currently we're having a big family speculation about the next episode:
Who's the girl?
Who's Alex Kingston's character and why does she know the doctor so well?
Where's Donna gone?
Molly in particular is convinced Donna is dead, but I'm certain she's going to be offed later in the series rather than now. Speculation about Alex Kingston is rife.
Who's right? No idea. But we'll be watching next Saturday to find out.

Doctor Who Season 4 episode 1

We all settled down in front of the Bruton mansions TV tonight to bask in the warm glow of the new Doctor Who.
And we all thought it was a great start.
But then again, we thought Catherine Tate was pretty good in the Christmas special.
However it was refreshing and reassuring to see them play out Donna as desperate to travel with the Doctor as a way to experience the wonders of the universe rather than just as another lovestruck companion. This may be just what the series needs.
And the little cameo from Rose had everyone guessing.

Doctor Who - the excitement mounts here at Bruton Mansions

The whole house is getting ready for the new Doctor Who on Saturday. Excitement is mounting. And, even though I was thoroughly disappointed with the last series, I'm actually looking forward to it as well.

And at least, in the Dr Who blog of Lawrence Miles, I have found someone even more cynical and scathing of the whole thing. He's getting his disappointment out of the way in advance. Very funny stuff.

The Dr Who fever has started again ......

Tonight I showed Molly the Dr Who cinema trailer - the one with Rose at the end (You Tube).

Very, very excited.
And despite all the disappointments of season 3, which I thought was a bit crap to be honest (except Blink - best episode so far), it's still managing to get me looking forward to what delights Russell T Davies has for us this time. I can't really believe that the Oood and the Sontarons are all he has in store and I'm speculating on the season finale villains.

And after seeing the trailers, I'm actually thinking Catherine Tate as Donna may be exactly what it needs. Certainly less simpering "oh I love him, but I'm only human" will be in evidence this season.

Birmingham Weekend ...... Captain Jack in Panto...

This last weekend the Bruton family took a trip to see Birmingham again.

Louise and Molly were particularly excited as they were off to the panto to see...

Aladdin this year starred John Barrowman, and not only featured a 3D genie but also had Daleks, the Grumbleweeds and Don Maclean.
(I don't recall the Daleks showing up in my memories of the Aladdin, but maybe it's just my memory at fault.)
To be honest I really don't know who was more excited at seeing the panto, Louise or Molly. I do know that they both came out of the show as flushed as schoolgirls with Louise particularly enthusing about John Barrowman, who is, I am told, absolutely gorgeous....


The adulation and schoolgirl giggling only got worse when we headed round the corner into the throng by the stage door where Captain Jack was signing autographs. Louise did the classic parent thing and thrust Molly through the crowd to get her ticket signed...


Afterwards they both came running out of the crowd, almost visibly shaking and both said how lovely he was. But I think they meant it in very different ways.
And yes, we're all aware that I have more chance of bagging the Captain than Louise does.
But it was a good pantomime.

Whilst they were at the panto I headed off to good old Nostalgia & Comics for a look round and to pick up some comics and books. Rich is still talking to me, despite what I said about The Sword. It was lovely to see the place again and chat to everyone. Of course, the staff are mostly new faces to me now and I still shudder to think of the day I head through the doors and don't actually recognise anyone working there. That will be a cold knife to the heart.

Then off to the pub for a drinky with Dave, (shop manager on his day off) & his lovely wife Debbie. Much talk of Yorkshire, holidays, comics and comic shops and then it was time to meet Louise and Molly.

Saturday evening was spent dropping Molly round at her sleepover. Ever since she started Nursery at 5 months old she's known Ellen and Louise and I have become good friends with the family. It was always one of the contacts we intended to keep up when we left for the North and we're doing very well.
Dinner at Mandy & Ellens (and a very rich but absolutely lovely Vanilla Custard and Raspberry Sauce) was followed by a night out in Birmingham with good friends Mark and Vicki.
Sunday was spent wishing Happy 17th Birthday to Louise's cousin Rachel (Happy Birthday Rachel)
Then home and back to lovely Yorkshire.

Tired now, off to bed.