Doctor Who s8e4: "Listen"; best ep of the year so far!

[Nellisir]

So you are wrong

Yeah, not so much. I didn't have any trouble finding sources.

"an object, event, or character in a film or story that serves to set and keep the plot in motion despite usually lacking intrinsic importance" (Merriam-Webster)
"in film, a plot device that has no specific meaning or purpose other than to advance the story; any situation that motivates the action of a film either artificially or substantively. " (Urban Dictionary)
"An object or device in a movie or a book that serves merely as a trigger for the plot." (Dictionary.com, which was actually linked from Oxfords English Dictionary)

Lucas was using MacGuffin correctly; a macguffin is the motivating factor in a story.
A sonic screwdriver could be considered a macguffin; it's an anything device that moves the plot forward, but it's really more of a magic wand than a macguffin.
In all cases a macguffin advances the plot. It's the goal, not the enemy.
There are stories in which the time-lock could become the MacGuffin, but generally it's not.

Anyways, your argument is with the dictionaries of the english-speaking world, not me. Have a great day.

 

[Elven]

Yeah, not so much. I didn't have any trouble finding sources.

"an object, event, or character in a film or story that serves to set and keep the plot in motion despite usually lacking intrinsic importance" (Merriam-Webster)
"in film, a plot device that has no specific meaning or purpose other than to advance the story; any situation that motivates the action of a film either artificially or substantively. " (Urban Dictionary)
"An object or device in a movie or a book that serves merely as a trigger for the plot." (Dictionary.com, which was actually linked from Oxfords English Dictionary)

Lucas was using MacGuffin correctly; a macguffin is the motivating factor in a story.
A sonic screwdriver could be considered a macguffin; it's an anything device that moves the plot forward, but it's really more of a magic wand than a macguffin.
In all cases a macguffin advances the plot. It's the goal, not the enemy.
There are stories in which the time-lock could become the MacGuffin, but generally it's not.

Anyways, your argument is with the dictionaries of the english-speaking world, not me. Have a great day.

Those quotes support what I've already said, show me the contrary,
(in fact you said that a McGuffin hinders, right?)

A McGuffin is any excuse (plot device) that allows the story to get from A to B, (the Sonic Screwdriver does this all the time,)

 

[Nellisir]

(in fact you said that a McGuffin hinders, right?)

Nope, not even close to what I said.

 

[Elven]

Nope, not even close to what I said.

Really?

Coulda sworn...My bad, sorry (guess we both made mistakes hu)
It just your posts seem slanted to he negative after a few all i see is blah blah blah,

It then only takes something shiny to distract me....

 

[Herschel]

Finally had a chance to see it, loved the barn bit though have no idea why he was sleeping in a barn as a boy.

Danny & Clara have almost no chemistry together. I hope they dump that relationship might quick.

 

[Cergorach]

I actually didn't watch the Robin Hood episode until last night (was facepalming when I saw the preview), wasn't really enjoying it until the very last moments when they were serious. I really enjoyed this episode though, this is the kind of Dr. Who I like to watch.

Clara not telling him might be because of the whole not meeting yourself bit just before. And it looked like he actually got it himself at the end of the episode.

 

[Elf Witch]

Yes, I get that Danny has killed. It's hard not to get that; he keeps weeping about it. Lots of people in this show have killed someone, including the Doctor. I'm not sure about Clara. Danny needs a shrink.

Actually I think his grief over it is more natural than feeling nothing. I often thought the Doctor needs a shrink because it was obvious he suffered PTSD.

 

[Nellisir]

Actually i think his grief over it is more natural than feeling nothing. I often thought the Doctor needs a shrink because it was obvious he suffered PTSD.

Be that as it may, within the context of the show Danny's grief/regret is being emphasized for the viewer more than other characters'.

 

[delericho]

Be that as it may, within the context of the show Danny's grief/regret is being emphasized for the viewer more than other characters'.

Probably because it's a key character element. And quite possibly as part of the over-turning of the Doctor's "no soldiers" rule - he's the soldier who doesn't have a gun (any more).

I suspect it's just that they're going over the top with the reaction deliberately in order to highlight that This Is Important, rather than anything else. It's "Doctor Who" - I'm not sure they do 'subtle'.

 

[Nellisir]

It's "Doctor Who" - I'm not sure they do 'subtle'.

Why start now?

(And..yes. I get it about Mr Pink. They're setting him out from the normal scum and villainy of humanity; giving him a conscience and regret so that he can transcend his order-following, proto-Dalek beginnings as a killer and become more. What does a Dalek lack, after all, but compassion? They're setting him up for Something Greater. He's still, within the context of the show, and with all due respect to all people who are real and not tv cartoon caricatures, a bit weepy and _ought_ to be seeing a shrink because he's clearly not resolved all his issues.)

(PS - And yeah, the Doctor REALLY needs a shrink too.)