Dr Who Xmas Special 06

[Darthjaye]

That would appear to be the case. Certainly, I don't imagine it's a standard Dalek power.

The doctor had mentioned upon first encountering the group of 4 daleks that they were some sort of secret sect or group within the dalek heirachy. Maybe they each had unique abilities given to them. His particular one was a temporal shift......the others were apparently magnetism to sucking vaccuum holes.

 

[Volaran]

Well beings have travelled in time before in Doctor Who without the aid of a TARDIS. And the Daleks have always had time travel technology, so it'd be no stretch to the imagination that Dalek Thay (the black Dalek) would have one in his battle armor.

On a related note, I just wanted to mention that I'm currently reading the Doctor Who novels featuring the Eighth Doctor (played by Paul Mcgann in the FOX tv film). They're very good reads and literally (pun unintended) prove that there are no limits to where the series can go.

The black dalek is Dalek Sek.

 

[bastrak]

He's in the first episode only.

That's disappointing news. I'm as interested in seeing more of K9 as much as I am in seeing more of Sarah Jane.

I guess he probably malfunctions in some way again.

 

[Cthulhudrew]

That's disappointing news. I'm as interested in seeing more of K9 as Sarah Jane.

You can always watch the cartoon of K9 that they're supposed to be making.

 

[sniffles]

On a related note, I just wanted to mention that I'm currently reading the Doctor Who novels featuring the Eighth Doctor (played by Paul Mcgann in the FOX tv film). They're very good reads and literally (pun unintended) prove that there are no limits to where the series can go.

If you're enjoying those I'd highly recommend the Big Finish audio adventures featuring McGann as the Eighth Doctor. He does an incredible job of portraying the Doctor with his voice only. I've been greatly enjoying them, and it makes me sorry he never got a chance to play the Doctor onscreen again. There's also supposed to be an Eighth Doctor radio play coming up.
Linky for Big Finish: http://www.bigfinish.com/drwho_main/index.shtml

Back to 'The Runaway Bride' - I enjoyed it quite a bit, especially getting to see the Doctor obviously grieving for his loss of Rose. I liked Donna's line to him near the end of the episode. I also liked some of the things he did with the TARDIS.

The Rachnos empress (it never sounded to me like the Doctor was saying "arachnos") was impressive, especially the way all her eyes blinked simultaneously, but I thought her performance was a bit over the top. I also wished she'd moved around more.

Overall, though, I enjoyed it and it was definitely worth the wait. The trailer for next series certainly looked exciting!

 

[Morrus]

You can always watch the cartoon of K9 that they're supposed to be making.

Apparently he can fly in it.

 

[Volaran]

The Rachnos empress (it never sounded to me like the Doctor was saying "arachnos") was impressive, especially the way all her eyes blinked simultaneously, but I thought her performance was a bit over the top. I also wished she'd moved around more.

I had a similar problem with the Christmas Invasion during the sword fight. I'm not fond of close-up head shots to cover lacking areas in effects, stunt-work, fighting, etc. In addition, my non-Who-watching friend who was in the house at the time described her performance as "more than a bit Power Rangers", which I find difficult to argue with.

That said, I do think the facial work was very impressive.

 

[Plane Sailing]

I loved it. I though Tennant was excellent in his display of emotions, conveying with his face his loss of Rose several times brilliantly. Also his determination to finish the spider monsters - he'd given them a chance, but he knew what they were like and he has a very dangerous side to him - something which the runaway bride picks up on at the end of the show.

In the trailers - nice to see the Face of Boe in there - I'm interested to see what the long range plan is on that angle...

 

[Felon]

I was pleased that during the course of the special that the TARDIS was actually used as a vehicle for time-travel. That's what it's supposed to be, of course, but it's quite rarely used as such.

Not so pleasing was seeing the sonic screwdriver used over and over throughout the episode as a magic wand. It's always been some sort of all-purpose tool, but this episode it just seemed that it was a poor deux ex machina for escaping any tough spot that the doctor might find himself in.

And on a peculiar note, Russell Davies has once again got me wondering why he has a fascination with portraying black/white inter-racial relationships on his show. Not that I object, mind you, it's just seems increasingly obvious that it's an ntentional casting decision for something that, statistically speaking, isn't that common. Anyone know if he's ever commented officially?

 

[Morrus]

And on a peculiar note, Russell Davies has once again got me wondering why he has a fascination with portraying black/white inter-racial relationships on his show. Not that I object, mind you, it's just seems increasingly obvious that it's an ntentional casting decision for something that, statistically speaking, isn't that common. Anyone know if he's ever commented officially?

I hadn't really noticed, but I suppose there are a couple. Rose and Mickey, and the couple in the Xmas special. Plus the Cyberwoman in Torchwood. I'm not sure it's a fascination as a tendency on his part to just be varied.