Doctor Who S-4. How you like it so far?

[N4H]

Last night I almost forgot to watch Doctor Who. How could that happen? It's never happened so far. Was it because the Library 2 parter rocked so hard anything else would be a low? Is there something about Season 4 in general that just isn't doing it for me. I decided to review.

Overall I've enjoyed S-4. There's been highs and lows, but perhaps the peaks in either direction with the exception of the Library 2 parter haven't been that remarkable.

Donna the new companion gets 2 thumbs up from me, so that isn't the problem.

The premiere was silly, but a bit of a cuddly hoot with the adipose. Not a problem. Doctor Who premieres always have that silliness factor. This one was actually better than a couple of the premieres of the past. I liked the Pompeii one on second viewing. Lots of great hidden stuff to find, and the chemistry of the 2 leads was developing. Oods were a bit of a snooze, but still some good bits. The Sontarran 2 parter started slow, but clicked into gear for the second part. The Doctor's Daughter, not my favorite, but loved the daughter. Then the Moffet 2 parter appeared and that was just too good for television good. Last night's Midnight was one of those departure episodes, just a little different than what you expect from Doctor Who. I like those ones. So what's the problem?

I think it goes back to something BotD said. In the past I kept on saying to myself "Now this one's the best so far", or this new thing is something I've never seen before. It's like they stopped topping themselves every few episodes. I was pampered, and expecting a high that never delivered the kind of fix I was expecting. It's like when a junky is used to the good stuff, and has to go down a grade.

Doesn't matter though. The season is getting ready to hype up for the finale. Rose is returning next ep. Won't miss that one.

[Mr Pointy]

I'm bloody loving it so far but I suspect I may be extremely sad in two or three week's time...but I'm willing to bet it will be because of something extremely well written, acted and filmed :)

BTW - I thought Midnight was an excellent ep...chock-a-block full of those three things I mentioned above :) Also, and I've said this before elsewhere, it was best example of a 'bottle episode' I've seen in a long time...although I'm reliably informed that there is a better example from Spooks (aka MI-5), though it's not a show I watch :)

[N4H]

Ok, you lost me. What's a 'bottle episode'? I know Midnight is an episode I'm going to enjoy going back to later. Really liked the acting from the lady who played Sky. Is she famous in Britain?

I forgot something. There was an episode that actually disappointed me outright. I didn't like the Agatha Christie one. And that's odd, because the historical eps are usually my favorites. Maybe I'll have to watch it again.

[Mr Pointy]

From Wiki - Bottle episode - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bottle_episode) - it's a limited budget ep which has to rely on acting and story rather than effects, locations and other expensive stuff.

Lesley Sharp has actually worked with Russell on two of his previous projects - 'The Second Coming' (with Christopher Eccleston) and 'Bob and Rose' (with Jessica Hynes/Stevenson)...I wouldn't say she's famous but definitely a respected actress...as far as genre work goes she was brilliant as the medium in 'Afterlife", which is highly thought of at Pointy Towers. (2005) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435937/)

I liked the Christie ep...it was fun :)

[N4H]

Snap. Right, the medium on Afterlife. I knew I'd seen her before. She's a really good actress.

Bottle episode. OK, I get it. I saw that's what they were doing. I didn't know there was a name for it. Good one. I'll use that.

[Angel's vision]

I think this season has more obvious hints at what is to come then last years, maybe because we are getting too many spoilers and old companions and old references returning, that make it feel like the last 3 series crammed into an arc of sorts.
BUT having read SFX's reviews editor Ian Berriman say that ep 12 is so fanwanky you just squee all through it,over at the SFX forum, I know the finale will make up for it! If it can make him squee that is a big thing believe me!

The Rose references are a bit flat and not as onimous as they are meant to be, her appearence in the premier was the only surprise that worked, maybe because The Doctor was Rose referencing like mad last year to the point where I wanted to yell insensitive or what! BUT he is useless at the whole concept of human relationships, so Donna's input is so good, it feels like he has found a "soul mate" not in a love kind of way, but as someone who can understand him enough to pull him up.
It does have it's highlights, like "are you my mummy" in the Sontarian twopart finale, and The Pomeii episode,The Moffatt 2 parter.
Overall it seems to be a lot darker, which I feel would of worked last year, but hey maybe it was gradual. I like that it is darker, even a friends mate said it was.

I'm only hoping the Rose/Ten love story wraps up well and that there are no jealous women fights! I am enjoying it immensely though!