Codename: Whodini
August 1, 2013 2:42 PM   Subscribe

After much speculation and teasing, at midnight on Sunday, August 4th, in a live broadcast hosted by Zoe Ball, the BBC will reveal the actor who will play the Twelfth Doctor on Doctor Who. (Mysteriously, in the past week Peter Capaldi has suddenly surged in the bookmakers' odds as a favourite.) Meanwhile, rumours persist that some of the programme's fabled "lost" episodes have been recovered. (previously)
posted by Doktor Zed (645 comments total) 22 users marked this as a favorite
 
Come onnnnn, Idris Elba!

(edit: he took himself out of the running? The hell?!)
posted by Navelgazer at 2:45 PM on August 1, 2013 [7 favorites]


If it's Peter Capaldi that would make a mockery of character continuity in the Dr. Who universe. There's no way the show's writers would do something like that.
posted by Going To Maine at 2:47 PM on August 1, 2013 [8 favorites]


Graham Norton?
posted by GuyZero at 2:47 PM on August 1, 2013


Meryl Streep!
posted by elizardbits at 2:48 PM on August 1, 2013


Tilda Swinton or Idris.
posted by Celsius1414 at 2:48 PM on August 1, 2013 [10 favorites]


It'll be nobody you ever heard of. Peter Capaldi would be pretty awesome though.

Tilda Swinton, Idris Elba or Tom Waits.
posted by Artw at 2:51 PM on August 1, 2013 [4 favorites]


Or me. But that seems unlikely at this point.
posted by Celsius1414 at 2:51 PM on August 1, 2013


I've been companionably arguing with a couple of internets friends for the past few weeks on which would engender the most outraged/vicious/hateful fan response:

- a white British woman
- a white American man
- a PoC of any nationality or gender

Thus far no conclusion has been reached.
posted by elizardbits at 2:51 PM on August 1, 2013 [9 favorites]


I am so sad to see Matt Smith go. Like, inconsoleable. I didn't catch on to the continuation of the show until just before the second series began. So I already knew that the back episodes I was watching of Eccleston would end in regeneration, and was prepared to not fall in love with him. Tennant, bless him, made the transition as smooth as possible. Even if I didn't appreciate him at first, The Christmas Invasion was pretty rough.. he grew into the roll very well and perfectly served as the ambassador for the show to bring it to the worldwide stage it would soon mount. But by the time he was done, I was done with him. He had grown annoying and stale. So when 11 exploded out of 10 several Christmases back and immediately made himself to be of the Troughton mold, I was like a small child again watching the show. I hoped in some ways that he would pull a Tom Baker, stay with the show almost longer then would be good for the long term health of the program just because I loved his portrayal so much.

All good things though. Eccleston made it real, Tennant grounded it, but Smith was out of this world.
posted by mediocre at 2:52 PM on August 1, 2013 [6 favorites]


Tilda Swinton would be incredibly perfect, but, much like Idris Elba now, I suspect she's a bit too famous and highly-paid to actually want to commit to a couple of seasons of TV like this.

(If we're talking about slightly aethereal-looking actresses, I think Cate Blanchett might also work, but she's also too famous and too highly paid, I'm afraid).
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 2:52 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


I've been companionably arguing

I see what you did there.
posted by Celsius1414 at 2:52 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


SCOTT BAKULA

What?
posted by zarq at 2:53 PM on August 1, 2013 [18 favorites]


I've been rooting for 'nobody you ever heard of' continuously, but then people started saying Peter Capaldi the other day and that desire went out the window faster than Captain Jack would kill his grandson.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 2:53 PM on August 1, 2013 [4 favorites]


David Mitchell and Lee Mack as the first Double Doctor: "Would I Lie To Who?"

"Would I Lie to Whom?" to placate Fry's inevitable outrage.
posted by Celsius1414 at 2:54 PM on August 1, 2013 [5 favorites]


ROB BRYDON
posted by elizardbits at 2:55 PM on August 1, 2013 [9 favorites]


Is Wil Wheaton doing anything?
posted by Curious Artificer at 2:55 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


Then again, they could go in the other direction and choose Vinnie Jones. It's all so exciting!
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 2:55 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


A person in a bear suit. The suit is never removed and never commented on.
posted by jason_steakums at 2:55 PM on August 1, 2013 [45 favorites]


Peter Dinklage!
posted by Ad hominem at 2:55 PM on August 1, 2013 [13 favorites]


I suspect they're going to keep going with young and basically non-threatening if occasionally intense. Peter Capaldi would be fantastic though.
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 2:55 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


Tom Waits.

I am actually toying with writing a fanfiction in which The Doctor discovers Tom Waits is actually a conscientious-objector Time Lord who quit right when he saw the Time War was gonna break out, and is living out his one remaining life on Earth disguised as a human. Because you know Tom Waits is a Time Lord.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:57 PM on August 1, 2013 [35 favorites]


YES and the "person" inside the bear suit is a dozen cats all in plus fours.
posted by elizardbits at 2:57 PM on August 1, 2013 [4 favorites]


ROB BRYDON

Rob Brydon, imitating Michael Caine.
posted by Going To Maine at 2:57 PM on August 1, 2013 [8 favorites]


Ooh! What about Gilbert Gottfried!

EX-TER-MI-NATE DOC-TOR

I'LL EX-TER-MIN-ATE YOU, YOU FUCKING SALT SHAKER
posted by Curious Artificer at 2:57 PM on August 1, 2013 [21 favorites]


Felicia Day.
posted by jph at 2:57 PM on August 1, 2013 [10 favorites]


Capaldi would be awesome.

As long as the Doctor is back in his rightful place being older than me then I'll be happy.
posted by brilliantmistake at 2:59 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


Kelly Macdonald please
posted by troika at 2:59 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


I'LL EX-TER-MIN-ATE YOU, YOU FUCKING SALT SHAKER

Actual First Doctor line.
posted by Artw at 3:00 PM on August 1, 2013 [9 favorites]


Peter Capaldi would be fantastic though.

Peter Capaldi has already appeared in the Dr. Who Universe! This is like wanting to see Catherine Tate as the Doctor.

On second thought, Doctor Donna Noble would be pretty cool, and not much weirder than current Dr. Who continuity.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 3:01 PM on August 1, 2013 [9 favorites]


According to IMDb, he's already played the part -- in World War Z his role is "W.H.O. Doctor".

Felicia Day.

Charlie Day.

"I{squeal} don't know that saving hte planet is the right idea. I mean{treble quaver}, what if it's the wrong idea? What if we're supposed to NOT save the planet?"
posted by dhartung at 3:02 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


So, so did Colin Baker.

Okay, that's a bad precedent maybe.
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 3:02 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


Are people really concerned with continuity in a show that can explain anything and everything away by mentioning how it is wibbly wobbly timey wimey?
posted by jph at 3:03 PM on August 1, 2013 [5 favorites]


Idris Elba (edit: he took himself out of the running? The hell?!)

NOOO!!!

Kelly Macdonald please

YESSS!!!
posted by Celsius1414 at 3:03 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


Heh. Actor reuse is a fine Who tradition. Also nobody cares about Children of Earth.
posted by Artw at 3:03 PM on August 1, 2013 [5 favorites]


Peter Capaldi would be amazing, either in his Rory McHoan mode from The Crow Road – as bumbling, literary oddball – or in full-on Malcolm Tucker.

The latter, especially. "See this? This is a Sonic Screwdriver. It can open doors, it can defuse bombs, it can tell me whether you're a Silurian or someone got up in a fucking awful bit of costuming. But in this instance, if you don't do what I'm asking you to do, it can also be rammed up your fucking jacksie quicker than you can say 'EXTERMINATE!', providing you've got a fucking jacksie in the first place, and if not, it goes straight down that fucking plunger of yours, you DALEK TWAT."
posted by Len at 3:04 PM on August 1, 2013 [51 favorites]


Yep, I was going to point out that Romana regenerated into the form of a previously seen character.
posted by edd at 3:04 PM on August 1, 2013


also I just learned that Zoe Ball is not Zoe Bell
posted by troika at 3:04 PM on August 1, 2013 [4 favorites]


Ooh, actually I'm wrong there - it's Miracle Day nobody gives a shit about.
posted by Artw at 3:04 PM on August 1, 2013 [12 favorites]


Can the new Doctor at least be ginger?

Thanks,

A. Ginger
posted by RonButNotStupid at 3:05 PM on August 1, 2013 [8 favorites]


Ruth Wilson or GTFO.
posted by George_Spiggott at 3:05 PM on August 1, 2013 [5 favorites]


last comment promise what about the guy who played Neville Longbottom
posted by troika at 3:05 PM on August 1, 2013 [8 favorites]


Pegg already firmly denied all rumors. Cumberbatch is likely too big now. Rupert Grint has gotten lots of mentions, and he'd be the first ginger finally.
posted by Celsius1414 at 3:05 PM on August 1, 2013


Karen Gillan was in the Pompeii episode too...
posted by brilliantmistake at 3:06 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


Peter Capaldi has already appeared in the Dr. Who Universe!

Twice. He was in the Pompeii episode too.
posted by hoyland at 3:06 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


Nothing would shock me more than a Doctor older than me (!), but even Artw's suggestion of this dude seems more likely (and, let's be real, would probably be fucking awesome).
posted by kittens for breakfast at 3:07 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


Rupert Grint.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 3:07 PM on August 1, 2013


Rupert Grint has gotten lots of mentions, and he'd be the first ginger finally.

Don't you mean the second?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 3:07 PM on August 1, 2013


Isn't Jack Gleeson leaving acting forever as soon as he's done with GoT? That's what I'd heard, anyway.
posted by Navelgazer at 3:08 PM on August 1, 2013


I know this is crazy but. Hugh Laurie.

He played some MI-6 guy on the show MI-5 (aka spooks) and I really miss him on TV.

Someone put him in something please
posted by Ad hominem at 3:08 PM on August 1, 2013 [9 favorites]


Russell Brand. Best worst Doctor ever, ever.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 3:09 PM on August 1, 2013 [6 favorites]


Karen Gillan was in the Pompeii episode too...

Jacqueline Hill came back 15 years later to be a one-off character.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 3:10 PM on August 1, 2013


Sean Pertwee in a floppy grey wig, cape and ruffled white shirt.
posted by George_Spiggott at 3:10 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


Rupert Grint.

Only if he immediately gets the chameleon circuit stuck on unlicensed ice-cream van.
posted by emmtee at 3:11 PM on August 1, 2013 [12 favorites]


And of course Colin Baker preceded his time as the Doctor by playing Commander Maxil in an earlier story.
posted by edd at 3:11 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


If its going to be someone white and from the UK, can we at least deviate from the skinny-dorky look and go with Stephen Fry?
posted by Slackermagee at 3:11 PM on August 1, 2013 [14 favorites]


I can't be Peter Capaldi, because I don't watch Doctor Who and want to see him in other things.
posted by squinty at 3:13 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


Isn't Jack Gleeson leaving acting forever as soon as he's done with GoT? That's what I'd heard, anyway.

Nah, that's correct. Shame, really.

I've been companionably arguing with a couple of internets friends for the past few weeks on which would engender the most outraged/vicious/hateful fan response:

This is Who fandom. There will be disproportionate psychotic rage no matter who it is.
posted by kagredon at 3:13 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


Isn't Jack Gleeson leaving acting forever as soon as he's done with GoT? That's what I'd heard, anyway.

He can be only be the Doctor if Peter Dinklage is his companion, and slaps him every episode.
posted by Gary at 3:13 PM on August 1, 2013 [6 favorites]


As long as we're going batsh!t insane with suggestions...

Neil Patrick Harris' current show is about to end (and getting him immediately on DW may help to postpone another Smurfs sequel).
posted by oneswellfoop at 3:14 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


I'm not too picky at this point - I've liked all three of the current run's doctors, each for different reasons. I'm really more interested in who's going to be doing the writing for next series.

(I also call dibs on being the TARDIS.)
posted by mikurski at 3:15 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


Isn't Jack Gleeson leaving acting forever as soon as he's done with GoT?

Probably just reasoning that a few more seasons and he will be permanently typecast as the Worst Human Being Ever, right?
posted by oneswellfoop at 3:15 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


Andrew Scott would have my vote. Or Lara Pulver.
posted by Joey Michaels at 3:15 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


Holy cow. I was going to semi-jokingly suggest Richard Ayoade, but to check the spelling on his name I started typing it into google search. By the time I'd got to "Richard Ayo", the auto-suggest's SECOND item was "richard ayoade doctor who".
posted by George_Spiggott at 3:17 PM on August 1, 2013 [10 favorites]


Peter Capaldi was also in a rock group with notable DW fan Craig Ferguson, who will no doubt be bouncing off the walls if this happens.
posted by John Shaft at 3:17 PM on August 1, 2013 [6 favorites]


oneswellfoop: "Neil Patrick Harris"

Has DW ever done a musical episode?
posted by zarq at 3:17 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


Can the new Doctor at least be ginger?

How about Damian Lewis? He’s surprisingly British.
posted by 1970s Antihero at 3:17 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


Aubrey Plaza. Aubrey Plaza. Aubrey Plaza.

The summoning is complete nobody can stop this train.
posted by emmtee at 3:17 PM on August 1, 2013 [17 favorites]


I suggest him for literally everything (he's my fan-cast for Demeisen in Surface Detail) but: James Frain.
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 3:18 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


I'm really more interested in who's going to be doing the writing for next series.

Yes, a while, male Brit in the title role could be offset by having half the next season's scripts by female writers, and at least one by an American (yes, I hold out hope for MeFi's Own Scalzi, of B5's JMS in my lifetime)
posted by oneswellfoop at 3:18 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


The Rings of Friggin' Akhaten doesn't count.
posted by zarq at 3:18 PM on August 1, 2013


Ruth Wilson or GTFO.

Oh...HELLS yes!!!
And then bring back River because, y'know, she's married to the Doctor and all, and...
posted by Thorzdad at 3:18 PM on August 1, 2013


EMMA WATSON for God's sake.
posted by jfwlucy at 3:20 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


Wait, so this will not be broadcast on BBC America, right? Boo.
posted by GuyZero at 3:21 PM on August 1, 2013


Or Helen Mirren.
posted by jfwlucy at 3:21 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


Mark Heap


(maybe I have a little crush)
posted by Biblio at 3:23 PM on August 1, 2013 [7 favorites]


Criteria for being named the new Doctor:

(i) A track record (even if it is small) for working on BBC drama and/or comedy projects
(ii) Not being famous enough that you could carry a BBC1 series by your name alone
(iii) Not being so established as a main character in a series, BBC or non-BBC, that the audience will have trouble with you being The Doctor.

So the next Doctor is liable to be someone who has appeared in bit parts and/or minor if reoccurring roles on a variety of BBC/ITV dramas, and has proved that they can be dedicated to filming an ongoing series. They would also qualify if they've had a main role in a BBC/ITV series that was digital-only. I'd like to nominate Russell Tovey, who is a fantastic actor who has been in plenty of BBC stuff and is widely recognised as being both popular and talented, but has only ever been the lead in stuff that's been on BBC3 (Being Human, which shows that he gets sci-fi) and can do comedy (Him & Her,again on BBC3). Not only that, but he's one of the few gay actors that general audiences are totally happy accepting when he plays a straight character (as in Him & Her). He's definitely more famous now than Matt Smith was when he got the part, but not as famous as Tennant was when he became Doctor No. 10, and he was in the Moffat-run Sherlock, in Hound of the Baskervilles, so he's got that connection going.

All that having been said, she's probably too well-known already, but I would love to see Maxine Peake in the role. Imagine Doctor number 9, not as a chippy Northern bloke, but as a feminist Northern firebrand who doesn't take any bullshit from anyone, and calls them out in those flat Lancashire vowels.
posted by Len at 3:23 PM on August 1, 2013 [11 favorites]


Wait, so this will not be broadcast on BBC America, right? Boo.

This will (almost certainly) be simultaneously broadcast in the US on BBC America.
posted by Doktor Zed at 3:26 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


Len: "All that having been said, she's probably too well-known already, but I would love to see Maxine Peake in the role."

Brb, going to my happy place.
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 3:26 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


Clearly, the way to get people to not complain about a female doctor is to get the Queen for the part. Off with the head of anybody who whines.
posted by ckape at 3:27 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


So wait, is midnight Sunday before Sunday morning, or just before Monday morning? I can't find this damn thing on my DVR's schedule.
posted by GuyZero at 3:30 PM on August 1, 2013


Paul F Tompkins
posted by stuartmm at 3:31 PM on August 1, 2013 [5 favorites]


Torchwood's better anyway.
posted by philip-random at 3:31 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


i feel like neil gaiman has the best response to who should be the doctor - which is, someone you probably don't know much about and that's the way it should be.
posted by nadawi at 3:31 PM on August 1, 2013 [4 favorites]


Ayoade is a popular choice among the fandom. Also this happened.

I hope it's Natalie Tena or Ciaran Hinds, because we don't have enough actors who have completed the Harry Potter/Doctor Who/Game of Thrones trifecta (David Bradley gets an honorary mention for playing William Hartnell in an upcoming biopic, and I would've sworn that Harry Lloyd played Tom Riddle but apparently that was a crazy delusion.)
posted by kagredon at 3:32 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


The Abominable Snowman from Bass and Rankin. (Before his dental work.)
posted by dances_with_sneetches at 3:33 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


The live announcement will happen at 7pm UK time on Sunday - that's 2pm EDT and 11am PDT, both showing the live show on BBC America.
posted by andreaazure at 3:34 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


Neil Gaiman himself might be a good Doctor.
posted by justsomebodythatyouusedtoknow at 3:35 PM on August 1, 2013 [5 favorites]


Luke Perry with Jenny Garth for companion </obligatory>
posted by George_Spiggott at 3:36 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


Honestly, though, all this hoopla and fanfare has a decidedly "jumped the shark" flavor about it. I know it's the 50th anniversary and all but, still...I feel for the poor schmuck (whoever they may be) who has to live-up to all this build-up.
posted by Thorzdad at 3:36 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


I vote Maru.
posted by tzikeh at 3:37 PM on August 1, 2013 [19 favorites]


Neil Patrick Harris' current show is about to end (and getting him immediately on DW may help to postpone another Smurfs sequel).

That would indeed be a tragedy. Given the horrible state of Doctor Who scripts another Smurfs sequel would no doubt be a masterpiece by comparison.

Yes, a while, male Brit in the title role could be offset by having half the next season's scripts by female writers, and at least one by an American (yes, I hold out hope for MeFi's Own Scalzi, of B5's JMS in my lifetime)

I'll settle for good writers, regardless of sex, age, race, or platform (Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, etc). I know that Gaiman and Moffat are white. Don't know a damn thing about the other writers.

Clearly, the way to get people to not complain about a female doctor is to get the Queen for the part. Off with the head of anybody who whines.

What's the solution to get people to not complain about people complaining about a female Doctor?

A great Doctor that would go great with great scripts would be Ben Wishaw. Maybe after the next one is finished and a new show runner respects the show. Wouldn't mind Philip Glenister.

With the assistance of Media Hint those interested in the broadcast might be able to see it on http://bbc.co.uk/iplayer
posted by juiceCake at 3:38 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


If I ran the universe, things would go like so:

1. Get Stephen Moffat as far away from the franchise as possible.
2. Retcon out everything that has happened since David Tennant regenerated and Moffat took over as showrunner and completely ruined it.
3. Cast Catherine Tate or Idris Elba as the Doctor.
posted by ndfine at 3:39 PM on August 1, 2013 [9 favorites]


I'm still sticking with my Jenna Coleman theory.
posted by plastic_animals at 3:40 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


The solution to people complaining is there is no solution have you even met Who fans?
posted by Artw at 3:41 PM on August 1, 2013 [10 favorites]


Neil Gaiman himself might be a good Doctor.

How about Dylan Moran as Neil Gaiman as the Doctor?
posted by George_Spiggott at 3:41 PM on August 1, 2013 [15 favorites]


Eddie Izzard
posted by Nanukthedog at 3:41 PM on August 1, 2013 [5 favorites]


What's the solution to get people to not complain about people complaining about a female Doctor?

well, an end to the massive pearl clutching that has accompanied the idea that an alien of massively changeable personality, appearance, and sexuality would maybe have somewhat uncommon ideas about gender would be a good start.
posted by kagredon at 3:41 PM on August 1, 2013 [11 favorites]


(i) A track record (even if it is small) for working on BBC drama and/or comedy projects
(ii) Not being famous enough that you could carry a BBC1 series by your name alone
(iii) Not being so established as a main character in a series, BBC or non-BBC, that the audience will have trouble with you being The Doctor.


All righty then: Ramin Karimloo
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:42 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


I'd love to see a female Doctor... but I don't particularly want to see her written by Moffat. So maybe next time.

Rooting for Richard Ayoade this time around-- he's so perfect!
posted by sonmi at 3:43 PM on August 1, 2013 [5 favorites]


Or maybe, just maybe, we'll finally throw off our cultural biases and finally have an Ood Doctor.
posted by ckape at 3:44 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


Nanukthedog: Eddie Izzard

"My father kept the Tardis before me; his father kept the Tardis before him. I wanna keep the Tardis, don't want it to get away. I wanna follow in their footsteps. And their footsteps were mostly "AAAAAHHHH! I'M COVERED IN DALEKS!"
posted by Len at 3:45 PM on August 1, 2013 [16 favorites]


All that having been said, she's probably too well-known already, but I would love to see Maxine Peake in the role.

Oh, you're good. You're very good.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 3:48 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


Eddie Izzard

The Executive Timelord
posted by Celsius1414 at 3:48 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


Doctor Who is dead, the show rolls on with the surviving characters Blake's Seven style.
posted by Artw at 3:50 PM on August 1, 2013 [6 favorites]


On a related, and maybe quite sad, personal note, I just realized this is the first time since I started watching the series that I was aware there was going to be a new Doctor and I didn't day dream that I was somehow cast. Maybe I've finally grown up.

(Note: I have never been, nor have I ever attempted to be, nor have I really even wanted to be a professional actor.)
posted by MCMikeNamara at 3:50 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


That test script makes me think the new Doctor isn't going to have any more gravitas. I'm getting tired of antic cutsey incarnations. Let's have David Robb or somebody like that for a change.
posted by George_Spiggott at 3:51 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


well, an end to the massive pearl clutching that has accompanied the idea that an alien of massively changeable personality, appearance, and sexuality would maybe have somewhat uncommon ideas about gender would be a good start.

Massive? Must be talking about something going on off of Metafilter, not on it. Plus, the reasons for differing opinions on this may well be as despicable as mentioned, but this is not always the case.
posted by juiceCake at 3:51 PM on August 1, 2013


Noel Fielding.
posted by boo_radley at 3:52 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


Stephen Moffat makes himself Doctor Who out of spite because he really does hate you that much and nothing can be right ever again and Things were so much better and made so much more sense when RTD was in charge, and he's gig rid of all that, that bastard.

Large segments of the Internet commit suicide.

Weeks later the BBC issues a "just kidding!" note.
posted by Artw at 3:56 PM on August 1, 2013 [7 favorites]


@juicecake platform (Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, etc)

Hey what's John Hodgman up to?
posted by nathan_teske at 3:56 PM on August 1, 2013 [4 favorites]


First British actor that comes to mind John Oliver?
posted by JHarris at 3:57 PM on August 1, 2013 [4 favorites]


It's cool if lost episodes are found, but I don't think they offer much to the current generation of Whovians, and are probably better off not watched by people who started with the reboot. (I grew up on the original stuff, but whoo boy, some of it is so rough... and so slow... and so dated... and so sexist... and...)

I have some dissonance here:
As a viewer I'd love and prefer to see a female Doctor, but if I was actually one of the Dr Who production decision makers, I'd probably not do it - the current formula is working extremely well and attracts a large loyal female demographic (all the most ardent fans I know are women). Would a woman be able to fill those heart-throb boots? Could that negatively affect the fanbase? I think it's probably quite tempting to keep "the new Doctor is a woman!" as an ace up the sleeve to pull out when the show is not running full steam, rather than playing it now and risk fixing what isn't broken.

OTOH, the new doctor could die and be regenerated at any point, so maybe unveil him as a her, give it six months, and then decide based on actual data whether to keep her a her?
posted by anonymisc at 3:58 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


Renton Skinner (in character as Angelos Epithemiou)
posted by George_Spiggott at 3:58 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


Paul F Tompkins

He already has his own Time Machine, what would he do with a TARDIS?
posted by Strange Interlude at 4:00 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


To respond to George_Spiggott, the combination of more gravitas, but also a take that, in the first episode when confronted with the alien menace, doesn't pull out the Sonic Screwdriver, aka the Magic Wand, and immediately fix things. When the companion asks, he says, "What? This? It just screws things in and out using sound. It's just a tool." But then resolves the situation in an entirely rational way, not pulling solutions out of his ass, which must have more capacity than the TARDIS by now surely.
posted by JHarris at 4:01 PM on August 1, 2013 [4 favorites]


That test script makes me think the new Doctor isn't going to have any more gravitas.

This script? I think you're just reading it in Matt Smith's voice... it's actually pretty easy to imagine any of the Doctors saying those lines, and they'd all give them different inflections. Imagine the 7th Doctor reading that script. It's pretty easy, and he wouldn't be giving up any gravitas.

I am personally very excited about the rumors that Paul McGann was called in to film some scenes for upcoming episodes. I love me some 8th Doctor.

John Oliver?

Nah, Andy Zaltzman.
posted by painquale at 4:02 PM on August 1, 2013 [7 favorites]


It now looks like there will be some kind of announcement of something at midnight tonight.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:02 PM on August 1, 2013


JHarris: "But then resolves the situation in an entirely rational way, not pulling solutions out of his ass, which must have more capacity than the TARDIS by now surely."

The... The TARDASS.
posted by boo_radley at 4:02 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


Sudden evil thought: What if the new Doctor was French?
posted by ckape at 4:04 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


the current formula is working extremely well

I should clarify - I'm not caught up with the latest season, and from reading various complaints, perhaps I am wrong to assume the show is still going strong. If so, then forget I spake :)
posted by anonymisc at 4:05 PM on August 1, 2013


The new Doctor Who is not actually a human but a CGI Muppet in the manner of the last episodes of Season 3. Instead of a voice it makes a ringing sound, in the manner of Tinkerbell in Peter Pan.
posted by Artw at 4:05 PM on August 1, 2013


What if the new Doctor was French?

Avoiding Monty Python mental imagery....
posted by Nanukthedog at 4:06 PM on August 1, 2013


Because you know Tom Waits is a Time Lord.

Depends. Is Hellboy a Time Lord?
posted by Strange Interlude at 4:06 PM on August 1, 2013


Noel Fielding.

Crazy talk. Julian Barratt, on the other hand...
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 4:07 PM on August 1, 2013 [6 favorites]


The trailer for the special.
posted by pibeandres at 4:08 PM on August 1, 2013


Indira Varma also might be good.
posted by FelliniBlank at 4:08 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


George_Spiggott: "That test script makes me think the new Doctor isn't going to have any more gravitas."

I'm with you on wanting that, but it's also worth noting that:

1) There hasn't been a Doctor with any sort of gravitas in his first scene since the first one.
2) Someone, somewhere, maybe Moffat even, said that the reason it sounded so much like the previous Doctor is because it was written that way -- so that they could see what a new person brought to it. (I didn't actually believe that when I read it either, but it's an interesting and hopeful thought.)
posted by MCMikeNamara at 4:08 PM on August 1, 2013


OMG can you imagine Charles Dance ("Tywin Lannister")? The Daleks would piss motor oil all down their skirts.
posted by George_Spiggott at 4:09 PM on August 1, 2013 [5 favorites]


Robo-Charles Dance
posted by Artw at 4:10 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]



Depends. Is Hellboy a Time Lord?


I don't know, but you've made me think that Ron Perlman could be a member of the sons of Lee Marvin.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 4:11 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


Roy from Coronation Street.
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 4:11 PM on August 1, 2013 [4 favorites]


The new Doctor Who is a cat. He does not give a shit about anything.
posted by Artw at 4:13 PM on August 1, 2013 [6 favorites]


Going down the list of GoT actors and imagining them all as the Doctor is pretty fun. A big hulking Hound Doctor would be interesting. Or a Varys Doctor.
posted by painquale at 4:14 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


PhoBWanKenobi:

I might actually reconsider that she's too famous – in terms of how she's seen in the UK, right now, she's probably about exactly as well-known as David Tennant was when he took on the role; both of them had/have carried BBC1 series of their own before being announced as the Doctor.

Either way, if Peake isn't the best actress of her generation (and I'm not sure she isn't) she's one of the best. She's also stridently feminist and defiantly Northern* And in pretty much everything she's been in, she's been brilliant, whether playing serial killer Myra Hindley, or Veronica in Shameless. She's also a massive Hawkwind fan who occasionally presents radio shows on BBC 6 Music, and collaborated on a concept album about the Pendle Witches. Essentially, she's about as cool as it gets, as regards mainstream actors.


*She was asked when auditioning for the BBC legal show Silk, in which she plays the lead, if she could soften her Lancashire accent, given that her Lancashire-born, working class, character had lived in London for 13 years. Her response was – paraphrasing – "I've lived in London for 13 years. I've still got a Bolton accent, because that's where I'm fucking from, and if you think it's going to disappear in 13 years, you're idiots."
posted by Len at 4:14 PM on August 1, 2013 [8 favorites]


Lots of planets have a Lancashire.
posted by Navelgazer at 4:16 PM on August 1, 2013 [21 favorites]


I hope the doctor is played by a child.
posted by dng at 4:19 PM on August 1, 2013


Massive? Must be talking about something going on off of Metafilter, not on it. Plus, the reasons for differing opinions on this may well be as despicable as mentioned, but this is not always the case.

Shrug. You asked, man. You can either take the feedback, or dismiss it as whining, and I think I know which you're going to do.
posted by kagredon at 4:20 PM on August 1, 2013


The next Doctor should be...fat. Seriously. I think a portly doctor would be cool. Imagine a cross between G. K. Chesterton and Hercule Poirot.
posted by Sticherbeast at 4:21 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


The Doctor is really only as good as his/her companions. I want the next companions to be twin 4-year-old girls and a flatulent, elderly panda.
posted by xingcat at 4:22 PM on August 1, 2013 [8 favorites]


The new Doctor Who is a unfortunate product placement of a doomed technology product.
posted by Artw at 4:23 PM on August 1, 2013


If the BBC couldn't even have a fat Dirk Gently they're not going to give us a fat Doctor Who.
posted by dng at 4:23 PM on August 1, 2013 [5 favorites]


So if John Hurt was -- as is strongly suggested by the last DW episode -- the incarnation who ended the Time War, doesn't that mean everyone from Chris Ecclestone onward moves up a number?
posted by George_Spiggott at 4:23 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


I hope not, because didn't the Eleventh Doctor make a "turn it up to eleven" joke?
posted by Sticherbeast at 4:24 PM on August 1, 2013


Turns out Gallifreyans count in base 192, so "13" reincarnations is actually 195 in base 10.
posted by GuyZero at 4:25 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


Artw: "The new Doctor Who is a unfortunate product placement of a doomed technology product."

The column in the centre of the TARDIS console will be Nokia branded and play Beastie Boys songs at inappropriate moments.
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 4:25 PM on August 1, 2013 [7 favorites]


Doctor Zero has no calories.
posted by Artw at 4:25 PM on August 1, 2013 [6 favorites]


whoops, 12, not 13.
posted by GuyZero at 4:27 PM on August 1, 2013


Doctor Hooves to become canon, in Equestria Girls form.
posted by Artw at 4:29 PM on August 1, 2013 [9 favorites]


The Doctor will not only regenerate, but divide.

Jedward will be the most amazing Doctors ever.
posted by delfin at 4:29 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


Anyway, it should obviously be Olivia Colman.
posted by dng at 4:30 PM on August 1, 2013 [7 favorites]


Dichen Lachman.
posted by Sticherbeast at 4:32 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


Actually, Julia Hesmondhalgh, who plays Hayley on Coronation Street, would be a good choice for basically anything. And she is leaving Coronation Street, hmm...
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 4:33 PM on August 1, 2013


Mads Mikkelsen
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 4:34 PM on August 1, 2013 [5 favorites]


Dichen Lachman.

Actually Tibetan, which fits with the recent fetish for all things Great Intelligence related.
posted by Artw at 4:35 PM on August 1, 2013


Using Forrest Gump imaging technology, William Hartnell.
posted by JHarris at 4:35 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


Dieter Laser
posted by emmtee at 4:36 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


Mads Mikkelsen

He throws such great parties.
posted by Artw at 4:36 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


jedward are old news - new doctor/twin doctors - jack&joe from the current big brother.

there they stand, fearlessly in front of the daleks, repeating ad nauseum until the daleks go ahead and kill themselves, "lower your tone strengthen your argument." then they have a lovely carvery meal.
posted by nadawi at 4:38 PM on August 1, 2013


"Casting was supposedly done under the code name Whodini"

A bet no one out-guessed that.
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 4:38 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


Series to become Doctor Who-er, an XXXXX Parody, lead role to be taken by a minor porn star from Game of Thrones.
posted by Artw at 4:38 PM on August 1, 2013


Trailer for the live show.
posted by painquale at 4:39 PM on August 1, 2013


How will Doctor Who defeat the Cybermen when all he can say is "hodor?"
posted by JHarris at 4:40 PM on August 1, 2013 [5 favorites]


Using Forrest Gump imaging technology, William Hartnell.
posted by JHarris at 12:35 AM on August 2 [+] [!]


I've always been a bit disappointed that when the BBC wanted to kill of doctor who in the eighties they didn't have Sylvester McCoy die and turn into him so they could never bring it back.
posted by dng at 4:40 PM on August 1, 2013


Series to become Doctor Who-er, an XXXXX Parody, lead role to be taken by a minor porn star from Game of Thrones.

OMG.

Iwan Rheon as the next Doctor.

He can be all creepy and psychotic and this time not at all charming

to anyone but me.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 4:40 PM on August 1, 2013 [7 favorites]


Super Grover.
posted by JHarris at 4:41 PM on August 1, 2013 [4 favorites]


I vote Maru.

Finally a box he can fit in!
posted by srboisvert at 4:42 PM on August 1, 2013 [27 favorites]


Michael Gove
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 4:42 PM on August 1, 2013


Odds Checker.
posted by linux at 4:44 PM on August 1, 2013


casting was supposedly done under the code name Whodini

"I don't think of them as companions, I think of them as friends. Ones I can depend on. And really, how many of us have them?"
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 4:45 PM on August 1, 2013 [4 favorites]


Iwan Rheon as the next Doctor.

I can honestly see anyone from the first series of Misfits in the role.
posted by George_Spiggott at 4:45 PM on August 1, 2013 [6 favorites]


Iwan Rheon as the next Doctor.

Bit young, but he'd work. Have you seen Misfits?

If we're talking Ian Curtis impersonators: Sean Harris
posted by Artw at 4:47 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


I hope they go into full nepotism mode and let Mark Gatiss be the Doctor like he's always wanted. Finally making those Doctor Who night sketches he did canon.
posted by dng at 4:47 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


The last time around, I remember a bunch of people talking about Chiwetel Ejiofor, which struck me as having some potential.

Also, Ron Perlman would be awesome.
posted by brundlefly at 4:50 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


Also: Danny Trejo.
posted by brundlefly at 4:51 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


Martin Freeman...and the internets implode!
posted by Ber at 4:51 PM on August 1, 2013 [5 favorites]


I hope there is no new doctor, and the programme on Sunday is just half hour of confusion
posted by dng at 4:51 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


Carlos Danger!
posted by jenkinsEar at 4:52 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


The new Doctor will be Zoe Ball. HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT.
posted by emmtee at 4:52 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


A great Doctor that would go great with great scripts would be Ben Wishaw.

Oh my god, yes! This would be perfect.
posted by dialetheia at 4:53 PM on August 1, 2013


Ok, I know it makes no sense and would require deus ex machina gymnastics the likes of which even Who hasn't seen before to have it happen, but if it has to be a white dude, what about Richard E. Grant?
posted by juv3nal at 4:54 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


Jason Statham 100/1...
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 4:54 PM on August 1, 2013


I know it makes no sense and would require deus ex machina gymnastics

So, just like the show is already.
posted by juiceCake at 4:57 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


Please, please be Ayoade. That would be so amazing on so many levels.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 5:01 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


Please, please be Ayoade. That would be so amazing on so many levels.

As long as they make Garth Marenghi, Matt Berry and Alice Lowe his companions.
posted by dng at 5:03 PM on August 1, 2013 [6 favorites]


what about Richard E. Grant?

He has actually played The Doctor in The Scream of the Shalka. Of course, he was animated...
posted by Kitteh at 5:04 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


I nominate David Mitchell (Peep Show David Mitchell not that other bloke)
posted by Flashman at 5:07 PM on August 1, 2013 [5 favorites]


Michael Palin. Because let's face it, he's pretty much done Earth.
posted by George_Spiggott at 5:11 PM on August 1, 2013 [5 favorites]


Yes, I would also accept Matt Berry or David Mitchell. Can you imagine? This is one of the many things that makes Doctor Who so amazing. I've been watching for over 30 years and every now and then I get the chance to meet my old friend once more for the first time.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 5:13 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


MIRANDA HART
posted by elizardbits at 5:14 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


or possibly hologram Tupac
posted by elizardbits at 5:14 PM on August 1, 2013 [9 favorites]


the programme's fabled "lost" episodes

Let's not bandy about here, shall we? Those episodes were never "lost", they were destroyed by hapless, clueless, zombified beancounters.

Maybe one day Who will show up and prevent that feckless decision. (Not that they were the first, or that such idiocy is limited to the UK. There was at least one US record label which, after it went OOB, had all of its 78 masters tossed in a river. And of course some early US TV shows suffered a similar lack of respect for the work and wits of their creators.)
posted by Twang at 5:19 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


also relevant
posted by elizardbits at 5:21 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


what about Richard E. Grant?

He has actually played The Doctor in The Scream of the Shalka. Of course, he was animated..


And also there's this (which its interesting to note appears to have furnished Steven Moffat with 78% of his plot lines and Russell T Davies with at least two thirds of his fart jokes).
posted by dng at 5:22 PM on August 1, 2013


Bill Murray.
posted by Strange Interlude at 5:22 PM on August 1, 2013 [4 favorites]


yes, bill murray, but only if he just wanders on half way through the season, shuffles the nice, non-threatening, formerly bit part bbc actor, doctor off the set and starts playing the part without looking at the script or moffat.
posted by nadawi at 5:25 PM on August 1, 2013 [5 favorites]


and it runs for 50 episodes.
posted by nadawi at 5:26 PM on August 1, 2013


Ronnie Corbett! Sarah Millican! Jack Whitehall! John Bishop! Yes I am just listing people from my favourite WILTY episodes!
posted by elizardbits at 5:27 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


MIRANDA HART

Seconded.
posted by homunculus at 5:29 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


for anyone stateside who is not watching WILTY, you should really start. also, 8 out of 10 cats (and then 8 out 10 cats does countdown, and then you're just watching seasons of countdown on your phone in bed).
posted by nadawi at 5:29 PM on August 1, 2013


oh, and dara o'briain's show about science is really compelling. and i have a tea and biscuits and makeout crush on sarah millican (and i don't even like tea). i could watch her wear an awkward helmet cam and talk to her dad all day long.
posted by nadawi at 5:31 PM on August 1, 2013


and this just showed up on my mlkshk feed.
posted by nadawi at 5:34 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


No ok no I've got it. Give it a second to sink in. Revel in how actually great it would be all the time and how it would fix everything in your life.

Charlie Brooker.

no for reals Dieter Laser is still the better choice
posted by emmtee at 5:37 PM on August 1, 2013 [5 favorites]


Maybe that's why Charlie's quit the guardian this week.
posted by dng at 5:38 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


Konnie Huq.
posted by Artw at 5:39 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


People, stop effing with me. SRSLY!
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 5:40 PM on August 1, 2013


accurate response gif
posted by emmtee at 5:40 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


I'm rooting for Arnold Schwarzenegger.
posted by gyc at 5:44 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


Isn't Jack Gleeson leaving acting forever as soon as he's done with GoT? That's what I'd heard, anyway.

Besides, if they cast King Joffrey as The Doctor the internet would implode.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 5:52 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


Bit young, but he'd work. Have you seen Misfits?

Yes, of course, his Olivier-award winning butt was featured prominently!
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 5:57 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


Lebron James
posted by ZeusHumms at 5:57 PM on August 1, 2013


Caitlin Moran. Because I looooooove her.
posted by bitter-girl.com at 5:58 PM on August 1, 2013


Just as an FYI, the announcement is scheduled for 7pm Sunday night UK time.
posted by John Shaft at 6:05 PM on August 1, 2013


Upon further consideration it should really be the Whelk.
posted by elizardbits at 6:06 PM on August 1, 2013 [8 favorites]


Jarvis Cocker
posted by dialetheia at 6:09 PM on August 1, 2013 [5 favorites]


I pointed this out in a previous thread: the last question in this survey about favorite Doctors has screwed up the scope of its operators. The survey clearly meant for people to check the box if it is unimportant to them that the character be British, white, etc. Instead, they asked people to check the box if it is important to them that the character be non-British, non-white, etc.

So, according to this survey, 13 percent of respondents, and 21 percent of those aged 25-39, think it's very important that the Doctor be played by non-British, non-white, short, unattractive, over-40 gay woman who isn't a character actor, comedy actor, or a household name.

As a response to this demand, I suggest Jenny Shimizu, who meets all of the criteria other than being unattractive.
posted by painquale at 6:11 PM on August 1, 2013


kanye. no. seriously. imagine it.
posted by nadawi at 6:12 PM on August 1, 2013 [5 favorites]


No, seriously no, nadawi.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 6:14 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


i love jenny shimizu. she has the rumored distinction of being the one woman that both madonna and angelia jolie flew all over the world to have sex with them. i'd watch her do just about anything.
posted by nadawi at 6:14 PM on August 1, 2013


She also already rocks a kind of Matt Smith vibe. Bow ties are cool.
posted by painquale at 6:16 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


So, according to this survey, 13 percent of respondents, and 21 percent of those aged 25-39, think it's very important that the Doctor be played by non-British, non-white, short, unattractive, over-40 gay woman who isn't a character actor, comedy actor, or a household name.

Non-British is okay, just please not American. How about a Dane?
posted by George_Spiggott at 6:27 PM on August 1, 2013


Have we run out of Mikkelsens yet?
posted by dialetheia at 6:29 PM on August 1, 2013


What I wouldn't give to see Dame Judi face down a Dalek.
posted by coppermoss at 6:33 PM on August 1, 2013 [8 favorites]


Kaya Scodelario or Hannah Murray would be awesome. And since I had to go look their names up from Skins, they're probably unknown enough.
posted by Margalo Epps at 7:02 PM on August 1, 2013


The explosion of popularity Doctor Who has experienced in recent years has been a double edged sword to me. It used to be a relatively small amount of hardcore devotees in niche forums discussing the complexities of classic era serials, examining the books, etc. But now, everyone is in on it. And as is the want of internet people, they love to do little but hate it. When I have an intense love for a property such as I do Doctor Who which I have had since I was a wee one watching out-of-order omnibus serials on PBS, it upsets me to see people hate on it so much. And also, call this a generalization if you must, but it seems a disproportionate amount of the people who seemingly only hatewatch it so they can go online and complain seem to be from America.

I don't know, people are going to have their opinions and of course they are entitled to have them.. but it breaks my heart in little ways when I see people nerdraging on Doctor Who. Harlan Ellison wrote a forward to one of the original Target novelisations, he of legendary hate for televised entertainment (especially in the 70's, when this was printed) and he said that people need to appreciate Doctor Who while it is here because it won't be forever. To the people who love to rag on the show, I wonder what it is specifically they would want to see changed. Not just "FIRE X HE RIUONEDA I(TAS ALLL!!@!!" but specific plot or character developments they would like to see. Because often when I ask that of haters, what they describe are things that would make Doctor Who.. well, not Doctor Who anymore.

As for the casting, it's silly and pointless to speculate on the matter. It may be fun to dream about someone you are familiar with in the role, but in your heart of hearts you know that it is very important to put a relatively unknown actor into the TARDIS. It's part of the fun of the wait for the announcement. Remember when Smith was cast? From little other than a brief low key interview on an episode of Confidential and an unofficial photo, people were up in arms. EMO DOCTOR?!?! They cried.. and what we got was the best doctor since the 60's.
posted by mediocre at 7:28 PM on August 1, 2013 [9 favorites]


She also already rocks a kind of Matt Smith vibe. Bow ties are cool.

Okay, fine, she's on the list.
posted by Artw at 7:36 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


The Stig.

Combines a pre-existing following with the flexible anonymity of jason_steakums' bear suit.
posted by angelplasma at 7:36 PM on August 1, 2013 [2 favorites]


To the people who love to rag on the show, I wonder what it is specifically they would want to see changed. Not just "FIRE X HE RIUONEDA I(TAS ALLL!!@!!" but specific plot or character developments they would like to see. Because often when I ask that of haters, what they describe are things that would make Doctor Who.. well, not Doctor Who anymore.

This is why I basically avoid Doctor Who fandom, because taken as a whole, it seems like no one likes anything about it and it's all just one endless moanfest about why this, that, or the other sucks. It seems like a huge swath of people watched their own idiosyncratic version of the show at some point, and any deviation from that particular version of the show they've constructed makes it completely terrible omg. I suppose it shouldn't be surprising, given it's a show that's spanned 50 years, dozens of writers, and eleven lead actors. But for a show whose very foundation demands a certain amount of chaos and change, it's a little surprising its fandom is made up of so many people committed to some Platonic ideal of Doctor Who that appears to be unique to every different fan.

I don't know, I've been unhappy with the show at various points, and I've definitely lost interest in Moffat's take on it, but it's Doctor Who. A new Doctor and a new writer will roll around eventually, and my spark of Doctor Who love will be ignited again. So long as there's a Doctor, a TARDIS, and that sense of wonder, I'm in.
posted by yasaman at 7:52 PM on August 1, 2013 [8 favorites]


Thank you, yasaman. That should be the mantra of Doctor Who fandom, "So long as there's a Doctor, a TARDIS, and that sense of wonder, I'm in."

Even if, arguably, the early Pertwee years didn't have a TARDIS.
posted by mediocre at 7:55 PM on August 1, 2013 [3 favorites]


To the people who love to rag on the show, I wonder what it is specifically they would want to see changed.

The writing. Make something that is said and something, something that happens, actually have consequences and mean something. Just a few things. And ramp down the cheap melodrama.
  • Doctor is in a very, I mean totally very sad situation (hear that music, it's letting you know it's so very, very sad) where he is the last one of his people. The rest of them are all gone, in the Time War.
  • Hey, we need to have some Time Lords back, and hey man, what if it's like the most famous historical Time Lord in history, Rassilon, and we'll make him evil this time. What about the Time War and the "fact" that they're all gone? Oh, doesn't matter, didn't mean a thing, and hey, we'll just bring them back temporarily like and then seal them up and out again so that it will mean something again until we don't have to make mean something again.
  • Rose and the Doctor are separated by different Universes that cannot be crossed ever, ever again. Let's put some music in to drive that point home. And Rose will grow old whereas the Doctor will regenerate so this makes it difficult for both to have a long standing relationship.
  • Hey, we need to have the impossible to cross Universes cross over again, bugger what we said before. Hey, how about this, we make a duplicate of the Doctor, but he's human, so he'll age rather than regenerate and we can make Rose and the Doctor be together, bugger barriers, we can do anything because we can write anything.
There are plenty of other examples (the Daleks were supposed to be gone too for example). It really seems like off the cut let's do this yeah, type of thinking for the scripts. I realize fully that this sort of thing tends to happen more often in science fiction, particularly with long running series but they do it in the new Who to a level where I and I imagine others simply don't trust a single dramatic situation anymore. Everything that happens is effectively meaningless. Others see it very differently, clearly, because others love the show. Different tastes, different perspectives.

Not just "FIRE X HE RIUONEDA I(TAS ALLL!!@!!

Fortunately we have none of that on Metafilter. I see expressions of love just as often as so called "hate" (being critical of something doesn't necessarily equate to hate). I've seen many posts from people who love the show. There's nothing wrong with either perspective and I wouldn't be surprised if the people who "rag" on the show love the franchise as well, but don't care for what some of feel is Star Wars Return of the Jedi onward, later Battlestar Galactica level of pathetic writing. We are foolishly optimistic that it will improve. I'm sorry that may annoy people. Other opinions are welcome and no doubt varied.
posted by juiceCake at 8:42 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


Janelle Monae! She's got everything a Doctor needs.
posted by slappy_pinchbottom at 8:49 PM on August 1, 2013 [13 favorites]


You know, if it turns out to be Peter Capaldi after we've had this announcement of the announcement and the had to wait three days for the actual announcement, I'm going to be disappointed. Not because I don't love Capaldi, but because I hate manufactured hype.
posted by crossoverman at 8:57 PM on August 1, 2013


Janelle Monae! She's got everything a Doctor needs.

On one hand I love this. On the other hand, Janelle Monae with the power of the Time Lords would solve all the universe's problems in the first episode. On the other other hand (kept in a jar and suffused with excess regenerative energy, naturally), that frees up the rest of the series to be an extended Janelle Monae video and I'm okay with this.
posted by jason_steakums at 9:07 PM on August 1, 2013 [13 favorites]


Guys come ON, we all know the next doctor is going to be Moffatt himself.
posted by elizardbits at 9:07 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


As long as Moffatt gets the heave-ho I'm pretty indifferent to whichever actor plays the Doctor. Better scripts, and a better overall vision for the show, are what's really needed.

Also, they need to cast Craig Ferguson as a villain. A villain who has a dancing horse for a sidekick.
posted by orrnyereg at 9:17 PM on August 1, 2013 [13 favorites]


Romola Garai, please.
posted by EXISTENZ IS PAUSED at 9:36 PM on August 1, 2013 [4 favorites]


Also, they need to cast Craig Ferguson as a villain. A villain who has a dancing horse for a sidekick.

And Geoff Peterson as the Master.
posted by homunculus at 9:39 PM on August 1, 2013 [6 favorites]


Massive indulgence moment. An excerpt from my Edinburgh Fringe show, "Who Are You Supposed To Be?" Open August 14 at C Venues, just off the Royal Mile.


Setup: Ash (female, 30) is dressed as the Fifth Doctor. Gene (male, early 20s) has approached Ash at a Convention to ask her who she is supposed to be... and they've gotten to know each other, in spite of the awkward advance, but Ash can't leave it alone - what Gene implied about asking who she thought she was supposed to be...

--------------------------------------

ASH: Did you mean what you said before?
GENE: I do. I did. I mean... what?
ASH: About the Doctor. Not being a woman.
GENE: He’s not a woman. Peter Davison is pretty manly.
ASH: For a Pom.
GENE: Haha, very funny. We’re not all effeminate tea drinkers. I mean, I’m not the butchest and I love tea... Earl Grey. Hot. But yeah, Fifth Doctor. A man.
ASH: Right, the Fifth Doctor wasn’t a woman. I’m just a woman dressed up as the Fifth Doctor. But you said, “The Doctor is not a woman.” Like he could never be a woman.
GENE: I don’t think he could be. I don’t care what Neil Gaiman or “The Curse of the Fatal Death” say. The Doctor has been a man for fifty years. There’s no way...
ASH: No way?
GENE: Well, it’s like a stunt, you know?
ASH: No.
GENE: I mean, people say things like Emma Thompson and Helen Mirren should play the Doctor and that’s like... ridiculous.
ASH: Totally ridiculous. Neither of those two would ever sink to doing television!
GENE: Right.
ASH: Except they’ve both done lots of television and methinks you just don’t like change. Or being challenged.
GENE: He’s written as a man. And it would be sort of political correctness and not what the show needs but some kind of –
ASH: Stunt?
GENE: Stunt. Because, you know, someone thinks it would be cool.
ASH: It would be cool. It would be very cool.
GENE: Yeah, well, sometimes doing the cool thing isn’t the right thing.
THEY ARE BOTH QUIET FOR A MOMENT.
ASH: Let me ask you one thing.
GENE: Okay.
ASH: What if they cast Patterson Joseph or Idris Elba as the Doctor?
GENE: They would be great! Awesome, awesome actors.
ASH: But the Doctor is a white man! He’s been written as a white man for fifty years! And it would be sort of political correctness and not what the show needs but some kind of stunt if they cast a black actor.
GENE: ...
ASH: And he’s still never been ginger!
GENE: He never has. But a woman?
ASH: Yes. All Woman. Oooh, Christina Hendricks. Ginger and a woman!

--------------------------------------

If they cast a woman on Sunday, I may have some re-writing to do. Or we'll set the play last month.

And, if you're going to be in Edinburgh in late August, come along! There's an entry in IRL about it.
posted by crossoverman at 10:12 PM on August 1, 2013 [6 favorites]


James May!

(or Rik Mayall)
posted by Lucinda at 10:12 PM on August 1, 2013


A new Doctor and a new writer will roll around eventually, and my spark of Doctor Who love will be ignited again.

This this this this. This was what kept me hanging on through the last five Tennant specials. There are things I think could be better but I just enjoy what I'm seeing now and if I'm not, I turn it off. Some of it is better, some of it is not, but the things I don't like about the current rendition of Who shall pass.

Who fandom is like Star Wars fandom in that there are a lot of people who love the Who that's in their heads and not so much the Who that shows up on their TV/DVDs/etc. The blue isn't the short of wholesale CAPSLOCK RAEG that you get on tumblr and other portions of the internet, but even here I find the criticism not-particularly-constructive and riddled with entitlement. I am absolutely convinced that a large section of Who fandom enjoys haterade as their primary fandom activity.

(And I'm hoping the new Doctor is someone I don't know enough about to have a strong opinion one way or the other. Though I'm sure Metafilter can supply me with plenty of opinions should I be in need.)
posted by immlass at 10:29 PM on August 1, 2013 [1 favorite]


Not Capaldi but another Scot, David Hayman
posted by stuartmm at 10:43 PM on August 1, 2013


Please oh please oh please oh please let it be Sue Perkins as the next Doctor.

Sigh, and she's not even listed at the bookies as in the running :-(

I haven't completely warmed to Matt Smith as the current Doctor - I think it's a combination of wacky scripts for him, plus I have a hard time believing he's really 900 years old. Looking forward to having a new one!
posted by BigCalm at 2:50 AM on August 2, 2013 [4 favorites]


Lucy Liu.
posted by urbanwhaleshark at 3:16 AM on August 2, 2013


Companions: Cameron D and Destiny?
posted by jaduncan at 6:24 AM on August 2, 2013


BEYONCE
posted by elizardbits at 6:51 AM on August 2, 2013 [1 favorite]


I think Johnny Five from Short Circuit would be a pretty good Doctor Who. He's already a science fiction character and he has a laser and probably he could travel through time!

...all right I don't know anything about Doctor Who
posted by FAMOUS MONSTER at 6:58 AM on August 2, 2013 [5 favorites]


grimes as the next doctor. she'll play her own spooky music at dramatic moments.
posted by nadawi at 7:08 AM on August 2, 2013 [2 favorites]


I don't really care who the next Doctor is, I just want Moffat gone.
posted by dogheart at 7:09 AM on August 2, 2013 [12 favorites]


JOHNNY FIVE'S ALIVE
posted by nadawi at 7:09 AM on August 2, 2013




Jerry Sadowitz *as* Peter Capaldi. Own costume. [Google image search]
posted by aesop at 7:44 AM on August 2, 2013


GENE: I mean, people say things like Emma Thompson and Helen Mirren should play the Doctor and that’s like... ridiculous.

Oh, yes. Emma or my other long-standing crush, Sue Perkins.*

Please oh please oh please oh please let it be Sue Perkins as the next Doctor.

Whoo-hoo!

* Yes, I know.
posted by Celsius1414 at 8:17 AM on August 2, 2013


I vote for Rose Leslie. In fifteen years.
posted by sonmi at 9:25 AM on August 2, 2013


Paul F Tompkins

I know this was likely a joke submission -- but dammit yes.
posted by grubi at 9:26 AM on August 2, 2013 [3 favorites]


(I will say that after viewing the first Guy Ritchie Sherlock Holmes film a few years ago -- which I enjoyed -- I remarked to my wife "If they ever consider an American for Doctor Who, I think Robert Downey Jr would be a perfect choice.")
posted by grubi at 9:27 AM on August 2, 2013


Please oh please oh please oh please let it be Sue Perkins as the next Doctor.

And Mel Giedroyc as the Master.
posted by Lentrohamsanin at 9:32 AM on August 2, 2013


I totally understand the Sue Perkins love but if they go for a female doctor I so badly want it to be Shirley Henderson.
posted by Navelgazer at 9:33 AM on August 2, 2013 [2 favorites]


If we're just talking about our dream Doctor as opposed to someone it's actually plausible that they'd cast, then Billy Connolly by a mile. He'd be incredible.
posted by George_Spiggott at 9:33 AM on August 2, 2013 [1 favorite]


Oh this is rather spooky... this reminiscence is datelined today.
posted by George_Spiggott at 9:37 AM on August 2, 2013


[okay, I need to learn to read. The date I was looking at is not the story's dateline -- it was published in 2010. Slinking away now]
posted by George_Spiggott at 9:39 AM on August 2, 2013


Remember when Smith was cast? From little other than a brief low key interview on an episode of Confidential and an unofficial photo, people were up in arms. EMO DOCTOR?!?! They cried.. and what we got was the best doctor since the 60's.

*cough*

You'd do well to mind your tongue, mediocre.
posted by grubi at 10:06 AM on August 2, 2013 [1 favorite]


According to my daughter the best daughter is the 2nd Doctor, though she likes the 1st a lot. She may be unusual in this as far as 6 year olds go.
posted by Artw at 10:11 AM on August 2, 2013 [4 favorites]


You guys you guys

ANDRE 3000
posted by duffell at 10:14 AM on August 2, 2013 [9 favorites]


Artw, it's so refreshing to have someone younger than 30 choose someone from the original series, I won't even nitpick how she's off by a count of two.
posted by grubi at 10:14 AM on August 2, 2013 [1 favorite]


dammit duffell that's genius
posted by grubi at 10:15 AM on August 2, 2013


She's not really that into the show - I've tried watching the new series a couple of times with her and she wasn't really into it. But TARGET novelisations she loves, and I've been reading my way through them with her.

We're on The Dalek Invasion of the Earth right now - it's great.
posted by Artw at 10:20 AM on August 2, 2013 [1 favorite]


Artw, she might like the Big Finish audio adventures. I went from someone who couldn't stand Colin Baker as the Doctor to a fan. he's not my favorite, but he is good. He is very very good.

(They also have adventures with Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Peter Davison, and Tom Baker! They're brilliantly produced and loads of fun. Plus at least one of the adventures got turned into a Nu Who episode ("Jubilee").)
posted by grubi at 10:26 AM on August 2, 2013


(Big Finish has released the audio from some of the Troughton episodes -- including some for which only the audio survives. They even have a series of "Early Adventures" coming out soon.)
posted by grubi at 10:32 AM on August 2, 2013


emmtee: "Aubrey Plaza."

Rob Lowe's leaving P&R. If they're going to cast an American, he'd be near the top of my list.
posted by schmod at 10:33 AM on August 2, 2013


Artw, she might like the Big Finish audio adventures.

May be doing a post at some point that touches on that, as well as some other spin-offs.
posted by Artw at 10:38 AM on August 2, 2013


I'm looking forward to that.
posted by grubi at 10:45 AM on August 2, 2013


14-year-old me really wants it to be Sean Biggerstaff, who played Oliver Wood in the HP films. *swoon*
posted by coppermoss at 11:54 AM on August 2, 2013


Rassilon, and we'll make him evil this time

He was always evil.

the rest of what was written

Ah, okay, continuity seems to be a concern of yours. Well, then I hate to say this but you want a show that Doctor Who isn't nor has it ever been. Canon and continuity are things that have from the very beginning been repeatedly paradox'd and retconned and changed for whatever fits the needs of the story at hand. I don't know if you simply failed to notice this in the past, find something particularly maddedningly self contradicting about recent years, or what.. but Doctor Who has NEVER been a beacon of continuity.
posted by mediocre at 12:39 PM on August 2, 2013 [2 favorites]


Better scripts, and a better overall vision for the show, are what's really needed.

I request specifics. Since as I have previously noted and confirmed with juiceCake's criticisms, many people who complain about the show want something that Doctor Who isn't and/or has ever been.
posted by mediocre at 12:41 PM on August 2, 2013


According to my daughter the best daughter is the 2nd Doctor

While I will never fault anyone for favoriting Troughton, who is hands down my favorite Doctor of all time. Smith being second, and this is largely because he is clearly inspired by Troughton's Doctor. I read an interview with Chris Hardwick recently and he said it has become a thing recently to claim Troughton as your favorite Doctor since it is well known that Smith was influenced by him. Again, I will never fault anyone for loving Troughton, but if thats true its hilarious.
posted by mediocre at 12:49 PM on August 2, 2013


Matt Smith modeled his Doctor on the 2nd and Tennant modeled his on the 5th... if this is going to continue, I'd like to see a new Doctor who models himself on the 3rd. He had a kind of swashbuckling alien dashingness and suffer-no-fools sense of propriety that hasn't really been seen since. Except maybe by the 8th, but that hardly counts.
posted by painquale at 1:21 PM on August 2, 2013 [2 favorites]


I was watching the Behind the Doctor series on BBC America recently, and when they get to the episode about Sylvester McCoy, they describe his doctor as "seemingly clownish but deeply sad underneath." Um, Eccleston? I suspect 9 modeled his performance a bit on 7.
posted by grubi at 1:58 PM on August 2, 2013 [1 favorite]


I request specifics. Since as I have previously noted and confirmed with juiceCake's criticisms, many people who complain about the show want something that Doctor Who isn't and/or has ever been.

Nor was the old show so pathetically written as the new one. Must we want it to be exactly the same as the old?
posted by juiceCake at 2:15 PM on August 2, 2013


He was always evil.

No he wasn't. The Game of Rassilon was made to protect those with the power of time from abusing it or at least from taking the Time Lords down a bad path, hence "to lose is to win and he who wins shall lose."

Sure, he could have had a dark side as well and it's debated.

He was never the evil idiotic Rassilon we got from RTD.

Ah, okay, continuity seems to be a concern of yours. Well, then I hate to say this but you want a show that Doctor Who isn't nor has it ever been. Canon and continuity are things that have from the very beginning been repeatedly paradox'd and retconned and changed for whatever fits the needs of the story at hand. I don't know if you simply failed to notice this in the past, find something particularly maddedningly self contradicting about recent years, or what.. but Doctor Who has NEVER been a beacon of continuity.

Hate to say this, but hence why I said I realize this happens most often in science fiction but not to the ridiculous degree it does in the new series. I have not failed to notice continuity issues. As I said, it happens even more in science fiction and particularly when the show is long running. Never implied it was a beacon of continuity.

Furthermore, I'm not talking about continuity in terms of number of regenerations, that sort of thing, there are minor continuity changes all the time. I'm talking about throw it out the door dramatic situations where the emotions the characters go through are meaningless because the great big barriers and events that make them sad will ultimately not mean a thing and they'll be happy.
posted by juiceCake at 2:23 PM on August 2, 2013 [1 favorite]


Nicolas Winding Refn* would cast Tom Burke

*Who apparently is an uber-nerd... Blake's 7, Thunderbirds!
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 3:27 PM on August 2, 2013 [2 favorites]


I gonna accept "built weirdo death game" as at least partway evil.
posted by Artw at 3:36 PM on August 2, 2013


Not just "FIRE X HE RIUONEDA I(TAS ALLL!!@!!

Just make Mark Gatiss the show-runner and everything will be perfect! Perfect! (Opinion may have been influenced by listening to Gatiss' recently radio pieces on film adaptations of 70s sitcoms whilst walking under a broiling sun)
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 3:51 PM on August 2, 2013 [2 favorites]


It'll ba Chibnall and you know it. Or the crap third guy off of Sherlock who clearly has files on someone.
posted by Artw at 3:56 PM on August 2, 2013


Given that it was the original founders of Time Lord society on Gallifrey who were responsible for gladitorial death games where warriors from all of spacetime were scooped out of their proper place in the universe, and that Rassilon was one of those figures (along with Omega, and possibly an "Other") I don't think it's out of line to infer that Rassilon himself wasn't exactly an angel. Like Doctor 6 said, sit on top of the universal chain of command for billions of years.. it'll tend to corrupt.

But even if you want to say that Rassilon was not an antagonistic figure in Time Lord society, I don't really think it too big of a stretch to turn him into a bad guy by the events of the Time War. The little we have heard about it indicates Lovecraftian levels of unimagineable horror, The Skaro Degradations, The Horde Of Travesties, The Nightmare Child, The Could-Have-Been-King and his Army Of Meanwhiles and Never-Were's. Sounds like something that could drive a ruler of the most powerful race in the history of the everything to a place where he would rather tear the universe asunder in hopes of ascending to a higher plane than live another day in it.
posted by mediocre at 5:00 PM on August 2, 2013


(along with Omega, and possibly an "Other")

The Doctor, IIRC, according to some heavy handed McCoy era hints. Which TBH is a bit wank.
posted by Artw at 5:07 PM on August 2, 2013


Cartmel Masterplan
posted by Artw at 5:13 PM on August 2, 2013


It should be Tom Hardy and he should do every episode shirtless.
posted by elizardbits at 5:14 PM on August 2, 2013 [3 favorites]


(Looking back at that stuff makes sweeping the Time Lords off the table look like a very smart move on RTDs part.)
posted by Artw at 5:18 PM on August 2, 2013


I hope it IS Chibnall and I hope it's NOT Gatiss. Come at me!
posted by crossoverman at 5:37 PM on August 2, 2013 [1 favorite]


You know, Andrew Scott made an excellent villain as Moriarty. But I'm just throwing spaghetti at the wall at this point.

coppermoss: 14-year-old me really wants it to be Sean Biggerstaff, who played Oliver Wood in the HP films. *swoon*

A hot British actor with the name "Biggerstaff?" Hang in there. He may be destined for the adult film industry.
posted by duffell at 2:14 AM on August 3, 2013 [1 favorite]


A hot British actor with the name "Biggerstaff?" Hang in there. He may be destined for the adult film industry.

...You've suddenly gotten me wanting to make some kind of porn reference involving the name "Cumberbatch" but I can't quite figure one out.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 5:36 AM on August 3, 2013 [2 favorites]


FOR THOSE OF US DOWN SOUTH: ABC is going to broadcast the announcement live. 4am Eastern, probably 2am in the West, and whatever time that works out to be in the centre.

Prime in NZ says it is open to the idea, but doesn't know WTF is going on.

So, yes, I will be getting up at OHMYGOD o'clock on a Monday morning to see it live.

Because we live in a word where this can happen.


The new Doctor Who is a cat. He does not give a shit about anything.

Ah, am I the only one who recalls the Kit-10 rumours, for Colin Baker' era.
I once loved that idea.

It'll ba Chibnall and you know it. Or the crap third guy off of Sherlock who clearly has files on someone.

Chibnall gets too much stick. I've liked some of his episodes, and Broadchurch seems promising.
posted by Mezentian at 6:16 AM on August 3, 2013 [3 favorites]


Ugh, I have this whole fantasy league going and I don't even watch the show.
posted by moody cow at 6:40 AM on August 3, 2013 [1 favorite]


I don't even watch the show.

There's 50 years to catch up on. Better get on it.
posted by Mezentian at 7:22 AM on August 3, 2013 [1 favorite]


All these Game of Thrones actors mentioned but no one has said Sean Bean?
posted by octothorpe at 7:31 AM on August 3, 2013


All these Game of Thrones actors mentioned but no one has said Sean Bean?

Someone said Sean Pertwee, which used up all the Sean-awesome.

(Also, David Troughton needs to be the Doctor).

Also, Bean is, like, Big in Hollywood.

Also, Len nominated Russell Tovey. He has also been in Who before, twice (same character), and RTD seriously considered him. So much so it was a bit creepy.
posted by Mezentian at 7:39 AM on August 3, 2013


Russell Tovey also made quite a name for himself on a different franchise as a geeky werewolf.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:51 AM on August 3, 2013


In anticipation of Sunday's revelation of the new Doctor, the BBC is soliciting interview questions via e-mail from fans for the still-unknown actor (despite Fleet Street's frenzied prying). And as for the dearth of leaks this time around, Whovian journalist Craig McGill recalls his past scoops—and reflects on how the Beeb has tightened up their act this time.

Incidentally, why hasn't the name of Ben Daniels been mentioned in this thread yet? And does nobody find it suspicious that Daniel Rigby suddenly cancelled his Edinburgh Fringe show this Sunday evening?
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:23 AM on August 3, 2013


It's a shame that Daniel Rigby is associated with those fucking BT commercials (which make me want to commit damage on people) rather than Black Mirror or his portrayal of Eric Morecambe. It's one of the more plausible suggestions. Watching Utopia and Misfits recently, I wondered if Nathan Stewart-Jarrett might be good for the part.

I hate this game, and I hate myself for joining in. Hate hate hate.
posted by Grangousier at 10:34 AM on August 3, 2013


Tovey was fantastic in Being Human and could nail the balance of comedy, sci-fi whizbang, and drama Who would require. BUT:
@mishacollins: also, in totally unrelated news, i'll have a very exciting announcement tomorrow. Hint: it has something to do with the UK and phone booths.
whut
posted by Rhaomi at 10:03 PM on August 3, 2013 [3 favorites]


Methinks the possibility that the person who was cast as the 12th Doctor would tweet any sort of hint about it is about as likely as me being cast and not yet knowing it. :)

On a related note, because everyone involved is going through so much trouble (particularly the announcement airing live here in the US), I'm totally going to be avoiding the possibility of online links from here on out. Of course, it's airtime here makes that easy as "Sunday morning" is basically a mythical time around my home.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 10:20 PM on August 3, 2013


Is Being Human not very famous/popular in the UK? Tovey is great in it, but I would worry about having a hard time not seeing him as George--at least initially. I'm sure that he'd make the role his own and that I'd look back and wonder why I'd ever doubted it, but up until 12's episodes started airing I'd probably be 'shopping stupid gifs of past Doctors shouting WHO WANTS A PIECE OF MY CHAIR; he doesn't seem to fit with the "relative unknown" criterion for casting a Doctor.
posted by kagredon at 10:24 PM on August 3, 2013


whut

He is literally the hugest troll that has ever existed in popular media since the dawn of mankind, that's what.
posted by elizardbits at 10:32 PM on August 3, 2013 [3 favorites]


Since before the dawn of mankind, even. He was backing the Neanderthals.
posted by homunculus at 10:37 PM on August 3, 2013


Oh my god, do I care enough to get up at 4am for the Australian broadcast... maybe? This is where a TARDIS would come in handy. It will probably be someone unknown here anyway. (Misha Collins seems a tolerably amusing fellow, not bad for a fallen angel I guess.)
posted by Coaticass at 2:17 AM on August 4, 2013


Don't knock the Neanderthal. You're not so great yourself, mr Homo so-called Sapiens.

(I'm probably the only person, I've come to realize, who preferred the last two seasons of Being Human to the others, largely because of the new cast. Still, if the idea is a Doctor to placate the relatively small but vocal group of teenage girls who demand someone pretty, you could do worse than Damien Molony; if it's an off-the-wall casting you want, how about Michael Sorcha, or better yet co-cast it with his sister Lauren - you have no idea which one you're going to get this week and no one in the programme seems to think it's strange at all.

In just over six hours this speculation will be over.)
posted by Grangousier at 2:41 AM on August 4, 2013


Eight hours. I meant eight hours.
posted by Grangousier at 2:54 AM on August 4, 2013


He is literally the hugest troll that has ever existed in popular media since the dawn of mankind, that's what.

Great troll too. He gets not only the gullible Who fans, but the hardcore SPN fans (especially those who OT3 Cas/Winchesters).
posted by Mezentian at 4:08 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


so what makes a good doctor?
posted by moody cow at 5:30 AM on August 4, 2013


Steady hands
posted by dng at 5:42 AM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


so what makes a good doctor?

You just know it when you see it.

(Since McCoy's day, the ability to give a really good speech helps - except McGann).
posted by Mezentian at 5:45 AM on August 4, 2013


Bleeding Cool think they know, and have "evidence".

I'm not keen. 'Es too pretty.
posted by Mezentian at 7:27 AM on August 4, 2013


Someone in the know is director James Hawes, who tweeted yesterday: "I have just found out who the new Doctor is... Didn't guess that!!"
BBC News has reported that only ten people know the true identity of who it will be. (Via)

Apparently Tom Baker is rocking on down, and so is that beloved companion from the classic series, Mel.
posted by Mezentian at 8:14 AM on August 4, 2013


Doctor Who update: The next Romana to be a man.
posted by Artw at 8:33 AM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


I don't know why, but suddenly all the fuss being made over this feels a bit...unseemly.

I mean, yeah, I'm gonna be seeing if there's any way I can get WiFi at the beach where I'm going to be at 2 pm today so I can hear the announcement myself, but...a special news broadcast being set up by the BBC in order to make a casting announcement for a show? Why not just a press release?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:39 AM on August 4, 2013


Yes I know that makes me sound really old.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:40 AM on August 4, 2013


EmpressCallipygos: The Catholic pope got live coverage too.
posted by jaduncan at 8:43 AM on August 4, 2013


....I'm not sure whether you're expressing an opinion on the unimportance of the Pope or the importance of The Doctor.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:45 AM on August 4, 2013 [5 favorites]


a special news broadcast being set up by the BBC in order to make a casting announcement for a show?

The BBC big-ups itself all the time... half the guests on the One Show are advertising their beeb shows

Oh and the word on the street (ie I know someone who's heard a lot of rumours) is that it's Rigby... we'll see
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 8:58 AM on August 4, 2013


I'm referencing Sara C's comment here:
Assuming a somewhat conservative "same but different" new Doctor is most likely

Omigod guys it's like we're talking about Nerd Pope.
posted by Sara C. at 2:34 on June 2 [88 favorites −] [!]
posted by jaduncan at 8:59 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


ie I know someone who's heard a lot of rumours

By rumours I mean industry gossip
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 9:03 AM on August 4, 2013


Doctor Who Update: Okay, I can trust you guys right? Time for me to come clean.
posted by Artw at 9:24 AM on August 4, 2013


BBC is currently reporting that the new Doctor will be none other than a raccoon in a plexiglass cube. The cube will be held aloft with wires and floated through hideous architectures of fiendish complexity. Various scenes of sci-fi fun and adventure will be filmed, and then intercut with reaction shots from the increasingly panicked animal. It should be an interesting series, and probably an improvement on the last, although right now the cube's contents are partially obscured from an ill-timed spray of the new Doctor's feces.

It's a bold choice from the BBC, as the raccoon is not a native of the UK, but many are stressing that their choice did not go far enough, as the raccoon is indeed a male, and Moffat will remain on as showrunner.
posted by Sticherbeast at 9:36 AM on August 4, 2013 [4 favorites]


Doctor Who Update: Okay, I can trust you guys right? Time for me to come clean.

Meanwhile, the Whovians are scrambling over the new rumour that it's The White Queen Star Aneurin Barnard. He said he wants the role back in July, but now he's keeping shtum about his upcoming projects.
posted by Doktor Zed at 10:24 AM on August 4, 2013


the rumor on a gossip blog is that this is the new doctor.
posted by nadawi at 10:28 AM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


Oh and the word on the street (ie I know someone who's heard a lot of rumours) is that it's Rigby... we'll see

He was Bleeding Cool's favorite for a while, but they've changed their mind, based on a tweet.
posted by painquale at 10:33 AM on August 4, 2013


nadawi: "the rumor on a gossip blog is that this is the new doctor."

STILL NOT GINGER.
posted by Dr. Zira at 10:37 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]




ALL OF YOU ALL OF YOU ALL OF YOU ALL OF YOU ALL OF YOU ALL OF YOU ALL OF YOU
posted by Artw at 11:14 AM on August 4, 2013


It turns out the Doctor was inside us all along.
posted by The Whelk at 11:17 AM on August 4, 2013


Ew!

Watching twitter explode over this is like, worse than watching it explode over the #royalbaby.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 11:18 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


Despite having TunnelBear set to UK, I'm still unable to stream BBC One live in either Chrome or Firefox. I can't say that I'm sitting here in deathless anticipation, but I really was kind of hoping to watch this. Bah.
posted by Shepherd at 11:19 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


I feel like I'm watching a volcano explode in the far distance, sure there's not going to be summer this year, but the sunsets will be soooo pretty.
posted by The Whelk at 11:19 AM on August 4, 2013 [3 favorites]


Pope Royal Baby Who is going to be my next handle somewhere.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 11:20 AM on August 4, 2013 [4 favorites]


I'm just going to tab over to tumblr for a second here......


it's quiet.

too quiet.
posted by The Whelk at 11:22 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


Pope Royal Baby Who is going to be my next handle somewhere.

Imagine what you'd do if that was outside your house.
posted by kagredon at 11:24 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


Given all the griping and bet-making, it's irritating that the majority of North American fans just assume it's going to be someone they know, handily forgetting that unless you're a hardcore Anglophile or a particularly perceptive resident of the UK, Matt Smith and David Tennant were virtually unknown.
posted by Kitteh at 11:25 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


I'm sure it'll be a fine specimen from the BBC's wan sunken-cheeked boy wunderkind stables.
posted by The Whelk at 11:27 AM on August 4, 2013 [3 favorites]


Well, the bookies were right, I suppose. It is Peter Capaldi.
posted by yasaman at 11:27 AM on August 4, 2013


Peter Capaldi!
posted by Doktor Zed at 11:27 AM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


CAPALDI FUCK YEAH!
posted by Dr. Zira at 11:27 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


Capaldi!
posted by jason_steakums at 11:27 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


Dr Sweary
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 11:27 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


Meh.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 11:28 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


OH FUCK YES
posted by Kitteh at 11:28 AM on August 4, 2013


Doctor Crazy Eyes it is!
posted by The Whelk at 11:29 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


Get the fucking fuck out.
posted by Katemonkey at 11:29 AM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


I look forward to a generation of teary-eyed youth exploring the beloved Doctor's earlier career and being treated to a fucking bastard shit-torrenting bowel-rending fuckwhalloping eye-popping expansion of their word power.
posted by Shepherd at 11:29 AM on August 4, 2013 [23 favorites]


Another white dude. Aw well.
posted by Windigo at 11:30 AM on August 4, 2013 [7 favorites]


Craig Ferguson and Peter Capaldi are really really good friends from way back - if Capaldi pulls some strings to get Ferguson as, say, The Master? Oh my yes.
posted by jason_steakums at 11:32 AM on August 4, 2013 [6 favorites]


Seriously, if you guys have never seen "In the Loop" go to Netflix and watch it now.
posted by Dr. Zira at 11:32 AM on August 4, 2013 [8 favorites]


Fuck yeah
posted by brilliantmistake at 11:32 AM on August 4, 2013




Another white dude. Aw well.

Peter Capaldi is less a "white dude" and more the Platonic ideal of cursing wrapped in a frail and rapidly fraying shell of Caucasian skin.
posted by Shepherd at 11:33 AM on August 4, 2013 [19 favorites]




Fuckity bye!
posted by IanMorr at 11:36 AM on August 4, 2013 [8 favorites]


He's got the teeth, nose and hair, just need to give Capaldi a big hat,scarf and stories obviously ripped off from classic horror tropes.
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 11:39 AM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


A Scottish Doctor. I'll tune in for the accent!
posted by Atreides at 11:39 AM on August 4, 2013


I'm so excited, and relieved it's not English Marky Mark.
posted by Dr. Zira at 11:40 AM on August 4, 2013


Good casting! So pleased.

I predict a backlash (wait, already underway, apparently he's a boring choice) and an investigation into the betting plunge.
posted by Mezentian at 11:40 AM on August 4, 2013


So yeah, if Manic Pixie Dream Doctor characterization was wearing thin since Tennant, I really don't think Capaldi is gonna go that way. I'm sure he could but it would be so weird. I can see him having a kind of Tom Baker quirkiness, but who knows, he's got plenty of range so he can go pretty much anywhere with the characterization. He'd be great at a Doctor in the vein of Troughton or Pertwee.
posted by jason_steakums at 11:40 AM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


David Tennant is Scottish too, and he didn't keep the accent, much to my dismay. I hope Capaldi does, it'd be a nice change.
posted by yasaman at 11:40 AM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


I AM OKAY WITH THIS
posted by Sticherbeast at 11:42 AM on August 4, 2013


I have longed for a return to a Doctor you "wouldn't want to leave your kids alone with". So oddly hostile, angry crazy eyes Doctor? Yes please.

Just don't solve major conflicts with by actually just shouting. The shouting should be the spice to solving the conflict.
posted by The Whelk at 11:42 AM on August 4, 2013 [9 favorites]


I'm glad it's someone old, and interesting, because I was really afraid they'd take even fewer risks and put another young pretty thing in the role and that's getting very tired. But still, a white dude. And that's a little tired too, no matter how old and interesting Peter Capaldi will inevitably be.

(Honestly? I really want a crazy unlikable Colin Baker Doctor.)

Also the hype machine behind this is ridiculous and I feel a little skeevy for having even participated. Does anyone else feel a bit like a marketing tool?
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 11:42 AM on August 4, 2013


Bonus points for the first YouTube video which convincingly dubs the first Capaldi Who episode with choice Malcolm Tucker lines. Or, Cassette Boy style, cuts up Tucker dialogue so that it appear to be from Doctor Who, with added swearing. (There's even a bit in that best of Tucker that The Whelk posted where Capaldi says "Yeah, we're fucking time travellers now".)
posted by Len at 11:42 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


Ok, I know I need to go watch In the Loop. What else do I need to see him in?
posted by showbiz_liz at 11:43 AM on August 4, 2013


MAYBE YOU CAN DOWNLOAD RICE.
posted by The Whelk at 11:43 AM on August 4, 2013 [5 favorites]


Doctor Fucking Cuntibollocks Who, then.

Blimey.

Given that I never thought they'd go for such a high-profile actor, it's a bloody good choice. I'm actually looking forward to it now.
posted by Grangousier at 11:44 AM on August 4, 2013


A Scottish Doctor. I'll tune in for the accent!

Assuming they let him keep it.
posted by dng at 11:45 AM on August 4, 2013


I would love to see a non-white-dude Doctor, but I don't think it's boring to cast a white man if he can do well in that role.
posted by showbiz_liz at 11:45 AM on August 4, 2013 [5 favorites]


Ok, I know I need to go watch In the Loop. What else do I need to see him in?

The Thick of It!
posted by Sticherbeast at 11:46 AM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


IMDB shows that he was also in World War Z as "W.H.O. Doctor."
Mitigating Factor: Having to watch World War Z.
posted by Dr. Zira at 11:47 AM on August 4, 2013 [4 favorites]


IMDB shows that he was also in World War Z as "W.H.O. Doctor."

Ha, I just noticed that as well. That's hilarious.
posted by showbiz_liz at 11:47 AM on August 4, 2013


Oh, and for more range, you could check out Bill Forsyth's Local Hero and the TV version of Neverwhere if you want to see Capaldi in, as it were, action.
posted by Grangousier at 11:48 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


showbiz_liz: What else do I need to see him in?

Local Hero.

Also, it just struck me: Peter Capaldi is the only Oscar winner (for his short film Franz Kafka's It's A Wonderful Life) to play the Doctor.
posted by Len at 11:49 AM on August 4, 2013 [6 favorites]


Craig Ferguson and Peter Capaldi are really really good friends from way back - if Capaldi pulls some strings to get Ferguson as, say, The Master? Oh my yes.

I think we can all agree that what this show really needs is moar Craig Ferguson!
posted by orrnyereg at 11:49 AM on August 4, 2013 [4 favorites]


"I work for the United Nation's Official World Health Organization, U.N.O.W.H.O"
posted by The Whelk at 11:49 AM on August 4, 2013 [5 favorites]


It weirds me out every time I remember he was in Local Hero, like remembering the existance of Ministry's early soft rock albums.
posted by Artw at 11:50 AM on August 4, 2013 [6 favorites]


I actually liked WWZ, and I was pleasantly surprised when he showed up in it. I also just now realize that he was, indeed, a WHO Doctor in it.
posted by Sticherbeast at 11:50 AM on August 4, 2013


Dr Tucker
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 11:50 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


Ok, I know I need to go watch In the Loop. What else do I need to see him in?

He plays the same character in The Thick of It which is up on Hulu. He was in Torchwood: Children of Earth and that was during Torchwood's brief stride of quality so it's pretty good. The thing with Capaldi is that most of his stuff is really good character acting and a lot of guest roles and less big standout leads, so it's hard to remember favorites. He was briefly in Skins and he was great there, he popped up in an episode of Peep Show and their movie Magicians, he was in that one Pompeii episode of Doctor Who.
posted by jason_steakums at 11:50 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


He was really good as Uncle Rory in the BBC adaptation of The Crow Road.
posted by dng at 11:52 AM on August 4, 2013 [3 favorites]


Of course he'll always be Uncle Rary in The Crow Road
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 11:54 AM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


Damn you, dmg
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 11:54 AM on August 4, 2013


Is Capaldi the first Doctor who played in a punk band?
posted by jason_steakums at 11:54 AM on August 4, 2013


I'm happy to see a Doctor older than me again.
posted by jeribus at 11:55 AM on August 4, 2013 [10 favorites]


He's done some time travelling before, too.
posted by dng at 11:55 AM on August 4, 2013


Is Capaldi the first Doctor who played in a punk band?

Doctor John Constantine.
posted by Artw at 11:56 AM on August 4, 2013 [3 favorites]


I think Capaldi is about the best possible outcome here and I'm a bit surprised that he took the roll. I would even be excited by this if I thought there was any chance that the scripts will be worthy of him.
posted by Zetetics at 11:56 AM on August 4, 2013


Can Armando Iannucci be the new writer?
posted by jason_steakums at 11:57 AM on August 4, 2013 [8 favorites]


The only downside to this is that it mayhaps decrease the likelihood of a "Veep" appearance.
posted by Dr. Zira at 11:58 AM on August 4, 2013


I've been hoping they get Peter Serafinowicz to write the new series since listening to this.
posted by dng at 11:59 AM on August 4, 2013


It's also just occurred to me that Peter Capaldi looks like, and frequently acts like, a Roald Dahl character. I like it.
posted by Sticherbeast at 12:06 PM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


Drunk In Time
posted by dng at 12:06 PM on August 4, 2013


Peter Capaldi's letter to the Radio Times (aged 15)
posted by brilliantmistake at 12:08 PM on August 4, 2013 [3 favorites]


Mark Heap

He's too much like a manic John Cleese. If we're picking Blue Jammers, go with David Cann, or better yet, Kevin Eldon!
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 12:13 PM on August 4, 2013


FIST PUMP.
posted by linux at 12:15 PM on August 4, 2013


I've never gotten into Thick of It but I have friends who swear by it. I'm pleased, and looking forward to having a Doctor who isn't a cute young things. All my social justice brigade friends are disappointed that it wasn't a POC or even a white woman, but this is about as good as I could have hoped for. I never had any expectation that it would be anything but a white guy, though I could totally have gotten behind some folks like Idris Elba or Chiwetel Ejiofor whose names were bandied about. The Who "team" (showrunners, writers, etc.) seems to be folks that have come out of old skool Who fandom and that's mostly white dudes. It's not a surprised that they picked an actor who's been on the show and was a fan as a kid himself, putting him firmly in that demographic.
posted by immlass at 12:18 PM on August 4, 2013


He's so old he can remember a time before Doctor Who!
posted by fullerine at 12:20 PM on August 4, 2013


This may sound odd, but I'm hoping that he keeps his Van Dyke goatee from his role as Cardinal Richelieu. His version of the Doctor is going to need a prominent distraction to neutralize any visual similarity to Malcolm Tucker. Besides, we've never had a proper Doctor with any facial hair (no, Peter Cushing doesn't count), so it's high time we broke the clean-shaven streak.
posted by Doktor Zed at 12:22 PM on August 4, 2013 [3 favorites]


Of course Peter Cushing counts.
posted by dng at 12:23 PM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


yeah, of course he counts...

the number of times that he doesn't count

except he can't...

because you can't count infinity
posted by Sticherbeast at 12:29 PM on August 4, 2013


Somewhere, someone at BBC Wales was thinking "I want to see lots of anime-style naked drawings of Peter Capaldi ...but HOW?"
posted by The Whelk at 12:31 PM on August 4, 2013 [19 favorites]


Good choice.
posted by homunculus at 12:33 PM on August 4, 2013


I know we're all progressives here and such, and have the fullest respect for the dismantling of tropes as to ageing sexuality, but please God let this be the end of the 'I really luv you Doctor' bullshit.
posted by biffa at 12:37 PM on August 4, 2013 [5 favorites]


Biffa, we live in a world in which there exists slash fic between Cogsworth and Lumière. I don't think people are going to be averse to sexualizing an attractive, confident, charismatic man in a famous role.
posted by Sticherbeast at 12:41 PM on August 4, 2013 [7 favorites]


I don't think people are going to be averse to sexualizing an attractive, confident, charismatic man in a famous role.

Hell, this may actually drive me to writing fanfic. Glorious foul-mouthed timey-wimey fanfic.
posted by Lyn Never at 12:43 PM on August 4, 2013 [5 favorites]


Biffa, we live in a world in which there exists slash fic between Cogsworth and Lumière. I don't think people are going to be averse to sexualizing an attractive, confident, charismatic man in a famous role.

I think biffa's talking about the show writers, not fanfic writers. And I agree! Not every companion needs to want to fuck the Doctor.
posted by showbiz_liz at 12:44 PM on August 4, 2013 [4 favorites]


Oh, you're right, showbiz_liz. My apologies, biffa.

And yeah, I am not a fan of the Doctor having even will-they-or-won't-they relationships with his Companions.
posted by Sticherbeast at 12:49 PM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


New companion, an asexual glowing orb that feeds off profanity
posted by The Whelk at 12:49 PM on August 4, 2013 [18 favorites]


I hope the regeneration is timed so Capaldi can act opposite John Hurt's Doctor in the special, that'd be some good tv.
posted by jason_steakums at 12:50 PM on August 4, 2013 [3 favorites]


jason_steakums: I hope the regeneration is timed so Capaldi can act opposite John Hurt's Doctor in the special, that'd be some good tv.

I thought about that, too, but all the press releases say that 11 will regenerate into 12 in the Christmas special, so alas, no.
posted by tzikeh at 12:52 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


Between Peter Cushing, the show and the first TARGET novelisation there's three different Doctors who meet Barbara and Ian for the first time, one of whom is clearly a contemporary human - resolving that would take some serious timey-wimey.
posted by Artw at 12:52 PM on August 4, 2013


Aw man.
posted by jason_steakums at 12:52 PM on August 4, 2013


I thought about that, too, but all the press releases say that 11 will regenerate into 12 in the Christmas special, so alas, no.

There's always a chance that John Hurt could return or play a recurring villain.
posted by painquale at 1:03 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


I watch the show peripherally, because misterussell is a lifelong fan. He's very happy with Capaldi and I'm happy that the Doctor is a fully-grown and mature man instead of Matt Smith's 6-year-old-on-Pixy-Stix portrayal.

And Clara can stay on my TV as long as she wants.
rawr!
posted by kimberussell at 1:22 PM on August 4, 2013


I don't think from anything we've seen so far that there is the likeliest chance that John Hurt is going to be a one off.

Well apart from the Valeyard. That didn't start off too well though did it?
posted by DaRiLo at 1:23 PM on August 4, 2013


Apparently he's the oldest actor to play the part since Hartnell
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 1:32 PM on August 4, 2013


fearfulsymmetry: Apparently he's the oldest actor to play the part since Hartnell

Yup - Capaldi is 55--the same age Hartnell was when the show began.

Of course, John Hurt is 73, so....
posted by tzikeh at 1:48 PM on August 4, 2013


If you get a chance to see The Cricklewood Greats, Capaldi's mockumentary about a golden age British movie studio, you should. As writer, director and star he has a less sure hand than a lot of British comedy, but that's a pretty goddamn high bar to get over, particularly when you're creating an entire alternate history out of thin air. It mostly succeeds -- and reportedly definitely succeeded Orson Welles style with many viewers in convincing them that it was a real documentary; I suspect the cameos helped.
posted by George_Spiggott at 1:55 PM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


The Who "team" (showrunners, writers, etc.) seems to be folks that have come out of old skool Who fandom and that's mostly white dudes.

The fans bear a lot of the blame. Moffat once asked, in front of a Comicon crowd of Who fans, what they would think of a female Doctor. Half the crowd clapped, but half the crowd booed.
posted by painquale at 1:58 PM on August 4, 2013


There was that big survey of people's favorite Doctors, and what I found interesting was how, even though women were (unsurprisingly) more okay with the idea of a female Doctor than men were, the margin was not huge between them. A slight majority of men said it was important for the Doctor to be male; a slight majority of the women said it was not important for the Doctor to be male.

I honestly wonder what would happen if they cast a female Doctor. How would that change the franchise going forward? Or, would it change less than we'd expect?
posted by Sticherbeast at 2:04 PM on August 4, 2013


(By "change", I'm talking about the fan base.)
posted by Sticherbeast at 2:05 PM on August 4, 2013


I'm okay with this. I mean Moffat had given every indication that it wasn't going to be anything other than a white male, so I'd already resigned myself to that, and within that context, he strikes me as a good choice. I hope he keeps the accent though.
posted by juv3nal at 2:08 PM on August 4, 2013


I expect to see a POC Doctor before a female Doctor.

Anyway: I'm more interested in the outfit the they give Capaldi than in the choice of Capaldi himself. Will they go modern, like 9 and 10, antiquated, like 1 and 8 and 11, hobolike, like 2 and 4, or clownish, like 6 and 7?

I can imagine them just plunking him in a business suit. That's probably just because I imagine him as Malcolm Tucker. But it's hard to see him dressed any other way. Matt Smith's outfit was originally a swashbuckling pirate kind of costume, but he fought hard for the bowtie and suspenders. He probably wanted to play down his youth, while the producers wanted to play it up. (I hadn't considered this until just now, but his new purple frock coat could be a regression back to what they wanted his costume to be originally.) Maybe they'll give Capaldi the swashbuckling getup in order to create some dissonance between age and clothing once again.
posted by painquale at 2:17 PM on August 4, 2013


For some reason I'm picturing him with a toned-down Van Dyke and an ascot. I'm also picturing him with a cane, which conveniently folds into a little chair whenever he needs to stop and think.
posted by Sticherbeast at 2:27 PM on August 4, 2013


I just want to see Capaldi's doctor smash the plot-magic wand, er I mean, the sonic screwdriver, into tiny little non-reconstructable pieces.
posted by DiscourseMarker at 2:34 PM on August 4, 2013 [4 favorites]


As writer, director and star he has a less sure hand than a lot of British comedy

His directing skills have actually won him an Oscar. That's just about my most random fact about Peter Capaldi.
posted by hoyland at 2:44 PM on August 4, 2013


Seen Previously
posted by DaRiLo at 2:45 PM on August 4, 2013


Sticherbeast: "I'm also picturing him with a cane, which conveniently folds into a little chair whenever he needs to stop and think."

Going by some of the Who fans on twitter/tumblr he's going to need it. According to them if he tries to run from Daleks he'll end up breaking a hip.
posted by the_artificer at 2:53 PM on August 4, 2013


Which is really hilarious considering that, say, Barack Obama is basically the same age (52 vs. 55). Most people don't think of Obama as being "old" by any stretch of the imagination.
posted by Sticherbeast at 2:57 PM on August 4, 2013


i keep seeing mentions of tumblr - and i've poked around on a bunch of different tags - i have to say that the whining about tumblr fan girls is easily 10 times more prevalent than the tumblr fan girls whining about the age/attractiveness of the new doctor. most of them seem pretty alright with it all, except the ones that would be mad at any white man being cast.
posted by nadawi at 2:59 PM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


Hopefully next they get rid of Manic Pixie Dream Clara.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 3:17 PM on August 4, 2013 [6 favorites]


From what I've seen of The Thick if It, Malcolm Tucker walks in and solves everyone's problems by being the cleverest man in the room. So just like The Doctor.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 3:20 PM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


aw shucks, so i guess The Hour is definitely cancelled for now.

Also, if he gets to be the Scottish Doctor, is this part of a cunning plan from the Better Together campaign?
posted by cendawanita at 3:25 PM on August 4, 2013 [3 favorites]


I think it's high time the Doctor harked back to the past and had another Scottish companion named Jamie
posted by Len at 3:28 PM on August 4, 2013


A Doctor my own age! I approve!!!
Okay...I'm still older by two months. But, we're in the same neighborhood.

This also bodes well for what I've been wanting for awhile now...A more serious, mature Doctor. Well-picked!
posted by Thorzdad at 3:31 PM on August 4, 2013


I was going to follow the story until I realised that no matter who they cast as the Doctor, if Moffat continues on I will dislike him.
posted by jeather at 3:40 PM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


I somehow knew the hue and cry from Tumblr would be, "EEWWWWWW, he's like old and stuff!"

As though you won't be 55 yourself one day, you morons.
posted by Kitteh at 3:43 PM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


Hopefully this gets rid of some of the Tumblr-fans and people like my mom, who watch just to perv on the Doctor. And yes, I would be happy with an unattractive companion. The whole glamour model vibe is distracting.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 3:52 PM on August 4, 2013


Charlemagne In Sweatpants: Hopefully this gets rid of some of the Tumblr-fans and people like my mom, who watch just to perv on the Doctor.

Peter Capaldi is 1012 times sexier than Matt Smith.

Sucks to be you, I guess.
posted by tzikeh at 3:59 PM on August 4, 2013 [8 favorites]


Hardly a scientific sample, but the women I follow on twitter who have mentioned Capaldi have all sounded pretty enthusiastic...though I don't think I follow any women under 20, so? On the other hand, a few of them don't sound pleased at all with Steven Moffat.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 4:00 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


i keep seeing mentions of tumblr - and i've poked around on a bunch of different tags - i have to say that the whining about tumblr fan girls is easily 10 times more prevalent than the tumblr fan girls whining about the age/attractiveness of the new doctor. most of them seem pretty alright with it all, except the ones that would be mad at any white man being cast.

So it goes. "Tumblr fangirls" is almost always a strawman. Strawgirl?
posted by kagredon at 4:02 PM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


Yeah, as a 31-year-old, I gotta say that Peter Capaldi's totally dreamy.
posted by lauranesson at 4:02 PM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


There are so many different ways they could go with Capaldi; many good, even more maybe not... but if he wears his "Cardinal Richeleu goatee" as Doctor, it would totally invert the "evil goatee" trope (yes, I remember The Master)
posted by oneswellfoop at 4:08 PM on August 4, 2013


I don't know what Tunblrs you guys are following but my dash is lightly scattered with " oh this is acceptable" to " oh interesting choice of direction." to straight up " Finally I can find the Doctor attractive without feeling like a child molester."
posted by The Whelk at 4:14 PM on August 4, 2013 [7 favorites]


One thing I have been wondering: Is Matt Smith going to have shaved hair at Christmas. They haven't shot that yet. Because it seems that's a wonderful excuse for the goatee.

I'm wondering if Capaldi will have a grumpy Hartnell/Pertwee vibe. More grandfatherly.

(Which, of course, these mythical Tumblrfangirls will dub mansplaining, should they exist in large numbers, when he does what every Doctor has done since the 1960s and explain what's going on to the companion whose sole role is to ask what's going on).

I would also like to cast Patterson Joseph as The Master. That's just me. If they must bring the Master back, and I think they must, if only to make us forget Simm's Master.
posted by Mezentian at 4:22 PM on August 4, 2013



Peter Capaldi Introduces Himself… “I Am The New Doctor

I think he wants to eat my liver, with a side of fava beans and a nice chianti.
posted by Mezentian at 4:30 PM on August 4, 2013


I would also like to cast Patterson Joseph as The Master. That's just me. If they must bring the Master back, and I think they must, if only to make us forget Simm's Master.

I've been saying Matt Berry for this for ages, because I think he'd be amazing and I think he'd play off Smith really well (I'm totally serious about this!), but if The Doctor's going older (and The Master has said he follows suit), I would now like to nominate Ian McShane.

If Moffat really wanted to subvert some expectations, he'd bring Paterson Joseph in as Jenny.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 4:31 PM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


What's good is that they'll probably have to avoid any sexual tension between the Doctor and any young companions; it'll look much too creepy otherwise. (Worry: Moffat won't care.) I'd be for it if he had an older companion. That could be kind of fun.

Actually... it's too bad that it looks like they've written out River Song. Alex Kingston and Peter Capaldi would be pretty fantastic.
posted by painquale at 4:32 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


If Moffat really wanted to subvert some expectations, he'd bring Paterson Joseph in as Jenny.

*puts on Nerdy Hat*
But we have no evidence that Jenny has regeneration abilities, since she just refreshed.

But I do not hate this idea, otherwise.
posted by Mezentian at 4:33 PM on August 4, 2013


I'm totally down for a more terrifying, remote, constantly frustrated Doctor.

I think he wants to eat my liver, with a side of fava beans and a nice chianti.

Docannibal?
posted by The Whelk at 4:34 PM on August 4, 2013


Wait, they didn't show the Comic-Con teaser, or anything from the 50th?


Bastards.

(I know, I am slow, but I had to get up in the dead of night for this thing).
posted by Mezentian at 4:36 PM on August 4, 2013


That clip from In The Loop makes me sad to think about how great James Gandolfini would have been opposing Capaldi as the Master. The Doctor needs to be from the UK, but is there a rule saying that the Master can't be some big sweaty New Jersey mob boss figure?
posted by painquale at 4:38 PM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


I somehow knew the hue and cry from Tumblr would be, "EEWWWWWW, he's like old and stuff!"

unless they're not using any words associated with doctor who or the actors or the network, this really isn't happening in any meaningful amounts. i've even trawled the explicitly matt smith fan pages and they're mostly on board - or at least not rending and gnashing about old dudes.
posted by nadawi at 4:39 PM on August 4, 2013


also, glamour model vibe? the companions might be very attractive especially lately, but they don't really have a lot in common with the pageantry of glamour models...unless moffat cast katie price when i wasn't looking?
posted by nadawi at 4:41 PM on August 4, 2013


Tumblr is not mad so much at the choice, but there is a fair amount of rage at Moffat's dickishness, re the following quote:

“I like that Helen Mirren has been saying the next doctor should be a woman. I would like to go on record and say that the Queen should be played by a man.”

I wish the new guy well, he seems like a talented actor. I liked the reboot series for a while. I might come back if they ever decide women are more than plot devices, which seems unlikely till Moffat's gone. Or maybe ever. Maybe a fear of ladycooties is baked into the very formula of the series, and I'm better off ignoring it.
posted by emjaybee at 4:42 PM on August 4, 2013 [3 favorites]


Considering those very Same pages often have DILF tags, yeah I'm not seeing it in large numbers.
posted by The Whelk at 4:42 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


Yeah, the "I'm okay with Capaldi but those bad fans over there will not be, let me talk a lot about how much they won't be okay with him" isn't believable. (Though sometimes I assume it's against Capaldi and sometimes it's disliking other people getting into your fandom.)

I might go look up Capaldi's earlier work, though.
posted by jeather at 4:42 PM on August 4, 2013


Yeah, I'm peering at Tumblr right now and not seeing very much negative feeling for Capaldi. Of course people have found screenshots of a few people freaking out, but it's the internet. For any point of view that could exist, no matter how stupid or strange, you can find at least twenty people to vociferously argue for it.
posted by Sticherbeast at 4:46 PM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


“I like that Helen Mirren has been saying the next doctor should be a woman. I would like to go on record and say that the Queen should be played by a man.”

Very stupid comment, considering the role of Head of British Royalty usually IS played by a man.
posted by oneswellfoop at 4:47 PM on August 4, 2013 [6 favorites]


Hopefully this gets rid of some of the Tumblr-fans and people like my mom, who watch just to perv on the Doctor.

oh good, purity-testing suspiciously directed mainly at women. I knew it was only a matter of time.
posted by kagredon at 4:48 PM on August 4, 2013 [7 favorites]


I'm not on Tumblr, but I peeked in on the LJ Dr Who comm and there is a minor contingent there getting all ageist with the "too old".

About as many as are annoyed that he was Frobisher in Torchwood.
No, not that Frobisher. We can wish.
posted by Mezentian at 4:55 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


Tumblr is not mad so much at the choice, but there is a fair amount of rage at Moffat's dickishness

absolutely! my jaw dropped at that quote - tossed off so shittily - but i was talking more about the the page long texts (and mentions here and reddit and ontd and twitter and and and) about how "those fans" are freaking out about the doctor not being a 25 year old hipster - but, except for a couple outliers, i haven't seen that reaction much and i've been looking for it because the tags are filled with people complaining about "those fans." to me, with the almost complete absence of the young fangirl freak out, it really reads more like people are policing their fandom for those they find undesirable.
posted by nadawi at 4:57 PM on August 4, 2013 [4 favorites]


No, not that Frobisher. We can wish.

Petition to dress 12 in a penguin suit all the time starts here and now
posted by kagredon at 4:57 PM on August 4, 2013 [4 favorites]


I've said it before, but I really want a lush, 2D animated Sixth Doctor movie with Frobisher as the companion and lots of analogue synth soundtrack work.

I will happily accept this same project, but with the Twelfth Doctor
posted by Sticherbeast at 5:03 PM on August 4, 2013



also, glamour model vibe? the companions might be very attractive especially lately, but they don't really have a lot in common with the pageantry of glamour models...unless moffat cast katie price when i wasn't looking?


nah there's the real shiny pretiness about Clara and Amy Pond... i'd like somebody more like Ripley
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 5:04 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


there is a fair amount of rage at Moffat

So it has been for the past few years. So it was at RTD in the five years before that.
Before that, JNT rage was quite popular.

Nothing changes. Except the lead actors, the script editors, the writers, much of the dressing on the premise.....
posted by Mezentian at 5:05 PM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


Actually I've seen more complaining here and on Twitter/FB than I have on tumblr. Not so much "ewww old" but "omg it's not a woman or POC" and a fair amount of "Moffat suxxxx!"
posted by immlass at 5:05 PM on August 4, 2013


Not so much "ewww old" but "omg it's not a woman or POC" and a fair amount of "Moffatt suxxxx!"

which I would argue don't belong in the same category as "ewww old" at all, as they are about objections to showrunning style and not Peter Capaldi.
posted by kagredon at 5:06 PM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


It would be amazing if Moffat could write a woman as a real person instead of maiden, mother, crone.
posted by Kitteh at 5:11 PM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


Ripley is my spirit animal, but she's far too competent to be a good Who companion. The Doctor likes 'em confused and fawning.
posted by orrnyereg at 5:13 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


Yeah, even the complaints I see about him being yet another white male seem to pretty carefully avoid making this about Capaldi qua Capaldi. Everybody loves Malcolm Tucker.

The Doctor likes 'em confused and fawning.

Donna was neither!

Even Amy's affection for the Doctor always seemed sort of dominant and possessive, i.e. "you're my imaginary friend, and we'll have fun whenever I feel like it." (I write this in a universe where Series Six never happened - the Ponds should have left after the events of Series Five.)
posted by Sticherbeast at 5:18 PM on August 4, 2013 [4 favorites]


which I would argue don't belong in the same category as "ewww old" at all, as they are about objections to showrunning style and not Peter Capaldi.

I'm just reporting what I'm seeing.
posted by immlass at 5:20 PM on August 4, 2013


Okay, just a Modest Proposal: It has been noted that, if John Hurt's teased character turns out to genuinely BE another incarnation of The Doctor, then this will be the 12th regeneration and 13th and (according to canon) LAST Doctor. Now, imagine Capaldi playing this like he KNOWS he's the last regeneration - suddenly a lot more careful, less daring, but obviously danger will keep on following him (and companion Clara, who has come back from the dead a few times herself, leaping into the adventure). But then, after a couple series of Meek Doctor (hopefully enough time to get a new showrunner), Doctor Capaldi does bite the big one, and, surprise! surprise! he does regenerate into something very different... the first of 13 Female Doctors (in an episode obviously written by Neil Gaiman).
posted by oneswellfoop at 5:23 PM on August 4, 2013 [7 favorites]


As an aside, has anyone else noticed the uncanny resemblance between Capaldi and Arthur Darvill (Rory)?
posted by orrnyereg at 5:30 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


the first of 13 Female Doctors

Careful now. That leaves out trans Doctors till at least 2026!
posted by DaRiLo at 5:30 PM on August 4, 2013


I don't want Meek Doctor, but I do like the idea of Cautious Doctor. I'd like a Cautious Doctor who's wry, sneaky, technophobic, grumpy, and less patient with evil than he has ever been before. He's not zipping around the universe for the hell of it anymore. He's on a mission to tie up every loose end he's ever had a hand in, and heaven help you if you're in his crosshairs. Of course, since he's the Doctor, he's also still highly distractible...and since he's on his final run, he's also highly tempted to toss it all and to simply kick back and relax, to live out his final eons in quiet and undisturbed peace. Some shades of My Name is Earl, Unforgiven, and Gran Torino but without any overwhelming grimdark. There could also be a running joke with how he can be a stoic Man On A Mission one second, but give him a good-looking sandwich, and then he'll contentedly eat the sandwich for quite a while before remembering that he's supposed to be a stoic Man On A Mission.

Much of his run could be about the tension between his grumpiness and his drivenness, as contrasted with his repressed desire for romance, adventure, and maybe some final rest. He retains a companion, but not without some annoyance. He's not exactly a reluctant hero, but he's not exactly a "madman with a box" either, and he's a million miles way from shouting "allons-y." He reserves romantic twinkling for the innocent and the powerless - he consciously regards his companion as being somewhere between an employee and a fellow-traveller, and not as a friend or as a pet. It's clear that his more adventurous companion balances him out, but he never quite says it aloud.
posted by Sticherbeast at 5:42 PM on August 4, 2013 [8 favorites]


Capaldi on Craig Ferguson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YD7Dz_1u2Jo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=khjncwsmoPY
posted by Mezentian at 5:54 PM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


It would be amazing if Moffat could write a woman as a real person instead of maiden, mother, crone.

He did write River Song. It was in the RTD era but Silence/Forest were by him. And while I'm not a fan of the character, she's not in any of those three categories unless one is feeling far unkinder than I'm feeling at the moment.
posted by George_Spiggott at 6:01 PM on August 4, 2013


(Those episodes also featured Miss Evangelista (dumb and hyperintelligent versions) and more depth from Donna than we usually got to see.)
posted by George_Spiggott at 6:04 PM on August 4, 2013


In case anyone wants the in-site player for Mezentian's links -

clip 1.
clip 2.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:30 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


Okay, just a Modest Proposal: It has been noted that, if John Hurt's teased character turns out to genuinely BE another incarnation of The Doctor, then this will be the 12th regeneration and 13th and (according to canon) LAST Doctor.

1. According to old canon. Something happened in the Time War that changed that, it seems, and gave him more regenerations.

2. If we got to that, then it'd be about time for The Valeyard to turn up.
posted by JHarris at 6:31 PM on August 4, 2013


For the record, there are people on LiveJournal complaining that he's too old. There's a 'too old' faction, an 'oh good, an older Doctor' faction, an 'I hated John Frobisher' faction and a smattering of complaints that he's neither a woman nor a person of colour.

To be honest, I'm a little uncomfortable with the 'he's not a woman nor a person of colour' complaint because it often comes across as a bit tokenizing.
posted by hoyland at 6:32 PM on August 4, 2013 [4 favorites]


I still want to see another Hartnell-like incarnation. Even though his kidnapping Ian and Barbara so long ago began the whole mess, he was still pretty sane, although irascible. I also want Susan to turn up again eventually.
posted by JHarris at 6:34 PM on August 4, 2013


And it is worth noting (or repeating) that Capaldi is joining the show at the same age that Hartnell started it 50 years ago. Full circle, anybody?

Obviously, Doctor Who canon is generally wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey, but if you can grab a piece of it to make something entirely else happen, it should be something cool, if not awesome...
posted by oneswellfoop at 6:41 PM on August 4, 2013


And now that I have watched those clips -

Oh my god I cannot wait for Craig's first "yay now Peter is The Doctor" interview with him.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:44 PM on August 4, 2013


Now we really do need some kind of Geoff Peterson cameo on the show.
posted by homunculus at 6:48 PM on August 4, 2013


ITT a group of people who are usually very concerned with social justice praise The Doctor being praised by an old white man who's known for saying the word 'c*unt' a bunch.

I'm feeling the same way. I know, intellectually, that we need a female and/or person of color to play the Doctor, and its inevtibable. But from what I've seen of The Thick of It I can't wait to see the Malcolm Tucker version of The Doctor.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 6:54 PM on August 4, 2013


I'm sure that Moffat and the Who writers are insanely jealous that somebody else came up with a Robot Skeleton Sidekick first...
posted by oneswellfoop at 6:54 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


You don't consider this prior art?
posted by Mezentian at 6:55 PM on August 4, 2013


The downside of Something Big Is Gonna Happen In a Few Days posts like this is, when said thing actually happens, instead of getting a FPP about said Big Thing, we get directed to the bottom of the days old thread while the front page of MeFi continues not to mention it.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:08 PM on August 4, 2013 [4 favorites]


That's a feature, not a bug ;-)
posted by oneswellfoop at 7:09 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


It just seems like it obscures where the party is, you know?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:12 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]



The downside of Something Big Is Gonna Happen In a Few Days posts like this is, when said thing actually happens, instead of getting a FPP about said Big Thing, we get directed to the bottom of the days old thread while the front page of MeFi continues not to mention it.


yeah, this bugged me...i looked on the front page for a post about it, made a post, and it said it was a double. i think news like this deserves its own post so people can find it and discuss it without being glued-on Whovians
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 7:12 PM on August 4, 2013


Anyway, if I've never seen The Thick of It, and I want to get an idea of Capaldi, do I need to start from S01E01 or can I jump in later?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:14 PM on August 4, 2013


But if everybody knows "where the party is", you never know WHO might show up.
let me say "take this to MetaTalk" before a Mod does...
posted by oneswellfoop at 7:15 PM on August 4, 2013




I'm done. Said my peace. If someone else wants to MeTa it, knock yourself out.

I'm ready to belatedly get into the Who conversation I didn't know was happening until just now.

What Capaldi stuff should I see?
posted by DirtyOldTown at 7:18 PM on August 4, 2013


Some random, short, recommendations

The Lair of the White Worm? (Because it's crazy Ken Russell).
The Comic Strip Presents... Jealousy? (Because, anarchy)
'Drunk in Time' (on Alexi Sayle, I think some has been posted upthread)
Neverwhere (Because Gaiman, and its six episodes).
And, more recently, Torchwood: Children of Earth. (Because, Torchwood, also the Pompeii ep of DW).

If you like crime drama, I'd suggest The Hour or Waking The Dead episodes he's in.
posted by Mezentian at 7:28 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


What Capaldi stuff should I see?

Local Hero! (Well, you should watch Local Hero. Peter Capaldi's not actually one of the main characters.)

Other than that, Children of Earth or In the Loop. I haven't seen any of The Thick of It, though it's on Hulu, so I've been meaning to.
posted by hoyland at 7:28 PM on August 4, 2013


Anyway, if I've never seen The Thick of It, and I want to get an idea of Capaldi, do I need to start from S01E01 or can I jump in later?

Nah. The first I saw of it was Season Three, on a 16 hour airplane flight. I had no problems.

Season One is aces, though.
posted by Sticherbeast at 7:30 PM on August 4, 2013


In addition to "mother, maiden, crone," Moffatt seems to like smirk-and-pose women. They tend to do a lot of: make a witty/snotty remark; smirk; then make a pose (hand on hip, knowing look over the shoulder, etc.). River Song does this a lot. See also Irene Adler in Sherlock, the two main female characters in Jeckyll, the women in Coupling. One wonders whether he's even met an actual woman.
posted by orrnyereg at 7:30 PM on August 4, 2013 [8 favorites]


as Craig Ferguson's talk show becomes ever more connected to Doctor Who, it opens up the potential irony that he may lose out on the gig replacing Letterman when he retires to... Matt Smith? David Tennant? Arthur Darville?
posted by oneswellfoop at 7:42 PM on August 4, 2013


Note that most Torchwood is awful and to be avoided.
posted by Artw at 7:44 PM on August 4, 2013 [7 favorites]




Well, that should set the cat among the birds.
Two rounds of casting, and two black actors came close. Unless they are both Paterson Joseph.

But, now how does Peter feel knowing he was second choice?

The impression I got was that they basically went straight to Peter and asked him.
posted by Mezentian at 7:55 PM on August 4, 2013


I'm not sure what "offered" actually means here. I think casting a high-profile role is a bit like any other job of any worth: they rarely make an actual offer until it gets to the point where they've a fairly good idea that you want it. Offering in this case almost certainly means "asked if he was interested".
posted by George_Spiggott at 8:00 PM on August 4, 2013


Gaiman didn't say that the black actor rejected the role of the 12th Doctor. He could have gotten the offer before Matt Smith, or even Tennant or Eccleston. But yeah, the more natural reading of Gaiman's comment is that the actor rejected the role this go-around.
posted by painquale at 8:01 PM on August 4, 2013


I didn't make it past the first season of Torchwood. I watched that US miniseries last year, but that was a promising beginning followed by an epic clusterfuck of stupid.

I could try Children of Earth just to check out Capaldi though.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 8:08 PM on August 4, 2013


Torchwood was only really decent towards the end of the second series (barring some series one standouts like the English country horror one awfully titled "Countrycide" and the one with the plane from the past), and Children of Earth was pretty good. The start of the first series was terrible, though, and Miracle Day... yeesh.

Still never got over the whole thing where they introduced Owen as a rapist. Always in the back of my mind.
posted by jason_steakums at 8:21 PM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


Random blog entry: In Defense of Doctor Who’s Fangirls. I'm not sure if I am down with her argument, but hey.

Oh, and there's this Tumblr about his hair.
posted by Mezentian at 8:23 PM on August 4, 2013


Oh man that hair tumblr - can this be his Doctor costume?
posted by jason_steakums at 8:26 PM on August 4, 2013


jason_steakums has stolen my thoughts.

We may be the only two people on the planet to enjoy Countrycide. And hate on rapoy Owen that everyone forgets.

I also enjoy Captain Jack Harkness in which Captain Jack goes back in time and meets the real Captain Jack and shags him tenderly, because as luck would have it he's gay too.

I don't remember enough of S2, except that the episodes with Rhys were good.
posted by Mezentian at 8:26 PM on August 4, 2013


Sorry, one more: The Regeneration Cycle.
posted by Mezentian at 8:28 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]




Oh yeah, that Captain Jack/Captain Jack episode was pretty great! Also the early S2 episode "Adam" with the memory erasing guy. Season 2 started getting pretty good with undead Owen and then that Night Travellers thing and the episode with the people irreversibly broken from the rift Jack secretly cares for and the one with everyone's origin flashbacks. Not amazing, but it finally stopped trying too hard to earn the "Doctor Who... After Dark" grittysexytimes stuff.
posted by jason_steakums at 8:34 PM on August 4, 2013


Okay so his husband looked way too much like Nathan Fillion in the first photo and I was wondering why the internet hadn't exploded.
posted by jason_steakums at 8:36 PM on August 4, 2013


I don't so much have a problem with an "old" Doctor so much as I am weirded out that a guy who seemed to progressively get younger with each regeneration suddenly, inexplicably, visibly ages 30 years from one generation to the other. Am I the only one who thinks that plotwise, that just seems weird? I was assuming the Doctor grew younger each time, like that was a deliberate thing...? (What with all the running, I guess?)

No, I haven't seen the old shows, yes I suck, yes I am going to crawl back in my hole of shame now because I am dumb enough to wonder about this.

posted by jenfullmoon at 8:42 PM on August 4, 2013


I was assuming the Doctor grew younger each time, like that was a deliberate thing...? (What with all the running, I guess?)

I suspect it's more than he started out as a grandfatherly figure, and in the 1960s and 1970s actors tended to be older. The past 30 years has seen a trend in entertainment to young, pretty things in leading roles.

It makes no real sense that the Doctor would regenerate older, but if it is sense we want we are watching the wrong show.
posted by Mezentian at 8:51 PM on August 4, 2013


I always thought regeneration caused a physical change to match a type of viewpoint/personality aspect brought to the forfront by the change - taken together across all time each version contains the Doctor's whole personality and memories and mindset and attitude, but we only get to see a certain slice/aspect/attitude at a time, much in the way a novelist will split one person into two or three people to embody different viewpoints or personalities because if the complexity of a single person is too much for a 800 word novel then the complexity of a centuries-old Time Lord must be even greater.

So sometimes he's young and spritely and full of good cheer and sometimes he's grumpy and antisocial and odd and sometimes he's angry and manic and rude, and his physical form changes to reflect this ...or the other way around, the trauma of death causes a shift in mindset reflected in the physical.
posted by The Whelk at 8:52 PM on August 4, 2013



We may be the only two people on the planet to enjoy Countrycide. And hate on rapoy Owen that everyone forgets.


Countrycide was good, and i liked the episode narrated by the ghost boy. But yeah Torchwood was too much angst, not enough capain jack.
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 8:56 PM on August 4, 2013


Pertwee seemed older than Troughton to me, and McCoy older than Colin Baker who seemed older than Davison. Not as substantial a difference as Smith to Capaldi in any of those cases, but I never thought the getting younger trend ever really seemed like a thing.
posted by jason_steakums at 8:56 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


what fi the progressive youth was a sign of growing optimism/ up for adventure/ feeling things will turn out right, and this sudden departure is a sign of a more serious, cynical universe-weary Doctor?
posted by The Whelk at 8:58 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


Sometimes I think the best thing possible would be to pull a "Curse of Fatal Death" and just have an episode where he burns through regeneration after regeneration, all skin colors and sexes and ages, just to say "there, now it's canon, The Doctor can be whoever however many times we want so don't worry about it." I mean it took tenuous explanations and willful forgetfulness to brush aside the Morbius Doctors thing so it seems weird to stick to a hard and fast rule with regenerations that hasn't even been restated in the modern series and we know they're going to break eventually anyways.

I'd also really be into them hiring passable lookalikes as unavailable past Doctors and just weaving his whole history back into the story from time to time. They keep trying to play with the weight of the history without being willing to actually touch it or do anything more than reference it, I think it'd be pretty great to have a modern Who adventure alongside a Pertwee-alike in Bessie or have Tennant pop back in whenever he misses it or let McGann actually have a chance to play the role for real. They've got David Bradley and Reece Shearsmith playing Hartnell and Troughton in the biopic - bring them into the show! Part of me's still wondering if the biopic's playing double duty as a cover for just that for the 50th.
posted by jason_steakums at 9:13 PM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


So sometimes he's young and spritely and full of good cheer and sometimes he's grumpy and antisocial and odd and sometimes he's angry and manic and rude, and his physical form changes to reflect this ...or the other way around, the trauma of death causes a shift in mindset reflected in the physical.

Yeah...I haven't watched enough of the really early show to be sure, but I get the impression this was something the writers thought about at least when Peter Davison regenerated into Colin Baker, and from then on (more or less). Davison's regeneration is traumatic, with The Doctor hallucinating recriminations from his companions (one dead as the result of events a few stories earlier), and it's pretty clear this is why the sixth Doctor is a warped personality. We never see the transition from the sixth to the seventh, but the seventh is cut down in a random drive-by shooting, and this exposure to cruel fate seems to account for his reinvention as a tragic/Byronic romantic figure. Eccleston's Doctor seems to be a reaction to the horrors of the Time War. Tennant's generally upbeat Doctor seems to be an extension of the unusually happy, contented circumstances of his "birth." I'm not 100% sure how to read the transition from Tennant to Smith, but hey.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 9:15 PM on August 4, 2013


At the risk of being nerdy, how would that explain Borusa constantly (we assume) regenerating into an older man's body? And so frequently (we assume), and then going insane for immortality.
posted by Mezentian at 9:15 PM on August 4, 2013


I was assuming the Doctor grew younger each time

Here's a breakdown of the ages of the actors when they debuted as the Doctor:

William Hartnell-55
Patrick Troughton-46
Jon Pertwee-50
Tom Baker-40
Peter Davison-29
Colin Baker-40
Sylvester McCoy-44
Paul McGann-36
Chris Eccleston-41
David Tennant-34
Matt Smith-27
Peter Capaldi-55

Charting this makes for something of a roller coaster, but I suppose a best-fit curve trends downward. Capaldi raises the average age by only a year to 41, however.
posted by Doktor Zed at 9:16 PM on August 4, 2013


I'm not 100% sure how to read the transition from Tennant to Smith, but hey.

Complete mental break. "aaaaah screw this! Fairy tales! Puppies! Bow-ties! Screw growing old forever, I wanna have a tea party on the ceiling."
posted by The Whelk at 9:19 PM on August 4, 2013 [7 favorites]


Tennant to Smith, 10 was freaking the hell out at the end about all the darkness in his wake and clinging desperately to life, it's no wonder he came out all bubbly and young. He ran away for ages to party and possibly marry Elizabeth I to put off meeting Ood Sigma and his fate at the beginning of The End of Time, he was desperate to be happy and fun again.
posted by jason_steakums at 9:27 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


Probably just glad to be done with the terrible specials.
posted by Artw at 9:31 PM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


I think it'd be pretty great to have a modern Who adventure alongside a Pertwee-alike in Bessie or have Tennant pop back in whenever he misses it or let McGann actually have a chance to play the role for real. They've got David Bradley and Reece Shearsmith playing Hartnell and Troughton in the biopic - bring them into the show!

I really hope they do this, and that the biopic will serve as a trial run. There are rumors floating about the McGann was called in to do some filming, but it's unclear whether that was for the biopic or for a scene in the special. With luck it'll be the latter, and we'll see the 8th Doctor (accompanied by a collection of companions we've never seen before) regenerate into John Hurt.

So sometimes he's young and spritely and full ofn good cheer and sometimes he's grumpy and antisocial and odd and sometimes he's angry and manic and rude, and his physical form changes to reflect this

I really hope that we see the end of dancing ninny Doctor. I don't mind Matt Smith when he's being charmingly ditsy and whimsical in a way that's not unlike Tennant's Doctor or Troughton's, but he too often goes too far and it suddenly seems like he's in the grip of dementia. I get that the Doctor represents the curiosity of youth and this is a show for kids, but I hate seeing him flip out in toy stores and get so excited about lemonade faucets and hammocks and Cluedo. The Doctor thinks Cluedo is fun? Ugh, no. More Julie Andrews and less Dick van Dyke, please.
posted by painquale at 9:43 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


I love Smith's slips into being way to into things as an -old-man-in-a-young-body cause it supports my "Smith's Doctor is having a serious mental breakdown and trying to avoid the seriousness of his plight and this is how it manifests itself" fan wank.
posted by The Whelk at 9:49 PM on August 4, 2013 [3 favorites]


Tennant and Smith were such blank slates for me that I just kinda figured when they were announced that they were selected to fit RTD and Moffat's writing, but Capaldi is a known entity and I'm seriously having a hard time seeing how he'll mesh with Moffat's show as it's been written. Wondering if maybe a new showrunner announcement is coming, or if Moffat's going in a very different direction.
posted by jason_steakums at 9:56 PM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


There are rumors floating about the McGann was called in to do some filming,

For what it's worth McGann has denied doing anything. I wish it were true.

I really hope that we see the end of dancing ninny Doctor.

But sometimes The Doctor dances.
posted by Mezentian at 9:58 PM on August 4, 2013


Tennant and Smith were such blank slates for me that I just kinda figured when they were announced that they were selected to fit RTD and Moffat's writing, but Capaldi is a known entity and I'm seriously having a hard time seeing how he'll mesh with Moffat's show as it's been written. Wondering if maybe a new showrunner announcement is coming, or if Moffat's going in a very different direction.

Well, the poor man can do more than just Sweary Government Guy! I'll actually be shocked if his Doctor is super angry/bitter/cynical, I imagine he's eager to demonstrate his range after being mostly known for such a distinctive character...
posted by showbiz_liz at 10:04 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


Diesel Sweeties' Ultimate Doctor Meme
warning: may cause reboot of universe
posted by oneswellfoop at 10:07 PM on August 4, 2013


Thing I have just discovered (via here) John Hurt is on Twitter.
posted by Mezentian at 10:12 PM on August 4, 2013


Well, the poor man can do more than just Sweary Government Guy! I'll actually be shocked if his Doctor is super angry/bitter/cynical, I imagine he's eager to demonstrate his range after being mostly known for such a distinctive character...

Oh I definitely know he's more than that! Capaldi's a coup for the Doctor Who team as far as actor capability goes. I just can't see him being a good fit in things like the River Song story or fawning over the super specialness of a companion or stuff like that.

If he's going to be anything like the last 3 Doctors, I could definitely see Capaldi doing some shades of Eccleston's Doctor's characterization, including his enthusiasm and optimism which is the thing I missed most after he left. Fantastic. That's the thing that morphed into bubbly manic stuff from Tennant and Smith but it felt more real and loving (and, importantly, alien) from Eccleston.
posted by jason_steakums at 10:12 PM on August 4, 2013 [3 favorites]


An introduction for the unaware (NSFW language, like whoa)
oh man. 2:41 of that is PERFECT.
posted by juv3nal at 10:14 PM on August 4, 2013 [2 favorites]


For what it's worth McGann has denied doing anything. I wish it were true.

In the past two weeks? I've heard denials from him earlier than that, but nothing since this news broke.

I take back what I said about how we should see the 8th Doctor with new companions. We should see the 8th Doctor with Jenny and Madame Vastra as his companions. (They've clearly traveled with him before.)
posted by painquale at 10:32 PM on August 4, 2013


Also, the young Vastra and Jenny traveling with the 8th Doctor should visibly dislike each other and be suspicious of each other's species, with no hint yet of how their relationship will develop.
posted by painquale at 10:38 PM on August 4, 2013


In the past two weeks?

From that article:
"well, I was first told months and months and months ago of one way that old Doctors would appear in the episode that wouldn’t require any new filming on their part or the use of any old footage. More on that later at a later time, I think…"

yesyesYES
posted by jason_steakums at 10:38 PM on August 4, 2013


This last week:
McGann on 50th Return Rumours: Asked on his Twitter account about whisperings of him being in the 50th he replied: “Yes, I keep hearing similar. Truth is I didn’t so much as visit their set as I was away working. Nor was I invited to.”

Then addressing the regeneration prequel/minisode rumour: “I’ve often wondered if rumours, like jokes, aren’t all started by the same excitable child or bored old man.”
posted by Mezentian at 10:40 PM on August 4, 2013


He'd deny it if he did do it, though.
posted by jason_steakums at 10:41 PM on August 4, 2013


Aw, no.
posted by painquale at 10:42 PM on August 4, 2013


He's referring to Moffat there, isn't he?
posted by painquale at 10:43 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


Though to be fair, Bleeding Cool (or at least Rich Johnston, who didn't write that article) has long been widely known as having poor prediction accuracy in the comics world, at least.
posted by jason_steakums at 10:43 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


Bleeding Cool are also the ones who kicked off all those rumors about lost episodes being discovered.
posted by painquale at 10:47 PM on August 4, 2013


Ian Levine kicked off those rumours, didn't he? BC just put them in the spotlight, and is keeping them alive.
posted by Mezentian at 10:50 PM on August 4, 2013


No, Ian Levine was adamant that the rumors were false and was one of the more prominent naysayers.

Eventually he angrily changed his mind.

Then he angrily changed his mind again.

He's being bandied back and forth like everyone else; he's definitely not the originator of the rumors.
posted by painquale at 11:23 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


He's too much like a manic John Cleese.

I was excited about MTV's Fawlty Towers Xtreme! until I took a second to think about it.
posted by ActingTheGoat at 11:28 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


Ian Levine is kind if tragic and we should all ignore him.
posted by Artw at 11:31 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


Ian Levine is kind if tragic and we should all ignore him.

If we ignore him he might start making music.
posted by Mezentian at 11:34 PM on August 4, 2013 [1 favorite]


Oh I definitely know he's more than that! Capaldi's a coup for the Doctor Who team as far as actor capability goes. I just can't see him being a good fit in things like the River Song story...

Have you seen Capaldi's performance as Randal Brown in "The Hour", specifically his rapport and chemistry with Anna Chancellor's Lix Storm? THAT is what the Doctor and River Song could be - and it would be so brilliant!
posted by Alice Russel-Wallace at 12:10 AM on August 5, 2013 [2 favorites]


The Doctor likes 'em confused and fawning.

Donna was neither!


I came in late to Doctor Who, I've liked all (3) doctors that I've watched (oh, Eccleston!) I've liked all of the companions. I liked Rose, I liked Martha Jones, I liked Kylie Minogue, I loved the Amy/Rory combo, I like Clara. But Donna Noble wasn't there to be eye candy or a dream girl or a manic pixie or whatever (and I liked all of them.) Donna Noble was just there to be awesome.

I didn't want to say this in any of the Occupy Wall Street or 1%er threads, but you do not want be up against the wall when the DoctorDonna comes for you. Repent!
posted by ActingTheGoat at 12:25 AM on August 5, 2013 [2 favorites]


Well, deus ex machinas based in cynically angry and offensive put downs of the monster of the week would make a nice change from the 'human spirit/love/belief in oneself' thing that's become far to common.

Take down by self esteem annihilation! Burn!

Companions is going to be an important choice if the do go the shouty/angry/offensive doctor road.

This might start a (time) War, but i couldn't stand Donna. Apart from the actors somewhat terrible sketch show she did beforehand, she definitely wasn't so much a magic pixie dream girl as an annoying twat that still acted like a silly school girl, or at least she started of as that.
posted by Hello, I'm David McGahan at 12:32 AM on August 5, 2013 [1 favorite]


An introduction for the unaware (NSFW language, like whoa)

oh man. 2:41 of that is PERFECT.
posted by juv3nal at 5:14 AM on August 5 [1 favorite +] [!]


Oh god yes please let Capaldi's Doctor Who be fifty minutes of him shouting 'Maybe we can download RICE'. Please please please.
posted by Acheman at 12:41 AM on August 5, 2013 [2 favorites]



I came in late to Doctor Who, I've liked all (3) doctors that I've watched (oh, Eccleston!) I've liked all of the companions. I liked Rose, I liked Martha Jones, I liked Kylie Minogue, I loved the Amy/Rory combo, I like Clara. But Donna Noble wasn't there to be eye candy or a dream girl or a manic pixie or whatever (and I liked all of them.) Donna Noble was just there to be awesome.


Martha Jones was the best recent companion, but i'd like to see somebody different than Just An Ordinary Girl. give us that Great White Hunter and Cleopatra from the Dinosaurs on a Spaceship episode or something
posted by Charlemagne In Sweatpants at 12:52 AM on August 5, 2013 [4 favorites]


Capaldi clearly also knows a lot about science fiction
posted by Hello, I'm David McGahan at 1:04 AM on August 5, 2013 [1 favorite]


Malcolm Tucker IS Dr Who!
posted by pixie at 1:50 AM on August 5, 2013 [11 favorites]


I'm excited to see Capaldi's take on the role and I'm hoping fresh blood will allow Moffat to see the show in a new way. I'm not thrilled there's another white guy in the role, but if we're going to stick with that tradition, might as well employ an actor as wonderful as Capaldi.
posted by crossoverman at 3:30 AM on August 5, 2013 [1 favorite]


I think "another white guy" is actually the right move because I'm certain they're going to do the last-regeneration staring-into-the-maw-of-time storyline. (This is why Moffat added the 8 1/2 Doctor, I feel certain; Moffat's position is that every Doctor Who storyline should culminate during his tenure.) If you're dealing with a Doctor who feels old, as if history at last is passing him by, the zeitgeist pretty much demands an older white guy for the part.

After a few darkish seasons in which he's wibbled the wobbly and gotten more regenerations, the exuberance of the new will be signified by him finally regenerating into a nonwhite man or into a woman (with a new showrunner to boot).
posted by gerryblog at 5:49 AM on August 5, 2013


So Capaldi truly is the biggest fan to ever play the Doctor on screen. It is one thing to write a letter to the Radio Times about the Daleks as was mentioned in the announcement special; it is quite another to pen a missive about the opening titles to a Doctor Who zine.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 6:22 AM on August 5, 2013 [1 favorite]


> Malcolm Tucker IS Dr Who!

At 0.16:

"Run, you clever boy."

"Oh, FUCK off."

Now we're talking.
posted by EXISTENZ IS PAUSED at 6:45 AM on August 5, 2013 [5 favorites]


I don't know why I found this so funny, but I do.

‏@bbcdoctorwho
OFFICIAL: Peter Capaldi is not on twitter and confirmed he's no intention of joining. Any account or tweet claiming to be Peter's is a fake.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 7:28 AM on August 5, 2013 [2 favorites]


I'm really excited to see how this works out. He certainly has the capacity to play a very different doctor. I'd love to see a gruffer, grumpier, haughtier doctor, and Capaldi can certainly do that.
posted by Rock Steady at 7:29 AM on August 5, 2013


Capaldi can certainly do that.

Maybe he can start off right by strangling the companion.
That wins fans.
posted by Mezentian at 7:44 AM on August 5, 2013 [4 favorites]


Then dress up like a clown.

Ah, the "good" old days.
posted by Artw at 8:01 AM on August 5, 2013 [2 favorites]


OFFICIAL: Peter Capaldi is not on twitter and confirmed he's no intention of joining. Any account or tweet claiming to be Peter's is a fake.

They're going to have to do that at least once a day to make a difference.
posted by elizardbits at 8:03 AM on August 5, 2013 [2 favorites]


Mezentian: Maybe he can start off right by strangling the companion.

Just saw that scene recently on BBC America's The Doctors Revisited series (which I can't recommend enough for post-reboot fans) for the first time, even though I've heard about it before, and it was even more disturbing than I had expected.
posted by Rock Steady at 8:05 AM on August 5, 2013 [1 favorite]


If I had anything to do with Who my first act would be to delete my Twitter account, followed by attaching "DO NOT READ THE INTERNETS" signs to any and all electronic devices.
posted by Artw at 8:07 AM on August 5, 2013 [4 favorites]


While I am not familiar with Capaldi's work, everything I've heard from friends and online has been positive. Not sure if I want to see anything (Local Hero was recommended specifically) or go in cold and catch up with him later. Can't wait!
posted by Celsius1414 at 8:34 AM on August 5, 2013


Celsius1414: Not sure if I want to see anything (Local Hero was recommended specifically) or go in cold and catch up with him later.

In The Loop is just a great, great, film, and is available on Netflix streaming. I can't recommend it enough.
posted by Rock Steady at 8:37 AM on August 5, 2013 [3 favorites]


It's also apparently a fairly spot-on telling of the circumstances that led to the creation of the dirty dossier.
posted by Artw at 8:42 AM on August 5, 2013 [1 favorite]


I just rewatched In the Loop last night and that scene where Malcolm gets completely eviscerated by Linton for being ineffective (including the fantastic line "OK. Firstly, don't raise your voice. This is a sacred place. Now, you may not believe that and I may not believe that, but, by God, it's a useful hypocrisy.") and all his rage goes totally impotent is just so so great. I mean, I love Malcolm Tucker in general, but that bit is the kind of thing that elevates the performance.
posted by jason_steakums at 8:45 AM on August 5, 2013 [2 favorites]


You know, Andrew Scott made an excellent villain as Moriarty.

I thought he was awful, or more to the point, a classic Moffat villain, overdone and absurd.

According to old canon. Something happened in the Time War that changed that, it seems, and gave him more regenerations.

The regenerations limit was always going to change if the show was ongoing. It was most likely introduced as means of getting another actor to play the Doctor and continue the show. That the show continues on and that actors change has made the arbitrary number of 11 (if I recall correctly) far too limiting so that limit had to go. It's a real world intrusion on a fictional universe and so continuity in that respect will always suffer and a "reason" will be found to explain. Another example are the 1960s Klingon's from Star Trek being explained within the fictional universe as the result of genetic tampering with humans. In the 60s on a television show they didn't have the capability they had in the 80s to make more distinctly alien characters in terms of make-up and budget, hence the difference in appearance.

What's so infuriating about Moffat's and Davies' writing is they create dramatic situation to create intense, overdone melodramatic moments and then throw away everything that made it so when it suits them. The actors, for the most part have been great, the production excellent. They have it all except the writing.

I heard about Peter being the new Doctor through a friend on a Hangout chat. He said it was so sad that they got a great actor that the writing of the show won't live up to. It was horrible news to me personally for that fact and also it may pretty much end any chance of The Hour being revived.
posted by juiceCake at 9:02 AM on August 5, 2013


The Doctor, dying, knowing he is on his last regeneration, reaches out... and clasps a can of IRN-BRU. Cue a vortex of swirling orange energy.
posted by Artw at 9:23 AM on August 5, 2013 [5 favorites]


Is Capaldi's appearance on Torchwood worth watching for someone who 1) hasn't watched any of the rest of the series and 2) will be watching it with a fairly sensitive twelve-year-old who really can't stand explicit language and doesn't like scary/gory/sexy stuff? I think my daughter would like to see some of his prior work, but since In The Loop and The Thick of It are right out...
posted by Rock Steady at 10:11 AM on August 5, 2013


I'd say Children of Earth is probably a bad idea for the twelve-year-old.
posted by jason_steakums at 10:20 AM on August 5, 2013 [5 favorites]


Is Capaldi's appearance on Torchwood worth watching for someone who 1) hasn't watched any of the rest of the series and 2) will be watching it with a fairly sensitive twelve-year-old who really can't stand explicit language and doesn't like scary/gory/sexy stuff? I think my daughter would like to see some of his prior work, but since In The Loop and The Thick of It are right out...

"Torchwood: Children of Earth" is the only good thing to ever bear the name "Torchwood." It's outstanding. But it's also pretty intense and scary. I would not show it to a sensitive child. Capaldi's story arc in particular is very disturbing.
posted by jbickers at 10:23 AM on August 5, 2013 [1 favorite]


And Captain Jack's solution to the problem.
posted by jason_steakums at 10:24 AM on August 5, 2013


Yes, in case you need another vote, I was just thinking about this as I was getting lunch, and as much as I'm a big fan of exposing kids to good, challenging sci-fi, I'd say, sadly, no. Torchwood: Children of Earth is amazing. and Capaldi is particularly phenomenal in it -- probably even the best part of a good thing. But I will probably never watch it again.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 10:41 AM on August 5, 2013 [1 favorite]


I pretty much liked all of Torchwood except season 1 -- yes, I even enjoyed Miracle Day -- and I would absolutely not suggest that a sensitive 12 year old watch Children of Earth. It's really great, and Capaldi was fantastic in it, but it's emotionally eviscerating.
posted by jeather at 10:46 AM on August 5, 2013


Children of Earth has the government forcibly separating children from their parents to harm them. This left my then 21 year old brother in tears. I think it's probably mostly okay on the sex/violence/gore front, if probably near the fringes of her tolerance, but that part of the plot is why I wouldn't watch it with a sensitive 12 year old. (Oh, wait, SPOLIER. Capaldi's character shoots his kids behind a closed door. Never mind. DO NOT watch it with her.)

You might watch the first episode or two on your own and make a decision about showing those to her, but there's no way I'd show twelve year old me (or my brother) the later episodes.
posted by hoyland at 10:47 AM on August 5, 2013 [2 favorites]


The rest of Torchwood is "adult" in a way that is just silly - tonally more childish than Who but with extra gore and sex jokes. Not sure it's really good for your kid or anyone.
posted by Artw at 10:49 AM on August 5, 2013 [3 favorites]


Twelve-year-old me would have probably been down for Children of Earth, but I wasn't particularly sensitive then. It is fantastic (truly brilliant) and very, very disturbing, especially Capaldi's story in it, which is almost certainly the darkest thing to ever happen in the Doctor Who universe.
posted by Navelgazer at 12:00 PM on August 5, 2013 [2 favorites]


I watched TW: CoE when it came out. I remember being disturbed by it and yet thinking it to be the best story in the Torchwood series.

But all I have is that feeling -- I've quite forgotten the plot other than that it involved children and that thought makes my skin crawl.

Did I mentally block it or was it only visceral on watching but otherwise not memorable?
posted by linux at 12:21 PM on August 5, 2013


hoyland: Children of Earth has the government forcibly separating children from their parents to harm them.

Ye gods. Glad I asked. That would have been a literal nightmare. Thanks for the heads-up.
posted by Rock Steady at 12:21 PM on August 5, 2013


I guess we'll stick with Mr Bean: The Movie.
posted by Rock Steady at 12:23 PM on August 5, 2013


Did I mentally block it or was it only visceral on watching but otherwise not memorable?

I'll bet you blocked it, because it is incredibly memorable. I've watched it a couple of times, and I still can't believe the people who made it had anything to do with the other three seasons of the show.

It's already been mentioned that it deals with the forcible removal of children from their parents, by the government. But the real stomach-punch is when you find out why the children are being taken away. (Spoiler in ROT13: Nyvraf qrznaq uhzna puvyqera sebz hf, be gurl jvyy qrfgebl gur cynarg. Jr jvyyvatyl unaq fbzr bire. Jul qb gur nyvraf jnag gurz? Gurl cebqhpr n "cyrnfnag srryvat" va gur nyvraf juvyr gurl fybjyl fhpx gur yvsr bhg bs gurz - yvgrenyyl, hfvat xvqf nf qehtf.)
posted by jbickers at 12:30 PM on August 5, 2013




I have also wondered why they don't have earlier Doctors show up for big events. I always thought Patrick Stewart could do a great William Hartnell/First Doctor.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:05 PM on August 5, 2013 [2 favorites]


New thread!
posted by painquale at 3:15 PM on August 5, 2013


Oh my god.
They've created an alternative timeline....
*steps through The Untempered Schism*
posted by Mezentian at 3:22 PM on August 5, 2013


The fact that I watched Miracle Day is a sterling example of the sunk cost fallacy at work, and a diminishing of me as a person.
posted by wotsac at 3:23 PM on August 5, 2013 [5 favorites]


The fact that Miracle Day got made after Children Of Earth.... I just have no idea.

I can't even recall the end of MD any more, but I am sure it had a giant sparkly earth vagina in there somewhere.
posted by Mezentian at 3:25 PM on August 5, 2013


The rest of Torchwood is "adult" in a way that is just silly - tonally more childish than Who but with extra gore and sex jokes. Not sure it's really good for your kid or anyone.

I kind of love this about Torchwood, but it really only hits on all cylinders as such in season 2. "Children of Earth" is the tightest story the show ever did, but it could as easily have been an unused screenplay for an X-Files movie with the serial numbers sanded off. Torchwood as its own beast only ever briefly gets off the ground -- namely in the last half of its second year -- and then reinvents itself as a much more generic sci-fi show that works better but is less original, and then reinvents itself as...gentle reader, let us look away...
posted by kittens for breakfast at 3:27 PM on August 5, 2013 [4 favorites]


. "Children of Earth" is the tightest story the show ever did, but it could as easily have been an unused screenplay for an X-Files movie with the serial numbers sanded off.

Except that it was more cohesive than the X-Files mythology ever was.
Of course, if you pay attention to the whole of Torchwood, then no, it's just as confused.

(If we get Torchwood back in any form, I'd like to see Torchwood: 1888. Jack was there, if I recall, and Gwen could be a plucky psychic maid. I mean, hell, they had a budget for Ripper Street, for heck's sake).
posted by Mezentian at 3:31 PM on August 5, 2013 [1 favorite]


The fact that Miracle Day got made after Children Of Earth.... I just have no idea.

I think the success of one and the problems of the other can be almost entirely attributed to their premises. They're both superficially similar... some sci-fi event becomes a global incident, and governments and societies have to figure out how to react. The problem is that Miracle Day had an amazingly stupid premise. Nothing about the situation was natural, so they quickly wrote themselves into absurdities and couldn't extract themselves. Children of Earth's premise meant that never had to move too far out of closed government chambers; even though it was about a world-wide catastrophe, they could play it small-scale, and didn't have to deal with all the dumb questions that would arise if no one could die.
posted by painquale at 3:39 PM on August 5, 2013 [1 favorite]


IIRC Children of Earth came out of an old idea of RTDs that predates Torchwood, accounting for much of its different feel.
posted by Artw at 3:42 PM on August 5, 2013


IMO, Miracle Day was a perfectly fine premise for the Doctor Who/Torchwoodverse, it was just awful writing (they'd have been better off backgrounding the real world repercussions than halfassing them, and boy everyone turned to fascism on a dime) and acting (Mekhi Phifer will now use the power of ACTING to remind you of his should-be-mortal wound and DEEP INNER PAIN by loudly and angrily growling and shouting his way through every sentence! Except when he forgets!) and generally stupid hamhanded Americanization (Gwen's rocket launcher jeep chase thing).
posted by jason_steakums at 4:11 PM on August 5, 2013


Let us not forget, there were some genuinely good bits in Miracle Day - like when Doctor Woman-Person found the Shocking Secret Behind the FEMA Camps. And, er.... um.....

Gwen's rocket launcher jeep chase thing was awesome.
posted by Mezentian at 4:22 PM on August 5, 2013


Dammit. Are you saying they didn't choose me?
posted by grubi at 4:48 PM on August 5, 2013 [2 favorites]




Dammit. Are you saying they didn't choose me?

Oh man, that tangerine pocket square is the perfect touch.
posted by kagredon at 5:11 PM on August 5, 2013 [3 favorites]


In a case of fortuitous timing, the fourth episode of Doctor Puppet came out today.
posted by plastic_animals at 5:26 PM on August 5, 2013


Celebrating Fifty Years Of Doctor Who Jumping The Shark

"02/11/1988 – The Doctor fights Bertie Bassett. Doctor Who dies."

Never forget.
posted by jason_steakums at 5:32 PM on August 5, 2013


IIRC Children of Earth came out of an old idea of RTDs that predates Torchwood, accounting for much of its different feel.

That makes a lot of sense. It's a fantastic idea with the Torchwood team grafted onto it. (Quite well because of Jack's past, in fact.) As much as the 'concept' of Torchwood should have worked for me (and, let's be clear, I liked it more than most), the team, despite, in my opinion, fairly compelling actors, never really gelled and the concept just didn't live anywhere near its potential. The best Torchwood stories were good ideas in which the Torchwood team was there.

And, to be honest, that's pretty true of Doctor Who too. The Doctor is a great, iconic character, (some) companions have had interesting stories to tell, but it is really at its best when a cool idea is executed well and the Doctor and TARDIS crew becomes a part of it as our entry point characters -- even if we don't quite know where the Doctor is coming from, we know who he is. I think that's why most old school fans (and even many new school fans) have gotten frustrated with the Moffat era -- he's tried to make the Doctor and companions the cool idea three too many times.

I remember reading somewhere a long time ago -- maybe it was part of the Virgin New Adventures bible for authors, maybe something else -- that authors, especially new authors, were instructed never to tell the story from the first person perspective as the Doctor -- the reader shouldn't be inside his head. I've actually enjoyed much of the Moffat era more than most, but I wouldn't be disappointed if we had a return to 'outside the Doctor's perspective' again.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 8:27 AM on August 6, 2013 [4 favorites]


MCMikeNamara: I've actually enjoyed much of the Moffat era more than most, but I wouldn't be disappointed if we had a return to 'outside the Doctor's perspective' again.

He did it so well in "Blink" though, don't you think?
posted by Rock Steady at 11:53 AM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]


Exactly. I think it's more of a 'the direction he has taken the show as show runner' question rather than a 'capable of doing it.' I think one of the hidden benefits that Russell T. Davies had when the show came back is that he was handicapped in a way -- he had to make the character of the Doctor somebody people gave a damn about. By the time Moffat was running the show, the character was a brand bigger than ever, so he has sometimes been a bit careless with that.

It's too often "THE DOCTOR, WHO IS AWESOME" as the assumption, end of discussion, when it could just be "the Doctor, who is and always has been awesome, and now he's going to show you rather than tell you how."

But maybe not. My biggest problem with any of these discussions is that I'm pretty much a foaming-at-the-mouth-rabid-fanboy-to-the-nth-degree, so I'm always watching the show through CAPITAL-L LOVE THIS colored glasses, so I don't have a problem with the carelessness I mentioned that others do. But if I was able to take a step back, I imagine this is what I would say and actually mean it.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 12:47 PM on August 6, 2013 [2 favorites]


I agree completely with everything in that comment, MCMikeNamara.
posted by Rock Steady at 12:54 PM on August 6, 2013


MCMikeNamara: " It's too often "THE DOCTOR, WHO IS AWESOME" as the assumption, end of discussion, when it could just be "the Doctor, who is and always has been awesome, and now he's going to show you rather than tell you how." "

I think it's more that Moffat (and to some extent Davies before him) tries to make everything EPIC. All stories are now EPIC, SUPERCOOL, FATE OF THE WORLD HANGIN' IN THE BALANCE episodes. Which is fine once in a while, but the show was built on well-told tales of scifi and horror that weren't necessarily all about saving the damned universe from that week's apocalypse.

There have been several times over the last few years when The Doctor has fucked up in a big, big way and it's come back to bite him in the ass with a vengeance. Amy and Rory's deaths. Deposing Harriet Jones, which allowed Harold "The Master" Saxon to come to power. Etc. Even though they may be showing us how the Doctor is AWESOME, we are still being shown his flaws.
posted by zarq at 12:59 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]


I think it's more that Moffat (and to some extent Davies before him) tries to make everything EPIC. All stories are now EPIC, SUPERCOOL, FATE OF THE WORLD HANGIN' IN THE BALANCE episodes.

I've made this point several times before, but I'm going to reiterate it because I think I'm onto something brilliant with it ... but the thing that Moffat did is, when he introduced Amy Pond, he changed the genre of the show. At one time it was a sci-fi show, and at times it was fantasy, and at various times it was horror. Now, however, the show is squarely in the Fairy Tale genre, and that's a genre with its own tropes and methods of doing things. The story of Little Amy and the Raggedy Doctor is literally a fairy tale, and whether he meant to or not, Moffat allowed that storytelling style to spill out into the show as a whole.

(Which, to me, is just fine, as I'm in MCMikeNamara's camp and love this show so much that it really doesn't matter what they do, I'm going to find something to love about it.)
posted by jbickers at 1:10 PM on August 6, 2013 [5 favorites]


Very, very good points Zarq -- so it's really not that the Doctor is awesome, but that the epic nature of the Doctor's importance being the well that the show keeps going back to that bothers me. If I had a problem with the show. Which I basically don't. But if I did...
posted by MCMikeNamara at 1:10 PM on August 6, 2013


jbickers: "The story of Little Amy and the Raggedy Doctor is literally a fairy tale, and whether he meant to or not, Moffat allowed that storytelling style to spill out into the show as a whole."

*mind blown*

Oh wow. You're right.
posted by zarq at 1:13 PM on August 6, 2013 [3 favorites]


I think it's more that Moffat (and to some extent Davies before him) tries to make everything EPIC. All stories are now EPIC, SUPERCOOL, FATE OF THE WORLD HANGIN' IN THE BALANCE episodes.


A good example of this may be that he views every episode as a cinematic experience, i.e, the love of release movie posters for each episode.
posted by Atreides at 1:14 PM on August 6, 2013


MCMikeNamara: "Very, very good points Zarq -- so it's really not that the Doctor is awesome, but that the epic nature of the Doctor's importance being the well that the show keeps going back to that bothers me."

*nod* That's how I see it. The thing is.. when it's done well, it's awesome to watch. I still can't watch the scene with Matt Smith in The Eleventh Hour, staring down the Atraxi eyeball without getting chills:
The Doctor: Come on, then! The Doctor will see you now!
Atraxi: You are not of this world.
The Doctor: No but I've put a lot work into it.
Atraxi: Is this world important?
The Doctor: Important? What's that mean, important? Six billion people live here, is that important? Here's a better question: Is this world a threat to the Atraxi? Oh come on, you're monitoring the whole planet! Is this world a threat?
Atraxi: No.
The Doctor: Are the peoples of this world guilty of any crime by the laws of the Atraxi?
Atraxi: No.
The Doctor: Okay. One more, just one: Is this world protected? You're not the first to have come here. Oh, there have been so many. And what you've got to ask is, what happened to them?

The Atraxi scan through images of all 11 incarnations of the Doctor.

The Doctor: Hello. I'm The Doctor. Basically.... Run.
I loved that scene. So damn cool. But every once in a while I'd rather see him out of his depth and failing than bluffing his way out of everything.

Atreides: " A good example of this may be that he views every episode as a cinematic experience, i.e, the love of release movie posters for each episode."

Yes, exactly.
posted by zarq at 1:23 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]


Funny. That scene in Eleventh Hour made me roll all my spaceship-sized eyeballs. It's success by assertion.

The only good thing to come out of that whole plotline was when the doctor got himself wiped from the collective memory of the Daleks and decided to go "underground". It was as if the writers admitted they had gone too far.
posted by GuyZero at 1:34 PM on August 6, 2013 [2 favorites]


A good example of this may be that he views every episode as a cinematic experience, i.e, the love of release movie posters for each episode.

I found that my enjoyment of the series increased exponentially when I stopped looking at posters/teaser trailers/etc. and just watched the show on Sunday (I get it from iTunes and it downloads overnight). The hype is detrimental to the fun for me.

While the special announcing Capaldi was on, I was in a movie theater--Alamo, so no using the phone to check in--watching Red 2. I think I was happier for it.

The story of Little Amy and the Raggedy Doctor is literally a fairy tale, and whether he meant to or not, Moffat allowed that storytelling style to spill out into the show as a whole.

Very much so. I think it was intentional. I'm hoping that the 50th/intro of 12 will turn the gears again completely.

I loved that scene. So damn cool.

I loved that scene: once. It's the repetition that gets to me. Stop telling me he's cool and just let me figure that out from the cool things he does.
posted by immlass at 2:08 PM on August 6, 2013 [2 favorites]


The Doctor: No but I've put a lot work into it.

Ah, I just realised this line is Moff stealing from himself - he used it in the Curse of the Fatal Death! Hugh Grant's Doctor says it. Fun.
posted by crossoverman at 2:08 PM on August 6, 2013


I loved that scene. So damn cool
If you liked it with Smith imagine it with Capaldi.
Hopefully the new Doctor may bring back something else which has been lacking in NuWho, fear.

You're gonna need a bigger boat sofa
posted by fullerine at 2:41 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]


fullerine: " If you liked it with Smith imagine it with Capaldi."

Honestly, I haven't seen much of him. What I've seen hasn't made much of an impression on me, either. I didn't particularly like Torchwood: Children of Earth, and while John Frobisher's character was interesting, the whole story had so many mindbogglingly stupid plotholes and contrivances that I find it hard to even remember much about him.

I'm more than happy to take him at his own merits, once the new episodes begin.
posted by zarq at 2:55 PM on August 6, 2013


He's one of the few British actors of quality who hasn't gone off to Hollywood.

If you discount the stage greats like Mark Rylance or Simon Russell Beale I can think of only Ecclestone who is of a similar quality and hasn't completely moved into film acting or been poached by American TV.
posted by fullerine at 6:26 PM on August 6, 2013 [1 favorite]






MCMikeNamara: So Capaldi truly is the biggest fan to ever play the Doctor on screen. It is one thing to write a letter to the Radio Times about the Daleks as was mentioned in the announcement special; it is quite another to pen a missive about the opening titles to a Doctor Who zine.

io9 rounded up a bunch of the other early fan work from Capaldi.
posted by filthy light thief at 9:30 AM on August 7, 2013 [1 favorite]


I dunno, I still think David Tennant's "decided to become an actor at age 3 because he thought that way he'd get to be on the show someday, and then persisting in this goal even after the show got cancelled, and then going on to have that actually happen, and THEN going on to marry one of his favorite Doctor's kids so now he has one of the other Doctors for a father-in-law" record is still kind of up there when it comes to being a fanboy.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:32 AM on August 7, 2013 [9 favorites]


So I just instantly became endeared to Tennant.

Woah.
posted by ArmyOfKittens at 11:42 AM on August 7, 2013 [1 favorite]


I still can't watch the scene with Matt Smith in The Eleventh Hour, staring down the Atraxi eyeball without getting chills

I had a very different reaction, the sort of reaction I have to anything that tries to reproduce a Dirty Harry moment (either "Make my day" or "Do you feel lucky punk?" comes to mind) because it's "cool", that reaction being, please, don't, I know you're going to, but please, don't. Fuck, you did. I suppose it's a convention now, just one I don't care for, the Doctor as galactic Dirty Harry doesn't appeal to me personally. That Star Trek Nemesis movie did way too much of this moment and this character is cool stuff.
posted by juiceCake at 12:08 PM on August 7, 2013


I understand why Moffet did it and why he's reinforced the idea so often. The whole theory behind Matt Smith's arc is that The Doctor has become so well-known, so legendary and infamous that he's considered a danger by not just his traditional enemies but even by groups that wouldn't have normally aligned themselves with others in order to stamp him out. With the perspective of 20/20 hindsight, we can see the seeds Moffet was planting.

I had hopes that when Clara hacked the Daleks and deleted knowledge of his presence from their database, and when files on him were also removed from computers all over the cosmos, AND when people thought he had died at Lake Silencio, that he would shrink down to size and they'd get back to more individual stories. But the series isn't quite there yet.

Atreides, to build on the cinematic posters... There was an interview with Damon Lindelof posted over at the Vulture three days ago, where they talk about summer blockbuster movies. They note that it's almost a plotline prerequisite of successful summer blockbusters to now have the fate of the world hang in the balance. Avengers, Battleship, etc. A movie like Field of Dreams (my example, not theirs) wouldn't qualify.

It's easy to draw parallels between the path Doctor Who has taken over the last three years and that blockbuster mentality.
posted by zarq at 12:36 PM on August 7, 2013 [1 favorite]


So I just instantly became endeared to Tennant.

:-) Peter Davison is the Doctor-in-law in question. And they even co-Doctored in this short ep, and you can just tell that David's inner eight-year-old is squealing with glee the whole time.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:15 PM on August 7, 2013 [3 favorites]


...And on rewatching that, I just realized David's own Scottish accent starts to creep in during the bit where "The Tenth Doctor" is telling "The Fifth Doctor" what he liked about him. Which just makes it feel that much more like "okay, yes, this is the Tenth Doctor talking, but it's also David McDonald the fanboy talking too".
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 2:25 PM on August 7, 2013


I had hopes that when Clara hacked the Daleks and deleted knowledge of his presence from their database, and when files on him were also removed from computers all over the cosmos, AND when people thought he had died at Lake Silencio, that he would shrink down to size and they'd get back to more individual stories.

If they have to go through such lengths, it seems more like they're aggrandizing him more, not leading to less.

The way to make Doctor Who more personal again is to do it the way they've always changed the show when it comes time to adjust its focus. Just start doing it, when a new actor takes over the role, and pretend it was never any different.
posted by JHarris at 6:20 PM on August 7, 2013 [3 favorites]




"The story of Little Amy and the Raggedy Doctor is literally a fairy tale, and whether he meant to or not, Moffat allowed that storytelling style to spill out into the show as a whole."

That was pretty explicit in the promos for Smith's first season.

Incidentally, Bleeding Cool is still going on about the likelihood of missing episodes being recovered, because they've found some old Dad's Army episodes.

And The Mirror reckons Chiwetel Ejiofor was once offered the role, for what ever that's worth.
posted by Mezentian at 7:49 PM on August 9, 2013


And The Mirror reckons Chiwetel Ejiofor was once offered the role, for what ever that's worth.

It's worth nothing.
posted by crossoverman at 11:49 PM on August 9, 2013 [1 favorite]


How dare you defame the Fourth Estate like that? HOW DARE?
The Mirror is upholding a fine tradition of journalism that stretches back hundreds of years.

I can't believe you would accuse them of taking unsubstantiated rumours, scraps of importantion and the word of "un-named" sources to sell newspapers and clickbait.

I mean, you can see just how serious The Mirror's journalistic integrity is by examining its cover.

That cleavage doesn't get there on its own, you know!

And, to make this actually on topic, here are the viewer numbers for the announcement.
posted by Mezentian at 12:36 AM on August 10, 2013


Also, it's the Silly Season where any titbit of 'news' is ceased upon and blow up into as big a story as they can make it
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 1:34 AM on August 10, 2013


The silly season is Crimbo, no?
Now now. When there are things happening!
posted by Mezentian at 3:07 AM on August 10, 2013


Doctor Who Tube Map
posted by homunculus at 2:57 PM on August 10, 2013


here are the viewer numbers for the announcement

For a moment I thought that article said
While in Australia, 40,000 sacrificed sheep to tune into the live broadcast

...and frankly I didn't even blink.
posted by dhartung at 3:18 PM on August 10, 2013 [4 favorites]


...and frankly I didn't even blink.

DON'T
posted by kagredon at 3:26 PM on August 10, 2013 [9 favorites]




I don't know, but you've made me think that Ron Perlman could be a member of the sons of Lee Marvin.

Well, he's on the t-shirt.
posted by homunculus at 11:51 AM on August 27, 2013


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