Doctor Who (Matt Smith)

[ZenGum]

Dana, you're doing post-grad history research.
Once you've done your masters - what is it, 19th century military and social interactions, or some such - do your PhD on something you are really passionate about.
Dr Who studies.
Seriously. It has been a pillar of British culture for 50 years, reflecting social conventions, ethnicity, budget situation, societal fears, etc etc. Far less worthy things have been studied. Heck you could probably end up teaching a course in Dr-Whology.

[DanaC]

*Chuckles*

yeah. I don't think so ;P It is something that some academics are focussing on; but whilst i know a great deal about Doctor Who; I know very little about media studies more generally and cultural trends and developments that feed into Doctor Who. I've spent the last couple of years learning about and gaining an understanding of the surrounding issues and trends of 18th and early 19th century British culture. I'd have to teach myself a whole new field, before I even started on independent research.

Besides; I would hate to turn my leisure obsession into my work.

Also; I really, really like the area I'm looking at. And have already submitted my PhD research proposal and been offered a place at the Uni on that basis. Have also sent same proposal to the arts council in hopes of a scholarship.

Nice thought though

[Sundae]

I quite liked the Daleks vs Churchill.
Camp? I should cocoa (have just introduced LJ to the phrase)
But none the worse for that; Dr Who is allowed to camp it up on occasion.

I was gobsmacked when the last episode ended.
For one I'd forgotten it was a two-parter.
For two I thought "That was never 45 minutes!"
For three, "Aaargh - how are they going to get out of that one?!"

I referenced Dr Who today in class. I was doing word lists (soul-destroying when you do one after another) and only one girl recognised Dr - written as the abbreviation. I pointed out to one of my faves that it was Doctor, as in Dr Who. She confidently responded that Dr Who was ALWAYS Doctor Who in the titles. She was right of course. I'm so used to writing the abbreviation that I'd forgotten.

She has two older sisters who are fans. At six she's still a little young for it. Certainly for the last episode. Gave me some shudders. Specially the bit with Amy in the Portacabin.

[wolf]

Oh my.

Just saw the final episode of the season.

Rather a lot went on. I like the cohesive story arc concept, made for a very exciting run.

Show of hands ... who thinks Doctor River Song is a future incarnation?

[Happy Monkey]

It did occur to me; I wouldn't quite say I think it's the case.

[wolf]

I just made a terrible, terrible mistake.

I downloaded Doctor Who: Nuclear Time to my Kindle.

This is a very, very bad novel. Awful. The plot is stretched so this and twisted so far that even the minor amount of credibility required by a Doctor Who story is missing.

Totally.

Bloody awful, if I may.

I don't know if it's as jarring to a British reader, but as an American, it it really, really weird when Americans speak British. I can get through descriptive stuff where Americans are wearing trainers and holding doors open with their bums and whatnot, but at least try to Yank-Up the dialog!!

[Sundae]

I haven't read the book, but it jars me when ANYTHING is out of place re nationality. Sorry, amend that to when I notice things out of place. Screws up the whole willing suspension of disbelief.

I noticed recently in an American novel that the lady was removing her tights, not her pantyhose. A book set in America, written by an American author. So it looks like they are now tinkering with texts in the same way they've done over the pond for years. WHY?! We're used to pantyhose and sidewalks and vests and pants now. The buggers.

Of course it does jar even more when you are the same nationality as the person portrayed incorrectly. Even national stereotyping jerks you out of the story.

I will offer the lame excuse that Dr Who is primarily a British institution, but of course I don't stand by it. Editors should really sort these things out. Crikey, I'm sure there are countless people who would proof-read for free (me! me! me!) for the sheer kudos, in order to get local influences/ inflections correct.

Still. Rub dirt on it, Mary furriner.

[jinx]

Tights are different than panty-hose/nylons. Thicker. Sometimes footless. Not as thick as leggings.

[Sundae]

I didn't know that!
In that case I take it back - it was a pretty good book and I was saddened to think that an over-zealous editor was "translating" for us.

[DanaC]

Nuclear Time is a real stinker. I haven't actually finished it (left it halfway along).

The Forgotten Army is also a little silly. Night of the Humans and Apollo 23 are both excellent.

[wolf]

I was reading the description of Apollo 23 and wasn't sure. I might give it a try after I've chewed through my current to-read piles.

[DanaC]

There are still odd bits in that which might irritate you. Don't kow if the American characters will jar. But it's a decent plot, and genuinely quite chilling in a few places.

Nuclear Time, was interesting in some ways but I think it was trying to be too clever. All that backwards conversing is a neat idea, but broke me out of the story. The plot seems a bit too convoluted. Don't know, just one of those that feels like it should have worked, but hasn't.

[Happy Monkey]

I just saw the first two episodes of the new Sherlock Holmes show from the BBC. I'm enjoying it, but I didn't feel the need to start a new thread, because it seems to be a slight variation on Doctor Who.

[Sundae]

There is a British TV thread around here sometimes, but this does suit as you say.
Mycroft is played by Mark Gatiss, so it was always going to be a winner for me.

[wolf]

Is this running on BBCamerica or will I have to wait several years to see it?