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[icepixie]

Well, I just saw rowdycamels off home. :(

We had a good time, though. Did a bit of walking at Radnor Lake. Then we came back and watched a lot of TV. I have thoroughly introduced her to Northern Exposure, I think. We watched...ten episodes? Ish? In twenty-four hours? We took a tour through some of the more dysfunctional episodes of seasons three, four, and five. Plus there was Blackpool horror. I'm scarred for life now.

We also watched the DW Christmas special.

That was...truly bad. Someone needs to take the Who out of Rusty's hands, stat. He...recycled large parts of TCI...and made his main character angst over his Mary Sue...and had a really ridiculous scenery-chewing spider queen villain. (I suppose I shouldn't judge this spider queen, since I thought "Planet of the Spiders" was great. But somehow that spider queen was just...better.) Not to mention truly awful science everywhere you look.

I did like Donna, though. She wasn't a yes-woman. She kind of reminded me of Tegan, actually. Maybe Tegan mixed with Sarah Jane. And she was smart enough to not come with the Doctor.

Still, the whole episode...it was bad enough to make me wonder if they were intentionally self-parodying, but I'm afraid they were entirely serious. And that makes me sad. It was like it was written by an ADHD seven-year-old. On crack. With unlimited CGI.

Ugh.

Comments

[alto2.livejournal.com]

Plus there was Blackpool horror. I'm scarred for life now.

You mean Sarah Parish as a giant spider? Or am I missing something?

[icepixie]

No, I mean Ellen showed me some Blackpool, which I hadn't seen. We mostly watched the musical numbers.

Nothing to do with Sarah Parish as a giant spider, which I just found out approximately forty-five minutes ago.

[alto2.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was stunned when I saw her name come up in the credits last night. Stunned, I tell you!

As for Blackpool, I'm guessing perhaps you saw the Nancy Sinatra? Blackpool's absolutely bloody brilliant, once you wrap your head around it a bit :)

[rowdycamels.livejournal.com]

As for Blackpool, I'm guessing perhaps you saw the Nancy Sinatra?

Yup! Plus the Funny Girls date sequence (love that one), and most of the other songs David Tennant's in. I think her brain started melting around "I Second That Emotion," though. Muahah! Poor Becca.

Blackpool's absolutely bloody brilliant, once you wrap your head around it a bit :)

Yes! I tried to convince her of that, but I'm afraid it might be a lost cause, alas. By the way, I'm impressed once again by your excellent tastes. : D

[icepixie]

I tried to convince her of that, but I'm afraid it might be a lost cause, alas.

Dude, you were the one who said, "the mystery part is sort of boring."

The musical sequences are cracktastic, but a little of that goes a long way. Also, The Clash is ruined for me now.

[rowdycamels.livejournal.com]

Dude, you were the one who said, "the mystery part is sort of boring."

Keep in mind, that's after I a) solved the mystery and b) rewatched the mystery half a dozen times. And then attempted to wear a Becca-filter and predict which parts you'd most like to see. Yes, the seedy-con-artists-squabbling-amongst-themselves plotline is the weakest one in the series (except when they have SINGING AND DANCING ACCOUNTANTS, LOVE), but really, its worst flaw is the fact that it makes you think, "wait, why am I watching this scene when I could be fastforwarding to one with David Tennant in it?"

but a little of that goes a long way

NOOOOOOOOOO, you lose at campy fun!

Also, The Clash is ruined for me now.

Muahhahhahah! Just think of a soggy DT drowning people in swimming pools, and all will be right with the world.

[icepixie]

Keep in mind, that's after I a) solved the mystery and b) rewatched the mystery half a dozen times. And then attempted to wear a Becca-filter and predict which parts you'd most like to see.

Riiiiight, Miss "The Mystery Plot Is Kind Of Boring."

its worst flaw is the fact that it makes you think, "wait, why am I watching this scene when I could be fastforwarding to one with David Tennant in it?"

And you must admit that that's a pretty big flaw...

NOOOOOOOOOO, you lose at campy fun!

Oh, I think I have just the right amount of appreciation for campy fun.

Muahhahhahah! Just think of a soggy DT drowning people in swimming pools, and all will be right with the world.

It's not only that song. They also have a song called "Lost in the Supermarket." I can only imagine what DT and the other characters would've done to that.

[rowdycamels.livejournal.com]

Riiiiight, Miss "The Mystery Plot Is Kind Of Boring."

LABELS HURT FEELINGS, OKAY??

: )

And you must admit that that's a pretty big flaw...

Too bad so many movies suffer from it... something should be done about that...

Oh, I think I have just the right amount of appreciation for campy fun.

"None" is never the right amount of camp appreciation.

They also have a song called "Lost in the Supermarket." I can only imagine what DT and the other characters would've done to that.

...actually, I forgot to show you the really cute supermarket scene from BP... (don't worry, no singing.)

[icepixie]

LABELS HURT FEELINGS, OKAY??

Only for the weak.

Too bad so many movies suffer from it... something should be done about that...

Quite...

"None" is never the right amount of camp appreciation.

No, it's not "none." Not necessarily. Some of the early episodes of Stargate have got to count as camp, and I enjoyed them.

...actually, I forgot to show you the really cute supermarket scene from BP... (don't worry, no singing.)

Oh, god.

[rowdycamels.livejournal.com]

Some of the early episodes of Stargate have got to count as camp, and I enjoyed them.

Heh. Someday I'll watch Stargate...

Oh, god.

MUAHAHAHAH. No, really, it's adorable. Hmmm, DVD rippers....

[icepixie]

Heh. Someday I'll watch Stargate...

The first five seasons are fun. The sixth season is less fun; the seventh bounces back a bit; the eighth had major problems; and by the ninth, even I gave up, despite the fact that it now has both Ben Browder and Claudia Black in it.

It's a very unpretentious show. It knows it's not hugely original, and doesn't try to pretend it has good writing. It's just a collection of people going, "Woo! Let's fight baddies who dress in drag and blow stuff up while being snarky! Yeah!" But there's actually hints of continuity here and there which make it better than your average Star Trek, and once in a while, it even delivers a Really Quite Good episode.

[rowdycamels.livejournal.com]

even I gave up, despite the fact that it now has both Ben Browder and Claudia Black in it.

Wow, that's one big despite.

Yeah, Stargate falls into the someday category...

[icepixie]

Wow, that's one big despite.

I think a new person coming into the show would have fewer problems than those of us who watched it when it was in its prime, and are now just sad about how boring it's gotten.

[alto2.livejournal.com]

The mystery part is not boring! Nor is the whole Ripley-Natalie-Carlisle dynamic. Honestly, it's all about Ripley, though. Fascinating character.

The Clash is ruined for me now.

Hee! I literally burst out laughing now when I hear that, or "These Boots", or "The Gambler" (which, horrifyingly, has been replaced on the DVD with a far inferior version!!!). Though, I'm geek enough (and generally stressed enough) to find that a nice break in my day, an unexpected giggle that is, most of the time, an in-joke with myself. Sad, but true!

[alto2.livejournal.com]

I didn't realize I was working on a respiratory infection when I watched the first ep of Blackpool back in January, but I had a big clue when I got to "These Boots" and had to pause about four times in the middle of it because I was laughing so hard I could hardly breathe. Between that and the bits of exploding brain, well... (and mine melted on "I Second That Emotion," too!).

I'm afraid it might be a lost cause, alas.

You might've scared her off by doing all the music first, I fear. Woulda scared me, too! We'll have to work on her, though!

I suppose if you're impressed by my taste, I'd be impressed by yours as well ;)

[icepixie]

Yeah, I was stunned when I saw her name come up in the credits last night.

It's a bit horrifying, isn't it?

I saw most of the musical numbers in BP. I think I got the general gist of the whole thing.

[alto2.livejournal.com]

Seriously, you need to sit down and watch it. Ripley Holden is one of the most fascinating, complicated, well-drawn characters I've ever seen on television. It's an incredible six-hour ride.

(And then when you're done, you can go watch David Morrissey in Our Mutual Friend with Paul McGann and David Bradley, who has many scenes with DM, making it sort of like Blackpool: The Dickens Years. Well, at least in my twisted little mind, anyway!)

[icepixie]

Well, if they ever put BP out in Region I, I'll give the whole thing a look.

Dickens? Egads. Even with Paul McGann, I think I might pass on that one.

[alto2.livejournal.com]

if they ever put BP out in Region I, I'll give the whole thing a look.

You know, I don't know why they haven't, since it was shown here on BBCA last year. Dorky, stupid BBC and their DVD policies!

Even with Paul McGann, I think I might pass on that one.

Honestly, that's what I thought, too, having hated Dickens when forced to read him in high school. But I absolutely adored OMF, to where I decided I wanted to read the book (and have enjoyed every minute of that, too, not that I've looked at it recently). I was stunned by that reaction, but I really loved it THAT much. And if PM's Eugene Wrayburn doesn't just break your heart, well...I'll be very worried about you!

[icepixie]

OMF: Hmmmm. Maybe I'll add it to the end of my Netflix queue...

[alto2.livejournal.com]

I got it from my local library, if that helps at all. Then at least if you do hate it, you won't have paid anything for it :)

[icepixie]

My library has it, but I've given up on getting anymore DVDs from them. Nine out of ten are unplayably scratched or outright broken.

[rowdycamels.livejournal.com]

I think I got the general gist of the whole thing.

Did not! In between campy bits, there's some amazing acting work, and the writing is great, too. (Come on - scene on the quay? With the hand-holding? Wasn't that fun?) You really should give it another try, someday when you're less rushed and less tv-overloaded.

I can't believe there aren't any mac region-removing programs floating around. That's just insane. Hmmm, maybe once I get my broadband back I can hunt down a dvd-ripping free trial somewhere... Because there's a Blackpool-shaped hole in your heart, I swear.

[icepixie]

I can't believe there aren't any mac region-removing programs floating around.

It is sad. :(

DVD-ripping? Ooooh....

[alto2.livejournal.com]

The lack of region-free Mac stuff bites. I have a region-free player, so I do own the DVD set (hence my horror at discovering "The Gambler" was replaced with another version on the DVD), but I can't get it to play on the Mac nohow. Neither will the DW TV Movie, which is also depressing. VLC will play my other R2 discs quite happily, but not those two. :( And I've tried to rip the TVM to no avail.

I love my Macs to bits, but that part is just aggravating. There is a utility that lets you reset the drive setting, and supposedly when you run out of resets (I think you're allowed five), it lets you reset that setting as well, but I've honestly been afraid to try it in case that's not true.

[icepixie]

My dad just sent me a link to something called Mac the Ripper. It's freeware, and claims to be able to copy material from any region onto your hard drive, and then you watch it from there.

I've also heard about the DVD region-switching utility, and I'm afraid to even stick an R2 DVD into my drive, for fear of it switching on me. Possibly I'm paranoid.

[rowdycamels.livejournal.com]

Nothing to do with Sarah Parish as a giant spider, which I just found out approximately forty-five minutes ago.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Seriously?? Sarah Parish, where has your dignity gone??

[icepixie]

I think Rusty ate it.

[alto2.livejournal.com]

I read something on OG today that said she'd been wanting to play a Who villain for ages, for whatever that's worth.

[icepixie]

Too bad they couldn't give her something that wasn't quite so CGIed...

[alto2.livejournal.com]

Indeed. :(

[rowdycamels.livejournal.com]

I was going to say that they should've given her one of those cool, respectable villain roles, but... I can't really think of any non-laughable, non-zombie-collective villains in New Who. Except for, you know, Satan. And Jackie. Maybe there will be decent villains in S3...

[cheapevilgirl.livejournal.com]

That was...truly bad. Someone needs to take the Who out of Rusty's hands

Maybe I just missed the Doctor that much but I liked it. I was expecting it to hurt alot more without Rose. It did hurt and I teared up a couple of times. But Donna was a good character for this episode. As for recycling plots. Do you remember the Christmas special last year. Do you remember the Star Wars sword fighting at the end?

and had a really ridiculous scenery-chewing spider queen villain. (I suppose I shouldn't judge this spider queen, since I thought "Planet of the Spiders" was great. But somehow that spider queen was just...better.)

My first thought was Liars,Guns,and Money. My second thought was to shutter because even years later that is still the nastiest thing I've ever seen on tv.

I did like Donna, though. She wasn't a yes-woman. She kind of reminded me of Tegan, actually. Maybe Tegan mixed with Sarah Jane. And she was smart enough to not come with the Doctor.

I really wish she was sticking around. The previews with the new girl have me a bit worried.

[icepixie]

Maybe I just missed the Doctor that much but I liked it.

I miss the Doctor as written halfway-decently. Then again, my squee for New Who got put on life support after "Doomsday."

I was expecting it to hurt alot more without Rose.

Those gratuitous flashbacks hurt my soul. But of course, I'm bitter. (See above re: "Doomsday.")

As for recycling plots. Do you remember the Christmas special last year. Do you remember the Star Wars sword fighting at the end?

Yes, but that was funny. The Santas were just...dumb. This incarnation of the deadly Christmas tree was nowhere nearly as funny as the last one (possibly because Jackie wasn't screaming, "I'm about to be killed by a Christmas tree!!!"). And Rusty was recycling from himself, which is so sad.

I really wish she was sticking around. The previews with the new girl have me a bit worried.

If she stuck around, I might have lost respect for her. Half the reason I like her was because she calmly and accurately assessed her ability to handle the danger and the crazy the Doctor's life provides, and didn't just go blithely off with him without giving it much thought.

[alto2.livejournal.com]

Rusty was recycling from himself, which is so sad.

Exactly! It's one thing to borrow from someone else--at least you can say it's a nod to someone else's work--but to borrow from yourself, and to do so so incredibly liberally, just speaks of a lack of imagination. Or an overinflated ego. Or both.

And god, but I am glad Rose is gone. Funny how I didn't miss her at all. Even worse than recycling your own plots is assassinating your own character. :(

[icepixie]

Or both.

I'll go with that option.

I enjoyed the lack of Rose as well. She used to be cool, but then...not so much. Martha will be better, maybe? *shrug* I'm having real trouble getting up any enthusiasm for season three. Maybe I'll just wait till it airs on the Sci-Fi Channel so I don't have to actually expend any effort in getting episodes...

[alto2.livejournal.com]

I'll go with that option.

Yeah, I suspect it's closest to the truth. :-\

Rose was cool the first year. Then she was just so damn smug and snobby that I couldn't wait for her to leave. I hope they don't make the same mistakes with Martha.

In the meantime, I gotta finish "Zagreus"...

[icepixie]

In the meantime, I gotta finish "Zagreus"...

Ah, the long slog before you can get to the wonder of Scherzo... :D

[alto2.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm enjoying "Zagreus" so far. And I adored "Neverland." I'm trying to space them out so I don't run through them all and say "Wait, there's no more???" but it's difficult! I'll have to start revisiting some of the earlier ones, like I did on the flight to FL with "Chimes." Fab stuff, that.

[icepixie]

When I listened to Zagreus, I was completely unfamiliar with any other Doctor besides Eight and Five, and couldn't recognize most of the voices of the companions. To say I was confused would be putting it lightly. I think by the end, I was skipping tracks heere and there, just trying to make it to the end. *g*

Neverland is excellent, though. As is Scherzo.

[kurayaminokoe.livejournal.com]

it looks even more recycled if your own coutry shows the christmas invasion at the same time as the runaway bride on bbc :)

I did like seeing new Who, but that can also just be because well it's been a while since I saw new Who :) Paid no attention to who wrote the episode though, hm, and I will have to wait till I'm back home before I can download and watch again. I will try to watch the Sarah Jane Smith spinoff thing tomorrow on the BBC, and omg I skip Torchwood for it *snort*

Did you see the new season preview? There's Daleks again which worries me a wee bit ugh. (don't get me wrong, I like Daleks, but it's getting a bit predictable and I don't squee as much anymore as well, when I saw the previews for season 1 and 2 dalek episodes)

[icepixie]

I'd given up on a Dalek-free season long ago. And while they are overused, it seems to be to be one of the least of Rusty's sins.

Oh, yeah, I forgot about the Sarah Jane spinoff. Might need to look into that...

[alto2.livejournal.com]

There's Daleks again

Oh gawd, yes. I was not happy about that. Did fanboy Rusty never notice that the show often went for a year or two with no Daleks? That Doctors like Five, Six, and Seven got but the one encounter with them? Can he honestly think of nothing else he'd like to bring back? I got all excited when I thought I saw a Sontaran in that little trailer, only to realize later that it was not one at all.

Sigh. Rusty needs to find something else to do with himself. In, say...Greenland.

[astropoet.livejournal.com]

New Who just seems so facile to me, and too full of British "celebrities". It's a bit like a parody of itself. Also, the music! Ack! and the pace of action is like, boom, boom, boom. Too fast, it's like being whizzed around a roundabout and then you're spat out feeling sick.

[icepixie]

That was all true of this special, anyway. Your roundabout comparison is very accurate. And it applies to a good portion of the second season as well. I thought the first season was pretty good, though.