Doctor Who 3x03 - "Gridlock"

[Chris Britton]

This was very good, another enjoyable episode, and really sad as well, I cried when the Face of Boe died, I was sad when the Doctor explained about Galifrey and about how the planet fell apart. although it does set up for what could be an exicting finale, i am quite sure the Master is coming back, but im open till the end, and im sure whatever happens it's going to blow us into an Oncoming Dalek fleet which will vapourise us in an instant Itt had a nice blend of a lot fo tihngs, and seeing Ardal O'Hanlon as a Cat was quite well set in

Sadly, it does have the typical blend of RTDism, a lot of you know last year i was a very vocal speaker against some of his ideas (Love and Monsters being the worst) and again, his writing stumbled, the most annoying bit was the explanation of those aliens, the Macra, sure, it was nice to bring them back, but some explanation of why they were down there would have been nice, as they felt really out of place there. my guess as to RTD's faults, the time slot, he just can;t fit in enough of what he likes in 45 minutes, hence why his 2 parters are very good, perhaps he should just stick to specias and let friends and associates do the single episodes.

[Ross Hendrie]

Originally Posted by Ronnie Rowlands

yes, of course he was talking about the Master.

Oooh, im so very sorry Mister Omnipotent.

EDIT: And Chris, dont bring up Love and Monsters, you know how I loved it so.

[Dalek104]

Originally Posted by Chris Britton

my guess as to RTD's faults, the time slot, he just can;t fit in enough of what he likes in 45 minutes, hence why his 2 parters are very good, perhaps he should just stick to specias and let friends and associates do the single episodes.

Although I agree with that, I think RTD sometimes needs to write single-episode stories to impart messages, such as the Face of Boe's four words, which will tie in with the series finale.

[Danny Stewart]

I disagree with that. I haven't liked many of RTD's two-parters. Look at Aliens of London and World War Three. *shudder*

[Ronnie Rowlands]

farting aliens. I hated them. boooo!

[Ross Hendrie]

I quite liked those. Though the enemy could have been a bit less childish I agree.

[Ronnie Rowlands]

then he gave them a reprise in a later episodes. when I saw it I was saying "yeah, umm, boring. more Daleks please"

[Danny Stewart]

I must say, the Slitheen were handled much better in "Boom Town" than they were in "Aliens of London."

[Ronnie Rowlands]

Funny how people change over the years isn't it

2005

Originally Posted by Danny Stewart

"It was great fun. Definitely my fourth 5/5 in a row. I don't think this series could be more imaginative, creative, and fun. This is what Doctor Who needs to be."

2007

Originally Posted by Danny Stewart

I haven't liked many of RTD's two-parters. Look at Aliens of London and World War Three. *shudder*

[Danny Stewart]

Yeah. This is why nowadays I try to take a step back and give at least one point lower than I instinctively go for. After a second or third viewing, I'd have given AoL a 4/5, and now after two years, I'd probably give it as low as a 3/5. It hasn't well withstood the test of time.

[Ben Dawson]

yeah, it truely is .

[Ronnie Rowlands]

it's because so much better came after those episodes, so you look back and think, "tcah, I *LIKED* that shit?"

[Danny Stewart]

Originally Posted by Ronnie Rowlands

it's because so much better came after those episodes, so you look back and think, "tcah, I *LIKED* that shit?"

Even if nothing better came afterwards, I'd like to think I would have still realized at some point that they weren't anywhere near as good as they could have been.

[Chris Britton]

Originally Posted by Danny Stewart

I disagree with that. I haven't liked many of RTD's two-parters. Look at Aliens of London and World War Three. *shudder*

I thought you liked those, you have given them both perfect 10's. Or has opinion changed?

[Danny Stewart]

Both? RTD has done three two-parters so far.

And as I said, my opinion has changed since I watched them. RTD's episodes always seem less enjoyable after their first viewings.

[Dalek104]

I too didn't really enjoy Aliens of London/World War Three.

[Chris Britton]

I guess with the return of the Daleks the following week, it would pale in comparsion

I do agree mind, a lot of RTD's episodes lose thier shine, if any was on in the first place. he should let other handle episodes,. The guy has a great imagination, and that can be used for production, but writing should be left to those whoc an write, deep, immersing episodes.

[Danny Stewart]

I completely agree with you there, Chris. He makes a fine producer but he should leave at least 90% of the writing to other people.

[Ross Hendrie]

He should do what they do in BSG, where the producers sit down with all the writers and carve up what they want to do with the series, the leave the writing to the actual writers.

[Danny Stewart]

They do do exactly that -- it's just that RTD sits on both sides of the table, instead of just the producers side.