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How we made Blake’s 7
Jan. 20th, 2025 08:10 pmFun article in the Guardian today.
Rewatching Doctor Who: Deep Breath
Jan. 19th, 2025 08:30 pmOn to the Twelfth Doctor era. I'm going to dissect this episode quite a bit so best put things behind a spoiler cut. ( spoiler space )
Doctor Who rewatch: The Girl Who Waited
Apr. 15th, 2024 04:08 amJust finished watching this tonight, the Matt Smith story that sees Amy separated from the Doctor and Rory, and time shenanigans mean that Amy ends up spending a very very long time trapped ...
This was my favourite episode of that year on first watch. It even beat Neil Gaiman's "The Doctor's Wife" for me. And I think I voted in the Hugos that year, when both stories were on the Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form) shortlist. And I knew which I preferred, though the Gaiman story won the Hugo award in the end.
It's still powerful to rewatch today. The opening third is standard scifi setup, but when you meet the older version of Amy the emotional level escalates rapidly. I think I probably related to that more this time, because I'm closer in age to that version of Amy than I was when this first aired.
The direction is a joy, and one scene in particular stands out for me, when the two Amys - young and old - are able to talk to each other across time. Originally an older actress was intended to play older Amy, but Karen Gillan wanted to give it a go. And with the aid of prosthetic makeup does a fantastic job. By far her best acting in Doctor Who ever.
It's also remarkable as a low budget and Doctor lite episode. Matt Smith is very much in it, but the story is carried by Amy (both versions) and Rory, and both act superbly. I should also praise the writer Tom MacRae. I wasn't that keen on his Cybermen two-parter with David Tennant, but this - his other story - is stellar.
The ending is inevitable, but how you get there is in turns moving and shocking. And throughout so brilliantly acted.
This remains an absolute highlight for me of the Matt Smith era. There were some gems, even if there were some clunkers too.
This was my favourite episode of that year on first watch. It even beat Neil Gaiman's "The Doctor's Wife" for me. And I think I voted in the Hugos that year, when both stories were on the Best Dramatic Presentation (Short Form) shortlist. And I knew which I preferred, though the Gaiman story won the Hugo award in the end.
It's still powerful to rewatch today. The opening third is standard scifi setup, but when you meet the older version of Amy the emotional level escalates rapidly. I think I probably related to that more this time, because I'm closer in age to that version of Amy than I was when this first aired.
The direction is a joy, and one scene in particular stands out for me, when the two Amys - young and old - are able to talk to each other across time. Originally an older actress was intended to play older Amy, but Karen Gillan wanted to give it a go. And with the aid of prosthetic makeup does a fantastic job. By far her best acting in Doctor Who ever.
It's also remarkable as a low budget and Doctor lite episode. Matt Smith is very much in it, but the story is carried by Amy (both versions) and Rory, and both act superbly. I should also praise the writer Tom MacRae. I wasn't that keen on his Cybermen two-parter with David Tennant, but this - his other story - is stellar.
The ending is inevitable, but how you get there is in turns moving and shocking. And throughout so brilliantly acted.
This remains an absolute highlight for me of the Matt Smith era. There were some gems, even if there were some clunkers too.
Rewatching Babylon 5: Soul Mates
Nov. 26th, 2023 07:50 pmContinuing our weekly rewatch. And this one is a lot of fun with Londo’s three wives. Also fab Londo/G’Kar interactions. The other main plot is a bit light, but much better handled than recent weeks. So much smoother writing and direction overall. And aren’t the crew’s dress uniforms for Londo’s party blingy.
Just one more episode to go then it’s my all time favourite B5 episode. Excited.
Just one more episode to go then it’s my all time favourite B5 episode. Excited.
Babylon 5 rewatch: A Spider in the Web
Nov. 19th, 2023 07:44 pmContinuing our rewatch of Babylon 5, and this is another one we’ve skipped multiple times before. The pre credits scene with a hand emerging ever so slowly from the cargo hold isn’t a great start. But some of the guest cast are good. Michael Beck isn’t great, but better than he was in Xanadu. It is also nice to see some of the series’s focus shift away from the station, especially towards Mars, but also with the glimpse of that intriguing wasteland on Earth. There is a nod forward with Ivanova and Talia. And the Sheridan/Garibaldi investigative combo is fun. But it’s definitely a missable episode. But hey, the first time we hear and see Zack. Which is nice!
Babylon 5 rewatch : The Long Dark
Nov. 12th, 2023 07:39 pmAfter a few weeks break we continue our B5 rewatch, with this season 2 episode. Which we have seen before, but skipped in some rewatches. It is not great. I’m not entirely sure why. Dwight Schultz’s character is a bit overwhelming, but he acts it well. Anne-Marie Johnson is less successful in her role. And Franklin’s behaviour is downright uncomfortable, from the start. I think the pacing is too slow, and the direction needed to be tighter. But ultimately it’s down to the writing. So not great, but glad we’ve reseen it. And we’re just a few weeks away from my absolute favourite episode. And the core B5 cast is still great, including Sheridan, who has settled down now.
