vivdunstan

Continuing our 20 years on rewatch we watched this episode again last week. Which I did not remember fondly. But it was better than I remembered.

A big problem that I realised this time is that the core child character is very unlikeable, at least initially. This makes the viewer making a connection and empathising almost impossible, at least early on.

More problematically there is a huge amount of tell not show, in particular re an alien's lengthy back story. This breaks all the standard rules of good TV storytelling, and is painful to watch. Problems here are further compounded by the director's choice to make the child actress whisper her way through this. It's excruciating.

But the main child actress is otherwise fine, as, unsurprisingly, is Nina Sosanya as her mum.

At the heart it’s an incredibly dark story, and not nearly as child friendly as might be assumed.

But there are lighter moments as well. Kel and the pick axe scene on the street is hilarious.

The singing resolution is rather painful. I don't get on well with singing in episodes ...

But yes, better than I remembered. And, to be fair, it has been undertaken in my rankings by a couple of stories in the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Doctor eras. But I'm doubtful I'll watch it again.

Another rewatch for us, 20 years on. And this two parter is still superb.

It's a fresh twist on a base under siege story, with big ideas, a superb guest cast (especially Claire Rushbrook and Danny Webb), and an innovative new monster/creature in the Ood. As an agnostic I find some of the religious angles harder to relate to, but it still works on many levels, and is so ambitious. And the music at times is breathtaking.

If it was in any other year it would be a contender for the best story of the season. But this is such a strong year with some stellar stories. But it's really, really good.

And I've just remembered there's a new Target novelisation that I still have to read. That will be fun. It's novelised by the original scriptwriter Matt Jones. Who, sadly, we didn't get any more Doctor Who TV stories from. Though he did write a Torchwood episode. As well as some other Wilderness Years books and short stories.

Told my Mum about my virtual Venice tour this afternoon. And mentioned that it includes music, e.g. I plan on listening to some Vivaldi ("Oh, was he from Venice?") as well as playing some suitable accordion tunes. If I was still playing my violin I could try to play some Vivaldi music on that. But my violin isn't accessible at the moment, and I am an extremely lapsed player. But squeezebox is very much available, especially my favourite Italian box.

Belatedly learning that Weltmeister accordion makers in Germany (since 1852, give or take debates over individual firms) closed in late 2024. I have a 48 bass Perle box of theirs, which is a handy smaller alternative at times. I have form in this: bought a Maugein CBA accordion not long before their company shut in France too! But they have since successfully relaunched.

Meanwhile my main box remains my Clinkscales 72 bass piano accordion, made by Paolo Soprani in Italy, and bought new in 1981. It had its first retune in 40 years in 2021, and is still going strong. Gorgeous rich sound, still practical for me to play when my progressive neurological illness allows.

I should be asleep now, but I've had a dire night with my neurological disease, sprinting to the bathroom constantly and unrelentingly for many hours. So ended up typing up ideas for my Venice virtual tour instead of sleeping! Still stuff to fill out, especially some of the details, but thought I'd share the notes so far.

( expand to see lengthy notes )

P.S. I've been to Venice several times in person, so am very familiar with a lot of the core concepts and places. Not sure I will ever get back! But this virtual tour should be fun.

Delighted managed some accordion practice, too long after recent neuro illness flare. Light headed by end, but right hand (piano keyboard) working well. Practiced ABBA Thank You For The Music, Speechless from Disney Aladdin, and here my first go at Bella Ciao, adding improvised right hand harmonies. I *love* my accordion 🙂 Been playing it for nearly 50 years.

Sorting a teetering pile of accordion sheet music books, as well as more elsewhere in the house. Still more to go through, but have identified those I won't be playing again and would like to pass on. Also have a bunch of piano sheet music books (but keeping loads of others). To go to charity soon.

I am too prone to buying more and not playing what I've already got. And some things just don't work well for me. I even found duplicate copies of Irish and Russian accordion music books! The sitting room music area is looking more trim now and manageable. And the other music will go to new homes.

Now just checking if our local Oxfams will take the sheet music books, or if they'd prefer us to take them to the city centre shop, which does specialise in music of all kinds, including sheet music.

Thinking of my Dad who would have been 91 today. He loved Robert Burns poems and songs from a young age, and I inherited a book of them he bought as a young man in Yorkshire. He always used to treat himself to a haggis meal on Burns Night. Still much missed.

Reminded when a tune came on at random of my first date but-not-quite-date with Martin. In 1992. I was sitting on my own in the New Picture House in St Andrews, watching Batman Returns for the second time. And Martin turned up with some friends, and ended up sitting beside me. This song is in the movie. Our next date - first proper one - was a ghost tour around St Andrews. I ended up wearing thumbscrews! But yes, memories.

Pleased managed more accordion practice despite my worsening neuro illness. Not too light headed just now, though my usually automatic bellows control was a bit challenged! Focused on 5 tunes (*), including Windmills of Your Mind. Which on my 72 bass box required jumping from the top of the bass side to the bottom and back! Though, amazingly, that wasn't as tricky as expected. Here is a recording of Windmills of Your Mind.

* The other tunes were Pirates of the Caribbean "He's a Pirate" music (so piratey!), Speechless from live-action Disney Aladdin, Thank You For The Music by ABBA and a My Fair Lady medley.

Oh and Martin had a teleconference going on in the next door study while I played in the lounge. I tried to play a bit quieter than I might have. He said afterwards it was fine 😜