Review: Doctor Who - The Bells of St John

The hype around this year of Doctor Who has been like no other. As it is the 50^th anniversary of the show – it is the longest running sci-fi drama in the world, I’m sure you know – the pressure was on the show to be at its best, to celebrate its illustrious past but to also look to the future and where the series will go next. I, for one, breathed a sigh of relief on Saturday night when Steven Moffat’s series opener (come on, it is!) ‘The Bells of St John’ did exactly that.

Whereas last year’s half of Series Seven had a slightly varying quality, ‘Bells’ carries on from the Christmas special ‘The Snowmen’ as first-class Who. Similar to that story, Moffat pulls off a belter of a plot at top speed and interweaves some time for the Doctor to get to know his new companion.

With hints of previous episodes - there’s a feel of ‘Partners in Crime’ and lashings of ‘The Idiot’s Lantern’ – ‘Bells’ carries on the ‘movie-a-week’ motif from last year, being labelled an ‘urban thriller’ – and it certainly is thrilling. As you can tell by its fantastic central conceit alone – there’s something living in the wi-fi and it’s eating your soul...

Great fun as the plot is the most important thing about this episode is the chemistry between Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman which, as we've seen from her previous two appearances, is top notch. Coleman plays the genius, compassionate Clara like she’s been in the role for years and you utterly buy hers and the Doctor’s budding friendship. The brush strokes for her character are finer than the previous versions of the character and she now feels like proper companion material. Also, Clara’s prominent flirting of ‘Asylum’ and ‘Snowmen’ has been toned down, making it feel less like another River Song relationship and more like a good friendship with hints of attraction which suits the Doctor and his companion much better. The ‘snogbox’ is a good name for the TARDIS though.

As it is a big old series starter featuring the proper introduction of a extremely enigmatic character it’s not too surprising that there’s a fair bit of mystery and unanswered questions that we'll have to ponder over for the next few weeks. Just why is the Doctor in a 13^th century monastery at the beginning – and surely there’s a wider significance to those bells? There’s several more sprinkled through the episode – some more obvious than others. How does Clara have the Doctor’s number? What is that ‘client’ up to? And just why can’t Clara compute the number 23 (watch the episode again if you missed this the first time)?

With all this plus Celia Imrie as the scheming Miss Kizlit; a classic Who villainess, echoes of Sherlock in the direction and that wonderful blink-and-you’ll-miss-it Pond Easter egg there’s much to love here. Though the climax does feel a little rushed Moffat is at the top of his game here delivering a fresh new start to the show but retaining that uniquely Doctor Who feel. A fantastic start to the biggest year yet of Doctor Who! 

 NEWS: DAVID TENNANT AND BILLIE PIPER TO APPEAR IN FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY!

It is official! The Tenth Doctor and Rose are set to feature in the 90 minute anniversary special episode to be shown on the 23rd November, the show's fiftieth birthday. It's great news for fans as it leaves the door open for other previous Doctors and companions to return. As for these two, it might be tempting to visit their character after we last saw them; Rose trapped in the parallel world with a duplicate Doctor, but I think it might be more fun if we got to see the Series Two versions of them, still hurtling round the universe. But who knows what Moffat's got up his sleeve...
Also, it has been confirmed that respected British actor John Hurt (the wandmaker Ollivander in Harry Potter, the voice of the dragon in Merlin etcetera) is to appear in the special too. I'm already theorising that he's going to be some sort of future Doctor. Well, we'll see how I did in my predictions in a few months' time. Until then tune into 'The Rings of Akhaten' by Neil Cross this Saturday on BBC One/ BBC America!

Monthly Mini-Reviews: March

March has been a busy month - what with the final episode of one of my favourite series, Being Human and the first episode in a new series of Doctor Who! Aside from them, I've consumed a fair few number of entertaining fictions over the past few weeks. Here's a handful...

 Oz the Great and Powerful

In this partial sequel to the 1939 classic, James Franco is Oscar Diggs, a talented magician who dreams of greatness but is trapped in a travelling circus - until he is caught in a twister and taken to the jolly old land of Oz.
The film, directed by Spider-Man's Sam Raimi, seems to have divided people but I fall into the category of people who enjoyed it. Its flaws - such as pacing issues and  dodgy character development - are obvious and it certainly does pale in comparison to Wizard. However, viewed on its own terms, it's an enjoyable enough, visually-gorgeous way to spend a couple of hours.

Neverwhere Radio Series

I've been highly anticipating this one for a while; a radio adaptation of Neil Gaiman's fantastic urban fantasy novel featuring a top-flight cast including James MacAvoy, Benedict Cumberbatch, Sophie Okenedo, Bernard Cribbins - and Christopher Lee! Thankfully, the series delivered, being an funny, touching and fast-paced version of the story terrifically played by the cast. Special kudos goes to MacAvoy for playing everyman protagonist Richard Mayhew with such realism and likeability and, of course, Cumberbatch for imbuing the Angel Islington with a chilling edge. If I did such a thing - which I seem to be here - it would be my pick of the month!

Gaslight Arcanum: Uncanny Tales of Sherlock Holmes 

The best Holmes pastiches, I find, are the ones that pitch the highly-rational detective against the forces of darkness - so I obviously found this anthology of supernatural-tinged Holmes stories a treat. Including tales concerning the devil's footprints, an ancient Egyptian curse and an encounter with Count Dracula, the writing styles vary but invariably capture Conan Doyle's timeless creations throughout. Oddly, my favourite of the bunch may be the least 'uncanny'; the anthology's opening story which details a young Holmes loosing his first love. It's a twisting-turning story that packs a real emotional punch as it aims to get at the steely heart of our Holmes.

                                               
Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Season Six

I've been working my way through Joss Whedon's seminal genre series on-and-off for many months now - and have finally arrived at its sombre, penultimate series. Following on from the climax of Season Five, this series begins as Buffy's friends bring her back from the dead to continue fighting the force of evil in their hometown of Sunnydale. It's a bit of a mixed bag, this one, with several good quality episode alongside some mediocre ones. Downsides include less Anthony Head as his character Giles leaves the main cast but a positive is more of Alyson Hannigan's Willow as her dependence on magic leads to some dire consequences over the course of the series. It's not the best of seasons but it's also not the worst - sorry, Season Four - and has lots to offer. Particularly the musical episode 'Once More with Feeling' which everyone should watch!

Doctor Who at 50: Cybermen vs Daleks

Last month, in my ongoing series of posts dedicated to celebrating Doctor Who in this its 50th anniversary year, I looked at the best of the lesser known monsters the Doctor has faced over the years. Now, it's the turn of two of the show's most iconic outputs that have struck fear into the hearts of Doctor Who viewers for half a century; the Daleks and the Cybermen. But which is better? There's only one way to find out...


The Daleks

Created by mad scientist Davros, the Daleks are mutants encased in tanks, with all emotions remove apart from one; hate. Their ultimate goal is to rid the universe of everything that isn't a Dalek, and they won't stop until they do...

Everyone knows the Daleks. Their idiosyncratic design, their staccato, grating voices have made the Dalek an icon of British culture, as synonymous in the public's image of the show as the TARDIS and the character of the Doctor himself.

However, the Daleks do have their drawbacks. Because of the viewers' familiarity with them over the years, it could be said they've lost their punch. Who boss-king himself Steven Moffat has said that, after fighting the Doctor '400 times', that the Daleks are 'the most defeatable enemies in the universe.'

As Moffat has also shown, though, after a drastic change to the Daleks' look (resulting in many fans complaining), the Daleks can be taken back to their roots, as in last year's 'Asylum of the Daleks', and  be made scary again. Surely the deadly Daleks, who have plagued the Doctor's life since the show's second ever serial, are better than the Time Lord's other great foe?

 The Cybermen 

Utterly emotionless, the Cybermen are us, but a version of us so dedicated to cheating human frailties that they have augmented themselves to the state that they are human no longer...
Definitely Doctor Who's second best-known monster, the Cybermen have the advantage over the Daleks in that they are far more malleable.

Whereas the Daleks have to stay virtually the same, it is a core feature of the Cybermen that they are re-imagined and redesigned constantly, which makes sense narratively as well as behind the scenes as they are always aim for 'maximum efficiency.'
On the other hand, the Cybermen are perhaps too similar to the Daleks to be superior. Certainly, there has been a trend in recent years, since their triumphant return in 2006, for the Cybermen to be window-dressing in several episodes rather than the stars, such as 'The Pandorica Opens' and 'Closing Time.'

As you are most probably aware, this will hopefully change this year as Neil Gaiman has written an episode prominently featuring the Cybermen for the upcoming series which he promises will scare us. In this, the (again redesigned) Cybermen may shirk off the role of background villain they have had for a while now and take centre stage.
But does that mean they are better than the Daleks?

Well, I can't decide which I think is the greatest so I am leaving the result in your good hands. Now you've read the article, please now have a vote on the poll below to have your say.If you're a Cyber-fan, go delete the competition! On the side of the Daleks? Don't let the other lot exterminate you!
Happy polling!

Who is the best Doctor Who monster?

Doctor Who Returns and Sherlock Lives

After months of waiting, a lot of news seemed to suddenly materialise in the last day concerning Doctor Who and Sherlock. And, as a fan of both, I thought of it as my duty to share it with you here.

NEW POSTERS

As Series 7B is less than a couple of weeks away now, we've been treated to four great movie-style posters, as was done for the first half of the series, featuring the episode titles. Look how cool this stuff is!

'The Bells of Saint John' is the first episode of the series (is it a new series or not? I have a feeling this could be debated till the cows come home) and, as can be seen from the image, is being promoted as an ultra-modern technological thriller set in the Sherlock territory of contemporary London. The episode title, however, suggests more of an historical adventure, and it's thought, from footage seen in the trailer, that this episode features monks. Not a group of people you associate with the city. Only fourteen days till we find out what it all means...

This episode has already got quite a bit of publicity as the one that brings back the Ice Warriors for the first time in the series since 1974. Written by Mark Gatiss, it sees the Doctor and Clara stranded on a submarine that's besieged by a troop of the menacing Martians. It's sounds like a lot of fun and certainly has a fitting title, another example of Gatiss' love for wordplay titles (see later). 

Not much is known of this episode, other than that it is the second episode in the series and will show Clara's first visit to an alien world. The poster reminds me of an Indiana Jones film so I'm guessing it's going to be a big, adventure-filled romp of an episode. Which is no bad thing, but it's just a bit surprising considering it's written by Neil Cross, the lead writer of gritty crime drama Luther.

This is my favourite poster of the lot. Also written by Cross, this episode is apparently going to be a proper 'haunted house' story - with, by the looks of it, an  actual ghost!
The poster very much appeals to my Gothic sensibilities but with it's excellent title and spooky plot, 'Hide'  also seems to be harking back to Steven Moffat's Blink. No pressure, Mr Cross...


NEW TRAILERS

And, what's more, we've not only got some posters but two brand-new trailers showing us some new clips!

Both of these are exciting but the first offers us more to chew on including further glimpses of all those great aliens, both new and old (loving those Ice Warriors!). There also seems to be a fair bit on show of 'The Last Cybermen', the Neil Gaiman-penned penultimate episode of the series. I imagine the 'I'm the Doctor and I'm afraid' scene comes from this episode so those must be some pretty scary Cybermen. As has been said a lot about  this one, prepare yourself for some chills.
The BBC America version, although perhaps less packed with clips, does however, give us a nifty melodramatic voice-over from Mark 'Canton Everett Delaware III' Sheppard!

As the Doctor Who train hurtles closer and closer to your television sets, here's some news about the BBC's other hotly-anticipated drama series...


SHERLOCK TITLE REVEALED

At long last, Sherlock Series Three starts filming today! This is truly a happy time for all Sherlock fans who have been waiting patiently for Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman to stop making Hollywood blockbusters and return to TV. Of course, we've still got many months until the series returns to our screens but let's not dwell on that right now.
The other big Sherlock news revealed today came courtesy of co-creator and Mycroft Mark Gatiss:

Exclusive! Ep 1 will be called 'The Empty Hearse'. The game is on! #Sherlock twitpic.com/ccbzh8
— Mark Gatiss (@Markgatiss) March 18, 2013

Fans have been speculating the title for months, ever since we were given the teaser word 'rat.' However, out of all the suggestions that came up, none were as pun-tacular (if you'll excuse me that term) as the actual title. For those who are unfamiliar with the canon, the episode will be an adaptation of the Conan Doyle story 'The Empty House' which sees Holmes reveal he is still alive to Watson after being 'killed' at the Reichenbach Falls. Going by the adjusted title, this episode will focus a great deal on explaining just how Sherlock did survive the fall from St Bart's hospital. I could say it won't be long until we find out, but Cumberbatch recently stated the series could be broadcast at Christmas. Hold on in there, Sherlock fans, first it's Doctor Who's time to shine.

Dragon's Loyalty Award

Yesterday I was very grateful to receive a Dragon's Loyalty Award for my blog by Mr Rumsey, a film blogger whose reviews of everything from Adaptation to Zombieland I highly recommend. Thank you, sir!
Now I have to do my bit and follow the rules that come with the award.

• Display the Award Certificate on your website
• Announce your win with a post and link to whoever presented your award
• Present 15 awards to deserving bloggers
• Drop them a comment to tip them off after you've linked them in a post
• Post 7 interesting things about yourself

Firstly, I decided to bend the rules a little (some would say outright break, I wouldn't) by reducing the number of rewards from 15 to 5. Here, after much deliberation, are five blogs which I think really deserve this award for the work which has been put into maintaining these great sites:

• Confessions of a Nerf Herder
• Katie's Book Blog
• Cinema Parrot Disco
• The Doctor Who Bar
• The Seal of Approval

Each has a range of interests and content but I urge you to have a look at them all. They're all well worth it.

And to complete the post, here's seven 'interesting' facts about me:

1.  I've wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. I had a brief spell where I became obsessed with football in my youth but generally this aim has stayed put.
2. I've met Two ‘Doctor Whos’ in my life. David Tennant last December and Tom Baker in a Waterstones’ book shop when I was five. I don’t actually remember this although it did definitely happen. I aim to tick off a few more over the years…
3. I own far too many books to do with Sherlock Holmes. I shouldn't admit to this but I have three copies of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Don’t ask.
4. I love writing lists of things but I can never ever choose what my favourite film would be. Maybe one day.
5. The first Doctor Who story I wrote when I was twelve was called ‘The Devil’s Children’ – still a good title – and involved a giant demonic alien possessing children and using them to take over the world! I do believe it’s still pugged away somewhere…
6. Now, don’t go mad, internet, but I haven’t seen every Star Wars film. And the ones I have I've only seen once. Please hold back on flinging the rotten tomatoes.
7. Whilst writing out this blog post I am watching an episode of the Simpsons. It is a good episode of the Simpsons. Thanks for reading! 

Review: Being Human Final Episode - The Last Broadcast

For five years, thirty five hours, Being Human had entertained us with its wonderful mix of the domestic and the supernatural, great drama and hilarious comedy and overall, at the show’s core, its fantastic characters. We had seen vampire Mitchell (Aiden Turner), werewolves George and Nina (Russell Tovey and Sinead Keenan) and ghost Annie struggle to keep being human in face of their afflictions, with sadness and laughs along the way, until they all met their heart-breaking ends – bets are out on which is the saddest. On Sunday, the story of the show’s current heroes, bloodsucker Hal, lycanthrope Tom and spook Alex, and that of the entire series, came to a close. The show has been reliably good at climaxes from Herrick’s plans for revolution in Series One, Mitchell’s fall from grace in Series Three to last year’s the Old Ones and their prophecy for humanity’s end (remember Mark Gatiss’ delicious turn as Mr Snow?). However, could the show’s creator Toby Whithouse pull off the big one; the finale episode, the last broadcast of Being Human?

As you may have worked out during this over-long, melodramatic introduction, it bloody well did.

The writing is excellent, finding time for both reflection on all three main characters as well as the traditional ‘end-of-the-world’ action that finales have. The episode starts with the trinity in surely the worse positions they can possibly be; Hal seemingly having abandoned humanity and killing again, Tom ready to murder his best friend and Alex trapped in her own grave. It’s hard to believe that things can deteriorate for them even more. And then we find out the Devil has gone walkabout and plans to bring about the apocalypse. Some days are just like that, aren’t they?

When the dream sequences kick in is really when the episode gets into the meatier, more uniquely Being Human fare as our heroes are shown an ideal world they long for, by that sod of a Devil. Each gets to the heart of the characters as well as the show itself; three supernaturals fighting to lead mundane, boring, wonderful human lives. Whithouse has clearly had at least a rough idea of this episode in his head for a while and it really shows as events head to an ending that, although I never saw it coming, makes perfect sense. Either one you pick.

It’s not just the writing that sparkles in this episode with all major cast members playing a belter. Phil Davis relishes playing the biggest villain of them all, forming every word with audible malice and nuanced guile. He gets some fantastic lines over the hour, both ones that will make you chuckle or send a shiver down your spine. Really, though, the stars of this finale are Kate Bracken, Michael Socha and Damien Molony, each completely nailing their characters while also moving them on somewhat. We get to see a slightly more vulnerable side to Alex, a brave, responsible one from Tom and a Hal – once split between good and evil – who slowly comes together as a person. Each approaches the ending stronger and more human, accepting of what is to come.

On the whole, ‘The Last Broadcast’ – possessing a terrific title, by the way – is a truly fitting end to the entire series; one that’s well-written, well-performed, heartfelt yet bravely ambiguous. Toby Whithouse’s denouement should keep fans debating the fates of his characters for many years which I imagine is precisely what he wanted. All I know is that Being Human has been a series consistently terrific throughout its run, delivering everything from jokes about the quality of Black Swan to showing the Earth on the brink of Armageddon – on several occasions. Come early next year when the series would usually be on, I shall miss it but it is comforting to know that this was a show with the courageous conceit of being about being human and completely succeeded. And for that, everyone who worked on the show should be extremely proud.

P.S. This review is 666 words long. Just thought you might like to know…

The Adventure of Sherlock's Home

For the entirety of my time as a Holmesian I've been hiding a dark secret that I've been ashamed to announce; I've never been to the 'real' 221B Baker Street. Thankfully, that was finally rectified this weekend.  

I was at first amazed by the huge queue stretched along Baker Street outside. It's great to see so many enthusiastic fellow Holmes fans, adorned in deerstalkers (something I will one day come to own) and grabbing photos with the man dressed as a Victorian policeman outside. 

Inside 221B fits that weird feeling you get when you step onto a television set or meet someone famous, like you can't quite fit seeing them/it in reality rather than on the telly. Holmes' and Watson's study on the first floor felt very familiar, from Watson's writing desk, Holmes' knife stuck in the mantelpiece to the pair's chairs by the fire (yes, I know they weren’t real). My favourite bit was probably looking out of the windows of this Mock-Victorian room, from which Holmes looks out of regularly in the stories, to see modern shops and cars going past. And, although I know that it’s a museum and so that's the point in it, it’s nice to have this piece of Late-Victorian London preserved in the modern-day city. 

Also fun was Holmes’ bedroom (all right, he’s not real, just indulge me) which had an assortment of familiar items like Irene Adler’s photograph and also some less known ones…

. 

I don’t remember a wooden tortoise at Holmes’ bedside mentioned in any of the stories…

Famously, the museum still receives letters addressed to the Great Detective, several interesting ones of which are on show; here's my favourite one.

On the second floor the museum has a selection of waxworks of characters from the canon including this bunch:

Dr Grimesby Roylott, of The Speckled Band, frozen in his chair after a fatal bite from his own murder weapon, the Swamp Adder Snake.

That master blackmailer Charles Augustus Milverton looking rather terrified (find out why by…going to the museum).

The Napoleon of Crime himself, Professor James Moriarty is probably my favourite of these, looking exactly like the one from Sidney Paget’s wonderful illustrations. In a nice idea, his piercing gaze is directly staring at…

Holmes and Watson themselves (plus mad old Lady Carfax)! Not sure the Dr Watson waxwork really fits my mind’s eye version of the character; Watson should look stouter and somewhat puffier, this waxwork just looks lost and foolish (yes, it’s a waxwork of a fictional character but just let me run with it). And a blonde Holmes? What next, a female Watson! Oh right, ahem…

Overall, the experience was just a nice reminder of how, after over a hundred years since his conception, Sherlock Holmes is still just as popular as ever.

You might be thinking I got a little to into all this but probably not as much as the non-Holmesian I was on the visit with who really did not understand my repeated cries of 'look how cool this stuff is.' Hopefully, though, there’s some Holmesians out there who understand the thrill of stepping up those 17 steps (yeah, I counted) and visiting the home of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson (they’re pretty much real, ok?).

Funnily enough, after we left Baker Street myself and my companions had our own adventure as we became separated on the Tube, accidentally getting different trains. I'm afraid I won't be telling you the tale now as that's a story for which the blogging world is not yet prepared...