Round Tripper Reviews: Doctor Who Season 1 Episode 8: Father's Day

Round Tripper Reviews: Doctor Who S1E8: Father's Day

It has been a bit of a delay, mainly because I didn't have a great desire to watch. Today I decided I might as well go ahead and, as people have suggested "push through the first season." So-another day, another episode.

The episode featured one of the typical Sci-Fi/time travel themes...what happens when you go back in time and change it. With that, a lot of this episode was fairly standard...however it was also very well done and emotional. This was probably one of the better episodes I've watched so far.

Not much else to say right now, but wanted to give a quick update. 

Round Tripper Reviews: Doctor Who Season 1 Episode 7: The Long Game

Round Tripper Reviews: Doctor Who S1E7: The Long Game

I decided to continue my journey through Doctor Who. For those who have been paying attention I have never watched Doctor Who and kept my knowledge to a minimum but was constantly pressured to watch the show. Everyone knew I would love the show. There are quite a few shows that led to that.  Before I get going on my thoughts for this episode let's put a trailer in case you need a reminder/want to know what this episode is about. 

This was...an episode.  I think part of the issue is that this is a season 1 of a show and has a lot of season 1 problems. Basically the Smallville "Kryptonite Freak of the Week" syndrom where each week was a different random person with abilities and no major continuity. There is really nothing drawing me back in yet episode by episode except the promise that this is one of the "best series of all time" that everyone loves.  There have been episodes that I've enjoyed but it just isn't clicking with me yet.  The two main characters are good (the Doctor and Rose) but unless the trailer for the next episode is good I'm watching more to see what the hype is about than because I want to.  

My (perhaps unfair) comparison is currently Battlestar Galactica, which is the best Sci-Fi series I've watched. BSG reeled me in from the start-the mini-series pilot was amazing and I couldn't wait to see more.  I wanted to watch another episode as soon as possible (which since I started watching at some point in S2 let me binge watch for a while.  This show right now it feels like I'm watching out of obligations...

Which leads to one other quick comparison...Star Trek. I decided I wanted to watch ALL of Star Trek from the beginnings...the Pilot of TOS.  S1 I enjoyed. S2 had some really good episodes and was ok.  I've made it 5 episodes into season 3 and am stalled.  I know I want to push through this and the Animated Series to get to TNG, but right now it feels more like work than entertainment and enjoyment.  Seeing as a lot of the remaining episodes are not considered that great from what I've seen...I know it will be a slog.  That is how Who feels right now.  While I like two characters I don't care what is happening all that much.

So...general thoughts: 

• The next episode looks interesting but standard for a Time Travel show.  
• I didn't like the Adam character in the last episode and am not sad to see him gone. 
• This felt very standard to me, as have many of the episodes.  There was really no wow factor in the episode.  That could be unfair with me watching it a decade later but it really feels like "been there, seen that, standard Sci Fi stories" for each episode.  Good but not great, nothing special.
• None of this has to do with the Doctor (I like this Doctor-he seems interesting though with little growth/character/motivation) or Rose (who I enjoy so far) but just the plot of the episodes. 

I've been told "push through season 1" which is never a good sign, but I am now over halfway through, so that, at least, is a good thing. 

Round Tripper Reviews: Doctor Who S1E6 Dalek

Doctor Who Season 1 Episode 6: Dalek

Lunch today was another episode of Doctor Who to continue watching the show. So today was the episode Dalek. In case you need it:

Thoughts:

• Good episode, kept me interested 
• I didn't expect the end, which is a good thing
• I'm not sure what I think of the new addition to the cast (nor how long he will last)...I kind of like the idea of a two person cast with rotating (and occasionally repeating) guest stars. Who knows if this is a permanent or temporary thing. 
• My knowledge of the Daleks before this episode was limited to "villains from Doctor Who."  Now I know a bit more...though I'm sure that this is not the last we will see of them, even if this was the "last Dalek."  In a show about time travel there are always ways to make things happen. 
• Both the Doctor and Rose were good characters in this episode, and the collector guy was a good foil/villain character. 

More when I watch again, whenever that is.  May try to watch the next episode this week, it may wait until next week...or month.  We'll see. 

Round Tripper Reviews: Doctor Who Series 1 Episodes 1-5

So, I haven't blogged in forever, but decided this was a good enough reason to do so. After pressure for at least the past 5-7 years about how much I will love the show I have decided to (slowly) start watching Doctor Who. I was going to fully keep it a secret from everyone, but decided that some people may be interested on the fresh thoughts of someone who had never watched before (and admittedly knows some but very little). So I decided the best way to do this was to revive A Single Short of a Cycle and blog my thoughts on episodes. I'm starting with 2005, naturally.

Part of why it will be slow is because I actually have several TV shows going right now (in addition to work, gaming, and other things that take up my life. I decided I was going to watch ALL of Star Trek (animated, TV Series, movies, etc.) and am partway through season 3 of TOS. That is going to take a LONG time. I also am re-watching what I consider the best Sci-Fi series I've ever watched (Battlestar Galactica) as well as other things I enjoy. Also working on catching up on Haven and other shows. So these may be sporadic. Of course, if you are interested in my thoughts feel free to subscribe.

I just ask a few favors:

1. NO SPOILERS! Even if it is something everyone knows, don't be a jerk. (This includes "I can't wait until you get to X" comments.)  I want to experience this fresh. 
2. Please don't think I need to talk about everything. "What did you think of this? Did you like this? Make sure to remember that..."  I want to experience the show for myself, not everyone else's experience with the show.
3. That doesn't mean don't comment-I'd love to see comments, thoughts, etc. on what I say.  I really love people's opinions and love different opinions. 
4. NO SPOILERS! For serious though-that is the quickest way for me not to care. 

So...anyway, a quick review of each of the episodes I have watched so far: 

Series 1 (2005) Episode 1 (Not worrying about the episodes before this, at least for now)

Rose

Good introduction to the characters and basics of the series. The Doctor comes off as a bit of a jerk, but I enjoyed the Rose character. The dilemma of the dummies coming alive was ok but not spectacular. Rose's mom and boyfriend were not likable, so the only character that came off likable in this episode was Rose (though The Doctor came off fun in the Dr. House sort of manner.) 

This episode was there...it introduced some characters and was good...but far from great. As a pilot it should be an episode that made me feel "I must watch this show" and it really didn't do that. That isn't to say I didn't like it-I did. I just didn't feel an immediate need to watch more (and didn't for several days.) I do like the episode previews at the end (and that Netflix shows them.) 

Series 1 Episode 2

The End of the World

I didn't like the portrayal of Rose in this episode. In the first episode she was a strong character...smart, brave, etc.  In this episode she was the damsel in distress that just kept getting into situations and waiting for The Doctor to get her out of trouble. I get the thought-she is in an unfamiliar situation and doesn't know what to do and is scared...but the same was mostly true in the first episode (with the exception of being "home") and she was still a much better character. 

The Doctor was a better character in this episode and some of the alien races were fun (except the last human-I get the social commentary there but I believe people will advance in a much more positive way.)  The story was again good but not great and didn't push me to feel I needed to see the next episode immediately. 

Series 1 Episode 3 

The Unquiet Dead

My favorite author is Stephen King. I love horror movies. I love supernatural things. However, something (and I can't place what) about this episode just didn't do it for me. I can't put my finger on what but I was bored for most of this episode. I enjoyed the discussion at the end between Rose and The Doctor about if Dickens would write about everything...but next to that this episode just didn't do anything for me. 

Series 1 Episodes 4 & 5 (Aliens in London, World War Three)

As a two part episode I am discussing these together. There were aspects of this that were kind of meh to me (in the way of saw-that-coming or seen-that-before) but overall these were very good episodes. I enjoyed the four recurring characters. I enjoyed the story (despite the predictability and fact it is not a new concept.) I enjoyed the villains. Jennifer called near the end of one episode and annoyed me because I wanted to finish it. I also wanted to watch the next episode quicker and did it within a couple of days (instead of a week later, which is what I've been averaging...an episode per week...though none yet this week.) 

I enjoyed this episode and it showed that this can be a good show. I don't know (and could easily be wrong) that it will ever replace BSG as my favorite Sci-Fi show. (I think TNG has a better chance when I get to it, though I am doubtful.) However, it showed that this was a good episode. 

I think part of what I enjoyed in episodes 1, 4, & 5 (and why I liked 2 & 3 less) is I prefer a strong female protagonist. Even in video games given a choice I choose the female lead. In 1, 4, & 5 Rose was. In 2 & 3...not so much.  I like her character a lot. I like The Doctor's character. I didn't like her character in those episodes, which could have had an impact. 

So there you have it...my thought on the first five episodes. I'm not sure if I'll do one after each episode or just after sets...regardless if you want to see my ramblings subscribe, if not feel free to pass through. 

Also-posts won't solely be about Doctor Who.  If I get back into this I will probably continue what I was doing a couple year ago and blog about other things I find interesting. 

Have fun!