Doctor Who Series 7, Ep 2: Dinosaurs on a Spaceship (SPOILERS)

[algalon]

Fact: 11th is more brutal than 9 and 10. He's more morally gray but he has yet to lose a companion from being too much of a pacifist, something that has happened in previous iterations. While this may seem counter-intuitive to some, it is character growth, just not in the way you would like.

Now another topic. Was anyone else expecting the hunter to get eaten? I was waiting for that "Clever girl" moment where the raptors in front of him distract him while their pack leader ambushes him from the side. Glad it never happened though. I get the feeling him and Nef might pop up in a later episode, being dropped off in the serengeti with a space rifle n all.

 

[Stasisesque]

I liked the triceratops (dinosaurs are adorably cute, and they really did play up the 'wouldn't it be cool to befriend a dinosaur' angle, that I have missed from shows like Primeval), and the Mitchell and Webb robots (because they are hilarious in everything), and Rory's dad.

Other than that, it was a bit meh, it feels like a rehash of multiple other Who stories (please don't ask me for names, I never know names of episodes) - and have they just forgotten River exists/ed?

 

[Dryk]

Also, I really didn't like the way he killed Soloman. Granted he was a nasty piece of work, and if The Doctor does let someone die, it's usually a side effect of the events, he doesn't just press the Execute button. I dunno, there's always stuff with Moffat that doesn't sit right with me, which is a shame, because when RTD was writing and he did one off epiosdes, they were usually really good. I think Smith is a great doctor, but he's not been in many great episodes yet. Far too much Deus Ex Machina and convienant plot reversals for my liking, there never seems to be any sense of danger with Moffat on writing.

Eleven has always been quick to violently lash out when someone crosses a perceived line (like the Silence enslaving humanity or kidnapping Amy). The quote from next week's episode where he gets angry about people always dying because he's too merciful touches on this a bit too.

 

[runic knight]

I liked the triceratops (dinosaurs are adorably cute, and they really did play up the 'wouldn't it be cool to befriend a dinosaur' angle, that I have missed from shows like Primeval), and the Mitchell and Webb robots (because they are hilarious in everything), and Rory's dad.

Other than that, it was a bit meh, it feels like a rehash of multiple other Who stories (please don't ask me for names, I never know names of episodes) - and have they just forgotten River exists/ed?

Got to admit, I really hope they did forget. I never liked River. I thought the character was a little annoying in the first hint episode she appeared in, as someone the doctor would meet later. Since then, she went into full on "screw the rules, I have plot armor" sort of annoyance to me. So I kinda hope they keep "forgetting" her.

though yes, dinosaur playing fetch was cute

 

[Qwurty2.0]

We're not going to have one of these for every episode are we?

It is Doctor Who! To NOT make a thread for every episode is punishable by being trapped in a mirror for eternity!

 

[ZeoAssassin]

I liked this episode so much more than i thought i would. (was kinda worried it would be like the last Xmas special is really stupid comedy) But i am glad that this episode really worked.

I still think the way he killed Solomon was fine. The Doctors done FAR worse shit to less deserving people. Family of Blood arguably, the Xmas star spider, well mainly all of her INNOCENT children, and that was just Tennant the allegedly most peaceful Doctor. The 6th Doctor tried murdering HIS OWN DAMN COMPANION during his damn premiere episode, and Smith is basically a mash-up of him and the 2nd, although i haven't watched enough of either to know that for sure.

Besides apparently this part of the Doctor will be addressed in Mercy next week which I am looking forward too.

Also one thing i REALLY loved was Rory's Dad just sitting off the edge of the TARDIS door, eating his lunch and watching the Earth. was just a GREAT moment.

 

[Endocrom]

We're not going to have one of these for every episode are we?

It is Doctor Who! To NOT make a thread for every episode is punishable by being trapped in a mirror for eternity!

There are shows so much more deserving.

No one is stopping you from making your own.
[hr]Playing fetch was a little goofy but tollerable, and that "Raptor" attack at the end seemed forced.

All in all, pretty good for filler.
[hr]People keep mentioning Mitchell and Webb. Who?

 

[Stasisesque]

People keep mentioning Mitchell and Webb. Who?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitchell_and_Webb

They voiced the robots. They are a hilarious double act, who have made numerous brilliant, amazing shows that you should go and watch if you enjoy laughing. Start with whichever series you want, but Peep Show is their most famous (and probably best non-sketch show).

 

[TimeLord]

Still, I loved those robots. Except when they were firing lasers.

To me they wouldn't have looked out of place in the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galexy movie.

We're not going to have one of these for every episode are we?

Yes. I do it every year. Granted I missed last week and I'll miss next week because if the Escapist Expo but there are much things than can be discussed between fans about each episode.

 

[elvor0]

Also, I really didn't like the way he killed Soloman. Granted he was a nasty piece of work, and if The Doctor does let someone die, it's usually a side effect of the events, he doesn't just press the Execute button. I dunno, there's always stuff with Moffat that doesn't sit right with me, which is a shame, because when RTD was writing and he did one off epiosdes, they were usually really good. I think Smith is a great doctor, but he's not been in many great episodes yet. Far too much Deus Ex Machina and convienant plot reversals for my liking, there never seems to be any sense of danger with Moffat on writing.

Eleven has always been quick to violently lash out when someone crosses a perceived line (like the Silence enslaving humanity or kidnapping Amy). The quote from next week's episode where he gets angry about people always dying because he's too merciful touches on this a bit too.

Mm, I suppose, plus it does sort of work with his character. Maybe not the Doctor in /general/ but Smiths, whom is quite "Child-like" in the way his Doctor is characterized. Like in the sense that his emotions are all displayed the same way a child might display them; his anger being less the "Great and Terrible Oncoming Storm" that Tennant and Eccleston displayed and more the same way a teenager might display anger. His Doctor is very whimsical and silly, and the way he displays certain emotions reflect that perfectly.

Of course we could see that as all being a front, given he is still a 1000 year old alien, and perhaps his emotionally stunted and confused approach is just his way of dealing with his bitterness and a fantastic double bluff that he's just a bumbling naive man that barely has control of his emotions, let alone the situation. He's certainly being less forgiving as time goes on, and taking out the bad guys is Smiths version of Tennants Time Lord Supreme displayed in the Waters of Mars. So he might not be able to alter time the way he wanted to, but he'll be damned if the bad guys are screwing over people time and time again.

 

[uttaku]

I'd make the arguement that the reason Matt Smith didnt save Solomon was that he didnt ask to be saved, he tried to buy the doctors help rather than just asking him to save him.
Also on that note, I didnt think he killed the silence, he just forced them to forever leave humanity alone, lest they be killed.
just my 2 pence on the matter.

 

[Robot Number V]

I enjoyed this episode MUCH more then the last one. The mystery was good, and the explanation was completely satisfying, something I haven't seen in Doctor Who (at least not to this degree) for a while. Inventive, exiting, well paced...This is the kind of episode we never QUITE got in the last season. All in all, probably one of my favorites. Also, it was kind of nice twist to set the robots up as comic relief, then make them genocidal monsters. (Stupid ones that can't really be blamed, but still) Gave the episode a bit of a dark tone.

Not to say it was perfect. There was a little bit of crude humor in there that was pretty groan-inducing, and I'm not sure I buy that the Doctor just DECIDED to gather this totally random "gang" that just happens to fit into the plot perfectly. Still, I'm totally willing to let that slide when it works, and it definitely did. Really looking forward to next week's as well.

 

[Dularn]

I enjoyed this episode but not as much as last week. The Dinosaurs on a spaceship and 'comic robots' were a bit too corny for my liking. The way the villain was left to die seemed a little cold for the current Doctor and somewhat out of character but I liked that. I always enjoy seeing glimpses of a vengeful/angry side to the Doctor.

That said, when Queen Nefertiti talked of how she owed the Doctor for saving her people I found myself wishing that had been the basis for this episode instead. Doctor Who in Ancient Egypt would be awesome.

 

[Berithil]

I actually really enjoyed this episode. Pure, awesome Doctor Who campy fun. Much better than the series premiere imo. The next episode looks good too.

 

[Encurtidos]

I liked the first episode a bit better. How did the Egyption Queen end up with the doctor? (might have missed that part)

"Don't ever judge me by your own standards!" = best line ever!!

 

[nathan-dts]

I want to know what happened to a man who never would.

Edit: I remembered something good though, the Mitchelll and Webb robots were very sinister, what with the stark contrast between being comic relief types but also brutal, unquestioning enforcers.

Regenerations have different personalities would be the stated reason. Different writers would be the actual reason.

 

[nathan-dts]

I enjoyed this episode but not as much as last week. The Dinosaurs on a spaceship and 'comic robots' were a bit too corny for my liking. The way the villain was left to die seemed a little cold for the current Doctor and somewhat out of character but I liked that. I always enjoy seeing glimpses of a vengeful/angry side to the Doctor.

That said, when Queen Nefertiti talked of how she owed the Doctor for saving her people I found myself wishing that had been the basis for this episode instead. Doctor Who in Ancient Egypt would be awesome.

The guy needed to die after what happened to the triceratops. Didn't think The Doctor would be the one to carry it out though.