Doctor Who Club of Australia

Beatly · Joined: 24 Jul 2005 Posts: 375 Location: London

No spoilers, no hints. No deus ex machina, no disappointments. Surprises, thrills. Drama, humour, pathos. Big story, big effects, big emotions. The end of the world, the end of an era. New beginnings, new answers. New questions.

Excellent. The worst thing about it is the five-month wait until...

Direct lead-in to the Christmas special - and the title too!

dave · Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 12:03 pm Post subject:

I thought that was excellent, although I am glad to see Rose go. Not that I disliked the character, but often the focus of the show has been more on her than on the Doctor, which I find annoying. Mind you, I guess it'll probably continue in that vein with Martha...

Talk about misleading names: "Genesis Ark". That quite annoyed me. It wasn't the bloody 'genesis' of anything. As with The Impossible Planet/Satan Pit, it seemed to me this was done just to create anticipation and discussion amongst fans of the classic series. Put Daleks together with something with such a name, and of course people will start making connections with Genesis of the Daleks...which of course is what was supposed to happen.

Pete Tyler's timing is just impeccable. No deus ex? Could he see through the void somehow? I thought Rose would just activate the bloody button thing...guess that wouldn't have been dramatic enough.

I'm glad the daleks were so superior to the cybermen in destructive ability. Laughed out loud when the Black Dalek pointed out the one element of superiority that cybermen have over daleks.

Now, if Torchwood was set up in response to the Doctor's presence back in Queen Victoria's day, does that mean there's an alt-Doctor in the alt-world? Just curious.

I would have liked to have seen more of the battle between the two races. The scenes of the daleks pouring into the Torchwood tower were great, and we sorta get to see Cybermen flying as well Very Happy

Never saw any cybermen flying into the tower/through the void barrier though, which struck me as odd. Would have taken a while for 5 million of them to go through though... Surprise surprise, a dalek escaped. Wonder if they'll be back? Razz

I think I must have gotten something in my eye there at the end...a very moving finale and a fitting farewell to Rose. I'm glad the Doctor never said those three words. As ever, I was impressed by Billie's ability to convincingly convey such strong emotion. I hope Freema Agyeman can do likewise when necessary.

I'm off to dig out my 3-D glasses and watch again Very Happy

Tegan · Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 12:57 pm Post subject:

Russell T Davies is an utter, utter BAS-TARD ! Evil or Very Mad

Sorry for shouting, but how could be not let the Doctor say that last line to Rose? For the last 10 minutes, I cried and blubbered like a big old baby. Rose cried, The Doctor cried, I cried, my cat cried, EVEN THE CYBERMEN CRIED!

Yet RTD didn't give in. Ohhhh RABBITS!

Now that I've got that off my chest, we need a vote 1 higher than excellent. By far the best episode ever! Easily more emotional even than when dear Adric died.

I just knew that Rose wouldn't actually die, though near the end I wasn't so sure. The message was, I think, that a father's love can conquer even rifts between universes. Even when it's not really her dad! Crying or Very sad

I liked the jokes (as usual) especially when Mickey said about the Daleks and the Cybermen sounding like Steven Hawking meets the Talking Clock.

Rose trumping the Dalek with "I killed your Emperor" and the Doctor later saying that these Daleks were above the Emperor. Jackie telling the Doctor to shut up, and he shuts up and backs away!

Thee looks on Mickey's face when Jackie and Pete meet in the corridor. Noel Clarke is a damn fine actor. I'll be looking for him in lots more shows I can tell you!

Final scene at Bad Wolf Bay - Norway. That's a nice touch. That is one of the things I really like about Dr Who. Attention to fine detail.

What didn't I like? Not a heck of a lot. I'd have liked to see a bit of the war between Daleks and Cybermen, and I'd have liked the Cybermen to be a bit more competitive than getting pounded at the kick-off. Whistle blows, ball is kicked, 6 seconds - bang - goal, game over.

OK. It's on to the ABC where I can watch it all again from scratch. Lovely.

SharazJek · Joined: 12 Aug 2005 Posts: 930 Location: Hobart, Tasmania

I tell you, if The Sensorites was done by RTD, the script would have lasted 30 seconds on screen!!! He sure can pack some story into a short space.

I was concerned that Cybermen+Daleks+Jackie/Pete reunion+Rose leaving would be a little hard to handle well in the space of 45 minutes.

This is the only episode in the entire series that I have rated as Excellent, so that may give an indication of how dammed well this episode was done. To use a Roseism, I'm gobbsmacked!!

I think Tegan above mentioned she would have wanted more war action, but any more would have been overkill (get it?) and it would have been a wizz-bang affair, something I'm not interested in within the Doctor Who format. I was far more entertained by the Daleks and Cybermen's verbal sparring. Very funny and dramatic at the same time.

Dave was annoyed by the name Genesis Ark. I fail to understand why. The Daleks we see were a special force programmed to think like the enemy, even naming themselves. They knew what was contained within the Ark and saw it as a means to repopulate the Dalek race in 'real' space, so why wouldn't they give it a name like Genesis Ark. I think it suited quite well.

Most of all I was concerned that Billie would be rushed off without being given a suitable departure because of time constrainsts, considering the amazing amount of chemistry she provided in the new series. My fears were put to rest though with this episode. Billie Piper deserves an award for the amazing acting in this episode. I'm looking forward to her commentary on the dvd release.

And finally, this episode has finally cemented David Tennant in my mind as the Doctor. Not that he hasn't been great in earlier eps, but I've been pining over Chris Eccles for the last three months and wishing he was back. I can say that throughout Doomsday, I didn't think of CE once!! The tears he shed in the final scenes were extremely touching and I finally felt a connection with him. YAY!! (And an extra bonus for me is the announcement of the new companion, who for me is much better on the eyes than Billie Piper....MUCH better!!!! Phewweyy!!!)

And I liked the way that while Rose's departure was dealt with VERY well, this is a program about the Doctor, and the final cliffhanger was a nice way of saying 'right, let's get on with the adventure'.

Tegan · Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 5:43 pm Post subject:

Beatly · Joined: 24 Jul 2005 Posts: 375 Location: London

Tegan · Posted: Sun Jul 09, 2006 11:55 pm Post subject:

Hiruma · Joined: 30 Jun 2005 Posts: 173 Location: Australia

Cybermen were still 'based' on for want of a better term current technology. Their 'lasers' didnt seem all that great. Then look at how effective a Dalek weapon is.

Cybermen would have no chance.

Great Great Episode. I feel sorry that Mickey wont be in the show anymore.. I think he played off the Doctor Quite well and I was half expecting Mickey to pop in, strap the device on Rose then stay behind himself.. trapped in a world without Rose.

As for the Bride.. well.. I was stunned.. WHAT?

Dazza · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 106

I've been holding back an excellent this series but have just used it now. Wow, what an episode.

The verbal jousting between the Daleks and the Cybermen was very funny yet seemed quite plausible. Shame the Cybermen couldn't put up a better fight.

For all RTDs shortcomings he does do the soapie stuff very well and the ending was very satisfying - sad yet uplifting.

Looking forward to watching it again on the ABC.

meglos · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 670 Location: Perth

WOW!!!

FredDag · Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 71

Absolutely brilliant!! RTD has written two fantastic stories this episode. I was so sure Rose was going to die and everytime she was in a bit of danger I'd cover my eyes. Amazing, I haven't had to cover my eyes since I was a kiddo and I'm now 35!!!

I'm soooooooo glad that wasn't Davros in that Genisis Ark, I would of been really annoyed with RTD if he brought Davros back.

I know one of the Daleks escaped, but do you think any of the alternative Cybermen escaped too? Or next time we see the Cybermen will they be the one's from our universe???

I too have been pining for CE and wondering in every episode up until now how the 9th Doctor would of handled the stories, but in this episode I didn't think about him. Well, later on I did, well, a bit, well..........

Bring on the next Christmas special and season 3 and more I hope!!!!!

charlie · Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 11:50 am Post subject:

Wow! What an ending! My friend and I have been thouroughly irritated that the Cybermen and the Daleks have never fought even though theyve been to Earth dozens of times. Now when I saw this I thought it was going to be a lame crossover story but I was wrong. That alliance really stunned me but the Daleks answer was true to itself. (thank goodness)
I hated that the Cybermen just keeled over without a fight. It was almost as bad as the golden arrows. It was great to have the Genesis arc having nothing to do with Davros. I was actually surprised by what it turned out to be! I dont understand how timetraveller radiation made it open though. and why the Daleks waited two months to come out. and why the Daleks even travelled between universes. and why RTD depends on this other universe for cyberstories. Did they die out in a book or audio? Why didn't any Cybermen go through the void? Why did Cybermen in India fly upwards? Surely they would have gone through the Earth to get to the void. Why does this void follow the Earth's rotation?
I assume the was technical difficulty in converting the Torchwood lady.
Im still confused about Torchwood vs UNIT. And if Torchwood has been obtaining all the alien things on Earth since Queen Vic how did Henry VanStratten get ahold of all that stuff?

Where did that bride come from?

Amano07 · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 86

charlie · Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 12:30 pm Post subject:

dave · Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 12:31 pm Post subject:

In the commentary, RTD says the cybermen didn't come through the wall in Torchwood, but through other...'rifts' I guess I'd call them, so they didn't have to return through the wall thing in Torchwood. Fair enough.

Whilst I liked Tracey-Ann Cyberman's character, I didn't like the way she retained her identity after upgrading. That seemed a little gratuitous.

RTD seemed to have forgotten that those people upgraded on 'our' side of the void wouldn't have 'void stuff' infused in them, so there should have been a number of cybermen left after the void was closed.

The dalek/cyberman conversation was hilarious. I also liked 'Social interaction will cease!' and the whole 'I don't care about that....how very?' scene was amusing too. RTD can certainly write humour, although I prefer it if he keeps away from fart gags.

Interesting comment from RTD on the commentary when the Doctor kisses Micky on the head: 'Ah the obligatory male-male kiss in episode 13. I don't have an agenda...' Personally, I really hope he doesn't. Although I might be being unusually optimistic there.

The 3-D effect didn't seem to work too well either with the glasses. Sad

I'm not sure if that's because I watched it on a small screen of if the effect was just supposed to mimic the 3-D process thing. Maybe it'll work better on the TV screen in 3 months time.

Still think Genesis Ark was a deliberate misnomer. At least next season I'll know not to expect anything if RTD carries on this kind of practice. Ark, fine, but Genesis? I was happy with what came out, don't get me wrong. Seeing millions of Daleks in the skys over London was awesome, and by comparison Davros would have been a let-down. But the title, I feel, I was deliberately misleading.

charlie · Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 12:52 pm Post subject:

Tasar · Joined: 10 Jul 2006 Posts: 2

All I can say is F@#$ing AWESOME it is the best ever episode of Who i have ever watched

Ickabod · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 590 Location: far far away

can't wait

Dwarkarn · Joined: 11 Jul 2006 Posts: 9

Tegan · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 11:11 pm Post subject: