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Terry Pratchett criticises Doctor Who, accuses it of makeitupasyougoalongeum |
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#1 |
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Terry Pratchett criticises Doctor Who, accuses it of makeitupasyougoalongeum
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Terry Pratchett has claimed that Doctor Who has become "ludicrous". http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/s7/...ludicrous.htmlThe author, who said that he has always been a fan of the series, explained that it "breaks most of the laws of narrative". Writing for SFX, he continued: "On planet Earth it's generally taken for granted that it's a bad thing to introduce into a narrative some last-minute solution that was totally unexpected and unheralded. "The unexpected, unadvertised solution which kisses it all better is known as a deus ex machina - literally, a god from the machine. And a god from the machine is what the Doctor is now." He went on: "A decent detective story provides you with enough tantalising information to allow you to make a stab at a solution before the famous detective struts his stuff in the library. Doctor Who replaces this with speed, fast talking, and what appears to be that wonderful element 'makeitupasyougoalongeum'." Pratchett also dismissed the idea that Doctor Who is science fiction and claimed that the Doctor is starting to resemble God. "The Doctor himself has in recent years been built up into an amalgam of Mother Teresa, Jesus Christ... and Tinkerbell," he said. "There is nothing he doesn't know and nothing he can't do... Perhaps they should start transmitting the programme on Sundays." However, Pratchett admitted that he will continue to watch the series. "After all, when you've had your moan you have to admit that it is very, very entertaining, with its heart in the right place, even if its head is often in orbit around Jupiter," he said. "I might shout at the screen again, but I will be watching on Saturday." Doctor Who continues on Saturday at 6pm on BBC One. I'm inclined to agree with much of what he says, to be honest... |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Jan 2007
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who cares what he thinks, i'm still enjoying it and as long as the ratings keep up what one author thinks of the show dosen't matter.
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#3 |
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Join Date: Aug 2009
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I'd have agreed with him if he was talking about last year, but not this year. Bit baffled by his comments.
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#4 |
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This was a published piece probably written a few weeks ago, so it may be slightly behind the times.
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#5 |
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I have to admit that he has a point- some plots do lack scientific credibility (not so much this year but certainly a few earlier on). But this isn't really a big deal- Doctor Who is just an entertainment show and if we are to believe a man can hurtle through space and time in a little blue box then I am open to the plot resolutions.
And at least good ol' Pratchett is big enough to still watch the show rather than blatantly label it as 'entirely rubbish' and refuse to watch.
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#6 |
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Full article here
As usual DS is culling its news and leaving out some context http://www.sfx.co.uk/2010/05/03/gues...on-doctor-who/ Terry Pratchett likes Torchwood?!?! Who would have thought THAT!
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#7 |
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Hello
![]() Ask him again in a week. He'll tell you it's half past three. |
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#8 |
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I don't really agree with his point, but I like his use of the word 'makeitupasyougoalongeum'.
WTF!
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#9 |
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Up until this year, I'd have a greed with him. Tennant was almost too close to God for comfort. A bit too brilliant, and that awful bit in The Last of the Time Lords.....(eugh, why can't the crack in the universe delete THAT from my memory!?)
This year though is different.
Spoiler
I'm liking the new run which is showing a vulnerable side to the Doctor that hasn't really been seen since the Peter Davison years..... (I've spoilered those in case an overseas viewer wanders in...) |
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#10 |
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*Stands*
*Applauds vigorously* *Waits for the abuse that die-hard Who fans are bound to throw at Terry Pratchett merely for stating the absolute truth*
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#11 |
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Quote:
Hello
![]() Ask him again in a week. He'll tell you it's half past three. Unneccessary and decidedly unfunny |
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#12 |
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Quote:
Full article here
As usual DS is culling its news and leaving out some context http://www.sfx.co.uk/2010/05/03/gues...on-doctor-who/ Terry Pratchett likes Torchwood?!?! Who would have thought THAT! ![]()
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#13 |
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As per usual DS put a bit of an unfair spin on the article, he wasn't wholly critical of the show, indeed he is a regular viewer of it, as they later state, but he, as a writer of sci-fi himself is surely entitled, not to mention more than qualified, to make constructive critical comments of the show?
I do feel that DS have at least in part taking his comments out of context to make a more dramatic headline as the so often the case these days. |
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#14 |
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Quote:
Hello
![]() Ask him again in a week. He'll tell you it's half past three. I don't necessarily agree with him (Terry), but he is entitled to his opinion. |
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#15 |
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Join Date: Apr 2010
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TP pretty much sums up how I have increasingly felt about DW from 05-09. Especially the messianic portrayal of The Doctor. Though, apart from the season opener, that side of him has been largely absent so far...
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#16 |
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Quote:
As per usual DS put a bit of an unfair spin on the article, he wasn't wholly critical of the show, indeed he is a regular viewer of it, as they later state, but he, as a writer of sci-fi himself is surely entitled, not to mention more than qualified, to make constructive critical comments of the show?
I do feel that DS have at least in part taking his comments out of context to make a more dramatic headline as the so often the case these days.
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#17 |
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Quote:
Hello
![]() Ask him again in a week. He'll tell you it's half past three. |
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#18 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 340
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never really liked his stuff so really dont care what he thinks, i only care what we in our house like and we doctor who
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#19 |
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Yes, read the full article - he's still a fan - which the DS headline misconstrues.
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#20 |
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Quote:
I'd have agreed with him if he was talking about last year, but not this year. Bit baffled by his comments.
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#21 |
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I think he is spot on
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#22 |
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Hello
![]() @lach doch mal/@Muttley76/@Webslark I think my humour, in this instance, could be seen as a little noir'ish. But I'm sure I'm only reflecting Pratchett's own tone, when he considers his predicament. He has already given speeches where he exhibits the same 'gallows humour'. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger and what does kill us, should be mocked. That's the human way. |
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#23 |
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Join Date: Mar 2005
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He's right DW is childish tripe.:sleep:
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#24 |
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Quote:
I have to admit that he has a point- some plots do lack scientific credibility.
However that's not his point. What he is saying is that the viewer should be able to anticipate the solution, and that you should have some degree of continuity between stories. For instance, Blink does this quite well (ignoring the whole paradox thing) - and while you expect the solution will be based on Sally and/or Larry getting into the tardis and then the Dr does X, the ACTUAL solution is applying something that we've already been told, which is that angels can't move when observed. That's 'fair'. However, take Last of the Timelords - again there is an apparent solution, and an actual one, but the actual one is pure Deus ex machina (almost literally) - and there has been nothing to hint at this being the solution (leaving aside it's absurdity, that isn't relevant). Look at most episodes of the new series - a lot of them do not let you work out the answer. So far Moffatt is the exception, but changing the rules of weeping angels doesn't bode well. |
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#25 |
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Quote:
This was a published piece probably written a few weeks ago, so it may be slightly behind the times.
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