The Radio Times rather glowing account of Capaldi being an 'absolute gentleman'.... (I am loving the shirt!)
The Independent - spoiler free review
The Independent - spoiler free review
'Deep Breath' Spoiler-Free Reviews
3 of 5
Originally Posted by Jon_Jones:
“Some general observations:
Capaldi really is as superb as we all hoped: by turns edgy, strange, abrasive, deranged, clever, detached, superior, pragmatic and, yes, dark -- but always in an entertaining or amusing way. There is a scene near the end which I can't wait to be allowed to talk about in detail, which really illustrates the new approach to the Doctor's characterisation. He defeats the main threat of the episode in a way that is surprisingly and refreshingly direct and simple. There's some sonic screwdriver trickery earlier on, but it's unobtrusive and the main resolution is satisfying, believable and says a lot about the new direction of the show and the Doctor.
The overall tone is not markedly different to before. There's still a similar balance of humour, peril, drama etc, and a similar style of humour as before. However, there has been a subtle shift in the dramatic tone. The most significant change for me is that the drama now seems more cerebral, and to be delving deeper into the characters' psychology and motivations. This was very pleasing and I hope it continues.
There is a real sense of threat in several different scenes, from the villains and also from the Doctor himself. The characters (one in particular, though I won't say who) are forced into some very tense and uncomfortable situations (similar to Blink, in a way, but I can't explain further without spoilers) and Ben Wheatley's creative directing really sells the feeling that they might not escape.
I would rate this above all other new Doctor debut episodes since Spearhead from Space.”
“Some general observations:
Capaldi really is as superb as we all hoped: by turns edgy, strange, abrasive, deranged, clever, detached, superior, pragmatic and, yes, dark -- but always in an entertaining or amusing way. There is a scene near the end which I can't wait to be allowed to talk about in detail, which really illustrates the new approach to the Doctor's characterisation. He defeats the main threat of the episode in a way that is surprisingly and refreshingly direct and simple. There's some sonic screwdriver trickery earlier on, but it's unobtrusive and the main resolution is satisfying, believable and says a lot about the new direction of the show and the Doctor.
The overall tone is not markedly different to before. There's still a similar balance of humour, peril, drama etc, and a similar style of humour as before. However, there has been a subtle shift in the dramatic tone. The most significant change for me is that the drama now seems more cerebral, and to be delving deeper into the characters' psychology and motivations. This was very pleasing and I hope it continues.
There is a real sense of threat in several different scenes, from the villains and also from the Doctor himself. The characters (one in particular, though I won't say who) are forced into some very tense and uncomfortable situations (similar to Blink, in a way, but I can't explain further without spoilers) and Ben Wheatley's creative directing really sells the feeling that they might not escape.
I would rate this above all other new Doctor debut episodes since Spearhead from Space.”
Great! Thanks Jon_Jones. I'm really loving these reviews and so lucking forward to 23rd
Originally Posted by steve16:
“Thanks. I'm a numpty now, am I? And you "loathe" me, because I didn't like Matt Smith and you did. Oh well. I'm not very keen on you, now. But I certainly don't loathe you.
What happens if someone kills one of your loved ones? Would you "loathe" them too? Would you loathe them more than me? I would hope so. Do you have gradations of loathing?
I'm afraid in this life you will encounter other people whose opinions are different to yours. You ain't gonna like it. You'll be in hatred overload.”
“Thanks. I'm a numpty now, am I? And you "loathe" me, because I didn't like Matt Smith and you did. Oh well. I'm not very keen on you, now. But I certainly don't loathe you.
What happens if someone kills one of your loved ones? Would you "loathe" them too? Would you loathe them more than me? I would hope so. Do you have gradations of loathing?
I'm afraid in this life you will encounter other people whose opinions are different to yours. You ain't gonna like it. You'll be in hatred overload.”
Well said. You expressed an honest opinion - one I share, incidentally - and another poster doesn't see the irony in expressing loathing for you and calling you silly schoolyard names. Such is DS, I suppose...
Originally Posted by flowerduck:
“The Radio Times rather glowing account of Capaldi being an 'absolute gentleman'.... (I am loving the shirt!)
The Independent - spoiler free review”
“The Radio Times rather glowing account of Capaldi being an 'absolute gentleman'.... (I am loving the shirt!)
The Independent - spoiler free review”
Brilliant.
CD93 - Thank you for thoughts on the show. Glad that you had such a great time. You wrote one heck of a great review with your impressions of the show. Thanks again for not giving anything away.
Lovely reviews, guys. More excited now than I was before!
I have no idea if this is likely to be the template for the series, but I would love it if it were so. Too often, the Doctor is the genius, and the hero, and also the funnyman, a one-man plot army.
I'm overjoyed if the Doctor becomes the detached, eccentric problem-solver and the companion gets to be the witty one, and dealing with the humans and their silly concerns. That seems like a better balance, for want of a better term. The Doctor should need a companion to keep him grounded - it's been touched on before, but rarely maintained.
As long as it doesn't become too Holmes/Watson, I suppose that's the risk.
Originally Posted by CD93:
“The Doctor: This is Clara, she's my... not assistant, what's another word...
Clara: Carer.
The Doctor: Carer, yes! She's my carer. She cares so I don't have to.”
“The Doctor: This is Clara, she's my... not assistant, what's another word...
Clara: Carer.
The Doctor: Carer, yes! She's my carer. She cares so I don't have to.”
I have no idea if this is likely to be the template for the series, but I would love it if it were so. Too often, the Doctor is the genius, and the hero, and also the funnyman, a one-man plot army.
I'm overjoyed if the Doctor becomes the detached, eccentric problem-solver and the companion gets to be the witty one, and dealing with the humans and their silly concerns. That seems like a better balance, for want of a better term. The Doctor should need a companion to keep him grounded - it's been touched on before, but rarely maintained.
As long as it doesn't become too Holmes/Watson, I suppose that's the risk.
Originally Posted by rionia:
“first half hour - Brilliant
middle section - so so
Last 20mins or so - interesting, intriguing
”
“first half hour - Brilliant
middle section - so so
Last 20mins or so - interesting, intriguing
”
That's interesting, I thought that the middle section was the best bit...
Originally Posted by saladfingers81:
“Yes. Fans. Imagine!
For a more fair and balanced view we had best wait for the DS Amateur TV Critic brigade who will post on here during the episode...
'worst thing ever'
'Moffat is a national embarrassment'
'bring back Matt Smith/Tennant/K-9'
'sack Capaldi'
'its Colin Baker all over again'
three minutes in- 'is anyone else really bored by this'
five minutes in- 'is anyone else confused by this'
forty five minutes in- 'confused by.....' (insert easily understandable plot point that has been explained on screen if only they had actually watched instead of posting on a forum/complaining on Twitter)
'too childish'
'too dark'
'never watching this drivel again...see you next week!'
Yeah. Can't wait for that.”
“Yes. Fans. Imagine!
For a more fair and balanced view we had best wait for the DS Amateur TV Critic brigade who will post on here during the episode...
'worst thing ever'
'Moffat is a national embarrassment'
'bring back Matt Smith/Tennant/K-9'
'sack Capaldi'
'its Colin Baker all over again'
three minutes in- 'is anyone else really bored by this'
five minutes in- 'is anyone else confused by this'
forty five minutes in- 'confused by.....' (insert easily understandable plot point that has been explained on screen if only they had actually watched instead of posting on a forum/complaining on Twitter)
'too childish'
'too dark'
'never watching this drivel again...see you next week!'
Yeah. Can't wait for that.”
Curse those ordinary viewers and their stupid opinions!
I am home again!
DWTV Spoiler Free Thoughts
DWTV Spoiler Free Thoughts
Quote:
“Much of what I expect from a regeneration episode was there – but “Deep Breath” doesn’t feel like a re-hash of what we have seen before. It is a different take on a familiar subject, rather than The Eleventh Hour Mark 2.
The “blockbuster of the week” feel already seems to have gone. There is some excellent CGI and some great action sequences but overall the episode felt more like a character piece than an adrenaline-packed thrill ride.
Capaldi’s Doctor is markedly different to Smith’s – complex, layered – and certainly darker, although there are lighter moments there too.
Speaking of adding layers, Clara’s character seems to be much more developed in this episode – and Jenna Coleman puts in a fine performance.
The Paternoster Gang are put to good use in this episode, particularly Vastra, who provides a much-needed alien perspective to Clara’s very human reactions.
The monsters are very creepy – and I thought they were used well, while clearly the secondary plot the monsters and their plans do not feel rushed or overlooked.
Clara is very much our audience surrogate, and a lot of her questions feel like reading the comments on sites like this… her answers are surprising, though, and leave me feeling optimistic about her character.
Peter Capaldi is absolutely marvellous, and I can’t wait to see how his Doctor develops. This episode leaves us with many questions on that front.
The Doctor feels like more of a mystery now. We rely on other characters to tell us how he might be feeling.
I particularly enjoyed how Capaldi’s age and Scottishness were handled within the episode – acknowledged, addressed, but not made any more of than they should be.
I could definitely feel the “darker” tone to this episode – particularly a potentially controversial scene towards the end, but it didn’t feel TOO dark. It does have Strax appearing, after all!
I thoroughly enjoyed the episode, and from the crowd’s cheers and standing ovation I think it’ll go down well. Can’t wait to watch it again on the 23rd.”
“Much of what I expect from a regeneration episode was there – but “Deep Breath” doesn’t feel like a re-hash of what we have seen before. It is a different take on a familiar subject, rather than The Eleventh Hour Mark 2.
The “blockbuster of the week” feel already seems to have gone. There is some excellent CGI and some great action sequences but overall the episode felt more like a character piece than an adrenaline-packed thrill ride.
Capaldi’s Doctor is markedly different to Smith’s – complex, layered – and certainly darker, although there are lighter moments there too.
Speaking of adding layers, Clara’s character seems to be much more developed in this episode – and Jenna Coleman puts in a fine performance.
The Paternoster Gang are put to good use in this episode, particularly Vastra, who provides a much-needed alien perspective to Clara’s very human reactions.
The monsters are very creepy – and I thought they were used well, while clearly the secondary plot the monsters and their plans do not feel rushed or overlooked.
Clara is very much our audience surrogate, and a lot of her questions feel like reading the comments on sites like this… her answers are surprising, though, and leave me feeling optimistic about her character.
Peter Capaldi is absolutely marvellous, and I can’t wait to see how his Doctor develops. This episode leaves us with many questions on that front.
The Doctor feels like more of a mystery now. We rely on other characters to tell us how he might be feeling.
I particularly enjoyed how Capaldi’s age and Scottishness were handled within the episode – acknowledged, addressed, but not made any more of than they should be.
I could definitely feel the “darker” tone to this episode – particularly a potentially controversial scene towards the end, but it didn’t feel TOO dark. It does have Strax appearing, after all!
I thoroughly enjoyed the episode, and from the crowd’s cheers and standing ovation I think it’ll go down well. Can’t wait to watch it again on the 23rd.”
Mt favourite line in that review is: "Overall the episode felt more like a character piece than an adrenaline-packed thrill ride."
That's exactly what the show needs. Its looking very promising.
That's exactly what the show needs. Its looking very promising.
Originally Posted by Mulett:
“Curse those ordinary viewers and their stupid opinions!”
“Curse those ordinary viewers and their stupid opinions!”
Yeah! Why can't they show up instead of the sort of people saladfingers81 was talking about!
Quote:
“Mt favourite line in that review is: "Overall the episode felt more like a character piece than an adrenaline-packed thrill ride."
That's exactly what the show needs. Its looking very promising.”
“Mt favourite line in that review is: "Overall the episode felt more like a character piece than an adrenaline-packed thrill ride."
That's exactly what the show needs. Its looking very promising.”
I agree it needs to be there, but it doesn't need to be that every time. We've always had a mix of such stories, but it's nice to lead in on one.
Originally Posted by johnnysaucepn:
“Yeah! Why can't they show up instead of the sort of people saladfingers81 was talking about!”
“Yeah! Why can't they show up instead of the sort of people saladfingers81 was talking about!”
People who might say something critical you mean? Goodness, we can't have that!
Quote:
“ It would also be appreciated if it could be kept reasonably on topic - even if it means being buried until Thursday. There's already a thread for just about every argument going
”
“ It would also be appreciated if it could be kept reasonably on topic - even if it means being buried until Thursday. There's already a thread for just about every argument going
”
Review round-up.
http://www.cultbox.co.uk/features/pr...views-round-up
I have a question for those of you that attended the premiere. Does Deep Breath require someone to have watched "Time of the Doctor" first or does it stand alone as an episode? If this question violates the spoilers rule then please disregard, I am just asking from the aspect of showing "Deep Breath" to a person new to Doctor Who.
Originally Posted by Satmanager:
“I have a question for those of you that attended the premiere. Does Deep Breath require someone to have watched "Time of the Doctor" first or does it stand alone as an episode? If this question violates the spoilers rule then please disregard, I am just asking from the aspect of showing "Deep Breath" to a person new to Doctor Who.”
“I have a question for those of you that attended the premiere. Does Deep Breath require someone to have watched "Time of the Doctor" first or does it stand alone as an episode? If this question violates the spoilers rule then please disregard, I am just asking from the aspect of showing "Deep Breath" to a person new to Doctor Who.”
There are a few references to past episodes, naturally - but Time is not a necessary watch.
Originally Posted by Satmanager:
“I have a question for those of you that attended the premiere. Does Deep Breath require someone to have watched "Time of the Doctor" first or does it stand alone as an episode? If this question violates the spoilers rule then please disregard, I am just asking from the aspect of showing "Deep Breath" to a person new to Doctor Who.”
“I have a question for those of you that attended the premiere. Does Deep Breath require someone to have watched "Time of the Doctor" first or does it stand alone as an episode? If this question violates the spoilers rule then please disregard, I am just asking from the aspect of showing "Deep Breath" to a person new to Doctor Who.”
As long as the person understands the basics (so the concept, the characters etc), then it's a good place to start, it doesn't really require much foreknowledge.
Originally Posted by Mulett:
“Mt favourite line in that review is: "Overall the episode felt more like a character piece than an adrenaline-packed thrill ride."
That's exactly what the show needs. Its looking very promising.”
“Mt favourite line in that review is: "Overall the episode felt more like a character piece than an adrenaline-packed thrill ride."
That's exactly what the show needs. Its looking very promising.”
There are some extended scenes which help massively in this regard. One between The Doctor and Clara runs for longer than the entirety of Night of The Doctor.
Originally Posted by Whovian1109:
“As long as the person understands the basics (so the concept, the characters etc), then it's a good place to start, it doesn't really require much foreknowledge.”
“As long as the person understands the basics (so the concept, the characters etc), then it's a good place to start, it doesn't really require much foreknowledge.”
Originally Posted by CD93:
“There are a few references to past episodes, naturally - but Time is not a necessary watch.”
“There are a few references to past episodes, naturally - but Time is not a necessary watch.”
Thanks for the information. I am trying to bring another one to the fold, she isn't sure that she wants to watch the show as she has never seen one before. I told her that she would just love the story and there shouldn't be too much from the past that she would have to know. Glad that I am not lying to her. I have been trying to give her some history but she doesn't want to watch the past episodes.
Anyway, thanks again. It sounds like it is going to be a great episode. I have my season pass on iTunes, I even have my ticket for the theater on Monday night so I can watch it again on the big screen, just in case they don't show the prequel on iTunes.
Avoid the Daily Mirror review like the plague.
Having already seen the episode I checked it out of curiosity. It's not just the ending they give away, they've basically got an entire synopsis on there compressed down to just a couple of paragraphs - and then completely fails to provide any thoughts or criticisms whatsoever.
The reviewer obviously abused his position to post-up the whole story under the guise of a review, when I've seen far better actual reviews posted by Gallifrey Base members in the Spoiler & Speculation Thread that give next to nothing away
Having already seen the episode I checked it out of curiosity. It's not just the ending they give away, they've basically got an entire synopsis on there compressed down to just a couple of paragraphs - and then completely fails to provide any thoughts or criticisms whatsoever.
The reviewer obviously abused his position to post-up the whole story under the guise of a review, when I've seen far better actual reviews posted by Gallifrey Base members in the Spoiler & Speculation Thread that give next to nothing away
Some non-press reviews from Gallifrey Base. Must be alright 
Quote:
“It was superb.
I was astonished more by Jenna than I was Capaldi, though. Capaldi I expected to be brilliant, and he more than lived up to that, but this is by far the weightiest material Coleman has ever been given, and she completely knocked it out of the park.
Also, Ben Wheatley needs to be shackled to a contract for more episodes immediately.”
“It was superb.
I was astonished more by Jenna than I was Capaldi, though. Capaldi I expected to be brilliant, and he more than lived up to that, but this is by far the weightiest material Coleman has ever been given, and she completely knocked it out of the park.
Also, Ben Wheatley needs to be shackled to a contract for more episodes immediately.”
Quote:
“It definitely felt like everyone raised their game on this one. Jenna was excellent. Capaldi was immense. And Ben Wheatley seemed to have forgotten he was shooting a TV show and just went ahead and made another film. It looks amazing. Definitely go see it in the cinema if you can.”
“It definitely felt like everyone raised their game on this one. Jenna was excellent. Capaldi was immense. And Ben Wheatley seemed to have forgotten he was shooting a TV show and just went ahead and made another film. It looks amazing. Definitely go see it in the cinema if you can.”
Quote:
“It really is a fantastic opener, probably the best they've ever done. I echo sentiments about Ben Wheatley, he needs to do more episodes immediately, the whole look and feel of the episode was brilliant. He really has a fantastic eye for what looks the best.
Peter knocked it out the park and Jenna remains as fabulous as she always with - good to see her being given more weighty material.”
“It really is a fantastic opener, probably the best they've ever done. I echo sentiments about Ben Wheatley, he needs to do more episodes immediately, the whole look and feel of the episode was brilliant. He really has a fantastic eye for what looks the best.
Peter knocked it out the park and Jenna remains as fabulous as she always with - good to see her being given more weighty material.”
Quote:
“I thought it was absolutely excellent, best new series opener by far! Well paced too which was very welcome. As much as I have adored the MS era, some episodes haven't been paced well so this was a relief!
Capaldi stunned me from the moment he was on screen. Absolutely the Doctor. I'm going to love him, I just know it. He's very funny too. Capaldi is wonderful at comedy.
Jenna was a real highlight in this. I really felt for Clara but loved how Twelve challenged her. Just fab!”
“I thought it was absolutely excellent, best new series opener by far! Well paced too which was very welcome. As much as I have adored the MS era, some episodes haven't been paced well so this was a relief!
Capaldi stunned me from the moment he was on screen. Absolutely the Doctor. I'm going to love him, I just know it. He's very funny too. Capaldi is wonderful at comedy.
Jenna was a real highlight in this. I really felt for Clara but loved how Twelve challenged her. Just fab!”
Quote:
“The first minutes of DEEP BREATH saw my hopes shot down pretty quickly. More of the same silliness I've come to expect from the Matt Smith era combined with a frantic, energised performance from Capaldi that was no different to his brief appearance in THE TIME OF THE DOCTOR.
Then suddenly something wonderful happens. Capaldi calms down, the frenetic pace of the actual episode changes and people actually spend time sitting down and talking to each other. After watching what seemed like three seasons of people just spitting rapid fire technobabble at each other as quickly as possible it was a welcome change.”
“The first minutes of DEEP BREATH saw my hopes shot down pretty quickly. More of the same silliness I've come to expect from the Matt Smith era combined with a frantic, energised performance from Capaldi that was no different to his brief appearance in THE TIME OF THE DOCTOR.
Then suddenly something wonderful happens. Capaldi calms down, the frenetic pace of the actual episode changes and people actually spend time sitting down and talking to each other. After watching what seemed like three seasons of people just spitting rapid fire technobabble at each other as quickly as possible it was a welcome change.”
Quote:
“Like so many of us, "Deep Breath" was an episode I've been anxious to see ever since Peter was cast last August. I've always loved Peter in everything I've seen him and just the concept of him playing the Doctor had already got my excitement levels through the roof. I have never before been so confident in a new Doctor's ability before even seeing him in the role, however and I am by no means a hater of current Who (I love it), I had grown slightly weary of some plots during Series 7 and though there were many episodes I did and still do love, it was time for a long overdue change. That is exactly what Peter has brought to the show.
From the moment Peter appears in the episode, he simply IS the Doctor. He is in control of almost every scene he appears in and this episode showcases some of the finest acting I have ever seen from him. He can make you feel every emotion from laughter to wanting to cry. I knew I would love this Doctor, I never knew I would love him this much.
I'm not sure if it's the presence of Peter but Jenna's performance in this episode has really lifted several notches from Series 7; I always enjoyed watching her but she has really upped her game portraying Clara's plight with a real sense of dignity and sadness for the loss of her Doctor. Throughout the episode you're rooting for Clara far more than I think many of us would have done in Series 7 when she was the "impossible girl."”
“Like so many of us, "Deep Breath" was an episode I've been anxious to see ever since Peter was cast last August. I've always loved Peter in everything I've seen him and just the concept of him playing the Doctor had already got my excitement levels through the roof. I have never before been so confident in a new Doctor's ability before even seeing him in the role, however and I am by no means a hater of current Who (I love it), I had grown slightly weary of some plots during Series 7 and though there were many episodes I did and still do love, it was time for a long overdue change. That is exactly what Peter has brought to the show.
From the moment Peter appears in the episode, he simply IS the Doctor. He is in control of almost every scene he appears in and this episode showcases some of the finest acting I have ever seen from him. He can make you feel every emotion from laughter to wanting to cry. I knew I would love this Doctor, I never knew I would love him this much.
I'm not sure if it's the presence of Peter but Jenna's performance in this episode has really lifted several notches from Series 7; I always enjoyed watching her but she has really upped her game portraying Clara's plight with a real sense of dignity and sadness for the loss of her Doctor. Throughout the episode you're rooting for Clara far more than I think many of us would have done in Series 7 when she was the "impossible girl."”
Originally Posted by CD93:
“Some non-press reviews from Gallifrey Base. Must be alright”
“Some non-press reviews from Gallifrey Base. Must be alright
”
Thank you for posting - looks very promising.
I remember how deflated I was after watching The 11th Hour, which left me feeling very unsure about the 11th Doctor and the new production team.
I'm desperate not to have that with Deep Breath, and all the reviews I've read so far seem to be saying the right stuff so I am very optimistic.
3 of 5
