Completely agree.


Indeed, but it seems democracy isn't as important to some as 'me,me,me', and look, I've somehow achieved something by being the one to create the thread first. Most people who create a thread a week, or almost a week early don't seem to realise that they haven't actually won some sort of competition, as no-one else was even trying at that point, given that the poll proves that most think that is way too early and wouldn't even consider starting it then.

Saw a quote from Capaldi after the first two episodes saying that the sonic wasn't gone, and that the glasses were just an extra sonic device to compliment it, so I am wondering when it's going to show up again.

I don't approve of this stupid competition either (doing the official thread is actually a bit of a faff and all you get is flak if you get it wrong (in anyone's opinion)). I created two only because no-one else had and thought it was time. In my view, it's a thankless task with no "up" side to it except the "public" service. Why anyone would "race" to do it is beyond me.

However, I must also say that this thread, despite being started, in my opinion, ridiculously early is ticking along quite nicely.

Out of interest, what makes this an official thread?

Just someone typing the words 'OFFICIAL THREAD' silly though it may seem.

If there were actually conditions on being the official thread, or even better, the forum mods created it themselves on a certain day each week, then there would be no debate over when it should be started or never a problem with a late poll/wrong poll options.

I like the sonic sunglasses

Metro preview, with teasers

I think they have worked really well (and most people I know love them).

Oh anecdotal evidence. How utterly utterly useless it is!

People seem really positive about this one.

A big cliffhanger ending to end all cliffhangers?

The Doctor is a Zygon - possibly
Osgood is a Zygon - possibly
Clara's double tries to kill the Doctor - possibly


Any others people can think of?

Can you imagine if they pulled a "The Almost People" ending and revealed the Doctor has been a Zygon since... say, "Under the Lake"? I was going to say pre-series 9 but we saw him use regenerative energy in "The Witch's Familiar". Then again, the Teselecta showed regenerative energy, so who knows?!

I hated the question marks on



collar.

It's the kind of horribly self-referential bullshit that the show doesn't need, IMO.

Would a superfan not try to emulate the object of their adulation then?

Because I think the devotion to cosplaying across the world would beg to differ...

The Teselecta was programmable to show the visual effects of regeneration energy (as to fool any witnesses who needed fooling) - the Doctor was actually using the regeneration energy in The Witch's Familiar. It was a very different situation.

Cosplay is one thing. Consciously bringing cosplay into the show itself, as an homage to Peter Davison, is just irritating.

I believe most fans enjoy the kind of self referential nods that are in the show right now, including that one. In this case too, there's a perfectly good in-'verse reason for it: Osgood is a fan of the Doctor.

If they're anything like me, they enjoy the feeling that they "get" something that the average audience member won't even notice. They enjoy the feeling that there is some actual continuity and that some care and thought has gone into the show; that their level of attention is being rewarded.

There is a danger though, that others have mentioned, of the references becoming too much the knowing wink for comic value (like Missy's non-explanation of her survival to the assembled at UNIT "Not dead, back, big surprise, never mind." which, despite that, I enjoyed). It can be too much of an invitation to laugh at the show (not with it).

I mean, we (well, most of us anyway) know it's "just a TV show" *, but we like to pretend it's real and too many meta references like that spoil that suspension of disbelief.

As long as they aren't noticed by Joe and Jane Average, and they don't get in the way of the story and spoil their enjoyment, then I'm happy with it.

(*) Except of course that all this business with the actors, production crews and studios is just a front.

Did you post something similar when she wore a 4 'homage' in Day of the Doctor, or an 11 'homage' in Dark Water? Also, Davison wasn't the only Doctor to have ? on his collars.

Radio Times Preview

Or, for many people who don't already hate the show as much as you, it's merely a light-hearted bit of fun that long-term fans will 'get' but that most people probably won't even notice.

That's a terrific preview. I really looking forward to this episode and the next.

And I especially liked the RT's comment about the fan reaction -
A lot has been said about Doctor Who recently. About its ratings, about Peter Capaldi, about whether it's still the same show that fans fell in love with. That's just Doctor Who fans for you.
Ain't that the truth!
Doctor Who fans, and I'm very proud to be one, really are bloody weird.

Excited just a bit!!

For Zygon Osgood to be alive doesn't real Osgood still have to be alive.
I'm not sure but I thought that was the "rules" for them to exist in another form.

This sounds like a really terrific story. Shape-shifting stories are often gimmicky, and it's great to hear that they're actually running with it as a dilemma rather than a convenient plot function. It's the kind of story telling I've wanted to see again for some time - more consequences. Some darker themes, wrapped in characters that are generally quite fun and can lighten the tone...make those themes a bit more accessible.

It's such a shame but I'm going to miss the episode on broadcast this week thanks to Halloween - I missed Dark Water last series, and had to catch-up. Still, on the bright side it'll mean the gap between the two parts will be fractionally smaller

Glad it sounds like Front and Capaldi spend a lot of time together

( Was disappointed that The Doctor didn't meet Seb )

Me too!

Oh, you didn't mean me...