Black Annis ([info]annis39) wrote,
@ 2007-08-12 00:10:00
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Current mood: scared

Completely not about food
. . . but has anyone else watched the new Dr. Who episodes, specifically the ones with Christopher Eccleston (of whom I must say, "Mmm, pretty")? Ryan and I just had the misfortune to catch the first half of the episode called "The Empty Child," and we're completely creeped out. How the heck is this a children's show? I'm going to be having nightmares involving gas masks for weeks . . .


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[info]sereneth
2007-08-12 10:58 am UTC (link)
I've only seen one ep from the new running, butI'm still traumatized from having seen some horribly scary episode as a young child, who knows how many Doctors ago.

By the way, regarding your mint excess: how about mint tea? I can't drink it, but Arabs love it and it would help use up your excess.

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[info]annis39
2007-08-12 08:37 pm UTC (link)
Tea is one of the things that we've been doing with it, but we haven't managed to get into the mint-tea-always-in-the-fridge habit yet. We probably should, as it's an awfully nice after-dinner drink.

Mint is a problem for you all around, isn't it? Don't I remember you having toothpaste issues or something because of the prevalence of mint toothpaste, or am I just making that up?

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[info]sereneth
2007-08-12 08:53 pm UTC (link)
You have a good memory. I have a pyschosomatic allergy to mint because when we were young there were only mint dental products and I had a dentist and a dental hygienist who were incredibly bad with children. Ever since, I've associated mint with terror. I can eat small amounts of mint if in something like a salad, but I can't eat it in larger amounts and I can't eat any artificial mints.

Have you tried hot tea poured over almonds or pine nuts? Another Tunisian thing that's quite good.

The only other thing I can think of using mint for is if you make mint jelly or if you make your own moisturizers or something like that.

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[info]mmaestro
2007-08-12 06:48 pm UTC (link)
Well, it's always been a pretty scary "children's" show, they always showed it on TV late enough that younger kids would be in bed. I'm not sure how I feel about calling it children's TV - it's more teen, pre-teen and adult. That the beeb created The Sarah Jane Adventures, specifically aimed at a younger audience, is probably also a good indicator that Doctor Who itself is meant for an older, not necessarily exclusively adult, but older, audience.

But yes, The Empty Child is particularly freaky. Probably the most so of any of the episodes they've done since resurrecting the series.

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[info]annis39
2007-08-12 08:39 pm UTC (link)
But yes, The Empty Child is particularly freaky. Probably the most so of any of the episodes they've done since resurrecting the series.
Exactly-- I've now seen all the Eccleston ones up to this one, and even the Dahlek episode wasn't this bad (well, that's probably because Dahleks are just funny anyways-- "What're you gonna do, sucker me to death?" Hehehee). Pre-teen/teen/adult audiences make a lot more sense . . . this particular episode (and probably a couple of the others) would have completely freaked me out when I was really little.

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[info]babagannoush
2007-09-06 06:40 pm UTC (link)
I can't believe I missed this post. I am a completely unapologetic Doctor Who Fanatic, and I love the "new" series. The episodes you're discussing are almost two-and-a-half years old and the scariest ones from that first "new" season are, shall I say, spit in the ocean compared to some of the episodes in season three.

My favorites by season are as follows:

Season 1:

The Unquiet Dead - I want to vote the actor who played Charles Dickens for MVP of the season. I'd give it to him outright if Billie Piper wasn't so "FANTASTIC!" as Rose. Eve Myles (Gwyneth) comes back to play a completely different role on the Spinoff series, "Torchwood".

Father's Day - This one made me cry. I still can't watch it with dry eyes. Note of interest - this episode is very similar and might be a direct homage to the Star Trek Original Series episode, "City at the Edge of Forever." Both episodes are excellent television.

The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances - Two great and balanced episodes. Lot's of creepiness, terror, a little sexiness from Cap'n Jack (who leads the Spinoff, "Torchwood") and a lot of heart. And I have to agree with the Doctor, it's so nice to see everybody live for a change.

Season Two:
Tooth and Claw - werewolves are my favorite classic movie monsters, and the one rendered here is the best looking, sounding, and moving werewolf EVAR! Also, the actress who played Queen Victoria should get nominated for a season MVP, with heavy competition from Billie Piper again and Sophia Myles from Episode "The Girl in the Fireplace".

School Reunion - Anthony Stewart Head makes a wonderfully evil Who villain. He's so fucking smarmy and pompous I can't decide between squeeling in delight or punting his head. Also, a Dr. Who classic series companion returns for the new series.

The Girl in the Fireplace - along with "Tooth and Claw" this is my co-favorite episode of the series. Creepy villains, extremely smart and strong heroine (Sofia Myles, MVP candidate), and an ending as heart-rending as "Father's Day."

The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit - this season's equivalent of "The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances." Not only is it scary as all fuck but also with a bit of H.P. Lovecraft design thrown into the mix. Great bits of intro-to-theology and philosophy and ensemble acting. It reminds me a bit of Event Horizon and John Carpenter's Prince of Darkness.

Season 3:
The Runaway Bride - Not that great an episode overall but the Bride is a fantastic anti-companion and the villain's costume and makeup are outstanding.

Human Nature/Family of Blood - Great creepy villains and and interesting new relationship between the Doctor and his companion.

Blink - While the two-parters in seasons 1 and 2 were creepy this episode is downright pants-shitting run-out-of-the-room-screaming shut-down-the-higher-brain-functions blind terrifying. While other episodes had the kids in the test audience hide their face in their hands or run behind the sofa, this episode had the kids AND their parents run out of the room in terror. It's also one of the coolest episodes dealing with the intricacies of time travel, "because life is long, and you are hot."

Utopia - Jack's back! Also, Derek Jacobi is both heartwarming and vaguely creepy. It's amazing the level of talent this show draws; I especially liked the Professor's companion, Chan'tho, in this episode. Weird and sexy.

And the last two episodes of this season are a lot of fun, but I don't want to say anything about them here.

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[info]annis39
2007-09-06 07:23 pm UTC (link)
*cries* Now you've got me completely terrified to keep watching Dr. Who, despite my adoration of it. I don't want to be scared enough to mess myself . . .

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(Anonymous)
2007-09-07 05:09 am UTC (link)
Don't worry, apart from blink, the scariest episodes are:

The Empty Child
The Doctor Dances
The Impossible Planet
The Satan Pit

All others you can handle fine. And all of these I listed are well worth watching. There are some stinkers out there, though. Just keep watching, it'll all be well worth it.

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[info]babagannoush
2007-09-07 05:09 am UTC (link)
Don't worry, apart from blink, the scariest episodes are:

The Empty Child
The Doctor Dances
The Impossible Planet
The Satan Pit

All others you can handle fine. And all of these I listed are well worth watching. There are some stinkers out there, though. Just keep watching, it'll all be well worth it.

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