[initial reactions] Doctor Who 11x04 - Arachnids in the UK

[grimorie]

I really enjoyed this episode! 

It was fun and didn’t feel like the pacing was off! Yay, Chibnall! You’re getting there! 

Stuff or as the Doctor would say ‘stoof!’ 

• I like Mark Tonderai's work in The Ghost Monument and Rosa but the extreme close-ups were killing me. TLDR: Can we please keep Sallie Aprahamian, please? I love how she directed this episode, and there was appropriate building of tension. Plus: NO EXTREME CLOSE-UPS. - Yaz's family is amazing and they feel like a family! Especially the sibling relationship between Yaz and her sister! Also, her mom is awesome and also wants Yaz to be in a relationship. I love her.
• Chris Noth has a very punchable face, whenever I see him, my first thought is always: You might be a great guy, but you look like a jackass. And actually, he wasn't as terrible as I thought he'd be, he's fun-terrible, but in some ways he wasn't as bad but he's still very much an antagonist.
• I love Ryan. Protect him and his shadow puppets and his dad is ugh.
• Graham scenes alone, and coming home to an empty house, I know how that feels so I really, really felt for him.

• The scientist lady was also very awesome and I hope she comes back. - And, now the Doctor. One thing I was wrong about is this Doctor does hug, but she's also just realized how lonely she'd be and yet she's not made any moves to invite them or sell them the romance of travel. Because for us audience it's been a year, for the Doctor it's been a long three weeks. Bill is fresh for the Doctor.

  This is why I liked that Doctor made sure they understood what they're signing up for.

• Also, can I just say, I think the Doctor finally learned from the events with Harriet Jones? She's no longer going to meddle in government human affairs, because the last the Doctor did that, the Master became Prime Minister and almost destroyed the world. So. She's not going to repeat that mistake. These four episodes are great introductary episodes for new comers, episode 5 I think is where we will see the true elements of Doctor Who
• BTW, I LOVE the new Time Vortex!!!

Comments

[thisbluespirit]

Can we please keep Sallie Aprahamian, please? I love how she directed this episode, and there was appropriate building of tension.

Ah, yes, I'd agree. Something raised this episode up above the others immediately, so much so I almost thought it wasn't written by CC until the exposition kept on coming and the plot completely evaporated. A good director probably is the answer, so, yes, to more. Preferably with a whole plot next time...

BTW, I LOVE the new Time Vortex!!!

lol, I enjoyed that too!

[grimorie]

Heh. Chibbs is so clearly a character guy, he barely cares for villains and the things that bring them together and just want to hang out with characters interacting to the detriment of the story (and resolution, tbh if there is one thing I was worried because of Chibnall, its how he has so much trouble with resolving things).

Sally Aprahamian really smooth over a lot, and really knew how to pace it, I hope next week's director can do the same!

[thisbluespirit]

I'm not sure he's even really good on the character stuff, because there's a lot here that gets thrown away or turned into exposition. But then something about his writing really turns me off, and I mustn't get grumbly about it - when you don't like someone's style it's far easier to get annoyed by everything, and it's probably not at all fair.

Sally Aprahamian really smooth over a lot, and really knew how to pace it

Yes, I was really enjoying this one a lot until it went splat, and that was good.

[grimorie]

I really enjoyed his character work in Broadchurch, I am quite surprised at the level of exposition though, because I know he can write better dialogue than this (again, Broadchurch). Er, sorry I just took him a lot seriously after Broadchurch.

Also, his work in season 2 Torchwood is something I enjoyed. Er, sorry am I being too apologist for Chibnall? I'm really trying not to be, I'm just, I guess puzzled why he seems to be struggling with exposition?


I did enjoy the end with Yaz, Ryan, and Graham and how the Doctor wants them to join her but is very, very aware that traveling with her is more than just traveling.

[thisbluespirit]

guess puzzled why he seems to be struggling with exposition?

No, fair enough. I've never really enjoyed any of his stuff (so I haven't watched Broadchurch, as clearly that would just be punishing myself at this point) but I hadn't especially noticed him having the kind of exposition problem he's been having in some of these episodes. I suppose he's now got a lot on his plate!

[wheatear]

Haha, I know what you mean about the extreme close-ups, they were driving me a bit crazy in episode 3! Especially when the setting for that episode was such a big part of it, I wanted to see more of what was going on.

I did feel for Graham. He's different from the usual companions, it's been interesting watching his story arc so far.

[winterfish]

Yes, I feel the same way about Chris Noth's face. I almost missed Ryan making shadow puppets. So great!

[grimorie]

Ryan is amazing and I want everyone to be protected, Yaz and Ryan especially!