Yeah, my main fear when RTD was announced as returning to showrun is that it would just be giving us what we had already seen with RTD1, and so far whilst I have enjoyed this era, he hasn’t really given us much new besides the stuff regarding the Pantheon.
On the other hand, I think the idea of someone taking on the face of their ex is an interesting one. If treated as more than a gimmick, it could lead to a unique arc for this incarnation of the Doctor.
That would be a shame. I think people should at least give it a chance and see how it develops. If anyone can pull it off, it’s probably Billie Piper. Jenna Coleman could probably do it well too.
I guess it wouldn’t be something I’d want to watch the show for. & actually when you put it like that, “someone taking on the face of their ex”, it sounds a bit creepy.
It would just feel like another example of the show referencing its past. & quite desperate attempt to repeat former glories.
Yeah, if the BAFTAs thing was fake, I really think it’s either Gugu (on the basis that she’s in the spin-off) or Michelle (on the basis that she was at the opening event with Carole Ann et al.).
Oh well… not too long now till we have our answer!
I’d love for it to be an “unknown” ala Matt Smith. Someone we go in with zero expectations or real knowledge of. Big names are fine, of course, and they bring a bit of headline noise, but sometimes finding someone lesser known can pique the curiosity factor more.
This does nothing but make me think that the rumours that say he doesn’t have a clue about who 16 is are actually true.
On a more personal note, at this point I’m just trying to find new ways to gaslight myself into believing that Ncuti is in fact not leaving and that we’ll get a third season with him.
I’m still thinking the most likely ending is the original Jodie regeneration, with a fade (or slam!) to black and then into the titles.
I suppose I find it hard to believe an actor would want to sign to a role when it doesn’t have a confirmed future, but I find it very believable that someone would be okay with leaving a role that doesn’t have a confirmed future!
I tend to agree, but also the BBC are in no rush to get rid of the show, and if the Nicola Methven article is to be believed (and I have no reason to disbelieve), there are plans for future seasons. There may not be a set contract because the Disney deal may mean the star can ask for more money, but they could have agreed either way.
I think we’re in a weird position this time of having one part behind the production that may leave, so that makes us think the whole thing is in danger. But I think the possibility of no-one able enough wanting to take the helm of the show back in 2020/21 put the BBC in a tougher position.
I have no doubts about this (RTD has been mentioning he’s written scripts well after series 15 for a long time now, and I doubt the BBC would get rid of the show entirely), but I - without any concrete idea of the exact production details - still feel it would be a strange position for an actor to agree to: you’ll probably get to be the lead in a few series, but it’ll be a while, and we have no current way to start production now and can’t tell you when we will be able to (so keep yourself free from anything else until you can film our show.).
Now, if any TV show can make something like that happen, it’s definitely Doctor Who. Still, I feel like having an open-ended regeneration can lead to a next Doctor that begins their series like Eccleston - no post-regenerative sickness needed, and a fully-formed Doctor already there. That seems instinctively more plausible, but then again, he might not even regenerate!
I have been reading you all for weeks on end and have finally decided to participate!
I have a few questions for us to mull over:
Are you really happy that Mrs Flood after two seasons’ worth of build up is A Rani? I.e. the glorified help for The Rani?
How can we explain all the cosplaying she has done (for example the over emphasised putting on of that police hat last episode etc?)
The emphasis of breaking the fourth wall by her, including doctor who fans, and the use of clsssic tropes from literature for example the fairytale beginning of the last episode?
It’s all very postmodern but who (apologies for the awful pun) is in control of the whole show? And I don’t mean RTD
Have you caught on yet to who the author is of the book that Conrad reads from? Have you googled that name yet?
Why was the deal of Rassilion referred to so overtly? What is an imprimatur? How does this relate to the previous point?
I have more questions than answers as you can see but as these haven’t been addressed yet thought I would raise these for the collective to digest.
These aren’t spoilers whatsoever just some questions to reflect on. Looking forward to your responses!
I don’t mind her, but I want to see how the finale goes before I make a determination on whether it was a better idea than just letting Mrs. Flood do her own thing or regenerate normally into the new actress.
As far as the cosplaying. The Rani cosplayed as Mel before in Classic Who to confuse The Doctor. It’s likely the cosplays were clues to the fact of who she really is before it was revealed.
I doubt the fourth wall breaking will ever be touched on. If I remember correctly in an interview from last year RTD said we may find out why it’s happening, but he has also considered just never explaining it. So I figure it will never be explained.
If you mean if someone else is pulling the string inside the show like a sort of story. Idk yet. Originally it looked like it could lead that way. It’s possible it could be a future season thing, but as of right now I feel like the finale is so loaded down with stuff that it won’t be touched on this season if that is the case.
I know about I.M. Foreman, but I’m more sure of it’s a just an Easter egg or not. It would be cool if it led to something else.
I’m not sure how the Seal of Rassilon will play into the finale, but there was an emphasis on it. Maybe it will have something to do with Omega. If not it could either be nothing important or have something nag to do with the I.M Foreman thing or a future plot thread.
I mean, knowing she’s a Time Lord, I guess there’s precedent with the Doctor that they can just do that. It was even reinforced in Devil’s Chord he can interact with extradiegetic elements, like the soundtrack. But I’d like an explanation of what the purpose of having her do it was, nonetheless.
