*Warning: The following article may contain spoilers. If you have not yet seen or plan to watch the following specials and do not want to know what happens please read no further.*
Then end of March is fast approaching, and in just two short weeks, our neighbors across the pond will begin airing a new season of one of Science Fiction's TV mainstays, Doctor Who. I know many Whovians are waiting with bated breath as the 11th Doctor, played by Matt Smith, will be taking over the role most recently played by David Tennant. Many, like me, feel a certain amount of sadness at the deparure of Tennant, but with the new Doctor in charge, I felt that a good look needed to be had at the farewell two-part special of the adventures of the 10th Doctor.
I sat down to watch The End of Time (parts 1 & 2) over the weekend and prepared myself again for the departure of one of my favorite Doctors.
The End of Time is a two-part story that ultimately leads up to the regeneration of the 10th Doctor. The first part of the story revolves around the ressurection of The Master, and how he uses a machine recovered by the Naismith family from the Torchwood Institute to convert all of humanity into a race of Master clones. The only people on earth not effected are Donna, as she's still part Time Lord, Wilf, due to his being placed in a safe room by The Doctor, The Doctor, and two other aliens who were sent to salvage the machine The Master uses.
The second part of this story reveals the true purpose behind the drum beat The Master constantly hears. It was implanted in his mind by the Time Lords to establish a link between Gallifrey and current time. This ultimately leads The Master to create a physical link between Gallifrey and current Earth in an attempt for the Time Lords, headed by Lord President Rassilon (played by Timothy Dalton), to escape the end of the Time War and initiate The Final Sanction, thus ending time and space itself and becoming beings of consciousness. This is, of course, averted by The Doctor, and the planet is saved once again, but at a cost, the 10th Doctor.
The one thing that seems to occupy the mind of The Doctor throughout this story is the knowledge through a prophesy passed to him from the Ood at the beginning of the first part of "The End of Time," where he is told his song (story) is coming to an end, and that before the end "he will knock four times." The whole episode people are led to believe that it is The Master who will kill The Doctor, but that is just not the case. As Rassilon and the Time Lords begin to bring back Gallifrey, The Doctor does something very unusual, he draws a gun and aims it first at Rassilon, then at The Master, then back at Rassilon, and finally back at The Master, and he then tells The Master to move out of the way as he shoots the device that links both worlds together in time. Rassilon then aims his gauntlet at The Doctor as he readies to kill The Doctor, but The Doctor is told to move by The Master who then unleashes energy attacks on Rassilon just as Gallifrey and the rest of the Time Lords are sent back into the Time War.
The Doctor is happy that he is alive, and he can hardly believe it, however, he then hears four knocks on the glass door to the Nuclear Bolt room that powered the machine that linked Earth to Gallifrey. Inside is Wilf, The Doctor then goes into a very uncharacteristic speech about how it's not fair that he has to die, and how much more good he could do if he were able to live, but in the end he turns to Wilf, who is pleading with him not to save him, and says "Wilfred, it's my honor." as The Doctor enters the twin room to the Nuclear Bolt and presses the release button allowing Wilf to escape being irradiated. The Doctor, however, absorbs all the radiation, but does not immediately regenerate.
The story ends with the Doctor travelling to visit all of his former companions, and ends with a visit to Rose Tyler at the start of 2005 before she met him for the first time. He then goes back to the TARDIS and starts it up as his regeneration begins. His last words are, "I don't want to go." Then he regenerates explosively causing massive damage to the interior of the TARDIS. Thus the 11th Doctor appears, in the form of Matt Smith, and we get a small introduction to an energetic, young, Doctor.
This story was a very emotionally charged affair to be sure. I was on the edge of my seat for both parts, and towards the end I was literally in tears as David Tennant's Doctor was about to regenerate. I didn't want him to go either. Overall, the episode had the same amount of intensity as we've come to expect from Russel T. Davies when writing series closers.
I think this is definitely a fitting farewell for the old garde, as Julie Gardner, Russel T. Davies, and David Tennant were moving on. It also marks the passing of the reigns to very capable hands in Steven Moffat and Matt Smith, who I am sure will make the adventures of the 11th Doctor every bit as edge of your seat exciting as the last four series have been.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The SciFi Guy talks Babylon 5, Caprica, and Doctor Who.
Greetings random people. Welcome to my blog yet again. That you found yourself here, waiting to read what I've written is both awesome and somewhat unnerving, but I'll get over it.
This winter sucked in terms of weather, cold, snow, cold, more snow, warm, and more snow kept me home many more days than I was prepared for. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it is somewhat odd. However, something very good came out of this, I happened to stumble onto the WB website and found all five seasons of Babylon 5 online for immediate viewing.
This was very fortunate, and led me to rewatch a show which I have held in very high regards for many years. I was surprised to find out how well it held up over the past 15 years since it first aired. For those that don't know, Babylon 5 was set on a space station operated by the Earth Alliance with a goal of hosting trade and diplomatic relations for a variety of alien worlds, an interstellar United Nations of sorts. The show focused primarily on the command staff and a few of the alien ambassadors. It had a continuing story arc that carried it throughout it's five year run and really focused on the development of it's main characters and the overall arc and it did so masterfully.
I was very happy to see that the effects, overall plot, and emotional moments remained intact even after over a decade since I had last watched any Babylon 5 related shows or movies. I highly recommend checking this show out for anyone who is looking to watch a quality show.
You can find Babylon 5 online at: http://www.thewb.com/shows/babylon-5/
Now for those of you looking to watch a quality scifi show currently airing, I recommend tuning into SyFy on Friday Nights at 9pm E.S.T. to watch Caprica.
Caprica is the prequel to SyFy's critically acclaimed Battlestar Galactica. Caprica takes place 50 years before the events of Battlestar Galactica and follows two families whose actions led to the creation of the Cylons and the ultimate destruction of the 12 colonies. The Greystone and Adama families are at the center of this complex story. It begins with the deaths of the daughters of Daniel Greystone, a brilliant scientist working on advanced aritificial intelligence, and Joseph Adama, a powerful lawyer with ties to the mob. At the beginning each father tries to come to terms with the passing of their daughters, and in Adama's case his wife as well, but changes the motivations of each of the men change, it also follows closely and more interestingly at times, what is happening with their daughters' avatars, that exist in a virtual world.
This show is currently at it's 10th episode and has been building up steam with each successive episode. The characters are amazing and deep and keep changing as the story progresses, much in the way that the characters of Battlestar Galactica did during that show.
The thing that captivates me with Caprica is that even though you know how it will end, the storytelling is so compelling that you cannot stop watching. Battlestar was hailed as the best show on TV during it's run, Caprica is poised to hold the same title.
Finally, I wanted to talk a bit about my other favorite TV show, that should be returning to the airwaves in a few weeks, after a yearlong semi-hiatus (while no new season aired, there were a series of four 2-hour movies that aired over the past year). Doctor Who will be returning to the airwaves in the U.K. in a few short weeks, and with a new Doctor to boot. Many fans around the world were shocked when David Tennant, the 10th Doctor, announced at the NTA Awards in 2008 that he was leaving Doctor Who after he finished filming four more specials that would air in 2009. Many fans, myself included, were shocked at this announcement as David played the Doctor masterfully. His exit was perhaps the most heartwrenching I have seen as he stands alone in the Tardis and realizes he's about to regenerate, and exclaims, " I don't want to go. " I know I was a bit teary eyed as he exited the role with a bang, literally, as the Tardis' interior begins to explode as he regenerates into the 11th Doctor, played by Matt Smith.
Now, I haven't seen him in action yet, in a full episode, but after the regeneration, all I can say is WOW! I loved David Tennant as the Doctor, but I am excited to see Matt Smith's Doctor in action. There will also be a new companion along for the ride of a lifetime, played by actress
Karen Gillian. Where this goes, only the folks at the BBC know for certain, but I know one thing for sure, I'm pumped. In a world where scifi seems to be dominated by Lost, Flashforward, and Heroes, it's nice to have some older franchises in the mix to keep a variety out there.
Well that's all for now...I hear the drums of a World of Warcraft Raid starting to play in the background, so I'm outta here. See you all soon.
This winter sucked in terms of weather, cold, snow, cold, more snow, warm, and more snow kept me home many more days than I was prepared for. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it is somewhat odd. However, something very good came out of this, I happened to stumble onto the WB website and found all five seasons of Babylon 5 online for immediate viewing.
This was very fortunate, and led me to rewatch a show which I have held in very high regards for many years. I was surprised to find out how well it held up over the past 15 years since it first aired. For those that don't know, Babylon 5 was set on a space station operated by the Earth Alliance with a goal of hosting trade and diplomatic relations for a variety of alien worlds, an interstellar United Nations of sorts. The show focused primarily on the command staff and a few of the alien ambassadors. It had a continuing story arc that carried it throughout it's five year run and really focused on the development of it's main characters and the overall arc and it did so masterfully.
I was very happy to see that the effects, overall plot, and emotional moments remained intact even after over a decade since I had last watched any Babylon 5 related shows or movies. I highly recommend checking this show out for anyone who is looking to watch a quality show.
You can find Babylon 5 online at: http://www.thewb.com/shows/babylon-5/
Now for those of you looking to watch a quality scifi show currently airing, I recommend tuning into SyFy on Friday Nights at 9pm E.S.T. to watch Caprica.
Caprica is the prequel to SyFy's critically acclaimed Battlestar Galactica. Caprica takes place 50 years before the events of Battlestar Galactica and follows two families whose actions led to the creation of the Cylons and the ultimate destruction of the 12 colonies. The Greystone and Adama families are at the center of this complex story. It begins with the deaths of the daughters of Daniel Greystone, a brilliant scientist working on advanced aritificial intelligence, and Joseph Adama, a powerful lawyer with ties to the mob. At the beginning each father tries to come to terms with the passing of their daughters, and in Adama's case his wife as well, but changes the motivations of each of the men change, it also follows closely and more interestingly at times, what is happening with their daughters' avatars, that exist in a virtual world.
This show is currently at it's 10th episode and has been building up steam with each successive episode. The characters are amazing and deep and keep changing as the story progresses, much in the way that the characters of Battlestar Galactica did during that show.
The thing that captivates me with Caprica is that even though you know how it will end, the storytelling is so compelling that you cannot stop watching. Battlestar was hailed as the best show on TV during it's run, Caprica is poised to hold the same title.
Finally, I wanted to talk a bit about my other favorite TV show, that should be returning to the airwaves in a few weeks, after a yearlong semi-hiatus (while no new season aired, there were a series of four 2-hour movies that aired over the past year). Doctor Who will be returning to the airwaves in the U.K. in a few short weeks, and with a new Doctor to boot. Many fans around the world were shocked when David Tennant, the 10th Doctor, announced at the NTA Awards in 2008 that he was leaving Doctor Who after he finished filming four more specials that would air in 2009. Many fans, myself included, were shocked at this announcement as David played the Doctor masterfully. His exit was perhaps the most heartwrenching I have seen as he stands alone in the Tardis and realizes he's about to regenerate, and exclaims, " I don't want to go. " I know I was a bit teary eyed as he exited the role with a bang, literally, as the Tardis' interior begins to explode as he regenerates into the 11th Doctor, played by Matt Smith.
Now, I haven't seen him in action yet, in a full episode, but after the regeneration, all I can say is WOW! I loved David Tennant as the Doctor, but I am excited to see Matt Smith's Doctor in action. There will also be a new companion along for the ride of a lifetime, played by actress
Karen Gillian. Where this goes, only the folks at the BBC know for certain, but I know one thing for sure, I'm pumped. In a world where scifi seems to be dominated by Lost, Flashforward, and Heroes, it's nice to have some older franchises in the mix to keep a variety out there.
Well that's all for now...I hear the drums of a World of Warcraft Raid starting to play in the background, so I'm outta here. See you all soon.
Adventures of the NJ SciFi Guy
Hey everyone, and by everyone I mean no one, because no one reads blogs right?
I digress.
So, why start a scifi blog? Simple, I find that posting on facebook is pointless about this kind of thing, and really, I just like to hear myself talk...er...or type, whatever.
So here I am, immersed in this new world of wacky technology and crazy computer stuff. I feel kind of intimidated, maybe this isn't the right thing for me, what with all the fancy computer buttons and this contraption called a mouse.
So anyway. Back to the topic. Science Fiction and me. Well, mainly Science Fiction.
Science Fiction has been a major influence in my life since I was very little. One of the first movies I can remember seeing was Walt Disney's The Black Hole, followed by Star Wars. I was hooked. Fancy lasers, cool looking robots, and some really weird looking aliens grabbed my attention and have never given it back. Growing up in the 80's gave me exposure to some really great (if somewhat cheesy) Scifi shows. TV Shows like Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Battlestar Galactica, and Misfits of Science come to mind right off the bat, I saw all the major movie releases: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Krull, Dune, Flash Gordon, etc. I was completely hooked, scifi had me at space and kept me with everything that followed.
As some can guess, growing up loving this stuff, made me somewhat of an oddball with the other kids, but I always had some of, what I felt, were the coolest toys ever. It was also during this time that a movie called Tron introduced me to the world of video games, one of my other great loves in life. So my weekends were spent watching some great movies like Ice Pirates, Battle Beyond the Stars and Starman, as well as playing Pac-man at home with my Dad on the Atari VCS (don't hate on it too hard, I was like 5 years old).
These hobbies stayed sort of in the closet during my teenage years, but once I hit college something new happened, I found a social club that had everything I was interested in, The Ramapo College Science Fiction and Comic Book Club. Here I met some of the best friends I ever made, and they were people who knew the shows, and movies that I loved from when I was a kid. Moreover, they made it easy for me to accept my "geek" heritage more openly.
I was and am still a proud Geek, and am proud to talk openly about my adventures in the land of Science Fiction/Video Game Fandom.
I digress.
So, why start a scifi blog? Simple, I find that posting on facebook is pointless about this kind of thing, and really, I just like to hear myself talk...er...or type, whatever.
So here I am, immersed in this new world of wacky technology and crazy computer stuff. I feel kind of intimidated, maybe this isn't the right thing for me, what with all the fancy computer buttons and this contraption called a mouse.
So anyway. Back to the topic. Science Fiction and me. Well, mainly Science Fiction.
Science Fiction has been a major influence in my life since I was very little. One of the first movies I can remember seeing was Walt Disney's The Black Hole, followed by Star Wars. I was hooked. Fancy lasers, cool looking robots, and some really weird looking aliens grabbed my attention and have never given it back. Growing up in the 80's gave me exposure to some really great (if somewhat cheesy) Scifi shows. TV Shows like Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Battlestar Galactica, and Misfits of Science come to mind right off the bat, I saw all the major movie releases: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, Krull, Dune, Flash Gordon, etc. I was completely hooked, scifi had me at space and kept me with everything that followed.
As some can guess, growing up loving this stuff, made me somewhat of an oddball with the other kids, but I always had some of, what I felt, were the coolest toys ever. It was also during this time that a movie called Tron introduced me to the world of video games, one of my other great loves in life. So my weekends were spent watching some great movies like Ice Pirates, Battle Beyond the Stars and Starman, as well as playing Pac-man at home with my Dad on the Atari VCS (don't hate on it too hard, I was like 5 years old).
These hobbies stayed sort of in the closet during my teenage years, but once I hit college something new happened, I found a social club that had everything I was interested in, The Ramapo College Science Fiction and Comic Book Club. Here I met some of the best friends I ever made, and they were people who knew the shows, and movies that I loved from when I was a kid. Moreover, they made it easy for me to accept my "geek" heritage more openly.
I was and am still a proud Geek, and am proud to talk openly about my adventures in the land of Science Fiction/Video Game Fandom.
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