The Event
1x17 Cut Off the Head
We seem to be entering the final phase now. No idea if the series is getting a recommission or not -- signs weren't good, last I read -- so hopefully they'll bother to wrap it all up.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
$#*! My Dad Says
1x08 The Manly Thing to Do
The YMCA sequence... feels kinda clichéd, and it's certainly predictable, but at the same time it's well performed and consequently funny. So there.
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
The Suspicions of Mr Whicher
ITV adaptation of Kate Summerscale's "non-fiction novel", as people seem to have taken to calling it (I thought it was just "non-fiction", but there you go). It was rather good, though seemed to lack the thorough whodunnit nature and unveiling of numerous dark secrets that praise for the book indicates. And it began at (or near) the end before flashing back to the start for no reason -- why?! This is a pointless and irritating trend in films/feature-length TV that really should end.
[Watch it (again) on ITV Player.]
Yes, Prime Minister
1x02 The Ministerial Broadcast
Monday, 2 May 2011
Sunday, 1 May 2011
Lunch
Gidleigh Park
Remember just over a year ago, when I went to Michelin-starred restaurant The Kitchin? Well, by a similar token, today I went to the two-Michelin-starred Sunday-Times-best-restaurant-in-Britain, Gidleigh Park.
It was very nice, thank you very much.
Remember just over a year ago, when I went to Michelin-starred restaurant The Kitchin? Well, by a similar token, today I went to the two-Michelin-starred Sunday-Times-best-restaurant-in-Britain, Gidleigh Park.
It was very nice, thank you very much.
this week on 100 Films
Just 1 new review was posted to 100 Films in a Year this week...
Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)
After none last week, it's a bit pathetic. But at least there's the April update too.
More, hopefully, next Sunday.
Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)
The title may sound like a ’40s rom-com or a ’70s TV sitcom, but Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison is nothing of the sort. It’s set in the south Pacific in 1944, at the height of World War II, and... What we get is almost relentlessly a two-hander, but not the kind where a pair of characters sit around and natter until something turns up to end their conversation.
After none last week, it's a bit pathetic. But at least there's the April update too.
More, hopefully, next Sunday.
Saturday, 30 April 2011
TV
Doctor Who
32x02 Day of the Moon
32x02a Prequel to The Curse of the Black Spot
Enjoyed that notably more than the first part. Might seem an obvious eventuality to like the concluding part more -- it's the one with all the answers and resolutions, after all -- but sometimes the setup is better than the pay-off (and that's happened a couple of times in nuWho, I think). Plus it was hardly overburdened with answers -- plenty left for the mid-season finale, and probably the eventual season finale too. And for the immediate time, that was a helluva cliffhanger! I'd guessed a few possibilities, but certainly not that one.
As for the prequel... much like the last one, it's little more than a scene-setting teaser trailer. But really, what did you expect? This is why the TARDISodes failed as well: if they added anything too significant, they'd have to be in the episodes themselves. Ah well, it's still atmospheric 'n' that.
[Watch Day of the Moon (again) in HD on iPlayer, and the Prequel to The Curse of the Black Spot on the official Doctor Who website.]
Doctor Who Confidential
6x02 Breaking the Silence
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Five Minutes With...
(30/4/11 edition)
Entirely random and unintentional bit of viewing, this: I happened to turn BBC One on during their shared broadcast with BBC News as this episode was starting, and Patrick Stewart drew me in. Other interviewees were musician Plan B, film and theatre director Richard Eyre, Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton, and music producer Pete Waterman.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Game of Thrones
1x02 The Kingsroad
Some critics have been bigging up the notion that Game of Thrones contains complex characters which leaves the audience's opinions and allegiances shifting about who is good and who is evil. While I wouldn't disagree entirely, I think by this point it's pretty clear cut who are the heroes and who are the villains. Some characters have already committed the unforgivable, and I look forward to their punishment hopefully.
Yes, Prime Minister
1x01 The Grand Design
32x02 Day of the Moon
32x02a Prequel to The Curse of the Black Spot
Enjoyed that notably more than the first part. Might seem an obvious eventuality to like the concluding part more -- it's the one with all the answers and resolutions, after all -- but sometimes the setup is better than the pay-off (and that's happened a couple of times in nuWho, I think). Plus it was hardly overburdened with answers -- plenty left for the mid-season finale, and probably the eventual season finale too. And for the immediate time, that was a helluva cliffhanger! I'd guessed a few possibilities, but certainly not that one.
As for the prequel... much like the last one, it's little more than a scene-setting teaser trailer. But really, what did you expect? This is why the TARDISodes failed as well: if they added anything too significant, they'd have to be in the episodes themselves. Ah well, it's still atmospheric 'n' that.
[Watch Day of the Moon (again) in HD on iPlayer, and the Prequel to The Curse of the Black Spot on the official Doctor Who website.]
Doctor Who Confidential
6x02 Breaking the Silence
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Five Minutes With...
(30/4/11 edition)
Entirely random and unintentional bit of viewing, this: I happened to turn BBC One on during their shared broadcast with BBC News as this episode was starting, and Patrick Stewart drew me in. Other interviewees were musician Plan B, film and theatre director Richard Eyre, Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton, and music producer Pete Waterman.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Game of Thrones
1x02 The Kingsroad
Some critics have been bigging up the notion that Game of Thrones contains complex characters which leaves the audience's opinions and allegiances shifting about who is good and who is evil. While I wouldn't disagree entirely, I think by this point it's pretty clear cut who are the heroes and who are the villains. Some characters have already committed the unforgivable, and I look forward to their punishment hopefully.
Yes, Prime Minister
1x01 The Grand Design
Collection Count
Collection Count tracks my DVD/Blu-ray collection via a number of statistics every week.
This week I've delayed the update to Saturday, thanks to the glut of Bank Holidays and consequent postal delays. Despite that, there's just one new title this week, but there's also the monthly running time update. Thrilling stuff.
Number of titles in collection: 1,302 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,107 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 195 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,233 [up 1]
Number of films in collection: 1,369 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,810 [no change]
Plus this week it's time for a running time update, so...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
231 days, 20 hours, and 23 minutes.
(Up 1 day, 1 hour, and 28 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
This week I've delayed the update to Saturday, thanks to the glut of Bank Holidays and consequent postal delays. Despite that, there's just one new title this week, but there's also the monthly running time update. Thrilling stuff.
Number of titles in collection: 1,302 [up 1]
Of which DVDs: 1,107 [no change]
Of which Blu-rays: 195 [up 1]
Number of discs in collection: 3,233 [up 1]
Number of films in collection: 1,369 [up 1]
Number of TV episodes in collection: 4,810 [no change]
Plus this week it's time for a running time update, so...
Total running time of collection (approx.):
231 days, 20 hours, and 23 minutes.
(Up 1 day, 1 hour, and 28 minutes from last month.)
See you next week, faithful reader.
Friday, 29 April 2011
TV
The Graham Norton Show
9x02 (22/4/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Robot Chicken
1x08 The Deep End
1x01 Junk in the Trunk
1x16 Nightmare Generator
1x18 The Sack
Taking over from my box set of Family Guy seasons one to three is my box set of Robot Chicken seasons one to three. As per the early seasons of my previous US adult-orientated animated comedy of choice, I'm watching these in whatever order they're on the disc, which is different from listed broadcast order, but my obsessive nature numbers them with the latter. Not that it matters.
The Royal Wedding
On the BBC, of course -- who'd want to watch something like this anywhere else? Watched almost all of the eight hours of main coverage from 8am; saw a sliver of the highlights/evening reception programme too.
[Watch it (again) in three parts, plus the highlights, on iPlayer.]
9x02 (22/4/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Robot Chicken
1x08 The Deep End
1x01 Junk in the Trunk
1x16 Nightmare Generator
1x18 The Sack
Taking over from my box set of Family Guy seasons one to three is my box set of Robot Chicken seasons one to three. As per the early seasons of my previous US adult-orientated animated comedy of choice, I'm watching these in whatever order they're on the disc, which is different from listed broadcast order, but my obsessive nature numbers them with the latter. Not that it matters.
The Royal Wedding
On the BBC, of course -- who'd want to watch something like this anywhere else? Watched almost all of the eight hours of main coverage from 8am; saw a sliver of the highlights/evening reception programme too.
[Watch it (again) in three parts, plus the highlights, on iPlayer.]
Articles
The Times gets the wedding bouquet by Peter Sands
(from Sands Media Services)
Tomorrow's front pages. The Times is indeed the best, while The Independent's is just horrid.
(from Sands Media Services)
Tomorrow's front pages. The Times is indeed the best, while The Independent's is just horrid.
Thursday, 28 April 2011
TV
10 O'Clock Live
1x14 (21/4/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Derren Brown: Miracles for Sale
To be honest, I was a little worried I'd find Derren's latest special to be a little dry and inconclusive, which has on occasion happened before (stand up Messiah and Seance). But while this does lack a certain element of showmanship or impressive trickery, it's an interesting, important and often surprisingly tense exploration of faith healers and their con, and how they just use techniques that can be duplicated by an (exceptionally dedicated) everyman.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Just Good Friends
3x04 Juanita
1x14 (21/4/11 edition)
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Derren Brown: Miracles for Sale
To be honest, I was a little worried I'd find Derren's latest special to be a little dry and inconclusive, which has on occasion happened before (stand up Messiah and Seance). But while this does lack a certain element of showmanship or impressive trickery, it's an interesting, important and often surprisingly tense exploration of faith healers and their con, and how they just use techniques that can be duplicated by an (exceptionally dedicated) everyman.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Just Good Friends
3x04 Juanita
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
TV
The Crimson Petal and the White
Part 2 (of 4)
Another excellent episode -- perhaps not as striking as the first, but with more than its fair share of twists and surprises. It also continues to look stunning, even more so in HD. It appears as if a DVD release is on the cards but no sign of a Blu-ray. Barring a US release (it seems an increasing number of new titles, even British-produced ones, are granted a BD release overseas but not here -- Glorious 39, Easy Virtue and Made in Dagenham are some recent examples I've noticed), I think... other means may be necessary to keep an HD copy.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Game of Thrones
1x01 Winter is Coming
Much hype surrounds this, the first fantasy series from acclaimed US drama-producing cable network HBO, airing over here on Sky-customers-only Sky Atlantic the day after the US, adapted from a series of very popular fantasy novels, with a star-studded cast. Fortunately, it lives up to the expectations: it's dark, complex, scary, thrilling, beautifully shot, brilliantly written and performed. Looks like HBO have yet another classic in the making.
Have I Got News For You
41x03 (22/4/11 edition; extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Part 2 (of 4)
Another excellent episode -- perhaps not as striking as the first, but with more than its fair share of twists and surprises. It also continues to look stunning, even more so in HD. It appears as if a DVD release is on the cards but no sign of a Blu-ray. Barring a US release (it seems an increasing number of new titles, even British-produced ones, are granted a BD release overseas but not here -- Glorious 39, Easy Virtue and Made in Dagenham are some recent examples I've noticed), I think... other means may be necessary to keep an HD copy.
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Game of Thrones
1x01 Winter is Coming
Much hype surrounds this, the first fantasy series from acclaimed US drama-producing cable network HBO, airing over here on Sky-customers-only Sky Atlantic the day after the US, adapted from a series of very popular fantasy novels, with a star-studded cast. Fortunately, it lives up to the expectations: it's dark, complex, scary, thrilling, beautifully shot, brilliantly written and performed. Looks like HBO have yet another classic in the making.
Have I Got News For You
41x03 (22/4/11 edition; extended repeat)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
TV
Britain's Next Big Thing
Episode 2 (of 7)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Yes Minister
Party Games [Christmas special; 2nd watch]
The final, double-length episode of Yes Minister, which sets up the sequel/continuation series Yes, Prime Minister. It's also one of the best episodes in my opinion, as ever exposing the ludicrous (but ever so plausible) political machinations of Whitehall while being just flat-out funny.
Episode 2 (of 7)
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Yes Minister
Party Games [Christmas special; 2nd watch]
The final, double-length episode of Yes Minister, which sets up the sequel/continuation series Yes, Prime Minister. It's also one of the best episodes in my opinion, as ever exposing the ludicrous (but ever so plausible) political machinations of Whitehall while being just flat-out funny.
Articles
Misfits, Sherlock lead BAFTA nominations by Kate Goodacre
(from Digital Spy)
I love how headlines spin things. Misfits does lead, with four, but Sherlock has three -- the same as two other programmes.
Other interesting bits: Matt Smith is nominated for Doctor Who, apparently the first time ever one of the show's leads has been up for a BAFTA. Benedict Cumberbatch is similarly nominated for Sherlock, while Martin Freeman is up for Best Supporting Actor. The full list is here if you want a closer look.
To sum up, though: "The BBC achieves a total of 49 nominations across its four channels, with Channel 4, More 4 and E4 receiving a combined total of 25 nominations. ITV1 is recognised 8 times" -- says it all.
(from Digital Spy)
I love how headlines spin things. Misfits does lead, with four, but Sherlock has three -- the same as two other programmes.
Other interesting bits: Matt Smith is nominated for Doctor Who, apparently the first time ever one of the show's leads has been up for a BAFTA. Benedict Cumberbatch is similarly nominated for Sherlock, while Martin Freeman is up for Best Supporting Actor. The full list is here if you want a closer look.
To sum up, though: "The BBC achieves a total of 49 nominations across its four channels, with Channel 4, More 4 and E4 receiving a combined total of 25 nominations. ITV1 is recognised 8 times" -- says it all.
Monday, 25 April 2011
TV
Dave's One Night Stand
2x02 Mark Watson
The first episode -- Chris Addison's show -- is now available on Dave's website. I guess this and other episodes will follow in time.
The Event
1x16 You Bury Other Things Too
I wasn't sure about The Event in its early days, but it's never been bad and since it's Christmas-started several-month hiatus I think it's really picked up. Not looking good for avoiding the axe though, as I understand it, which will probably be a shame.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Just Good Friends
3x03 Meeting By Chance
$#*! My Dad Says
1x07 Dog Ed Pursuit
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
2x02 Mark Watson
The first episode -- Chris Addison's show -- is now available on Dave's website. I guess this and other episodes will follow in time.
The Event
1x16 You Bury Other Things Too
I wasn't sure about The Event in its early days, but it's never been bad and since it's Christmas-started several-month hiatus I think it's really picked up. Not looking good for avoiding the axe though, as I understand it, which will probably be a shame.
[Watch it (again) on 4oD.]
Just Good Friends
3x03 Meeting By Chance
$#*! My Dad Says
1x07 Dog Ed Pursuit
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Films
Family Guy Presents Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story (2005)
[#47 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Direct-to-DVD Family Guy movie, made as part of the fourth season just after the show was un-cancelled. It later aired in an edited/censored three-part form as episodes 28 (Stewie B. Goode), 29 (Bango Was His Name, Oh!) and 30 (Stu and Stewie's Excellent Adventure) of season four... though I also believe those episodes 'aren't officially counted' and aren't on the separate season DVD releases (because they were a) censored and b) already released as this). So that's interesting then.
[#47 in 100 Films in a Year 2011]
Direct-to-DVD Family Guy movie, made as part of the fourth season just after the show was un-cancelled. It later aired in an edited/censored three-part form as episodes 28 (Stewie B. Goode), 29 (Bango Was His Name, Oh!) and 30 (Stu and Stewie's Excellent Adventure) of season four... though I also believe those episodes 'aren't officially counted' and aren't on the separate season DVD releases (because they were a) censored and b) already released as this). So that's interesting then.
Sunday, 24 April 2011
TV
Extraordinary Dogs
1x12 The Uncommon Nose
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Family Guy
3x18 From Method to Madness
3x19 Stuck Together, Torn Apart
3x20 Road to Europe
3x21 Family Guy Viewer Mail #1
And that completes my Family Guy DVD set, which (as I may have mentioned) I've had waiting to be watched since sometime during the series' cancellation (and it came back in 2005, so... yeah...)
House
7x18 The Dig
Well look who's back! About time too. And, as usual these days, it means the arc/character plots are far more interesting than the forgettable Case of the Week.
1x12 The Uncommon Nose
[Watch it (again) on Demand 5.]
Family Guy
3x18 From Method to Madness
3x19 Stuck Together, Torn Apart
3x20 Road to Europe
3x21 Family Guy Viewer Mail #1
And that completes my Family Guy DVD set, which (as I may have mentioned) I've had waiting to be watched since sometime during the series' cancellation (and it came back in 2005, so... yeah...)
House
7x18 The Dig
Well look who's back! About time too. And, as usual these days, it means the arc/character plots are far more interesting than the forgettable Case of the Week.
Articles
The nominees for the 2011 Hugo Awards are up! by Cyriaque Lamar
(from io9)
Three Doctor Who stories are up for "Best Dramatic Presentation - Short", as per usual, though they're not necessarily the three I'd've chosen. A Christmas Carol, yes, but I'd've put The Eleventh Hour over the season finale and -- if we're talking a science-fiction/fantasy award here -- Amy's Choice above Vincent and the Doctor. But that last one I don't mind so much -- it's the lack of a nod for The Eleventh Hour, which I believe is easily the best story of last season, which bugs me most.
(from io9)
Three Doctor Who stories are up for "Best Dramatic Presentation - Short", as per usual, though they're not necessarily the three I'd've chosen. A Christmas Carol, yes, but I'd've put The Eleventh Hour over the season finale and -- if we're talking a science-fiction/fantasy award here -- Amy's Choice above Vincent and the Doctor. But that last one I don't mind so much -- it's the lack of a nod for The Eleventh Hour, which I believe is easily the best story of last season, which bugs me most.
Saturday, 23 April 2011
TV
Doctor Who
31x12 The Pandorica Opens [2nd watch]
31x13 The Big Bang [season finale; 2nd watch]
32x00 A Christmas Carol [2nd watch]
32x01 The Impossible Astronaut
Read my latest thoughts on The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang here. A Christmas Carol, meanwhile, is probably the most Christmassy-feeling of all the Who Christmas specials, so watching it on a super-sunny day in the middle of April feels wrong. It's properly brilliant though.
As for The Impossible Astronaut... well, I'm not quite sure yet. It was definitely quite good and had some very good bits -- the aliens are scary (the bathroom scene in particular), a lot of quotable and amusing lines -- but it felt less than the sum of its parts somehow. I think that, unlike some nuWho two-parters, it really needs its second half to assess its quality. So we'll see next week.
[Watch The Pandorica Opens, The Big Bang and The Impossible Astronaut (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who Confidential
6x01 Coming to America
Despite revamped graphics and a slightly revamped format, Confidential seemed to struggle to fill its length. Perhaps a return to a tight, fast 30 minutes would be better now?
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
My Sarah Jane: A Tribute to Elisabeth Sladen
A short but poignant tribute to the greatly-missed Elisabeth Sladen. Well done CBBC/Confidential.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins
4x01 (23/4/11 edition)
Assumed this had been dropped, but no, it's back for a fourth run! Considering most Lottery shows are cancelled after just one series, that's impressive. It may be irritating in places -- step forward Nick Knowles -- but the simplicity of its format is addictive.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
31x12 The Pandorica Opens [2nd watch]
31x13 The Big Bang [season finale; 2nd watch]
32x00 A Christmas Carol [2nd watch]
32x01 The Impossible Astronaut
Read my latest thoughts on The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang here. A Christmas Carol, meanwhile, is probably the most Christmassy-feeling of all the Who Christmas specials, so watching it on a super-sunny day in the middle of April feels wrong. It's properly brilliant though.
As for The Impossible Astronaut... well, I'm not quite sure yet. It was definitely quite good and had some very good bits -- the aliens are scary (the bathroom scene in particular), a lot of quotable and amusing lines -- but it felt less than the sum of its parts somehow. I think that, unlike some nuWho two-parters, it really needs its second half to assess its quality. So we'll see next week.
[Watch The Pandorica Opens, The Big Bang and The Impossible Astronaut (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who Confidential
6x01 Coming to America
Despite revamped graphics and a slightly revamped format, Confidential seemed to struggle to fill its length. Perhaps a return to a tight, fast 30 minutes would be better now?
[Watch it (again) in HD on iPlayer.]
My Sarah Jane: A Tribute to Elisabeth Sladen
A short but poignant tribute to the greatly-missed Elisabeth Sladen. Well done CBBC/Confidential.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
The National Lottery: Who Dares Wins
4x01 (23/4/11 edition)
Assumed this had been dropped, but no, it's back for a fourth run! Considering most Lottery shows are cancelled after just one series, that's impressive. It may be irritating in places -- step forward Nick Knowles -- but the simplicity of its format is addictive.
[Watch it (again) on iPlayer.]
Radio
Graham Norton
(23/4/11 edition)
Managed to tune in for some of today's Steven Moffat interview, and caught the rest just now. If that's what you're after, it begins just under halfway through.
[Listen (again) on iPlayer.]
(23/4/11 edition)
Managed to tune in for some of today's Steven Moffat interview, and caught the rest just now. If that's what you're after, it begins just under halfway through.
[Listen (again) on iPlayer.]
Doctor Who: The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang
Normally I'd just attach this little slice of my thoughts to tonight's TV post, but with a new Who to talk about then it might get a little crowded. I wish I hadn't left my season five catch-up to the very last minute, basically. But anyway, here they are.
Firstly, though, a couple of links: my thoughts after the broadcast on The Pandorica Opens are here and on The Big Bang are here. This is my second watch of each.
Fan polls always rate nuWho season finales disproportionately strongly, I think -- I could expound on why, but my ultimate viewpoint is they have a tendency to top polls while rarely being the season's strongest story. The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang is a case in point. It has a lot going for it, with a lot of fun along the way, but ultimately I don't think it's as enjoyable in its own right as several other stories from season five. As a climax to the whole run it's great, but there are others that work better in isolation; as stories in their own right. I think some viewers are just too easily led by the Big Ending, Sub-plot Concluding, Mystery Revealing status of finales.
This one in particular works better on first viewing. With all its mysteries solved, the first half goes nowhere fast. There are still good bits -- the whole pre-titles; Underhenge; the Doctor's grand speech to his assembled enemies -- but without the mystery of what the Pandorica is or what's inside it you just want it to get a wriggle on.
The second half is less dependent on you not knowing what's coming, however, so the timey-wimey fiddling is still entertaining. The fact the loop never begins is a distraction though; it bamboozles you by rushing along, hoping you won't notice this impossibility. Of course, if it owned up to it, we'd still just be offered "wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey" or "the miracles of the universe" as an explanation, so perhaps the point is moot. But it would be even more satisfying if it wholly worked rather than mostly working.
I do love how brilliant Rory was made to be in The Big Bang though, and Amy's "something borrowed..." recital at the wedding is less uncomfortable and more awesome when you know it's going somewhere and she's not just some barking girl. I'd've shot and edited it slightly differently, but hey, that's a niggle. And the two effects shots of the Doctor flying the Pandorica into the exploding TARDIS are stunning.
All-in, I think I'd rank The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang somewhere around fifth for this season (out of the ten stories). As I've said previously, this is a particularly strong set of stories, so that pushes it (perhaps disproportionately) low -- indeed, everything I've ranked above would be a personal contender in a Greatest Doctor Who Story Ever list, so to be beaten by them is nothing to be sniffed at.
[You can currently watch The Pandorica Opens and The Big Bang in HD on iPlayer.]
P.S. If you were curious about how I'd rank the stories in the wake of my re-watch... well, this list is very rough, and a couple are interchangeable depending on my mood, but here we go:
1) The Eleventh Hour
2) Amy's Choice
3) The Time of Angels/Flesh and Stone
4) Vincent and the Doctor
5) The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang
6) The Beast Below
7) The Lodger
8) The Vampires of Venice
9) Victory of the Daleks
10) The Hungry Earth/Cold Blood
At any of those links, click the episode title for my original thoughts on broadcast (some of which are longer/more significant than my re-watch thoughts. If you care.)
Firstly, though, a couple of links: my thoughts after the broadcast on The Pandorica Opens are here and on The Big Bang are here. This is my second watch of each.
Fan polls always rate nuWho season finales disproportionately strongly, I think -- I could expound on why, but my ultimate viewpoint is they have a tendency to top polls while rarely being the season's strongest story. The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang is a case in point. It has a lot going for it, with a lot of fun along the way, but ultimately I don't think it's as enjoyable in its own right as several other stories from season five. As a climax to the whole run it's great, but there are others that work better in isolation; as stories in their own right. I think some viewers are just too easily led by the Big Ending, Sub-plot Concluding, Mystery Revealing status of finales.
This one in particular works better on first viewing. With all its mysteries solved, the first half goes nowhere fast. There are still good bits -- the whole pre-titles; Underhenge; the Doctor's grand speech to his assembled enemies -- but without the mystery of what the Pandorica is or what's inside it you just want it to get a wriggle on.
The second half is less dependent on you not knowing what's coming, however, so the timey-wimey fiddling is still entertaining. The fact the loop never begins is a distraction though; it bamboozles you by rushing along, hoping you won't notice this impossibility. Of course, if it owned up to it, we'd still just be offered "wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey" or "the miracles of the universe" as an explanation, so perhaps the point is moot. But it would be even more satisfying if it wholly worked rather than mostly working.
I do love how brilliant Rory was made to be in The Big Bang though, and Amy's "something borrowed..." recital at the wedding is less uncomfortable and more awesome when you know it's going somewhere and she's not just some barking girl. I'd've shot and edited it slightly differently, but hey, that's a niggle. And the two effects shots of the Doctor flying the Pandorica into the exploding TARDIS are stunning.
All-in, I think I'd rank The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang somewhere around fifth for this season (out of the ten stories). As I've said previously, this is a particularly strong set of stories, so that pushes it (perhaps disproportionately) low -- indeed, everything I've ranked above would be a personal contender in a Greatest Doctor Who Story Ever list, so to be beaten by them is nothing to be sniffed at.
[You can currently watch The Pandorica Opens and The Big Bang in HD on iPlayer.]
P.S. If you were curious about how I'd rank the stories in the wake of my re-watch... well, this list is very rough, and a couple are interchangeable depending on my mood, but here we go:
1) The Eleventh Hour
2) Amy's Choice
3) The Time of Angels/Flesh and Stone
4) Vincent and the Doctor
5) The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang
6) The Beast Below
7) The Lodger
8) The Vampires of Venice
9) Victory of the Daleks
10) The Hungry Earth/Cold Blood
At any of those links, click the episode title for my original thoughts on broadcast (some of which are longer/more significant than my re-watch thoughts. If you care.)
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