And Wine, Doctor? Can I Mix Wine With That Codeine?
Am almost completely not!sick again, which is nice. Still plagued somewhat with headaches and churning-gut, but am choosing to believe that that is purely psychosomatic. My internet degree, let me show you it.
Anyway, in an attempt to distract myself I've been dredging through my old files, and on opening this (actually relatively recent one) I realised I'd never posted it, despite my not-so-good intentions. Before I go any further I would like to say that this is not entirely my fault. Anyone who knows me knows I am ridiculously herdish in my behaviour, and whenever I see anything new or interesting I at least want to give it a go.* Normally I get distracted, or it involves equipment out of my price range/local area, or someone has the good sense to stop me.
Not so this time.
This time, when I was inspired by shaxophile's awesome liveblogs, I happened to have a brandnewshinyandridiculouslycheap** copy of The Tomb Of The Cybermen on hand. And I had J, who hasn't seen a lot of Old Who, but who is amenable to the idea. And who also has a netbook and a reasonably comfortable couch. I knew I liked Two, I knew I liked this arc, and I knew I had some spare time.
And thus this terrible mess was born.
It is very very clear, on rereading this, that it took me a while to get into my stride. I've also done some for The War Games (yes, I WILL be posting it. My LJ to abuse) and I think they were ... clearer. This liveblog was mostly made up of oohs and ahhhs and hees. And hearting over tiny little things like how often Two and Jamie cling to each other, and how much I love Two's facial expressions. There's lots of unconnected sentences, not so much of the incisive commentary.
But, you know, I really enjoy The Tomb Of The Cybermen. It works as a coherent story in and of itself, and also makes a good introductory episode for a new companion. Jamie and the Doctor are consistently characterised without GIANTFUCKINGENDLESSWHATISWRONGWITHYOUTEN?? unnecessary exposition, which is a good balance for both those who have seen previous arcs, and those who haven't. The story makes it clear why the Cybermen are by fuckery able to match the Daleks in the scary stakes*** and while it is silly and fun and twee and a lot of (the Doctor's. Really, just the Doctor's.) the actions people take don't necessarily make sense, there are also a lot of varied and believable characters. These are professional actors doing a dedicated job. And like much of Two's era, it's a mixture between funny and fearsome, with a dash of sweetness thrown in.
And you know what, no matter how terrible the outcome, liveblogging is a hell of a lot of fun. Try it with your favourite TV show today!
THE TOMB OF THE CYBERMEN
Episode One
I forgot how awesome the old intro was - old font is old!
Dusty TARDIS is dusty!
And there's Jamie! Ooooh, we love you Jamie! All young and Scottish.
I don't remember the Doctor saying he was 450, but that sounds about right, Four was 945.
"A smooth takeoff! A SMOOTH TAKEOFF!! The nerve!" Oh Two. You stole a TARDIS, no-one ever said you could fly a TARDIS. Jamie's hand on Two's arm is delightful. Casual physicality ftw.
Hello guest actors! I'm liking the closeups here. The personalities and interactions are nicely established without over-explanation. And an American! Ooooh, it's been a while.
Explosions! Annd we've found the Door of Certain Death! Yaaaaaaaaay!!!!
"50 pounds for the first person to open the doors" - because we can't be bothered thinking up new monetary systems. And I think I shouldn't be so impressed that there's a black cast member.
The doctor again! Frock coat ftw!
"Hold it right there, friend." Oh, I wish he'd said pardner. It would have been so awesome if he'd said pardner!
Right. So guest actor logic goes: "He was killed the moment you made your appearance!" Well, true, but also the moment he touched those doors. And the moment various other things happened. But the doctor is a dodgy looking fellow, so obvs. it's his fault.
Also, the Cybermen friezes are AWESOME.
"He's got archaeologist written all over him." "Oh, does it show." :D I can't tell if the Doctor's more pleased at the allusion or at fooling them.
I MUST HELP WITH THE EXPEDITION!!! But ... you don't want the Cyberman to be freed. No. Then the reason you're opening the door is ... Shut up Jamie.
I love that the Doctor is so hesitant.
JAMIE/DOCTOR HAND HOLDING FOR THE WIN!!!!!
Oh, of course the black man is only here to open doors. Because he's a strong-looking fellow. And obviously the heavily accented lady and her friend are evil. Obviously.
ACTUAL ARCHAEOLOGIST: THE ONLY WAY IN AND OUT IS THROUGH THIS DOOR.
DOCTOR: And those two, of course.
ACTUAL ARCHAEOLOGIST: Which two?
DOCTOR: Those two. The ones you open like this.
JAMIE: The ones that are stopping the cybermen getting out.
DOCTOR: Yes.... those ones. ...
(clearly the conversation did not go exactly like that, but, seriously Doctor, what are you doing here?? I mean, I'll accept that you're tagging along to stop them from wreaking incredible damage, but if that's so why do you keep helping them????)
"You have a lovely dress Victoria. But it's not as short as Jamie's. Just, bend over a little would you Jamie." ..... "Oohhh, right Doctor." *sighs* The Doctor is so very, very, casually patronising to girls.
Snarky doctor is snarky. "My method is to keep my eyes open and my mouth shut!" "I do love to watch the experts work."
"Maths maths explanations explanations I'm so very very smart. Oh, but don't go applying anything I've said, because it's not like I've given you the key or anything, and I don't want the Cybermen to be woken up. Um." SERIOUSLY DOCTOR STOP TRYING TO BE THE SMARTEST PERSON IN THE ROOM YOU ARE JUST ENSURING EVERYBODY'S CERTAIN DOOM WHAT THE HELL?
AHHH SURPRISE DOOR!!!
Look Jamie, hypnotic wall! Let me grab your arm. In a manly way.
OH MY GOD!!! IF I TOUCH ANYTHING, SHE MIGHT DIE!!! IF I DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING, SHE MIGHT DIE!!! IT'S LIKE I'M TRAPPED IN ETHICS 101!!!
Victoria is free! She collapses into the Doctor's arms! Doctor: *very exasperatedly* That's all right. Catch your breath. Oookay. Don't cling. Only Jamie is allowed to cling.
JAMIE: *is getting distracted by the big shiny*
DOCTOR: JAMIE DON'T TOUCH THAT CONTROL!!!
JAMIE: *all blase and petulant* I already have.
SURPRISE CYBERMAN IS SURPRISING!!!!
And the end credits are overlayed over the cyberman. Awesome.
So, onto Episode Two. Where will the Cybermen appear next?
Oh Patrick Troughton. Your impish impish face. :)
OH NOES!!! CYBERMAN!!!
I like the intro playing over the events.
The smoke effects for the dying is cool. And we're just to assume it's a shooting range, no one's mentioning the - oh, here we go.
He was shot in the back! Roll him over and, oh the shot is very, very obscured. Not good camera work there guys, the other actors are supposed to have read the script, you should be revealing revealing plot points to the audience.
"There is a distinct element of risk in what I'm asking you all to do so if anyone wishes to leave you must do so at once. Not you Jamie." Hehe. Jamie knows what can happen when the Doctor gets serious. Or interested. Or is just present at all.
MORE CATERPILLAR BABIES!!! Ooooh, it's a cybermat. Annnd once again Classic Who supports everyone who's ever complained that the Doctor doesn't explain anything. "What's a cybermat?" "It's one of those. Put it down." (Although I would argue that more often than not it's because the Doctor doesn't actually know what stuff is/what's going on/how to fix things himself, and he's just pretending to be in control to his companions and we the audience are supposed to have picked that up. ... Yeah. Don't trust anything to audiences.)
As J says about Toberman, the black servant man (shut up, it rhymes). "He doesn't speak much, but whatever he says you better believe it. It's definitive. He wins."
TOBERMAN: "IT IS DONE." J: "By fuck it is."
I love hugely obvious power plays that show everyone's motives.
It's also nice to have a scientific leader who isn't determined to stay at all costs. Sensibility for the win!!!
I feel sorry for Viner - he's determined to leave, terrified, aware that the building is 'aliiiiiive'. He's clearly going to die. Vindication through death. :(
The ship has been sabotaged - who could have done it?!?! "Some character" DOCTOR: "Or SomeTHING!!!" .... Er, yes, Doctor.
ZOOOM IN ON THE CYBERMAN FRIEZE TO FOLLOW THAT UP! ZOOOOOOOM!!!! ZOOOM!!! ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!!!!
J: "The doctor never offers to take them in his TARDIS." Well, the Doctor doesn't actually like people. Especially not people who might be as learned as him in some fields. And especially not people who are potential saboteurs.
"So if they're stuck here then we should explore -" and FINALLY the Doctor tries to dissuade them. Like, properly dissuade them.
Heee - Jamie's all "Hey, you leave the doctor alone or I'll ..." And Toberman's all "You'll what, tiny mortal?", except with his FISTS. And Jamie's all "Er, yes."
Hey, did the Doctor press that button to HELP them or HINDER them - cos they've now managed to open the hatch which no doubt leads to further cybermen. Ugh, ambiguity is frustrating.
Ooooh, the Doctor's wearing a cloak! awesome!! and he's much better at managing the females without appearing completely sexist. And he offers to stay with Victoria when Toberman is staying with the evil ladyKaftan.
'It's freezing down here even with these anoraks!' - no duh, they're jumpers!
I feel so sleepy *thunk*
The doctor is so suspicious of Klieg but he just lets him get on with it.
"Jamie come back!' He's so much more concerned about his companions than anyone else.
Oh wow, the cybermen in the honeycomb look so much like they're interpretive dancing. :D Annnnd everyone seems excited and awed by the Cybermen except for Viner, who accurately reacts with O.O FFFFFFUUUUCK STOP STOP STOP STOOOOOPP ITTTT!!!
Oh, and he's been shot. I'm so sad to be right.
Victoria is so angry. And pert. And kind of not acting fantastically.
Cybermat is moving! Go little cybermat, go!
"Doctor, I think he planned it all! He knew that control would do that!"
"So did I."
".............whaaaaaat?????"
"Now I know what he's doing."
To which Jamie SHOULD have replied: "And you didn't think him touching it was enough?!?! People died for this!!!"
The cybermen are free!!! J - "Take that, clingwrap!"
Heee. The sped up effects for the cybermat are awesome. :D Oh noes it's on my shoulder!!
Gooood the cybermen freak me out. I don't care if they're just men in suits, those mouths.
J - Who's that one? The leader. He's obviously the leader, he's a fucking giant and he's got an enormous hat.
Oh, and look, your inevitable betrayal. Except not really, because they owe you nothing. DUH. THAT'S why you don't count on killers like cybermen or daleks!
End episode 2.
Episode Three & Four this way!
* This is how nano happened. The first four times.
** Unless one argues, as I normally do, that the standard Classic Who DVD prices are hugely exorbitant.
*** God those mouths.
Anyway, in an attempt to distract myself I've been dredging through my old files, and on opening this (actually relatively recent one) I realised I'd never posted it, despite my not-so-good intentions. Before I go any further I would like to say that this is not entirely my fault. Anyone who knows me knows I am ridiculously herdish in my behaviour, and whenever I see anything new or interesting I at least want to give it a go.* Normally I get distracted, or it involves equipment out of my price range/local area, or someone has the good sense to stop me.
Not so this time.
This time, when I was inspired by shaxophile's awesome liveblogs, I happened to have a brandnewshinyandridiculouslycheap** copy of The Tomb Of The Cybermen on hand. And I had J, who hasn't seen a lot of Old Who, but who is amenable to the idea. And who also has a netbook and a reasonably comfortable couch. I knew I liked Two, I knew I liked this arc, and I knew I had some spare time.
And thus this terrible mess was born.
It is very very clear, on rereading this, that it took me a while to get into my stride. I've also done some for The War Games (yes, I WILL be posting it. My LJ to abuse) and I think they were ... clearer. This liveblog was mostly made up of oohs and ahhhs and hees. And hearting over tiny little things like how often Two and Jamie cling to each other, and how much I love Two's facial expressions. There's lots of unconnected sentences, not so much of the incisive commentary.
But, you know, I really enjoy The Tomb Of The Cybermen. It works as a coherent story in and of itself, and also makes a good introductory episode for a new companion. Jamie and the Doctor are consistently characterised without GIANTFUCKINGENDLESSWHATISWRONGWITHYOUTEN?? unnecessary exposition, which is a good balance for both those who have seen previous arcs, and those who haven't. The story makes it clear why the Cybermen are by fuckery able to match the Daleks in the scary stakes*** and while it is silly and fun and twee and a lot of (the Doctor's. Really, just the Doctor's.) the actions people take don't necessarily make sense, there are also a lot of varied and believable characters. These are professional actors doing a dedicated job. And like much of Two's era, it's a mixture between funny and fearsome, with a dash of sweetness thrown in.
And you know what, no matter how terrible the outcome, liveblogging is a hell of a lot of fun. Try it with your favourite TV show today!
THE TOMB OF THE CYBERMEN
Episode One
I forgot how awesome the old intro was - old font is old!
Dusty TARDIS is dusty!
And there's Jamie! Ooooh, we love you Jamie! All young and Scottish.
I don't remember the Doctor saying he was 450, but that sounds about right, Four was 945.
"A smooth takeoff! A SMOOTH TAKEOFF!! The nerve!" Oh Two. You stole a TARDIS, no-one ever said you could fly a TARDIS. Jamie's hand on Two's arm is delightful. Casual physicality ftw.
Hello guest actors! I'm liking the closeups here. The personalities and interactions are nicely established without over-explanation. And an American! Ooooh, it's been a while.
Explosions! Annd we've found the Door of Certain Death! Yaaaaaaaaay!!!!
"50 pounds for the first person to open the doors" - because we can't be bothered thinking up new monetary systems. And I think I shouldn't be so impressed that there's a black cast member.
The doctor again! Frock coat ftw!
"Hold it right there, friend." Oh, I wish he'd said pardner. It would have been so awesome if he'd said pardner!
Right. So guest actor logic goes: "He was killed the moment you made your appearance!" Well, true, but also the moment he touched those doors. And the moment various other things happened. But the doctor is a dodgy looking fellow, so obvs. it's his fault.
Also, the Cybermen friezes are AWESOME.
"He's got archaeologist written all over him." "Oh, does it show." :D I can't tell if the Doctor's more pleased at the allusion or at fooling them.
I MUST HELP WITH THE EXPEDITION!!! But ... you don't want the Cyberman to be freed. No. Then the reason you're opening the door is ... Shut up Jamie.
I love that the Doctor is so hesitant.
JAMIE/DOCTOR HAND HOLDING FOR THE WIN!!!!!
Oh, of course the black man is only here to open doors. Because he's a strong-looking fellow. And obviously the heavily accented lady and her friend are evil. Obviously.
ACTUAL ARCHAEOLOGIST: THE ONLY WAY IN AND OUT IS THROUGH THIS DOOR.
DOCTOR: And those two, of course.
ACTUAL ARCHAEOLOGIST: Which two?
DOCTOR: Those two. The ones you open like this.
JAMIE: The ones that are stopping the cybermen getting out.
DOCTOR: Yes.... those ones. ...
(clearly the conversation did not go exactly like that, but, seriously Doctor, what are you doing here?? I mean, I'll accept that you're tagging along to stop them from wreaking incredible damage, but if that's so why do you keep helping them????)
"You have a lovely dress Victoria. But it's not as short as Jamie's. Just, bend over a little would you Jamie." ..... "Oohhh, right Doctor." *sighs* The Doctor is so very, very, casually patronising to girls.
Snarky doctor is snarky. "My method is to keep my eyes open and my mouth shut!" "I do love to watch the experts work."
"Maths maths explanations explanations I'm so very very smart. Oh, but don't go applying anything I've said, because it's not like I've given you the key or anything, and I don't want the Cybermen to be woken up. Um." SERIOUSLY DOCTOR STOP TRYING TO BE THE SMARTEST PERSON IN THE ROOM YOU ARE JUST ENSURING EVERYBODY'S CERTAIN DOOM WHAT THE HELL?
AHHH SURPRISE DOOR!!!
Look Jamie, hypnotic wall! Let me grab your arm. In a manly way.
OH MY GOD!!! IF I TOUCH ANYTHING, SHE MIGHT DIE!!! IF I DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING, SHE MIGHT DIE!!! IT'S LIKE I'M TRAPPED IN ETHICS 101!!!
Victoria is free! She collapses into the Doctor's arms! Doctor: *very exasperatedly* That's all right. Catch your breath. Oookay. Don't cling. Only Jamie is allowed to cling.
JAMIE: *is getting distracted by the big shiny*
DOCTOR: JAMIE DON'T TOUCH THAT CONTROL!!!
JAMIE: *all blase and petulant* I already have.
SURPRISE CYBERMAN IS SURPRISING!!!!
And the end credits are overlayed over the cyberman. Awesome.
So, onto Episode Two. Where will the Cybermen appear next?
Oh Patrick Troughton. Your impish impish face. :)
OH NOES!!! CYBERMAN!!!
I like the intro playing over the events.
The smoke effects for the dying is cool. And we're just to assume it's a shooting range, no one's mentioning the - oh, here we go.
He was shot in the back! Roll him over and, oh the shot is very, very obscured. Not good camera work there guys, the other actors are supposed to have read the script, you should be revealing revealing plot points to the audience.
"There is a distinct element of risk in what I'm asking you all to do so if anyone wishes to leave you must do so at once. Not you Jamie." Hehe. Jamie knows what can happen when the Doctor gets serious. Or interested. Or is just present at all.
MORE CATERPILLAR BABIES!!! Ooooh, it's a cybermat. Annnd once again Classic Who supports everyone who's ever complained that the Doctor doesn't explain anything. "What's a cybermat?" "It's one of those. Put it down." (Although I would argue that more often than not it's because the Doctor doesn't actually know what stuff is/what's going on/how to fix things himself, and he's just pretending to be in control to his companions and we the audience are supposed to have picked that up. ... Yeah. Don't trust anything to audiences.)
As J says about Toberman, the black servant man (shut up, it rhymes). "He doesn't speak much, but whatever he says you better believe it. It's definitive. He wins."
TOBERMAN: "IT IS DONE." J: "By fuck it is."
I love hugely obvious power plays that show everyone's motives.
It's also nice to have a scientific leader who isn't determined to stay at all costs. Sensibility for the win!!!
I feel sorry for Viner - he's determined to leave, terrified, aware that the building is 'aliiiiiive'. He's clearly going to die. Vindication through death. :(
The ship has been sabotaged - who could have done it?!?! "Some character" DOCTOR: "Or SomeTHING!!!" .... Er, yes, Doctor.
ZOOOM IN ON THE CYBERMAN FRIEZE TO FOLLOW THAT UP! ZOOOOOOOM!!!! ZOOOM!!! ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!!!!
J: "The doctor never offers to take them in his TARDIS." Well, the Doctor doesn't actually like people. Especially not people who might be as learned as him in some fields. And especially not people who are potential saboteurs.
"So if they're stuck here then we should explore -" and FINALLY the Doctor tries to dissuade them. Like, properly dissuade them.
Heee - Jamie's all "Hey, you leave the doctor alone or I'll ..." And Toberman's all "You'll what, tiny mortal?", except with his FISTS. And Jamie's all "Er, yes."
Hey, did the Doctor press that button to HELP them or HINDER them - cos they've now managed to open the hatch which no doubt leads to further cybermen. Ugh, ambiguity is frustrating.
Ooooh, the Doctor's wearing a cloak! awesome!! and he's much better at managing the females without appearing completely sexist. And he offers to stay with Victoria when Toberman is staying with the evil ladyKaftan.
'It's freezing down here even with these anoraks!' - no duh, they're jumpers!
I feel so sleepy *thunk*
The doctor is so suspicious of Klieg but he just lets him get on with it.
"Jamie come back!' He's so much more concerned about his companions than anyone else.
Oh wow, the cybermen in the honeycomb look so much like they're interpretive dancing. :D Annnnd everyone seems excited and awed by the Cybermen except for Viner, who accurately reacts with O.O FFFFFFUUUUCK STOP STOP STOP STOOOOOPP ITTTT!!!
Oh, and he's been shot. I'm so sad to be right.
Victoria is so angry. And pert. And kind of not acting fantastically.
Cybermat is moving! Go little cybermat, go!
"Doctor, I think he planned it all! He knew that control would do that!"
"So did I."
".............whaaaaaat?????"
"Now I know what he's doing."
To which Jamie SHOULD have replied: "And you didn't think him touching it was enough?!?! People died for this!!!"
The cybermen are free!!! J - "Take that, clingwrap!"
Heee. The sped up effects for the cybermat are awesome. :D Oh noes it's on my shoulder!!
Gooood the cybermen freak me out. I don't care if they're just men in suits, those mouths.
J - Who's that one? The leader. He's obviously the leader, he's a fucking giant and he's got an enormous hat.
Oh, and look, your inevitable betrayal. Except not really, because they owe you nothing. DUH. THAT'S why you don't count on killers like cybermen or daleks!
End episode 2.
Episode Three & Four this way!
* This is how nano happened. The first four times.
** Unless one argues, as I normally do, that the standard Classic Who DVD prices are hugely exorbitant.
*** God those mouths.