You know, so far this season there hasn’t been a story I’ve actually disliked, despite there being conspicuous flaws in many of them. And I did like this one a lot. It took its sweet time letting us know what was really going on; and I did wonder if it would have been a stronger episode if the alien presence had turned out to be something benevolent, maybe even protecting the villagers from some other threat. But I liked how the Doctor stressed that it was hate and fear that was the real enemy, not the supernatural, or even the Morax really. The real surprise is that she managed to get King James a little uncertain about his own convictions, even if only for a day or two - the real-life James certainly didn’t back away from his views, although Wikipedia claims he became more sceptical after 1599. Which can’t have been the Doctor’s doing, as the Pendle Hill witch trials were in 1612
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The take on James I've found the most convincing to explain why he was a far more devout witch hunter prior to 1600 ish is less scepticism and more embarassment.
It was a relatively common take among some of the english nobility, whom he was not popular with, that his witch hunting antics was very provincial and scottish and a bit backwards.
You know, so far this season there hasn’t been a story I’ve actually disliked, despite there being conspicuous flaws in many of them.
I really wish I'd liked more of the stories anywhere near this well, and could roll with the flaws better. But every viewer is different, and is delighted by or put off by different things in different measures. And the show changes enough that eventually everybody gets stuff that works for them and stuff that doesn't. I had a very long run of stuff that, overall, was really up my alley, so I guess I can't complain too hard. Especially as I do really like Whittaker, and love the companions, so it's not that everything is leaving me cold, even in the eps I don't like.
But I liked how the Doctor stressed that it was hate and fear that was the real enemy,
Yes, I think that works really well. It could have felt like too pat a moral, but, again, I think the guest actors really pull it off. They're very convincing as people who, in different ways, are motivated by very real and understandable fears
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It surprised me that the Doctor or Jaz didn't shock everybody by performing CPR on the Granny. Then again we wouldn't have had mudGranny if that had been successful.
Alan Cummings portrayal of King James came across a little campy at times. Enjoyable all the same.
They did seem to pronounce her dead awfully quickly, but I suppose she's hardly the first minor guest character to quickly be declared dead for plot reasons. :)
And, yes, definitely a little campy, but in a fun way, I thought.
Hee hee! This one annoyed me more than the ones that have bothered you, probably because it's closer to my historical period! I find it funny to see how disparate our reactions are.
I did mostly enjoy it. Alan Cumming was right on the edge of being too much for me, but his scene alone with the Doctor won me over.
I have been quite happy with the season, and I hope you can enjoy the few remaining episodes until we get more!
I sometimes think there must be some kind of Law of Conservation of Who Enjoyment or something, where for any episode one person likes, there has to be another who finds it annoying in exactly the same degree. :)
I think Alan Cumming stayed exactly on the right side of being too much for me for his performance to work perfectly.
And I definitely hope I will enjoy the rest of the season, too. Although I can't believe it's so close to being over. Regardless of my reservations, I still want more of it!
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It was a relatively common take among some of the english nobility, whom he was not popular with, that his witch hunting antics was very provincial and scottish and a bit backwards.
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I really wish I'd liked more of the stories anywhere near this well, and could roll with the flaws better. But every viewer is different, and is delighted by or put off by different things in different measures. And the show changes enough that eventually everybody gets stuff that works for them and stuff that doesn't. I had a very long run of stuff that, overall, was really up my alley, so I guess I can't complain too hard. Especially as I do really like Whittaker, and love the companions, so it's not that everything is leaving me cold, even in the eps I don't like.
But I liked how the Doctor stressed that it was hate and fear that was the real enemy,
Yes, I think that works really well. It could have felt like too pat a moral, but, again, I think the guest actors really pull it off. They're very convincing as people who, in different ways, are motivated by very real and understandable fears ( ... )
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Alan Cummings portrayal of King James came across a little campy at times. Enjoyable all the same.
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And, yes, definitely a little campy, but in a fun way, I thought.
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I did mostly enjoy it. Alan Cumming was right on the edge of being too much for me, but his scene alone with the Doctor won me over.
I have been quite happy with the season, and I hope you can enjoy the few remaining episodes until we get more!
Reply
I think Alan Cumming stayed exactly on the right side of being too much for me for his performance to work perfectly.
And I definitely hope I will enjoy the rest of the season, too. Although I can't believe it's so close to being over. Regardless of my reservations, I still want more of it!
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