As we learned this past week, having 20 million Zygons living among us is not always the best idea.
Overall I enjoyed The Zygon Invasion, although it did fall prey to the new series fondness for rapid fire story telling with large gaps in development of plot lines and characters. Having said that it had the pacing of an adventure epic, complete with war, deception, sadness and exuberance.
Peter Harness’ script was filled with political tension taken directly from the contemporary issues of today. This has always been a trait of the show, yet here the issues are brought to the surface brazenly. His best accomplishment here is how he successfully shook things up and changed the narrative style of the story from what we have seen so far in Season 9.
In the classic era, Doctor Who often mirrored the times it was made in, often with great effect. However, as this episode teaches us, the new series has the same gumption for social commentary.
One of the things enjoyed most here was the bravado and gravitas of The Zygons. It’s nice to see a classic series monster that hasn’t been rebooted into cutesy baddie, like the Sontarans.
This is very much a global story which not only reflects the aforementioned issues of our time, but the scope and reach of the program itself. Thus I believe it is a nice touch to see the world threatened with international locales shown to emphasize this.
One of my favorite things they did here was the clever way they tugged on all the right nostalgia strings to strengthen the action. Nods to Harry Sullivan and Terror of The Zygons were well placed.
In general I think that the season has also utilized comedy with great effect. The bits about Doctor Disco were hilarious as was the scene where The Doctor encounters Zygons disguised as human children.
On the flip side this was a really horrific adventure, loaded with some serious creepiness, body snatching and plenty of trepidation.
Osgood’s return was manipulated skillfully and our not knowing if she is a Zygon adds some interesting new angles to her character.
Jemma Redgrave was great. I wish they would do more with UNIT.
Jenna Coleman was delightfully diabolical.
As we wait for the curtain to unveil the next act, it will be interesting to see where all of this is going.
THE ZYGON INVASION RATINGS
The unofficial overnight ratings have come in for Episode 7. An estimated 3.87 million viewers watched it on BBC One, making it the fifth most watched program of the day.
The episode also scored an Audience Appreciation Index score of 82.
Final figures are due next week.
THE ZYGON INVERSION
The BBC have released an official synopsis for this week’s episode, The Zygon Inversion.
Synopsis
Shapeshifting Zygons are everywhere in the UK, and there is no way of knowing who to trust. With UNIT neutralised, only the Doctor stands in their way. But how do you stop a war? And what can the Doctor do to save his friends?
BBC America has also released publicity photos from the episode.
Interestingly enough does the first picture show a Mire helmet in the background?
BBC America released preview clips for this week.
FACE THE RAVEN
The BBC has released a synopsis for the 10th story of the season, Face the Raven.
The Doctor and Clara, with their old friend Rigsy, find themselves in a magical alien world, hidden on a street in the heart of London.
Sheltered within are some of the most fearsome creatures of the universe… and Ashildr ! With a death sentence hanging over their heads, not all of the intruders will get out alive.
Is it possible that Ashildr kills Clara?
INGRID OLIVER INTERVIEWED
Blogtor Who interviewed Ingrid Oliver last month about her return to Doctor Who and the popularity of her character.
Link: http://blogtorwho.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/doctor-who-series-9-ingrid-oliver.html
SEASON TEN NEWS
Although very little official news has come out about the next season there is postulation that the season may shortened in order to accommodate Peter Capaldi’s desire to do other projects. This also could help Steven Moffat find some extra time to film a new season of Sherlock.
The source of this speculation is The Mirror and not the BBC.
Link: http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/part-time-doctor-who-episodes-6778609
Steven Moffat has confirmed that he and Peter Capaldi will both be back for the season.
Missy is also rumored to be coming back early in the next season, which will pick some of the loose threads leftover from this series.
There has not been an official yet about writers or directors.
STEVEN MOFFAT INTERVIEWED
Steven Moffat was interviewed at the Lucca Comics & Games show, a gathering of italian fans in Tuscany.
During his panels the show runner mentioned that Doctor Who will be around for another five years.
It is definitely going to last five more years, I’ve seen the business plan. It’s not going anywhere. And I think we can go past that. It’s television’s own legend. It will just keep going.
The show runner also intimated that Clara’s fate is not going to be pleasant, he also slammed the door on her retiring in the future.
Clara is gone and will never return. I can only say that what will happen will shock, surprise and terrify. Strictly in that order.
Moffat was interviewed by Variety. Link: http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/doctor-who-steven-moffat-lucca-comics-1201631032/#ftag=YHF6738a5f
CAPALDI ON RADIO 1
This Wednesday Peter Capaldi stopped by the Nick Grimshaw Breakfast Show for a chat about Clara, Sonic sunglasses and Filming Doctor Who.
During the interview confirmed the long rumored return of Maisie Williams and also discussed the popularity of the program internationally.
The Doctor also talked about working with Jenna Coleman and her impending departure.
It was really sad. She’s great fun and just wonderful to work with. I’ve had a great time with her…She was fabulous in her last scene. It is very clever what happens in it, but very sad. Really sad. Get lots of hankies ready.
Listen here (at around the 2:24 mark): http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06jt8mf
GARETH DAVID LLOYD TALKS NEW PROJECT
Torchwood star Gareth David-Lloyd is taking a stab at directing an episode of his popular web series, Twisted Showcase.
He recently announced a kickstarted campaign to help fund the show’s fourth season.
Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/254498199/twisted-showcase-series-4
From Wales Online: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/254498199/twisted-showcase-series-4
TORCHWOOD: FORGOTTEN LIVES
Big Finish has released the third installment in its Torchwood audio line.Set after Miracle Day, Forgotten Lives sees the return of Eve Myles and Kai Owen in a story written by Emma Reeves
and directed by Scott Handcock.
Synopsis
It has been four years since the Miracle, and Gwen and Rhys’s lives have gone back to normal, very normal. They’re raising their daughter (they’ve got pictures they’d be only too happy to show you), they’re living in a nice house, and they’re almost on top of the laundry.
Captain Jack Harkness has been missing from the world and their lives for a long time. But late one night the phone rings, and they’re summoned to an isolated part of North Wales. The Bryn Offa Nursing Home contains a dark secret, an alien threat, and someone who really shouldn’t be there.
Gwen and Rhys are about to discover that Torchwood stays with you for the rest of your life.
Philip Bond , Valmai Jones, Seán Carlsen and Emma Reeves (who wrote the script) guest star.
UNIT EXTINCTION
November 9th sees the arrival of Unit: Extinction from Big Finish. This box set of audio dramas features Jemma Redgrave and Ingrid Oliver protecting Earth in a new line produced by David Richardson, directed by Ken Bentley with two episodes each written by Matt Fitton and Andrew Smith.
Synopsis
The Unified Intelligence Taskforce – an international initiative to investigate and confront alien attacks across the planet Earth. From a secret headquarters in the Tower of London, the UK division is led by Kate Stewart, the daughter of the legendary Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, and expert in combating the extra-terrestrial threats that seek to conquer the world.
UNIT: The New Series teams the UNIT chief with her onscreen assistant Osgood (Ingrid Oliver), a genius tech specialist and fan of the Doctor. Leading the troops is Colonel Shindi, a UNIT veteran who has led assaults on more aliens than he can name, ably assisted by Captain Josh Carter (James Joyce), a fearless young officer ready to take any risk in defending the Earth. Overseas, Kate deploys her international troubleshooter Lieutenant Sam Bishop (Warren Brown) to undergo secret engagements – with the fate of the entire world often resting on his shoulders.
Here are details on the individual stories. They are set between the 11th Doctor stories, The Power of Three and The Day of the Doctor.
Vanguard
Written by Matt Fitton.
Synopsis
While UNIT attend a ‘skyfall’ incident under the eyes of watchful journalists, reclusive billionaire Simon Devlin is planning a product launch that will change the world…
Earthfall
Written by Andrew Smith
Synopsis
Lieutenant Sam Bishop and Osgood are deployed to the Gobi desert in search of a Nestene energy unit. But there are Autons in the sand dunes…
Bridgehead
Written by Andrew Smith
Synopsis
Captain Josh Carter has gone undercover inside Devlin Futuretech. But his safety is jeopardized by the activities of investigative journalist Jacqui McGee.
Armageddon
Written by Matt Fitton
Synopsis
As UNIT leads the fight back on every front, every continent, against an implacable army, Kate Stewart must look to the past for some clue to defeat the plastic menace.
Guest stars include Nicholas Briggs, Warren Brown, Steve John Shepherd, Karina Fernandez, Tracy Wiles, James Joyce,Ramon Tikaram and Derek Carlyle.
Next time..Class, more Season 9 and news!
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