ARROW Makes "The Climb"

Article originally written for Seat42F. 

Last night’s ARROW mid-season finale on the CW, entitled “The Climb,” is a big one for the series. Ra’s al Ghul (Matt Nable, Riddick) comes to town to demand that Team Arrow find Sara’s killer within forty-eight hours or his League of Shadows will begin slaughtering innocents. It’s an effective motivation, as if our heroes needed one, but things only get worse when Oliver (Stephen Amell) learns the identity of the murderer, and in the end, tragedy strikes when he tries to protect the assassin.

It’s hard to blame Thea (Willa Holland) for Sara’s death, even after video of her doing the deed is shown in “The Climb,” removing any doubt that she actually did it. She has got to be drug-controlled, right? I mean, that seems the most likely explanation. Thea knows Sara and wouldn’t intentionally harm her. Unless Thea didn’t know who was behind the mask and was convinced by Malcolm (John Barrowman) that Sara was a threat to innocents and some sort of test to finish her training. But it was probably the drugs.

If Malcolm did convince Thea to willingly kill Sara (without revealing it was Sara in the costume), this would not be unprecedented. Oliver himself is driven to do things on the island and after that he regrets. With the right conditioning and controlled development, a supervillain can get a good person to do the wrong thing. It takes years and lots of love to bring Oliver back from that brink. Maybe Thea is there now, and needs saved, too.

Whether or not Thea knows what she did, she is keeping things from Oliver about Malcolm. It’s hard to blame her for that, too, though. After all, Thea’s whole family has lied to her time and again. Oliver may be doing so in order to keep Thea safe, but she doesn’t know that. Turnabout is fair play, and Thea can treat others the way they treat her without being a horrible person. In some ways, Oliver deserves it. Besides, she doesn’t know the full story about Malcolm and he’s a good liar, so she could be reasonably falling for a whole load of bull.

It’s ironic that Oliver has found his humanity again at the exact time he needs to lose it. Before Oliver goes to face Ra’s al Ghul in combat in “The Climb,” a choice he makes to save Thea, Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) begs Oliver to kill Ra’s al Ghul. Oliver may not do that since he’s not a killer any more, but in this situation, might he make an exception? After all, as long as Ra’s al Ghul is alive, there’s the change that he could always find out the truth and Thea would be in danger. That murdering Ra’s al Ghul also protects Malcolm is an unwanted side effect.

We may never know if Oliver would kill Ra’s al Ghul, though, because Ra’s appears to kill Oliver first. The show is called ARROW and Oliver is The Arrow, so it’s likely Oliver will somehow survive being stabbed and tossed from a cliff, as far-fetched as that seems. But imagine for a moment that the show makes another choice. Heroes do die in the comic books and others rise to take their place. Roy (Colton Haynes) is Oliver’s apprentice and so a natural choice, or Diggle (David Ramsey) could take over. These would be shocking developments, and I’m fully in support of either option, though I doubt The CW will allow it. Either way, what a shocking conclusion!

Still, assuming Oliver does live, it will only more firmly establish his role as a hero, something ARROW has done and needs to continue to do over time. He will also have to face that fact that he told Felicity he loved her, and maybe they can finally get over their silly avoidance one a relationship. After all, Ray (Brandon Routh) hasn’t stepped up to be the lover he could be for Felicity, so Oliver may still have a chance.

“The Climb” also has some excellent tidbits with long-reaching effects. Ray reveals the A.T.O.M. suit, which fans of comics will recognize. Thea’s fight with The Arrow is pretty cool. And grieving mother Dinah Lance (Alex Kingston) stupidly, and understandably, gives Laurel (Katie Cassidy) more than her permission to avenge Sara’s death. Dinah shouldn’t be encouraging Laurel into danger, but if Laurel can handle the quest, and she likely can, it would be satisfying for Dinah to have her daughter’s killer stopped, as well as give Dinah even more pride in Laurel if she is the one that does it. The problem here is that said killer is Thea, but surely taking out Malcolm would serve the same purpose and be a better result, no?

ARROW goes out strong with “The Climb,” capping a solid fall run. There are more unnecessary flashbacks, but other than that, it’s hard to find flaw with the way the episode unfolds. I can’t wait for the show to return.

ARROW will be back on the CW this January.

TV Review: ‘The Doctors Revisited – Ninth to Eleventh’

Article first published as TV Review: ‘The Doctors Revisited – Ninth to Eleventh’ on Blogcritics.

As Doctor Who‘s 50th year winds down, the last set of The Doctors Revisited, Ninth to Eleventh, has been released on DVD. These are a lot like the other eight specials, with approximately 30 minutes devoted to discussion of each of The Doctor’s latest incarnations. As before, some of each Doctor’s adventures are included, this time in the form of a pair of one-hour installments rather than a complete serial, keeping with the changed format of the show.

These three are the modern Doctors, beginning with the 2005 reboot and continuing to the present. Premiering nearly a decade after the 1990s TV movie, and even longer since the show went off the air, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, and Matt Smith take what came before them and updated it for the modern era. Still maintaining some of the magic, charm, humor, and monsters, Doctor Who has been tweaked in the best of ways, and has never been more popular.

Eccleston is the first one to be profiled, and his reign is pretty brief, having only been featured in one series. His Ninth Doctor is badly scarred from a war in which he committed heinous acts (a subject touched upon in the recently-aired anniversary special Day of the Doctor), and now he’s trying to find himself again. Along with a young, pretty companion named Rose (Billie Piper), Eccleston re-introduces us to the character as we’ve never seen him before, setting the bar for his followers.

The episodes included in this set for Eccleston are “Bad Wolf” and “The Parting of the Ways.” This is his two-part finale, in which Rose is tested and Captain Jack (John Barrowman), who will soon earn his own spin-off, concludes his time traveling with The Doctor.

David Tennant, “my doctor,” takes over in series two and stays for three years, as well as for a number of specials. The Tenth Doctor has multiple companions during his tenure, beginning with Rose, whom he falls in love with, and continuing through Martha (Freema Agyeman) and Donna (Catherine Tate). This Doctor is witty and clever, but has a dangerous edge that can come out when needed.

Tennant’s run not only makes good use of old foes, such as the Cyberman, the Daleks, and the Master, but also begins building larger-arc stories that play out over a number of episodes. The end of his fourth series is truly a culmination of all that he does, with many of his previous friends, including Sarah Jane (Elisabeth Sladen) from the old series, teaming up in a fantastic finale, which happen to be the installments selected for this DVD.

After Tennant comes Matt Smith’s Doctor. A bit more goofy than the Tenth, the Eleventh is also more unstable, prone to bouts of extreme loneliness, often resulting in the erosion of his moral compass. Though Smith stays for three series (his run will end in the upcoming Christmas special later this month), his story actually spans multiple centuries as he flits in and our of the lives of his companions, Amy Pond (Karen Gillian) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) over the course of a decade or so (from their perspective). After Amy and Rory depart, which leads to even more moping, the Eleventh begins traveling with Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman), a girl he witnesses dying multiple times, a mystery that brings The Doctor back to life.

The storytelling in Smith’s time becomes even more intricate and deep. As producer Steven Moffat takes the Doctor Who reigns from Russell T. Davies, more recurring characters populate the landscape, the Weeping Angels become an important returning villain, and events suddenly take years to play out, words mentioned in previous series culminating much later. The Doctor is also given a wife, River Song (Alex Kingston), whom the Tenth Doctor meets briefly, but whom the Eleventh loves very much, even as his tale and hers intertwine in strange and sad ways.

The episodes for Smith’s era are “The Impossible Astronaut” and “Day of the Moon,” the two-part opener to series six in which The Doctor, Amy, Rory, and River encounter The Silence, an alien race that cannot be remembered once they leave one’s eyesight. This is actually only the beginning of a story that will take awhile to conclude.

As usual, Moffat has recorded openings for each of the episodes, which can be watched in their original two-part versions or as a seamless feature.

The Doctors Revisits – Ninth to Eleventh is available now.

Blu-ray Review: ‘Doctor Who – The Complete Seventh Series’

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: ‘Doctor Who – The Complete Seventh Series’ on Blogcritics.

Some like to buy new Doctor Who releases as soon as they come out, but for those who have bypassed the last few, releases the wait was well worth it. Brand new from the BBC is Doctor Who – The Complete Seventh Series, which includes not only the13-episode seventh series, but also two Christmas specials and a wealth of bonus features, some of them never seen before, in a four-disc set.

First up is “The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe.” The Doctor (Matt Smith) visits a woman named Madge (Claire Skinner, Outnumbered) who once helped him out. It’s 1941 and her husband has gone missing. Madge takes her children, Lily (Holly Earl, Casualty) and Cyril (Maurice Cole), to a relative’s house for Christmas, but soon they travel through a portal to a planet being destroyed by a mining company. It’s a fluff episode, just a good, old-fashioned, heart-warming holiday tale, sure to bring a smile to the viewers’ faces.

Then, we jump into series seven the final five episodes featuring Amy (Karen Gillian) and Rory (Arthur Darvill) as the Doctor’s companions. They have been traveling with him a long time, on and off for about a decade from their perspective, or three years in our minds. Each and every one of this quintet of adventures is incredibly special, made with care, knowing their end is near. They find “Dinosaurs on a Spaceship,” visit “A Town Called Mercy” in what appears to be the Old West, are forced to go to an old foe’s planet in “Asylum of the Daleks,” where they meet an odd souffle chef, and learn about “The Power of Three” in an epic story that unfolds over the course of a year and culminates in Amy and Rory making an important life decision.

Of course, the best of the batch is the last, “The Angels Take Manhattan.” Amy, Rory, the Doctor, and River Song (Alex Kingston) are pulled into New York City in the past by the Angels, those creepy living statues that can steal time from you. This is the moment where love must be proven, and values are assessed, ending with a very teary finale.

Next is “The Snowmen,” the first Doctor Who special that ditches the stand-alone format in favor of a bridge to the titular character’s arc this year. The Doctor is moping about in old England, watched over by his loyal pals Madame Vastra (Neve McIntosh), her wife, Jenny (Catrin Stewart), and Strax (Dan Starkey). Strange snowmen, created by the Great Intelligence (Ian McKellan / Richard E. Grant), begin killing people, and the dead souffle chef we met with the Daleks returns as a totally different person. Is all of this enough to pull the Doctor out of his moping?

It turns out the answer is yes, and this kicks off the eight-episode second leg of the season. Starting with “The Bells of Saint John,” in which the Doctor is searching for the twice-dead girl, Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman), the two soon find each other and set of on a number of adventures together. The Doctor and Clara see the remarkable “Rings of Akhaten,” go into a Russian submarine during the “Cold War” and find an Ice Warrior, “Hide” from ghosts stuck in time, “Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS,” which does not care for Clara, help Vastra (Neve McIntosh), Jenny (Catrin Stewart), and Strax (Dan Starkey) investigate “The Crimson Horror,” and find a “Nightmare in Silver,” a.k.a. the Cyberman, in an abandoned amusement park.

These episodes, on the whole, aren’t as good as the first half of series seven, but then, they are the beginning of something new, finding a dynamic between friends just forming their bond, rather than the reward at the end of a long time spent traveling together, so they don’t have the built-in weight and meaning. They serve to introduce the new companion, and that’s the goal here, not starting a new major arc. In this, they work.

The series ends with “The Name of the Doctor,” a mind-blowing showdown at the Doctor’s tomb, with all his pals in attendance, and a glimpse of every incarnation of our hero up ’til now. This is where we learn Clara’s secret, and meet a new version of the Doctor  who is not the Doctor (John Hurt). It’s not only a huge episode in of itself, it also beautifully sets up this fall’s 50th anniversary special.

In all, these are great episodes, well worthy of the Doctor Who series, with many memorable moments and people.

Of course, the Doctor Who set would not be complete without a ton of bonus features. There are behind-the-scenes bits for each and every episode, interviews with Smith and Coleman, full-length specials discussing the show, prequels to a number of installments, webisodes, and a few audio commentaries, which were not part of previous releases. There also fresh featurettes about Clara, the TARDIS, Rain Gods, Inforarium, and more. This is definitely a treasure trove.

As usual, the high definition presentation on the Blu-ray is everything you could ask for. Doctor Who has a number of different settings, so that are lots of opportunity to explore fantastical, special effects-heavy worlds, as well as varying color schemes. All of this comes across as rich and detailed. An at-times-stellar score mixes perfectly with the crisp dialogue, and there are never any complaints of static or graininess. Considering some of the spectacular visuals, Blu-ray is the recommended format to view it in. And yes, I realize if you regularly follow my Doctor Who reviews, this paragraph sounds awfully familiar, but what else is there to say? It looks awesome.

Doctor Who – The Complete Seventh Series is a truly excellent release, and is available now.

Blu-ray Review: ‘Doctor Who Series Seven, Part Two’

Article first published as Blu-ray Review: ‘Doctor Who Series Seven, Part Two’ on Blogcritics.

The final eight episodes of BBC’s Doctor Who Series Seven, airing months after the beginning of the run, feel quite a bit different than the first five, so it makes sense to package them separately. Gone are Amy and Rory, and the Doctor (Matt Smith) now has a new companion named Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman), who has died twice, but doesn’t remember those past lives. Who is Clara, and will we finally get an answer to the prevalent question, doctor who?

The first episode in this two-disc release, “The Bells of Saint John,” finds the Doctor secluded in the 13th century, living among monks, having given up his search for the mysterious Clara, a journey begun in the Christmas special that aired just prior to this. Then, he gets a phone call from Clara in the modern day, who thinks the Doctor is tech support, and he flies to her side.

Disappointingly, this installment fails to get into who Clara is, instead delivering a third introduction story for the character, while also rushing into another battle with the Great Intelligence (Richard E. Grant), albeit this time without the Doctor figuring out who his foe is. It’s a fun episode, with some wonderful moments between Clara and the Doctor, but does almost nothing for the serial tale, answering none of the questions fans have been anxiously awaiting.

This trend continues for the next six weeks. The Doctor and Clara see the remarkable “Rings of Akhaten,” go into a Russian submarine during the “Cold War” and find an Ice Warrior, “Hide”
from ghosts stuck in time, “Journey to the Centre or the TARDIS,” which does not care for Clara, help Vastra (Neve McIntosh), Jenny (Catrin Stewart), and Strax (Dan Starkey) investigate “The Crimson Horror,” and find a “Nightmare in Silver,” a.k.a. the Cyberman, in an abandoned amusement park.

All of these are whimsical stories, and it’s gratifying to see returning characters and villains, plus some terrific guest stars, such as Warwick Davis (Life’s Too Short). They all serve to strengthen the bond between the Doctor and Clara, and present some amusing stand-alone tales. But with the massive setup for more that viewers are looking for, it comes across a slightly disappointing run over all, even if they are pretty enjoyable episodes taken on their own.

But then we get “The Name of the Doctor,” the amazing season finale. The Great Intelligence is back, as are Vastra, Jenny, and Strax. Beloved River Song (Alex Kingston) plays a vital role, and the secret of Clara is explored. The characters gather at the Doctor’s tomb, and thanks to some incredible editing, the previous ten doctors are involved. There is a startling surprise ending, introducing John Hurt as a brand new incarnation of a familiar face, beautifully setting up this fall’s big 50th anniversary special. It is everything we’ve been waiting for.

Some have complained that “The Name of the Doctor” contradicts previously established events. Doctor Who teaches us that time can be fluid, and there may very well be good explanation for why things unfold the way they do. I recommend reserving judgment until we see where else Steven Moffat and company are going with the story next.

Doctor Who has always balanced the serial with the procedural, so I’m not sure why I am let down by the same type of mix here. I think it may be because Clara doesn’t immediately make herself accessible, as some past companions have done. Part of it could be because we’re so close to a huge reveal that’s been building for years. Whatever the reason, repeat viewings are more satisfying, and “The Rings of Akhaten” and “Nightmare in Silver,” in particular, are very, very good, so I do recommend getting this set and watching it numerous times.

As usual, the high definition presentation on the Blu-ray is everything you could ask for. Doctor Who has a number of different settings, so that are lots of opportunity to explore fantastical, special effects-heavy worlds, as well as varying color schemes. All of this comes across as rich and detailed. An at-times-stellar score mixes perfectly with the crisp dialogue, and there are never any complaints of static or graininess. Considering some of the spectacular visuals, Blu-ray is the recommended format to view it in.

For extras, there are two measly inclusions. There is a delightful, but short, prequel to “The Bells of Saint John,” which is definitely worth watching, and a second prequel to “The Name of the Doctor,” is also present. That’s it. There is nothing to give insight into the making of these episodes. I assume we’ll have to wait for The Complete Seventh Series for more, though I’ll also be disappointed if there is more on that, just because it forces another purchase of episodes we already have. In an ideal world, the extras would all be on the two smaller sets, and The Complete Seventh Series would just be a value method to buy for those who waited. Oh, well.

Doctor Who Series Seven, Part Two is available now.

DOCTOR WHO "The Name of the Doctor" Review

Article first published as TV Review: Doctor Who - "The Name of the Doctor" on Blogcritics.

Overall, the back half of Doctor Who series seven wasn't nearly as strong as the first half. One might chalk this up to adjustmenting to new characters, including a fresh companion. But I think it's more than that. The stakes and the fun just aren't quite there.


However, the series seven finale, "The Name of the Doctor," is the exception. It doesn't have a lot of signature Doctor Who whimsy, but it does have some top notch acting by Matt Smith (the Doctor), the involvement of the always lovely River Song (Alex Kingston), amazing special effects, and a deep dive into some very heavy Doctor Who mythology.

The primary mystery of the past nine episodes has been how Clara (Jenna Louise-Coleman) can exist. Dubbed "The Impossible Girl," the Doctor has seen her die multiple times in multiple places. Now, we know how this happens, as Clara jumps headlong into the Doctor's scar, a singularity that rips her apart and delivers her to many points within the Doctor's life.

The concept of the scar, which exists in the Doctor's tomb, at the place where he finally dies, is an interesting one. He talks about tearing the universe apart by his travels, and yet it doesn't seem to have harmed the universe all that much. Yet, it provides a vulnerability that the Great Intelligence (Richard E. Grant) is able to exploit, ruining everything good that the Doctor has done in his travels.

I am a little confused as to how the Great Intelligence stays aware enough, after entering the scar, to carry out his mission, and yet Clara, in the two encounters we witness her with the Doctor this series, seems to not know what is going on. Perhaps she is confused, or isn't prepared to handle the time stream the way the Great Intelligence is. Or maybe Clara is just a very good actress. Either way, though it doesn't quite seem to add up exactly right, it's an intriguing idea with which to explain her story. 


In "The Name of the Doctor," we see Clara running through the timelines of previous doctors, mostly those who graced the television screen in the 1960s, '70s, and '80s. The production team does a pretty solid job of matching her to the film styles, not just in clothing, but in overall appearance. It's still obviously computer-enhanced, but those very cool sequences are such a treat for long-time fans, to see those familiar faces again!


The other slightly weak spot in the story is that the Great Intelligence kidnaps only Vastra (Neve McIntosh), Jenny (Catrin Stewart), and Strax (Dan Starkey) to lure the Doctor to his grave at Trenzalore. The Doctor has had many friends over the years, and the Great Intelligence has been waiting for a very long time to strike against him. Surely, others would have been targeted save these three, who all live in the same time and place? I enjoy seeing them again, and it's heartbreaking to watch Jenny and Strax die, even if it's not permanent. But it does feel a little convenient, even if one can make the argument that the Doctor spends a lot of time with them in the recent past.

River's involvement is also convenient, but in a very different way that feels more authentic. She is the Doctor's wife, so she is strongly tied to him. We see a chapter of her story here that we haven't glimpsed before, a woman lonely after the long absence of her spouse. This is a reflection of her, rather than her physical presence, but it still serves the purpose. She gives us some very emotional stuff, which is quite welcome, and does save the writers from having to reveal "The Name of the Doctor" yet, though it still feels like that will be coming.

Also, the scenes between River and Clara, who clearly don't know much about one another, are funny, even if it makes the Doctor look a bit like a lousy cheater.


The end of "The Name of the Doctor" is quite a cliffhanger! Inside the depth of the Doctor, the Eleventh Doctor and Clara encounter the Doctor that isn't the Doctor (John Hurt, Merlin, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy). This is the very dark persona who turns his back on everything the Doctor stands for. What is he?

Presumably, he is the version that the TV show skipped. When Doctor Who reboots in 2005, we are introduced to Christopher Eccleston's Ninth Doctor. But what if Eccleston is the 10th? What if another version committed genocide against the Daleks and fought in the war? The smart money is that Hurt is this real, forgotten about Ninth Doctor.

Which would make Smith the Twelfth Doctor. Since the Doctor can only regenerate twelve times, Smith could be the penultimate actor, chronologically in the story, to bear the name. Going back and using Hurt as the Ninth, perhaps even in next year's eighth series, could forestall the end of Doctor Who. But the finish line definitely feels near.

Whatever way the series decides to go, we'll find out in November who Hurt's incarnation is, a lot about the iconic character himself, and which version will be continuing in 2014. How exciting!

Doctor Who isn't afraid of "The Snowmen"

On Christmas Day, the BBC (and BBC America) released the latest Doctor Who holiday special, "The Snowmen." Set in Victorian England, the Doctor (Matt Smith) matches wits with the Great Intelligence, who is trying to use smart snow and ice to take over the world. Luckily, our hero has some help in the form of a very familiar voice who should not be there.

Normally, Doctor Who Christmas specials are nice, sweet, fluff pieces, not adding to major story arcs, just standing alone as a heart-warming story. "The Snowmen" chooses a different tack, picking up where "The Angels Take Manhattan" left off, and tying together plot threads, both old and new, to add to the series' major arcs.

As the hour begins, the Doctor is moping, dressed as Scrooge, around the streets of Victorian England. His outlandish personality has swung to a negative light, making his depression a deep one, indeed, robbed of any want to help others. This is a sad Doctor, an isolated Doctor, who isn't what the Doctor is supposed to be.

More than other recent actors, Smith lends an unstable and cartoonish quality to the role. While one may have a hard time imagining Tennant scouring the alleys quite so grumpily, it holds true to what Smith has built into the character. Amy always told him that he shouldn't be alone, and now we get a small taste of what he is like when he is, cold and uncaring, apart from the world, literally, as he lives in the TARDIS atop a cloud.

Yet, he has chosen Earth to brood on, which means he can't possibly want to be alone as much as he claims to.


Not that the Doctor is completely left to himself. His travels have earned him some loyalties, and he is protected by some familiar faces - Madame Vastra (Neve McIntosh), her wife, Jenny (Catrin Stewart), and Strax (Dan Starkey). This is an interesting trio, and it's not quite clear why they're the ones who have taken up this mission. But it's nice to see that the Doctor can't just hide away. He has made some friends who are going to make sure that he's OK. And they aren't the only ones.

"The Snowmen" introduces the Doctor's new companion, Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman, Emmerdale). At first, one may be confused as to why Coleman is playing the part, as she recently guest starred as Oswin earlier this series in "Asylum of the Daleks." That person could be forgiven for thinking she is someone new, since this would not be the first time an actress appeared in a one-shot before coming back to play a different, more central character, though I can't recall it happening quite so quickly before. But as "The Snowmen" unfolds, it is pretty obvious, based on personality and dialogue, that Clara is Oswin, a fact confirmed late in the adventure.

This revelation is confusing, but then, River Song (Alex Kingston) is introduced at the time of her death first, and we see her many times prior to that, so now the thinking turns to this being an earlier version of Oswin. Viewers and the Doctor alike assume Clara will easily survive any dangers in "The Snowmen" because she eventually must crash on the Dalek prison planet and encounter the Doctor again.

The explanation as to why the Doctor doesn't recognize her immediately should be obvious, but I don't feel it is, until the dialogue points out that the Doctor only heard Oswin in "Asylum of the Daleks;" he never saw her. It's easy to overlook that fact, since we, the viewers, saw her so much in the episode, which resulted in her sad fate.


And then Clara dies. Again.

This is where "The Snowmen" jumps from good episode to great episode. It's such an unexpected twist, which packs a heck of a wallop, that it catches everyone off guard. The Doctor's assertions that she died twice, so he must go look for her, because she has to still be out there somewhere seem insane, and yet, fans will know that he is right. There are few clues to what exactly Clara is, or what is happening to her, but it's the set up for an enticing new adventure.

Personally, I feel like Clara could be an earlier incarnation of River. She calls the Doctor clever boy, something River does, and kisses him. The problem is, we know that the Kingston incarnation of River is the one that marries the Doctor, and she is the last body River will have. So it doesn't make sense for Clara to exist as another version of her.

Another clue is that Clara knows "pond" will be a word that catches the Doctor's attention. While she doesn't seem to have all the memories of her previous encounter with him, she definitely knows things about the Doctor, even if it's subconsciously. The Doctor doesn't believe in coincidences, and neither do the writers of this show, so that has to mean something.

Might River have somehow have escaped the library computer? Or could her love be so strong that something else is afoot? Maybe the Doctor is right, and the universe owes him one? It's all very confusing, but like the best of Doctor Who, it will most likely work itself out in a surprising and exciting way.

Should Clara prove NOT to be River, she better get her stinkin' lips off of the Doctor! He is spoken for!

Either way, though, Clara will be an interesting companion. Just the fact that she has a different perspective from everyone else, declaring the TARDIS "smaller on the outside," rather than "bigger on the inside," as is what other people say, proves that she has something new to bring to the table. Coleman hasn't grabbed me immediately, but given the way the character has been set up, there is little doubt she will leave her mark as a very memorable companion.

This Clara story will likely be a major part of the rest of series seven, but something that has been teased for awhile is the question "Doctor Who?" It's an innocent query in earlier episodes, becoming more common and important during Smith's tenure. "The Snowman" uses the joke often enough that is ceases to be just a laugh. This is obviously part of a bigger trend that will come to a head, and in case anyone missed it before, this special, with its frequent repetition, leaves no doubt that one should notice the question.


Aside from all this fantastic big picture stuff, "The Snowmen" is still a cool story in of itself. With Ian McKellen (The Hobbit, X-Men) lending his voice to the Great Intelligence, the villain is impressive. There are enough twists to keep us on our toes, the snowmen themselves are terrifying, and there's a family at risk at the center of it, the sympathetic heart that a Christmas special needs.

There are a ton of fun moments, from the Doctor doing a poor Sherlock Holmes impression, to Strax's encounter with a memory worm, to Clara continuously ignoring the Doctor's instructions. Even in an hour that's so dark, Doctor Who finds ways to keep its trademark humor.

Plus, the new TARDIS is stunning! It's a little confusing that the Doctor would switch designs mid-incarnation, however, given all that he's been through, I think a fresh start isn't out of the question. This new set will definitely help to convey that. I greatly appreciate that the series gives us a moment to admire it, rather than just glimpsing it while in use.

One thing some fans may have missed is that Clara works at a pub called "Rose and the Crown." During the Bad Wolf arc of the Doctor Who reboot, Rose and the Doctor meet Queen Victoria in 19th century England. This has to be connected to that.

"The Snowmen" is actually a prequel story to an old-school Doctor Who serial from the original run, in which the Great Intelligence attacks through the London Underground. So we get to see something that references a story many modern Who fans may not be familiar with. If the writers are lucky, this could open the door to new fans picking up the old serials.

Or it may just be the first of the many callbacks that will surely be referenced in the upcoming 50th Anniversary year.

All of which makes "The Snowmen" my favorite Doctor Who Christmas special thus far. Stellar job. Now I cannot wait for series seven to resume in the spring, a glimpse of the coming plot making anticipation soar so much higher than it already has, a considerable feat.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first published as TV Review: Doctor Who - "The Snowmen" on Blogcritics.

Doctor Who back for more

For those who missed the scant five episode of Doctor Who that aired this fall, you're in luck. The BBC has just been released on a two-disc Blu-ray and DVD set, Doctor Who Series Seven, Part One. And for those who didn't miss the season, you already know that these are five fantastic installments, so you might be interested as well. It will be something to tide fans over until the series returns for a longer run next year.

As series seven begins, Amy (Karen Gillan) and Rory (Arthur Darvill) are getting a divorce. That's right; the man who waited two thousand years for his love has been tossed out of the house. The Doctor (Matt Smith) is concerned when he notices, but he has other concerns, as the three have been swept up by the Daleks, who are asking for the trio's help with their prison planet.

"Asylum of the Daleks," the season opener, is one of the best hours of Who ever made. Not only do we get to see the Doctor's archnemesis in a slightly different light, and get a glimpse of another aspect of their society, but we also have the Amy/Rory breakup mystery to sustain us. Toss in the introduction of Oswin (Jenna-Louise Coleman, Captain America: The First Avenger, Emmerdale), who will take over as the Doctor's companion beginning this Christmas, and some wonderful twists, progress on a major arc involving the Doctor's identity, and action sequences, and the season begins with a bang!

From there we move to "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship," which is a truly fun romp. There is some danger, with a space pirate (David Bradley, the Harry Potter films) having hijacked a ship full of dinosaurs, which a future version of UNIT is ready to blow out of the sky. But the meat of this episode lies in the humor created when the Doctor brings together not only Rory and Amy for the outing, but also Rory's father, Brian Williams (Mark Williams, also Harry Potter), Queen Nefertiti (Riann Steele, Holby City) from ancient Egypt, and John Riddell (Rupert Graves, borrowed from Steven Moffat's other series, Sherlock), a big game hunter from the early twentieth century. It's these clashing personalities set among such fantastical creatures that really make this episode memorable. Plus, the most adorable triceratops ever!

Then there's " A Town Called Mercy," an interesting little morality tale, that happens to be set in the Old West, and involves a cyborg. This one is arguably the least of the five episode in the set, and yet, the care with which the town is designed, and the Western genre influence, combine to make it worthy of the collection. As the Doctor would say, Stetsons are cool.

In "The Power of Three," Brian is back (yay!). Taking place over a very long span of time, the world is slowly invaded by cubes, while Amy and Rory try to build a more normal life on Earth, and the Doctor struggles with letting them go. The highlights of this episode include seeing how much the Doctor cares for his companions, and how well he does not adapt to the type of lifestyle that they the married couple are considering. It's a "take stock" episode, and it's narration makes it a departure from the norm, if Doctor Who has a norm.

Finally, in "The Angels Take Manhattan," the central trio is drawn to a noir version of New York City, and River Song (Alex Kingston) makes her, sadly, only appearance in this batch. The Angels, Doctor Who's scariest villains, have built themselves a farm in the middle of the metropolis, and catch Rory in their trap. Can the Doctor change time to save him, or will he lose both of his best friends in one swoop? It's a moving love story with high stakes danger and some huge developments.

Not only are these episode incredible, but the special features are pretty great, too. There's the hour-long special, "The Science of Doctor Who," which recently aired on BBC America. "Ayslum of the Daleks" gets a prequel, "A Town Called Mercy" has a bit of back story, and a series of minisodes called "Pond Life" seem to set up the series as a whole. Plus, there's a feature following the cast as they visit Comic Con earlier this year. It may fall slightly short of a "Making Of," but all the additional scenes included on this set, not appearing in the episodes, are very satisfying.

The Blu-ray itself is amazing. There are rich colors in every landscape, whether characters are on a dark spaceship, the dusty Old West, or the grey of the city. Each setting is vibrant and life-like. This isn't even including the special effects, which are often pretty darn neat, and showcased brilliantly in HD. Sound is high quality, with the base stepping in exactly where you want it to, and overall providing an immersive experience, without pops or static that will ruin the moment.

Fantastic episodes, great extras, and a stunning visual and auditory experience, I have no complaints at all about Doctor Who Season Seven, Part One other than that I wish it went on longer. The Blu-ray and DVD are available now.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Check out my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Article first published as Blu-ray Review: Doctor Who Series Seven, Part One on Blogcritics.

Doctor Who The Complete Sixth Series arrives on Blu-ray

     Doctor Who The Complete Sixth Series is now available on DVD and Blu-ray. Over the course of the season, the Doctor (Matt Smith) worries about his impending death date in Utah, while learning more about the mysterious River Song (Alex Kingston, ER) and the Silence. He is still joined by Amy Pond (Karen Gillan, The Well) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill, Swimming With Sharks) on his missions. Together, they continue the very big job of keeping the universe, through time, safe from any number of threats.

     Season six begins big, with the companions being entrusted with a secret that the Doctor cannot know, and all of them having to help Richard Nixon. Things heat up even more in the second part of the premiere, with the FBI on their trail, and aliens that can hide in plain sight, fooling everyone. In other episodes, the team also visits a 17th century pirate ship, explores 22nd century cloning, goes to Berlin in 1938, stays at a hotel that thrives on fear, and confront the Cybermen again. And, the bad guys aren't all whom you may expect in series six, either. Both River Song and a future version of Amy could end it all if the Doctor isn't careful. This spells a thrilling, intense, edge-of-your-seat batch of episodes that just may comprise the best Doctor Who season yet!

     Perhaps because of the high quality of the stories, Doctor Who is able to continue to attract a very good array of guest stars. Sci-fi staple Mark Sheppard (Supernatural, Warehouse 13) gets into the action in the two-part series opener. Listen closely, and one will hear the voices of Michael Sheen (the Twilight movies, Frost/Nixon) and Imelda Staunton (Cranford, Harry Potter). American NBC anchor Meredith Vieira is in the series finale, and Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), Suranne Jones (Coronation Street), Lily Cole (The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus), and David Walliams (Little Britain) are just a few of the other familiar faces. Plus, James Corden and Simon Callow reprise their Doctor Who roles as Craig Owens and Charles Dickens, respectively.

     Arguably, an even bigger get is award-winning writer Neil Gaiman, who pens "The Doctor's Wife," in which the TARDIS is captured by a mind on an asteroid. It's an exciting cat and mouse game, as the villain holds the Doctor's companions hostage. Luckily, the Doctor finds allies in Uncle and Auntie, who are not, in fact, his uncle and auntie. Because of Gaiman's reputation, expectations are high on this episode, and it fully delivers.

     Series six was previously available as two separate sets, but this release is six discs containing all 13 episodes. It also has last year's Christmas special, "A Christmas Carol," which has had its own release, too. Thus, Doctor Who: The Complete Sixth Series is bringing together three different products in one.

     Bonus features are not scarce either. Five of the series six episodes have short prequels to better set things up. There are two Comic Relief sketches from a charity event. Four shorts known as "Monster Files" delve into the Doctor's best opponents, giving a deeper exploration of the rich guest characters. Plus, Doctor Who Confidential has an inside look at all 13 episodes, with a bonus Confidential concerning "A Night's Tale" (see below). There are also audio commentaries on selected episodes.

     Perhaps most valuable bonuses are five Night and the Doctor specials available only on the new release. They cannot be found online, at least not legally, and were not broadcast on television. As such, they make this release a must-own for any completionist fan.

     With 1080i high definition, and 16:.9 aspect ratio, as well as DTS HD 5.1 surround sound, Doctor Who looks and sounds fantastic. It's a science fiction show with a lot of special effects, and thus, fans will want the best viewing experience possible. They get it with this Blu-ray set, featuring crystal clear picture and sound that will look and sound amazing on any decent home entertainment system. Even better, many of the special features, which aren't always up to the same standards, actually are in this set, having the same audio and visual stats as the episodes themselves. This is certainly a truly excellent set.

     Doctor Who The Complete Sixth Series is, as you may expect, excellent.  The blacks, and all other hues, are rich and deep. This allows for a lot of details, even when events occur in shadow. There is no static around the edges of any of the sound effects, which also are not abnormally loud. Sound levels are mixed to a fine degree, and will allow viewers to stay in the moment on screen effortlessly.

     Buy Doctor Who The Complete Sixth Series, out on Blu-ray and DVD today.

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Article first published as Blu-Ray Review: Doctor Who The Complete Sixth Series on Blogcritics.

Private Practice finds "The Hardest Part"

     I was excited when ABC's awesomely casted, but often boring, Private Practice got really good this past fall. Charlotte's (KaDee Strickland) rape, the way she deals with it, and how Cooper (Paul Adelstein) helps her through things, is easily the highest point of the series thus far. That is followed by Addison's (Kate Walsh) mother killing herself, providing more well written, well acted emotional impact. But for the last month, nothing has sparked nearly that level of great writing. At least not for a full episode. There have been glimmers here and there, but sadly, the show is once again flailing.

     It's time to either put this puppy down or let it find its legs. It has already been renewed for next season, which could be used as a last effort to redeem itself. If it's really going to be this hard to find good stories for these characters, who are interesting, despite how they are sometimes seen, then it's time to end it. Use next season as a way to redeem the show, pouring every good idea ever had into one great season, and then let it gracefully bow into the night. Or get things together, realize what works (hint: focus on the doctors, not the patients!), and take it to the next level. I am very tired of it's floundering in mediocrity, and I hate any series dying a slow, painful death of decay.

    That being said, last night's final confrontation between Pete (Tim Daly) and his mother (the amazing Louise Fletcher) definitely falls on the terrific end of the spectrum. We know that Pete doesn't like his mother, and we know why. But helped along by his wife, Violet (Amy Brenneman), who is a very good therapist when she is written as such, Pete finally makes a reconnection. Of course, this is quickly followed by Sam's (Taye Diggs) pronouncement that Pete's mother doesn't have long to live. So we get Peter sitting by her bed side, and then a powerful breakdown of grief back at home. This is the stuff good Private Practice is made of.

     Cooper and Charlotte continue to be fantastic, too, even when they only get small scenes together. Cooper's story with his patient, a teenager who could lose his awesome musical abilities because of a brain surgery to remove a tumor, and the boy's grandfather who has a hard time showing his love, is sweet. Plus, I like seeing Cooper clash with Amelia (Caterina Scorsone), with whom he has a satisying but odd friendship. However, the scene where Charlotte buys Cooper a piano is even better. Sure, patient stories are fine as tools to help the doctors learn something about themselves, of expose a past trauma. They should not be the linchpin of a show like this, as they are in some of the weaker episodes, whose top selling point is its spectacular cast.


     That being said, I do appreciate a strong guest star in a small role. This week we see Vanessa Marano (Gilmore Girls, The Young and the Restless) and Laura Slade Wiggins (Shameless) as pregnant teenagers. They got in, did what they needed to do, and got out without being annoying. That may sound like an insult, but it's not. They served their purpose, and delighted people who were already fans of them (like me) who got to see them pop up on another show in a different part than what we'd already seen them do. Great job girls!

     I have advocated for Sheldon (Brian Benben) to find true love for some time. I did not mean this way. Sheldon has taken up with a therapist named Marla (Alex Kingston, Doctor Who, ER), who panned Violet's recent book. I have no problem with a new character raising conflict, of course. That's how dramas progress. But I don't see the chemistry between Marla and Sheldon. So far, I don't see much of anything to find all that exciting about Marla. I can't see her ever really fitting in with any of the other cast members, and I certainly don't want her taking Sheldon away from the group. Can't we do better for Sheldon?

     Addison is M.I.A. for her second episode in a month, as she pops over to sister series Grey's Anatomy for a part that is little more than a cameo in their special musical episode. She was always my favorite character on Grey's, but has turned into a whining, unlikable shell of the character she once was. While I love Addison and Busy's relationship in recent months, Addison's arc with Sam and wanting a baby grew stale before it even got going. I don't know why, but Addison doesn't work this way. We need to get back to the Addison that was very lovable in her cranky, flawed way.

     Also missing, though she has been missing a lot lately, is Audra McDonald's Naomi. She will be leaving good as a main character at season's end, but it seems like she's already been reduced to part-time, as this is at least the sixth episode this year she has sat out. I understand the series is trying to give the actress more time to spend with her family, which leaves all the way across the country from where the show is being made, but once the decision not to use has been made, can't some graceful send off be done? Or perhaps a role written so that she can pop in and out as she travels the world, looking to help all those who need it.

     Private Practice airs Thursday nights at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.

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