Doctor Who episode 3- 'Gridlock'

WARNING: Spoilers.



Blakeborough

I'm sure a time is going to come where our faithful two and a half readers will be sick of us reviewing each episode of Doctor Who; but this is a weekly evening of joy for us, and somewhat of a communal event these days, so you'll just have to put up with it.

Anyway. This week's episode, somewhat built up by the stunning teaser we were privy to last week and the worry that the football would delay 'Gridlock' by a week, means that I had high expectations for the Doctor and Martha's third outing this series.
Now, some people may have noticed that I like to rant, and can usually find a large amount of fault with most things, but I have to say that on this occasion, and of course in my opinion, 'Gridlock' was flawless. This was a far darker and emotional episode than we are usually treated to; set in a Blade Runner esque New New York on New Earth, long after our current planet's demise. Whereas the CGI and the set pieces were really impressive for a television series, at one point taking on a widescreen rolling cinematic shot that wouldn't seem out of place in the latest Sci-fi opus, the main thing that made me sit stock still in my chair was the acting.
Freema Agyeman is proving herself over and over again to be the perfect choice for the new Doctor's assistant, at one point actually making me sob just from a welled up look on her face.

I don't want to go on too long, but obviously most Who fans will have been watching this episode for the return of The Face of Boe and ex sister of plentitude Novice Hame. I actually wept as Boe gave his life for the people of New Earth hinting that Novice Hame becomes the new ruler of Earth. And yes, The Face of Boe did impart his long awaited secret to the Doctor. Gallifrey is gone, but "Timelord, you are not alone." Even writing it I have a little shiver of delight.

I personally cannot wait for next week...because it's time for the return of the Daleks!!!!
I may have let a little excitement wee out.

Fast Foods

Blackett

So advertising bans are spreading. What will this mean to print media. The death of advertising of junk food during childrens programmes has already sucked away funding of citv so that it has reduced its childrens programming down to 5hours a week, which leaves the BBC to rain supreme which is ok for now but the effects of this has the possiblility of making CBBC lazy and lothargic as there is no competition so no drive to make things better.

What could this mean for print media though. First of all it means the death of free sweets on magazines. The extnesion of the ban also means no more celebrity endorsement of products meaning crap toys in happy meals. And some childrens magazines/comics are bound to crash and burn on the 1st of July when this ban comes into effect. Hopefully this will mean children will eat more healthy, but I think it has the possibility of deamonising junk food the way that alcohol and smoking is therefor making it 'cool' and more children will eat it in secret.

A solution to the porblem of fat children will not only be found in advertising bans but in educating children and parents on what is healthy and even how to cook.

for more information on the on coming ban please click here.


Blakeborough

Well, what can you say really? Yet again the government has decided that we're not allowed to do something. I totally agree with Blackett about the demonising effect that this will have upon junk food; kids will eat these types of food in secret, and whereas that doesn't sound as bad as them smoking behind the bike sheds and sticking needles in their arms, anything that is done without the knowledge of their parents, particularly whilst they are young can only be bad in my book.
Now, I'm a great one for the phrase 'moderation', and although it does seem to be the watch word of beauticians, dieticians and any other kind of 'ician' around, I really do think that diet when considered properly and things enjoyed within reason is fine.
I personally always had sweets on the magazines I bought-or were bought for me- when I was teeny, as did the vast majority of people that I know, but I really cannot think of anyone I know that I would describe as having a serious health affecting weight problem. Again, I really agree with B, that parents have a responsibility to watch what their children are eating. Now, some people are going to argue that you can't watch what your child eats at school etc, and I am totally with you, but surely making junk food a 'forbidden fruit' is only going to make things worse.
I'm not a parent, but I'm assured by my own Mother that its hard enough trying to persuade children that drugs, drink and sex are bad things (at least until a proper age for the last two) but adding another thing that a parent has to worry about as a 'danger' just seems silly to me.


There are always going to be overweight people, but you cannot solve the current problem of mass obesity by a country-wide limitation on all things lardy. No. If people want to lose weight, because they feel unattractive, or they're unhealthy or for whatever reason, they will. Kids do not like fruit and vegetables as a rule, but if parents allow sweets and chocolate as a part of a otherwise balanced diet, then surely they must be setting a decent example? Banning things does not work. Especially from children. I know, I still am one.

Debt companies

Blackett

I was having my nosy through media guardian today and found it funny that finaly the debt companies and their highly irritating adverts are being put under the spot light. This amuses me as it was the debt adverts and the cheapness of them that caused this blog to be created. Ban them, ban them all........except what would entertain me during adverts?

Doctor when?

Blackett

The BBC seem to have thought that football is more important than Doctor Who. If you have not heard this weeks episode of the doctor may be postponed by one week if the 'match' on Saturday goes into extra time and instead the episode Rose will be shown. Was the red button not put there for a reason, during times like this should the red button not be used and the football thrown over there or possibly put the Doctor on BBC2. Im annoyed by this not only becasue it means my weekly dose of Mr Smith and Miss Jones will have to wait a week but also a whole load of scheduling has to be moved around, such as Doctor Who on BBC3 and Confidential has to be moved, issues of Radio Times have to be re-edited and the various Doctor Who magazines have to change their publishing date by another week, this has already happened once this season (the series was meant to start the week befor it did) so why should it happen again. BOOOO.

Elmo

Blackett

There is very little I can say on this other than. I WANT ONE. I forget how lucky the children of this world are that it is perfectly acceptable for them to watch cute little animals be adorable and cute. I love you Elmo.

Titanic 2

Blakeborough

Its been a while since I first saw this, and I'd forgotten how well made and convincing this fake trailer is. So many people to this day say to me that Titanic 2 was an actual possibility, and I think that just goes to show how excellent this is.
Makes me laugh every time. My favourite bit has to be when Jack is searching Google for Rose.

Blackett

This is amazing. I had never seen it befor. I looved the crack pot ideas that floated about after Titanic was such a big hit. I think my favourite was the sci-fi romp where Titanic was brought back by aliens and involved some sort of floating about in space. If only it had happened.

Interweb

Blakeborough

Now, I'm never one to speak ill of the internet, and specifically email, but of late I've began to notice that for me it's becoming somewhat like that spinster aunt that keeps turning up on a Thursday. I mean, you love her, and you know that she's very clever and inciteful and occasionally has something genuinely funny to say, but sometimes you really do wish that Mr Handsofftheinternet.org from next door would take her out for a nice meal and a bottle of wine and make her loosen up a little before she snuffs it altogether.
By this point you're probably wondering what the beejesus am I going on about, but I'll explain. Much like my fabled (and fictional) lonely aunt, I feel an obligation to the internet. I need to contact her at least once a day just to check she hasn't turned on the gas and shut all the windows, but when I do, I'm assaulted by a barrage of guilt- usually by way of my inbox- from people I'm barely related to, someone I saw once in Sainsbury's and a rather sad overweight man (who shall remain nameless) who took a shine to me at work. I don't reply to these people, yet they keep coming back, and although I do feel bad for quitely shunning them (much as I feel bad for putting auntie dear in the back yard with the lights off and the curtains shut) I really don't know who the majority of them are or why they are contacting me.
"What a bitter old moo." I'm sure you're thinking; "At least people are contacting you. Don't be so bloody ungrateful." Well I'm sorry. Of course it's nice to feel wanted, but I'm sure you too have also experienced similar guilt for not reacting to a message from someone who seems to know who you are, whereas you wouldn't know them from Adam.

And it is in this way that my dubious analogy- which at first I wasn't sure would work- comes together at last. I appreciate the attention of my metaphorical aunt, I love the feeling that in some small way I'm popular for at least three minutes of the day, but I really wish that someone who could fully appreciate the charms of anonymous emails would take her off my hands.

Having said all this, if she did stop visiting and suddenly became offline, I'd miss the hours and hours a week we spend together looking at jokes, doing work, watching porn and generally interacting with the outside world by proxy. I sometimes wonder whether the seemingly natural addiction/obligation to the internet worries anyone else...or if in fact it's just me.

Sunshine

Blackett

I had the privilege to see this film last night and it has been a long time since I was so glued to the screen by such a beautiful film.

As you can see from the trailer the story is about the sun dying and a group of specially trained scientists have decided that it would be a really good idea to dander up there and try and stoke up the fire again with a huge bomb. Of course all does not go to plan because that would make a very boring film and the crew is soon left fighting for their lives whilst trying to save the human race.

Im finding it really difficult to talk about this film with out mentioning the ending which I cant as in true Danny Boyle style about an hour before the end the film completely changes pace and the story changes into a whole new direction. It has been mentioned by some reviewers that the ending is much in the style of Donnie Darko and is hard to understand, personally i didnt have a problem with it and found it both beautiful and moving.

I've mentioned that the film is beautiful three times now but it is not a case of style over substance. Most of the film seems like a love letter to Alien with the action being on board the space ship whith brief glimpses of what is outside, which includes an amazing shot of Mercury travelling past the Sun which is unlike anything I have seen on film, not only because of how it looks but becasue of the actor's reactions. The acting is superb and you truly end up caring about every character , well that is except for Chris Evans who plays typical I'm an ass Chris Evans but even he pulls through by the end of the film. And when difficult decisions have to be made you really feel for every memeber of the crew. I didnt expect to cry during this film but because of the superb acting and the story I found myself welling up on more than one occasion.

However on the down side (I feel as though i hould have down side because i could gush about this film for so long) there are a number of points that distracted away from the film such as a couple of convenient extra mechanical bits and bobs which made a rather big plot point slightly more convenient and the camera work at the end was a little confusing but was clearly a stylistic choice and it does serve the purpose intended, however its still a little confusing. Finally this film is pure sci-fi which means people will hate it which is only a bad point because i loved it so much i feel every one should adore it equally.