Mark Spoils: The Great 30-Day Who MEME!!!! - Day Eight

Thursday, February 24, 2011

The Great 30-Day Who MEME!!!! - Day Eight

Which is your favorite series of Doctor Who?

For me it has to be the fifth series of NuWho. From the moment I saw this trailer I knew that everyone was in for something cool.

So what about everyone else? Which is your favorite series of Who?

Tomorrow: Least Favorite Episode

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flamingpie 89p · 739 weeks ago

This question has been by FAR the easiest one of this meme to answer. Because there's absolutely NO competition as to my favorite series, it's so far and away my favorite.

I love everything about this series. The majority of my favorite episodes come from it, and even my least favorite episode of the series is better than most of the good episodes from other series.

Donna and Ten are wonderful together, and probably even best Seven and Ace for me in terms of awesomeness and platonic chemistry.

It has the best intro episode, the best historical episode, in my opinion, and by far the best ending arc. I could rewatch episodes from this series SO many times more than I could any other. I just... love it.

5 replies · active 739 weeks ago

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echinodermata 118p · 739 weeks ago

S5. Do I need to explain? It's Moffat and timey-wimeyness and fantastic new characters and excellent dialogue and some utterly gorgeous scenes (must. hold. out. til. day. 20) and some awesome new music (must. hold. out. til. day. 29).

It's Matt Smith and Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill and Alex Kingston doing an amazing job. It has the Eleventh Hour (brilliant episode), star whales, Churchill, MOAR WEEPING ANGELS, MOAR RIVER SONG, vampires, the Dreamlord, the ground eating people (oh, Mark), that goddamn crack, VINCENT sobbing forever, The Lodger (hilarious), and the stuff of legends, the Pandorica.

We have little Amelia and a grown up Amy, and it's a pleasure to watch this character in whatever incarnation, and to watch her grow and change. We have Rory who starts out like Mickey, but his arc changes quickly, and we don't get the weird shit of the Doctor initially rejecting him, but is instead welcomed. We have River Song and we learn more about her, but it also just makes us ask more questions. And we have a new incarnation of the Doctor, who is able to push down his baggage a lot more than the past two. And I appreciate him for it.

We get one of the most fascinating and beautiful couples out of it, and married couple in the TARDIS! Bring on season 6!

In conclusion, Karen Gillan needs to be cloned.

7 replies · active 739 weeks ago

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NB2000 115p · 739 weeks ago

I think this may be the first day since we started this meme where there was no competition and I didn't have to cheat in any way.

Series Fnarg, or Series Five if you prefer.

I can honestly say I love almost every episode of this series (why hello there Hungry Earth/Cold Blood, I'll get back to you two tomorrow), even The Beast Below/Victory of the Daleks which I know a lot of people (not necessarily on this blog just in general) disliked. I could go on about what I love in each episode but I'd rather save that for Mark's reviews.

I've already said how much I love Eleven, Amy and Rory, I forgot her back in the favourite character post but River is awesome throughout the series as well. One of the things I love about The Big Bang is that, for the most part, it's just the four of them working as a team and being AWESOME.

(cut for length)

18 replies · active 739 weeks ago

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redhairedgothkitten 75p · 739 weeks ago

Season four, although the first of the new revival is a close second just because it brought The Dr back into our lives.

In terms of OldWho I like Kinda. This is related to my Love of the Mara.

In other news, I am afraid there is something I am more excited about than Mark's next review, or even the new series of Dr Who! I am a traitor!

To be fair, the thing is the next elder scrolls game. Note the video. Yes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYgrh9z0tFA

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fantasylover12001 · 739 weeks ago

Can I have two favorite seasons? Because it's honestly a tie between four and five in New Who in terms of favorite seasons but if I really have to choose I'd go with five because that on just seemed to have a more controlled story line then previous seasons plus there was not one ep where I went wtf? Even the low rated ones like the Churchill one I enjoyed because the characters are just fun. I mean Eleven holds off the Daleks with a Jammy Dodger! Come on, don't tell me you didn't crack up at that.
But on the flip side, Season 4 had DONNA as well as some really good episodes like Stolen Earth and whatnot. So really, probably Season 5 is my favorite with Season 4 coming in a very close second.

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__Jen__ 99p · 739 weeks ago

I'm sure this is a surprise to no one but Series 5 is far and away my favorite. It has by far the highest proportion of episodes that I loved as opposed to liked/enjoyed or outright couldn't care less about. I counted my list from yesterday and 8 of the episodes on there were from S5. I liked the Beast Below and Vampires of Venice from the get go and Victory of the Daleks improved on rewatch for me. The Chibnall two-parter had things I loved and things I really disliked so it probably evens out into average territory for me, but I didn't hate it. Essentially, every episode was enjoyable for me at a base level because I love the central characters so much, even when the plot fell flat, I enjoyed watching the Doctor and Amy and Rory. There definitely were some WTF moments for me, but not nearly as many as in past seasons and there were a lot of AWESOME episodes.

The direction and cinematography for this season were pretty amazing as well.

5 replies · active 739 weeks ago

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Medli 141p · 739 weeks ago

I don't even have to really think about this one: series five. It has it all: my favorite Doctor, my favorite Companion, River, Rory, a wonderful seasonal arc, and so many of my favorite episodes. Eleventh Hour is the best series opener, Vincent and the Doctor blows all the other "meet a historical figure" episodes out of the water, Time of Angels/Flesh and Stone is one of my favorite two-parters of all, Amy's Choice is sheer mind-bending brilliance, The Lodger is the funniest episode ever, and I've never loved a series finale the way I love Pandorica Opens/Big Bang. All the others I enjoy too, even the ones that are usually looked down on by fandom, I don't hate any of them.

I also love what Moffat did with the seasonal arc. The cracks are a scary mystery unfolding right in your face, and in the background you've got stuff going on like the second Doctor in the Byzantium forest, the shadowy Doctor in Amelia's house in Eleventh Hour, etc. It's all wibbley-wobbly timey-wimey and utterly brilliant. And as a big fan of myths and fairy tales, I'm a total sucker for the "sci-fi fairy tale" feel of it that comes to a beautiful, perfect climax when Amy calls the Doctor back into reality by remembering him. "I found you in words, just like you knew I would" - that, that is how you do the "power of words and stories" theme and resolution. It's completely amazing, and such a nice change of pace to get a happy ending for once. Plus, we still don't know what the deal with the Silence is! Makes you eager for the next series.

In short, Series Five is pure win and love and everything good in the universe. I was very excited about Moffat taking over, and very ready for it, and he did not disappoint. Bring on Series Six!

6 replies · active 739 weeks ago

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swimmingtrunks 92p · 739 weeks ago

Haha, do I even have to say? Given my post yesterday about my favorite episode, the obvious conclusion is Series 5. The look of it is beautiful, as others have noted, really cinematic, which I think gives the whole show an air of more credibility, if that makes sense. Like they're finally taking their show seriously- which isn't to say RTD didn't, but the cinematography of the earlier series just seemed more, "yeah this is a bbc show and a lot of kids watch it." This sounds horrible, I know.

Aside from looks, I much prefer the arc established here to the "word drop" method of earlier series. Sure the crack is obvious and it doesn't blow you away in the end, but I like how we slowly know more and more about it over time. The concept of the crack evolves and leads to other problems, and the whole thing is just cohesive and-- uhg, I am not finding my words today-- progressive? The character arcs are also well done, smooth and gradual- and what characters!

There is not one main character I have less than a very warm affection for, and there are some great guest characters as well. The whole 13 episode run is just exactly what I want from Doctor Who, and pretty much what I want from TV in general. After growing frustration over the course of the specials, series 5 was just what I needed. Every episode I was just like, "Yes. THIS."

I haven't seen much of classic Who so I can't really rate them, but here are the runners up of NuWho in order.

Second place: 4. Donna and the Doctor, love forever.

Third: 1 and 3 are a tie. As much as I don't like how shitty the Doctor was in Series 3 and as much as that finale is pretty much my least favorite thing, Martha is awesome and there are a lot of good episodes. Series 1 was kind of cheesy at times while trying to find its footing, but Nine was fantastic!

Fourth: Series 2, which looking back on I mostly think "meh." And even though it comes in last, I don't dislike it, and it comes very close to the two above. Basically Series 4 and 5 come way above the others, who can switch about a bit depending on what episode I'm watching.

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Openattheclose 99p · 739 weeks ago

This one right here! I love Series 4 to a ridiculous degree. It has Donna, all of the companions returning, Jenny, River, TWO great historical eps (historical eps are my favorite), and IMO there's not one single clunker in it. It is a perfect series. There's no "Daleks in Manhattan" or "Fear Her" in Series 4. There is only awesomeness, and Donna. It also has some of my favorite episodes. From "Partners in Crime" to "The Unicorn and the Wasp" to "The Doctor's Daughter," and then it tops it all off with the most awesome streak of final episodes from "Midnight" to "Journey's End." Actually, the whole series (plus the final 4 or 5 episodes from Series 3) is one long awesome streak put together.

And then it has this final moment of wonderful before it breaks my heart:

Hugs for Series 4! Perfect series is perfect.

2 replies · active 739 weeks ago

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hassibah 113p · 739 weeks ago

This is pretty much a copy of what swimming trunks said but
Season 5 hands down.
Season 4 not really that close to being in the running for the top spot but I still love it a lot.
Season 1 and 3 both had their problems but they have their charms too and are a lot of fun.
Season 2: yeah, least favourite story arc, highest concentration of episodes that get on my nerves, and least desire to rewatch. It definitely has some things I like about it but they don't really outweigh everything else for me.

5 replies · active 739 weeks ago

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PeterRabid 81p · 739 weeks ago

Series 5.

I love Eleven, I love Amy, I love Rory, I love River, I love the cracks, I love the new production design, I LOVE EVERYTHING. <3

I don’t really feel that any of the season arcs, except for Series 3 perhaps, were as carefully crafted as this one. That’s no disrespect to RTD! I love all of “Doctor Who” to pieces, I just enjoy Moffat’s style the teensiest bit more. I really like that there are still questions left unanswered in “The Big Bang,” and I cannot wait for Series 6!

SERIES 5 GIFSPAM!

......Also:

MWAHAHAHA.

4 replies · active 739 weeks ago

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Dragon Elexus 124p · 739 weeks ago

I DON'T KNOW!

I seriously can't choose. Three was a fantastic season. I loved Martha as a companion, and it had three of my favourite epsisodes (HN, FoB, and Blink. Also, interesting 'Fob'- like fob watch. Random). I also felt the set up in SoD and Utopia was some of the best of any finale, and although Tinkerbell Jesus was odd, the rest of the finale was brilliant. Unfortunately, it loses points for a rather weak beginning, although Smith and Jones was great.

Season Four was also good; I feel all the episodes were of a higher episode compared to last season, but there were fewer shiners that really stood out to me. What I think made this work so well was the amazing companion in Donna, who was brilliant the whole way through. Turn Left was a wonderfully different and traumatising episode for this show, as was Midnight. And while the finale certainly has some flaws- everyone's together! And so many emotions! One moment you're laughing at Handy, the next crying at Donna's fate. Amazing. Also, the introduction of River Song, and a fantastic new dynamic.

Speaking of River....season Five. I'm really loving the new run. Matt Smith as Eleven is great fun- different from Tennant, but in a good way. I like Amy, but by far prefer Rory, who's the sweetest, goofiest, best natured companion we've had in a while. I don't think the major arch for this series is particuarly subtle (ITS A CRACK! Duh!) I'm more that excited for a multi-season arc. Plus, Moffat made up for it with such discreet points; the Time-Wimey ness, and Jacket!Doctor. Stand out's in this season are Amy's Choice, Vincent and the Doctor, The Lodger, The Eleventh Hour, and without a doubt, the finale, which is my favourite of the Who Endings, without a doubt.

So...er, can I give it a three way tie?

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Selthia 68p · 739 weeks ago

Series 5 without question. Better filmed, better art direction imo, better music. I LIKE not having the Doctor's every feeling spelled out, and I feel like Moffat knows what he wants and where he's going as a whole with his series, so the overall series feels more coherent and solid. Not to say that there aren't weak episodes, there most certainly are in his run. I adored his finale and Christmas special, and I do like that he left mysteries for next season (The Silence, River). I do like that Eleven fucks up a bit more. Ten doesn't, and some of his best episodes are the ones where he's not this God figure who can do no wrong.

There is an fairy-tale theme and feel to S5, which I adore. It also comes off as intentional too, and I do appreciate that he's Planning Shit Out from the start. I appreciate the rampant Timey Wimey in there too, instead of just a way to get from "point A" to "point B' and that's it. It's a show about time travel. Have some fun with it!

I admit, I wish Amy wasn't ALWAYS in trouble though. It was becoming something of a trend by the time of Hungry Earth. It's a minor complaint though.

To me, S5 was just plain FUN and a little bit magical, even with the weaker episodes, I didn't feel irritated at wasting my time with them (Love and Monsters and Fear Her, I'm looking at you). I didn't have too many GROAN moments like Dolby Doctor and Jesus Doctor either, which is a plus. Most of my time was spent watching with a huge grin on my face and in most episodes, a feeling of FUCK YEAH going through my head.

I adore Ten and there are definitely some winning episodes in his run, but i am really not the biggest fan of RTD. He's got props for bringing the show back and some great episodes, but I think I prefer Moffat as a showrunner.

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asherat 80p · 739 weeks ago

Series 2 had the most emotionally resonant arc for me. The episode quality was a bit up and down (UGH, "Fear Her," WHY DO YOU EXIST?) but also has what are (to me) some of the BEST EPISODES OF ALL TIME like The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit and Army of Ghosts/Doomsday. OK, that's four out of thirteen right there that are made of SOLID AWESOME.

I do wish they'd let Rose's arc end there. I emphatically DO NOT like her coming back at the end of S4.

S1 I think is probably the most consistent in terms of episode quality. S3 has the most amazing bad guy. S4 has DONNA who is a truly amazing woman and companion for the Doctor, and I love the whole series BUT I HATE THE ENDING WITH THE FIRE OF 10,000 SUNS. Interstellar Facebook? Ugh. (Saving grace: the glorious and noble death of Harriet Jones.) Rose coming back? No, we should've left her at the end of S2. Handy? *headdesk* What a terrible way to resolve the Rose/Ten romance. (Though as a way to deal with Ten's self-loathing, more interesting.) I don't like the DoctorDonna. Donna didn't need an infusion of Time Lord to be awesome and save the day, she already was awesome, and ready to save the day.

(Um, OK, there was a rant I didn't quite know was in me.)

S5 was FANTASTIC on the whole and I loved the resolution to the cracks in the universe thing and I LOVE Amy and Rory. (I also love the idea of married companions and "Amy's Boys.") Matt Smith is like, the cutest thing ever. I don't entirely like his take on the Doctor, insofar as the way he tries to combine "badass" with "quirky" with "well meaning" and "kind" and "really fucking scary" and "saves the day" seems disjointed to me, or did in that series. That combined with some episodes I'm not too thrilled about leaves me with mixed feelings about the series as a whole.

4 replies · active 739 weeks ago

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ShayzGirl 67p · 736 weeks ago

I'm another person who loves Seris 5. I think because after all the other seasons (well, especially after four) it was nice to have a season that didn't break my heart time and time again. Yes, I do cry during Vincent and The Doctor, but not because it's sad. Because that's the type of thing I'd want to do if I had a time machine. Vincent Van Gogh is on my list of famous people I'd want to let know how loved they are in the future.
And I love Amy. She's a slightly damaged person (because of the crack in her wall). The Doctor does seem to question about Amy, when he asks her how she knows it's a duck pond when there are no ducks. It's the same thing with Amy. How do we know Amy Pond when there are no Mr. and Mrs. Pond? And sure, there are some confusing things about the crack and how it works, but I guess IDC. I like Amy because she's like a lot of us. She drew pictures of the Doctor and made little Dolls and made her boyfriend cosplay as the Doctor. Plus, she has an imaginary friend who turns out to be real. I know there's time that I wish some of my imaginary friends were actually real because they were better friends than the friends I have now. (not that my friends are terrible, but I guess they're so busy with their own lives and such that they haven't noticed that I'm slightly damaged and maybe just need a hug at least, if I can't get a Doctor to fix me. Or a cup of tea to make me feel better.)
And yes, it gets old seeing the Daleks time and time again, but I really like the new ones. They're bigger and colourful and maybe just a little bit scary.
And I still love (and fear) the weeping angels, even after The Time of Angels and Flesh and Stone. Heck, the idea of "Whatever holds the image of an angel is itself an angel" is a very creepy thought. I've had nightmares. Weeping angel nightmares.
Oh and then there's River. I love her. A lot. She fits so well with Eleven IMHO. I couldn't see her and Ten together, but her and Eleven... they're just so adorable. And OMG! There's something about her that makes a Dalek beg for mercy. WTF? I want to know what it is (even if it means I'll beg for mercy). She's BAMF IMHO.
I just can't wait for Mark to get to this season. My mother has just started this season and it's fun and exciting watching it with her.

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