Doctor Who: The Complete Eleventh Series (DVD)

So what do you think of Jodie Whittaker's new Doctor? With her classical profile, I rather thought her Doctor would have more gravitas and little less face-scrunching. But like all other new Doctors before her, she grew on me as I watched her first season. There are chunks of the first few episodes that exist to give us the companions' backstories. There's more of this explaining because there're more companions. But there are some very good, top of the line excellent episodes this season. In particular, the two historical episodes (i.e., incorporating real events on Earth, as in Rosa Parks and the Indian Partition), are well done and well written. I admit to loving science-fiction and being more than prepared to like a sci-fi story, but I genuinely think this season's plots are good overall. It used to be a very big deal when any scenes were filmed in another country. This season, they went all over the place for outside scenery. So here I am, already eagerly awaiting Season 12, which will not premiere until January 1, 2020. The 10 episodes total about 505 minutes, which is a lot of sci-fi viewing. I purchased this on BluRay, and English subtitles are available on the episodes as well as the Bonus Features, detailed below. Note, if you have subtitles on while watching with a commentary track, the subtitles will still be for the episode itself, not the commentary. ...1... "We Don't Get Aliens in Sheffield" or "The Woman Who Fell to Earth". It's a nice autumn day in September and Ryan Sinclair is minding his own business trashing his bike when a diamond light portal appears and coughs up a giant metallic blue Hershey's Kiss. Yasmin Khan is a probationary for the Hallamshire police department, who tells her Sarge, "I am capable of more than parking disputes. I want to do more. Can you not get them to give me something that will test me? Something a bit different?" Watch out what you ask for. She's sent out to the Hershey's Kiss. Meanwhile, Ryan's grandmother and stepdad, Grace and Graham O'Brien, are riding a train near-by when the car is electrified and a woman falls through the roof of their car. Yasmin appears to investigate why the train was stopped. Sky Woman asks her, "Why are you calling me Madam?" Yaz replies, "Because you're a woman." Doctor, "Am I? Does it suit me?... Half an hour ago I was a white-haired Scotsman." The blue Kiss brings a blue monster. Earth must be saved again and there's the Doctor without her TARDIS. The last scene of the episode is so perfect; it really made me eager to see the 2nd. ........ Bonus A... Audio Commentary track to "The Woman Who Fell to Earth". Commentators are Jamie Childs (director), Jodie Whittaker (Doctor), and Cris Chibnall (writer and showrunner). Whittaker on her apprehension doing the welding scene where she's making her sonic screwdriver: "It's because I've got a lot of peroxide in my hair, so I'm always quite terrified around a flame." ...2... "The Ghost Monument" Unexpectedly, Team TARDIS (the Doctor's name) are plopped into the last leg of a trans-universe survivor race. Survivor, as in, only one makes it out. The great desert dune scenes were shot in South Africa. ...3... "Rosa" It's Earth, Wednesday November 30, 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama. The Doctor and friends encounter unexplained energy anomalies. Then they find a suitcase full of future tech. Doctor, "I knew it.... We're not the only ones in Montgomery who don't belong here." Could someone want to stop Rosa Parks from getting on that bus? This is a Doctor Who version of the Butterfly Effect. Would you believe that the 1955 Montgomery city shots were filmed in Cape Town, South Africa? ........ Bonus B... Commentary track for "Rosa". Commentators are Malorie Blackman (co-writer), Mandip Gill and Alex Mercer (producer). Blackman: "I read a number of biographies and autobiographies before I even did the outline for this. And, you sort of get that story [about how Jim Crow worked], but it's ... another dimension to it, when you see it acted out." I thought the story brings out the constant fear and very real danger very well. Plus it does it without forgetting the humor (or humour) needed for Doctor Who. ...4... "Arachnids in the UK" The TARDIS brings everyone back to only a half hour after they left with the Doctor. But all is not well in Sheffield. People are disappearing. And Jack Robinson, business tycoon, is furious. His giant brand-spanking new hotel is behind schedule for its grand opening. Some rooms are even covered with spiderwebs. ...5... "The Tsuranga Conundrum" Team TARDIS is on a junk planet scavenging, when Graham finds a sonic mine instead. The mine goes off, and the next thing they know, they're in a hospital recovery room. But it's on a spaceship ambulance named Tsuranga. This is good, until they're joined by a Pting. Pting not good. ........ Bonus C... Commentary track for "The Tsuranga Conundrum". Commentators are Mandip Gill, Ben Bailey-Smith (plays Durkas), Suzanne Packer (plays General Cicero) and Nikki Wilson (producer). Wilson on the Pting: "He was definitely conceived as a kind of space toddler.... You know how toddlers can be completely wild and completely terrifying." Durkas on the actor playing Ronan, the general's robotic aide: "If you watch him carefully, he doesn't blink. He never blinks!" ...6... "Demons of the Punjab" Yaz's Grandmother celebrates a birthday by distributing mementos. To Yaz, she gives a broken watch that belonged to her husband. Yaz's Father tells her, "I can get it fixed for you." Grandma, "It can never be fixed." Yaz, "Why not?" Grandma, "I don't want to talk about it. You won't understand." What if you had a new friend with a machine that could take you back in time to find out what happened to something - say, a watch? And what if there were demons waiting for you when you got there? Trivia: The city street scenes were shot in Grenada, Spain. ........ Bonus D... Commentary track for "Demons of the Punjab". Commentators include Alex Mercer, Mandip Gill, Shane Zaza (plays Prem) and the director. ...7... "Kerblam!" How exciting! The Doctor receives a robot delivery from Kerblam!, the galaxy's largest retailer. The Doctor doesn't remember ordering anything, and is delighted when the packing slip says simply, "Help Me." This needs investigating. The TARDIS lands on a moon totally taken up by one giant Kerblam! warehouse. Infiltrating as workers seems the next logical step. Even if it turns out to be dangerous. This is a good and rather creepy episode. Is it Social Commentary or Future Shock that Kerblam! is required by law have at least 10% of its workers "organic" and no more than 90% robots? ...8... "The Witchfinders" The Doctor and friends want to see the coronation of Elizabeth I. Instead, the TARDIS takes them 100 years later, to rural England and a King James I witchhunt. Remember how the TARDIS takes the Doctor where he should go, not necessarily where he wants to go? That's because there's something very unearthly about these witches. Trivia: Who is the Doctor quoting when she says, "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic"? Answer: The classic sci-fi writer Arthur C. Clarke. ...9... "It Takes You Away" Enough of weird history, now they land in 2018 for some weird today. They're in Norway, a secluded house on the edge of a lake, with tall sinister trees crowding in. It could be beautiful, but the house's windows are boarded up. A search of the house shows there's only one inhabitant, young Hanne, cowering in a closet. After they've explored outside, an alarm clock goes off and she tells them, "We need to get inside. It always comes out around now.... That's when it hunts." ..10... "The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos" The TARDIS receives 9 separate distress calls, all from the same planet 3,407 years in the future. The planet is Ranskoor Av Kolos, whose name, the Doctor explains, roughly translated means "Disintegrater of the Soul." It is a brutalized land. The battle is long over, and all that's left is one disabled ship with a man who can't remember if he's the Captain or how he lost his crew. What's really waiting for them is someone from the past. Someone with a grudge against the Doctor, and against Graham?! Season 11 originally aired from October – December, 2018. Episodes are about 50 minutes each. A New Years Day Special, "Resolution", aired 1/1/2019 and is NOT included in the Season 11 set of discs. It can be purchased separately on disc. I purchased Season 11 on BluRay, and English subtitles are available on the episodes and the Bonus Features. If you are watching an episode with a commentary track, though, the subtitles are still for the episode itself, not what's being said by the commentators. BONUS FEATURES, other than the Commentary Tracks: DISC 1 ....."Closer Looks" (total 21 minutes) Each of the 4 episodes has a teaser where the story line is introduced by cast and crew. Commentators include Jamie Childs, Matt Strevens (producer), Jodie Whittaker, Arwal Wyn Jones (production designer), Mandip Gill (plays Yaz), Shaun Dooley (plays Epzo), Bradley Walsh (plays Graham), Tosin Cole (plays Ryan) and Chris Chibnall (showrunner). ..... "Video Diaries" (total 2 minutes) "Bradley on a Train" (goofing around with the props) and "Mandip's South African". Mandip: "We basically made a pact because we complained about how cold it was here [in Wales] that when we got to South Africa, no one's allowed to complain that it's too hot." ..... "Features" (Total 25 minutes) "Becoming the Doctor", "Regenerating the Doctor", "Directing Doctor Who". Additional commentators include Andy Pryor (casting director), Ray Holman (costume designer), Sam Hoyle (producer) and Nikki Wilson (producer). DISC 2 ....."Closer Looks" (total 21 minutes) Looks for 4 episodes. Additional commentators include Jack Shalloo (plays Yoss), Lois Chimimba (plays Mabli), Vinay Patel (writer) and Shane Zaza. DISC 3 ..... "Closer Looks" (total 9 minutes) Looks for 2 episodes. Additional commentator Ellie Wallwork (plays Hanne). Matt Strevens on Graham in the last episode: "Graham has often been a lot of our heart and soul. He brings a great warmth and humour, and it's quite, sort of, paternal and protective to actually see him quite cold and angry and hate filled." ..... "Features" (total 16 minutes) "Friends of the Doctor", "Everything You Need to Know About the TARDIS", Making the Theme Tune" and "Best of Social". New commentator Segun Akinola (composer). Regarding the new TARDIS wall design, Arwel Wyn Jones (production designer) recalls: "We came across this image online of crown schinus within trees... when you look up into the canopy of certain tree types, the branches will never touch each other. They just leave a slight gap, and it gives you this fractal pattern in the canopy." And I leave you with this last quote of Bradley Walsh (plays Graham) on the amazing snacks made available on location for the cast and crew: "Tosin, you know, he treats his body like a Greek temple. And I treat mine like a Greek restaurant." Happy Reader

Good Stuff; Essential for the Dr. Who Fan. CM

Wonderful season, writing, cast, all of it. Worth 5 stars and anyone with their knickers in a twist because the 13th Doctor happens to be a woman can go boil their head. DEAR BBC: Here is my one complaint on behalf of all viewers who rely on subtitles: For the love of all 13 doctors, will the BBC PLEASE, PLEASE, please get their DVD subtitles professionally done? The subtitles on the streaming version via Prime are fine. However, whoever has done the English subtitles for this season on DVD has failed miserably. The subtitles were clearly done by someone with ZERO experience with the various accents heard in the series and NO access to the script whatsoever. The subtitles OFTEN do not match the dialogue and appear as if the person preparing them mis-heard and misunderstood the actual dialogue completely. BBC, you’re not doing your writers and actors justice by constantly misquoting the script and you’re failing your viewers who rely on subtitles. To fix this in future series, all it would take is to put the script in the right person’s hands. Get a shift on.

Watching the 39th season again, and I'm still loving it. This is the most exciting Doctor Who has been in years, and I've been a fan of every incarnation. Ignore the spamming by SQW (Status Quo Warriors), Jodie Whittaker is fantastic as the one and only Doctor, with a manner reminiscent of (but not mimicking) David Tennant's Doctor. Three companions can make the TARDIS crowded, especially as each story has new characters to interact with as well, but these have fully-formed personalities and interlocking history, so it works. The original series started with three companions who were also connected to each other, which also worked. Ryan has the most development over the course of the season as he comes to grips with his past, and his relationship with his Nan and her husband. Graham deals with the loss of his wife and developing his relationship with his grandson. Yaz is my favorite of the three and has her own family issues. The Doctor is hopeful and excited by life again, and forms a family with her new companions - and family you choose is spectacularly good. Highlights of the season are: "Rosa," where they meet Rosa Parks in the USA and contemplate how far the world has - and has not - come since the '50s; "Demons of the Punjab" examines the history of India and Pakistan and the effects of colonialism. It's telling that the season's strongest stories are historical pieces, since this is a science fiction series about time travel. A disappointment on the set is the lack of an insert listing the episode titles and special features. Further disappointment is that this season has a mere 10 episodes and the show is once again taking a year-long hiatus. I want more! Highly recommended for any Whovian, particularly anyone (not I!) who lost interest with Peter Capaldi's Doctor.

I was worried that a female Doctor might just be a gimmick to breathe new life into a show that was out of ideas. Boy was I wrong! Series 11 introduces a new wider-than-widescreen aspect ratio that gives the show a cinematic feel. Jodie Whittaker is instantly likeable as the Doctor, and she teams up with great companions. Bradley Walsh's Graham is as likeable as a young Wilfrid Mott. He has a wonderful dynamic with his wife's grandson, Ryan (Toslin Cole), and Mandip Gill is wonderful as Yas. This series boldly explores racism in Rosa Parks' 1955 Alabama, and the division of India and Pakistan in the wonderful Demons of the Punjab. Great acting and fresh, new stories make this one of the best seasons of Doctor Who ever.

Es una esupenda serie.

Niet geschikt voor de Nederlandse markt

I've been a Whovian since 1980, watching Pertwee episodes on CKVU-13 in Greater Vancouver, on Saturday mornings, though 4thDoc was and is my all-time favourite. Since 2005, I've been loving the new series, and I honestly couldn't care less about "believability," as this is a science fiction action-adventure drama, with elements of comedy and horror, about a time- and space-travelling alien, whose people can completely change their body, down to the cellular level, thus rendering the whole concept of believability a joke. I don't watch Who for believable plots, just as I don't watch Santa Clarita Diet for discussions of Nietzsche and Kierkegaard. I do, however, give a gold star for two episodes in a row that are really fantastic, and five of them for six such eps, such as the first six episodes of this season. The season set is no chopped liver, either, so those five stars are locked in. As far as "political correctness" goes, I saw none of that. No signs whatsoever of anyone spouting crap they don't believe, in order to bring in a larger audience. Definitely, no signs of any principal characters mouthing openly patriarchal BS (that is, actual *political correctness*, since respect for human and civil rights is still rising, though the Empire/Patriarchy is now certainly striking back). If you love Who more than tradition, you'll love Series 11.

Series 11 of Doctor Who is a brilliant, refreshing change from the previous seasons. It is crucial that viewers keep an open mind and be ready to accept that the show is a little different now. There are many detractors who can't wrap their heads around the many changes (Female lead, diverse cast, historical storylines) and come up with all sorts of ridiculous insults. But at its heart, Doctor Who is forging ahead with a female Doctor who is comfortable in her own skin and companions with heartfelt stories of their own. There is a nice balance of science-fiction with historical episodes, fast-paced adventure and slow burning philosophical bits as well. The Boxset has some behind the scenes closer looks which are really nice and informative, but it would be nice if they were a bit longer (or if there were more extras). There is definitely something for everyone. If you can't accept the Doctor being female, just don't even bother.