I'm not sure if the above image (sourced from Disney's press kit) is just a group photo of the cast or an actual moment from the episode. Either way, it's a cool visual.
Spoilers The Well grade and discussion thread
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I'm not sure if the above image (sourced from Disney's press kit) is just a group photo of the cast or an actual moment from the episode. Either way, it's a cool visual.
Did they realise the above pic makes the cast look like they all have Mickey Mouse ears, or was that intentional on Rusty's part to take the piss out of Disney?
Davies talked to TV Line about the casting of deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis in this week's episode:
"Aliss wasn’t written as a deaf character,” Davies told TVLine ahead of the new season. “But then Rose’s name came up, and she’s acted for long time on British television, and I instantly said yes. Because she’s just wonderful.”
Davies went on to say that one reason to “cast diversely,” as he happened to do here, is because all involved can learn a thing or two along the way. In turn, an episode of TV can only get better.
“It was a delight to work with Rose. As I talked with her, we put things into the script I never would have thought of,” he recalled. “She modified things, and we modified things….”
After submitting the script for “The Well” for a compliance reading — where typically “they tell us what we’ve gotten wrong, which is exactly the way it should work,” Davies explained — this time “it came back with such a glowing report.”
In fact, one of the few notes he did receive celebrated a line of dialogue, about how hearing people can get paranoid around those who are quietly signing. “I’ve never seen that said out loud before,” is what Davies said the impressed consultant on deafness reported back.
Our languages are so broken when it comes to sensory differences.
"Seen that said out loud". From a consultant who probably is deaf themselves and thus would have had to have SEEN it, but "out loud"?
I had never considered this, but then I've encountered very few IRL situations where someone was signing for another. And never for me. Closest I've had was a Ukrainian translator.
I suppose the paranoia is that there's mistranslation? Or that the signer is making fun of you and you can't tell?
This raises the question of whether the TARDIS translation matrix works on all forms of non-verbal speech... we know it works with the written word from A Good Man Goes To War, but sign?
If there's paranoia about what a signer is saying, then it doesn't - unless this comment is made before the TARDIS shows up. Or the TARDIS doesn't translate sign. Or is lost again like in The Satan Pit.
I've never wondered about mistranslation for signing but I have been paranoid when it comes to texting and chat rooms. That's another form of complete trust about the other side of the conversation, if in a completely different. In this case, the paranoia is based on what you're visibly seeing but what's being said could be something different.
No matter the situation, it's a curious notion and I'm looking forward to Doctor Who exploring it.
No matter the situation, it's a curious notion and I'm looking forward to Doctor Who exploring it.
One upside to insomnia, I'm apparently the first here to watch this. And well, I certainly wasn't expecting a sequel to Midnight. Despite Midnight being a fan favorite, I've actually never cared for it that much, in fact it's one of two episodes from RTD's first era I tend to skip on rewatches (the other is Fear Her). This episode on the other hand is actually somewhat enjoyable, though I will probably call it the weakest of the season so far. It did drag a bit in the middle while everyone was still trying to figure out what's going on, is there something behind Allis, let's all freak out. But after the attempted mutiny, the pace picks up and it ends as a relatively solid outing for the week. The squad leader's sacrifice (forget her name) was a nicely done scene.
So, not a favorite, but still enjoyable and definitely much better than the episode it's a sequel to.
So, not a favorite, but still enjoyable and definitely much better than the episode it's a sequel to.
I think the Entity was more scary in Midnight, because the threat was psychological entirely. There was some of that here, but mostly the threat was physical now.
I like that they did something new with it, of course. But it didn't feel like the exact same Entity anymore.
I am unsure if I would have liked some sort of recognition of the Doctor, or not. The primal nature of the Entity is an important part.I have to reflect on it all a bit more (pun not intended), I think.
I like that they did something new with it, of course. But it didn't feel like the exact same Entity anymore.
I am unsure if I would have liked some sort of recognition of the Doctor, or not. The primal nature of the Entity is an important part.I have to reflect on it all a bit more (pun not intended), I think.
Honestly? Pretty good.
But, as a sequel to Midnight? Sorry, but not quite there. That episode was, basically, RTD at his nihilist best - Torchwood Series 4 RTD, in fact - and this one tried to Aliens to his Alien, but it feels more akin to his Impossible Planet in tone and execution, if that makes sense.
Still, I enjoyed it. The 2025 mystery is rooted well, and anyone who doesn't see Ncuti as the Doctor by now, they likely never will, but who cares. I do, and I see a really increasingly textured Doctor portrayal, and I enjoy him greatly!
This series keeps on going strong. Lets hope it lasts!!
But, as a sequel to Midnight? Sorry, but not quite there. That episode was, basically, RTD at his nihilist best - Torchwood Series 4 RTD, in fact - and this one tried to Aliens to his Alien, but it feels more akin to his Impossible Planet in tone and execution, if that makes sense.
Still, I enjoyed it. The 2025 mystery is rooted well, and anyone who doesn't see Ncuti as the Doctor by now, they likely never will, but who cares. I do, and I see a really increasingly textured Doctor portrayal, and I enjoy him greatly!
This series keeps on going strong. Lets hope it lasts!!
It was different, but then it had been a very long time.
This was unusually good for the current era, and nicely, surprisingly old-school.
I had heard that there was a surprise sequel to an older episode this season, and initially suspected that this was the one. Until the diamond reference I was thinking it was The Satan Pit because of the deep underground mining operation.
Anyway, this was another good one. I'm leaning towards an 8, because it felt like old RTD era episode in tone, with something more psychological at play. I'm really glad we never actually got to see the monster, something best left to the imagination.
I also believe that the Midnight entity was scarier and more interesting in Midnight. I was itching to hear one of the characters start echoing the Doctor, like in the original episode, but it was probably better to do something different with it.
Anyway, this was another good one. I'm leaning towards an 8, because it felt like old RTD era episode in tone, with something more psychological at play. I'm really glad we never actually got to see the monster, something best left to the imagination.
I also believe that the Midnight entity was scarier and more interesting in Midnight. I was itching to hear one of the characters start echoing the Doctor, like in the original episode, but it was probably better to do something different with it.
I will say the "could it be the Cybermen?" guess upthread had me going initially. The redshirts only identifying as "Trooper Four", etc. The use of "irrelevant". The protestation at "de-suiting". The helmet signage in the airlock was also a bit reminiscent of Cyber helmets... I wouldn't have been surprised if these were "early" Cyber-troopers with most of their organics intact.
As for the ending... a commentary on paranoia? I can't see a way the Entity actually escaped given the commander definitely knew the alien had attached itself to her, but perhaps in true Red Dwarf fashion it's "Occupants: 2"?
Am glad RTD wasn't building to "disabled character is actually the villain" to shoot down the backlash of putting an abled Davros in the CiN short...
As for the ending... a commentary on paranoia? I can't see a way the Entity actually escaped given the commander definitely knew the alien had attached itself to her, but perhaps in true Red Dwarf fashion it's "Occupants: 2"?
Am glad RTD wasn't building to "disabled character is actually the villain" to shoot down the backlash of putting an abled Davros in the CiN short...
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Just realised the "Could it be the Cybermen?" guess I referenced was in the Wordforge Who thread, and it was ED209, who is otherwise stinking the place up with his "Have you ever done X in Y style?" schtick.
I do apologize.
I do apologize.
Really solid episode, though I have to admit that I don’t really remember much about Midnight (I’m not much of a re-watcher) and also thought of The Midnight Pit when The Doctor realised he knew this enemy.
Agreed that the Mrs Flood thing is a little too much like Susan Twist last season. Still, petty niggles aside, this season is 3 for 3 so far and Ncuti and Varada bounce nicely off each other. Looking forward to seeing the return of you know who next week (minor spoiler but just in case anyone didn’t watch the preview).
Agreed that the Mrs Flood thing is a little too much like Susan Twist last season. Still, petty niggles aside, this season is 3 for 3 so far and Ncuti and Varada bounce nicely off each other. Looking forward to seeing the return of you know who next week (minor spoiler but just in case anyone didn’t watch the preview).
Satan Pit, not Midnight Pit.
I stopped watching when the planet's original name was mentioned and went back to watch the original episode.
Seemed to be two different creatures involved, not the original returning
I still liked the new show, well done
Seemed to be two different creatures involved, not the original returning
I still liked the new show, well done
I upped my vote from a 7 to an 8 after digesting the episode a bit more.
it's still not perfect, but as a semi sequel to a horror themed story it was really not bad.
I think I need to rewatch it though to pick on some details I outright missed, like the creature knowing the Doctor's name and a person too many entering the escape lift at the end.
it's still not perfect, but as a semi sequel to a horror themed story it was really not bad.
I think I need to rewatch it though to pick on some details I outright missed, like the creature knowing the Doctor's name and a person too many entering the escape lift at the end.
I don’t care. 20 year old episode or whatever. Things I am never going to need to know in real life.
Well that was just bloody brilliant, probably my favourite episode of the season so far (but they've all been good). Didn't see the Midnight connection coming (and I think it probably is the same creature just evolved after hundreds of thousands of years).
Loved the screens for Aliss' benefit, and of course I loved Rose Ayling-Ellis, but then I always do, that girl can do no wrong in my eyes.
So when Aliss and two troopers get in the ship at the end does the panel show four occupants?
The Doctor and Bel were both great. Loved the mercury mirror.
My only slight gripe, when Shaya ran off and the Doctor ran after her, didn't that mean he was behind her?
Loved the screens for Aliss' benefit, and of course I loved Rose Ayling-Ellis, but then I always do, that girl can do no wrong in my eyes.
So when Aliss and two troopers get in the ship at the end does the panel show four occupants?
The Doctor and Bel were both great. Loved the mercury mirror.
My only slight gripe, when Shaya ran off and the Doctor ran after her, didn't that mean he was behind her?
I was thinking that the way it hid reminded me more of the (hypothetical) creature from “Listen,” and wondered if the two episodes were being braided together. I suppose that still might be the case, there seemed to be some subtle references, like the Doctor risking everything to get a glimpse of the creature.
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