S34E5: Journey to the Centre of the Tardis

[Captain Seafort]

Starts at 1830

[Bedlam]

I wasn't to keen on it, it tried to hard to be mysterious and earth shattering without actually doing anything and then hit the reset button (literally).

I'm guessing this was mostly done as a cheap episode, small case and a fairly small number of sets.

Plus, who the hell does that to their brother?

[Batman]

Not too terrible, but definitely a weak episode. The reset button ending was just blergh. About the only good points were us finally seeing the pool and the library and getting a glimpse of (rather than just being told about) just how much bigger the TARDIS is on the inside.

And you vastly underestimate the excesses sibling rivalry can work up to. Cain and Abel come to mind. Making your brother believe he's a robot after he lost his memory is pretty benign even compared to stuff that happened in the real world, leave alone other fiction.

[Eternal_Freedom]

I found it entertaining enough. The zombie things being possible-future-Clara felt a little weak to me. Since they made a point of Clara finding the History of the Time War in the library, I was expecting it to be some horror from the Time War that the Doctor had kept locked away for some reason or other.

I found the hints about the Doctor's name to be...underwhelming. I just don't see why they are making such a big deal out of it.

[dragon]

I liked how they had a star on the inside of the tardis

[Eternal_Freedom]

I liked how they had a star on the inside of the tardis

...which is weird since they called it the Eye of Harmony which was explicitly stated in the classic series to be a black hole. Although, a massive star in a perpetual state of collapse would be throwing off a huge amount of energy so would work better than a black hole would as a power source.

[Batman]

I found that part to be somewhat disappointing really. We've been told, time and again, even in nuWho, how incredibly powerful a TARDIS is, and the power source is...one measly star? The TARDIS having an actual star for decoration, that would've worked. But as its power source?

[Eternal_Freedom]

Well, as far as power sources go it is rather impressive. A typical core collapse supernova has a luminosity of around 10^44 to 10^46 W, outshining entire galaxies. If you could find a way to keep that star in that state (somehow...freaky Time Lord technology related to the Hand of Omega most likely) for a while and collect all that energy as useful power, then you are going to be very powerful indeed.

Of course, that idea get's shot to pieces when Ten had to "brun up a star just to say goodbye" to Rose. So, yeah, it was a bit shite on that front. Especially since they didn't even need to make it a star to make it dangerous; the very story that introduced the Eye fo Harmony established that it's bloody dangerous to be around unless you've go the right protective gear.

[Stark]

Dude writers being too stupid to even keep track of what the Eye of Harmony is is a grand tradition of DW. If only their producer or script editor gave a shit I guess? If you're a bad scifi writer simply typing OMG A STAR WHOO is what you do when you mean 'powerful'.

But man nerds reading heaps of bullshit into dialog and then declaring INCONSISTENCY never gets old, ever.

[Parallax]

Of course, you have to remember that the previous main power source of the TARDIS went kablooey when Gallifrey went bye-bye so this version may have no connection to the old Eye of Harmony at all.
Or maybe the Doctor stole the Gallifrey Eye of Harmony at the end of the Time War.
Or maybe he stole a star on his own just afterwards.
Or timey wimey wibbly wobbly.

Just roll with it.

[Stark]

They're well aware nobody cares; why do you think they're just making shit up?

[Iroscato]

My brains. My beautiful brainsss...meeeelting
That was a pretty great episode, I think, but it'll probably need 2-3 viewings before I can make any sort of sense out of it. It certainly tickled a few geek nerves though...
And with regards to next time, is it just me getting a bit sick of Madame Vastra, Jenny and Strax?

[Parallax]

And with regards to next time, is it just me getting a bit sick of Madame Vastra, Jenny and Strax?

Pretty sure it's just you. I think they're great.

I quite enjoyed the episode - but then I think the TARDIS is the main character of the show. Heh. It had some interesting similarities to some old 7th Doctor novels, wherein the TARDIS is nearly destroyed and split into three distinct time zones, wherein the characters of the story can interact with their own future selves.

What did you find confusing about the ep? I thought it was pretty straight forward.

[NecronLord]

I liked how they had a star on the inside of the tardis

...which is weird since they called it the Eye of Harmony which was explicitly stated in the classic series to be a black hole. Although, a massive star in a perpetual state of collapse would be throwing off a huge amount of energy so would work better than a black hole would as a power source.

It was not stated to be a black hole by anyone who actually knew what it was. The Doctor interpreted this passage to mean that it was. But it is canon that the Doctor got the lowest possible pass grade from the academy on his second attempt -- he's far from all knowing about time lord science. It was originally described thus:

"Rassilon journeyed into the Black Void with a great fleet. Within the Void, no light would shine and nothing of that outer nature continued in being, except that which existed within the Sash of Rassilon. Now Rassilon found the Eye of Harmony which balances all things, that they may neither flux nor wither nor change their state in any measure. And he caused the Eye to be brought to the world of Gallifrey, wherein he sealed this beneficence with the Great Key. Then the people rejoiced."

From this text the Doctor infers it's a black hole, but he might just not know what the fuck it is. The same applies to his descriptions here and in the TV movie; he might not actually know what he's talking about.

[Broomstick]

How would a Time Lord translate Gallifreyan science and technology into terms a 21st Century (or any other century) human could understand? It would be like explaining an integrated circuit to someone from ancient Babylon. At best you'd have to use analogy after analogy, at best the meaning would be horribly distorted. Easier just to say "it's magic" because from their viewpoint it is.

I did like the dual meaning of the phrase "salvage of a lifetime".

[dragon]

Rewatched it and the doctor says black hole with a star held in orbit around it. Or some such thing

[jwl]

The whole "big friendly button" is by no means an asspull. Everything was set up for it as soon as the doctor noticed the remote and Clara's burnt hand.

I found that part to be somewhat disappointing really. We've been told, time and again, even in nuWho, how incredibly powerful a TARDIS is, and the power source is...one measly star? The TARDIS having an actual star for decoration, that would've worked. But as its power source?

Well, seeing as the TARDIS is a time machine and could possibly be able to harvest the energy from billions of years of the source's at a time, you could give it a candle as a power source and make it believable. Hopefully they'll pick up on that later.

[Havok]

I didn't mind the "big friendly button" for just that reason. It's there from the beginning.

I feel like the Clara thing is going nowhere though. I like her as a companion, but the whole "what is she?" seems to be going the way of Lost and nBSG in that it seems like they are just making it up as they go. I don't think that is the case as I think all the shows are made already but it feels that way.

[Soontir C'boath]

Jenna Louis Coleman is very easy on the eyes. That's all I really cared for this episode.

[PREDATOR490]

0 - This episode just seemed like it was determined to hurl stuff at the audience until they get stupified enough to just say 'fuck it'.

This is the kind of episode I really do not like and the overall tone of the episode was extremely wonky.
We have them alternating between brutal cruelty with the Brother / Android thing, oh look scary burned nightmare people and the creepy Doctor / Clara relationship.

Some highlights:
- The dialogue between the Doctor and Asshole Scavenger got really wierd at points. Specifically when he starts talking about 'Timelords' as if he isnt one of them.
- TARDIS has magical rods that impale people in corridors
- Being impaled by a giant rod through the chest is not a problem
- Scavengers suffer from plot stupidity by not pointing their magical scanner at the Doctor when he is running around a ship without a protective suit / respirator when they were moaning about them. Why the hell did they need the protective equipment ?
- Using a sparking cutting tool without protective eye-googles is totally fine thing to do
- The TARDIS was seen last episode talking to Clara but in a situation like this the TARDIS can happily re-arrange the entire ship for XYZ but not bother to inform the Doctor about what is going on
- The TARDIS has a room that can magically make anything, the hell was that about ?
- Why are the evil burned people trying to attack their past incarnations ?
- Why are those future incarnations even burned to begin with when the Doctor said they would get burned if they stayed in the Star Room for "a miniute or two" ?
They were in that room for way longer than that without an issue and without the burny monsters they would have no reason to get stuck for longer than two miniutes, oh right "Fuck it"

Special Mentions:
- History of the Timewar / Doctors name / Big Library / Super Clara Reset
Yeah, fuck you very much for that.
Not only did they reset the situation but we dont even fucking learn anything about the stupid mystery they are setting up with Clara. Not to mention the added bullshit tease by throwing in the idea she learned something 'epic' that now she forgets... without telling the audience.
Remember the last time they did something like this ? - River Song

[Gandalf]

I'm getting sick of this "Doctor's Name" business.

Are we supposed to believe that there will be a big reveal at the end of the year, where Doctor Who will be renamed Doctor Jim?

[Broomstick]

We have them alternating between brutal cruelty with the Brother / Android thing, oh look scary burned nightmare people and the creepy Doctor / Clara relationship.

What, you don't know any genuine assholes in real life?

- TARDIS has magical rods that impale people in corridors

Wasn't that the "engine" doing something called "throwing a rod"?

- Being impaled by a giant rod through the chest is not a problem

It looked more like his arm than his chest. Oddly enough, yes, people can be impaled and remain conscious and functioning for quite awhile after the fact.

- Scavengers suffer from plot stupidity by not pointing their magical scanner at the Doctor when he is running around a ship without a protective suit / respirator when they were moaning about them. Why the hell did they need the protective equipment ?

They cut apart ships for a living, the suits are to protect them from the hazards associated with stuff. Given that Tricky has replacement parts due to a salvage accident maybe they serve a useful purpose. Given how they brothers treat each other why the hell would they care if a civilian didn't wear one? Also, at the beginning there's all that cloudy misty stuff floating around until the Doctor uses the TARDIS extractor fans, that stuff is probably not good to breathe. The Doctor doesn't take his respirator off until that stuff is gone.

- Using a sparking cutting tool without protective eye-googles is totally fine thing to do

I agree, and yet, in real life I see people do it all the time...

- The TARDIS has a room that can magically make anything, the hell was that about ?

It does explain a few things about the Doctor so often dragging this or that machine out of the TARDIS, not to mention the seemingly endless supply of sonic screwdrivers.

- Why are the evil burned people trying to attack their past incarnations ?

Driven insane by the pain?

- Why are those future incarnations even burned to begin with when the Doctor said they would get burned if they stayed in the Star Room for "a miniute or two" ?
They were in that room for way longer than that without an issue and without the burny monsters they would have no reason to get stuck for longer than two miniutes, oh right "Fuck it"

Nonspecific time limit + narrative flexibility, happens all the time in TV and the movies.

[The Yosemite Bear]

Wish there had been some shoutouts to previous companions, like what if they found some of Leela's weapons, or some nitro9 canisters and a comment about how dangerous that stuff is....

[Lost Soal]

Wish there had been some shoutouts to previous companions, like what if they found some of Leela's weapons, or some nitro9 canisters and a comment about how dangerous that stuff is....

Think I heard Susan from Unearthly Child spelling out what TARDIS means.

[Stark]

You mean that dumb shit she probably made up and people couldn't even get right afterward? :v