Doctor Who Review: The Crimson Horror

Brace yourselves, friends, because as our favorite Sontaran warned, we are going....to the North! And let me tell you, Victorian Yorkshire seems like one hell of a creepy place to reside. Written by the brilliant Mark Gatiss, "The Crimson Horror" brings us a sinister villain, a few cringe-inducing moments, and the return everyone's favorite crime fighting trio.

I have to say, I found this episode a lot creepier than "Hide" (Crooked Man and all). Let's start with the premise: An old woman, Winifred Gillyflower (fiendishly played by Dame Diana Rigg), seeks to rid the world of imperfection and, utilizing a primordial ooze, freezes those she deems "perfect". They shall remain in suspended animation until her plans to cleanse the Earth are complete, and then the residents of Sweetville will repopulate the Earth according to her design. But not even the "best of the best" are so lucky....some do not survive the freezing process. They end up suffering from, as the mortician calls it, "The Crimson 'Orror!"

THIS is what happens when you read spoilers for the 50th Special.

I was also really disturbed when Gillyflower's daughter, Ada (performed marvelously by Dame Diana's real-life daughter, Rachael Stirling), whose jerky movements and scarred face were already pretty jarring, went to feed her pet "monster" (because, after all, "every lonely monster needs a companion"). Let me explain, I once had a very vivid dream about going up a staircase to peek through a single door and see a crazed something flailing on the other side. That, of course, was brought on from seeing the first glimpses of Sloth in The Goonies when I was young and it scared the hell out of me when he finally got the tray of food and held it up in triumph.

This...this freaked the HELL out of me as a kid.

 I will say, though, that the Doctor's affection for her after he is released from the 'Orror was really touching, especially in light of how poorly she was treated by her mother. And when Jenny picks the lock and runs through the other side, to reveal a Frankenstein-like Crimson Doctor, I almost hid under the covers. To see big face with that long chin frozen in pain reminded me of the victims in The Ring, and his wide eyes still give me the shivers.

Before You Die...You Regenerate

But that's nothing compared to the reveal of "Mr. Sweet", the namesake of the pristine community, the source of the poison that induced the 'Orror (I love saying that!),  and someone with whom only Mrs. Gillyflower could speak. Naturally, this was because he was a prehistoric parasite living off of her own body.

Moments later he would don a top hat and sing "Ragtime Gal"
(10 points if you get the reference)

When Mrs. Gillyflower is finally thwarted (taking the Palpatine Express right over the railing in the missile silo), it was so satisfying to see Ada walk over and, when asked for forgiveness, whispers "Never." She then squishes Mr. Sweet with her walking stick, ending the parasite's disgusting existence (and preventing him from launching into an eery chorus of "Under the Sea"). I should point out that this is the second episode to deal directly with a parasite (the first being Akhaten itself in "The Rings of Akhaten") could this be a clue about Clara? An odd coincidence? Or my own mind making random connections?

By Jove, I think it's all three!

This episode also delivered some fantastic bits of comic relief. Strax's frustration with the horse and his subsequent interaction with young Thomas Thomas, who provides directions much like the GPS of his future, was really amusing. And when he crashes into the Sweetville complex with a mighty "Sontar-ha!" and blasting away, I felt glad to finally see him experience some action.

And, may I say, I've never seen anyone elicit such a passionate reaction from the Doctor as Jenny. The giant snog after she freed him from the Crimson Horror, his "sonic excitement" when she reveals her skintight bodysuit, and when she kicks some supermodel tail; it was all so unlike the Eleventh Doctor, who has ever only been seen being slightly flirty with River Song. It was a surprising departure from his character, but one that I thought added a really interesting new layer to his persona. I definitely wouldn't mind going a few rounds with the Victorian housekeeper...if only I was her type...and gender...and species.

"Uh, please don't tell my wife."

Ahem, moving on. The flashbacks to when the Doctor and Clara first arrived and investigated Sweetville, told via grainy camera footage, old-timey music, and sepia-toned photographs, was absolutely brilliant. It was so different from anything we had seen before. And the reference to the Fifth Doctor, his adventures with Tegan Jovanka, and his oft-used phrase "Brave Heart" was a huge treat for this Five fan.

I also really liked Matt Smith's Northern accent, not seen since "The Rebel Flesh". It was also a great throwback to Christopher Eccleston's Ninth Doctor, who was called out by Rose for his accent, to which he replied "Lots of planets have a North!" And I love how Clara took charge, smashing the chair into Mrs. Gillyflower's organ in order to stop the launch of the missile. It was nice to see the sonic not be the only way to solve a problem. And the interplay between Gillyflower, the Doctor, Clara, and Ada at the end was just classic Who.

Now, lest we forget, this is the first time the Paternoster Gang has seen Clara (or any version of her) since she died in "The Snowmen". They are all rightly confused, and the Doctor isn't giving them (or us) any answers. I actually really liked that we didn't learn anything new about Clara. Especially after "Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS", it was nice not to focus on great mystery of Series 7B. And to so casually dismiss it in the very time we first (er, secondly) met Clara was an obviously playful jab at the fans.

Ultimately, the TARDIS takes Clara back home, where she discovers that her little charges have found pictures of her online (...not that kind), detailing all of her adventures through time. Clara tries to deny that it's her, but when she sees a picture of her in Victorian London, not Yorkshire, she unwittingly spills the beans. The kids threaten to tell their father unless they can come with her on the next trip. And so we head into the eagerly awaited "Nightmare in Silver"!

All in all, "The Crimson 'Orror" might just be one of the best episodes of the entire Series 7. Creepy, exciting, funny, and with tons for Whovians to fan-gasm about, I wouldn't mind being frozen watching this until Judgement Day.

Til next Time (and Space!)

- Joe

Your Linc at Lunch: New Clone Wars Clip, No Classic Doctors for 50th, New Crimson Horror Trailer, Name of the Doctor Details

Good afternoon everyone! First of all, as we near Star Wars Day, I wanted to say Happy 5-01st to all of my friends trooping around the world. The 501st are a group of thousands of dedicated and passionate fans who not only spend tons of time and energy on creating better-than-movie quality armor and costumes, but also do a lot of charity work around the globe. They symbolize what being a Star Wars fan is all about.

Bad guys doing good things

Now, I think I've been pretty good trying to mix it up with the fandoms, but today it's all about the big two: Star Wars and Doctor Who! Lots of news to cover so let's get to it!

1. New Clone Wars Clips Previews What Is To Come

Yesterday we were all delightfully surprised when USA Today posted a brand new, never before seen clip from what as to be the next season of The Clone Wars! Leading a squad of clones, Jedi Master Plo Koon (voiced by the incomparable James Arnold Taylor) trudges through a sandstorm in order to find a crashed ship...that curiously contains a lost lightsaber.



Supervising Director, and Stetson aficionado  Dave Filoni promises that we will get the answers to some long-standing questions, including one about a mysterious Jedi Master:

"The Jedi have been fighting a war with an army that was commissioned by one of their own, Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas," he says. "But who was Sifo-Dyas, and what happened to him? The dark lord of the Sith has woven an intricate web to ensnare the Jedi, but it is not full-proof and sometimes a small clue, and a bit of chance, can lead to the unraveling of the best-laid plans."

Jedi Master Sifo-Dyas was alluded to in Episode II: Attack of the Clones as the one who originally went to Kamino to make the order for the clone army. In the comics, it is revealed that he was killed by his old friend, Count Dooku, as his final test to become a Sith. Most recently, Sifo-Dyas was featured in the incredible novel Darth Plagueis. Will this new Clone Wars adventure shed some light on the mystery, or cast it further into the shadows? You can bet I'll bring you the latest as it comes out! Check out the full article by clicking here.

2. No Classic Doctors in 50th, Says Doctor Who Magazine

It looks like we'll only be seeing the return of one Time Lord come this November. The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine confirms that no Doctor from the classic era, including Eighth Doctor Paul McGann, will be making an appearance in the 50th Anniversary Special. As Steven Moffat explains:

“It is important you don’t turn it into a fanfest. We can’t make this all about looking backwards. It’s actually got to be the start of a new story.”

Well, there goes any hope of seeing the Eighth Doctor's regeneration into the Ninth. But in a sense, the Moff is right. This has to be an epic tale in its own right, not just a trip to the planet Nostalgia. And I'm sure there will be tons of nods to the past, especially Matt Smith's predecessors, throughout the special. DWM also reports that filming on the 50th is almost completed and the Christmas Special is due to start filming after his stint in the Ryan Gosling-directed film How to Catch A Monster.

3. New Crimson Horror Clip Harkens Back to Fifth Doctor

Now, if you need to get your Past Doctor fix, the latest clip from this week's "The Crimson Horror" is just what the Doctor ordered! (Looks like I overshot planet Nostalgia and landed on the moon of Pun) Using a grainy footage effect, the clip features the Doctor and Clara once again coming out of the TARDIS not exactly where they expected.



The "gobby" Australian is, of course, a reference to Fifth Doctor companion Tegan Jovanka. Hearing a call back to the Fifth Doctor's catchphrase "Brave heart, Tegan" made my inner fanboy beam with glee. And the reference follows an interesting pattern of reaching back to previous Doctors that one viewer has noticed:

• Rings of Akhaten: Susan (1st Doctor)
• Cold War: Ice Warriors (2nd Doctor)
• Hide: Metebelis 3 (3rd Doctor)
• Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS: Fourth Doctor heard in the TARDIS console room
• The Crimson Horror: "Brave Heart, Tegan" (5th Doctor)

This being the big 5-0 year and all, we can expect many more references to come as we lead into the finale and the special. And speaking of the Series 7 finale....

4. The Name of the Doctor Semi-Spoilers and Teasers

If you want to go into the Series 7 finale "The Name of the Doctor" completely unspoiled, then you best turn away now. Doctor Who Magazine has also published a list of tantalizing details about the last episode before we head into the 50th. It looks like the Doctor will indeed travel to Trenzalore, discover the truth behind Clara, and perhaps, just perhaps, reveal his biggest secret. To that end, there's this intriguing synopsis:

"Every journey taken by a time-traveller tears a wound in the fabric of reality, and the Doctor has time-travelled more than anyone. But the trail runs cold in Trenzalore, the one place in all of time and space that he should never go. The most dangerous place in the universe… Who is kidnapping the Doctor’s friends, leading him to Trenzalore? Could the Fall of the Eleventh be nigh? Or does an impossible girl hold the key? The Doctor’s past, present, and future lives are in grave danger… and his greatest secret is about to be revealed."

This quote from the Doctor:

 THE DOCTOR: “The path I carved through time and space, from Gallifrey to Trenzalore. My own personal time tunnel, leading back to every moment I ever lived. Every step, every tear, every kiss. Even the days I haven’t lived yet. Which is why I shouldn’t be here. The paradoxes… very bad…”

 And some other exciting tidbits:

• Richard E Grant is back as Dr Simeon (“Hello again,” says the Doctor. “How’s the Intelligence – still Great?”) (Joe's Thought: Hm, could the Great Intelligence be the leader of the Silence?)
• Post-Library River Song returns (“Oh, I do like to watch a man think; it’s like watching a whale knit!”).
• On the Doctor’s feelings for River, Moffat says: “You never quite know what the Doctor feels. I don’t think you ever should.”
• There’s more snogging
• Moffat says there hasn’t been a “proper doom-fraught episode” in a while. If this episode is about anything, it’s about death. There is a funereal atmosphere, literally.
• Will everyone make it to the end of the episode alive? (Spoiler: No)
• Will we, at last, learn the true identity of Clara Oswald, the impossible girl? (Spoiler: yes!)
• Will the Doctor’s greatest secret be revealed? (Spoiler: Possibly)
• DWM doesn’t know how the episode ends, it’s that secret
• After this episode, nothing will ever be the same again

If ever there was a time for a real life TARDIS to show up, it would be now. "The Name of the Doctor" premieres Saturday, May 18, 2013.

Hoo boy, what a post! Hopefully there's enough to get you revved up for some great Star Wars and Doctor Who events to come! Check back soon for more information form the Missing Linc!

- Joe

Your Late Evening Linc: JJ Abrams Talks Episode VII, Empire Strikes Back Photos, Doctor Who Teasers, and DBZ Abridged

Oh, what a fine evening it is! Let's not waste another moment of it and get right to your evening Lincs:

1. J.J. Abrams Talks Star Wars (And That Other Franchise)

Pictured: NOT Miss April

Because this time I really am reading it for the articles! Episode VII director J.J. Abrams sat down with Playboy Magazine for a fully in-depth interview in which he discusses all of his upcoming projects. He talks about what it takes to make Star Trek exciting to fans and casual viewers alike, the responsibility of taking the helm of two mega-franchises with rabidly loyal fans (Hi, how are ya?), and his approach to directing Episode VII and making the two franchises distinct. He even dishes on his incredible and controversial (amongst fans, that is) TV shows Lost, Fringe, Felicity and Revolution. And that's just the tip of the iceberg! Here's a snippet of what he had to say with regard to juggling the two universes:

ABRAMS: As with anything, because these are very different worlds, they shouldn’t feel the same aesthetically. They can’t. You’re right. But again, I don’t apply aesthetics first and fit a movie into that aesthetic. If I had come into Star Trek with those eyes, I would probably have been paralyzed. The advantage here is that we still have George Lucas with us to go to and ask questions and get his feedback on things, which I certainly will do. With Star Trek it was harder because I wasn’t a Star Trek fan; I didn’t have the same emotional feeling, and I didn’t have Gene Roddenberry to go to. But I came to understand the world of Star Trek, and I appreciated what fans felt and believed about this universe and this franchise.

Later in the interview, the "King of the Reboot" hints that something original is coming down the pike. You can read the full article here.

2. Never Before Seen Behind the Scenes Photos from The Empire Strikes Back

Imugr user "joinyoubythesun" has uploaded an astounding 66 behind the scenes images from the filming of The Empire Strikes Back. Not sure exactly where he got them from, but I am definitely not complaining! There are a whole host of pictures that I've never seen before; some posed, some candid, and all amazing. There are also plenty of pictures of the late greats of the film, including director Irvin Kershner, Yoda creator and make-up master Stuart Freeborn, swordsman Bob Anderson, and Old Ben himself, Sir Alec Guiness. All in all, it really does bring a smile to my face to see the cast and crew really enjoying themselves as they create what is arguably one of the best movies of all time. You can check them all out here, but I wanted to share a few of my favorites:

They're smiling because their faces are frozen like that.

Quit you're whining kid, it's only your melted hand.

Going over the script with Kirsh (and producer Gary Kurtz)

"And then...Chewie just let one RIP...an arm I mean..."

The Maker, The Vader, and the Director

"And THIS is what I think of your acting!"

"I'll see you in hell!.. Ha ha, I'm just kidding. You're going there, I'll be up in Heaven."

"Drive the Rebel Ice Cream Truck, they said. It'll be fun they said!"

Miss you, Kirsh. 

"He's just crazy enough to do it!"

3. Doctor Whoness

Well, after Saturday's exciting episode, the folks at the BBC are serving up all sorts of bits and bobs to keep us going until next week. For starters, they are releasing a collectible box set entitled "Regeneration".

Included: The rare episode where the Doctor regenerates into Michael Jackson

With over 1,000 minutes of footage and bonus material over 6 DVDs, the album is "adorned with superb photography from across the era and features detailed and informative accounts of every regeneration." Each DVD contains the episodes that contain the Doctors' regeneration, including the masterfully reconstructed fourth and final episode of the "Tenth Planet" arc which gives us our very first "renewal". The box set is out June 10, 2013.

And check out what's coming up next week in "The Crimson Horror". The Paternoster Gang are back as Jenny, Vastra, and Strax help the Doctor and Clara unravel the dangerous mystery surrounding Sweetville. Perhaps their travels back to the era in which the Doctor met Clara for the second time will lead to some more clues as to the true nature of the newest  and most mysterious companion.



Speaking of Clara-related mysteries, we got the smallest, and yet most tantalizing of clues from none other than Jenna-Louise Coleman herself! On the topic of the Series 7 finale episode, "The Name of the Doctor", Jenna-Louise praises the epic plot, the cool new villains The Whispermen, and drops this bombshell:

“All I can say is that Clara hasn’t just met the Doctor three times before…”

I'm sorry....WHAT?! Apparently, Moffat has been planting clues for years, and has stated that we have yet to even get on the scent of the truth behind Clara Oswin Oswald. And we've only got two episodes left before the finale, which will lead directly into the 50th anniversary. According to the synopsis for "The Name of the Doctor":

"Clara is summoned to an impossible conference call, alerting her that the deadly Whisper Men are closing in on Vastra, Jenny and Strax. Someone is kidnapping the Doctor’s friends, leading him toward the one place in all of time and space that he should never go. It’s a deadly trap that threatens to unravel his past, present and future…"

Because, remember, it's all still waiting for him. Trenzalore, the fall of the Eleventh....and the revelation of his biggest secret.

4. Dragonball Z Abridged Episode 34

"The following is a non-profit fan based parody..." If you're a DragonBall Z fan and have not yet experienced the hilarity and sheer awesomeness that is DragonBall Z Abridged, then stop literally everything you're doing (I see you feeding that baby) and get crackin'. The brilliant minds and incredible voice talents at Team Four Star have been able to get at the very core of what the show was about, while managing to create stories all their own. From an imbecilic Goku, to a senile Guru, to a sadistic Mr. Popo, you'll find yourself with all new favorite characters as you laugh your way through each episode. The one that got me hooked was Episode 29, and I suggest if you're going to start anywhere, you start there. Here is the latest episode, number 34, which takes place after a cooler than cool Trunks has finally dispatched a Cyber-Frieza and his Daddykins.




That's it for tonight, kids. Check back tomorrow for more from the Missing Linc!

- Joe

Your Linc at Lunch: The Doctor's Name Revealed? Plus River Song Returns and New Series 7B Posters

UDATE: Considering today's Who news, I decided to add the amazing fan-made trailer called "The First Question" below. I get goosebumps every time.

Well Whovians, this might just be it. We might finally learn the true name of the greatest Time Lord in history. The final episode of Series 7, the one that will lead into the 50th Anniversary Special, is titled:

Don't worry, I gave a manly squeal....

That's right. As showrunner Steven Moffat told Radio Times:

 "There’s going to be a revelation. I’m not teasing. I’m not wrong-footing you – you’re about to learn something about the Doctor that you never knew before. And I think you’re in for a shock."

 Will we see the fields of Trenzalore and the fall of the Eleventh? What will the Doctor's answer be to "The Question", at a time when he cannot fail to speak or utter falsely? Will it be an unpronounceable Gallifreyan name? Something with the word "Who" in it? (Like 4th Doctor companion and fellow Time Lady Romanadvoratrelundar (or Romana) or even like Grand Admiral Thrawn, whose real name is Mitth'raw'nurodo?)

Or will it not be anything like we're expecting? I trust in Moffat's genius to give us something truly shocking, wholly unexpected, and something truly revelatory. And, as always, some fan will hate it no matter what.

Also some really great news is that this episode will see the return of the Doctor's wifey, River Song.

Whose real name, we all know, is Jk093laksklo Jones.

Now, In the Tenth Doctor two-parter "Silence in the Library" and "The Forest of the Dead" where, in an order to prove that she knew him, whispered the Doctor's name in his ear. He said that there was only one time where he would ever, could ever, tell someone his true name. Will we see this moment at the end of Series 7?

While we're waiting, we still have some great episodes coming up, including the spooky-looking "Hide" tomorrow. And the folks at the BBC have released more movie-style posters for the following episodes:

All in all it's shaping up to be an exciting few weeks! Well, I think that's enough to fill you up right now! I'll be back soon with more news and geekery from around the web. Share your thoughts below on your theories on the answer to the oldest question in the universe....Doctor WHO?

 

Geronimo!

- Joe