Doctor Who: Enemy Within...

[fajrdrako]

I spent the evening at Pat and Sandi's place, watching Doctor Who: Enemy Within, the somewhat notorious made-for-TV movie from 1996 that featured Paul McGann as the eighth doctor.

I didn't like it at all.

I actually saw it once before, because I'm a Paul McGann fan. And I remembered nothing of it. No wonder it didn't make me want to watch Doctor Who again.

It made me appreciate the New Doctor Who ten times as much: the clever scripts, the sense of style, the convincing relationships, the humour, the wisdom, the wit, the spirit. All of that. Due, I think, to the genius of Russell T. Davies. Doctor Who: Enemy Within was dull, stupid and ordinary.

Now, I hadn't expected more. I vaguely remembered what it was like, if not any of the details. When I saw it ten years ago I didn't know anything about the Doctor; now I hope some of its details - like the Doctor having a human mother - are retconned out of canon. What a terrible idea.

I liked seeing huge cathedral-like rooms in the Tardis.

Comments

[lilithlotr.livejournal.com]

Huh - I actually like it better now than I did when it aired, mostly because I love Paul as the doctor, in both the movie and the Big Finish stuff. And I refuse to hold any weirdness against him.

He's a fabulous man; I'm so glad I finally met him.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Well, loving Paul McGann is a given, though I wish he's had a better script to work with. No, none of the problems with the movie were his fault, and he did his best to make the role charming and interesting. I might have liked it all better (and been more tolerant of its flaws) if I'd liked Grace. I did like Chang Li.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

If I recall correctly, Eight has done some better audio adventures, and been in some interesting novels.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I should look into that. I found it interesting that he didn't have a companion, either before or after the story.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

now I hope some of its details - like the Doctor having a human mother - are retconned out of canon. What a terrible idea.

Indeed! This was invented for the TV movie, which is of questionable canonical status.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

of questionable canonical status.

Good! as far as I'm concerned it should be unquestionably wrong, and thrown out the window. For numerous reasons.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

I think you'll find on some Who sites there are debates as to the canon status of the TV movie. I'm not sure about the status of the 1960s cinema films, too, in which One was played by Peter Cushing.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Peter Cushing is not listed in the 'official' BBC listing of who the Doctors were, so I've assumed it to be non-canonical. Though I think this is something any fan can choose in their own minds - what to accept and what not to accept. We got into a lovely argument last night about the destruction of Gallifrey and the Time Wars and what happened when and to which Doctor!

[wijsgeer.livejournal.com]

he whispered the tidbit about the human mother to that guy he wanted a pass from (not yet the blanc universal pass with telepathic qualities), couldn't he just have said he bread donkeys for a hobby? I mean, is it to be taken serious?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

He also mentioned it to Grace at one point - maybe he was delusional from the regeneration? Or lying to gain her confidence?

I'd rather not take it seriously!

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

"What about Paul McGann?"
Vince and Stuart together: "Paul McGann doesn't count!"

*g*

Which is a bit hard on PMG - as you say, it wasn't his fault it was such a crappy movie. I didn't like the Grace-female either. In fact, I've never even watched the film to the end. But I've heard very good things about the Eighth Doctor audios, and I do have a charming interview with PMG in which he talks about the film, how it was a pilot for the television series they hoped to make, how he wanted to play the Doctor with extremely short hair (Eccleston style!) and other gems...

Did I not put it on one of your dvd's? No? Will have to rememdy that, because it's actually much more fun that the film!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Vince and Stuart together: "Paul McGann doesn't count!"

Yes. I can hear their words coming out of my mouth. And it's absolutely right!

I've never even watched the film to the end.

Sadly, it does not get better. It possibly gets worse towards the end.

how he wanted to play the Doctor with extremely short hair (Eccleston style!)

Hmm, interesting thought. I like the idea! (As long as it doesn't take him away from playing Bush.) If Russell T. Davies was writing "Doctor Who" with McGann as the Doctor, it would be fine. Alas, this was not that.

Yes, I'd love to hear the interview.

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

Just rewatched a bit of the interview - it wasn't just short hair. Two or three days before shooting started, he turned himself into a skinhead. We almost had a skinhead Eight! Sadly, he was over-ruled.

Will stick the interviews on disc and send them to you - do remind me if I forget. PMG is lovely in them - very intelligent, sense of humour and lots of integrity. And he looks pretty gorgeous too. *dreamy sigh*

Did you get the last dvd package yet? I posted it last week, I think.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

We almost had a skinhead Eight!

Trying to picture it.... not very successfully!

Will stick the interviews on disc and send them to you - do remind me if I forget.

Thank you. I am ashamed that I haven't sent you the Malta pictures yet. I keep putting that on my 'to do' list and then not getting to it.

No, no new DVD packaages yet. My mail has been very dull - flyers advertising groceries and telephone services - and bills! I need something more interesting and look forward to it. (maybe tomorrow.)

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

Just catching up with email and found a SunnydaleU message in which you said that you were looking for Life on Mars. I have the first series as real media files - perfectly playable (fullscreen) using the free Realplayer - so let me know if you want them.

I don't suppose you'd have Veronica Mars in any format you could copy for me? I feel moved to find out what all the fuss is about...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I would love to see Life on Mars. Yes, please!

And yes, I can copy Veronica Mars for you. Are .avi files okay? That would be the easiest for me, I think... Not that this is something I've actually done, yet, you understand, but it should be within my technical capabilities. I love the show, and look forward to third season.

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

Okay, Life on Mars will eventually make its way to Ottawa. Actually, probably sooner rather than later, since I intend to post Marna's stuff within the next few days, and while at the Post Office, may as well send off two packages...

VM as avi's would be perfect - thank you! And your enthusiasm about the show is the main reason I'd like to watch it. :)

I'll put the PMG interviews on the same disc. Would you also like The Hanging Gale? I just dl'ed it with the last of my month's bandwidth allowance, and would happily share.

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

Good luck with the copying. Do you have Nero, or something else?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Yes, I have Nero, newest version. I'm not very experienced with it yet.