Television viewing to Evolve? Probably not.

From the Radio Times:

The Cult of Skaro's desperation to survive is now frighteningly clear. Dalek Sec is successfully reborn in hybrid form, and his plan to perpetuate his race enters its next stage. As Martha fights for survival at the top of the Empire State Building, the Doctor must take desperate measures to prevent a new Dalek Empire from flourishing in 1930s New York.

Horror staples (the Frankenstein lab, a lightning storm and a disfigured hero) jostle for attention, but being a monster mishmash stops Evolution of the Daleks from developing its own identity. However, fans of the Skaro scoundrels will just be glad to see them gliding through the night sky, counting in "rells" and taking the odd unrequested x-ray. They truly are TV's great survivors.

I'm particularly annoyed that tonight, I won't be able to watch the episode - I'll be at a barbeque! My DVD recorder has a very temperamental timer recorder too, so I'm hoping it will work properly tonight.

I have some expectations for tonight's episode so I'll be watching the repeat on BBC3 with great interest.

"Für Elise" on two guitars

This guy's good!

I was simply awestruck. I wish I could play that good on only one guitar but I'm bit of a lazy git and don't practice anywhere near as often as I should.

Doctor Who 3.02: The Shakespeare Code

Just as I settle down to type this review with a cup of tea in hand, I realise that I've not made it yet so I'll be back in a few minutes...

Right, here we go... Diddly-dum, diddly-dum, diddly-dum... Ooo-ooo-ooo...

WARNING: This post is likely to contain spoliers! I have turned the text the same colour as the background of the page so if you highlight this entire post, you'll see the text.

The opening sequence is decidedly cheesy and romantic and almost turns pornographic! Once inside Lilith's rooms, and then her transformation after the kiss, we are instantly aware of imminent danger. But why does she address the camera just before the opening credits? At this point, I would just like to say how much better the opening titles look with the 'proper' logo in them rather than the series 1 and 2 version. Is the TARDIS clockwork? The Doctor is doing a lot of winding with that handle. He's also using his left foot to fly the TARDIS too and he finally admits to failing his TARDIS flight test. Why am I not surprised! The whole butterfly and grandfather exchange is Doctor Who thumbing its' nose at all other time-travel films and shows. Brilliantly done. Enter Shakespeare: a flying kick and a huge insult to the audience. A truly different character than I believe anybody expected, and the Doctor is genuinely disappointed at his words. Throughout the production, the set design and costumes are stunning, emphasising just how expertly the BBC do historical drama. Is Martha's homeland of Freedonia a pun on Freema's name? Mr. Linley's death is particularly horrid. It's convincingly done and the little exchange with Martha about Witchcraft is really quite haunting, if you'll pardon the pun. Could this also be the first time we see the Doctor sharing a bed? Clearly, Martha really likes the Doctor but he manages to insult her and he doesn't even realise it, something that happens a few times in this episode. Lilith is surprisingly sexy, a strong characteristic for the weekly 'bad guy'. A necessary trait in making female villains seem far more deadly. I write this as I watch the episode and for an episode that seeks to play with words, I feel it just a little ironic that I haven't seen anything to comment on. My favourite scene in this episode is the confrontation with Lilith. The Doctor has no name? Nothing new to learn there but it's refreshing to hear it again. It's also quite convenient that Lilith doesn't know he has two hearts. It's rather a funny moment as Martha tries to restart his second heart before they both head off to the grand finale in the globe theatre. Finally, the Doctor gives way gain for someone else to save the day, this time it's Shakespeare. But, I'll award the point to the Doctor anyway as it is he that convinces Shakespeare that he can save the world. The final choice of word is also particularly amusing, a final nod to the modern wordsmith who gave us Harry Potter and co. Hamnet?? Brilliant! When Shakespeare figures out the Doctor and Martha's origins, it is surprising and expected. But it is nothing to the short chase back to the TARDIS when Queen Elizabeth arrives. Final Score: Martha 1 - 1 The Doctor

The what are in Manhattan???

From the Radio Times:

The TARDIS takes a trip back to 1930s New York. As if the struggle for survival in the harsh conditions of the Depression wasn't daunting enough, its citizens also face an unknown threat as people disappear off the streets. There's danger above and below ground - savage Pig Men roam the sewers, while at the top of the Empire State Building the Doctor's oldest enemies prepare to put a diabolical plan into action…

Harking back to classic Who and its trademark cliffhangers, the longer adventures allow the story to breathe and tensions to escalate. So just enjoy the epic scope, effortless scene-setting and show-stopping turn from Miranda Raison of Spooks as the brassy Tallulah.

I'm a little disappointed that the Doctor Who team and the BBC have actively publicised the inclusion of the Daleks in this weeks episode. Where's the surprise in that? Daleks work best when they take you by surprise. They should be hidden as much as possible - there was no mention that they were ever going to appear in series 2 and there had been no indications at all.

And what kind of episode title it 'Daleks in Manhattan' anyway?

Still, none of this is going to stop my enjoyment of the episode but it had better be far more interesting than the boring episode title!

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In other episode-4-unrelated news, the full script for Smith & Jones, episode 1 of this current series has been made freely downloadable by the BBC. It certainly makes for interesting reading.

Get it here: Big Space Rhinos With Guns On

Channel tuned, Channel Locked: BBC1

From the Radio Times:

The Doctor makes a return trip to New Earth, where he and Rose once encountered menacing feline nurses, and patients used as medical guinea pigs. This time he's got new companion Martha in tow, and there's a new threat too - a sinister group known as the Pharmacists are in control. It's not long before Martha finds herself in danger, and the Doctor is set to renew an old acquaintance.

After a slow, awkward start, Gridlock accelerates to its finishing line with important revelations, the dissolving of barriers between the Doctor and his new friend, and an unexpectedly touching reunion with the wise and ancient Face of Boe. Bonuses include some top-hole FX; a still-recognisable Ardal O'Hanlon (even furry cat prosthetics can't hide those twinkly eyes… not to mention the heavy Irish brogue); and a neat reward or two for fans with memories stretching back 40-plus years.

With the football pushing back the start time of this episode (possibly even by one week!), the BBC might just have given away the audience for the week. Then again, the football is sure to attract viewers who may just hang around...

Either way, 'Gridlock' looks to be another outstanding episode. Looking back at the preview, there is what looks like the Ninth Doctor making an appearance. Unfortunately, it definitely isn't him, but I wonder if someone if going around pretending to be the Doctor...

I know also that I haven't posted a review of episode 2 yet, but I will get it posted soon.

Will Shakespeare make good viewing?

From the Radio Times:

Martha takes her first trip in the Tardis, all the way back to Elizabethan England. She and the Doctor hear of a series of bizarre deaths and discover that playwright William Shakespeare is being controlled by dangerous witch-like creatures. It seems the time-travelling duo must defeat ancient forces to prevent history from being rewritten.

Strap yourselves in for one of the most sparkling and energetic episodes yet as the Doc and new sidekick Martha tumble into Shakespearean England. It's lovely stuff, thanks to a shimmering script by Gareth Roberts packed with clever references and in-jokes, along with breathtaking asides that will have you laughing out loud. And the final sequences in the Globe are thrilling.

So, it looks like we have another excellent, fast-paced episode to look forward to tomorrow night. Looking again at last weeks preview, Martha seems likely to take the whole time-travel considerably easily, and even making an 'impression' on Shakespeare.