Doctor Who Review Blog Special

Hi Everyone!

Been busy recently and I really did not have much time to write or even film a Vlog. However, I felt that the last two episodes of Doctor Who Series 7 Part 2 should be written together in a special review blog. These two episodes are of course “Nightmare in Silver” and “The Name of the Doctor.”

So here we go!

“Nightmare in Silver,” was written by Neil Gaiman and was set on a theme park world. The episode saw the return of the Cybermen but not as we know them from 2005. These Cybermen were “upgraded” versions and much more scarier. I really liked the design and of course the way they moved. Rather than being slow they surprised enemies by being faster than them. Can you imagine how the Daleks will feel now that these particular race of the Cybermen can potentially dodge their death rays? I would love to see this in action (Doctor Who writers take note!) one day

The story was very well written but compared to “The Doctor’s Wife” (which was excellent) I felt it was slightly lower in standard. Mainly due to the two children characters and the poor acting; I was very happy that they were under Cybermen control for a majority of the episode.

Matt Smith’s acting was brilliant, especially when he was the “Cyber Planner.” Love seeing him playing two different characters this is because it reminded me of his Ganger version in Series 6. Warwick Davis was also brilliant in this episode as “Porridge/Emperor” and brought much needed comic relief and scenes of humour. Loads of references to the past and I love seeing that especially being the 50th Anniversary not so far away (being positive here! Even though it feels like an eternity).

I give this episode an 8.5/10.

Now here is a  preview and episode link to the above episode (see below)

Episode on BBC iPlayer

If you have not watched ”The Name of the Doctor”  then below does contain spoilers.

 

Before I start reviewing here is the prequel to the episode:

Now this episode was well received by the majority of Whovians and I really enjoyed it, I hope you the reader also enjoyed it!

Where to begin?!

Let’s see I loved how the episode started and seeing Clara travelling through time and appearing to all of the Doctor’s regenerations. I enjoyed seeing Gallifrey and the Doctor and Susan (his Granddaughter) entering the TARDIS for the first time.

It was nice to see the good old team of River Song, Madame Vastra, Jenny and Strax. Seeing the Great Intelligence was much more sinister and Richard E. Grant was excellent as a villain (I personally would love to see him again, possibly in a spin-off series with Madame Vastra, Jenny and Strax).

The Whispermen were scary and Moffat did a fantastic job of scaring even more children and possibly adults too.  The Silence and them in a room would definitely scare me, especially when covered in tally marks and seeing the Whispermen slowly coming at me with their mouths wide open aiming to stop my heart.

Clara’s role as the impossible girl was excellently executed and properly answered and how she comes about saving the Doctor’s life countless of times. The Doctor’s name wasn’t revealed thankfully (except to open the tomb in Trenzalore by River (invisible to everyone apart from Clara and the Doctor)) but his past was in danger.

Seeing John Hurt as the unexplained regeneration of the Doctor is a game changer and will define the 50th Anniversary very much. This is because in the ending he said he had no choice what he did but the 11th Doctor regards him as a traitor to the name chosen.

Here is the final scene (spoilers!):

Feel free to discuss below about who this regeneration could possibly be; I think he is the Time War regeneration because he has cross between 8 and 9.

I give this episode a very special 11/10 because of the excellent ending and overall story to lead into the 50th Anniversary.

Episode on BBC iPlayer.

Here is a tribute to the entire programme from the TV BAFTAs:

A fan made trailer for the 50th:

A special message:

Finally feel free to like, comment and subscribe and will definately write a review for the 50th Anniversary

 

From,

Sav

 

Doctor Who Review Blog: “The Crimson Horror.”

Hi everyone!

Hope is all well with you the readers! I also hope you all are enjoying reading the reviews on here

Now onto the last episode of Doctor Who called “The Crimson Horror.” This episode was broadcast on Saturday 4th May 2013 and was written by Mark Gatiss.

This was set in Yorkshire in the Victorian period and featured Madame Vastra, Jenny and Strax. This episode didn’t feature the Doctor and Clara much and mainly focused on the detective work of the three lovable characters. It mainly showed their view points and how they coincidently stumbled upon the Doctor whilst investigating a case about people mysteriously dying covered in this red paste. One of the coroners called it “The Crimson Horror” and rightly so especially where the deaths were happening at this place called “Sweetville.” This perfect looking place with the manicured grass, flowers and buildings surely nothing evil was happening right?

Wrong. Enter the evil, old Mrs Gillyflower who wants to get rid off humanity and every living thing on the planet (well, not everything). She with the help of this parasitic creature from 65 million years ago (called Mr. Sweet)  and his venom, they want to take over the world. With the venom they would launch a rocket and spread it across the globe. Those who were immune to it had been put into an antidote vat so when the world was destroyed could repopulate as the survivors.

There were some serious tones in this episode but the mood was lightened with some hilarious scenes involving Strax wanting to get in on the action. Also scenes with Jenny and the Doctor where she fights off those minions.

The way Mrs Gillyflower treated her daughter was very heart breaking and ruining her life in the process for power. Thankfully the daughter fought her mother at the end and even helped the Doctor quite a few times in the episode.

The episode was very well written and actually was a very good watch. I give it a 9.5 out of 10. This Saturday (11th May 2013) is the return of the Cybermen and the episode is called “The Nightmare in Silver.” This episode is written by Neil Gaiman and it’s his second one for Doctor Who after “The Doctor’s Wife.”

Here is a preview of the last episode “The Crimson Horror:”

Here is the episode on BBC iPlayer.

Here is a trailer for the next episode “The Nightmare in Silver:”

Finally a funny interview by Strax:

Hope you enjoyed reading this and feel free to comment and like

See you all soon,

From,

Sav

My Visit to WWT London Wetland Centre Wildlife footage Vlog blog

Hi everyone!

Enjoy this Vlog showing wildlife found at the WWT London Wetland Centre in Barnes, London. There is no commentary on this video but hoping to do that in a future Vlog.

Here it is:

Also here is a selection photos found on my Flickr page from the Wetland Centre:

http://flic.kr/s/aHsjEVG82V

Feel free to comment and like on this blog

See you all soon!

From,

Sav

Doctor Who Review Blog: “Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS.”

Hi everyone!

Hope is all well with you, the readers. There are so many pictures out there on the 50th Anniversary Special, I honestly don’t know where to look. Even BBC One on Twitter put a picture out there with Matt Smith’s and David Tennant’s shoes (11th and 10th Doctors). Spoilers everywhere…

However, the episodes are gradually building up to it and it’s falling into place nicely. Saturday’s episode (27th April 2013), was one of the best episodes I have seen in the series so far. Mainly because the storyline was excellent and seeing more rooms of the TARDIS. I loved seeing the Library full of books and Jars with voices about the Doctor’s past. Clara did discover a book about the Time War and did question the Doctor about what he was hiding from her. It’s great when a companion questions him about his past. Also listening to the voices of past reincarnations and companions was a very good nod to the past.

The Time Zombies were very well linked to the Time rupture and how it was fixed wasn’t too rushed either. I did like the Salvage team even-though one was a completely selfish and arrogant (feel free to finish that off). Thankfully his brother showed him the right path in the end (even though they became those zombies in the alternate time line).

Seeing the heart of the TARDIS and the eye of Harmony was nice and remembering that she is a living thing after all. It’s great when they remind you of past events especially to “The Doctor’s Wife” (Amy didn’t believe she was a living thing at first). They are however still teasing about Clara and especially to the Doctor’s real name and the final episode of Series 7 part 2 is called “The Doctor’s Name.”

I give this episode a 10/10. It’ll be hard to pass that next week…

Here is the preview of “Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS” :

The episode on the BBC iPlayer.

This Saturday’s (4th May 2013) episode called “The Crimson Horror” (featuring Madam Vastra, Jenny and Strax):

Hope you have enjoyed reading this and feel free to like and comment!

See you all soon,

From,

Sav

Short Vlog about WWT London Wetland Centre Blog

Hi everyone!

Here is a very short Vlog about what’s happening next week:

Even though I cut it off at the end, it was about a recording of Have I Got New For You (British Satirical Comedy Panel Show) which I was going to afterwards. It was fun but wasn’t relevant to next week’s Vlog.

See you all next week!

From,

Sav

Doctor Who Review Blog: ‘Hide.’

Hi everyone!

Hope all is well. The last review on ‘cold war’ to be honest was okay but I hope this one is better. I feel that not every review will go down well but I always try my best to produce good content. For example the Wildlife Vlogs; one was good and very popular and the other wasn’t that bad. I might be too critical of myself.

Now onto the episode. This was set in 1974 on an estate with a mansion. Thunder and lightning and a scary setting.

There were scenes that did make me jump. For example when the psychic called the ghost known as the witch of the well. Also when Clara thought she was holding the Doctor’s hand but it wasn’t.

The episode also went very well and was well written. I liked the scary ghost, the two monsters and the link to the Pocket Universe. From the reaction of my brothers for this episode was better than of the past episodes. I might be less fussy when it comes to the series so far.

The story turned in the end to be not a ghost story but a love story which was sweet. The mystery of Clara is also turning out nicely.

I give this episode a 9 out of 10. I am looking forward to seeing the TARDIS in it’s full glory next week in “Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS.”

This is the preview trailer for ‘Hide:’

The episode found on BBC iPlayer:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01s35ck

Finally here is Saturday’s episode trailer (27th April 2013) :

Hope you the reader have enjoyed reading the blog and feel to like and comment

See you all soon!

From,

Sav

Birthday Vlog blog post

Hi everyone!

Hope all is well with you readers!

Yesterday (20th April 2013) I turned 23 years old and earlier today I filmed a Vlog about my day. The Vlog also includes a mini-update too.

Here is the video

Hope you all enjoyed watching the Vlog above.

In regards to the podcast: May 2013′s one should hopefully be released with no problems (fingers crossed!)

Doctor Who review blog out tomorrow (22nd April 2013).

Feel free to comment and like this blog and the other ones too

See you all tomorrow!

From,

Sav

Doctor Who Review Blog: “Cold War.”

Hi everyone!

Sorry for the delay in releasing this, had a busy day on Monday. Another very busy day ahead today too.

Would like to thank you all for all the positive response to the recent Doctor Who review and also in general to my other blogs and of course Vlogs.

In regards to planned Vlogs, there was supposed to be one last week and yesterday but totally forgot to film something. But there should hopefully be something out on Saturday (20th April 2013).

Now onto the episode “Cold War!”

The episode was released on Saturday 13th April 2013 and I thought it was another very good episode.  I personally think this was one of Mark Gatiss’ better written episodes. Don’t get me wrong, he is a brilliant writer and of course actor (Mycroft Holmes, Professor Lazarus, Gantok, etc.) but I wasn’t a fan of the episode “Night Terrors.” However looking forward to his next story which is episode 12 of the series called “The Crimson Horror,” featuring Madame Vastra, Jenny and of course the loveable Mr. Potato Head Strax!

“Cold War” was set in 1983 at the height of tensions between the United States of America (USA) and Soviet Russia. The TARDIS lands on a troubled submarine (with nuclear weapons) in the Arctic where they have an unexpected alien on-board (not just a Time Lord thrown into the mix). This episode introduces the Ice Warriors. Well, one Ice Warrior who has been frozen in the Arctic Ice for 5000 years and is pretty angry. These villains were  last seen during the 70′s and it was nice to see them after so long. Even though I wasn’t born then I have watched some Classic Who to understand their character and history.

The way the episode panned out was well and linked with a lot of references to the Doctor’s past with the Ice Warrior. There were a few scary scenes like for example, the dead bodies, Clara freezing with fear and the almost detonation of the nuclear war heads.  There were some funny scenes too, for example when Clara realises she’s speaking Russian (I always find it funny when companions don’t realise that the TARDIS translates almost every language in the Universe) and the Doctor resetting the TARDIS’ emergency escape system.

The only low point was the ending where Skaldak (the Ice Warrior) leaves is rescued from the submarine. They could have at least not do a reference to the film ET, although some scenes did remind me of Alien. Despite that, I give this episode a firm 8.5 out of 10.

I am hoping next Saturday’s episode will be an excellent one (20th April 2013) because it’s all about a Haunted House and Ghost Hunters!

Here’s a preview of “Cold War”:

For those who have missed it, here it is on BBC iPlayer (once again sorry for non-UK readers, I am sure you can find it on your local search engine).

Here is the trailer for the next episode (on the 20th April 2013) called “Hide.” I ain’t afraid of no ghosts! :

Finally feel free to like and comment on this blog post 

See you all soon!

From,

Sav

Doctor Who Review Blog: “The Rings of Akhaten.”

Hi everyone!

Hope you enjoyed reading the last Doctor Who episode review and I was really surprised by the positive response by fellow bloggers and readers.

In regards again to 50th Anniversary special, earlier today the TARDIS made an appearance with UNIT, the Doctor and of course Clara in Trafalgar Square, London. I work in the East End of London and was oblivious to the fact they were recording. It’s like when I heard that they filming Sherlock in London and then Bristol. I think you need to be in the right place and also at the right time when it comes to those things. I wish I had a TARDIS…

Moving on to Saturday’s episode (6th April 2013) “The Rings of Akhaten,” I really enjoyed this episode and loved the back story to how Clara’s parents met. The leaf was an important part of the story and loved how it linked later into the episode. Matt Smith’s acting was outstanding especially towards the end and Jenna-Louise Coleman’s acting as Clara is fascinating. I think it’s safe to say that Moffat has done a brilliant job so far with Clara’s development and looking forward to more about her character in due time.

The high points of the episode were the singing, the Queen of Years and of course that epic speech referring to the Doctor’s past. Also a very heart-warming moment was when the Doctor mentioned Susan (his Granddaughter  which he visited the place many years back. The only low point was the trailer for the episode, this is because it didn’t really do justice to the episode and may left some Whovians disappointed. I am hoping the next episode lives up to the trailer this time.

I give this episode 8.5 out of 10 mainly because of the speech, I really loved it and it’s really stuck in my mind. Also the story was very good and linked well with the “Bells of St. John.”

The speech was this (from Doctor Who and the Tardis page on Facebook) :

Here is the episode preview for “The Rings of Akhaten”:

Here is the episode for those who have missed it (Sorry only for UK readers only ) on BBC iPlayer.

Finally, here is the trailer for the next episode (on the 13th April 2013) called “Cold War.” It’s nice to see a Classic Who Villain (The Ice Warriors) :

Finally feel free to like and comment on this blog post 

See you all soon!

From,

Sav

2013 so far…March 2013 Photo Blog

Hi everyone!

Yesterday was a busy day in terms of blog activity and was really happy with the positive reaction to my latest posts

This photo blog new year’s resolution is going pretty well with the four photos per month. Last month went very quick and now our clocks have gone an hour ahead (British Summer Time (BST)) which means longer days and hopefully warmer weather!

This month I took a lot more photos. So below are my four favourite photos which I took not just on my phone but also on my camera too.

March 2013:

Whilst shopping in my home town of Pinner I stopped by the High Street and took a photo of Pinner Parish Church which was recently went under some repairs. I remember when in Primary School visiting the Church as part of a field trip around the town.

 

 

Even though Spring really hasn’t shown itself so far in 2013, these brave little Daffodils are doing well and I liked taking a photo of them

 

 

Finally here are two Wildlife photos I took at both St. James’ and Hyde Parks. I was supposed to go to Kew Gardens but the weather was not that great.

The first picture was taken at St. James’ Park whilst the second one was taken at Hyde Park.

 

 

 

They can also be found on my Flickr Page too

 

Hope you have enjoyed March’s photos and next photo blog for April 2013 should be out in May 2013. This month’s photos should be amazing too and it’s a special month for me too as I will be turning a year older

 

For those who are wondering which cameras I used:

Samsung Galaxy S3 with a 8 mega pixel camera with the Instagram App (Photos 1 and 2)

Panasonic Lumix FZ45 (Photos 3 and 4)

Feel free to like and comment on this blog. Also feel free to see my other posts and social media stuff

 

See you all next week

From,

Sav