After the existential and emotional heaviness of “The Girl Who Waited” and “The God Complex”, this episode was a nice break. While I agree with those who’ve pointed out that “Closing Time” is rather rushed and a little bit sloppy in the way it wraps up the Cyberman menace, I appreciated the tone of light comedy. And I don’t often say this about other men, but Craig is adorable. Great occasional character.
Throwaway comment when they were comparing diaries in The Impossible Astronaut.
Thanks for that. Yes, it does seem a bit silly. Does it come between the pre-credit sequence and the credits? (It appears to as the theme seems to start after it). If so then that’s doubly annoying as the the scream mixing into the opening sounds from the theme is an essential part of the Dr Who experience.
You know, I never really took much notice of that, but you’re absolutely right. They cut that for a stupid voiceover? Humph!
Yep…we get a little opening sequence, then the “when I was a little girl” bit, then the credits.
I hate it too, but not because I feel it puts the focus on Amy, but because it feels condescending. Also, those of us who watch regularly know what’s going on, and those who don’t…does this stupid explanation really explain much to them?
I was fine with it during the premiere of this season, because it was part of the whole big push to make Who big in America. Now it’s just unnecessary and confusing. Anyone coming it at this point is just gonna go, “Wait, so is he real or imaginary?”
Yeah, it makes it all seem like it’s an old-school Wizard of Oz “and-you-were-there-and-you-and-you!” fantasy instead of (very soft) science-fiction.
…did you miss any of the poems during this season? They had more variations than I thought: I only really listened to the version in Night Terrors.
The verse that I think will be key to exactly what is going on…
Doctor
Brave and Good
He turned away from violence
When he understood
The falling of the silence
Just read a spoiler free review of the season finale. Sounds like they are going to be answering lots of our questions…
I have a horrible memory, which is why I didn’t post this a few days ago, but I’m surprised no-one else noticed this.
When the Doctor looks in Craig’s house, mentions he redecorated and then says he doesn’t like it, it’s EXACTLY what the third Doctor says in “The Five Doctors” when he goes to visit Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart. Smith even gives the same facial expression as Troughton.
Being a geek I thought it was awesome.
Holy smokes! You’re right. I wondered why that little exchange seemed familiar.
Was there any mention about the old Doctor’s TARDIS after his death in Impossible Astronaut? We never saw it. I don’t remember if River said something like that it would take itself away or whatever.
Has it presumably* been sitting in Utah since Easter, 2011?
*if it was ever there to begin with
Second Doctor, but yeah. I loved it.
(What, you didn’t expect a Doctor Who fan to nitpick?)
:smack: I knew that.
No, there has been no mention about the old Doctor’s TARDIS yet.
I’m wondering if one of the Doctors used the Tardis from The Lodger to get to the lake?
That’s the only extra Tardis we’ve seen so far.
We never saw his TARDIS in Impossible Astronaut, right? Wasn’t he sitting on a car when Amy and Rory met him? So we have no idea where his TARDIS is, or if he got to Utah in a different way. I imagine we’ll find out Saturday.
I’m not sure where or when this was established, but ISTR that a TARDIS “dies” when its Time Lord does, and becomes inert - if the late Doctor’s is still sitting in the desert and anyone found it, it would be simply an old police box that somehow wound up in the desert 6,000 miles from where it should be.
Considering that the Doctor stole it from a museum (where it was displayed as an older type of TARDIS) that would suggest.. no. Also, the time police punishment squad seemed to think the vehicle was River Song’s, after she murders the Doctor.