Episode 64 – Really Old and Really Kind and Alone

Episodes discussed: Doctor Who 5×2 The Beast Below and Angel 1×3 In the Dark

The Beast Below

Written by Steven Moffat; Directed by Andrew Gunn

The Doctor and Amy investigate political corruption aboard Starship UK. Discussion points include:

• The world and politics of Starship UK
• Amy’s sin
• The Doctor’s alienness and anger
• “Very old and very kind and the very last of your kind”
• Liz 10 and the Smilers
• Star Whales and nursery rhymes

In the Dark

Written by Douglas Petrie; Directed by Bruce Seth Green

When Oz drops by to give Angel the Gem of Amarra, Spike is determined to get it back. Discussion points include:

• Spike’s increasing frustration
• The big confrontation with Marcus
• Oz crosses over to Angel
• Angel chooses to help the nighttime people
• The fringe benefits of suffering
• Doyle and Cordy bicker and flirt

Next time:  Buffy 4×4 Fear, Itself and Doctor Who 5×3 Victory of the Daleks.

Episode 63 – What a Disappointment You’ve Been

Episodes discussed: 4×3 The Harsh Light of Day and Doctor Who 5×1 The Eleventh Hour

The Harsh Light of Day

Written by Jane Espenson; Directed by James A. Contner

Buffy grows more intimate with Parker, Spike and Harmony search for a gem that will confer invincibility, and Anya takes her relationship with Xander to the next level. Discussion points include:

• Idealized expectations vs. painful reality
• The crushing disappointment of Parker
• Spike and Harmony’s mutually destructive relationship
• Comedy of errors with Xander and Anya
• The one healthy couple – Willow & Oz
• Speculation about the Gem of Amara

The Eleventh Hour

Written by Steven Moffat; Directed by Adam Smith

The new Doctor crash-lands in the back garden of young girl Amelia Pond. Discussion points include:

• The charm offensive
• Physicality & humor
• Childhood, fairy tales, and growing up
• Iconic lines and images
• Cracks, the Pandorica, and Silence
• The girl who waited and the raggedy Doctor

Link: “The Eleventh Hour” Additional Scene

Next time:  Doctor Who 5×2 The Beast Below and Angel 1×3 In the Dark.

Bonus Episode: This Song Is Ending, but the Story Never Ends

In this special bonus episode, we take some time to discuss some of the larger themes and behind the scenes aspects of the end of the Russell T. Davies era of Doctor Who.

Discussion Points Include:

• The RTD legacy
• Where is Davies now, and why did he leave?
• David Tennant & Matt Smith
• Serialization and recurrent motifs
• Definitive Davies Era themes
• The Tenth Doctor & Tennant’s range

Link:

• Steven Moffat on what could have happened if David Tennant had stayed on for another series of Doctor Who… – SPOILER WARNING through Series 5 Episode 1 (“The Eleventh Hour”).

Next time: Buffy 4×3 The Harsh Light of Day and Doctor Who 5×1 The Eleventh Hour.

Episode 62 – Worst. Rescue. Ever!

Episodes discussed: Doctor Who 4×18 The End of Time: Part 2 and Angel 1×2 Lonely Hearts

The End of Time: Part 2

Written by Russell T. Davies; Directed by Euros Lyn

The Doctor must confront the Master and the returning Time Lords while facing the end of his tenth incarnation.  Discussion points include:

• What is the Doctor’s reward?
• The farewell tour
• Ten becomes Eleven
• Time War horrors and myths
• The Woman & the Master
• Four knocks and self-sacrifice

Lonely Hearts

Written by David Fury; Directed by James A. Contner

Angel, Doyle, and Cordy search for someone to help in a dark, skeevy dive-bar. Discussion points include:

• Loneliness, depression, and adult themes
• The “too dark” script that could have been
• A demon that targets young singles
• Kate and Angel “make a connection”
• Angel as an awkward superhero
• Cordy and Doyle spar

Next time: A bonus discussion of the Russell T. Davies Era

Episode 61 – Homicidal Maniac Crazy

Episodes discussed: Buffy 4×2 Living Conditions and Doctor Who 4×17 The End of Time: Part 1

Living Conditions

Written by Marti Noxon; Directed by David Grossman

New roommates Buffy and Kathy find themselves rather at odds.  Discussion points include:

• The (college) metaphor of the week
• Demonic roommates
• Buffy goes off the deep end (or does she?)
• The rest of the Scoobies’ living situations
• New guy Parker
• Oz lends Buffy a hand

The End of Time: Part 1

Written by Russell T. Davies; Directed by Euros Lyn

The Doctor returns to Earth to face the resurrected Master. Discussion points include:

• The Narrator and the frame narrative
• Wilf, the one who remembers
• The Doctor’s fear of death
• The symbolic nature of Donna and Wilf
• The prophetic Ood and timey-wimey causality
• The Master & the Master Race

Next time: Doctor Who 4×18 The End of Time: Part 2 and Angel 1×2 Lonely Hearts.