honestly, Frakes’ presence is almost as comforting as Stewart’s. Over TNG’s run, he evolved from smarmy womanizing upstart to a seasoned, grinning warmth that really upped his likability, and now in old age he’s basically completed the transformation into a giant walking teddy bear stuffed with hugs. it’s great.

Troi gets as much character development in this episode as she did over the entire run of TNG. I’d definitely say this series is ahead of the TNG curve on that front. 

I NEVER liked The Cartmel Masterplan and hoped we’d never see it fully enacted. But I’d actually prefer The Doctor being a reincarnated but separate version of a founder of Gallifrey (The Other) than to have simply lived and forgotten previous lives as The Doctor due to a mind wipe. It undercuts the little we know…

I don’t care about messing with the continuity, but to then make it actually change nothing at all made this a pointless exercise. It would have made so much more sense if the Master had been the timeless child. And I wish they’d give Jodie more to do than just look slightly annoyed while other people give exposition…

Agree. This “curse” discussion is rather gross considering most of the films they discuss were victims of poor on set safety, negligence and recklessness. William Friedkin permanently injured Ellen Burstyn’s back when he manipulated a stunt without her knowledge. Brandon Lee died because of negligence on the part of…

I feel like I should like Steve Coogan, but I just...don’t. David Mitchell, on the other hand, should be a much bigger star. Alas.

That’s ol’ Mace-Hand McGee.

Gallifreyans only decided to look human after they met Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner. You know, back when they wrote in a circular language and perceived time non-linearly.

If we can have a litter of babies with cat girls or become giant floating heads in vats, we can grow a second heart.

I like him, but the writers haven’t done much more with him than coast off of Bradley Walsh’s likability and charisma.

I don’t want to be controversial, but I’m against murder.

Top notch Doctor Who.  This has been a spectacular series.

I really want to see Samuel L. Jackson cast in a film with Morgan Freeman, where Jackson plays a softly spoken, warm, wise old paternal figure and Freeman plays a constantly cursing, angry, hyper-cool ass-kicker.

[Bursts in, slamming the doors open, breathing heavily]

Spoiler: He’s definitely still like that now.

Chris Rock is 54. I mean he’s not necessarily too old for this shit, but he’s pretty old for this shit.

The Carpenter version has the shape shifter but does nothing with it and is appallingly barren of suspense or good chills and the makeup effects honestly are not very good.

I’d settle for releasing the prequel with the original ending and practical effects left in.

The fact that the TARDIS is a Police Box hints at after the First Doctor. I’m thinking between 2 and 3 since it the one transformation never actually shown (plus the whole season 6A stuff). Perhaps the Celestial Intervention Agency?

I don’t know if it’s canon or not, but I remember reading the Star Trek novel Federation many years ago and a nice description of why the Starfleet insignia looks the way it does was: