2014 and all that

Hello Dear Reader

It's been a while since I last posted anything, well just before Christmas 2013 to be correct. Since then what has happened. We have lost a Doctor and gained another pleased don't ask Who, we have seen Christmas gales and rain just surviving for some. We also saw, some of us did, Sherlock up and running about, again.

Doctor Who drew a number of differing responses from it's Christmas episode, maybe coming to quickly on the heels of one the best I have seen to-date. Many people will always want to see something their way and to be honest I am no different. I would like to see a return to the original way of story telling, 6 to 8 episodes 45 minutes each giving the characters, writers and viewers a chance to indulge in the story. I very much doubt my one view will make much difference but at least I can say it.

That is in complete contrast to Sherlock, which has been very well written, acted and staged to a degree that you almost forget its 90 minutes long. The last three episodes held over 8 million viewers each time enthralled by the stories. The thought of reducing this to 45 minutes and waiting might seem cruel, in fact it possibly would be cruel. Even finding the odd plot error (in my humble view) still did not distract from the overall entertainment, which for me is what this was about. The plot errors? Well Magnussen having a real letter, maybe that was a con, mentioning that he had items brought in and Mary having a memory stick. All this when it is reviled that Magnussen kept nothing. Having read the books, you can clearly see everything that Doyle placed in the stories transferred to the small screen. Will there be more? One can hope so.

So 2014 has started. My writing is continuing, I am close to finishing my first novel (draft maybe) and I plan to sort out my poems. Archery is another of my passions which just before Christmas produced my very first Robin Hood. For those who don't know thats when you hit one of your own arrows and end up costing you a trip to the shop. I do plan to improve my overall fitness and possibly go back to the gym. That's what you call a throw-away statement.

Tagline 'Did you miss me?'

Day of the Doctor - A review

Dear Reader

Day of the Doctor - A review

On November 23rd 1963 a television program began. 50 years later that same programme celebrated its anniversary. Doctor Who a British institution that started with an old man in a police box. Running away from authority, looking for peace and quiet when he is discovered and adventures begin.

The episode on November 23rd 2013, The Day of the Doctor, brought together a number of threads of past story lines. As with other anniversary shows, other incarnations of the Doctor appeared. The story itself was very cleverly woven with another. The Earth is in trouble, again, aliens are threatening and the Doctor gets called in by UNIT. It is baffling at first and very straight forward. The story moves from one incarnation of the Doctor to another through a painting, introducing us to a lot more of his hidden past. Moving back and forth in time and places creating its own paradox and presenting the Doctor with a chance to change his own time.

The aliens are just right, not under played and not over the top. The focus is on the Doctor and his actions. There is so much here that gives more than a nod to the past 50 years. Rumours went slightly wild around the various Whovian sites, groups, clubs you name it they wanted it.  It was mentioned that this person was back and this person wasn’t and so on. As the story opened, it was clear who was back. Surprises were in store but you had to wait.

The actors clearly worked well together here, you can tell as they interact. There are some delightful moments both comic and dramatic as the story progresses. The three main actors Matt Smith, David Tenant and John Hurt clearly enjoyed their roles. It has to be a difficult role to undertake, becoming a British icon keeping a little of the actor before and then creating the role as your own.

Along the way, there were good supporting roles ensuring the episode had a very good cast. They did not take anything away from the main four characters, you have to include Billie Piper as well as the Doctors in the four, the story just flowed timelessly around everyone. There is no point explaining the story here as I don’t wish to give spoilers. Enough trailers and of course the episode has been shown a few times. There will be many fans who will argue various points about Doctor Who but in truth there are only two points to consider. So here is my taken on how to settle all arguments.

In my view, to deal with many important points and arguments raised by this show, you have to realise two important things. Firstly, the person who created the whole show made the ground rules, Sydney Newman. He said who the Doctor was, a man travelling in time and space in an old box. Secondly a word that takes care of it all the rest. That word is, fiction. Fiction makes Doctor Who travel in time and space. Fiction makes the Tardis. Fiction will allow the BBC to have as many incarnations of the Doctor as it wishes. Fiction. That word cuts across all, since Doctor Who is science fiction. Each further producer, writer, director and actor takes their steer from what Newman started and the word fiction. So, for me, no matter what anyone else says there are answers and solutions.  If in doubt refer to rule one.

As for the Curator? Again simple. My view here is that each incarnation of the Doctor has a timeline, when they regenerate they start another incarnation and another timeline. The old incarnation continues in a sense, allowed to grow old properly and age maybe pass away, unlike the ‘living’ incarnation until they regenerate. Hence a well-known incarnation becoming a Curator. There were even a few roundels in the background. Was that the Tardis living out its life? Who knows.That in itself gives nothing much away of the story.

So, what did the Day of the Doctor mean to me. A brilliant story, a link to all I enjoyed. To see it with friends was very good it made it more of an experience. It was a 5 out of 5 or 10 out of 10 or whatever. Was there the possibility of adding more? Maybe they could have but would that have worked? Maybe not. I am sure some will not like it because of X. As it was the episode beat everything else except one other BBC show. 10 million viewers in the UK alone watched it. Over 70 countries showed it at the same time. According to figures, over 100 million world wide. Not many television shows can warrant that audience, not many need to reach some many in one go. That is the appeal of a 50 year old show. One Saturday, November 23rd 2013 at 7.50pm the world watched.

Tagline; ‘Doctor Who?’

Summer Heat

Dear Reader,

It has been hot. At times very hot. Now that might be an underestimate of this current heat wave in the UK, but for the first time in ages, it is hot. That said, how have we faired. In places not that well. Only a few months ago it was bad weather, too much rain still too cold. We seem to be suffering the fringes of extremes here. Prods the global debate a little.

So what else has happened since my last blog? A few things as always. The world (as yet) does not stop. Some may say thank goodness. 2013 has been rolling along nicely and of course events such as films, holidays, writing, archery and sports have all popped up.

I do want to point out a couple of possible memories that 2013 will keep, a certain Lions team and Andy Murray. The Lions rugby win, down-under against the Aussies was brilliant if not nerve racking. The Lions in the last match really did out play the opposition. The first two tests were not the greatest. At one all , the test series hung in the balance. The Lions made a change, which many thought would be the downfall. Sometimes a bold move makes much more of a difference than first imagined. The Lions pulled off a truly amazing win. The Aussies did make a fight of it for a time, but the Lions roared and came away with the first series win in years.

Another summer of sport? After last years Olympics you might think how could that be topped. Well, the Lions tour started it. At the same time a certain Andy Murray was starting Wimbledon. Often we put a great deal of pressure on certain people due to the time it’s taken for one person to win a trophy. Again it was hoped Andy Murray would or might win. This year was different. Having won a gold and silver medal in the Olympics he went on to his first grand slam in New York.  He had a confidence which was more than normal. I will skip to the good part now. After a tough semi-final, Murray faced the current number 1. A record viewing audience saw Murray compete as a winner. He outplayed Djokovic, he found the strength to break him and win Wimbledon. The first UK male winner in 77 years. A few forgot Virginia Wade’s win in 1977, never the less it was epic. So the summer of sport rolled on.

Now comes another mighty battle, the Ashes. To those who don’t know, the Ashes is one of crickets unique trophies and of course England has to be deep in it. This is England against the Aussies (yes again see Lions) playing 5 tests each of which lasts 5 days. To explain cricket to non-cricketers is one of the greatest arts to undertake. Eleven men stand in a field trying to get another eleven men out only for the reverse to happen after all the eleven men are out. Add LBW (Leg Before Wicket) and well the off-side rule in football is easy. Given that, the Ashes can be like a long drawn out game of chess suddenly finishing in a blur of arms and legs (and now technology) when for the last 4 days, 4 hours and 10 minutes nothing seemed to happen. With 1 down and 4 to go, it will be a very long chess game. This might be the third major sports memory for 2013 or maybe something some of us will forget.

This past weekend saw myself taking part in my very first Wenlock Olympian games, archery of course. I made sure I took enough water with me, yet it was still almost too warm to shoot. Something I learned from this weekend about setting up as well. Being prepared still can catch you out.

What I did find interesting from the competition was following advice of a friend. To some this may sound odd but this did work. Walking meditation. Well, for me it was standing meditation really. I was told to concentrate on five basic points, feet, knees, hips, stomach and head. It helped me keep my mind occupied, which stopped me thinking about the occasion. A new personal best (PB) by some 32 points. It made me think about how to approach competitions. Given I am taking part in a few during the summer (please keep the weather almost the same) I have an improved approach now.

With more film reviews to come, The Wolverine for one, I think this blog has been hot enough. I am sure the Ashes will appear again and again during the summer. What else will it hold?

Tagline: Some Like It Hot - says it all really.