Le Wrath di Khan

So, Robot Chicken made a short opera version of The Wrath of Khan. First, I can't believe I missed it when it first aired and it's taken me this long to see it. Secondly, I would totally pay money to see a full-length version in RL, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Third, would this not be an excellent way to introduce younger generations to opera? Conclusion: Why is this not a thing? Musicals--thy days are numbered; the future is opera...

A Modest Theory About Doctor Who Series 8

Spoilers Ahead

Usually I don't get into in-depth commentary or analysis on Geek Grrrl, but after watching the Doctor Who Series 8 premiere, "Deep Breath," I had some thoughts on where this season is going, which I felt would be fun to share.

So, our new Doctor, as you may know, is played by Peter Capaldi, an actor who has appeared on  Doctor Who before as the character Caecilius in the episode "The Fires of Pompeii." 

In that same episode Karen Gillan--later companion Amy Pond--played the Soothsayer, a seer belonging to the Sibylline Order, a group whose members have the uncanny ability to foretell the future.

Before anyone starts complaining about the show's re-use of actors and actresses, there is a precedent of regenerating Time Lords taking the form of other people. Way back in the time of the fourth Doctor, Romana deliberately regenerated in the form of Princess Astra. 

Now the Doctor seems to prefer a certain amount of randomness in his new looks (hence his recurring lament about not being ginger), but in "Deep Breath," the Doctor comments that he's seen his new face before. As he spends the episode enduring problems with his memory, he doesn't yet realize where his face came from. But he does know that it's significant in some way. In the same vein, he also can't figure out why he, for the first time ever, has a Scottish accent. This is where my theory comes in.

The episode "The Angels Take Manhattan" sees the end of Amy and Rory's time as companions. A weeping angel gets Rory, and Amy, not wanting to spend the rest of her life without him, takes the chance that the angel will send her to the same place, and lets herself be touched. We've assumed that all went well because of the epilogue in River Song's book, which she asked Amy to write to let the Doctor know she and Rory are okay (there's a whole lot of timey-wimeyness going on in this episode). 

But I don't think things were okay (maybe not at all, or maybe just not at first). For one thing, who's to say Amy actually wrote the epilogue? For another, earlier in the episode River told Amy to never let the Doctor see the damage. What if the damage this time was that Amy ended up in Pompeii? I see no reason why, with her obvious foreknowledge of the future, she wouldn't have been taken in by the Sibylline Order.

When the Doctor shows up in Pompeii, it's the tenth Doctor, with companion Donna. I don't remember if the Soothsayer ever sees the TARDIS. Assuming she didn't, Ten and Amy never met each other (Amy was Eleven's companion), so neither would recognize the other, the result being that Amy gets left behind.

Now if the Soothsayer did see the TARDIS, the theory still stands. There's an argument to be made that she was so corrupted by the Pyrovile (aka the rock alien) that she didn't recognize the TARDIS or simply no longer cared. There was also a precedent set in the episode "The Girl Who Waited," where Amy was accidentally left too long in an accelerated timeline (for lack of a better word). A short amount of time for the Doctor and Rory ended up being 36 years for Amy; her "abandonment" by the Doctor left Amy hating him. Being trapped in Pompeii shortly before volcano day could easily have led Amy to once again hate the Doctor. Maybe enough to actively work against him once she realizes he's arrived. Whether she knew the Doctor was in Pompeii or not, the result is the same: Amy is left there.

Back to the last moments of Eleven's life in "The Time of the Doctor," he has a vision of Amy. Seeing someone who isn't actually there would be significant under any circumstances, but for the Doctor to see Amy in the last moments of his life strikes me as something not to be taken lightly. Moments later he regenerates with the form of Caecilius, and speaking with a Scottish accent--Amy's accent--for the first time. To me, that raises a big red flag as to what really happened to Amy after the weeping angel touched her.

As for the epilogue in the book, there's a strong possibility that River wrote it herself to hide the damage. But I'm hoping that Amy wrote it, after the Doctor pieces together his memory. I'm hoping Series 8 leads Twelve back to Amy, followed by a reconciliation, a rescue, and a reunion with Rory so they can finally both have the happy epilogue they deserve. Whether my theory is anything close to what the show actually has in store, well...

 

But I do know the show is big on foreshadowing and doesn't tend to leave loose ends.When Freema Agyeman was brought on as companion Martha Jones, she mentioned her cousin (also played by her) who died at Canary Wharf in the episode "Army of Ghosts." When Eve Myles (Gwen Cooper of Torchwood) met the Doctor, it turned out she was distantly related to her other character, Gwyneth, in "The Unquiet Dead." But no mention has yet been made of the connection between Amy and the Soothsayer (who, perhaps tellingly, has no name).

One last note on Capaldi as the Doctor...I think he may be my favourite incarnation yet. Oh yes. What I especially liked about the new Doctor (which is a testament to the show's writing as much as to Capaldi's acting) is that this is the first time (since Nine at least) that you can still recognize the old Doctor after his regeneration. When Nine became Ten, and Ten became Eleven, it was as though the new versions had nothing at all remaining in them of the previous one(s). But you can clearly see Eleven in Twelve (hopefully we'll see some Nine and Ten in him too). I thought that was lovely. I can't wait to see more of Capaldi and watch the character--and the season--unfold and evolve.

What do you think? Any theories about what Series 8 holds? How did you like Capaldi as Twelve? I'd love to hear what my fellow Whovians have to say. Allons-y!

Star Wars 7?

For those of you who haven't seen it, Patton Oswalt, in a guest appearance on Parks & Rec, improvises in a filibuster scene about the next Star Wars movie. Hey, I'd watch his version (it's bound to be better than anything Disney and JJ Abrams come up with). Btw, if you don't already watch Parks & Rec, I suggest you get on that immediately.



And just for fun, here's an animated version too:

Sherlock Animated

Don't you love it when geeks get creative? Artist Angela Taratuta took inspiration from the BBC's Sherlock and re-imagined it as a cartoon. What fan wouldn't want to see that onscreen?

See more here.

The Doctor Gets Shirty

First the BBC brings us Doctor Who then they bring us nifty Doctor-related attire...






Originally found via Facebook. See more Doctor shirts here.

Table Be Round

Get More: GameTrailers.com, SpappyProduction - Robot Chicken: Sir Mix-A-Lot, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

(Or you can watch it on You Tube here)

Definitely one of Robot Chicken's wins.

Because Droids Care

OMG, I think I remember seeing this as as kid. I have my own reasons for not smoking but the next time you want to light up you should imagine R2 making that sad noise. Guaranteed motivation to quit!

Video originally found via @damicophoto on Twitter.
Vader image found here.

Doctor Hoo

Wait--is that Rory modelling the shirt? Either way it's pretty damn cute. And it's on sale too! Get yours here.

Ex-ter-mi-nate, dude!

Rufus could've at least warned them...

(Btw: Please note that the copyright on this image is and remains the property of the artist. Bill & Ted, the Daleks, and Dr. Who are copyright their respective owners. Please respect this. Thank you.)

Via GeekTyrant

Mr. Sparkle!

Can you see that I am serious?!



Yesterday's post of the awesome Fruity Oaty Bar ad reminded me of my other favourite Asian-inspired fake ad. By the way, isn't it sad that the fake ads are so much better than real ones (in North America, anyway)?

This post brought to you by Matsumura Fishworks and Tamaribuchi Heavy Manufacturing Concern.

Not Mandatory!

Of all the Firefly/Serenity merchandise out there, this Fruity Oaty bobblehead trio has to be my favourite. Found here.

And what's this Fruity Oaty thing all about, you ask? It's the catalyst for a pivotal scene in Serenity, a movie that--if you haven't already seen it--must be watched (but only after you watch the one-season TV series Firefly, which you should do immediately). You'll thank me (cash gifts are also acceptable).

Now enjoy the Fruity Oaty Bar ad in all its surreal glory:

Get your (Doctor) fix

Adipose stress toy (guaranteed not to attempt to wipe out a large proportion of the local population!)
They're not dolls--they're action figures.


Okay, these ones are dolls (and definitely the coolest nesting dolls I've seen).

Click photos to read more.

R2, meet K-9

Highly entertaining and weirdly believable.

Via here.
Video made by these guys. Check them out to see more mashups.

Mario on the Street

Artist Andy Gonsalves went for the ultimate mashup: Sesame Street and Super Mario Bros. I approve. (And I don't care if it was created by a bunch of hippies--Sesame Street rules!)

Via Alltop

Star Trek Pizza Cutter

Useful for Rokeg blood pie too...



Found here.

Doctor Who 2010 Christmas Special

Christmas specials are nice and all but does anyone else think a Doctor Who Halloween special would rock?

More info here.

Bow Ties Are Cool

In honour of Matt Smith signing on as the Doctor until at least 2013.

Matt Smith's First Day as the Doctor:



Karen Gillan (aka the Doctor's companion, Amy Pond) Interviews Matt Smith:



More info here on Matt staying on.

Have Your Cake and Geek it Too...

What better way to express your geek love than by immortalizing it in fondant and frosting? Just a sampling of what's out there:

Dalek Cake from here.

The man himself (my favourite Doctor) and mini Dalek cake found here.

Serenity Cake found here.

Mario Cake found here.

Wall-E Cake found here.

Rubik's Cube Cake found here.

Minas Tirith Cake found here.

Twilight Zone Cake found here.


Wampa Cake found here.

I Pity the Fool Who Doesn't Read this Post!

The 80s provide endless fodder for geeks (I should know--I was there), and Mr. T is a category unto himself. Some nif-T (get it???) homages:



Want more? Click here.

And just for an extra bit of fun, check out Mr. T's infomercial spokesman stint for the FlavorWave Oven (like an Easy Bake oven for adults):

Hypno-toad Commands You to Read this Post!

I've been watching a lot of Futurama lately...
(click on photos to find out from whence they came)






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