Episode 12 - The Pandorica Opens

[django]

One very very puzzling thing... The voice in the Tardis.
I'm taking it that the voice is this series Big Bad. They have the ability to control the tardis, make a crack appear, and they have a spaceship that left those marks on Amys lawn.

This is going to be a very long week

...is it just me, or did the voice sound like Davros?

[Ian]

I have to agree with TPO (the forum member, not the episode) with spoilers.
I knew pretty much the basic storyline thanks to me looking at clips/ images of the episode. I knew all about the Pandorica... It was annoying. So next series i'm going to keep away from the spoilers.

You might want to stay away from the newsagents this week, I wouldn't be surprised to find a massive spoiler on the cover of the Radio Times when it comes out.

[dylangibbs]

I have to agree with TPO (the forum member, not the episode) with spoilers.
I knew pretty much the basic storyline thanks to me looking at clips/ images of the episode. I knew all about the Pandorica... It was annoying. So next series i'm going to keep away from the spoilers.

You might want to stay away from the newsagents this week, I wouldn't be surprised to find a massive spoiler on the cover of the Radio Times when it comes out.

Thanks for the advice but I happen to deliver the radio times on my paper round so that won't be possible ):

[django]

I have to agree with TPO (the forum member, not the episode) with spoilers.
I knew pretty much the basic storyline thanks to me looking at clips/ images of the episode. I knew all about the Pandorica... It was annoying. So next series i'm going to keep away from the spoilers.

You might want to stay away from the newsagents this week, I wouldn't be surprised to find a massive spoiler on the cover of the Radio Times when it comes out.

Thanks for the advice but I happen to deliver the radio times on my paper round so that won't be possible ):

...well, you could always go on strike for the week!  ;-)

[The Hand Of Omega]

Well, it's looking more and more likely that Tom is going to win that bet!

[Tegan]

I just don't know where to start this week.

I've come to accept that TV shows will now always end a season with a "Big Bang". Literally in the case of this series of Doctor Who. Even so, this is looking like an attempt to put RTD well into the shade.

So much happening, so many things to assimilate.   Which is where I'll start.

A Cyber-head, a Cybermat, or really, a shooting Cyber-arm. If the Cybermen need a body to operate, and that's what a Cyberman is, then how does the head talk with a dead skull that's not even inside it anymore? And why would the head need to open like barn doors for crying out aloud?

I'm so disappointed that they used Vincent in the way they did. It diminished Vincent and the Doctor in my eyes by making it look as if Doctor actually caused van Gogh's ultimate demise.

Why does Liz X not know she has a van Gogh in the royal collection and not remember it?

Rory, Your Plastic Pal Who's Fun To Be With?! Until he shoots you in the guts!

Those are the things I really didn't like about The Pandorica Opens, but happily there was far more to like about it.

Apart from Vincent, and I guess they had to get the message to the Doctor somehow, I loved the opening.

The story kept me gripped right the way through, and despite him being an Auton, the scenes between Amy and Rory were perfect. Just when you think all is fine.... How often does that happen?

The Judoon. Not really an enemy of the Doctor, so do they somehow have something to do with getting the Doctor out of the Pandorica?

And if you look closely there are definitely Time Lords walking around the Pandorica near the start of the Confidential, just after Toby, the director says "It's the death of the Doctor that we know."

Looking forward to next week, but because of the glaring problems, and the overstuffing of the story, I can't gush about this one. Good, but not brilliant.

Oh, and I also always thought Tom was correct. Clearly the far more perceptive and intelligent of all the Podcasters.

Is Trev down to his Leela weight yet? Gotta fit the cossie Trev.  

[Ian]

Just had a thought. How many times has Rory been compared to Mickey? and now he's been made into an Auton too!

[Tegan]

Just had a thought. How many times has Rory been compared to Mickey? and now he's been made into an Auton too!

Nice one, I hadn't thought of that. At least there are no burping bins anywhere nearby.

[James (DWP)]

Poll added - apols for the delay.

[JahRose]

The one thing that I have loved about this season 5 is that while there has been so much speculation after watching the next time trailers, when the actual episode has come out, its really not what anyone thought.

From beginning to end, I really enjoyed this episode as it tied together the entire season, with the one exception.  I cannot see how The Lodger fits into the season, so I'm considering that the one-off.  

I'd like to intermingle my thoughts on the episode with my comments on Tegan's post.

A Cyber-head, a Cybermat, or really, a shooting Cyber-arm. If the Cybermen need a body to operate, and that's what a Cyberman is, then how does the head talk with a dead skull that's not even inside it anymore? And why would the head need to open like barn doors for crying out aloud?

LMAO.  One thing to remember is that these are the ridiculous alternate reality Cybermen and the proper ones.  That is the first thing I thought when I saw the skull drop out, but it stuck its "head" back on its body.  To bad the original Cybermen couldn't have come through the crack, but I guess they have something better to do.

I'm so disappointed that they used Vincent in the way they did. It diminished Vincent and the Doctor in my eyes by making it look as if Doctor actually caused van Gogh's ultimate demise.

I was actually surprised to see Vincent at the beginning of the episode, along with Vincent's Doctor.  I've been torn by the paradox of that episode because one can say two things about the experiences Vincent had with the Doctor.  Did the Doctor cause Vincent’s suicide because once the Doctor was gone, Vincent thought he hallucinated the whole situation.  -OR- Did the Doctor extend the life of Vincent further then what was the initial time line, causing Vincent to fight longer and to paint more?  Either way, I wasn't bothered with seeing Vincent in the way he was in this episode.
 

Why does Liz X not know she has a van Gogh in the royal collection and not remember it?

My question was who long did the painting remain in the royal measum and no one ever mentioned it to the Doctor.  It's possible Liz X doesn't remember because of the crack, the erase button, or Moffatt just put the Who-doo voodoo on her.
 

The Judoon. Not really an enemy of the Doctor, so do they somehow have something to do with getting the Doctor out of the Pandorica?

The last time the Doctor (10th) saw the Judoon, they didn't part on good company in The Stolen Earth.  So I'm not surprised they were there.

In the end the one thing that we know is that the River Song, the Doctor, and Amy survives.  If they didn't then Time of Angels/Flesh and Stone would never have happened.  So its weird to know the "end result" of the next episode without knowing how they get there.  I'm truly looking forward to next week.  

Now... to go pay attention to my kids, watch the Confidential, and then back again for a rewatch of The Pandorica Opens.

[mellev0330]

In the end the one thing that we know is that the River Song, the Doctor, and Amy survives.  If they didn't then Time of Angels/Flesh and Stone would never have happened.  So its weird to know the "end result" of the next episode without knowing how they get there.  I'm truly looking forward to next week.  

I felt the same way.  It was kinda like with Episode 3 in Star Wars where you know the rest of the story, but there's just this little bit in the middle that needs clearing up.

[Tegan]

In the end the one thing that we know is that the River Song, the Doctor, and Amy survives.  If they didn't then Time of Angels/Flesh and Stone would never have happened.  So its weird to know the "end result" of the next episode without knowing how they get there.  I'm truly looking forward to next week.  

I felt the same way.  It was kinda like with Episode 3 in Star Wars where you know the rest of the story, but there's just this little bit in the middle that needs clearing up.

Yes, there can only ever be one episode where everyone dies for good, and I'm hoping that one doesn't come for at least another 47 years. Pretty sure I won't be around to see that one. (Despite the TARDIS in my bedroom.)

[Tegan]

I'll concede all those point to JahRose with one exception. I simply can't concede a flappy face panel on a Cyberman. 

When I was young(er)... than I am... When I was a kid, the Cybermen scared me senseless. Far more than the Daleks. A Cyberman could make you like them. A Dalek could only kill you. And death-by-pepper-pot simply didn't register at that age, but stomping around the universe with no emotions? It made me think of becoming an actuary. Or it would have, if I'd known what an actuary was.

[lambowolf]

I'll concede all those point to JahRose with one exception. I simply can't concede a flappy face panel on a Cyberman. 
 

Tegan,

Keep in mind also...   We really don't know why the cyber body was there.  During the episode, it lead us to believe that the Cybermen attacked the Pandorica and lost.  Why would they need to attack it if they involved with it's creation?  It could have been designed as a booby trap for the doctor.

[TeamTardis]

"Oh, my head" - that's what I think after having just watched this two times in a row.

All of the monsters definitely made this a bit too RTDish, but unlike the past few finales, this one was fun and suspenseful.  Good job, Moffat!  Loved the interaction when the Doctor realized that Rory was back, loved the way that River talks to the Tardis.  And Matt Smith, you just knocked this one out of the park, again!

What I didn't like... the end music (where the Doctor is in the Pandorica, Amy dies, River and the Tardis) was too upbeat for the scene. Both times watching it, I was distracted by it.  Sweeping yes, but it should have been more dark and menacing.

I have so many questions - Who are you really, River?  Rory must really be dead, right?  Has Amy just been stunned or is she dead?  How is the Doctor going to get out?  Well, I guess I need to watch it a third time now.