Doctor Who Thin Ice Review

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Alfie Stoker, Bill Anderson, Bill Potts, Doctor Who, Doctor Who Series 10, Doctor Who Thin Ice, Doctor Who Thin Ice Review, Guillaume Rivaud, Matt Lucas, Nardole, Nicholas Burns, Pearle Mackie, Peter Capaldi, Peter Singh, Sarah Dollard, Steven Moffat, TARDIS, The Doctor, Toni May

Doctor Who Thin Ice

Review by Paul Bowler

[Contains Spoilers]

The Doctor and Bill travel back in time in Thin Ice to Regency England, in London, to the last of the great frost fairs on the frozen river Thames. But while the time travellers take in the sights, they discover that revellers and children have been mysteriously disappearing on the ice. Bill finds the past can be more like her own time than she expects, and something is lurking in the inky depths of the Thames, waiting for the ice to crack…

Continuing directly on from the final surprising moments of the last episode, Smile, Thin Ice, sees the Doctor and Bill donning stylish period garb as they visit London during 1814 in the third episode from Series Ten, written by Sarah Dollard (the writer of 2015’s Face The Raven), and directed by Doctor Who newcomer Bill Anderson (whose previous TV work includes Mr Selfridge, Taggart, and Silent Witness).

Based around the spontaneous frost fairs that happened on the frozen Thames during the 1300’s and 1800’s, were all walks of life came together to celebrate this icy wonderland in the heart of London, but suddenly ended when the Thames froze in 1814 and never froze over again. It’s that underlying mystery that Sarah Dollard’s wonderful script explores, as the Doctor and Bill set out to enjoy the jubilant surroundings of the frost fair. But when it becomes apparent there are strange lights under the ice luring people into the depths of the Thames, the Doctor and Bill, with the help of some street urchins, embark on a dangerous quest for clues. Someone of great power schemes to get as many people as they can to the frost fair, hiding their true motives, Bill finds out that not all creatures are from space, and in the inky gloom beneath the ice an ancient creature lurks.

Peter Capaldi is in his element here as the 12th Doctor, sporting a dark suit, and dashing top hat, he looks right at home in Regency England and its not long before the Doctor is caught up in the mystery of the strange disappearances beneath the ice. Bill is from 2017, so naturally she finds London in 1814 takes a bit of getting used to, but she looks resplendent in her period dress and soon embraces the carnival atmosphere of the frost fair, and Pearl Mackie gives a wonderfully endearing performance as Bill experiences her first adventure in the past. She continues to ask the Doctor some interesting and pressing questions as well, which in turn continues to build on the refreshing Doctor / Companion dynamic between them. The nuances of time travel Thin Ice present affords the Doctor a chance to explain the somewhat unpredictable nature of the TARDIS, and Bill also learns that there can be a darker side to the Doctor’s adventures.

Nardole (Matt Lucas) once again only appears fleetingly to berate the Doctor for neglecting the promise that’s been keeping the Time Lord on Earth, and there are further – somewhat chilling – hints concerning the ongoing mystery of The Vault. However, Thin Ice does have a good supporting cast of characters to look out for: Peter Singh plays The Pie Man, Nicholas Burns is the villainous Lord Sutcliffe, and from the young gang of pickpockets Asiatu Koroma gets some good scenes and character development as Kitty

After enjoying the sights of the frost fair its not long before the Doctor and Bill set out in diving suits and get to work checking out the mysterious lights under the ice. The time travellers adventure takes them into the inky depths of the Thames itself, where the Doctor and Bill finally get to the bottom of the mystery as they encounter a gigantic snake-like-creature! The monster in Thin Ice is a giant underwater leviathan, captured and chained by the ancestors of Lord Sutcliffe, and the creatures dung has been used as a superheating biofuel in industry to build his families wealth. The snake’s symbiotic bond with the glowing fish that tend it has been used by Sutcliffe to lure people to the frost fairs in order to secretly feed the imprisoned beast.

Thin Ice includes a delightful number of subtle Doctor Who related references and themes. The Doctor casually informs Bill that he’s been to the frost fairs before, which coincides with what River Song told Rory in A Good Man Goes To War (2011). Although the species of the aquatic sea creature in Thin Ice isn’t specified, the Star Whale from The Beast Below (2010) is the most recent example of such giant a creature in the series, the Loch Ness Monster appeared in Terror of the Zygons (1975), but Nessie was actually the Zygon’s cyborg Skarassen, and it also went on to emerge from the Thames like the sea snake does in Thin Ice. When the 12^th Doctor says, ‘your species hardly notices anything’ it harkens back to similar statement the 7^th Doctor made in Remembrance of the Daleks (1988) about humanities “amazing capacity for self-deception.’ The Time lord once again uses the alias ‘Doctor Disco’ which he first used in The Zygon Invasion (2015). Bill mentions concerns about the Butterfly Effect, a concept that was referred to by Martha in the Shakespeare Code (2007). Bill’s first steps onto the ice of the frozen Thames seem to mirror Martha’s initial caution on emerging from the TARDIS in that episode, and to a lesser degree there are also echoes of Rose Tyler’s first footsteps in the snow as she visit’s the past for the first time in The Unquiet Dead (2005).

Their discovery of the snake creature in the Thames and information Kitty knows about Dowell, soon leads the Doctor and Bill to Lord Sutcliffe, but he takes them prisoner. Once they escape, and while the Doctor sets out to free the creature and foil Sutcliffe’s plans, Kitty and her gang help Bill evacuate the frost fair before Sutcliffe can detonate the explosives. There are impressive and moving scenes as the Thames ice snake is finally freed when the ice brakes up, and Lord Sutcliffe’s fate provides a very fitting from of poetic justice for his actions as the conclusion of Thin Ice gives Kitty and her friends the chance of a better life.

Thin Ice is a fantastically paced and very traditional feeling episode. Sarah Dollard’s scrip embodies the core values of the Doctor’s morality, and it tackles some particularly strong themes at times – including racism, the social class system, and ecological issues. The costumes and sets are absolutely stunning as well, and director Bill Anderson skilfully keeps the drama and suspense building throughout the episode. Peter Capaldi gives what is arguably one of his finest performances yet as the Time Lord, including one of those awesome powerful Doctorish speeches (after the Doctor stands up for Bill and punches the vile Lord Sutcliffe in the face) that Capaldi does so well, and Pearl Mackie is really settling into her role as Bill Potts.

The coda with Nardole talking to the ominous – and rather familiar sounding – knocking coming from The Vault rounds off this episode in fine style, and is sure to fuel the speculation about who, or what, might be inside it. Doctor Who’s tenth series really feels like its getting on track for something very special, especially with the Doctor’s new travelling companions introductory trilogy of adventures set in the present, the future, and the past are now completed, the Doctor’s and Bill’s adventures in time and space can really begin in earnest!

Images belong BBC

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Thanos #6 Review

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Avengers Infinity War, Champion of the Universe, Civil War II, comics, Corvus Glaive, Ebony Maw, Frank Martin, Jeff Lemire, Marvel Comics, Marvel Now, Mike Deodato, Nebula, Phoenix Egg, Phoenix Force, Shi’ar Imperial Guard, Starfox, Thane, Thanos, Thanos #6, Thanos #6 review, The Black Quadrant, Titan, VC’s Clayton Cowles

Thanos #6

Review by Paul Bowler

A reunion is on the cards in Thanos #6 as the Mad Titan faces his greatest battle of all in this stellar Marvel Comic series from Jeff Lemire, Mike Deodato, and Frank Martin. Thanos is dying! Defeated as he searched for a cure by the Shi’ar Imperial Guard, he was imprisoned. Now, as Thanos seeks to escape from his interstellar jail, Thane’s secret pact with the mistress Death to kill his father finally nears fruition, and soon two of the most powerful entities in the Marvel Universe face-off as the galaxy trembles before their might!

Yes, the cosmic you-know-what hit’s the proverbial fan in Thanos #6 after that certain “something” Thane’s audacious heist with Starfox, Nebula, and Tryco Slatterus set out to steal from Terrax the Terrible actually turned out to be a Phoenix Egg, and writer Jeff Lemire quickly addresses the grievances that Thane’s allies have about being so grossly misled into doing his dirty work for him. The Phoenix Energy will enable Thane to reclaim everything that he’s lost since his powers were taken from him, but his associates aren’t going to stand idly by and just let him take it either! Meanwhile, Thanos faces an army of jailers, but even with his powers faltering the Mad Titan’s resolve is undiminished, and he confronts his fate as a warrior, a conqueror of worlds, and a God who has even make reality itself cower before his power.

The distinct air of all-pervading doom that closes in around Thanos in this issue is brilliantly offset by his determination to be free of those who have so blatantly disrespected him. Jeff Lemire has skilfully crafted the events around the Mad Titan’s rapidly declining health to a point where you feel like you are right there with Thanos, as every step, every bone-crunching blow, begins to feel weaker and more laboured that the last. Likewise, Thane’s betrayal of his allies is master class in characterization, snappy dialogue crackles with tension, hitting all the emotional beats, before the realization of the ultimate sacrifice that has been made finally becomes frighteningly apparent.

When it comes the depiction of Thanos’ plight in this issue, artist Mike Deodato’s rendition of Thanos’ pure rage and undiluted contempt for the wave after wave of opposition he’s forced to bulldoze his way through to obtain freedom, is stunningly realized with an opaque series of panel layouts that dynamical relay the bone-crunching action. I especially like how Deodato angles the entire page during two key instances to accentuate the drama, giving added credence to Thanos’ waning power and the shock turn of events over on Terrax’s starship. There are some stunning emotional scenes from Dedato as well, the fury of Tryco Slatterus, self styled Champion of the Universe, feels at being betrayed is so palpable in one scene it almost eclipses Thanos‘, and Thane’s anguish at betraying Tryco is so clearly evident its almost heartbreaking. Color artist Frank Martin uses a palette of rich vivid tones to accentuate every scene, even the panel layouts are heightened as they intercut between sold backdrops of burnt orange and stark white hues that uncannily seem to give an almost cinematic quality to the visuals they frame as each scene moves seamlessly into the next.

But it is in the showdown between father and son where Jeff Lemier’s powerful storyline comes full circle. Mistress Death’s machinations have brought everything and everyone in this saga to this point, there is no turning back now, and Mike Dedato and Frank Martin pull out all the stops to ensue that the final scenes in this issue are every bit as breathtaking and jaw-dropping as the journey that has brought Thanos to this fateful moment.

Thanos #6 brings the first chapter in this epic storyline to a shocking close. The fantastic creative team of Jeff Lemir, Mike Deodato, and Frank Martin have done amazing things with this new Marvel Comics series already. The scope and scale has been unparalleled, its been unflinchingly brutal at times, and I’ve been gripped by every twist and turn in the plot since the first issue. Now they’ve set Thanos on a path unlike any he’s walked before and I can’t wait to see what happens next in the aftermath of this issues cataclysmic standoff.

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Writer: Jeff Lemire/ Artist: Mike Deodato / Colorist: Frank Martin /

Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles  / Cover: Mike Dedato and Frank Martin

Variant Cover: Jamal Campbell

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Doctor Who Smile Review

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Bill Potts, Doctor Who, Doctor Who Series 10, Doctor Who Smile, Doctor Who Smile Review, emojibots, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Kazier Akhatar, Lawrence Gough, Matt Lucas, Mina Anwar, Nardole, Pearle Mackie, Peter Capaldi, Ralf Little, Steven Moffat, TARDIS, The Doctor

Doctor Who Smile

Review by Paul Bowler

[Contains Spoilers]

Smile brings the Doctor and Bill to a colony planet on the edge of the galaxy. It look like a beautiful, idyllic utopia, but this gleaming city holds a dark secret. The Doctor and Bill soon encounter some welcoming robots, but these robots want you to be happy, and the only way to stay alive here is to keep smiling!

The second episode of series ten, Smile, is written by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, who also wrote 2014’s In the Forest of the Night, continues the series’ back to basics approach as the Doctor takes his new companion Bill on her first fully fledged adventure to an alien planet in the distant future. Directed by Lawrence Gough (Misfits, Atlantis, and Endeavour), Smile was partly filmed Valencia in Spain, and features some incredible locations – including Valencia’s futuristic looking City of Arts and Science complex.

The first proper visit to the far future for a new companion is always an exciting event, so when the Doctor and Bill arrive on the colony world of Gliese 581 D, Bill naturally finds the experience really exciting and continues to ask all the bright, fun questions that makes her character so appealing: enquiring about things like why the seats are so far away from the TARDIS console, along with numerous other questions about the time machine, along with why the Doctor is Scottish (something which the Doctor gives a very timely response), she discovers the Doctor has two hearts, that he stole the TARDIS, and Bill is clearly a comic book fan as she even mentions Mr Fantastic – the leader of Marvel’s Fantastic Four – at one point!

The sunny planet and the futuristic city they set out to explore is managed by tiny bird-like Vardies robots, and their very useful interface – the friendly looking Emojibots. As their name implies, the Emojibots have a very special way of communicating, and Bill is thrilled to meet her first robot. But something is amiss in this oasis of happiness. The human colonists are nowhere to be seen, a grim pile of skulls is soon uncovered, there’s something in the walls, and the Emojibots watch and wait as the Doctor and Bill close in on the horrifying truth!

Award winning author Frank Cottrell-Boyce’s scrip tackles familiar sci-fi themes, such as concerns about artificial intelligence, a futuristic utopia that’s not quite what it seems, and a threat that cleverly eschews the present day subtleties of communication through emojis to give us menacing robots that smiles pleasantly before hugging you to death. Peter Capaldi’s performance as the Doctor excels on every level, and Pearl Mackie also continues to impress as new companion Bill Potts. Predominantly featuring only Capaldi and Mackie for the first 20-30 minutes or so, Smile isn’t that eventful an episode initially, in that respect it feel very much like an old-school-Doctor Who episode 1, which often acted more as an atmospheric scene setter, and this traditional approach from Cottrell-Boyce’s script affords a welcome chance to give the narrative the time to explore the characterisation of the Doctor and Bill as they get to know each other more.

Matt Lucas only appears as Nardole in one scene at the start of this episode, but his brief appearance dose instigate some more hints about The Vault the Doctor has been guarding at the university with Nardole. It transpires that the Doctor isn’t supposed to go off world at the moment, which he subsequently explains away in Smile to Bill, as because of something which happened a long time ago, that in turn made him make a promise, and the results of that promise means he has to remain of Earth guarding The Vault. I find it is all very intriguing how the mystery of The Vault is being built up, its clear this will probably be a key factor in Series Ten, but I really like how it doesn’t seem to be something that’s being done in a way that feels unnecessarily overcomplicated or shoehorned into the plot just to stitch everything together.

The super-technology of the future in Smile presents us with the small Vardies, a kind of nanotech that works in conjunction with their robot interface with humans – the cute yet creepy Emojibots. Both have been engineered from technology created to keep people happy, colonists haven’t “cracked the secret of human happiness”, instead of being a garden of Eden their new world has become a lethal trap, and the chilling realisation that the doomed “skeleton crew” ended up as fertiliser makes their fate all the more horrific. The Doctor has visited many Earth colonies is the series’ past, The Ark (1966), Colony In Space (1971), and The Ark in Space (1975), all spring to mind as stories of humanity setting out to find a new home in the cosmos, and of course The Happiness Patrol (1988) was a story where sadness was something to be avoided at all costs! Smile brings an added twist to some of these themes by having the Doctor and Bill thinking that the colony is deserted, but their space ship is in fact already here, with the crew in cryogenic hibernation waiting to be revived, a fact the Doctor discovers during his attempt to blow up the colony.

After such a strong start, Smile does come a bit unstuck towards the end, and the episode does feel like a mad dash for the finish line as it attempts to wrap everything up. Peter Capaldi and Pearl Mackie are joined by a good supporting cast featuring Mina Anwar as Goodthing, Ralf Little as Steadfast, and Kaizer Akhtar as Praiseworthy, but, with so little screen time, the guest actors roles do feel rather underused. However, the revelation about the Vardies and the Emojibots sentience subtly entwines with the fate of the colonists, who also happen to be the last survivors of Earth, and provides the story with surprisingly timely and relevant ending.

Smile provides a good adventure for Bill’s inaugural trip to the future in the TARDIS. Peter Capaldi and Pearl Mackie have forged a great bond between their characters that positively lights up the screen. Frank Cottrell-Boyce’s second story for Doctor Who is a skilfully crafted, cautionary tale, interwoven with some extremely clever ideas and themes. Lawrence Gough’s stylish direction really makes the most of the beautiful locations and scenery, the plot builds gradually, there are some good scares along the way, and the ending provides a satisfactory – if a little bit rushed – resolution to the whole Emojibot threat.

Series Ten is shaping up quite nicely already. I thought Smile was a good episode, the Emojibots might not be the most memorable robot menace the series has ever had, but they were quirky enough, and overall the stunning scenery and excellent performances by Peter Capaldi and Pearl Mackie more than make up for any of the episodes slight failings. Smile continues Bill’s introductory trilogy of adventures in time and space in fine style, and the way Smile concludes by leading straight into the next episode Thin Ice was an inspired move to leave us eagerly anticipating this historical adventure set in the Regency Era on the frozen Thames!

Images belong BBC

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THE X-FILES RETURNS TO FOX FOR A NEW 10-EPISODE EVENT SERIES!

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Chris Carter, Dana Scully, David Duchovny, FOX, Fox Mulder, Gillian Anderson, Mulder, New X-Files Series, Scully, Second X-Files Event Series, The truth is out there, The X-Files, X-Files, X-Files Is Returning To TV

THE X-FILES RETURNS TO FOX FOR A NEW 10-EPISODE EVENT SERIES!

　

The Truth is still out there as FOX has renewed The X-Files for a brand new 10-episode season that will premiere sometime in 2017-2018 TV. There are no details about the 10 new episodes at the moment, but its expected they will follow on from the special 6-episode event series (Season 10) which first aired in 2016.

David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson will once again reprise their roles as FBI Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, and Chris Carter returns as an executive producer. Production on the new series of X-Files episodes is scheduled to begin this summer.

Here’s the full press release: FOX has ordered a second chapter of THE X-FILES event series. The all-new 10-episode installment once again will be executive-produced by creator Chris Carter, with stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson returning in their roles as iconic FBI Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. The event series will air during the 2017-2018 season. Production is set to begin in summer 2017.

“Iconic characters, rich storytelling, bold creators – these are the hallmarks of great TV shows. And they are some of the reasons why THE X-FILES has had such a profound impact on millions of fans worldwide,” said David Madden, President, Fox Broadcasting Company. “Chris’ creativity, along with the brilliant work of David and Gillian, continue to propel this pop culture phenomenon, and we can’t wait to see what fresh mysteries Mulder and Scully uncover in this next chapter of THE X-FILES.”

In 2016, THE X-FILES drew an average Multi-Platform audience of nearly 16 million viewers and was last season’s No. 2 broadcast drama. It also was the season’s most talked-about event series on Twitter.

THE X-FILES originally premiered in September 1993. Over the course of its nine-season run, the influential series went from breakout sci-fi favorite to massive global hit, and became one of the most successful television dramas of all time. The show, which earned 16 Emmy Awards, five Golden Globes and a Peabody Award, follows FBI special agents Scully (Anderson) and Mulder (Duchovny) as they investigate unexplained cases – “X-Files” – for which the only answers involve paranormal phenomena.
Produced by 20^th Century Fox Television and Ten Thirteen Productions, THE X-FILES is created and executive-produced by Chris Carter.

Well, as you know, I’m a huge fan of the X-Files, so obviously I can’t wait for Mulder and Scully to return again in a new series! Its great news for X-Files fans!

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Doctor Who The Pilot Review

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Bill Potts, Daleks, Doctor Who, Doctor Who Series 10, Doctor Who The Pilot Review, Jennifer Hennessy, John Simm, Lawrence Gough, Matt Lucas, Movellans, Nardole, Pearle Mackie, Peter Capaldi, Stephanie Hyam, Steven Moffat, TARDIS, The Doctor, The Master, Time For Heroes

Doctor Who The Pilot

Review by Paul Bowler

[Contains Spoilers]

We’ve had two Christmas Specials and a hiatus between series, but now the waiting is finally over as Doctor Who’s tenth series gets underway with: The Pilot. Worlds collide when the Doctor meets Bill Potts! There’s a girl with a star in her eye, a race across the universe, and old enemies lurk in the shadows as Bill joins the Time Lord and Nardole on board the TARDIS for a whole new series of adventures in time and space!

Even though series ten will be a year of big changes for Doctor Who, with it being Stephen Moffat’s sixth and final year as Doctor Who show runner, and Peter Capaldi final season as the 12^th Doctor, The Pilot begins the series’ journey towards a new era with what is effectively a soft-reboot for the series, and of course the introduction of Pearl Mackie as the Doctor’s and Nardole’s new travelling companion – Bill Potts.

If you thought you’d have to wait for series eleven and Moffat’s successor as show runner, Chris Chibnall, to revamp Doctor Who, then you’d be mistaken, as Steven Moffat’s somewhat cheekily entitled series ten premier The Pilot actually turns out to be very effective and refreshing reboot of the series’ overall format. It ticks all the right boxes, there are lots of fun references for long term fans to enjoy, but just as importantly the episode also provides a good jumping on point for new viewers, and serves as a great introduction for the new companion Bill as she becomes embroiled in the Doctor’s madcap timey-wimey adventures.

Pearl Mackie makes a great debut as Bill Potts, a bright, geeky, twenty-something who lives with her foster mum, Moria (Played by Jennifer Hennessy, who also appeared as Valerie in the 10^th Doctor story, Gridlock, in 2007), Bill also works at the canteen in at St Luke’s University, in Bristol, where she’s fallen for a girl that she’s been serving extra sized portions of chips to in the canteen. There’s a scene were Bill looks in a box containing old photos of her late mother is also especially touching, it gives us further insight into Bill’s life, and is really well played by Mackie. Of course, The Pilot still has all of the familiar tropes that we’ve come to associate with the series – since its return in 2005 – when a new companion joins the TARDIS: such as a contemporary present day setting, with the explanation for the TARDIS being bigger on the inside than on the outside, and its chameleon circuit malfunctioning Police Box exterior, touching all the necessary bases. Indeed, Bill asks all the right questions, and some rather new and unexpected ones as well! Because of Bill, and in another first in the series‘ history, we also get to learn where the TARDIS toilet is located! While it might take Bill a little while to get to grips with the TARDIS and its amazing interior dimensions, she gets there eventually. Her first moments inside the TARDIS are a joy to behold, and Bill’s introduction makes the Doctor’s world feel all the more richer for her presence as she brings a very real sense of fun, innocence, and wonder along with her.

Naturally, it goes without saying that Peter Capaldi is as superb as ever. The Doctor is now giving lectures at the university, but what is the real reason for his mission on Earth? Capaldi’s eminent Professor becomes Bill’s tutor after he notices her sneaking into his lectures, there’s a great teacher / student dynamic between them, and Pearl Mackie’s scenes with Peter Capaldi are beautifully scripted as the Doctor and Bill explore the mystery of the strange puddle that’s far more dangerous and powerful than anyone could‘ve suspected. Following his appearance in the last two Christmas Specials, Matt Lucas also returns as the alien Nardole, and he’s been helping the Doctor investigate the mysterious Vault they seem to be guarding at the university. Nardole pops up intermittently over the course of the episode, but still has a key role to play, and he gets all the best jokes!

Superbly directed by Lawrence Gough (whose previous television work includes episodes of Misfits, Atlantis, and Endeavour), The Pilot sends the new TARDIS crew on frenetic chase across the world to Australia, before embarking on a voyage to the other side of the universe, and back again. There are a some scary moments with Heather (Stephanie Haym), the mysterious girl with a haunting connection to a liquid spaceship, strange pools of water prove deadlier than they seem, romance blossoms in a war zone, a Dalek battle – featuring the same three minute Friend From the Future scene which was originally shown during half-time of the FA Cup Final last April that announced Pearl Mackie‘s casting as Bill Pott’s – is another highlight and the exciting and emotional finale that will leave you eager to see where the Doctor, Bill, and Nardole’s adventures will take them next.

There are plenty of fun and nostalgic links to past to look out for in this episode as well. The Doctor’s study in the university is reminiscent of Professor Chronotis’ study at Cambridge from Shada (the abandoned story from the Classic series’ seventeenth season in 1979/ 80), framed pictures of River Song and the Doctor’s granddaughter, Susan, adorn his desk, there’s even a pot filled with a collection of the Time Lord’s old sonic screwdrivers, and the “Out of order” sign on the TARDIS door is a nice throwback to the one used in The War Machines (1966). The Movellans, a race of robots that waged war on the Daleks, last seen in Destiny of the Daleks ( 1979), also make a blink-and-you’ll-miss- it appearance. The Pilot also has numerous hints towards the modern series as well, especially with its depiction of Bill’s everyday life, which seems reminiscent of Rose Tyler’s introduction in Rose (2005). Most notable though, is when the Doctor attempts to wipe Bill’s memories at the end of The Pilot, which clearly mirrors the moment when the 10^th Doctor took Donna Nobel’s memories away to save her life in Journey’s End (2008), but the Doctor’s change of heart and Bill’s subsequent avoidance of this fate uncannily resonates with previous companion Clara’s decision to erase the Doctor’s memories of her during the 2015 season finale: Hell Bent – a point accentuated further by the short inclusion of Murray Gold’s score for Clara’s theme.

But it is the closing moments of The Pilot after the next time trailer for Smile, where the addition of a tantalizing coming soon mini-trailer featuring none other the return of The Master himself, played by John Simm, that really provides the icing on the cake that elevates the excitement surrounding this new series to a whole new level. John Simm’s gave David Tennant’s 10^th incarnation of the Doctor a run for his money when he played the Master in 2007’s Utopia, The Sound of Drums, and The Last of the Time Lords, and The End of Time Parts 1 & 2 (Dec 25^th 2009 / Jan 1^st 2010). Simm’s return is even more thrilling because we also know Michelle Gomez is returning as Missy, so, thanks to the wonders of time travel it looks like Peter Capaldi’s Doctor will be confronting two incarnations of his old nemesis this series. If that wasn’t enough, the coming soon trailer also seems to provide a startling glimpse of Peter Capaldi’s Doctor swathed in even more regeneration energy than we‘ve seen in pervious trailers! Could this momentous event be happening sooner than we think, or are we just being teased?

Posing almost as many questions as it does answers, chiefly the mystery surrounding the vault that the Doctor and Nardole have been watching over at the university and why the Doctor wants to keep his true identity there a secret, The Pilot gets series ten off to a really exciting start. Boasting some impressive special effects, this fast-paced adventure has a decidedly more upbeat tone, along with an energetic sense of fun, and the Doctor even belts out a smattering of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony on his electric guitar for good measure too. The Pilot makes the Doctor Who universe feel fresh and invigorated again, a palpable sense of anticipation has built up around this new series, and there is a great rapport between The Doctor, Bill, and Nardole. One things for sure, if the rest of series ten is as good as this episode we are going to be in for one hell of final jaunt around the universe with Peter Capaldi’s Doctor!

Images belong BBC

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STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI Official Teaser Trailer!

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J.J.Abrams, Luke Skywalker, New Star Wars The Last Jedi Trailer, Rian Johnson, Star Wars, Star Wars Celebration, Star Wars Episode VIII, Star Wars Episode VIII The Last Jedi, Star Wars The Last Jedi, Star Wars The Last Jedi Teaser Trailer, Star Wars The Last Jedi Trailer

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI Official Teaser Trailer!

Check out the first official teaser trailer for STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI, first shown at Star Wars Celebration 2017 in Orlando. Star Wars Episode VIII THE LAST JEDI is written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman and executive produced by J.J. Abrams, Jason McGatlin, and Tom Karnowski.

Its great trailer, awesome to finally see a glimpse of the new Star Wars movie, what do you all think of the trailer?

STAR WARS EPISODE VIII THE LAST JEDI is scheduled for release December 15, 2017.

And here’s the official poster!

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Thor Ragnarock Official Teaser Trailer Released!

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Anthony Hopkins, Benedict Cumberbatch, Bruce Banner, Cate Blanchett, Chris Hemsworth, Doctor Strange, Heimdall, Hela, Hulk, Idris Elba, Jaimie Alexander, Jeff Goldblum, loki, Mark Ruffalo, Marvel, New Thor Ragnarock Trailer, Odin, Sif, Tessa Thompson, Thor, Thor 3, Thor 3 trailer, Thor Ragnarock, Thor Ragnarock teaser trailer, Thor Ragnarock Trailer, Tom Hiddleston, Valkery

Thor Ragnarock Teaser Trailer Released!!

Marvel have released the first Thor Ragnarock Teaser Trailer, and its awesome, looking forward to seeing this!

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ROM #8 Review

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Alessandra Alexakis, Chris Ryall, Christos Gage, comics, David Messina, Dire Wraith D’rge, Dire Wraiths, IDW Publishing, IDW Revolution, IDW ROM, J. H. Williams, Michele Pasta, Paolo Villanell, REVOLOUTIONARIES, REVOLUTION, Rom, ROM #8, ROM #8 review, Rom The Spaceknight

ROM #8

Review by Paul Bowler

The Space Knight faces a new challenge in ROM #8 as his mission to rid the Earth of the Dire Wraiths following the arrival of two of his fellow warriors from the Solstar Order, Livia, and Orphion, who not only have links to ROM’s past, but have travelled to Earth to stop the Dire Wraiths at all costs – even if that price is the destruction of Earth!

IDW Publishing’s new ROM series continues to go from strength to strength in ROM #8, with plot and script by Chris Ryall and Christos Gage, pencils and Inks by Paolo Villanell, and colors by Alessandra Alexakis. Following ROM’s initial skirmish with Orphion and Livia, Police Officer Camilla Byers was finally cured of the Wraith influence consuming her body (her infected arm was blown off during the battle), ROM’s attempts to reason with his Space Knight brethren only compounds their differences further during a run in with two rogue G.I. Joe operatives, and the Dire Wraiths begin to hatch even darker schemes to vanquish the Solstar Knights.

ROM #8 sees ROM and Livia racing to intercept Orphion as he launched an attack on a drilling platform controlled by the Wraiths. Chris Ryall and Christos Gage continue to explore the bond between thee Space Knight characters as the issue. It seems ROM has deviated from their orders strict adherence to the Solstar Code, something which Orphion, his uncompromising superior officer has been sent to investigate, together with Livia, ROM’s childhood friend and former lover, but she Orhion’s Space Knight partner now and follows his orders to the letter.

Their differences creates an exciting and tense dynamic between this trio of Solstar Knghts, especially when Orphion’s plan to flood the rigs drill with neutralizing energy to send a shockwave into the planets core and destroy the Earth becomes apparent, something which ROM is vehemently too opposed and selflessly prepared to put his life on the line to prevent! Ryall and Gage also build on the subplot involving the two aggrieved G.I Joe soldiers with an axe to grind about ROM’s actions during REVOLUTION, and Darby’s ongoing struggle to cope with her PTSD and her experiences with ROM all take a startling turn.

Paolo Villanell’s artwork brings the stylish action-set pieces to life in this issue with a bold fervour that places us right in the thick of the action at all times. This issue unfolds in exhilarating blockbuster-like fashion, with ROM’s conflict with Livia and Orphan rapidly intercutting between numerous angles and viewpoints across the bold page layouts. Villanell ensures the Space Knights unique attributes and tactics are all impressively realized, and the raw strength and power displayed in their frenetically paced combat is an awesome sight to behold. The color by Alessandra Alexakis strikes a perfect contrasts between the gleaming metallic hues of the Space Knights and the fire fights of dazzling energy bolts that pepper the action, whilst the brief interludes featuring G.I. Joe operatives Beach Head and Grunt and war veteran Darby Mason respectively utilize warmer tones to provide a distinct contrast for these scenes away from the central conflict at the heart of the issue.

ROM #8: Reinforcements Part 4 is packed with wall to wall Space Knight action. Darby also makes a shock discovery, ROM’s no holds barred showdown with Orphian reaches a major turning point, and the Dire Wraiths gather their dark sorceries as they prepare to unleash a frightening new horror against the Space Knights!

The characterization of ROM is pitch perfect throughout, from the subtle redesign of his classic armor, right through to the inflections of his dialogue, this series is lovingly structured to respect the character, and with the recent addition of two new Space Knights in the aftermath of the REVOLOUTION cross-over this title is really firing on all cylinders. Whether you’re a fan of the original Marvel comic book ROM series by Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema, or a complete newbie, ROM #8 has something for everyone to enjoy as Chris Ryall, Christos Gage, Paolo Villanell, and Alessandra Alexakis continue make this reimagining of ROM one of the standout titles in the IDW Publishing and Hasbro Entertainments shared universe of characters.

Publisher: IDW Publishing

Plot and script: Chris Ryall and Christos Gage / Pencils and Inks: Paolo Villanell

Color by: Alessandra Alexakis / Letters by: Shawn Lee

Regular Cover: Nelson Daniel

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