Doctor Who "Planet of the Ood" UK/US Talkback (Spoilers)

[HellCat]

http://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/who4.jpg
Doctor Who Season 4
"Planet of the Ood"
Written by Keith Temple
6:20 pm, BBC 1



The TARDIS lands in the Ood-Sphere, home of the human slave race the Ood. The last time the Doctor encountered the normally passive race they were twisted into a psychic legion. With the Ood displaying similar symptoms, will the Time Lord and Donna survive?




NOTE: Due to the only 3 week airing difference this season, the UK and US talkbacks have been combined. I shall be starting talkbacks for the UK premiers, which Lord Dalek will revive for the US premieres. We hope this will bring the two groups of fans togethor and inspire even greater discussion :)

[Alucard]

Its kinda like an Asimov story... but with OOD instead of Androids...

[MonkeyFunk]

Hmm. Somehow the episode just didn't quite click with me. The intrigue wasn't particularly intriguing, the action wasn't all that exciting, and there was very little humour. It all seemed a little detached somehow - which is a shame, because the story was really quite good. Less than the sum of its parts, I suppose.

On the plus side, Donna is shaping up to be the most developed companion in this series.

Instance of missing planets: no.
Instance of missing bees: yes.
Instance of portentous murmuring: "Your song will end soon"

[Tinytooncrazy]

Really enjoyed it much better then I though it was going to be. I differnely felt for the ood. Did any catch the hints something big is brewing wonder ,I also agree that Donna is turning out prettly nicely as well much better then I though she be. I also heard lots of rumors but I keep quite about them but will post if any interested . The next episode looks awsome with the return of Martha and the Sontartons.

[Alucard]

the action wasn't all that exciting.

I actually thought the action was one of the highlights. The scene with the crane was pretty impresive by Who's standards, and more Ood is always good.

But I didn't think it was great. Got off to a good start, then had a pretty unspectacular ending.

Also, anyone find it odd that the Ood was a race specifically bred to sing? I can't help but think that when the doctor returns in a few months they'll all have starved to death, because of there inabillity to do anything usefull other than sing!

[HellCat]

Whilst it was surely some form of cost cutting, I was glad to see the Ood back. They were one of my favourite parts of the otherwise wobbly season 2, so to see them get a story where they weren't just minions was nice. I have to again give full credit for the design staff. It's amazing how the Ood can be both cuddly and loveable and then terrifying. A real triumph there.

One issue I had were the human characters. Mostly the security chief. It seems the humans had no real characterisation other than being bastards. That said, I was somewhat glad the marketting rep didn't side with the Doctor. Most stories give us that character so it was nice to see a change with a character who could have done the right thing but instead sided with the status quo. As RTD said, once that happened her death was practically deserved.

[James]

One issue I had were the human characters. Mostly the security chief. It seems the humans had no real characterisation other than being bastards.

To be fair, people who end up being exposed to "cattle" situations end up inevitably treating creatures in a sub-standard way. Maybe that's because the mind has to shift desensitize to uncomfortable job roles, and some (not all) over-compensate.

Or, if you are going to hire someone to monitor your cattle drive you aren't going to look for someone gentle, sweet and empathic, because they are unlikely to be able to desensitize to the fast welfare unfriendly schedule you are bound to impose.

Either way, I think in situations where you have a living creatures being sold as product, you will naturally get desensitized workers, either by nature or sculpted through environmental factors. I think you'd go mad if you allowed yourself to feel for creatures your employers treated like dirt. You'd either quit or be fired. The ones who are left are the cold, hard ones.

I enjoyed it. The end exposition was a little messy and could perhaps have done with a little less being withheld, but nurtured throughout, rather than the fast Tennant gabble. But aside from that, good action, some nice dry humour, good acting and a poignant story. 5 stars.

[HellCat]

But the security chief was just a flat out jerk. Look at him going psycho with the crane.

[Frozen]

I thought this was great. Really good pacing (a problem with New Who, on the whole), great "monster of the week", great casting, great scenario. One only hopes the season can keep up this high standard. :D

Also, Donna continues to shine. :)

[Rasputin]

Keeping up the standard set last week, this time in a suitably alien and futuristic setting. Smart, well-paced and rather creepy at times, these last two episodes have done sterling work in compensating for the weak opening, and I think they're a good portent for quality in the rest of the series.

Donna's turning out to be a surprisingly good companion, simply for being very different to the last few companions. She's neither fawning nor faux-confident, but seems to be genuinely searching for some meaning out there beyond her own mental horizons. It's been very refreshing so far and I for one am interested in seeing how it pans out.

Nice and solid 4 stars from me. Looking forward to the next episode involving UNIT, Sontarans, and Martha! Should be an incredible singularity of fan-baiting. Can't wait.

[Temple Fugate]

Instance of missing planets: no.
Instance of missing bees: yes.
Instance of portentous murmuring: "Your song will end soon"Copycat.


But the security chief was just a flat out jerk. Look at him going psycho with the crane.That was definitely the worst part of the episode. I've never seen someone so giddy to play the Crane Game. I just wish they had gone all the way with it, with the Insane Security Guy successfully picking the Doctor up, and then he just slips out.


Donna's turning out to be a surprisingly good companion, simply for being very different to the last few companions. She's neither fawning nor faux-confident, but seems to be genuinely searching for some meaning out there beyond her own mental horizons. It's been very refreshing so far and I for one am interested in seeing how it pans out.I'm amazed at how Donna is shaping up. In just three episodes she's gone from borderline-obsessed, quirky, impulsive tagalong to sympathetic, morally upstanding, regretful companion. I suppose they've developed her this quickly because they're now going to re-introduce old companions and see how the characters will further change.

And the end with the sudden "Your journey must end soon" was so blatant it almost killed the whole thing. Wow, guys, have you gotten THAT tired of your arcs that you don't even care how subtly you reference them anymore?

[HellCat]

That was definitely the worst part of the episode. I've never seen someone so giddy to play the Crane Game. I just wish they had gone all the way with it, with the Insane Security Guy successfully picking the Doctor up, and then he just slips out.

I think the episode was kind of overflowing with poorly developed humans. I get that it only had 45 minutes and had to make the Ood the most sympathetic, but the humans were dissapointingly thin and the security officer was the worst of the lot. He felt like an escapee from A Clockwork Orange with his love for violence where ever he could get it


I'm amazed at how Donna is shaping up. In just three episodes she's gone from borderline-obsessed, quirky, impulsive tagalong to sympathetic, morally upstanding, regretful companion. I suppose they've developed her this quickly because they're now going to re-introduce old companions and see how the characters will further change.

She's good but I'm not quite sure I'd rate her as high as others. I will say Martha's scene in the preview has made me realise why people complain about Freema's acting. But truth be told, there are things about Donna that seem too exact to Rose and Martha. That scene at the start with the rocking TARDIS could have worked with ANY companion...save the guys, since apparently the Doctor is now apparently lecherous and only travels with women.


And the end with the sudden "Your journey must end soon" was so blatant it almost killed the whole thing. Wow, guys, have you gotten THAT tired of your arcs that you don't even care how subtly you reference them anymore?

Maybe they're having trouble finding new ways to work it in. Bad Wolf was a fluke that got retconned into the season. Torchwood was far too blatant. Saxon was about just right. I guess this year they favour the sledgehammer. Missing planets, possibly missing bees, Rose and something on Donna's back. They even put a reference to ATMOS in the first episode.

[Lord Dalek]

He is awake

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Doctor Who Serial Code DWIV-3: "Planet of the Ood" Talkback

Finding themselves on the Ood-Sphere planet in the 42nd century, The Doctor and Donna discover the truth over the Ood's willingness to serve humankind.

Starring DAVID TENNANT as The Doctor with Catherine Tate as Donna Noble

[XOMiss_Samantha]

I have to say, that guy turning into an Ood at the end was disturbing.
"He's an Ood..."
"I noticed"
hah. XD

Such a sad song they were singing. I hated seeing them being treated as slaves, expecially the ones still with their brains. That was insanely terrible.
Donna is very human. There is such a difference between her and the doctor. I never noticed it before. He's seen so many different things that he doesn't react in the same way.

[Paul_Cousins]

I have to say, that guy turning into an Ood at the end was disturbing.
"He's an Ood..."
"I noticed"
hah. XD

Such a sad song they were singing. I hated seeing them being treated as slaves, expecially the ones still with their brains. That was insanely terrible.
Donna is very human. There is such a difference between her and the doctor. I never noticed it before. He's seen so many different things that he doesn't react in the same way.True. I also loved how the Ood caught the Doctor offguard when the Ood stated that all songs (lives) must end eventually, including the Doctor's song (life).

[James]

True. I also loved how the Ood caught the Doctor offguard when the Ood stated that all songs (lives) must end eventually, including the Doctor's song (life).

To the tune of Doomsday.. more hints towards the return of the ever annoying. I can hardly wait. :p

[Paul_Cousins]

To the tune of Doomsday.. more hints towards the return of the ever annoying. I can hardly wait. :pTune of Doomsday? What do you mean?

[HellCat]

Tune of Doomsday? What do you mean?

The season 2 finale, in which Rose Tyler and her related cast were trapped in the parallel 'Pete's World'. So essentially, one of the less than subtle hints that Rose will be back this season.

[Paul_Cousins]

The season 2 finale, in which Rose Tyler and her related cast were trapped in the parallel 'Pete's World'. So essentially, one of the less than subtle hints that Rose will be back this season.Oh. Ok. I understand now.