Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

Alternative Ending

13 views
Skip to first unread message

Charles E. Hardwidge

unread,
Oct 12, 2012, 8:58:16 AM10/12/12
to
http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2012/oct/12/doctor-who-amy-rory-alternative-ending

Personally, I agree with the author of this article. The end to the Pond
saga was abrupt and would have benefited from a better closing *and*
closure.

Editing some of the fat off the story would've provided ample space for this
alternative ending and I don't agree with one of the commentators that it
was overwrought like the endings RTD became notorious for.

Does Moffat need an editor, or is this proof you can polish a turd?

--
Charles E. Hardwidge

Brian

unread,
Oct 12, 2012, 10:44:40 AM10/12/12
to
If something suddenly unexpected happens then you are likely to remember it
more than some planned action. The emotion the scene needed was there so
many will remember how the doctor felt after losing both companions.

--
Regards Brian

Raymond Daley

unread,
Oct 12, 2012, 11:15:54 AM10/12/12
to

"Charles E. Hardwidge" <nos...@nospam.invalid> wrote in message
news:k5945p$bat$1...@dont-email.me...
Actually you CAN polish a turd. This was proven by Mythbusters about 2
seasons ago.
They even did it with several kinds of animal poo as well.


Raymond Daley

unread,
Oct 12, 2012, 11:22:30 AM10/12/12
to

"Brian" <bcl...@es.co.nz> wrote in message
news:1330700729371745646....@free.teranews.com...
Wow. They totally should have filmed this one.
I consider myself to be a pretty toughened individual but that almost had me
in tears.


Message has been deleted

Ross

unread,
Oct 12, 2012, 12:22:33 PM10/12/12
to
On Oct 12, 8:58 am, "Charles E. Hardwidge" <nos...@nospam.invalid>
wrote:
> http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2012/oct/12/doc...
>
> Personally, I agree with the author of this article. The end to the Pond
> saga was abrupt and would have benefited from a better closing *and*
> closure.
>
> Editing some of the fat off the story would've provided ample space for this
> alternative ending and I don't agree with one of the commentators that it
> was overwrought like the endings RTD became notorious for.
>
> Does Moffat need an editor, or is this proof you can polish a turd?
>
> --
> Charles E. Hardwidge

Nice as the scene is, I think once the Ponds are well and truly gone,
the best thing is to end the episode as quickly as possible (If
anything, they could have shortened the scene with the Doctor and
River in the TARDIS). This just doesn't work if you put it before or
after the Doctor's epilogue reading the last page of the book, because
it's too much of a retread of that material, and if we can only have
one, it's better to do the Doctor's ending.

If you wanted to give Rory and his dad a proper ending to their
storyline, you might be able to intercut between Amy's afterword and
Rory's story, like write them as one monologue but switch speakers
between paragraphs.

FishFood

unread,
Oct 12, 2012, 3:11:57 PM10/12/12
to
it was all a bit too soapy for my liking.. yeah we need characters who's
fate we care about, but we need meaty stories with ideas which linger
after the closing credits. A sense of something shared is what i look
for, and im not sure i still see that in Who.

The Doctor

unread,
Oct 12, 2012, 4:21:46 PM10/12/12
to
In article <1330700729371745646....@free.teranews.com>,
Recall Moffat is a BAFTA winning writer.
--
Member - Liberal International This is doc...@nl2k.ab.ca Ici doc...@nl2k.ab.ca
God,Queen and country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising!
http://www.fullyfollow.me/rootnl2k
USA petition to dissolve the Republic and vote to disoolve it in November 2012

The Coca Cola Kid

unread,
Oct 12, 2012, 10:53:45 PM10/12/12
to
"Brian" wrote in message
news:1330700729371745646....@free.teranews.com...
>If something suddenly unexpected happens then you are likely to remember it
>more than some planned action. The emotion the scene needed was there so
>many will remember how the doctor felt after losing both companions.'

The Ponds' departure was telegraphed well in advance, all throughout the
season, so it was hardly unexpected. One would argue that there needs to be
a balance struck, so that it does not seem like they are dwelling on it too
long, nor that it was too fleeting. It seemed to be too fleeting, IMHO, when
they finally got to it. The premise of their departure was a powerful one,
but the way that it was executed was as climactic as coitus interruptus.

Brian

unread,
Oct 13, 2012, 2:19:02 AM10/13/12
to
I was not aware of any indications that the companions would leave the
doctor. There was a indication that Rory might die during the story but
that seemed to be a problem that the doctor might solve as he has with
other problems. It seemed near the end of the story that the companions had
survived and they were about to enter the Tardis for another adventure. So
to me the departure of the companions was sudden and unexpected.

--
Regards Brian

The Doctor

unread,
Oct 13, 2012, 9:06:14 AM10/13/12
to
In article <1038664778371801685....@free.teranews.com>,
Sent back in time makes more sense then 'dying'.

David J Richardson

unread,
Oct 13, 2012, 11:45:01 AM10/13/12
to
In article
<chine.bleu-DAB02...@news.eternal-september.org>,
An tSin Gorm <chine...@yahoo.com> wrote:

> > Personally, I agree with the author of this article. The end to the
> > Pond saga was abrupt and would have benefited from a better closing
> > *and* closure.
>
> A story has to end somewhere. The story ends with Amy choosing Rory
> over the Doctor, the both of them living out their days together, and
> the Doctor ready to move on to someone else not to grow old with.

Agreed. Besides, the "P.S" addendum was pretty much exactly the same as
the scene in Blink, and unlike said scene it contributed little (apart
from illustrating the writer/editor don't know when their stories are
set!). Little Amelia, as televised, was a MUCH stronger ending.

--
David J Richardson -- work...@davidj.richardson.name
http://davidj.richardson.name/ - Dr Who articles/interviews/reviews
http://www.boomerang.org.au/ - Boomerang Association of Australia

Stephen Wilson

unread,
Oct 13, 2012, 9:32:15 AM10/13/12
to

"The Doctor" <doc...@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca> wrote in message
news:k59u4q$oi6$1...@gallifrey.nk.ca...
> In article <1330700729371745646....@free.teranews.com>,
> Brian <bcl...@es.co.nz> wrote:
>>"Charles E. Hardwidge" <nos...@nospam.invalid> wrote:
>>> http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2012/oct/12/doctor-who-amy-rory-alternative-ending
>>>
>>> Personally, I agree with the author of this article. The end to the Pond
>>> saga was abrupt and would have benefited from a better closing *and*
>>> closure.
>>>
>>> Editing some of the fat off the story would've provided ample space for
>>> this
>>> alternative ending and I don't agree with one of the commentators that
>>> it
>>> was overwrought like the endings RTD became notorious for.
>>>
>>> Does Moffat need an editor, or is this proof you can polish a turd?
>>
>>If something suddenly unexpected happens then you are likely to remember
>>it
>>more than some planned action. The emotion the scene needed was there so
>>many will remember how the doctor felt after losing both companions.
>>
>>--
>>Regards Brian
>
> Recall Moffat is a BAFTA winning writer.

So what?


The Coca Cola Kid

unread,
Oct 13, 2012, 2:18:54 PM10/13/12
to
"The Doctor" wrote in message news:k5bp06$9uk$1...@gallifrey.nk.ca...

>Sent back in time makes more sense then 'dying'.

According to some news articles, Moffat was allegedly considering actually
killing Rory and Amy off, rather than sending them back in time to die
naturally of old age.
By the way, it should be 'more ... than ...', not 'more ... then ...'.

Your Name

unread,
Oct 13, 2012, 5:03:27 PM10/13/12
to
In article <workitout-912CA...@news.iinet.net.au>, David J
Richardson <work...@davidj.richardson.name> wrote:

> In article
> <chine.bleu-DAB02...@news.eternal-september.org>,
> An tSin Gorm <chine...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > > Personally, I agree with the author of this article. The end to the
> > > Pond saga was abrupt and would have benefited from a better closing
> > > *and* closure.
> >
> > A story has to end somewhere. The story ends with Amy choosing Rory
> > over the Doctor, the both of them living out their days together, and
> > the Doctor ready to move on to someone else not to grow old with.
>
> Agreed. Besides, the "P.S" addendum was pretty much exactly the same as
> the scene in Blink, and unlike said scene it contributed little (apart
> from illustrating the writer/editor don't know when their stories are
> set!). Little Amelia, as televised, was a MUCH stronger ending.

I don't know about that. It was a bit strange that Amy wrote the page in
the book telling the Doctor to go and talk to young Amelia who would be
waiting ... it sort of made an timey-wimey infinite loops.

The Doctor

unread,
Oct 13, 2012, 6:05:28 PM10/13/12
to
In article <g6hes.292481$Kc7.1...@fx20.am4>,
You use to defned RTD's credetials for winning awards SW.

The Doctor

unread,
Oct 13, 2012, 6:06:19 PM10/13/12
to
In article <k5cbab$5mc$1...@speranza.aioe.org>,
The Coca Cola Kid <thecoca...@gmail.com> wrote:
The uproar then must have been loud.

Your Name

unread,
Oct 13, 2012, 7:29:18 PM10/13/12
to
In article <g6hes.292481$Kc7.1...@fx20.am4>,
Stephen Wilson <stephen.wils...@ntlworld.com> wrote:
>
>"The Doctor" <doc...@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca> wrote in message
>news:k59u4q$oi6$1...@gallifrey.nk.ca...
>> In article <1330700729371745646....@free.teranews.com>,
>> Brian <bcl...@es.co.nz> wrote:
>>>"Charles E. Hardwidge" <nos...@nospam.invalid> wrote:
>>>>
http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2012/oct/12/doctor-who-amy-rory-alternative-ending
>>>>
>>>> Personally, I agree with the author of this article. The end to the Pond
>>>> saga was abrupt and would have benefited from a better closing *and*
>>>> closure.
>>>>
>>>> Editing some of the fat off the story would've provided ample space for
>>>> this alternative ending and I don't agree with one of the commentators
>>>> that it was overwrought like the endings RTD became notorious for.
>>>>
>>>> Does Moffat need an editor, or is this proof you can polish a turd?
>>>
>>>If something suddenly unexpected happens then you are likely to remember
>>>it more than some planned action. The emotion the scene needed was there
>>>so many will remember how the doctor felt after losing both companions.
>>
>> Recall Moffat is a BAFTA winning writer.
>
>So what?

I think that's a typo and meant tosay: "Recall Moffat is a Baffler Award
winning writer. ;-)

The Doctor

unread,
Oct 13, 2012, 7:32:57 PM10/13/12
to
In article <YourName-141...@203-118-187-65.dsl.dyn.ihug.co.nz>,
BAFTA not Baffler ;-)

The Coca Cola Kid

unread,
Oct 13, 2012, 7:52:11 PM10/13/12
to
"Your Name" wrote in message
news:YourName-141...@203-118-187-199.dsl.dyn.ihug.co.nz...

>I don't know about that. It was a bit strange that Amy wrote the page in
>the book telling the Doctor to go and talk to young Amelia who would be
>waiting ... it sort of made an timey-wimey infinite loops.

It is not really strange as much as it is annoying, that the most
interesting and emotional parts of this story arc were directly implied take
place off-screen. I thought that the BBC had something in their charter
that stated that the audience could not be expected to purchase something in
another format in order to fully appreciate or understand a story that is
presented on-screen. So ... I guess that that means that there is basically
nil chance that these aspects of the story will be explored in any other
media, any time in the near future.

Your Name

unread,
Oct 13, 2012, 8:42:20 PM10/13/12
to
In article <K8nes.15713$w_2....@newsfe12.iad>, "The Coca Cola Kid"
What's to understand or off-screen?? The note from Amy told the Doctor to
go and talk to young Amelia about the adventures, etc., which loops the
whole storyline back to the start when Matt Smith took over the role - the
Amelia Pond story isn't so much an "arc" as a "continuous circle". :-)

The Doctor

unread,
Oct 14, 2012, 8:16:27 AM10/14/12
to
In article <YourName-141...@203-118-187-65.dsl.dyn.ihug.co.nz>,
Your Name <Your...@YourISP.com> wrote:
Did Amelia Pond Williams come Full Circle?

solar penguin

unread,
Oct 14, 2012, 9:42:17 AM10/14/12
to


The Doctor wrote:

> In article <YourName-141...@203-118-187-65.dsl.dyn.ihug.co.nz>,
> Your Name <Your...@YourISP.com> wrote:
> >
> >What's to understand or off-screen?? The note from Amy told the Doctor to
> >go and talk to young Amelia about the adventures, etc., which loops the
> >whole storyline back to the start when Matt Smith took over the role - the
> >Amelia Pond story isn't so much an "arc" as a "continuous circle". :-)
>
> Did Amelia Pond Williams come Full Circle?
> --

Only if she's an Alzarian.

Brian

unread,
Oct 14, 2012, 10:45:28 AM10/14/12
to
May be a problem filming a little Amelia Pond who would be a lot older by
now if they needed to do this.

--
Regards Brian

The Doctor

unread,
Oct 14, 2012, 3:08:12 PM10/14/12
to

Your Name

unread,
Oct 14, 2012, 4:11:56 PM10/14/12
to
In article <1206324647371918620....@free.teranews.com>,
They did "do this" - the episode ended with young Amelia sitting in the
garden again. I don't know if they filmed a new young Amelia scene or
re-used the previously filmed scene, but that doesn't matter to the
circular Amelia Pond storyline.

(Sometimes a younger sibling can be used to get around the problem of an
aging child actor, and an older sibling or parent can be used when an
older / future version is required.)

Brian

unread,
Oct 14, 2012, 9:00:03 PM10/14/12
to
Some actors don't seem to age very fast. There was a guest appearance in
one of the Doctor Who stories of the second doctor and his Scottish male
companion in the older series and they looked the same as they did when
they first began acting in Doctor Who. Does anyone who what the Doctor Who
story was called?

Young children seem to change fast so if you were filming a big movie then
you would have to complete the shots of the child before they start to
change which is a problem when some movies take a year or more to make.
--
Regards Brian

The Coca Cola Kid

unread,
Oct 14, 2012, 9:29:20 PM10/14/12
to
"The Doctor" wrote in message news:k5eaer$kmv$1...@gallifrey.nk.ca...

>Did Amelia Pond Williams come Full Circle?

I am not even going to touch that one with my ten foot pole.

Your Name

unread,
Oct 15, 2012, 1:27:35 AM10/15/12
to
In article <764650029371954291.6...@free.teranews.com>,
People's appearance changes most noticeably when young and again when old
- there's about 30 years in the middle where changes are virtually
unnoticebale (excluding accidents or illnesses of course).
0 new messages