I Like Eclectic Entries

[rebness]

I missed the pilot for the new series of Dr. Who last week because I was in Blackpool, so was ecstatic to switch the television on this afternoon to hear familiar sounds of the dahn-dah-dahn-da-dahn whoo-ooh theme tune as if they had never left.

Well. I bloody love Russell T. Davies. The series is just... Dr. Who and more. You can really see the affection he has for the character and his universe, as well as his little geeky asides for fans of the series.

Today's episode dealt with the inevitable end of the world. It was funny, clever and the actors-- even pop minx Billie-- were great. And at the end, I found myself kind of choked when he detailed the relative brevity of man's existence on the earth... indeed, the ethereal earth itself. Raw emotion in Dr. Who? Brilliant.

Next on the TV schedule was a brilliant programme that takes a masterpiece and analyses it in full detail. This week, they picked Eugene Delacroix's raw and bloody Liberty Leading the People, one of my very favourite paintings ever. Liberty was described as "vulgar" and a "poissarde" (fish wife) by critics of the time, but she has stood the test of time to become Marianne, the symbol of France, and of revolutionaries everywhere.



Eugene Delacroix sounded rather dislikable, though. He abhorred revolutions (well, by the time of the 1848 uprising) and was described by Alexandre Dumas (snarky git) as a "coward" who looked out of place amongst the genuine revolutionaries. Ah, well.

Everything was sobered up a little by the news that the Pope has died. You know, I had a lot of issues with some of his views-- abortion, the direction of Europe and especially the absurd "gay conspiracy" that was going to turn Europe into hell, or some such nonsense. (Actually, I very much wonder if he even came out with these words, or if they were attributed to the ill man by others seeking their own anti-gay agenda.) On the other hand, he was against the Iraq war, and told Dubya and Blair that their policies went against the Church, no matter their feeble excuses. He himself is remembered fondly in Liverpool for his visit to the city in the eighties. But no matter. In the end, his death was sad and the sight of Catholics crowding the Vatican and churches worldwide, united (for once) in prayer... it really touched me.

I just hope that his successor will be moderate and not that twatty Pinochet-sympathiser some are championing. And please, please counteract his views on abortion and homosexuality. Because really, your excellence, there are bigger things to think about than worrying about who loves whom. Requiescat in Pace.

Comments

[peregrinuscanus.livejournal.com]

That second Dr. Who ep. was just as good as the first, really! My kids and Mr. P and I are all loving it. I was moved, also, at the demise of the earth - I really felt the distress of the Billie Piper character and got a bit weepy, esp. when the Doctor took her back to *her* London to watch all the people, unaware of their future. The baddies were good (a "Repeated Meme", was it? As bad as LJ!) and the tinny spiders, and there were so many Russell T Davies dialogue moments that could translate to Queer as Folk (again). I have a deep worry about the incipient romance between Rose and the Doctor though!

[jaffacakequeen.livejournal.com]

i agree this Doctor Who is a lot better than expected and the humour, especially with a Northern Twang is original and he cant keep those references to Manchester out of it can he? LOL. however, i have wee critism the humour is great but i think it can fall into the trap of taking the piss out of itself too much, which then raises the question whats the point of filming a new series if you are going to take the piss? i look forward to the next episode.

but i wouldnt go as far as saying their was raw emotion? i cant take the end of the world seriously when you have just watched a flat-faced zoey wanamaker playing Britney Spears, "toxic" ?

anyway cant wait for Daleks epside.

Plus i am glad Christopher Eccleston is leaving, he is a quality actor and deserves to be in far better roles than Doctor Who.

hmmm

[wickedmanifesto.livejournal.com]

I fully expect the Catholic church to never change their views on abortion and gays, but what I am shocked an so angered about is there continued DANGEROUS policy against condoms. The late Pope certainly championed life and social justice, but he failed millions of people by not realize the medical neccessity to protection against STDs.