I suppose the Key to Time was the first big multi-parter

[incandescens]

New Doctor Who tonight was excellent and a good conclusion to -- well, to some of the problems raised by the first episode of the season. Far from all of them, though.

I know I'm prone to complaining that a thirteen-episode season with a required climax at the end of it forces certain constraints on the series as a whole which we didn't have back in the days (yes, I know, I'm dated) when it was a four-to-six-episode-story with a start and an end, and while continuity was a good thing, direct sequential episodes from start to end of season for the entire year wasn't quite that necessary, and at that point it wasn't required for the Doctor to save the universe and be adored by all in new and increasingly impressive ways every year. (All right, I admit that (a) Eleven (or the writers/directors of same) is cutting down on the "poor tragic Doctor who needs admiration and love" thing, and (b) not all One-to-Seven stories were actually good, but, you know.) Still, I am having faith in Moffatt that he will do something good with the format and that I will enjoy it.

(And crossing my fingers.)

Gave in and went and bought railway tickets today for Malvern on the 21st May so that I can attend that quilt show. Even if it means about three hours either way plus a change at Birmingham. I decided that the pleasure I would get from going was worth the expense, and the expense is reduced if I buy fixed-time-tickets now, so . . . I bought tickets. Something to look forward to in May.

I wish the phrase "faffing around" were in American usage as well as English. (If it is, I apologise.) It's so beautifully descriptive of a certain type of behaviour.

---

What is the Correspondence?

They say it's the map that connects every glimmer of moonish light to a star. They say it's the key that unlocks the secrets of bat-flights. They say it's a trap that someone found inscribed on a wall in the First City, and if you decode its complicated patterns you inevitably decide you're God, to the considerable detriment of your social life.

-- Echo Bazaar

Comments

[linzday.livejournal.com]

I remember LOVING "The Key to Time." I haven't seen the new season yet, but glad to hear that it's going to be, well, not quite as disappointing as some of the recent finales. Also well-done on writing a spoiler-free post, thank you.

Haven't commented much, but I always do enjoy reading what you're up to, especially the quotes. You've really inspired me to get back into writing on lj more regularly.

Also, the Dresden block cushion you posted recently was gorgeous!

[incandescens]

I'm finding the new season to be good stuff so far. I admit that I wasn't enjoying where it had been going with Tennant and RTD, and I'm finding Eleven and Moffatt much better consumption. :) I'm also glad that I didn't spoil anything for you.

Heh. Thank you, you're very kind. I'm glad if my writing entertains you, and the quotes too.

And thank you, re the Dresden block cushion! I have a plan to do a quilt with some Dresden blocks on it, so I'll be practicing the pattern.

[linzday.livejournal.com]

I just realized that we weren't mutual friends on lj, so I thought I should introduce myself so you don't feel like a stranger is looking over your shoulder. I've been reading your posts for a while so I feel like I know you a bit. Hi, I'm Lindsay, I live in Brooklyn, NY, where I'm a high school math teacher. I sew a bit, but I've been super into knitting lately. Mostly I'm just happy it's finally spring.

There, officially de-lurked. Happy end-of-Sunday!

[incandescens]

Delighted to meet you, and very flattered that you've found my posts interesting. :)

[cythraul.livejournal.com]

I actually have Key to Time on DVD; when I eventually get through it all, it'll constitute the majority of the Tom Baker material I've seen.

The serials in it are very all over the map in terms of quality and interest. The Pirate Planet is glorious, but the ones before and after it (whose titles both escape me at the moment) are uneven at best.

I've seen "faffing about" before - which I usually read as something like "spend time in a particular context without being focused on any particular task", or something like that.

[incandescens]

I think you'll enjoy the fourth part of Key to Time when you get there: IIRC it's The Androids of Tara, and basically it's a Zenda-style romp. Identical duplicates! Fencing! Etcetera!

Where I am, "faffing around"/"faffing about" seems to imply a certain degree of time-wasting, messing around, getting in the way, etcetera.

[linzday.livejournal.com]

It's always interesting to read about people who live in other places, to see how their everyday lives are different, especially when they share some interests. Also, your quilts are pretty, and I can live vicariously by reading, as I don't think I'll be quilting any time soon.

[incandescens]

You're very kind, and thank you. :)

(It's not that difficult. Really. I mean, I can do it, and I'm very far from being good at sewing.)

[linzday.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the encouragement! It actually did put the possiblity in my head. But I have too many garment projects that are stuck and giving me bad feelings to be able to justify changing horses mid-stream right now. Maybe after I tackle them. I mean, I'm a Geometry teacher, I should be able to handle the quilting math, right?

[incandescens]

Absolutely. Squares, triangles, diamonds, etcetera . . . all straightforward enough if you just work it out.