ValueSubtracted

This should be an absolute humiliation for Hajdu and Carney, and I hope (but don't expect) their responses will reflect that.

Indeed, the HQ on "Torchwood" is located directly beneath the water feature thingie.

Don't worry, that will clear right up in...let's say 16 or 17 seasons.

I think the script deserves some scrutiny, too.

I'm not one to complain about "quippiness" or whatever - humour in the face of danger is fine! - but there were a couple of moments on the Farragut* in particular that bumped me, with the characters seemingly shifting from somber to lighthearted from moment to moment.

Anyways, I don't want to turn this into a second episode discussion thread, but it's pertinent to the interview.

I got around to watching this last night. It's fine - kind of like Star Trek's old Ready Room companion show. It's kind of nice to get an up-close view of props and things like that, but it's hardly essential viewing.

Yeah, I'm glad that the episode has been quite well-liked overall, but it didn't land right with me. I'm going to give it another look at some point - often, my opinion shifts once I have an understanding of what the episode is and is not.

It's interesting that she highlighted the tonal challenges in the interview.

Because you demanded it: the return of the farting aliens! And its...pretty good?

Despite his rocky introduction, Cap'n Jack seems like a fully-realized member of the TARDIS team. The charm is suddenly there, and he just seems like he belongs, somehow.

The story does a really nice job of exploring the Doctor's intent to bring Margaret/Blon back to Raxacoricofallapatorius, where she will be facing the death penalty. Annette Badland plays her perfectly, delivering an extremely charismatic performance that walks the line between camp villainy and genuine sorrow. It's a tall order for any actor, and she makes it look easy.

You know who else is pretty great? ~~Ricky~~ Mickey! Noel Clarke - scandal noted - really sells Mickey's bitterness over being left behind, and his feeble, slightly manipulative efforts to move on with his life.

It's a shame Cathy, the reporter, isn't seen again after her brief appearance. Mali Harries does a lot with a little in the role, and it would have been nice to see her again, either in this or another episode.

Now we know what staring into the heart of the TARDIS does - it turns you into an egg. I look forward to that happening again some day.

Lastly...this episode is a great little tourism ad for Cardiff, a city I knew absolutely nothing about before this show came along.

I'm fine with the idea of it, and it's a potential precursor to the wall-mounted intercoms of TOS, but it's definitely one of the things that made me confused about how seriously to take the story.

As foreshadowed last season.

Ruby: Is that like a matter transporter, like in Star Trek?

The Doctor: We’ve got to visit them one day!

I'd have loved that play much more if the Bombers had been the ones who made it, but full credit - that was a great return.

I'll take the Crazy Football League over the No Fun League any day.

A new Angus Reid Institute poll suggests a majority of Canadians believe First Nations should be meaningfully consulted on projects deemed in the national interest, but they're split on who should hold the deciding power.

Forty per cent of Canadians say the government and companies should retain final say, while 25 per cent say First Nations should have a veto if projects infringe on their lands.

I feel like this is an indication that 40% of Canadians haven't really thought this through.

Well, it wasn't a loss, but it wasn't exactly a win to be proud of.

The Bombers' defense did a couple of impressive things - mainly stopping the Redblacks at the goal line in that early drive - but they ultimately give up way too many yards. It was incredibly frustrating to see them break through to Dru Brown, only for him to somehow scramble a way and complete a pass in the 3rd. It also sucks that Dru Brown was hurt on the play - I hope he gets back into it soon.

The Bombers' offense was...good enough to get the job done, I guess.

The team ultimately seems unable to play a complete game, and haven't met a lead that they're not willing to squander.