After months of anticipation, HBO Max has finally arrived. And while we’re still a year out from Zack Snyder’s Justice League, the latest entrant into the Streaming Wars has a lot to offer, and a few things to work out. Granted, it’s only been available for a few hours, but many of the bells and whistles promised during a WarnerMedia event in October — such as the ability to combine viewing profiles and celebrity-curated recommendations — were not ready at launch.
This week on Hard NOC Life: Marvel cancels more Netflix shows and opinionated writers; 1990 Flash is Reborn on The CW, and Doctor Who has a very special Civil Rights episode.
A new Hard NOC Life will be available on Friday, but in the meantime, be sure to check out these newly released episodes from other shows in the Hard NOC network, plus a brand new podcast debuting next week!
I didn’t know two years ago I’d be itching for new Doctor Who content. I’d quit the show after season 7 and many people’s impressions of 8 left me wanting, so I dropped it from my very full TV schedule. It always going to be one of my favorite shows, even if I took a break every now and then, but with the announcement of Pearl Mackie as Bill and her glorious fro, I jumped back into the TARDIS and haven’t left since.
I came to Doctor Who in 2013, after my cousin Robyn came to my house to commandeer the television for the 50th anniversary of the show. I had only vaguely heard of Who at the time and was wary about delving in deeper because I was sure I would get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of episodes there were. However, after sitting with my cousin to watch “The Day of the Doctor” — and with her assurance that I could start with New Who and not wade all the way back through episodes from the ‘60s — I decided to take the leap into time and space.
So this weekend Doctor Who regenerated for the 13th time and is now a woman. Jodie Whittaker is replacing Peter Capaldi as the iconic Timelord.
As with all things speculative fiction and social justice, social media has been lit, to put it mildly with everyone expressing opinions for and against the new Doktah.
I have a thoughts on the new casting as well. Hence me writing this piece and you reading.
[Scene: Attending a party where friends are discussing their favorite Doktah.]
Partygoer 1: I love the Classic Who’s. Tom Baker is my guy. Partygoer 2: Eccleston, through and through. Partygoer 3: Tennant. The only 10 I see. Partygoer 4: My Doctor was Eleven. Denny, who is your favorite Doctor Denny:stops typing on iPhone Huh? Partygoer 4: Who’s your favorite Doctor? Denny: Oh that’s easy. Dr. Martha Jones, followed closely by 10.
Resumes typing on iPhone and departs while others stand in confusion.
So in honor of Pride Month and celebrating exceptional LGBTQ characters in speculative fiction, this weekend I did a rewatch of Torchwood: Children of Earth. There’s so much I want to convey and in the hopes of doing this review justice I’m going to break down my review into points and expound upon them in that manner.
Someone else said it best, Children of Earth was the series that should’ve gotten 10 episodes and the subsequent Miracle Day is the series that should’ve been limited to five episodes. Nevertheless, I must say that the Doctor Who spinoff brought its A-game. Not surprising considering that creator Russell T. Davies was at the writing helm.
The first free mixtape from Nerd Rap Sensation™Adam WarRock has been released from the TARDIS. Whovians rejoice!
What’s that? Adam WarRock just made a mixtape about Doctor Who? The guy who had never watched an episode of Doctor Who in his life? Well, apparently, Adam spent the holidays with the Doctor and is now a convert. Here’s a taste of what you’ll get in the 8-track EP:
On Saturday, at 11:50 Pacific Time, the 50th Anniversary episode of Doctor Who, “The Day of the Doctor,” premiered in homes and movie theaters worldwide via simulcast. The Nerds of Color held a live-tweet during the entire 75-minute episode, dishing with other Twitter Whovians about the War Doctor, the charm and cheek battle between Ten vs. Eleven, all the surprise twists, the winningest quotes, and of course… the surprise guest star appearing near the end of the episode.
“The Night of the Doctor,” secret webisode by Steven Moffat
The mini-episode starts chaotically, with a brown-haired British girl at the helm of a crashing spaceship. It takes us a couple seconds to realize that it is not Clara, the current companion to the Eleventh Doctor. Her name is Cass, and she is very brave and snarky even in the face of certain death, which makes her prime companion material. But we are getting ahead of ourselves.
A flash! Then a very familiar face appears on board.
“I’m a doctor. But probably not the one you were expecting.” NO ONE was expecting The Eighth Doctor, but what a sight for sore eyes!
At this point, all of Who-fandom raised their fists into the air, growling “MOFFAT! I love you, you sneaky bastard!” This webisode was a complete surprise, you see, and now we are getting the feeling that this is a direct prequel to the 50th Anniversary episode premiering in 9 days.
If you have ever eaten fish sticks and custard or felt the urge to stroke a blue police box and call it “Sexy,” you probably have November 23 circled in TARDIS blue on your calendar. That is the worldwide premiere date for “The Day of the Doctor,” a special episode of Doctor Who meant to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the epic British sci-fi drama.