Dark Matters v Giants

[StanInBlack]

I’m a big admirer of Hugh’s solo albums and I’d agree that many are comfortably at the top of tree, but would you really put Wired, say, which I think is a decidedly patchy record, ahead of everything the band have done since 1990?

Yes, I would. I'd rather listen to Wired over either Suite XVI or Norfolk Coast, easily. Like, it wouldn't even be a tough decision for me.

[StanInBlack]

Really? I wasn’t aware of that, granted I have got in a couple of discussions that were heated and rather unpleasant, but no one has ever issued threats to others as far as I’ve seen. This place is very mild compared to the average Twitter feed whenever Brexit for example is discussed. I’d also say it’s mild compared to some of the Doctor Who forums I used to visit, which basically closed down due to their toxicity.

Yup, this place is incredibly mild in comparison to quite a fair amount of places on the internet. I'm a long time member of other forums elsewhere and from what I've witnessed (and even had to deal with) over 20+ years of posting on (and running) forums this place is nothing in terms of how heated things get. It doesn't even register a blip.

[alaninblack]

OK you're right, they've only recently gone a bit Floydy then on DM!

I remember, and im sure someone can find the clipping, mines in a scrapbook in the garage somewhere, when Gospel was released the review referred to the Stranglers as Pipers At The Gate of Dawn. So you could say that it started then ?

[Jon the Impaler]

I could never imagine Dr Who fans getting nasty , but then I liked Game of Thrones and the fans got really heated up in last series when they didn't like how story lines were turning out .....FFS it's a TV programme , get a life and just enjoy it .

Most notably there used to be a forum on the official BBC page, that was shut down when Russel T Davies became show runner, I believe a mixture of homophobia towards him and outrage that Billie Piper had been cast as the companion. Another major Doctor Who forum was shut down around the Matt Smith era, and these places were basically toxic. Doctor Who fans can be renowned for going ape shit if you like a particular era that doesn’t rank as one of the fan favourites. I suppose to a lesser extent some stranglers fans lose their shit over similar preferences.


Now it’s all moved onto social media it’s probably worse, the best case in point being the casting of Jodie Whittaker, who I personally have really liked as The Doctor, but if you express that on social media it almost inevitably leads to a pile on. Then there are several YouTube profiles dedicated to saying how much they hate the current production. The sad thing is, if you’re a fan of Jodie Whittaker, the predominant video’s to come up on YouTube are these really vile diatribes dedicated to how much they hate her, the producer etc. It’s a good job Jodie Whittaker stays off social media, the things people say go beyond constructive criticism and are just downright nasty.

Oh no - I've never been threatened - that would be silly really being the internet. The slander and abuse is real though and could easily qualify for legal proceedings but as I say, such abuse says everything about the abuser - nothing about me.

That made me laugh about Doctor Who Fiery discussions about the best Sonic Screwdriver?

I wonder how practical it is for most of us without access to a good legal representation to pursue such things?
As mentioned above regarding “fan” videos on YouTube, there’s a hell of a lot of malicious communication and arguably slander directed towards Jodie Whittaker, show runner Chris Chibnall and the BBC in general, yet they stay up on YouTube.

It’s all very topical what with politicians wetting themselves and making it seem like “anonymous” social media is the biggest problem facing the Country. I would have thought that if an anonymous Twitter account tells an MP they are F-Ing scum or whatever it’s pretty easy to get the IP address of said account. I’m fairly sure there’s been prosecutions resulting In imprisonments of individuals who said nasty things to politicians via an “anonymous” social media account. I wager that most individuals engaged in being abusive towards MPs are not using the highest level of encryption. Thus banning of anonymous social media seems to me ridiculous when there’s already sufficient powers to hold individuals to account.

I think had the internet and forums existed around 1984 , then Dr Who fans would have been very vocal and toxic , they hated John Nathan Turner , who for all intents with poor storylines , killed the programme . I do think the current series has pretty much run its course and would maybe prefer something like Blake's 7 to return . I am sure you can get around the character being killed off at the end as you actually don't see it happen . Obviously as the actors are either ancient or dead now (Avon ...Paul Darrow ) , you would have to recast , anyway I think it would work . Haven't watched current Dr Who since Jodie Whittaker took over but that's only because she reminds me of someone In work with who I don't like much . I do think Peter Capaldi got a duff deal as he is a good actor but got awful stories . Now Game of Thrones fans go absolutely ape about the last season , they hate it .I watched it , it is what it is important , they didn't like the endings , but it's only a TV program .

[8088]

I do think the current series has pretty much run its course and would maybe prefer something like Blake's 7 to return .

Blake's 7 was so underrated - people can't see past the cheapo FX. Brilliant characters and anti-heroes and perhaps a fairly accurate forecast of an Orwellian future.

Plus a bolshy supercomputer....

[jetblacksdad]

Fuck me, everywhere I go some one talks about Dr Who and Blake's fucking 7

Sod off wi' it!

[Jon the Impaler]

Probably my fault a bit as I mentioned a LUFC site that was downright vicious compared to anything on here , it transgressed to Dr Who then I mentioned Blake's 7 .
Forgot what this topic was .......oh yes DM v Giants .DM by a country mile IMO , but a bit unfair I think when you compare the latest to the worst one ever IMO .

[droopsnoot]

Blake's 7 was so underrated - people can't see past the cheapo FX. Brilliant characters and anti-heroes and perhaps a fairly accurate forecast of an Orwellian future.

Plus a bolshy supercomputer....

I really enjoyed it, bought all the VHS tapes, then replaced them with the DVDs, and have watched about eight episodes. Currently recording it as "Forces TV" is (or was, I haven't looked recently) showing it every day, and repeating it at the weekend.

There was a plan to do something with it, Paul Darrow had the blessing of Terry Nation's widow, but then there was a falling-out. I don't remember if that was going to be a movie or something else.

[8088]

Blake's 7 was so underrated - people can't see past the cheapo FX. Brilliant characters and anti-heroes and perhaps a fairly accurate forecast of an Orwellian future.

Plus a bolshy supercomputer....

I really enjoyed it, bought all the VHS tapes, then replaced them with the DVDs, and have watched about eight episodes. Currently recording it as "Forces TV" is (or was, I haven't looked recently) showing it every day, and repeating it at the weekend.

There was a plan to do something with it, Paul Darrow had the blessing of Terry Nation's widow, but then there was a falling-out. I don't remember if that was going to be a movie or something else.

I watched it as a kid first time round - I'll never forget the ending - couldn't believe what I was seeing...TV shows just didn't do that - the good guys always won!

[Jon the Impaler]

Sorry Jetblacksdad....... but have to reply to above ......
Blake's 7 was quite possibly the first programme in seasons 3 and most of 4 where the title character wasn't there . The characters in it , especially Avon and Vila were very much anti heroes . It was almost punks in space , with "the system " or federation really being the baddies while the thieves and crooks were the goodies . Maybe a futuristic Robin Hood . Though you hear gun shots at the end , you don't see anything so there was always scope to bring it back , don't forget Liberator was destroyed at end of season 1 and they got round that . I did prefer B7 to Dr Who in the day but I guess the Dr Who era by then was the poorer Peter Davison stories.....would have to check the timeline to be sure but it was probably after Tom Baker .

[Jake]

It was almost punks in space , with "the system " or federation really being the baddies while the thieves and crooks were the goodies .

I totally agree. The last time I watched the debut episode, stunning bit of drama by the way, it struck me that the costume designer was observing what was going on with Top of the Pops, Blake actually reminded me of Hugh Cornwell circa 1977.

[8088]

Though you hear gun shots at the end , you don't see anything so there was always scope to bring it back

I think a reboot is more in order than a continuation - although I can't imagine anyone doing Avon and Blake as well as the originals.

I was a very bleak story - full of treachery, paranoia and despair - a million miles away from the optimistic future of say Star Trek - I think a modern version would probably 18 rated. That part in Rumours Of Death where Servalan is captured and beaten would be very graphic if done now...