TODAY'S TWDb: THE TOOTH ABOUT ROSE

One of the major complaints online about the 'Doctor Who' episode "Turn Left" was about Billie Piper's diction. She was slurring an awful lot, and there seemed to be some serious distortion to her jawline, changing her face from that of the Rose Tyler we knew when we last saw her.

Speculation has centered on the rumor that Billie had dental work done, to which she had not fully adjusted.

But even if that was so, it doesn't splain why Rose would be having a problem as well. And as busy as she was (as a member of Torchwood in another dimension) in trying to save all of the parallel dimensions from the oncoming threat of Davros, I don't think she had time to pop off down to the dentist to have work done on her teeth.

However! I think I do have a good, shimple shplainin for why she shounded sho shtrange.

(Shorry about that, Chief!)

The Doctor had warned Rose that the walls between her dimension and that of her original home had to remain sealed forever. Otherwise they would shatter and destroy both worlds. But I think Rose and the scientists of Torchwood in that other world found a way so that Rose could teleport back and forth through the dimensional vortex without shattering the barrier between both worlds. Being a parallel world, it was probably along the same principles discovered by Quinn Mallory on 'Sliders'. (For alls I know, the "Q-Ball" of that world developed it as well!)

So Rose is able to make the jump, to slide back and forth from her Toobworld to the main one. (I still think I can salvage 'Doctor Who', even with all of its discrepancies, so that it can remain a part of Earth Prime-Time.)

However, as she is doing this without the protection of a vehicle or even padded gear, I think she's getting buffeted so badly by the transition that it's knocking her for a loop. Her fillings are literally being shaken loose by the ordeal.

And that's why she's got that lips problem.

I already know we won't see this, and since this is all theory, it's not a spoiler, but if you just want to make sure, look away now.......

I think that outside the view of the home audience, the Doctor used his sonic screwdriver to eventually fix her teeth.

The Doctor as an orthodontist. Who knew?

BCnU!
Toby OB

TODAY'S TWDa: NOBLE REPRISE

Because Donna Noble was forced to go back in Time and change a simple decision in the "Turn Left" episode of 'Doctor Who', she never met the Doctor. And so the events of the Christmas special "The Runaway Bride" were altered and a parallel universe was born. This would affect twenty-seven and 1/8th episodes of the series to follow. (I'm counting "Time-Crash", the vignette from the 'Children In Need' telethon.)

But only eight episodes were actually referred to in "Turn Left". Of those remaining, eight took place in the future and/or on another planet: Except for one episode, which would have an effect on two others - that means we don't have to account for how they would have turned out, because Donna was able to make a course correction for the Universe. (Shades of Desmond on 'Lost'!)

This leaves us with eleven 1/8th episodes, mostly set in the past, that were never addressed. They can be divided into two groups: those whose events could have been resolved (one way or the other) if they played out on their own with no outside interference, and those which should have had some major impact on the parallel universe that Donna created - unless somebody else stepped in to take over for the Doctor.

You KNOW that's going to be my favorite category to consider!

To begin with, here are the seven episodes which we don't have to discuss because they take place in the future and/or on another planet:

"Gridlock"

"42"

"Planet Of The Ood"

"The Doctor's Daughter"

"Silence In The Library"/"Forest Of The Dead"

"Midnight"

"Utopia" is the episode that was excluded from this list because it has an impact on two other episodes which will be addressed in one of the other categories.

The only one of those listed above which I'm sorry we're not dealing with is "The Doctor's Daughter", because the future is now denied the vision of Jenny clad in olive drab......
With the next batch of daily Tiddlywinkydinks, I'm going to look at each group of episodes that were affected by the events in "Turn Left", saving the one about "The Outsiders" for last.

And since I still owe a Daily Tiddlywinkydink from a few weeks back, there'll be two of those today....

BCnU!
Toby OB

PS
My math may be off, but bleep it. I just can't wrap my head around math, which isn't something a night auditor should admit.....

TODAY'S TWD: "NEW TRICKS" & MISSING LINKS

Unlike others who dabble in the idea of a TV Universe, I don't limit myself exclusively to only those shows with definitive links between them. For the Toobworld concept, all of the TV shows (and commercials) are accepted as being part of the TV Universe - until proven otherwise. Then they get tossed out to some alternate dimension, thanks to the 'Sliders' situation.

It's nice to always find an actual or even theoretical link, but it's not necessary here. All are welcome. Even 'Meego'.

Sometimes we have to go with something as vague as location to know that two TV shows should be linked. You know, like 'Kojak' and 'The Cosby Show' are connected because they both take place in New York City. It feels like a rather big cheat, so we don't often bring it up here; but it is a basic foundation upon which to build.

That aspect came to mind over the weekend while watching the 'New Tricks' episode "Dockers". The old hands on the Unsolved Crime and Open Case (UCOS) team were investigating the 1975 death by drowning of Joe Walsh. Walsh led the crane workers union and who threatened to shut down the docks for better pay. After being accused of accepting money from the Soviet Union and of pocketing union funds for his own use, Walsh's body was found down river in the Thames. For decades it was assumed that he took his own life because of the allegations.

But because of the thirty years ruling, classified papers related to the case were finally made public and it appeared that a Cabnet minister (or an MP, not sure) demanded that MI5 do something about Joe Walsh, even if it meant taking drastic measures.

As they watched old newsreel footage of the era, Joe Walsh was seen exhorting the crowds with dire warnings that their livelihoods would be lost once developers got hold of the docks and destroyed them for high-rises. Gerry Standing then shouted out that Walsh was right, because the area in which he was making that speech thirty years before was now Canary Wharf. (The episode was broadcast, and therefore took place in April of 2006.)

Little did Gerry know that in just over a year, Canary Wharf would be the site of an epic battle between the Daleks and the Cybermen; resolved only by the intervention of the Doctor and the sacrifice of his Companion Rose Tyler. In fact, as they looked out their windows on the buildings in Canary Wharf, Inspector Pullman's team probably had no idea that the London branch of 'Torchwood' was housed in one of them.
So nothing specifically links these all together save for the Canary Wharf location. Joe Walsh would drown there in 1975; the cold case squad would investigate his death in 2006; and a year later, the deadly Battle of Canary Wharf would take place (as seen in the 'Doctor Who' episodes "Army of Ghosts" and "Doomsday".)

Now, it may seem like Sandra and her "boys" [Jack, Gerry, and Brian] are just regular cops and don't belong in the world of the Doctor. But remember, those people we saw in the area during the Battle of Canary Wharf were leading ordinary lives too before they were caught in the crossfire between the Daleks and the Cybermen. And if it seems strange that a police procedural would share the same world as a sci-fi show, Toobworld is all about mashing genres together. And that's not just a fan thing - 'Lou Grant' was a spin-off of 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show', after all!

There's another missing link for that episode in which the cops might feel more at home. Detective Jack Halford sought cooperation from MI-5, in hopes of gaining access to their files on Joe Walsh. But the representative of the intelligence organization told Jack that after so much time had passed, all of their files on the union leader were long since destroyed.

Whether they were or not, it can be assumed that the MI-5 spokeswoman was getting her marching orders about dealing with Detective Halford from higher up - specifically, from Harry Pearce as seen in the TV series 'Spooks' (known over here in the States as 'MI-5').
Just because we didn't see the section chief get involved personally, that doesn't mean he didn't. It's just the sort of hands-on leadership Harry would take upon himself.

So like I said, these aren't actual links for two very different kinds of shows with a police procedural. But just because an actual connection hasn't been established, that doesn't mean one doesn't exist in some way.....

BCnU!
Toby OB

EARTH: THE FINALE CONFLICT

When it was first announced that 'Battlestar Galactica' would be returning in a new version, I insisted that it would have to be placed into an alternate TV dimension, most likely that of the Land of Remakes, because the original (along with its sequel 'Galactica 1980') already existed in Earth Prime-Time.

And even when accolades were poured on the new series for its visionary take on the human condition, serving as a reflection of ourselves in this age of terrorism, I stuck to my guns. The original 'Battlestar Galactica' may not have been very good in comparison, but it was still the first. And besides, it linked solidly to 'McCloud' (Sgt. Grover) and tenuously to 'Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman' (TV network UBS, home of 'America 2Nite').

So now, with the mid-season finale finally aired, I'm feeling pretty good about that decision. In fact, it looks as though I'll have to relegate the new "BSG' to yet another dimension because of what awaited the series regulars when they landed.....

BCnU!
Toby OB

TODAY'S TWD: LEFTISTS

When I heard that the title of the latest episode of 'Doctor Who' was "Turn Left", I though I had a pretty good idea as to who the alien menace would be.....
BCnU!
Toby OB

PS
Too hot today for anything which requires more brain exertion.

TODAY'S TWD: THE THOROUGHBRED OF SIN

Act Three of 'Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog' is up. If you haven't checked out this brilliant melange of the Internet, TV, superhero comic books, and Broadway musicals, then let the games begin! You've only got until Sunday night to see it for free at drhorrible.com.

With the finale, my wish was granted and we got to meet other super-powered meta-humans in this corner of the Whedon-verse. No other heroes - one jackass like Captain Hammer was enough! - but plenty of villains including the members of the Evil League of Evil.
Unfortunately we never got to see Conflict Diamond, Bait 'n' Switch, or Hourglass. But there was the Purple Pimp and the Pink Pummeler, who were lower-level villains - not League membership quality, but definitely above the Henchmen's Union. (When I saw the Pink Pummeler in his bedroom festooned with stuffed animals, I thought maybe the "PP" on his chest stood for Pink Pugilist. To me, considering my understanding of the character, I think that name works better.)

Best of all, we gained access to the Inner Sanctum of the Evil League of Evil! Led by Bad Horse, the roster of members include:

Professor Normal
Dead Bowie
Fake Thomas Jefferson
Fury Leika
Tie-Die
Snakebite

The kicker was Bad Horse himself. Although there was quite a bit of online speculation that Penny would turn out to be Bad Horse, the Thoroughbred of Sin was revealed to be an actual horse!

This makes the Toobmeister very happy.

Bwahahahahahahahahaha!

[Still working on my laugh....]

Obviously, Bad Horse ties into 'Gulliver's Travels', which was produced for Television in a mini-series starring Ted Danson as Lemuel Gulliver. During his journeys, Gulliver ended up on the Isle of the Houyhnhm where the horses are intelligent and are able to communicate.

This also ties in to the classic sitcom 'Mr. Ed', as it's always been a Toobworld theory that Ed came from the Houyhnhm homeland himself. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to find out that Bad Horse was descended from Mr. Ed, perhaps his great-grandson!

Joss Whedon has plenty of plans percolating in his brain for the future of the character of Dr. Horrible. Apparently there's an online comic already (although I haven't yet gone looking for it), but a graphic novel and perhaps more webisodes could be coming our way as well.

In the meantime, you can purchase the entire musical via iTunes right now and a DVD will be forthcoming. I urge you to support this project by buying a copy - and PLEASE! - don't go downloading freebies from bit torrent sources. I know, I've seen plenty of stuff from bit torrent, but I've never felt any of those prgrams were in danger of losing out because of illegal downloads. But this is something special, an experiment that needs to be nurtured so that we can get more of Dr. Horrible in the future!

BCnU!
Toby OB

TODAY'S TWD: PENNY FOR FELICIA

Over in Alan Sepinwall's blog, "What's Alan Watching?", commenter "Pirate Alice" pointed out that Felicia Day of 'Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog' was also in a Cheetos commercial that also took place in a laundromat (which Melanie confirmed).

However, in the online musical she's known as Penny, while Chester Cheetah addressed her as Felicia in the blipvert.

As Penny in 'Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog'

As Felicia in Cheetos

I keep thinking there must be a way to make them both one and the same person......

Here's one option:

Felicia is not Felicia Day in the Cheetos ad. They just happen to share the same name, like Mary Richards and Mary Tyler Moore.

But within the reality of Toobworld, Felicia hates her first name and refuses to use it. (Not her fault if some Cheetah crossover from the Tooniverse uses it in public.)

In order to avoid anybody else from calling out that detested name in public, she tells everyone that her name is Penny instead.

Simple splainin!

BCnU!
Toby OB

MIND-SPIN

Ed Bernero told Michael Ausiello of EW.com that discussions are proceeding between ABC Studios and CBS for a spin-off to 'Criminal Minds'. "It's safe to say there will be something soon," he said. "We had talked about it from the beginning, but something always got in the way of it happening… like Mandy [Patinkin] leaving and the strike. But it's definitely gaining momentum now."

Currently they are "looking at all of the things the FBI does and how we can work that into the 'Criminal Minds' world." Whatever the new aspect turns out to be, more than likely it will be introduced within 'Criminal Minds' next year, later in the upcoming season.

But it doesn't look as though this spin-off will involve any of the current members of the cast. "We're very happy with the team we have," Bernero said. "On the other hand, it's possible characters could be on both shows… All options are open."

BCnU!
Toby OB

THE HAT SQUAD: CLIVE HORNBY

For 28 years, Clive Hornby has played Jack Sugden on the ITV soap opera 'Emmerdale'. He wasn't the first to play the role; that distinction went to Andrew Burt. But Hornby went on to make the part his - even to the point of marrying the actress who was playing his on-screen wife.

Clive Hornby has died at the age of 63. He left 'Emmerdale' in January because of illness.

Among the other shows in which he appeared were 'Minder', 'Get Some In', and 'Space: 1999'. During the sixties he was the drummer for the group the Dennisons, which compared favorably to the Beatles (with whom they shared a bill at the Cavern Club).

Even though his role on 'Emmerdale' had been played by another actor in the past, I'm thinking that Hornby's longevity as Jack Sugden will make it impossible to bring in a recastaway. But that's just my opinion; I've never seen the show, so I have no idea if it would be feasible to seek out a new actor....

Clive Hornby is survived by his son, Thomas.
BCnU.....
Toby OB

DR. HORRIBLE - PART TWO

Part Two of 'Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog' is up. I kept checking for it during the overnight hours, but it wasn't there. I worried about Part Two as I kept checking throughout the overnight to see if it was up yet.

But it's up now and I caught it earlier today. As always with the middle section in trilogies, I thought it was not as "WOW" as with the first, and the songs not as memorable as "Laundry Day" ("Freeze Ray"?) and "Bad Horse". (Not sure about the actual titles.)

But it's still a pleasurable experience and I can't wait to see how it all wraps up. I think the highlight for me came at the end when Captain Hammer revealed that he knew Billy was Captain Horrible. And then that muscle-bound jerk tormented the poor guy with his plans for Penny. Especially loved his need to come back and explain his innuendo about his hammer. What a schmuck! I'm glad Nathan Filion makes it so easy to hate him even though he's the "hero".
As expected, Neil Patrick Harris is brilliant as Billy/Dr. Horrible. Perhaps the drop in my enthusiasm could be that there was more of Billy than of Dr. Horrible, but even so NPH is still a pleasure to watch. And Simon Helberg as his life of crime buddy Moist nails it with his delivery. He should patent his style! (And so they don't feel slighted - as if they'd visit it here! - Filion and Felicia Day were very good as well.)

More characters, mostly super-villains, were named this week. I hope that with a threat against Dr. Horrible's life from the Evil League of Evil, we might actually get to see Bad Horse, Conflict Diamond, Bait and Switch, and other super villains show up in the finale.

Most of this post I used as a comment over at Joe's blog, "I Am A TV Junkie". But I'm feeling a tad lazy in this 90+ degree heat and didn't see the need to type it all over again.....

BCnU!
Toby OB