The New Doctor

This post is going to be about Doctor Who. If you've never heard of the show, it is a British science fiction TV series that was created in the 60's and was brought back in 2005 after the original ended in 1989. The show centers around a time traveling man who's known as the Doctor and his ever changing companions. There have been 11 incarnations of the Doctor so far, the 12th having just been announced on Sunday... and that's where this post really begins.

Matt Smith (the 11th Doctor)

If you haven't already heard, Peter Capaldi is set to take over the role of the Doctor at the end of this year. According to a BBC News article, Capaldi, 55, will be the oldest Doctor since William Hartnell (the original Doctor), who was the same age. His age seems to be a big contrasting factor between him and Matt Smith, who played the 11th Doctor. Smith was just 26 (I think) when he first took the role and the youngest person to play the Doctor to date.

Peter Capaldi

I began watching the show, starting from the 2005 episodes, back in 2010 right after Matt Smith took over for David Tennant. Each actor brings his own personality and differences to the Doctor, I think it's hard to pick an actor I love the best in the role. When I was watching David Tennant I thought there was no way I had like this new guy I'd never even heard of. I could not see how anyone could top my love for David Tennant in this role; his slightly crazy, energetic, heart felt way of playing the character in combination with the length of time he spent on the show, really made him a memorable part of Doctor Who. Despite all of these thoughts, all of my concerns went out the window during the first episodes with Matt Smith. Smith brought something new, young, and hip to the Doctor; he suddenly seemed like a teddy bear in that cute and cuddly way that brings you comfort and familiarity. There was no awkward transition period between the two actors, just a seamless jump from one personality to the other.

There are going to be tears.

I think Matt Smith felt like more of a character I would have as a friend than previous Doctors, who I would identify as family/parental type friends. I think this allowed for a greater connection with the show than I had previously felt. I'm not trying to say that Capaldi's age will greatly effect my affection for the show or for the character of the Doctor, that is doubtful, but I think it will effect the way I identify with the show. Overall though, no one should be focusing on how old he is or what Peter looks like, it all depends on his ability and love of the character.

If there's anything to learn from previous transitions, it is to keep an open mind. There is a reason these actors were chosen to play the Doctor and the writers and casting directors have done a great job so far. Plus, there's always room in our hearts for more wonderful characters. I will be very sad to see Matt Smith leave Doctor Who, but I can't wait to see what Peter Capaldi brings to the role!

Do you watch Doctor Who? What do you think of the announcement?

-S

The One Where I'm Chandler Bing

This is basically me right now.

(Well, I am pretty much Chandler Bing 97% of the time.)

Me any time my family or friends try to take pictures with me in them.

I ask myself this more than I care to admit.

Yep... right there with you buddy.

I am guilting of being occasionally (or all the time) sarcastic and cynical. I just hope at the end of the day I find myself married to someone I love and who loves me for better or worse. That and a group of close friends I can count on to get coffee with me.

I need to pick back up on my Friends marathon. I left off somewhere near the end of Season 7,  right before Monica and Chandler get married. I wish that show could have gone on forever. Such good TV.

-S

RIP Cory Monteith

May 11, 1982 - July 13, 2013

Such sad news this morning. So much talent and such a tragic lost. My feelings on Glee have been up and down over the years but my love for the shows actors have never wavered. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones. 

Girls Finale

I just finished watching the season finale of HBO's Girls and am really happy. Things finally happened! That was a great ending to the second season. Despite all that I'd heard about the show, I didn't actually start watching it until around last season's finale. I watch so many TV shows already that I need some to be cancelled so I can finally catch up on everything. That's what happens when you're the world's best procrastinator and will do anything not to write your essays for class.

After the first episode I knew I'd be hooked. If you haven't seen or heard of the show, Girls is about a group of twenty-something girls living in NYC and trying to figure out the next steps in life after college, finding jobs, dealing with relationships, and following their dreams. Things often get messy and naked, but that only seems to make everything more real. I think the reason I love the show so much is because none of the characters seem to have their shit together. Maybe some of the scenarios are over the top or ridiculous but girls can act that way from time to time. Your twenty's are all about flaws. This is the time we're learning to deal with things on our own. The time when you make mistakes on a daily basis and always feel like you're not living up to your potential. You second guess every decision you've made or make and you learn to just try and live. That's what all the characters on Girls are doing, which is why it's so relatable (at least for me). I can pick out parts of each character that I see in myself, which makes me love it more.

(This is where the spoilers come in) *This season seemed to be a pit of lows for all the characters. Marnie and Hannah's lives fell apart and they both seemed to spiral into a big mess. For the record I found it hard to watch Hannah's slide backwards into her OCD habits. Watching Marnie's struggle was like watching a train wreck happen, but watching Hannah's just made me feel sad for her. Charlie got his life together but only half-assed moving on from Marnie. Poor Ray seems like he doesn't know what to do about his life. Adam left Hannah, but actually seemed like he was doing good with that new girl. Even with all that the season didn't seem to have a whole lot happening or it all just happened slowly. This is part of the reason why the season finale was so great. Everything that I've wanted to happen for the last few episodes finally happened, like Ray and Shoshanna's break up or Marnie and Charlie getting back together. Hannah's breakdown to Adam and him running to her!! Ah I want a guy to love me that much, so touching.*

So I guess what I really wanted to say with all of this is you should go watch Girls, and if you do watch it and haven't seen the season finale go do that right now. Girls is just a great show and Lena Dunham is a genius. The show has amazing music and perfect quotes (two things I'm obsessed with). Girls also has real characters who show you that life isn't always perfect and that's okay; it reminds you that not having everything together is normal.

-S.

Glee and Whitney

Last night I finally found the time to watch Tuesday's episode of Glee and I was actually really happy about it. With songs from such a powerful voice as Whitney Houston's I was kind of concerned they couldn't pull it off.

I mean right from the start when they sang How Will I Know, my eyes got watery... and don't even get me started on Kurt's performance of I Have Nothing. The line up of songs they chose was really great. My least favorite song was actually I Want To Dance With Somebody, I was just not feeling their version of the song, although it's definitely one of my favorite Whitney songs.

The only problem I have with Glee still after three seasons is their lack of a good story line at time. They try to tie a bunch of songs together and that often makes the story lines unbelievable or practically non existant.

Oh Darren....your face body voice.

Also this song will always remind me of dance class, because I had one teacher who always used it as one of our warm up songs.

Current Obsessions

1. Somebody that I Used to Know(ft. Kimbra) by Gotye. I have been listening to this song nonstop for the last day and a half.

2. New Girl. I've already watched the pilot episode again because I got it for free on iTunes this week. I love Zooey Deschanel, and Jess is pretty much the perfect character. I'm so excited for new shows this year.

3. Hunger Games. I finally broke down and bought the trilogy because I haven't been able to make it to the library and I finished One Day. I had only read about 60 pages (nook version) of it from reading out of friend's books over the past month or so. I bought the books last Saturday night and have already finished Hunger Games and read 100 pages of Catching Fire. I just don't want these books to stop. SO GOOD!

4. Tumblr. All day, all night.

5. Shoes.  I want new shoes so bad and I think today it finally hit me that in reality I have no money. All the money that is currently residing in my bank account is not for me to just spend on shoes, shoes, and more shoes, it's there to pay for my apartment. There's a really cute pair of purple Converse I want, and a pair of TOMS, and a pair of heals, and a pair of boots for fall/winter that would all look wonderful on me and in my closet. Sadly, I know that for me, none of these shoes are a necessity, just a luxury which I can not currently afford.

6. The Art Buildings. I pretty much like all my classes this semester, but being in the art buildings with all the artsy people makes me super happy. I feel so comfortable when I walk in there and excited for class.