Mia

Tonight's story was a huge improvement on last week's - I thought it was excellent. Quite a lot of "issues" were brought up for the kiddies to think about, without getting in the way of the action. Those smiler things were very sinister, and it was nice to see The Demon Headmaster popping up in a supporting role. I thought Liz Ten was brilliant, complete with her "common" accent! Great shooting from her too. I'm starting to like Amy Pond now, especially as she seems to be the one with the brains. It's a good job she was there and had the intelligence and the courage to sort things out - unlike the Doctor. Yeah, yeah, I know it's written that way so the Doctor can realise her intelligence and integrity and begin to respect her as a worthy human to take on his travels. But... There's still one big problem for me: Matt Smith. He hasn't grown on me at all since last week. I really don't like him at all.

It was a good episode, but I couldn't relax and enjoy it because I was too worried about Shaz. I was convinced she was going to die, and the way she kept saying "This'll be the last thing I ever do" in a doom-laden voice didn't help. In fact, if it wasn't for her own ingenuity she would be dead, as Gene and Co were totally useless and were nowhere near when she needed them.

That was really good! Of course, I'm still totally baffled. There was some brilliant humour - loved the bit with the cop swearing in surprise and the old lady hitting him with her handbag, and Gene's quip about balls and squirrels (you'll know what I mean if you've seen it). In fact, I loved all of Gene's witticisms. What I am slightly concerned about is that I have always considered Gene a "good guy", despite him often working in the way he does. They seem now to be hinting that he is of "the dark side". Oo-er. Can't wait for next week's episode!

Looks like I'm in the minority then - I hated it. They've ruined the theme tune (unnecessarily). I didn't like Amy Pond (she was better as the little girl). The story was pretty nondescript to say the least. I disliked all the slapstick humour at the beginning with the Doctor trying all the different foods. But the biggest problem for me is Matt Smith. I thought his performance was utterly charmless and quite frankly I hated it. Maybe he will grow on me, but on that showing, I don't know. Both he and Karen Gillan also need to work on their diction, as quite often I couldn't tell what they were saying, especially when the dialogue was being delivered with speed. I never had that problem with David Tennant, however fast he spoke. I hope next week's is better.

On another note, I was surprised by Holly Barton and her casual use of cocaine! I always thought she was such a sweet, level-headed thing. Still, I suppose that's the "message" the writers are going to hammer at us - that even "decent" kids who think they're in control of their occasional drug use can get sucked into it. And is it me, or are Rodney's lady-chasing shenanigans making me feel a bit queasy? Especially when his first date was his daughter's age? Eww.

Do try, it's really, really good. I can't wait for the final book.

I know, he was pretty dim. Inviting her in, then sitting down to wine with her - good grief. Yeah, I hate them both! Especially Chas's constant bleating about being a c**p mum - yes, you are! It's probably all your fault why Aaron's turned out like he has. So stop going on about it as if you want some kind of medal!

I found it a bit uncomfortable to watch, but I suppose that was the idea... I've never liked Aaron at all, to be honest. He's such a thug. I get that he's all "tortured" about his sexuality, but to do that to Paddy who's always stuck by him and helped him...

I'm surprised you remembered that much about the product!

I haven't seen that one... Does it by any chance involve scantily-clad ladies?

I think the most consistently funny ads recently are the Specsavers ones. I like the one with the crop circles and the one with the pensioners on the rollercoaster. But the new one is pretty clever, as it manages to take the mickey out of the Lynx adverts at the same time!

I was having a look on Amazon the other day and I think it said it was due out in May 2010. I can't wait either!

I've never seen Battle Royale, but from what I understand that's just about the game itself(?). The Hunger Games is much more than that - it's about a dystopian society and . (Spoilered just in case.)

Duran Duran at Newcastle City Hall in the late 80s. I think it was their Big Thing tour (ooh-er).

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and its sequel.

Mechanics who completely ignore you and just talk to your dad instead when you take your car in, even though it's your car and you've explained what the problem is. This happened to me yesterday.

I really hate the one for giving up smoking with all the kids "singing" I'll Do Anything. I've never heard such tuneless brats. If they were trying for "endearing" they failed dismally. I have to mute it every time.

The Mentalist is back!!!! *Does a happy dance* Great opening episode. Simon Baker is gorgeous. I loved it when

Yes, Sue is hilariously offensive! The last few episodes have been really good.

I've been watching it whilst I've been off work. It's okay, but I wouldn't be too bothered if I missed it. I'm too soft-hearted and I don't like the way they have to vote people off! I always feel sorry for them (unless they are total gits as some of them are). Also, it's a bit predictable because the youngsters always gang up together and vote off the oldest people. Maybe the older ones should copy them and gang up on the youngsters.

I don't know about the Weeping Angels... That was one of my favourite episodes ever, and for me it just had the perfect ending. Would it work to go back to them? I'll have to wait and see! Still, I suppose plenty of other things are revisited time and again - Daleks, Cybermen etc so I suppose there's no good reason why we can't have another story with the Angels. I guess what I'm saying is I hope it's good and doesn't tarnish my memory of one of the best eps ever.

I love Sapphire and Steel! It was sooo scary (I think I was only about 7 or 8 when I first watched). Anyway, I bought the DVD boxset last year and it pretty much lived up to my memories of it. Yeah, some of the effects are ropey, but they were pretty good for what was available at the time. Before I rewatched it, I had some fairly vague memories of eerie whistling on a station platform, children chanting Ring a Ring of Roses and some creepy photographs. When I rewatched the episodes I was still absolutely horrified by the bit where David McCallum and Joanna Lumley are great, especially McCallum's cold efficiency. Some episodes are a bit dragged out but on the whole I would certainly recommend it.