production values for XI

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Because I'm also a general sci-fi nerd and a longtime RD fan, I'm pretty impressed with the production values of Series XI. The look is filmic (so was the last series, to some extent; is Doug still using the RED camera?) and so far it feels like there are more sets than X was able to offer.

Any comments on the look of the new series? Sets, lighting, props, FX, costuming - generally just the look and tech of the series?

Comments

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

I loved all the 20s costumes and hairstyles in "Twentica", especially since I've always liked those types of dresses but considered them to only look good on tall, thin supermodel types. But Rebecca Blackstone looked great in her sparkly black outfit. :)

Possibly silly question - given the general climate of the alternate 1952, was Lister's "Uncle Joe?" line intended as an oblique Joe McCarthy reference?

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Knowing Doug's penchant for wordplay, that's possible, but I wouldn't think so given the boys' situation. I don't know the extent of Doug's knowledge of our history and the subtleties of it, but given McCarthy's reputation for investigating anything and anyone potentially connected to Communism - and in the process, basically curtailing artistic, scientific, and any other kind of progress he could drag through his hearings - I wouldn't think any association with McCarthy would put Lister in good standing with the Lady Be Gooders. I took it as a straightforward wink from Doug acknowledging a connection with the Lister that everybody has heard of. (Also, since modern American mobsters can most notably trace their families' power back to moonshining and liquor provision during Prohibition, I figured it was also a nod to Lister using a "the Family" association as this universe's version of a mobster trading in illegal services.)

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

I wasn't clear - I didn't mean an intentional reference on Lister's part, rather a wink on Doug's. Obviously McCarthy wouldn't be a good name to evoke with the Lady Be Gooders given his persecution of intellectuals and free thinkers. But Doug could have put it in to show he was aware how reminiscent of the McCarthy witchhunts the whole situation is.

I suppose it could just as easily be a Stalin reference as he was referred to as Uncle Joe sometimes. But you're right, Joseph Lister the pioneering surgeon combined with a nod to Mob families seems the most likely thing.