Quiver

The original actor, William Hartnell, was very old when they cast him. He spent most of his last story unable to stand, I think... they needed to replace him, so they handwaved it. The hard "Timelord has twelve lives" thing came later. Old Who seasons didn't really have much of a story arc; they experimented with it on occassion, but generally, they are just drop in, drop out stories... with the caveat that the cast might be different each time. Each Doctor has a pretty distinct way of treating problems and people. That means you may watch one episode where he's kind of mean, and another where he's very soft... But, personally, that kind of variety is great. It means there's bound to be a Doctor you love somewhere. (I'm kind of fond of Six, actually...) The new seasons do go with story arcs, so if I was to suggest something, I'd say start with the first episode of New Who: "Rose". If you don't like it, or the tone of those episodes, you could always just jump ahead to "The Eleventh Hour" (Season 5, ep 1); new Doctor, new show runner, new storylines. No previous experience necessary!

Am I the only one who finds it hilarious that three guys instantly jumped in to explain regeneration within 5 minutes of the question being asked? (No, not THAT Question.)

The Doctor is an alien, whose people have the ability to regenerate to avoid death. The process results in them getting a new appearance and a new personality; the latest seasons have also suggested it's possible for the process to make them change sex (which is why there was speculation about a female Doctor for a while). EDIT CURSE YOU, EERONGAL!

So, just read on Tor about the new Doctor Who trailer. It's a while away yet (28th August), so perhaps starting a topic is premature... but Doctor Who inspired so much feelings in it's fans, and there's always fifty years of stuff to discuss in the run up, so i figured I'd post this.

I would say that arguing the physics of a sonic rainboom and why that proves that MLP is underrated as a fighting franchise is MOST deserving of merit, o' waffley one. Hm. You're a Listh a apprentice? What's your Darth name?

Rysn was more awesome, though. Honestly, Rysn is one of my favourite interlude characters; the only one who even comes close to her is Eshonai, and that's partly because I find the whole idea of Stormform and the way the Parshendi forms affect their personality fascinating. But Rysn is... such a badass. She abseiled a kaiju to IMPRESS people. She's been given a Larkin (which, for some reason, I picture as being Roshar's Pheonix equivalent). She has pet grass. So awesome.

My reaction to all future scrounger fiction: "Cool, story, bro. Needs more ponies." But... seriously, YES. I'VE BEEN HAVING SCROUNGER WITHDRAW, AND THIS WILL FIX IT.

Mental and Emotional Abuse is Magic? Eh... Think I'll stick with Friendship.

UNITE THEM. They are pretty important as the Arc Words of the Stormlight Archive, with Dalinar's charge to unite the Knights Radiant to oppose Odium. But the more I think about the other books in the Cosmere cycle, the more I wonder if this isn't a sort of meta-theme Brandon is trying to espouse. It kind of begins with the Shattering (the opposite of unification), but the idea of peoples uniting as a way(or, more often, the only way) to solve a problem seems to be a prevalent theme in the books. Sel ..will not be mentioned, since I haven't finished the books there yet. Scadrial The propehcy of the Hero of Ages implies the necessity for Unity. All quotes from the coppermind, sicne I don't have my copy to check them: The Propehcy identifies the hero as being "beyond" parochial squabbles and individuals, existing in a state moe to benefit humanity as a whole, rather than one agenda over another. “That which has been sundered must again begin to find its whole” Kind of self-explanatory for the unity theme. When Alendi was identified as the Hero, he began by spending a decade conquering and uniting other kingdoms (a point we later see reflected in Gavilar and Dalinar). Upon discovering the diary, Vin describes Alendi is positive terms, unable to understand how the man portrayed in the journal- vulnerable, worried, human- could become the decidedly anti-human Lord Ruler. Because The Lord Ruler took the opposite route to unifying people. He melded the cultures together, somewhat, but the people themselves he divided them, and the entire world ended up stagnating. And, when Kelsier begins planning his uprising, it's significant to note that it wasn't just skaa who turned out to be vital for it's success. Kelsier's team brought together all the disparate members of society; the skaa obviously, also Sazed for the Terrismen, and the kandra to impersonate him. But Kelsiers plan would still have failed if the nobility (Elend) hadn't chosen to become involved. Dockson expresses surprise at them crowning Elend king, and thinks that Kelsier wouldn't have liked it... but he comes tor ealsie that they did the right thing after all, not just in making Elend ruler, but in not executing the nobles and instead integrating them into society. In the Hero of Ages, Elend re-enacts what Alendi did, travelling the Dominances and offering protection for those who swear allegiance to them... and at the end of the novel, it is an army of mistings of skaa and nobles, led by a full-blooded noble who fight against the koloss. Sazeds combining Preservation and Ruin into Harmony (and seemingly leading Scadreil into a golden age) is an indication of how important unity, rather than division, actually is, and we see that point again in Alloy of Law- because, like Harmony, Wax is a unity of both the Roughs and the gentility of Elendel. Nalthis Despite sharing a similar royal bloodline, Idris and Hallandren begin the novel divided. In fact, it goes as far as Vivenna being fairly racist towards them, automatically assuming them to be heathens(priests) or at the very least misguided and unfortunate victuims of the system (like Jewel), who would clearly be better off in Idris. Vivenna is one of Brandons most interesting protagonists to me, because she is so... politically incorrect. She comes to a sort of realisation of it towards the end, whenever she drops her Idrian skirts for Hallandrean pants, and begins Awakening. Warbreaker ends with Idris and Hallandren unified in the forms of Siri and Susebron, while Vivenna (Idrian) and Vasher("Hallandren") go off in search of adventure. Roshar Obviously, the "Unite them" theme is kind of obvious here; it's a moral imperative from "God". But it's also maybe the most interesting, since Roshar is a society which is the most stratified and divided, but it's also one which seems to have an implicit desire for forming unions between things. The unification of the kingdoms under Gavilar; he sought to unify ten disparate kingdoms into one united Alethkar. The interesting thing, however, is that this isn't a new plan he concocted; he was inspired by the Sunmaker, who previously attempted to same. The spren need humans to form bonds with, and the symbiotic union between Kal and Syl is a very direct opposition to the domination-relationship of Eshonai and Stormform. Further, the union between spren and humans seems to transcend Rosharin gender roles. Any woman with a spren can advance their bond far enough to get a shardblade. The Truthwatchers seem to be a study-based order, given Renarin's ability to "See", which makes the fact we've only seen male members of that order interesting.

A sonic boom is produced when someone travels fast enough to break the sound barrier. A sonic rainboom occurs when said pegasus travels fast enough to break the sound barrier... then accelerates to the point where they break the visual spectrum, creating a rainbow behind them. Bear in mind said character did a sonic rainboom when they were a child, and they've only been getting faster. It takes effort to reach acceleration, true, but she's getting to the point where she can make one happen on-demand. That is scary awesome. And Panda... I am so tempted to send you the links to some other media that might shift your perception on the franchise. For a show about candy-colored horses, some of the fans really get DARK with it. Like their explanation of what rainbows are made of. *shudder*

OH MY GOD. THE BOTS ARE OFFERING ONLINE SUPER POWERS. MODS, DON'T DELETE THEM UNTIL I COPY DOWN THE NUMBER.

Heck yeah! Ponies are awesome! And I'm serious about that. I mean... that video, obviously, exagerates things a little bit (or...er... a lot...) but even in canon? The charaters perform some fairly outrageous feats when you think about it. See: Sonic Rainboom.

And that is why you don't mess with Pinkie Pie.

Oh sure Chaos, point out that the clan promoting friendship is led by the guy with no friends. Real classy lol.

I keep meaning to start a westerns account... In the meantime, welcome! Hope you enjoy your stay; the cosmere is significantly more optimistic (and quicker-produced) than Westeros, so...

"Hey, are you a hemalurgist? 'Cause I think you just stole my heart."

An alliance? Between Harmony and Chaos? Such a thing sounds... amenable. Allies it is, then.

Er...so... Again, quick out-of-"character" reminder, obsessing this much about ponies is me playing a bit lol. I mean... I am a big fan of it. A BIG fan. I'm considering a rematch of the complete series, and making use of that old analysis thread I have here for it. Why I like it is complicated, and not appropriate or an RPG conquest...thing, but anyone who is interested can either check my soon-to-be-posted analysis of the pilot episodes or PM me. Now, 'in'-character... an alliance would be the first step towards a more harmonious existence, a move towards friendship and co-operation. Such an arrangement does not..disagree with me.

Huh. So, I've started a second faction, BreathTaker has joined the Order of the Grey AND forged an Eagle Throne, and Twilyght has founded Switzerland.

"You don't at all see the irony of summoning someone with the Royal Canterlot Voice?" Quiver emerges from the shadows, a grin on his face. As when he defected to Newcago, his apperance has changed somewhat to reflect new allegiances...though not so much as might be expected. He remains human at least. He just apparently decided it was time he had an evil-goatee. He takes a look around the room, as if in appraisal."Nice...whatever this is," he finally says. "It impressed Celestia at least."

Oh, wildly inappropriate to be sure; it sounds like a SA book title... but still. Awesome name. Warriors of Fire...uh... Nope. Don't see the connection. Warriors who burn metals? Kind of a stretch...

Wait, Warbreaker was translated as Storm Chimes? That name is freaking AWESOME. Why would someone not want to use it?

The sun shines far overhead, beating down upon the field. No one, neither pony nor man, Feather nor Newcagoan, can recall a day when it has been so stiflingly hot, a day when the sky so unbearably clear. It was the sort of day when something- Pegasi, weathermancers, or force unknown- should dot the sky with clouds for respite. Instead, something had conspired for a day unlike any in living memory. At least the living memory of mortals. For those with longer lives -immortals, like the alicorn with a mark of the moon upon her flank- such a day had come before, in the furthest reaches of time, more than a thousand years ago. When last the fields had been like this, the royal sisters had overthrown madmen and toppled empires. Seeing the sun blaze overhead like that again did not fill Luna with reassurance. She strained her ears at the roars from the...Featherclan, they were called? Such was what her sisters 'advisor' called them... And where was her sister? The ponies of Equestria were arrayed behind Luna, shaking in their armour. For most, violence was uncommon. Even the royal guard found rare opportunity to draw their weapons. They presented a broad force when arrayed, but in truth, it was only the Royal Sisters who truly stood a chance in such a battle. Where was Celestia- There was a flash, and a smell as if the air had ignited. It wouldn't have surprised Luna if it had; she was certain that her mane was singed, as far from the impact as she was. A light that burned, a shine that seared, rushed across the battlefield, followed by a voice. A voice that commanded the sun itself to wheel. "So! Quiver was correct when he said this would be your choice." A flame wrapped itself around the pony standing between the Herd and Mailliws forces, a flame that twisted and screeched, and came to rest upon Celestias shoulder. Philomena the Pheonix screeched agreement in tone that spat fire as Celestia continued. "You rush to war with an eagerness that I have not witnessed in more than a thousand years. When given the chance to join together in unity and harmony, you turn against one another in search of dominance! I have overthrown Discord himself, Lords of Chaos, and now he stands in our ranks! Your winters are ruled by a queen, with a court that tends to her every whim whilst the citizens if her state freeze in the cold and starve! They turn to the cult of the Feather for guidance, and rather than bolster their spirits, the Brightlady brings them sorrow! I have treated you like adults, capable of making their own choices, but clearly you are but children, flitting from one whim to another and leaving chaos behind you. Even foals must be disciplined from time to time, and your unwillingness to compromise shows you are no better than children. So, you would wish to harm my little ponies? Very well then. But first, you shall contend with a god." A shaft of light filled the air, illuminating Celestia. Her eyes began to glow with a fire that even her sister had forgotten she possessed. And, for the first time in their very long lives, even Luna feared her sister.

Yaks? Such an inferior replacement for ponies... ... And yet, the decision to abstain from conflict and aid others is commendable. Whatever your sparkle-status, Twilyght, your heart and spirit beats with harmony. Rest easy, simple yaks, for whatever fate befalls the rest of those who would oppose Celestia, by your leaders example you shall be spared.

... You upsetting Fluttershy to tears was supposed to make you join the herd to cheer her up. Evidently, I did not find a heartbreaking enough picture.