The Doctor In The TARDIS

Travels In Time And Space => Mission To The Unknown => Topic started by: The Doc on April 11, 2011, 06:40:23 pm



Title: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: The Doc on April 11, 2011, 06:40:23 pm
With certain spoilery things happening today that have been considered TOO spoilery, I was wondering how far you go in your quest for spoilers?

A spoiler is a spoiler whether it is a tiny little detail or a huge whopper, but where do you draw the line and say 'that's enough'? Do you resist everything, do you just check set reports or do you want to know everything there is to know?? When does a spoiler become too spoilery?

This is just a general discussion about spoilers, but remember where you are. No actual spoilers to be discussed in here :)


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: poprockgeek on April 11, 2011, 07:04:42 pm
It's a fine line I know but for me anything where it means there is no longer any point in me watching the episode/film/book/whatever. Odd little bits are fine but, for example, revealing who the murderer is in a murder mystery or what someone's superpower is when the whole thing is supposed to be a surprise or the twist in the tale or someone's true identity - things like that I want to find out as I watch.

I also try really hard not to spill stuff after I've watched something because I don't assume everyone has watched at the time of broadcast.


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: Exterminate on April 11, 2011, 08:25:18 pm
When it comes to DW I dont mind knowing cast, location, characters and general storylines but I dont want to know entire plots, cliffhangers, overall arc etc. I only saw one of those things today but what I read was HUGE and I am not impressed. Luckily I think what I read only related to the opening episode so the rest will not be spoiled.


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: MandyDuchovney on April 11, 2011, 10:07:19 pm
Right at this minute I'm of the mind that knowing anything is too spoilerish >:( But that is probably because I KNOW way too much now. >:(

Normally I'm okay with cast/locations/characters.... even general outlines. Teasers like the trailers/prequels are fine. Where I draw the line is when I know more of what IS going to happen - and why - than I don't.

When I watch Doctor Who I'm a kid again - I want the anticipation/the excitment/ to watch the adventure unfold before me and feel the thrill of discovery.

THAT is what revealing major plot lines/significant facts denies me. And I seriously fail to understand the mentality that desires/inspires the like >:(


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: Nyki on April 12, 2011, 01:27:50 am
Yes, I agree.  Casts/locations/characters, and a few teasers, but I don't want much more than that.


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: thefifthdoctor on April 12, 2011, 10:00:43 am
I'm totally with Mandy regarding yesterday.
Thankfully I haven't seen them, although I *think* someone (who shall remain nameless) tweeted the contents of a possibly huge spoiler and if it's true, they're gonna catch it off me.

Like others have said, locations, cast stuff, the minor details is all fine & dandy, but if someone was to walk up to me and - as an example cos it actually happened - tell me the ending to Fight Club before I'd seen it, I'd not only never watch, but I'd rip them a new one for ruining it too.

I think my post is a bit angry, but I make no apologies as I've gone out of my way to avoid the big stuff for this year.

Sadly there are folk out there who enjoy spoiling every little detail like it makes them cool, or an insider or something.
****s.

* - are you kidding me???!!! D.ou.ch.ebags is censored??? Oh good grief.


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: MandyDuchovney on April 13, 2011, 11:58:49 am
* - are you kidding me???!!! D.ou.ch.ebags is censored??? Oh good grief.

 ;D

To be honest individuals on twitter are the worst offenders - one minute they're talking about what they had for breakfast the next they're disclosing another kind of tasty morsel on some show or other ::) I've inadvertantly found out numerous plot reveals that way. >:(

At least with blogs/sites/forums etc YOU are choosing to look for info and get fair warning of what is being revealed/discussed.



Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: poprockgeek on April 13, 2011, 12:14:31 pm
Same here - I had someone tweet who the murderer was in a programme I was recording - I mean why?! I don't mind people talking about programmes but that was just ... argh! I've noticed James Moran go into a rant about people doing things like that - esp after the last ep of Being Human S3 - he pointed out that they shouldn't assume everyone watches programmes at time of broadcast & asked that people please just show some common sense. I know how much it irritates me so that is why I try very hard not to do it & I'll switch to DMs if someone really wants to talk about it - I'm not saying it isn't hard not to spoil but it's not impossible!

I'm going to stop there because I'm getting a bit ranty  :-\


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: Amuro on April 13, 2011, 12:51:03 pm
I don't mind knowing the overview of the plot at all. For example, for new DW opening eps. I know where it is located, some characters in it, what the monsters are called/look like and that there is an 'impossible astronaut'. That is pretty much all I know and I'm happy with that. I don't feel that ruins it at all as I have no idea how all these things will play out. I did, however, find out that Rory died in the Silurian eps last year before I saw the episode, and it really did spoil things for me. There is a very solid line between knowing the situation the characters find themselves in and what actually happens to the character. One is just something that will up my excitment (I'd actually rather know a bit, and speculate, rather than just turn it on and go "oh, there's pirates") and the other is revealing what will happen.


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: MandyDuchovney on April 13, 2011, 01:21:48 pm
One is just something that will up my excitment (I'd actually rather know a bit, and speculate, rather than just turn it on and go "oh, there's pirates") and the other is revealing what will happen.

Nicely summed up 8)

I think the problem is that those that seriously spoil seem to have no concept of what it's like to find out something they don't wish to know. They all say if you don't want to know don't look but fail to reverse the responsibility. How difficult is it for them to give warnings of a reveal or link the info to a place it can be discussed or avoided as appropriate? :(



Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: thefifthdoctor on April 13, 2011, 03:57:09 pm
I really hope this topic is allowed to be a part of the next podcast.

This leak is a really big deal.

Has anyone related to the show spoken about it, or are they all keeping quiet?


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: Oh-Wise-One on April 14, 2011, 09:11:04 pm
I've heard that the stuff that was on those cards was pretty much the ultimate in spoilers. I don't get why people would want to know THAT much. I like spoilers, I don't mind them being considerably spoilery at times either, but I want to be able to get some enjoyment out of the episodes at least. Theres no point looking forward to it for this long just to sit down and know whats going on blow by blow. Wheres the fun in that


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: MandyDuchovney on April 15, 2011, 12:42:14 am
I really hope this topic is allowed to be a part of the next podcast.

This leak is a really big deal.

Has anyone related to the show spoken about it, or are they all keeping quiet?

Someone tweeted The Moff about the incident with Digital Spy - he had this to say:-

[Quote from steven_moffat on twitter] - Is that Digital Spy? We can protect Doctor Who from the press more easily than its own fans. Makes me utterly sick. [unquote]


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: thefifthdoctor on April 26, 2011, 11:04:01 pm
Got a nice heads up from Icey earlier that there were more major spoilers today.
As yet I have no idea what they are, and I don't wanna know.

I'm really sick of spoilers now, at the end of my tether really (as some tweeps know already!)

Already had the latest episode of WWE Tough Enough spoiled - by the official twitter feed no less - who then sent me a snidey DM when I called them on it. So they are now unfollowed. Don't think they get that they'll lose viewers by doing that, even right after the broadcast.


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: Vampyros Adric on April 26, 2011, 11:10:24 pm
I saw your Tweet earlier on TFD - my first plea is don't abandon Twitter - there are only a few of the good guys left on twitter! I am going on a major unfollow splurge myself tomorrow though.

Secondly, I was just reading my DWM and Moff confessed that there were fake endings that he had written so perhaps (and this is a perhaps) these are doing the rounds at the Moff's behest/tacit agreement.


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: thefifthdoctor on April 26, 2011, 11:19:33 pm
It might sound stupid, but I would LOVE if Moffat had released fake spoilers to get these ratbags back.


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: Vampyros Adric on April 26, 2011, 11:39:44 pm
It might sound stupid, but I would LOVE if Moffat had released fake spoilers to get these ratbags back.


It really isn't beyond the bounds of possibilities - I really think thats what he's done. There is no way he'd let spoilers like that out without ranting and raging. Instead he's sat back and chuckled. I really think these are to be treated with large doses of salt


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: TheDoctorDonna on April 27, 2011, 10:24:44 am
I'm not too bothered about spoilers as long as they aren't too big. What were the spoilers about yesterday?


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: The Doc on April 27, 2011, 10:26:01 am
Just a reminder that if you do know what the spoilers were, they are not to be posted in here. This section is spoiler free. Thank you :)


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: TheDoctorDonna on April 27, 2011, 10:27:17 am
Ah yea, sorry Doc. Forgot this was the non spoiler section :)

Could always post them in that heavily spoilered spoiler thread in the spoiler section? :P


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: hannahcole93 on April 27, 2011, 05:58:31 pm
I don't mind little ones tbh, like most people, cast, location and sort of a mini plot, that gives you some idea of what might happen, but nothing that's going to give everything away!

Like when the BBC released those pictures on the Who site the day before the Impossible Astronaut aired, that really annoyed me, as the Doctor Who news page is one of my home pages tabs, and I saw it, and for me that was definitely a spoiler too far. I personally don't get why people want to know MASSIVE spoilers and ruin everything for everyone else! I don't mind waiting for things, as like they say, good things come to those who wait... wait and you'll enjoy it more than knowing what is going to happen. That's what I say...

Basic plot, cast/characters and setting that's my limit :)


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: thefifthdoctor on April 27, 2011, 09:42:36 pm
Very well said, Hannah!


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: Vampyros Adric on April 28, 2011, 09:01:09 am
If you look back across this threads, previously I had outlined a test for spoiler-ness; The 'Radio Times' Test - effectively if it was in the Radio Times then it was not a spoiler. My test is unfortunately fatally flawed. We live in a 'multi-platform' world. So the BBC Website is also officially regulated but look at the pigs breakfast they made of 'those' pictures. DWM is an officially regulated magazine - do we count what we read in there as acceptable spoileriness?

This is an age where mainline TV shows need every bit of publicity they can get. Dr Who fans have the fear of cancelation encoded on their DNA so the Moff has to publicise and tease and (to an extent) spoiler just to keep the show alive.

So I have a new test: The 'is there any point in me watching now' test. Before the spoiler is discussed I will ask 'Once i know this, is there any point me watching now?' If the answer is yes then I'm ok with it. If the answer is no - then it is a spoiler too far.

I stress this is my test and I don't seek to import it as a universal standard or impose it on anyone. I will still spoiler tag everything that reveals new plot details. I just think that if you are interested in hearing and discussing Doctor Who in 2011, then the spoilers are going to play a bigger part in order to keep the show going.


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: thefifthdoctor on April 30, 2011, 09:13:42 pm
On the original topic, I think I'm gonna have to stay out of the episode discussions section - the risk of major spoilers is too great & I've enjoyed ep 1 & 2 way more by knowing nothing.



Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: Vampyros Adric on May 01, 2011, 09:07:21 am
On the original topic, I think I'm gonna have to stay out of the episode discussions section - the risk of major spoilers is too great & I've enjoyed ep 1 & 2 way more by knowing nothing.

I will say TFD that I have positively bathed in the juices of the spoiler section on here ;) and nothing prepared me for the last 75 seconds of DOTM :) So I still think that there is a lot of nonsense out there.


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: thefifthdoctor on May 01, 2011, 07:22:54 pm
Yeah, they did a grand job keeping that quiet, huh?

I continually pray that Moff is churning out fake spoilers left right & centre, but I'm playing it safe!


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: Tardis-Console on May 07, 2011, 02:33:24 pm
Did the spoiler cards just have stuff from the opening story on them or did they cover the whole series?


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: thefifthdoctor on May 08, 2011, 09:26:15 am
I think they covered the whole series, TC, but I haven't seen them to confirm (let's hope that doesn't change!)


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: Vampyros Adric on February 23, 2012, 09:23:56 pm
I've given this thread a little boost because as we approach the filming of Season 7 (and bearing in mind the hissy fit that our noble show runner had last time) I wonder what diet of spoilers we will get, whether the production team will be as secretive as ever and what type of approach people will adopt for season 7. Will you avoid spoilers like the plague or has season 6 taught us that there is no real escape...


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: hannahcole93 on February 24, 2012, 11:16:48 am
I'm avoiding it all this year!  :-\


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: Peri-Peri on February 24, 2012, 11:22:58 am
How come? Just want to try it out, or sick of being spoiled?

I cave in too easily to go without. I know I would end up snooping eventually so I don't even bother trying.


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: hannahcole93 on February 24, 2012, 11:27:06 am
I don't know to be honest... For the first half of series 6 I was kind of in on having at least some idea what was going to happen in the episodes, I found that quite fun, but for the second half of the series I had absolutely no idea on anything - I literally just knew the episode titles and the little bit of plot from the TV guide, and I didn't really feel like I was missing out on anything!

I'm not going to make an effort to find things out is what I mean I guess - like I won't be looking at the spoiler stuff on here this year, and I won't be searching the internet for stuff, just going to go along like normal and like I did last year (for the second half)...

That's why I haven't been posting much in the Who stuff lately... :P


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: Aneurin on February 24, 2012, 12:15:44 pm
My approach used to be similar. I wouldn't look for it, but I didn't mind too much if I found stuff out. These days though I am waiting on spoilers all the time.


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: Vampyros Adric on February 24, 2012, 08:23:58 pm
I like a good teaser to get the juices flowing :) And I also think it helps that the show is under discussion. There is a great book called "Hamlet's Blackberry" by William Powers - he argues that social media actually detracts from anticipation by providing insight, immediate reaction and (effectively) a media beast that needs constantly feeding and spoilers for TV shows effectively pander to that media beast, therefore meaning that there is no sense of seeing a show that is "unknown" in any meaningful sense.

Spoilers are now part of the "media beast" for Doctor Who. We'll get them - even if we just read a newspaper now because columnists are so intent on filling space that a Doctor Who spoiler is considered good copy (especially if it is something that allows the paper to don its "moral trousers" - remember "DOCTOR WHO GIRL TO BE A STRIPPER" before the start of Season 5 and "DOCTOR WHO TO GET MARRIED" before the Neil Gaiman episode). So whether we like it or not, spoilers are going to be around, so we might as well discuss them and enjoy the anticipation (is my personal view).


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: Exterminate on February 24, 2012, 08:27:16 pm
It's sort of interesting because for all other shows I make a point of not looking for any sort of spoilers, but when it comes to Doctor Who I can't stop myself. I need to know everything. It doesn't make me enjoy the other shows any more or less, it's just the way I roll :P


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: Vampyros Adric on February 28, 2012, 08:00:35 pm
It's sort of interesting because for all other shows I make a point of not looking for any sort of spoilers, but when it comes to Doctor Who I can't stop myself. I need to know everything. It doesn't make me enjoy the other shows any more or less, it's just the way I roll :P

I have to confess to being a total spoiler fiend - in all things. I got early copies of the West Wing flown to the UK so I could find out who would win the season 7 election. I went straight to the end of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to find out who JK Rowling had killed off so i think its just in my blood >:D


Title: Re: When Is A Spoiler A Spoiler Too Far?
Post by: Saber on March 01, 2012, 12:02:07 am
I'm with Exterminate. If I get spoiled for other shows I get really annoyed. I hate knowing what's happening before it's on the screen. With Doctor Who though I am all over the spoilers like a rash. I need to know everything as early as possible. If I don't know everything in advance I feel like I am missing out on something. It might be to do with the fact that I am more involved in Who fandom than any other.