how does videotape work again?

It's the last day of a holiday weekend here in the U.S., and for the first time, BBC America went ahead and broadcast the new Doctor Who episode over a holiday weekend instead of delaying it by a week. So of course, this happened over a weekend when I was actually away for the holiday. However, because I knew the episode was being broadcast, I set the timer on my VCR to tape it for me while I was gone. However however, I've just discovered that the episode didn't tape correctly. So I can't watch it. In fact, not only did it not tape correctly, but I seem to have accidentally taped over the last two or so minutes of the previous episode on the tape, "Let's Kill Hitler." Which isn't terrible, because I've seen it, but part of the point of taping it was to be able to see it again. Which I can, except for the last two minutes of it. Which were kind of good, as I recall. Not that I can doublecheck or anything.

Of course, the most frustrating aspect of the whole thing is that I can't watch the new episode. I'm trying to decide what to do about it. BBCA is repeating it on Friday, so I could wait and watch it then. Or I could buy it right now from the iTunes store for $2.99, which isn't a bad price, but having to pay anything for something that was just broadcast here for free and is about to be broadcast here for free again is just a tad annoying. And then there's the fact that the iTunes store only offers the episode in HD, which takes a l o n g t i m e to download onto my computer. Plus, just in case that's not enough, I just downloaded the free "Let's Kill Hitler" prequel from the iTunes store, also available only in HD, and not only did it take a worryingly long time considering it's only 1:58 minutes long, but when I try to play it, there's no sound. So let's just say I'm not filled with confidence as to the chances of my getting a working download for the new episode should I decide to purchase it. I kind of suspect the problem has to do with downloading HD using my not-quite-broadband-level internet connection, and/or playing it on my not-exactly-cutting-edge-anymore computer. Why don't they offer non-HD downloads as an alternative? I don't need it in HD; I just want to see it. HD is new and spiffy and high-tech, but the whole reason I need to buy the episode in the first place is because I still haven't figured out how to work a VCR correctly. Let's face it, HD is bound to defeat me.

Anyway, so that was my welcome home tonight. At least I had a good time away. How was everyone else's weekend?

ETA: Guess what's on my cable system's "on demand" menu? THE NEW DOCTOR WHO EPISODE!!!!!!!! I am SO psyched! And also slightly confused, as they still haven't put up "Let's Kill Hitler" yet. But I decided to check just in case, and there it is!!!!!!!!!

The weekend is ending on a good note after all. :D