Doctor Who

[Scarecrow]

Scarecrow, I didn't see it as satire. They could have really ripped into those shows but it seemed like it was written by a fan of The Weakest Link and Big Brother. I agree with you and Sheridan about Ann Droid though, not nasty enough. That woman scares me!

Ah fair enough, I guess its a perspective but I think it was certainly INTENDED as satire. I mean the contestants are being killed and the whole purpose of them in the show is to keep the population brain dead, "too thin or too fat".

The What Not to Wear part has them wanting to give him a dogs head because it would be "outrageous". Big brothers "we're going to get you" as the contestants leave becoming very literal. And the contestsants "tactal" voting against the best players and the back stabbing, it all struck me as taking the elements everyone knows occurs and pointing out and rediculous and insane it all this and how we get pleasure form others misfortune.

But that was just my take on it.

- Scarecrow

[Sheridan]

I saw the reality TV elements as taking the current trends to make it ever nastier in pursuit of ratings to their logical conclusion. And I think it was really intended to appeal to those of us who can't stand reality TV, its just a shame that Captain Jack couldn't work his way through a few more presenters...

[aceivan]

The producers have confirmed that a third season and a second Christmas special have been commissioned and Billie Piper will be back for all of season 2 and John Barrowman for part of Season 2.

http://www.gallifreyone.com/newstv.php

[Scarecrow]

Celebrations!

It's soooo good isn't it, Russel T Davies is a genius.

The more Captain Jack the better!

"Am I naked in front of several million viewers?"

"Yes."

"Ladies, your viewing figures just went up."


- Scarecrow

[aceivan]

"Am I naked in front of several million viewers?"

"Yes."

"Ladies, your viewing figures just went up."

I'm pretty miffed that the BBC cut out his bare bum shot. Not fair. Death, corpses and cruelty to daleks is okay, but a little nudity is censored?

[BBOvenGuy]

Those of you who'd been bemoaning the reports that a kiss between The Doctor and Captain Jack had been censored need not despair. The Manchester Evening News reports that it will happen, in the season finale. The Doctor reportedly kisses Rose, too, so I guess it's only fair.

Also reportedly taking place in the episode - not really a surprise, if you ask me, but I'll use spoiler font anyway:

Spoiler:

The regeneration scene happens at the end, which means we'll get our first look at and first lines from the Tenth Doctor, David Tennant.

Saturday night should be lots of fun...

[Sheridan]

I'm pretty miffed that the BBC cut out his bare bum shot. Not fair. Death, corpses and cruelty to daleks is okay, but a little nudity is censored?

Well they have to keep something for the DVD's...

[Scarecrow]

The Parting of the Ways

Spoiler:

I re-watched it this morning and, you know what, it was even better!

Knowing where it was going really helped seeing the stages of development and I began to realise how the series as a whole sat together, every episode was important.

The Long Game, for the obvious reasons. Boom Town set up the heart of the TARDIS and the Doctors attitudes to life and death. Dalek hinted at The Doctor becoming as bad as them. Without the evnts of Father's Day Jacke may never of helped Rose in the finale. It all came together perfectly, everything building to the events that led to the finale. I would never say it came out of know where, without everything that had gone before thigns would not have been the same.

The Doctor was fantastic, spending the episode building a Super Weapon, a weapon of mass destruction if you will. Usding it would defeat the Daleks but it was also wipe out millions of human lives and, whislt the Earth may not be a greta place, as we see from the people on the Game Station there are people who cope with te existance and wouldn't want to be killed like and deserve a chance at life.

The Doctor essentially realises the Daleks have won, what he would do would only serve to make him a murderer and a killer and he can't do it. The Doctor never could, he's a hero. A "coward" is better than someone who mass murders any day, whatever the cause.

And then Rose, wow. The Bad Wolf made so much sense, everything came together to lead to these events. It wasn't about super powers, she just wanted The Doctor safe. She cried, she wanted HER Doctor, HER best friend, with her and alive. The power of the time vortex let her wipe the Daleks too atoms, sure, but that wans't exactly what she 'wanted' so much as she wanted the Doctor to live, for them to go on.

And then the power was killing her, she would die but The Doctor takes it upon himself. First he was willing to die rather than murder millions of innocents and then he's willing to nrisk his life to save just one person who would have died to save him.

And he realises his bodies dying, at that moment the tears come on. He's sacrificed himself to save Rose, to save this one special girl. The regeneration is one of the most upsetting and emotional ever and I couldn't help but form a tear or two.

With other brilliant moments such as the horrifying massacre where the Daleks exterminate terrified innocents and Lynda's sad death and Jack's hurt look as the TARDIS vanishes this truly was one of the most brilliant stories ever.

oh and of course Jacks farewell kisses to both Rose and The Doctor was beyond perfect!

- Scarecrow

[Feena]

I only came back from holiday late last night so stayed up til 4 am watching the last 3 episodes. I was only going to watch Boom Town - yeah, like that was ever gonna happen!!!

It was FANTASTIC!!!. The characterisation, dialogue, emotion, action, everything in fact was so good, I loved it all.

Doctor Who series two secrets revealed
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4100000/newsid_4104500/4104586.stm

[Sheridan]

The finale, was fantastic, pulling together threads from the whole of the last twelve weeks together, a story arc you didn't even realize was one until the end. And good to see the BBC didn't chicken out when the characters were saying their farewells. My only regret is that Christopher Ecclestone isn't going to be with the show for the long haul but good luck to David Tennant and roll on Xmas!

[aceivan]

What a wonderful heartwarming end to the first season.

Spoiler:

I loved the Doctor choosing to be a coward rather than a killer, showing Rose that she can do more with her life, that she can say no and fight for what's right.

Russell T Davies and the BBC have to be congratulated for not only creating Captain Jack, but for showing just how comfortable his straight friends are around him. The kiss between the Doctor and Jack really has pissed off the "I'm not a homophobe, but..." crowd over at the Outpost Gallery Message Board. Good. They deserve it!

Christmas can't come soon enough for me.

[BBOvenGuy]

In the last episode of Doctor Who Confidential, John Barrowman talks about how he approached doing the kisses. He ended up deciding that Captain Jack would kiss Rose and the Doctor in exactly the same way, because he felt exactly the same thing for both of them.

And despite Captain Jack being left on the space station at the end of "Parting of the Ways," Russell T. Davies has already said that he'll be back next season. Not right away, but eventually.

[WebWarlock]

I haven't said much here because I am usually about 4 or 5 episodes behind everyone else.

But the new Who is freaking fantastic!!
Oh my god, how good is this show?

I am a Who fan from the 80's and this is the best it has been.

Loved Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor (you got a lot to live up to David Tennet!), loved Rose, loved Capt. Jack.

More later.

Warlock

[aceivan]

you got a lot to live up to David Tennant

Next season sounds good. According to Russell T Davies there's going to be "big lesbian mime stories".

[Scarecrow]

Heh, a fellow DWM reader perhaps?

The latest issue confirmed my guess on the Captain jack situation:

"This hiatus in Jack's story is partly a result of the Doctor's regeneration. Jack's a 51st-century guy, with 51st-century knowledge, as well as being an ex-Time Agent, so he'd take regeneration in his stride. We need to see Rose's dilemma, and her emotional reaction to the change, without anyone able to give her superior knowledge."


Again, I want to see thi series has been fantastic, the first show I truly have loved since I fell out with Buffy, a masterpiece of television and I cannot wait till Christmas!

- Scarecow

[Sheridan]

Again, I want to see thi series has been fantastic, the first show I truly have loved since I fell out with Buffy, a masterpiece of television and I cannot wait till Christmas!

Neither can the BBC apparently. They ran an ad last night, clips from the series and at the end text scrolling across the screen saying; 'the countdown to the christmas invasion starts NOW'.

[Feena]

All series I've felt about the new Doctor Who how I used to feel about Buffy (in the good old days pre S6).

I've counted down the days, then the hours (how sad am I ), then checked about 4 times in the last 10 mins before it started that the DVD was set up to record!!!

I don't want to wait til Christmas!!!

Feena
-x-

[aceivan]

Heh, a fellow DWM reader perhaps?

I sure am. I liked this from RTD's Production Notes:

And now I know, I absolutely know, that the success of Series One means that this show will come back. Not just next year, but in far-off futures. I hope this version runs for years and years, but never mind that - I now feel certain that in 20 years time, 30 years, 40, 50, 60, even 100 years time when they're making 3-D-eye-pod-cast-nano-web-holo-vids, then someone will sit in a boardroom and say, 'That programme got 10.8 million viewers in 2005. Let's bring it back!'

It was true in 1963, its true now, and it will always be true. I honestly believe it, deep in my heart. Doctor Who will never die.

While other shows crash and burn, some shows like Doctor Who and Star Trek will be around for a long time.

[Scarecrow]

Heh, a fellow DWM reader perhaps?

I sure am. I liked this from RTD's Production Notes:

And now I know, I absolutely know, that the success of Series One means that this show will come back. Not just next year, but in far-off futures. I hope this version runs for years and years, but never mind that - I now feel certain that in 20 years time, 30 years, 40, 50, 60, even 100 years time when they're making 3-D-eye-pod-cast-nano-web-holo-vids, then someone will sit in a boardroom and say, 'That programme got 10.8 million viewers in 2005. Let's bring it back!'

It was true in 1963, its true now, and it will always be true. I honestly believe it, deep in my heart. Doctor Who will never die.

While other shows crash and burn, some shows like Doctor Who and Star Trek will be around for a long time.

Damn straight.

I love RTD, he's just so amazing. he knows what kids love, the fan love, the general public love... he's a brilliant writer and everything he's done is so fresh and wonderful.

The Dark Season was one of the best kids TV shows on the ninties and very Doctor Who-like.

Queer as Folk was a masterpiece and very ground-breaking television which I recall caused outrage in the DWM mail from certain people when the magazine reported K-9 would be appearing in it.

The Second Coming was just fantastic, a wonderul concept done very well.

And now Doctor Who, ressureted. I may have said this many times before but always worth saying again, this man rocks. I hope he doesn't leave the show any time soon!

- Scarecrow

[BBOvenGuy]

Outpost Gallifrey reports that John Barrowman aka Captain Jack will be at next year's Gallifrey One convention, to be held February 17-19, 2006, in Los Angeles.

You may recall that this is the convention Amber Benson attended last year to promote Ghosts of Albion. She was a big hit, so she may be back.

[nimbus]

Don't know if this has been posted or mentioned here - if it has then...Ooops!
Seems a certain Mr Michael Grade has had a few things to say about Dr Who, according to an article in The Guardian in the UK this month:

Doctor Who finally makes the Grade

Jason Deans, broadcasting editor
Tuesday June 21, 2005

The list of superlatives for BBC1's Doctor Who revival grows ever longer: seeing off Celebrity Wrestling, winning over die-hard fans and a whole new generation of viewers, not to mention resurrecting family TV viewing virtually single-handedly.

But today the show achieved perhaps its greatest triumph to date - winning the glowing approval of one of its biggest critics, the BBC chairman, Michael Grade, who famously suspended Doctor Who for 18 months when he was running BBC1 in the mid-80s.

Mr Grade, who has since said that his decision to give Doctor Who an extended holiday was born out of a personal dislike of the show, has eaten his words, sending a note to the BBC director general, Mark Thompson, describing the 2005 vintage as a "classy, popular triumph".

He showered glowing praise on everyone involved in the show - from commissioners to the PR department - and revealed that he watched it every week with his six-year-old son, "who is now a fan".

"This is not easy to write - as you will readily understand. But here goes - congratulations to all involved in Doctor Who: to whoever commissioned it, those who executed it, the writers, the cast, the publicity folk that promoted it, the schedulers and of course the late Sydney Newman who invented the whole thing," he wrote.

"I truly enjoyed it and watched it every week with my six-and-a-half-year-old son, who is now a fan. A classy, popular triumph for people of all ages and all backgrounds - real value for money for our licence fee payers.

"PS: never dreamed I would ever write this. Must be going soft!," he sheepishly signed off the note to Mr Thompson.

Oh how we larfed

[Scarecrow]

I'm currently reading the third of the three new series books. The first two are brilliant though this one seems a little weaker than the others. The Monsters Inside was very good, Rose's first trip to an alien planet and set in a penal colony amongst other things.

Well worth checking out!


- Scarecrow

[Sheridan]

Nice to see Michael Grade is a big enough man to offer his congratulations. His decision in '87 was flawed, though I suspect even if he hadn't done it then Doctor Who would probably have gone under in the early 90's when things like TNG and X-Files started to make it look a bit too wobbly, and I don't think anyone at the BBC would have dared suggest putting up the kind of money they have for the new series.

[aceivan]

Big Finish are really doing well at the moment, the last couple of Doctor Whos and the latest Benny Summerfield are among the best I've heard.

They're also releasing their new Sapphire and Steel series. The first was wonderful, but a word of warning for anyone that plans on listening to them - the end of the second story 'Daisy Chain' is very disturbing and may not be to everyone's taste. I wish I hadn't heard it and this is the only BF CD that I won't be listening to again!

[Alexandra4sm]

i feel the need to link this photo ...mmm...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v633/ ... 010tp1.jpg

"Am I naked in front of several million viewers?"

"Yes."

"Ladies, your viewing figures just went up."

I'm pretty miffed that the BBC cut out his bare bum shot. Not fair. Death, corpses and cruelty to daleks is okay, but a little nudity is censored?

WHAT??! grrrr

[aceivan]

I like the photo.

I'm looking forward to the DVDs. I love commentary tracks and the boxset is going to have a commentary for every episode from RTD, Billie Piper, John Barrowman, Mark Gatiss, Simon Callow and a few others and, you never know, they might show a certain scene uncut.

[BBOvenGuy]

Just an aside - apparently there's a kiss coming on Stargate: Atlantis between Dr. McKay and Dr. Beckett. As is the norm on SFTV, it happens because Dr. McKay has his brain taken over and thus is not responsible for his actions - but what really got me was the way they were promoting the smooch in the SciFi Friday preview show. First of all, they're plugging it as the first male-male kiss in science fiction on TV, when we all know that it's not. Secondly, they were plugging it as a huge joke, with the actor who plays Dr. Beckett running away, getting confused and ducking into the ladies room.

Doctor Who is something special in more ways than one...

[aceivan]

I just heard from someone that attended the Invasion V Convention that John Barrowman was talking about alternative endings for the first season. Apparantly Russell T Davies was considering killing off Rose, either at the end of the season or have her dying throughout Season 2, but decided against it.

A producer deciding not to kill off a popular character? What an interesting idea!

[Feena]

Christmas comes early for Doctor Who.

David Tennant today steps into the role of the tenth Time Lord, as filming commences on the highly anticipated Christmas special and second series of Doctor Who for BBC ONE.

Billie Piper returns as the Doctor's feisty young companion, Rose Tyler, and together they will travel through time and space battling new and returning aliens and monsters.

David Tennant says of his striking new look: "I think we've come up with something distinctive that's both timeless and modern, with a bit of geek chic and of course, a dash of Time Lord! Most importantly Billie tells me she likes it – after all she's the one who has to see me in it for the next nine months! "

Billie Piper, who will star alongside Tennant in the Christmas special and all 13 episodes in series two, says: "I'm thrilled to be stepping back into the role of Rose. We plan to make series two even bigger and better and challenge the viewers' imaginations like never before. Wait until you get a load of the new doctor!"

Russell T Davies, writer and Executive Producer, adds: "We were delighted and honoured by the first series' success, and we can promise new thrills, new laughs, new heartbreak, and some terrifying new aliens. The Doctor and Rose are destined to meet Queen Victoria, an evil race of Cat Women, and the dreaded Cybermen. 2006 is going to be scarier than ever!"

Filming of the 60 minute Christmas episode kicks off in London and continues in various locations across Wales, predominantly in Cardiff. Christmas becomes a time of terror for Planet Earth, as the whole of mankind falls under the shadow of the alien Sycorax. Rose needs the Doctor's help, but can she trust a man with a new face?

Penelope Wilton returns as Harriet Jones in the Christmas Special. Anthony Head (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Little Britain) and Adam Garcia (Coyote Ugly, Saturday Night Fever The Musical) are now confirmed to star in series two. Elisabeth Sladen resumes her role as the iconic character Sarah Jane Smith; remembered by a whole generation of Doctor Who fans as the assistant to both Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker. Camille Coduri returns as Rose's mum Jackie and Noel Clarke as Mickey.

The Christmas Special will be screened later this year and series two is scheduled for spring 2006. Writers include Russell T Davies, Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss, Toby Whithouse, Tom Macrae, Matt Jones and Stephen Fry. The directors include James Hawes, Euros Lyn and Graeme Harper.

The producer is Phil Collinson; Executive producers are Head of Drama, BBC Wales, Julie Gardner and Russell T Davies.

I want to see this NOW!!!!

[aceivan]

I love the new costume. Much better than the leather jacket.

Stephen Fry writing for Doctor Who! Could we ever have imagined that Doctor Who would attract writers like Stephen Fry and Russell T Davies?

And Sarah Jane Smith returning! I'd love to see the Brig in the show too, not necessarily a complete episode just a little cameo. I've been listening to the Big Finish UNIT series and I've enjoyed hearing Nicholas Courtney again.

Len