As you may have seen, Steven Moffat is writing for Doctor Who again (and I bet Tumblr are glad Cloud servers exist now). According to showrunner Russell T. Davies’ Instagram, he contacted both his successors/predecessors in the role and Chris Chibnall turned the offer down in favour of writing a novel, whereas Moffat agreed and, Davies teases, wrote a series 14 episode in which “a perfectly ordinary word [is] turned into something Terrifying and it’s all in outer space and there’s a woman and Oh My God”.
As we saw during lockdown, Davies and Moffat never really stopped having ideas for Doctor Who stories. While it may seem unprecedented to have a former showrunner return to write an episode, it was fairly common during Doctor Who’s original run. If we take the Script Editor role of the original run as comparable to that of the contemporary showrunner (it...
As we saw during lockdown, Davies and Moffat never really stopped having ideas for Doctor Who stories. While it may seem unprecedented to have a former showrunner return to write an episode, it was fairly common during Doctor Who’s original run. If we take the Script Editor role of the original run as comparable to that of the contemporary showrunner (it...
- 3/21/2024
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
It’s Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary month, which calls for two things: celebration, and admin. Fittingly, here’s an administrative celebration of the BBC show, featuring every season/series that’s aired so far. After a six-tab Excel file and a lot of overthinking, it’s a big ol’ list arranging each of Doctor Who’s individual runs in reverse order of excellence.
(A note on methodology: this list does not include runs of Doctor Who specials or the TV movie, and Christmas specials are included under the entries for their relevant series.)
There’s good stuff everywhere in Doctor Who. Sometimes it can take a bit of digging to find it, but much of the time, you hardly even have to look – it’s just there, posing as the Commissioner from Sirius 4, or asking “Do I have the right?”. What follows is an attempt to arrange each season...
(A note on methodology: this list does not include runs of Doctor Who specials or the TV movie, and Christmas specials are included under the entries for their relevant series.)
There’s good stuff everywhere in Doctor Who. Sometimes it can take a bit of digging to find it, but much of the time, you hardly even have to look – it’s just there, posing as the Commissioner from Sirius 4, or asking “Do I have the right?”. What follows is an attempt to arrange each season...
- 11/14/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
The Eighties saw the broadcast of some of the finest Doctor Who stories ever, but unfortunately some of the poorest too (occasionally next to each other in transmission order). It was extremely inconsistent for the most part, settling down towards the end of its run as the Seventh Doctor era tried a few things that the show would be lauded for upon its return in 2005.
There was definitely something there, but the show had already been mortally wounded. Rather than being formally cancelled, Doctor Who was quietly abandoned before renewed interest around its 30th anniversary in 1993 saw an attempted anniversary special (‘The Dark Dimension’) and the Children in Need mini-episodes ‘Dimensions in Time’.
A frustrating end, then, to a frustrating decade, but occasionally the potential of the show was tapped to produce stunning images, performances and concepts that have stood the test of time. This is another best-of selection where we were spoiled for choice,...
There was definitely something there, but the show had already been mortally wounded. Rather than being formally cancelled, Doctor Who was quietly abandoned before renewed interest around its 30th anniversary in 1993 saw an attempted anniversary special (‘The Dark Dimension’) and the Children in Need mini-episodes ‘Dimensions in Time’.
A frustrating end, then, to a frustrating decade, but occasionally the potential of the show was tapped to produce stunning images, performances and concepts that have stood the test of time. This is another best-of selection where we were spoiled for choice,...
- 1/6/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
BBC Books has released a new edition of ‘Doctor Who and the Daleks’, David Whitaker’s adaptation of the first Dalek story that was originally published in 1964 (under the title ‘Doctor Who in an Exciting Adventure with the Daleks’) and the first Doctor Who novel ever published. The difference with this re-release (there was an earlier one in 2011) is it’s in hardback with illustrations by American artist Robert Hack (who started working on the Idw Comic range in 2008). You may have seen his art in the comics and TV title sequence of The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
Hack’s approach to the art, which is the really distinctive element here, is a successful fusion of the monochrome TV original, Whitaker’s prose, and the Peter Cushing colourful movie version from 1965. There are some of the same bold colours from Cushing’s movie but usually one colour dominates each painting,...
Hack’s approach to the art, which is the really distinctive element here, is a successful fusion of the monochrome TV original, Whitaker’s prose, and the Peter Cushing colourful movie version from 1965. There are some of the same bold colours from Cushing’s movie but usually one colour dominates each painting,...
- 11/22/2022
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
With two episodes left before she regenerates, we’re only now starting to see the Thirteenth Doctor’s character arc forming: like many Doctors, her whimsy is a front masking a more serious flaw. In this case, it’s that she talks a lot but says little. She’s inactive, preferring to shut people out rather than talk about what’s bothering her (she’s repeatedly snippy in response to Yaz asking reasonable questions). This started to change at the end of ‘Flux’ and during the course of ‘Eve of the Daleks’, which forced her to reach out to everyone in order to save their lives. At this point in her story though, the development feels too little too late.
Have you ever been in a work situation when someone insists on everything going through them, but they’re so busy and/or distracted that this takes forever and they never reply to your emails?...
Have you ever been in a work situation when someone insists on everything going through them, but they’re so busy and/or distracted that this takes forever and they never reply to your emails?...
- 2/6/2022
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
“… hideous, machine-like creatures. They are legless, moving on a round base. They have no human features. A lens on a flexible shaft acts as an eye, arms with mechanical grips for hands.” Terry Nation’s script for ‘The Survivors’ (aka ‘The Daleks’ Part Two)
The Daleks, along with Judge Dredd, are fictional fascists beloved by a wide audience. At their heart is a combination of terrifying concept – Nazis who always return (imagine) – with a triumph of design. The greatest Dalek stories tap into this uneasy alliance.
A quick summary of the thinking behind this article:
A. We thought people would enjoy it.
B. If a story features the Daleks in a small cameo role, I’ve not included it. I’ve removed ‘The Day of the Doctor’ and ‘The Time of the Doctor’: it seems silly to rate them based on their Dalek content.
The rankings are not based...
The Daleks, along with Judge Dredd, are fictional fascists beloved by a wide audience. At their heart is a combination of terrifying concept – Nazis who always return (imagine) – with a triumph of design. The greatest Dalek stories tap into this uneasy alliance.
A quick summary of the thinking behind this article:
A. We thought people would enjoy it.
B. If a story features the Daleks in a small cameo role, I’ve not included it. I’ve removed ‘The Day of the Doctor’ and ‘The Time of the Doctor’: it seems silly to rate them based on their Dalek content.
The rankings are not based...
- 1/10/2022
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Mark Harrison Dec 2, 2016
How each Doctor responds to the Daleks for the first time reveals something about them...
Pearl Mackie was announced as the new companion for Doctor Who Series 10 back in April, with a specially filmed clip broadcast during Match Of The Day's Fa Cup semi-final. Aside from befuddling Gary Lineker, the purpose of a trailer like this, as opposed to a press release or a lavish announcement programme, is to show a character in action, and there was really no better way to define the character of Bill Potts than to show how she acted in the face of the Daleks.
See related The Man In The High Castle season 2: new trailer
The Daleks are almost as old as the show itself and different Doctors respond to them in different ways. In some eras, Dalek stories have been an early fixture of a new Doctor’s run,...
How each Doctor responds to the Daleks for the first time reveals something about them...
Pearl Mackie was announced as the new companion for Doctor Who Series 10 back in April, with a specially filmed clip broadcast during Match Of The Day's Fa Cup semi-final. Aside from befuddling Gary Lineker, the purpose of a trailer like this, as opposed to a press release or a lavish announcement programme, is to show a character in action, and there was really no better way to define the character of Bill Potts than to show how she acted in the face of the Daleks.
See related The Man In The High Castle season 2: new trailer
The Daleks are almost as old as the show itself and different Doctors respond to them in different ways. In some eras, Dalek stories have been an early fixture of a new Doctor’s run,...
- 12/1/2016
- Den of Geek
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BBC Store has opened up decades of the Beeb's archives for digital purchase. What does that mean for Doctor Who fans?
The BBC has launched a digital store, and obviously our first reaction was to methodically ticklist every single Doctor Who download available to see if there was anything new to be had. At the time of writing, there's nothing on there that isn't already available on DVD, and the first twenty six series are not available in their entirety. The stories that are there have no extra features.
So, all in all, you'd be forgiven for thinking it doesn't have a lot to offer the readers of a website called Den of Geek, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. For starters, I don't have the money right now to buy any more Doctor Who stuff, and secondly it means that the BBC isn't in a...
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BBC Store has opened up decades of the Beeb's archives for digital purchase. What does that mean for Doctor Who fans?
The BBC has launched a digital store, and obviously our first reaction was to methodically ticklist every single Doctor Who download available to see if there was anything new to be had. At the time of writing, there's nothing on there that isn't already available on DVD, and the first twenty six series are not available in their entirety. The stories that are there have no extra features.
So, all in all, you'd be forgiven for thinking it doesn't have a lot to offer the readers of a website called Den of Geek, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. For starters, I don't have the money right now to buy any more Doctor Who stuff, and secondly it means that the BBC isn't in a...
- 11/6/2015
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Doctor Who warps back on to our screens in two short days, with the premiere of a new 12-part series of sci-fi, sonic screwdrivers and Capaldi attack eyebrows.
But while the BBC has broadcast more than 800 episodes of generation-defining time travels, there's been as many cracking scripts that never made it to our TVs – from key character deaths to Jk Rowling cameos.
1. Jk Rowling vs. wizards
Russell T Davies' first idea for the 2008 Christmas special was to have the Doctor meet Jk Rowling - playing herself - with the pair battling wizards and witches.
David Tennant wasn't fond of the idea - he felt it sounded like a spoof - so Davies quashed the story to placate his leading man. In its place, we got 'The Next Doctor', which was pretty magical in its own right - so no damage, no foul.
2. Stephen Fry's 1920s adventure
Doctor Who...
But while the BBC has broadcast more than 800 episodes of generation-defining time travels, there's been as many cracking scripts that never made it to our TVs – from key character deaths to Jk Rowling cameos.
1. Jk Rowling vs. wizards
Russell T Davies' first idea for the 2008 Christmas special was to have the Doctor meet Jk Rowling - playing herself - with the pair battling wizards and witches.
David Tennant wasn't fond of the idea - he felt it sounded like a spoof - so Davies quashed the story to placate his leading man. In its place, we got 'The Next Doctor', which was pretty magical in its own right - so no damage, no foul.
2. Stephen Fry's 1920s adventure
Doctor Who...
- 9/16/2015
- Digital Spy
Andrew Blair Mar 8, 2017
As the news breaks they're returning to series 10, we look back over the role of the Cybermen in Doctor Who...
This article contains spoilers for lots of Doctor Who cyberman stories, including Death In Heaven.
See related Game Of Thrones season 6: new deleted scene released Game Of Thrones: HBO ruling out spin-offs, for now Game Of Thrones season 6: breaking down Blood Of My Blood's vision Game Of Thrones season 6: 9 questions about The Door
Earthshock. It's a brilliantly realised piece of telly, a script that confidently delivers on its pulpy premise, aided by a production team buying into the excitement of the set-pieces. Who cares if the effects at the end of Part Three aren't quite perfect? The idea, the sheer overwhelming number of Cybermen approaching - plus Malcolm Clarke's score and Peter Davison's reaction – is enough to keep you watching.
As the news breaks they're returning to series 10, we look back over the role of the Cybermen in Doctor Who...
This article contains spoilers for lots of Doctor Who cyberman stories, including Death In Heaven.
See related Game Of Thrones season 6: new deleted scene released Game Of Thrones: HBO ruling out spin-offs, for now Game Of Thrones season 6: breaking down Blood Of My Blood's vision Game Of Thrones season 6: 9 questions about The Door
Earthshock. It's a brilliantly realised piece of telly, a script that confidently delivers on its pulpy premise, aided by a production team buying into the excitement of the set-pieces. Who cares if the effects at the end of Part Three aren't quite perfect? The idea, the sheer overwhelming number of Cybermen approaching - plus Malcolm Clarke's score and Peter Davison's reaction – is enough to keep you watching.
- 11/30/2014
- Den of Geek
On the eve of Doctor Who's new series, Andrew considers what lessons it could learn from classic Fifth Doctor story Earthshock...
1982's Earthshock casts a long shadow over Eighties’ Doctor Who.
After Tom Baker’s tenure – at best delightfully silly and dramatic, at worst glibly removing any hint of drama in a quest for a laugh – the show hadn’t exactly decided on what it was going to be.
Original Eighties’ script editor Christopher H. Bidmead firmly ushered in an attempt at a harder Science Fiction edge – with Tom Baker injecting some comedic moments – but this lasted one series, with Bidmead only returning to write Peter Davison’s first broadcast story after another script fell through.
At the start of the Davison era temporary script editor Anthony Root kept things ticking over with a variety of styles, some reflecting Bidmead’s taste in their commissioning, but the Davison era...
1982's Earthshock casts a long shadow over Eighties’ Doctor Who.
After Tom Baker’s tenure – at best delightfully silly and dramatic, at worst glibly removing any hint of drama in a quest for a laugh – the show hadn’t exactly decided on what it was going to be.
Original Eighties’ script editor Christopher H. Bidmead firmly ushered in an attempt at a harder Science Fiction edge – with Tom Baker injecting some comedic moments – but this lasted one series, with Bidmead only returning to write Peter Davison’s first broadcast story after another script fell through.
At the start of the Davison era temporary script editor Anthony Root kept things ticking over with a variety of styles, some reflecting Bidmead’s taste in their commissioning, but the Davison era...
- 8/20/2014
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Andrew traces the influence of a classic Seventh Doctor serial on today's Doctor Who, and looks at what series 8 can learn from it...
Previously on Den Of Geek, we looked at The Ark in Space and its relatively drastic shake up of Doctor Who’s tone following the Pertwee era. This time we’re looking at a different set of circumstances for the show, at the start of its twenty-fifth anniversary season in 1988.
Doctor Who had been in trouble since at least 1985. Cancelled, then reprieved due to the outcry, it hadn’t been helped by the ambitious but flawed Trial Of A Time Lord story/season, which probably didn’t endear itself to the casual viewer with its fourteen-episode narrative and Gallifrey-heavy intrigue. After its trial, the verdict eventually came back from the BBC to sack Colin Baker and make the show more child-friendly.
Script Editor Eric Saward had already departed acrimoniously,...
Previously on Den Of Geek, we looked at The Ark in Space and its relatively drastic shake up of Doctor Who’s tone following the Pertwee era. This time we’re looking at a different set of circumstances for the show, at the start of its twenty-fifth anniversary season in 1988.
Doctor Who had been in trouble since at least 1985. Cancelled, then reprieved due to the outcry, it hadn’t been helped by the ambitious but flawed Trial Of A Time Lord story/season, which probably didn’t endear itself to the casual viewer with its fourteen-episode narrative and Gallifrey-heavy intrigue. After its trial, the verdict eventually came back from the BBC to sack Colin Baker and make the show more child-friendly.
Script Editor Eric Saward had already departed acrimoniously,...
- 8/10/2014
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
We return with another edition of the Indie Spotlight, highlighting recent independent horror news sent our way. Today’s massive feature includes a review for Nobody Can Cool, first details on The Night Crew, Heir, and a Doctor Who documentary called Who’s Changing: An Adventure In Time With Fans, a new clip from Muck, trailers for Blood Shed, NightBeasts, and Virginia Obscura, and much more:
[Editor's Note: We want to give a big thanks to our Indie Spotlight manager, Tamika Jones, for her constant work on this weekly feature and putting together our largest Indie Spotlight to date this weekend!]
Indie Spotlight Review: Nobody Can Cool
by Heather Wixson
Nobody Can Cool is the rather impressive directorial debut from up-and-coming filmmaking duo Dpyx, Marcy Boyle and Rachel Holzman, who crafted a blisteringly taut and thoughtful indie crime thriller with a palpable sense of tension from start to finish. A gritty and engaging tale of deceit, violence and desperation, Nobody Can Cool is anchored by a breakout performance by Nick Principe (best known from his work in the Laid to Rest series, Madison County and...
[Editor's Note: We want to give a big thanks to our Indie Spotlight manager, Tamika Jones, for her constant work on this weekly feature and putting together our largest Indie Spotlight to date this weekend!]
Indie Spotlight Review: Nobody Can Cool
by Heather Wixson
Nobody Can Cool is the rather impressive directorial debut from up-and-coming filmmaking duo Dpyx, Marcy Boyle and Rachel Holzman, who crafted a blisteringly taut and thoughtful indie crime thriller with a palpable sense of tension from start to finish. A gritty and engaging tale of deceit, violence and desperation, Nobody Can Cool is anchored by a breakout performance by Nick Principe (best known from his work in the Laid to Rest series, Madison County and...
- 1/19/2014
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
Feature Andrew Blair 8 Nov 2013 - 07:00
To celebrate its 50th birthday this month, Andrew talks us through 50 great Doctor Who scenes...
Doctor Who, what with being the greatest thing ever and all, has its fair share of great scenes. You could – and people have – write a list of one great scene per story. There are thousands to choose from. Here, we have a list of fifty in no particular order. The criteria is simply that we enjoy them.
Because we all know about 'Do I have the right?' and 'I'm not going to let you stop me now', I've also tried finding moments from less popular episodes just to give them some love. No story is completely without merit (Even Timeflight has Khalid) and like it or not, Time and the Rani happened, so we're all just going to have to deal with it.
So, here's a selection of fifty great scenes.
To celebrate its 50th birthday this month, Andrew talks us through 50 great Doctor Who scenes...
Doctor Who, what with being the greatest thing ever and all, has its fair share of great scenes. You could – and people have – write a list of one great scene per story. There are thousands to choose from. Here, we have a list of fifty in no particular order. The criteria is simply that we enjoy them.
Because we all know about 'Do I have the right?' and 'I'm not going to let you stop me now', I've also tried finding moments from less popular episodes just to give them some love. No story is completely without merit (Even Timeflight has Khalid) and like it or not, Time and the Rani happened, so we're all just going to have to deal with it.
So, here's a selection of fifty great scenes.
- 11/7/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Top 10 Andrew Blair 20 Sep 2013 - 07:00
Andrew counts down Doctor Who's 10 best Cyberman stories from across the TV series, audio dramas and comic strips...
Cybermen; Doctor Who's other monster. The one no-one knows quite what to do with, who show glimpses of what they can do, but don't look like dislodging the upper echelon from its perch.
They're Arsenal, basically. What is Nightmare in Silver if not Mehmet Ozil? A big name attached with lots excitement generated, and sure there are some clever ideas, but ultimately it's not what was necessary. I'd apologise to Arsenal fans but what are they going to do? Throw a trophy at me?
Like the Cybermen presumably do between their on-screen appearances, the writers will be heading back to the drawing board to discuss what they've learned. Meanwhile, here's our list of the top ten Cybermen stories across the entirety of Doctor Who.
Andrew counts down Doctor Who's 10 best Cyberman stories from across the TV series, audio dramas and comic strips...
Cybermen; Doctor Who's other monster. The one no-one knows quite what to do with, who show glimpses of what they can do, but don't look like dislodging the upper echelon from its perch.
They're Arsenal, basically. What is Nightmare in Silver if not Mehmet Ozil? A big name attached with lots excitement generated, and sure there are some clever ideas, but ultimately it's not what was necessary. I'd apologise to Arsenal fans but what are they going to do? Throw a trophy at me?
Like the Cybermen presumably do between their on-screen appearances, the writers will be heading back to the drawing board to discuss what they've learned. Meanwhile, here's our list of the top ten Cybermen stories across the entirety of Doctor Who.
- 9/19/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Cybermen in The Invasion
Kieran Kinsella
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, we’re taking a stroll down memory lane with some of the actors, directors, script editors and writers who worked on the show. In part one, we get a behind-the-scenes insight into the Cybermen!
Peter Hawkins (Cybermen voice Tenth Planet)
“When we did voices for the Cybermen we had to rely on this strange contraption that was made by a dentist who specialized in helping people after throat operations. It consisted of a buzzer and a hearing aid. The buzzer was mounted on a palate between your jaws and a lead ran out of your mouth. It was rather like being on the end of a fishing line. Saliva kept clogging up the buzzer. You silently mouthed words but you couldn’t use your soft palate. All the consonants sounded the same and it was very...
Kieran Kinsella
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, we’re taking a stroll down memory lane with some of the actors, directors, script editors and writers who worked on the show. In part one, we get a behind-the-scenes insight into the Cybermen!
Peter Hawkins (Cybermen voice Tenth Planet)
“When we did voices for the Cybermen we had to rely on this strange contraption that was made by a dentist who specialized in helping people after throat operations. It consisted of a buzzer and a hearing aid. The buzzer was mounted on a palate between your jaws and a lead ran out of your mouth. It was rather like being on the end of a fishing line. Saliva kept clogging up the buzzer. You silently mouthed words but you couldn’t use your soft palate. All the consonants sounded the same and it was very...
- 7/31/2013
- by Edited by K Kinsella
Steven Moffat may have some big surprises in store, but so far it seems Doctor Who’s fiftieth birthday will heavily weigh towards the extreme poles of Mark Gatiss’ docu-drama An Adventure in Space and Time and Moffat’s low-calorie (now with 43 years less nostalgia!), doubtless audacious Smith/Tennant/ John Hurt team-up. But it’s only right that we fans celebrate the spirit of Doctor Who, rather than a clip-show celebrating the letter—and pay tribute to its boldest and most original narratives.
So step forward, Revelation of the Daleks (1985)—a triumph from Colin Baker’s all-too-brief and troubled Doctorate. It’s a thoroughly unique and weird experiment—and its triumph, despite casting aside so much of Doctor Who’s then-standard repertoire, is as great a testament to Who’s storytelling prowess as any.
No matter what your taste in Doctor Who, chances are Revelation of the Daleks’ peculiar flavour is not easily acquired.
So step forward, Revelation of the Daleks (1985)—a triumph from Colin Baker’s all-too-brief and troubled Doctorate. It’s a thoroughly unique and weird experiment—and its triumph, despite casting aside so much of Doctor Who’s then-standard repertoire, is as great a testament to Who’s storytelling prowess as any.
No matter what your taste in Doctor Who, chances are Revelation of the Daleks’ peculiar flavour is not easily acquired.
- 7/3/2013
- by Hamish Crawford
- Obsessed with Film
Feature Andrew Blair 20 Jun 2013 - 07:00
A bit of silliness now, as we look at the Doctor Who episodes that would work if the Doctor were Batman. We like silliness.
This feature contains spoilers.
There are not any stories that could survive the removal of the Doctor and the Tardis without large changes apart from Planet of the Ood (a curious episode, where the real hero dies in a giant brain and the Ood sing a pleasant warning to the Doctor). So, part of the stipulation here is that stories can be tweaked to remove the Tardis, and reworked so they can involve Batman without too many narrative hijinks.
Still, if you're chiefly written by Grant Morrison, I suppose your main character being in a different temporal-spatial location to the bulk of the story is but a minor hindrance. If you can summarise Superman's origin story in four panels...
A bit of silliness now, as we look at the Doctor Who episodes that would work if the Doctor were Batman. We like silliness.
This feature contains spoilers.
There are not any stories that could survive the removal of the Doctor and the Tardis without large changes apart from Planet of the Ood (a curious episode, where the real hero dies in a giant brain and the Ood sing a pleasant warning to the Doctor). So, part of the stipulation here is that stories can be tweaked to remove the Tardis, and reworked so they can involve Batman without too many narrative hijinks.
Still, if you're chiefly written by Grant Morrison, I suppose your main character being in a different temporal-spatial location to the bulk of the story is but a minor hindrance. If you can summarise Superman's origin story in four panels...
- 6/19/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Doctor Who from 2005 onwards hasn’t often had to worry too much about poor special effects. Given a devoted teams at The Mill and Millennium FX and a decent, if not exactly lavish, budget from the BBC, most of the time whatever Russell T. Davies and now Steven Moffat and co can dream up, the rest of the team can convincingly realise. But it wasn’t always so. In the 1960s, the budget was around £2000 an episode and many recordings were attempted in the tiny Lime Grove studios. Small wonder that several special effects shots fell short of the mark, even by the standards of the day.
But despite the willingness of modern, and usually snide, TV companies to mockingly reshow these embarrassing old clips, the fact is that from 1963-1989, Doctor Who created some innovative images which completely defied the microscopic budgets they were working with. In this article,...
But despite the willingness of modern, and usually snide, TV companies to mockingly reshow these embarrassing old clips, the fact is that from 1963-1989, Doctor Who created some innovative images which completely defied the microscopic budgets they were working with. In this article,...
- 2/28/2012
- by Tom Salinsky
- Obsessed with Film
The proverbial has hit the fan in a big way for the 6th Doctor. Despite his good intentions with the Vervoid evidence, he's now on a charge of mass genocide, after he reduced the walking plants to a pile of leaves on a sunny Autumn day.
Naturally, this is fantastic news for the Valeyard, whose mania has reached red-faced proportions. It's becoming fast obvious that The Valeyard is up to no good – the black-clad buffoon has just revealed his real dastardly self by starting to laugh evilly at regular intervals. Yes, how to give the game away in one fell swoop – start to go “Bwa ha haah!” – after all that hard work building up a credible case against The Doctor, The Valeyard's just committed professional suicide.
But at least the trial's starting to finally get somewhere. Better still, The Doctor's managed to nab some help from the most unlikely source.
Naturally, this is fantastic news for the Valeyard, whose mania has reached red-faced proportions. It's becoming fast obvious that The Valeyard is up to no good – the black-clad buffoon has just revealed his real dastardly self by starting to laugh evilly at regular intervals. Yes, how to give the game away in one fell swoop – start to go “Bwa ha haah!” – after all that hard work building up a credible case against The Doctor, The Valeyard's just committed professional suicide.
But at least the trial's starting to finally get somewhere. Better still, The Doctor's managed to nab some help from the most unlikely source.
- 3/7/2011
- Shadowlocked
"The Trial Of A Time Lord" - Part 1
After what seemed like an eternity, Doctor Who was finally back on TV in September 1986. The 18-month hiatus had not been welcomed by viewers and fans, after the likes of Grade and Powell saw fit to ‘rest’ the show which they felt had become stale and violent.
So not anything like EastEnders then.
Season 23 was awaited with bated breath - but was it worth the wait? Hmmm, the jury’s out on that one - literally, since the end product was, of course, the notorious Trial Of A Time Lord.
The Trial Of A Time Lord is the show’s longest story - a 14-part epic that’s generally regarded as three four-part stories and a two-parter to tie up the loose ends. Given that the fans were really looking forward to this new run of stories, you can imagine the sighs...
After what seemed like an eternity, Doctor Who was finally back on TV in September 1986. The 18-month hiatus had not been welcomed by viewers and fans, after the likes of Grade and Powell saw fit to ‘rest’ the show which they felt had become stale and violent.
So not anything like EastEnders then.
Season 23 was awaited with bated breath - but was it worth the wait? Hmmm, the jury’s out on that one - literally, since the end product was, of course, the notorious Trial Of A Time Lord.
The Trial Of A Time Lord is the show’s longest story - a 14-part epic that’s generally regarded as three four-part stories and a two-parter to tie up the loose ends. Given that the fans were really looking forward to this new run of stories, you can imagine the sighs...
- 2/25/2011
- Shadowlocked
In 1985, things were not looking so good for Doctor Who. The show was to be put on ice for 18 months in the wake of controversial storylines and supposedly poor viewing figures – all tosh of course, especially when you think that the programme was still pulling viewing figures of about seven million – a perfectly respectable number.
So The Doctor doesn't get to take Peri to Blackpool – well, on screen, at least. And unlike previous years, there were no more customary Who repeats in the summer to mollify the fans. 18 months, as I've said, isn't such a long time by today's standards, but back in 1985, you can understand why fans were weeping into their scarves. The crisis was so bad that the infamously bad 'Doctor In Distress' record was hastily assembled. The so-called supergroup of Who Cares actually comprised Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Nicholas Courtney and Anthony Ainley, along with Faith Brown,...
So The Doctor doesn't get to take Peri to Blackpool – well, on screen, at least. And unlike previous years, there were no more customary Who repeats in the summer to mollify the fans. 18 months, as I've said, isn't such a long time by today's standards, but back in 1985, you can understand why fans were weeping into their scarves. The crisis was so bad that the infamously bad 'Doctor In Distress' record was hastily assembled. The so-called supergroup of Who Cares actually comprised Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Nicholas Courtney and Anthony Ainley, along with Faith Brown,...
- 2/23/2011
- Shadowlocked
Way back when in 1984, The Official Doctor Who Magazine (yes, it really was called that) ran a poll to find the best story of season 21. Given all the plaudits and platitudes heaped upon it, you'd expect The Caves Of Androzani to have taken the top spot. In actual fact, at numero uno was...
Resurrection Of The Daleks!
Now there's a surprise, especially when you consider how Resurrection has fallen so far from grace. These days, Resurrection would be lucky to scoop the fourth spot, and it's only the follies of Warriors Of The Deep and The Twin Dilemma that save it from being the official season 21 turkey.
So what went wrong? When did the coins fall from the eyes, so to speak? After all, in theory, Resurrection has an awful lot going for it. Eric Saward's back behind the word processor, after his previous offering Earthshock was released to great acclaim.
Resurrection Of The Daleks!
Now there's a surprise, especially when you consider how Resurrection has fallen so far from grace. These days, Resurrection would be lucky to scoop the fourth spot, and it's only the follies of Warriors Of The Deep and The Twin Dilemma that save it from being the official season 21 turkey.
So what went wrong? When did the coins fall from the eyes, so to speak? After all, in theory, Resurrection has an awful lot going for it. Eric Saward's back behind the word processor, after his previous offering Earthshock was released to great acclaim.
- 1/29/2011
- Shadowlocked
The turbulent decade of the 1980s – not much fun, eh? Thatcherism at the height of its powers. The emergence of the yuppies. Not to mention the likes of mannequin crooners like Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet dominating the charts like suited bankers. So no wonder Doctor Who wanted to go revisit the 1960s for inspiration.
Think I'm joking? Well think on this. We've had Hartnell-like temper flares from the main man Davison. We've had an all-new historical adventure. And now, in true Daleks Masterplan-style, a companion is about to bite the dust.
Yes, time's run out for Adric, everyone's favourite laughing stock. He's about to buy it in spectacular fashion at the end of Earthshock, one of the jewels in season nineteen's crown. The great thing about this at the time was that it came totally out of the blue. Normally, companions – of late – tend to leave of their own accord or get married.
Think I'm joking? Well think on this. We've had Hartnell-like temper flares from the main man Davison. We've had an all-new historical adventure. And now, in true Daleks Masterplan-style, a companion is about to bite the dust.
Yes, time's run out for Adric, everyone's favourite laughing stock. He's about to buy it in spectacular fashion at the end of Earthshock, one of the jewels in season nineteen's crown. The great thing about this at the time was that it came totally out of the blue. Normally, companions – of late – tend to leave of their own accord or get married.
- 12/29/2010
- Shadowlocked
Roll up! Roll up! Welcome to The Big Dipper that is season 19 of Doctor Who. Marvel at the swanky production values! Shield your eyes and protect your ears from the horror that is the terrible trio of companions! Gasp in wonder at how the season lurches giddily from one extreme to the other!
Season 19 has so many ups and downs, so many polar opposites that I feel queasy just typing this. Although it could have been the chicken curry that I had for tea. So far we've had the introspective, intelligent Castrovalva followed by Four To Doomsday - a story about overgrown, talking frogs. Then we have the multi-layered, surreal tour-de-force that is Kinda. And what do you know, we then head for The Visitation, which is generally about as sophisticated as an episode of Neighbours.
Actually, maybe that's not a bad thing. Brilliant though Kinda is, can you imagine...
Season 19 has so many ups and downs, so many polar opposites that I feel queasy just typing this. Although it could have been the chicken curry that I had for tea. So far we've had the introspective, intelligent Castrovalva followed by Four To Doomsday - a story about overgrown, talking frogs. Then we have the multi-layered, surreal tour-de-force that is Kinda. And what do you know, we then head for The Visitation, which is generally about as sophisticated as an episode of Neighbours.
Actually, maybe that's not a bad thing. Brilliant though Kinda is, can you imagine...
- 12/24/2010
- Shadowlocked
2 entertain have confirmed to Dwm the extras for the upcoming DVD release of the Fifth Doctor storiesThe King's Demons and Planet of Fire, which will be released in the UK as a Kamelion box-set.
The King's Demons
Commentary with Peter Davison and Isla Blair, who played Isabella, as well as former script editor Eric Saward.Second commentary with the story's Director Tony Virgo. Part One onlyKamelion - Metal Man : Looking at the history of the short lived companionMagna Carta: Exploring the great charter.
Planet of Fire
Commentary with Peter Davison, Nicola Bryant, Mark Strickson and director Fiona CummingThe Flames of Sarn: Documentary on the making of the storyReturn to the Planet of Fire: Fiona Cumming and Malcolm Thornton revisit LanzaroteDesigns on Sarn: Malcolm Thornton on designing the showDeleted ScenesExtended ScenesContinuityAn alternative version of Planet of Fire will be presented on a second disc, a new version cut by director Fiona Cumming,...
The King's Demons
Commentary with Peter Davison and Isla Blair, who played Isabella, as well as former script editor Eric Saward.Second commentary with the story's Director Tony Virgo. Part One onlyKamelion - Metal Man : Looking at the history of the short lived companionMagna Carta: Exploring the great charter.
Planet of Fire
Commentary with Peter Davison, Nicola Bryant, Mark Strickson and director Fiona CummingThe Flames of Sarn: Documentary on the making of the storyReturn to the Planet of Fire: Fiona Cumming and Malcolm Thornton revisit LanzaroteDesigns on Sarn: Malcolm Thornton on designing the showDeleted ScenesExtended ScenesContinuityAn alternative version of Planet of Fire will be presented on a second disc, a new version cut by director Fiona Cumming,...
- 4/1/2010
- by Marcus
- The Doctor Who News Page
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