Doctor Who Series Four Is A Go 259
netglen writes to mention that the fourth series of Doctor Who is a go. The BBC confirms that another season of the popular sci-fi series will be made, although the article is sketchy about the current doctor and his attachment to the next season. The third series starts at the end of this month in Britain with new companion Martha Jones, played by Freema Agyeman, replacing Billie Piper's Rose. "Tennant, who plays the time-travelling hero, would not talk to reporters about his role in future series. 'Do you know how many times I have been asked that question? Do you know how many times I have answered it?' said the actor. "
Billie Piper (Score:5, Interesting)
OK, you've got me. (Score:1, Interesting)
Actually, no, I don't. Googling just seems to bring up a bunch of rumors. What's he said before?
Re:POLL (Score:3, Interesting)
Turned Off by (the new) Season 1 (Score:3, Interesting)
When I first saw the original series as reruns on over-the-air public television back in the late-80s to early-90s I thought the terrible special effects and camp were charming. The underlying plots were usually OK and kept me watching since they were so different from what Star Trek or Star Wars offered.
But now that I'm older I find the new series dependance on terrible, cheap special effects, mediocre acting and dialog, and camp just offputting. Also I'm much more busy with a wife and kid and don't (won't) devote as much time to television as I used to. My sci-fi budget is filled with Battlestar Galactica.
It's somewhat ironic that I prefer the new Galactica and old Who and very much dislike the original Galactica and new Who.
Do I lose my geek card for posting this?
Re:Regenerations (Score:2, Interesting)
I'm going to post a crazy idea that I'd love to see - The Doctor regenerates into The Master and we run the series from the other direction so to speak.
Yes, I already know it'll never happen but it's a neat idea...
Re:Billie Piper (Score:5, Interesting)
It has nothing to do with actor's demands, Who was created as a cheap, live, TV serial that was supposed to educate people about history.
Back in the early 60's BBC actors were paid pretty workman like rates of pay, and certainly didn't command huge fees for being stars.
Re:Billie Piper (Score:3, Interesting)
It certainly would be nice to see the Doctor become a female. Most science fiction has delved into the gender non specific domain, often with good results. I hate to say it, but Ms. Piper seemed to be cast mostly as a fluff character, a plot device that allowed the Doctor to explain pertinent points to the audience, as well as a genuine romantic interest to satisfy those that needs sexual tension. It is not clear how that personality would meld into the expected actions of the doctor. The Doctor is far from infallible, and in the current incarnation is rather moody, but no Doctor has worried about all the stuff that Rose does.
All this is really irrelevent, as the BBC will do whatever will bring the rating and whaterver is cheap. Just look at the two part Dalek episode. Lets not create new materials, just rehash the old ideas.
What would be god, given that Sarah Jane Smith, and her wonderful inquisitiveness, has been introduced to the new generation of Dr Who fans, is that Elisabeth Sladen be given the part of the Doctor. If the Doctor does love humans, she was his first, at least in the context of the show.
Re:Gun carrying Doctor (Score:3, Interesting)
I do remember Tom Baker using a gun at one point. Well, sort of. (The episode involved a carnivorous alien plant, on earth, and a bunch of mind-controlled humans. Does that narrow it down much?)
"Doctor! You can't take them all on yourself!"
"Of course I can! I have a pistol!"
I don't think he actually *fired* it at any point, though...
Re:Fantastic! (Score:2, Interesting)
If you haven't noticed...Battlestar Galactica has used the "F" word on several occasions this season on several episodes. This being the case...the language isn't going to be an issue...but the form of the naked persons is. With Sci-Fi not being on broadcast TV...the FCC has no control over anything they may do.
Re:Fantastic! (Score:3, Interesting)
Well, that and the fact that most of those kids' parents grew up being terrified by the show on a regular basis. Everyone had nightmares about one monster or another, everyone's hidden behind the sofa. I mean, if you don't want your kids to be scared by dreadful monsters, watching Doctor Who is a bit silly.
* Hah. Kids these days never watched Pertwee-era Doctor Who in black and white during the 70s miners strike, knowing that the daily power cut was due and at some point during the episode the lights would go out... Mummy!
Mu-mmy. Mummy. Please let me in Mummy, I'm scared of the bombs... (Just the voice still terrifies the hell out of my little sister two years later. Now that's proper Who!)
Re:Regenerations (Score:4, Interesting)
In "The Five Doctors", the High Council offered the Master a full cycle of new regenerations in return for his help. Thus the canon has established the technology exists in the Whoverse to continue on beyond twelve regenerations (not that the Master was having that much trouble stretching out his regenerations anyway).
Can I get my geek card stamped please?