Dr Who Rolls On 258
derek_farn writes "It looks like us lucky Brits will be getting a Dr Who christmas special, plus a third series has been commissioned. Those of you who get their news from the BBC web site will know that the current Dr Who, Christopher Eccleston, left after the first series and was replaced by the actor who recently played Casanova in a mini-series (not quite the same as the women wearing lycra in Star Trek, but we Brits are a bit more reserved)."
Rose (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Rose (Score:2, Interesting)
Although, I thought Chris Eccleston was brilliant and this new guy has some big shoes to fill.
Re:Rose (Score:2)
as an aside to the real die-hards... isn't the Doctor only supposed to have 10 regenerations (with Tennant being the 10th)? wasn't that a bit short-sighted of the writers?
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Rose (Score:2)
Re:Rose (Score:2, Informative)
It was established in The Deadly Assassin that a Time Lord can regenerate twelve times before permanently dying, though as with most such "rules" there were occasionally exceptions. For more on this see: Time Lord.
Re:Rose (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Rose (Score:2)
Re:Rose (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Rose (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Rose (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Rose (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Rose (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Rose (Score:3, Informative)
Not that I'm a Who geek, of course - now can I be bothered to go through all the episodes for the first seven incarnations and calculate the average number of companions - and is that per episode or per story? Er, probably not.
Companions Changing (Score:2)
Companions should change more frequently than Doctors. Otherwise, it's hard to explain the Doctor's age increases.
Consider that:
Granted, the ninth Doctor has given his age at around 900 (which he's probably not being too truthful about because if t
Re:Companions Changing (Score:3, Insightful)
Dr. Rose (Score:2, Insightful)
Not to mention the weak attempt at social commentary, "No Doctor, don't kill the Dalek, then you'll be just as evil as he is", or the constant references to the UN as if it were a legitimate institution.
Bottom Line: Eccelston is very good, Piper is cute, the chemistry is good, but the writing is way too estrogen infused.
Free copy of "Honey to the B" for Insightful mods (Score:3, Funny)
Interviewer: Thank you for agreeing to chat with us, Billie. First off, why did you decide to stay on 'Doctor Who' for another series?
Billie: Because I want to! Because I want to!
Interviewer: I see... so your enthusiasm for the show is as strong as ever. I'm sure the fans will be pleased to hear that. The other question everyone's been asking is.... why you always run around in crowds?
Billie: Because I want to! Because I want to!
Interviewer: Why d'you always
Third series? (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Third series? (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Third series? (Score:2)
Or even 30th if you decide to count 1996 as being an abbreviated season...
Re:Third series? (Score:4, Interesting)
Also, in case any Americans are reading this and are slightly confused, we tend to use the word 'series' instead of 'season'.
Re:Third series? (Score:2)
The original series ran for 23 years, from 1962 to 1985 (IIRC). It was then put on hiatus for a year, only to return for a 2 year run, finally shutting down production in 1987. This was considered the second series. Not including assorted made-for-TV movies in both the US and UK, the Doctor didn't r
Re:Third series? (Score:2)
One word! (Score:2)
(* can't wait till saturday)
Re:One word! (Score:2)
I just want to say... (Score:5, Informative)
The whole Bad Wolf thing has been particularly entertaining. They're even making comparisons [telegraph.co.uk] to Pynchon in the UK.
Beg, buy, borrow or steal it. Whatever, just make sure you watch it!
Re:I just want to say... (Score:2)
Doctor Who with Eccleston feels fun, fantastic, eerie, and lurches around time/space in an exciting non linear fashion. I love it, I haven't gotten into a show like this in years. I would also buy it on
They survived through me! (Score:2)
Re:They survived through me! (Score:2)
Re:I just want to say... (Score:2)
Our neighbour goes to McDonalds in the local High Street to get his daughter a Happy Meal.
The place is deserted and I mean no customers at all. As he's walking to the counter he hears one staff member comment to another "Quiet in here tonight isn't it" and the answer "Yeah well, bloody Dr Who starts in 5 minutes dunnit".
It'd be interesting to see the sales rates in take aways as well as the water and power consumption immedaiately prior to and following the series finale.
Re:I just want to say... (Score:3, Funny)
I might be able to help you here. Go to https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/creditcard/cd_step1. jsp?type=private, for license holder, enter Mr J Rumney, for address details house number 24, postcode G37 8BC, enter your credit card details and press submit. I'm sure the BBC will be most grateful.
Re:I just want to say... (Score:3, Interesting)
Postal Joe-job, anyone?
Re:I just want to say... (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:I just want to say... (Score:3, Interesting)
Will this Dr. Who tackle harsh political issues? (Score:5, Interesting)
While I haven't seen it, I must ask, does this Dr. Who series do the same? Are they tackling issues such as the torture of innocents at Abu-Ghraib, Guantanamo, etc.? Will they look at the issues behind the fakery of terrorism?
In short, is this new series a provocative, worthwhile viewing experience?
short, simple answer (Score:2)
Re:Will this Dr. Who tackle harsh political issues (Score:3, Informative)
I've enjoyed nothing on TV this much since the demise of Bab5. Watch it. It's good.
Re:Will this Dr. Who tackle harsh political issues (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Will this Dr. Who tackle harsh political issues (Score:2)
Well, the episode "The Long Game" deals with the manipulation of individuals through the media, specifically the news. Take a look at the current state of Fox News and so on and I'm sure we can all find something to nod knowingly at...
Anybody else thinking the word "terrorism"?Re:Will this Dr. Who tackle harsh political issues (Score:2)
Re:Will this Dr. Who tackle harsh political issues (Score:2)
Next question!
They are worldwide political issues, my friend. (Score:2)
Don't forget that countries like Britain, Italy, Poland, and many other non-American countries are stuck in the Iraqi quagmire. There are young British men and women being sent over to places like Iraq and Afghanistan only to be blown to bits by some roadside bomb, just like is happening to American troops. Numerous British and other non-American citizenry are being held in places like Guantanamo Bay, and
Huh? (Score:2)
Re:Huh? (Score:2)
Really, it's not as though they have precedent with switching the actor that plays the Doctor! What a HUGE risk they are taking!!! Crazy!
[end sarcasm]
They made me love this Doctor, they'll make me love the next one too. I ain't wor
Re:Huh? (Score:2)
Christmas Special? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Christmas Special? (Score:2)
Well, there's a throwaway line at the conclusion of "The Doctor Dances" where the Doctor has successfully wrapped up the adventure - with zero fatalities, an almost unique event in DW history. Rose remarks, "Look at you, beaming away like you're Father Christmas!" to which he instantly replies "Who says I'm not? Red-bicycle-when-you-were-twelve."
Could've just been dropped in by Stephen Moffat (who wrote that episode) for laughs... but who knows?
They sort-of did a special once before (Score:2)
There have also been Christmas spin-offs f
Re:Christmas Special? (Score:2)
Phone Booth? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Phone Booth? (Score:2)
But, fear not, there's cell phones and funky alien time-travelling meshing too... I won't spoil anything, but, yes, I can hear you "now", Rose : )
zerg (Score:3, Funny)
great (Score:3, Interesting)
I sit and plan how to infiltrate the bbc james bond style just so i can see the next ep.
I really hope this new guy can match Eccleston, but right now i find Eccleston to be one of the best actors on tv, i even include voice actors in this statement.
the scene in the last ep when he is holding a bfg and then throws it to the guy he is pointing it at saying "like i was ever going to use that" or something like that was brilliant.
sorry for sounding so fanboyish but this show seams to drag this side of me out in the open, my beloved sarcasm is blown away when dr.who is on hehe.
older episodes (Score:2)
One significant difference (Score:4, Interesting)
This makes a big difference, as it mean that early stories could be longer if needed (6-part and 8-part stories were not uncommon, and the longest was 13), which made for potentially richer stories. On the flip-side, the actors were pushed to their physical limits and there simply wasn't that much time available for script editing or rehearsal.
The practical upshot is that modern stories have to sell on impact (there isn't time for an in-depth plot), whereas older stories had to sell on plot twists (otherwise nobody would tune in next week).
Personally, I think the 25 episode format was the ideal balance and I wish they would switch back to that. Since Dr Who has proven so popular in its revival, it is possible the BBC might do that. Especially as the actors are only lasting one season anyway. The BBC might as well get the most for its money.
Re:One significant difference (Score:2)
Which is about 13 too many, IMHO.
A Doctor Who Christmas (Score:3, Interesting)
Ah yes.
Time to break out the Dalek Christmas Tree [bsfs.org] and sit down for the Dalek Christmas feast [cuttingsarchive.org.uk], while listening to your favourite Dalek Christmas Carols [millenniumeffect.co.uk]
Year of the '60s/70s Remakes (Score:2)
Major concept shortage this year.
Re:Year of the '60s/70s Remakes (Score:2)
Re:Year of the '60s/70s Remakes (Score:2)
I want to hurt you now.
Bats begins is NOT linked to the ironic 60's Batman parody. Watch "Forever" and "& Robin" to see the kind of crap that thinking spawns.
Anyway, there's also movie adaptations of 80's "car" shows, specifically the A-Team and Dukes of Hazard movies.
Not to mention that Dr. Who isn't a remake, it's a continuation of a series that has run through the 60's, 70's and 80's, had a tv-movie in the 90's, and is now back in a regular TV run in the 21st century. Yay the Docto
I've always thought UK Scifi was missing something (Score:2)
I mean, come one! Jeri Lynn Ryan! It's so obvious now that you point it out.
Christmas special (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Christmas special (Score:2)
You have obviously never seen the Christmas specials for either Father Ted or The Office, or actually a whole bunch of UK television shows. It only appears to be the Western side of the Atlanltic that dictates that Christmas Special = Sacharine Pap.
Die Hard (Score:2)
Christmas special? (Score:3, Funny)
[TARDIS materializes on a cold Arctic plane.. The Doctor and Rose walk out shivering..]
Rose: Where are we, Doctor?
Doctor: Oi! The North Pole, of course -- 25 c.e. We're here to witness the first time Jesus delivers gifts to children around the world.
Rose: What the...?
Re:Christmas special? (Score:2)
Eccleston made a good doctor. (Score:3, Funny)
I was also kind of happy they kept the daleks with the R2D2 design. I heard they were going to switch to some spider like thing. Don't mess with success or you'll end up like star trek
One thing that does annoy me is the short season. 13 episodes hardly feels like enough. At least it was longer than the hockey season. Movie night in canada is hardly the beer drinking hot wing fest that hockey night in canada used to be.
Yeah But (Score:2, Informative)
Of course, the robotic spider body should still have the toilet plung
Re:Yeah But (Score:2)
They levitate all over the place now.
Re:Eccleston made a good doctor. (Score:2)
If you want to see some older Dr. Who (wobbly scenery and all), then get a BitTorrent client and head on out to The Pirate Bay - there's some episodes floating around there. Be on the lookout for "The Genesis of the Daleks". Tom Baker is widely thought of as the best Doctor of the old series.
Re:Eccleston made a good doctor. (Score:2)
I bittorrented Genesis like 3 weeks ago(thanks to whoever ripped it), and it was better than I remembered. It had a very involved plot, a decent budget, and overall yes, one of the best Doctor Who stories ever.
It did
Re:Eccleston made a good doctor. (Score:2)
Try BBC Kids if you have Cable/Satellite.
Re:Eccleston made a good doctor. (Score:2)
Dr Who roll on? (Score:2)
So who is this doctor you mentioned? (Score:5, Funny)
His name?
Who.
The doctor!
Doctor Who!
I don't know, you brought him up! So what's his name?
No, Who is his name. Watt inevented the steam engine...
What invented the steam engine?!? Who were we talking about?
Yes.
Re:So who is this doctor you mentioned? (Score:2)
Rose: So what's your name?
Doctor: The Doctor
Rose: Doctor what?
Doctor: That's right, The Doctor.
Rose: yes, but what's your name?
Doctor: just The Doctor.
(or something like that).
Best thing on TV at the moment (Score:5, Insightful)
This is largely in part due to the fantastic performances by Chris Eccleston and Billie Piper. The enthusiasm that they both bring to their roles is infectious and I spent the entire first episode with a silly grin on my face, loving every minute of it.
The Bad Wolf arc has kept certain newsgroups chattering for the last couple of months and it looks like a lot of threads will be tied up tomorrow.
The saddest thing is that Eccleston is not coming back. His successor has a lot to live up to.
Could anyone PLEASE air Dr Who in Germany! (Score:2, Informative)
BTW: Wanna play a fine game of Dalek on J2ME? http://home.arcor.de/heiko.selber/Dalek/Dalek.html [arcor.de]
Re:Badwolf (Score:2)
Re:Badwolf (Score:2, Offtopic)
Its Davros
Re:Badwolf (Score:4, Informative)
Yup, you're wrong. The IMDB [imdb.com] entry for this last episode originally had a casting for Davros (it has since been changed). The Master has never appeared on the casting list. Most likely, we're going to see Davros, or the Emperor Dalek, as the big baddy for the final episode.
However, there are other theories out there, some of which are bolstered by the casting Laura Frazer as the Tardis's Voice. Is the Tardis itself the Bad Wolf? Or maybe there's something/someone else inside the Tardis, manipulating it and/or the Doctor? When you consider the US made-for-TV Dr. Who movie from 1996 and how it ended, your original suggestion may not be too far from the mark.
Another theory has it that the Controller (the girl that Transmatted the Doctor onto Space Station 5 in the first place) may have been using time travelling technology to send subliminal S.O.S.es to the Doctor, in the hopes that she would draw his attention without revealing herself to her silent masters.
Who knows? Indeed! We'll see tomorrow (or Sunday even, thanks to my friend B.T.).
Re:Badwolf (Score:2)
If you really want to spoil it, you can visit Outpost Gallifrey [gallifreyone.com].
You'll need to sign up and then modify your user settings so you can get into the "spoiler" forum group.
The final episode was shown Wednesday night at some BAFTA [bafta.org] shindig, where they also talked about the new series.
The entire synopsis is posted for those who can't wait.
Re:Badwolf (Score:2)
Of course that doesn't exclude the possibility that the Daleks have created a Davros-replacement as their new 'supreme Dalek' since then.
Re:Badwolf (Score:2)
Re:Badwolf (Score:2)
Re:Badwolf (Score:3, Informative)
Davros would be too fanwanky to appear really.. RTD so far hasn't used any characters from the previous series (except the Daleks). The hot favourites at the moment are the Metaltron or the other bloke he chucked out of the tardis with the entire Satellite 5 database in his head.
David Tennent is in this weeks episode according to Radio Times (which *
Re:Badwolf (Score:2)
Pretty sure the Master isn't going to appear in this series. RTD is trying to bring in new viewers, not alienate everybody except existing fans, which is what bringing in the Master would achieve.
I think the Bad Wolf references are all attempts by the Controller to get the Doctor's attention, my opinion is outlined in more detail on my Bad Wolf page here [ucam.org]. I'm also of the opinion that [ucam.org] the mysterious "They survived through me!" voice is the Face of Boe...
Re:Badwolf (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Badwolf (Score:2)
Re:Badwolf (Score:2)
Re:Badwolf (Score:2)
Think, Bad Wolf. What is the Bad Wolf that people are most frightened of? The "wolf in sheeps clothing". My theory goes like this- The Time Lords had the upper hand in the Time War. The Daleks were about to lose, and decisevely so. Until a Time Lord switched sides and lead the Daleks to victory, until the Doctor "destroyed" them, but the Time Lord leading them, who the Doctor was unaware of, managed to get them to travel through time to a po
too many redheads? (Score:2)
Re:Really liking this new Dr Who (Score:2)
Re:Doctor thoughts (Score:2)
It also reminded me that Tom Basker was THE Doctor. However, Eccleston gives Baker a really good run for his money.
Re:Doctor thoughts (Score:2)
Re:Ahem! (Score:2)
Some of the members of the colonies sincerely wish to have our independence revoked.
Sincerely yours, Carl Eric von Kleist, IV
Second Emperor of the United States of America
Defender of Mexico and Canada
Voted 'Most likely to be killed in a manner involving Chopsticks'
Wholely Owned and Operated by the Frobozz Magic Company, Ltd.
Re:Ahem! (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Ahem! (Score:2)
Compared to Debby Does Dallas?
And SCIFI channel wont show any of them (Score:2)