Doctor Who R/R Thread

[phil]

But perhaps I'm the only one around here who is.

Now that Star Trek is gone Doctor Who is being reborn. Starring Christopher Eccelston and Billie Piper (whom North Americans may vaguely remember for her 'because we want to, because we want to' pop song from 1998). It'll premiere on BBC1 on March 26th at 7pm. I'm not moving to England because of this but it'll be a perk.

Anyway, if you're too young you probably won't remember the old series. It was arguably the best sci-fi in the 70s, arguably the worst of the 80s, and was OK in the 60s. The most famous 'Doctor' was Tom Baker who sort of looked like Russ Cheney in a large brown bohemian coat with a ridiculosly large and colourful scarf.

Official photos are starting to trickle out:

http://formerairline.com/whothing/rose.jpg
Billie Piper as Rose in what could be the TARDIS console room.

http://formerairline.com/whothing/thedoctor.jpg
Christopher Eccelston as the Doctor being raped (?) by an Auton.

And then there are the überdork fan set photos of:

http://formerairline.com/whothing/tardis.jpg
The TARDIS

http://formerairline.com/whothing/alien.jpg
New and terrifying aliens

http://formerairline.com/whothing/dalek.jpg
And of course... the Daleks.

[tones]

yeah, i like these nerdy shows. red dwarf. :-X

[phil]

Red Dwarf was cool. It came on YTV right after Blake's 7 which I was an avid fan of as a kid.

[Kuje]

Hmm, Billie Piper? Ok. That should be interesting. I just hope they don't use horrible cheap-ass TV CGI, you now the overly glossy, obviously-fake stuff.

P.s. Red Dwarf seasons is the greatest (seasons 1-3 > the rest)

[gil]

holy shit, totally under my radar. super super stoked, eccleston is an excellent choice.

[Paul]

yeah, red dwarf is awesome. i never watched this show, but maybe i should.

[Thomas]

That chick is hot.

[phil]

I just hope they don't use horrible cheap-ass TV CGI, you now the overly glossy, obviously-fake stuff.


Well if they did they would be keeping with the show's grand tradition of shitty, shitty special effects. But they have a good effects house called The Mill working on it.

[kane]

red dwarf was the shit. never really watched Dr. Who

[phil]

First review is in from Q Magazine:

The Man Who
Meet the all-new Timelord. Now with added rock'n'roll

Doctor Who
BBC1, time and date TBC
**** Q Recommends

HERE'S A PROMISE: as soon as the spooky electronic theme tune strikes up and the swirly new title sequence kicks off, with the Tardis spinning merrily around in space like it's never been away, you are guaranteed to experience both the thrill of nostalgia and a shiver of genuine excitement. After a nine-year hiatus - Paul McGann played the lead in a forgettable special in 1996 - the much-hyped return of rickety sci-fí classic Doctor Who lives up to all expectations: it's every bit as good as its mid-'70s heyday. Furthermore, this time around you don't have to be a geek to enjoy it.

The inestimable Christopher Eccleston plays the ninth Doctor, reinterpreting the character as a fairly normal kind of bloke - albeit one who's able to talk to monsters in their native tongues - replete with trendy leather jacket and wry sense of humour. But the biggest surprise of the show is Billie Piper's performance as the Doctor's "assistant" Rose Tyler. Not only does Piper prove she can hold her own in the company of esteemed actors, but her feisty cockney character shows real depth. Importantly, Rose's relationship with the Doctor is as an equal, rather than just being there to whimper when the aliens show up.

The series begins in present-day London with Rose and the Doctor meeting after Rose's boyfriend (Noel Clarke) starts exhibiting some very strange behaviour. Within minutes you notice something unusual about the show: the special effects are indeed special. Gone are the cardboard sets and naff-looking monsters of old, this time you see London landmarks come under thrilling alien attack, as convincing and exciting as anything shown before in a British TV series.

Much of the credit for this triumphant regeneration goes to writer Russell T Davies. The creator of excellent TV dramas like Queer As Folk and The Second Coming, Davies is both the chief writer and executive producer of this 13-part series of 45-minute episodes. Which means there's a high degree of quality control throughout; the slick, sharp dialogue in particular standing out. Throw in some memorable new characters (Cassandra, "the last human", is a wonderfully creepy and funny creation) and Doctor Who is no longer the domain solely of sci-fi spods, this is must-see TV for everyone. BOYD HILTON

[dj]

The old episodes were all great for comedy value. How they got away with some of the old alien costumes is ridiculous but hilarious!

I'm hoping for more daleks heads bouncing about to reveal the people inside them.

[phil]

LEAKED!

The first episode has been leaked by a CBC employee and it snow making it's way on Bittorrent!

[phil]

AND IT'S GOD DAMNED GOOD ESCAPIST FUN.

[Thurstonitus]

what torrent search-engine are you using?

[phil]

http://www.uknova.com/ or http://niteshdw.dyndns.org/index.php
I don't know if the online version is the actual finished version though.

[phil]

Gil, thought you'd be all over this torrent shit.
However the online version is an unfinished one, the theme music is different and some effects unfinished.
But the BBC trailers are starting and they show the TARDIS interior:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/TheBeyond/tv01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/TheBeyond/tv15.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/TheBeyond/tv02.jpg

I've watched it a few times. It's good fun, kind of in the Harry Potter sense - it was always a sort of family entertainment anyway.

Updated torrent links:
http://www.niteshdw.com
http://www.niteshdw.net

[EspanolBot]

A good quote from the series featured in the 'Daily Mail':

Rose (Billie Piper): If your an alien why do you have a Northern accent?
The Doctor (Christopher Eccleston): Other planets have "North" too.

This is probably only funny for English people.

[phil]

It was more like:
Rose: If you're an alien how come it sounds like you're from the north?
Doctor: Lots of planets have a north!

I read about this piece of dialogue months ago, it made me cringe a bit but the delivery in the context of the episode is great.

[EspanolBot]

Yeah that was it. Still funny though.

[JonHillier]

Greatly anticipating this. Used to watch some of the previous series when it was on, so this should be great. Its been all over BBC News and the national newspapers etc... with a fair amount of clips and photos. Looks excellent, and the special effects appear nicely done.

As for the choice of actors, it seems good. I was a fan of Eccelstone when he was in Messiah (I think) on ITV a few years ago, and apparantly he does very well in this new role. According to one article I read, he's a particularly good Doctor because he gets away from the normal English recieved pronunciation etc... with the northern accent, different style etc... also, one review said he's very funny in the role, if not fairly camp, which I don't particularly mind. Should be amusing.

Anyway, I have a friend (a massive fan of Doctor Who) who went to a media-preview a few nights ago in Cardiff, and he gave it two thumbs up.

[ItchyScratchy100]

Whoa, is this one of the biggest non-reality non-Simpsons TV event of the decade?

[gil]

can't find the ep anywhere goddammit. what is the title?

[AllSussedOut]

eccleston is phenomenal in everything he does

[phil]

The name of the episode is 'Rose' don't know what happened to the torrent, perhaps the beeb put a stop to it.

[ItchyScratchy100]

Saw a clip of the new series on "Richard & Judy" on Channel 4 and it offered not that much juicy stuff off the series but still, I'm extremely looking forward to it and I think that clip sort of took the excitement 1 step further.

Oh, if anybody's interested, here's the official website of both the original and the upcoming series:

Doctor Who- The Official Website (http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho)

[George Cauldron]

I never thought much of Tom Baker. I personally preferred the Doctor as played by William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee. The show worked well with black and white, it had more atmosphere. In colour, everything about it just seemed terribly tame. I will be watching the new series though.

[matt228]

Never seen Doctor Who before and never heard of Chistopher Eccleston.
But I'll watch the new series, thanks to that quote - I thought it was a very serious show but it sounds like there's a bit of comedy in it now?

[phil]

The show became serious in the early 80s which started the show's long and painful death. There are some funny bits in this new series but it has the potential for real emotion and drama.

[Moses Wiggum]

The old episodes were all great for comedy value. How they got away with some of the old alien costumes is ridiculous but hilarious!

I'm hoping for more daleks heads bouncing about to reveal the people inside them.


very campy show i loved the sound effects and all

[gil]

finally found it. (http://www.fulldls.com/torrents2/Dr.Who.S27E01.Rose.DVDScr.%5BBT%5D(www.fulldls.com).torrent)

[phil]

finally found it. (http://www.fulldls.com/torrents2/Dr.Who.S27E01.Rose.DVDScr.%5BBT%5D(www.fulldls.com).torrent)

enjoy

[gil]

huh...wasn't bad, but wasn't great. piper was great and quite impressive for a popstar, and eccleston was solid but I was looking for a little more mania from him.

goofy plot, but it worked and built nicely from nothing. effects need major work but I'm thinking this is indeed the finished version, just done at a lower budget than, say, battlestar galactica.

looking forward to more.

[phil]

The theme music will be different, that's what I know for sure.

Goofy plot and low budget effects? In Doctor Who? No, no I can't accept that.

Anyway, vastly better relaunch than 'Encounter at Farpoint'

[Rowdy]

Anyway, vastly better relaunch than 'Encounter at Farpoint'

There's only one Star Trek........and it died way before that. TNG was an enjoyable time waster, admitted.

I'm stoked about this......never seen the original show, but just from what I've heard, I can't pass this show up once it comes out. I have a feeling it will actually be fun, unlike.........well, unlike every American sci-fi show of recent memory.

[George Cauldron]

From http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4346657.stm

Actor Baker favourite in Who poll


Actor Tom Baker has been named Britain's favourite Doctor Who, in a poll conducted to mark the new series of the show on BBC One.
Baker was the fourth actor to play Doctor Who in the TV series, taking up the role from 1974-1981.

Peter Davison, who took over from Baker in 1981, was second in the poll, carried out by fantasy and sci-fi magazine SFX.

Jon Pertwee, who played the Doctor from 1970-1974, was third.

Sylvester McCoy, the seventh actor to play the role on the TV show, and William Hartnell, who was the original Doctor Who, completed the top five.

SFX editor Dave Golder said that Christopher Eccleston, who is playing the Doctor in the new series, had a tough act to follow.

"The ninth Doctor will have to be pretty amazing to topple Tom Baker from his perch as the quintessential Doctor Who," he said.

"There aren't many children from the 70s who can't clearly remember peering out from behind the sofa to see Doctor Who with his hat, scarf, jelly babies and that wild curly hair."

Baker, 71, has gone on to star in the BBC One show Monarch of the Glen, as well as narrating the hit comedy Little Britain. More recently he was one of the voice talents in the film version of The Magic Roundabout.


Hey....no Patrick Troughton? Jeez.

[phil]

Troughton was great but most of his stories were lost/destroyed. I like Eccleston's Doctor, he may even be my favourite but the end of the season.

[matt228]

when does the new series start?

[phil]

The 26th, 7pm, BBC1

[George Cauldron]

How many of Troughton's episodes remain then? I'd put Pertwee as my favourite, Troughton second, Hartnell third. That article I posted earlier was clearly influenced by age, most likely voted for by people who grew up with the show in the 1980s, hence McCoy and Davison's apparent popularity.

[phil]

McCoy was terrible. Davison had some dross stories like 'Time Flight' which was hilariously bad.

There are only 6 complete Troughton stories.

[George Cauldron]

I knew a lot of his episodes had been deleted but only 6 complete stories remain? Jeez. The only complete Troughton story I've ever seen (the rest have been just odd episodes) is The Tomb of the Cybermen and even that one was a "Missing presumed dead" story until someone found it abandoned in a church somewhere, apparently.
I'm just glad that the BBC no longer erases its tapes or destroys them, although it might as well because these days its output is no longer all that good.

[EspanolBot]

Just saw the new trailer, it was good.

[phil]

The new trailer is fucking AMAZING
Here's a torrent link:

http://rapidshare.de/files/883347/whotrailer4.avi.html

[JonHillier]

Tonight (19th March)
Doctor Who Night - 7:30pm BBC2

Might be worth a watch, even though I believe it's mostly a repeat of previous programmes.

"Calling a 100-minute strand a "night" is cheeky, but its heart's in the right place, as it looks forward to the return of the series to its rightful place and time: BBC1 and Saturday night. For those who don't know their Arcturus from their Emperor Dalek, there's the bite-sized Some Things You Need to Know about Doctor Who, which follows a nostalgic documentary first shown in December 2003. Four fans who definitely are clued up on all things Whovian face the black chair of doom that is a Mastermind special. But are they unselfconscious enough to sport a dangling scarf or cricketing blazer?

The Story of Doctor Who is a documentary on the much-loved TV science fiction series. Forty years after the time traveller first landed at the BBC in his Tardis, the main names associated with the series are interviewed, including surviving Doctors Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy."

[ItchyScratchy100]

I seen "The Story of Doctor Who" but I'd like to see it again because I only saw the first quarter of it.

BTW, can you translate torrent to WMV because I find torrents horrible. I am not clogging up my computer and regestering for something that on the whole I don't understand. Looking foward to the new series, admittingly and the new "doctor" will be on Friday Night with Johnathan Ross this Good Friday! I will be watching the new series in Wales because I'm going on holiday there starting from this friday for the entire two weeks. Sadly, I was looking forward to taping it on video to savour TV history in the making but I can't because I suspect that the TV's at the holiday camp have no ****y VHS recorders again, evil Haven! :( There I go again...monolouge.

Oh, and on the subject, remember this (http://www.tv-ark.org.uk/cult/drwho/main/doctorwho-titles1996.rm)? (File in RealMedia and takes a lot of time to load so please give it a chance.) It was a rubbish TV-movie the FOX network showed BBC1 back in 1996 that brings me to the question, if the americans will see the new series on TV, will it be on FOX, BBC America or will it never be aired in the USA?

[dj]

Just seen a trailer for it after i caught the last 5 mins of a programme based on the whole Dr Who history. I will watch it next week to see if i take to it or not.

[ItchyScratchy100]

BTW, can you translate torrent to WMV? Because I find torrents horrible. I am not clogging up my computer and regestering for something that on the whole I don't understand.

Well, can you?

[phil]

Torrent isn't a format, it's a link to a file(s). The episode floating around is in .avi divx format.

[ItchyScratchy100]

What does that mean?

[dj]

That you can play it in most media players without a problem using Torrent.

[ItchyScratchy100]

If so, WHAT TORRENT SHOULD I USE? I am in so much fear!

[matt228]

Well then, only 3 days and 4 hours until Season 27 kicks off on BBC1 (for those who don't know, it stars on Saturday, 26th at 7pm; it's Wednesday, 23rd at 3pm now)!

[ItchyScratchy100]

At 5pm, which it nearly is, it will be only 2 hours and 2 days until the brand new "DOCTOR WHO"! And if you want to know what the new original monsters of the next series, here are two of them courtesy of ITV1's "This Morning":

-A "thing-like" creature which according to them, "had so many plastic surgery, all it is now is a sheet of skin with a moving face". Hmmmmmmmmmm...interesting.

And this is my favourite one:

-A giant porcipine with long hair and red, blazing eyes, guarded by...wait for it...two blue children!

The last one does sound quite strange, maybe even creepy, but hey, the darleks are still there so, no worries.

The time now is 5:06pm here in the UK so I would want to leave you by saying that this is the last post I'm going to send for a week or two because from tomorrow, I will be going on an Easter holiday in Wales with my family and I hope all of you here at NoHomers.net have a very happy easter, whatever you're doing, goodbye and I'll be back really soon. Goodbye. :)

[dj]

I hope you enjoy Wales, been there alot for holidays and breaks.

[matt228]

Less than 40 minutes until the invasion!

I'm watching Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, and taping Doctor Who.

[Kuje]

Thoroughly enjoyed it really. Billie Piper was actually pretty good, so that's one major fear out of the way. Next week's plot looks a lot better too.

Anyone for a Dr. Who R&R thread?

[Paul]

Having never seen the original series, I wanted to try this - and I was surprised. It was actually pretty good. Looking forward to next week's episode.

[Craptacular]

Enjoyed it thoroughly. It entertained me a great deal, and I thought Eccleston's portrayal of the Doctor was a very interesting one. Next episode looks great, will be watching.

[George Cauldron]

Not sure what to make of it. The pacing felt a little too rushed compared to some of the much longer, drawn-out storylines of the original series. I'll keep tuning in to see how it turns out.

I think I preferred Jon Pertwee's first outing, Spearhead From Space from 1970, which also sees deadly mannequins come to life. Having said that, today's episode had some impressive effects, and it's good to see they kept that TARDIS noise.

[JonHillier]

I think it felt a little rushed merely because they had so much to fit in to what, to all extents, was an introductory episode for people who know little about the show. They needed the episode to ensure that they didn't disqualify the new generation of would-be-fans from the series.

It's good to see that the graphics have finally caught up with the writers intentions, and I thought the whole episode was witty, ammusing and entertaining. I have high expectations for this series - the first 'Saturday Night TV' feeling I've had in a long while.

[George Cauldron]

Well....good news and bad news today, ladies and gentlemen:

The good: The BBC have commissioned another series based on the viewing figures for the first episode. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4395147.stm

The bad: Christopher Eccleston has decided to quit his role for fear of being typecast. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4395849.stm

[tones]

i'm finally going to be able to see some of these episodes on cbc.

[phil]

Odd that Eccleston would leave so early, can't blame him though seeing as how his previous incarnations were so typecast. It's all a part of the show though.

[Paul]

Damn, it's a shame he's leaving, I thought he was pretty good. (Although I have nobody to compare him to). I also think it's a little early to be commisioned for a second series, especially considering the first hasn't finished airing yet.

[EspanolBot]

"No body does it better, makes me feel sad for the rest..."

[matt228]

What does "typecast" mean :boggled:
That's strange for him to leave, the first episode was so good.

[Nameless]

What does "typecast" mean :boggled:

type·cast
tr.v. type·cast, type·cast·ing, type·casts

To cast in an acting role akin or natural to one's own personality or fitted to one's physical appearance.
To assign (a performer) repeatedly to the same kind of part.
caught 'rose' on saturday, kept me fully entertained throughout the 45 minutes. will continue watching.

[JonHillier]

I'd like to be the first to say, Alan Davies was always my first choice. He'd better be picked, would surely be a brilliant doctor.

But its a great shame Ecclestone has decided to leave; he must have had it in his mind throughout all the promo-interviews etc... which is really sad. I hope he enjoys his time in the sun.

[Jimmy]

perhaps what the bbc would have wanted, now more people will tune in for the second series to see how the new guy does, besides there have been so many versions of doctor who already, it will like James Bond probably be the norm.

[phil]

Or perhaps it's an April fool's day joke.

[JonHillier]

Ooooh... I wouldn't put it past the BBC. Had totally forgotten it was the 1st tommorow.

[Nameless]

I somehow doubt it

[Rowdy]

Saw this the other day.........best science fiction show since...................who knows, but it's fantastic to say the least.....here's hoping an American DVD release of this series occurs in the future.

[ItchyScratchy100]

WOW! I really enjoyed it, when I said to my family afterwards "What do you think?", I was surprised what they said because they thought they hyped it to death and would become awful, but instead they were absolutely entertained! On a lesser note, I was also pretty amazed to know that it was a BBC Wales production (as they said in the before the episode "Great TV, Made In Wales") because I was in Wales at the time on holiday.

P.S. I am really stoked for the next episode!

P.P.S. Is there a political loop involving the show because the first ever ever ever ever EVER episode of Doctor Who was broadcasted the day after John .F. Kennedy was killed and after the first episode of the current series, they immediately reported the death of Jim Callahan, a former Conservative PM. :uhh:

[Rowdy]

David Tennant will play the Doctor in the second season:
http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20050401-092538-9272r.htm

[phil]

Tonight's episode was top notch, 'The Unquiet Dead'. Zombies, period costume, aliens, awesome.

[ItchyScratchy100]

"The Unquiet Dead", loved it? Hated it?

Click here (http://nohomers.net/showthread.php?t=46724) to rate/review it! (Includes my review of it, as well. Liked it.)

[phil]

This week's episode was a mixed bag, but in the grand Doctor Who tradition of big ideas combined with camp dodginess. But really enjoyable nonetheless.

We have farting aliens, spacepigs, and beings that look like a cross between the creature from Alien and the Buddha masks from Brazil.

The pace of this one is a bit better, at least more akin to the old long Doctor Who stories.

[JonHillier]

I agree, I think as you said, "enjoyable" is the right word for last night's episode. Good stuff. Nice to have a two-parter as well, gives the story somewhat more opportunity to develop than the normal 45 minutes.

[phil]

I love that spacepig scene. I thought it was going to be excruciatingly bad but it was fantastic.

Frankly I'm looking forward to the Dalek episode, different director and different writer.

[EspanolBot]

"We have to sought out this gas exchange, this is getting ridiculous."

"Do you mind not farting while I'm trying to save the world!"

Good episode, dragged on the farting jokes a bad to long though.

[ItchyScratchy100]

Yeah, "Aliens of London" was a really good episode. It was funny, original, mad, clever and the ending was quite a cliffhanger. But remember, this is a two-parter, so be aware that it's not over yet. BWAH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! Errrrrr...sorry, I was thinking of a, very, naughty mimerick.

[ItchyScratchy100]

BUMP

Just saw the concluding part of last week's episode entitled: "World War Three". Absolutely fantastic, very well written with some surprisingly gripping/powerful moments, nice humor and overall a really fantastic episode!

A+

P.S. Can't wait for next week's Dalek rampage, looks so great!

[Paul]

Yeah, this one was much better than last week's disappointing episode. It had some funny moments ("Bol-") and the storyline was interesting and gripping. Looking forward to Dalek next week.

[ItchyScratchy100]

I tried to watch the trail for the Dalek episode again online (on the official Doctor Who website) and it was mega quiet! I paniced because I thought it was my computer but when I went onto one of the Simpsons episodes I downloaded, it was crystal crear, so it was the BBC website's terrible sound quality.

[david195]

Not my favourite so far but, that aside, another great episode. Lots of action, suspense and humour. I loved the whole "weapons of mass destruction" send-up.

[phil]

Great episode. Definitely an improvement over last week. The character development in this series is terrific.

But next week... NEXT week is the big one!

[ItchyScratchy100]

Well, this is it....after all this waiting, IT'S D*-DAY!

And in under 23 minutes time, the wait is over.....

Stand by everybody for the big one...:D

*Dalek

[ItchyScratchy100]

BUMP

Just ended 5 minutes ago, the episode we all been waiting for is...great. The thing that mostly suprised me was how emotional the episode was. I am surprised that I nearly cried at the end of it. All in all, it's nice to see the Daleks return but remember, if you watch this, you'll never see the Daleks in the same light again. A+

[Paul]

Very enjoyable episode, my second favorite in the series so far (after The End of the World). It had an interesting storyline and the acting was up to the previous episode's standards. A

[ItchyScratchy100]

I thought this episode wouldn't work, but it did. And I actually gotten scared for once! B

What did you think of it?

[Paul]

I thought The Long Game was good but probably my second least favorite episode of the series so far (after Aliens of London). It felt a little slow, but thankfully it changed towards the end. I'm glad they got rid of Adam too, he really brought nothing to this and the previous episode, and Bruno Langley isn't a very good actor, either.

B

[EspanolBot]

Plus, he now has an amusing hole in his head.

[Paul]

I just heard a rumor about the season finale.

Many "Bad Wolf" references have been made throughout the 2005 series so far and apparently in episode 12 (the 2-part season finale) the Doctor and Rose discover they have been on a reality TV show titled "Bad Wolf" and the majority of their adventures have been organized by the Face of Bo.

Sounds... interesting.

[phil]

Sounds kind of lame.

[EspanolBot]

Does anyone else thing that that hole in the person's forehead was meant to be a metahor for his personality?

[EspanolBot]

Really emotional episode today, next week's looks brilliant!

[H Thompson]

Way too over emotional very little plot, about half of it was just dedicated to close up camera zooms as actors looked sad and piano music played.

[Nameless]

Agreed with H_T, I think about a C+/B- Worst of the new series so far.

[Paul]

Too much emotion for my liking and the storyline, whilst it held my interest, wasn't what I expected at all. Next week's episode looks much better, but this one was probably my least favorite of the 2005 series so far.

[George Cauldron]

I liked it, I have to say. The emotion and story were just right. The 2005 stuff has been quite good in my opinion though not really up to the standards of the original series. I prefer to think of it as a completely different show altogether.

[phil]

The fuh? Do you REMEMBER the standards of the original series?

If the show has a problem, one is Russel T Davies, his stories just aren't as good as what the other writers are producing (although I still enjoy RTD's episodes). What's more RTD is having an impact on the other writer's work, The Unquiet Dead was originally supposed to be much scarier but RTD asked Gattiss to tone it down.

The Doctor's character somehow seems a bit inept, other characters seem to be saving the day other than him. But who knows, the Doctor could turn out to be the Master or something.

[George Cauldron]

Yes. I've seen quite a few of the episodes. Just because it hasn't been on since 1989 doesn't mean they don't get repeated or released on videotape.

[phil]

I realise that, but the old series had the serious problem of the episodes being padded to the extreme, even in classic episodes like Talons and Genesis are loaded with unecessary filler to say nothing of the bad special effects. The new series is handily better than the 60s, 80s and half of the 70s episodes

[George Cauldron]

I would agree with your opinion on the new series being better than the 80s and half of the 1970s but I definitely think Doctor Who in its 60s heyday was better, despite the special effects which I think were at least reasonable for the time. Sometimes they're rather interesting to watch because they're not perfect. While I do like the current series, I just think it's far too different from the original...too perfect in terms of the effects, writing, etcetera.

[phil]

Alright. The torrent finished downloading this morning and I jsut finished watching.

This is easily one of the best episodes of the series, right on par with Dalek if not better. Cornell's script really gave weight to the supporting cast which is more than I can say for RTD's characterisations. It is emotional, but when dealing with the loss of a loved one you really can't do anything but be emotional.

Great writing, directing, acting.

[JonHillier]

Agreed, I enjoyed this weeks episode more than the others so far.

[phil]

Thanks roarke for adjusting the thread title

[phil]

My review for 'The Empty Child':

HOLY FUCKING SHIT WAS THAT AWESOME OR WHAT?!!?!

[H Thompson]

ahhh that's better Now the A story in that is the reason to watch this kind of thing, errie, twisted and fucked up.

[EspanolBot]

They removed the bone cracking noise.

[matt228]

The Empty Child: the worst episode of Dr Who 2005 so far.
Episode rankings so far:
1) Dalek
2) The End of the World
3) The Long Game
4) Father's Day
5) Rose
6) Aliens of London
7) World War Three
8) The Unquiet Dead
9) The Empty Child
...probably. I can't really decide between the top 5.

S1 Episode list:
1: Rose (26 March)
2: The End of the World (2 April)
3: The Unquiet Dead (9 April)
4: Aliens of London (16 April)
5: World War Three (23 April)
6: Dalek (30 April)
7: The Long Game (7 May)
8: Father's Day (14 May)
9: The Empty Child (21 May)
10: The Doctor Dances (28 May)
11: Boom Town (4 June)
12: Bad Wolf (11 June)
13: The Parting of the Ways (18 June)

Spoiler (from DS:BB, Digital Spy):
In the most surreal episode of the BBC1 Sci-Fi series Doctor Who yet, the Doctor will become the first fictional character to be a Big Brother "contestant."

Doctor Who fans will see the time travel hero become a spoof reality TV star and appear in the Diary Room, chatting to Big Brother and trying to escape from Britain's most famous house. BBC Producers have been granted permission to use the famous Big Brother music and logo.

The episode, due to be screened in June, also sees sidekick Rose appearing on The Weakest Link after the Doctor finally escapes the Big Brother house.

Writer Russell T Davies descibed the episode as "One of my favourites. When you see it on screen, you'll be blown away."

[phil]

The Empty Child: the worst episode of Dr Who 2005 so far.

WHAAAAAAA?!?!

My episode ranking:
-The Empty Child
-Dalek
-Father's Day
-The Unquiet Dead
-
-
-The End of the World
-Rose
-
-
-
-The Long Game
-
-
-Aliens of London
-World War III

[JonHillier]

I really enjoyed last nights episode, but thats not surprising - I've enjoyed every single episode.

The whole blitz scene was just astounding. Intelligent and scary plot - apparently this was the first episode to be forcibly censored by the BBC.

[EspanolBot]

Definately one of the best television Special Effects I've seen for sometime: someone hanging from a barrage balloon while wave after wave of Nazi bombers fly over the horizen towards her.

[Paul]

It is rumored that Billie Piper, who plays Rose, will be leaving the series.

http://gallifreyone.com/newstv.php#newsitemEEEyyplZZEJGXglMjl

This sucks.

[phil]

That's the nature of Doctor Who. The Doctor dies and is replaced and the companions leave. Piper has a promising career on her hands.

[Paul]

Oh, alright then. I wouldn't know that having never watched the original series.

I just finished watching The Empty Child, and by god, it was awesome, definitely my favorite so far. Next week's looks even better.

[phil]

It's a formula that kept the original series on the air for 26 years.

[matt228]

WHAAAAAAA?!?!
SHOCK HORROR! 2 people have different opinions!

"The BBC revealed today that one of the episodes of Dr Who has received a '12' rating, because it featured a Dalek being tortured. The BBC did point out that it did have a helpline number at the end of the episode for any daleks affected by this issue." - Dead Ringers, S3, ep 3

[Nameless]

Sorry I'm late, but Empty Child - fantastic. 2-parter is good, looking forward to next week.

[JonHillier]

Wow, it was just fantastic. These past two episodes (together) are arguably the best of the series so far.

Great script, fantastic plot and ending. Seriously, I can't fault this shit.

[H Thompson]

Well yes the last 2 have really felt like classic and fun sci fi adventures. Didn't think the doctor dancing was a particulary inspired attempt at humour but yes best I've seen.

[Nameless]

Missed this on its airing as I was out at the park, but watching the videotape, damn this was fantastic. Joint with part 1 for best of season.

[H Thompson]

So you do have a life outside this forum, what were you doing "rebellious" teenage things, hanging out with others getting stoned and drunk.

[spiral heart]

sorryy im a bit late
yeh i really like the dr who comeback. the new dr is pretty good and billie pipers not bad as rose either. i imagined it would be a lot worse actually.
i liked the dalek episode best, although i thought they should have made more of that. they can't bring back the daleks for only one episode..

[Nameless]

So you do have a life outside this forum, what were you doing "rebellious" teenage things, hanging out with others getting stoned and drunk.

actually I was having a small picnic with some friends, but that's off-topic

[Butters]

The thrills of being 14!

I managed to see last night's "Doctor Who". First "Doctor Who" I've seen, it was rather enjoyable. Don't have much to compare it to though.

[Nameless]

^ speaking of which, when are the BBC likely to repeat the series? I want to tape it this time round. or, put it on DVD. whatever.

[phil]

I think you can preorder the DVDs now.

[EspanolBot]

Well, you can ever shell out £12 a DVD in which you only get three episodes, or you can pay £80 in November for a TARDIS-shaped box set. I don't see the BBC repeating the current series for a few years yet.

[Nameless]

Hmm...think I'll save up 50 pounds for the complete first series November. Which will be hard, since I already also want the Derren Brown Trick Of The Mind DVD...

[H Thompson]

You know he's really called Darren, I know someone that went to uni with him. I guess the an e instead of an a is more mysterious.
but again this is very off topic.

[Nameless]

agreed.

so...three new episodes to go...as somebody turned off the television after the episode apparently, the preview for the next episode was cut off. can anybody give me the gist of it?

[JonHillier]

One of the Sytheen from "World War Three" has somehow survived and is elected mayor of Cardiff. It then went off onto some twist regarding the building of a nuclear power plant which is right on top of "the rift".

All I can remember.

[Nameless]

oh, thanks...sounds pretty good.

[phil]

Just finished watching 'The Doctor Dances' good episode and resolution. And it's good to see that everyone lived this time. Don't know about the next episode, Aliens of London / World War III weren't my favourite episodes.

[Nameless]

Aliens of London was really good, World War III I don't remember in whole though.

[H Thompson]

I rember reading a rumour that there was going to be an episode that had something to do with big brother, the doctor get's trapped in the big brother house or something.
I'd insert a worried emoticon If I wasn't writing in the quick reply mode.

[EspanolBot]

I was wondering if a meeting went on at the BBC like this:
Executive 1: Right, we've got the permission to make a new series of Doctor Who.
Executive 2: What's that then? A new medical drama?
Executive 1: It's a sci-fi show apparently.
Executive 2: Anything like 'Strange'?
Executive 1: Well, it did have Tom Baker in.
Executive 2: Right, what can we do to attract viewers, how about... a talking cement mixer?!
Executive 1: Nah, we'vew done that already. How about setting it in a exotic location?
Executive 2: Yeah! Somewhere where they speak an entirely different language?
Executive 1: How about Cardiff?
Executive 2: What Wales?
Executive 1: Yeah.
Executive 2: Well we've used all our money bringing back Grant Mitchell to EastEnders so it will have to do.

[Nameless]

I rember reading a rumour that there was going to be an episode that had something to do with big brother, the doctor get's trapped in the big brother house or something.
I'd insert a worried emoticon If I wasn't writing in the quick reply mode.

I hope they blow it up. God...seriously.

[Paul]

I've read several spoilers for the 2-part season finale, and it actually sounds really good. And the trailer for Bad Wolf confirmed this thought - Daleks!

The Doctor Dances: This was simply an amazing conclusion to an awesome two-parter. Without a doubt, the best of the series so far. A+

Boom Town: Just a bad episode, with far too much dialogue and soap opera style scenes between Rose and Mickey. I wish Russell T Davies would save it for his crappy dramas on Channel 4. Worst of the series. C

[phil]

RTD's stories are so goofy, this one most of all. There were some good ideas in the story but they were overtly embellished by pure wackiness. There was some fine acting but also some excitable over the top acting too. I don't know what to make of next week's episode either, Big Brother meets the Weakest Link meets the robotic parrot from The Pirate Planet meets Dune meets a 1970s Roller Disco with Daleks.

Having said that Boomtown was light entertainment, some scenes caused a smile but this is one of the weakest stories in the whole series. **/*****

And this after the awesomeness that was The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances.

[Nameless]

Yeah, I'd say Boom Town was a letdown after the previous two episodes. It got slightly better as it went on, though. Still one of the worst so far.

[EspanolBot]

Why did they have to bring back Mickey? All he does is whinge, whinge, whinge and doesn't do anything. Although he did once blow up a Slitheen he is essentially Shaggy from Scooby Doo.
Anyway, next weeks looks good, it has a robotic Anne Robinson and more Daleks. Yeah for the Daleks.

[Paul]

Yeah, I hate Mickey, he seems to only appear in RTD's scripts (although, he was in Father's Day, albeit as a child). I don't think he's a very good actor, either.

[Nameless]

Yeah, next week looks good, and will get an A+ from me so long as they do some damage to the BB house :p

Paul, where'd you see the spoilers?

[Paul]

I'll post it here. Now sure how reliable the source is, I found it on a message board where the poster just says "from another forum". Get ready to do a lot of highlighting...

"As will be revealed in Episode 12 of the same name, Bad Wolf is a reality TV show watched by aliens on many planets, it involves unwitting participants been thrown into different situations to see how they develop. Therefore, throughout the entire show the Doctor has had control of his destiny until episode two, The End of the World, it was here that he encountered the Face of Boe who turns out to be very instrumental to the entire Bad Wolf show, hence why he's operation was on the news. The astute viewer should now realise that it was after The End of the World that the Doctor first began to lose his sense of direction with the TARDIS this time around, and this was because he didn't control his destiny, he was simply there for the entertainment value that it is to watch he's suffering, for example:

Rose - The Doctor appears, unconnected to the story except for what the Nestene says because he speaks with a prior knowledge of the Doctor's destiny.

TEOTW - The Doctor encountes the Face of Boe and other rich aliens, it's here that he falls into the trap.

TUD - The Doctor aims for a different year and place to where he arrives.

AoL/WWIII - The Doctor is thrown of course by 12 months so that something more intresting can be witnessed.

DALEK, TLG and FD - No real explanation as to why the Doctor is where he is but barring Father's Day, it's against his will.

TEC/TDD - The Doctor is once again placed somewhere he doesn't wish to be.

In this episode the Doctor, Rose and Captain Jack are thrown into their final challenges to see how they cope with retro TV situations, this explains the use of Trinny and Susannah plus Ann Robinson. At the end of this episode they are given by the show the ultimate challenge, having to return to the end of the devestating Time War between the Daleks and the Time Lords. It is in this episode that the Doctor regenerates, thrown into a vortex at the end, altering the course of history and allowing the Daleks to survive. Therefore mostly all of the Bad Wolf references were an equivalent to adverts to the show, to say "you are watching bad wolf". Also it is revealed that this show the Doctor has unwittingly become involved in is looped, much like 24-hour television. He will always regenerate at the end of the time war, he will detect at the Autons but the most significant thing is he will always be defeated. That is until he chose to take Rose along, who wasn't part of the script, with her present, she breaks him out of the loop, he regenerates (he'll always be this way the same incarnation, a satisfying way of getting past the 13 lives rule) and gets a new body."

[Wall E. Weasel]

Fucking hell I hope that's not true, I hate it when shows do stuff like that. It seems like everything has to have a fucking twist or convulated storyline to please the geeks and simply confuse casual viewers. Doctor Who is a kid's show for chrissakes.

[Paul]

Doctor Who is a kid's show for chrissakes.

No it isn't.

[Nameless]

Doctor Who is a kid's show for chrissakes.

I suggest you watch it again...

[Dorkus Malorkus]

kid's shows aren't generally on at 7pm...

anywho...i enjoyed last night's show, despite being ready for a bore, as i totally didn't enjoy the slovene story from episodes 4 and 5. it was surprisingly interesting, allthough i do agree that i wish they'd get rid of mickey...he just seems like a purposeless extra to me. and i hope the american dude isn't there for MUCH longer.

looking forward to next week, i have been waiting for this episode for a while now, looks really good, especially 'Anne Droid' - and the Doctor in the BB house...ah good stuff. cant believe we're up to episode 12 of 13 already though...

[Paul]

Just pointing out a mistake, they're actually called the Slitheen. I really wished they hadn't brought back the Slitheen story so quickly, I know they're RTD's creation and he likes to masturbate over them, but, geeze...

[Wall E. Weasel]

Dr. Who a kid's show, a kid's show with good writing, good acting (well from Ecclestone at least) and crossover appeal hence the 7pm timeslot. Why do you think people of, like, thirty-plus get nostalgic about it? Because they watched it as kids! I don't see why you can't accept that there's nothing wrong with watching a little adventure TV show for which the main demographic is kids and enjoying it!

[phil]

it's more of a family show.

[ItchyScratchy100]

I was wondering if a meeting went on at the BBC like this:
Executive 1: Right, we've got the permission to make a new series of Doctor Who.
Executive 2: What's that then? A new medical drama?
Executive 1: It's a sci-fi show apparently.
Executive 2: Anything like 'Strange'?
Executive 1: Well, it did have Tom Baker in.
Executive 2: Right, what can we do to attract viewers, how about... a talking cement mixer?!
Executive 1: Nah, we'vew done that already. How about setting it in a exotic location?
Executive 2: Yeah! Somewhere where they speak an entirely different language?
Executive 1: How about Cardiff?
Executive 2: What Wales?
Executive 1: Yeah.
Executive 2: Well we've used all our money bringing back Grant Mitchell to EastEnders so it will have to do.

They done it in Wales because Russel T Davies (writer, Doctor Who-fan & executive producer of the current series) is Welsh. For the same reason, the entire current series is produced by BBC Wales. In fact, I was actually on holiday in Wales when I watched the first episode of the new series, "Rose".

Anyway, last Saturday's episode was not what I expected from the promos. But alright none the less. But because it was a bit too silly so, I rate it a C+ or a B.

Next week's episode looks so very good, the Doctor becomes a housemate in the Big Brother house and guess who returns?...

EXTERMINAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTEEEEEEEEEEE!

-700th Post! Woo-Hoo! Now what?-

[EspanolBot]

"They done it"? OK then...

[Nameless]

Dr. Who a kid's show, a kid's show with good writing, good acting (well from Ecclestone at least) and crossover appeal hence the 7pm timeslot. Why do you think people of, like, thirty-plus get nostalgic about it? Because they watched it as kids! I don't see why you can't accept that there's nothing wrong with watching a little adventure TV show for which the main demographic is kids and enjoying it!

I suggest you seriously watch it again.

[ItchyScratchy100]

"They done it"? OK then...

What do you mean by that?

[George Cauldron]

I suggest you seriously watch it again.


That is at least half-true though. A large number of the people watching the current Doctor Who are those who watched the original show as kids, and/or the children of those people who watched it as kids now enjoying it for themselves. And I do believe the original series was targeted for children originally. Not that this one is too, but it does derive most of its audience from children and people who were children when the 63-89 series was on.

[EspanolBot]

What do you mean by that?
As much as I hate to be the Grammar Police, I think it might be "they did it".

[EspanolBot]

Re: Big Bad Wolf, Whoooo! Daleks! Thousands of them!

[ItchyScratchy100]

You can proberbly tell by the sig that I have been eagerly awaiting this like the Queen of England is coming to my house. Once the episode started I was dead excited. The episode however, was definetly not what I expected and it's not for the faint-hearted neither.

Through the episode I felt very entertained but at the same time, having chills going down my spine. It's not scary, just gripping and haunting. But the episode was also good because it was very unpredictable, at times quite funny and a sense of plot that never gone to waste. Nevertheless, I did enjoy this episode and just like I said, THE DALEKS ARE BACK AND THEY ALL SURVIVED!

A+

[Nameless]

Aww, can't believe I missed this...have to hold out for a rerun, otherwise have to get the DVD...

[dj]

Are they not repeated on bbc choice or bbc3, anything like that?

[ItchyScratchy100]

It's repeated tomorrow on BBC Three tomorrow at the same time, 7pm.

Carolyn (I know it's not your name, it's a Simpsons writer's), if your reading this and have got digital or freeview, watch BBC Three tomorrow for another chance to see Doctor Who. Miss the repeat and you have to wait until the DVDs come out, sorry. :D

P.S. I've got a new sig for the next episode.

[EspanolBot]

Buy the complete series on amazon.co.uk for only £44-ish now! If you want to. :D

[phil]

I enjoyed this episode a lot much to my surprise, I was expecting something really dire after the train wreck that was Boomtown. But it was highly entertaining, exciting, dramatic, funny, tense, lacking on the intellectual stimulatory side but who cares - it was good fun. The plot, like most of RTD's scripts are fairly convoluted - perhaps he should be given less episodes to work on for the sake of making his stories more logical (then again Cornell only had 1 episode and his was the most logically challenged - but I still really enjoyed FD nonetheless).

**** 1/2

[ItchyScratchy100]

Buy the complete series on amazon.co.uk for only £44-ish now! If you want to. :D

It's not out now, it's out the day after my 14th birthday (look into my profile to find out what I mean). Just to point out. :D

[EspanolBot]

Any ideas on who the 'God of the Daleks' might be? I think it's the Face of Bo.

[phil]

It might be the 'Dalek Emperor' there used to be one. There may still be.
It could also be Davros, the Dalek creator.

[JonHillier]

My money was on Davros. It would seem more logical.

Also, great episode. Again, I loved it.

[phil]

People on the Outpost Gallifrey message board are saying the voice at the end sounded like the Dalek Emperor Nick Briggs plays in the Big Finish independant audio productions. I don't know about Davros, he was good in 'Genesis of the Daleks' but he was dead weight that kept on popping up in later Dalek Stories.

[EspanolBot]

I liked the idea that in 'the Genesis of the Daleks' Davros would get out of his wheel chair and go handgliding while his carer wasn't looking.

[Nameless]

It's repeated tomorrow on BBC Three tomorrow at the same time, 7pm.

Carolyn (I know it's not your name, it's a Simpsons writer's), if your reading this and have got digital or freeview, watch BBC Three tomorrow for another chance to see Doctor Who. Miss the repeat and you have to wait until the DVDs come out, sorry. :D

P.S. I've got a new sig for the next episode.

No, my TV consists of the basic five channels and a VCR. We got it yesterday, after the old one exploded.

Pre-ordered the boxset...

[Dorkus Malorkus]

this episode was totally awesome. i actually thought to myself a couple of years ago how it'd be strange if they began killing people on the weakest link, so i was surprised to see this...weakest link and what not to wear parodies were awesome...(the latter paying good attention to detail). i wasnt a fan of the bb parody...seemed a bit rushed, a bit bland. but aside from that, really great idea

cant believe this series is over next week

[EspanolBot]

If they actually killed people in Big Brother and the Weakest Link, it would be really great.

[ItchyScratchy100]

This is so exciting, please read this very important message from the official BBC Doctor Who website:

Remain Pure - give it up for a week

This Saturday sees the biggest episode of Doctor Who ever, full of jaw-dropping surprises, amazing revelations and more Daleks than even you can imagine.

Up until now the episode's been kept an absolute secret - there were fake scripts, fake scenes were shot, and no preview tapes have been issued. It's such a secret that not even bbc.co.uk's Fear Forecasters (the BBC have a team of children to rate how scary each episode of the new series is BTW--IS100) have been allowed to see it.

But all that will change this week - publicity pictures will appear tomorrow, and there's a screening for the press on Wednesday, so stuff will leak out. Our best advice to you - STAY OFF THE INTERNET THIS WEEK!

Especially as bbc.co.uk is running a video teaser every day at noon. It's also shown on BBC One through the day, and at 8pm every night - so step firmly away from the television at those times.

You'll also be missing out on changes to our spin-off sites such as www.badwolf.org.uk, and one or two special treats on bbc.co.uk. Avoid them - they're only there to lead you into temptation.

So - we'll see you on Saturday evening after the last episode of Doctor Who Confidential (which contains a few surprises of its own).

We'll miss you, but it's for your own good.

A wise word of internet warning from the BBC this week.

[Dorkus Malorkus]

If they actually killed people in Big Brother and the Weakest Link, it would be really great.

if they started with that bitch Lesley, then hell yeah

how disgustingly barbaric of you! :-@

[EspanolBot]

Ha ha ha ha ha!

[Paul]

Holy fucking SHIT that was an amazing episode. Can't believe I missed it for a boring trip to Bulgaria. Hands down, best of the series so far. RTD has actually pulled it off, and I congratulate him. A+

[EspanolBot]

Why were you in Bulgaria?

[ItchyScratchy100]

Holy fucking SHIT that was an amazing episode. Can't believe I missed it for a boring trip to Bulgaria. Hands down, best of the series so far. RTD has actually pulled it off, and I congratulate him. A+

If you thought that was great, this week's is even better. Aparently the biggest Doctor Who episode ever.

No, this is not me being optomistic, this is me telling the truth.

[Paul]

Why were you in Bulgaria?

It's called a holiday.

[Paul]

Doctor Who has been picked up for a third series and a second Christmas special. Billie Piper, playing Rose, will be in all 13 episodes of the second series, and John Barrowman as Captain Jack will be returning.

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

[EspanolBot]

Hooray!

[Paul]

Also, three directors have been confirmed for the second series:

James Hawes (The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances), Euros Lyn (The End of the World/The Unquiet Dead) and Graeme Harper (The Caves of Androzani/Revelation of the Daleks).

[EspanolBot]

Euros Lyn? Are they Welsh by any chance?

[ItchyScratchy100]

Euros Lyn? Are they Welsh by any chance?

Well, it was produced by BBC Wales so proberbly yes.

Oh, and Paul, excellent news from Gallifrey One.

I knew the Cybermen would return somehow!

[EspanolBot]

Apparently they can only have either the daleks or the cybermen per season becuase they are too expensive to realise, so the next series will have Cybermen. I wonder if they will still be dressed in a silver boiler-suit.

[matt228]

Bad Wolf on Saturday was fantastic!
Hands down, best episode of the series. 2nd best so far was Dalek, so Daleks obviously make episodes better.

Worst episode was The Empty Child (I knew that The Doctor Dances was a conclusion to it, so I didn't watch the latter).

Apparently they can only have either the daleks or the cybermen per season becuase they are too expensive to realise, so the next series will have Cybermen. I wonder if they will still be dressed in a silver boiler-suit.
Who are the Cybermen? Which episode was that?

[phil]

The Doctor mentioned the cybermen in 'Dalek'. The silver head at the beginning when they're in the museum is of an old school cyberman, the Doctor describes it as an old friend, or rather an old enemy.

Could you at least explain why you disliked The Empty Child (the best episode of the series)?

[matt228]

Doctor Who is a kid's show for chrissakes.
No it isn't. (I'm agreeing with Paul)

Could you at least explain why you disliked The Empty Child (the best episode of the series)?
I thought it was too dark and evil for the series, which otherwise has been relatively fun. I have a different opinion about an episode which constantly has a child without a soul in it. Shock horror.
Also, the chlid shouting "Mummy? Is that my mummy?" over and over got very annoying.

[Paul]

You're crazy. For the hell of it, here are my rankings:

1. Bad Wolf
2. The Empty Child
3. The Doctor Dances
4. Dalek
5. The Unquiet Dead
6. The End of the World
7. Rose
8. The Long Game
9. Father's Day
10. World War Three
11. Aliens of London
12. Boom Town

None of them are bad, though.

[phil]

The Slitheen episodes come shockingly close to bad.

[Paul]

Yeah, I really didn't like the Slitheen. I heard somewhere that they will be in another seven episodes, but I hope for the love of god that it's nothing but a rumor.

[phil]

The Slitheen are RTD's creation and he only has 5 or 6 episodes next series and I doubt he'd use all of them to ramble on about them.

[ItchyScratchy100]

Who are the Cybermen? Which episode was that?

Oh my, the Cybermen (along with the Daleks) are absolutely huge on the classic Doctor Who series. They are silver-suited guys who walk around and either zap or crush people to death.

[phil]

Sort of like the Borg but you could kill them with gold dust.

[EspanolBot]

Basically, the Cybermen were a society of human's that lived on a twin planet to Earth. They upgraded themselves over time with robotic body-parts, and then decided to do the same to everyone else against their will. When they do turn up in the next series, comparisions to the Borg are bound to happen.

[George Cauldron]

I quite liked the Slitheen in terms of them being original monsters. For me, the best episode this series has been the Unquiet Dead. I can't explain why, but it was very atmospheric and dark in tone, I was quite hooked by it. The writing was flawless - I actually think that all episodes here have been superbly written. And I think watching that episode in the dark also had something to do with it too.

But glad to hear the Cybermen are returning as The Tomb of the Cybermen is probably one of my all-time favourite episodes.

[Paul]

George Cauldron, I always like hearing your opinions, so out of interest, what did you think of The Empty Child, The Doctor Dances and Bad Wolf?

[H Thompson]

I wish I'd seen unrequiet dead, since it was written by Mark Gattis of the League of Gentleman, which would explain the atmospheric, dark tone.

[George Cauldron]

George Cauldron, I always like hearing your opinions, so out of interest, what did you think of The Empty Child, The Doctor Dances and Bad Wolf?

Wow...my opinion actually counts for something?
Well, let's see...The Empty Child I liked to an extent. The "Are You My Mummy" kid remained the most memorable aspect of the episode and never once became annoying, it was actually a highlight of the series. I wasn't sure about Captain Jack but he's grown on me since. The Doctor Dances I can't really remember all that well to be honest. I liked Richard Wilson in both episodes, particularly his quote after a woman says her leg's grown back. "Well there's a war on, are you sure you haven't miscounted?" Bad Wolf, I thought was OK. I liked the send-up of the shows though I've not watched What Not To Wear and can safely say I've never had the desire to watch Big Brother, but the episode remained engrossing throughout. I think my liking for it was heightened because it had Daleks in it, and well, I like Daleks. Saturday's episode should be the best yet but I fear it may not live up to the hype it seems to be getting. Having said that, the episode Dalek didn't disappoint despite the hype so who knows?

[Nameless]

The Slitheen are RTD's creation and he only has 5 or 6 episodes next series and I doubt he'd use all of them to ramble on about them.

oh thank god.

So will the next series start the same time as this one, or earlier?

Might have to miss Saturday's ep as we're going out to a friend's house for a party and the VCR is scheduled to be taping a documentary Dad wants to tape...Oh well, one more reason why the DVD will be special.

[Paul]

Christmas Invasion (the Christmas special) is likely to air in December, so I'm sure the next series will begin in March 2006.

Oh, and thanks for replying, George, a good read.

[Nameless]

Christmas Invasion (the Christmas special)

A Dr. Who christmas special...that sounds intreging.

March 2006...sounds OK.

[Paul]

You didn't hear of the Christmas special before? It will be the first full-length episode appearance of David Tennant as the Doctor, and it's 60 minutes.

He has around 15 seconds of screentime in The Parting of the Ways.

[EspanolBot]

I wonder if people new to the series will complain about them changing the character?

[Paul]

I thought I'd share these episode download links for those of you who've missed any of the episodes or want to watch one again. I've found this site to be very useful.

The Empty Child (http://lurkingandreading.net/tv/doctor.who.2005.s01e09.ws.pdtv.xvid-gothic%5beztv%5d.avi) (AVI, 349MB)

The Doctor Dances (http://lurkingandreading.net/tv/doctor_who_2005.1x10.the_doctor_dances.ws_pdtv_xvid-fov.avi) (AVI, 351MB)

Boom Town (http://lurkingandreading.net/tv/doctor.who.2005.s01e11.ws.pdtv.xvid-gothic_%5bEZTV%5d.avi) (AVI, 347MB)

Bad Wolf (http://lurkingandreading.net/tv/doctor_who_2005.1x12.bad_wolf.ws_pdtv_xvid-fov.%5bVTV%5d.avi) (AVI, 351MB)

[phil]

How soon are those episodes uploaded after they air? Torrent is so slow.
And don't bother downloading boomtown, people.

[Nameless]

Thanks Paul, those were really interesting.

Airs tonight...with a bit of luck I may get to watch it after all

[Paul]

They're usually uploaded 2 days after they air, although Boom Town was uploaded 1 day after.

[Nameless]

If it's worth anything, www.radiotimes.com (http://www.radiotimes.com), under their highlights on the main page, has a link to the trailer for tonight's finale if anybody wants to watch.

[Paul]

No thanks, I'd rather just wait 2 hours and 13 minutes.

[ItchyScratchy100]

Paul, the files are too big on the episode downloads so I'm sorry but I'll just wait 'till it gets onto DVD, but thanks anyway.

OK, as Paul said, nearly 2 hours 'till the big finale.

[phil]

As far as tonight's episode goes please use spoiler tags until those of us in North America (me) have a chance to download it.

[EspanolBot]

Awesome episode.

[phil]

yeah thanks.

[EspanolBot]

Sorry I didn't read your post. BUt nevertheless, whoa!

[Nameless]

Awesome episode tonight. Got downright scary in places, and wasn't too wise to the Doctor transforming at the end of each series prior to the end of each series, but still fantastic. One of the best.

[Paul]

This was a really great episode, didn't enjoy it as much as Bad Wolf but it was great nonetheless. It had a really interesting storyline, particularly towards the end with the Bad Wolf revelation. I wasn't particularly impressed by David Tennant's appearance as the Doctor, but I can't really judge him by such a small performance. Looking forward to The Christmas Invasion in December. A

[Dorkus Malorkus]

I agree with Paul. The episode was good, but i enjoyed Bad Wolf more. And i also wasn't particularly impressed by David Tennant. I have a feeling he won't be as good as Christopher, but maybe i'm too quick to judge. Am i the only one who feels that the meaning of 'bad wolf' wasn't exactly explained adequately?

[H Thompson]

I agree with Paul. The episode was good, but i enjoyed Bad Wolf more. And i also wasn't particularly impressed by David Tennant. I have a feeling he won't be as good as Christopher, but maybe i'm too quick to judge. Am i the only one who feels that the meaning of 'bad wolf' wasn't exactly explained adequately?

I don't think there's supposed to be any meaning to the words, It just happend to be the name of the t.v company. Rose through looking into the heart of the Tardis gained the power to send the Bad Wolf message throughout time.
And I liked David Tennant

[phil]

so... was it good or not?

[EspanolBot]

Yes, it was. Sorry about before by the way.

[JonHillier]

Bloody brilliant. The episode and the series, all of it. Bring on Christmas!

[George Cauldron]

Awesome episode tonight. Got downright scary in places, and wasn't too wise to the Doctor transforming at the end of each series prior to the end of each series, but still fantastic. One of the best.


It doesn't happen at the end of every series. Tom Baker himself played the Doctor for seven full series, apparently. He just regenerates when the actor playing him has had enough, or when the powers that be decide to replace him themselves. So anybody who's seen the original series, which scene is the best regeneration scene? I go for Peter Davison turning into Colin Baker.

Anyway, tonight's episode, I really enjoyed though I'm not sure it lived up to the hype entirely, but very enjoyable nonetheless. I wonder if the BBC will repeat a few of the older episodes inbetween now and Christmas, not necessarily on Saturday nights. I'm sure there'll be some people who never watched the original stuff who'd like to see it for the first time, make a few comparisons. And then some who want to see it all again.

[Paul]

I'd love to see some of the old Doctor Who episodes, having never seen them before. After 13 solid weeks of pure Saturday night entertainment, I'm wondering what will take the show's place.

[ItchyScratchy100]

Hello everyone...

Now, the episode was personally worth all the wait. I loved every minute of the episode, even David Tennant! ("Where was I...oh yeah, Barcelona." :D) It was hard to watch it though when it actually came on, I had my youngest sister and my youngest nephew round so I decided to tape it from the last 30 minutes of the Doctor Who documentary so I get all of it and a lot more too, if you know what I mean of course.

Nevertheless, enjoyed it a hell of a lot, I'd like to thank the BBC for making such an excellent series, goodbye Eccleston, Hello Tennant, yada-yada-yada. All that jazz.

A+

and for the series: A+.

P.S. Can't wait for Christmas! It's going to be great.

[JonHillier]

I'd love to see some of the old Doctor Who episodes, having never seen them before. After 13 solid weeks of pure Saturday night entertainment, I'm wondering what will take the show's place.

This has been the best television the BBC has made for many years and best Saturday night television in a decade at least.

With Dr. Who this year its like I was ten again waiting for my favourite show all week, it's ridiculous. Not sure what I'm going to do next weekend heh.

[ItchyScratchy100]

Excuse me guys but, I am just about to make a thread where people vote for which was the best episode of the first new series, the problem is that this is the "Doctor Who R/R thread" so I decided to make sure weither (I can't remember the proper spelling) or not it is such a good idea. Is it? If so, then I'm alright. I just wanted to say this just to make sure I don't get bashed for something I didn't even take note of.

Thanks all the same.

P.S. Paul, my advice is if you want to watch classic Dr. Who, then UK Gold is king.

[phil]

okay okay I finally saw it. I liked it a lot, though not as much as 'bad wolf'. but it was still pretty fun. Everything conncluded pretty nicely. If there's anything to complain about the series it was that it was a little bit too silly at some points and that Murray Gold's score was sometimes too over the top.

But as far as Doctor Who series' go this has been one of the best if not the best.

As far as 'regeneration' sequences go this one of course had the best special effects. And the characters invloved are great ones.

George Cauldron mentnioned the one in Caves of Androzani but I think the regenration sequence (along with the unfortunate magmabeast) were the two flaws in an otherwise brilliant story (despite fake-acccent Peri being a lousy companion compared with Rose). Davison's Doctor had past companions cheesily encouraging him to survive while Anthony Ainley's Master kept shouting 'DIE DOCTOR DIE!' in his hammy, hammy manner.

Tom Baker's regenration into Peter Davison was confusing and kind of lame, Logopolis is an overrated story and a poor conclusion to the legendary Tom Baker era.

Jon Pertwee into Tom Baker was nothing special. Brigadier Stewart basically cooly saying 'Call the medic, the Doctor's changed again' while Sarah Jane's all like 'WTF?'.

Patrick Troughton's conclusion was the best, he saves the day and what happens to him? The Time Lords punish him for meddling around in time, erase the memories of his friends, strip him of his powers and exiles him on earth. End of the series.

The first regeneration sequence is incomplete because the BBC destroyed episodes in whole or in part.

The less said about the TV movie the better.

But parting of the ways was good, at least the Doctor gives his companion some sort of warning this time. David Tennant looks more like the Doctor in the traditional sense in that he actually has a fair amount of hair. I think he'll be great.

If you want an introduction to Doctor Who download the very first episode from 1963 somewhere. It's called 'An Unearthly Child'. Make sure you get the first 25 minute episode and not the 3 that follow (which are kind of lame). But the first episode is amazing albeit a bit dated (but it IS from 1963).

The most legendary Doctor is Tom Baker's portrayl. Some of his better episodes include The Ark in Space, Genesis of the Daleks, Revenge of the Cybermen, Pyramids of Mars, The Android Invasion, The Robots of Death, The Deadly Assasin, and City of Death. The Pirate Planet is good (it was written by Douglas Adams) but it's part of a whole 'Key to Time' story that's part of the whole season.

[Dorkus Malorkus]

phew.

can we talk without spoilers yet?

one of the funniest things in the episode though, was seeing anne droid getting her head 'exterminated'

[H Thompson]

I can't say I like how dominant the human emotional stuff in it is and some dodgy, humour I understand it, but It just annoys me that looking at clips of old ones, they didn't try and make it a cheesy CBBC drama type thing, and Rose is far too important in the story it really should just be about the doctor and the adventures in Space and strange planets and times, not going back to modern day earth every episode.
Also did it not used to be kind of taboo for the doctor and his assistant to be romantically involved. I know it's necessary to appeal to a wider audience to justify a good budget but it's annoying.

I'm guess I'm just annoyed I'm of a generation that's been deprived of Doctor Who as a child.
I don't think there's been a saturday evening program I watched for 10 years, um I think I liked gladiators as a child other than that nothing.

[Nameless]

Would adore seeing some of the old episodes, yeah.

OK...we can stop using spoiler tags now...

So, who's getting the boxset for this series, out November 21? I know I am, probably wait until Christmas though.

[Dorkus Malorkus]

my dad will...i may borrow it for the extras

[Nameless]

What are the extras going to be, anyway? I've never brought any BBC DVDs before

[ItchyScratchy100]

So, who's getting the boxset for this series, out November 21?

Yes, exactly 1 day after my birthday as I said.

Oh, and for anybody who missed the regeneration, just click on the link on my new sig and there you go.

[Nameless]

OK, it appears BBC are going to show things like "Only Fools and Horses" on Saturday nights...so it looks like the Dr. Who eps won't be repeated.

[EspanolBot]

It's funny that now that they'v finished the count-down to yesterday's episode, they seem to be counting down to the Christmas one.

[Paul]

The Parting of the Ways is now up on the website:

Link (http://lurkingandreading.net/tv/doctor_who_2005.1x13.the_parting_of_the_ways.ws_pdtv_xvid-fov.avi) (350MB)

[Nameless]

I was at a friend's house last night and got to watch the BBC3 repeat of "The Parting Of The Ways", and it blacked out at several points, then resumed, skipping out the animation from the blackout...did anyone else notice this?

[phil]

Doctor's new costume is revealed!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/gallery/tennant/1024/t1.jpg

Definitely more traditional! Looks awesome. Billie looks nice too.

[JonHillier]

Yeah I saw this a few days ago on the BBC website. I really like it. They described it as geek chic, which is pretty accurate. Perfect stuff.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/05/entertainment_enl_1122308685/img/1.jpg

You can see the extent of it on the full photo. Love the trainers too. I just love Tennant as an actor anyway, the costume really suits his character.

[George Cauldron]

More interestingly, it looks like Elisabeth Sladen will be returning to the show as Sarah Jane. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4714061.stm

[Paul]

A spin-off series starring John Barrowman as Captain Jack has been commissioned:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d5/Torchwood.png/200px-Torchwood.png

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torchwood

I loathed Captain Jack and I think John Barrowman is a terrible actor, but we'll see.

[EspanolBot]

Sounds good.

[JonHillier]

I kind of liked him, I'm really looking forward to this. There aren't enough bisexual timetravellers on TV, so this should help.

[Snack Related Mishap]

A spin-off series starring John Barrowman as Captain Jack has been commissioned:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d5/Torchwood.png/200px-Torchwood.png

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torchwood

I loathed Captain Jack and I think John Barrowman is a terrible actor, but we'll see.

Nooooooooo.

I mean I like the new series and all, and I didn't hate the character, but a whole series about him seems like it would be a bit, I don't know, shitty. However, I do have to say i like the new costume for the doctor. Look more like the stufff from the original series :headbang .