The 2007 Doctor Who (and spin-offs) Thread

[2099net]

Netty, according to DVDTimes the next release for Doctor Who after the New Beginnings Boxset will be Sylvester McCoy's Survival, coming April 3, 2007.

Yeah. Before the regime change

Remember my Ultimate DVD post on Survival? It will be interesting to see how many of my selections are included on the disc (given there was a thread on the Restoration Team forum asking for information on The Destiny of the Doctors CD-Rom game, I guess the links with the Master will be in). Ultimate DVD: Survival

As for Love & Monsters well, it has grown on me. Like most of Russell's writing, it has incredible depth and rewatchability. But forget all that, it did something different, had a the main character say he had to invent a "rudimentary pulley system" to get his boots, and it features three, yes all three of the "keywords" for the three series – "Bad Wolf", "Torchwood" and "Saxon". "Bad Wolf" and "Torchwood" were even mentioned in consecutive sentences. Now that's writing!

Seriously, it has lots of depth to it, if you care to look. Or it could just be a silly runaround to amuse the kids.

Let me tell you a story (and it's pretty much all true sadly):

Once upon a time, Doctor Who fandom was new and exciting. People who shared an interest in the programme organized small local groups where they could discuss the show, or anything else they fancied. People who only had one thing in common, the programme, soon found out that they had lots more in common, and long lasting friendships were made.

Then in the 1980s, fandom became organized. "Superfans" wanted to document and analyze everything about the programme. People weren't allowed to have their own opinions – anyone who disagreed with the "received wisdom" of these "superfans" was often mocked. Fandom became nasty and spiteful. The "Superfans" thought that they could make the show better than the production crew at the BBC and often printed as much in their fanzines*. The "Superfans" didn't find simple enjoyment in the programme and its imagination, they wanted to absorb all the information that they could. They wanted to dissect and control everything about Doctor Who.

But then the show was resurrected. It had a bold new modern style**. It attracted new viewers and fans who expressed their own opinions and critics. And some of the old "superfans" didn't like it.

Sound familiar?

But there's so much more to the episode. It's not only an (inside) critic at fandom, but its all about how The Doctor touches other people's lives, and how those lives are affected. It appears that Elton has suffered the most at being involved with The Doctor – after all his mother was killed as a child, and his friends were either absorbed by a monster or became a paving stone. But even Elton admits… without The Doctor he would never have met Ursula or the rest of LI'nDA. It was only because of the Doctor Elton was able to find love. It was only because of The Doctor Bliss, Mr Skinner and the others found acceptance and each other. At the end, Elton's still satisfied. Satisfied he met the Doctor, happy that everything that happened as a result of his childhood meeting brought him friendship and love. He knows that life is a combination of positive and negative, and he accepts the negative as well as the positive. But he wonders if Rose will be able to do the same.

But there's still more. We learn a lot about Jackie, and how she feels about being left behind. And for the first time, we learn how strong Jackie can be. She starts out as the comedy character she always is, but by the end we see she is made of steel.

In addition Russell plays about with the narrative and breaking the fourth wall (especially in Elton's to camera bits, or the "Scooby Doo" chase which shows the Doctor and Rose life from an outsider's point of view - always chasing and being chased by monsters).

I honestly thought that this episode was one of the worst of the New Series (I still thought The Long Game was the worst). The Abzorbaloff didn't help (but I did like him as Victor Kennedy) But now, I think its one of the series' best written scripts, even if its not the best realized on screen.

* Think I'm kidding. Check out http://nzdwfc.tetrap.com/archive/tsv6/editorial.html

** I personally think Victor Kennedy's speech about not liking to be touched "physically or emotionally" is a dig at the old-school fandom which constant criticizes the "soap" aspects of the new series, especially Rose's family.

[2099net]

Good Lord!

Is Doctor Who becoming the BBC's Law and Order or CSI? Another Spin-off is in the works!

It appears David Tennant is contracted for 3 years (until the end of the Fourth Series of the revived show) which will be screened in 2008. There has been no official confirmation from the BBC of a fourth series though.

Torchwood has been renewed for 2007, and "promoted" to BBC2 from BBC3.

Sarah Jane Adventures is according to some sources, definitely going to run for "three or four years". The New Year's day pilot/special had a budget three times the amount of a Doctor Who episode (but some of that budget was swallowed up on building the standing sets required for the run of the series).

Meanwhile BBC3 is working on a new spin-off to premiere on it's channel in 2007/8. (see Here)

"We are developing a new show. It's in the pretty advanced stages and hopefully we'll see it in a few months."

So for 2007 it looks like we have:

* Doctor Who
* Torchwood (promoted to BBC2)
* The Sarah Jane Adventures (the series may be renamed)
* Doctor Who Confidential (documentary series)
* Totally Doctor Who (children's magazine program)
* Unspecified BBC3 spin-off currently under development.

Please, please, please be a comedy spin-off with Elton from Love & Monsters. He "Investigates 'N Detects" signs of aliens around London (with the help of Ursula who he keeps in his backpack when out and about, you know, investigating) while listening to ELO and he has help from new group of misfits making a new "LInDA". But always gets back home in time for a cup of tea with his landlady (and some air-guitar).

[Loomis]

Good Lord!

Is Doctor Who becoming the BBC's Law and Order or CSI? Another Spin-off is in the works!

It appears David Tennant is contracted for 3 years (until the end of the Fourth Series of the revived show) which will be screened in 2008. There has been no official confirmation from the BBC of a fourth series though.

This is what worries me about the new Doctor Who - they've got themselves a winner, and are in danger of overstretching themselves (just like a jogger who never jogs).

For the primary series itself, I think it should end at 3 or 4 years. It should still be on a high, and it will give fans a few years off to breathe and still be keen for another go-around. Who knows, it may even pave the way for a proper movie, as one could definitely be successful in the current climate.

The spin-offs are less of a danger of diluting the franchise, as they are distinct enough to stand on their own I think. While I've not seen Torchwood yet, it appears to have its own identity. The other two proposals also have their very different audiences, and it isn't quite CSI: Miami so much as it Sesame Street and the Muppets: similar concepts, different audiences (certainly with the case of the kids magazine format).

Did I just come up with another spin-off? Late-night variety show with the Face of Boe as the host? The Ood could be the band!

[2099net]

As well has including Love Don't Roam the song from the upcoming Doctor Who Xmas Special - The Runaway Bride, the new soundtrack CD includes an extended Song for Ten (the music playing over the 10th Doctor choosing his clothes in The Christmas Invasion). The new lyrics are... interesting:

So have a good life,
Do it for me.
Make me so proud,
Like you want me to be.
Wherever you are,
I'm thinking of you.
Oceans apart I want you to know...

... La La La La ...

Well I woke up today,
And you're on the other side,
Our time will never come again.
But if you can still dream,
Close your eyes and it'll seem
That you can see me now and then
Yeah
I wish today was just like any other day
'cos today has been the best day
Everything I ever dreamed.

Intresting, in that they seem to reflect on the Doctor's thoughts on Rose post Doomsday. I expect this song will be in The Runaway Bride too.

[2099net]

Want to see stills from the BBC's Spring 2007 presentation given to the media a few days ago? Well, click on the link below to see The Doctor, his new suit, his new companion Martha, as well as vampires, space rhinos and New York showgirls.

http://freemaagyeman.com/news/2006/12/1 ... ription/1/

I'm very excited about Martha Jones joining the TARDIS.

[2099net]

Check out the new Runaway Bride trailer, which features Evil Spider monsters and... an evil Shouty Catherine Tate monster

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/chec ... eadySeen=1

[2099net]

The BBC have put the Sarah Jane Adventures site live:

www.bbc.co.uk/sja/

here you can explore Sarah's attic and find out more about her alien objects and souveniers

[2099net]

Sci-Fi channel buys Season Three

From Outpost Gallifrey:
"The American cable network Sci Fi Channel has announced that they have secured the rights to air Series Three starting in the summer of 2007, according to a note on their Doctor Who page. Sci Fi completed the airing of Series Two with the double-bill of "Army of Ghosts" and "Doomsday" last night.

Series Three will air on the BBC in the UK this coming Spring; if this plan by Sci Fi in the US holds, it will be the earliest turnaround of episode broadcasts since the start of the new series (Series One having taken a full year; Series Two, six months)."

Looks like in 2007, you'll only be a few weeks behind the UK!

[bradhig]

I was cracking up when the Daleks were talking smack to the cybermen in doomsday.

[Maerj]

I was cracking up when the Daleks were talking smack to the cybermen in doomsday.

Ne too! The whole ending was great, its what fans have been wanting to see for years. Cybermen and Daleks fighting...sweet! I felt so bad for Rose and the Doctor though. At least they didn't kill her.

I wonder when we will get the Christmas episode?

[2099net]

I've just read this on Outpost Gallifrey from somebody who has the US Season 2 set for review:

Of particular interest is that the R1 edition has the proper version of the "Children in Need" special, not the incomplete sound edit that got onto the R2 by mistake.

[I am the Doctor]

Of particular interest is that the R1 edition has the proper version of the "Children in Need" special, not the incomplete sound edit that got onto the R2 by mistake.

Now I'm so glad I waited for the US version, rather than picking up the R2 set.

Good news to hear about SciFi picking up Series Three. Now I'm hoping to hear about a pick up of Torchwood, either by SciFi or perhaps BBCAmerica.

[2099net]

Information about the DVD release of "Survival" is leaking out.

From the restoration team's Steve Roberts:

OK, even though they haven't issued a press release yet, they've said it's OK to talk about the Survival release in general terms. Which means I still can't say very much, but I can tell you that it's a double-disc release, with around three hours of extra features, including three specially made documentaries as well as off-the-shelf material and even something from JNT's private collection.

and

don't think I should say at this point, although I would say that it shouldn't come as much of a surprise. There's also the DWM competition fan commentary for episode three, although I haven't heard it.

And fans of multi-channel sound and isolated scores will have plenty to be excited about too...

Somebody asked if Andrew Cartmel was involved... Of course he is! Andrew is a key figure in that era and would probably hunt us down and kill us if we tried to release one of his stories without his input! In fact, so dedicated is he that he changed his holiday plans in order to meet a recording date with us - top bloke!

Its a 2 disc release! I wonder how close it will be to my "Ultimate DVD" speculation Here

Its good that a 75 minute story, is getting about 180 minutes of extras (more if you count the soundtrack and subtitle options too!)

Sounds like it will at least have: Commentary x3 episodes, Fan Commentary x1 episode, 5.1 Remix x3 episodes and Isolated score x3 as well as the Master scenes from the game "Destiny of the Doctors" (as information was requested about these on the Restoration Team forum a few months ago).

[2099net]

Update: The full Survival DVD specs are out!

From the BBC Site:

Disc 1

Main commentary withith Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred and script-editor Andrew Cartmel.

Second commentary (episode three only). Fan commentary from the winners of a recent Doctor Who Magazine competition.

Cat Flap - a two-part documentary covering the making of Survival. Part One covers set-up and pre-production, Part Two covers shooting and post-production. With Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred, Lisa Bowerman, Will Barton, Sakuntala Ramanee and Adele Silva, script editor Andrew Cartmel, director Alan Wareing, visual effects assistant Mike Tucker, composer Dominic Glynn and costume designer Ken Trew. Narrated by Paul Ewing.

Deleted and Extended Scenes - material from the first edit of the story that didn't make the final cut, plus comparisons of some of the scenes before and after the video effects were added.

Out-takes and comedy moments from the production of the story.

Continuities and trailers from the original BBC1 transmission.

Photo Gallery - production and behind-the-scenes stills from the making of the story.

Isolated Score - option to view the story with synchronous isolated music.

Radio Times listings in Adobe pdf format for viewing on PC or Mac.

Programme subtitles and subtitle production notes.

Disc 2


Endgame - Why was Doctor Who cancelled at the end of Season 26? What might have been in store for the Doctor and Ace if the series had continued into Season 27? With Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred, script editor Andrew Cartmel, writers Ben Aaronovitch and Colin Brake, BBC Head of Drama Series Peter Cregeen, composer Mark Ayres and visual effects designer Mike Tucker. Narrated by Paul Ewing.

Search Out Science - a schools programme featuring the Doctor and Ace, with Stephen Johnson and K9.

Little Girl Lost - A retrospective look at the development of Sophie Aldred's character, Ace, from her first story, Dragonfire through to her last, Survival. With Sophie Aldred, creator Ian Briggs and script editor Andrew Cartmel.

Destiny of the Doctors - Anthony Ainley's last appearance as The Master, in these links from the 1997 computer game.

Survival will be released on 3 April 2007.

[TM2-Megatron]

I wish they'd change their approach to putting the old series on DVD at this point... even Paramount (arguably the biggest rip-off company in terms of DVD releases) gave up issuing Star Trek on 2 or 3-episode DVD releases. I know there are some missing episodes, but I wish the BBC would just go ahead with it and start releasing full season sets of Doctor Who starting from the very first year. There's no way I'm ever going to buy all this little DVD releases. Thankfully, my local library system has a great many of them, so I can get them when I feel like watching

I'm not really an "old school" fan, having been born in 1983. However, since this new show started, I have watched many of the old episodes on DVDs. I can certainly understand the need to differentiate the new series from the old, and give it its own voice; and why RTD may be hesistant to bring back that many of the old allies/villains.

However, I really think they should bring back the Master. He'd make an excellent villain for the current Doctor to face. That could be the background element to an entire season (like 'bad wolf' in 1, 'Torchwood' in 2, etc.). The Master being alive would not only give the Doctor a formidable opponent [for once], but also cause a great deal of conflict in him as well. At the moment he imagines himself the only living member of his species... if he discovered there was another, but that other was evil; it would make for a certain degree of emotional conflict on his part.

It was already made clear in The Five Doctors that a Time Lord could, in theory, be granted an entirely new cycle of regenerations. Several story elements already used in the series so far have been either creatures or ships that escaped the Time War before its end. Given that the Master is a rather manipulative individual... and given that the Time Lords would've been desperate for any help they could get in fighting the Time War, it's entirely possible the Master used their desperation to get himself a new life cycle and a TARDIS. After that, he could've slipped away at some convenient time, leaving the rest of his people to be annihilated.

[2099net]

I wish they'd change their approach to putting the old series on DVD at this point... even Paramount (arguably the biggest rip-off company in terms of DVD releases) gave up issuing Star Trek on 2 or 3-episode DVD releases. I know there are some missing episodes, but I wish the BBC would just go ahead with it and start releasing full season sets of Doctor Who starting from the very first year. There's no way I'm ever going to buy all this little DVD releases. Thankfully, my local library system has a great many of them, so I can get them when I feel like watching

Well, in all honestly, I prefer it this way. 10 releases a year, 2 "standard" (but still including commentaries and production notes), 1 boxset and 7 "special" editions. What other TV show gives you 180 minutes of extras (280 if you include the commentaries) for 75 minutes of actual content?

I have all but 2 of the stories on VHS, so I'm buying these for the extras, and I love it!

I'm not really an "old school" fan, having been born in 1983. However, since this new show started, I have watched many of the old episodes on DVDs. I can certainly understand the need to differentiate the new series from the old, and give it its own voice; and why RTD may be hesistant to bring back that many of the old allies/villains.

Well Gallifrey (the Doctor's home planet) was mentioned for the 1st time in The Runaway Bride and well, The Face of Boe's secret is long rumoured to be "You are not alone" (the Doctor Who Magazine Series 2 companion confirms these four words are originally scripted for New Earth until it was decided to bring Boe back for series 3) and... The Series 3 trailer seems to have a group of people running past a background consisting of Gallifreyan Symbols. Could the TimeLords (or some of them at least) have survived and be returning?

And who is this mysterious "Saxon" who is the new plot arc for S3? I wouldn't be surprised if he's the Master to be honest.

However, I really think they should bring back the Master. He'd make an excellent villain for the current Doctor to face. That could be the background element to an entire season (like 'bad wolf' in 1, 'Torchwood' in 2, etc.). The Master being alive would not only give the Doctor a formidable opponent [for once], but also cause a great deal of conflict in him as well. At the moment he imagines himself the only living member of his species... if he discovered there was another, but that other was evil; it would make for a certain degree of emotional conflict on his part.

It was already made clear in The Five Doctors that a Time Lord could, in theory, be granted an entirely new cycle of regenerations. Several story elements already used in the series so far have been either creatures or ships that escaped the Time War before its end. Given that the Master is a rather manipulative individual... and given that the Time Lords would've been desperate for any help they could get in fighting the Time War, it's entirely possible the Master used their desperation to get himself a new life cycle and a TARDIS. After that, he could've slipped away at some convenient time, leaving the rest of his people to be annihilated.

Well, in the TV movie the Master was swallowed by a portal to the Eye of Harmony in the TARDIS (the black hole that gives the TimeLords their power). If you remember in The Christmas Invasion just after the Doctor has regenerated (after absorbing the power of the Vortex from Rose... who got it from the heart of the TARDIS) he breathes some out, which floats off into space. As it does so, we hear a strange chattering sound. I personally think this is RTD "get out" should he bring the Master back. His essence escaped when the heart of the TARDIS was opened, and has since found a new host.

And being as this Saxon looks set to be the new British Prime Minister after the Doctor brought down Harriet Jones, the timing is just about right too.

[TM2-Megatron]

Well, in all honestly, I prefer it this way. 10 releases a year, 2 "standard" (but still including commentaries and production notes), 1 boxset and 7 "special" editions. What other TV show gives you 180 minutes of extras (280 if you include the commentaries) for 75 minutes of actual content?

I have all but 2 of the stories on VHS, so I'm buying these for the extras, and I love it!

Maybe the pricing is better in the UK, but they're outrageously priced here in Canada. One of the DVDs sometimes costs half of what an entire season of another show might (admittedly, both Season 1 and 2 of the new series go for double what most shows do, which is also a rip-off).

Well Gallifrey (the Doctor's home planet) was mentioned for the 1st time in The Runaway Bride and well, The Face of Boe's secret is long rumoured to be "You are not alone" (the Doctor Who Magazine Series 2 companion confirms these four words are originally scripted for New Earth until it was decided to bring Boe back for series 3) and... The Series 3 trailer seems to have a group of people running past a background consisting of Gallifreyan Symbols. Could the TimeLords (or some of them at least) have survived and be returning?

I'd actually rather not see a whole lot of Time Lords show up like that, especially all at once. Who knows whether they're actually dead or not... although personally my money's on "not". My theory is that they're currently occupying some hyper-dimensional realm in a "higher state of existence"... having been removed to there somehow around the end of the Time War. Perhaps it was the result of some advanced weapon they used as a final assault against the Daleks... the catch being that using it would also banish them to this place.

Well, in the TV movie the Master was swallowed by a portal to the Eye of Harmony in the TARDIS (the black hole that gives the TimeLords their power). If you remember in The Christmas Invasion just after the Doctor has regenerated (after absorbing the power of the Vortex from Rose... who got it from the heart of the TARDIS) he breathes some out, which floats off into space. As it does so, we hear a strange chattering sound. I personally think this is RTD "get out" should he bring the Master back. His essence escaped when the heart of the TARDIS was opened, and has since found a new host.

And being as this Saxon looks set to be the new British Prime Minister after the Doctor brought down Harriet Jones, the timing is just about right too.

That might be allright... but at this point it would be nice see the Master once more in a body that's genetically Gallifreyan. Ever since his final body died, his "spirit" might still be that of a Time Lord, but he's been occupying bodies of decidedly inferior lineage. And he really needs to get a TARDIS... it seems like forever since he's had one. I suppose even as a human, it's possible he could build some kind of a TARDIS-like machine, perhaps using technology acquired by Torchwood.

[2099net]

It might be expensive for the season sets, but you do get literally 17 hours of extras on the S2 set for example (and about 13 on the S1 set).

That might be allright... but at this point it would be nice see the Master once more in a body that's genetically Gallifreyan. Ever since his final body died, his "spirit" might still be that of a Time Lord, but he's been occupying bodies of decidedly inferior lineage. And he really needs to get a TARDIS... it seems like forever since he's had one. I suppose even as a human, it's possible he could build some kind of a TARDIS-like machine, perhaps using technology acquired by Torchwood.

Final speculation: One of the stories in S3 is based on the Doctor Who Novel Human Nature. In this, the Doctor uses nanotechnology to literally reengineer himself as a human (and remove his memories) so he can truely learn what it means to be human. In the book, a family of aliens are after the nanotech technology imprinted with the Gallifreyan biodata (which will be used to change him back), wanting to use it to become TimeLords themselves. This seems to be true of the new series story too (the story is in 2 parts and part 2 is called "Family of Blood"). But... but... what if the nanotechnology falls into somebody elses hands at the climax... somebody like... "Saxon"?

[TM2-Megatron]

It might be expensive for the season sets, but you do get literally 17 hours of extras on the S2 set for example (and about 13 on the S1 set).

The extras are good, I know... and the episodes themselves are great, as well. It's still hard to justify $90-$100 for a single season of an episode... and I imagine it's overpriced slightly due to the fact it's an import show, despite the fact both sets are fairly mass produced.

Final speculation: One of the stories in S3 is based on the Doctor Who Novel Human Nature. In this, the Doctor uses nanotechnology to literally reengineer himself as a human (and remove his memories) so he can truely learn what it means to be human. In the book, a family of aliens are after the nanotech technology imprinted with the Gallifreyan biodata (which will be used to change him back), wanting to use it to become TimeLords themselves. This seems to be true of the new series story too (the story is in 2 parts and part 2 is called "Family of Blood"). But... but... what if the nanotechnology falls into somebody elses hands at the climax... somebody like... "Saxon"?

Now that isn't a bad idea. I have to say, though, the Doctor's use of that nanotechnology is in extremely poor taste.... I can't understand why anyone would choose to become human.

And that, I think, is one of the few complaints I have about the new series; basically, the Doctor's fascination with Humanity... and just because they're overly curious? The Doctor's own people (and probably many others) have accomplished much more. And humanity frequently engages in barbaric practices... even, apparently in the far future if the slavery of the Ood is any indication. IMO, they've got to be one of the most embarrassing species in the cosmos.

[2099net]

Well, the New Adventure novel was part of a "arc" where the Doctor was full of angst... the great cosmic chess player who had plans within plans, traps within traps ... and his friends were suffering from his crusades - especially the book immediately before Human Nature; Sanctuary his companion Benny (short for Bernice) falls in love with somebody and has to watch him die (and he didn't know how to comfort her not having experienced the feelings). So that's sort of why he did it. He just wanted to live a "normal" life, just for a while. For a rest and so he could understand the lives of the people he so often saves.

And it sort of works, because he does lead a normal life for a while, and he falls in love. After Human Nature, the seventh Doctor (who became quite dark and aloof in the novels which played up the manipulator side of the character) becomes more human.

I'm not sure what the excuse/reasoning will be for the TV story though.