Doctor Who *spoilers*

[SUPERECWFAN1]

So I just finished Dr.Who and the Dalek's episode arc and "Edge & Brink of Disastor" shows. Nice ones....and I got to the one I really wanted to see. The Marco Polo episode arc and its sadly gone. Though on Youtube.com some fans managed to get the 1st episode in animated form and using still pictures from the episode.

So this is one of the famous "lost" episodes as one of you told me last week. Its a damn shame.... I so wanted to see it...

[ChrisIII]

There is still the novel, done by the same guy who wrote it, John Lucarotti.


Drwhoguide.com (An excellent resource for summaries of the serials, novels, and audios) has this feature on Marco Polo:


http://www.drwhoguide.com/polo/polo.htm

[SUPERECWFAN1]

There is still the novel, done by the same guy who wrote it, John Lucarotti.


Drwhoguide.com (An excellent resource for summaries of the serials, novels, and audios) has this feature on Marco Polo:


http://www.drwhoguide.com/polo/polo.htm

Awesome ....I been reading the Polo episode. Such a sad shame that its gone. Sounds like they did a hell of a job on it as a story-arc.

[ChrisIII]

Yeah, unfortunately the historical serials (Stories with no real sci-fi trappings apart from the TARDIS/Doctor etc.) are mostly lost or incomplete-Exceptions include "The Aztecs" "The Romans" (Which are good Hartnell stories but in seperate ways) as well as the Fifth Doctor serial "Black Orchid" (Which is an upcoming DVD release).


Interestingly, one of the original goals of Doctor Who was for it to be "Edutainment" in a sense, with the Doctor traveling in time to historical eras and having adventures with historical figures. The Young Indiana Jones chronicles-which actually had a few of the Doctor actors guest-star in a few episodes-sort of had a similar concept (Minus the time travel, of course!).

However, with sci-fi stories like "The Daleks" this concept went out the window.

Still, I still don't think the program really adjusted to it's most consistent formula until the Troughton era, where historicals were phased out, humor became more a part of the Doctor's character and monsters became pretty much the focus of the show. Still Hartnell was very influential.

Speaking of Troughton, Troughton's son David has been cast in the season 4 finale. With Georgia Moffat(Davison's daughter) already cast and Sean Pertwee apparentally interested in a role, it almost feels like some kind of legacy thing. This won't be Troughton's first appearence in the show-he appeared in Enemy of The World and was King Peladon in "Curse of Peladon".

Interestingly Dave's name has come up as a potential Doctor in the past, and had the 1996 TV movie not been made he would've become the 'model', for the Eighth Doctor in the novels. However, RTD apparentally doesn't want a Doctor that's too old.

It's interesting however that David does kind of look like he'd make a good Davros.....

[ChrisIII]

On Dark Horse's solicits for April they have the WETA sculptures for the new series Dalek and Cybercontroller (There's also a third Delgado master one on the way). They look pretty nifty, but are probably too costly....

[Green Goblin]

itrs the sontaron episodes and the finale just to see who the villain is going to be , I think they should bring back the ice warriors , I kinda of like red dawn , do you think it could be apodt as a tv story

[ChrisIII]

There was a rumor that the Ice Warriors were going to be in season 3, but that turned out to be either false or plans changed.


Although they were kind of mentioned indirectly in "The Christmas Invasion" which in itself is very similar to the Ice Warriors novel "The Dying Days".

[king mob]

However, RTD apparentally doesn't want a Doctor that's too old.



Though whoever replaces RTD might want an older actor but that's probably unlikely.

[Stressfactor]

The only thing is there won't be any more animated missing episodes as there was with The Invasion

Really? Then what are they going to do with "The Ice Warriors"? Release the same version they did on VHS? I noticed that "Ice Warriors" was not included on the "Lost in Time" Troughton Years DVD.

I really wish they would animate "Ice Warriors" since 1) it's only missing two episodes, 2) The company that did "The Invasion" must still have the computer files for the Doctor and Jamie and all they would have to do would be to make some tweaks to Zoe and turn her into Victoria then create the handful of other supporting cast members needed. 3) The VHS version is a bit of a cop-out since they take TWO 25 minute episodes and condense them down to a 15 minute ticker. 15 MINUTES! Gah! Big chunk of the subplot gets lost!

[thehod]

Rewatching Human Nature / Family of Blood on BBC3 at the moment.

My God these are just brilliant episodes. Certainly the best TV of last year, and probably the best thing I've watched in the last five.

[ChrisIII]

Paul Cornell actually based it on his own Seventh Doctor novel. Both are good but in different ways...

I wonder if we'll ever see an adaptation of Lance Parkin's "Father Time" which is kind of similar to Human Nature in concept.



BTW has anybody seen the prototypes for Character Option's new figures?

Apparentally we're getting Movie Daleks(Either that of the Dalek Supreme from "Planet of the Daleks"), TV series Daleks (Not sure which color), Special Weapons Dalek, and a Tenth Planet Cyberman to start.

[Cyke]

I just wanted to share this remix:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=dKYOR7wRWiY

IMO, a better combination of Gold and Howell's theme than the one we got for the Voyage of the Damned/Series 4. It's a bit messy midway through, and I wish the orchestra (especially the string instruments) was a bit more prominent, but still preferable, I think.

Whenever I read the synopsis for the Sinestro Corps War or Annihilation: Conquest, I have to play that song in the background :)

[Jeff Brady]

I just wanted to share this remix:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=dKYOR7wRWiY

IMO, a better combination of Gold and Howell's theme than the one we got for the Voyage of the Damned/Series 4. It's a bit messy midway through, and I wish the orchestra (especially the string instruments) was a bit more prominent, but still preferable, I think.

Ugh, no. That was painful to look at, too.

[king mob]

Really? Then what are they going to do with "The Ice Warriors"? Release the same version they did on VHS? I noticed that "Ice Warriors" was not included on the "Lost in Time" Troughton Years DVD.

I really wish they would animate "Ice Warriors" since 1) it's only missing two episodes, 2) The company that did "The Invasion" must still have the computer files for the Doctor and Jamie and all they would have to do would be to make some tweaks to Zoe and turn her into Victoria then create the handful of other supporting cast members needed. 3) The VHS version is a bit of a cop-out since they take TWO 25 minute episodes and condense them down to a 15 minute ticker. 15 MINUTES! Gah! Big chunk of the subplot gets lost!

Character designs & audio synching (every episode of Who still exists as an audio tape) were done for the Ice Warriors awaiting approval of budget so the Bob Godfrey studio could crack on with it, sadly it did boil down to the Invasion selling naff all even compared to McCoy's & Colin Baker's DVD's.

The project is currently not cancelled, just suspended until a minor miracle happens.

[Cyke]

Ugh, no. That was painful to look at, too.

Well, I didn't paste it for the visuals, y'know. Editing jobs like that on youtube are a dime a dozen! :)

[Stressfactor]

Character designs & audio synching (every episode of Who still exists as an audio tape) were done for the Ice Warriors awaiting approval of budget so the Bob Godfrey studio could crack on with it, sadly it did boil down to the Invasion selling naff all even compared to McCoy's & Colin Baker's DVD's.

The project is currently not cancelled, just suspended until a minor miracle happens.

Well, yay that the character work and audio are done but boo that it's suspended.

I can't understand why "The Invasion" didn't sell well -- I enjoyed the animation, the story is tons of fun (plus it features my fave -- the Second Doctor), Vaughn is an excellent villain (I love the sequence where he orders Watkins to shoot him and then when Watkins pulls the trigger.....), its got the Brig in it... it's nearly perfect!

Another animation candidate occurred to me last night -- "The Tenth Planet" is only missing one episode.

I suppose many will disagree with me but when it comes to Cybermen VOICES (mind, I'm only talking about the voices) my favorite are the ones they used for "Tomb of the Cybermen" followed by a close second for the voice effects used for them in "The Tenth Planet". I liked that the "Tenth Planet" voices sounded both human and electronic -- an echo of humanity among the technology.

[Asmith]

Rewatching Human Nature / Family of Blood on BBC3 at the moment.

My God these are just brilliant episodes. Certainly the best TV of last year, and probably the best thing I've watched in the last five.

I read your post yesterday and disagreed with it as I found Human Nature and Family of Blood to be a bit dull on my first viewing. So I went and watched them again to see if it was just the frame of mind I was in at the time.

And surely enough, yes, these are probably the two stand out episodes of the second series. Like Blink, I'm finding that with these new Dr Who series that I'm enjoying the episodes where the Doctor plays a much lighter role in the story to be my more enjoyed ones.

[Sanagi]

I suppose many will disagree with me but when it comes to Cybermen VOICES (mind, I'm only talking about the voices) my favorite are the ones they used for "Tomb of the Cybermen" followed by a close second for the voice effects used for them in "The Tenth Planet". I liked that the "Tenth Planet" voices sounded both human and electronic -- an echo of humanity among the technology.
The Cybermen certainly were much more frightening in those early forms. The voices and characterization of Cybermen post-Troughton were much less effective. It wasn't until the new series revived them that they became convincing enemies again.

[king mob]

Another animation candidate occurred to me last night -- "The Tenth Planet" is only missing one episode.



There is a rumour that the Restoration Team have done some work on this as it would have been another candidate for the animation treatment.

[Stressfactor]

There is a rumour that the Restoration Team have done some work on this as it would have been another candidate for the animation treatment.


Cooooooool. I will pray for a miracle so I can get more animated Troughton and animated Hartnell to boot!

[Stressfactor]

I just wanted to share this remix:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=dKYOR7wRWiY

IMO, a better combination of Gold and Howell's theme than the one we got for the Voyage of the Damned/Series 4. It's a bit messy midway through, and I wish the orchestra (especially the string instruments) was a bit more prominent, but still preferable, I think.

Whenever I read the synopsis for the Sinestro Corps War or Annihilation: Conquest, I have to play that song in the background :)

Personally, I'm rather fond of this remix... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWzfeKEn54E

[Cyke]

Personally, I'm rather fond of this remix... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWzfeKEn54E

Heh, to me, it sounds too much like a cheap TV special, like a clip show or a behind-the-scenes look. I suppose it's the too-peppy drumbeats.

Well, I was never fond of the Eighth Doctor's theme and all. It didn't sound weird like the other themes, it just sounded like your standard Americanized made-for-tv movie (which it was, I know, blah blah). I do prefer their Time Vortex than the one in NuWho, though.

But hey, different strokes for different folks and all :)

[Green Goblin]

I recently got the Resurrection of the Daleks dvd and notice that the daleks plan to assinated the high conicl of gallify , could Rusall T davies be thinking of this when he tought of the time war. Also I though Tegan exit was well done and very emntional

[king mob]

Cooooooool. I will pray for a miracle so I can get more animated Troughton and animated Hartnell to boot!

The Ice Warriors may still happen but not this side of 2009 as there's a huge increase in DVD releases with the BBC trying to get them up to one a month at least.

[Kaled]

just saw this in Rich's column today and thought I pass it on.

"In “Doctor Who" news, Chris Chibnall, “Torchwood" showrunner, writer of “Doctor Who" episode “42", “Torchwood" episodes “Day One," “Cyberwoman," “Countrycide" and “End Of Days," has been appointed showrunner for “Law & Order: London." I don’t think “Doctor Who" fans have heard better news for a good while. There were rumours he was succeeding Russell T Davies as showrunner. I guess those rumours have now been scotched. I’m still waiting/hoping/pleading for a second series announcement for “The Sarah Jane Adventures," the truly successful “Doctor Who" spinoff, and probably the best kids TV show since “Press Gang." Damn, that penultimate episode cliffhanger was good. "

[rick]

just saw this in Rich's column today and thought I pass it on.

"In “Doctor Who" news, Chris Chibnall, “Torchwood" showrunner, writer of “Doctor Who" episode “42", “Torchwood" episodes “Day One," “Cyberwoman," “Countrycide" and “End Of Days," has been appointed showrunner for “Law & Order: London." I don’t think “Doctor Who" fans have heard better news for a good while. There were rumours he was succeeding Russell T Davies as showrunner. I guess those rumours have now been scotched. I’m still waiting/hoping/pleading for a second series announcement for “The Sarah Jane Adventures," the truly successful “Doctor Who" spinoff, and probably the best kids TV show since “Press Gang." Damn, that penultimate episode cliffhanger was good. "

Who is Rich and do you have a link?

[Spike-X]

I'm guessing that'd be Rich Johnston's Lying In The Gutters column.

[rick]

I'm guessing that'd be Rich Johnston's Lying In The Gutters column.


Oh duh!!

Of course.

[The Xenos]

http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=litg&article=2968

[ZT4]

I recently got the Resurrection of the Daleks dvd and notice that the daleks plan to assinated the high conicl of gallify , could Rusall T davies be thinking of this when he tought of the time war. Also I though Tegan exit was well done and very emntional

The seeds of the Time War were sown when The Time Lords ordered The Doctor to avert or to change the development of the Daleks in "Genesis of the Daleks", all he did was delay them by a few hundred years as he could'nt live with destroying them. The Daleks perfected time travel several years earlier in "The Chase", and created the Time Destructer in "The Daleks Master Plan", both events were more than enough reason for the Time Lords to absolutley panic over the possibilities of The Daleks taking their place.

And if "Ressurection" was proof the Daleks knew about the Time Lords by then (even the Sontarans had invaded Gallifrey), "Rememberance of the Daleks" was pretty much the gauntlet thrown down and the first preemptive strike

[Stressfactor]

Resurrection of the Daleks was a pretty good story but there is the sequence in the middle that really, really threw me off. That scene where the Doctor grabs a gun and joins in the soldiers shooting the Dalek.

I didn't have a problem with killing the "bubbling lump of hate" as the Third Doctor described them. But the Doctor with a gun. Noooo, that's just kind of wrong. Ideologically it seemed wrong and then Peter Davison -- who just in appearence is about as non-threatening as you can get and whose version of the Doctor was pretty much all about the sensitivity and soulfulness -- holding a gun, it just LOOKED wrong too.

That one sequence really threw the whole rest of the story off its stride for me.

I agree, though, that Tegan had one of the most wrenching departures for a companion ever.

[ZT4]

That one sequence really threw the whole rest of the story off its stride for me.

I think the fact The Doctor orchestrated the destruction of Skaro several years later, and is poised to obliterate the Dalek with a gun in "Dalek", is evident enough to shatter the persistent delusional myth that The Doctor is a morally driven force for good. He's a manipulator, a storm, he's not a saint and never should be.

Davison's Doctor was a pretentiously contradictive vulnerable storm. He regretted things got out of hand, but did'nt do much to prevent it from still occuring.

[Stressfactor]

I think the fact The Doctor orchestrated the destruction of Skaro several years later, and is poised to obliterate the Dalek with a gun in "Dalek", is evident enough to shatter the persistent delusional myth that The Doctor is a morally driven force for good. He's a manipulator, a storm, he's not a saint and never should be.

Davison's Doctor was a pretentiously contradictive vulnerable storm. He regretted things got out of hand, but did'nt do much to prevent it from still occuring.


Oh, I don't have a problem with him killing the Dalek its just... the GUN. The Doctor WAS a manipulator (from the start -- he manipulated Susan and Ian and Barbara) and he was often calous -- I look at "Seeds of Doom" where he refuses to help with the surgery on Winlett and later, when Scorby threatens the members of the Antarcitic Research station one by one the Doctor is willing to let Scorby kill these men. The Doctor only objects when Scorby gets to Sarah Jane. BUT the thing is, the Doctor is a MANIPULATOR, he does not like to get his own hands dirty.

Plus, there is still always that bit of arrogance to the Doctor and that sense that 20th century humans (while he might like them personally) were more than a bit primitive. I would more likely see him react to a gun the same way as if a modern human was handed a stone club and told to kill something with it... We'd probably go "That's barbaric!"

[ChrisIII]

Regarding the Time war, there's a few writeups about it by RTD in some of the new series reference books. In them, RTD also works in some of the continuity of the novels and audios (Including stuff he wrote about himself in his novel, "Damaged Goods"). In it, RTD outlines that events in "Genesis" as well as the stories that followed led up to the time war.


Also, the Time War mentioned in the new series isn't the only one, apparentally-there's also the war with the vampires mentioned in the original series, and according to RTD, the time lords even dug out the old bowships for use against the Daleks. (Although they were used to 'stake' vampires, apparentally).


Regarding the Doctor's manipulative nature, it is interesting that people seem to point out McCoy as the 'dark doctor' whereas all the Doctors have had a mean, ruthless streak to them at points. Of course, Mcgann is sort of an exception since he didn't really get to do that kind of thing in the TV movie (But he's perfectly capable of doing dark-see Alien3), but the novels and audios have shown he has a dark alien nature at times too.

[king mob]

I'm slowly working through the Silurians/Sea Devils box-set & have to say at the Silurians story is every bit as good as I remember it. The story is one of the first I ever saw when it was first on, & I saw it again when it was repeated on UK Gold in the early 90's & it sparked up my love of Who after getting bored with the programme during the Colin Baker years.

If you're in the UK and looking to fill gaps in your DVD collection, Zavvi (formally Virgin) have pretty much every DVD for about a tenner, with boxsets from 18 quid.

[ChrisIII]

Hows the restoration on the new set? Much better than the VHS?

[Stressfactor]

If you're in the UK and looking to fill gaps in your DVD collection, Zavvi (formally Virgin) have pretty much every DVD for about a tenner, with boxsets from 18 quid.


I now hate you for living in the UK.

I can't even find a blasted online site that sells the audio for "The Reign of Terror" and ships to the US!


PS: Anyone in the US picking up IDW's "Doctor Who Classics" reprints? If so, whaddya think?

[Steve Prowse]

Hi Guys, Longtime lurker, occasional poster. Thought you might like this:

http://www.freewebs.com/vendetta_uk/index.htm

He does this in his spare time out of love for the characters. Enjoy.

Cheers, Steve.

[king mob]

Hows the restoration on the new set? Much better than the VHS?

Vastly. The Restoration Team have done a great job tidying up the colour NSTC tapes so they look more than passable, think of the job they did on Claws Of Axos but better. Not got to Sea Devils or Warriors Of The Deep yet, so I can't say anything about them yet.

There's a simply wonderful documentary on the Sillurian disc about the socio-political background of Who & Pertwee's era especially, plus it's debt to Nigel Kneale & H.G Wells & how British society in the late 60's/early 70's shaped the programme. It's fantastic, especially if one is of the opinion that the old series was cheesy fun but rubbish really and with no substance at all.

[ChrisIII]

Apparentally Character Options is releasing a figure of *Spoiler(Highlight) Davros and it appears to be part of the new series line. Source is www.doctorwhotoys.net

[Stressfactor]

So I was taking a Sunday drive and I got to thinking (because weird ideas tend to pop into my head while I'm driving).....

For years (apparently) there have been rumors about and calls for a big screen adaptation of "Doctor Who" and yes, I know there was one in the 1960's, I've seen it.... It's a pretty good adaptation (considering most of the dialogue is almost verbatim from the original episode "The Daleks") but William Russell must have been quite bemused by them turning Ian into a dork.

Anyway... So I've seen other big-screen movies adapted from TV shows. Some worked ("Serenity") some didn't ("S.W.A.T.") but it seems that the biggest factor in these movies is trying to craft something that will bring in fans of the TV series while also luring in people who have never seen the original material. Obviously, with something as large and complex as "Doctor Who" this could be an even tighter rope to walk.

So I was thinking... if it were up to YOU forum readers how would you do it? WOuld you get David Tennant and basically make it like an episode of the current series only with a little more exposition thrown in and little to no references to past continuity? Would you take the "Peter Cushing" route and go back, cast a different actor as "The Doctor" and basically adapt -- strictly or loosely -- the events of "An Unearthly Child" and/or "The Daleks"? Or would you go another route entirely?

I have to confess that for me, personally, I couldn't decide. I suppose the two I leaned toward the most was casting someone totally new as the Doctor and leaving it ambiguous about what regeneration he was on -- just a mention of the fact that he CAN regenerate (that way, if the movie tanked it could be taken out of continuity like "Scream of the Shalka") and send him off on a cosmic adventure with an all-new human companion as well. OR going the "Peter Cushing" route (sort-of) and casting someone as the First Doctor -- Susan, Ian, Barbara but give the whole thing a more modern sensibility and use the first few stories as a loose guideline rather than a strict adaptation.

So.... thoughts?

[Donald M.]

So.... thoughts?

I for one vote for no film adaptation. Other than more and better special effects there's nothing that can be done in a film that can't be done on television and no matter what you do, you're never going to get Doctor Who to appeal to enough people to make a sufficiently high budget Doctor Who film (There are already tons of low budget Doctor Who films, they've called episodes.) of interest to a major studio.

So you can either have a totally British produces Doctor Who film (Which would be different from a two-part episode how?) or an American produced one, where the studio(s) involved would insist on making changes to appeal to the American audience, up to and including casting someone like Will Smith or Keanu Reeves in the title role.

[Magneto_X]

So I was taking a Sunday drive and I got to thinking (because weird ideas tend to pop into my head while I'm driving).....

For years (apparently) there have been rumors about and calls for a big screen adaptation of "Doctor Who" and yes, I know there was one in the 1960's, I've seen it.... It's a pretty good adaptation (considering most of the dialogue is almost verbatim from the original episode "The Daleks") but William Russell must have been quite bemused by them turning Ian into a dork.

Anyway... So I've seen other big-screen movies adapted from TV shows. Some worked ("Serenity") some didn't ("S.W.A.T.") but it seems that the biggest factor in these movies is trying to craft something that will bring in fans of the TV series while also luring in people who have never seen the original material. Obviously, with something as large and complex as "Doctor Who" this could be an even tighter rope to walk.

So I was thinking... if it were up to YOU forum readers how would you do it? WOuld you get David Tennant and basically make it like an episode of the current series only with a little more exposition thrown in and little to no references to past continuity? Would you take the "Peter Cushing" route and go back, cast a different actor as "The Doctor" and basically adapt -- strictly or loosely -- the events of "An Unearthly Child" and/or "The Daleks"? Or would you go another route entirely?

I have to confess that for me, personally, I couldn't decide. I suppose the two I leaned toward the most was casting someone totally new as the Doctor and leaving it ambiguous about what regeneration he was on -- just a mention of the fact that he CAN regenerate (that way, if the movie tanked it could be taken out of continuity like "Scream of the Shalka") and send him off on a cosmic adventure with an all-new human companion as well. OR going the "Peter Cushing" route (sort-of) and casting someone as the First Doctor -- Susan, Ian, Barbara but give the whole thing a more modern sensibility and use the first few stories as a loose guideline rather than a strict adaptation.

So.... thoughts?

Four words:

The. Last. Time. War. :D

They can even bring back McGann.

[Donald M.]

Four words:

The. Last. Time. War. :D

They can even bring back McGann.

Sure. McGann, Eccleston and Tennant team up and give McGann a proper regeneration scene into Eccleston while Eccleston and Tennant watch.

This is something I've mentioned wanting to see a few times in this thread. Since there's never been a situation before where a regeneration wasn't seen, they've never before had this opportunity where a previous Doctor could be their to witness his own regeneration.

It would be cool.

[Magneto_X]

Sure. McGann, Eccleston and Tennant team up and give McGann a proper regeneration scene into Eccleston while Eccleston and Tennant watch.

This is something I've mentioned wanting to see a few times in this thread. Since there's never been a situation before where a regeneration wasn't seen, they've never before had this opportunity where a previous Doctor could be their to witness his own regeneration.

It would be cool.

A multiple Doctor story would be a worthy event in itself.

I know they can't bring in the really old Doctors (5th) or the deceased ones (1st), but they could use McGann. IIRC he wants to do it.

The 7th should be okay, too. That actor is supposed to look the same.

Problem would be Eccleson. He left on a sour note and doesn't want to be typecast.

I'm amazed why they haven't even had any mutiple Doctor eps yet. Even two Doctors with McGann.

What are they waiting for?!? :confused:

[Donald M.]

Problem would be Eccleson. He left on a sour note and doesn't want to be typecast.


And yet, hilariously, half the stuff he's done since Who has been Sci-Fi/Fantasy.

Suck it up and do one more episode Chris, you know you want to!

[ChrisIII]

Magneto_X, there was the recent small special "Time Crash" which had the Fifth Doctor and the Tenth Doctor working together. It wasn't a full episode, but it had more heart than all the previous multi-Doctor stories. Plus there's been a few multi-Doctor stories for the novels and audios.


As for aging Doctors, it worked with Davison in TC to an extent due to the "Timey-wimey" explanation and could work with McCoy. However, Tom and Colin are now too gray and too overweight, unless timey-wimey effects weight in addition to age.


I could see Mcgann doing it. We don't know at what point his Doctor regenerated-he could've been as old as Hartnell or even the 'old' Tom and Davids from Leisure Hive and Sound of Drums/Last of Time Lords...

[king mob]

Apparentally Character Options is releasing a figure of *Spoiler(Highlight) Davros and it appears to be part of the new series line. Source is www.doctorwhotoys.net


Ah, but does it look like Dennis Hopper or Ben Kingsley?

A Who film, outside the two Peter Cushing films, has been knocked around for a while. One was going to be made in the 70's with Tom Baker (Dr. Who & Scratchman if I remember right) or if Baker hadn't done it, (again, memory serving) Donald Sutherland or John Hurt.

The BBC have said that a Who film is a serious possibility fairly recently, & they are trying to milk as many programmes as much as they can, but I doubt anything would happen until Russell Davies decides what he's doing in the future.


Meanwhile back at the Siliurian/Sea Devils DVD, I've finished the Sea Devils DVD and the story is every bit as fantastic as I remembered. A perfect bit of Pertwee Who, even if it's not as clever as the Silurian story.

The extras are noteble for Katy Manning looking like The Joker after what looks like some pretty rubbish botox injections. Sadly she doesn't spill any seedy gossip about how many Doctors she's had, shame really.

[Magneto_X]

Magneto_X, there was the recent small special "Time Crash" which had the Fifth Doctor and the Tenth Doctor working together. It wasn't a full episode, but it had more heart than all the previous multi-Doctor stories. Plus there's been a few multi-Doctor stories for the novels and audios.


As for aging Doctors, it worked with Davison in TC to an extent due to the "Timey-wimey" explanation and could work with McCoy. However, Tom and Colin are now too gray and too overweight, unless timey-wimey effects weight in addition to age.


I could see Mcgann doing it. We don't know at what point his Doctor regenerated-he could've been as old as Hartnell or even the 'old' Tom and Davids from Leisure Hive and Sound of Drums/Last of Time Lords...

I mean live action.

The team-up with Davison doesn't really count since it's not canon or a full episode.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I was watching a special someone had clipped to 6-7 parts of the "Dr.Who Story". It had to be out in the mid 1990's. In it they had writers/producers/ex-stars discussing the Dr.Who show. It was nice...I enjoyed it.

Seeing as how Dr.Who is such a big thing...and beyond an American comic try at Marvel... I wonder why has America tried doing an American version of Dr.Who ? If that angers some fans of the show I don't mean it that way. Its just that you see something catch on huge like a Dr.Who ...it makes me wonder why the USA never made an attempt at doing a TV series of it.

[Spike-X]

Perhaps the BBC won't let them, for fear war would break out?

[mattx110]

Quantum Leap not enough?

British people like to act like everything to ever come out of Britain is very very very British and nobody else in the world would appreciate it. Even if it's transparently not uniquely British.

Having an American version of Primeval might happen. Doctor Who might be a bit tougher to get past the BBC because it's too "British".

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Perhaps the BBC won't let them, for fear war would break out?

Quantum Leap not enough?

British people like to act like everything to ever come out of Britain is very very very British and nobody else in the world would appreciate it. Even if it's transparently not uniquely British.

Having an American version of Primeval might happen. Doctor Who might be a bit tougher to get past the BBC because it's too "British".

Heh I can see some anger for it though. It would be fun to see how an American version of the show could do. They could start at the Harnett era and try to stick it as close to the source material as possible.

[Spike-X]

Who's Harnett?

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Who's Harnett?

Whoops meant Hartnell.....the 1st Doctor.

[Stressfactor]

I think the problem with an American version of Doctor Who would be just that they would start taking themselves way too seriously.

There has always been an element of innocence to the stories and to the Doctor himself. Even Pertwee, who probably played the character with the most sophistication and Colin Baker who probably played him the most arrogant, made sure to include some childish elements. Even now that there are "relationship" overtones the Doctor remains partly a child-like figure and that is something I don't think American writers could let stand -- they would insist on turning the character into some kind of recognizable dramatic figure.

The show began ostansibly as a "children's program" and the fact is that it is still considered "family viewing" -- somethig multiple generations can sit down and watch together and, sadly, that sort of Multi-Generational programming is not something American television has been knocking out of the park lately.

And sometimes it IS about something being very, very, very British. Red Dwarf is a good example -- insane comedy in a sci-fi setting. America just doesn't seem to get sci-fi mixed with comedy unless its in a big screen movie.

[Magneto_X]

Who is a family program but it can be very serious and depressing when it wnats to be.

Even the new version has moments like that i.e. Toklafae revelation, the Family of Blood, Blink etc.

[Cyke]

Who is a family program but it can be very serious and depressing when it wnats to be.

Even the new version has moments like that i.e. Toklafae revelation, the Family of Blood, Blink etc.

The key ingredient there is that Who doesn't equate 'family programming' with 'dumbing down.' And I'm very much thankful for that.

[Cyke]

I mean live action.

The team-up with Davison doesn't really count since it's not canon or a full episode.

Oh, and the team-up is definitely canon, according to Moffett (and if you believe in Who 'canon' anyway). Besides, if anything, it explains just how the Titanic was able to breach the TARDIS in the first place, setting events into motion.

[Magneto_X]

Oh, and the team-up is definitely canon, according to Moffett (and if you believe in Who 'canon' anyway). Besides, if anything, it explains just how the Titanic was able to breach the TARDIS in the first place, setting events into motion.

First I've heard it was canon.

What I liked about the previous Doctor team-ups was that they were huge events not short cameos.

See Omega's debut.

[Donald M.]

America just doesn't seem to get sci-fi mixed with comedy unless its in a big screen movie.

And even then it's rarely done well. The 80's had a lot of great (or at least pretty good) comedies with sci-fi elements - Weird Science, Back to the Future, Ghostbusters, Real Genius, The Man with Two Brains, InnerSpace, Spaceballs, Buckaroo Banzai, Short Circuit, Bill & Ted, My Science Project, a few others I'm sure I'm not thinking of.


Since then we've had what, Men in Black and Galaxy Quest? Oh and Mars Attacks, but I'm one of the few who seems to like that one.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I just got done watching the "5 Doctors" episode. Nice fun show . I enjoyed seeing all the old actors and actresses show up. It was sad though considering they to get a new actor play to the 1st doctor. But he did try and at least they gave it a try as a show . That I give them props for. It was nice to see the 1st Doctor get to shine though. I watched "Time Crash" and it made me laugh and it too was good.

[Cyke]

First I've heard it was canon.

What I liked about the previous Doctor team-ups was that they were huge events not short cameos.

See Omega's debut.

The current decree is that the New Who CIN specials are indeed canon, like Rose's first encounter with the Tenth Doctor. Besides, the Tenth Doctor referenced Time Crash to Astrid early in the movie (Attack of the Graske, though, is still up in the air due to its fourth wall nature).

We're lucky that we got the Fifth Doctor, though. RTD previously said he wouldn't allow for any multi-Doctor stories because in his opinion, multi-Doctor stories were just actor showcases that detracted from the current Doctor and showed other Doctors upstaging each other. I suppose having an eight-minute special was a compromise, as long as it was treated more of a celebration and not a full-fledged story.

[ChrisIII]

Anybody remember the plans for the "Dark Dimension"? Basically it would've been the thirtieth anniversary special and would've featured several of the Doctors. However, various problems prevented it's creation and we ended up with Thirty Years in the Tardis (Which is a pretty good documentary) and Dimensions In Time (Which is horrible) instead.


Provided WHO is still running strong in 2013, their might be something special for the 50th anniversary.

[Stressfactor]

We're lucky that we got the Fifth Doctor, though. RTD previously said he wouldn't allow for any multi-Doctor stories because in his opinion, multi-Doctor stories were just actor showcases that detracted from the current Doctor and showed other Doctors upstaging each other.

Yeah, but that's because Patrick Troughton tended to get all the best lines anyway in any multi-Doctor story. Shame Tom Baker bowed out of "The Five Doctors" -- I think I would have liked seeing him work with Troughton.

The trouble is, each Doctor is static. The way they were when fans last saw them on the screen tends to be the way they are remembered. The actors behind the character do not stay static -- they change and grow. I thought Peter Davison did a good job in "Time Crash" - loved it. But his Doctor there still wasn't quite the same character we last saw in "Caves of Androzani". Davison has grown, changed, and matured as an actor and it showed in his performance.

I don't think I mind not getting any more multi-Doctor stories simply because of this -- We never can get quite the same Doctor as before even when we do have the same actor in the role.

That being said -- I still wouldn't mind a little flashback to the Time War showing McGann regenerating into Chris. It would just round everything out.

Of course, I've also heard complaints that things were much more fun back in the day when fans didn't know so much about the Doctor and his people and information leaked out in little snippets. I suppose, in some way, the Time War is a way to bring a little bit of that mystery back -- fans don't know exactly what happened and we just get little snippets to satisfy our curiosity.

[Cyke]

Yeah, but that's because Patrick Troughton tended to get all the best lines anyway in any multi-Doctor story. Shame Tom Baker bowed out of "The Five Doctors" -- I think I would have liked seeing him work with Troughton.

The trouble is, each Doctor is static. The way they were when fans last saw them on the screen tends to be the way they are remembered. The actors behind the character do not stay static -- they change and grow. I thought Peter Davison did a good job in "Time Crash" - loved it. But his Doctor there still wasn't quite the same character we last saw in "Caves of Androzani". Davison has grown, changed, and matured as an actor and it showed in his performance.
.

Hey, like I said, it was RTD's opinion, not mine. But I see his reasoning, too. Sarah Jane wasn't supposed to be in the show until Series 3, when RTD felt that New Who could stand on its own laurels and not use Old Who as a crutch. But when that was already achieved by the end of Series 1, Sarah Jane's appearance was bumped up to the latter half of Series 2, and then eventually to the third episode instead.

[ZT4]

Keeping Sarah out of the latter portions hurt episodes like "Fear Her", which could have done with Sarah Jane's involvement as it had little substance to hold up it's concept. A second apperance would also have made K-9 Mark IV look a little worthier than his entire portrayal in Sarah Jane Adventures stuck in a vault with his arse plugging a black hole.

[Stressfactor]

Quantum Leap not enough?

For the record, Quantum Leap was a terrific show but it had one of THE MOST "huh, what?!" endings in the history of television. Ranked right up there with St. Elsewhere for viewers finishing the episode and asking themselves "what the heck just happened here?"

[Deathstroke]

For the record, Quantum Leap was a terrific show but it had one of THE MOST "huh, what?!" endings in the history of television. Ranked right up there with St. Elsewhere for viewers finishing the episode and asking themselves "what the heck just happened here?"

Quoted for truth.

[ChrisIII]

Plus Quantum Leap was limited to Sam's own lifetime, with the exception of the Civil War episode. Whereas Doctor Who can go anywhere, budget permitting.

[Green Goblin]

Speaking of more then 30 years in the tardis what did you think of it I thought it was very informated my fav episode is the monster and comption and loved the end of it when the dalek enters the tardis and threants carol and ford and the boy I also like the very end when they recrated the evil of the daleks and saying that they will return.

[king mob]

British people like to act like everything to ever come out of Britain is very very very British and nobody else in the world would appreciate it. Even if it's transparently not uniquely British.

Who is uniquely British. It owes it's roots to H.G Wells, Nigel Kneale, Journey Into Space, Dan Dare & the Reithian values that form the foundation of the BBC.


Having an American version of Primeval might happen. Doctor Who might be a bit tougher to get past the BBC because it's too "British".

Primeval is ITV, it's easily adaptable & would be Americanised with little effort, Who is part of British culture & it's impossible to see it working in such a way because of it's roots.

[Paul McEnery]

We shouldn't forget that there was an American version of Who.

Spielberg's one-off, that lost the plot pretty early on.

Come to think of it, my hatred of Spielberg may very well date back to that.

[mattx110]

Who is uniquely British. It owes it's roots to H.G Wells, Nigel Kneale, Journey Into Space, Dan Dare & the Reithian values that form the foundation of the BBC.
See, exactly what I mean.


Primeval is ITV, it's easily adaptable & would be Americanised with little effort, Who is part of British culture & it's impossible to see it working in such a way because of it's roots.
I guess I coulda used Life on Mars instead of Primeval for a BBC show, seeing as that is being handed over to Americans, but I thought I'd go more random and I saw a poster ad for Prim a week ago.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

We shouldn't forget that there was an American version of Who.

Spielberg's one-off, that lost the plot pretty early on.

Come to think of it, my hatred of Spielberg may very well date back to that.


Whoa... really... I'm scrolling thru Spielberg's career on IMDB and I can't find it. He did a movie with Doctor Who.

[rick]

We shouldn't forget that there was an American version of Who.

Spielberg's one-off, that lost the plot pretty early on.

Come to think of it, my hatred of Spielberg may very well date back to that.


I'm not so sure that Schindler's List really counts as a Doctor Who film.

[Popgun]

I'm not so sure that Schindler's List really counts as a Doctor Who film.

Ben Kingsley was really good as Davros in it, though.

[ultramandingo]

We shouldn't forget that there was an American version of Who.


....the Eric Roberts one?
Directed by Geoffrey Sax
Produced by
Alex Beaton .... executive producer
Matthew Jacobs .... co-producer
Philip David Segal .... executive producer
........unless Spielberg played Security Guard#2 or something

[Stressfactor]

I know I'm going to get in trouble for this but...... I saw that 1996 American made-for-TV movie when it first came out (I actually LEARNED how to program my family's 10 year old VCR for it because I was going to be out of town)

and... well.... I didn't think it was that bad.....:o

[rick]

I know I'm going to get in trouble for this but...... I saw that 1996 American made-for-TV movie when it first came out (I actually LEARNED how to program my family's 10 year old VCR for it because I was going to be out of town)

and... well.... I didn't think it was that bad.....:o


That's because it wasn't that bad at all.

It wasn't great mind you, but it wasn't horrible or anything.

[Paul McEnery]

That's because it wasn't that bad at all.

It wasn't great mind you, but it wasn't horrible or anything.

So long as you don't think of it as being Doctor Who in any way shape or form.

And of course the whole thing was such a mismatch that it died on impact.

So I just looked this up, and Spielberg is well airbrushed out of the picture, and now it's all Philip Segal's fault.

Segal was working for Spielberg when he got the wheels in motion to bring Who over to America, and of course it was Spielberg's name that wound up in the headlines. And McGann -- who was perfectly good in the role, of course -- got the role through Spielberg connections.

[rick]

So long as you don't think of it as being Doctor Who in any way shape or form.

And of course the whole thing was such a mismatch that it died on impact.

So I just looked this up, and Spielberg is well airbrushed out of the picture, and now it's all Philip Segal's fault.

Segal was working for Spielberg when he got the wheels in motion to bring Who over to America, and of course it was Spielberg's name that wound up in the headlines. And McGann -- who was perfectly good in the role, of course -- got the role through Spielberg connections.


Well I won't pretend that it was good Who, but I did like McGann, and God forgive me, I enjoyed Eric Roberts as the Master too.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I know I'm going to get in trouble for this but...... I saw that 1996 American made-for-TV movie when it first came out (I actually LEARNED how to program my family's 10 year old VCR for it because I was going to be out of town)

and... well.... I didn't think it was that bad.....:o

That's because it wasn't that bad at all.

It wasn't great mind you, but it wasn't horrible or anything.

So long as you don't think of it as being Doctor Who in any way shape or form.

And of course the whole thing was such a mismatch that it died on impact.

So I just looked this up, and Spielberg is well airbrushed out of the picture, and now it's all Philip Segal's fault.

Segal was working for Spielberg when he got the wheels in motion to bring Who over to America, and of course it was Spielberg's name that wound up in the headlines. And McGann -- who was perfectly good in the role, of course -- got the role through Spielberg connections.

I remember bits and pieces of that 1996 Who movie. I remember watching it on Sci-Fi years ago . I may have to re-watch and see how bad it is or was.

[ultramandingo]

...........episodes os "Mutant X" and "Andromeda" also Philip Segal's fault. i starded hating Spielberg around Hook

[Captain Jim]

Speaking of that movie, anybody know why they won't put it on DVD in the US?

[Stressfactor]

I remember bits and pieces of that 1996 Who movie. I remember watching it on Sci-Fi years ago . I may have to re-watch and see how bad it is or was.

Good luck. It's my understanding that it has never been released in VHS or DVD form in America.*



*Although there is at least one person who has it up on YouTube.


For the record -- I liked McGann but did think Eric Roberts was a bit over the top... and this is coming from someone who's first exposure to the Master was "The King's Demons".

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Good luck. It's my understanding that it has never been released in VHS or DVD form in America.*



*Although there is at least one person who has it up on YouTube.


For the record -- I liked McGann but did think Eric Roberts was a bit over the top... and this is coming from someone who's first exposure to the Master was "The King's Demons".

Youtube is where I'm watching most of Who at now. Thanks. ;)

[yeoman]

And even then it's rarely done well. The 80's had a lot of great (or at least pretty good) comedies with sci-fi elements - Weird Science, Back to the Future, Ghostbusters, Real Genius, The Man with Two Brains, InnerSpace, Spaceballs, Buckaroo Banzai, Short Circuit, Bill & Ted, My Science Project, a few others I'm sure I'm not thinking of.


Since then we've had what, Men in Black and Galaxy Quest? Oh and Mars Attacks, but I'm one of the few who seems to like that one.

SG-1 managed it from time to time. Especially earlier on. And let's not forget Futurama.

Beast Wars and Reboot were produced in Canada, yes?

[Spike-X]

Speaking of more then 30 years in the tardis what did you think of it I thought it was very informated my fav episode is the monster and comption and loved the end of it when the dalek enters the tardis and threants carol and ford and the boy I also like the very end when they recrated the evil of the daleks and saying that they will return.
Whoah! slow down, son! Take...ah say...take a breath, boy!

[ChrisIII]

There's a few reasons the TV movie has never gotten a US DVD release:

-It was considered a ratings failure, at least in the US.


-The rights over it are apparentally all tangled up.

[Captain Jim]

There's a few reasons the TV movie has never gotten a US DVD release:

-It was considered a ratings failure, at least in the US.


-The rights over it are apparentally all tangled up.

Ah, it must be primarily the second then. I'm sure they'd know there is a niche market for it, despite the original ratings.

[Stressfactor]

Beast Wars and Reboot were produced in Canada, yes?

Yes.

I didn't care so much for "Beast Wars" but I adored "Reboot"! I could throttle whoever was responsible for canceling that show on a blasted cliffhanger!

there was another awesome CGA series out of Canada that was called "War Planets" here in the US and "Shadow Raiders" everywhere else.

God I miss good animation. Wonder if the CGA K-9 series is going to be any good. It comes out this year doesn't it?

[ZT4]

Yes.

I didn't care so much for "Beast Wars" but I adored "Reboot"! I could throttle whoever was responsible for canceling that show on a blasted cliffhanger!

It was Dan Dido.

[Paul McEnery]

Well I won't pretend that it was good Who, but I did like McGann, and God forgive me, I enjoyed Eric Roberts as the Master too.

No God imaginable can help you with that.

But yes, McGann was fine, and I've enjoyed the Big Finish stuff with him in it, even if he doesn't always seem quite sure how much he needs to do for the radio to get across.

And if it was me, instead of doing this half-arsed season next year to cover for Tennent's absence, I'd figure out a storyline that Two Doctored McGann in for a few episodes.

[Stressfactor]

And if it was me, instead of doing this half-arsed season next year to cover for Tennent's absence, I'd figure out a storyline that Two Doctored McGann in for a few episodes.

Wouldn't even have to "Two Doctor" it -- simply create a framing scene in which Donna's wandering around the TARDIS and accidentially finds one of the Doctor's old 500 year diaries, opens it at random and starts reading....

Cue ripple dissolve into flashback and Hey Ho! There you go! Instant past Doctor adventure, no Tennant needed.

[Paul McEnery]

Wouldn't even have to "Two Doctor" it -- simply create a framing scene in which Donna's wandering around the TARDIS and accidentially finds one of the Doctor's old 500 year diaries, opens it at random and starts reading....

Cue ripple dissolve into flashback and Hey Ho! There you go! Instant past Doctor adventure, no Tennant needed.

Well yeah.

But I ask you, would that be as interesting as a freakish reverse regeneration?

Which could easily open the door to having other cameos, for that matter. After all, if the regeneration is all over the place, they could be any age, couldn't they?

[Cyke]

Well yeah.

But I ask you, would that be as interesting as a freakish reverse regeneration?

Which could easily open the door to having other cameos, for that matter. After all, if the regeneration is all over the place, they could be any age, couldn't they?

Oh, now you're just using any excuse to get Paul McGann back.

...

...and I'm behind you every step of the way. Hurray McGann!

[rick]

No God imaginable can help you with that.




But Roberts was just so dammed inappropriate for the part that it was hard not to enjoy it for the sheer overacted horror of it all.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I just finished watching the last appearance of Susan . It was kinda sad as the Doctor realized his grand daughter had grew up and it was time to let her go. So he did. Telling her to put down roots finally.

Watched the "War Machines" on Youtube. Nice story-arc ...liked how they wrote Dodo out and introduced 2 more companions for the Doctor.

Trying to find the "Tenth Planet" on there now to watch.

[ChrisIII]

^Susan is reunited with the Doctor-a few times over-in "The Five Doctors" as well as the novel "Legacy of the Daleks". It's never quite resolved whether she was a time lord/lady, although the novel "Lungbarrow" provides an explanation.

[Stressfactor]

While the Doctor's "goodbye" speech to Susan is truly a wonderful bit of dialogue (maybe the best in all of "Doctor Who" history) I was always a bit disturbed by the fact that Susan was apparently all of 18 when the Doctor locks her out for her to go get married (we presume) to her heroic little rebel. Kind of a little young!

As for "War Machines" aside from the computer calling him "Doctor Who" (gad! The first time I heard that I almost spit water on my computer screen) I really liked that story. In the beginning Ben and Polly really were great companions. I loved the fact that Ben really was the first 'working class' companion.

Best scene of all, though, is that bit with the Doctor facing down one of the war machines... he's haughty and completely uncowed and it is SUCH a great moment for the Doctor -- one of the few times Hartnell's Doctor truly looked like a badass.

I re-watched the story not too long ago on YouTube after having watched "The Daleks" and thought that you really could tell a difference in Hartnell's appearance. I thought he really did look older and more tired in "The War Machines" than he did in the beginning.

[ChrisIII]

Apparentally Alex Kingston (ER) and Colin Salmon (Pierce Brosnan's Bond films) will appear in the Stephen Moffat two-parter.

[mattx110]

But Roberts was just so dammed inappropriate for the part that it was hard not to enjoy it for the sheer overacted horror of it all.
please... it's "the master". Standards of over-acting don't apply. plus, he did a good job. I don't like the serpent eyes that much because it makes it kinda obvious, and has him wear the stupid sunglasses at night as an EMT worker, which is just a silly visual. I doubt it was his choice though.

[Sanagi]

I'm watching this interview (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnmnpKHNQoI) on youtube with Sylvester McCoy... And John Nathan-Turner is wearing the stereotypical disco outfit. It's scary. Anyways, you get to see McCoy and John Pertwee goofing off, so that's fun.

[ChrisIII]

According to SFX (Spoilers highlight) confirmed by Elisabeth Sladen herself, Sarah Jane Smith will return in season four. So with the recent news about Jack and Rose returning, this means we'll see the return of almost every new series companion with the possible exception of Mickey, K-9 and Adam. Also if the other spoilers are true-and this seems increasingly so do this news-it should be interesting to see Sarah go up against Davros again, as they've met in Genesis of the Daleks. There is another alternative, however. Perhaps Tennant does regenerate at the end of the season, and maybe he has one of those companion visions ala Baker and Davison. I wonder; was there any formal announcement back in the day that Felding, Flood, Waterhouse and Sutton would be returning for "Caves" and what did fans think of it?

[ZT4]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4EEvaRreTY

Unused score for "Silver Nemesis" (never understood why fans hated this serial, I l know it's a rehash of "Remembrance" with Cybermen and has a lot of Windsor cheese, but it's not as offensive as anything from "Trial...")

[king mob]

While the Doctor's "goodbye" speech to Susan is truly a wonderful bit of dialogue (maybe the best in all of "Doctor Who" history) I was always a bit disturbed by the fact that Susan was apparently all of 18 when the Doctor locks her out for her to go get married (we presume) to her heroic little rebel. Kind of a little young!

The age of consent in the UK at he time was 16 (still is) & it was common in post-war times for young girls to marry at 17/18.

I loved the fact that Ben really was the first 'working class' companion.

Who has always had socialist, lefty roots running through it from the very start, it's sometimes hidden but occasionally it's incredibly blatent as it was in Pertwee's first year.

[king mob]

According to SFX (Spoilers highlight) confirmed by Elisabeth Sladen herself, Sarah Jane Smith will return in season four. So with the recent news about Jack and Rose returning, this means we'll see the return of almost every new series companion with the possible exception of Mickey, K-9 and Adam. Also if the other spoilers are true-and this seems increasingly so do this news-it should be interesting to see Sarah go up against Davros again, as they've met in Genesis of the Daleks. There is another alternative, however. Perhaps Tennant does regenerate at the end of the season, and maybe he has one of those companion visions ala Baker and Davison. I wonder; was there any formal announcement back in the day that Felding, Flood, Waterhouse and Sutton would be returning for "Caves" and what did fans think of it?

Series 4 has had a 'greatest hits' rumour going round for a while so it's good to see it finally confirmed as it means it might mean that the programme is moving on once RTD finishes his 'Big Plan.

As for the 'Caves' thing, it's worth noting that this was pre-internet & we didn't have all these consant rumours. The return of past companions in that story in flashback was an idea of Ian Levine & JNT (I think) as a surprise for fans.

[Lord of Denial]

What is up with BBC America?

They advertise the season premiere of Dr. Who followed by a new episode and then the season premiere of Torchwood.

Well the 2 Dr. Who eps where last years and not new at all. At least Torchwood was actually new.

[Deathstroke]

What is up with BBC America?

They advertise the season premiere of Dr. Who followed by a new episode and then the season premiere of Torchwood.

Well the 2 Dr. Who eps where last years and not new at all. At least Torchwood was actually new.

It was new to BBC America.

The Sci Fi Channel has the actual first run rights to Doctor Who, so they show the episodes first in the US.

[Lord of Denial]

It was new to BBC America.

The Sci Fi Channel has the actual first run rights to Doctor Who, so they show the episodes first in the US.

That's all kinds of crazy.

[Deathstroke]

That's all kinds of crazy.

Considering it's been done that way for all three seasons, I'm surprised you haven't picked up on it until now.

[Lord of Denial]

Considering it's been done that way for all three seasons, I'm surprised you haven't picked up on it until now.

I only started getting BBC America last year. And thought I was up to date on Sci-fi so I did not watch it on BBC.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Yeah its pretty cool to see this type of deal with Sci-Fi (NBC/Universial). With the writers strike still ongoing perhaps NBC should schedule Dr.Who for a spring run on the network. To fill in places...

[Stressfactor]

Network TV has pretty much given up on Sci-Fi in all its forms. The chances of something kind of cult-y like "Doctor Who" ending up on network is somewhere between 'slim' and 'none'.

CW is a bit more sci-fi friendly but only if the leads are younger than 27, stacked (in the case of women) or ripped (in the case of the men) and likely to wear tight and/or revealing clothing.

DW may have gotten 'shippy' in the past couple of years but it has't reached CW levels yet.... Let's hope it never does.

[Typo Lad]

Network TV has given up on Sci-Fi? Really?

It's interesting that you say that, considering that the last season had a tone of genre TV.

Sure, poor genre TV in cases, but genre.

Let's look at the line-ups:

CW has Smallville, Supernatural and I think we can count that Reaper show.

ABC has Pushing Daisies, one of the best shows in a long, long time genre or not. I don't watch a ton of ABC... does Lost count?

NBC has Heroes and just had Bionic Woman (a mercy killing if ever there was).

CBS has Ghost Wisperer, Moonlite and NUMB3RS, all on Friday nights.

FOX, where genre goes to die, currently has Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles airing and has a few genre shows in the pipeline, like Whedon's new show.

So yeah, I don't know if "given up" is the right term when most networks have at least two genre shows (with ABC sacrificing quantity for quality). A few years ago more than one was a surprise and one was fortunate (with the exception of a brief moment in the 90s that gave us Seaquest, Earth2 and Space:Above and Beyond).

[Stressfactor]

I don't know that I consider CW and Fox nework. In the strictest sense I suppose they are but I guess its a sign of my age that I still consider "Network" to be ABC, NBC, and CBS.

Still, if you look at your list -- each network still only has one or two "sci-fi" shows. The other thing you might notice about those shows is that all of them (I believe) are really, basically, set on Earth and utilize mostly every-day sets, costuming, etc.

Really sci-fi-y shows are an expensive prospect for networks -- usually more expensive than they are worth -- because "alien" sets or spaceship interiors have to be specially built (you can't just borrow, say, a stock set of the interior of a modern office building and fill it with office furniture from the props department), costumes have to be specially designed and created (no buying stuff from The Gap or Hollister), make-up effects have to be specially designed AND if one of your main characters is an alien then those make-up effects have to be applied every single day the series is being shot.

Look at a show like "Farscape" -- half the cast were alien. The actress playing Zahn had to be painted dappled blue every day she filmed, the actor playing D'argo had to have a specially designed costume and then all of his make-up effects had to be applied every day they shot as well. The interiors of the spaceship Moya had to be designed and created, the ray guns they used had to be designed and created, If they entered other spaceships then those interiors had to be designed and created.... etc. It was just, plain, an expensive show to do and todays networks have their eye on the bottom line -- the cheaper a show is to produce then the bigger the profits are.

And, as you, yourself, said -- the shows you gave examples of may be POOR examples of the genre. They have sci-fi trappings but, in essence, most of them are sci-fi light rather than being hard sci-fi.

Now a network MIGHT buy a license for "Doctor Who" -- which would be cheaper than trying to produce a show like it on their own -- but I think they are still going to see it as too "British" to have mass American appeal.

[Typo Lad]

See, now I feel you're molving the goal posts.

As a hard SF afficinado, I kind of find it laughable to consider anything, cable or network, to be "Hard". I'm of the school that defines Hard SF as Science being the driving force of the story, and "Sci-Fi" rarely qualifies. Heck, even Doctor Who (bringing this back on topic) is not "Hard" by any definition (as far as I can tell).

You seem to be saying, to you, Sci-Fi has to be Space Opera. While I love Space Opera (especially Farscape), I think saying "Sci Fi has to be one thing" is like saying "All comics are Super hero comics". It's just... wrong.

The fact that there are, on average, two genre shows per network is an extremely good thing. Time was almost all SF was relegated to syndicated TV except the occasional show. Considering how expensive a normal show is to produce, even one with Sci-Fi "trappings", the fact that networks are commiting money to even two such shows each shows that yes, they do realize there is a demand out there and yes, they are working to reach it.

In other words, half full.

[Stressfactor]

Ah well.

I have to confess I've given up on television entirely so what the heck do I know?

Seriously, where I live now I cannot pick up a broadcast signal and I've never sprung for cable so I actually haven't watched much television for two years. I get my news from radio, internet and newspaper and my entertainment sources are YouTube, DVD's, books, and going to the occasional movie in a theater.

I still think the prospect for the future of Sci-Fi on network TV is pretty dim, though... finances are growing tighter with the internet really cutting into broadcasting and a lot of TV pundits are saying that people are likely to see more and more reality TV as time goes on simply because they are cheap and easy to produce so networks get a better return on them.

What sci-fi shows are out there almost seem to be a case of network execs throwing stuff at the wall and seeing what sticks.

Also, I DO still think that the British nature of "Doctor Who" would scare off American Networks. If you look at it -- there actually have been a number of British shows that have come to the US but in nearly every case they were completely redone with an American cast. This is really funny when you consider that, back in the 1960's, shows like "Secret Agent Man" ("Danger Man") and "The Avengers" came straight over from Great Britian and were enormous hits without having to be 'adapted' for American audiences at all.

[king mob]

Also, I DO still think that the British nature of "Doctor Who" would scare off American Networks. If you look at it -- there actually have been a number of British shows that have come to the US but in nearly every case they were completely redone with an American cast. This is really funny when you consider that, back in the 1960's, shows like "Secret Agent Man" ("Danger Man") and "The Avengers" came straight over from Great Britian and were enormous hits without having to be 'adapted' for American audiences at all.

It's worth pointing out that one of the reasons why the 1996 film never went to a full series was Fox backing Space: Above & Beyond because it was more 'traditional' (guns & spaceships) SF than Who.

Anyhow, I watched Warriors From The Deep last night. It was bad, worse than I remembered, even worse than Timelash or Time & The Rani and that is saying something. Still, the commentary (which I turned on halfway through episode 2) is fun with Davison & Janet Fielding ripping the piss out of everything in the story.

[Stressfactor]

"Warriors From the Deep" gets ridicule alone for the Myrka (dear God, what WERE they thinking?! Did they honestly think that would look even passably decent on screen?) and Dr. Solow's really, really pathetic "Karate" (and if the Myrka HAD looked as powerful and threatening as they intended, what person in their right mind would try to use Karate on it?!)


I'd love to know what Davison's and Fielding's comments about that stupid Myrka were.

[ChrisIII]

I read somewhere that Michael Grade saw "Warriors" and made his decision to eventually cancel the program there.

[roguespirit]

Hey Typo Lad...what shows would you count as hard sci-fi?

[Typo Lad]

Good question. Not many series have a unique science driving point. Episodes of serieses, yes, but not serieses as a whole.

Worthy of a thread, no?

[drwho]

Found these videos online they claim to be actual spinoffs of Dr. Who. If anyone is interested pm me for the links. If anyone knows about them would love to hear the history behind them if they are the real deal.

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/1696/mindgamevv2.jpghttp://img227.imageshack.us/img227/4282/514dx38w0klaa280ga5.jpg

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/1881/mindgametrilogyrw0.jpg

[ChrisIII]

From what I understand, they're sort of semi-official. In other words, they bought the rights to the monsters/characters/concepts etc. but not the whole Doctor Who concept itself (Which I think belongs to the BBC). Some however, were adapted as Doctor Who novels. Whether they're 'canon' or not is up to your personal POV, I suppose.


In addition to those, there's also Downtime (Which features the Yeti) Shakedown (Which has the Rutans and the Sontarans) PROBE (Featuring Liz Shaw) Auton (Featuring, well, the Autons) and a few others.


One of the people who worked extensively on the video spinoffs was Nicholas Briggs, who does the voices of the Daleks and the Cybermen in the new series...also various Doctor Who actors, including some of the Doctors themselves (But playing characters other than the Doctor), participated in the spinoffs.

[ZT4]

"Downtime" should be made into a new series story, in fact it should have been made in place of The Dark Dimension, which was of course cancelled.

[Paul McEnery]

From what I understand, they're sort of semi-official. In other words, they bought the rights to the monsters/characters/concepts etc. but not the whole Doctor Who concept itself (Which I think belongs to the BBC). Some however, were adapted as Doctor Who novels. Whether they're 'canon' or not is up to your personal POV, I suppose.


In addition to those, there's also Downtime (Which features the Yeti) Shakedown (Which has the Rutans and the Sontarans) PROBE (Featuring Liz Shaw) Auton (Featuring, well, the Autons) and a few others.


One of the people who worked extensively on the video spinoffs was Nicholas Briggs, who does the voices of the Daleks and the Cybermen in the new series...also various Doctor Who actors, including some of the Doctors themselves (But playing characters other than the Doctor), participated in the spinoffs.

Not only that, but, IIRC, he's the guy who's behind the Big Finish audio Who, some of which has sufficiently official status that the Beeb has aired it.

I suspect they'd air more, but for, you know, having to pay.

[ChrisIII]

The audios are pretty good stuff too-basically, they show us what 80's Doctor Who could've been without JNT and the BBC screwing around. Even the ones with Mel are pretty good.

[Stressfactor]

Even the ones with Mel are pretty good.


:eek:





Sorry, I probably shouldn't of done that but I couldn't resist.


I've heard a lot of people saying that Colin Baker is much better in the audios than he was in the series.* I'm a bit skeptical but if I ever get enough money ahead to buy some of the Big Finish audios I'm willing to give him a try. Can anyone recommend what would be his best BF performance to date?


*In general I agree with Peri in "The Two Doctors" when she mouths the word 'asshole' behind the Doctor's back. Baker's portrayal was pretty much the only version of the Doctor where I felt that epithet was truly apt.

[ZT4]

Baker's best stuff is "The One Doctor", "Davros", and "Arrangements for War"

[roguespirit]

Good question. Not many series have a unique science driving point. Episodes of serieses, yes, but not serieses as a whole.

Worthy of a thread, no?

You could be right sir

[Paul McEnery]

I think Doomwatch did. But I was just a kid, and it was mostly past my bedtime.

[Paul McEnery]

:eek:





Sorry, I probably shouldn't of done that but I couldn't resist.


I've heard a lot of people saying that Colin Baker is much better in the audios than he was in the series.* I'm a bit skeptical but if I ever get enough money ahead to buy some of the Big Finish audios I'm willing to give him a try. Can anyone recommend what would be his best BF performance to date?


*In general I agree with Peri in "The Two Doctors" when she mouths the word 'asshole' behind the Doctor's back. Baker's portrayal was pretty much the only version of the Doctor where I felt that epithet was truly apt.

You need to put some curls on that eek for a good Mel impression.

[Stressfactor]

No, a good Mel impersonation goes beyond "eek" and more into the realm of

(Deep breath) AAAAAIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Spike-X]

I think Doomwatch did. But I was just a kid, and it was mostly past my bedtime.
Yeah, right.

Like you were ever a kid.

[Popgun]

I think Doomwatch did. But I was just a kid, and it was mostly past my bedtime.

The killer rats, in particular, were brutally realistic. Particularly the bit where one attatched itself to Robert Powell's nylon slacks, and he had to beat it off (behave) with a frying pan.

[ZT4]

Exclusive footage of RTD's new Dalek spin-off

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-o34Cpodb4

[rick]

Exclusive footage of RTD's new Dalek spin-off

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-o34Cpodb4

Oh grow-up.

What are you, 12?

[ChrisIII]

Yeah, the Colin Baker audios show a much toned downed version of Colin's Doctor, sort of similar to his "Trial of a Time Lord" persona but with less arrogance and mean-spiritedness. He's still boastful and ocassionally self-absorbed but they had to preserve some elements of the TV incarnation. They even changed Baker's costume for some of the covers from the multi-colored coat to blue. Davison, McCoy, and Mcgann also benefit from the audio treatment as well, although not as much. Tennant, before he got cast as the Doctor, also is a voice actor on several of the audios.


Also, if you don't like Peri or Mel, a new middle-aged companion is introduced: Evelyn Smythe, played by Maggie Stables.

[ZT4]

For the record, it's a comedy show, TV Offal.

[ChrisIII]

Weta has revealed their latest Doctor Who collectible:


http://www.wetanz.com/doctor_who/index.php?itemid=433&catid=15&catid=15#more

[drwho]

gawd the doctor's face on that thing is awful. maybe they wanted it to make make it look as dissimilar as possible so they wouldnt have to pay tom baker.

[Stressfactor]

Rather fond of that "Master and Auton" piece, though. The pose is a bit silly and I wish the Auton wasn't all crumpled up on the base but I think they did a pretty good job at getting Delgado at the Master's most ruthless, cold, and calculating.

At first, I really didn't have a preference for "Master" actors but the more I see of Delgado the more I like his tone. He managed to balance this incredibly dry wit that made him seem even more intelligent, smug, and superior with that aforementioned cold, calculating, ruthlessness.

[Cyke]

Rather fond of that "Master and Auton" piece, though. The pose is a bit silly and I wish the Auton wasn't all crumpled up on the base but I think they did a pretty good job at getting Delgado at the Master's most ruthless, cold, and calculating.

At first, I really didn't have a preference for "Master" actors but the more I see of Delgado the more I like his tone. He managed to balance this incredibly dry wit that made him seem even more intelligent, smug, and superior with that aforementioned cold, calculating, ruthlessness.

No one will deny the greatness of Delgado, but I think I'm more of an Ainsley man myself. Delgado was a scheming, classic kind of jerk, the man who set the standard, but Ainsley, to me, was the same archetype as the douche at work who'd ooze gaudy slime and grease and a bad gold chain yet still managed to score with more ladies than you did.

[ChrisIII]

A new trailer for series IV has apparentally been airing in British cinemas.

[ZT4]

And it's a nuiscense nobody's sneeking in the cams to snatch a peek.

[Paul McEnery]

Yeah, right.

Like you were ever a kid.

True enough.

But I was small enough to be disenfranchised.

And smart enough to realize that if Daleks could come through a mirror, then they could certainly come through a TV screen, and therefore behind the couch was the smart place to be.

[ZT4]

In an interview with Russell T. Davies, the Los Angeles Times mentions in passing that The Sarah Jane Adventures will be broadcast in the United States on the Sci Fi Channel beginning in April.

The article also states that Doctor Who's next season will begin on Sci Fi in April. The BBC has not announced a broadcast date for Series Four in the UK, but the program will air in Britain before any international broadcasts.

In the Los Angeles Times interview, Davies also talks about the success of Doctor Who, his attitude towards sexuality on Torchwood and past projects such as Bob and Rose.

He also notes that he deliberately keeps organized fandom at arm's length: "I think we're an unusual science-fiction franchise in taking a very big step back from fandom and having nothing to do with them. . . . Every program on the BBC has a message board on the website. I forbid it to happen on 'Doctor Who.' I'm sorry to say this, all the science fiction producers making stuff in America, they are way too engaged with their fandom. They all need to step back.

Amen Russel. God the fanbase is so stuck up their arse it's not even funny. They treat DW like it's Parliment.

[Spike-X]

In the Los Angeles Times interview, Davies also talks about...his attitude towards sexuality on Torchwood...

I'm guessing he's for it.

[ChrisIII]

From the cam shots on Youtube, there's some suprisingly understated acting by Tate....apparentally they're toning Donna down a bit.

[ZT4]

I thought Tate acted fairly well in "The Runaway Bride". The final scenes with The Doctor, the experiance, her fiance's betrayal, and the Racons death, mellowed her. There's a distinct difference between how she starts "The Runaway Bride" and ends it.

[Stressfactor]

I never thought she was that bad. Sure, she was strident but I thought that went well with the more comedic tone of the special. And I agree that she finishes out much differently than she starts.

She is a different type of companion than fans have seen in a few years and I for one find it refreshing. Of course, being an American without satellite TV I've never seen any of her own sketch comedy stuff so I can kind of look at her without any preconceived notions.

Look, it can always be worse... she could have been another Adric.:D

[drwho]

So are the rumors true for the finale of season 4 davros back capt jack, sarah jane, and k9. If so way cool. Saw the movie trailer and she doesnt seem so annoying. Like I said it will be nice not having someone flashing puppy dog eyes at the doctor for a change.

[ChrisIII]

Apparentally Character Options is coming out with a season twelve boxset, based on Tom Baker's first season. Fourth Doctor and Genesis Dalek are confirmed, and I'll bet we'll see at least Styre and Davros.

[ZT4]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L33XBnt_KZs

Clear Theatrical trailer

[tricksterpup]

That looks cool, another past monster as well. Space wasps. Sweet.

I wonder if the fluttering of the trailer was due to the filming or does it really look like that at the theater? If its intentional, I like it.

[ZT4]

The fluttering was because of the guy's camera and the attempt at filming a screen.

I agree tgat it does make the trailer look awesome and have more scope.

[Stressfactor]

Apparentally Character Options is coming out with a season twelve boxset, based on Tom Baker's first season. Fourth Doctor and Genesis Dalek are confirmed, and I'll bet we'll see at least Styre and Davros.

Interesting but someone call me when CO starts making a Season Six box set with the Second Doctor, "Invasion" Cyberman, a Dominator with a Quark (yeah, ineffectual little buggers but they would make cool toys), and a Kroton.

[ChrisIII]

I'm not sure that the giant wasps are related to "The Web Planet" (Unless you meant Planet of the Giants or The Green Death, which also feature giant bugs), although it's kind of cool to have giant insects on a mostly decent budget for once...

Regarding the figures, I think we're getting Silurians/Sea Devils as well, a Tenth Planet Cyberman, some more Dalek variants (The Planet of the Daleks Supreme Council Dalek and also the Special Weapons variant) and at least five incarnations of the Doctor. However with the exception of the Cyberman, apparentally there are no plans yet for figures from the Black and white years.

[TROUBLEZ]

I caught this show late night on the sci-fi channel, and it seems pretty good.

[rick]

I caught this show late night on the sci-fi channel, and it seems pretty good.


Actually, you're right it is pretty good.

[Sanagi]

I finally got around to watching the first couple episodes of Torchwood. I'd heard mostly negative opinions about the series, so I didn't have my hopes up, but it was really pretty good. Sure, they have a SEX button on their script generator and they're wearing it out, but how many buttons have they had to replace on Doctor Who so far? Maybe I just didn't go in with the expectations that some did, but I thought it was fine. It's not as good as DW, largely because John Barrowman isn't a quarter as fun to watch as David Tennant, but I'll keep watching.

[Deathstroke]

The trailer does indeed look cool!

[Typo Lad]

LiTG says Moffat is the showrunner in 2010. Whee.

[ChrisIII]

Kevin Stoney, who played the villains in The Dalek's Masterplan and The Invasion, as well as a Vogan in Revenge of the Cybermen, has died.

[Magneto_X]

In an interview with Russell T. Davies, the Los Angeles Times mentions in passing that The Sarah Jane Adventures will be broadcast in the United States on the Sci Fi Channel beginning in April.

The article also states that Doctor Who's next season will begin on Sci Fi in April. The BBC has not announced a broadcast date for Series Four in the UK, but the program will air in Britain before any international broadcasts.

In the Los Angeles Times interview, Davies also talks about the success of Doctor Who, his attitude towards sexuality on Torchwood and past projects such as Bob and Rose.

He also notes that he deliberately keeps organized fandom at arm's length: "I think we're an unusual science-fiction franchise in taking a very big step back from fandom and having nothing to do with them. . . . Every program on the BBC has a message board on the website. I forbid it to happen on 'Doctor Who.' I'm sorry to say this, all the science fiction producers making stuff in America, they are way too engaged with their fandom. They all need to step back.

Amen Russel. God the fanbase is so stuck up their arse it's not even funny. They treat DW like it's Parliment.

Um--- Doctor Who Monthly?

He writes a column at the end of each issue. The magazine has insane access to all facets of the franchise from the tv show to the novels and more. The shows even have "companion" shows that are all about how they do things behind the scenes for each episode of each season for both the new Doctor Who and Torchwood.

I'm amazed that Sci-Fi isn't getting Torchwood. It's not perfect but it's better then most of their original programming.

[Cyke]

Um--- Doctor Who Monthly?

He writes a column at the end of each issue. The magazine has insane access to all facets of the franchise from the tv show to the novels and more. The shows even have "companion" shows that are all about how they do things behind the scenes for each episode of each season for both the new Doctor Who and Torchwood.

I'm amazed that Sci-Fi isn't getting Torchwood. It's not perfect but it's better then most of their original programming.

Perhaps Sci-Fi isn't getting Torchwood because BBC America tends to show programs that are more risque, like Coupling and Footballers' Wives and Hotel Babylon. Torchwood, for all its sci-fi elements, is probably closer to those shows in spirit than Sci-Fi would like to have in its programming. I could be wrong, however.

[ZT4]

Kevin Stoney, who played the villains in The Dalek's Masterplan and The Invasion, as well as a Vogan in Revenge of the Cybermen, has died.

Also one of the few actors to serve in villanious associate roles to both The Daleks and The Cybermen

Mavic Chen and Tobias Vaugh were two very memorable characters, he'll be sadly missed.

[Stressfactor]

Kevin Stoney, who played the villains in The Dalek's Masterplan and The Invasion, as well as a Vogan in Revenge of the Cybermen, has died.

Oh, so sorry to hear this. I got "The Invasion" DVD a couple of months ago and I recall on the commentary track Nicholas Courtney chuckling over the fact that Stoney had been throught dead at least twice before.

He made such a memorable villain. No one ever mentions this as their favorite scene but (having listened to the surviving audio for "The Daleks Master Plan" and seen the surviving clips) I always thought that the scene in "The Invasion" where Vaughn goads Watkins into shooting him (that slap was really shocking!) and then stands there and laughs was just a terrific moment. Well played all around.

[drwho]

i think there is too much man kissing that sci fi wouldnt want to show it. too much sexual stuff going on. i miss lexx though. That was great.

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/adc/10038671A~Xenia-Seeburg-Lexx-Posters.jpg

[Tobias March]

With all the companions appearing in this series, do you reckon there'll be a "Five Companions" episode as a parody of the Doctor's one? (they can use stock footage of Kylie like they did with Tom Baker :p )

[Sanagi]

With all the companions appearing in this series, do you reckon there'll be a "Five Companions" episode as a parody of the Doctor's one? (they can use stock footage of Kylie like they did with Tom Baker :p )
Well, it seems like an obvious idea, but they've never done it before. I guess it's because you have to explain all the characters for the benefit of the less savvy members of the audience, whereas in multi-doctor stories you just have to explain the idea of regeneration.

The companion I'd most like to see return is Turlough. Even though his backstory is nightmarish and stupid.

[Stressfactor]

There are actually quite a few old companions who could be brought back. Katy Manning still looks pretty good for her age and, like Sarah Jane, she would have aged with contemporary times.

I'd like to see Frazer Hines and Wendy Padbury get another crack at things (only without the kilt at Hines' age). They could always have the Doctor travel back to 1790's Scotland to find a 60-some-odd year -old Jamie and into the future to catch up with Zoe. I suppose because its always stuck in my craw that those two companions had one of the worse send-offs. I mean Tegan may have been emotionally wrenched but at least she would one day be able to look back and pick out the good memories from the bad ones. Jamie and Zoe? Nada.

And Turlough is actually another one whom I wouldn't mind seeing how his story turned out. But could you convince Strickland to dye his hair red again?

It seems a little weird but, right now, there are a heck of a lot more companions still alive than there are Doctors -- William Russell, Carol Ann Ford, Peter Purves, Maureen O'Hara, Anneke Willis, Deborah Watling, Frazer Hines, Wendy Padbury, Carolyn John, Katy Manning, Louise Jamison, Mary Tamm, Lalla Ward, Matthew Waterhouse (but his character is dead so he probably shouldn't count), Janet Fielding, Sarah Sutton, Mark Strickland, Nicola Bryant, Bonnie Langford, Sophie Aldred, and of course Nicholas Courtney and John Levene...

Most of them also still look pretty good for their ages.

[ChrisIII]

Some of the fates of the companions are resolved in the novels and audios, however they're of ambigious 'canon'. At least one novel has Sarah Jane killed in 1997, and that doesn't fit too well with School Reunion and SJA :)


I'm curious to the fate of Leela, myself. Last time we saw her she was on Gallifrey (and still there as of "Arc of Infinity" according to some dialogue). Now the Doctor says all the time lords are dead, but she's not really one of them.


Also we're left dangling with what became of Ace. By the time of the TV movie the Seventh Doctor is travelling alone. While the novels/audios explain she sort of became a time-traveller herself (and the original TV plan for her departure was to have her become the first time lady from Earth or something like that), I don't think RTD will use that story. Ambigious canon, again.


The Brigidiar is who I'd like to see most. Apparentally UNIT is going to be playing a larger role in season 4, Torchwood, and maybe Sarah Jane (Wasn't the Brig name-check?) so he might pop up, although perhaps as an advisor instead of actually seeing combat.

[adamthered]

ooo, that preview has me all giddy. :)

[roguespirit]

I'm sure I read a novel where it was revealed that Bonnie Langfords character was dead

[Stressfactor]

Some of the fates of the companions are resolved in the novels and audios, however they're of ambigious 'canon'. At least one novel has Sarah Jane killed in 1997, and that doesn't fit too well with School Reunion and SJA :)


I'm curious to the fate of Leela, myself. Last time we saw her she was on Gallifrey (and still there as of "Arc of Infinity" according to some dialogue). Now the Doctor says all the time lords are dead, but she's not really one of them.


Also we're left dangling with what became of Ace. By the time of the TV movie the Seventh Doctor is travelling alone. While the novels/audios explain she sort of became a time-traveller herself (and the original TV plan for her departure was to have her become the first time lady from Earth or something like that), I don't think RTD will use that story. Ambigious canon, again.


The Brigidiar is who I'd like to see most. Apparentally UNIT is going to be playing a larger role in season 4, Torchwood, and maybe Sarah Jane (Wasn't the Brig name-check?) so he might pop up, although perhaps as an advisor instead of actually seeing combat.

The thing also is that, in addition to being of ambiguous canon, a number of the "fates" (as you pointed out) contradict one another. The Sarah Jane audios don't really fit in well with SJA either. And Jamie, for example, never really does resolve. Even if you accept the "Season 6B Theory" it never explains what happened to Jamie at the end. The audio "Helicon Prime" would presume that he STILL got put back in his own time with his memories erased at the end. But, once again, what is canon and what isn't?

As for Leela... Well, despite the Doctor being vain enough to keep shaving decades off his age It has been at least a couple of centuries since the Fourth Doctor left her on Galifrey. If they extended her life with their advanced science its possible but otherwise...


And, for the record, the SJA series "sort-of" name checked the Brig. At the end of one story Sarah is talking on her cell phone and she signs off with "Give my love to the Brig" but, as Bambera pointed out with some irritation in "Battlefield" SHE was the 'Brig'... so it's open to interpretation. Also, as of the televised stories (which ARE considered canon) the Brig was going right back into retirement at the end of "Battlefield" so how likely is it that he would still ACTIVELY be working with UNIT? The nickname might be sticking and he might be a "Paid Civilian Consultant" or something but otherwise...

[ZT4]

If Cartmel and Platt's goal was to make Ace a time lord, then clearly Leela, a bodyguard and friend to Romanna in the audio canon, could have regenerative capabilities if they wanted to provide her with any. They could even give The Master, any Time Lord, a second life cycle.

And in "Death Comes To Time", Ace becomes the heir to the TARDIS due to..well you'd have to listen to one big peice of crap to figure out why nobody swallowed the idea...

[Magneto_X]

Stress:

This is what retcons are made for. :D