The Snowmen

First things first - how cool are the new titles? almost like a megamix of everything since 1963.

And while we're on the subject, how bout the new TARDIS interior? Clara enters to the strains of "The Majestic Tale of  Mad Man in  Box" and it's like "Hello Sexy!" (the  TARDIS, but I guess you can include Jenna-Louise in that too!).

But while we're on the subject of the new companion, I think Jenna-Louise lived up to the potential she showed in Asylum of the Daleks. And in typical Moffat fashion he can't just give us a straight-forward introduction to the new companion can he? Hopefully we'll get some answers next year about just who Clara Oswald Oswin really is.

Matt was... well Matt. We all knew the Doctor sulking after the events of The Angels Take Manhattan wouldn't last long and the interplay between him and Jenna-Louise was a joy to behold.

I'm trying to decide if The Snowmen has replaced A Christmas Carol in my affections as the best Christmas special. Maybe not but it was still an enjoyable, action packed hour. Richard E. Grant finally make it into the world of official Doctor Who and it was nice to see (or rather hear) a blast from the past with the Great Intelligence making a comeback (I think there might be some unfinished business there what with the Doctor trying to remember what the intelligence was at the end of the episode. Does that mean the Yeti are making a comeback?). And we get a preview of what next year will bring (for the first half anyway). Roll on April 2013!

Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular - the Sydney concert

After I attended the original Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular held in Melbourne earlier this year I thought, wouldn't it be amazing if they re-staged it in the concert hall of the Sydney Opera House? Having the music on one of the most iconic TV series ever made performed in one of the most iconic buildings ever constructed. Maybe they'll do it next year for the 50th anniversary.

Eleven months later... and where did I find myself last night? (bet the BBC didn't think they've have to extend the original run of four performances to twelve because of demand!)

Essentially it was the same programme as last time, with some music from series 7 thrown in. We didn't get the Doctor again either (though Matt did send a video message), but we got the next best person. "Hello sweetie!" Yep, the Mrs! Alex Kingston took to the stage to thunderous applause and was one of the best things of the night (Mark Williams aka Rory's dad wasn't took bad either!). And of course there were Daleks, Cybermen, Silurians, Silence. There was even an Angel...

So was it better then the Melbourne concert? Different, but the same. But who cares? We were there to enjoy the music and celebrate the most iconic TV series in the world (in the most iconic concert hall in the world!). Can't wait for the next one.

The Great Detective and The Snowmen

Chrildren in Need was on the other night and that means either a minepisode or the trailer for the Chistmas special. This year it's both.

So first, the miniepisode The Great Detective

And the trailer for The Snowmen

Roll on Boxing Day!

The Complete Sixth Series

Things to love about the complete sixth series.

• The Doctor's Wife. Easily the most beautiful and astounding episode since... ever?
• Let's Kill Hitler. The most mental episodes
• Matt Smith
• Amy. As ever
• The opening episodes where the Doctor actually dies. As you spend the rest of the series thinking, how the hell are they going to get out of that???
• The revelation of who River Song is. I didn't see it coming and it nearly had me falling off my chair in shock.
• Closing Time. And the moment where you think are they really going to turn Craig into a Cyberman?
• Rita in The God Complex. Another to add to the list of companions who, sadly, never were.
• The loving tribute to The Brigadier in The Wedding of River Song
• Rory coming into his own.
• Alex Kingston. Need I say more?
• The Night and the Doctor mini-episodes
• Knowing it's sadly the last we'll see of Doctor Who Confidential (damn BBC cutbacks!)

And many more.

Behind the Sofa

Doctor Who is a show that's touched the lives of many. One of whom is the editor of this volume Steve Berry. And he's used his love of the show to raise money for a very worthy cause - the proceeds of this book go towards the work of Alzheimer's Research U.K.

A whole range of celebrities speak of how Doctor Who has effected their lives. This includes many familiar names such as Richard Briers, Bill Oddie, Katy Manning, John Challis, Shaun Digwell, Nicola Bryant, Stephen Merchant, Sophie Aldred, Neil Gaiman, Al Murray, Jon Culshaw, Janet Fielding, Lynda Bellingham, Terrance Dicks, Frances Barber, Julian Glover, Anneke Wills, Hugh Bonneville and (of all people) Michael Grade.

It's a wonderful and, a times, touching read. Recommended.

P.S.

Ever wonder what happened to Brian, Rory's dad, after the events of The Angels Take Manhattan? This video fills in the gap.

Dare anyone to watch it without crying.

The Angels Take Mahattan

"Oh, I always rip out the last page of a book. Then it doesn't have to end. I hate endings"

Oh God, where do I start? The best episode of the series? The most emotional farewell to a companion since Rose in Doomsday? Is this Steven Moffat's best episode to date, surpassing even Blink? Does Nick Hurran have a fetish for creepy hotels? (this is the same guy who directed last years The God Complex)

From the opening revelation that the Statue of Liberty is a Weeping Angel to the final moments with Amy and Rory (the longest running companions since the series came back - I'd never realised that before!), The Angels in Manhattan is a fitting swansong for them and this current series of Doctor Who. Oh, and River's in it too. And bring the tissues.

"This is the story of Amelia Pond - and this, is how it ends."

A Christmas Carol

"Now your past is going to change. That means your memories will change to. Bit scary, but you'll get the hang of it. "

A Christmas Carol is probably the best of all the Christmas specials. It's really the story of Karsik's redemption; all the other characters and subplots, even Amy and Rory, are superfluous to this. Michael Gambon is brilliant as Karsik, a rariety in Doctor Who villians; someone who's not totally evil, just misguided and damaged and, for once, someone the Doctor can redeem. Toby Hayes direction is wonderful too, as is the haunting "Abigal's Song." 

One thing that sticks in my mind from when A Christmas Carol was first broadcast was it was the first time my girlfriends father had seen Doctor Who since the Hartnell era. He loved it and would rave about it for days afterwards to anyone who's listen. It was to be his last Christmas as six months later cancer took him from us. I can't watch this episode now without thinking of him.

The Power of Three

"Because you were the first. The first face this face saw. And you're seared onto my hearts, Amelia Pond. You always will be. I'm running to you and Rory before you fade from me"

First I really like Brian, Rory's dad. He's probably the first normal person to appear in Doctor Who since Jackie Tyler.

I really enjoyed this episode. It was nice seeing what Amy and Rory's life is like when the Doctor's not around. And having Kate Stewart as the Brig's daughter was a great touch too. But I get the feeling it's all being set-up for something very sad next week.

Ace Adventures

Dragonfire:

 "Do you feel like arguing with a can of deodorant that registers nine on the Richter scale?"

Dragonfire is the best story from season 24. It's round about here that Sylvester McCoy and Andrew Cartmell get to grips with the programme. It's Sophie Aldred's first story. Yes Ace is a bit rough around the edges and probably dated especially in light of series like Skins (but put Doctor Who on in Skin's time slot and Ace could do and say what she bloody well liked!), but she was probably the best companion since Lalla Wall left the show. It's also Bonnie Langford's last story, something we should all be grateful for.


The Happiness Patrol:

 "I can hear the sound of empires toppling."

I may be in the minority but I've always like The Happiness Patrol. It's the Doctor bringing down an empire in one night. And in this case that's a good thing as it's an empire I know I wouldn't survive in, having to be happy all the time (I love the working title this story had: The Crooked Smile). The cast are excellent with Shelia Hancock's Helen A. sending up then British PM Margaret Thatcher something rotten. I don't even mind The Kandyman. It's funny, biting and brilliant.

A Town Called Mercy

"Frightened people. Give me a Dalek any day."

Doctor Who's first western since the Hartnell era's The Gunfighters. It was okay, but I think it's been the weakest of the three episodes to date.

Dinosaurs on a Spaceship

" I thought we might need a gang. Not really had a gang before. It's new."

Okay, first point. I'm getting used to "Matt Smith," etc forming out of mist. But I still prefer having them rush towards you.

Dinosaurs on a Spaceship; it is what it is. It's an ejoyable romp. What more do you want on a Saturday night?

Paradise Towers

 "Hail Pex. Hail the unalive who gave his life for the Tower. In life he was not a Kang, but in death he was brave and bold as a Kang should be."

Is it wrong that, when the pool cleaner's trying to kill Bonnie Langford, I'm rooting for it?

Paradise Towers is really where the Sylvester McCoy era begins. It's not the best story from the era, but has it's moments. But you can't help but wonder what it would have been like if they'd made is twelve months later when Ace was the companion. She would have been a more appropriate companion for this story than the wooden Mel (Bonnie Langford couldn't act to save her life).

Asylum of the Daleks

"Save us... save the Daleks!"

I'll try and keep the spoilers out of this, but be warned...

First impression: wow! Daleks! Daleks everywhere! Even original series machines. And the Special Weapons Dalek from Remembrance! And they have a parliament? And a prime minister no less!

Cracker of an opening episode.The regulars are great as ever. It's sad it's going to be Amy and Rory's last series but the future looks assured as Jenna-Louise Coleman makes a great first impression (in what was an amazingly well kept secret). Nicholas Briggs pulls out all the stops with the Dalek voices (and who'd have thought we'd ever hear a Dalek cry). A great script as you'd expect from Steven Moffat and  Nick Hurran's direction was amazing with the scenes with Rory wandering through the asylum very well stage and really scary too.

My only complaint - where was the dedication to Caroline John and Mary Tamm?

Pond Life

Series seven starts tomorrow in Australia (or last week on ABC iView). So here's the prequel. Think the last bit's really sad.

Nightmare of Eden

 

"Interfere! Of course we should interfere. Always do what you're best at, that's what I say."

I think I might be in a minority. I actually like Nightmare of Eden (I also like Horns of the Nimon - so exterminate me!). I know it's not the greatest from the Tom Baker era (or any era for that matter), but it's enjoyable and strangely adult for seventies Doctor Who (what with the drug theme). Even the Mandrel's aren't that bad, just very badly lit. And I can tolerate Lewis Fiander's strange decision to give Tryst a German accent. And when you consider the story's trouble production, with director Alan Bromly walking out midway through filming (not that he had a choice after loosing total control of the studio. Does any footage exist of Tom Baker screaming "Is there a director or a commentator up their???!!!" to the gallery?) it's a wonder that the production has any cohesion at all.

So, to sum up Nightmare of Eden: not a bad story, just misunderstood.

The Krotons

"We've been slaves for one thousand years. Do you think you can free us in one day?"

Once upon a time, The Krotons was the only complete Patrick Troughton serial in existence. Which makes you wonder, what made it so special to survive the purge when stories such as Evil of the Daleks and The Web of Fear didn't.

The Kroton's isn't a bad story as such. It's momentous in that it's Robert Holmes first contribution to Doctor Who and you can see some of his genius at work. Patrick Troughton is as wonderful as ever along with Frazer Hines and Wendy Padbury. The Krotons themselves are an interesting idea, let down by poor realization (imagine what they'd be like if the current production team chose to resurrect them? And who's idea was it to give them South Africa accents?). Also it's Philip Madoc's first appearance in the series and he's the best out of the guest cast. Otherwise it's a but like a B-movie. The thing that surprised me the most was it's on of the few Doctor Who's with no incidental music; just background noise. I was surprised to find I didn't notice the music was missing! Overall The Krotons might not be that great, but I still prefer it to The Dominators.

The disc also contains a documentary "Second Time Around" chronicling the Troughton years. I found this really enjoyable and interesting and it even had a few surprised (I didn't know Troughton and producer Peter Bryant didn't get along). It's sad to thing this'll be the last Troughton realise... unless some of the missing stories show up (which I sadly think is unlikely, but you can live in hope).

Who is Michael E. Briant?

It's rare that we've had a memoir of a Doctor Who director (I think the only other one was by Graeme Harper. And that really only covered Caves of Androzani and Revelation of the Daleks) so I took to this with some interest. Briant covers not only the six stories he directed (which includes The Sea Devils, The Green Death and Robots of Death) but also his time as a floor manager during the shows black and white era, as well as other programmes. It's a pleasant if not spectacular read. But I was disappointed the biggest question of all wasn't answered: what's the "E" in Michael E/ Briant stand for?

Death to the Daleks

Unlike Nicholas Briggs, I can't share his enthusiasm for this story. It's not a bad one, but not good either. Mediorce maybe? The scene in episode 3 where the city root attacks the Daleks is pretty good. And the incidental music is unique to say the least. But otherwise it's bland.

The DVD extras on the other hand have something special. The first time the series has taken a look at the Dalek movies of the sixties. Some footage of the filming was recently found and is included on the disc along with interviews with some of the cast and crew. The best bit is when actor Jason Flemyng, son of directer Gordon Flemygn, says he can't wait for his kids to be old enough to watch the movies so he can talk to them about their grandfather (Gordon having passed away in 1995). Which shows how Doctor Who can bridge generations. I they like it.

Mary Tamm 1950-1962

What a horrible twelve months it's been for Doctor Who companions. First Nicholas Courtney, then Elisabeth Sladen, Caroline John and now Mary Tamm. All gone. Cancer took them all.

My thoughts are with Mary's family.

The Sun Makers

 "Perhaps everyone runs from the taxman?"

What was it Graham Bond once said? Beware the wounded satirist. Otherwise you may become part of their repertoire. Never was a truer word spoken in Robert Holmes' case when he had his battle with the Inland Revenue. He turned it into one of the funniest Doctor Who's ever. Tom Baker's at his best here. And Henry Woolfe and Richard Hade as the Collector and Gather Hade respectively are another great Holmes double act. This is probably the best story of the fifteen series.

Tales of Television Centre

Off topic, but only just!

The BBC's Television Centre in West London has been, amongst other things, the home of BBC Television since the early 1960s. Sadly, the BBC have decided to leave this iconic building later this year. In order to mark this end of an era, BBC4 recently screened Tales of Television Centre, which has fortunately been uploaded onto YouTube (see below).

Of course TVC was home to to Doctor Who for most of the classic series and the programme is well represented here with contributions from Peter Davison, Katy Manning, Louise Jameson, Janet Fielding, Brian Blessed (with a very interesting tale to tell about the statue in the middle of the "donut"), directors Waris Hussein and Graeme Harper, costume designer June Hudson,vision mixer Clive Doig, cameramen Roger Bunce and John Henshell and former BBC1 controller Jonathan Powell.

But Doctor Who was only a small (but important!) part of the output from this building. This fascinating documentary contains rare behind-the-scenes footage (including a clip of Christopher Barry directing Z-Cars!) and contributions from Terry Wogan (who else?), David Attenbrough, Penelope Keith, Jools Hooland, Phillip Glenister, Nigel Havers, Griff Rhys-Jones and Robert Powell amongst others. Even the guy who did the graphics on Grandstand gets a look in (though I find it interesting that the only director-general they interviewed was Greg Dyke).

The best bit? I'd say all of it, but the ending is very emotional with all the contributors being asked to sum up in one word what TVC means to them. A few were even moved to tears.

How would I describe TVC in one word? It's an impossible task. It was not just Doctor Who that was born and made here, but also The Goodies, Monty Python's Flying Circus, Blake's 7, Yes Minister/Prime Minister, Are You Being Served?, Life on Mars/Ashes to Ashes, Being Human... the list goes on. So how would I describe it? A wondrous place that will live on in the programmes that were made there. And hopefully the next director-general will reverse the decision! And hopefully there'll be a DVD realise because I'd love to see the stories that didn't make the final cut!

The Daemons

"Jenkins...chap with wings there, five rounds, rapid!"

If you've read this blog on a regular basis then you'll know I'm not a huge fan of the Pertwee era. And this story is regarded by many as one of the classics from that era. I'd last seen it over thirty years ago, and my only real memory of that was a black and white version of episode 1.

Well, I was pleasantly surprised. The Daemons is a great story and everyone puts their all into it. Damaris Hayman's Miss Hawthone is a joy. Even the characters who are in it for five minutes are wonderful (hello Robin Wentworth's Professor Horner).  The demons themselves are very well realised; I liked the swooping crane shots to film Azal's point of view(even The Master looks scared) and Bok is very endearing (for a homicidal gargoyle!).

So The Daemons lives up to its reputation. But I think it looked better in monochrome!

The Face of Evil

"The very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common. They don't alter their views to fit the facts. They alter the facts to fit their views. Which can be uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that needs altering."


The Face of Evil is memorable for a couple of things. For me it was the cliffhanger to episode one where the Doctor's face is writ large Mount Rushmore style on the side of a mountain. But it's better known as the first story to feature Leela; a companion unlike any other before or since. Louise Jameson's performance is wonderful and her rapport with Tom Baker is great (it's hard to believe that they weren't getting along at the time).


Aside from that it's a pretty good story. Just over shadowed by The Deadly Assassin on one side and Robots of Death and The Talons of Weng-Chiang on the other. 

U.N.I.T. Files

First, twenty years before Jurassic Park...

Invasion of the Dinosaurs isn't a bad story (aside from being two episodes long. My constant complaint with most six parters!). But everyone remembers it for the dinosaurs. They're not that bad and director Paddy Russell keeps them in the background as much as possible. The story's a little far-fetched but there are some good moments. The opening sequences in deserted London are really effective (maybe it should be thirty years before 28 Days Later?).

The Android Invasion likewise is a story that's underrated, but only because it;s surrounded by other classics. It's probably Terry Nation's second best script for the series (after Genesis of the Daleks. But you've got to wonder how much of that was the influence of Roberts Holmes?). Again, a little far-fetched (hello Guy Craven's eye patch) but enjoyable. The cliffhanger to episode 2, where the android Sarah falls to the ground as her "face" falls off. has always stuck out in my mind. I remember when I first saw it and it scared the hell out of me!

The best bit on the discs? Phillip Hinchcliffe sitting down with his daughter reviewing his career post-Doctor Who. Beautifully made and very touching.

Day of the Daleks

"Who knows? I may have helped to exterminate you."

Day of the Daleks isn't a bad story. The biggest problem with it is the Daleks themselves. After being in hibernation for about over five years you expect it to be a triumphant return (and in colour no less!). But what we get is three rather tatty Dalek props. And as for the voices the less said the better. The special edition does go someway to address this, but it does sound strange having Nick Briggs voice on 1970s Daleks. But aside from that it's one of the better Pertwee stories.

Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular, Part II

Has it really been a month since that wonderful night in Melbourne? As I said in a previous post, there's amateur footage of it up on YouTube. Here's two of the best videos I've found so far.

First, This is Gallifey and Vale Decem (a piece of music always guaranteed to make me cry!)

And the conclusion - what else but Ron Grainer's epic theme music.

Hey, BBC! Any chance we can have something like this next year at the Opera House for the 50th?

The Sensorites

Why is is no one ever talks about the Sensorites? After all, there have been worse (hello The Twin Dilemma and Timelash). I guess it's just not that particularly memorable, aside from the design of the aliens themselves. I guess it just has an indifferent reputation. Which is a shame because it's not that bad; a little slow in parts and maybe two episodes too long though. Stephen Dartnell's performance as the deranged John is particularly good. And the cliffhanger to episode one is rather creepy (which goes to show that even in space you're not safe from someone wanting to wash your windows!).

But it's in the documentary we discover something really special. The writer of The Sensorites, Peter R. Newman, has always been something of an enigma; indeed The Sensorites was one of only two credits to his name. So in Looking for Peter, Toby Hadoke sets out to solve the riddle in an interesting and touching documentary. While Newman may have not had many produced works to his name, through his connection to Doctor Who he achieved a sort of immortality.

Colony in Space

I thought I'd seen all of the Pertwee era stories but again this is a story I have no memory of.

The Third Doctor's trip off Earth since his exile and it's a disappointment (guess what - it's another bloody quarry!). I realise Malcolm Hulke was trying to address some serious issues, but it's best described as worthy but bland.

Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular

BEST! CONCERT! EVER!

On Saturday night I (along with thousands of other fans) had the great delight of being in Melbourne for the Doctor Who Symphony Spectacular; the first time such a concert had been performed out of the U.K. and the first time music from series 6 had been performed live. Now, I would have gone just for the music, which is brilliant anyway and  was performed superbly by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra under the assured direction of Ben Foster (along with the Concordis Chamber Choir and soloists Antoinette Halloran and Tobias Cole), but also Cybermen, Silurians, Judoon, Ood, Silence and DALEKS roaming the hall. Honestly, my girlfriend reckons she's never seen me happier!

The best bits? The Madman with a Box, I am The Doctor, Abigal's Song, The Majestic Tale of a Madman in a Box,This is Gallifrey/Vale Decem, Song of Freedom and (naturally) the Doctor Who Theme which closed the show (with every title sequence since 1963 on the big screen)

There was a camera crew there so I'm hoping it was filmed for later broadcast or DVD realise but there's (not surprisingly) amateur footage of YouTube. And here's a couple of photo's I took on the night.

Nearly showtime

Matt Smith sends greetings from the UK

The Silurians invade the stage

Cybermen!

Antionette Halloran sings the haunting Abigail's Song

Daleks!!!

The Silence

The conclusion of Vale Decem

The Doctor Who theme

The Complete Series 5

"Hello, I'm the Doctor. Basically, run."

And with those words I fell in love with Matt Smith's Doctor and Steven Moffat's vision for Doctor Who.

Things to love about series 5 (apart from the above).

• Karen Gillan
• More River Song
• The move to filming in HD. The series has never looked better
• The St. John's Ambulance sticker on the TARDIS door
• Rory Williams. He does grow on you
• The Lodger: the Doctor attempting to act as a normal person
• The new arrangement of the theme. Okay, it takes some getting used to. But it does grow on you
• Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Well, what else would you call the TARDIS?
• Murray Gold's music: less strident than years past (though nothings come close to Doomsday for sheer tear-jerking brilliance)
• "I'm the bloody queen mate!"
• The Winders (I swear one day I'll put one on my desk so people know if I'm in a good mood or not)
• The new look Daleks
• The Pandorica Opens... and it's Doctor Who's Woodstock
• The Dalek begging River for mercy
• The Doctor always leaving the handbrake on (TARDIS' have handbrakes???)
• The first happy ending to the series since the rebirth
• Amy's Choice: killer OAPs and the new series Valeyard

Any many more.

The End of Time

Things to like about The End of Time:

• David Tennant, Bernard Cribbins and John Simm. Honestly, you could spend hours watching these guys.
• The last twenty minutes with the most emotional (and explosive) regeneration ever.
• The last time we'll ever see Sarah-Jane in Doctor Who (though, of course, no one was expecting that at the time.
• "This song is ending. But the story never ends." RTD's nod to the audience.
• The revelation of who will knock four times (I wasn't expecting who it was either)
• The Time Lord's brief return (though I would have loved to have seen more of the Time War. And what exactly was The Nightmare Child and all the rest of it?)

Otherwise it's a bit of a disappointment. An entertaining one certainly, but still disappointing. It feels like an average end of season episode and not an epic last stand for the Tenth Doctor.