Doctor Who News

The Power of the Doctor and the near death experience

(October 27, 2022) The Master of course snarfed up everything he could carry from Gallifrey and in his eternal quest against The Doctor, he used the "forced regeneration machine". That sent The Doctor into a near death experience that was extremely unlike real NDEs.

Doctor who going on 1 yr hiatus before 60th anniversary 3-specials blowout

(October 25, 2022) Surprise, David Tennant is the 14th Doctor, and the schedule says no new episodes until November 2023. And, that new logo looks awfully familiar.

If The Doctor (Doctor Who) were blown to smithereens by a land-mine, would he die?

(March 17, 2018)

Time Lords famously are hard to kill, and those who die can cheat death by regenerating themselves. But, what happens if a Time Lord, like The Doctor, dies in an extremely dramatic fashion - like being blown to little tiny bits by a bomb - or vaporized in a nuclear explosion - would that Time Lord actually die even if s/he had several remaining regenerations? The evidence is mixed on this question, so let's take a look.

Smith was 13, Capaldi 14, Whittaker 15, how many regenerations does The Doctor have remaining?

(Sun Dec 31 2017 16:00:00 GMT-0800 (Pacific Standard Time))

The first Female Doctor ever has been minted, now that Jodi Whittaker has taken over the role, but the big question is how many regenerations are left. By any rational regeneration counting, we ran out of regenerations -- supposedly Time Lords can only regenerate 12 times -- but the show has continued on. The in-show explanation is that the Matt Smith Doctor was given a new regneration cycle, letting us enjoy Peter Capaldi as The Doctor. But, how many regeneration cycles are remaining for The Doctor?

In Dr. Who mythology, if regeneration can result in a change of gender, why has it taken The Doctor more than 12 regenerations to become female?

(February 4, 2020) I found this question on an answers website and I guess there really is this conversation still going on about the legitimacy of Jodi Whittaker as The Doctor. Please, people, The 13th Doctor is an incarnation of The Doctor, and Jodi Whittaker has already proved herself. But, it's a worthy enough question to ponder for today. Why did the BBC take so long to place a woman in the position of The Doctor?

Looking back at Torchwood seasons 1-3 - Torchwood coming to the Colonies

(2011-07-14 08:42) Last friday, Torchwood came to American television with a crash-bang-bazooka-filled show that's probably typical for modern American television (not owning a television, I don't see much TV, and have no clue what's common on American TV). Before getting into reviewing the new Torchwood, it's necessary to look back to where it came from, especially since it seems the new version will pretty much ignore Torchwood's origins as a spin-off from Doctor Who. There's two ways to appreciate Torchwood, as a spin-off from and participant in the Doctor Who universe, and as a standalone story. As a Doctor Who fan, my interest in Torchwood is its' role in the Doctor Who universe, but I do understand that some may watch the show on its own merit and not care about the blue box that spawned Torchwoods very existence.

Review: Torchwood, Miracle Day (Torchwood comes to the colonies)

(2011-07-16 20:10) Torchwood is coming to the Colonies, that is, to America. I'm not sure if I like the idea, but it's what the people in charge of things decided to do and here we are, seeing the remaining Torchwood team-members brought to the land of loud car chases.

Creepy confessors from the Papal Mainframe - The Silence

(April 3, 2017) When first 'seen' in the Impossible Astronaut, these mysterious creatures were a puzzle. They could zap people, they were all over the place on Planet Earth, yet had a strange ability to be immediately forgotten, and were involved with training The Doctor's bespoke assassin - River Song. That last bit we didn't know until much later. Instead we knew that Amy and Rory's daughter was kept by them in a creepy mansion. It wasn't the end of Matt Smiths time we learned what the Papal Mainframe is, and the true role of the Silence.

Quantum-locked angels from the beginning of the universe - Don't Blink

(April 3, 2017) The Weeping Angels were born before the beginning of the universe, apparently. Their curious trait is that when observed, they are quantum locked and cannot move, and can move freely when unobserved. They feed off time vortex energy created by sending victims into the past, and feeding off the time potential of the life which was lost.

BBC's first hints on Regeneration from Jodie Whittaker (Doctor 13) to replacement

(January 29, 2022) We know that Jodie Whittaker ends her run as The Doctor at the end of 2022. We don't know who will replacement her. But we do know a teensy bit about where the regeneration occurs.

David Tennant to return as The 14th Doctor? Do what? What are they smoking?

(January 21, 2022) In what may be a silly fan rumor that will go nowhere, there's a claim that a BBC source has said to someone that David Tennant will return to Doctor Who to be The Doctor. This doesn't make much sense, or rather it makes less sense than having Russell T Davies return as Show Runner. Maybe the BBC is desparate?

The unlikely way for the BBC to handle the 2023 holiday special after Whittakers exit

(November 18, 2021) It's been announced that Jodi Whittaker's final episode is in the Fall of 2022, and Russell T. Davies first episode is the 60th Anniversary in November 2023. If there is to be a holiday special on January 1, 2023, there is an extremely unlikely way to handle this which would be extremely interesting.

Cyborg robots, seeking a home world, improving other races by erasing emotions - The Cybermen

(April 11, 2017) The Daleks have been The Doctors longest-running enemy. They were people once, but a thousand-year-long war against the Thals forced them to remake their race into cyborg tanks intent on racial purity and being the superior race of the galaxy. Taking that to it's logical conclusion, the Daleks develop over time technological mastery way beyond anyone's imagination, but dedicated to the cause of wiping out all other inferior life forms.

Cyborg Tanks hell-bent on racial purity, cleansing the universe of all inferiors - The Daleks

Reclusive Time Lords, watching over all of time and space, what's their game? Gallifrey

(April 22, 2017) We first learned of Gallifrey at the very end of the 2nd Doctor's time when, in the conclusion of The War Games, The Doctor had to appeal for their help. After which The Doctor was exiled to Earth for a couple years. Since then we've learned more and more about Gallifrey as tidbits here and there have been revealed in episodes.

Omega, The Hand of Omega, Rassilon, The Doctor, and the nonsensical story of The Timeless Child

(April 6, 2020) In the finale of Doctor Who (2005) Season 12, The Timeless Children, we were told a story about the origin of The Time Lords that is not only enraging the fans, but is silly nonsense. That episode would have us believe that what made The Time Lords so powerful was their ability to regenerate. Actually, what made the Time Lords so powerful was the energy source available to them, and their abilities to fiddle with time streams. Without access to nearly limitless energy, The Time Lords would have simply been a curious race of people on an obscure planet who happened to be able to regenerate upon death. Which gets us to a little scene in the Seventh Doctor story The Remembrance of the Daleks.

Detailed background of the 1996 Doctor Who TV Movie starring Paul McGann

(November 26, 2018) During the hiatus between the end of Sylvester McCoy era and 2005 revival, the BBC had several ideas for revival, including several discussions with American producers for a joint collaboration. After several possible deals fell through, the Paul McGann TV Movie was created for Fox TV. The attached video goes over all the plans for an American version of Doctor Who, ending with a discussion of why the Paul McGann TV movie did not spawn a full TV series.

BBC confirms Jodie Whittaker and Chris Chibnall leaving Doctor Who at end of 2022

(November 18, 2021) In September, it was announced Russell T. Davies would be returning to Doctor Who as the Show Runner, and that both Chris Chibnall and Jodi Whittaker were leaving Doctor Who, with RTD taking over for the 60th Anniversary special. Reading between the lines told us it was likely the last Chibnall/Whittaker episode would be in the Fall of 2022. Today, the BBC made an announcement about this.

How will or can they explain the 13th Doctor not being in The Day of the Doctor?

(June 23, 2018) The Day of the Doctor contained the first cameo presentation of Peter Capaldi's eyebrows, and the phrase that all thirteen of the Doctors were there (Doctors 1-12 plus the War Doctor). The operative phrase being "No, sir, All Thirteen". As proper geeks our question today is, why wasn't it "All Fourteen" or "All Twenty"?

Doctor #13, Jodi Whittaker, and TARDIS crew at Comic-Con 2018 San Diego

(July 21, 2018) The first public appearance of the new TARDIS crew happened this week at Comic-Con 2018 San Diego. Present were Jodi Whittaker, two of the companions, Chris Chibnal, and a Producer. They had an hour-long panel in Comic-Con, and also sat for a couple interviews with TV programs.

Why is Jodi Whittaker the 13th Doctor when Matt Smith was actually the 13th Doctor?

(July 23, 2018) It's firmly established that Time Lords (in Doctor Who) can have 12 regenerations, and therefore they have 13 bodies. By the accounting presented in Doctor Who, Matt Smith was Doctor #13 because his was the 12th regeneration. But, the BBC and everyone is crowing that Jodi Whittaker is Doctor #13. WTF?

Jodie Whittaker quits Doctor Who, as expected after Companions depart the show

(January 5, 2021) The typical Doctor Who pattern is that after a Departure of Companions, it's very likely The Doctor will depart shortly afterward. At the end of Revolution of the Daleks it was shown that not only had two of the Companions left the show, but a new Companion was joining. Two days ago (3-4 days after the airing of Revolution of the Daleks), the Mirror ran a rumor that Whittaker was leaving Doctor Who at the end of Season 13.

A Matter of Time - Graham Williams, Lalla Ward, and more discuss The Fourth Doctor

(July 16, 2018) It was during the Key To Time season when Lalla Ward was first brought into Doctor Who, as one of the characters in an episode. Next thing we knew Romana 1 had changed her body and became Romana 2, played by Lalla Ward. This documentary discusses a change in Producers from Phillipe Hinchcliffe to Graham Williams, as a reaction to complaints about violence in Doctor Who. Apparently the Hinchcliffe era was thought to be too filled with horror, and BBC management engaged in a form of censorship.

Tom Baker first interview as The Doctor

(June 30, 2018) This interview occurred while Tom Baker was in caverns filming an episode, but before any of his episodes had aired, and Tom Bakers life had not yet been flipped on its head. He says he enjoys going to the pub and hanging out with friends, but expects that may change once the episodes are aired. See this to get an idea of what Tom Baker before the fame went to his head. Oh, and, "Would you like a Jelly Baby?"

How Tom Baker Became The Fourth Doctor | Doctor Who

(June 29, 2018) Tom Baker was of course the Fourth Doctor, the longest-running Doctor, a fan favorite and all that. In this interview Tom tells how how he got the job. At the time, Tom Baker was not actively working as an actor, and had to work in Construction to make ends meet.

Tom Baker, Elisabeth Sladen, on Swap Shop in 1976

(June 30, 2018) Tom Baker and Elisabeth Sladen interviewed on the Swap Shop TV program. They'd been filming a season, that hadn't been aired yet, and therefore they couldn't say anything. Elisabeth Sladen quipped that it wouldn't be revealing anything to say they'd been filming in a quarry.

Jovanka Airlines, intro to Doctor Who season 19 DVD

(August 24, 2018) "Brave Heart Tegan" said The Doctor on many occasions. Ms. Jovanka was on her way to Heathrow to begin an airline stewardess career when The Master killed her sister, and Tegan Jovanka accidentally found her way into the TARDIS. Following that introduction to The Doctor, Tegan remained as a companion for most of Peter Davison's run, and now seemingly owns an airline?

Review: The Two Doctors (Doctor Who)

(2009-08-25 22:43) "When you travel around as much as I do, it's almost inevitable that you'll run into yourself at some point." This is yet another of the stories where the Doctor meets various instances of himself. This time the story starts in black & white (fading quickly to color), with the 2nd Doctor and Jamie heading to a space station (as big as 20 castles) to meet with some scientists. Thus ensues a rather screwball story that could only be Doctor Who.

Doctor Who: The Macra Terror (S04E034)

(2008-10-10 08:53) The Doctor and Companions land on an unnamed planet in Earth's colonial future and find a man being attacked by a huge clawed insect monster. They are greeted by Medok, a half-crazed colonist, who is promptly arrested by Ola, the Chief of Police. It seems everybody who professes to see these monsters are made out to be crazy paranoids and are sent to the hospital for readjustment of their thinking, and if they do not conform they're sent into the gas mines where they tend to die. The people of the colony are doing some unspecified work to perform gas mining, and the gas has an unspecified purpose.

Doctor Who: The Daleks Master Plan (S03E021)

(2008-09-23 21:03) A very long story, spanning 12 episodes, it is an extensive delving into the ultimate goal held by the Daleks. Namely the EXTERMINATION of everything which is non-Dalek. A prequel was shown, "Mission to the Unknown", which didn't even show The Doctor at all. Instead it showed a group of military men on a mission to a jungle-filled place where some of the plants had a special poison which converted people into more instances of those plants. A very rugged and dangerous place full of death and Daleks, but no time travelers. In the Master Plan we see there is an empire of several intergalactic races of beings. It's a little confusing because Mavic Chen is said to be the Guardian of the Solar System but at the same time that role places him in leadership over the whole conglomeration of intergalactic cultures. Either they mean something else by 'Solar System' or, well, I'm just confused.

Doctor Who: The Power of the Daleks (S04E030)

(2008-10-04 21:44) Hey, who's that guy and what has he done with the Doctor? That's what Ben and Polly are asking themselves having witnessed the first Regeneration. It's nigh on impossible for the Doctors face to change like that, so it has to be somebody else, some usurper. But they quickly discover it really is the Doctor, somehow changed form, as they remember his words just before about his body being worn out. In the meantime they've landed on a strange planet, which they learn is Vulcan. The TARDIS has landed them in the midst of "mercury swamps". Pretty soon the Doctor witnesses a man be murdered, and he has a moment to search the man and retrieve a badge which declares him to be The Inspector and that the bearer is afforded all access. This rank will prove useful in the adventure to come.

Review: Doctor Who - The War Games

(2009-08-22 20:15) The War Games is a fabulous classic Doctor Who story. It was the last regular appearance of Patrick Troughton as the Second Doctor, and of Wendy Padbury and Frazer Hines as companions Zoe Heriot and Jamie McCrimmon. It originally aired from 19 April–21 June 1969, lasting for a lengthy 10 episodes, and has recently been released on DVD. The story line is a deep exploration of war and why we make war. The DVD package includes three DVD's, two of which contains the episodes and the third contains the special documentary content.

Doctor Who: The Tomb of the Cybermen (S05E036)

(2008-10-24 21:39) On the planet Telos, an archeological expedition uncovers a hidden entrance in the side of a mountain. When a member of the expedition touches the doors, he is electrocuted. The TARDIS lands nearby, and the expedition is joined by the Doctor, Jamie and Victoria. Parry, the expeditions leader, explains that they are here to find the remains of the Cybermen, who apparently died out centuries before. The expedition is funded by Kaftan, who is accompanied by her giant manservant Toberman and her colleague Klieg. Hmm says the Doctor...

Doctor Who: The Underwater Menace (S04E032)

(2008-10-05 21:56) In Jamie's inaugural voyage in the TARDIS we travel to Atlantis. It is not an Atlantis of ancient times, but one which has been buried beneath the ocean until modern times. A modern day mad scientist, Professor Zaroff, has made his way to Atlantis and has a crackpot crazy scheme. He's told the Atlantean's that he can raise their city from beneath the ocean, and to these people who have been buried for centuries having their city above the ocean again is appealing. However Zaroff has a different plan, one which will involve destruction of the planet.

Doctor Who: The Three Doctors, William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, and Jon Pertwee

(July 22, 2018) In this, the first multi-Doctor story, we see a situation so dire that the Time Lords must bring together multiple incarnations of The Doctor. The name Gallifrey had not been revealed yet, but the Time Lords "home world" was under attack by Omega. Omega was the Time Lord who developed the time experiments which gave Time Lords the ability to travel throughout time. However in the process Omega was trapped in an alternate dimension, and sought revenge.

Dr Who Review, Part 5 - The Tom Baker Era

(June 30, 2018) This is the 5th of a series of in-depth reviews by "Clever Dick Films" of Doctor Who era's. "Who wants to act, I can be Tom" This era was dominated not just by Tom Baker, but Phillip Hinchcliffe and Bob Holmes.

Doctor Who: The Keys of Marinus (S01E005)

(2008-07-12 22:15) The Doctor and companions land on an island with a pyramid shaped tower. I saw that tower and thought Atlantis but the story had nothing to do with Atlantis, so much for that. In any case they immediately fall into intrigue and a planet full of mysterious peoples. The tower contained a remnant of the technological development of the people of that planet, it contained a machine that broadcast a signal which made everybody agreeable and peaceful. But some were not affected by the machine and there had been a war etc. The machine was operated by five keys, and the keys had been scattered for safekeeping. The Doctor and Companions then are sent on a quest to travel across the planet and recover all the keys.

Doctor Who: Marco Polo (S01E004)

(2008-07-11 20:05) Marco Polo is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in 7 weekly parts from February 22 to April 4, 1964. Although audio tracks and still photographs of the story exist, none of the footage of this serial has survived. This is the first "pure historical" Doctor Who story, in that there are no science fictional elements other than the fact that the Doctor and his companions have travelled to the past. I watched the Loose Cannon reconstruction of this story and it's a great loss that the original footage has been lost. It's clear from the still pictures used by Loose Cannon that the sets and costumes were very well done, and that this story must have been a great spectacle.

Doctor Who: The Massacre of St Bartholomews Eve (S03E022)

(2008-09-14 21:38) A very confusing story this one is. Following their battle with the Daleks the Doctor and the sole Companion, Steven, land in medieval Paris. Yes, Paris again, fortunately it's not the horrors of the Revolution. Once they determine the era the Doctor sets off on a mysterious errand having to do with meeting a scientist and to deliver some papers. He leaves Steven to his own ends, and of course Steven gets involved with High Intrigue of the highest levels.

Doctor Who: Mission to the Unknown recreated?!?!!!

(February 23, 2019) Mission to the Unknown was a one-parter 1st Doctor story previewed the epic 12-parter Daleks Master Plan. This is one of the completely missing stories, existing solely as audio coupled with telesnaps. A team at the U of Lancastershire is working on recreating the episode with top production values. Is it just a glorified "fan film"? It has the cooperation of the BBC, and Nicholas Briggs is playing the Voice of the Daleks.

Doctor Who: The Myth Makers (S02E020)

(2008-09-05 21:53) How did the Greeks get the idea to build a giant horse and use it to sneak their troops inside Troy? Why, the Doctor told 'em, that's how they got the idea. Uuuuuhh... It's got to be boring to be laying seige to a city for 10 years. Ten years!! Sheesh, some people just can't let go of a grudge, can they?

Special feature - Planet of Giants Recreated - Planet of Giants - Doctor Who - BBC

(June 28, 2018) The BBC brought together Carol Ann Ford and William Russell to recreate portions of the 1st Doctor story, The Planet of Giants, along with a cast of actors to imitate the missing cast members.

Doctor Who: Planet of the Giants (S02E009)

(2008-08-14 20:37)

Honey! I shrank the Doctor!

Due to a glitch the Doctor and Companions end up small. Very small. As in, smaller than the typical insect. But they don't realize this at first, as they are wandering through a landscape of strangely large but familiar looking objects. Such as a box of matches the size of a car. After awhile they realize they aren't trapped in an oddball amusement park, but instead they have been shrunk and the problem for them is how to return to "normal" size.

To make matters interesting the place they land was the home laboratory of a chemist working on a very potent insecticide. One which is especially dangerous to the humans in their extremely tiny size, as Barbara learns when she touches some of the insecticide.

Doctor Who Video Snippets: The Reign of Terror (S01E008)

(July 12, 2018) The final episode of Doctor Who Season 1 saw the TARDIS crew land in Paris during the Reign of Terror. While Ian, Barbara and Susan were jailed, The Doctor took a role of some kind of big-wig with a fancy hat. After escaping jail, Ian, Barbara and Susan took up with some revolutionaries, and were there to observe Napolean Boneparte agree to join the revolution, a move that would make him the Emporer.

Doctor Who: The Reign of Terror (S01E008)

(2008-08-14 20:30) This was a very difficult series to watch, because of the horrendous conditions the Doctor and companions endured. They find themselves landed in the French countryside and it's nice and idyllic until they start meeting people. A young boy acts very badly towards them, and shortly after they come into a farmhouse that's infested with spies who use this place as a safehouse, and shortly after that a French Army unit arrive to arrest the spies. It turns out they have landed during the French Revolution during the time of Robespierre, the chief orchestrator of government during the Reign of Terror.

Doctor Who Video Snippets: The Romans (S02E012)

(July 12, 2018) In The Romans, we see The Doctor and Vicki go to ancient Rome, supposedly leaving Ian and Barbara alone in a villa they found unoccupied. But, Ian and Barbara were captured by slavers and ended up in Rome as well, as slaves. In the meantime The Doctor takes the place of a gentleman who was intent on killing Ceasar Nero, and various ensuing odd occurrences occur. One of which is The Doctor giving Nero the idea to burn Rome so he can implement his grand vision to redesign Rome.

Doctor Who: The Romans (S02E012)

(2008-08-19 20:25) We join the Doctor and companions in Ancient Roman times, chilling in a "borrowed" villa in the countryside. They're enjoying a well earned rest when the Doctor gets bored and wants to see Rome. He takes with him his new friend, Vicki, to come and see Rome as well. That leaves Ian and Barbara at the villa supposedly party poopers who aren't into seeing the sights and painting the town red or some such.

Doctor Who: The Sensorites (S01E007)

(2008-08-14 20:11) A very confusing and intricately plotted series which ends up in a very interesting place. The Doctor and Companions find themselves on a spaceship where the inhabitants appear to be dead. They're about to say "whatever" and leave when it appears maybe they aren't dead. They're able to resuscitate the inhabitants and embark on this strange journey.

Doctor Who: The Smugglers (S04E028)

(2008-10-01 19:16) The Doctor starts to leave with the TARDIS, all alone, because Dodo sent a message that she wished to stay in London. Except, Ben and Polly have accidentally boarded the TARDIS just before dematerialization. Once he sees them he's knowing that they're stuck with him for awhile, but of course they're obstinate that they're in 1966 London and that Ben has to get to his ship, etc. Then the ship lands somewhere and, despite now being on a beach, still thinking they're in 1966 they start heading towards the church they see in the distance. And thus ensues an Adventure in the past.

Doctor Who: The Space Museum (S02E015)

(2008-08-23 12:13) The Doctor and Companions arrive at a strange place, a seemingly deserted building full of artifacts. They had a mishap during landing which lead to their being disjoint from time. In the building they eventually see people but the people cannot see them. Curious as to what's going on they explore further, and then find a room containing the TARDIS and they're shocked to see themselves on display. The realization comes, they're seeing their own future and the question comes, how do they avoid this future? Is the future predetermined and there is no way to avoid it? Or are they able to, having been informed of the future, take steps to avoid the future? Or are any steps they take part of the predetermined steps which will take them to their future even as they take those steps to avoid the future they already know about?

Doctor Who: The Tenth Planet (S04E029)

(2008-10-01 22:18) Woah.. the first appearance of the Cybermen, and the first regeneration. And a real tense story to boot. The Doctor and Companions land on a new planet, which the Doctor declares to be the "Coldest Place on the Planet". It is 1986, and they are at the South Pole near 'Snowcap Base' which appears to have been a rocket base that sends up missions to study the weather. It's presented as a stereotypical military base, with a small contingent of stir crazy men, with no females in site anywhere. Shortly after their arrival a "new planet" shows up in their instruments, they're able to see pictures of the planet and it has land masses recognizably the same as Earths. Except the land masses are pictured as being upside down. The Doctor recognizes the place and declares this is the planet

Mondas, and that they are about to have visitors. Apparently he knows all about the Cybermen and their planet.

Doctor Who: The Rescue (S02E011)

(2008-08-19 20:02) The Doctor an Companions, in need of a new young lady to be the Doctor's friend, land on the planet Dido. It seems the Doctor has been to Dido before and expected to find friendly and peaceful people. Except what they find instead is a crash-landed space-craft and a local who is anything but friendly or peaceful.

Doctor Who: The Savages (S03E026)

(2008-09-27 20:37) The Doctor and Companions arrive on a strange planet, the Doctor is certain they have arrived in the "distant future" but Steven isn't so sure as there are signs it is the Iron age or something. The Doctor goes out exploring leaving Steven and Dodo behind, they encounter some savages who attack them with spears while the Doctor meets some soldiers from a city. They all eventually come to the city and find a civilization of high advancement, scientifically minded, highly advanced artists, etc. It is a beautiful place where they are welcome to stay. Except that Dodo feels something isn't right, she slips away and finds a laboratory in which the life force of people are sucked out of them. It turns out this civilization's high achievements are at the cost of stealing life force energy from the "savages". The supposedly highly advanced people regard these others, the "savages", as nothings, and by regarding them as nothing they then treat these "savages" without regard for humanity or concern for their wellbeing.

Doctor Who: The Time Meddler (S02E017)

(2008-08-26 07:45) Okay, so who's the new companion? Turns out the guy they met last episode managed to sneak aboard and he's now their new companion. He's a little green, however, but is probably gonna learn himself a thing or two about dodging space monsters. In any case they arrive somewhere on the beach at the base of some tall cliffs. Unsure when/where they've arrived they go exploring and eventually learn they're in Northumbria in 1066 just before the Battle of Hastings. Coincidentally they've landed at the place where the Vikings led by Harold Hardrada were to invade, and due to the Viking invasion King Harold Godwinson of England had to divert the troops to fight the Vikings and then when William the Conqueror invaded the army was worn out from already fighting one foe.

Looking back at Doctor Who Unearthly Child with Mark Gatiss et al

(July 3, 2018) In 2013 for the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, this gathering happened at the British Film Institute to discuss and go over the early early days of Doctor Who. The special focus was on the first four episodes, starting with An Unearthly Child. With those episodes the mold for Doctor Who was set, that you step into this thing which looks like a police box, that's supposed to blend in with its surroundings, but is intent on remaining a police box, and allows travel to all of time and space.

Doctor Who: An Unearthly Child (S01E01)

(2008-07-04 20:52)

What an auspicious beginning to a TV show which would become iconic. Did they know the show would last as long as it has?

An Unearthly Child is constructed as a very good starting point, introducing the people to The Doctor and his ways. The episode introduces us to the Cold Hill School and the junkyard in which the Doctor and Susan live. Schoolteachers Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright are concerned about Susan Foreman, who seems to have a very alien outlook on England. She is precocious but seems to have strange gaps in her understanding of the world. They have come to her listed address to investigate. Her listed address is this junkyard, which they simply cannot grasp. Then they meet this strange gruff old man who tries to get them to leave, but instead makes it look like some kind of pedophilia or homelessness situation.

Doctor Who: The War Machines (S03E027)

(2008-09-28 20:57) Goodbye Dodo, welcome Polly & Ben. The Doctor and Dodo land in London near the Post Office Tower. The Doctor senses something is amiss with the tower and goes to investigate. Somehow we are next in the central control room for what would have to be a highly top secret installation, at the top of the tower, and somehow the Doctor is being led into the room. Through a series of events we learn of a computer, WOTAN (Will Operating Thought ANalogue), which is said to be the ultimate in machine intelligence and is intended to become the hub of a network of computers which will make all decisions for mankind. Except WOTAN has a plan of its own, to wipe out humanity because humanity gets in the way of the superiority of the machines. WOTAN has hypnotic powers and uses them to enslave groups of humans who are ordered to build War Machines. Coincidentally the machines have a gun that looks a lot like a DALEK gun. Maybe their special effects budget didn't have money to pay for design of a different gun.

Doctor Who: The Web Planet (S02E013)

(2008-08-19 20:43) Upon leaving Ancient Rome the TARDIS is mysteriously pulled off course and onto the planet Vortis. The story was pretty confusing to me. The Doctor and Ian explore the planets surface, finding a barren landscape, craggy rocks, pools of acid, etc. The planet is occupied by two species that look like giant bugs, the Zarbi are enormous ants, while the Menoptra are enormous bees. "Enormous" means people-sized. What was confusing was the relationship between these races and their motivations.

Doctor Who: The William Hartnell Era

(Sat Jun 23 2018 17:00:00 GMT-0700 (Pacific Daylight Time)) William Hartnell was the original Doctor, meaning he was the first actor to hold the role of The Doctor in the Doctor Who TV show. The show aired on November 23, 1963, meaning it was the day after Pres. Kennedy was assisinated. This documentary starts with the narrators mother, who watched the first episode (An Unearthly Child) on its first airing. It quickly goes into discuss Sydney Newman, Verity Lambert, and the founding of Doctor Who.

William Hartnell in the Three Doctors

(Sat Jun 23 2018 17:00:00 GMT-0700 (Pacific Daylight Time)) During Jon Pertwee's time as Doctor, they wanted to have the first multi-Doctor story which came to be The Three Doctors. Unfortunately William Hartnell was physically unable to deal with the stress of performing an entire series of episodes. They came up with the idea to have Hartnell appear for a few minutes each episode, via a video screen, reading a few lines.