IC Forum Archive

aderack · Posts: 5018

So. Another Doctor Who topic.

Anyone know a resource for old comics from Doctor Who Magazine? I'm curious about the Eigth and Ninth Doctor comics, as I've only seen a few frames from each. I know that some publisher has recently collected some Fifth Doctor strips into a trade paperback. Is this a progressive thing? I mean, have the earlier strips already all been bound?

Anyone know about the comic strip? Anyone know if it's any good? I understand that the current storyline is written by "Dalek" (NS ep.106) writer Robert Shearman. That seems to bode well. Art style also seems decent.

nothingxs · Posts: 148

Okay, I'm stupid. What exactly is Doctor Who and where can I see an example of it, since you know so much of it? Pilot TV episode? First book?

LegatoB · Posts: 1546

I saw some Doctor Who over the weekend, at a family friend's house during Bad Movie Night. We watched some episode from the newest season, where the girl fucks up time by saving her dad from death and the Doctor was Not Amused when these dragon things appeared and started killing everyone because time was screwed up, or something. And then we watched the very first version of the pilot of the very first season, which was pretty bad and clearly in need of a few more shootings, but humourously so. Someday, maybe I'll see more.

Haze · Posts: 20

There are plenty of (bundled) comics of Doctor Who floating around on popular p2p networks, such as DirectConnect. It may be a bit of a bother getting on some popular comic hubs, but once in you're bound to stroll across Doctor Who material quickly.
No further instructions from me though, that'd be close to illegal. :P

Doctor Who is basically about the Doctor who has wild and wonderous adventures in his time machine, the Tardis. Picking up plenty of companions and fights along the way, he always manages to be back in time for a spot of tea. :) Try Outpost Gallifrey (http://www.gallifreyone.com/) for more information, especially on the current series.

dessgeega · Posts: 3317

i am convinced i would be the biggest doctor who fan if i actually managed to see an entire episode.

aderack · Posts: 5018

nothingxs wrote:

Okay, I'm stupid. What exactly is Doctor Who and where can I see an example of it, since you know so much of it? Pilot TV episode? First book?

You'd best start with the new series, I suppose. You can see a few clips at www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/.

It's a series about a mysterious man who travels through time and space in a ship disguised as a 1960s British police box. The man calls himself "the Doctor", and calls his ship the TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimension In Space). The Doctor generally dislikes to travel alone, so he collects companions to whom he can show off the wonders of the universe. Usually these companions are attractive young girls from contemporary London.

The show started in 1964, the day after Kennedy was shot, and ran for twenty-six years. Save an aborted attempt to bring ths show back about a decade ago, it's been off screens for over fifteen years. Now it's back, and updated in a lot of important ways.

A note about the Doctor: He's not human; he's what you call a Time Lord. In the current series, all of the Time Lords are dead; he's the only survivor. A funny thing about Time Lords is that they have thirteen lives. When one body dies, he or she can regenerate it into a new form -- though this tends to change the appearance and even the personality completely. As of season one of the new series, the current Doctor is the ninth one, played by Christopher Eccleston. (Note to anyone who might comment on my choice of wording here: hush.)

The Ninth Doctor's companion in this new series is Rose Tyler, played by Billie Piper -- a shop girl from London, who prior to getting swept up in Time Lord affairs was living in a council estate with an unemployed leechy mother and no particular ambitions.

There's more to the series, of course. This is all you need to go on, though. The entire first season of the new series has aired in the UK and in Canada. You can find torrents easily; if you live in the US, it's the only real way to watch the series. The DVDs are trickling out in the UK and Australia, though.

If you want to watch the classic series, a lot of the best serials are out on DVD. I've listed before the ones to look out for. I can do it again, though.

ReroRero · Posts: 2148

New Doctor on Saturdays, older Doctors Monday-Thursday here in Australia.

Good times.

dessgeega · Posts: 3317

aderack wrote:

If you want to watch the classic series, a lot of the best serials are out on DVD. I've listed before the ones to look out for. I can do it again, though.

direct me, please. with twenty-six years worth of material, it's daunting to try and decide where to start.

aderack · Posts: 5018

If you want a taste of each Doctor through the original run, here's a good cross-section:

Hartnell: "The Dalek Invasion of Earth"
Troughton: "Tomb of the Cybermen"
Pertwee: "The Green Death"
Tom Baker: "Talons of Weng-Chiang"
Davison: "The Caves of Androzani"
Colin Baker: "Revelation of the Daleks" (to be released soon) or, maybe, "The Two Doctors" (available now)
McCoy: "Ghost Light"

"Tomb of the Cybermen" in particular, I recommend.

Note that "Enemy Within" (the '96 TV Movie) with Paul McGann isn't available in the US due to weird rights issues. No real loss, except it's an awfully pretty-looking story and McGann is charming in his one screen appearance as the Doctor. McCoy's final appearance is also worth seeing, as is the new TARDIS interior.

If you want to check out McGann really getting into the role, you need to find his Big Finish audio episodes.

StorminNorman · Posts: 70

I'd suggest Vengeance on Varos as the best example of Colin Baker. I might also suggest Curse of Fenric for McCoy, but Ghost Light is equally brilliant.

I got to see a sort-of touring Doctor Who show called Doctor Who: Inside The Tardis, the other night. It features Tim Ferguson (local celebrity and sci-fi nut) interviewing Katy Manning (Jo Grant, Pertwee's second assistant), Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy. It was a great evening to witness, especially for Sylvester McCoy who is quite possibly insane.

It starts out with extended interviews with them. Manning's interview was good, and she's a real character. She's still quite the ball of energy (and can still pull off her "But Doctor!" and scream well), and poor Tim Ferguson didn't really manage to get too many words in during the interview. She did a hilarious impersonation of a Dalek at the end, too.

Then they brought out a man claiming to be Colin Baker but who must have been his father. Age hasn't been kind to Baker, and he's grey-haired, balding and much more overweight than he was 20 years ago. The moment he opened his mouth, you could tell it was him, though. One of the great things about Baker (and both Manning and McCoy, to lesser extents) is that he's a great fan of Doctor Who, even before he became a Doctor. In fact, he was roommates with Troughton's son when he got the part.

After Baker was McCoy, and he stole the show. McCoy himself is very different to the Doctor he played, with a great knack for physical comedy and a very sharp wit (which his Doctor did have, but wasn't played up as much as, say, Tom Baker's wit). There was a great moment near the end of the night where an audience member asked if it was possible to kiss a Doctor, and McCoy raced to the edge of the stage and happily obliged her.

They did a very funny (non-cannon) radio play, and then took audience questions, and the winner of a contest (DAMN HER, DAMN HER) was invited on stage to take part in some of this.

The audience questions were disappointing, unfortunately. I'd have liked to know if McCoy followed his Doctor through the New Adventures, and if he thought those novels had done him justice. All three of them did like the new season (Baker even named one episode as his favourite Doctor Who episode ever) and had high hopes for the future of the show.

I really enjoyed the night, and it was great to hear reminiscences on the series from people who had been such a part of it. That they were all fans of the series as well (which, unfortunately, can't be said for some other actors in the show *cough*Tom Baker*cough*) made it that much more special, somehow.

aderack · Posts: 5018

Yeah. I actually haven't seen any of those three Colin Baker stories. So! I'm mostly going by what I've read. I've got 'em on my Netflix queue, though.

Honestly, there ain't much to choose from with Colin. You have one short season plus an extra serial from the end of Davison's final season, and then you've the Trial. That's it.

Do you recall which New-Series episode Colin liked so much?

Katy Manning also has a cameo in Scratchmonkey's avatar.

McCoy's a bundle of fun. I understand he used to put badgers down his pants, as part of a stage act.

That sounds like it must have been an experience.

StorminNorman · Posts: 70

It was the world war II episode (which just screened here in Australia). I forget the name of the episode, though.

aderack · Posts: 5018

Two halves. The Empty Child and The Doctor Dances.

I think it's fair to say it's the best Doctor Who story yet made.

Renfrew · Posts: 46

If you want a Doctor Who parody, I think the best one is Rowan Atkinson's "The Curse of Fatal Death."

aderack · Posts: 5018

Which was written by the same guy (Mark Gatiss) who wrote the two episodes we were just discussing.

He also has an episode in New Series series two.

Baron Patsy · Posts: 573

I'm about to watch the first two episodes of the new series, I'll post later with my impressions.

aderack · Posts: 5018

You know, after a whole season of Eccleston I have big problems going back to the original series -- at least the color episodes, and in particular the JNT-era material.

The B&W episodes are just fine. There's enough built-in distance that I'm not consciously comparing anything and I can appreciate them for what they are. Once color comes in, though -- it's hard. The standards are just so different. Acting, writing, direction. Even ignoring the not-so-special effects. And when you get to JNT, even the production and presentation are crap. The music's gone downhill. The intro sequences are no longer creepy and magical.

Davies has really done a Gradius V or a Resident Evil 4 on the original series.

Baron Patsy · Posts: 573

I'm done with the first episode now.

Fuck, I'm going to have a lot to say about this. For now, though, I will leave it at this:

Billie Piper is a reasonably attractive woman, and Christopher Eccleston has rather horrid teeth.

Those don't really have anything to do with each other. They're kind of. . .mental triggers.

aderack · Posts: 5018

The second episode is what really sets up the series. Especially the opening and the last five minutes or so.

Piper's teeth are interesting, themselves.

Baron Patsy · Posts: 573

I've now seen the first three episodes.

It was kind of interesting, but I noticed something of a mood shift in episode three. The previous two episodes had been sort of tongue-in-cheek, almost. . .comedic. The third episode, however, felt darker and more hostile.

One thing that I love about the series, so far, is the dialouge. Most of it is very well written, and there were a few scenes in particular that were done very well.

Piper's teeth are rather interesting. I have something of a tooth obsession, as I am intensely paranoid about my own teeth, so I always pay attention to people's teeth.

Her top row of teeth are relatively straight and neat, but the bottom row is entirely fucked-up. Her first six or so teeth are in a sort of straight line, with one sticking out a bit in front of the rest.

Ecclestons, however, are kind of oddly-shaped. In particular, the two teeth on either side of his two top front teeth. The're almost. . .egg shaped. It's interesting. And they are relatively unclean, as well.

Again, and I have said this a lot, I will have more to say later. I have to collect my thoughts and organize them properly.

quagmire · Posts: 99

can't stand the new series of doctor who... I admit that I didn't give it much of a chance, but I got the same reaction from it as when I heard the 'enterprise' theme tune for the first time. You know the one, violent retching and painful projectile ejaculation.

Patsy, that banner you have there is.. world-class.

aderack · Posts: 5018

Piper also has a great horse-teeth thing going on if you look at her profile. Mind, I think it's rather cute.

Yeah, I don't like episode three very much. As you'd expect, it's the one the Doctor Who fans picked up on and held high after bitching about the first two episodes. It's kind of like KOF2002 in that way. Conservative, dry, safe. I can see why Davies shoved it up front, though, to comfort people put off by the earlier material.

Episodes 4 and 5 are... Roald Dahl-influenced. This is something that a lot of hardcore fans especially didn't seem to understand, so they freaked out at a couple of elements. So they just held episode 3 all the higher, to make them feel comfortable.

Wait until you get to episodes 9 and 10 (referenced a couple of times above). Those are something else.

aderack · Posts: 5018

OG wrote:

Production on the second series of "Doctor Who" begins this coming Friday, 22 July. Like last year, it is expected that the first day to several days will incorporate action sequences with the principal actors - Billie Piper and David Tennant - joining the production within the week. Locations have been scouted for the first production, The Christmas Invasion, which includes locations in Newport; as we previously reported, this will include Christmas-time decor in storefronts, and several area retailers have cooperated with the production.

Meanwhile, the latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine (issue #359) reports that talks are indeed underway with Elisabeth Sladen (as previously rumored) to be included in an episode. It does mention, however, that "[… The BBC] cannot comment any further at this point with regards to K9."

Confirming the news that a third series was commissioned in June, producer Phil Collinson says that Jane Tranter and Julie Gardner (BBC head of drama and Doctor Who executive producer) "had forgotten to tell Russell [T. Davies] and I about the second Christmas Special. We didn't know until it was announced from the stage!" Davies comments that, able now to plan further ahead, he has already moved one scene from Series Two, Episode 1 into the third series.

The new make-up designer is one of the few members of the production team to have worked on the series during its original run: Sheelagh Wells provided the ‘ageing' make-up for Nyssa and Tegan in "Mawdryn Undead" in 1983.

It also goes into more detail on the series two episode titles and running order:

Episode X: The Christmas Invasion by RTD; directed by James Hawes
Episode 1: [untitled] by RTD; directed by James Hawes
Episode 2: Tooth and Claw (tentative) by RTD; directed by Euros Lyn
Episode 3: School Reunion by Toby Whithouse; directed by James Hawes
Episode 4: [untitled] by Steven Moffat; directed by Euros Lyn
Episode 5: [untitled] by Tom MacRae; directed by Graeme Harper
Episode 6: [untitled] by Tom MacRae; directed by Euros Lyn
Episode 7: [untitled] by Mark Gatiss;
Episode 8: The Satan Pit by Matt Jones;
Episode 8: [untitled] by Matt Jones;
Episode 10: [untitled] by RTD;
Episode 11 [untitled] by Stephen Fry;
Episode 12 Army of Ghosts by RTD;
Episode 13 [untitled] by RTD;

Harper will direct two more episodes, as well.

Hawes directed episodes 9 and 10 of series one. Euros Lyn did 2 and 3. Harper is responsible for a couple of highly-regarded Original Series serials, including The Caves of Androzani, considered by many people (until perhaps Empty Child/Doctor Dances) the best Doctor Who serial ever.

Moffat wrote EC/DD; Gatiss wrote Unquiet Dead.

aderack · Posts: 5018

Take Jim Carrey, give him Bruce Campbell's jawbone and Conan O'Brien's hair, and who do you get?

Baron Patsy · Posts: 573

Holy hell.

I think that I prefer Eccleston already.

aderack · Posts: 5018

Don't worry. He doesn't always look this odd. His face looks completely different in every picture taken of him. I swear. It's not just me, either. This phenomenon is weirding out everyone I've talked to or I've seen discussing the man.

aderack · Posts: 5018

For instance, this is better:

Yes, that's the Tenth Doctor's outfit. It's damned excellent, as far as I'm concerned.

Baron Patsy · Posts: 573

Oh, my.

That look certainly is excellent.

I am also entertained by Piper's (Rose's) puffy coat. It looks. . .out of place.

aderack · Posts: 5018

dark steve · Posts: 3002

So where are those pictures from?

aderack · Posts: 5018

WENN.

I take it they're exclusive.

aderack · Posts: 5018

"Zippers are fun!"

Wind-up · Posts: 30

That suit's a good look. Looking forward to seeing the Cybermen again, tbh

W-up.

Baron Patsy · Posts: 573

Hmm!

I have hope for the new series. It looks promising, so far.

Once my new laptop arrives, I will be downloading and watching Doctor Who like mad. I plan on grabbing the entire recent season, and any of the old episodes that I can find.

Unfortunately, this computer is too crippled and destroyed to handle such things.

Ashura · Posts: 735

Wow. Tennant looks ackward in Eccleston's getup.

I also never noticed it before, but Rose's Mom is the same actress who played John Goodman's love interest in King Ralph.

aderack · Posts: 5018

Here's a nice list of what to expect, next series:

Queen Victoria.
Evil Cat Women.

Cybermen.
K9.
Sarah Jane.
Harriet Jones.
Anthony Stewart Head.

New, Scottish Doctor. With snappy outfit.
Jack and Rose.
Mickey and Jackie.

Graeme Harper directing four episode.
Euros Lyn and James Hawes back to direct a few.
Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss back to write.
Another plot arc, this time stretching across more than one season.

aderack · Posts: 5018

Intermediary costume?

The gang.

aderack · Posts: 5018

So the BBC is apparently intent on plugging the gap until Christmas with Paul McGann. (Listen to the trailers! Even if you have to install Realaudio! They're worth it!) They're actually about to broadcast his first "audio season" (with some editing for air, which honestly should do it well). It's even getting TV ads. They're spending a lot of effort pushing this, and making a direct connection to the new series. It also, if you note in that link, is now the centerpiece of the "classic series" page.

The BBC's clearly trying to rebrand his audio (now radio!) plays, to feed new widespread demand. Keep new material on the air all year 'round. If in exploring the immediate background of the current series they can do it with a (practically) brand new Doctor with no baggage for a new audience to deal with, all the better. All the better a guide to series history. This is in a way the perfect role for McGann's Doctor.

This should be curious to watch. Davies has commented that the reason he didn't start the series with the Doctor's eighth regeneration (and would probably never show it in the main series) is that nobody has had a chance to build up a connection with the Eighth Doctor. New viewers wouldn't know who the hell he was and why the main character died a few minutes into the show, to turn into someone else. And for old viewers, McGann had never had a chance to do anything with the role. It would be a pointless gesture.

Well, now we're building up that relationship. McGann has four "seasons" of audio plays to draw from, with his own ongoing story arc. And this works excellently as a prologue for the new series, as it's only one regeneration back. New Doctor, young Doctor with an old-tymey air and wistful manner, who we get to follow from the very start.

Now. A curious detail: Davies has last word over the radio series, even though all of the episodes were produced before he came along and created the new series. They went to him, to make sure he was okay with it. That it fit in with his plans for the show.

Something else Davies has said is that, should the eighth regeneration ever be shown, it would work best in another medium. Eccleston, who got completely worn out with the shooting of season one, has also said that he's interested in returning to the role eventually, maybe in audio since he figures it will be less trying on him.

The two major problems with his doing so are that Eccleston will cost a bunch of money, and that Big Finish (the production company behind the audio plays) doesn't have a contract for the new series; only for the old. Current events, however, seem to change the landscape. Suddenly the McGann material is "current" (or immediate past) and being tied in with the new series, and suddenly the BBC is willing to throw a lot of money at Big Finish.

So. Well! In theory there are a lot of places this could go. If the radio series is successful, it's not hard to imagine a Time War Saga developing, and an eventual regeneration -- all of which would be perfectly suited to radio. Leave the atrocities to the imagination. Show how the Doctor became the character we were (re)introduced to in "Rose". BF can probably count on Davies to steer them in interesting directions.

...

If anyone still is looking for information on the series as a whole (rather than just the new incarnation), this is a pretty good place to start.

Baron Patsy · Posts: 573

You know, I have now seen all of the 2005 season, except the very last episode, and I must say, I think that I prefer the stories written by Davies to the ones written by any of the others, overall.

The Empty Child/Doctor Dances was. . .unsettling. It made me uncomfortable, to be honest. It just had this sort of underlying creepiness. I didn't really. . .enjoy it, really. Rather, I just found it interesting.

Ashura · Posts: 735

Any excuse to ressurect this thread.

I was bored, and ended up doodling this-

For some reason, I think Doctor 10 in manga style would squint a lot.

dessgeega · Posts: 3317

you know, i totally got around to watching the first three episodes of the new season.

i...liked the first one best.