Watching Doctor Who

For today’s Tuesday Question, I’d like you to speculate a little. Why, do you think, are they really having that Doctor Who gap year? What could their reasoning be? Does everyone need a break? Do the other two shows need more room for a while? Is there a little kid on the set who has scared everyone off by wearing a gas mask and calling for his Mummy? What do you think? This time I encourage you to come up with the most outlandish reason that you can. As usual, I offer you a few suggestions to get you started.

Is the Gap really the Untempered Schism?

• David Tennant wanted to play Hamlet.
• Russell T. Davies wanted time for a brief nap. (Does he *ever* sleep?)
• Steven Moffat was too busy working on the script for Tintin to submit a Hugo-winning script that year.
• The TARDIS is stuck in the Vortex for repairs.
• The remaining Dalek is on strike.
• The Doctor got the flight a bit wrong.
• The Rift opened and swallowed up the BBC offices in Cardiff. It’ll take them a year to rebuild.
• I’m not sure, but I’ll bet a Slitheen is involved somehow.

Okay. I’m sure that you all know by now that I feel that they wouldn’t have bothered with a Gap Year if David didn’t have the yen to play Hamlet. For someone who loves the stage as much as he does, that’s quite a coup. Really, though, I think that Russell T. Davies is actually an alien that needs to make a trip back home to visit his mother. (For all we know, he could really be Time Lord. He seems to sleep about as often as one.) The only way that he could work this out was to put Doctor Who on hiatus. Yep. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

What do you think?

Tuesday Question, Doctor Who, gap year

I welcome you all to a new week with the news that I have my computer back. Yay! Hopefully I’ll get everything back on track here soon. In the meantime, here is the first question that I’ve asked in a couple of weeks. Think back, if you will, to Torchwood series one. Who is your favorite Torchwood series one Scriptwriter? Do you like Chris Chibnall’s many scripts? Perhaps you preferred Helen Raynor’s Ghost Machine? Which of the nine series one scriptwriters do you think did the best job with what they offered? As usual, I have a list for you to peruse.

The Torchwood Series One Script Team:
1) Russell T. Davies (Everything Changes)
2) Chris Chibnall (Day One, Cyberwoman, Countrycide, End Of Days)
3) Helen Raynor (Ghost Machine)
4) P. J. Hammond (Small Worlds)
5) Toby Whithouse (Greeks Bearing Gifts)
6) Paul Tomalin/Dan McCulloch (They Keep Killing Suzie)
7) Jaquetta May (Random Shoes)
Catherine Tregenna (Out of Time, Captain Jack Harkness)
9) Noel Clarke (Combat)

This was actually a really easy one for me. There were things I loved about several of the scripts, but I felt that Toby Whithouse’s Greeks Bearing Gifts was the best of the lot. If only Toby had done more scripts. Sigh. He managed to give all of the characters interesting screen time. That’s not easy in an ensemble show like this. We even learned new things about Jack. All in a Tosh-centric episode.

So…who is your pick?

Torchwood, Russell T. Davies, Chris Chibnall, Helen Raynor, P. J. Hammond, Toby Whithouse, Paul Tomalin, Dan McCulloch, Jaquetta May, Catherine Tregenna, Noel Clarke

Hello Folks! It’s that time of year again. The Doctor Who convention known as Gallifrey One will be at the Los Angeles Marriott on February 15-17 this year. This week, my question for you is quite a simple one: Are you going to Gallifrey One this year? I and my trusty red trainers will be. (Okay, and my husband, and evil twin, and my evil twin’s dad. Quite the entourage, actually.) I plan to take lots of pictures and take in as much of the programming as possible. Oh, and get Steven Moffat’s autograph. Seriously. I didn’t get it last year, and I’m still annoyed. I am also hoping not to faint in the autograph line for Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred.

As a side note, I have taken next week off of my day job. As such, the posts next week will not stick to their usual pattern. I’ll see what fun I can cook up to keep you entertained in my absence. When I return, I will type up my Con Reports, just like I did last year. I’m bringing my camera to the Con. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

So, will any of you folks be there?

Doctor Who, Gallifrey One

So, what are you thinking of Torchwood Series 2 so far? I’m quite enjoying it. So far, I’m liking it better that last series. But this got me to thinking (which led to this week’s question. Quelle suprise!) What was your favorite episode of Torchwood Series one? There’s thirteen episodes to choose from. Which one will you choose? Do you prefer ghosts or aliens with a sex habit? How about fairies? Or, is a Cyberwoman more your thing? Here’s the list…

Make note of these before Jack Retcons you…
1. Everything Changes (Gwen encounters Torchwood.)
2. Day One (The worst first day at work ever, with a side of a sex-addicted alien.)
3. Ghost Machine (Gwen sees ghosts.)
4. Cyberwoman (Did Ianto mention that he had a girlfriend?)
5. Small Worlds (Fairies and someone from Jack’s past.)
6. Countrycide (Torchwood, it’s what’s for dinner.)
7. Greeks Bearing Gifts (Here, wear this!)
8. They Keep Killing Suzie (…But she started it.)
9. Random Shoes (Swallowing alien eyes may have surprising side-effects.)
10. Out Of Time (Some people just can’t adjust to a new life.)
11. Combat (The first rule of Weevil Fight Club is…)
12. Captain Jack Harkness (We are Captain Jack Harkness.)
13. End Of Days (For future reference…don’t open the rift.)

This was a pretty difficult decision for me. I mean, I like elements in most episodes, even ones that I mostly dislike. *cough*Countrycide*cough* My favorite overall episode is going to have to be Greeks Bearing Gifts. I felt that it was well written, and it came with an added bonus of more Jack information. How cool is that?

Right, then. Which episode will you choose?

Torchwood

With the Gallifrey One convention coming up I got to thinking about who I’d like to see at one of these events. They have all sorts of folks at conventions: screen actors, voice actors, scriptwriters, authors, etc. This led me to this week’s question: Who would you most like to see at a Convention? Are you keen to see Paul Cornell? Are you dying to meet Sophie Aldred? Would you be interested to see Janet Fielding? Who would make you appear at the convention, regardless of what you had previously planned on doing? As usual, I offer you a few ideas to get you started, but feel free to wander off like most companions do.

Some folks that you may have heard of:
1. Peter Davison (The 5th Doctor)
2. Frazer Hines (Jamie McCrimmon)
3. Billie Piper (Rose Tyler)
4. Tom Baker (The 4th Doctor)
5. Freema Agyeman (Martha Jones)
6. Nicholas Courtney (Brigadier Alastair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart)
7. Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane Smith)
8. Christopher Eccleston (The 9th Doctor)
9. Paul McGann (The 8th Doctor)
10. Russell T. Davies (Mastermind)

Personally, I’m keen to see all sorts of folks at a convention. It takes so little to make me go all fangirl, as those of you who read my convention review last year know. (Ohmigod! It’s Paul Cornell! I can’t eat. He’s sitting right there!) The person that I would change all sort of plans for, and perhaps figure out how to bend the laws of time to see, would be Christopher Eccleston. Sadly, I rather expect that he is the last person that I will ever see at a convention. That’s okay. I can wait until he’s eighty and needs the money. My second choice would be David Tennant. I know that my husband would choose Billie Piper.

So…who would you love to see at a convention?

Gallifrey One, Christopher Eccleston, convention

The countdown to Torchwood series two is nearly over. It starts tomorrow in the UK. Yay! While we wait impatiently for the show to begin, I offer you something to think about. What sort of creature (or being) are you dying for Torchwood to encounter? Are you hoping for a werewolf? How about a Yeti? Would you prefer a Mummy? What do you think? As per usual, I offer you some suggestions to get the old noggin going. (If you would like to look at some of the previous questions, go here.)

Some things that are out there:

1. Daleks
2. A Muse
3. Santa Robots/Pilot fish
4. Weeping Angels
5. Vampires
6. Slitheen
7. Silver Nemesis
8. Ice Warriors
9. Gelth
10. Autons

I’d most certainly love to see the Torchwood team encounter Vampires or the Weeping Angels (can you imagine what would happen to one that tried to send Jack into the past?), but for reasons of my own, I’ll choose a Muse. Would would she inspire? And what would she inspire them to do? Thought provoking, no?

Your turn. What creature (or being) would you like to see?

Image Source: http://www.time-and-space.co.uk/

Last year at this time I posted a list of Wishes for the Whoniverse in 2007. Before I move on to my wishes for this year, let’s have a bit of a review (and thus help me get over my shock at how long I’ve been doing this.)

The Wishes for 2007:

Wish #1: I wish that Torchwood will be picked up by a channel in The States. - Granted! Not only did BBCAmerica play series one, series two is coming this month.

Wish #2: I wish that The Sarah Jane Adventures and behind the scenes shows like Doctor Who Confidential would actually make it across the pond. - Sadly, there has, as yet, been no sign of Sarah Jane’s new show in the US. Some PBS stations are showing versions of the Doctor Who Confidentials, but that’s about it.

Wish #3: I wish that we find out what happened to The Doctor’s granddaughter, Susan. - Still no word on Susan. It’s probably safe to assume that she’s dead, but I’d still like to know for sure.

Wish#4: I wish that we will actually get to see another room in the TARDIS beyond the Control Room and a few seconds of a Dressing Room. - Still nothing on this front. Sigh.

Well, I got one out of four. Not too terrible all things considered.

So, what are my wishes for 2008? Well, really I still want the things that I wished for last year and didn’t receive. But apart from that…

Wishes for the Whoniverse in 2008:

Wish #1: I wish that they will handle the return of Rose well. Let’s just leave it at that.

Wish #2: I wish that Steven Moffat will pen another episode this series. I’ve heard that we have Helen Raynor is writing a two-parter, Gareth Roberts is writing the Agatha Christie episode, and obviously Russell T. Davies is writing the first episode. I haven’t heard any other names as yet, so I’m hoping for Mr. Moffat.

Wish #3: I wish for episodes by Paul Cornell and Mark Gatiss as well. Hey. It’s my wish list. I may wish for whatever takes my fancy.

Wish #4: I wish for a more even series of Torchwood. I just want it to remain well written, consistent, and interesting. Is that too much to ask? I suppose I’ll find out soon.

I’ve told you about my wishes, now it’s your turn. What are your wishes for the Whoniverse in 2008?

Torchwood, The Sarah Jane Adventures, Steven Moffat, Paul Cornell, Mark Gatiss, Torchwood

Voyage of the Damned is just a week away at this point. Only seven days left. Too keep you entertained in the meantime, I offer you this week’s question. I have been impressed with the variety of adversaries that The Doctor has faced so far in the new series of Doctor Who. Which of the New Baddies (the ones that have only appeared in the new series) is your favorite? You have quite a variety to choose from, everything from a bitchy trampoline to a sentient sun. As usual, I have provided a list to help you jog your memory.

Are they bad or just drawn that way?

• Cassandra
• The Gelth
• The Slitheen family of Raxacoricofallapatorius (in general)
• Margaret (Blon Fel Fotch Passameer-Day Slitheen) (specifically)
• Henry Van Statten
• The Mighty Jagrafess of the Holy Hadrojassic Maxarodenfoe (and his friend The Editor)
• The Reapers
• The Empty Child (and his friends)
• Scary Santas/Killer Christmas Tree/The Sycorax
• Cat Nuns
• Werewolf/Martial Arts Monks
• The Krillitanes
• Clockwork Robots
• The Wire
• The Beast/The Ood
• The Abzorbaloff
• Chloe Webber/The Isolus
• The Empress Of the Racnoss
• The Plasmavore known as “Florence Finnegan�?
• The Carrionites
• Professor Lazarus
• A Sentient Sun
• The Family of Blood
• The Weeping Angels
• The Futurekind
• The Toclafane

There have been a number of really interesting baddies so far in the three series of the new Doctor Who. Given the sheer number of adversaries that The Doctor has faced so far, you might think that I had a difficult time choosing just one. Actually, it was pretty easy. My favorite new baddie is The Weeping Angels. They are the freakiest things, aren’t they? Also, that whole quantum-locked thing is pure genius. I like the Clockwork Robots for pure style points, and The Wire was just fun, but The Weeping Angels are my favorite.

Your turn!

Doctor Who, The Weeping Angels

Hanukkah is nearly over. Christmas is on its way (and with it, Voyage of the Damned.) The Solstice will be here a few days sooner. No matter which holiday you celebrate this time of year, you are going to spend time shopping for presents. What Doctor Who-related gift are you hoping to receive? Will it be toys? Are you waiting on a special book? Is someone knitting you a scarf? Let us know! As usual, I will include some suggestions to get you started.

Shopping Suggestions:

• The Doctor Who 2008 Wall Calendar
• Flight Control TARDIS
• A Doctor Who Scarf
• A Nice “Hermits United” shirt
• 2008 Doctor Who Annual
• The Sarah Jane Action Figure
• Radio Controlled Dalek
• Torchwood: Another Life
• Seal of Rassilon Tattoo
• Doctor Who Trivia Game

Surprise! I actually want everything on this list. (Psst! Honey! *points at list*) Anyway, if I had to narrow down my choices to one, I’d have to go with the Radio-controlled Dalek. I have wanted one of those for a really long time. I already have some Who-related shirts (for all that I drool over some of the stuff on Cafe Press) and I’ll make myself a scarf at some point here. A radio-controlled Dalek is just plain cool. So there.

Well, what are you waiting for? What Doctor Who-related item do you want for your holiday gift?

Voyage of the Damned, Doctor Who

Okay. We’ve had three seasons/series (depending upon where you live) of the new Doctor Who. There have been emotional highs and lows. We’ve seen baddies new and returning. The Doctor and his companions have survived all sorts of perils. There have been award winning episodes, grand story arcs, and fabulous guest stars. So. What is your favorite new series Doctor Who episode so far? As usual, I’ve included the episodes to help jog your memory. They are all linked to my reviews if you need more help.

The show so far:

Series 1:

1. Rose

2. The End of the World

3. The Unquiet Dead

4. Aliens of London

5. World War III

6. Dalek

7. The Long Game

8. Father’s Day

9. The Empty Child

10. The Doctor Dances

11. Boom Town

12. Bad Wolf

13. Parting of the Ways

Series 2:

Special: Children in Need Special 2005

Special: The Christmas Invasion

1. New Earth

2. Tooth and Claw

3. School Reunion

4. The Girl in the Fireplace

5. Rise of the Cybermen

6. Age of Steel

7. Idiot’s Lantern

8. The Impossible Planet

9. The Satan Pit

10. Love and Monsters

11. Fear Her

12. Army of Ghosts

13. Doomsday

Series 3:

Special: The Runaway Bride

1. Smith and Jones

2. The Shakespeare Code

3. Gridlock

4. Daleks in Manhattan

5. Evolution of the Daleks

6. The Lazarus Experiment

7. 42

8. Human Nature

9. The Family of Blood

10. Blink

11. Utopia

12. The Sound of Drums

13. Last of the Time Lords

I know. This is a really difficult question. To be honest, I’ll take your favorite couple of episodes. Personally, I’m torn. I love Idiot’s Lantern. The Satan Pit was incredible, as was Doomsday. Father’s Day and The Shakespeare Code are very dear to my heart. I suppose I’ll just have to go with my gut reaction on this one. My favorite episode of all (so far) is Idiot’s Lantern. There are other episodes that are better written or have a higher emotional punch. I just find the Idiot’s Lantern the most enjoyable.

Okay. Now it’s your turn.

Doctor Who, Rose, The End of the World, The Unquiet Dead, Aliens of London, World War III, Dalek, The Long Game, Father’s Day, The Empty Child, The Doctor Dances, Boom Town, Bad Wolf, Parting of the Ways, Children in Need Special 2005, The Christmas Invasion, New Earth, Tooth and Claw, School Reunion, The Girl in the Fireplace, Rise of the Cybermen, Age of Steel, Idiot’s Lantern, The Impossible Planet, The Satan Pit, Love and Monsters, Fear Her, Army of Ghosts, Doomsday

So, I’ve been doing this blog for a little over a year now and I’m curious what features you like. Should I discontinue Friday Showtimes? Do you like the Tuesday question? Is there something else you’d like me to discuss? Do you want more discussion of spin-offs? Would you like a bit more of the classic Who? Would you like to tell me about your First Doctor?

Thanks for your input, and I return you to your regularly scheduled blog. As you were.

Well…much to my surprise I’ve been asking you lot questions for over a year now. Wow! So, I thought that I’d gather them together for your enjoyment and easy reference. Thanks for all of your answers.

(more…)

There have been so many rumours circulating recently in newspapers and on the Internet. Will Rose appear in series 4? Will she appear in the specials during the Doctor Who gap year? Will Mickey return? There are so many conflicting statements that you really have to make up your own mind on the subject. This leads me to this week’s question: Do you think that Rose will ever return? I know that this can be a touchy subject with the fanbase, so please play nice. But what do you think? As usual, I offer you a few ideas to get you started.

So do you think:

* Rose will be back during the Christmas special.
* Rose will be back in Series 4.
* Rose will return during the gap year.
* Rose will re-appear in some later series.
* Rose will be brought back for a feature film.
* It doesn’t matter when Rose comes back, they’ll only ruin it.
* Rose is trapped. The walls have closed. She will never return.

Well, like many of you, I wish that they would bring Rose back. However, I really feel that no matter how they do it (unless Paul Cornell and Steven Moffat come together to create a Master Script) I just won’t be happy about how it works out. The way that things were left at the end of Doomsday were so romantically tragic that without the utmost care any attempt to bring Rose back would just ruin the effect. I think that at some future point someone will get the bright idea of bringing her back to boost ratings, but…well…you know. I miss Rose, but I don’t want them to ruin it.

What do you think?

Doctor Who, Rose

Hello folks. Once again it’s question time. This week’s question may take you a bit of time to think about. What is your favorite scene in all of Doctor Who series 3? This time it’s not character specific. Just your favorite scene from this series, including The Runaway Bride. Did you love the dance of Radiation Removal? Was your favorite The Doctor dealing with the Family of Blood? How about The vertical chase scene on New Earth? As per usual, I have spent some time thinking this over myself and I offer you some suggestions to jog your memory. Feel free to stray from the list. That the sort of thing that Companions do best.

Things Scene:

Special: The Runaway Bride (The Doctor remembering Rose at the reception.)

1. Smith and Jones (The Doctor using Time Travel for the purposes of cheap tricks.)

2. The Shakespeare Code (The words to banish the Carrionites.)

3. Gridlock (The Doctor telling the Feeling Sellers to close up shop, or else.)

4. Daleks in Manhattan (The Doctor realizing that the stinky thing they found in the tunnel genetically originated on Skaro.)

5. Evolution of the Daleks (The Doctor inviting the Daleks to kill him if it will stop them killing the innocents in the Hooverville.)

6. The Lazarus Experiment (The Doctor’s conversation with Lazarus about a longer life not always being a better one.)

7. 42 (Martha taking over and saving the day by ordering the remaining crew around.)

8. Human Nature (John Smith saving the day with a cricket ball.)

9. The Family of Blood (The Doctor dealing with The Family of Blood, reminding us that he is so very not human.)

10. Blink (Sally interacting with the Easter Egg of The Doctor.)

11. Utopia (The Doctor and Jack first encountering each other outside of the TARDIS.)

12. The Sound of Drums (The Doctor and The Master talking via cell phone.)

13. Last of the Time Lords (Jack’s leave taking and sudden revelation.)

With a question like this, you really need to spend some time thinking about each episode, otherwise you might miss something. After some serious pondering, my decision turned out to be the same scene that I had instinctively thought of when this question first occurred to me. Without a doubt, my favorite scene is the one from Utopia where The Doctor and Jack talk through the door to the radiation filled room. They tie up all sorts of loose ends for each other, and you can really feel the history in the way that they interact. My second choice would be the part from The Family of Blood where The Doctor reminds us that you shouldn’t make him angry.

Right then. That’s what I’ve chosen. What about you?

Doctor Who

It’s question time again! This week I’d like to ask you a question that isn’t as simple as it seems. Which of the series three episodes was your favorite as far as The Doctor was concerned? Or, to put it another way, In which series three episode did you feel The Doctor was best showcased? Yes, this is the same as the Martha question, but with The Doctor instead. Did you most enjoy the conversation with Jack in Utopia? Did you prefer the banter with Shakespeare in The Shakespeare Code? Perhaps you most enjoyed The Doctor’s role in Evolution of the Daleks? Think about it. Which did you prefer? As usual, I am including a list of episodes to help you jog your memory. (I am including The Runaway Bride as it it post-Doomsday.)

The Adventures of The Doctor…series 3:

Special: The Runaway Bride (The Doctor misses Rose and goes a bit too far.)

1. Smith and Jones (The Doctor loses a lot of blood, but survives.)

2. The Shakespeare Code (One of the Doctor’s hearts stops and Shakespeare flirts with him.)

3. Gridlock (The Doctor Loses and finds Martha, gives Novice Hame a second chance, and learns the Face of Boe’s secret.)

4. Daleks in Manhattan (Why do they always survive when he loses everything?)

5. Evolution of the Daleks (The Doctor is struck by lightning, and offers to let Daleks kill him twice.)

6. The Lazarus Experiment (The Doctor talks poetry and age with someone who is trying to live longer, no matter the cost.)

7. 42 (Burn with me.)

8. Human Nature (John Smith keeps having these impossible dreams.)

9. The Family of Blood (The Doctor saves the day in the end, and takes out his anger on The Family of Blood. Don’t make The Doctor angry. You wouldn’t like him when he’s angry.)

10. Blink (The Doctor is an Easter Egg.)

11. Utopia (The Doctor and Jack re-unite, have illuminating conversations, and work together like an amazing team.)

12. The Sound of Drums (We learn more about The Doctor’s history…and The Master’s.)

13. Last of the Time Lords (The Doctor wins…and loses.)

Dear heavens this one was difficult. I love all sorts of Doctor-y stuff this time around. I’d love to discuss my favorite part from each episode (and I may yet do that. Just not today.) After a great deal of arguing with myself I finally settled upon The Sound of Drums. There was just so much range for the character in this episode. We visit the department of backstory, we get to see him interact with an equal with whom he has a long history, and he has a variety of interactions with his companions. Well, that’s my opinion. What episode did you choose?

Doctor Who, The Sound of Drums, The Doctor