The End of an Era (part 2)

For all it's highs and lows, I think it's fair to say, we all shared the experience over the weekend, in witnessing the end of a significant era for Doctor Who.

Throughout the 90s, I was one of the many fans who always remained optimistic, that one day, our beloved show would return. That of course, came with fears, that it could all go wrong too, especially following the disappointment of the TV movie. But I remember that first real glimmer of hope, when it was rumoured that Alan Yentob wanted to bring the show back, and I remember seeing some proposed GCI images in a magazine. Then, in 2001, at the "Resurrection" convention, somebody called Dan Freedman talked passionately about his ideas for how the show could be revitalised, and I was convinced he was the man for the job - but then all things went quiet.

In 2002, I launched my own website dedicated to the show, attended more conventions, and it really felt like things were moving again - not sure how, there was just a good feeling about things. Of course, we had to wait another couple of years - nicely timed with the show's 40th anniversary to hear the long-awaited (and hard to believe) news that a new series had been commissioned.

I remember the day I heard the news of Christopher Eccleston's casting - which was quite an unexpected choice, and the day the new Dalek pictures were leaked.. And finally, in the run-up to the show's broadcast, seeing huge, great billboard posters everywhere. Doctor Who was coming back.

For me, that first series remains the best, and most true to the show's heart (Slitheen and Love & Monsters aside!), and I loved the excitement and scale of everything in the show, and, as a Dalek obsessive, their return was a triumphant moment for me. And Bad Wolf/Parting of the Ways was the most exciting and thrilling finalé to the series, with - and a regeneration scene, that genuinely touched me. I remember choking back the tears as he changed, not only realising that I'd grown to love the new Doctor, but that particular moment cemented the fact the show was back for good.

Although I like David Tennant as an actor and person, I was never truly blown away by his interpretation of the Doctor. However, there is no denying that the show's huge increase in popularity - worldwide - was largely down to the leading man. It has also been so wonderful to see endless rows of toys and merchandise back on the shelves, and I have even seen young children running around with arms outstretched, playing "Daleks" - and that was, as a lifelong Who fan, a genuinely special moment!

Overall, I found Russel T Davies to be more of an ideas man than a writer - I'll be the first to admit, I've strongly disliked most of his stories, but I remain in his debt for successfully reprising the show, and keeping its integrity in tact. He was clearly the right man, at the right time. However, when I look back at some of my favourite stories over the past five years, they were either directed by the ever-wonderful Graeme Harper (we salute you!), or were written by a certain Mr Moffat. So the day when the news came that he would be taking over as showrunner, I felt that its future was in very safe hands.

So over the weekend, this first "phase" of the revitalised show came to an end, with the departure of RTD, Julie Gardner and of course, David Tennant. With a regenerating Doctor hurtling towards Earth in a burning TARDIS, it's clear (especially from the new series trailer), that - just like the transition from Troughton to Pertwee, or Baker to Davison - the show is once again entering a brand new and exciting era, with a new team, new stories, new aliens and most importantly, a new Doctor (and hopefully a lot of other new things along the way)!

Whatever our taste or preference, good points, and bad, we can all say we've been on the same journey. For many fans, 'our' show returned, and at the same time, it has engaged brand new generations of fans, most of who I hope, not only enjoy the new series, but are in the lucky position where they still have the whole legacy of the original series to discover and relish.

The End of Time - and End of an Era

Part Two of The End of Time didn't disappoint. It fortunately wasn't an overblown over the top, too-many-things-happening-at-once typical Russel T Davies finalé. It was a joy to see the TimeLords back, although I had been hoping that they might be the Doctor's salvation, and him theirs, using the Immortality Gate to restore his allegedly beloved home planet and race. But no, that would have been too easy. At least they are back, and Gallifrey still exists, contrary to what we'd been previously led to believe.

Nice twist for the four knocks to be Bernard Cribbins'... although I was hoping to see the Doctor regenerate just after absorbing the radiation, rather than suddenly have enough life in him to clean up and go on a farewell tour!

In the past the excitement of the regeneration was in not knowing how it was going to happen - and sadly they used the same, boring visual effect, again, in the TARDIS, all of which proved to be quite a letdown. They missed a track with this one.

The episode was longer than usual - mainly to cater for RTD's overcrowded, un-necessary "farewell tour" and "let's bring everyone back right at the end" saga, which for me, diluted the excitement and anticipation of the regeneration, which almost felt like an afterthought after Davies' own swansong.

Will I miss David Tennant? No. I'm ready for a new Doctor. Will I miss Russel T Davies? Certainly not. The man can't write for toffee. Am I looking forward to next year? Definately, especially since having seen the trailer. And I shall wait for the new series to grace our screens before passing judgement on young Matt Smith.

Enlightenment

The Black Guardian Trilogy concluded with the rather impressive Enlightenment. The production itself is quite incredible for its time - a very adventurous and creative storyline, brilliantly realised by great, well-lit sets, and a superb cast.

I'm yet to go through the bonus features on the DVD - which includes a new, feature-length edit with new CGI effects, but even watching the original four parter, the original FX were quite good for the time, although I can only imagine how much better the whole thing will look, as per the previous two stories, with new visual effects.

Tegan's ample cleavage was one of the story's many highlights, along with the final showdown between the two bird-headed black and white guardians. Their costume designs were superb. Another thing, which stood out in for me, was the dimly-lit TARDIS interior - the red roundells looked superb, giving it so much more atmosphere. That was one of many fond memories of watching Enlightenment as a child.

Overall it probably ranks as one of the best Davison era stories, but I've only just scratched the surface with this new double-DVD set, so I'm looking forward to the rest of the voyage!

The Black Guardian Trilogy - Terminus

Firstly, the much-maligned Terminus isn't that bad at all. It's just slow. And the Garm - supposed dog-guardian of hell, as far as mythology goes - is actually quite cute. And he talks in a version of English I don't understand.

Terminus actually gets off to a cracking start, with the sneaky Turlough trying to sabbotage the TARDIS at the request of the Black Guardian. Then, doors with skulls on appear, and it all goes very creepy and mysterious, as the crew pass from a disintigrating TARDIS into the Terminus lepper ship.

The story is actually great - a superb concept, sadly let down by budget constraints and all kinds of behind-the-scenes problems. However the new CGI effects on this version really liven things up, and to be honest, the new space sequences that replace the model shots, are stunning.

The reasons for Nyssa suddenly taking off her skirt still remain undisclosed, but I'm sure it's still a delight for Nyssa fans all over the world, who still crave for the Director's Cut, where far more comes off. But all in all, Terminus makes for a dramatic and rather dark finalé for Nyssa, who, in a genuinely moving farewell scene, decides to stay on the ship and with the help of her new pet Garm, stabilise the cure for the leppers, and transform Terminus into a fully functional space hospital.

Wouldn't it be nice if the Doctor payed her a visit again one day.

The Black Guardian Trilogy - Mawdryn Undead

One of my earliest memories of watching Doctor Who as a young boy, was 1983's Mawdryn Undead. I had obviously been into the show for a while as I recall being familiar with the characters and the premise, but this was the first time I remember being genuinely scared - and the scary person in question was the ginger-haired, pale gangly new schoolboy companion, Turlough, played sarcastically and brilliantly by Mark Strickson.

Actually, what scared me was Turlough's crystal, through which he communicated with the Black Guardian - and it was that whole combination, particularly Valentine Dyall's menacing stare and gruff voice, that had me heading for the protection of the sofa.

Anyway to the story - the new DVD version comes with the much loved option of new CGI effects, which work wonders, bringing the look of the story up-to-date and not out of place. The moments of horror, such as the burned body of Mawdryn still stand up, and the whole episode just looks wonderful. Turlough sneaks around, controlled by the Black Guardian, on his mission to kill the Doctor, and Nicholas Courtney plays two versions of the Brigadier perfectly.

Mawdryn Undead is not only a great story, but a Doctor Who adventure I never tire of, not because it's great, but for the sheer delight of remembering the impact it had on me, aged 5!!

The DVD comes with plenty of extra features, such as your usual making-of, a fun little "interview" with The Brig, reminiscing about his time working as a teacher, plus out-takes and even some rare film trims. Above all, Mawdryn Undead is one of those stories that shows 80s Who at it's best, and proves wrong any sceptic who claims that era was crap - and let's face it, they probably weren't even born then!

The End of Time - Part One

Fortunately, a proper story and not some silly Christmas "special", part one of David Tennant's final adventure wasn't bad at all.

That was, of course, until everybody turned into John Simm, in a bit of a "Being John Malkovich" moment. Then the story just turned into one giant reminder as to why I can't wait for Russell T Davies to leave.

Throughout the Tenth Doctor's tenure, I've noticed he's become a bit of an emo. Our first teary Doctor. For me, the over-emotional aspect never worked; it detracted from the mystery of the character. Christopher Eccleston's portrayal of suppressed emotion was much better - whereas the previous Doctors had generally kept any such emotion well hidden, he let it show, but only very slightly, keeping his pride and charisma in tact. It's clear now, that the Tenth Doctor probably cries at the end of soppy movies.

But that doesn't mean I haven't enjoyed Mr Tennant. Indeed, he might make a better Hamlet than Doctor, and his portrayal of the character turned out to be different to my expectations, and I always felt, not quite right, given David's excellence and potential as a genuinely brilliant actor. But there's no denying his popularity is what made the show the huge success it is, and, as always, it is always a moving moment when you know you're watching the current Doctor for the last time.

Since 2007, I've been trying to erase John Simm's Master from memory. So what do they do? They bring him back. But I think, mistakes made, and lessons learnt, the new, ravaged (or unshaven), pointlessly blonde Master is much better, and far more in keeping with the character. Apart from the ridiculous flying bit.

I had suspected the Time Lords would return, and - hurrah! - they are! Led by an unexpectedly fitting Timothy Dalton. The clips of the new Time Lords looked full of promise, and I'm really looking forward to seeing what the second part holds, as well as waving off the Tenth Doctor, and preparing myself for the show's much-needed change.

The Waters of Mars - verdict

OK, It didn't blow me away, but much to my relief, I thought it was actually rather good. From a purely visual point of view, it was perhaps the very best episode since the show came back. The sets were fantastic and the shots of the base and TARDIS landing on Mars were absolutely superb.

The plot was a bit weak though. And I didn't think it was actually very "scary" or tense - there seemed to be more emphasis on Adelaide and her team's demise than the Flood itself. But to its merit, it was very well made, and suitably "Who-ish".

David Tennant's Doctor was excellent throughout, quite intense - apart from in the end where he went all OTT and emotional again. The emo side of the tenth Doctor ha always been his undoing for me... unlike the ninth Doctor, who kept a lot of emotion inside, gradually letting it out, little by little.

The get-out was a bit feeble... sense of deja-vu there, but that seems to be a prerequisite of modern Who. Not allowed to be too daring. Although nice twist with Adelaide's suicide, and the grilling moment where the Doctor realises that despite his big-headedness and over-confidence, he hadn't foreseen that one.

My main criticism was that the people infected by the flood just looked hilarious. They all looked like dehydrated goths.

I'm also sick of hearing the same bloody music in every episode. But overall, a good episode, extremely well produced, and a thousand times better than the insult of an episode that polluted our screens back in Easter.

I do like this idea of the Doctor traveling alone - makes a nice change.