The new Dr Who companion is the old one

Oh dear… right after I typed the words that said I liked her interaction with Tennant in my chemistry article this happens.

Straight from the BBC:
Catherine Tate accepts proposal to star in fourth series.

Catherine Tate is set to return to the TARDIS for the complete 13 week run of Series Four of Doctor Who.

Award winning comedian Tate will reprise her role as Donna, the runaway bride from last year’s Christmas special, despite turning down the Doctor’s invitation to travel with him at the end of that adventure.

(seen here)

When Catherine was asked if she would like to become The Doctor’s new companion at the press screening of The Runaway Bride, she replied, “I would love to, but no one has asked!” Well, now they have.

“Catherine was an absolute star in The Runaway Bride and we are delighted that one of Britain’s greatest talents has agreed to join us for the fourth series,” announced Doctor Who’s executive producer and head writer, Russell T Davies. “Viewers can expect more ambitious storylines and a whole host of guest stars in 2008.”

Catherine Tate : “I am delighted to be returning to Doctor Who. I had a blast last Christmas and look forward to traveling again through time and space with that nice man from Gallifrey.”

Recommended viewing…

Blakes 7 – Series 1 [Region 2]?

Death(s) of the Flash(es)

Barry Allen took over the mildewed mantle of the ‘Fastest Man Alive’ from former Flash Jay Garrick in a 1956 issue of DC’s Showcase Presents.

The super hero gimmick that had proven so popular in the 40’s had grown stale, replaced by funny animals and cowboys and Indians comics (believe it or not). Editor Julius Schwartz had decided to give the super hero thing another try. I’m at least the millionth person to claim Julie’s genius.

Police scientist Barry Allen was mulling over a Flash comic book from the 50’s while eating his lunch in his lab when he was struck by a bolt of lightning right next to a rack of chemicals.

The result was that the never on time Allen had become the fastest man alive. Looking at the entire affair as fated, he took on the name of the comic hero of his youth, the Flash.

Pretty weird way to start a career, huh?

Barry Allen ushered in what became known as the Silver Age of comics, which saw the introduction of the new Green Lantern, Hawkman, and even the Justice League of America.

The Flash was a darling of the comics world and starred in his own series until its cancellation in 1986. His death is one of the most striking in comics history.

In the ultimate comic book mini-series, Crisis on Infinite Earths, Barry sacrificed himself in order to destroy an anti-matter cannon. As he ran, his body became skeletal and frayed, bouncing around in time like a specter, appearing to numerous characters begging for help before his empty costume fell by the now useless cannon.

In his wake, the young Wally West took over the Flash legacy and starred in his own revamped series until just last year’s issue 232.

This was part of a decision to introduce more youthful versions of key characters, something that was tried later on with Batman, Green Arrow and Green Lantern.

The Flash was, until recently, the only one that stuck. Wally West was a very popular and successful character and even starred in the animated Justice League series on Cartoon Network.

In the sequel to Crisis on Infinite Earths, Infinite Crisis, Wally West disappeared into the ’speed force’ that powers his abilities along with his wife and twins. Not only that. but he took the teenage Kid Flash, Bart Allen with him.

Bart Allen returned as a full grown adult and starred in yet another revamp of the title written by the former script writer for the Flash TV series. Yet another doomed Flash has taken a ‘dirt nap’ as the newest Flash’s abilities suddenly were taken away at exactly the worst time, when his enemies had decided to tackle him altogether.

DC has announced that next month an issue of ‘All Flash’ will be released, presumably as a tribute the various versions of the character before the brand new series debuts continuing the number from the last volume with issue #233.

Fan favorite Mark Waid (Kingdom Come, Superman: Birthright, 52) will be writing at least the first story arc.

Based on the news (and the recent JLA/JSA crossover ‘The Lightning Saga’), Wally West will be returning to the race… but there are definite rumblings that the Silver Age Barry Allen may return to the pages of DC Comics.

If that is true, I entrust Mark Waid to not only write a compelling story but not make me want to kick a hole in the wall.

For non-comics-fans, this is hard to understand, but Barry Allen’s death had a certain meaning to readers at the time.

To ‘undo’ that death… it’s going to take one helluva great comic.

Suggested reading:

Kingdom Come
52, Vol. 1
The Flash: The Greatest Stories Ever Told
The Flash Vol. 3: Crossfire
The Flash Vol. 2: Rogues
Man of Two Worlds:: My Life in Science Fiction and Comics (By Julius Schwartz)

Doctor Who Chemistry

Doctor Who, the longest running sci-fi series on television, is built on two things; weird special effects and the chemistry between the lead actors.

After several hits (Tom Baker and Liz Sladen) and misses (Peter Davison and Matthew Waterhouse), the series still tries hard to make the audience connect with the leads.

With the departure of another companion from the new program (nicknamed NuWho by fans), I figured it’s time to look at what’s gone right and wrong for David Tennant, the man who has had three companions in only two years… and that’s just the women!