Doctor Who and The Girl Who Never Was

The Girl Who Never Was

Written by Alan Barnes, directed by Barnaby Edwards
Story 103
Released December 2007

After losing C’rizz, Charley has come to the realization that her life with the Doctor was at best a fantasy that has come to an end. The Doctor may appear to be a dashing romantic adventurer, but he is also an ageless alien being who exists outside of time and space. He is incapable of relating to Charley as she would like and the closer the two have become, the more alien he has become. Their journeys through time and space were fun, but the excursion into the Divergent Universe strained their partnership to the breaking point. Despite all this awkwardness, the Doctor is determined to give his best friend one last adventure before they part and takes her to Singapore, where she was headed when they first met.

However, nothing ever goes as planned and the TARDIS has become confused by a temporal anomaly, causing them to land in the right place but the wrong time, New Year’s Eve 2008. But he is not the only person investigating the strange temporal hump centered on the SS Batavia. Charley is convinced that the Doctor redirected the TARDIS to 2008 in order to prevent her from interfering with the ‘web of time.’ She befriends the shifty man named Byron who, along with his mother, is very interested in the anomaly on the SS Batavia. The Doctor and Charley manage to extricate themselves from Byron and travel to the Baravia to find that it is mysteriously abandoned and encrusted with what appears to be rust but is actually temporal corrosion. As the infection spreads for the TARDIS, the travelers become separated and the HADS (Hostile Action Defense System introduced in the Troughton story the Krotons) prompts a sudden displacement.

The Doctor and Charley become separated by decades with Charley back in 1942 and the Doctor, Byron and his mother who identifies herself as Charley Pollard. Meanwhile, Charley attempts to help the crew of the SS Batavia, stranded in the Karimata Strait and under attack from a platoon of Cybermen, stranded om Earth.

Yes, I had intended to listen to the Eighth Doctor adventures in order but after the dreadful pacing of the Divergent Universe stories and the arrival of Dark Eyes in the mail, I decided to skip ahead. The final adventure of the Eighth Doctor and Charley arrived strangely after the BBC4 radio series started with Blood of the Daleks which introduced new companion Lucie Miller. As such, it is a celebration of the early days of the Eighth Doctor era and the beginning of a different approach to the dashing romantic as he became more of a brooding loner. It’s a remarkable idea and The Girl Who Never Was fits the bill, being equal parts melodrama, comedy and action.

I am a fan of the Cybermen, so I was very happy to hear them in this story, earning their place as the second most dangerous Doctor Who monster. It is true that the Cybermen are always on the verge of extinction with each appearance. There is no exception here but I do have to say that I am getting very tired of hearing their battle cry ‘you will become like us.’ As monsters they make a great impact and are suitable creepy, but it does become clear that they are filling the void as the ‘monster of the week’ which could just as easily been Zygons, Ice Warriors… Mechanoids…. whatever.

I am a broken record, I know, but there are so many elements of the Eighth Doctor era that are present in the Russell T Davies material that I cannot ignore, especially the whimsical character of the Doctor and his sharp wit. However, just as Alan Barnes and company deal with the ‘Doctor in love’ idea far better than Davies, so is the Eighth Doctor far funnier and full of vitality than the 10th who serves as a pale imitation (in my opinion, anyway).

Like many, I was overjoyed with Charley at first, but as with everything, her character grated in the Divergent Universe adventures. Happily she is in fine form here and full of spunk and daring courage in the face of the unknown and an army of body stealing Cybermen. The temporal conundrums got a bit confusing at times, but the strength of the emotional story held up very well and paid homage to one of the most beloved of companions (if only to a select few) the ‘Edwardian Adventuress,’ ending on a sour note as the Doctor comes to realize that he must always lose his companions in the end.

I must say that the ending, sign posted by the change in signature theme, was very surprising and I look forward to what comes afterwards for both Charley and the Eighth Doctor in the stories to come. After some major set backs, the Charley/Doctor story ended on a very high note that Big Finish should be proud of.

Doctor Who and The Girl Who Never Was can be ordered from The Book Depository with free shipping worldwide by clicking on the link below:

Neil Gaiman returns to Doctor Who with the Cybermen in 2013

Looks like cult author Neil Gaiman will be coming back to Doctor Who next year for the second part of the seventh series along with the evil cyborgs the Cybermen. I’m a big fan of the Cybermen and have long thought that they are among the creepier of the classic monsters. Sadly they did not age well outside of the 1960′s and while I do enjoy both Revenge of the Cybermen and Earthshock, they never really came close to recapturing their horror found in those black and white adventures.

In their 60′s appearances, the Cybermen were slow-moving zombie-like creatures who lurked in the corners of space stations, lurched through the snow-swept terrain of the arctic and even wandered through the sewers of London roaring like mad mummies. An attempt from the production team to top the Daleks, the Cybermen have long played second favorite to the dreaded pepper pots, but given that Terry Nation and Ray Cusick’s creatures are regarded as the most popular Who monster ever, that ain’t half bad, is it?

The latest version of the Cybermen from a parallel reality are decidedly un-scary, river-dancing their way into living rooms with a battle cry borne from an office keyboard. Despite a strong introduction in 2006, they have yet to make any real impact in the BBC Wales Doctor Who, though the headless Cyberman in The Big Bang was impressive. Can Gaiman succeed where so many others have failed? We’ll have to wait and see.

Entitled ‘The Last Cyberman,’ the misplaced read-through script has been the subject of a minor scandal, but in truth not many details have leaked from the event other than the title and confirmation of the new companion’s name (Clara).

Cybermen ’67

Via LATimes:

The Doctor will once again face off against some of his oldest enemies. The Cybermen are returning to “Doctor Who” in 2013 in an episode written by fantasy author Neil Gaiman, BBC announced Wednesday.

Gaiman’s episode will be directed by Stephen Woolfenden, who served as assistant director for four of the eight “Harry Potter” films. The episode will take the Doctor (Matt Smith) and his new companion (Jenna-Louise Coleman) to another planet, where they meet a band of misfits portrayed by Warwick Davis (“Life’s too Short,” “Harry Potter” and “Willow”), Tamzin Outhwaite (“Hotel Babylon”) and Jason Watkins (“Being Human”).

The Cybermen have been around for nearly as long as the show itself, debuting in 1966′s “The Tenth Planet” opposite the first Doctor, played by William Hartnell in his last episode before regenerating. In the series, Cybermen are people whose bodies have been replaced with artificial parts and whose emotions have been deleted, leaving a race of cold, calculating and deadly cyborgs.

“Cybermen were always the monsters that scared me the most,” the show’s lead writer Steven Moffat said in the announcement. “Not just because they were an awesome military force, but because sometimes they could be sleek and silver and right behind you without you even knowing.”

The 2013 Cybermen episode marks the second venture into “Doctor Who” for Gaiman, whose previous episode — 2011′s “The Doctor’s Wife” — won a Hugo Award and a Ray Bradbury Award.

“I saw my first Cybermen watching Moonbase, as Jamie thought the Piper was coming for him (scary). Then Tomb of the Cybermen terrified me,” Gaiman tweeted, referring to two 1967 episodes starring Patrick Troughton as the Doctor.

And here’s an picture of the redesigned Cybermen (from here where more excellent images can be found)

What Classic Monster will return in the next series of Doctor Who?

Doctor No. 2 (Patrick Troughton) surrounded by monsters

Doctor No. 3 (Jon Pertwee) surprised by monsters

Doctor Who returned in 2005 with a new look, new effects, new Doctor and new production team… and an old monster from 1970, the Autons. Since then, the series has brought back iconic monsters such as the Daleks and Cybermen, but more obscure ones like the Sontarans, Macra and Silurians.

Since it came back, there have been rumors of the Ice Warriors appearing on screen and most recently an updated design for the Yeti was posted by artist Peter McKinstry (who has worked on several episodes of the new Doctor Who). The buzz is starting again as each year (aside from last series) a classic monster has been featured. So who will it be this time?

Ice Warriors?
Green giants from the planet Mars, these noble warriors were once the rivals of the Cybermen for the number two spot in the Doctor Who monster hit parade. They were popular in 1960′s but also returned twice in the 70′s. They were rumored to return in the 1980′s (twice), but failed to make a comeback.

(click here for articles on the Ice Warriors, Seeds of Death and the two Peladon stories)

The Yeti?
The fuzzy robots with a heart of steel, the Yeti are the agents of the Great Intelligence, a disembodies entity determined to achieve galactic domination. Both of their classic adventures are missing with only part one of their return story, Web of Fear available for viewing, but this looks like a strong possibility.

(click here for article on the Yeti story The Web of Fear)

Peter McKinstry’s design for the Yeti is very good as well.

Tom Baker is menaced by Zygons

The Zygons?
Creepy shape-shifting monsters from the memorable Tom Baker story. Terror of the Zygons. With only one appearance, you’d think this monster is unlikely to be seen again, but they remain a high-ranking most loved creature.

(click here for my review of Terror of the Zygons)

Place your vote!

This week at your comic shop – 10/26/2011

For the complete list of this week’s comics, click here.

Not sure where your local comic shop is? Try comicshoplocator.com!

(note: all information including ad copy is from the publisher)

If you can’t make it to the shop, just click on any of the images below to be taken to an online retailer. I don’t get any referrals for these sales, I’m just doing my bit to spread the word on some neat products.

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Classic Marvel Characters #2: The Hulk

Classic Marvel Characters #2: The Hulk
The 1960s brought a cultural upheaval in music and art, with a host of new icons entering the scene: The Beatles, Andy Warhol, and of course, Marvel Comics, led by a host of characters that redefined modern comic books. Now, these characters will appear just as they did then, in a new line of collectible statuettes from Dark Horse Deluxe.

Beginning in September 2011 with Spider-Man, the program continues with October’s release of the Hulk.

Incredible Hulk #1

Incredible Hulk #1
Marvel Architect Jason Aaron joins forces with legendary artist Marc Silvestri to redefine the Hulk in an all new ongoing series.

After the events of Fear Itself, the Hulk has gone into hiding, seemingly safe from a world that hates and fears him. But when government agents come knocking at his door, the Hulk has no choice but to return to war against the one man whose existence threatens the safety of every living creature on the Earth. The one man who’s existence could doom the Hulk himself. And that man is Bruce Banner. Now separated into two men, the Hulk and Banner exist worlds apart but one climactic battle will bring them face to face againóand leave the Marvel Universe shaking in its wake.
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Toon Tumblers Doctor Doom Clear Pint Glass

Toon Tumblers Doctor Doom Clear Pint Glass
Available for the first time available in PREVIEWS are these clear versions of three of PopFun’s best selling ‘Toon Tumblers pint glasses featuring Marvel’s biggest heroes, like Iron Man, Captain America, and the Avengers! Please note: these glasses are clear, not frosted. Not for sale or distribution in California.
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Justice League By Lee T-Shirt

Justice League By Lee T-Shirt

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FF #11

FF #11
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN Penciled by BARRY KITSON Covers by STEVE EPTING ISSUE #11 – A Galactic Empire is born as the war of Four Cities comes to a close. What does it mean for Marvel’s First Family?
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DC Comics Presents Jack Kirby Omnibus Sampler #1

DC Comics Presents Jack Kirby Omnibus Sampler #1
Written by Various Art by JACK KIRBY and others Cover by JACK KIRBY
With the JACK KIRBY OMNIBUS VOL. 1 – STARRING GREEN ARROW HC on the way, DC presents this selection of Kirby mystery stories from the 1950s, pulled from the pages of HOUSE OF SECRETS #3, 8 and 12, HOUSE OF MYSTERY #76, TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED #13, 1 and 24 and MY GREATEST ADVENTURE #15, 16 17, 20 and 21, plus a Green Arrow tale from ADVENTURE COMICS #251!
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Dagar the Invincible Archives HC Volume 1

Dagar the Invincible Archives HC Volume 1
By: Don F. Glut, Jesse Santos
In a time when gods and demons walked the earth as men, a young warrior raises his sword to the skies and declares defiance! Dagar the Invincible is a hero of blade and sandal, and Dark Horse Books uncovers the exciting legend of his journey through the ancient, mystical world! The first of two volumes in this archival series introduces Dagar and tales of his quest, originally published by Gold Key Comics in the 1970s. Collects Dagar the Invincible #1-#9.

* Classic series from writer Donald F. Glut!

* Featuring the extraordinary art of comics legend Jesse Santos!
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Daredevil #5

Daredevil #5
Written by MARK WAID Pencils & Cover by MARCOS MARTIN Variant Cover by BRYAN HITCH THE DEATH DEFYING DEBUT OF MARCOS MARTIN!
One honest man — just one — exists in the vast criminal corporation known as Roxxon Oil, and Daredevil has to find him before a nightmarish disaster claims the entire Eastern Seaboard! Can DD get to him in time–or will this issue’s surprise villain get to him first?
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Green Lantern New Guardians #2

Green Lantern New Guardians #2
Written by TONY BEDARD Art by TYLER KIRKHAM, HARVEY TALIBAO and BATT Cover by TYLER KIRKHAM and BATT
By their rings betrayed! Who – or what – has the might to tear power rings from each of the seven Lantern Corps, murdering their former bearers in the process? And why have the rings all chosen Kyle Rayner as their new master? As members of each Corps target Kyle for death, we learn more about the shocking fate of Ganthet!

Green Lantern 1:10 Scale Model Kit

Green Lantern 1:10 Scale Model Kit
A brand-new Aurora-style kit, starring one of DC Comics’ most popular characters! Imagine if Aurora produced a Green Lantern kit to go with their line of DC Comics kits back in the 1960′s. We think this is close to what they would have done! Retro-style packaging, box art by Terry Beatty, and in scale with other Aurora comic kits make this the perfect addition to any plastic builders collection! Paint and glue needed for final assembly, recommended for ages 15 and up.

Green Lantern Character Apron

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Mighty Thor #7

Mighty Thor #7
By: Matt Fraction, Pasqual Ferry
The critical Fear Itself prequel that couldn’t be told until now! Discover the true story behind the Serpent & Odin’s past!
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Flash #2

Flash #2
Written by FRANCIS MANAPUL and BRIAN BUCCELLATO Art and cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL Variant cover by GREG CAPULLO 1:200 B&W variant cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
The Fastest Man Alive learns he can make his brain function even faster than before – but as much as it helps him, it also comes with a steep price. Plus: The mystery behind Barry Allen’s friend Manuel Lago deepens as Barry investigates his kidnapping at the hands of Mob Rule!

Flash II Logo T-Shirt

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Iron Man Im Retro Sign Mocha T-Shirt

Iron Man Im Retro Sign Mocha T-Shirt____________________________________________________________________

All New Batman The Brave And The Bold #12

All New Batman The Brave And The Bold #12
Written by SHOLLY FISCH Art by ETHEN BEAVERS Cover by RICK BURCHETT and DAN DAVIS
Batman and Zatanna have to take a walk on the weird side if they’re going to solve a break in at The House of Mystery! Before you can say ‘boo,’ some of the spookiest bad guys around come knocking – and they’re not looking for treats!
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Savage Hawkman #2

Savage Hawkman #2
Written by TONY S. DANIEL Art and cover by PHILIP TAN
When the alien creature known as Morphicius starts draining the life force from Carter Hall, a.k.a. Hawkman, he learns that there’s more to his new victim than meets the eye. The mysterious properties of the Nth Metal protect Hawkman – but in the process, they are also making Morphicius powerful! With innocent lives in the balance, can Hawkman turn the table on his enemy, or are Morphicius newfound powers too powerful to stop?
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Kirby Genesis #4

Kirby Genesis #4
By: Kurt Busiek, Alex Ross, Jackson Herbert
Who – or what – are The Primals? As Kirby – trapped on the Phantom Continent with Reptar and Thunderfoot – battles the Life-Eaters to understand, alliances are made back in the United States: Alliances of heroes, as Silver Star, Captain Victory, the Glory Knights and Galaxy Green come together.

And alliances of villains, as Roag, the Lightning Lady, Sundance and Darius Drumm make a devil’s bargain.

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Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep HC Vol. 06 (of 6)

Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep HC Vol. 06 (of 6)
(W) Philip K. Dick (A) Tony Parker Worldwide bestselling science fiction writer Philip K. Dick’s award-winning Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? has been called ‘a masterpiece ahead of its time, even today,’ and served as the basis for the film Blade Runner. BOOM! Studios is honored to present the complete novel transplanted into the graphic novel medium, mixing all new panel-to-panel continuity with the actual text from the novel in an innovative, groundbreaking series. Don’t miss this final jaw-dropping volume!
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Superman #2

Superman #2
Written by GEORGE PEREZ Breakdowns and cover by GEORGE PEREZ Art by JESUS MERINO
The all-new adventures of Superman continue! Everyone can see the new villain who’s attacking Superman – except The Man of Steel! How can he stop a threat that none of his super-senses can detect? Meanwhile, a Daily Planet reporter starts digging up some dirt on Superman, including a secret that could ruin him forever!

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All Star Western #2

All Star Western #2
Written by JUSTIN GRAY and JIMMY PALMIOTTI Art by MORITAT and JORDI BERNET Cover by MORITAT
What happens when a psychologist and a sociopath have to work together to track down Gotham City’s first serial killer? They’ll soon find that crime in the big city runs deeper than its foundations, and it’s all mapped out in the mysterious Crime Bible – that is, if they don’t kill each other first. Plus: No zombie is safe in the Wild West when Lazarus Lane summons the demon known as El Diablo!
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Venom #8

Venom #8
By: Rick Remender, Tom Fowler
Flash Thompson has suffered a terrible loss, just when his Venom persona is needed to protect New York City the most! The Infestation’s architects have gained an unimaginable edge and Venom must go head-to-head with the Spider-King!

With a broken heart and the fate of New York on his shoulder, well, folks you’ve heard it before but after this, trust us, Venom’s world can never be the same again! By Rick Remender (X-FORCE) and Tom Fowler (AGE OF HEROES).
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Superman Batman Sorcerer Kings HC

Superman Batman Sorcerer Kings HC
In these tales from issues #78-84, Superman and Batman must fight magical forces from the past and future. Guest-starring Dr. Occult, Detective Chimp, Klarion and a horde of Solomon Grundys!This title collects
Issues #778-84
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Turok, Son of Stone Archives Volume 9 HC

Turok, Son of Stone Archives Volume 9 HC
By: Paul Newman, Alberto Giolitti, Rex Maxon
Join Turok and Andar in their fight against swarms of carnivorous gliding reptiles, fish-riding cavemen, burning black swamp waters, and herds of killer “honkers”! Turok, Son of Stone is man versus beast at its best! Stranded in a lost valley filled with dinosaurs, primitive men, and more strange beasts and beings, two Indian braves struggle to survive.

* This volume collects issues #51-#53, #55-#56, and #58-#59 of Turok, Son of Stone from Gold Key Comics.
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Batman The Dark Knight #2

Batman The Dark Knight #2
Written by DAVID FINCH and PAUL JENKINS Art by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND with JAY FABOK Cover by DAVID FINCH and RICHARD FRIEND
Something sinister surges through Arkham Asylum, and Batman finds himself bombarded by his greatest foes in this second sensational issue from superstar creator David Finch! Bigger, meaner, and more powerful than ever before, the inmates of Arkham Asylum run rampant as the entire Bat Family struggles to keep the walls from falling down, unleashing Gotham City’s worst criminals on the unsuspecting population. And you won’t believe the jaw-dropping final page! Just keep repeating, ‘It’s only a comic book. It’s only a comic book…’

Batman Black And White Statue David Finch

Batman Black And White Statue David Finch
From the writer and artist of the new DC ongoing series BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT! The next Batman Black & White statue is an original design for DC Direct! This cold-cast porcelain statue measures approximately 6.5″ high x 6.75″ wide x 5.25″ deep, is painted in monochromatic tones, features a Bat-logo-shaped base and is packaged in a black and white box. Limited edition.
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G.I. Joe Omnibus TPB Vol. 01

G.I. Joe Omnibus TPB Vol. 01
Chuck Dixon, Brian Reed (w) o Robert Atkins, S L Gallant, Joe Suitor (a) o Dave Johnson (c) If knowing is half the battle, then you’d better be sure to get a hold of G.I. JOE Omnibus, Vol. 1 to learn all about IDW’s original G.I. JOE tales. With powerhouse Chuck Dixon on writing duties and talented artists like Robert Atkins and S L Gallant on art, the continuing tales of the JOEs discovering and squaring off against COBRA leaps off the page and grabs you by the throat! Includes G.I. JOE issues #0-13 and the HELIX one-shot.
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Jack Kirbys Galactic Bounty Hunters TPB

Jack Kirbys Galactic Bounty Hunters TPB
(W) Lisa Kirby, Steve Robertson (A) Mike Thibodeaux Meet the Berkleys, your typical suburban California family. But when young Garrett Berkley discovers his parents’ secret – that the science-fiction stories his father writes aren’t fiction at all, but autobiography – he’s blasted into a whole new universe of adventure, mystery and danger. Now, Jack Berkley must put down his pen, reassemble his old team and take up the mantle of being a Galactic Bounty Hunter for one final mission! Collecting Jack Kirby’s Galactic Bounty Hunters #1-6.
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Red Wing #4 (of 4)

Red Wing #4 (of 4)
A PLUS! Project story JONATHAN HICKMAN art / cover NICK PITARRA & RACHELLE ROSENBERG
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Aquaman #2

Aquaman #2
Written by GEOFF JOHNS Art and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO
The red-hot creative team behind BLACKEST NIGHT and BRIGHTEST DAY reunite! An entire townÖ devoured! As Aquaman and Mera discover the grisly truth behind a town’s disappearance, the Trench infestation spreads inland! Plus: Another gruesome Trench power revealed – and it’s not for the squeamish!

Young Justice 4-1/4 Inch Aquaman/Aqualad Action Figure 2-Pack

Young Justice 4-1/4 Inch Aquaman/Aqualad Action Figure 2-Pack
The next generation of heroes of the DC Universe star in the new animated series Young Justice, and these action figure 2-packs feature the young heroes and their illustrious mentors!Made in the same style as the Justice League Unlimited figures, the Young Justice figures will bring the excitement of the DC Universe into your collection! Choose from Robin/Batman, Aqualad/Aquaman, Kid Flash/Flash, and Cheshire/Ra’s al Ghul.
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Steve Ditko Angry Apes N Leapin Lizards SC

Steve Ditko Angry Apes N Leapin Lizards SC
(W) Steve Ditko Steve Ditko’s Angry Apes ‘n’ Leapin’ Lizards collects the artwork produced by Steve Ditko for Charlton Comics during the time of his tenure on Amazing Spider-Man, including science-fiction and fantasy work, with guest appearances by Gorgo and Konga. Theakstonized for maximum reproduction.____________________________________________________________________

Doctor Who Char Building Dalek Army 5pk

Doctor Who Char Building Dalek Army 5pk
Imported from the UK! Exterminate! The Daleks were born without the ability to feel compassion or pity, and they are motivated only by hate, fear, and an implacable belief that they are the most superior creatures in the universe. Recreate epic battles with the Eleventh Doctor or build your own army of Daleks with this 5-pack of Dalek minifigs for the Doctor Who Character Building sets!
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Doctor Who Char Building Cyberman Army 5pk

Doctor Who Char Building Cyberman Army 5pk
Imported from the UK! Delete! Once the Cybermen were human, but they gradually replaced their weak mortal flesh with metal and plastic. In the process, they lost their compassion along with their other emotions. Cybermen seek to ‘delete’ all who stand in their way, and they can electrocute with just a touch. Build your army of Cybermen for your Doctor Who Character Building sets with this pack of 5 fully-articulated minifigs.
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Absolute All Star Superman HC New Printing

Absolute All Star Superman HC New Printing
Written by GRANT MORRISON Art and Cover by FRANK QUITELY Now back in print! The Eisner Award-winning 12-issue series from Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely is available in Absolute format! The Man of Steel battles Bizarro, Zibarro and more before facing the final revenge of Lex Luthor. Plus: a bonus sketchbook section and more!
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Avengers Solo #1 (of 5)

Avengers Solo #1 (of 5)
Written by JEN VAN METER with JIM MCCANN Penciled by ROGER ROBINSON Cover by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER Movie Variant also available THE ARROWED AVENGER RETURNS! When a stranger lies dead at the Avengers’ doorstep, Hawkeye won’t let his world be implicated in a grisly murder. But what seems to be a simple murder gives way to a gruesome conspiracy – one Hawkeye can’t walk away from – and one that involves…The Trapster?! Jen Van Meter (BLACK CAT) and Roger Robinson (Batman: Gotham Knights) bring Hawkeye with a vengeance! Also, Hank Pym and the class of Avengers Academy leave the school behind for a mystery too fantastic to believe, by Jim McCann (NEW AVENGERS: THE REUNION) and Andrea Divito (NOVA)
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I Vampire #2

I Vampire #2
Written by JOSHUA HALE FIALKOV Art by ANDREA SORRENTINO Cover by JENNY FRISON
True love becomes divine hatred between the Queen of Blood and Andrew, as her vampires begin their attacks across the country. Their past behind them, they find themselves ready to battle to the death… If those feelings really are all gone. Surrounded by swarms of bloodthirsty vamps, Andrew must confront his immortal beloved in a blood-soaked battle he can’t win.

Doctor Who – ‘Closing Time’

“Closing Time”

Series 6
Episode 12
Transmitted 24 September, 2011

In the last days of his life, the 11th Doctor decides to revisit old friends. A weary and troubled Timelord calls upon his old friend Craig Owen to discover that the lifelong bachelor is a father overwhelmed at the responsibilities of parenting. The Doctor also catches the scent of a sinister alien presence. Rather reluctantly, he decides to take action by working in the toy department of a department store infested by weird silver rats.

I have stated this several times over, but in case you are finding my site for the first time, let me explain that I have begrudgingly accepted several conceits as being incontrovertible with new Doctor Who. Just as viewers had to sit through actual history, creeky sets and bizarre monsters with the classic program, the new Doctor Who from BBC Wales has its own peccadilloes. It is more concerned with comedy and standard TV drama than actual science fiction adventure stories. It also seems to view the monsters as a necessary evil needed to tell any number of stories that the viewer must find more interesting, such as parenting, turning 40 or the undying love a dancer has for a pig-faced mutant. Fine. I accept that.

Overall, I enjoy Gareth Roberts’ scripts for Doctor Who (though Unicorn and the Wasp was so bad that I didn’t even bother reviewing it). He catches the concept that the modern series is a sitcom with monsters and runs with it. He’s also a big fan of the classic series and enjoys playing up elements that he enjoys from the old program. It is a good thing that Roberts penned this episode as it is mainly a sitcom with James Corden and Matt Smith set in the Doctor Who-verse. For the moments that fit that description, it is quite enjoyable. When it strays into the realm of emotional drama or adventure it falls flat on its back stinking of old nappies.

The Doctor, Craig and baby Alfie are hunting for aliens

Craig Owens is at a loss. He has been left on his own for a weekend to fend for himself. So unable to cope by himself is he that his girlfriend has not only labeled but numbered his food and left diagrams throughout the kitchen. That’s apparently the script trying to make sure you get the point that may be missed by the actual dialog in which Craig’s girlfriend Daisy states that she knows he is capable while insinuating that she is genuinely worried. A few more moments are spent playing up this concept that is already becoming tired when the Doctor shows up on Craig’s doorstep. Sensing strange emissions with his magic wand (well, it is), he discovers to his shock (and ours) that Craig is a Daddy.

The preceding over-blown exposition is almost excused… but we’re just getting started.

When the Doctor arrives on Earth a short time after he had previously seen Craig Owen in last year’s ‘The Lodger,’ there is a strong feeling of dread. That kind of feeling that Mark Gattis would equate with the opening episodes of Earthshock and Logopolis. The Doctor casually mentions that he is on a farewell tour and thanks to Murray Gold’s deafening score and the crying of baby Alfie, it gets missed. This is interesting because the character of the Doctor has actually been allowed to age and somewhat progress on screen for the first time in the program’s history.

One could point out that the Fourth Doctor has three distinct periods of his incarnation as he gets steadily loopier and the the Tenth Doctor becomes egocentric and power-mad, but I’m going to avoid both for different reasons. In both cases the program itself failed to support the idea (Tom himself was obviously the cause for the change in behavior and Davies had no idea of where to take the Tenth Doctor’s fall dramatically). It’s interesting also because we get to see the Doctor try and become his older self by taking up the challenge to defeat an alien menace and be the hero. Again, Smith’s performance makes this transition compelling on screen.

Obviously something has happened between his experience in ‘The God Complex’ and his death at Lake Silencio to make the Doctor so somber and self-defeatist. If there’s any time in next week’s story between moments featuring River Song, maybe we’ll find out what that’s all about.

In any case, the plot has nothing to do with the Doctor, really. It’s all about ‘regular people’ at a nearby department store who are plagued by cybermats and therefore Cybermen. While the Doctor once more exhibits his skill at ‘talking baby,’ the staff of the department store are being kidnapped and pulled away to some mysterious fate. Of course no one cares because the public at large are busy watching crap TV and eating chips. Fortunately, the Doctor is around to save the ‘sheeple’ (I cannot believe I just used that word) and all will be well. Unfortunately, the Doctor has lost faith in himself, but he has Craig around to help him there. Also fortunate for Craig, the Doctor can help him find confidence as a parent.

What luck!

The Doctor introduces Craig to a Cybermat

Essentially what we have in Closing Time is a monster story without monsters or a Cybermen story that has nothing to do with Cybermen. In case anyone’s interested in my opinion as a parent, it also has nothing to do with parenting either. I mean honestly, you don’t just hand your baby to a complete stranger and you cannot get over your fears of inadequacy as a parent in a weekend. It has everything to do with the chemistry between Smith and Corden. Honestly, this episode begins and ends with them. When they spark, the episode is great fun, but when they fail to connect it’s a shambles.

I have a theory that there are no truly bad Doctor Who stories there are just bad Doctors. This story supports that theory as Smith is just wonderful. The script feels like it was written by a schitzophrenic as it is equal parts brilliance and shite. For every moment as touching as the Doctor talking to baby Alfie there’s the ‘clever nods to the fans’

I know he’s not to everyone’s taste, but Smith really is the ideal actor for this program right now. He sells some of the worst dialogue ever and also makes a contrived plot watchable. It is very nice that he got a relatively clutter-free episode in as the series to date has all but forgotten he is the star of the show. I’m happy to learn that he has signed on until the 50th anniversary (man, I feel old).

Despite the strengths of the two lead actors, ‘Closing Time’ has a lot of flaws. The direction is inconsistent, the supporting cast as a whole couldn’t be bothered and wade their way through lines adopting the ‘BBC commoner accent.’ As the Doctor and Craig ‘investigate’ the strange disappearances, it becomes clear that there is some very real danger at the department store. The Doctor wisely advises that Craig get out of town but despite the fact he is so thick that the woman who loves him has labeled his food and he has a child to take care of he insists on helping out. Craig is so dim that he straps his baby to his chest to take the brunt of the danger and then hands his child to a stranger to jump down a dark pit to fight robots with a pricing gun.

I fear for baby Alfie.

It’s no surprise that the Cybermen catch Craig but I’m still trying to work out why they decide that he is ideal stock for their Cyber Controller. Haven’t the Cybermen been watching? The man is a mess! Even so they erase his emotions (even though the Doctor insists that if you just emote hard enough you can beat that… just like flexing a muscle can apparently repel bullets) and encase him in a Cyberman suit. The big problem there is that the new Cybermen are rubbish. Almost anything causes them to explode.

In addition to these problems, the plot resolution is painful. The concept that love can defeat the Cybermen. Why didn’t Jamie just admit that he loved the Doctor back in Tomb of the Cybermen and he could have saved all of us the grief?? It’s not a corny concept it’s a poorly written plot that reveals two ideas have been crammed together that don’t work. There are two stories here; the reunion of Craig and the Doctor and the Cyber-invasion. Roberts couldn’t be bothered with Cybermen apparently so he not only offers no real tangible reason for their presence but he also cannot figure out a resolution without also making it the resolution to his story about Craig and the Doctor. It’s dreadful.

On the plus side, I was rather shocked to read online that Lynda Baron (who played the strangely recurring character of the shop worker Val) had also appeared in Enlightenment as the wonderfully over-the-top (and humorously named) Captain Rack and even sang the ‘Ballad of the Last Chance Saloon’ from the Bill Hartnell adventure ‘The Gunfighters.’ I’d actually rather re-watch either, but it’s nice to see that she’s still working.

The Doctor is helpless while the Cybermen threaten Craig

Along with being a magical monster killer and friend to all children, the Doctor is also apparently a Mary Poppins-type as shown by the fact that he not only saved the Earth but also cleaned up Craig’s flat. Because, lest we forget, Craig is hopeless. The closing moments of Closing Time are so awful that I thought I had traveled back three years and was watching an RTD episode. Inexplicably, the Doctor addresses three random kids and tells them who he is and we then hear older versions of the three kids retelling this no-doubt iconic moment.

I despise the program telling the viewers through narration and then every single character on screen (aside from the poor doomed folks working in a shop over an exploding alien space ship full of organ-stealing cyborgs from the future) that the Doctor is the single most important person ever. Does this imply that if he weren’t so important and powerful, we wouldn’t watch? If so, why were the viewing figures for the Davison era so high while his companions and supporting cast members joined the steadily building pile of corpses outside the TARDIS? Why can’t the Doctor just be a time traveling adventurer and detective rather than the hero of all time and space?

The action cuts to River Song (oh, thank goodness) who is then assaulted by the Silence and evil eye-patch lady who shouts some exposition at her then puts her in an astronaut uniform to kill the Doctor. Once again a sing-song prophecy is used in Doctor Who in place of any real dread or menace. The program has already shown that the Doctor can get out of any situation and if pressed, the script can then completely un-write reality. Cliffhanger? What cliffhanger?

The entire closing sequence felt like bad fan fiction, putting events and characters in place with the methodical care of someone with no reason to put them there. Ugh. This single sequence is enough justification to anyone who despises the Moffat regime and its two year-long story that has lasted to this point. I have held off completely judging the body of work until it is finished, but given the ‘revelation’ of River Song’s identity and then this week’s revelation of the ‘impossible astronaut,’ I fear for the finale.

Next week: ‘The Wedding of River Song’

Get ready for Doctor Who series 6

Jaw-droppingly cool full-length Doctor Who Series 6 trailer
(tip of the hat to Doctor WhoNewsSite)

The BBC Wales series of Doctor Who is set to return in just a few weeks and fans are all agog with anticipation. I have to admit that I’m a bit humored by the article referenced below referring to the press coverage ramping up as the UK press never really stops promoting Doctor Who.

There are some spoilers and such in this piece, but on the mild side. At the conclusion of the article are links to sources that have far juicier details and come highly recommended. I’ve tried to stay in the dark this year as an experiment so I can view the program with fresh eyes (or at least less-jaded eyes).

BBC begins promoting new series of Doctor Who

The BBC has begun promoting its upcoming series of Doctor Who, which is due to begin broadcasting over the Easter weekend in the UK and North America.

The Impossible Astronaut, starring Matt Smith, will be broadcast in the USA and UK on Saturday, 23 April. It’s the first of a two-part story – written by Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat (Sherlock) – which was filmed in Utah last year. Though not yet confirmed, episode two, Day of the Moon, is thought to be scheduled for broadcast on Easter Sunday (24 April).

Radio Times Extra, a monthly sister publication to the weekly Radio Times listings magazine, features Matt Smith in its April issue, out today, highlighting the new series of Doctor Who as one to look out for.

Doctor Who series 6 Trailer via DoctorWhoTV

Writing in Radio Times Extra, Alison Graham says, “After a surprisingly powerful and moving Christmas Day episode [A Christmas Carol, also by Moffat . . .] Smith returns for two chunks of Doctoring – seven episodes in the spring and another six in the autumn.”
Graham has nothing but praise for the new series: “Since taking over from Russell T Davies [Torchwood], Moffat has injected renewed verve into the series, while Smith is a triumph.”

Earlier this week, the BBC broadcast an Internet-exclusive prelude webisode, which revealed “a little of what we can expect from the adventure . . . and what the Doctor will be facing”, via its Doctor Who website. The mini-episode was written by Moffat and starred Stuart Milligan (Jonathan Creek) as President Richard Nixon.

Elsewhere, the BBC has begun broadcasting on its channels a number of short trailers from the new series in general and the opening story in particular.

Meanwhile, a Twitter exchange between several of those involved in the production of Doctor Who – Moffat, Neil Gaiman (writer), Edward Russell (brand manager) and Richard Clark (director) – has revealed a significant plot twist to the series, which, according to Moffat on the Doctor Who News Page, would “change the way you see Doctor Who forever forever – and that’s a hand-on-heart promise”.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/305157#ixzz1I1sWMJUL

I have refrained from posting rumors and such on Doctor Who series 6 as frankly other sites are doing a great job at this.

Here are a few tidbits on upcoming episode titles/details:

SPOILERS

Episode 1 and 2: ‘The Impossible Astronaut’/'Day of the Moon’ by Steven Moffat. Directed by Toby Haynes- filmed in Utah, featuring River Song and the Doctor from two time lines.
Episode 3:  TBA by Steve Thompson. Directed by Jeremy Webb- involving pirates, possibly a siren of the sea.
Episode 4: ‘The Doctor’s Wife’ by Neil Gaiman – set on an alien graveyard, rumored to include elements from the 1968 story The War Games.
Episode 5/6: ‘The Rebel Flesh’/'Gangers’ by Matthew Graham (‘Fear Her’)-rumored to deal with cloning, possibly involving Sontrarans and Cybermen.
Episode 7: ‘A Good Man Goes to War or His Darkest Hour‘ -by Steven Moffat. Directed by Peter Hoar. Images revealed show Amy Pond bearing ‘tally marks’ in a spooky house and a new monster/enemy called the Silence. Cybermen, Silurians and Sontarans rumored to be featured. The cliffhanger promises to ‘change the Doctor forever. Speculation involves the Doctor getting frozen ala Han Solo in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. Apparently Character Options have already showcased toys based on this scene.

Series 6 part two
Episode 8: TBA (‘A Good Man Goes to War or His Darkest Hour‘ part two)
Episode 9: ‘House Call or Night Terrors‘ by Mark Gatiss (The Unquiet Dead, Idiot’s Lantern)- featuring very scary dolls.
Episode 10: ‘The Green Anchor’ by Tom Macrae (‘Rise of the Cybermen/The Age of Steel)- no details
Episode 11: ‘The God Complex’ by Toby Whithouse(‘School Reunion,’ ‘The Vampires of Venice’)- featuring guest-star David Walliams (Little Britain and numerous Doctor Who Big Finish audios)
Episode 12: TBA- by Gareth Roberts (‘The Shakespeare Code,’ ‘The Unicorn and the Wasp’ and ‘The Lodger’) the Cybermen and Cybermats return along with James Corden and Daisy Haggard (both last seen in ‘The Lodger’).
Episode 13: TBA- by Steven Moffat- tying up plot threads from Rebel Flesh/Gangers and the ‘A Good Man Goes to War or His Darkest Hour‘ two-parter.

Images of upcoming episodes can be seen at DoctorWhoTV, lots of details are to be found at http://doctorwhospoilers.com/ where any hope of remaining in the dark can be dashed to bits. Both of these sites have so much information including casting announcements, videos of location shooting, on-site audio recording and more. Make sure to visit these sites if you want to know more as they are the authorities on Doctor Who Series 6.

Doctor Who Classics -The Seventies

What is a Doctor Who classic? To me a Doctor Who classic epitomizes its era, tells an intelligent and memorable story, has unusual visuals, and features above average performances. Doctor Who is the most mercurial and groundbreaking science fiction program of its kind, so already the bar is quite high for a story to rise from a crop of greatness.  The 1970′s is one of the most loved eras of Doctor Who, so selecting what I consider to be classics from this era is no easy task.

In my first of four installments, I explained that in my attempt to create a list of classic Doctor Who stories, I could neither align them from best to least best or limit myself to a small number. This is because of the massive amount of material and the shift from era to era that almost completely rewrote the direction of the program. For instance a great Jon Pertwee story would have no comparison to a great Peter Davison story and vice versa. I decided to break down the eras by decade and try to limit myself to a few select adventures and some notable ones.

I’m hoping the readers will be compelled to provide their own lists as well.

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1970′s Part One: Jon Pertwee

In the 1970′s, Doctor Who took a massive shift as a program and attempted to pay homage to many successful styles such as the Quatermass series, James Bond, Hammer Horror and more. It’s a varied era with some successful and less than successful innovations to keep the program appealing to a viewing family that was becoming more sophisticated as they aged and TV programing changed. For three years the Doctor was exiled to the planet Earth. Aligning himself with Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart whom he had met on previous adventures, he became the scientific advisor to U.N.I.T., an taskforce charged with the defense of the planet from alien threats. The Doctor was a stylish and erudite intellectual and dandy who constantly challenged the Brigadier’s more conservative view. The two men clashed against each other producing some interesting stories (and other times seemed to completely alter their point of view depending on the script!). After saving the Time Lords from the power mad Omega, the Doctor regained his ability to control the TARDIS and was once more traveling through time and space, though he retained a connection to Earth and U.N.I.T.

This period saw the program’s viewing figures skyrocket (they had sagged in the Troughton era) and Pertwee became a household icon. A colorful wizard-like guardian, his incarnation of the Doctor was inventive and sympathetic to outsiders and aliens. The Buddhist sensibilities of producer Barry Letts infused a kind of holistic view of the universe while script editor Terrance Dicks’ near constant investigation of the New Scientist kept the program grounded in reality… unless it wasn’t. The Pertwee era lasted five long years and featured some of the most varied quality the program would see until Tom Baker arrived, but when it worked it was the most intelligently crafted period of the program in my opinion (with the possible exception of series 18).

Spearhead from Space

By far the best regeneration story of the classic series (the only contender aside from Power of the Daleks is Castrovalva), Spearhead from Space saw the shift in tone into a down to Earth adventure series with military action thrown in. The alien threat is decidedly creepy, the Doctor is dashing and brilliant and the story full of great ideas such as an invasion taking place through toys and the man-eating plastic chair. This one was also heavily influenced by HP Lovecraft as it featured a bodiless alien entity travelling through space as thought energy rather than in a space craft (this had been seen before in the Abominable Snowmen/Web of Fear).

Carnival of Monsters

Robert Holmes is one of the all time best writers of Doctor Who and has contributed scripts for 5 of the 7 classic Doctors. Of all of his stories, I really like this one. It’s a marvelous blend of comedy and science fiction along with social commentary which Russell T Davies got very excited about in 2005 but fumbled in comparison to the master of the craft. Trapped inside an absurd device along with blood-thirsty monsters and amnesiac humans used by a couple of vaudevillian entertainers, the Doctor’s troubles really start when he escapes. This one has so much going on in it and Pertwee really acts well as a centerpiece of sanity to the madness all around him.

The Dæmons

The Master made quite an impression when he first appeared. A Time Lord just as resourceful and brilliant as the Doctor, only evil at heart. Soon the character became something of a comic strip villain, however and his signature tune played over an entire series of stories grew somewhat tiresome. Even so, The Dæmons was a real winner thanks to an impeccable script and the great Roger Delgado rising to the challenge once again. Explaining black magic and the occult as alien technology is a bit glib but very enjoyable. The script, location work and cast makes this one a true classic.

The Time Warrior

An ideal starting point for a new viewer and the perfect breathing point before everything changes, the Time Warrior introduces an excellent new monster, the Sontaran. Trapped in medieval England, the Sontaran captain Styre steals scientists from the future to repair his craft only to attract the Doctor’s attention. Sarah Jane Smith tags along offering viewers a new point of view of the Doctor that is refreshing after three years of Jo Grant who happily tagged along to alien worlds. Again, Doctor Who’s audience was growing more sophisticated demanding a companion who asked questions rather than blindly following orders. The Doctor was hardly bothered by Sarah Jane’s attitude, however, and proved that he was every bit the hero that he claimed to be. A great adventure.

Honorable mentions:Five years of programming means more great stories, though there were some duds too. Some of the noteworthy tales include: Doctor Who and the Silurians, The Ambassadors of Death, Terror of the Autons, The Mind of Evil, Invasion of the Dinosaurs.

Silurians could be one of the most brilliant pieces of Doctor Who in the 70′s. Written by Malcolm Hulke (who contributed many Doctor Who scripts), the adventure invented a new menace that was not an alien at all, but the original inhabitants of the planet. The pacing is a little slow and the story a bit to long, but the same can be said about many 60′s and 70′s Who adventures. Ambassadors of Death is an inspired action/espionage/alien invasion gone wrong story. Terror of the Autons saw a welcome return of the Nestene Consciousness and the first glimpse of the Master at his nastiest. I enjoy the multi-faceted plot of Mind of Evil involving the treatment of prisoners, international politics and terrorism along with a machine that forces one’s deadliest fears into reality. I know many slate this one for many reasons, but Invasion of the Dinosaurs has one of the best first parts of Doctor Who full stop. The Doctor and Sarah Jane arrive in contemporary London only to find it deserted. The mystery surrounding the dinosaur attacks throughout the city is another great Hulke invention that is far more than a deadly plot.

(Peruse my reviews of Pertwee stories here)

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1970′s Part Two: Tom Baker

Relatively unknown actor Tom Baker was a risky casting decision as a replacement for Jon Pertwee, the man who had made Doctor Who so successful in the 1970′s. Of course it turned out to be the beginning of the most important and popular era of the program’s history as Baker made the role his own. When faced with the task of portraying a seven hundred odd year old alien, Baker decided to just play himself. Luckily Tom Baker a very eccentric and charismatic actor with a penchant for absurd humor. Returning monsters were rampant in Tom Baker’s first series, perhaps to ensure a smooth transition from one actor to the next, but after that point there were very few old faces to be seen. Ten companions were featured, the Master revived twice over, the origin of the Daleks exposed and the Cybermen returned after a long hiatus during Baker’s reign. With a handful of sweets, mad stare and colorful scarf, the new incarnation of the Doctor faced enemies with a fearless grin. The comedic element was greatly enhanced, often to the detriment of the drama on screen, but Baker’s iconic image is what nearly anyone who has ever heard of Doctor Who thinks of when the program is mentioned.

The 4th Doctor’s seven year-long era can be broken up into three portions according to the producer. Philip Hinchcliffe brought the Gothic horror elements and strong storytelling as well as an increase in on screen violence. Graham Williams had a taste for the wittier comedic touch while John Nathan Turner was assisted by Barry Letts and Christopher H. Bidmead in crafting a modern take on the sci-fi program that firmly established the series for the 1980′s.

Genesis of the Daleks

Terry Nation’s origin story for his Daleks is a major classic. A war story with pulp serial style cliffhangers and a crazed mutated scientist, this is a real golden story. On the planet Skaro, war has raged between the Thals and the Kaleds for generations, reducing the once mighty empires to shambles bent on genocide at any cost. Desperately searching for an end to the war, the twisted scientist Davros devises a method of victory that would forever change the universe. He creates the Daleks.

Only three stories into his reign on the program, Baker was challenged with a very moody script full of horrific imagery and violence that struck a cord with the viewers, war scenes depicted in slow motion while boy generals eagerly plotted their next move on the battlefield. While Elisabeth Sladen and Ian Marter are fantastic supporting actors, Michael Wisher and Tom Baker rule this story with gripping scenes full of quotable exchanges. Used sparingly, the Daleks are once again the terrifying monsters scaring little kiddies to their beds in tears.

Pyramids of Mars

The Hinchcliffe era is full of Gothic dramas that are somewhat repetitive and often derivative of the Hammer Horror films that they payed homage to. Nonetheless, Pyramids of Mars excels at creating an unforgettable mood and atmosphere that pervades the era with an even darker pall of doom and death. Set in the 1920′s, an army of robotic mummies roam the countryside killing anyone who attempts to halt the rescue of Sutekh the destroyer, a being of incalculable power imprisoned on distant Mars. I often find that when I meet someone of my generation with even a vague memory of Doctor Who, this was one of the stories they had seen and it left them with a terribly scary impact. It’s very simple in its goal, but boy does it deliver.

The Talons of Weng-Chiang

When Hinchliffe left Doctor Who, his last story was a real corker. A Victorian murder mystery involving a stage mesmerist, a killer dwarf, giant mutated rats and a scarred war criminal from the future, this one has it all. Along with Genesis if the Daleks, this story is often regarded as the best of Doctor Who full stop in fan polls. Eager to prove public opinion wrong, I had viewed the DVD with a skeptical eye only to find that it really is that good. Again the plot is rather basic and the goal of the story straight forward but the execution is absolutely flawless making the end result a treasure.

The Image of Fendahl

Written by Chris Boucher (Robots of Death), this Gothic-style H.P. Lovecraft-like thriller also has some excellent characters that add a special kind of wit to the story. A horrific tale centered on an alien life-form that is so powerful that it is regarded as a myth to the Doctor’s people, the Time Lords. The action and mood are both gripping in this one and a somewhat restrained Baker gels with Louise Jameson. An unusual adventure as it feels more at home in the Hinchcliff-Holmes era, Image of Fendahl is one of my personal favorites and a great example of the humor/horror/sci-fi mix unique to Doctor Who.

Warriors’ Gate

I had to pick a story from Baker’s final year on the program as it was so distinctively different and risky. In the two previous series Doctor Who had become nearly sophomoric in its humor and lead actor Tom Baker, the man most recognized for the success of the series at the time, had become his own worst enemy often sabotaging recordings with silly ideas or egocentric fits. For his final outing, the scripts were just amazing, the most innovative and serious-mindedly imaginative in ages. Warrior Gate was for me the pinnacle of this period. An adventure taking place at the nexus of two realities, the Doctor, Romana, K-9 and Adric encounter a slaving craft full of creatures called Tharils that can navigate the portals between realms. Cruelly tortured by an idiotic crew,one of the Tharils escapes to take the Doctor through the mirrors that line the nexus to show him the history of his people.  The previously manic Baker is much more subdued and aged in this series, providing a level of development that we had never seen before in the character of the Doctor.

Witty, clever and gripping, this charming story has stunning visual design that stands up today as well as a superb supporting cast. It also saw the back end of Romana and K-9 who had long outlived their purpose in my opinion.

Honorable mentions: Terror of the Zygons, The Brain of Morbius, The Robots of Death, The Ribos Operation, Horror of Fang Rock, City of Death, Meglos.

There are so many great Tom Baker stories and fond memories that I associate with them that it is nearly pointless to attempt to list them and this blog post is already very very long. Suffice it to say that if you are a fan of Doctor Who there is something in this seven year stretch that you like and echoes of the modern era of Doctor Who abound for fans of the BBC Wales series.

(Peruse my reviews of Tom Baker stories here)

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I am sure that I left out a lot of stories that are favorites of  others (and my own) and hope that my readers will again chime in with their own lists. Remember, this blog is just me talking to myself without you.

More next time after Tom Baker departs and John Nathan Turner takes the reigns of Doctor Who for the last leg of classic Doctor Who.

Doctor Who – The Pandorica Opens set announced

Via Tardis Newsroom

Pandorica Complete Set
The Doctor Who series five finale pulled out all the stops by setting up a unified force of the Doctor’s greatest enemies in placing the most articulate trap ever laid out for the Timelord. Finally, Character Options has announced a set of deluxe action figures celebrating this exciting adventure. Each of the six figures comes with an audio CD of a classic adventure, making this an ideal gift idea for fans of the new series who are interested in learning more about the classic program.

The first Jon Pertwee adventure, ‘The Auton Invasion,’ The first Silurian story, ‘The Cave Monsters,’ and the first Tom Baker adventure ‘Giant Robot’ are presented as MP3 CDs along with pieces of the Pandorica itself. The MP3 CDs are even part of the Pandorica with designs printed on the faces so that when they are clicked into place they recreate the mythical trap.

Silurian Warrior Pandorica
Silurian Warrior includes CD 06 – Doctor Who and the Cave Monsters Part 2

Amy Pond Pandorica
Amy Pond includes CD 05 – Doctor Who and the Cave Monsters Part 1

Pandorica Guard Cyberman
(with exposed skull!)
Cyberman Pandorica Guard includes CD 04 – Doctor Who and the Giant Robot Part 2

Roman Soldier
Roman Auton includes CD 02 – Doctor Who and the Auton Invasion Part 2

Screaming Angel With Doctors Jacket
Angel figure includes CD 03 – Doctor Who and the Giant Robot Part 1

11th Doctor With Fez
The Eleventh Doctor includes CD 01 – Doctor Who and the Auton Invasion part 1

Each 5-inch action figure includes a MP3 CD with audio book instalment and one piece of the Pandorica! Collect and build your own Pandorica CD cube case! There are three complete classic stories across 6 CDs. One CD supplied with each figure – or just order this set to get the entire collection in one!

All due for release on the 20th December from Forbidden Planet in the UK.

(no word yet on a US release)

Will 2011 see the return of the Cybermen?

It looks like the ‘real’ Cybermen may be making a comeback next year.

(Thanks to Tardisnewsroom for the heads up)

There has been some talk at Doctor Who Spoilers here and here about an adventure for series 6.1 being set in Egypt during the 1920′s and possibly featuring mummified Cybermen. So, why is this a big deal? It’s because it could be the ‘real’ Cybermen and not the ‘new’ Cybermen that have been troubling the Doctor since 2006.

This would mark the first appearance pf the classic Cybermen since 1988′s adventure Silver Nemesis. The cybernetic baddies were introduced way back in 1966 when the cybernetic race of the planet Mondas piloted their dying planet to attack Earth and drain the world if its energy. A small squad of Cybermen were sent as an advance assault team and while the Doctor managed to keep the monsters at bay, it cost him his life. In the adventure called Tenth planet, the Cybermen explained that they had find a way to escape death by replacing their failing body parts with cybernetic parts until they were nearly all robotics and hardly human at all. Emotionless beings driven by motors pumping fluids through their few remaining organs, seeking to further their race by pillaging bodies for parts and turning others into Cybermen as well.

In the subsequent adventures of the regenerated Doctor were set after the initial attack by the Cybermen, developing a kind of linear timeline that hinted at a Cyber-War and an apparent defeat of the baddies only to see them return triumphantly from their ice tombs on Telos in the fan favorite adventure ‘Tomb of the Cybermen.’ The streets of contemporary London were trod upon by an army of Cybermen in 1968′s Invasion, resulting in some of the most iconic Cybermen moments of Doctor Who.

Cybermen from the Invasion

The Cybermen were mainly absent from Doctor Who with the exception of Revenge of the Cybermen in 1974 until they came back in a big way for 1984′s Earthshock where the youthful fifth incarnation of the Doctor faced the baddies who sought to threaten a World Peace Conference by first exploding a bomb deep under the surface of the planet then piloting a massive invasion force straight into the proceedings.

Here’s a lovely video that summarizes the Cybermen of Doctor Who from their first appearance through 2008′s The Next Doctor.

The Cybermen appeared in two more adventures in the 80′s, Attack of the Cybermen and Silver Nemesis before disappearing forever.

Cybermen '06

In 2006, the Cybermen were featured in a two-part adventure set in a parallel world. In this alternate Earth an ailing brilliant industrialist sought to use his influence to replace the entire population with ‘enhancements’ that would make them immortal.

Since 2006, these ‘Cybus Industries’ Cybermen are the only Cybermen viewers have seen, leading fans of the classic program curious if we will ever see the ‘real’ Cybermen from Tenth Planet-Silver Nemesis.

These recent rumors are hardly confirmation that the Mondas Cybermen are coming back, but with Steven Moffat quoted as saying that we will see the old Daleks return in the 6th or 7th series, it’s not impossible.

More as it comes.

Doctor Who – Silver Nemesis

The Doctor (Sylvester McCoy)

Story 150
23 November – 7 December 1988

You’d think that the 25th Anniversary story of Doctor Who would be something special and in many ways it was. It featured cameo appearances of several mainstays of the program, was broadcast on the 23rd of November (the official anniversary) and revealed that the Doctor was actually God.

Well… one of those things isn’t strictly correct.

Kevin Clarke, a new writer to Doctor Who, was brought in to pen the special celebratory adventure and truth to tell, when it came time to meet with producer John Nathan Turner to pitch his idea, he had absolutely no ideas at all. On the fly, he dreamed up something coming back to the planet Earth every 25 years that signaled certain doom, an old enemy, jazz music and the identity of the Doctor. Perhaps excited over his seeming brainstorm, he threw the idea out there that the Doctor was in fact God, that he had created the universe and had placed himself inside of it to right the wrongs in his creation. John Nathan Turner said that Clarke could keep that idea, but he could never say it in the script.

The identity of the Doctor has been an ongoing mystery since the series debuted, but in the 1980′s it had not been plumbed for story ideas. In the 25th year of the program, series script editor Andrew Cartmel got the inspiration that he would renew the mystery of who the Doctor is with hopes to make the character new again. In the previous year, script writers had no real clue as to the character of the 7th persona of the Doctor due to the quick replacement of Colin Baker who had been expected to return for Time and the Rani. The stories were very different and mainly light dramas on the surface with more subtle tones beneath, such as the mixed blessing Stephen Wyatt’s Paradise Towers.

1988 would see Doctor Who more prepared and directed than it had been in a long while, with two classic monsters returning for what appeared at the time to be their final outings. The 7th face of the Doctor, previously portrayed as a scatter-brained mad scientist, was instead shown as a master manipulator and ‘far more than just a Time Lord’ in a deleted scene from Remembrance of the Daleks. He had been involved in the creation of the Gallifreyan people’s culture, working alongside Rassilon and Omega in harnessing the Eye of Harmony that powered the TARDISes, protected the gilded city and granted near-immortality on all Gallifreyans. His plots ran throughout history, often interlaced with his previous selves. This was not the same Doctor that we had seen before, but to fans of the current Doctor Who, this is where the seeds of that interpretation lay.

Doctor Who – Silver Nemesis fan-made trailer by biggerbaddaddy

In Silver Nemesis, Kevin Clarke was charged with bringing back the Cybermen as the main villain. Not satisfied with one threat, he decided upon three with the time-traveling witch Lady Peinforte and a group of Nazis led by De Flores. Each hoped to utilize the power from the stars to achieve their goals. Prancing a jig through their gunfire is the Doctor and Ace, gingerly leading all three parties to their demise. The Doctor’s actions are meant to reflect the  improvisation of a gifted jazz musician combined with the contemplative nature of a chess player.

In some ways it’s exactly the same plot as Ben Aaronovitch’s Remembrance of the Daleks, only not nearly as good. It’s partly because Clarke has no interest in the Cybermen and the story isn’t about anything… but that’s not the core of the problem.

The real flaw lays in Clarke’s obsession with Jacobean literature. He felt that Doctor Who should be both tragic and comic. It’s a similar approach that Graham Williams had in his tenure with Tom Baker and even with a higher caliber of talent (no offense), that had mixed results. In this case, it all comes across as absurd and goofy. The Cybermen are ineffectual, the Nazis are hilarious (apparently De Flores’ accent is genuine) and Lady Peinforte is absolutely bizarre.

The ‘comedy’ bits are just weird. In one scene Peinforte and her mercenary bodyguard are accosted by skinheads. The thugs are later seen hanging from a tree in their boxers, ala Looney Toons. It’s a strange mixture of social commentary (the skinheads are hitting up people they surmise are rich and claim that they have been cheated out of theirs by others) and slapstick. Later still, Peinforte hitches a ride with a Southern belle who is retracing her family roots in England. It really has to be seen to be believed and it goes on forever.

It’s a farce. The only thing missing is a musical scene.

That said, there are some brilliant moments.

The very idea that the Doctor is fighting his foes on multiple fronts and time periods is fascinating and I am surprised it hasn’t been done more often. For all of its flaws, the Doctor’s scheme is actually more elaborate than what we have seen in Steven Moffat’s recent outing in The Big Bang (though I adore that one). So many twists and turns are taken that we even see Ace in a painting from a missing adventure. When, dumbfounded, Ace asks the Doctor about it, he calmly responds that it hasn’t happened yet.

Ace in an image from an adventure that was never televised

Aldred and McCoy are also in perfect harmony in this one. Only their third televised adventure together (if you count Dragonfire, the fourth), they already rank amongst the best pairings of Doctor and companion. When I heard of plans to introduce a third assistant in a planned 27th series, I just could not believe it. The 7th Doctor and Ace were inseparable. The Doctor appears to be both cool and alien on one moment and charmingly human in the other, a character trait that was plucked from McCoy’s quiver for David Tennant years later.

The 7th Doctor appears to be a cosmic prankster of some kind with powers and knowledge far beyond anything we had seen before, though he is stymied by a very human frustration, shown in scenes where he has to explain to Ace what he is doing and why. She is his anchor. Mainly known as a comedic actor (though he can be seen as a crime lord in Three Kinds of Heat… look it up!), McCoy has a childlike quality that I find magnetic, while his face can shift suddenly to evoke a deep sincere sadness. He also possesses vast amounts of energy and seems to bound on the air itself.

Also, the idea behind making the audience wonder who the Doctor is really doesn’t work because the story offers nothing of interest aside from Peinforte claiming to know the Doctor’s identity and later Ace simply asking who he is. It’s an idea with nowhere to go. Besides, I don’t think anyone ever really cared to ask who the Doctor is, though Clarke claimed in his pitch that it was the central question of the program.

I was always more interested in what the Doctor was thinking or doing, which as an actor McCoy carried well with his far-away glances.

The 7th Doctor is a mixed bag and you either love him or hate him. In previous incarnations, the Doctor was an alien but hardly possessed any powers aside from the ability to regenerate and go into a trance to reduce the need for oxygen. He also adhered to a strict code of non-intervention regarding interference with historical events. In several 4th Doctor stories, the Doctor claimed to be involved with historical (in some cases Biblical) events, but it was most likely done as a lark and nothing to be taken seriously. In contrast the 7th Doctor is somehow involved in his own people’s history and regarded as ‘the oncoming storm’ by the Daleks whom he cold heartedly destroys. This Doctor is the pinnacle on authority and wipes out entire races if he sees fit, another aspect that has been borrowed into David Tennant’s 10th incarnation.

In the 1980′s, Doctor Who had a strong fan base that were devoted to collating factoids and tracing threads throughout the series’ long history to build a cohesive character. Mostly, the approach fails because so many writers, actors and producers had different ideas about the Doctor and many of those ideas clash, but in the 80′s, writers tried desperately to make those ideas work nonetheless.

I recall reading in one of the Doctor Who books that the Doctor’s 6th persona was ‘sacrificed’ in order to obtain the abilities and knowledge that the 7th possessed, a kind of short-hand explanation of the 7th Doctor’s power and the 6th Doctor’s impromptu departure. I’m still not convinced that this cosmic trickster character idea works for Doctor Who, but the program was in dire need of an overhaul and this was the idea that they went with.

Recently released on DVD as part of a box set along with the Tom Baker adventure Revenge of the Cybermen in the UK, Silver Nemesis finally hits the US this week in its own. The DVD is flush with extras that are worth the price of admission alone. The cut scenes are so good and add so much to the overall story, that we nearly have a Ghostlight scenario again, where the entire story was never really seen by TV viewers. If you are a fan of the McCoy era, it’s a real treat. Not the best Doctor Who adventure by any means, this one nonetheless tried something new and in some places achieved that goal.

Available from Amazon:

Doctor Who: Silver Nemesis