When it comes to sci-fi universes, Doctor Who can claim to have one of the biggest. Beyond its 60 years and counting of TV adventures, the show has three spin-off series (so far), two animated stories, one failed pilot, and a collection of licensed Doctor-less adventures, countless audios, comics, books, board games, tabletop RPGs, and that’s not including the stuff we missed which people are going to remind us about in the comments.
But there is one area where the Tardis just can’t quite seem to properly land – the world of video games.
If we look at Doctor Who’s compatriots in the Holy Triumvirate of Science Fiction Mega Franchises, Stars both Trek and Wars, this has never been as much of an issue. Star Wars was one of the first licenses to really fully embrace video games as a medium, and even if we only count the pure...
But there is one area where the Tardis just can’t quite seem to properly land – the world of video games.
If we look at Doctor Who’s compatriots in the Holy Triumvirate of Science Fiction Mega Franchises, Stars both Trek and Wars, this has never been as much of an issue. Star Wars was one of the first licenses to really fully embrace video games as a medium, and even if we only count the pure...
- 3/13/2024
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
The worst thing that could possibly happen to a Doctor Who fan is for the show to be cancelled again. Or for it to be broadcast again. Depends who you ask, really.
Despite the advent of the 15th Doctor and the anticipation that brings, there are nagging doubts abroad concerning the show’s future. And that’s fair enough, really. Some fans are just naturally pessimistic, some remember previous crushed hopes around Doctor Who’s wilderness years, and some just look at the state of TV streaming and feel that pessimism is a fairly realistic outlook. It’s also not unreasonable to be concerned that David Tennant is kicking around somewhere, especially given that it was raised by the host during Gatwa’s recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show.
Then there are the folk who simply don’t like Russell T Davies’ writing on Doctor Who. A previous line...
Despite the advent of the 15th Doctor and the anticipation that brings, there are nagging doubts abroad concerning the show’s future. And that’s fair enough, really. Some fans are just naturally pessimistic, some remember previous crushed hopes around Doctor Who’s wilderness years, and some just look at the state of TV streaming and feel that pessimism is a fairly realistic outlook. It’s also not unreasonable to be concerned that David Tennant is kicking around somewhere, especially given that it was raised by the host during Gatwa’s recent appearance on The Graham Norton Show.
Then there are the folk who simply don’t like Russell T Davies’ writing on Doctor Who. A previous line...
- 1/4/2024
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Bernard Cribbins sadly left us last year – but Doctor Who has found space to respectful acknowledge him.
If you’ve not seen The Star Beast and Wild Blue Yonder, there are spoilers here. But very light ones.
This article was originally published at the end of November, and was updated once we’d seen Wild Blue Yonder.
There are inevitable ties to Russell T Davies’ fourth series of Doctor Who in his return to the show, The Star Beast. The new episode – and the new era of Doctor Who – debuted on BBC One at the end of November, and you can read our review of it here.
The fourth series of revived Doctor Who saw David Tennant’s Doctor partnered with Catherine Tate’s Donna Noble, just as we saw again this weekend. But for many, the standout character of that series was Bernard Cribbins’ Wilf. A wonderful character, played by a wonderful actor,...
If you’ve not seen The Star Beast and Wild Blue Yonder, there are spoilers here. But very light ones.
This article was originally published at the end of November, and was updated once we’d seen Wild Blue Yonder.
There are inevitable ties to Russell T Davies’ fourth series of Doctor Who in his return to the show, The Star Beast. The new episode – and the new era of Doctor Who – debuted on BBC One at the end of November, and you can read our review of it here.
The fourth series of revived Doctor Who saw David Tennant’s Doctor partnered with Catherine Tate’s Donna Noble, just as we saw again this weekend. But for many, the standout character of that series was Bernard Cribbins’ Wilf. A wonderful character, played by a wonderful actor,...
- 12/2/2023
- by Simon Brew
- Film Stories
It's a great (and somewhat confusing) time to be a Whovian. Although Ncuti Gatwa has been announced as the next Doctor, and Millie Gibson's been announced as the next companion, these are not the main characters we'll be following as we head into the 60th Anniversary Specials. Instead, those three special episodes will be focused on the return of the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant), who is now technically the Fourteenth Doctor too. There's also the return of Donna Noble to look out for, as well as the return of the old showrunner Russell T. Davies, who ran the revival show from seasons 1 through 4.
The one thing we know for sure is that, when those specials are over, we will get a regular season with Gatwa and Gibson. With Davies sticking around as showrunner, you'd think it'd be safe to say that most of the returning characters would be from those early seasons.
The one thing we know for sure is that, when those specials are over, we will get a regular season with Gatwa and Gibson. With Davies sticking around as showrunner, you'd think it'd be safe to say that most of the returning characters would be from those early seasons.
- 1/9/2023
- by Michael Boyle
- Slash Film
It’s not unusual, in the world of Doctor Who, for the same actor to play more than one role on screen. From classic to modern Doctor Who, Nicholas Courtney, Ian Marter, Lalla Ward, Jaqueline Hill, Jean Marsh, Adjoa Andoh, Eve Myles, Naoko Mori, Vinette Robinson and more have all played multiple parts in the whoniverse. Before she debuted as companion Martha Jones, Freema Agyeman was a Torchwood employee who fell foul of the Cybermen in series two’s ‘Army of Ghosts’. Karen Gillan was a seer in series four episode ‘The Fires of Pompeii’ before she recurred as Eleven’s companion Amy Pond. Even the Doctor has had test runs. Colin Baker played a Gallifreyan commander in season twenty before taking over from Peter Davison. Peter Capaldi appeared in ‘The Fires of Pompeii’ as well as playing John Frobisher on Torchwood before taking up residence in the Tardis.
In...
In...
- 9/21/2021
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
To be abundantly clear: the first Doctor Who Christmas Special was ‘The Christmas Invasion‘ in 2005. However, the first time the show was broadcast on Christmas Day was in 1965, the seventh episode of ‘The Dalek Master Plan’. The previous two years also had also seen Dalek stories at Christmas, with the first ever Dalek story starting broadcast in December 1963 and the final episode of ‘The Dalek Invasion of Earth’ arriving on Boxing Day 1964, because Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a volcanic eruption by the Home Counties.
‘The Dalek Invasion of Earth’ capitalised on the initial success of the first Dalek story, and boosted the show’s ratings. The plan for the following series was to capitalise on that and so another six-parter was scheduled for the same time of year. As Season 2’s ‘Planet of the Giants‘ had been edited down to three episodes from four the BBC gave the...
‘The Dalek Invasion of Earth’ capitalised on the initial success of the first Dalek story, and boosted the show’s ratings. The plan for the following series was to capitalise on that and so another six-parter was scheduled for the same time of year. As Season 2’s ‘Planet of the Giants‘ had been edited down to three episodes from four the BBC gave the...
- 12/2/2020
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Doctor Who fans got a surprise pick-me-up today in the form of a virtual union of not one, not two but three Doctors. To mark all of the modern series of the sci-fi institution being up on HBO Max, the streaming service’s YouTube channel shared a 20-minute interview with current Tardis-owner Jodie Whittaker and two of her most beloved predecessors, David Tennant and Matt Smith. If you’ve got the time (Lord), you can watch the full thing in the player above.
If not, catch a brief minute-long teaser in the tweet below, as shared by the official Doctor Who Twitter account. In this clip, host Terri Schwartz asks the three Doctors a tough question – which companion who traveled with another Doctor would they have liked to have traveled with? Find out their answers in the video below:
Three Doctors unite! For the first time Ever Jodie Whittaker, Matt...
If not, catch a brief minute-long teaser in the tweet below, as shared by the official Doctor Who Twitter account. In this clip, host Terri Schwartz asks the three Doctors a tough question – which companion who traveled with another Doctor would they have liked to have traveled with? Find out their answers in the video below:
Three Doctors unite! For the first time Ever Jodie Whittaker, Matt...
- 6/24/2020
- by Christian Bone
- We Got This Covered
‘The truth is it never goes away’ says David Tennant. ‘It’s 15 years since I did it and I’m here today!’ He’s talking, of course, about Doctor Who. To mark the show’s arrival in the Us on streaming service HBO Max, Tennant united for an online panel with fellow Doctors Matt Smith and Jodie Whittaker to reminisce about their respective tenures in the Tardis.
Speaking from their UK homes to IGN’s Terri Schwarz, Tennant and Smith spoke about their experiences handing over the role, while Whittaker gave her advice to whoever would take up the mantle next. She told the eventual next-in-line (whoever they may be) that the pressure of the show’s history needs to be forgotten and the newcomer isn’t expected to repeat what’s been done before, only to continue to make it different and new.
Asked to pick their favourite episodes...
Speaking from their UK homes to IGN’s Terri Schwarz, Tennant and Smith spoke about their experiences handing over the role, while Whittaker gave her advice to whoever would take up the mantle next. She told the eventual next-in-line (whoever they may be) that the pressure of the show’s history needs to be forgotten and the newcomer isn’t expected to repeat what’s been done before, only to continue to make it different and new.
Asked to pick their favourite episodes...
- 6/24/2020
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
When it comes to Doctor Who, the character often wins over the audiences because they are kind-hearted and in many ways, are the saviour (or Doctor) we need. While a lot of focus does get given to the ‘new’ breed of Doctors, for fans of the old school we are spoilt for choice with who is the best. One that is high on my list has to be Jon Pertwee, which is why The Doctors: The Jon Pertwee Years was such a joy to watch.
A collection of interviews, The Doctors: The Jon Pertwee Years features Jon Pertwee himself, Katy Manning (Jo Grant), Caroline John (Liz Shaw), Nicholas Courtney (The Brigadier), Richard Franklin (Captain Yates), and John Levene (Sergeant Benton). Interviewed by the voice of the Daleks, Nicholas Briggs. Each interview with the stars of Doctor Who is around one hour in length, so you can imagine how interesting the Jon Pertwee one is.
A collection of interviews, The Doctors: The Jon Pertwee Years features Jon Pertwee himself, Katy Manning (Jo Grant), Caroline John (Liz Shaw), Nicholas Courtney (The Brigadier), Richard Franklin (Captain Yates), and John Levene (Sergeant Benton). Interviewed by the voice of the Daleks, Nicholas Briggs. Each interview with the stars of Doctor Who is around one hour in length, so you can imagine how interesting the Jon Pertwee one is.
- 3/8/2017
- by Paul Metcalf
- Nerdly
Rob Leane Aug 15, 2016
The Doctor Who TV movie is heading to Blu-ray, with extensive extras, on Monday the 19th of September...
The Doctor Who TV movie is heading to Blu-ray. An 'upscaled' version of Paul McGann's debut as the eighth Doctor (and Sylvester McCoy's last on-screen appearance as the seventh one, to date) will be available on Blu-ray disc from Monday the 19th of September, with this extensive list of extras...
Disc 1 Extras
• Commentary #1
From director Geoffrey Sax (recorded 2001)
• Commentary #2
By Paul McGann and Sylvester McCoy, moderated by Nicolas Briggs (recorded 2009)
• The Seven Year Hitch
Documenting the return Doctor Who to the screen. Narrated by Amanda Drew.
• The Doctor’s Strange Love
Writers Joe Lidster and Simon Guerrier discuss The TV Movie with comedian Josie Long.
• The Night of the Doctor
The Night of the Doctor was a mini-episode released in 2013 in the run-up to the show’s 50th anniversary special.
The Doctor Who TV movie is heading to Blu-ray, with extensive extras, on Monday the 19th of September...
The Doctor Who TV movie is heading to Blu-ray. An 'upscaled' version of Paul McGann's debut as the eighth Doctor (and Sylvester McCoy's last on-screen appearance as the seventh one, to date) will be available on Blu-ray disc from Monday the 19th of September, with this extensive list of extras...
Disc 1 Extras
• Commentary #1
From director Geoffrey Sax (recorded 2001)
• Commentary #2
By Paul McGann and Sylvester McCoy, moderated by Nicolas Briggs (recorded 2009)
• The Seven Year Hitch
Documenting the return Doctor Who to the screen. Narrated by Amanda Drew.
• The Doctor’s Strange Love
Writers Joe Lidster and Simon Guerrier discuss The TV Movie with comedian Josie Long.
• The Night of the Doctor
The Night of the Doctor was a mini-episode released in 2013 in the run-up to the show’s 50th anniversary special.
- 8/15/2016
- Den of Geek
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The Yeti attack at Covent Garden in recently recovered Doctor Who episode, The Web Of Fear, is a masterwork. Here's why...
The Web Of Fear was commissioned after a positive response to The Abominable Snowmen by then Story Editor (soon-to-be Producer) Peter Bryant, with the intention that it would close out Doctor Who’s fifth season. Rewrites for Fury From The Deep resulted in it becoming the penultimate story (one of many variables that resulted in Nicholas Courtney playing the role of Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart). Previously available as an audio soundtrack narrated by Fraser Hines, the film of The Web Of Fear was returned to the BBC archives in 2013.
I first experienced The Web Of Fear as a Target Novelisation at some point in the Nineties (I can’t remember if it was in Uddingston Library – so many Targets, so many Asterix books – or my primary school’s...
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The Yeti attack at Covent Garden in recently recovered Doctor Who episode, The Web Of Fear, is a masterwork. Here's why...
The Web Of Fear was commissioned after a positive response to The Abominable Snowmen by then Story Editor (soon-to-be Producer) Peter Bryant, with the intention that it would close out Doctor Who’s fifth season. Rewrites for Fury From The Deep resulted in it becoming the penultimate story (one of many variables that resulted in Nicholas Courtney playing the role of Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart). Previously available as an audio soundtrack narrated by Fraser Hines, the film of The Web Of Fear was returned to the BBC archives in 2013.
I first experienced The Web Of Fear as a Target Novelisation at some point in the Nineties (I can’t remember if it was in Uddingston Library – so many Targets, so many Asterix books – or my primary school’s...
- 1/19/2016
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Strictly for serious Doctor Who fans who won’t mind the ultra-low-budget ethos, and who’ll love the fan-fiction-y tidbits that are catnip to Whovians. I’m “biast” (pro): big Doctor Who fan
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
It’s hard to remember now, what with so-called NuWho nearly a decade old, but there was long Doctor Who drought throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, between the cancellation of the classic show and the reboot in 2005. But there were a few attempts to quench the thirst of parched Whovians with unofficial, quasi-authorized semipro films. One of them, 1995’s Downtime, has just been released on DVD for the first time. The Doctor doesn’t appear here — the producers couldn’t get a license to even mention him — but we do get the return of Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (Nicholas Courtney...
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
It’s hard to remember now, what with so-called NuWho nearly a decade old, but there was long Doctor Who drought throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s, between the cancellation of the classic show and the reboot in 2005. But there were a few attempts to quench the thirst of parched Whovians with unofficial, quasi-authorized semipro films. One of them, 1995’s Downtime, has just been released on DVD for the first time. The Doctor doesn’t appear here — the producers couldn’t get a license to even mention him — but we do get the return of Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (Nicholas Courtney...
- 11/16/2015
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
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Our viewing notes and geeky spots for Doctor Who series 9: The Zygon Inversion...
We’re now eight episodes into this series of Doctor Who, and after tonight you can’t complain that they’re not giving Peter Capaldi enough to do. In an episode unlike any we’ve had before, there didn’t seem to be much room for references, allusions and other such things; the ones we did spot are listed below. Did we get them all, or were we too caught up in Mr Capaldi’s eyebrows to notice some? Let us know in the comments!
Five References Rapid
This isn’t the first time aliens have posed as policemen; in 1971’s Terror Of The Autons, a memorable sequence saw the third Doctor pull off a policeman’s face to reveal a blank plastic dummy underneath. The sequence drew a number of complaints -...
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Our viewing notes and geeky spots for Doctor Who series 9: The Zygon Inversion...
We’re now eight episodes into this series of Doctor Who, and after tonight you can’t complain that they’re not giving Peter Capaldi enough to do. In an episode unlike any we’ve had before, there didn’t seem to be much room for references, allusions and other such things; the ones we did spot are listed below. Did we get them all, or were we too caught up in Mr Capaldi’s eyebrows to notice some? Let us know in the comments!
Five References Rapid
This isn’t the first time aliens have posed as policemen; in 1971’s Terror Of The Autons, a memorable sequence saw the third Doctor pull off a policeman’s face to reveal a blank plastic dummy underneath. The sequence drew a number of complaints -...
- 11/6/2015
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Koch Media
From celebrated Doctor Who director Chris Barry Downtime is a unique British 1995 sci-fi movie from the Doctor Who universe featuring treasured characters and talent from the franchise. It follows The Brigadier (Nicholas Courtney – Doctor Who) and Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen – Doctor Who, The Sarah Jane Adventures) of Unit who investigate New World University; a sinister school run by old enemies Victoria Waterfield and Professor Travers.
Fighting alone this time – without their famous time-travelling scientific advisor – The Brigadier and Sarah Jane are hard pressed to decide who is friend or foe as they search for a missing Locus, which binds the Great Intelligence’s power. The battle is broadened when the Brigadier’s own family is threatened and Unit faces a powerful new breed of Yeti!
Starring Nicholas Courtney, Deborah Watling, Jack Watling and Elisabeth Sladen reprising their roles as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, Downtime is an unofficial sequel to...
From celebrated Doctor Who director Chris Barry Downtime is a unique British 1995 sci-fi movie from the Doctor Who universe featuring treasured characters and talent from the franchise. It follows The Brigadier (Nicholas Courtney – Doctor Who) and Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen – Doctor Who, The Sarah Jane Adventures) of Unit who investigate New World University; a sinister school run by old enemies Victoria Waterfield and Professor Travers.
Fighting alone this time – without their famous time-travelling scientific advisor – The Brigadier and Sarah Jane are hard pressed to decide who is friend or foe as they search for a missing Locus, which binds the Great Intelligence’s power. The battle is broadened when the Brigadier’s own family is threatened and Unit faces a powerful new breed of Yeti!
Starring Nicholas Courtney, Deborah Watling, Jack Watling and Elisabeth Sladen reprising their roles as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, Downtime is an unofficial sequel to...
- 10/26/2015
- by Dan Powell
- Obsessed with Film
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The 1990s Doctor Who spin-off movie Downtime – starring Nicholas Courtney and Elisabeth Sladen - is finally getting a disc release…
Good news, everyone! The 1996 Doctor Who spin-off film Downtime is finally getting a DVD release. It’ll arrive on disc next month, on Monday the 16th of November, to be precise.
If you’re unfamiliar, this is a 70-minute story that brought back classic era Doctor Who characters including Nicholas Courtney’s Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, Elisabeth Sladen’s Sarah Jane Smith, Deborah Watling’s Victoria Waterfield and Jack Watling’s Professor Edward Travers.
There’s just one catch, though – Downtime was made by Reeltime Pictures, not the BBC. Although regular Doctor Who director Christopher Barry called the shots, the BBC didn’t grant Downtime a licence to include the Doctor, or even reference him directly. Still, it has a soft spot in many fan’s hearts, not least for introducing Kate Lethbridge-Stewart,...
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The 1990s Doctor Who spin-off movie Downtime – starring Nicholas Courtney and Elisabeth Sladen - is finally getting a disc release…
Good news, everyone! The 1996 Doctor Who spin-off film Downtime is finally getting a DVD release. It’ll arrive on disc next month, on Monday the 16th of November, to be precise.
If you’re unfamiliar, this is a 70-minute story that brought back classic era Doctor Who characters including Nicholas Courtney’s Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, Elisabeth Sladen’s Sarah Jane Smith, Deborah Watling’s Victoria Waterfield and Jack Watling’s Professor Edward Travers.
There’s just one catch, though – Downtime was made by Reeltime Pictures, not the BBC. Although regular Doctor Who director Christopher Barry called the shots, the BBC didn’t grant Downtime a licence to include the Doctor, or even reference him directly. Still, it has a soft spot in many fan’s hearts, not least for introducing Kate Lethbridge-Stewart,...
- 10/20/2015
- by rleane
- Den of Geek
Koch Media have announced the UK release of Downtime, a unique British 1995 sci-fi movie from the Doctor Who universe (but unofficial) featuring treasured characters and talent from the franchise – which will be available for the first ever time on DVD from 16th November.
Downtime follows The Brigadier (Nicholas Courtney – Doctor Who) and Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen – Doctor Who, The Sarah Jane Adventures) of Unit who investigate New World University; a sinister school run by old enemies Victoria Waterfield and Professor Travers. The technology obsessed University holds a gateway to Earth made by classic foe the ‘Great Intelligence’. Fighting alone this time – without their famous time-travelling scientific advisor – The Brigadier and Sarah Jane are hard pressed to decide who is friend or foe as they search for a missing Locus, which binds the Intelligence’s power. The battle is broadened when the Brigadier’s own family is threatened and Unit...
Downtime follows The Brigadier (Nicholas Courtney – Doctor Who) and Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen – Doctor Who, The Sarah Jane Adventures) of Unit who investigate New World University; a sinister school run by old enemies Victoria Waterfield and Professor Travers. The technology obsessed University holds a gateway to Earth made by classic foe the ‘Great Intelligence’. Fighting alone this time – without their famous time-travelling scientific advisor – The Brigadier and Sarah Jane are hard pressed to decide who is friend or foe as they search for a missing Locus, which binds the Intelligence’s power. The battle is broadened when the Brigadier’s own family is threatened and Unit...
- 10/18/2015
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Winston Churchill, Harriet Jones, Harold Saxon... As we all head to the voting booths, how have UK prime ministers fared in Doctor Who?
Incarnations of the Doctor are a bit like British prime ministers. They usually last four to five years in real time and, despite having different faces, a cynic could say that they're all pretty much the same beneath the surface. But that's the stuff of Media Studies dissertations, in fact, Doctor Who has a far dimmer view of the UK executive in the show itself.
Over the course of fifty-odd years, the office of prime minister has been both the target and agent of satire and parody in a show that deals with an onslaught of alien activity on British soil in the past, present and future.
As we're all going to the polls today to pick who we want in Downing Street, here's our look back...
Incarnations of the Doctor are a bit like British prime ministers. They usually last four to five years in real time and, despite having different faces, a cynic could say that they're all pretty much the same beneath the surface. But that's the stuff of Media Studies dissertations, in fact, Doctor Who has a far dimmer view of the UK executive in the show itself.
Over the course of fifty-odd years, the office of prime minister has been both the target and agent of satire and parody in a show that deals with an onslaught of alien activity on British soil in the past, present and future.
As we're all going to the polls today to pick who we want in Downing Street, here's our look back...
- 5/6/2015
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Andrew Reynolds is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.
This is the news! And today’s news features 10th anniversary screenings, iPlayer ads, convention tales, Mulligan’s meteoric rise, Murray’s Golden days, anniversary memories from the cast and crew, and a little bit of magic from Nicholas Courtney. He Would Make A Good Dalek Robert Shearman will appear at a special Doctor Who 10th anniversary screening...
The post Thursday News: Golden Days, Time Warps, and 10 Years of New Who appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
This is the news! And today’s news features 10th anniversary screenings, iPlayer ads, convention tales, Mulligan’s meteoric rise, Murray’s Golden days, anniversary memories from the cast and crew, and a little bit of magic from Nicholas Courtney. He Would Make A Good Dalek Robert Shearman will appear at a special Doctor Who 10th anniversary screening...
The post Thursday News: Golden Days, Time Warps, and 10 Years of New Who appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
- 4/9/2015
- by Andrew Reynolds
- Kasterborous.com
The Initiative arguably marks a new phase of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Oz has left the building, casting off yet another of the early years remnants. Only Buffy, Xander, Willow and Giles remain – although James Marsters finally graduates to full-time member and reluctant hanger-on of the Scooby Gang. It's also the story where squeaky-clean curtain head Riley starts to fit into the puzzle. Which can only mean that the series reveals what all these mysterious Commandos are all about.
With the dawning of a new era, both in this season and of the whole show, it's mysterious that The Initiative episode is a bit flat. I guess that any episode which revolves around a bunch of dull army goons wouldn't ever score highly on my list of quintessential ways to spend 45 minutes with the telly. Army and sci-fi rarely go together well, resulting in lots of tedious gun battles and laughable machismo.
With the dawning of a new era, both in this season and of the whole show, it's mysterious that The Initiative episode is a bit flat. I guess that any episode which revolves around a bunch of dull army goons wouldn't ever score highly on my list of quintessential ways to spend 45 minutes with the telly. Army and sci-fi rarely go together well, resulting in lots of tedious gun battles and laughable machismo.
- 1/27/2015
- Shadowlocked
A new series of Doctor Who spinoff novels featuring the character of Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart have been announced.
Candy Jar Books will launch the officially licensed book series early next year.
A major recurring character on Doctor Who, Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart was played by actor Nicholas Courtney from 1968 to 2008.
The books will pick up with the character after his first appearance in 1968's 'The Web of Fear', when he is still a Colonel.
The first novel - The Forgotten Son by Andy Frankham-Allen - will be released on February 22, the fourth anniversary of Courtney's death.
Three more - Horror of Det-Sen by Lance Parkin, The Schizoid Earth by David A McIntee and Mutually Assured Domination by Nick Walters - will be released quarterly.
Courtney made his final screen appearance as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart - often referred to as simply 'The Brigadier' - in two episodes of Doctor Who spinoff The Sarah Jane Adventures in 2008.
However,...
Candy Jar Books will launch the officially licensed book series early next year.
A major recurring character on Doctor Who, Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart was played by actor Nicholas Courtney from 1968 to 2008.
The books will pick up with the character after his first appearance in 1968's 'The Web of Fear', when he is still a Colonel.
The first novel - The Forgotten Son by Andy Frankham-Allen - will be released on February 22, the fourth anniversary of Courtney's death.
Three more - Horror of Det-Sen by Lance Parkin, The Schizoid Earth by David A McIntee and Mutually Assured Domination by Nick Walters - will be released quarterly.
Courtney made his final screen appearance as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart - often referred to as simply 'The Brigadier' - in two episodes of Doctor Who spinoff The Sarah Jane Adventures in 2008.
However,...
- 12/9/2014
- Digital Spy
When there’s no more room in Hell, the dead will walk the Earth. As Cybermen. See what he did there? The Master is back, and has been working on this plot for Quite a long time. Some old friends return for the fight, we say goodbye (for now, anyway) to some others, and oh goodness, were there still surprises. I don’t know why you’d be reading this recap before you saw the episode, but if you are, don’t. Because it makes much more sense to know about the…
Death In Heaven
By Steven Moffat
Directed by Rachel Talalay
As things rather ended in the moment last week, this week’s adventure starts just the same. Clara, when discovered by the newly minted Cyberman, takes the lessons she’s learned throughout the year and put them to use – she lies through her teeth. She claims to be The Doctor,...
Death In Heaven
By Steven Moffat
Directed by Rachel Talalay
As things rather ended in the moment last week, this week’s adventure starts just the same. Clara, when discovered by the newly minted Cyberman, takes the lessons she’s learned throughout the year and put them to use – she lies through her teeth. She claims to be The Doctor,...
- 11/9/2014
- by Vinnie Bartilucci
- Comicmix.com
Spoilers: Doctor Who series 8's finale didn't let the side down after the excellent Dark Water. Here's our review...
This review contains spoilers. Our spoiler-free review is here.
8.12 Death In Heaven
"Nethersphere's just a cool name we came up with during a spitball"
Well, for a start, you have to feel sorry for Sanjeev Bhaskar. His joy when he landed a role in the Doctor Who finale proved to come with a sting. Turns out he was barely in Death In Heaven for more than a minute or two of screen time, before he was sucked out of an aeroplane window. Them's the breaks, a phrase we've no intention of ever using again.
Mind you, he was in good company. How many times have we got to the end of a series of Doctor Who, and bemoaned the fact that the show was too protective of its characters? That not...
This review contains spoilers. Our spoiler-free review is here.
8.12 Death In Heaven
"Nethersphere's just a cool name we came up with during a spitball"
Well, for a start, you have to feel sorry for Sanjeev Bhaskar. His joy when he landed a role in the Doctor Who finale proved to come with a sting. Turns out he was barely in Death In Heaven for more than a minute or two of screen time, before he was sucked out of an aeroplane window. Them's the breaks, a phrase we've no intention of ever using again.
Mind you, he was in good company. How many times have we got to the end of a series of Doctor Who, and bemoaned the fact that the show was too protective of its characters? That not...
- 11/7/2014
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
Alex pays a fond return revisit to 1960s classic TV series, The Avengers...
Stylish crime fighting, despicable evil masterminds, a bowler-hatted old Etonian gentleman spy and a series of beautiful leather cat-suited, kinky-booted, no-nonsense heroines. The Avengers had all this and more. What began as a monochrome tape series in January 1961 ran the whole of the Sixties, becoming a colourful slice of period hokum, full of flair, wit and sophistication, yet with its tongue firmly in its cheek.
Always the perfect gentleman, John Steed was played by Patrick Macnee. Originally billed second to the late Ian Hendry, Macnee was still playing Steed over 15 years later when he was teamed with the youthful duo of Joanna Lumley and Gareth Hunt for The New Avengers in 1976. In the 1998 film, the role of Steed was given to Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman played Emma Peel. I will say no more about the film.
Stylish crime fighting, despicable evil masterminds, a bowler-hatted old Etonian gentleman spy and a series of beautiful leather cat-suited, kinky-booted, no-nonsense heroines. The Avengers had all this and more. What began as a monochrome tape series in January 1961 ran the whole of the Sixties, becoming a colourful slice of period hokum, full of flair, wit and sophistication, yet with its tongue firmly in its cheek.
Always the perfect gentleman, John Steed was played by Patrick Macnee. Originally billed second to the late Ian Hendry, Macnee was still playing Steed over 15 years later when he was teamed with the youthful duo of Joanna Lumley and Gareth Hunt for The New Avengers in 1976. In the 1998 film, the role of Steed was given to Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman played Emma Peel. I will say no more about the film.
- 10/13/2014
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Digital Spy presents Doctor Who Week - seven days of special features celebrating the return of the world's favourite sci-fi series, and the arrival of a brand new Doctor - on August 23.
We've known he was coming since August 2013 - and he's officially been our Doctor since Christmas - but in a mere three days, Doctor Who fans will finally get the chance to size up Peter Capaldi's debut as a new, "more mysterious" Time Lord.
Between 1963 and 2014, the show's had 11 stabs at introducing a new Doctor - so before Steven Moffat's 'Deep Breath' is unveiled to the general public, let's take a look back at those other attempts - from the awesome to the audacious to the seriously misjudged.
The musical world of Doctor Who: From Ron Grainer to The Klf
An Unearthly Child
Aired November 23-December 14, 1963
Doctor Who fans accustomed to David Tennant...
We've known he was coming since August 2013 - and he's officially been our Doctor since Christmas - but in a mere three days, Doctor Who fans will finally get the chance to size up Peter Capaldi's debut as a new, "more mysterious" Time Lord.
Between 1963 and 2014, the show's had 11 stabs at introducing a new Doctor - so before Steven Moffat's 'Deep Breath' is unveiled to the general public, let's take a look back at those other attempts - from the awesome to the audacious to the seriously misjudged.
The musical world of Doctor Who: From Ron Grainer to The Klf
An Unearthly Child
Aired November 23-December 14, 1963
Doctor Who fans accustomed to David Tennant...
- 8/20/2014
- Digital Spy
Peter Capaldi is far from the only Doctor Who actor to appear in multiple roles. Mark talks us through the many others to have done so...
It's been just over a year since the BBC announced that Peter Capaldi would play the Twelfth Doctor. There were rumblings of his casting in the week before the announcement was made, to the point where bookies stopped taking bets on it.
We've spent the last twelve months in anticipation of what seems like dream casting for the Time Lord, but some of us were a little sceptical that an actor of his profile and standing would take the role until it was actually announced, but “he's been in it before” was not atop the list of reasons why we thought it was too good to be true.
Over the course of 50 years, Doctor Who has inevitably reused actors as different characters- there are...
It's been just over a year since the BBC announced that Peter Capaldi would play the Twelfth Doctor. There were rumblings of his casting in the week before the announcement was made, to the point where bookies stopped taking bets on it.
We've spent the last twelve months in anticipation of what seems like dream casting for the Time Lord, but some of us were a little sceptical that an actor of his profile and standing would take the role until it was actually announced, but “he's been in it before” was not atop the list of reasons why we thought it was too good to be true.
Over the course of 50 years, Doctor Who has inevitably reused actors as different characters- there are...
- 8/12/2014
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Ever since Former Doctor Who Star Sylvester McCoy revealed that he had some inside information on the upcoming season 8 episodes of the popular BBC series--which will feature Peter Capaldi stepping into the iconic role of the heroic Time Lord—there has been speculation that the Doctor’s greatest rival, the Master, will be back. If he does return, who should play him?
Back in March, Sylvester Mc Coy--who portrayed the enigmatic seventh Doctor in the classic Doctor Who series—gave an interview with Zap2it at the Newcastle Film and Comic Convention, where he reported that he had inside information on the return of the Doctor’s arch rival, the Master. According to McCoy, the newest incarnation of the Master will be “very, very scary”. Furthermore, there is a picture from this season of a shrunken Tardis (see below) and we all know that in the classic series, the Master loved to shrink things.
Back in March, Sylvester Mc Coy--who portrayed the enigmatic seventh Doctor in the classic Doctor Who series—gave an interview with Zap2it at the Newcastle Film and Comic Convention, where he reported that he had inside information on the return of the Doctor’s arch rival, the Master. According to McCoy, the newest incarnation of the Master will be “very, very scary”. Furthermore, there is a picture from this season of a shrunken Tardis (see below) and we all know that in the classic series, the Master loved to shrink things.
- 7/7/2014
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Rob Young)
- Cinelinx
Ever since Former Doctor Who Star Sylvester McCoy revealed that he had some inside information on the upcoming season 8 episodes of the popular BBC series--which will feature Peter Capaldi stepping into the iconic role of the heroic Time Lord—there has been speculation that the Doctor’s greatest rival, the Master, will be back. If he does return, who should play him?
Back in March, Sylvester Mc Coy--who portrayed the enigmatic seventh Doctor in the classic Doctor Who series—gave an interview with Zap2it at the Newcastle Film and Comic Convention, where he reported that he had inside information on the return of the Doctor’s arch rival, the Master. According to McCoy, the newest incarnation of the Master will be “very, very scary”. Furthermore, there is a picture from this season of a shrunken Tardis (see below) and we all know that in the classic series, the Master loved to shrink things.
Back in March, Sylvester Mc Coy--who portrayed the enigmatic seventh Doctor in the classic Doctor Who series—gave an interview with Zap2it at the Newcastle Film and Comic Convention, where he reported that he had inside information on the return of the Doctor’s arch rival, the Master. According to McCoy, the newest incarnation of the Master will be “very, very scary”. Furthermore, there is a picture from this season of a shrunken Tardis (see below) and we all know that in the classic series, the Master loved to shrink things.
- 7/7/2014
- by feeds@cinelinx.com (Rob Young)
- Cinelinx
Regular followers are probably aware that we here are at Sound on Sight are more than a little fond of an obscure British science fiction program that celebrated an anniversary of some kind last weekend. Anniversaries are always an excellent time to reflect upon and celebrate a show’s history and the lead up to last Saturday’s “The Day of the Doctor” saw the entire Whoniverse coming together to share their thoughts on everything from their favourite episodes, most beloved eras, and of course, “their” Doctor. I just love that a top ten list can be the beginning of a good conversation or a great fight, and I find that the most heat, and some of the best light, is generated when Whovians start talking about their favourite Companions. A Companion is more than just our surrogate, they’re a gateway and guide to the series who helps us...
- 11/29/2013
- by Derek Gladu
- SoundOnSight
It’s not often you get to describe an event as being fifty years in the making. even less so do you get to mean it. Three Doctors in three timelines converge to give them all a chance to change a terrible moment in their collective past.
The Day of the Doctor
by Steven Moffat
Directed by Nick Hurran
The Doctor is in the present, in his most recent incarnation, picking up Clara, when he gets picked up himself, by Unit, to investigate a mystery at the National Museum. Meanwhile (well, I say meanwhile…) in his previous incarnation, he’s investigating a mystery in Elizabethan Britain, an attack by the Zygons that could lead all the way to the Queen herself. And in another part of the Universe entirely, The War Doctor is making a decision that will put the lives of countless innocents in his hands, a choice that...
The Day of the Doctor
by Steven Moffat
Directed by Nick Hurran
The Doctor is in the present, in his most recent incarnation, picking up Clara, when he gets picked up himself, by Unit, to investigate a mystery at the National Museum. Meanwhile (well, I say meanwhile…) in his previous incarnation, he’s investigating a mystery in Elizabethan Britain, an attack by the Zygons that could lead all the way to the Queen herself. And in another part of the Universe entirely, The War Doctor is making a decision that will put the lives of countless innocents in his hands, a choice that...
- 11/24/2013
- by Vinnie Bartilucci
- Comicmix.com
When I first plotted out this article, my first thoughts were of the classics. Genesis of the Daleks, City of Death, Talons of Weng-Chiang, Pyramids of Mars, Earthshock and Tomb of the Cybermen all came to my mind, among the midst of other elite stories to compete for a spot in the Top 5. But then I thought again – they’re considered the best classic stories for a reason. I remember feeling very angry when I read that, had the 1995 movie been a success, they would have commissioned the show on Fox and they would remake Talons of Weng-Chiang set in New York and Tomb of the Cybs (renaming the Cybermen just should never happen). In my opinion, no matter how much money the BBC would throw at it, they would never be able to replicate the ‘Do I have the right?’ scene from Genesis of the Daleks or the friendship...
- 11/22/2013
- by Tim Hiley
- Obsessed with Film
Sara Kingdom
Portrayed by: Jean Marsh
Doctor: First Doctor
Story: 1 story (9 episodes), The Daleks’ Master Plan (Nov, 1965 – Jan, 1966)
Background: Sara Kingdom is the dedicated, powerful, top agent for the Space Security Service, working under the traitorous Gaurdian of the Solar System Mavic Chen, when she meets the Doctor. Initially an antagonist, Sara discovers Chen’s treachery and switches allegiances, working with the Doctor to bring down him and his allies, the Daleks.
Family/Friends: Sara has a brother, Bret Vyon (played by Nicholas Courtney of Brigadier fame), who discovers Chen’s plot before she does and goes rogue. Tasked with hunting him down, Sara stays firm to her orders and kills him, and this decision eats away at her, causing her to more easily see Chen for what he is and team up with the Doctor.
Personality: Sara is disciplined, driven, and unshakingly loyal. She’s a soldier and apt to follow orders,...
Portrayed by: Jean Marsh
Doctor: First Doctor
Story: 1 story (9 episodes), The Daleks’ Master Plan (Nov, 1965 – Jan, 1966)
Background: Sara Kingdom is the dedicated, powerful, top agent for the Space Security Service, working under the traitorous Gaurdian of the Solar System Mavic Chen, when she meets the Doctor. Initially an antagonist, Sara discovers Chen’s treachery and switches allegiances, working with the Doctor to bring down him and his allies, the Daleks.
Family/Friends: Sara has a brother, Bret Vyon (played by Nicholas Courtney of Brigadier fame), who discovers Chen’s plot before she does and goes rogue. Tasked with hunting him down, Sara stays firm to her orders and kills him, and this decision eats away at her, causing her to more easily see Chen for what he is and team up with the Doctor.
Personality: Sara is disciplined, driven, and unshakingly loyal. She’s a soldier and apt to follow orders,...
- 11/19/2013
- by Kate Kulzick
- SoundOnSight
The Brigadier
Portrayed by: Nicholas Courtney
Doctor(s): Primarily, the Third Doctor. He also has stories with the First, Second, Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Doctors
Tenure: Complicated. His main stretch is 13 stories from Spearhead in Space (Jan, 1970) to Robot (Jan, 1975), though he only travels in the Tardis and gains true Companion status in The Three Doctors (Jan, 1973) and Mawdryn Undead (Feb, 1983).
Background: Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart is a Colonel when we first meet him in The Web of Fear. He works with Unit, the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce, and commands the British contingent, monitoring and defending against extraterrestrial threats. He works well with the Doctor and, when he starts his run with the Third Doctor, he’s been promoted to Brigadier, a title he keeps for the rest of his life (mostly because that’s how fans know the character- he would likely have been promoted several levels above Brigadier). Eventually,...
Portrayed by: Nicholas Courtney
Doctor(s): Primarily, the Third Doctor. He also has stories with the First, Second, Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Doctors
Tenure: Complicated. His main stretch is 13 stories from Spearhead in Space (Jan, 1970) to Robot (Jan, 1975), though he only travels in the Tardis and gains true Companion status in The Three Doctors (Jan, 1973) and Mawdryn Undead (Feb, 1983).
Background: Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart is a Colonel when we first meet him in The Web of Fear. He works with Unit, the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce, and commands the British contingent, monitoring and defending against extraterrestrial threats. He works well with the Doctor and, when he starts his run with the Third Doctor, he’s been promoted to Brigadier, a title he keeps for the rest of his life (mostly because that’s how fans know the character- he would likely have been promoted several levels above Brigadier). Eventually,...
- 11/4/2013
- by Kate Kulzick
- SoundOnSight
Digital Spy readers named David Tennant as Doctor Who's greatest ever Doctor - now, with just 10 weeks to go until the 50th anniversary, DS is embarking on a new quest... to list the top 10 Who stories of all time.
Jon Pertwee's third Doctor makes his second appearance in our top 10 this week; after 'The Daemons' scooped ninth place, an earlier Pertwee outing - originating from mid-1970 - takes up position number six in our list...
6. Inferno (1970) - Seven episodes - written by Don Houghton
"Listen to that! It's the sound of the planet screaming out its rage!"
Doctor Who's seventh season is one of the show's all-time greatest runs, comprising Jon Pertwee's thrilling debut 'Spearhead From Space', the thoughtful and terrifying sci-fi of 'Doctor Who and the Silurians' and the Quatermass-esque 'The Ambassadors of Death'.
But it arguably reached a zenith with its final tale – Hammer...
Jon Pertwee's third Doctor makes his second appearance in our top 10 this week; after 'The Daemons' scooped ninth place, an earlier Pertwee outing - originating from mid-1970 - takes up position number six in our list...
6. Inferno (1970) - Seven episodes - written by Don Houghton
"Listen to that! It's the sound of the planet screaming out its rage!"
Doctor Who's seventh season is one of the show's all-time greatest runs, comprising Jon Pertwee's thrilling debut 'Spearhead From Space', the thoughtful and terrifying sci-fi of 'Doctor Who and the Silurians' and the Quatermass-esque 'The Ambassadors of Death'.
But it arguably reached a zenith with its final tale – Hammer...
- 10/14/2013
- Digital Spy
There have been a lot of whispers in the rumor mill about lost episodes of Doctor Who being found, and almost every time we heard a rumor, the BBC was quick to call shenanigans. This time we have the official release of 11 episodes from the Second Doctor (Patrick Troughton) on iTunes. Here’s the official press release from the BBC:
BBC Worldwide North America announces that a stash of BBC master tapes from the 1960s featuring missing episodes of Doctor Who has been recovered in Nigeria, Africa. The BBC has re-mastered the tapes, and is making two stories, “The Enemy of the World” and “The Web of Fear,” now available exclusively on iTunes (www.itunes.com/DoctorWho).
Eleven Doctor Who episodes were discovered (nine of which have not been seen for 46 years) by Philip Morris, director of Television International Enterprises Archive, by tracking records of tape shipments made by the BBC to Africa for transmission.
BBC Worldwide North America announces that a stash of BBC master tapes from the 1960s featuring missing episodes of Doctor Who has been recovered in Nigeria, Africa. The BBC has re-mastered the tapes, and is making two stories, “The Enemy of the World” and “The Web of Fear,” now available exclusively on iTunes (www.itunes.com/DoctorWho).
Eleven Doctor Who episodes were discovered (nine of which have not been seen for 46 years) by Philip Morris, director of Television International Enterprises Archive, by tracking records of tape shipments made by the BBC to Africa for transmission.
- 10/11/2013
- by Jess Orso
- ScifiMafia
The Web of Fear (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
A rumor claiming a cache of as many as 106 episodes of Doctor Who being found has been declared at least one percent true. The Radio Times is reporting that missing episodes from the Patrick Troughton era have not only been found, but will be available for sale on iTunes as early as this Wednesday.
The BBC have announced a press conference on Tuesday, presumably to share specifics. Insiders are suggesting the missing episodes include Enemy of the World and The Web of Fear. Enemy of the World features a lookalike for The Doctor attempting to (dare I say it) rule the world in the mid twenty-first century. The Web of Fear is the second appearance of The Great Intelligence, just seen in the latest series of the show, and features the returning Abominable Snowmen androids, and first appearance of Alastair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, here a Colonel,...
A rumor claiming a cache of as many as 106 episodes of Doctor Who being found has been declared at least one percent true. The Radio Times is reporting that missing episodes from the Patrick Troughton era have not only been found, but will be available for sale on iTunes as early as this Wednesday.
The BBC have announced a press conference on Tuesday, presumably to share specifics. Insiders are suggesting the missing episodes include Enemy of the World and The Web of Fear. Enemy of the World features a lookalike for The Doctor attempting to (dare I say it) rule the world in the mid twenty-first century. The Web of Fear is the second appearance of The Great Intelligence, just seen in the latest series of the show, and features the returning Abominable Snowmen androids, and first appearance of Alastair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, here a Colonel,...
- 10/7/2013
- by Vinnie Bartilucci
- Comicmix.com
Dave Rudin is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.
In August of 1987, I traveled to the UK from my home in New York City to attend the Leisure Hive convention in Swindon. In addition to the weekend spent there, I also spent nearly two weeks in London. I went to the theater a dozen times, and each show that I saw had at
The post Archive Interview: Nicholas Courtney appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
In August of 1987, I traveled to the UK from my home in New York City to attend the Leisure Hive convention in Swindon. In addition to the weekend spent there, I also spent nearly two weeks in London. I went to the theater a dozen times, and each show that I saw had at
The post Archive Interview: Nicholas Courtney appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
- 9/30/2013
- by Dave Rudin
- Kasterborous.com
Review Andrew Blair 30 Sep 2013 - 08:15
Andrew checks out the DVD release of Tom Baker story Terror Of The Zygons...
This review contains spoilers.
It's aptly named, is Terror of the Zygons. Its opening episode is a slow-build towards one gloriously unexpected shock moment. Even now, when you know it's coming, it's a brilliant moment of jarring editing. A sudden reveal, a scream, a zoom into a shadowy monstrous face, cue credits. You don't quite have time to process it before its over.
That's after some enjoyably ripe Hammer horror scene-setting in the north-east of Scotland. Tales of ancient horror are spun to incredulous newcomers, and we occasionally cut away to ineffable alien eyes. Most formidable of all, of course, is Tom Baker. Here he's in prime unnerving form amidst a lot of competition. Perhaps there was a competition between him, Lillias Walker and Robert Russell. That would certainly explain a lot.
Andrew checks out the DVD release of Tom Baker story Terror Of The Zygons...
This review contains spoilers.
It's aptly named, is Terror of the Zygons. Its opening episode is a slow-build towards one gloriously unexpected shock moment. Even now, when you know it's coming, it's a brilliant moment of jarring editing. A sudden reveal, a scream, a zoom into a shadowy monstrous face, cue credits. You don't quite have time to process it before its over.
That's after some enjoyably ripe Hammer horror scene-setting in the north-east of Scotland. Tales of ancient horror are spun to incredulous newcomers, and we occasionally cut away to ineffable alien eyes. Most formidable of all, of course, is Tom Baker. Here he's in prime unnerving form amidst a lot of competition. Perhaps there was a competition between him, Lillias Walker and Robert Russell. That would certainly explain a lot.
- 9/30/2013
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.
This weekend we’ll be bringing a rarely-seen archive interview with Nicholas Courtney – best known to Doctor Who fans as Unit’s Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart – conducted for a Us fanzine in the 1980s. Previously published in the February-March 1988 issue of The Unyt Times, the interview was conducted by Dave Rudin who had travelled from the
The post Nick Courtney Archive Interview Coming Soon! appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
This weekend we’ll be bringing a rarely-seen archive interview with Nicholas Courtney – best known to Doctor Who fans as Unit’s Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart – conducted for a Us fanzine in the 1980s. Previously published in the February-March 1988 issue of The Unyt Times, the interview was conducted by Dave Rudin who had travelled from the
The post Nick Courtney Archive Interview Coming Soon! appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
- 9/26/2013
- by Christian Cawley
- Kasterborous.com
As Doctor Who fans, we all love the in-jokes and references that only a die-hard fan would understand, whether it’s Tennant in a gas mask saying “Are you my mummy?” or as subtle as Smith remarking that he used to own a patchwork umbrella (referencing his sixth incarnation to be precise).
References in a half-century old show are moments that fans can bond over; they’re checkpoints for the anoraks, and it gives us Whovians an “I know something you don’t moment” over the casual viewers in our families who put up with the show.
Perhaps more exciting and intelligent however, are the outside references and allegories, and I’m not talking about the Nazi/Dalek similarity, I’m talking about the Whoniverse itself. These are moments when someone references something that relates to Doctor Who, not the Doctor, and not just a moment of continuity. Like Linda for example,...
References in a half-century old show are moments that fans can bond over; they’re checkpoints for the anoraks, and it gives us Whovians an “I know something you don’t moment” over the casual viewers in our families who put up with the show.
Perhaps more exciting and intelligent however, are the outside references and allegories, and I’m not talking about the Nazi/Dalek similarity, I’m talking about the Whoniverse itself. These are moments when someone references something that relates to Doctor Who, not the Doctor, and not just a moment of continuity. Like Linda for example,...
- 8/16/2013
- by Mark White
- Obsessed with Film
Review Andrew Blair 15 Jul 2013 - 06:09
An oft-released Doctor Who adventure gets a high-definition reissue. Spearhead From Space is well worth picking up, Andrew writes...
Spearhead From Space has been released several times (twice on VHS, four times on DVD, and it's on iTunes). Due to it being entirely on film as opposed to video (industrial action meaning it had to be filmed largely on location, where film would be used instead), it is the only story from the original run of Doctor Who that can be released on Blu-ray without upconversion, and so here we are.
I was unable to get a copy of the omnibus edition I rented from a video shop in Hereford in 1994 for comparison, but certainly the picture quality here is as crisp as Quentin or Quavers. Blemish free, it's never looked better, and it's always looked good. Derek Martinus and his camera and editing crew throw in flourishes throughout,...
An oft-released Doctor Who adventure gets a high-definition reissue. Spearhead From Space is well worth picking up, Andrew writes...
Spearhead From Space has been released several times (twice on VHS, four times on DVD, and it's on iTunes). Due to it being entirely on film as opposed to video (industrial action meaning it had to be filmed largely on location, where film would be used instead), it is the only story from the original run of Doctor Who that can be released on Blu-ray without upconversion, and so here we are.
I was unable to get a copy of the omnibus edition I rented from a video shop in Hereford in 1994 for comparison, but certainly the picture quality here is as crisp as Quentin or Quavers. Blemish free, it's never looked better, and it's always looked good. Derek Martinus and his camera and editing crew throw in flourishes throughout,...
- 7/12/2013
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
Christian Cawley is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.
Until his sad death in 2011, Nicholas Courtney – better known as Brigadier Sir Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart – was the grand old man of Doctor Who, the paternal figure of...
The post Remembering Nicholas Courtney appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
Until his sad death in 2011, Nicholas Courtney – better known as Brigadier Sir Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart – was the grand old man of Doctor Who, the paternal figure of...
The post Remembering Nicholas Courtney appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.
- 5/24/2013
- by Christian Cawley
- Kasterborous.com
Review Andrew Blair 8 May 2013 - 06:29
A classic Doctor Who story gets another re-release. But is this newly-minted Inferno DVD a worthy purchase? Andrew takes a look...
The main reason for buying this re-release of Pertwee-era serial Inferno is its improved picture quality. It's instantly noticeable when compared with the 2006 release, and makes the film and video transitions less jarring. It is so sharp that it could be mistaken for the Third Doctor's dress sense, although he gets somewhat rumpled in this one.
Inferno, for a seven-parter, largely manages to avoid feeling padded. Season seven had its production schedule imposed on it by the outgoing Troughton-era team; the new regime of Barry Letts and Terrance Dicks were concerned that the two seven-parters scheduled might drag on a bit, and came up with sub-plots that could keep the momentum going and re-energise the narrative. In Inferno's case, this resulted in a...
A classic Doctor Who story gets another re-release. But is this newly-minted Inferno DVD a worthy purchase? Andrew takes a look...
The main reason for buying this re-release of Pertwee-era serial Inferno is its improved picture quality. It's instantly noticeable when compared with the 2006 release, and makes the film and video transitions less jarring. It is so sharp that it could be mistaken for the Third Doctor's dress sense, although he gets somewhat rumpled in this one.
Inferno, for a seven-parter, largely manages to avoid feeling padded. Season seven had its production schedule imposed on it by the outgoing Troughton-era team; the new regime of Barry Letts and Terrance Dicks were concerned that the two seven-parters scheduled might drag on a bit, and came up with sub-plots that could keep the momentum going and re-energise the narrative. In Inferno's case, this resulted in a...
- 5/7/2013
- by ryanlambie
- Den of Geek
Jemma Redgrave is returning to "Doctor Who!"
BBC has announced that the actress -- who played The Brigadier's (Nicholas Courtney) daughter Kate Stewart, as Unit's scientific adviser, in Season 7 of the series -- will reprise the role for the "Doctor Who" 50th anniversary special.
Redgrave joins the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) and his former companion Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) as well as "Harry Potter" actor John Hurt and Joanna Page for the "Doctor Who" 50th anniversary special.
The special will also see the return of the Zygons, the shape-shifters who, aside from flashbacks, haven't been a part of "Doctor Who" for more than three decades.
Filming is underway on the "Doctor Who" 50th anniversary special, which will be a 3-D spectacular shown later this year. "Doctor Who" executive producer and writer Steven Moffat penned the script and Nick Hurran is directing.
BBC tweeted a photo of Tennant and current Doctor...
BBC has announced that the actress -- who played The Brigadier's (Nicholas Courtney) daughter Kate Stewart, as Unit's scientific adviser, in Season 7 of the series -- will reprise the role for the "Doctor Who" 50th anniversary special.
Redgrave joins the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) and his former companion Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) as well as "Harry Potter" actor John Hurt and Joanna Page for the "Doctor Who" 50th anniversary special.
The special will also see the return of the Zygons, the shape-shifters who, aside from flashbacks, haven't been a part of "Doctor Who" for more than three decades.
Filming is underway on the "Doctor Who" 50th anniversary special, which will be a 3-D spectacular shown later this year. "Doctor Who" executive producer and writer Steven Moffat penned the script and Nick Hurran is directing.
BBC tweeted a photo of Tennant and current Doctor...
- 4/8/2013
- by Jaimie Etkin
- Huffington Post
Jemma Redgrave has been confirmed to appear in Doctor Who's 50th anniversary special.
The 48-year-old actress will reprise her role of Kate Stewart, a character introduced in 2012 Who episode 'The Power of Three'.
Kate is the daughter of Doctor Who icon Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart, played in a recurring capacity by the late Nicholas Courtney between 1968 and 2008.
Redgrave joins Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman in the special, plus returning stars David Tennant and Billie Piper.
Other guest actors confirmed for the 50th special - to be filmed in 3D - include John Hurt (Alien) and Joanna Page (Gavin & Stacey).
It was recently confirmed that Christopher Eccleston - who played the Ninth Doctor in 2005 - will not feature in the celebratory episode.
Doctor Who continues this Saturday (April 13) at 6pm on BBC One.
> Sylvester McCoy on Who 50th: 'Past Doctors haven't heard anything'
Watch the stars of Doctor Who talk the...
The 48-year-old actress will reprise her role of Kate Stewart, a character introduced in 2012 Who episode 'The Power of Three'.
Kate is the daughter of Doctor Who icon Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart, played in a recurring capacity by the late Nicholas Courtney between 1968 and 2008.
Redgrave joins Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman in the special, plus returning stars David Tennant and Billie Piper.
Other guest actors confirmed for the 50th special - to be filmed in 3D - include John Hurt (Alien) and Joanna Page (Gavin & Stacey).
It was recently confirmed that Christopher Eccleston - who played the Ninth Doctor in 2005 - will not feature in the celebratory episode.
Doctor Who continues this Saturday (April 13) at 6pm on BBC One.
> Sylvester McCoy on Who 50th: 'Past Doctors haven't heard anything'
Watch the stars of Doctor Who talk the...
- 4/8/2013
- Digital Spy
There have always been moments in Doctor Who that have left the viewer with a raised eyebrow, confused or even a bit teary-eyed. But Doctor Who has always been known, even from the time it had started, to really blow people’s minds with some of the serials and what actually happens in them. Most of the time it happens to the companions, or even people helping out the Doctor, such as Sara Kingdom.
We’re going to take a look back at 10 of the most shocking moments to be in Doctor Who, Classic and New. This isn’t a best 10 list, more like some of the most memorable. Some no longer exist in full episodes, but rather re-constructed clips, and other lost episodes do have the brief existing footage of some of these moments. Of course, shocking moments vary from person to person, but I think there are at...
We’re going to take a look back at 10 of the most shocking moments to be in Doctor Who, Classic and New. This isn’t a best 10 list, more like some of the most memorable. Some no longer exist in full episodes, but rather re-constructed clips, and other lost episodes do have the brief existing footage of some of these moments. Of course, shocking moments vary from person to person, but I think there are at...
- 4/4/2013
- by Gwyn
- Obsessed with Film
We go back to the manger to witness the .birth. of my favorite classic Doctor. Jon Pertwee takes over for Patrick Troughton and joins up with Unit. His earthbound exile would have the aliens coming to him, but also bring the series to a modern (1970s) reality. The regenerated Doctor (Jon Pertwee) was exiled to Earth by the Timelords. He arrives in his disabled Tardis at the same time that a sudden meteor also crashes down mysterious glowing spheres to Earth. The exhausted Doctor falls out of the Tardis and is found by Unit troops and taken to a nearby hospital. Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (Nicholas Courtney) is recruiting Dr. Liz Shaw (Caroline John) to investigate the meteors but she doubts...
- 10/19/2012
- by Jeff Swindoll
- Monsters and Critics
The Doctor is very good at saving the world, but very poor at sitting still. So when he’s stuck waiting a full year for an invasion to start, it gives a new meaning to cabin fever. The Year of the Slow Invasion, the year The Doctor got involved in Amy and Rory’s life and not the other way around. A very personal episode (featuring the entire world), rife with spoilers, so sit back, and keep your eye on the box.
The Power Of Three
by Chris Chibnall
Directed by Douglas Mackinnon
Amy and Rory have been spending more time away from The Doctor, and it seems less and less of a problem to them. But when tiny little boxes appear all over the world, it’s a mystery sure to attract their time traveling friend, which of course it does. But his arrival also attract the attention of...
The Power Of Three
by Chris Chibnall
Directed by Douglas Mackinnon
Amy and Rory have been spending more time away from The Doctor, and it seems less and less of a problem to them. But when tiny little boxes appear all over the world, it’s a mystery sure to attract their time traveling friend, which of course it does. But his arrival also attract the attention of...
- 9/25/2012
- by Vinnie Bartilucci
- Comicmix.com
We knew going into this episode of "Doctor Who" that we'd be watching the penultimate appearance of Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill as the Doctor's companions Amy Pond and Rory Williams. And we knew the title -- "The Power of Three" -- promised something special. This would be a hour devoted to Amy, Rory and The Doctor coming together to solve a crisis, right?
Surely we'd see how each of them have an important role to play in a storyline that delivers on the title's implicit promise: Three is better than one, or two. We'd nod our heads and think, "Yes, the Doctor is at his best with these companions." Because they're the companions we're watching right now, we love them dearly, and we're at the emotional high point of our relationship with them. We know they're going to leave, but we don't yet know how it will happen.
That...
Surely we'd see how each of them have an important role to play in a storyline that delivers on the title's implicit promise: Three is better than one, or two. We'd nod our heads and think, "Yes, the Doctor is at his best with these companions." Because they're the companions we're watching right now, we love them dearly, and we're at the emotional high point of our relationship with them. We know they're going to leave, but we don't yet know how it will happen.
That...
- 9/23/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
Way back in the day, there was a Second Doctor story called “The Web of Fear”. It featured yetis running around in the London Underground (…look, just go with it, ok?), and the Doctor was joined in his efforts to stop them by a military officer named Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart. Played by Nicholas Courtney (who had previously turned up in the First Doctor story, “The Dalek Masterplan”), the Colonel was intelligent, charismatic and a good foil to the Doctor.
When the Cybermen turned up to invade Earth later on during the Second Doctor’s time, it was Lethbridge-Stewart, now promoted to Brigadier General and in charge of a United Nations taskforce known as Unit, who was leading the defense. He teamed-up again with the Doctor and successfully pushed back the cybernetic threat.
As 1970 began, the newly-regenerated Doctor was exiled to Earth. There he quickly fell in with Unit and was essentially adopted by them.
When the Cybermen turned up to invade Earth later on during the Second Doctor’s time, it was Lethbridge-Stewart, now promoted to Brigadier General and in charge of a United Nations taskforce known as Unit, who was leading the defense. He teamed-up again with the Doctor and successfully pushed back the cybernetic threat.
As 1970 began, the newly-regenerated Doctor was exiled to Earth. There he quickly fell in with Unit and was essentially adopted by them.
- 8/23/2012
- by Chris Swanson
- Obsessed with Film
Like many people associated with Doctor Who for its nearly 49 years of existence, actors who’ve played companions to the wandering Doctor may choose depart from show, but they never fully leave it.
Yes, fandom is sometimes difficult. Science fiction fans are loyal, adoring and sometimes over the top, but in the end, they love the character as much as they love the actor who plays them, which is why, at this time, our hearts hurt to learn of their passing. And the fact that is, in the last eighteen months, Doctor Who has lost four beloved actors who played enduring roles on the cult show in the 1970s –Nicholas Courtney, Elizabeth Sladen, Caroline John and now Mary Tamm.
Tamm, who joined the show for season sixteen as Romanadvoratrelundar (Romana for short), passed away on July 26, after an 18 month battle with cancer. She was 62. Like Elizabeth Sladen, like Caroline John,...
Yes, fandom is sometimes difficult. Science fiction fans are loyal, adoring and sometimes over the top, but in the end, they love the character as much as they love the actor who plays them, which is why, at this time, our hearts hurt to learn of their passing. And the fact that is, in the last eighteen months, Doctor Who has lost four beloved actors who played enduring roles on the cult show in the 1970s –Nicholas Courtney, Elizabeth Sladen, Caroline John and now Mary Tamm.
Tamm, who joined the show for season sixteen as Romanadvoratrelundar (Romana for short), passed away on July 26, after an 18 month battle with cancer. She was 62. Like Elizabeth Sladen, like Caroline John,...
- 7/26/2012
- by spaced-odyssey
- doorQ.com
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