Following the fiasco of the new Daleks it’s good to see some good sense breaking out in the Whoniverse: the proposed Torchwood America looks like it might not happen.
The BBC had been in talks with Fox about producing an Americanized version of the show, a truly horrific prospect. Fortunately Fox have now pulled out. According to the Beeb:
BBC Worldwide Productions and the FOX Broadcasting Company have mutually agreed not to progress together with a 13-episode serialized Torchwood format
That’s good news, but before we start celebrating there was a rider to the statement: “We are currently in discussion with several interested networks.” Jane Tranter of BBC Worldwide said that although Fox has declined to be involved the Beeb hasn’t given up on the idea yet: “It’s very much ongoing and very much alive”.
Don’t do it Jane. Fox pulling out gives you a great opportunity to take a dose of retcon and forget this car crash of an idea.
April 22nd, 2010
News, Torchwood |
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After Victory of the Daleks aired I was one of many people who objected to the
new Dalek design. It seems the strength of feeling against these multicoloured monstrosities is even stronger than first thought.
Sinister Incorporated (”an organisation dedicated to achieving total world domination through the use of political subversion, devious scheming and nuclear weapons”) has now set up a petition to ditch the hunchbacks and bring back our beloved classic pepperpots.
The Campaign For Real Daleks (CamDal) says:
[The new] design leaves much to be desired. Gone are the sleek sculpted lines of the Daleks we saw in the 2005 series revival (themselves based heavily on the original designs from 1963), replaced by a gaudy plasticky design with colours reminiscent of the Power Rangers and huge mid-sections that make the Daleks resemble bumper cars.
If you agree then join me in signing the campaign petition. Even if you don’t support Doctor Sinister’s plans to take over the globe.
April 22nd, 2010
Doctor Who, News |
2 comments
Well that didn’t take long. The paint is barely dry on Matt Smith’s new Tardis and already collectible Eleventh Doctor merchandise is on the way.
Character Online has announced two Dr Who sets. The first is the new Doctor’s new sonic screwdriver which has “spring loading extending action” and “Light & sound effects”. Personally I’d rather Steven Moffat had got rid of the sonic screwdriver for good – it’s too easy a device for lazy writers – but I suppose some people will buy it.
More interesting to me is the Eleventh Doctor Crash Set pictured here. This twin pack features two five inch action figure Smiths. One is in his new costume, the second model wears the “Raggedy Doctor” version of the of David Tennant costume. Personally I prefer the Raggedy Doctor look, perhaps because it’s the way I usually dress.
Both sets have a list price of £14.99.
April 6th, 2010
Doctor Who, News |
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Short review: Fantastic
Longer review:
there’s no denying that The Eleventh Hour was very light plotwise. But then the episode wasn’t about the story, it was about introducing the new Doctor, the new companion and the new Steven Moffat led era. In this the show succeeded superbly whilst also setting up the series five plot arc. Most importantly The Eleventh Hour gave us a feel for what Doctor Who will be like under Moffat’s leadership, and I for one liked what I saw.
Let’s start with the key question: was Matt Smith the right choice as Doctor? It’s still too early to tell, as The Doctor says himself he’s not quite done yet. But he certainly has the potential. A little too manic for my tastes perhaps but I can get used to that. The main thing is that he definitely is The Doctor, the final face-off proved that. There was that one line on the roof that sealed it for me and probably for many others as well.
Is Matt Smith the new David Tennant? Of course not, and he shouldn’t be. Will he be a great Doctor? It’s far too early to tell. Will he be a good Doctor? Yes, definitely.
The atmosphere of the story managed to combine both laugh out loud funny with pretty darned scary. And for the adults not only did we have sexily dressed Karen Gillan plus Matt Smith stripping but a number of lines that would (fortunately) have gone way over the heads of the kids (dressing up games anyone?). Given the pacing of the whole show there were probably more that I missed. I’m looking forward to watching the episode again to find them.
For old timers like myself the new arrangement of the theme tune was a delight, bringing back memories of the classic era whilst also having a contemporary feel. The vortex effect was good, although the Tardis CGI did look a little cheap. The new console room isn’t as radically different as I’d expected but will serve its purpose. Some of the “steampunk” is a bit silly – I actually had to check they weren’t using Susannah from Lancashire’s design!
Minor quibbles aside, The Eleventh Hour was thoroughly enjoyable and reassuring. I started watching with high hopes but also feeling very nervous. By the end of the episode I was extremely happy and feeling a lot more confident about the show’s future.
Roll on next week!
April 3rd, 2010
BBC, Doctor Who, News, Reviews |
2 comments
This post was an April Fool. It is not true.
Bad news for all of us who were looking forward to Matt Smith’s first appearance as The Doctor this weekend. The new series five of Dr Who has been postponed, probably until the summer.
The problem is the upcoming General Election, which Gordon Brown is expected to call either today or Tuesday. The Beeb are concerned that much of The Eleventh Hour – even the title – could be construed as political commentary. With an election looming this could be seen as taking political sides.
A source close to the show said:
There’s always been political undertones to Doctor Who, from attacks on Margaret Thatcher in the ’80s to the Belgrano reference in The Christmas Invasion. Ironically The Eleventh Hour had no deliberate political intent.
A spokesperson for the BBC has confirmed that series five of Doctor Who will indeed be postponed:
We regret that the show will not now be broadcast from Easter weekend. No new start date has been decided but it will be some time after the election. We realise that this will disappoint fans but under the BBC Charter and the Representation of the People Act we have a legal duty of impartiality.
We hope fans of Doctor Who will understand our decision. It’s well worth waiting a few for more months for the new series. We’re especially pleased with the entirely apolitical episode where CyberLeader Gordon Brown is deleted by his fellow Cybermen and the one where David Cameron takes over from Davros as leader of the Daleks. There’s also new enemy for the Doctor in the shape of Nick Clegg as The Doctor’s stepbrother “Nick Who?”
It’s not yet known what will happen to broadcast dates in other countries, however BBC Gallifrey still plans to show The Eleventh Hour last April Fool’s Day.
And if you believed a word of this tripe then more fool you. Enjoy the Eleventh Hour on Saturday as planned.
April 1st, 2010
Doctor Who, News |
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