This is planet "HD 106906 B" and it was found in the farthest orbit of a sun yet discovered. Probably because of a combination of it's appearance as well as the 50th anniversary and the revelation that Gallifrey is out there, not surprisingly there is a petition to have the planet named Gallifrey. I don't normally go for petitions, but I signed this one, and I hope enough people do to have it named, as it would be a fitting tribute for the show, as well as a wonderful 50th birthday gift. They are still a number of people away from their goal of signatures, so please go here and sign the petition today.
Here is a Youtube video from the person who started the petition.
We might not get a more perfect opportunity to immortalize Doctor Who in our reality's stars.
#GallifreyFound
Here is the (as promised) fantastic trailer that celebrates 50 years of Who in one minute. Done very very well and I can't wait to see the dissections of some of the images we see.
According to a Radio Times article (click here to read full article), we are going to have to wait until just before the filming for the Christmas special to find out who the next Doctor is. They also are not starting filming until autumn, probably August or September, followed by filming for the next season. I don't mind any of this because it is going to break up the time we are having to wait for a new episode. It just means we have to put up with so many more rumors and useless speculations.
On my Classic Who tab you will find my review for "The Mysterious Planet", which is the first of four stories in the "Trial Of A Timelord" season. It features the 6th Doctor and his companion Peri Brown, and begins the story arc of The Doctor being put on trial (again) by the Timelords for meddling in the affairs of others. With a great script from Robert Holmes, the story lays a great foundation for the other 3 stories. It also sees The Valeyard in charge of the case against The Doctor, a nemesis of sorts mentioned by The Great Intelligence in "The Name of The Doctor."
The other day in Detroit, while filming his movie, Matt Smith recorded a thank you and goodbye video for Steven Moffat, his fellow cast members, crew, and most of all to the fans. This could have been just a nice gesture done in advance on a whim, but it also fuels speculation that Matt is already done. This isn't helped by the cutting of his hair, either. If he is done, and the regeneration happens at the end of the 50th special/beginning of Christmas, the Christmas special could essentially be a 12th Doctor story, which would fall in line with December being the 12th month. They have been focusing on a Doctor each month. But what if there was also a regeneration at Christmas. Say 11 regenerates into John Hurt, who then regenerates into The Doctor for season 8. This would then put us at the point where, according to Who canon, The Doctor would be out of regenerations. Just some thoughts.
Coming up, hopefully tonight, the review of the novelette, "The Angel's Kiss."
Tonight in Sydney, the Australia/New Zealand branch of the BBC Worldwide and Vivid Sydney put on what was billed as a 50th anniversary special, or feature, or celebration. While the video projection on the side of the Sydney customs house was impressive and a bit dazzling at times, I must agree with other's comments that it was pretty much all Matt Smith. Even the flashes of all previous Doctors were taken from "Nightmare In Silver." Regardless, it's enjoyable and made me wish I had been in Sydney for it.
I chose this rehearsal video because the angle and sound are best.
I'm typing up my review for "Nightmare In Silver" now, but this clip was released today by the BBC from tomorrow's episode.
Also, Jenna-Louise did an interview with What's on TV. The answer to this question was most interesting to me.
When asked how she and Alex Kingston got along, Jenna had this to say, "I never want to give too much away, because if you know how they get along it gives you an inkling of where the story is going to go, but it's an interesting relationship. Clara is fascinated by and very curious about this woman who was married to The Doctor and who she knew nothing about at all. There's also a mutual respect, they're both women of The Doctor, in a way!"
Classic Who fans should like this clip from Saturdays episode, "The Crimson horror". it's an interesting presentation, and it makes me wonder if the actual episode will have that olde filme quality. What I loved about it, though, was it payed homage to Tegan Jovanka, one of my favorite all time companions. First he jokingly recalls how much trouble he had getting Tegan to Heathrow airport. It took over a series for him to finally accidentally get it right, only for her to come back the next series. But what he also does was very sweet. At the sound of a scream, he tells Clara, "Brave heart, Clara", something he used to say to Tegan.
I had the pleasure to see Janet Fielding, Tegan herself, at a convention in Atlanta. This was the old days when you could get close to the stars and sometimes converse with them. before DragonCon and ComicCon I met her, Mark Strickson (Turlough), Louise Jameson (Leela), The 3rd and 5th Doctors, and I was as close to them as I am to Scott across the room. This was also when a young teen could pay for admission with his allowance. I don't know where all my pictures went, but I found these. The first is Louise Jameson, then one of both Janet Fielding and Mark Strickson, and then one of me with Janet and Mark. And I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry but you're going to see some really bad homemade highlights. I'm wearing my TARDIS key and the scarf I forced my mother to crochet, fashioned after the scarf Tom Baker wore in his final series. It's about 13 feet long and I still have it.
