Remembering Christmas: 2005 & 2006

2005- The Christmas Invasion

I liked The Christmas Invasion okay. It was our first such special, but was more of a post-regeneration story. That aspect is what saved it for me. One of my favorite scenes was when Rose was struggling to sound authoritative to the Sycorax, and upon hearing them translated for her, she realizes The Doctor, absent for the most part up until then, must be better....

I loved seeing Harriet Jones again, we will always know who she was. I didn't care for the direction her character went, but I still appreciated her, especially in her next appearance. My other favorite scene was The Doctor picking out his new clothes. This is always fun, and we saw some nods to old Doctors and companions hanging in the wardrobe. But the wardrobe room itself was worth it, the first room outside the console room to be seen, and only other until The Doctor's Wife. To be technical, we didn't see any new rooms until Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS.

2006: Runaway Bride

Besides The End of Time, Runaway Bride is my favorite pre-Moffat era Christmas special. A lot of that could be my huge love of Catherine Tate. But aside from that it was fun. Seeing the viewpoint of a companion who found herself unwillingly in the TARDIS, as portrayed by Ms. Tate, was a riot. One of my favorite scenes is her first after finding herself inexplicably beamed into the TARDIS. Which is not even a proper word!

Donna struggles to get back to the church she had been getting married in. She's not impressed by The Doctor at all, something new, and she's also not carrying any money. (pockets) My favorite scene of the whole episode comes after she finds a cab driver willing to giver her a lift.

They really played around with the TARDIS in this one, and I don't just mean going back to the creation of the Earth. My other favorite scene is when The Doctor uses the same Huon particles in Donna that pulled her into the TARDIS to bring the TARDIS to them.

SPOILERS!!! Big Christmas Hints And Quote From The New DWM

The new issue of Doctor who magazine has a couple of very interesting tidbits...



Stephen Moffat says the question was not asked in The Name of The Doctor, claiming surprise that fans thought that was it. This really changes things. So what was all that "Doctor who?" about coming from Dorium, among others.


Matt is supposedly in almost every scene and even helps Cara cook Christmas dinner!



There is a 'fair bit' of nudity, but knowing Moffat this could be Silence or Cybermen.



We get some clarification on Tasha Lem. She s someone we have never met, but is an old friend of The Doctor and knows him well. I'm kind of excited because she is the Mother Superious of the Papal Mainframe. (Last mentioned, I believe, in A Good Man Goes To War) And confused by the image released. (See previous post)

Is this going to be the endless war mentioned by Madame Kovarian?



We also got a newer synopsis:

"The Doctor dies on Trenzalore. It's a fact. He's seen it. His own tomb, somewhere out there in the future. The Great Intelligence knew it to be true: "One day it was just too much for the old man." The Doctor's death is inevitable - and the time has come for him to return to Trenzalore to fight his final battle. But first there's Christmas dinner to prepare..."



Here is a quote from the episode:

CLARA: "But you don't die. You change-you pop right back with a new face."
THE DOCTOR: "Not forever. I can change 12 times. 13 versions of me. 13 silly Doctors."
CLARA: "But you're number 11, so-"
THE DOCTOR: "Are we forgetting Captain Grumpy? I didn't call myself The Doctor during the Time War, but it was still a regeneration."

Spoiler-y New Images For Christmas

Okay, I put this one first because WHAT the WHAT?? This kind of blows a few theories as to who Tasha Lem will be out of the water.

I don't think the rest are spoilery, bu they are very nice. There are a couple of new views of the kid's drawings, too.

How sweet. Looks like for Christmas we get a Silence singing O' Holy Night.

Previewing The Time Of The Doctor

We got the first trailer today. It's short but interesting.

In it we can hear Clara narrate: "And now its time for one last bow, like all your other selves. Eleven's hour is over now. The clock is striking twelve's."

The mysterious woman says, "The siege of Trenzalore has begun." and "The Timelord has entered the trap."

Clara begs someone to help The Doctor change the future.

A Dalek bleats, "The Doctor is regenerating."


Here are some of the images I found interesting. First the mysterious woman, Tasha Lem. I don't know where the name comes in, but we've been told she is someone from The Doctor's past. By the look of her, and how she has taken charge of this army, it really looks to me like it might be The Rani, the evil Timelady we last saw in "Time and The Rani." Which is good, and a regeneration episode, but not as good as "The Mark of The Rani." IMHO.

And given the other images we have seen, I wonder where this is...

Looks like The Doctor is legend on Trenzalore, but is this before or after whatever happens happens?

I was wondering what this huge Dalek gun was sticking out from the one on the left, but when looking at the second picture, it looks like it might have been attached to that tank.

Speaking of the Daleks, look in the first photo, has The Doctor become King of the Daleks? In the second pic I find the painting with a Silence in it interesting. Looks like it might be Timelord art.

Here are three of our villains. Quite a spooky image of the angel. The Silence appears to be singing a power ballad. I love the look of the wooden Cyberman. It's been put out there that they upgraded when they found out the sonic screwdriver doesn't do wood. (He has GOT to fix that) I think it could be that or to do with the gold allergy they used to have, which was brought up in "The Nightmare In Silver."

Lastly I'll share more proof of The Doctor's legend on Trenzalore. How these children would know all of these things to draw I have no idea. Mostly the images are familiar, but there are a couple I question.

The Christmas SPOILERS You're Being Warned About

"Orbiting a quiet, backwater planet, the massed forces of the universe's deadliest species gather, drawn to a mysterious message that echoes out of the stars. And amongst them - The Doctor. Rescuing Clara from a family Christmas dinner, the Time Lord and his best friend must learn what this enigmatic signal means for his own fate and that of the universe."

Want to know more? Me too. So far we saw in the trailer and photos that there are Weeping Angels, Daleks, Cybermen and Silence. We know about the regeneration. New information has come out, if The Sun is to be believed, and believe me that's not even easy for me to believe I'm typing it.

I am always scoffing at information that comes from a "BBC source." Recently everyone has blown up about Steven Moffat including the regeneration in Journey's end, making Matt the 13th Doctor. I can't actually find him saying that, only a "BBC source." It would, though, fit with the regeneration solution The Sun is proposing will happen. Unless this is all a clever ploy by the Moff to fool us. The difference is that this source provides a good bit of information, including the big solution to a series 5 problem.

But you are forewarned that this information, if it proves to be true, is EXTREMELY SPOILERY and should be avoided if you don't want to know anything. I just found what they say too delicious to pass up sharing....






SO






BE WARNED





SPOLIERS AHEAD








BIG TIME SPOILERS






POSSIBLY IF ITS TRUE







BUT IF IT IS WOW!!!








LAST CHANCE







SPOILERS  SPOILERS  SPOILERS  SPOILERS   SPOILERS  SPOILERS  SPOILERS




Okay, if you've made it this far you must be sure. Here is what The Sun says a "BBC source" says will happen in "The Time of The Doctor"

Trenzalore will be the "backwater planet" and Christmas Town is the location of a centuries long battle between The Doctor and a number of his deadliest foes, including the Sontarans. The Doctor is summoned to Trenzalore by a bell echoing across the universe, a sound that also brings his enemies. The Doctor hides in a clock tower, presumably the source of the bell. Supposedly The Doctor loses a leg after a Weeping Angel grabs it (implausible) and we will see him wage the 300 year war as Clara is tucked safely in the TARDIS.

Then they throw this in. The time crack was caused by the Timelords when The Doctor saved them in the 50th. At the climax a time crack will appear and the Timelords will be there. They will reward The Doctor with a new set of regenerations. If this is true then it really is set up for another 50 years like Moffat said he wanted to do. The time crack can even wipe out what happens at Trenzalore.

It's at least an interesting theory. At most a first for The Sun.

Here's a little theory of my own, assuming part of what I wrote here is true. What if we get a regeneration early on or midway through the episode? Steven Moffat said there would be explanation as to why his face was aged. If he fights part of the way that could age him. Just an idea.

Sneak Peek Into Christmas

I have a lot to cover concerning the 50th, but before we could even exhale from the special they released details and an image from the upcoming Christmas special, the name of which was also revealed, "The Time of The Doctor." A teaser trailer is also here for you to watch, and I do mean teaser.

So what do we know about the episode? We already know there will be a regeneration and we will see the departure of Matt Smith as well as the introduction of Peter Capaldi as The Doctor. In the teaser we see Daleks, Weeping Angels, The Silence and learn The Doctor's location, Trenzalore. In the new promo image above we see a tiny bit more. Behind and on either side of The Doctor's left hand there are two faces in the flames. One is Peter Capaldi, no big surprise. The other is a mystery, because it's Paul McGann! Will he make yet another appearance in Who this year, and if so in what capacity? There was that time in "The Night of The Doctor" prequel where we don't see Paul regenerate fully, and then he is asked if it is finished. I figured this was because they made him regenerate into a young John Hurt. What if something happened in between?

UPDATE! Scratch that about Paul Mcgann. There's another image that's similar that has what looks like the same face and they both look like Peter Capaldi to me.

What else? Well, I'll tell you what else. A BBC source, which makes me wary anyway, says that the 12 regeneration limit issue will be faced at Christmas. The claim is that they are counting the meta-crisis regeneration at the beginning of "Journey's End" is a regeneration, and I agree with this if it's true. With John Hurt's regeneration in place that makes Matt the 13th incarnation. (Moffat has already said the Doctor numbering stays the same so no need to get into all that mess.) Certainly he won't find Gallifrey that quickly. My guess is the return of the sisterhood of Karn. 

Then there's one more thing that just came out. Actress Orla Brady (I only know her as Peter's mother on Fringe) has told Digital spy in an interview here that she is in the special as a character from The Doctor's past. What's more is the plot is supposed to revolve around her. Who could this mysterious person be? The names Romana, Jenny and The Rani have been batted about. I would love to see The Rani, but think that would make it a bit villain heavy. Jenny is quite likely in my opinion, given Moffat asked Russell not to kill her off. I do like the Romana angle, now that Gallifrey is back somewhere. In the Big Finish audio plays she is Lord President of Gallifrey, a post I'm sure will come to The Doctor yet again at some point. 

I'm excited but still it's hard to decipher rumor from fact yet, let alone piece together a picture of what will happen, so I'll just leave you with one more piece of the puzzle, the BBC synopsis of the episode:

"Orbiting a quiet, backwater planet, the massed forces of the universe's deadliest species gather, drawn to a mysterious message that echoes out of the stars. And amongst them - The Doctor. Rescuing Clara from a family Christmas dinner, the Time Lord and his best friend must learn what this enigmatic signal means for his own fate and that of the universe."

50th Title Revealed, Christmas Filming & The Doctor Speaks

The BBC have finally announced the title AND length of the 50th special. "The Day of The Doctor" is what it's called. As I said before, I feel it's a stretch for them to call the 75 minutes "feature length." But a 75 minute episode sounds awesome! I'm sure it will be epic, how could they slack off at this point? Jenna Coleman has called it game changing, or something similar. Come on, it's a multi-Doctor story, so it's already ahead of the game.

John Hurt wad some nice things to say about his experience filming the 50th. In an interview with The Guardian, he said, "Of course you have to remember that the Doctors are all one person, so I'm not outside of that. I can't talk about it but I will say I was really impressed when I did it. Both the previous Doctors - Matt Smith and David Tennant - Whoa-whee! They are so quick, and there's a huge amount of learning and no time to learn it in. All that fake scientific nonsense. Terribly difficult to learn." He amusingly went on to mention how he had thought the fans would be loonies, but actually finds them charming.  Just about 73 days left. Man I thought that number would never get under 100. I am just hoping there is going to be some announcement soon about more live screenings of it in theaters other than the one in Leeds they already mentioned.

FILMING HAS BEGUN FOR CHRISTMAS

And as you can see, Matt Smith's final episode will have him sporting a wig. Albeit a good looking wig from the pictures. These are some of the pictures that have come in that I liked. Please go to the Twitter page at the links provided to see many more of their pictures.

@ryantfarr

@DrWhoOnline

And the ones I enjoyed the most came from @ClaraRYCBAR

More Waiting, A Review and Matt's Goodbye Message

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."

A Roundup Of Sorts

It's been a busy time. I finished my monthly article on time and then I got an iPhone, which I've been glued to for over a week. But there is simply no excuse for not having congratulated David Tennant earlier on his Emmy award win. The win came for vocal work on the cartoon "Star Wars The Clone Wars" as Huyang. This doesn't surprise me for David has a very idiosyncratic voice. Congrats, David, on this prestigious honor.




Okay, you already know how I feel about talking about nothing when it comes to the next Doctor. I avoid the speculation because it's an infernal waste of time. So every once in a while, like today. I might bring up the names of the moment, but I'm not going to keep track of it daily. I will probably also avoid posting about what other various people (related AND unrelated to Who) think about the topic, unless it's individually interesting. One other blog even posted a post, longer than some of my reviews, about why they are not talking about it. but I can hardly post after a couple of weeks without at least mentioning it.

The main male name I still see is Dominic Cooper. I recognize his face, but have seen nothing he is in, but I will probably see the Captain America movie. I have no feelings one way or the other because I have nothing to form an opinion about. It makes me laugh because the reports change from day to day. He's interested, he's not interested, he's interested. Ugh, it all really is silly to keep on about until it is announced.

Interestingly, the female name I am now seeing at the top of the list is Sheridan Smith. I will not let our common first name sway me. I know her from Gavin & Stacey, but not from watching it. I think shes quite charming, though, but I'm still one of those that doesn't truly want a female Doctor. An interesting connection here is that Sheridan plays The Doctor's companion Lucie Miller in the Big Finish audio dramas, which are awesome. I haven't listened to any of hers, but if any of you are interested, go to the Doctor Who Big Finish Webpage because these are great productions featuring actors from the show, including the Doctors. If you've never listened to an audio drama, think listening to the tv with your eyes closed, but with dialog to express what is happening and surroundings. Next year they are going to release "The Abandoned" which is the first to be written by a former star of the show. This was penned by former fourth Doctor companion Leela, Louise Jameson.

They announced who will direct the Christmas episode, Matt Smith's last. It will be Jamie Payne, who directed "Hide." Not that I think it will be the same, but I hope you liked "Hide," I sure did, and I know a huge portion of that was the direction. He has also done work on other shows I watched and liked. The Hour, Call the Midwife, Outcasts, and Survivors. With him directing Moffat's words and Matt & Jenna's actions, I am starting to get more excited about that episode.




Another thing happening sounded silly at first but once I looked into it I liked it more. A kickstarter campaign was started, and succeeded, in raising the $33,000 to send a 1 foot scale replica of the TARDIS in the payload of rocket and getting it into low earth orbit. The thing is, it has solar power cells in the windows so the light on top works. Hypothetically, the people in the space station could look out at the right time and see a TARDIS orbiting. It also contains a camera to take shots, like we don't have enough pictures of Earth. The thing that was interesting to me is that if this is successful, they would then like to raise some $300,000 to send up a life sized replica. Just imagine, with the right telescope, on a clear night....

Doctor Who 2014

Look at how young Matt looks in this picture, one of the first taken after announcing he would take over from David Tennant. He doesn't even look like The Doctor yet. Soon we will have another such picture, and we may not have long to wait to find out who will replace Matt Smith as The Doctor. In This Radio Times Interview, they give us hope that we could hear as early as next month. This would fall in line with them beginning the filming of the Christmas special. Keeping Clara's appearance in "The Asylum of the Daleks"  a secret was one thing, but who the next Who is? That would be more difficult. At most we would have to wait until the Fall, when they will start filming season 8. I agree that it's more likely we will find out by the time they start filming for Christmas.


Speaking of season 8, another bit of good news seems to be the word that there will be one entire season, not split, but I am seeing a 12 episode run with the Christmas special following as the finale. That would be something different, which is what Moff said he wanted to do. It would also insinuate that the season would not begin until the Fall, around September if there was no break before the Christmas special. Still, better than those damn split seasons. One full season gives me hope that Clara will be in the entire thing. I like her, and I also love when a companion goes through his regeneration and continues traveling with him. In the Radio Times article, they were also told by a BBC source that Steven Moffat will still be showrunner for season 8. Personally I am happy with this. I love Moff's writing and am generally pleased with the direction the show has taken. I also believe he has assembled a very talented team, who all work to create the show. I know he will leave soon, but thankfully it won't be both he and Matt at the same time, if the source is to be believed. Radio Times are pretty reliable, right?




One last thing here. WOW is everyone talking female Doctor. I don't know how much of it is wanting it to happen or just the fun of speculating on who it could be. I have seen some interesting names, but right now the only one I truly love is Olivia Coleman. She really does have it all. The drama, the humor, the almost alieny look. (adorably so) I've said I would be okay with a female Doctor. Actually, depending on who it was, I would still watch but reserve being okay with it until watching. But for sake of argument, let's say Olivia got it, I would be okay with that, but what I don't want is for them to do it just for the sake of doing it. Just like making him a different race. The racist issue is silly. I believe if they find the right person no matter what race they would choose him/her, as long as (s)he's BRITISH.

Has anyone put out the name of Mark Shepherd? I know he does work on Supernatural, but I would love to see him as The Doctor. I also like the idea of Simon Pegg. I thought when Tennant left that he would be good in the role. Call me crazy but I like Daniel Radcliffe for the role. I don't know how it would work with Sherlock, but Andrew Scott would be great, IMHO. Oh, and speaking of Harry Potter people, what about Matthew Lewis? Really, I could go on and on like so many are doing, but what I really hope deep down is that once again it is a relative unknown.

UPDATE: I am seeing news supporting the 12 episode Fall run with the 13th episode being the Christmas special finale. There are also rumors that Ben Daniels may have already been signed as The Doctor. I reported him yesterday as having the highest odds on SkyBet. I loved him in Law & Order U.K. most recently. I love the idea but am a bit surprised if it is true since it would age The Doctor's appearance.

Who will it be? Off and running.

I can't remember how "plugged in" I was into the information zone when David Tennant announced he was leaving, but after Matt Smith's announement, the NEXT morning I get up and there are rumors and speculations galore. And that's all it really is, speculation, but the speculation does bring up many points about the next Doctor. How old should he be, what race, and what gender? Many wonder whether or not Steven Moffat planted a seed, or was fishing, when he asked the crowd at a convention if they would still watch if The Doctor became female. Sure, like he says, it is in Timelord lore now, but only because HE put it there. (Ok, technically Neil Gaiman, but he could've had a request) I thought it would be fun to look at the names that are floating around, and MAN are there a lot. I find it an odd thing on which to bet.

Now, all of this is totally ignoring the end of "The Name of The Doctor," when John Hurt is introduced as The Doctor. I wonder why I don't see more talking about this. Maybe he's next? I saw a speculation that at least part of season 8 would be like a time war flashback kind of thing, but I don't find that likely, especially with Clara staying. It would be interesting, though.

Some bookmakers immediately topped their lists with a new name and a repeat. Once again Russell Tovey finds himself in the rumor mill as the possible next Doctor. I like Russell, and it wouldn't be the first time The Doctor has appeared in an earlier episode. (Colin Baker as Maxil in "Arc of Infinity") I just don't like him enough to be The Doctor, and think they might go in a different direction. One possibility is that they will find a relative unknown, like almost every other Doctor has been. I like that, and whatever else they choose to do, I hope they still do that.

They could continue with the trend of decreasing the age of The Doctor. One name I'm torn about is Rupert Grint. I've never seen him act outside of Harry Potter, but I think that my hesitance and the pic I used says what I felt about his performance. But on the other hand, he's ginger. One name I'm slightly familiar with is Ben Whishaw. I only saw a little of The Wire, but thought it was good. I could see that I think. High up on one list though is Ben Daniels. It would take The Doctor a little older, but I do like that actor. But will they age him with such a new young audience?

Speaking of aging him, what about if he's a her? I'm not opposed to nor am I very thrilled at this idea. I have to accept it now that it happens to be canon, planted for this very opportunity, I'm sure. The funniest name to me is one I kind of like, and someone who I hear expressed interest before, Dame Helen Mirren. But imagine it's Helen Mirren... as Queen Elizabeth! Romana chose the body of Princess Astra to regenerate into, why not here? Or it's just an accident. The one name I do love if this idea happens is Olivia Coleman. I fell in love with her on Peep Show and am sure she would do a great job. Not an unknown in Britain, however. She's an incredible BAFTA award winning actress. That would be two firsts, I think. Another interesting name out there is Eve Best. Many Americans will know her from Nurse Jackie, but she's so much more than that role. To be honest, they could change the gender or race of The Doctor and I would continue to watch, as long as The Doctor was still British. Well, you know what I mean by that. Take these American actors' names out of the so-called running.

So speaking of changing race, there are some interesting names there, including some who have been in Doctor Who. Like Ashley Walters, who we just saw as the dominant Van Baalen brother in "Journey to the Centre of The TARDIS." I can probably see that. Idris Elba would be very good, but are they going to go younger? I'm not very familiar with Adrian Lester, but he looks a good age. Then I saw Zawe Ashton on one list, who I'm also not familiar with. It would be interesting to change both race and gender.

Various sites have various odds. Right now William Hill has Rupert Grint and Russel Tovey at 10/1, but SkyBet has Ben Daniels at 6/1 and Olivia Coleman at 25/1. There are some ridiculous names on SkyBet. Russell Brand. Zac Efron. Neil Patrick Harris (puhleeze). Also some interesting ones like Simon Pegg, David Walliams, and yes, for real, David Tennant at 33/1. A friend alerted me to this rumor of Tennant coming back. But wait, didn't he leave Who for a Hollywood career?