Doctor Who Vortex: Issue 16

no. 16

SPEARHEAD

IN HD MORE ON

THE BIG

50TH

ALSO: MULTI-DOCTOR DILEMMA, DAVID BRADLEY IS WILLIAM HARTNELL THE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE IN 100 OBJECTS REVIEWED DT IN BROADCHURCH

DWV is a fan made publication by Stephen Henderson (issuu.com/StephenDavidHenderson) and is no way connected to BBC. Doctor Who, The Doctor Who logo, TARDIS, Dalek (Terry Nation), K-9(Bob Baker and Dave Martin) and Cybermen (Kit Pedler & Gerry Davis) are all registered trademarks of the BBC. All photography remains the property of the original owner, generally this is BBC. Text Š Stephen Henderson 2013 except extracts.

DWV is published on issuu.com on a non-regular basis. www.issuu.com/StephenDavidHenderson www.twitter.com/GammaMonkey www.youtube.com/StephenDHenderson

InsIdeThis issue 4: Multi-Doctor Dilemma 6. NEWS: David Bradley cast as William Hartnell 8. Series 7.2: Episode by Episode 10. REVIEW: Doctor Who: A History of the Universe in 100 Years 11. DT News: Broadchurch 12. NEWS: More on the 50th Year 13. NEWS: Colin Baker on Savile NEWS: Jon Pertwee's debut story Spearhead from Space is to be given a HD makeover as it will be released on Blu-Ray (the first classic-era story to be released on Blu-Ray).

This is because, owing to industrial action, it was shot solely on location film and therefore is in the correct format to enable HD upscaling.

Unfortunately, this means that it is unlikely that many other episodes will get a Blu-Ray release.

Also, the Hartnell story The Reign of Terror has been released on DVD for the first time with missing episodes replaced with animation.

Are the Doctor's family reunions a good idea?

It's a...

MULTIDOCTOR DILEMMA

The very first multi-doctor episode was dreamt up by Terrance Dicks and Barry Letts – one of the best writer/producer combinations in Doctor Who history to celebrate 10 years and ,without any videos available, relive our favourite Doctors of old. However, Hartnell was too ill to be able to play a large part in the story so for a large part of this story it is two Doctors playing against each other trading insults with the right amount of wit and action to move the story along. This story gets it spot on – and provides a lovely, if brief, swansong for William Hartnell as he sadly passed away two years later, this was his last performance, his only to be made in colour.

If Three Doctors was so good then Five should be even better. Well, Hartnell's Doctor was now played by an impersonator and Tom Baker was stock footage. The story has too many 'monsters', too many characters and cameos and it all feels like a badly taped together story that seems to be one big in-joke. However, it's not all bad as we see the Troughton/Pertwee 'arguments' continue which would continue into conventions. The two were really good friends all because they appeared in a little show called Doctor Who. Pertwee calling Troughton a 'scarecrow' is a particular favourite, considering Pertwee himself was now known as Worzel Gummidge.

The Two Doctors, Baker and Troughton. The biggest oversight – other than a good storyline- is that The Second Doctor has been possessed for the majority of the story so we rarely get to relive the Troughton era in this story.

However, as always, he steals the show. But the Sontarans look crap.

Time Crash is just perfect. David Tennant's blatant fanboying for his future Father in Law Peter Davison, mixed with Steven Moffat's writing has the right level of in-joke to look forward but also have a good reason for the Doctor being there other than for celebratory reasons. The short running time (10 mins for Children in Need) works in it's favour so it doesn't become bogged down in history and can just be agood little adventure. But it's Tennant's “You were MY Doctor” which rounds the story off leaving us an image of his seven year old self watching Davison on the telly. Brilliant.

So the question remains. Would a multi-doctor episode work for the 50th? Only time will tell – if we get one, that is.

DAVID BRADLEY CAST AS WILLIAM HARTNELL DWV#9

In issue 9, DWV mentioned a striking similarity between David Bradley (whilst previewing his appearance as Solomon in Dinosaurs on a Spaceship) and William Hartnell. Somebody must have been listening because he's been cast as him in Mark Gatiss' new drama 'An adventure in space and time' which plays out the creation of the series. The title is taken from Radio Times' description of that very first episode.

Bradley is better known for his role as Filch in the Harry Potter movies and also voiced the Shansheeth in The Sarah Jane Adventures. He told BBC News that he “almost bit his [Mark Gatiss] hand off.

“Hartnell was one of the finest character actors of our time and as a fan I want to make sure I do him justice. I'm so looking forward to getting started.”

Also starring will be Brian Cox as Sydney Newman, Jessica Raine (from Call The Midwife, who's also set to star in an upcoming episode of Series 7) as Verity Lambert and Sacha Dhawan as director Waris Hussein and Lesley Manville as Mrs Heather Hartnell.

Pic: © RadioTimes Filming got under way on the 3rd Feb at BBC Television Center which could be the last drama made at the iconic location as it is due to be redeveloped.

Exec Producer Caroline Skinner told RT: “As the BBC moves out of TV Center, we are moving the cast of An Adventure in Space and Time in! It's a fantastic opportunity to film this momentous story in the actual location – a little bit of television history”.

Elsewhere in the filming schedule the iconic Westminster Bridge scene from The Dalek Invasion Earth was recreated for the drama.

Pictures: Digital Spy

SERIES 7.2: EPISODE BY EPISODE 706 - Written by Steven Moffat, Directed by Colm McCarthy "A proper urban thriller, starring a man in a frock coat and a bow tie and a quiff from space!"

712 - Written by Neil Gaiman, Directed by Stephen Wolfenden "Gaiman's new spine-chiller. You already know there are Cybermen - what you don't know is there is something else. A Cybersomething else. They are disgusting."

707 - Written by Neil Cross, Directed by Farren Blackburn "Set on an alien planet, an 'epic, overwhelming, boiling red-orange planet. The brief was: 'You know how the Doctor always promises amazing, awesome wonders to his companions, then gets them stuck down a tunnel attacked by mutant slugs. Let's deliver some amazing!'"

713 - Written by Steven Moffat, Directed by Saul Metzstein "One that will thrill you a bit, and worry you know more. Yes, I think you'll be just a tiny bit worried where we are going with this one. I'd say more, but then you'd be less worries and frankly, whats the point in that? Vastra, Jenny and Strax return."

708 - Written by Mark Gatiss, Directed by Douglas Mackinnon "Mark Gatiss is about to explode fanboy hearts. This is a cracker of an episode, in the grand tradition."

709 - Written by Neil Cross, Directed by Jamie Payne "Spooky and clever and even a bit romantic."

710 - Written by Stephen Thompson, Directed by Mat King "Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS! Will do what it says on the tin." This episode was designed to show more of the TARDIS, The Invasion of time style (but not shit).

711 - Written by Mark Gatiss, Directed by Saul Metzstein "A title to die for. Tread carefully, there are some dreadful things in there!"

There will be no two-parters. Steven Moffat, at BFI's screening of Asylum of the Daleks said: "Does it actually save us any money, and the answer is no. And it's better to have a first night than a second night. My little boys always get cross when its a two-parter... I haven't got a rule against it, what I said was if we are working on a script and it suddenly becomes clear in needs to be a two-parter, that's where a two-parter comes from. Not from saying we will allocate two episodes. We want bigmovie sized ideas. Brand new every single week."

DOCTOR WHO: A HISTORY OF THE UNIIVERSE IN 100 OBJECTS BOOK Doctor Who: A History of the Universe in 100 Objects by James Goss and Steve Tribe is a count-up of 100 objects related to the DW universe. Just what it says on the cover. Each contains a description of that object (object is not restricted to inanimate objects) with back story and even some behind the scenes info, for example “How to build a Sandminder Robot ” (Tin foil, Marigold gloves and a quilted fleece) and the real story of why UNIT had to change their name because of the United Nations taking umbridge.

#

#079

#036

There also lists of informations such as “Uses for a sonic screwdriver” and “Uses for the Doctor's scarf”. Each item is accompanied with a brilliant (what I suspect to be specially commissioned) artwork showing us for example the skeleton of a Yeti and the workings of a Sandminer Robot.

#021

#043

Some of the objects are a little off-the-wall – such as #034, a sink plunger #002, Tegan's lipstick, #008, Adric's badge for Mathematical Excellence and #043, TOP SECRET (It's UNIT though) but others were absolute musts such as #052, The TARDIS and #067 ,The Sonic Screwdriver.

#052

But the best thing about this book is on the back page – It's listed as NON-FICTION. The Doctor is real! I knew it! (Still Available from all good retailers - rrp £20)

#008

#034 #067

#023

#003

#002

#010

#037

BROADCHURCH

David Tennant is to star alongside Arthur Darvill and Olivia Colman in an 8-part police drama “Broadchurch” on ITV, beginning in March.

Euros Lyn (Director of many Doctor Who episodes including The End of Time) will be directing some of the episodes which were filmed in Dorset's coastal villages.

Images © ITV

MORE ON THE 50TH YEAR First up, there has been no mention or confirmation of the 2013 Christmas special and its seems unlikely to happen as the 50th Anniversary episode is being filmed in the Christmas slot.

The director of the first episode, Waris Hussein has been speaking about the 50th to RT: “I can't belive it. To think that in 1963 Verity Lambert and I sat in an empty office at TV Center and said 'Whatever are we going to do with this!' And now 50 Speaking to Radio Times on the special years later... I only wish she were here to episode, Steven Moffat said: “I'm mostly to enjoy it.” excited, a little bit nervous, and aware I'm not trying to let people down.”

There will also be documentaries on BBC 3 (Confidential is BACK! - I made that bit th The 50 Anniversary episode will be in up but they probably will fly under the 3D. DWC name), a Culture Show special on BBC 2 and Radio 4's The Reunion with The BFI's monthly screenings will show Sue MacGregor. the Third Doctor Story 'The Mind of Evil' IN COLOUR! It was filmed that way but Also DWV are making a massive “The Big the laws of time – and the BBC's junking 50th ” issue – which I've already started policy – meant that until now it only making, that's how big it is going to be. survived in monochrome but using a The cover alone is going to take ages. number of techniques it has been brought back to life. Katy Manning (Jo Neil Gaiman's Cybermen story is to star Grant) will be there. There will be more Tamzin Outwaite and Warwick Davis. updates on BFI's Doctor Who at 50 Season at www.radiotimes.com/topic/DWBFI

Easter Saturday, 30 March 2013. Get that date in your diary. That's when the next episodes, the rest of Series 7, are on when we meet Clara for the first time, again.

RTD has been © BBC speaking to What's On Tv about whether he would return to Doctor Who for the 50th: “I think I'd be like the ghost at the feast. What would I do – turn up and make the tea? I have asked Steven Moffat not to tell me what they are planning ”.

COLIN BAKER ON SAVILE Colin Baker has spoken to the Daily Mail about his brief experience of working with that man in the 80s. While no allegations have been made about 'A Fix with Sontarans' in which Gareth Jenkins got to meet the Doctor, Baker said he found him “cold” and that he “didn't warm to him”. “His demeanour was neither friendly, nor inclusive.

He behaved much as one might expect a child to behave who had been indulged and let to believe that life revolved around them. There was certainly none of the professional respect that one would expect... Even though we were on the TARDIS set, it was very much his territory and his agenda. His eyes were cold and his demeanour patronising. I recall clearly the disappointment I felt for the young boy for whom I suspect the whole experience was daunting and overwhelming. At least it was I who got to put the Jim'll Fix It medallion around his neck. There is of course a huge difference between finding someone creepy and suspecting them of being a sexual predator. I only hope that the BBC's failure does not tarnish... an organisation that has rightly been regarded as a bastion for honest and honourable broadcasting for decades.”

Colin Baker on screen with Janet Fielding as Tegan, Gather Jenkins and Savile with face obscured.Because who wants to look at that face now?

Quotes © Daily Mail 2012 Images from YouTube, © BBC