Doctor Who

[Sheridan]

Stephen Fry writing for Doctor Who! Could we ever have imagined that Doctor Who would attract writers like Stephen Fry and Russell T Davies?

It has been refreshing to see the BBC willing to make Doctor Who a flagship project, and the effort has been repaid in the shows ability to attract heavyweight talent to work on it. It was a big risk on the part of the BBC bosses in the first place just from the money point of view, though I supect they will make that back with the merchandising in the long term, which of course they couldn't know in advance.

[BBOvenGuy]

I'd finally gotten used to the leather jacket, but I must say it's nice to see that the Tenth Doctor has a more traditional Doctor-ish fashion sense.

I'm really looking forward to the return of Sarah Jane Smith. You may recall that I had her meet Willow and Tara in my fic, "The Sisters of Paradox."

[aceivan]

I'm really looking forward to the return of Sarah Jane Smith. You may recall that I had her meet Willow and Tara in my fic, "The Sisters of Paradox."

Is 'The Sisters of Paradox' in Pens? I can't find it.

Does anyone read the Doctor Who books? I stopped reading them a few years ago but I'd like to get back into them, beginning with The Gallifrey Chronicles, but I was wondering if there's too much backstory to make sense of TGC. Which books would I *need* to read for TGC to make sense? The last Eighth Doctor book I read was The Banquo Legacy.

Len

[Feena]

I used to read them when I was little, about 10 - that was 25 years ago arghh! They were all novelised versions of episodes, I remember the Zarbi one, they were really quick to read.

I've never read any of the modern ones, any of the new stories not based on actual episodes. I'd like to know which ones to get too, it would be interesting to see how the tales have changed.

[aceivan]

I read the old Target books too, including the Zarbi. Those were the days when the only way to 'rewatch' a TV programme was to read the book. Not that I'm not old enough to remember William Hartnell! Jon Pertwee was my first Doctor.

The Virgin and BBC books were more adult than the TV series, but the BBC seem to be winding them down. The Eighth Doctor books have already ended and the Past Doctor books will be ending soon.

The BBC are releasing a new range of books now and it looks like they're only going to be publishing books with the present Doctor, possibly aimed more at children or teenagers.

Len

[BBOvenGuy]

Is 'The Sisters of Paradox' in Pens? I can't find it.

I wrote "Sisters of Paradox" before there was a Pens. Pretty much before there was a Kitten Board, actually. It premiered at the old "Buffy Cross & Stake." About the only place where you can still find it online these days is here.

Does anyone read the Doctor Who books? I stopped reading them a few years ago but I'd like to get back into them, beginning with The Gallifrey Chronicles, but I was wondering if there's too much backstory to make sense of TGC. Which books would I *need* to read for TGC to make sense? The last Eighth Doctor book I read was The Banquo Legacy.

I read a post somewhere by Lance Parkin in which he said he'd tried to write The Gallifrey Chronicles in a way that was accessible to people who hadn't been following the book series. How well he accomplished that is a matter of some debate, and I haven't read it yet so I can't say for myself.

[aceivan]

Thanks. Hopefully it'll make sense. There are some very cheap older Doctor Who books on Amazon UK so I think I'll buy a few and I'll try the first of the Ninth Doctor books.

Len

[WebWarlock]

I am enjoying the new Doctor Who so much that I am working on a new game for it.

Actually, what I would really love is for people to contribute to it as well.
You don't have to know anything about the game, just know your Doctor Who.

The Doctor Who Unisystem Project
Go to http://drwhouni.pbwiki.com/
password is daleks

Contribute, write, add anything, as long as it is Who related!

Bob: You know I LOVE Daughters of Paradox. What would you think of making it into an adventure for the game (like my Dragon and the Phoenix ones here on the Kitten)?

Warlock

[Feena]

I'd love to help, I'll stick some bits in

[BBOvenGuy]

Bob: You know I LOVE Daughters of Paradox. What would you think of making it into an adventure for the game (like my Dragon and the Phoenix ones here on the Kitten)?

Actually, it's Sisters of Paradox, but funny you should make that slip. About a year and a half ago, I wrote an outline for a sequel called "The Daughter of Paradox," in which a post-Season 7 Willow contacts Faction Paradox again, goes back in time and pretty much retcons the entire UPN run of the series.

Alas, I don't have time to write that out, or to work on a game scenario. It's all I can do to keep my next book project going. :(

[WebWarlock]

Ooops!

Sorry Bob, I have had a lot of "Daughters of..." on my mind lately (Daughters of Isis, Daughters of Lilith, Daughters of the Flame....)

Any way the Daughters of Paradox does sound like an interesting tale. Anything that retcons the UPN years is gold in my book.

Back on track.

Feena! Thanks so much for the additions, feel free to add more.

I did not hear that Sarah Jane was going to be on the new Who! That is so cool, she was one of my top five favorite companions, along with Romana, Ace, Leela and Teagan. Though I have to admit I like Rose and Captain Jack a lot as well.

Warlock

[Scarecrow]

I'm currently re-watching The Face of Evil and it's so impressive just how spunky Leela is. She's got guts and you believe her character so much, an outcast from her tribe because she questions their ways. She may be a savage but she has so much untapped potential which ehr time with The Doctor allows her to access.

Her questioning nature helps the Doctor at least twice in the story, including how to get through the wall. Plus she's nifty with a knife and deadly with a Janus Thorn!

By the way, whoever mentioned the books. Not worth starting with The gallifrey Chronicles, its the last of the 8th Doc series finishing off years of stories and after a few more ooks the range is ending for the time being. Instead theres a the brilliant hard back 9th Doctor Books. These are fantastic as they ditch years of bad pseudo-adult nonsense that blighted the other ranges and get back to telling exciting stories that all ages can enjoy! The books correct order our "The Clockwise Man", "The Monsters Inside" and "Winner Takes All".

- Scarecrow

[aceivan]

Not worth starting with The gallifrey Chronicles, its the last of the 8th Doc series finishing off years of stories and after a few more ooks the range is ending for the time being. Instead theres a the brilliant hard back 9th Doctor Books. These are fantastic as they ditch years of bad pseudo-adult nonsense that blighted the other ranges and get back to telling exciting stories that all ages can enjoy!

I've read about half of the Virgin and BBC books and really enjoyed most of them but I've decided to wait and read the rest of the 8th Doctor books in order. It seems strange to stop publishing books that the fans still want to buy.

I'm going to start reading the first of the 9th Doctor books today but I've heard very different opinions about them, from people like yourself who like them to others who think they've been dumbed down and that they talk down to children.

If they've become 'children's books that adults can enjoy' then I might not bother with the rest and stick to the older novels.

Len

[BBOvenGuy]

I did not hear that Sarah Jane was going to be on the new Who! That is so cool, she was one of my top five favorite companions

According to Outpost Gallifrey, she'll be in the third episode, along with Anthony Stewart Head. The episode description is:

The Doctor is reunited with old friend Sarah Jane Smith at a mysterious school

ASH plays the headmaster.

[aceivan]

There's a really good interview with John Barrowman in The Herald to-day. He talks about coming out, gay marriage and (a little) about Doctor Who.

http://www.theherald.co.uk/features/44766.html

ASH plays the headmaster.

Hopefully not the tweedy english stereotype this time.

I'm currently re-watching The Face of Evil and it's so impressive just how spunky Leela is. She's got guts and you believe her character so much, an outcast from her tribe because she questions their ways. She may be a savage but she has so much untapped potential which ehr time with The Doctor allows her to access.

I always prefered the stronger female companions like Ace , Leela and the second Romana. I could never understand why the screamers wanted to be in the TARDIS.

Len

[aceivan]

I liked this from the Russell T Davies interview in the latest Doctor Who Magazine:

When it's time for Rose to leave, would you kill her off?

"I wouldn't actually. What would be the point? And no, I'm not bluffing! I think there's something very savage and mad..."

Len

[Sheridan]

When it's time for Rose to leave, would you kill her off?

"I wouldn't actually. What would be the point? And no, I'm not bluffing! I think there's something very savage and mad..."

Ah, there you see the difference between a professional who understands the need to keep the audience happy and the spoiled child who sulks if you don't like his 'cool ideas'.

[aceivan]

K9 is going to be joining Sarah Jane Smith next season.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4179702.stm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2005/08/24/23274.shtml

"I am delighted to have been invited back on board the series - and a little gathered rust is no object to a fully functional K9!" said John Leeson, the original voice of the robot dog.

Producer, Phil Collinson adds: "It is great to be welcoming K9 back to Doctor Who. A whole generation fondly remember him as an ever faithful companion and best friend to Tom Baker's Doctor. I hope the new generation of viewers will fall in love with him in the same way. I'm sure he's going to prove an invaluable help to the Doctor in the fight against intergalactic evil."

Elisabeth Sladen, who'll be making her first TV appearance as Sarah Jane since 1983, is also delighted to be returning to the TARDIS. "I am so thrilled to be back and I feel so empowered by the affection that [the whole team] have for Sarah Jane Smith and for the programme.

"Toby Whithouse's script is wonderful - it's an absolutely truthful progression of Sarah. I just hope I can live up to their expectation, and I hope I can still run as fast after 30 years!"

I can't wait to see it.

Len

[Feena]

Me too

I think the kids will love him - great for the merchandise!

[aceivan]

There may be a secret message from RTD in the latest Doctor Who Magazine.

http://www.gallifreyone.com/news.php

Finally... a curiosity. Many fans have noticed that, in this month's issue of Doctor Who Magazine, Russell T. Davies may have put a code in his Production Notes column. The information says, if you put together the first letter of every paragraph, it spells 'Tim is gay'. We have no idea what that refers to, if anything, though stranger things have happened...

Len

[Sheridan]

I wonder if they are going to give K-9 some of the same upgrades as the Daleks, its not beyond the realms of possibility to have a hovering K-9 is it?

[Feena]

In the picture of him (aceivan's 2nd link) he looks nice and rusty but I reckon they will have done something to make him move about better.

That was one of the problems with the old one. And if he could hover they could all have conversations standing up instead of everyone having to kneel on the floor to talk to him

[aceivan]

On the Sarah Jane Smith audios I think she stuck him in the attic when he broke down and couldn't be repaired. The Doctor might give a rusty and broken down K9 a refit.

Len

[Sheridan]

Having looked at the picture they almost have to give him a refit, especially in case any of those upgraded Daleks survive...

[aceivan]

According to an interview with Bryan Hitch in Dreamwatch the basic design of K9 hasn't changed but it may have been tweaked a little so a hovering K9 doesn't seem to be out of the question.

http://www.gallifreyone.com/news.php

They just updated the Outpost Gallifrey news section. Chris Eccleston won Best Actor at the TV Quick Awards yesterday.

Len

[aceivan]

This link was given by someone on a Doctor Who group I subscribe to.

http://www.mr-s-leather.com/cgi-bin/mr-s/D130.html

But beware, it's definitely not for the faint-hearted.

Len

[aceivan]

The latest DW Magazine has a very nice Billie cover:

http://www.gallifreyone.com/picview.php?ret=news&sub=covers&id=dwm362.jpg

Edited to add huge spoiler/wild rumour from a Doctor Who group:

Spoiler:

BRMB radio in the West Midlands ended ther 7 a.m. news with: "Doctor Who just gets better and better as the Daleks are to take on the Cybermen in a blockbusting showdown between the Doctor's two classic enemies....! "

I hope it's true but I won't be holding my breath.

Len

[WebWarlock]

They are calling it a "Spinoff" but it looks like it might be it's own thing.

New Series from New Who Creator. Starring Captain Jack!
http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article320110.ece

Warlock

[BBOvenGuy]

New Series from New Who Creator. Starring Captain Jack!
http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article320110.ece

I knew there wasn't a reason Captain Jack wasn't coming back to Doctor Who. Now we know.

Russell Davies has been saying the word "Torchwood" would appear in Doctor Who Season 2 in the same way that "Bad Wolf" appeared in Season 1, so my guess is there will be at least one episode that sets up the spinoff.

[WebWarlock]

Here is some more news.

http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire2005/index.php?id=32875

Sounds neat really.

Warlock