Doctor Who

[Feena]

How cool is this!!

Originally posted on Outpost Gallifrey

If you're a Doctor Who fan, Pride London presents a problem- how to catch the finale when you're likely to be rolling 'round the gutter wrapped in a rainbow flag, singing 'I Will Suvive'.

The Pride London team and the Doctor Who producers have solved this dilemma by announcing that the last gripping episode in the current series will be shown on the big daylight screen in Trafalgar Square at 7.10pm on Pride Day, Saturday 30 June.

“We are particularly proud of this spectacular and defiantly not- to -be -missed episode,” said producer Phil Collinson today.

“Both Russell T Davies and I think its a brilliant idea to ensure that Pride festival goers can see the programme right in the heart of London, in Trafalgar Square on Pride Day.”

The Episode, entitled “Last of The Time Lords,” will be discussed by Doctor Who and Torchwood actor and West End Star, John Barrowman earlier during the day. John’s character, Captain Jack Harkness, appears in the final three episodes of the current series. Freema Agyeman, Doctor Who’s current companion Martha Jones, will also be attending.

“We hit on the idea of screening Doctor Who at the end of our main stage show in response to demand” said Pride Chief Executive Jason Pollock.

“Doctor Who is probably the most gay friendly show on our screens and many people were anxious not to miss the last programme – now everyone can celebrate Pride and Doctor Who at the same time!”

The Pride London Main Stage is hosted by Graham Norton, John Barrowman, Amy Lamé, Gaydar Radio’s Jamie Crick and Lucio from Capital Radio. Confirmed artists include Darren Hayes, Unklejam, The Axe Girls, Kelly and the Kelly Girls and many more. From London’s West End the show will also feature extracts from ‘Wicked’ and Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Joseph'. Also appearing are leading politicians and LGBT activist speakers from around the world.

The programme starts at 3.00 in Trafalgar Square following the Pride Parade from Oxford Street and finishes with the Doctor Who screening at 7.10. The bars will remain open throughout the day.

[erith]

I would love to have seen The Last of the Time Lords in Trafalgar Square. We've been going to London Pride for years but this year we just can't afford it. What makes it even worse is that we had our honeymoon in London two months ago. So close.

[Feena]

The BBC Press Office have posted up their synopsis for the Finale.

When I say it's spoilery - I mean it's SPOILERY!!!!

Spoiler:

Earth has been conquered and the Master rules supreme, with the Doctor a helpless prisoner, in the final episode of Russell T Davies's Doctor Who.The entire human race has been reduced to slavery, as the mighty warships of a new Time Lord Empire rise from the ashes. Only Martha Jones can save the world...

David Tennant plays the Doctor and Freema Agyeman plays his companion, Martha Jones. John Barrowman and John Simm guest star.

[BBOvenGuy]

Hmmm... it sounds like...

Spoiler:

The Master figured out how to change the time stream and bring the Time Lords back as a warrior race. Which means, of course, that the Doctor will have to destroy them all over again.

What I'd still like to know is how the Master managed to get out of the predicament he was left in at the end of the TV movie. Do you suppose they'll explain that, or just let it go?

[Feena]

I would think they will have to mention it. I guess the obvious time for him to get out was when Rose looked into the heart of the TARDIS.

Here's an interview with a typically hyper John Barrowman. The only spoiler is about Mr Saxon.

[...]

“It’s weird being back on the show,” Barrowman says, not looking remotely fazed. “It’s a completely different Doctor and assistant to last time. Jack’s looking at the Doctor going, ‘Oooh, this Doctor is funny and quirky and sexy. The other one was like a U-boat captain – a bit dull.’ So there’s an edge there that wasn’t there before. And there’s a lot of stuff resolved in this series for Jack. There’s this whole thing of where Jack comes from, what his story is, and when I read it, I rang Russell and said, ‘I don’t know what you’ve been smoking, but that is brilliant!’ God, I wish I could tell you what happens!”

For reasons too complicated to explain, I do actually – despite all the BBC’s admirable, warlike levels of secrecy – know what will happen in the season finale of Doctor Who. “You do?” Barrowman yelps. “Ohmy-God, isn’t it AMAAAAAAZING?”

Barrowman is semi-incoherent with enthusiasm. We bounce up and down on the sofa, screaming, and then do a high-five.

“But I am a fan,” Barrowman says, when he’s stopped bouncing with joy. “Like any British subject, I used to watch the show as a kid, hiding behind the sofa. And when we moved to America when I was 8, I watched it on PBS on Sunday night, consequently failed every spelling test on a Monday morning. This is why I’m such a s*** speller. It’s all down to Doctor Who.”

He beams again, and then slaps the table with his hand. “I’m a man with a little boy inside him, who’s living his dream!”

Later on he mentions that he once auditioned for the role of James Bond, and was told to come back in ten years’ time.

“That was five years ago, but before I came out,” he explains. “An American audience might just about stomach a blond Bond [Daniel Craig] but not a gay Bond. But you know what? Russell T. Davies has written a complete action hero that’s iconic, and kids love him, and mums, and dads, and gay men and women. And I’m completely content.”

[erith]

There’s this whole thing of where Jack comes from, what his story is, and when I read it, I rang Russell and said, ‘I don’t know what you’ve been smoking, but that is brilliant!’ God, I wish I could tell you what happens!”

Does that include his missing two years? Sorry if that was in your spoiler, Feena, but I'm trying to avoid any major spoilers for as long as I can.

[Feena]

There’s this whole thing of where Jack comes from, what his story is, and when I read it, I rang Russell and said, ‘I don’t know what you’ve been smoking, but that is brilliant!’ God, I wish I could tell you what happens!”

Does that include his missing two years? Sorry if that was in your spoiler, Feena, but I'm trying to avoid any major spoilers for as long as I can.

Definately don't read that one then!! It doesn't mention Jack, it's about big stuff in the Finale (along the lines of "there are Daleks v Cybermen!!" from last year).

I get the feeling from other things I've read that it may well explain some of his missing memory, if not all of it. I think Jack in Torchwood might be a happier character once he knows more about his past.

[erith]

I get the feeling from other things I've read that it may well explain some of his missing memory, if not all of it.

I hope so. RTD had said that he would be leaving the explanation of Jack's missing years to Steven Moffat, Jack's creator, but hopefully he changed his mind.

I think Jack in Torchwood might be a happier character once he knows more about his past.

That's what I'm looking forward to in the second series of Torchwood. A happier Jack is going to change the show quite a bit I suspect.

[Feena]

Jack's back!!!

Proper Doctor Who Jack - funny, flirty, clever, brave.

And what an ending!!!!!!!

[SithLordWiccan]

And what an ending!!!!!!!

Yeah, about that ending...anyone got a clip of it?

[Feena]

Yeah, about that ending...anyone got a clip of it?

If you only want the ending watch Parts 5 and 6

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

[BBOvenGuy]

I like John Simm's Master - or at least the thirty seconds of him we got to see. He's lively! The Master has always seemed so stuffy and pompous to me in the past, so it was a nice change.

Of course, over on Outpost Gallifrey, there are people saying his version of the Master is a complete disaster, the worst ever, etc. - again based on about thirty seconds of footage. Which is fairly typical - that's why I don't go over there very often.

Oh, and how did you like John Barrowman in the opening titles?

[SithLordWiccan]

Of course, over on Outpost Gallifrey, there are people saying his version of the Master is a complete disaster, the worst ever, etc. - again based on about thirty seconds of footage. Which is fairly typical - that's why I don't go over there very often.

I suppose these are the same kinds of people who bitched and pissed over the fact that the new Transformers designs aren't "G1" enough, and thus because of that the new movie is going to be shit.

I hate those kinds of people.

[erith]

I like John Simm's Master - or at least the thirty seconds of him we got to see. He's lively! The Master has always seemed so stuffy and pompous to me in the past, so it was a nice change.

I wonder if they're going to explain how the Master ended up there and since the Master has now had more than his alotted number of regenerations does this mean the same for the Doctor?

Of course, over on Outpost Gallifrey, there are people saying his version of the Master is a complete disaster, the worst ever, etc. - again based on about thirty seconds of footage. Which is fairly typical - that's why I don't go over there very often.

Yes it's typical of some fans. They don't like change. Some people have been saying that they heard Roger Delgado's voice and possibly Anthony Ainley's chuckle but I completely missed it.

Oh, and how did you like John Barrowman in the opening titles?

I loved it. Reminded me of Amber's name in the credits of her last episode of Buffy, but for much better reasons of course, and it's an answer to the people who don't think Jack was a proper companion.

[BBOvenGuy]

I wonder if they're going to explain how the Master ended up there and since the Master has now had more than his alotted number of regenerations does this mean the same for the Doctor?

I think it could go either way. Like any good show-runner, Russell T. Davies assumes that a certain number of people in the audience will be new to Doctor Who, and thus won't have heard of the Master before. We can therefore expect either Jack or Martha to say, "Doctor, who was that guy?" and the Doctor to provide a quick explanation of the Master's back story. But I don't know how much they'll delve into the whole regeneration issue. It's been the Master's primary motivation since the Tom Baker days, so on the one hand I'd expect them to say something, but on the other hand, the Master has a habit of getting out of predicaments with no explanation, so they might just leave it.

We'll know if a few more days.

[SithLordWiccan]

the Master has a habit of getting out of predicaments with no explanation

Yeah, but how can they possibly explain his escape from the Eye of Harmony? Then again, considering it came from the TV movie, a work that, despite being as much a part of Doctor Who canon as some of the poorest work the old series ever did, is basically ignored by the majority of the fandom (especially those in the US, who most likely have never seen the damn thing since it was first broadcast a decade ago, or even at all, if the ratings were anything to go by), they may not feel the need.

[BBOvenGuy]

how can they possibly explain his escape from the Eye of Harmony?

Well, Paul Cornell did that already in "Scream of the Shalka," when the Master (played by Derek Jacobi) was stuck in the body of an android that couldn't leave the Doctor's TARDIS. Presumably, the Doctor got him out and put him there. The TV series could do something similar - say that the Master was released in order to help fight the Time War, but he ran away instead, or something like that.

People on Outpost Gallifrey are also floating the idea that Rose accidentally let him out when she looked into the TARDIS in "Parting of the Ways."

So it can be done.

[SithLordWiccan]

Well, Paul Cornell did that already in "Scream of the Shalka," when the Master (played by Derek Jacobi) was stuck in the body of an android that couldn't leave the Doctor's TARDIS. Presumably, the Doctor got him out and put him there. The TV series could do something similar - say that the Master was released in order to help fight the Time War, but he ran away instead, or something like that.

People on Outpost Gallifrey are also floating the idea that Rose accidentally let him out when she looked into the TARDIS in "Parting of the Ways."

So it can be done.

Yeah, I know it can be done. But both of those explanations, especially that last one, are a little too obvious for my liking. And especially the idea that he escaped during Rose's "dues-ex-machina" moment. That would just be wrong on so many levels.

[BBOvenGuy]

If they do an explanation at all, it'll have to be something simple that is fairly faithful to Time Lord history without requiring extensive knowledge of that history. Something along the lines of the Doctor saying, "He was sucked into my TARDIS, but the Time Lords got him out and gave him a new set of lives so he could fight in the Time War. I never found out what happened to him." That would fit the bill.

Or alternately, in light of what the BBC's promo department has spoiled about the finale:

Spoiler:

If there's a "new Time Lord Empire" with "mighty warships," then perhaps the Master made a deal with someone. He got a new set of lives from a group of Time Lords who hid out in the Void or some similar place, and the deal was that he brought them out of the Void when the Time War was over.

That's one way I could do it, anyway.

[Feena]

Lizo has posted a review on the BBC Newsround site

After the incredible revelation and cliff-hanger at the end of Utopia, fans will be desperate to know what happens next.

The Doctor, Martha and Captain Jack manage to escape back to earth (no surprises there) and are soon on the track of The Master. But to their horror he's become one of the most powerful people in the country. And he's not alone, he's working with a mysterious race of aliens called The Toclafane who say they come in peace. But The Doctor has his doubts. And he suspects that the whole earth is heading for disaster.

This episode is powered along by a brilliant performance from John Simm as The Master. He's a fantastic villain because he's like The Doctor in so many ways - he's hyper-intelligent, and bounds around the screen with just as much energy as his Time Lord rival.

And what makes him so scary as an enemy is that he's the first person we've met who you can really imagine being able to defeat The Doctor, because he's easily the Time Lord's equal.

The story provides lots of answers that have come up throughout the series - how The Master ended up trillions of years in the future, the origins of Mr Saxon, even what The Doctor's home planet actually looks like. But it also ends up asking even more questions - what does the mysterious drumming mean, and what's The Master really up to?

All of this means it feels rather less exciting than Utopia, it's because it's setting up things for the climax in the last episode of the series. But there's still more than enough going on to keep fans happy, with the tension really increasing as the story unfolds.

It's not all wall-to-wall action though, there's lots of humour. Much of it provided by The Master who's having a wonderful time being an evil super villain. Along with some great celebrity cameos.

What The Sound of Drums does beautifully is to draw together so many unexpected threads from earlier in the series. And it shows how cleverly chief writer Russell T. Davies has woven together the different strands to reward viewers who've followed the series faithfully.

Also one of the best things about the last 12 episodes has been watching Martha developing from a wide eyed newcomer to the wonders of time and space, into a worthy companion for The Doctor. And we truly get to appreciate this change as she's forced to make some difficult choices.

To keep what happens secret, hardly anyone will be allowed to see the final story - Episode 13 Last of the Time Lords - before it appears on TV. So it looks like this will be the last review of Doctor Who Series 3. But if this episode is anything to go by, the climax of the series will be well worth the wait.

Four and a half out of five.

[erith]

If they do an explanation at all, it'll have to be something simple that is fairly faithful to Time Lord history without requiring extensive knowledge of that history. Something along the lines of the Doctor saying, "He was sucked into my TARDIS, but the Time Lords got him out and gave him a new set of lives so he could fight in the Time War. I never found out what happened to him." That would fit the bill.

I imagine it'll be something like that. Someone on OG who has seen the episode said that it's dealt with in one line.

[BBOvenGuy]

Someone on OG who has seen the episode said that it's dealt with in one line.

Realistically speaking, that's about all the time there is for it. I know there are plenty of die-hard fans who could sit through an episode-long panel discussion on the subject, but the average viewer isn't going to sit still for more than a line or two.

I'm just glad we're getting any explanation at all.

[WebWarlock]

HOLY CRAP DUDE!

I just watched Utopia. My gods that was great and the next two are supposed to be even better??? Wow.

Derek Jacobi was born to play the Master, it is too bad he had so little time of it. But seriously, no one can beat out Anthony Ainley. Yes Roger Delgado fans I am looking at you too.

This is going to be good.

Tim

[Feena]

Martha drives like me!!

Freema Ageyman.com

Less than 7 hours to go!!!

Derek Jacobi was born to play the Master, it is too bad he had so little time of it. But seriously, no one can beat out Anthony Ainley. Yes Roger Delgado fans I am looking at you too.

I loved that you heard previous Masters from the watch. There was Ainley's laugh and Delgado's voice (apparently from The Daemons).

I'm so looking forward to seeing John Simm tonight, and how he interacts with Ten.

Oh and....it's only just over 2 hours to go now!!!!!!!!!!!

eta

Okay, I'm that hyped I messed up the 24-hour clock thingy In real money it's 4:34 pm so now it really is just over 2 hours to go!

[WebWarlock]

I loved that you heard previous Masters from the watch.

I THOUGHT that is what I heard!!! Going into total fan-boy geek mode now. But I allways thought the Master was the best villian ever. Maybe only Scorpius from Farscape comes close.

So geeked out right now. I always watch Doctor Who on Sunday, so for me it won't be till tomorrow night.

Tim

[Feena]

I'll make sure my Squeeing is spoiler-free

30 mins to go!!!!

[Feena]

That was great

I really liked John Simm. His Master was completely mad but there was a range of madness there. Sometimes he was completely manic, and sometimes just quietly insane. Not a moustache-twirling panto villain. Occasionally I think Ainley's Master was written like that, even though I know he wanted to be more subtle at times.

There was Timelord Phone Sex!!
And we see Gallifrey!!!

[werewolf123]

Every seen a movie called the Abominable Dr. Phibes? I have a feeling there is a connection here, maybe only in the goals of Phibes and the Master.

[Feena]

I haven't seen it but I Wiki-ed it and it looks like a classic B-Movie. Anything with Vincent Price in it has to be brilliant!!

[BBOvenGuy]

There was Timelord Phone Sex!!

"Are you asking me out on a date?"

Hey, if the Doctor can have silly, irreverant incarnations, then the Master certainly can as well.

A really fun episode, setting up for what should be a great finale.

And they worked in an explanation for how the Master got out of the Eye of Harmony and got new regenerations, too. It was pretty much what I thought, only they did it much cleaner than anything I would have come up with.