The Dr Who thread

[Little stoned kiwi]

Plus, of course, the Doctor has died numerous times as well.

It's just that, for a time-travelling regenerating Gallifreyan, death is not quite the permanent thing, as it is for everyone else.

Being in limited supply, each death used to be a big thing as well. Not any more though as he has (regeneration) energy to burn (Daleks with). The only suspense left comes from geeks trying to anticipate the next actor, losing a life has become a happy event.

[Harlequin]

I know, I just couldn't resist... And it was a shock to me at the time, watching it on first broadcast. I think after Dr. Ben from "Star Fleet", one of the first times I realised that important characters could die in SPACE! (because, if it wasn't SPACE! I wasn't interested. ).

Oh, I think it was quite deliberately shocking, although afterward he barely seemed to be mourned more than Katarina or Sara Kingdom, who were companions for less than a full story each. Of course, from the Doctor's perspective, everyone could be thought of as both alive and dead.

Did you not watch Blake's 7, though?

Plus, of course, the Doctor has died numerous times as well.

It's just that, for a time-travelling regenerating Gallifreyan, death is not quite the permanent thing, as it is for everyone else.

Being in limited supply, each death used to be a big thing as well. Not any more though as he has (regeneration) energy to burn (Daleks with). The only suspense left comes from geeks trying to anticipate the next actor, losing a life has become a happy event.

Being granted a new cycle suggests that his regeneration energy is still limited. Indeed, his secondary use of it might mean his final incarnation could occur earlier than would be expected (although this will naturally be averted again, simply because of the nature of the telly series). Not knowing how many regenerations the Doctor had left never spoiled the Pertwee or earlier Tom Baker years for me. Neither did knowing that later incarnations had plenty more regenerations to go.

[pogo]

Some optimism as it’s not on CBBC but BBC 3, so hopefully it’s more Buffy than SJA.

BBC Three announces Doctor Who Spin Off

BBC Three today announces Class - a new 8 x 45 minute Doctor Who spin off from the acclaimed YA author, Patrick Ness. Class is a YA series set in contemporary London. Incredible dangers are breaking through the walls of time and space, and with darkness coming, London is unprotected. With all the action, heart and adrenalin of the best YA fiction (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Hunger Games), this is Coal Hill School and Doctor Who like you’ve never seen them before.

Steven Moffat says, “No one has documented the dark and exhilarating world of the teenager like Patrick Ness, and now we're bringing his brilliant story-telling into Doctor Who. This is growing up in modern Britain - but with monsters!”

On his first television series, writer Patrick Ness says, "I'm astounded and thrilled to be entering the Doctor Who universe, which is as vast as time and space itself. There's so much room there for all kinds of amazing stories, and to work with Steven Moffat and Brian Minchin to find a place to tell one of my own has been an absolute joy. I can't wait for people to meet the heroes of Class, to meet the all-new villains and aliens, to remember that the horrors of the darkest corners of existence are just about on par with having to pass your A-Levels."

Damian Kavanagh, Controller BBC Three adds, “We’re excited to give Patrick Ness this opportunity to work with us at BBC Three and the Doctor Who family. Patrick understands young audiences and I’m delighted he will use his incredible skills as a storyteller to delight audiences on BBC Three. BBC Three will always innovate and offer opportunities for brilliant new talent."

Polly Hill, Controller BBC Drama Commissioning, adds, “I am thrilled that Patrick Ness is writing his first drama series for BBC Three. The combination of Patrick and Steven Moffat, is an exciting partnership that has created a brilliant Doctor Who spin off for our BBC Three audience.”

Class is executive produced by Steven Moffatt, Patrick Ness and Brian Minchin. It was commissioned by Damian Kavanagh, Controller BBC Three and Polly Hill, Controller BBC Drama Commissioning.

An 8 x 45 minute series produced by BBC Cymru Wales in association with BBC Worldwide for BBC Three.

The series will film in and around Wales from Spring, 2016 and be on air next year.

[Baggypants]

So, to be utterly reductive and not having read any of Ness. The girl from the Moon Egg and the girl who hid in the bushes at the end of the forest team up to fight aliens and find an unusual ally in a sexy teenage alien boy.

[Harlequin]

I am amused that an ex-teacher known for school-based series like Press Gang and Chalk is now executive producing a series called Class.

[F-ZeroOne]

I know, I just couldn't resist... And it was a shock to me at the time, watching it on first broadcast. I think after Dr. Ben from "Star Fleet", one of the first times I realised that important characters could die in SPACE! (because, if it wasn't SPACE! I wasn't interested. ).

Oh, I think it was quite deliberately shocking, although afterward he barely seemed to be mourned more than Katarina or Sara Kingdom, who were companions for less than a full story each. Of course, from the Doctor's perspective, everyone could be thought of as both alive and dead.

Did you not watch Blake's 7, though?

If you mean "Did I watch the last episode of "Blake's 7", the answer to that one is that my jaw still drops every time I think of it. "Game of Thrones"? PAH!

[F-ZeroOne]

Some optimism as it’s not on CBBC but BBC 3, so hopefully it’s more Buffy than SJA.

BBC Three announces Doctor Who Spin Off

BBC Three today announces Class - a new 8 x 45 minute Doctor Who spin off from the acclaimed YA author, Patrick Ness. Class is a YA series set in contemporary London. Incredible dangers are breaking through the walls of time and space, and with darkness coming, London is unprotected. With all the action, heart and adrenalin of the best YA fiction (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Hunger Games), this is Coal Hill School and Doctor Who like you’ve never seen them before.

You can imagine the pitch, can't you?

"Its like "Grange Hill". With Daleks."

[Jonesey]

WTF?



They're selling a hack of Cosmo Police Galivan?

[Istar]

1. Not for kids.
2. Enough with the specs - the weapon of a Time Lord is a screwdriver, end of.
3. Loved it, a couple of minor niggles not enough to distract, 9/10.

[Governmentyard]

Yep, much better. Proper Doctor Who story - the only real Moffatism was the inevitable, needless self-referentiality from the leads at the start.

"Righto, here we are, having more adventures. We have adventures and do saving and there is monsters. This is how we talk normally, all the time! It's not exposition. Adventures!"

[Harlequin]

Yep, much better. Proper Doctor Who story - the only real Moffatism was the inevitable, needless self-referentiality from the leads at the start.

"Righto, here we are, having more adventures. We have adventures and do saving and there is monsters. This is how we talk normally, all the time! It's not exposition. Adventures!"

I think that has more to do with Clara's leaving arc.

[Ollie]

Much better than last week's, largely due to having a writer who's more interested in telling a story than in showing off how clever (he thinks) he is.

[Governmentyard]

Yep, much better. Proper Doctor Who story - the only real Moffatism was the inevitable, needless self-referentiality from the leads at the start.

"Righto, here we are, having more adventures. We have adventures and do saving and there is monsters. This is how we talk normally, all the time! It's not exposition. Adventures!"

I think that has more to do with Clara's leaving arc.

Still tedious.

[Governmentyard]

Much better than last week's, largely due to having a writer who's more interested in telling a story than in showing off how clever (he thinks) he is.

Indeed. Moffat benefited from having an editor when he was writing for Davies.

[Kelloggs]

I think I like the glasses idea - as a novelty, but he's gone through sonic screwdrivers before and replaced them, so I would hope it's just a passing fad - and it almost made sense for getting a POV video feed, but... they explicitly confirmed a WiFi link, then he ended up in a closed Faraday cage.

While still transmitting.

!?!