All New Who

OH FANTASTIC!!!!!!  yay!!!

Best news I have heard in ages regarding Who. Cant wait. If RTD cant save it nobody can.

{{ Drunk already Amarie!!!! Is it April 1st? NO, ok apparently this is real!

Ok the good- RTD is a good showrunner, knows his Who and is a very good character writer. And he's still best mates with Moffat, so I can hope to see Moffat penning the odd story here and there hopefully as he did before when RTD was showrunner.

The bad- the romance stuff RTD loves, the kitchen sink drama. Hemay try t be even more progressive than Chibnal (Ive always maintained the 10/Rose releationship is a gay releationship only the BBC wouldnt let him make Rose male, so he he just wrote her like a young gay man anyway).

Im in two minds if this is the right move or not. Its certainly seems like an acknowlegment Chibnal era has failed utterly, which is a surprise as I expected the BBC double down and claim all was rosy in the Who garden. Time as the Doctor would say will tell. }}

yep RTD did kitchen sink, but he did it well. Unlike Chibbers who didn't.

{{ Its not a matter of doing it well, there is no doubt over his writing ability. Its how much of it suits Who. In classic there is almost none of that at all. Its just adventures in time and space and I feel there isnt enough of that in the RTD era its very earth-centric. }}

Pettytyrant101 wrote:{{ Its not a matter of doing it well, there is no doubt over his writing ability. Its how much of it suits Who. In classic there is almost none of that at all. Its just adventures in time and space and I feel there isnt enough of that in the RTD era its very earth-centric. }}

The main thing we need to consider is RTD is unlikely to want to retread his own writing, when he left in 2010 it very much felt like he had told all he wanted to/could have with that version of the show. Bringing him back as showrunner is great PR for the show, but it's unlikely to be 'teatime 2006' all over again I don't think RTD would agree to return if the BBc just expected him to copy and paste his greatest hits, he's had a decade away from the show to mature and experiment as a writer and I guess he's looking to reivent the show again this time round.

Hopefully he's got new and different kinds of stories to tell, maybe a format change is on the cards as well.

I just hope this isn't a situation akin to JJ Abhrams and Star Wars Episode 9-that was a panicked course correction reacting to the response The Last Jedi got, it tried to play things safe and please everyone...but ended up pleasing no-one (the end product being rather crap didnt help either).

If there was truly no-one else who was willing to take on the job of showrunner, then this is the BBC's major chance to course correct the series and bring back lost viewers, simply chasing the past glories of the early RTD seasons isn't guranteed to work i.m.o, simply rehashing the greatest hits won't bring in new viewers and won't be healthy for the show in the long term, rather than a sequel to the Tennant years I'm hoping this marks a proper tonal reboot for the series, 'New New Who' if you will.

It kind reminds me of the James Bong Franchise, Martin Campbell directed Goldeneye then ten eyars later returned to direct Casino Royale those two films were masively different in tone and sucessfully rebooted the series with very different but popular Bond's.

Also, are we expecting the 14th Doctor to debut in Series 14? It seems unlikely to me that they'd use the 60th as a post regen story, I think RTD/the BBc will use the 60th as a marketing oppurtunity and bring back some of the old favourite doctors/companions to build goodwill for the series.

I'm also going to say I think RTD will cast another woman in the role, perhaps someone he's worked with before.

RTD has to be very careful about casting, it has to seem organic and not imposed by Twitter. Chibbers sank in the quickmire and everything was coloured by real life politics rather than sci-fi adventures or good stories. RTD needs to employ some of the writers who he knows have some experience in the field or find new talent. It all hangs on the stories, if they are good then he could do almost anything. RTD has a chance to salvage the show from its many mistakes and its also very exciting to think he is back at the helm.

{{ Im still unsure about it- seems like a step backwards in some ways. Chibnal out good, but going back not so sure. Especially as this puts RTD and the same producers he originally had back together- thats the same lot drove Eccleston out and then delibretly tried to sabotage his career and drove him into depression and having to leave the UK for work. Also the same team thought Barrowman wiping his cock out on set all the time was just fine.

Ont ehw ritng front hoping he birngs back some old hands who know th ematerial and character of the Doctor, would like to see Jamie Maitheson get a return too, he debuted under Moffat and was a good addition to the writing regulars. }}

Basically, RTD has to rebuild it from scratch like he did in 2005. I have hope that he can do it. I am so excited and pleased to see the result. Finally! something to look forward to in each episode. Whatever he does it wont be boring. I didn't even bother watching most of Chibbers episodes, after the one in the Punjab I was done. I did see a bit of the one in the health farm but half way through I switched channel.

{{ There is one change I'd like to see them make when RTD reboots it again. And its to do with the credits. Something I think would help quell some of the nastier fan stuff and force viewers to take each episode on its own merits.
I'd remove the writers credit from the intro, so when you first watch it you dont know who wrote the episode. And I'd go as far as when the end credits roll having simply all the writers for the series listed, so viewers know who wrote the episodes for that series, just not who wrote which one.
That way people who dont like RTD or Moffat or whichever writer they dread seeing the name of coming up at the start, wont prejudge or allow prior opinion or bias to cloud their experience. }}

{{ So we have another teaser for Jodies last series and a name drop of something called the Flux.
To me she just doesnt scream Doctor, I watch this and I feel nothing, she looks and sounds like a (not great) actor reading lines to me. And they arent even good lines.



I rewatched 12th Doctor story Oxygen earlier, and there is a line of dialogue in it about the true face of the universe spoken by the Doctor, its not important really to the plot, its not a big speech or anything, but it sums up the Doctor and what he does perfectly in a way two years of Chibnal Who hasnt come close to or even displayed an understanding of. And Capaldi is seemingly effortlessly the Doctor.



Oh for the days when the writing was this good. }}

{{ well this is an interesting development Im very unsure about. Bad Wolf Productions, the company set up by Julie Gardener who was producer on RTD's first run on Who, and whom the new RTD era is shifting production to when he takes over, has been bought out by Sony. Well sort of, reports are Sony are buyng more than 50% shares in them. So whilst technically Sony wont own Doctor Who, they will own its production company and as its probably the biggest name Bad Wolf Productions have on their books you can be sure its something Sony will be interested in, if its not the reason they are doing this.
So will we see Doctor Who Sony movies, crossovers with Spiderman? No idea, hope not. But certainly this throws things in a new direction. }}

{{ Just had to put this up, the series 17 bluray is out soon so clips ahoy on the official Who channel.
Heres Tom just being the Doctor in the excellent (if a modern eye can forgive the green painted bubble wrap monster) Ark in Space.
Whats really impressive is this was only Tom's second story and he just nails his Doctor right out the gate.
And the greatest joy of all of course is we are lucky enough to have him with us still, still playing the Doctor as brilliantly and effortlessly as ever on Big Finish.



Talking BF also being trailed on the official channel the newest Dalek BF story. I really enjoy Bleach's Davros. And if anyone still hasnt listened to I, Davros yet, his BF orignal story then shame on you for missing a fantastic audio drama (in its own right being a Who fan aside), especially as its free to listen to on Spotify (you need to sign up but thats free).
Alternatively if you have access to my OneDrive you will find it in the documents folder ( and no need to feel guilty or like your stealing seeing as its free these days anyway, might just be more convienent to have the files) if you dont have access and want it just pm me your email and I can give you access.}}



https://open.spotify.com/album/01HtxlkcybLzaAS70wg4In

{{ Well its finally arrived, the full trailer for Jodies and Chibs final series. It looks glossy at least! }}

{{ So thought we'd see what we know for certain about this series. Spoilers ahead if you want to know nothing going in, but this is all stuff officially released and confirmed by BBC, no rumours or leaks.

Its six episodes long.
Its all one story apparently overall called Flux.
Its got a lot of classic Who stuff going on, we've Ood, Sontarans, Weeping Angels, Cybermen and new villains. So it seems quite packed.
We have a new companion in Dan who joins Yaz.
There is going to a recurring character but not someone who seems to travel with them the whole time.
Its Jodies final series but there is at least one special to follow and we don't know if she regenrates in that or if it will end up being part of RTD's 60th.
All six episodes are written by Chibnal, though one is cowritten by a returning writer from last series, I think the writer who did the Mary Shelley episode, one of the better ones ruined only in retrospect by knowledge of where the story goes by series end.

Chibnal doing one six-part  serialised tale may play to whatever strengths as a writer he allegedly has that shot him to prominance in the first place with similarly serialised Broadchurch.
But this really is his final go to mend his legacy on the show, and Jodies, as something other than a complete disaster that divided the fans. And to do something with the story he has set up that at least makes it something fans dont feel actively insulted by.

Things that look promising from the trailer? Production values and effects have improved again. I like the redesign of the Sontarans, which is more in line with classic Who Sonatrans with taller less rounded heads. And their ships look good too.
I think they've done something to make the Ood eyes more human looking but still in that Ood shape which makes them a little creepier. I liked it too.
What he does with the the Ood and Angels will be interesting as its the first time he has used a monster created solely by a previous NuWHo writer (RTD the Ood and Moffat the Angels).
It seems more focised on telling a big epic Who tale than playing politics with everything.

This trailer has none of the previous series promotional trailers messaging, like the glass ceiling smashing, its much more just big explosions, some lines of dramatic and humorous dialogue- a normal trailer in other words. That hopefully points to a better focus on just the adventure and fun and excitment with some scary bits thrown in, what Who does best.

Things that worried me- all of new guy Dan's dialogue would have been equally fitting in the mouth of Graham. This makes me wonder if we are getting pretty much the same character again in a slightly younger body.
The new creatures/villains didnt seem very memorable, made me think more of tooth face guy, got that vibe off them. Hope I'm wrong.

So last chance saloon for this era of Who. Whats folks thinking? Can Chibnal save all their reputations and actually give us one good series before he leaves? Or will it be more of the same with better graphics? }}

I don't want to read.* I don't eant to see it either. Why couldn't they start sooner, so that we don't have to wait so long for it to be over? You've got an iron stomach to be able to watch and analyse this stuff. Must be all the haggis and buckie that both breaks down and replaces your internal organs.

...wait a minute. That might also explain why Moffat causes no irritation at all. Some smart folks should science this with their science-y ways.

*Ok, I posted and then I read the part it said "things that look promising"

{{We'll see how strong my stomach is when RTD returns! }}

The ultimate test. Better make sure you're in steady supply of Irn brew too.

But to be serious, and with ref to your post earlier. I wonder if we will be able to watch and talk about this.. newerWho... newho22... post-Chibbers-Who without falling back to our old habits. We still have our feet firmly planted in our trenches, even if we are sticking our heads up to yell and throw stuff at Chibnal. Will we be able to say 'I don't like that character' and discuss that character/story style/plot rather than this showrunner vs the other. If we tried real hard and made an effort to catch ourselves?

{{ I think we will see a different RTD this time out, though in what manner I am less sure. But I honestly dont believe he would have come back just to do more of the same 10 years later.
So much of what I disliked about RTD may be gone, different or new!

Having recently watched his latest work It's a Sin and thought it superb and one I highly recommend to all and sundry, its clear writing realistic and believable people is still his strongest asset.

But he is also a more politically aware and more activist writer than even in his Who days. And how exactly that will play into his writng of Who now is open to guess. There is also how domestic he will make it, and how much his tendenancy towards romance and tragic love stories play into it.
I always disliked the romantic story line with Rose, and then we got unrequited love with Martha and given where both those stories ended- in epic storylines, I feel he has already done all you can with those. A return to such ideas would feel like retreading, especially as since then we had the whole River Song, and 22 years together as married couple on Dirilium so romance is best left out of it for some time I feel. But RTD doesl ike his romance.

So much will depend on what RTD chooses to do, which writers he chooses to get to join him and how he choses to structure the show going ahead. As the actual sci-fi storylines are his weakest point in my opinion he could do with some good solid sci-fi writers in the mix. Moffat would be ideal for that, or Mathieson or Shearman or Cornell- folks that really know their stuff and have a proven track record in writing Who.

I will judge it as fairly as I can, I feel I have been fair on RTD in the past. I am not a RTD hater, as I mentioned I've watched and hugely enjoyed his other work as well as many Who epiosdes forrom his era. RTD is a quality experienced writer and showrunner. But there is also a lot about his previous take on Who did not sit well with me. And I will always judge his work on Who on a Who basis and through the lens of Who down the years and the characer and nature of the Doctor and companions. }}

I think the romance thing was posited on the Tennant Doctor being a bit of a swashbuckling Doctor. There was much less romance with Eccy. There was far more romance with Smith and River, they were married! there was a lot more innuendo and man and wife stuff, so how you can say RTD likes his romance and miss out the glaring marriage stuff of Moffat's era is an amazing jump of mental gymnastics.

{{ The difference is in the narrative means its delivered. Rose is only 19. She is the Doctors companion and his responsibility for her well being. He has as 12 says of Clara, a duty of care.

River is part time-lord, incredibly clever, has an expanded lifespan, travels in time and (including her BF adventures) has met just about every incarnation of the Doctor, and she is older and has a life of her own independent of the Doctor, and she isnt a companion or even a constant traveller, dropping in and out of the story as needed, so unlike Rose and 10 we dont have the flirty love back and forth every episode. River is suitable for the Doctor if he is to have a releationship with anyone. Nor does he rush into it, by the Doctors own measurements of his life from the first time he met her to when he settled down with her on Dirillium is over a 1000 years and three Doctors.
He doesnt inappropriately fall for a very young human woman in the space of a year or two.

As for innuendos Moffat and RTD have an equal liking of it, lets not forget RTD's oral sex joke, or Captain Jack naked in front of the cameras implying the size of his penis just increased their audience numbers or that he had a compact laser gun stuffed up his arsehole, and there's plenty more. }}}}

Pettytyrant101 wrote:{{ The difference is in the narrative means its delivered. Rose is only 19. She is the Doctors companion and his responsibility for her well being. He has as 12 says of Clara, a duty of care.

River is part time-lord, incredibly clever, has an expanded lifespan, travels in time and (including her BF adventures) has met just about every incarnation of the Doctor, and she is older and has a life of her own independent of the Doctor, and she isnt a companion or even a constant traveller, dropping in and out of the story as needed, so unlike Rose and 10 we dont have the flirty love back and forth every episode. River is suitable for the Doctor if he is to have a releationship with anyone. Nor does he rush into it, by the Doctors own measurements of his life from the first time he met her to when he settled down with her on Dirillium is over a 1000 years and three Doctors.
He doesnt inappropriately fall for a very young human woman in the space of a year or two.

As for innuendos Moffat and RTD have an equal liking of it, lets not forget RTD's oral sex joke, or Captain Jack naked in front of the cameras implying the size of his penis just increased their audience numbers or that he had a compact laser gun stuffed up his arsehole, and there's plenty more. }}}}

ok I will let you off on that one, only because I am still chuffed over RTD returning.

I don't think the doctor/Rose thing would be easy to duplicate today without some metoo whistles going off... We don't need Jack's ass either, nor talking slabs of concrete - oh THAT'S the joke you meant, I remembered while writing. But yes, we're all hoping for RTD at his best and with some fresh ideas.

I hope RTD remembers about River. I like the idea behind her (and Alex is pretty damn good). It is so frustrating that Chibber's Who is trying to be so woke, while not realising that 13 is/was married to a woman. It is so mindbogglingly stupid ...