Dr Who

Army of Ghosts and Doomsday

2006-07-08T20:50:00.000+01:00

Dr Who | The Tardis

We decided to write a combined review of the two episodes which make up the Series Finale in which we bid a sad farewell to Rose Tyler - for the time being at least!

From the opening of Army of Ghosts to the closing scene of Doomsday we are on a roller coaster of emotions! From The apparent joy which Jacqui Tyler shows when she believes that she is being visited by the Ghost of her late Father to the trauma of The Doctor and Rose's emotional parting by way of the grim humour of the Daleks deprecating The Cybermen we are carried along on a journey the ending of which we know from the start - although it's not quite what we may have expected.

The Clash of The Titans as Daleks and Cybermen collide with parallel universe humans caught in between is stunning. Although their departure at the end into The Void was perhaps only just this side of credible. The re-appearance of Peter Tyler and Micky Smith was credible if a little predictable but was handled extremely well even if Micky had to become Samuel for a brief moment! Jacqui Tyler rose supremely to the occasion when she encountered the Peter Tyler from the other Universe. Jacqui acted true to form and wanted to clarify just how rich the alternate Pete was before flinging herself into his arms watched by The Doctor, Rose and Micky.

An excellent series finale befitting of a Companion who more than any before has exposed the human side of The Doctor. Billie Piper you will be missed!

As the final episode closed we and The Doctor were amazed to see The Runaway Bride suddenly appear heralding the Christmas Special. Was it only me who expected the episode to close with "am I boverred!" (The Bride is played by Catherine Tate who is a UK Comedienne with the catch phrase "am I bovvered")

We give this combined series Finale a Top 10 our of 10!

Fear Her!

2006-06-24T20:56:00.000+01:00

Dr Who | The Tardis

Tonight we see The Doctor arrive in an ordinary suburban street, Dame Kelly Holmes Close, as the Opening Ceremony of The London 2012 Olympics is about to get underway.

But this is no ordinary Street as we soon discover! In the middle of the day as they play football or run down the street children are suddenly snatched away into thin air with just a residual smell of metal. Even the local ginger tom cat is not spared as it playfully entered a cardboard box with no obvious exit route only to disappear before our Rose's very eyes! Although it has to be said that The Doctor was not too disappointed at the cat's disappearance having confessed to an aversion to our feline friends. There again when you have them six feet tall and wearing wimples it's not that difficult to understand!

However back to the disappearing children. Rose's deductive skills lead them to Chloe who it transpires has been inhabited by an alien life form. Although the stuff of Chloe's nightmares inhabited her wardrobe the alien life form turned out to be a lonely child itself looking for friends! Unfortunately it was used to having a family of 4 billion souls! Having caused the disappearance of the Crowd and Athletes from the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics and The Doctor Himself it's next target seemed to be the entire population of Planet Earth!

However, in what is becoming a familiar approach in this series Rose rode to the rescue recovering the Alien's Gulls Egg size spaceship from under the freshly laid tarmac of Dame Kelly Holmes Close. She tossed it into the passing Olympic Torch flame with the words "with love" - all seemed to be restored and Britannia could rejoice again as it ruled the airwaves! But wait! Where was the Doctor? Perhaps in the corniest closing of any episode this series we are suddenly greeted by the sight of The Doctor picking up the Olympic Torch from the fallen Olympian. He then proceeds to light the Olympic Flame allowing the alien Craft which was contained within the Torch to travel back into space.

We give this episode a surprising 7.5/10

Dr Who | The Tardis

Love & Monsters

2006-06-17T20:50:00.000+01:00

Dr Who | The Tardis

Tonight's episode was a new departure for Doctor Who with the entire episode seen from the perspective of an ordinary human being rather than that of The Doctor!

Yet another star of stage and screen appeared in the episode as Peter Kay assumed the character and image of The Abzorbaloff which consumed human beings with only their faces appearing on his skin.

The central character of the episode Elton turned from being a potential toyboy for Jacqui Tyler to the deeply loving partner of a woman who existed only as a face captured in a paving slab! She was saved from an imploding Abzorbaloff! Yes you read that right and it perhaps emphasises how difficult an episode to summarise it actually was! We suggest that you try and catch it soon as we gave it an 8/10

Dr Who | The Tardis

The Satan Pit

2006-06-10T21:37:00.000+01:00

Dr Who | The Tardis

Tonights episode saw The Doctor pitched against the darkest force, the ultimate evil in the form of The Devil, The Evil One, Satan - a force which The Doctor told us exists in every civilisation on every world. A force which plays on the worst fears, the deepest secrets of all and draws all into "The Temptation."

Faced with the concept or idea of Satan fleeing the planet on board a Rocket The Doctor is faced with the mindless form of The Beast as it's horned head tosses and turns and it's nostrils breathe fire. Fortunately, Rose Tyler suddenly realises the dark intent of the escaping Evil One and casts it out into the abyss of space with the words "Go to Hell."

As our rocket bound heroes face disappearing into the Black Hole along comes The Good Ship Tardis piloted by The Doctor who has managed to recover The Tardis from Satan's Pit along with our philisophical friend Ida!

The Doctor and Rose Tyler are reunited aboard The Tardis amidst joyous scenes - was that clinch a little too long we wonder - is there the spark of deep affection blossoming into something else? Will Whovians be able to cope if there is another "stolen kiss" or will the normal balance of life soon be restored.... the only answer has to be tune into next week's exciting adventure aboard The Tardis!

We give tonight's episode a semi-impressed 7

Dr Who | The Tardis

The Impossible Planet

2006-06-03T20:22:00.000+01:00

Dr Who The Tardis

As the laughter subsides at the possibility that The Doctor and Rose Tyler have landed The Tardis inside a storage cupboard we become aware that Dr Who has landed The Tardis on what can only be described as "The Impossible Planet." Orbiting a Black Hole without being sucked in and with a seemingly mindless set of servants to serve their every need it seems a strange world indeed. Even stranger is the impossibly ancient language which Dr Who observes on a wall beneath the words "Welcome to Hell."

As the mysteries of this place start to unravel the servants become a little less servile and we get the first indications that something is very much amiss! One of the frequent earthquakes on the planet surface dislodges the parking spot of The Tardis and it plunges deep into an abyss.

The Doctor sets of down the abyss and things start to turn nasty on the surface for Rose Tyler as "The Beast" starts to stir and the previously servile race is transformed into the Legion of The Beast.

As the great trapdoor deep in the abyss starts to open things turn even nastier and we start to see the great tremors sweeping across the planet. The Legion of The Beast turn upon those they have previously served and from the depths stirs.............

We will find out next week in this gripping two parter which we give a stomping 8/10

Dr Who The Tardis

A Golden Age Begins! Or Could it be a Faceless Era?

2006-05-27T20:28:00.000+01:00

Dr Who The Tardis

As the doors of The Tardis opens and a pink gowned Rose emerges followed by a quiffed Doctor Who. Within a few seconds he appears on a Vespa and so we are cast swiftly back into 1953 London days before the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II!

Those of our readers who can recall the time will remember that televisions were in short supply. Alongside the many street parties that took place those few households which had the new fangled talking boxes a.k.a Televisions threw open their doors to invite their neighbours in to watch The Coronation as it was broadcast in Black and White across the nation.

However, as the eyes scan the roof lines of this London we see house upon house with the tell tale sign of television ownership - the television Aeriel! What has happened? How come so many people have a television? The strange goings on, the noises from upstairs, the sudden appearances of the Men in Black (black suited policemen) and the speeding cars all tell us that something is amiss in the faceless anonymity of 1953 England.

Faceless is indeed what an apt description as we soon discover that The Wire has taken over Television Sets around the country and Magpie has connived with them. Magpie being the retailer of ridiculously cheaply priced televisions! The Wire is hungry and in the form of the genial television hostess is feeding quite literally on the faces of the audiences!

When Rose is caught by the electrical charges and loses her face we know that The Doctor will spring into action and so he does. Soon order is restored and with The Queen waving from the balcony of Buckingham Palace we all happily join in a London Street Party to celebrate The Coronation! Three Cheers for Her Majesty!! Three Cheers for The Doctor!

For historical accuracy and for the simple but imaginative storytelling we give tonight's episode 8/10!

Dr Who The Tardis

The Fall of the Cybermen

2006-05-20T20:20:00.000+01:00

Dr Who The Tardis

We clung to our seats as tonight's episode opened! What was to happen to The Doctor and his Companions? Would Jacqui and Pete Tyler survive? What would happen to our parallel Universe Ricky/Micky?

The episode spun faster than an out of control Zepellin as we saw Jacqui become a Cyberman, Ricky die at the hands of the Cybermen and Micky transformed from zero to Hero! With a backwards look at The Five Doctors the attack on Cyber Control "Above, Between and Below" was underway and despite the death of Mrs Moore and the encounter with a cyberised Jacqui Tyler our heroes triumphed!

The emotional onslaught continued as a rejuventated Micky determined to take his place in the parallel Universe leaving The Doctor and Rose Tyler to continue on their journey. A journey which took them back to the very ordinary place of Jacqui Tyler's Kitchen where Rose's Mum was still very much alive!

We give tonight's episode a stomping, rip-roaring 10/10!

Dr Who The Tardis

The Rise of The Cybermen

2006-05-13T20:25:00.000+01:00

Dr Who

Tonight's casual chatting as the episode opens is quickly cast aside as the Time Vortex disappears and we are at first it seems flung into nothingness. However, Micky opens the doors of The Tardis to discover that Dr Who has taken them home to London! Or has he? Whilst the papers suggest that they are in London and the surroundings look familiar it is as the scene pans upwards that we see the Zepellins! Is this a parallel universe in which the Nazis have reigned supreme?

It is indeed a parallel universe but one in which the Bluetooth earpieces we use for our mobile 'phones have been replaced by earpieces which act not only as telephone receivers but as download mechanisms for the omnipresent Cyber Organisation run by Trigger! No actually we have not strayed into a cross between Dr Who and Only Fools and Horses but the evil villain is played by the same individual!

We soon discover that there are many parallels with the Universe which our Rose and Micky come from but with some startling differences! Micky's grandmother is still alive however in this Universe Micky is in fact Ricky and we come face to face with him as he strips Micky to his boxer shorts to interrogate this strange interloper into the fight again Cyber activity.

Rose's Mother is married to a successful Pete Tyler who is in league with the villains and there is no Rose in this other Universe! Well there is but it's a small yapping dog which amuses Dr Who greatly but provokes disgusted looks from Rose.

The comedy however is soon put to one side as the conversion of humanity into Cybermen starts and we see the party for Jacqui's 40th Birthday (sorry Jacqui your 39th Birthday!) invaded by the chilling Cybermen. As they close on Dr Who and his companions The Doctor surrenders but the episode closes with the Cybermen refusing to accept the surrender and the threatening words ring out "You will be deleted."

What now for our hero and his friends... we shall have to wait and see what next week's episode brings and with the BBC not showing a trailer for the next episode... who knows what will happen....

We give this week's episode a 8/10 with the expectation that it will get better next week!

Dr Who

Madame de Pompadour

2006-05-06T21:08:00.000+01:00

Dr Who

Madamae de Pompadour Mistress of Louis XV, the 68th king of France declared her love for The Doctor this evening on BBC!

Could it get any more bizarre? Why would Clockwork Monsters from the 51st Century be determined to take Madame de Pompadour as she reached the age of 37? All became clear as the episode progressed and again we saw the development of David Tennant's Dr Who and he is gradually stamping his own authority and personality on the role.

We were treated to the glories of the Court of Louise XV at Versailles as the Clockwork Monsters sought out Madame de Pompadour and The Dr rides to the rescue on a beautiful white horse as he crashes through the Mirror which is the time portal from the 51st Century! As he crashes through it and rescues the Damsel in Distress! However for a while we are left with the thought that The Doctor could be stranded in time to compete for the love of Madame de Pompadour with Louis VX of France! But it transpired that Madame had moved the original portal through which she had first met The Doctor - her very own Fireplace Man!

Thankfully The Doctor is reunited with Rose and Micky back in the 51st Century and we have a touching moment when he is left alone to read Madame de Pompadour's final letter to him!

We give tonight's episode a resounding 9/10!

Next week there is a chill in the air......as a chilling two parter sees the return of.............

Dr Who

Bat Out of Hell, Sarah Jane Smith and K9

2006-04-29T20:36:00.000+01:00

Dr Who

Tonight's episode " School Reunion" saw The Dr encountering the Bats Out of Hell as they attempt to crack the Code to The Universe through school children pounding away at the computers with the green coloured screens - slight memories there of the original Amstrads!

However, in many ways the story of evil bats was secondary to the exploration of the relationship between The Dr and his assistants. The return of Sarah Jane Smith was excellently handled as he introduced himself as "John Smith" using the name that Jon Pertwee used in the role when he needed to have a pseudonym! Even with Sarah Jane recalling that, he did not give away who he really is! No, that is left until Sarah Jane in common with the others is prowling around the school late at night and chances upon The Tardis and then comes face to face with Dr Who!

Their encounter is filled with poignancy and the remembrances of times past. The electricity of their feelings sparkles across the screen even with Rose Tyler playing in Mickey's words "the Mrs" in exquisite style and Sarah Jane cast as his "ex."

We are given an insight into the emotional life or is that the emotional chasm of The Dr as he reflects upon the fact that whilst the humans he encounters and develops attachments to must pass away he will live on through time cursed by being a Time Lord.

We are also reunited with the second of the two iconic figures in the form of K9. Battered and lacking some parts he has been kept safe by Sarah Jane through all the years since The Dr left her in Aberdeen rather than Croydon - which are not next door to one another!

It is K9 that finally saves the day as he did so often in the past ably assisted by Mickey smashing through the doors of the school at the bidding of Kenny the young schoolboy.

So tonight we ranged through the emotional impact of Sarah Jane Smith's return with K9 at her side (well actually in her car boot!) and we see Rose Tyler playing a Dinner Lady! Finally Mickey Smith (our new Tin Dog?) becomes a real companion as he is accepted on board The Tardis.

We give tonight's episode a massive 10/10!

Dr Who

Impressive Viewing Figures

2006-04-23T10:30:00.000+01:00

Dr Who

As last night's episode opened 8.6 million people were glued to their seats anticipating the latest episode of Dr Who and within 30 minutes of it starting the viewing figures had risen to 9.5 million! The number of people watching BBC dropped to 6.1 million within 15 minutes of the show ending!

Where they had all gone? Were they hiding behind sofas? Or has watching the latest episode become the "must do" before people go out for Saturday Evening?

Dr Who

Torchwood

2006-04-23T10:23:00.000+01:00

Dr Who

As I mentioned in our review of last night's episode the events all took place at Torchwood House. As the episode ended Queen Victoria banished The Dr and Rose Tyler and stated that she wanted to establish the Torchwood Institute to investigate and prepare to protect the Earth from things outside of their current understanding. In her closing comment she said that The Doctor had better beware if he came back!

In the Christmas episode we saw the power of Torchwood as Prime Minister Harriett Jones unleashed it on the Alien Invaders! What more we will discover about Torchwood as the series unfolds?

We will keep you posted!

Dr Who

"We are not amused"

2006-04-22T22:08:00.000+01:00

Dr Who

Tonight's episode of Dr Who took us back to Victorian Times as The Doctor materialised somewhere in the Scottish Highlands close to Torchwood House! No sooner had he arrived than he is introducing Rose to Her Imperial Majesty Queen Victoria. In a way very fitting to bring Royalty into the series on the same weekend that we celebrate the 80th Birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. However, if today's Royal Family and especially HRH The Princess Royal were watching I wonder what they would have made of the suggestion that they are all werewolves!

For therein lies the central theme of tonight's episode that an alien had taken the form of a Werewolf and the only way it could be stopped was with the use of the The Koh-I-Noor Diamond which Prince Albert had ensured could be used to protect the life of Queen Victoria!

It was an excellent episode echoing some of the darkness of some of the previous series of Dr Who with a very Gothic feel to it, whilst retaining the tongue in cheek humour which David Tennant seems to be making one of his trademarks.

We would give it a great 9/10!

Dr Who

Dr Who and Rose Tyler Visit New Earth

2006-04-15T18:10:00.000+01:00

Dr Who

Tonight's opening episode of the new series was quite different to what we had become used to with Christopher Eccleston although that was to be expected with David Tennant aiming to establish his own Doctor and bring his own distinctive personality to the role ! We saw Dr Who (David Tennant) and Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) boarding The Tardis and visiting New Earth, mankinds' new home far in the future.

At first all appears well as they head towards a luxury hospital. There they encounter the Cat Nuns who we learn hide a great secret! The diseased and plague ridden half lives who inhabit the Intensive Care Unit enable the rest of humanity to live a disease free existence but at what price?

A further twist saw the return of the "last human" Lady Cassandara whom of course we had all thought was dead following her appearance in the last series with Christopher Eccleston. However, she soon shows that she is very much alive when she decides to take over Rose's body. The Whovian Universe nearly came crumbling down when Rose appears to snog the Doctor to within an inch of his life! Thank God she was in the persona of Cassandra - the very thought of The Dr and his Assistant entering into any form of physical relationship is enough to set William Hartnell spinning through time and space!

The biggest step change in the series was the introduction of a new starnd of humour - one which called on all the worst puns and double entendres imaginable! How will this pan out in the coming episodes? Well without wanting to sound too corny - only time will tell! Tennant made a good start in the Christmas special and introduced a wry sense of humour and whilst it was slightly overplayed in this opener for the series I am sure it will settle down as the series progresses.

The trailer for next week's episode promises Werewolves at the court of Queen Victoria - now that should be worth seeing!

We give the opener a 7/10 - great potential but needs to get a grip and not with Rose!

Dr Who

Less than a week to go!

2006-04-09T20:38:00.000+01:00

Dr Who Series Two

Less than a week to go and Dr Who in the form of David Tennant accompanied again by Rose played by Billie Piper!

The BBC have been trailing the return for a little while of Russell T Davies amazing interpretation of the programme which has kept television audiences enthralled for so many years.

Tonight BBC 3 has been showing again the Christmas Special 2005 in which Harriett Jones MP has become Harriett Jones PM. Dr Who appears dressed in his pajamas and Howard's Dressing Gown to save the Earth from enslavement marking a stunning debut for David Tennant. David brings his own unique style to the role of Dr Who!

Preceding the Christmas Special 2005 we were given a behind the scenes peek at some of the excitement that awaits us in the new series. This included the ominous Cybermen returning to terrify a new generation of Whovians as well as a glimpse of New Earth! What else awaits us we have yet to discover but over the coming weeks you can check back here to keep up-to-date with the developments and our review of the series.

Dr Who Series Two

The Dr Who Actors Part 2

2006-04-09T20:35:00.000+01:00

The Dr Who Actors

You have learnt about the stories behind the first four Doctors, and now it’s time to learn about the remaining ten.

Peter Davison became the next Doctor, wearing the mantle from 1981 to 1984. Going up against Tom Baker, Davison didn’t have much of a chance of becoming popular and so he didn’t stay long. This was really the beginning of the downfall of the Doctor.

A very jolly Doctor, Davison become known for dressing like a cricketer and having a piece of celery sticking out of his front jacket pocket. Exactly what the celery was for, no one knows, maybe it was a secret weapon, or maybe it was just a snack for when he got hungry.

It was in 1984 in the four episode story arc entitled The Caves of Androzani that Davison’s reign as the Doctor came to an end. In fine tradition, he lost his life saving another person, which is when Colin Baker stepped in to the role.

Playing the Doctor from 1984 to 1984, Colin Baker was an attempt to capture the magic that Tom Baker had. In an attempt to capture the Bohemian style of the earlier Baker the producers failed, resulting in a bright, loud and disorientating costume. Much more brash than earlier Doctor’s, he had the traditional terrible trouble with his regeneration.

And it was during Colin Baker’s tenure that Doctor Who’s ratings began to nose dive enough for the BBC to act. Unfortunately, he was let down by terrible scripting and the BBC messing around with the formula in an attempt to boost ratings. Effectively fired from the role, he refused to return to film the regeneration scene. Given a chance, and had he been supported by good script writing, Colin Baker could easily have been as popular as his predecessor Tom Baker.

So in 1987, Doctor Who returned, played this time by Sylvester McCoy, who stayed in the role for just two years until 1989. This was yet another attempt to emulate Tom Baker and recapture the earlier magic. The shows became increasingly more comical and wacky, and for many the magic had gone. It was in 1989 the axe was finally taken to the show and many thought the Doctor was gone forever.

The series immediately went underground and surfaced as radio plays and novels, and there were constant rumours of the television show’s revival.

And then in 1996, fans were in for a huge treat. Doctor Who was revived for a joint US / UK venture with Paul McGann playing the Doctor. After an excellent show, well received in the UK, reviving the series was stopped, much to the incredible disappointment of fans. Why? Because the US ratings were not high enough.

Again, the series went underground, the fans continuing to follow the Doctor’s adventures in other media.

Rumours began to surface in 2003 that the Doctor would be returning. Over the coming year more details were leaked and the main actor announced. Christopher Eccleston would be the new Doctor. Lasting for just a single season, he captured the original magic of Doctor Who perfectly. With excellent special effects, tight script writing and enough references back to earlier seasons to satisfy hard core fans, Eccelston captured the hearts of the nation as Doctor Who. With his catchphrase of “Fantastic”, his broad grin and happy go lucky attitude he proved to be the best Doctor for a long time.

Sadly, Eccleston feared being type cast and after the first season declared he would step down from playing the Doctor. Naturally, fans were up in arms, but the BBC quickly selected a new Doctor, an actor by the name of David Tennant.

Filming began and fans were left wondering, would Tennant be a good Doctor? Was the show going to spiral into decline again? With an excellent writing team and tight control on the scripts, the BBC seemed determined to keep the formula without straying into the danger areas that let down earlier seasons.

Tennant’s first outing as Doctor Who came during a five minute special for the BBC’s Children In Need show. In this, you see him after the regeneration in the TARDIS with his assistant Rose, with her struggling to get to grips with his regeneration. This proved enough to whet the appetite of fans who impatiently waiting for a full length episode.

On Christmas Day 2005, David Tennant made his full length debut as the Doctor. In a well received show he proved to the world that he had what it took to be a great Doctor, allowing fans to breathe a sigh of relief and curse the three month wait before the new series started.

How long Tennant will play the Doctor no one knows, but he is an ardent fan of the Doctor so will probably hang around for some time.

Having two more regenerations and three lives left, Doctor Who’s lifetime may be finite, but you can be assured the script writers will find a way around it to extend the Doctor’s lifetime.

The Dr Who Actors

The Dr Who Actors Part 1

2006-04-09T20:30:00.001+01:00

Dr Who Actors

Doctor Who is the longest running science fiction show on the television. So far there have been ten actors playing the Doctor. Who were these people, why were they chosen and what did they do in their reign as our favourite Time Lord?

William Hartnell was the first Doctor, playing the role from 1963 to 1966. The first Doctor was an old man, and the TV shows were recorded live because of technical challenges with editing programs then. Frequently Hartnell would forget his lines and other actors would help him remember them.

Unlike other sci-fi shows, Doctor Who wasn’t all about the special effects. It was more about the dialogue and that acting, where the characters felt human and real to the point that you were concerned for what happened to them and cared for them.

The first episode to air in 1963 was called An Unearthly Child, where the Doctor travels back to the prehistoric age to discover cavemen who had forgotten how to make fire.

This first year also introduced the Daleks, one of the most popular of the Doctor’s many enemies. In fact, the Daleks were so popular that any time the shows ratings dropped, the producers would quickly air a Dalek episode to get their audience back.

And then in 1966, William Hartnell hung up the mantle of the Doctor. His final episode, The Tenth Planet, introduced the Cybermen to the world. At the end of this episode, the famous regeneration took place, where the Doctor dies and takes on a different body. It’s through this premise that Doctor Who has survived so long with so many actors.

Patrick Troughton was the next Doctor, reigning from 1966 to 1969. He brought more comedy to the role and was often described as a hobo clown. To ensure audience acceptance and ratings, the first episode he starred in, The Power of The Daleks, brought the Daleks back once more.

Troughton’s Doctor was well known for this recorder, which he’d sit and play at the oddest of moments. Being so different to Hartnell, the audience struggled to accept him, but they did eventually.

In his final episode, The War Games, the Doctor must call the Time Lords to help him save Earth. The Doctor however, is on the run from the Time Lords for stealing a TARDIS and interfering with other races. He is brought to trial and found guilty of interference.

So his fellow Time Lords decide on a punishment for him. Many of the abilities of his TARDIS are disabled and he is sent to 20th Century Earth. They force him to use one of his generations and when he refuses to choose his new body, they choose one for him. This punishment was remarkably convenient for the show as it mean the budget was dramatically reduced due to it being based in the modern day.

In 1970, Jon Pertwee became the Doctor, stuck on Earth helping UNIT (Unite Nations Intelligence Taskforce) to save the planet. Reigning until 1974 he brought a very different feel to Doctor Who. His Doctor was much more physical and flamboyant, playing a very British dandy, reflected in his outfit. He had many toys, including his car Bessy and the Sonic Screwdriver. This versatile device, looking like a tire pressure gauge, became iconic of Doctor Who and many a child has wished for their own.

His last episode, in 1974, was The Planet Of The Spiders where he is battling alien space spiders. After defeating their queen, he is a shattered man, and the regeneration sequence begins.

Tom Baker, 1974 to 1981 then appears as the Doctor. He was the longest running Doctor for one main reason – he was an excellent Doctor. He worse a forty two foot scarf and offered aliens Jelly Babies to distract them so he could think.

A much goofier doctor, he captured the hearts of many a fan, become “the Doctor” as far as many are concerned. The arguments still rage today comparing him to others.

Baker’s last episode, Logopolis, seems him searching for a chameleon circuit for his TARDIS. Running into his arch enemy, The Master, the Doctor saves the day, but in doing so, sacrifices his own life.

Dr Who Actors

The Tardis

2006-04-09T20:30:00.000+01:00

The Tardis

The TARDIS is the vehicle Doctor Who uses to travel around space and time and have his adventures. Standing for Time And Relative Dimensions In Space, it is bigger on the inside than the outside and contains a tantalising number of rooms.

The TARDIS is a unique vehicle, capable of travelling not only through space, but also through time. It even has a chameleon circuit, which changes the external appearance of the TARDIS so it blends into the background. Unfortunately for the Doctor, the TARDIS’s chameleon circuit broke many years back when it was in the form of a 1950’s British blue police box. As the Doctor hasn’t had the time or been able to repair it, the TARDIS still takes this form today. The actual reason for the shape of the TARDIS was based on financial concerns of building a new model every episode.

The name TARDIS doesn’t refer to just one device, but is the generic name for the type of vehicle, like car refers to many different types. The Doctor’s vehicle is an obsolete type 40 TARDIS that he “borrowed” when he left Gallifrey (his home world) under a shadow.

Whole generations of children have prayed for the day they would find a blue police box on the street corner and would open the door to find the Doctor standing behind the console, inviting them for a trip.

But how does it work?

The TARDIS dematerialises from one place space / time and then reappears in another, accompanied by the familiar wheezing and groaning sound as the light on top flashes.

Powered by the nucleus of an artificial black hole, the TARDIS also occasionally requires mercury (for its fluid links), a rare ore called Zeiton 7 and Artron energy. Artron energy comes from the minds of Time Lords and is a form of temporal energy.

The TARDIS links in with the Time Lord who owns it through a process of imprinting (using the Rassilon Imprimatur). This imprinting provides the Time Lord with the ability to withstand the pressures of time travel. Without this imprinting he would dissolve into his component molecules and disappear. This imprinting is a safeguard against misuse of a TARDIS – a crime which under Time Lord law carries only one penalty – death.

The difference in size of the inside of the TARDIS to the outside is explained by the TARDIS being dimensionally transcendental. This means that the outside of the TARDIS exists in one dimension, i.e. ours, and the inside in a separate dimension. When you step through the doors you enter the alternative dimension or pocket universe of the inside of the TARDIS.

The full extent of the inside of the TARDIS has never been revealed, but we know that it has a huge wardrobe area, an art gallery, a swimming pool, medical bay, storage areas and room for Jon Pertwee’s car, Bessy. Whereas the inside of the TARDIS is not infinite, it is large enough to provide a backdrop and material for many an episode.

Of course, the inside of the TARDIS has changed over the years. The Doctor “does up” the TARDIS, makes changes and repairs it. This can be seen in the changes in the main console room and comments from the second Doctor in the episode The Three Doctors confirm this. “Ah, I see you’ve been doing the TARDIS up a bit! I don’t like it.”

And as you can imagine, with a vehicle as old as the TARDIS (at least 900 years) it is inclined to break down. We frequently find the Doctor, and more recently Captain Jack, with his head inside a panel repairing another system that has broken.

One of the most useful features of the TARDIS is its ability to translate language for its occupants. This feature, however, is linked to the Doctor as was seen in the 2005 Christmas Invasion special. When the Doctor was experiencing trouble regenerating, Rose couldn’t understand Sycorax’s language. When the Doctor recovered to save the day, the translation feature worked again.

The TARDIS has become an icon of British culture, a throwback to an earlier year and a different society. And now with the return of Doctor Who to our screens a whole new generation of children have started to scour the streets, looking for the TARDIS to materialise.

The Tardis