The eleventh Doctor is here at last, debuting properly with his first full episode, ‘The Eleventh Hour’ over the Easter weekend in the UK. The hour-long first episode of Doctor Who series 5 was written by new series runner Steven Moffat, and if it is a good example of things to come with this series, then fans of the longest running science fiction show in history are in for a great ride. Matt Smith is instantly likeable as the Doctor, who, despite his youth, carries with him a great deal of that all-important gravitas and genius that the character always needs.

He’s immediately all over the part, and commands every scene he’s in. Amy Pond, played by Karen Gillan, is going to take a little more getting used to, and I’m already sick of everyone going on about how attractive she is. Hopefully the focus will shift to her acting and the stories once she’s not running around in a kinky policewoman’s outfit. This first story in the new Doctor Who series is a pretty standard earthbound SF tale, but it is in how things are brought to a head that the beauty of Moffat’s script lies.

The way in which the Doctor overcomes the latest threat, and saves the world in just twenty minutes, is excellent. The episode is beautifully put together, and while the effects are a little dodgy here and there, it is possibly the best ‘New Doctor’ episode we’ve had since the show came back in 2005.

The direction and editing are brilliant, but the music lets the episode down in a few places, most notably the horrible new version of the theme tune. I do like the new title sequence though. The new TARDIS is excellent, the new Doctor is very promising and Amy shows potential. In all, it’s a great start to what will hopefully be a momentous series of this true institution of genre television. Geronimo!!!

Doctor Who On Amazon

The penultimate Doctor Who story to feature David Tennant as the tenth Doctor has now aired, and all that remains is the two part finale to his era, is this episode treading water to the big ending? Not in the slightest. In fact, as we head to the downfall of the tenth Doctor, we have been given one of the best episodes in a long time. The tension is definitely building towards his final episodes, and the character takes a rather stunning turn with Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars.

While the plot of this special episode isn’t particularly new, i.e. the Doctor trapped on a research station (this time on Mars) with a bunch of scientists and pioneers, who then start getting picked off one by one by an alien entity. The beauty of this episode centres around David Tennant’s performance and the moral dilemma that the Doctor finds himself trapped in. Without giving too much away for those of you that are yet to see the episode, the Doctor is placed in a situation where he must decide between what he has been taught since his first incarnation and what he feels in his heart(s).

The alien entities, essentially water-spewing zombies, look fantastically scary, and I am sure there were a fair few nightmares had by kids up and down the country, especially if there was a tap running in the house at the time. The new Doctor Who special is well written, beautifully shot and briskly paced, and the visuals give it a suitably epic feeling, which is much needed if it’s to be seen as more than just an extended regular episode.

There are a few things that didn’t work completely though, such as the inhabitants of the station weren’t really given much in the way of characterization beyond some rather standard deep space SF stereotypes. Then again, SF stereotypes can be fun, which they are for the most part here. It is the script itself and the nature of the Doctor’s dilemma that are the most compelling thing with this special, along with a very, very strong performance from David Tennant. The tenth Doctor really does surprise you towards the end of the episode, which sets up what is to come very nicely indeed.

The links to earlier events in Doctor Who series four are a nice touch, keeping it in continuity with the larger DW universe. Lindsay Duncan is on fine form as the main companion of the Doctor for the episode, but she is more a partner than a companion, really, and heads up a fine supporting cast who are sadly not given a great deal to do other than run around and shout.

There are some great character touches, such as the videos from home, but the special would have needed another twenty minutes or so to fully flesh these characters out. A fine special episode indeed, and certainly the best so far after The Next Doctor and Planet Of the Dead. The teaser trailer of ‘The End of Time’ looks amazing, and what’s going on with the Master’s head turning invisible, revealing his skull? We shall soon find out…

Battlestar Galactica: The Plan – When Will The UK Get it?

Okay, so right now there are countless sites carrying reviews of the new Battlestar Galactica TV movie, The Plan, but no news of a UK air date or DVD/Blu ray release. How come? I would have thought, with Christmas on the way, that the film would get a full release round about now? It came out on October 27th in the US, but what about all of the loyal legions of Battlestar Galactica fans in the UK? For that matter, what about everyone else that loves the series and the characters? We need our fix! Now that the series has ended, these ‘filling in the blanks’ TV movies are the only thing left for diehard BSG fans to look forward to, so when do the UK fans get thrown a bone?

Doctor Who: waters Of Mars Air Date Confirmed

The next Doctor Who special episode, The Waters of Mars, is to be shown on BBC1 on the 15th of November. This was stated by David Tennant and later confirmed. This is to be the last Doctor Who story David Tennant’s tenth Doctor will feature in before the first part of his two-episode exit from the show, namely The End Of Time. While initial footage from The Waters Of Mars wasn’t too enticing, the more we have seen and read about the episode, the better it looks and sounds. This should be fun!

Terminator movie rights up for sale

Feel like having a go at making a better film than the mixed bag that was Terminator Salvation? Feeling rich? Then you may be in look, as the rights to the Terminator movie franchise are about to be auctioned off. It seems that the franchise is in dire straits after the reception of Terminator Salvation, and while the film was better than T3, it didn’t do the same sort of business as the legendary Terminator 2: Judgement Day (then again, could anything replicate the genius of that masterpiece?). The rights to the terminator franchise are up for auction later this month.

Blair Witch 3 on the way?

After the success of Paranormal Activity and similar low budget fare doing so well recently, apparently Eduardo Sanchez is looking to resurrect the Blair Witch Project franchise with a third film that is said to follow on from the first, effectively ignoring the sequel, Blair Witch 2: Book Of Shadows. While doing away with that second film is a great idea, does anyone really care enough to see a third film? Hello?

Pretty much everyone here is a huge fan of Doctor Who. Some of us prefer the new era, some of us are of more of an old-school kick. This is why the latest series, (series 5 to some, series 1 to others, series 31 to yet others) is getting to be so interesting. The new Doctor Who logo, as you see, melds the past with the future very well.

That’s the whole feel we’re getting from the new Doctor Who series so far. With the look of the eleventh Doctor, the refurbished TARDIS exterior, the new version of the console room and now this new logo, it feels like Doctor Who is finally settling into the right combination of the classic era and the new one.

While simple, this new logo is much more in keeping with the classic logos of the Patrick Troughton era and the Paul McGann TV movie. The blue glow and sheen to the logo suggests a new title sequence entirely, which is most welcome after four series and many specials of essentially the same thing.

Here’s hoping this is accompanied by a new arrangement of the theme tune, the previous incarnation of which has long since been an issue for some fans.

You can find a wallpaper sized version of the image over at the BBC’s official Doctor Who site.

Find the latest new series and classic Doctor Who DVDs on Amazon!

The new series of Doctor Who has started production today! The first photo of eleventh Doctor Matt Smith and Karen Gillan (as new companion Amy Pond) in costume has been released online, as you can see here. The reaction online has been mixed, with some fans unimpressed and others loving the new look.

Personally I think it is a bold move to put the Doctor in a rather traditional outfit (which actually reminds me of Peter Cushing’s outfit from the Doctor Who big screen movies from the 1960s) instead of a trendy outfit more akin to the tenth Doctor. Many of us were fearing some awful emo/goth outfit, but the geography teacher/hobo look is very much in keeping with the character of the Doctor.

In a press release from the BBC, new show runner Steven Moffat tells fans: “And here it is, the big moment – the new Doctor, and his new best friend. And here’s me, with the job I wanted since I was seven. 40 years to here! If I could go back in time and tell that little boy that one day all this would happen, he’d scream, call for his Mum and I’d be talking to you now from a prison cell in 1969. So probably best not then. Matt and Karen are going to be incredible, and Doctor Who is going to come alive on Saturday nights in a whole new way – and best of all, somewhere out there, a seven-year-old is going to see them, fall in love, and start making a forty year plan…”

So then, welcome to Matt Smith as the eleventh Doctor Who! Good luck mate. The universe is counting on you.

Until the eleventh Doctor arrives onscreen, there are galaxies of Doctor Who DVDs and Merchandise to enjoy!

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It is nice to know that the man who will be taking over as the nation’s favourite science fiction hero is being welcomed by fans of the show. While his casting was controversial due to his age and the stark difference between him and David Tennant, it is wonderful to know that someone with such a unique look and an obvious presence will carry on the sterling work of the new era of Doctor Who.

Yu can read the full story over at the BBC website.

One thing that does confuse me a little is the line about the last special being shown early next year. We were under the assumption that the tenth Doctor would regenerate in the 2009 Christmas episode, giving us our first glimpse of the 11th Doctor and acting as a huge teaser for series 5 to come in 2010. Hopefully some light will be shed on this soon.

Michelle Ryan was previously rumoured to be appearing in Doctor Who as a full-time companion when Billie Piper quit as Rose. In the end, Freema Agyeman landed the role of Martha Jones, and Michelle Ryan went to the States to play the lead in the short-lived Bionic Woman series. Recently she was rumoured to be in line to play the eleventh Doctor’s companion when Matt Smith takes over from David Tennant next year. This may still happen.

More news on Planet of the Dead as we have it!

My opinion? Disappointment, really. My first thoughts are that he is too young, too wiry and has little of the presence that the Doctor needs. I look forward to being impressed, or at least proven wrong, and as Stephen Moffatt will be in charge by the time that Smith takes over, the stories should at least be well put together. Until I get to see him in action, I’ll have to reserve judgement. My chief concern is that the casting of Smith is leaning more and more towards concentrating on pretty boys instead of a lead actor with real gravitas. I wish Matt all the best with the role, but would have much preferred someone a good twenty years older. More William Hartnell/Tom Baker than David Tennant. The Doctor should be a force of nature, not a heart-throb.

As ever, we will be folloing the evolution of Doctor Who’s next series very closely.

Much is being made over the identity of the next Doctor, with many calling for either a female Doctor or a black Doctor. Really though, does it matter? As long as whoever is cast has a strong voice, a strong presence and an appreciation of the source material, then the future of the Doctor’s adventures is in safe hands. The key here is the new man in charge. Moffat really is the only person that could follow on from the achievements if Russell T Davies, and with Phil Collinson and Julie Gardner also moving on, it is reassuring that someone with so much experience of the new era, as well as the classic material, will be the man who takes the Doctor into the next decade. He certainly has his work cut out for him. Then again, you only need to look at the stories Moffat penned so far for the new era of Doctor Who for proof that he knows the series well.

Series one saw his breathtaking two part story The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances become a fan favourite, and it also enjoyed much in the way of critical acclaim. It also introduced us to the character of Captain Jack Harkness, played by John Barrowman, who would take the lead in Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood. Series two saw Moffat take David Tennant’s tenth Doctor to meet The Girl In The Fireplace, which was a rather flawed episode in some ways but it still hit the mark with fans. The third series featured his award winning episode ‘Blink’, which took many viewers by surprise with its chilling nature and ingenious plot. The fourth series had Silence In The Library/Forest of The Dead, which saw Moffat in serious science fiction territory, as well as boasting a massive scale of production for the show. With a heck of a lot of previous TV experience, I think that fans are in for some real treats once his era as head honcho commences.

But what of the remaining specials to feature David Tennant and the influence of Russell T Davies? Each one is clearly going to be something of an event, that much is certain. The rumours persist of previous incarnations of the Doctor showing up, but as these are the final stories for David Tennant’s hugely popular tenth Doctor, this is looking more and more unlikely. It would be a great thing for the fans, but this year is all about the tenth Doctor having his final adventures. As much as I’d love to see a previous Doctor crossover, I’d like David Tennant to have a proper send-off from the character that he made his own. Personally I would like it for the last two specials he stars in to be a two-part story, in order to give him a final story with some real weight.

Some things will have to change with the Doctor Who series, which is only natural. With another Doctor in the TARDIS after so long, some elements of the series could do with changing a little. These are just personal preference, but I’d like them out there. The opening titles, for example. They have long since been a bit of a sore point with some fans who long for the Doctor’s face to be in the sequence. I’m not hugely bothered either way, but a new title sequence of some kind would be nice after four years. many fans would also like to see more of the TARDIS interior. not necessarily whole episodes set inside the ship, but as the craft is potentially infinite in size inside, it would be nice to see a little more than just the console room.

Speaking of which, how about giving the now familiar console room a bit of a facelift before it starts to date? At least the console itself could do with a bit of an overhaul. Then there is the format itself. How about some more multi-part stories? Two or three-part stories have some great things in their favour- not only do they give more room for character and plot development, but are also rather cost effective due to less sets needed to be but and locations to be found. I’d also love to see less reliance on old villains, but still have them involved to some extent.

Whatever happens to the Doctor along the way, it does look like fans are in for a very memorable year of specials and a very exciting future to look forward to. Have the jelly babies at the ready.