I have not yet watched the Doctor Who Christmas episode (tonight, my pretties, tonight), but it aired in England yesterday, and someone posted the Season 4 preview teaser on YouTube. I have no idea how long it will stay up, so watch while you can!
NOTE: SPOILERS FOR SEASON 4 ARE IN THE TEASER!
I mean, duh.
I know, I post a lot about the show. But a lot of people find this blog searching for the show too, and since I love the Doctor (in a man crush way, as I have made very clear), I’ll post the odd entry or two. It helped inspire me when I was a kid, and honestly, it still does now.
December 26th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
The Christmas special was good… although it didn’t feel like the doctor. Take note of the phase of the moon. You’ll know the scene, I laughed pretty hard.
I like the fact that you post Doctor Who news. Doctor Who is fun, and the geekiest of the geeks.
Oh, and if you like the Doctor Who teaser (which I did), make sure you check out the Torchwood teaser. Which if tv.com is right about, starts up New Years day.
December 26th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Hi Phil– short-time reader (started the feed a few months ago thanks to my wife), first-time commenter.
I just wanted to make the “Time Sink” comment that if you’re the type who plays video games, you ought to give Mass Effect for the XBox 360 a shot. If you’ve already done so, I’m curious to hear your impressions.
When I’m zooming around the galaxy map, I always think of the pretty pictures posted here all the time.
(And no, I’m not affiliated with the makers of the game in any way… I’m just someone who plays games like other people watch movies/television.)
December 26th, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Looking forward to reading your thoughts on the Christmas special… over here in the UK it seems that many “hardcore” Who fans (”Whovians”) - especially on the Outpost Gallifrey forum - have taken very badly to the show, claiming it was - among other things - “childish”, “simplistic” and “cliched”. Many really have it in for writer and DW saviour Russell T Davies. It’s quite pathetic, in my opinion. DW’s entertainment first and foremost, fantasy story-telling that’s family friendly and a chance to escape the troubles and horrors of the real world for a while and just plunge into a universe of heroes, romance and adventure, in the company of a character who is just brilliantly written (hence your ‘man crush’) So, anyone who’s looking forward to watching it but hasn’t yet, who might have been Googling around for reactions, just make up your own minds ok? And remember, it’s just a fun TV show. I think many Whovians are in danger of disappearing up their own singularities and need to flick through a dictionary to look up “fun” and “entertainment” again.
Watch and enjoy!
(The S4 trailer looked awesome, by the way, but I was more excited by the trailer for S2 of Torchwood. Capt Jack’s back - and he’s smiling!!
)
December 26th, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Not only did it air in England yesterday, it aired in Scotland and Wales.
In fact, Doctor Who is made in Wales.
That bit with the news kiosk? That was filmed around the corner from where I had lunch on Thursday.
December 26th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
Okay, That fact that it was the highest rated episode since the new serires return should mean something. and remember The video preview from the Xmas episodes are always only for episodes 1-5 at most. The show is strong. What we need to remember is the show IS different from the original series, and The Purists(old whovians) are resistant to change.
It’s new Who for a new generation. Classic Who = apples, New Who = Oranges.
Later from
New Jersey
December 26th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Wow, Evil Cultists and Squid-like aliens? The fourth season seems a bit Cthulhu-ish, don’t you think?
December 26th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Renan, the “squid-like aliens” are the Ood, from the Season 2 two-parter The Impossible Planet and The Satan Pit.
Also, the bespectacled hottie who’s seen holding a pil lshe calls the “spark of life” and then seems to be using a sonic screwdriver–would that be the Master’s ex-wife from season 3?
Oh, and catch the new Torchwood trailer–it includes James Masters.
British SciFi rocks!
December 26th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
Never got into Dr. Who myself, though I did thoroughly enjoy season I of Torchwood.
December 26th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Who’s the woman with the sonic screwdriver? I don’t think it’s Mrs. Saxon, but the Rani, perhaps? O.o I saw the special this morning. No spoilers, but I laughed; I cried; it was better than Cats. If it weren’t for the fact that we could see the eyes at the end, I’d almost say that was Davros. Oh, the suspense is killing me. *iz ded*
December 26th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Dadgummit, I can’t figure out where to find the Christmas special so I can watch it. DirecTV and TiVo do not appear to be providing the winning combination. Have I missed out entirely?
December 26th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
I want Billy!
December 26th, 2007 at 9:51 pm
Steve, as it’s Xmas, I hereby grant your wish.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/news/cult/news/drwho/2007/11/27/51031.shtml
December 26th, 2007 at 9:55 pm
thought 1: 4th season? pffffh!
thought 2: PZ’s relatives are back :).
thought 3: i miss christopher eccleston. *swoons*
thought 4: i’d have watched it tonight if the bit torrent hadn’t stalled out at 80-something percent. bugger. almost done now, but it’s almost midnight. oh to stay up way too late or watch tomorrow? i can sleep when i’m dead.
December 26th, 2007 at 11:01 pm
I just watched it with the family.
Um. Yeah.
Parts of it were really good, but it was, well, just a tad bit overdone. Or actually, hugely and grossly overdone. I got my cheese quota for like a year.
Still, there were some fun parts; he does get in some great lines. I’m looking forward to the Ood. And I recognize those eyes… it looks like one of my favorite alien enemies is coming back.
December 26th, 2007 at 11:30 pm
A DW Christmas Special is never going to be 2001 or Solaris, Phil. It’s a family show on steroids, an adventure that has to tick off checklist items like “comedy”, “romance”, “tragedy” and about a dozen others, because it’s designed specifically to appeal to a roomful of people slumped in front of a tv after a day of non-stop pigging-out and Baileys drinking! Think of a film like Shrek - slapstick for kids, romance for some adults, smart-ass quips for others… and all coated with a generous layer of cheese. A “Blink” would go down on Christmas Day like a bad case of wind in a spacesuit - too much thinking needed to enjoy it with a tummy full of turkey. So yeah, it was a bit of a pantomime (oh yes it was!) but that’s the idea, because RTD understands that although the wobbly corridors, sparkler special effects and held-together-with-flour-and-water-paste sets have all gone, there’s still plenty of FUN left in Dr Who.
Can’t wait to see Martha return in Torchwood too.
December 27th, 2007 at 1:39 am
I spotted Percy from Blackadder in the teaser!
December 27th, 2007 at 1:55 am
I thought the Christmas special was the weakest episode since the last series started, despite being a big ratings success with about 13 million viewers.
It started well, but then began to look like a cross between the Poseidon Adventure and Blakes 7. No real tension, lots of lame self-parodying jokes and a weak script. Lots of missed opportunities for good character acting in the bit parts too.
I’m also a bit concerned by the somewhat overblown image the Doctor is developing into. Put Steven Moffatt in charge of scripting and stick to original tight scripts.
December 27th, 2007 at 6:12 am
Kimpatsu, I just watched DW’s first season. I will watch the 2nd season next week. I’m really enjoying Doctor Who. I Hope I like these Ood.
Sorry for the bad english.
December 27th, 2007 at 8:11 am
Phil wrote “But a lot of people find this blog searching for the show too,”.
I actually found the BA site after I saw an article in the official Doctor Who Magazine. They were looking at ‘the fact in fiction’ of the 1966 story ‘The Tenth Planet’, and mentioned this site as giving some proper scientific background as to the idea of an additional solar planet. I’ve been a regular reader since.
There’s a slightly better quality teaser at the Beeb’s own website.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/video/
December 27th, 2007 at 10:35 am
I’m a classical Whovian who loves the new Who. My wife used to despise the old Who, but I managed to get her to watch a few episodes of the new Who, and now she’s hooked (she still can’t stand the classic).
The news that Rose is coming back is, as Christopher Eccelston used to say, “FANTASTIC!”.
PZ ought to love the Ood; I have to wonder, though, do the Ood follow the teachings of the FSM????
December 27th, 2007 at 11:20 am
I watched the new episode.
I liked it very much, because after a such long time without the doctor, this glorifying of him gave me orgasms.
Also, I was high.
December 27th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Sergeant Zim, I’m an old whovian who also loves the new series. My wife pretty much just rolls her eyes at the old, but really enjoys the new.
December 27th, 2007 at 2:22 pm
PS, where is everyone (who’s on this side o’ the Atlantic) seeing the Chrismtas special?
This side being the U.S….
December 27th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
Christmas Special will probably be aired when Sci-Fi channel airs Season 4 as the first episode. That’s what they did last season.
Now what I really want to see is the Children in Need special. Five and Ten team-up! I must see this!
And are they ever going to put Torchwood on DVD? I need more Capt. Jack but I don’t have cable and can’t go to my parents’ in the middle of the week to catch it on BBC America.
December 27th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
KLC, Torchwood is already on region 2 dvd, which you should be able to play on your PC.
—
It’s no secret that the Sontarans are back for this one, and other adventures are going to include meeting Agatha Christie and a visit to Pompei on the eve of the eruption.
Plus Donna, Martha, and Rose all making trips in the Tardis. Two weeks until Torchwood 2 (with James Marsters and Martha), and three months until DW4.
Whoot, whoot!
–
BTW, how come PZ gets better billing than Phil?
December 28th, 2007 at 5:05 am
KLCtheBookWorm wrote”Now what I really want to see is the Children in Need special. Five and Ten team-up! I must see this!”
The BBC’s own Youtube site has this at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I76p1cZbq4
Please make a contribution to Children In Need whilst you are there.
December 31st, 2007 at 8:24 pm
Hi,
I’m living in Seoul, Korea.
Your blog has a lot of ’s story.
I’m interested in
Thank you for your blog.
Anyway
It is hard to know ’s information in Korea.
So, I want to know when ’s S4 started in UK.
Sorry, I can’t speak English, well.
Can you…
let me know?
Happy New Year~
Bye
January 4th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Hi I’m fairly new to the whole blogging thing and really I just want to know were can I wtch the old epiosdes of Doctor Who and whaen is series 4 starting and is Billie Piper really going to be in part of season 4 because I think her and the Doctor really need to work things out
May 14th, 2008 at 10:20 am
Dr Who Spoilers!
Ok here are some new spoilers but keep them secret, they arn’t meant to be shown yet!
One Christmas special maybe?
One of the specials next year is probably going to be set in Elizabethan times since in the Shakespeare code, Queen Elizabeth calls the doctor her sworn enemy … none of the episodes in season 4 are set in Elizabethan times and if their going to do it they’ll have to do it while Tennant is still the doctor because otherwise Queen Elizabeth wouldn’t have recognised him.
Extra Christmas Special?
A little more info about the Christmas Special. Dervla Kirwan is now pretty much confirmed as being in the Christmas special, being as she has been seen filming a scene with the two Davids. Her character is called Mrs Hartigan, or Hartinger or something of a similar sound. His assistant for this story may be called Rosita.
A scene has been overheard with a Cyberman saying he does not match their visual records, does this mean they are NOT Cybus Cybermen I wonder?
Later episodes? From Season 4…
Maybe some sort of huge bee?
For some reason the doctor breaths out this sort of cloudy substance…?
For sure Rose Tyler comes back (last seen when Donna tells her something(car keys), wears blue coat)!
Daleks come back fore sure also!
Captain Jack Comes back.
This is all for the Dr Who in 2008 and christmas, maybe more. I’ll try and keep you updated!