Christian Cawley's Blog, page 31

Review Round-Up: LEGO TARDIS Set

Philip Bates is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

It’s the first Saturday in quite some time without a new episode of Doctor Who.

Crikey. That’s sad, isn’t it? At least we’re close to The Husbands of River Song. But this does mean we’ve not got a wealth of advanced reviews to scour through. Oh, what will we do?!

Fortunately, LEGO has come to our rescue… in the shape of the TARDIS.

The first Doctor Who LEGO set is out now, the TV series having first featured for the brick-based company in LEGO Dimensions. And what better way to start than with two of the most popular Doctors, an Impossible companion, two iconic enemies, and the vehicle that transports the Doctor – and us! – through time and space every week?

It has to be said that this is a big step for Whovians. How many of us have dreamt of a LEGO TARDIS? Now, those fantasies can finally materialise into reality.

Perhaps that sentiment has got to all the reviewers, who seem pretty overwhelmed by the set. Or maybe it really is just that good.

First, let’s scan through Blocks magazine, issue 14 of which is out now (priced £4.99), with a TARDIS adorning the cover. There’s plenty of interesting behind-the-scenes bits and bobs inside, as well as an extensive review. Chris Wharfe says:

“[E]very component of the set is crafted with attention to detail, and the overall package really manages to capture the most iconic parts of the franchise in one fell swoop. The bad news, if you can call it that, is that the set’s parts count is absolutely ramped up with tiny elements, so the final product might not feel like the greatest bang for your buck in terms of sheer size.”

The set, I guess, is smaller on the inside, but Wharfe does conclude that “it’s not just ultimate fan service, but also offers up the bounty of interesting parts at a decent price… We couldn’t have asked for much more.”

In addition to this, he seems particularly impressed with the minifigures – “for the most part, they’re perfect” – and its collectability, giving it 88/100.

Huw at BrickSet also likes the minifigures, adding that the Weeping Angel “looks great, and it is her that uses the transparent neck bracket, for attaching the wings. Here she looks quite serene… but turn her head around to expose what is possibly the scariest minifigure head I have seen!”

He’s uploaded a beautiful gallery of images of the set, during various phases of construction, and ponders why the Twelfth Doctor’s jacket is different to on-screen.

The reason being, that this set is based on The Time of the Doctor, Matt Smith’s regeneration into Peter Capaldi, so the latter is wearing his purple suit donned throughout Series 7b.

Still, Huw says:

“Quite simply, it is fantastic. Every aspect of it… It successfully captures the ‘bigger on the inside’ concept of the time machine and both interior and exterior models are superb… It’s everything you could want from the first, of what will hopefully be many, Doctor Who sets.”

We’ll head over to DrWho-Online next for their 10/10 review, which notes:

“We clocked the build time at around 2 Hours approx, and it was a thoroughly enjoyable 2 hours at that! Building the TARDIS console room from the ground up was immensely satisfying as you see the familiar set take form. The time rotor was a particular favourite section to put together, and clicking it into place will appease the bubble-wrap fans amongst you. With two main build sections – THE TARDIS exterior and the TARDIS interior – you will similarly like the way one simply connects to the other, giving the impression that The Doctor has just walked into the TARDIS from the outside.”

Additionally, they further say that “you can actually swivel the Dalek’s head 360°,” while the set also includes an “impressive 127-page build manual. It’s full of easy-to-follow instructions, as one would expect from LEGO, but, ever so coolly, there are neat little Doctor Who facts randomly printed along the way.”

Another Very Impressed party is BlogtorWho, also awarding the LEGO set a hearty 10/10. He starts off with a good dose of nerdy detail (which is what we’re all here for):

“Of course, if you want to see Matt in his purple suit all you have to do is swap heads, and vice verse for Twelve in Eleven’s costume. AND for niche accuracy, just take Smith’s hair off and you’ve got bald Eleventh Doctor!”

But the thing that Cameron enjoyed most was building the TARDIS itself, that “Watching this wonderful sight come together over a few hours was an immeasurable pleasure.”

This is such an obvious hit, you do wonder why it hasn’t happened before. Cameron perfectly sums up why Doctor Who and LEGO is such a great mix:

“Both exuding boundless fun and limitless imagination, just a pity it’s taken this long to happen. But we’re so glad they did. I sincerely hope that this proves successful enough for the Danish toy company to investigate the show’s history thoroughly with countless possibilities of sets and mini figs for future releases.”

So there we have it: all of time and space, made from LEGO blocks. An ideal Christmas gift? It certainly sounds so!

The post Review Round-Up: LEGO TARDIS Set appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Doctor Who and Torchwood Stars in And Then There Were None

Philip Bates is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Agatha Christie’s masterpiece, And Then There Were None has been adapted by the BBC to celebrate the author’s 125th anniversary, and the series is stuffed with Big Names, some of who you’ll know from the Whoniverse.

Adapted by Sarah Phelps (The Casual Vacancy), the story sees ten strangers stranded on Soldier Island with each slowly being picked off. Paranoia and suspicion lands on everyone, as the murders are carried out in the cryptic style of an 1869 rhyme by Frank Green. Christie’s book is one of the best-selling novels of all time, certainly the best-selling mystery, with over 100 million copies sold worldwide.

And deservedly so. It’s pure genius. You really should read it.

Of course, Doctor Who featured Agatha Christie in 2007’s The Unicorn and the Wasp. In this BBC series, Burn Gorman, who you’ll know as Owen from Torchwood, plays William Blore, a former police inspector-turned-private investigator. Meanwhile, The Long Game‘s Anna Maxwell Martin stars as Ethel Rogers, the housekeeper who oversleeps…

Further stars include Sam Neill as General John MacArthur, Charles Dance as Justice Wargrave, and Poldark‘s Aidan Turner as Philip Lombard (a favourite character of mine – and not just because of his name!).

And Then There Were None begins on Boxing Day, running across three nights and so concluding on 28th December. We’re hugely excited about it, actually.

The post Doctor Who and Torchwood Stars in And Then There Were None appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Alex Kingston: “I Love This TARDIS Interior”

Philip Bates is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Alex Kingston returns to Doctor Who in just less than two weeks’ time… and she’s bringing a few husbands with her. Well, okay, River Song is, not Alex. But still.

Teasing the upcoming Christmas special, The Husbands of River Song, Alex told the BBC it’s a “wonderful slapstick caper”, full of the usual River one-liners…

What was it like to come back?

Alex: I was quite surprised when I was asked to come back, but I was happy to because I just thought it would be great fun. It’s such a great character, she’s become so beloved by lots of fans and I’ve had them saying it would be so great for her to come back and to see her interacting with Peter Capaldi’s Doctor. I was actually thrilled when Steven decided he wanted to explore that too.

What did you think of the script?

It’s a wonderful slapstick caper. There’s a lot of great laughs, there’s a lot of fabulous River one-liners. The fans are going to love the things she says and there’s a lot of play. They’re also fighting a very interesting alien played by Greg Davies. It’s a really great episode and Steven has done my character proud.

Has this episode been challenging?

I’ve been really lucky in this episode as River gets to do an awful lot. She gets to run around in snow, I’ve been flying and have done harness work against a green screen. She’s got quite a few husbands in this episode and there’s a lot of fabulous quick-fire dialogue between her and the Doctor. She gets to snog the most handsome man in the work, his character name is Ramone. It’s all going on!

What were your favourite moments during filming?

The favourite moment so far for me was stepping back on to the TARDIS, because the interior of it has changed yet again. I’ve been on two different TARDIS incarnations, and to walk into this one and know it’s a familiar space but at the same time it’s different, was great. I love this one – everything works which is really fun, I stand there pressing all the buttons, it’s great!

So River’s back at Christmas, and things are looking cheerier by the second. We can officially start singing “it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”.

The Husbands of River Song airs on Christmas Day, but you knew that already.

The post Alex Kingston: “I Love This TARDIS Interior” appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Doctor on the Ward! Peter Capaldi Pays Surprise Visit to Sick Fan

Billy Garratt-John is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Peter Capaldi is awesome. No-one has ever questioned that. I’ve had the honour of meeting him twice; once on location in Cardiff City Centre and on the TARDIS set some months ago. In both these circumstances he was taking a break from filming to meet and talk with fans. He has so much time for us, probably because he was like us once! He was on the other side of the conversation with an idol – a hero.

One can only imagine, in this case, what does outside of the confines of a Doctor Who shoot, when he’s got time to himself.

Visit sick fans, of course.

Over the weekend, Peter called in to a London hospital to meet 14 year-old Daniel. Due to his medical conditions, Daniel is bed-ridden and connected to a drip, which restrict his ability to go out and do all those things we took for granted at his age. Things like visiting the Doctor Who Festival in London earlier last month. Taking time out of his writing schedule, Steven Moffat sent a video message to Daniel appeasing him to tune in to the finale of this year’s series as he could not attend the festival.

Daniel has already had visits from Eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith, and Doctor Who actress Frances Barber, thanks a the social media campaign #DrWhoDaniel headed by podcasters Bad Wilf and Geek Syndicate.

Andc then Peter Capaldi happened.

Peter Capaldi is the new doctor on the ward!

Big Finish Announce The War Doctor: Infernal Devices

Philip Bates is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

John Hurt’s War Doctor is gearing up for his next battle against the Daleks, as Big Finish announce the second boxset in The War Doctor‘s audio series, Infernal Devices.

To be released in February 2016, the set sees the Doctor joined once more by Cardinal Ollistra, played by Jacqueline Pearce. The War Doctor makes his audio debut in Only the Monstrous, due out on Monday 14th December, but there are four boxes planned in total so far, plus an Eighth Doctor prelude to the Time War.

Infernal Devices features three stories, directed by Nicholas Briggs who’s also the voice of the Daleks.

Legion of the Lost by John Dorney

In a time of war, every means of victory must be explored. In the Time War, the unthinkable must be thought, and neither side can afford to be squeamish about their methods.

When the destruction of an obscene weapon leads to the Time Lord once known as the Doctor uncovering a secret Gallifreyan initiative, he cannot believe what is being considered.

Should victory be sought at any cost? Or are there worse possibilities than losing to the Daleks..?

A Thing of Guile by Phil Mulryne

The Daleks are developing a secret weapon on Asteroid Theta 12. It is imperative that their plans are uncovered.

Cardinal Ollistra has her hands full studying the range of ancient and mysterious armaments the universe has to offer, but she makes it a personal mission to investigate the Dalek project.

On this dangerous assignment, there is one particular Time Lord she wants at her side – and he will be accompanying her whether he wants to or not.

The Neverwhen by Matt Fitton

On an isolated world ravaged by battle, time itself has become a weapon, laying waste to all who live and die there. Arms and technology are in a state of flux – and it seems that everlasting war is their only option.

The arrival of one battered Type Forty TARDIS inside this nightmare offers hope to the combatants trapped within.

But when he discovers the truth, the horrors of the Neverwhen will shock even the War Doctor…

Infernal Devices also stars David Warner as Shadovar, Jamie Newall as Co-ordinator Jarad, Zoë Tapper as Collis, Robert Hands as Captain Solex, Oliver Dimsdale as Commander Trelon, Laura Harding as Navigator Valis, Barnaby Kay as Commander Thrakken, Jaye Griffiths as Daylin, Tim Bentinck as General Kallix, and Tracy Wiles as Commander Barnac.

The War Doctor’s adventures continue in September 2016 with Agents of Chaos.

You can pre-order Infernal Devices (and Only the Monstrous!) for £20 each.

The post Big Finish Announce The War Doctor: Infernal Devices appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

DWM 494 Previews The Husbands of River Song

Philip Bates is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

On your lunch break? Pop down to your nearest newsagent and pick up the latest Doctor Who Magazine – a bumper festive edition that previews the Doctor Who Christmas special that’s airing in just two weeks’ time!

The Husbands of River Song is the first meeting of Alex Kingston and Peter Capaldi, and DWM asked the latter what it was like for the Doctor meeting River again?

“There’s a very different dynamic. As you’ll see, she doesn’t know it’s him at first. She can’t be convinced that it is, so she’s sort of not interested in him! He gets a taste of his own medicine, from her. She treats him very coldly, and flirts with a lot of other people in front of him. He doesn’t get any flirting, which I think upsets him. Eventually – finally! – she recognises him. But then another element comes into play and… well, you’ll have to wait and see. But it’s fun…”

Also in Doctor Who Magazine #494:

THE HUSBANDS OF RIVER SONG DWM previews the exciting Christmas Special The Husbands of River Song and talks exclusively with writer Steven Moffat.
GOOD KING HYDROFLAX? We chat to Inbetweeners star Greg Davis about his upcoming role as King Hydroflax – husband to River Song – in this year’s Doctor Who Christmas Special.
ASK STEVEN Showrunner Steven Moffat answers readers’ questions about Trap Streets, Zygons and why Osgood is Osgood.
DRAGONS’ DEN There’s a brand-new comic strip this issue: The Dragon Lord, written by Steve Lyons and illustrated by Adrian Salmon.
CHRISTMAS IS COMING In her column Relative Dimensions, Jacqueline Rayner wonders if question-mark underpants will be available in time for Christmas.
HEAVEN & HELL DWM goes behind the scenes of this year’s final two episodes, Heaven Sent and Hell Bent, and chats to director Rachel Talalay about how she went about bringing back Gallifrey.
CLARA’S KILLER! One of the people responsible for Clara’s death ­– Sarah Dollard, writer of Face the Raven – explains her actions!
RASSILON RETURNS Actor Donald Sumpter, who previously appeared in 1968’s The Wheel in Space and 1972’s The Sea Devils, chats about meeting his third Doctor, and about his appearance as Rassilon in the recent Hell Bent.
ZYGON ALERT! Writer of this year’s acclaimed Zygon two-parter, Peter Harness, talks exclusively to DWM and explains how a Saturday teatime children’s show can simultaneously speak to adults about serious political issues.
DWM’S REVIEW OF 2015 DWM travels back in time to January to relive the Doctor Who highlights of this year.
THE DWM REVIEW DWM reviews the final four episodes of the latest series: Sleep No More, Face the Raven, Heaven Sent and Hell Bent, as well as revisiting the Doctor’s first Christmas Day appearance in 1965’s The Feast of Steven. We also take a look at the latest books and audio and gifts which make perfect stocking fillers.
COMING SOON All the latest merchandise releases, including the much-anticipated War Doctor audio dramas from Big Finish, Only the Monstrous.
PLUS! All the latest official news, competitions, The Watcher’s Fiendishly Festive Christmas Quiz, The DWM Christmas Crossword and a massive double-sided poster!

Doctor Who Magazine #494 is on sale now, priced £5.99.

The post DWM 494 Previews The Husbands of River Song appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Out Now: All-Consuming Fire [TRAILER]

Philip Bates is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

The latest Novel Adaptation by Big Finish is available right now. Released alongside Theatre of War, All-Consuming Fire features the Seventh Doctor – and a literary great, Sherlock Holmes!

Based on the 1994 book, the audio sees a crossover between two popular franchises for the audio company: Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes, the latter played by Nicholas Briggs aka the voice of the many monsters including the Daleks, Cybermen, and Judoon.

The Andy Lane-penned novel has been adapted by Guy Adams, an expert when it comes to the Great Detective. having written books for Titan’s Holmes range. Richard Earl also returns as Dr John Watson, as does Sophie Aldred as Ace and Lisa Bowerman as Bernice Summerfield. Directed by Scott Handcock, here’s what you can expect:

The Library of St. John the Beheaded contains the most dangerous books in all creation so when some of them are stolen who else should the Vatican call but Sherlock Holmes?

Immediately, one of the possible suspects seems more suspicious than others. He has no traceable background, refuses to give straight answers and hides behind a pseudonym. However, Holmes and his loyal friend Watson soon realise this suspect is also their greatest hope: war is brewing and an Old God is rising, to save humanity they need The Doctor as much as he needs them.

Hugh Fraser plays Sherringford Holmes, with Anthony May as Baron Maupertuis, Aaron Neil as Tir Ram, Samantha Béart as Mrs Prendersly/Azazoth, Michael Griffiths as Ambrose, and Guy Adams as K’Tcar’ch.

All-Consuming Fire is out now from Big Finish, priced £14.99 for a CD, or £12.99 as a download.

The Novel Adaptations continue in April 2016 with Nightshade.

The post Out Now: All-Consuming Fire [TRAILER] appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Capaldi: “It’s Always Lovely To Work With Alex Kingston”

Philip Bates is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

The BBC has released a brief interview with the Twelfth Doctor himself, Peter Capaldi, in which he teases The Husbands of River Song.

This year’s festive special, which airs on Christmas Day, is an hour-long and guest stars Matt Lucas as Nardole and Greg Davies as King Hydroflax, as well as the return of… Well, Alex Kingston as River Song! Duh.

What can you tell us about the Doctor Who Christmas special this year?

Well the Christmas special is very Christmassy, which I’m sure everyone will be relieved to hear. It finds the Doctor in a Dickensian kind of world, in a Christmas card sort of world which he’s been brought to in order to do a favour for a king. So there’s quite a festive spirit to the episode. But the favour is more complex and isn’t exclusively for the benefit of the king, but more for the benefit of the king’s consort.

What is your favourite scene from this episode?

I have lots of favourite scenes from the Christmas episode, but I think being met by Matt Lucas on a wonderful wintery Dickensian street with the TARDIS covered in snow was delightful, because it was like a Doctor Who Christmas card. Matt is such a fabulously funny person to have around, so I loved that!

Do you like filming Christmas episodes?

Yes I do like them – last year’s [Last Christmas] was a bit scarier than this one, this is more openly festive. I like the idea of ghost stories at Christmas and frightening things seem to work rather well in the festive environment.

Would you like to see River Song return?

Yes of course, because Alex is fabulous and it’s always lovely to work with her.

Who is Nardole?

The character of Nardole is played by Matt Lucas so you can expect a lot of laughs and pathos. He is, as ever, a hugely loveable personality, a little naïve, a little out of his depth and quite cosmic.

Indeed, Alex Kingston said earlier this year:

“I haven’t been told I’m done [on the show]… River’s dealt with a lot of Doctor’s faces in the past, so I don’t think that it would be a surprise to her.”

I guess we’ll see!

The Husbands of River Song airs on BBCOne on 25th December.

The post Capaldi: “It’s Always Lovely To Work With Alex Kingston” appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Out Now: Theatre of War [TRAILER]

Philip Bates is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Searching for a Christmas gift for a Seventh Doctor fan? I think we have something perfect…

A new novel adaptation by Big Finish has just been released, Theatre of War, starring Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor, Sophie Aldred as Ace, and Lisa Bowerman as Bernice Summerfield.

Based on the original 1994 book of the same name by Justin Richards, and directed by Scott Handcock, this is the seventh (appropriately) novel adaptation by the audio company. Here’s the synopsis:

Years ago, an archaeological expedition came to Menaxus to explore the ruins of an ancient theatre. All but one of the team died. Now the only survivor has returned, determined to uncover the theatre’s secrets.

But then the deaths begin again.

The Doctor, Ace and Benny find themselves caught up in the very real events of Shakespeare’s greatest play. When they finally reach the theatre on Menaxus, the Doctor begins to realise that the truth about the planet may be far stranger than anyone imagined. With Benny doing research at the Braxiatel Collection, the Doctor and Ace head straight into an interplanetary war…

The story also stars Miles Richardson as Irving Braxiatel, Kirsty Besterman as Lannic, Richard Vranch as Gilmanuk, Ed Stoppard as Fortalexa, Bryan Dick as The Exec, Ramon Tikaram as Marlock, Gus Brown as Krane, and Milo Twomey as Jorvik.

Theatre of War is available now from Big Finish; the download will set you back £12.99, while a physical CD is just £14.99.

The post Out Now: Theatre of War [TRAILER] appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.

Reviewed: Doctor Who – The Complete History Issue 5

Philip Bates is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

This is probably the only volume of The Complete History to include the word ‘goolies,’ but hey, it’s Doctor Who, so you never know.

Matt Smith’s tenure as the Eleventh Doctor takes up the most books of this collection – a fact I’m very, very pleased about – so I knew we wouldn’t have to wait long before we got our first HC dedicated to his stories. We start off with Series 7 – Dinosaurs on a Spaceship, A Town Called Mercy, and The Power of Three, to be exact.

It was a glorious time to be a fan because after a long wait, we had five shiny new episodes to plough through, leading up to a new companion and the much-anticipated 50th anniversary. It all seems so very long ago, but paradoxically – and entirely appropriately, given this is Doctor Who we’re talking about – just yesterday.

It was also around this time that my frustration began. Not with the series, no, but with fandom.

I was concerned about the rise of negativity. I even wrote an article about it, which split readers into three groups: those who agreed with me, those who didn’t but explained their reasons and seemed just, and the third party whose comments consisted largely of swearing, calling each other trolls, and generally having “I’m not negative, Doctor Who is just bad now, everything sucks, Moffat must go, death to fun” sentiments.

And this hardback, too, gives you just the first glimmer of that negativity, with the Broadcast section for A Town Called Mercy noting how one viewer on Points of View said that the show as going downhill “due to the failure of the writers to innovate”, while The Daily Telegraph went with the heading “Is it just me, or is the latest series of Doctor Who a bit rubbish?”

(After poring over this book, learning about the effort all parties go to in order to ensure the show is as good as it possibly can be, it’s a bit outrageous to read any criticism that essentially accuses the production team of having a laissez-faire attitude. Nothing is above criticism, but how dare people insinuate that the team simply don’t care as much anymore?! See, this is what riles me. No one sets out to make bad television.)

The same negativity cannot be extended to this issue of The Complete History, which keeps up the solid start the partwork had. Those first four were originally released on the test period, so they had to be top-notch. Issue 5 is just as exceptional.

It seemed an odd choice, grouping these three episodes together in one book: surely leaving Asylum of the Daleks and The Angels Take Manhattan hanging into other volumes is a little strange? Amy and Rory’s final on-screen adventure is tonally very different to The Snowmen, even if the former informs the latter greatly. Equally, The Power of Three was the last one Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill filmed, so why not pair that and Angels as one?

This does, however, demonstrate how productions can contrast so substantially.

Chris Chibnall (incorrectly called “Chris Chinball” in one pull-out quote; nobody’s finest hour) wrote the stories that bookend this HC, and their progression couldn’t be more different: Dinosaurs on a Spaceship was complete in a couple of drafts, whereas The Power of Three was… well, massacred.

The production team were so pleased with the first draft of Dinosaurs that they asked Chris to write a second story. That much is common knowledge anyway. This book reveals that he had three scripts in the works – a further one for Series 7B, including Clara – but he had to abandon the last one so he could write The Power of Three and develop Broadchurch.

This meant that The Power of Three was written in stages: one script would only go so far as a certain scene; the next would further it slightly; and the next even more so. Then when it got to Production and Post-Production, it was butchered. Chopped and changed and bits added in and parts taken away – the whole thing was restructured.

It seems we lost some really good dialogue, but also some filler too.

Some of the plot holes are smoothed out by the deleted content, but the Shakri remain pretty elusive. It’d be nice to have the species revisited, but I doubt it. In fact, so much was cut that brief reshoots were needed. It must’ve come as a bit of a surprise to the cast when they saw it on transmission. That opening voiceover, for instance, didn’t exist until much later in the process, remaining one of the last things Karen recorded before leaving the regular role.

Yep, this is quite a sad issue. These are the last days of the Ponds, their last scene filmed (apart from Gillan’s brief return in The Time of the Doctor) being when they stepped into the TARDIS at the episode’s conclusion.

Nonetheless, this remains a joy to read. The whole volume is interesting and presented beautifully. We get such scope in these episodes hat each section looks so radically different.

A particular favourite is A Town Called Mercy. I love that episode, and the section devoted to it in The Complete History is equally as solid. The benefit of this issue’s stunning photography is that you get to see the locales and characters in so much detail.

The Gunslinger, especially, can be appreciated better. While there’s not a wealth of images of him, the ones big enough to study show a lot of intricacy and attention. I never realised his fingertips were metal, for instance. Honestly, it’s a gorgeous-looking episode, and the Gunslinger’s the cherry on top.

As ever, this is an illuminating read, so here are a few things I learnt:

Rupert Graves left school at the age of 15 and ran away to join the circus. No, really.
The end of Dinosaurs on a Spaceship changed quite a bit; originally, Nefertiti was to have sacrificed herself on Solomon’s ship.
It’s widely known that the area in Almeria, Spain, called Mini Hollywood, which doubled for Mercy, was built in 1965 for the film, For a Few Dollars More, and its subsequent sequels. But it came as a surprise to find out that the site was then purchased by some of the movie’s extras so they could run it as a tourist attraction… and to get further work in Westerns filmed there. Canny thinking!
The scene in which the Doctor is called out of the Sheriff’s office by townsfolk and told to “take a walk” was inspired by a similar one in To Kill a Mockingbird.
Matt Smith adlibbed the Eleventh Doctor’s catchphrase, “Geronimo” when the Cube is about to open.

The book also clears up that business with the Rory leaving the phone charger in Henry VIII’s bedroom, which prompted fans to speculate that A Town Called Mercy happened during The Power of Three. I won’t spoil it for you.

Profiles this time cover Rupert Graves, Ben Browder, and Jemma Redgrave; each is as thorough as ever, with a favourite being Rupert’s – but only because he comes from the town I live in. Still, it’s a surprise that there isn’t a biography for Mark Williams, aka Rory’s Dad, Brian. Redgrave, for instance, stars in numerous episodes, but these are the only two in which Brian appears, so his exclusion is strange.

I guess that’s my only gripe with this volume… which says a lot about how pleasing this partwork is proving to be.

I’d been looking forward to this first Matt Smith era issue, and it hasn’t let me down one bit.

NEXT: ROBOT, THE ARK IN SPACE, AND THE SONTARAN EXPERIMENT.

Want to subscribe? Head over to  the Doctor Who: The Complete History site  – and don’t forget about  the premium subscription offer too!

The post Reviewed: Doctor Who – The Complete History Issue 5 appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.