h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I saw the special by accident, turned it on in the background and then realised what it was when this unknown person came on saying that he was the 11th doctor. Initially I thought he looked a bit like Tenant, and worried that they might have tried to replace the very successful Tenant with someone who's like him, which would be a disaster. Each doctor has to being something new, if one copies the previous one they'll just be slated. But, after watching the rest of the program I've got some high hopes for this guy. His age is irrelevant frankly, especially since Moffat - who let us not forget has given us some of the best Who episodes there are - is so keen on him and saw loads of other actors after him and still went back to him. I was impressed with the clips of him in other stuff too, and now I really want to see Ruby in the Smoke as I've read that series and have been meaning to see it for ages.

The new Moffat Dr Who is going to be very different and we're not going to know until 2010. I agree with whoever said it; those who are saying RIP Dr Who need to grow up.

"looks like the Dr. Song story won't apear in this Dr.s regeneration, as she pointed out that the DT Dr. was too young, and this one is even younger" - Taff

I'm sorry but I really don't want the Dr Song story to come back. As I've probably said before, it makes a much better story if they don't tell it, it adds all sorts of things to the Doctor's personal life that are always going to be better in the viewer's mind than if people try and depict it on screen. I reckon they never intended to have her in anything more than those 2 episodes, and I hope they keep it that way. The tv series isn't all of Dr Who anyway, there's cartoons, comics, books, all sorts of other outlets with different stories, so there can be stories that we don't see at all, like the Dr and Dr Song. Her story's over anyway since we know how it ends.

"I reckon if you stuck a bolt through his neck, he'd make a great Frankenstein ..." - Bright Blue Shorts

I don't think you mean Frankenstein. (Sorry to be picky but that's one of the few common mis-references I can't let lie for very long)


3Dotsplus1 , totally agree about Heath Ledger! He's bl**dy fantastic as the Joker!

"Dr Who is dead. Long Live Dr Who."

I couldn't agree more.

Must say I'm of the 'if Moffat is convinced I'm willing to wait and see' - he does come across as being quite articulate and intelligent but slightly different - and the Doctor is definitly eccentric by human standards (and quite probably the standards of the rest of the universe too!) so I can see.

No, I'm a bit more worried about other comments, like
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/01/05/next_doctor_who/
".. BBC is eyeing singer Lily Allen and Strictly Come Dancing stars Rachel Stevens and Kelly Brook. Wenger admitted: "We would never cast anyone on the basis of their celebrity, but if Lily wanted to audition we would be delighted. It would be a lot of fun.""

I'm hoping that is just a bit of FUD like DTs and RTDs comments about the next Doctor.

and in passing:
"looks like the Dr. Song story won't apear in this Dr.s regeneration, as she pointed out that the DT Dr. was too young, and this one is even younger" - Taff

No, young as in Doctor years not young as in age of the actor (or current body) of the Doctor. By definition Doctor #11 is older than Doctor #10.

Those women could be kinda fun as the assistant, but the way they do it now is an assistant for a whole series. It could be a bit more interesting if that wasn't so set as it has been in the past 4 series', like it was with Mickey only staying for a few episodes, or Adam (I think that was his name) who joined in one episode and was given the boot by the Doctor in the next one. That would mix things up a bit, and I also think that more than one companion at a time, like maybe a couple, or at least not a girl so it breaks the trend we've been having so far. In new-Who, aside from Donna, we haven't had many companions who were just mates.

I'd agree to an extent. The series had begun to get to a point where, even in its excellent new incarnation, it has its predictabilities. What you suggest might be one way. That said, Captain Jack sort of meets the criteria of much of what you're saying.

But of course, on the production side you have to look at it from the perspective of the producers/actors and the contracts, budgets etc.

the interesting thing is that I'm sure I've seen RTD in interview say that in the specials the Doctor will not have a companion. I'm sure he'll have people tagging along for a bit but apparently we get him with no ties, as was rather obviously signposted at the end of the xmas special. Could be interesting.

I've finally been able to see the Xmas special and I more or less agree that the first half was better and the second half kind of got silly. But I think that working all the backstory in would've taken too long- more than one episode. That said, I also agree that the kidnapping of the children wasn't really necessary to further the plot. The Cyberking was a bit goofy, too ("Stay-Puft" was a pretty good way of putting it, and made me laugh). But overall, I liked it.

As for the new guy- I'll withhold judgement till I've seen him in the show, but he does look OK for the part.

I think having the Doctor on his own, without any companion or ties, for a while, will be interesting. I'm just disappointed that I'll see the specials a couple of weeks or so later than everyone else.

I think the reason for no companion as Donna left last series is more due to dramatic pacing reasons for what in effect will be un-linked specials (possibly with some conclusion to the Timewar but RTD could wrap that up in the last episode...if he intends to).

To introduce a new companion and have touchy feely bits with them getting used to each other would reduce the time for the actual plotline. And when it comes down to it companions are only there for exposition and helping the Dr out. Anyone he meets can fit that purpose.

Yeah, but having a companion has traditionally also been used to give continuity to the series when the Doctor changes. There's a character that the audience knows to help them through it. River Song would have been perfect for that, imo.

I wonder if Stephen 'dark' Moffat will play on the rather gothic looks of the new guy?

Gif

Moffat has said he isn't going to change the tone of the show too much. If it ain't broke don't fix it...though some thngs are falling off and need renewing.

I hope he'll go a bit gothic and darker. His comedy will also play a part I am sure so there will be balance.

"I'm sure I've seen RTD in interview say that in the specials the Doctor will not have a companion."

I read that too.

ah, good, not imagining it. And yes, I seem to recall that the point was made that this made the stories more difficult as the companion *is* the audience and asks all the questions that need answering so that we at home have some slight clue as to what the heck is going on! Interesting to see how they will handle that gap.

"what in effect will be un-linked specials"
Hmmm, my understanding was that it will be specials covering one story arc culminating in the Doctor's regeneration .

Same as with the new Torchwood (although that does sound like it might actually be quite good!)

RTD story arcs tend to be more building block hints that you only see as an arc when he has explained everything at the end...which isn't an arc.

Unless he goes for a proper arc where there is signposted stuff there then it may be unconnected stories that only come together at the end like he usually does.

Considering the specials are spread out will he think the audience will be able to remember the arc bits between them?

Here's hoping for proper continued obvious linked stories.

I suspect 'no companion' will translate as 'a different companion in each special', as with the woman in the Christmas one. Or indeed the David Morrissey character.

Would be pretty cool if each special ended on a cliffhanger. Well, cool or incredibly frustrating!

Gif

my understanding was that the schedule was for the specials to run over the xmas/new year period so they won't be strung out.
The only other option I've heard is that one will be at easter this year, but then that seems a bit odd.

If it is run over xmas/new yr (i'd heard the regen final episode as being on new years) then they could make it a 4 episode story and do it properly.

However, my cringe reflex has already started firing due to the idea of RTD managing DTs 'death'. That Flippin' Girl will be there won't she? I just know it.

I think if 'she' or any other recent assistant is there then RTD will have jumped the shark with Dr Who and it will make the move to Moffat even more welcome.

A Troughton to Pertwee regeneration would be a good one...I don't think a companion was involved with that one.

And Ecclestone appeared fully formed with no regeneration.

No companion would allow Matt Smith to get his teeth into some good what-the-hell has happened acting to cement his credentials. The first episode has been written already by Moffat so that's all sorted out.

ah, cool! And agree a regeneration without a companion would be interesting, especially given the discussions and ideas round them being a necessary ground for the process.

I was wondering though, will the move to a much younger Doctor make it more difficult to have an older 12th Doctor? I know, thinking well ahead (hopefully!) but it just struck me that going from a late twentysomething to a fiftysomething would be just too much of a jump for a lot of the viewing public?

For a small amount of the dewy eyed viewing public possibly but it will teach them what Dr who is about. For the rest of us service as normal that's what is so good about Dr Who.

I would have said the opposite. I think this pretty much guarantees that the next Doctor is going to have to be older.

Hi Dots,

You missed the 7th/8th Doctor regen too. No companion there either.

Gif