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

Prompted by an idea of KerrAvon's.

You know you're a sad fan when... you can identify which story a photo of any dalek comes from (the exact shade of grey that *only* appeared in Destiny of the Daleks, the slight variation to the skirting that *only* appeared in Day of the Daleks).

Or, similarly,


... you can identify which story any photo of Tom Baker comes from simply by the weave of his scarf (that particular arrangement that only appeared in Fendahl, Underworld and Invasion of Time).

...you can identify a story just by watching a few seconds of location footage that has no actors in it (Mrs. D finds my ability to do this quite spooky).

... (from an old DWM editorial) You recognise John Scott Martin in a film.

and that should be another one:

... You can remember DWM editorials.

... At a party you make jokes about the suspicious yellow dip.

...you know what a Pigbin Josh is.

Or even that you can name people like John Scott Martin - or Max Faulkner, the stuntman who plays the android soldier who jumps off a cliff in The Android Invasion. A mate of mine pointed him out once and now I can spot him plying 'man about to die' in loads of BBC productions from the 1970s.

Then there are the words that *only* a Doctor Who fan knows or uses:

Mirrolon (reflective material used to create Ice Warrior gun effects)

Jabolite (light material used to make fake rocks)

Colour Separation Overlay (everyone else says 'bluescreen')

Eccentric

Roadster (as in 'Bright Yellow Roadster')

Any more?

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Umberella plot (as opposed to 'story arc')

You read The Watcher's Doctor Who Journalism article too, huh?

...You've ever spoken the words 'cosmic hobo' outloud.

...You've ever used the word 'retcon'

...You've ever *written* a retcon.

You recognise Terry Walsh, or any of the HAVOC team.

Crotchety. As in the first Doctor.

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Yep... I miss his random ramblings of wisdom. Oo-ar.

"There's somefin in moi baaaaarn!"

... You know it's important that the Helmic Regulators are set right.

Traveller in Time on top
"Then I am probably nnot a fan at all ? I only found out _The_ Doctor Who will be 'Baker' as that was the one I have seen first and made the most impression on me. Most of the others are complete strangers to me.

Perhaps, when I win the lottery or something I will buy the DVD collection, but until that time I do not even recognise the tune in relation to the Doctor. "

I know the person behind the Watcher (but will protect his identity) and he's just like that in real life - utterly fascinating and drawing your interest and attention to the most wonderfully obscure trivia.

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We won't tell... honest...

Nah, I really can't


Here's a sad one. The first time the phrase 'console room' was used in Doctor Who. Specifically 'console room'. It's MUCH later than you might think....

It's you, isn't it?

It's a Davison one, isn't it?

I bet the Watcher's bloody Cornell, or someone equally high-ranking in fan circles.

...you never get bored of correcting the common misconceptions about Doctor Who.

Nope, the Watcher's not Paul Cornell

And yes, I do enjoy correcting the misconceptions about Doctor Who. Love it

So, Am I right that 'console room' first appears in a Davison? Or is it really silly, like a McCoy?

Sad Fan When...
...You actually care about when 'console room' was first used.