Saturday, November 23, 2013

50WHO: In The Name of The Doctor

This is the eleventh part of a series of articles celebrating the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who. Over the years there are certain stories that mean a lot to me either from personal memories or involvement I had in fandom through the years. These articles are not meant to be close examinations of the plot or production but more about what these stories mean to me on a personal level. Enjoy.

When does a TV series transcends itself into something more? A program that lives well beyond the simple confines of the television set and jumps into the hearts and imagination of millions. A TV series that influences its fans on how they live their lives and how they interact with others right down to their belief systems. A TV series that could manage that would have to been around for a long time. Try 50 years.

For my eleventh 50WHO article, I originally thought about looking back at the stories that have multiple doctors. You know, the stories like The Three Doctors, The Five Doctors, and The Two Doctors. These are pretty amazing stories where we see old friends again with current friends. It seemed to make sense since The Day of the Doctor is a multi-Doctor story. Then I thought the scope of the article was too small. It was too narrow in focus. This wasn’t about multi-Doctors, it wasn’t about reunions, in so many ways it’s no longer about the series itself. It is about us the fans.

I don’t think I could have ever imagined in my wildest dreams where Doctor Who would take my life. Yes, I said where Doctor Who, that TV series that has run on BBC1 from 1963-2013, would take my life. It’s like I’m saying my life had been led by a TV series. When it is at its most basic, that sounds pretty sad. It’s not sad and I would like to tell you why and by the time I am done you may actually agree with me about the same thing for your life.

This isn’t about Doctors, TARDISes, Cybermen or Daleks. It’s about the people I met on my journey of growing up and living my life. It’s about the people who helped shape my life. So many of them I met because we all watched Doctor Who. Being a fan of a TV show, to me, means watching it on TV and then being done with it. What we do with Doctor Who is enjoy it, discuss it, debate it, love it and seek out new friends through it. The majority of friends I still have from when I was young are the same people I met through Doctor Who fandom. These are the people who I consider close friends. It would be easy to dismiss it meaning all that I talk about with them is Doctor Who but that is so wrong and untrue. These are the people I met and loved through life. For example, one was the best man at my wedding, I stood up for a couple at another wedding. I have gone on vacation with these friends and have spent many hours and dollars on the phone with them conversing about all manner of things.

This article is for those of us who have never let go of the series. Never needed a rest from it. Still find stories even like The Twin Dilemma to have merit. This is for those of us who are not afraid to dress up like characters from the series, who knew bow ties were cool before he even wore one. This is for those who say squee even though I hate that word. The fact we have the word means we have Doctor Who.

A life without Doctor Who in it is impossible to think about. It’s not just putting DVDs on the shelf, it is interacting with everyone. Ask yourself, where would you be without the influence of Doctor Who in your life? I did and I didn’t like that answer.

I feel like without Doctor Who, I would lose what was unique about me. I wouldn’t have my sense of humour, I wouldn’t have my friends that I met through the years and all around the world. Some of these people I have lost track of but eventually we always reconnect.

My job(s) have allowed me to get involved with the series in small ways. I have been around the world going to conventions and meeting people who worked in the series. Without Doctor Who I would have never gone to Minnehaha park in the fall of 1988 which changed my life forever, never been to conventions to listen to Jon Pertwee tell someone off, never listen to Sylvester McCoy tell someone to leave him alone. I would have never been able to tell Terry Walsh to fuck off in Chicago or stay in Richard Franklin’s house let alone have John Levene stay in my house. I would have never been able to drape myself in a flag that was half US and half UK, never been able to surprise Deborah Waitling in a bar in LA that I knew who she was. I would have never found myself in a PBS board room with other people trying to bring Doctor Who back to their station. I would have never been able to start up the Minnesota Doctor Who Viewing Society but refuse to watch anything I was showing. I could go on for pages….. but so could you.

I know people who have made it their lives to become experts on the series, people who went into writing or production not only because of Doctor Who but the sole purpose was to bring it back and work on it. People who make thousands of other people happy by putting on conventions. Other people who name their pets or children after Doctor Who companions or characters. Men who grow sideburns because they want to look like David Tennant and women who die their hair red to look more like Karen Gillan.

Back in 1984, I never would have thought how insanely popular the series would have become. How often does Entertainment Weekly cover it or CNN have a news article on a link on their web site. BBC America has virtually turned themselves into the Doctor Who channel. I see people walking on the streets in downtown Minneapolis wearing Doctor Who t-shrts. I see cars drive down freeways that have the Doctor Who emblem on the back window. I will be at an IHOP and see a woman carry around a homemade TARDIS purse. Many people where I work watch the show whenever they can. They talk to me about it a lot too. I will walk past people’s cubes and see a sonic screwdriver on their desk. I have seen co-workers have their kids dress as the Doctor for Halloween while their wives are dressed as a Dalek. When missing episodes were found, I got quite a few emails from people in my industry (film production) genuinely excited about the news.

Finally there is this site. I am excited that on November 23rd 2013, I can post an article about why this glorious series is so important to me. Even though I am having a hard time really articulating it in the way I want, I am still happy I can do so. I am so very proud of this web site and what it has become; it all came about because of Doctor Who.

I am grateful that I am quoted in a BBC America article for the 50th anniversary of the series. It doesn’t get any better than that; my 10 year old self would have never believed it. Of course first he would have asked what is a web site?  Here is the article I am quoted in and here is my bio on the BBC America site.

Doctor Who has helped shape what I would become and what I became.

And why do I do it?

Why do we do it?

All in the name of the Doctor.

Happy 50th anniversary to a show I absolutely cherish and would be completely lost without it.

Next and final 50WHO article: There is one fourth Doctor story that always intrigued and fascinated me. It was never finished and a wonderfully ingenious idea almost got a worldwide release of it. I end this series of articles celebrating the 50th anniversary with my story of Shada and how I worked on the impossible idea.

Do you have feedback, article requests or want to talk about a program but do not want to leave a public comment? Feel free to drop me an e-mail at FTA13867@gmail.com


I am on Twitter: @FromtheArchive

Also please subscribe to my From the Archive: British Television Blog Facebook Page for updates about new articles.


Tuesday, November 19, 2013

50WHO: Matt Smith Story Winner

The Winner is:

The Eleventh Hour
I feel like a lot of people feel the way I do about this story. It is one of the best Doctor first-story stories ever. It’s fun and Matt Smith defines his role right from the start.

Here is how voting broke down:
The Eleventh Hour: 13 votes (10 of these votes from the tie round)

Vincent and the Doctor: 7 votes (4 of these votes from the tie round)
The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang: 2 votes

The Snowmen: 2 votes
Cold War: 2 votes

The Time of the Angels/Flesh and Stone: 1 vote
Amy’s Choice: 1 vote

Why I am happy The Eleventh Hour was chosen: The Eleventh Hour means a lot to me beyond the story. To my why, please check out this article I wrote here.
It’s done! I literally couldn’t do it with you! You picked all the stories I am watching. Thank you! I am commenting on what I am watching on twitter and Facebook. Please check it out!

Do you have feedback, article requests or want to talk about a program but do not want to leave a public comment? Feel free to drop me an e-mail at FTA13867@gmail.com

I am on Twitter: @FromtheArchive

Also please subscribe to my From the Archive: British Television Blog Facebook Page for updates about new articles.


50WHO: Nominate a Matt Smith Story for 50th Anniversary Marathon

Round 11 (The Final Round):

Voting open to nominate a Matt Smith story
Voting is open for you to pick the Matt Smith story I watch for my 50th Anniversary Marathon I am viewing on 11/21 and 11/22. The story with the most votes will be added to the marathon.

Parameters: Do not pick The Name of the Doctor as I will be watching that right before the 50th anniversary special, The Day of the Doctor. Simply can’t wait!
Voting for the Matt Smith era closes on 11/20 at 8pm CST.

You may nominate a story in the comments section below, on my twitter feed @FromtheArchive or via e-mail fta13867@gmail.com

50WHO: David Tennant Story Winner

The Winner is:

Human Nature /The Family of Blood

Once again overwhelmingly we have a winner. I assumed it would be Blink but it was this amazing 2-parter from my favourite David Tennant series. The end with the school kids gunning down the scarecrows foreshadowing World War I always makes me weep to be very honest. It’s emotionally incredible and David Tennant (who is not a favourite of mine) is excellent in this.
Here is how voting broke down:

Human Nature/The Family of Blood: 6 votes
Blink: 2 votes

Midnight: 2 votes
The Stolen Earth/Journey’s End: 2 votes

School Reunion: 1 vote
The Girl in the Fireplace: 1 vote

The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit: 1 vote
The Shakespeare Code: 1 vote

42: 1 vote
Utopia/The Sounds of Drums/The Last of the Time Lords: 1 vote

The Waters of Mars: 1 vote
Why I am happy Human Nature/The Family of Blood was chosen: I have said for the longest time that this 2-part story is in fact the perfect 50th anniversary special. It was a way to get all of the Doctors in it plus paid homage to the people who created it and still provided us with an original, fresh concept. This is perfect viewing for this marathon.

Voting for the final round, Matt Smith commences at 8pm tonight CST. I am having a blast with this and I hope you continue to take part in choosing the stories for me to watch.

Do you have feedback, article requests or want to talk about a program but do not want to leave a public comment? Feel free to drop me an e-mail at FTA13867@gmail.com

I am on Twitter: @FromtheArchive

Also please subscribe to my From the Archive: British Television Blog Facebook Page for updates about new articles.


Sunday, November 17, 2013

50WHO: The Time Lord Victorious

This is the tenth part of a series of articles celebrating the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who. Over the years there are certain stories that mean a lot to me either from personal memories or involvement I had in fandom through the years. These articles are not meant to be close examinations of the plot or production but more about what these stories mean to me on a personal level. Enjoy.

I will be honest from the outset, I am not a big fan of David Tennant’s portrayal of Doctor Who. I am not someone who rates his favourite Doctors in order. I would never go up to tell Colin Baker he is my 7th favourite Doctor and mean it as a compliment.  I don’t have time. I generally love all of them. Unfortunately, I have a least favourite. That is David Tennant. I am sure I am breaking some rule of being a fan of the series in the 21st century. All fans have to love him. Well, I know that he is a fan favourite for the younger generation. He embodies a lot of what I don’t think the Doctor should be. I know that some of this goes down to how the character of the Doctor was re-imagined by RTD. Suddenly, he is an angry dark figure with a scary past. The warrior; the oncoming storm. I know this characterization started even as far back as Season 25 but that was different. Then it was mystery where now it is a character who walks in a room and shouts a lot about how badass he is and people believe him. Someone said to me about the Tennant era that they liked him so much because he was so tragic. Shut up! It’s an angle of the Doctor I can personally do without!
Honestly, I don’t believe Tennant had the chops to pull the character of the Doctor off.  At least the character that RTD created.  I am assumingthis is where someone points out to me that Doctor Who had some of the highest ratings of all time during the Tennant era therefore my opinion is invalid. I get it. It doesn’t change my opinion. When Eccleston does angry, he is angry. When Smith does angry, he is angry. When Tennant does angry, he is shouty. His Doctor makes a lot of empty threats. The most laughable to me was in The Idiot’s Lantern. We find Rose without a face, as one does, and the Doctor is pissed. He makes an over the top shouty threat that he will get Rose and make whoever did this pay!!!!!!!! Sorry. It’s ridiculous. I feel I should end the article here but I have more.

As soon as I saw Tennant’s costume, it looked like a fan costume. Tennant had a hand in how the costume looked and he was a fan. Sure the colours matched and there was no sprig of celery but I have been to enough conventions to see a fan costume. This was it. I know this costume was at the front of the cosplay movement but it does nothing for me. And the one thing that Tennant had going for him that was really cool he was not allowed to use by RTD. His accent. Speaking in his native Scottish accent, he sounds great. Look at Tooth and Claw. I think if he spoke like that throughout his era, my opinion would have been greatly changed. Is that a little too ridiculous? He sounds great in Tooth and Claw. Sylvester McCoy was allowed to keep his accent. I believe Peter Capaldi will be allowed to keep his.
I had a big problem with Tennant when he joined. He replaced Christopher Eccleston. I can hardly blame Tennant for that. Still, I was pretty gutted when Eccleston left. Series 1 is super magical to me. There was an edge to it which kept the viewer on their toes. To me, the whole tone of the series changed in Series 2. Tennant was still trying to find his way as the new Doctor. I felt the scripts were not that great, at least not as great as the scripts used for Series 1. Of course, that is all personal taste. The thing I never really came to terms with was how the relationship between Rose and the Doctor changed between Series 1 & 2. The Doctor always found Rose to be a very special person. That is why he asked her to join him in travelling. The relationship between the two seemed to be very friendly with fun amounts of flirtation. When we get to Series 2, there is clearly more happening between the two of them. Apparently, there is an inside joke that only the two of them are privy too. I wouldn’t have minded if those two were having a relationship together but they were so smug. The two characters became unlikeable to me. I think the worse was in Tooth and Claw where Rose was trying to get Queen Victoria to say she was not amused. This seemed like a complete lack of respect for the ability to time travel. I sound like an old man! I have heard that the point of them acting this way was for them to get the big comeuppance of Rose being trapped in the parallel universe at the end of the season. Maybe so but it doesn’t change the fact we had to put up with them for the run of Series 2. But did we have to put up with them?

That’s the thing I do not understand. Myself and a couple other people I know feel the same way about the tenth Doctor and Rose’s relationship but it appears many look at it as the greatest and most tragic love story in Doctor Who. This is what made a lot of teenagers fans of the series. I just didn’t go for it. When the series returned in 2005, Rose was a breath of fresh air. When she left the following series, I couldn’t wait to see her go.
Of course the Doctor was emotionally wounded by the loss of Rose. We get Martha on the scene. She appears to instantly fall in love with the Doctor even though he never notices. What he also doesn’t know is that she does a lot to help him move on from Rose. She never gets credits for that. Did RTD not like Martha? As much as I didn’t like Series 2, I felt Series 3 was inspired. There are some great stories that are in this year. I love Human Nature and The Family of Blood. I love Blink. Unfortunately, Blink may have been the worse thing to ever happen to Doctor Who. The phrase wibbley-wobbly timey-wimey was fine in Blink. It is horrible in anything else especially when fans use it to explain away something on fan forums. I really feel like that Moffat felt like he needed to incorporate the flexing of time in the narrative to everything he did. He comes across like he is being overly clever when he does this but he falls far short. The ideas rarely ever hold up to plot scrutiny. There is usually something that I can point to as to why there are plot holes but never fear! We have any explanation now for literally any kind of plot hole. It is wibbley-wobbley timey-wimey. More like punchy-punchy in facey-facey.

I know it sounds like I don’t like anything and that is not true. Once Tennant’s Doctor was away from Rose, I found him much more enjoyable of a character. I thought the return of Donna Noble in the series was great. I thought she was kind of odd in The Runaway Bride but she had an amazing character development in the series. Unfortuantely that all came to an unnecessary end in Journeys End. I am not sure why RTD writes himself in a corner by erasing all of Donna’s memories of her time with the Doctor yet brings her back for Tennant’s finale where the two can’t even share a scene together. To me, it felt a lot like of writing in circles because of the limitations put onto the character now her memory was erased. The end of The End of Time with the Doctor giving Donna’s mother the lottery ticket with the money he borrowed from her deceased husband was really touching. The three series that starred David Tennant as the Doctor showed us that he was surrounded by friends that would ultimately reflect how he treated other people. Perhaps in some way the companions of that era were buffers for him. What would happen if he were by himself?
The final set of adventures featuring the tenth Doctor were a set of specials that formed the gap year. 3 of the four stories featured Tennant by himself. He would team up with someone in each adventure but effectively he was on his own. This would lead to one of my favourite stories of his era. The Waters of Mars. Were you wondering if I was ever going to get to this?

The Waters of Mars is one of the scariest Doctor Who stories of all time. Basically from the moment he arrives, the Doctor is trying to get away. This was a fixed point in time where all of the personal of Bowie Base One are killed. No one ever knows why. The death of everyone on this base, especially its commander Adelaide Brooke, is the launching pad for allowing Earth to reach further than it ever had before as Adelaide’s granddaughter becomes a great space explorer ushering in a new dawn. One of the greatest continuity errors in the series happens here. Adelaide was a young child when the events of the Dalek invasion in The Stolen Earth happen. She remembers being in her room as a Dalek flies by her window going to kill her bit doesn’t as if it knows her. The Doctor explains that is because the Dalek knows her death is a fixed point in time. The point of the Dalek invasion was to get the Earth to align the planets to create the Reality Bomb that obliviates everything except the Daleks. Nothing else would exist except for the Daleks. Therefore, the plan would never work if Adelaide was a fixed point in time to the point that the Dalek wouldn’t kill her to uphold that rule.
Anyway, what I love about this story is that the Doctor is alone and is out of his element. He really only wants to get away once he knows where he is. Adelaide calls him out on everything even calling him a coward at one point. There are some very tense moments in the story. Let alone when crew members are taken over by the water is frightening enough, moments between the Doctor and Adelaide are chilling. After she tells the Doctor he can leave to go back to the TARDIS, she traps him into the air lock to get more information about what is going to happen to her and her crew. She is very much an equal to the Doctor and we find she actually surpasses him. In one of the most emotionally charged segments of Doctor Who, he walks back to the TARDIS outside on the surface of Mars. Through the communications radio in his helmet he can hear the chaos and fear as the crew is trying to escape and he is unable to help them. Suddenly, after Ed becomes affected and blows up their escape ship, the Doctor snaps. We hear this wonderful collection of clips to remind us that he is the last of the Time Lords but he still needs to follow their rules. Suddenly, this all changes as he decided as last of the Time Lords to start doing things his way.

He returns to the base with a new attitude. He is the last survivor of the Time war; he is the Time Lord Victorious. He saves the remaining crew by transporting them back to Earth. The Doctor has changed. He plays it cocky and is looking down on the people he saves. Tennant play this exceedingly well. Adelaide proves she is smarter than the Doctor. She understands why she needed to die. She understands the implication of the events that happen because she dies. She now despises the Doctor. She knows what she has to do and she commits suicide. This episode takes a truly horrific turn. It is devastating. The Doctor knows immediately he has gone too far. Ood Sigma appears and the Doctor immediately asks, “Am I going to die?” Everything about this is chilling, dark, and wonderful. But not wonderful for everyone.
Immediately after this aired, I brought a copy in to work for a friend of mine and I could watch over lunch. Another friend who was not familiar with Doctor Who watched with us. Afterwards, she looked at us wide eyed, “has the Doctor ever done that before?” My other friend who was a fan also in shock over what she saw just said “no.” very quietly.

Of course this episode has created an ongoing debate between a close friend and me dating back to when the episode first aired. He doesn’t buy into the Time Lord Victorious stuff. He doesn’t think the Doctor would ever do this. It is very contrary to his character. I think my point is that is why it is so interesting is that he did do it and now we see the consequences of it. Well, at least I thought we would. I don’t think we ever really did and that is too bad. If anything, I would have liked to see him be “punished” for what he did. It should have played into his final adventure more prominently. As for my friend and I, we recently got into an argument about this again after we watched Hide for the first time. Just for the record, I was the one who was unreasonable while my friend was just laying out his reasons for why he didn’t like that concept in the episode.
Not only is The Waters of Mars is one of my favourite episodes of the Tennant era because of the change in his character but I think it is one of the best looking productions ever including some of the most frightening monster make up ever seen not only on the series but ever. Truly amazing! Finally, it was directed by one of the greatest creative minds on the series, Graeme Harper.

I know a lot of people love David Tennant. I have grown to appreciate him more but he is still not one that I care for like the other actors. I have seen him in other things and I think he is brilliant; his performance of the Doctor just leaves me cold. How is that for a cheery article?
Next 50WHO article: this week November 23rd we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who. I will publish my eleventh article that day with a manifesto of sorts as to how my life has been influenced by this series. How so much of what I do has been done from what I have seen in the series. How so much I have done in my life has been done In The Name of the Doctor.

Have a great week and don’t forget to vote for what I watch for the 50th anniversary marathon!

Do you have feedback, article requests or want to talk about a program but do not want to leave a public comment? Feel free to drop me an e-mail at FTA13867@gmail.com

I am on Twitter: @FromtheArchive

Also please subscribe to my From the Archive: British Television Blog Facebook Page for updates about new articles.

50WHO: Nominate a Tennant Story for 50th Anniversary Marathon

Round 10:

Voting open to nominate a David Tennant story
Voting is open for you to pick the David Tennant story I watch for my 50th Anniversary Marathon I am viewing on 11/21 and 11/22. The story with the most votes will be added to the marathon.

Voting for the David Tennant era closes on 11/18 at 8pm CST.
You may nominate a story in the comments section below, on my twitter feed @FromtheArchive or via e-mail fta13867@gmail.com

 

50WHO: Christopher Eccleston Story Winner

The Winner is:

Rose
In fact, overwhelmingly so. I think people have a soft spot for this story because it was the return of our favourite character. It’s very cool!

Here is how voting broke down:
Rose: 6 votes

The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances: 4 votes
Dalek: 3 votes

Aliens of London/World War Three: 1 vote
Father’s Day: 1 vote

Why I am happy Rose was chosen: It really was an exciting time to be a fan. There were no pre-conceived notions of what to expect. Everything was up in the air and anything was possible. The very first time I saw it, I easily accepted Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor. Plus I will watch it in HD or at least up converted HD with the wrong font on the titles. J
The story I would have picked: Probably Dalek. I just love the story plus love the new look for the Dalek race. It elevated a monster to something beyond a cliché.

Voting for the David Tennant story opens tonight at 8pm CST. I am having a blast with this and I hope you continue to take part in choosing the stories for me to watch.
Do you have feedback, article requests or want to talk about a program but do not want to leave a public comment? Feel free to drop me an e-mail at FTA13867@gmail.com

I am on Twitter: @FromtheArchive

Also please subscribe to my From the Archive: British Television Blog Facebook Page for updates about new articles.
 


Saturday, November 16, 2013

50WHO: Nominate a Eccleston Story for 50th Anniversary Marathon

Round 9:

Voting open to nominate a Christopher Eccleston story
Voting is open for you to pick the Christopher Eccleston story I watch for my 50th Anniversary Marathon I am viewing on 11/21 and 11/22. The story with the most votes will be added to the marathon.

Voting for the Christopher Eccleston era closes on 11/17 at 12pm CST.
You may nominate a story in the comments section below, on my twitter feed @FromtheArchive or via e-mail fta13867@gmail.com

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

50WHO: Sylvester McCoy Story Winner

The Winner is:

Ghost Light
I did not expect this story to be picked. I would have thought a more traditional story is picked but it is also significant as it is the last story to be recorded for the classic 26 year run.

Here is how voting broke down:
Ghost Light: 4 votes

Remembrance of the Daleks: 3 votes
Battlefield: 3 votes

The Curse of Fenric: 3 votes
Paradise Towers: 2 votes

The Happiness Patrol: 2 votes
Time and the Rani: 1 vote

Dragonfire: 1 vote
Survival: 1 vote

Why I am happy Ghost Light was chosen: I think this is a great story to represent the McCoy era. It’s offbeat and intelligent; bringing new ideas to the series. This is how I remember this era. Sylvester and Sophie are great in this and the sets and effects look wonderful. It is a great way to see the evolution of the series from 1963 to 1989.
The story I would have picked: Battlefield. I love this story and I wanted to see it again. No problem, I am now going to watch Ghost Light.

Whatever are we going to do about McGann? Find out later!
Do you have feedback, article requests or want to talk about a program but do not want to leave a public comment? Feel free to drop me an e-mail at FTA13867@gmail.com

I am on Twitter: @FromtheArchive

Also please subscribe to my From the Archive: British Television Blog Facebook Page for updates about new articles.
 

Monday, November 11, 2013

50WHO: Nominate a McCoy Story for 50th Anniversary Marathon

Round 7:

Voting open to nominate a Sylvester McCoy story
Voting is open for you to pick the Sylvester McCoy story I watch for my 50th Anniversary Marathon I am viewing on 11/21 and 11/22. The story with the most votes will be added to the marathon.

Voting for the Sylvester McCoy era closes on 11/12 at 8pm CST.
You may nominate a story in the comments section below, on my twitter feed @FromtheArchive or via e-mail fta13867@gmail.com

50WHO: Colin Baker Story Winner

The Winner is:

Revelation of the Daleks
Now we have Daleks!

Here is how voting broke down:
Revelation of the Daleks: 7 votes

Mindwarp (Trial of a Timelord 5-8): 5 votes
Vengeance on Varos: 3 votes

Timelash: 2 votes
The Ultimate Foe (Trial of a Timelord 13-14): 2 votes

Attack of the Cybermen: 1 vote
Mark of the Rani: 1 vote

The Mysterious Planet (Trial of a Timelord 1-4): 1 vote
Why I am happy Revelation of the Daleks was chosen: I am just happy a Dalek story was chosen. It is one of the darkest stories of Doctor Who and it shows just how flexible the format of the series can be. A dark story with black humour.

The story I would have picked: I love Attack of the Cybermen. It has everything including the kitchen sink in it but it works for me. It looks good and Colin is so much more enjoyable in this than his previous story.
Voting for the Sylvester McCoy story opens in about an hour. I am having a blast with this and I hope you continue to take part in choosing the stories for me to watch.

Do you have feedback, article requests or want to talk about a program but do not want to leave a public comment? Feel free to drop me an e-mail at FTA13867@gmail.com

I am on Twitter: @FromtheArchive

Also please subscribe to my From the Archive: British Television Blog Facebook Page for updates about new articles.



Sunday, November 10, 2013

50WHO: Nominate a Colin Baker Story for 50th Anniversary Marathon

Round 6:

Voting open to nominate a Colin Baker story
Voting is open for you to pick the Colin Baker story I watch for my 50th Anniversary Marathon I am viewing on 11/21 and 11/22. The story with the most votes will be added to the marathon.

Parameters: Do not pick The Two Doctors as it will also be part of the marathon. All multi-Doctor stories are included in this marathon. Please vote for The Trial of a Timelord by segment. I am not watching all 14 parts to the story although I do consider it one story. The story doesn’t have to be an iconic story but one that you enjoy. Please feel free to share why you want to nominate the story.
Voting for the Colin Baker era closes on 11/11 at 8pm CST.

You may nominate a story in the comments section below, on my twitter feed @FromtheArchive or via e-mail fta13867@gmail.com

 

50WHO: Davison Story Winner

The Winner is:

Earthshock

As the Cybercontroller would say, “Excellent!” This is a different type of Cyberman story that brought them up to date but also had huge consequences. It’s one of the slickest productions and 4 episodes fly by. It’s the first time the Cybermen show up in the marathon. No Daleks yet!
Here is how voting broke down:

Earthshock: 5 Votes
Kinda: 3 votes

Resurrection of the Daleks: 2 votes
Frontios: 2 votes

The Caves of Androzani: 2 votes
Arc of Infinity: 1 vote

Snakedance: 1 vote
Enlightenment: 1 vote

The story I would have picked: I don’t know! I think I would have been looking at Frontios or Resurrection of the Daleks. Surprisingly, I do not have a strong story I am thinking about.
Voting for the Colin Baker story opens in about an hour. I am having a blast with this and I hope you continue to take part in choosing the stories for me to watch.

Do you have feedback, article requests or want to talk about a program but do not want to leave a public comment? Feel free to drop me an e-mail at FTA13867@gmail.com

I am on Twitter: @FromtheArchive

Also please subscribe to my From the Archive: British Television Blog Facebook Page for updates about new articles.