So.
In December 2022, I blathered on about Russell T. Davies being my saviour (this post). I now find myself blathering once more with a short follow-up after the 60th Anniversary specials. Is he still my saviour? Did he meet the expectations that I’d somehow managed to unconsciously accrue since the announcement that he was to show run Doctor Who once more?
Of course he is, of course he did. I don’t know why I was so uncertain!
[Spoilers below if you haven’t seen any of them, but nothing the BBC hasn’t already released into the wild!]
The episodes
The Star Beast, Wild Blue Yonder and The Giggle. Three episodes featuring David Tennant and Catherine Tate. These were all that I hoped they would be… and more! It’s a warm and welcome return of the Doctor Who ethos, brought very much up to date. And of course it’s brilliant; fantastic!, one could say. Good acting, good actors and that TARDIS control room is gorgeous – reminiscent of the older white TARDIS console rooms of the classic era, brought bang up to date. It’s just lovely. And it’s big! Oh and Wilf. Many people have said it, but how great was it to see Bernard Cribbins for one last time. That was just lovely.
The extra bits
There’s certainly been a bit of budget set aside for advertising and promotion this time. Lots of clips, lots of extras across many social platforms and let’s not forget that (nearly) the whole 60 years-worth is available on iPlayer to watch. The official Doctor Who channel on YouTube; I don’t think I’ve ever seen it so busy! Plenty of clips, shorts and behind the scenes material from the 60th Specials, not to mention bits and clips from the Confidential series and classic Doctor Who.
Speaking of Doctor Who Confidential, there is now Doctor Who Unleashed: a kind of a Confidential replacement, giving behind the scenes looks and chats with the actors. Very glad that this has happened.
Although there were some behind the scenes videos for previous episodes, they were short and only accessible on iPlayer for a while. Unleashed is a full 30 minute programme broadcast on mainstream TV (as was Confidential); a much better idea. Shoutout to Steffan Powell (the presenter of Unleashed) – he has the most glorious Welsh accent.
Far and away the best thing about all of the hype, the promotions and the extras for me are the episode commentaries. They used to do them for every episode at one point, but I think they just faded away. Shame, as they are hilarious! Catch the ones with Russell T. Davis and Phil Collinson. Very little episode commentary, but a good deal of hilarity, BTS stories and insights into what nearly got made and what didn’t. These are truly the jewels in the extras crown.
I could listen to Russell T. Davies for ever!
The bi-generation
The bi-generation: splitting The Doctor into two. What a marvellous idea that was (one that Russell had had for ages, apparently). It’s a happy ending all round – and we got to hear Wilf in the background shooting moles and the 14th Doctor gets to retire with his adopted family. Lovely stuff.
He didn’t want to go. And luckily for us, he didn’t.
It’s Chriiiiistmaaaaaaaaaas!!
Looking forward to the Christmas Special on Christmas Day (when it should be!). Again, the BBC have pulled out all the extras stops, with Lots of promotional material beforehand. One of the extras released is the rather wonderful The Goblin Song (watch it here if you haven’t seen it). Now wouldn’t that be hilarious if it got to Christmas No.1! Go buy it – all proceeds go to Children In Need.
Allons-y!