Rose.



TV The downloadable screensaver from the official website which until seven o'clock tonight has been counting down until the start of the new series of Doctor Who now simply says 'The Invasion Begins...' Somehow I don't think it means the brief sound bleed of Graham Norton creeping in from BBC3 just as new companion Rose was being menaced for the first time by the Autons (who oddly weren't named this time out). It was an own goal from the BBC on what is one of the most important broadcasting nights of the year. But you know what I'm willing to forgive them.

Because he's back. He's bloody back. Bless him.

To be honest considering how much has been written about the new series off and online, all the tv and radio documentaries, the actual first episode, Rose, felt beside the point. As the busy new title sequence swished by part of my brain wondered if I was actually watching another trailer. But as Billie Piper strolled into view, and camera overcranked in Trafalgar Square during her lunch date with her boyfriend, my attention snapped back into view as I realised that it had started, I was there and nine years of wait were over.

Actually I think the plotting would have come as something of a shock for anyone who hasn't been catching the Doctor's adventures off screen in the gap. Atypically, The timelord already knew what the problem was and how to solve it even before the episode began (it was a bit like turning up for the last episode of a six parter in the old series). The Nestene Consciousness was using a transmitter (the London Eye) to control all the plastic in London in preparation for invading the Earth, with the help of shop dummies. The Doctor had a vile of anti-plastic, which he could use to destroy the Consciousness if needed to. It's exactly the sort of thing you'd find in one of the many short story anthologies (Short Trips etc) which been published in the interim.

This was clever move number one. Because just like best of the classic series, we were seeing him through the eyes of the companion, Rose Tyler -- she became our eyes and ears during the mad adventure. We needn't understand what it all meant, because she didn't really -- for her it was about going with the flow, enjoying the spectacle and the adventure -- much as it was for us. Like a prologue or opening act, it's about introducing the concepts and ideas to a new audience and reintroducing them to the old, and show what's changed to those who've never gone away. The was absolutely nothing in here which could alienate fans, well not this fan anyway.

HaloThe next clever idea was casting Christopher Eccleston. I think it was Tom Baker who said that the series is actor proof, that anyone could play it. That may be true, but its playing it well, and in a way which carries on the tradition. Eccleston's playing was just spooky; look into his eyes and you can see the other eight incarnations looking out at you. The moment on the bridge when he explains to Rose about the TARDIS moving around and says that she 'wouldn't understand' was just like grumpy old Hartnell. At the other end of the scale, as he fought the ships control panel as it melted the fake Mickey's head, McGann was back with us briefly. He's energetic, funny, sober, philosophical yet authorative when he needs to be. Standing over the the Nestene Consciousness trying to negotiate a truce using galactic law was just amazing.

Also amazing was Billie Piper. I don't think I was quite prepared for how much charisma she has, having not seen her in any of her previous acting roles. There is a real spark to her, an instant likeability. There is an edge of vulnerability in there, that kind of Alyson Hannigan (Willow in Buffy) huggability -- you really care if she gets hurt and I imagine they'll be playing that card somewhat as the series progresses. As a character, Rose Tyler is absolutely the right choice. Everything will be new to her, and there is that sense of wonder which was missing too much from in previous companions.

The tone was also just right. Some will no doubt knock on about the humour, especially in the scene when the Auton arms comes to life and attacks the Doctor without Rose noticing, or the wheelie bin burp, but I that's not much better or worse than John Pertwee's cleaning lady, or any number of Jelly Baby scenes. It's an important part of the series and in the Whedon age, vital other it would all look a bit ernest and silly. The episode's director Keith Boak hasn't 'done' sci-fi before (depending on your opinion of NY-LON) and was no doubt chosen because this is a story very much grounded on Earth, and these elements, quite right felt like they were intruding on the setting. Photographer Ernest Vincze, comes from a film background and that showed. At no point did the visuals feel flat; the moment when the London Eye created a halo around The Doctor, as well as feeling like a sneaky Second Coming reference (in that Russell T Davies series Eccleston played the new Christ) offered a perspective you don't often see on tv.

And yet. It wasn't perfect. Murray Gold's music was annoying. Considering how good his work has been in Casanova, here it just feels misjudged. Some sections felt desperately late Eighties. Every now and them there would an excellent spot effect, then a drum beat would clatter in and ruin it for everyone. We can't all be Alistair Locke or Dudley Simpson (both great incidental musicians from different eras of the show), but it just felt out of place somehow. That said, his mix of the theme is very good, but Delia Derbyshire's version was perfectly fine no matter what he and Russell might say about it seeming 'a bit sad'. Also, and I hate to single out any actor like this, but what did Noel Clarke think he was doing with that performance as Mickey. Yes, the character's a sap, he needs to be, otherwise Rose would shack up with The Doctor in the TARDIS, but why did he feel the need to play every scene as though he was auditioning to replace Craig Charles aboard Red Dwarf? Perhaps he settle down as the series progresses -- we'll be seeing more of him in later weeks as there as re-occurring characters this time around ... oh yes ...

But if that's all I can think of then something must be very right. This isn't another Phantom Menace. I keeping asking myself why I'm so excited about a new television series when there is still lots of other really good Doctor Who going around. It's about hope. It's about the fact that if enough of the right people care about something, and enough of those people are in the right position to doing something about it, wonderful things can happen. If that doesn't make you choke up, you must be an Auton.

"Lots of planets have a north ..."

Doctor and Rose

TV The downloadable screensaver from the official website, which until seven o'clock tonight has been counting down until the start of the new series of Doctor Who now simply says 'The Invasion Begins...' Somehow I don't think it means the brief sound bleed of Graham Norton creeping in from BBC3 just as new companion Rose was being menaced for the first time by the Autons (who oddly weren't named this time out). It was an own goal from the BBC on what is one of the most important broadcasting nights of the year. But you know what I'm willing to forgive them.

Because he's back. He's bloody back. Bless him.

To be honest considering how much has been written about the new series off and online, all the tv and radio documentaries, the actual first episode, Rose, felt beside the point. As the busy new title sequence swished by part of my brain wondered if I was actually watching another trailer. But as Billie Piper strolled into view, and camera overcranked in Trafalgar Square during her lunch date with her boyfriend, my attention snapped back into view as I realised that it had started, I was there and nine years of wait were over.

Actually I think the plotting would have come as something of a shock for anyone who hasn't been catching the Doctor's adventures off screen in the gap. Atypically, The timelord already knew what the problem was and how to solve it even before the episode began (it was a bit like turning up for the last episode of a six parter in the old series). The Nestene Consciousness was using a transmitter (the London Eye) to control all the plastic in London in preparation for invading the Earth, with the help of shop dummies. The Doctor had a vile of anti-plastic, which he could use to destroy the Consciousness if needed to. It's exactly the sort of thing you'd find in one of the many short story anthologies (Short Trips etc) which been published in the interim.

This was clever move number one. Because just like best of the classic series, we were seeing him through the eyes of the companion, Rose Tyler -- she became our eyes and ears during the mad adventure. We needn't understand what it all meant, because she didn't really -- for her it was about going with the flow, enjoying the spectacle and the adventure -- much as it was for us. Like a prologue or opening act, it's about introducing the concepts and ideas to a new audience and reintroducing them to the old, and show what's changed to those who've never gone away. The was absolutely nothing in here which could alienate fans, well not this fan anyway.

The next clever idea was casting Christopher Eccleston. I think it was Tom Baker who said that the series is actor proof, that anyone could play it. That may be true, but its playing it well, and in a way which carries on the tradition. Eccleston's playing was just spooky; look into his eyes and you can see the other eight incarnations looking out at you. The moment on the bridge when he explains to Rose about the TARDIS moving around and says that 'She wouldn't understand' was just like grumpy old Hartnell. At the other end of the scale, as he fought the ships control panel as it melted the fake Mickey's head, McGann was back with us briefly. He's energetic, funny, sober, philosophical yet authorative when he needs to be. Standing over the the Nestene Consciousness trying to negotiate a truce using galactic law was just amazing.

Also amazing was Billie Piper. I don't think I was quite prepared for how much charisma she has, having not seen her in any of her previous acting roles. There is a real spark to her, an instant likeability. There is an edge of vulnerability in there, that kind of Alyson Hannigan (Willow in Buffy) huggability -- you really care if she gets hurt and I imagine they'll be playing that card somewhat as the series progresses. As a character, Rose Tyler is absolutely the right choice. Everything will be new to her, and there is that sense of wonder which was missing too much from in previous companions.

The tone was also just right. Some will no doubt knock on about the humour, especially in the scene when the Auton arms comes to life and attacks the Doctor without Rose noticing, or the wheelie bin burp, but I that's not much better or worse than John Pertwee's cleaning lady, or any number of Jelly Baby scenes. It's an important part of the series and in the Whedon age, vital other it would all look a bit ernest and silly. The episode's director Keith Boak hasn't 'done' sci-fi before (depending on your opinion of NY-LON) and was no doubt chosen because this is a story very much grounded on Earth, and these elements, quite right felt like they were intruding on the setting. Photographer Ernest Vincze, comes from a film background and that showed. At no point did the visuals feel flat; the moment when the London Eye created a halo around The Doctor, as well as feeling like a sneaky Second Coming reference (in that Russell T Davies series Eccleston played the new Christ) offered a perspective you don't often see on tv.

And yet. It wasn't perfect. Murray Gold's music was annoying. Considering how good his work has been in Casanova, here it just feels misjudged. Some sections felt desperately late Eighties. Every now and them there would an excellent spot effect, then a drum beat would clatter in and ruin it for everyone. We can't all be Alistair Locke or Dudley Simpson (both great incidental musicians from different eras of the show), but it just felt out of place somehow. That said, his mix of the theme is very good, but Delia Derbyshire's version was perfectly fine no matter what he and Russell might say about it seeming 'a bit sad'. Also, and I hate to single out any actor like this, but what did Noel Clarke think he was doing with that performance as Mickey. Yes, the character's a sap, he needs to be, otherwise Rose would shack up with The Doctor in the TARDIS, but why did he feel the need to play every scene as though he was auditioning to replace Craig Charles aboard Red Dwarf? Perhaps he settle down as the series progresses -- we'll be seeing more of him in later weeks as there as re-occurring characters this time around ... oh yes ...

But if that's all I can think of then something must be very right. This isn't another Phantom Menace. I keeping asking myself why I'm so excited about a new television series when there is still lots of other really good Doctor Who going around. It's about hope. It's about the fact that if enough of the right people care about something, and enough of those people are in the right position to doing something about it, wonderful things can happen. If that doesn't make you choke up, you must be an Auton.

Links for 2005-03-25 [del.icio.us]

Links for 2005-03-25 [del.icio.us]

  • Save the Sami Reindeer Forests: Greenpeace Forest Rescue Station, Inari Finland
    Activist single issue blog which opens up a poingant issue
  • Doctor Who: Gallifrey Chronicles
    The last of the ongoing Eighth Doctor novels. Read the synopsis and match it with what you know about first episode of the new series. The teases!
  • stainedbeauty: John Piper
    Elemenal window
  • The Guardian reviews "Shakespeare 4 Kidz Macbeth"
    "We have junk food, so why not junk theatre? It slips down easily, although it is not cheap - £19.50 a seat, and no discounts for children. It may not clog the arteries, but it will clog the brain and the imagination."
  • Favourite Sony Playstation Games @ Ask MetaFilter
    This should keep me busy. I bought Tomb Raider, Driver and Gran Tourismo yesterday for a couple of pounds each. Being a retro gamer has its advantages.
  • An Explanation of l33t Speak @ h2g2
    Nope, still don't understand.
  • List of movies that have been considered among the worst ever
    Actually I quite liked 'North' ... sort of ...
  • It must be a slow news day in Hawaii
    "On the first morning of their five-day break, the couple had a lie-in before joining other guests mid-morning to relax on the lawn of the resort."
  • Ten Tips for Better Sleep
    "Use your bedroom only for sleep and sex. It is best to take work materials, computers and televisions out of the sleeping environment." If only it was that easy...
  • Tony Pierce's 'How To Blog'
  • A Reincarnation Story That Won't Stay Dead
    Reminds me somewhat of Bill Forsyth's film 'Being Human' with Robin Williams
  • Book Versus Blog
  • SuicideGirls > Words > Woody Allen
  • The Rubber Chicken | Media Hoax: Star Wars, John Rhys-Davies and a Grievously Bad Pun
    Never believe anything you read.
  • Easter Bunny season
    It's an annual homage to Kevin Smith's 'Mallrats'
  • T Rex guts excavated
    Anyone else hearing the Jurassic Park theme right now?
  • Transparent Screens @ Flickr
    Desktop wallpapers made to look like the wall behind them -- so transparent screens.
  • My Beef with WalMart
    "The best way to improve the local economy in your town, state, or country is to BUY LOCAL. Wait, let me repeat that again: BUY LOCAL."
  • Audio and Video FAQ
    "he purpose of this FAQ is to explain the survival of many pieces of rare Doctor Who material, either video or audio, or to explain why the copies of certain episodes that are closest in character to the original broadcast are inadequate for present day u
  • Full Fiona Apple album leaked.
    It's just an extraordinary machine
  • Say No To 0870
    Majestic site which gives real world geographic numbers for companies which otherwise insist you use an 0870 number. Brilliant.
  • Interview with Radha Mitchell
    .. on Woody's new film 'Melinda and Melinda'.
  • The Web of Belief
    Weblog of the Masters Philosophy students at Tufts University
  • Universal Towels
    Never leave Earth without one
  • Laura Fraser interview
    Husband?
  • mimi in NY
  • Twitch film's Todd's house got burgled ...
    ... and they cleaned out what's probably one of the most unusual dvd collections around. Can't imagine anyone trying to sell that lot without being noticed.
  • Hamlet purists beware

    Charles Spencer reviews Hamlet at the Royal Theatre in Northampton: "Unfortunately, Jane Birkin, still best known for her orgasmically breathy performance on Serge Gainsbourg's 'Je t'aime moi non plus', is a dreadful Gertrude. Still blessed with the ravaged remains of a once considerable beauty, her inexpressive little voice, mannered hand gestures and habit of squinting myopically at whoever she is addressing as if she has just mislaid her specs becomes a real test of the viewer's patience."

    Classic Stage Explores Each Act of Hamlet, With Varied Directors and Actors

    "an exciting new theatrical experience in which a company of distinguished actors and directors work through and explore each of the four acts of Shakespeare's masterwork in front of an audience," according to the announcement. "Audiences will have the chance to become part of the discovery process of the richness and mystery of Shakespeare's text, as they experience different Hamlets, through varying interpretations and actor and directorial choices."

    More?

    When writing, Charles Dickens would often stand at a mirror and would act out the characters words so that he could get the inflection just right. Which is probably why they're so vivid.

    Favourite Doctor Who Story

    Favourite Doctor Who Story



    City of Death

    [I mean what were you expecting? Timelash?]

    These are a few of ...

    TV As a way of saying thanks but also drawing a dotted line under what's gone before, this week on my own blog I've been writing about my favourite Doctor, companion, monster and story. I tried not think about it too much beforehand -- rather like one of those talking heads series on tv which inevitably feature Paul Morley, I wanted it to be off the cuff, without too much thought involved. The results amazed me slightly considering I had all those years of continuity to work with.

    Aptly, with what everyone else is writing about here lately I somehow decided that Paul McGann or more clearly the Eighth Doctor was the best. I think it's because I feel like he's been my Doctor. I actually became a fan just after the TV movie aired, so although I watched the series from the end of Tom right through to the stroll into the sunset at the end of 'Survival', it's only in the past few years I really paid attention. As a character, the work of multiple creators, he seemed to embody all the previous incarnations whilst also being a thoroughly modern timelord, taking on not just worldly but cosmic concerns.

    Probably because I was already on the wavelength, the next day I chose Charley Pollard for best companion. It's a wilfully obscure choice to be sure, especially considering who else is available and that she's unknown outside the Big Finish audios, but I've just found her utterly delightful. Obviously helped by India Fisher's beguiling performance, and the writing, she was the first companion who put me in the position were I genuinely cared what happened to her and worried that she might not get out alive.

    For best monster I ran back forty years and selected the Koquillion from the Billy Hartnell quickie, 'The Rescue'. I hope I'm not giving away too much for people who haven't seen it when I say it's because it's one of the few occasions when the production team used the limitations of the budget to their advantage. He looks like a man in a rubber monster costume, so why not make the actual character a man in a rubber monster costume? The one of the first times the series was not just post-modern but also scary in an adult way, especially when you think about what the human did, and what followed so he could cover up that failure.

    My favourite story is set in Paris. I think you know the one I'm talking about. If any of the new series is as exciting and inventive as that we're in for a great time. Nineteen and a half hours to go everyone...

    Sensational

    TV My Mum actually threw her arms in the air today and said -- "If I pick up one more newspaper or magazine and see bloody Doctor Who..." Great. I thought. That's exactly how it should be. From an expectation when the series was announced that it would eventually turn up largely unannounced, spotted by fans and hopefully working through by word of mouth, things are reaching saturation point.

    When even the popular press is picking up and running with the hype, in ways not usually seen outside reality tv or soap operas, you can tell you're on to something. Those people can smell a failure right away and although they always like to build things up so they can push them over, I don't think it's going to be like that this time. Everyone seems to want this to work, with an excitement usually seen when a national team is taking part in some sport or other. Anyone know any good Timelord football chants?

    Favourite Doctor Who Monster

    Favourite Doctor Who Monster

    It occured to me as I was preparing this that I didn't actually have a favourite monster in the traditional sense. Much like Tom Baker, everyone loves the Daleks, but again like Tom it feels a bit pointless to single them out. But where do I go next? I wracking my brain and I can't think of many of the ongoing monsters, those which appeared time and again which I'd actually call favourite in that sense. It's because usually they tend to be quite generic -- like some of the companions despite their outward appearance they've quite a basic backstory. Stories would be written without actually saying which monster will be appearing because it depended whether they could get permission from the original creator.

    If you've read the other two entries, it's going to come as no surprise that I'm heading off in unconventional territory, to the William Hartnell story The Rescue. This was a quicky two parter created to fill some studio time and make up the weeks which were left on some of the actors contracts. It's particularly known for introducing new companion Vicki, replacing The Doctor's own grand daughter who'd left at the end of the previous story.

    The TARDIS lands on Dido and far from squashing a songstress beating out slow pop tunes, they find a crashed Earth ship occupied by two survivors -- the afformentioned Vicki and the paralysed Bennett. They are living in fear of a creature called the Koquillion, an apparent native of the planet who is believed to have killed all of the rest of the crew.

    So yes, the Koquillion. He's not much to look at, all scales and horns. But it's this anonymity that's the key. Those impassive eyes, behind which we've no clue what he's thinking; menacing in a Cyberman, horrific in an organic creature. But the real menace is in the twist and I'm going to have to spoil it so if you're intrigued enough to watch, look away now.

    You see the Koquillion is actually Bennett in disguise. It's one of the few occasions when the production team used the limitations of the budget to their advantage. He looks like a man in a rubber monster costume, so why not make the actual character a man in a rubber monster costume. It weakens the Vicki character slightly because it's not actually the most convincing rubber monster costume but people will believe anything if they're already frightened enough I suppose.

    But what really makes Bennett/Koquillion a monster is that he's playing the alien to cover up his own human deficiencies. After an initial incident which led to the death of a ship mate, he massacred the rest so that the evidence couldn't be destroyed. Although we don't hear much of the detail of how this occured, for what was still a children's tv series this is just nasty, and that it occurs in reported speech makes it even more so, underlining again that it's about what you don't see. Which makes the Koquillion the most frightening of all.

    Favourite Doctor Who Companion

    Favourite Doctor Who Companion

    Oddly enough this isn't a question which the non-fan usually asks. Favourite Doctor and Monster. Yet, the companion is as much a part of the show as either of those elements, and to a degree more so, but often they're forgotten even though time and again they can be the prime-movers of the plot even if that is getting captured or stumbling into said monster just in time for the cliffhanger ending.

    In the new series, Russell T Davies has gone for the iconic. The Doctor and his young female companion who he'll be teaching about the universe. It's the dynamic which has cropped up through all of the latter incarnations during the original series. The cliche is correct in this case, she will be asking him what's going on so that the audience can keep track.

    A pattern I've always noticed is that the stories are weaker when this dynamic hasn't been thought through. I've read interviews with former producers, well alright John Nathan Turner, who's attitude was to introduce a companion based on some basic attributes and let the actor fill in the gaps.

    The problem with that attitude is that it doesn't take into account how that will play with The Doctor of the day -- there needs to be some kind of chemistry and to be honest a good reason for the timelord to choose them as a companion. When this doesn't work is when the companion seems to have been plonked into the TARDIS at random with the hope that magic will happen.

    Which is why picking a favourite companion is difficult. Because if you take away the actor and whatever rudimentary characterisation has been laid on them, they all end up being pretty much the same. The easy way would be to choose the one you fancy. So either Romana on the beach thank you, with Sarah Jane Smith visiting later for drinks.

    But if I'm bring this to the realms of appreciation, I'm going to have to go for the unusual decision again. I said last night the 8th Doctor was my favourite timelord. Even more controversially my favourite companion, for the purposes of the people who know what the hell I'm talking about is Charley Pollard. She's McGann's friend in the Big Finish Audio cds and over the course of four seasons, redefined the role of the companion to the extent that she's an equal with The Doctor (sound familiar?).

    For the uninitiated, Charley's an Edwardian adventuress who stowed away on an airship, the R101, and rescued by The Doctor just before it blew up in flames. Unlike inumerable tv companions who seemed to want to leave the TARDIS as quick as they could (see Tegan etc), Charley genuinely wants to see the universe, grab hold of this opportunity which has been put before her. Aided by India Fisher's superb performance, we heard her present a feeling of utter wonder at what was being shown to her, time and again. But even more unusually considering the job description she's saved The Doctor's life almost as many times as he's saved hers, a hand to hold when the universe is falling apart around him.

    The chemistry between Fisher and McGann is so potent that often you're happy just to listen to them chat as the plot passes by around them. One of the best stories of the era, Scherzo (written by Rob Sherman, who's contributed the Dalek episode in the new series) is just them, no other characters, stuck in universe where they just walk round and around and its utterly compelling. They were living through the fall out of a previous story, equally classic (for different reasons) Neverland in which Charley told The Doctor she loved him and for the first time we knew the feeling was mutual. Which was somehow less controversial than that kiss in San Francisco.

    But what's perfect about Charley is that she comes across as a real person. There is the afformentioned outburst, but also her constant irritation that The Doctor drops them in it time and again, and that the universe never quite works right, ever. In later seasons, a third companion was introduced, the chamelionic Cr'zz and although she was polite there was a definite irritation at having to justle with someone else for the timelord's attention. Such jealousy, as she might say herself it was 'Silly, childish and very human...'

    Stylized madness: 'Hamlet' for the 21st century

    "The first clue that director Dylan Lowthian's is a more comic "Hamlet" arises from the costumes, which are pantomime evocations of 17th-century dress. The dominant color is black. All the male characters are decked out in black Wellingtons (rubber boots, to the uninitiated), but Prince Hamlet wears a pair of black-and-white Converse (medieval basketball shoes). The black is accessorized by whiteface makeup, absurd white collars (worn by all characters but Hamlet) and, for the female characters, white pompoms."

    Hamlet, thy name is madness

    "Brun has the cast in very contemporary costumes, including camouflage wear for guards, Queen Gertrude in a First Lady type suit, Hamlet and his buddies in classic college duds, and two other women, Rosencrantz (Teddy Minford) and Guildenstern (Anja Sundali), in no-nonsense pant suits."

    Favourite Doctor

    Life Everyone of a certain age has their Doctor Who, or the timelord they grew up with. If I'm being honest mine was probably Peter Davison. I was too young to full appreciate Tom (beyond seeing all the hair and teeth) but most of the images I have from the time are from Davision stories, the snake in Kinda, the two Nyssas in Black Orchid, the Anthony Ainley Master. From there I stuck with show through Timelord Trials, the Rani and Ghost Light, right up until I saw Deanna Troi and Star Trek stole me away for a long time.

    But your favourite Doctor? Companion? Story? They become a different issue. If you are a fan, you no longer just have memories because the whole of the series is at your disposal and having seen much of what's there you can make an appraisal. Fans do that, they make value judgements, it's a way of creating order in the chaos. It also means that when the inevitable questions turn up from the vaguely interested or non-fans, you've a stock answer handy so that they can't actually see you thinking.

    So this week, the week I never thought would happen, I'm going to show you the thinking. If the rest of the media want to believe there isn't anything happening in the world, I'm not going to disagree with them and as usual join them. I'm going to try and answer the big questions. Here then is my ...

    Favourite Doctor

    It's got to be Tom Baker surely. The man was in the part for seven years and defined the role. That's why everyone who followed seemed blander somehow. Actually to me, giving to Tom as the best is like saying The Beatles are your favourite rock band. Yes, and? We love Tom. Tom is our hero. Tom is the hero. But even then, there are some stories were he's acting his socks off, doing everything he can to keep things moving and it just sits there. Season Fifteen might start out well with Horror of Fang Rock but by the end K9's been introduced and you're watching Leela being chased by a Sontaran in what looks like a leisure centre after hours.

    Which is why whenever anyone asked I tell them it's Paul McGann. It's the interesting choice. It's the one which raises eyebrows, especially with the people who think he got back in the TARDIS in 1996 and didn't come out again. But I don't think I've heard or read an Eighth Doctor story I haven't liked or loved. With the shortest TV screen time of them all, he's become the experimental Doctor, a way for the many authors who've written for him to play about with the format, what a Doctor Who story is.

    For the uninitiated, since his short burst on screen the McGann Doctor has appeared in a series of novels from BBC Books, in an ongoing comic strip in Doctor Who Magazine and on audio with Paul himself in a series of cd plays for a company set up by fans called Big Finish (there was also a brief comic strip moment in Radio Times and a few novellas too). Because many of the writers work across these formats, using the TV Movie and the actors previous film and tv appearances they hashed out a character for him, so that this one voice is heard no matter were he appears.

    He's brash and unpredictable, he's nervous but clever, curious yet all knowing. He'll bound into a situation, make mistakes and then relish dealing with the consequences. Unlike Tom you're never sure if he'll really win and sometimes he really doesn't. In the novels, he's literally lost one of his hearts, destroyed his home planet and been exiled on Earth for a century with amnesia. In the comics he took as his companions, a cyberman and a fish-like woman who'd tried to kill him on numerous occasions. On audio, he caused a rip in time, became his own mortal enemy and banished himself into another universe in which time as a concept doesn't exist.

    But what I really love is the sheer randomness of it all. Unlike the tv series were all the eras are carefully mapped out and you know were you are with whichever Doctor you're watching, you're never sure what the Eighth is going to do next. In a special moment at the end of the latest audio play, this non-reality he's been exciled to is caving in and his only escape route into his real universe is fading fast. But he stops for a moment or two to chide his two companions for not getting along and gets them to grudgingly to bury the hatchet because he doesn't see the point of carrying on if they don't see eye to eye. Life's precious but so is quality of life.

    I'm happy the Doctor's back, but I'm sad to see the back of the Eighth. The fact the new man is being considered the Ninth perfectly commemorates the work done by the various writers, authors and producers who've kept this multi-media incarnation alive and much more than an hour and half of Americanisms. It'll be exciting to see Chris step out of the TARDIS on Saturday, but for me The Doctor's never been away. He's just been travelling elsewhere for while...

    'At least I can say I've lived...'

    Life In a move which is likely to worry no one, I've purchased my first (non-handheld) games console, so now atop my tv I have a Sony Playstation. No you didn't miss a digit, it's the original model (dual shock) actually bought at the Lark Lane Flea Market for £15 with a copy of Resident Evil 3: Nemesis thrown in. I don't play that many games (I'm not a very good at them) but I was looking for something to relax with. So if anyone has any recommendations on what I should be playing on this late nineties classic, let me know.

    Praise you, Charlie Brown

    The opening line of Fat Boy Slim's track, 'Praise You' was inspired a collection of Peanuts' strips called 'You've Come a Long Way, Snoopy' (the actual line in the song is 'We've come a long, long way together...')