For the first time in a long time, we will not be getting a Doctor Who Christmas Special. Instead, this year we will be getting a New Year’s special. So in the absence of a much-missed Doctor Who tradition, we look into some of the great Christmas Specials from years gone by…
Doctor Who Season 10, Episode 3 “Thin Ice”
Directed by Bill Anderson
Written by Sarah Dollard
Starring Peter Capaldi, Pearl Mackie, Matt Lucas, Nicholas Burns, Asiatu Koroma, Peter Singh BBC America
Air date: April 29, 2017
This week, Doctor Who Episode 10.3 brings us a veritable melange of different topics. We get some costume drama. There is also some criticism of the class structure of British society. There is even some [gasp!] confrontation of race issues. Yet somehow, we also get to have a good deal of fun. The show feels quite sure of itself and is willing to take a few risks (albeit small ones). Those gambits largely pay off and take the Doctor and Pearl to a few places the show rarely goes. It’s thin ice, in more than one sense.
Being a Whovian that is also the co-host of Geeks Of Doom’s TARDISblend podcast, I’m a little picky and particular about my Doctor Who stuff. But I can say, without a doubt, that Titan Comics’ opening salvo for their Doctor Who: Ninth Doctor comic book series is a good shot.
First up, you have the Christopher Eccleston Doctor, in all his grumpy glory, with his adorable companion Rose Tyler who is still softening up his hardened Time War scars.
However, what makes this book special is Captain Jack.
On Tuesday, August 13, 2013, BBC Home Entertainment will release Doctor Who: The Green Death (Story 69) Special Edition, which is a 2-disc DVD containing the digitally remastered version of the 6-part Doctor Who series The Green Death, along with bonus features, including some that are new to this edition.
One of the new bonus features is “The Unquiet Dead,” a 23-minute featurette that concludes the 5-part “Doctor Forever” documentary, which takes a look at the “wilderness years” of Doctor Who during its off-air years (1989-2005). The Who fan site Blogtor Who picked out an interesting tidbit in this bonus feature regarding Christopher Eccleston, who played the ninth doctor when the series relaunched in 2005: the actor’s voice almost didn’t make it onto the Canadian broadcasts!
Doctor Who showrunner, Steven Moffat, recently sat down with Ed Stradling for an interview recorded for the Gallifrey 2013 convention in Los Angeles. During the interview, Moffat answers many questions Whovians have about the current series, the 50th anniversary, Series 8, and much more.
When questioned for clarification on the plans for the 50th anniversary special, Steven Moffat says “Don’t believe the nonsense about ONE 60 minute special for the anniversary.” He didn’t elaborate from that, but did make clear that there is a A LOT planned for the anniversary, and hinted that more details would be coming soon.
Also of interest is that Moffat verified that the anniversary special will be in 3D. While he explained how busy everyone is on the technical side of making this a reality, but did not elaborate on how this is going to be delivered to the viewers. Will it be released as a 3D Blu-ray, or will we see some form of theatrical release? No hints on those answers at this point.
Students of the Unusual™ comic cover used with permission of 3BoysProductions
The Mercuri Bros.™ comic cover used with permission of Prodigal Son Press
