Doctor Who Club of Australia

rundoctoritsthegatherer · Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 11:13 am Post subject:

TV is canon isn't quite as simple as that. Is Shada canon, even though it wasn't aired but was going to be? Is the TVM canon? A lot of people will tell you it isn't. How about the new series? Again, there will be people who say nay. Remember Dimensions in Time was also shown on television.

The TVM was "officially" a failure because it was never picked up. As someone else pointed out, it did not get the ratings they were after in America, and so it was decided not to continue. I'm not arguing as to whether they were right or not, but the facts are, they made a pilot, the powers that were in charge at the time didn't receive the reaction/figures/whatever they were expecting, and the show was subsequently not picked up. Whether you agree with the criteria they chose or not is irrelevant. Most people don't know or care why it wasn't continued, only that it wasn't, which is what matters in the end to people trying to get ratings.

Paul McGann, his fault or not, is associated with a failed attempt to resurrect Doctor Who. Casting him as the Doctor in the new series would have reminded people of that and I believe the show's ratings would have suffered as a result. I'm guessing RTD, Phil Collinson and everyone else involved in casting the new series were thinking along similar lines. I could be wrong, but I don't think so.

Theta Sigma · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 4564

StitchInTime · Joined: 02 Jul 2005 Posts: 34

rundoctoritsthegatherer · Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2005 2:40 pm Post subject:

Kerr Avon · Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Posts: 478

meglos · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 670 Location: Perth

I quite liked Paul's version of the Doctor, but I am glad that they started afresh in the new series. I think having a regeneration in the first 5 minutes would maybe have put off or confused a lot of new viewers.

Wester · Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 610 Location: Brisbane

I too would have preferred to have seen more of the so called 8th Doctor. but its a bit late isnt it. Or is it??!!

Ace · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 117 Location: Sydney

At first I was upset thatPaul McGann wasn't in it and that there would be no regeneration scene, but I think that would have ruined it after having seen the new series.

I think that, because there was only one tv appearance for the eighth Doctor, he translated so well into the books and audios so you could make of him what you would. There were no real pre-conceptions for you when you read the books or listened to the audios...therefore taking the eighth Doctor in a whole new direction to the one the tv Doctors have taken,

Ace

StitchInTime · Joined: 02 Jul 2005 Posts: 34

StitchInTime · Joined: 02 Jul 2005 Posts: 34

StitchInTime · Joined: 02 Jul 2005 Posts: 34

Dougy · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 1:32 pm Post subject:

I must admit when I heard that the new series would be jumping straight into the 9th Doctor, leaving us to assume he's regenerated since the TV movie, I was bit disapointed. Keep in mind, this was before I knew who would bethe new Doc.

I really enjoyed the TV movie and I thought Paul did a great job, I would of loved to see him in the new series. Haveing said that though, I think Chris has done a fantastic job as Doc No.9, as has everyone associated with the new series.

So, honestly, it wouldn't bother me either way, but I am very happy withthe series as is.

Wester · Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 610 Location: Brisbane

Dougy - I too liked the TV movie and had hoped at the time that it would lead to a series or a mini series at best. However, it didnt work out. Maybe they could do a series anyway? you know 'the lost years'?? I dont know.

but I do love the series as it is.

Dougy · Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2005 5:45 pm Post subject:

Yeah, that "lost years" idea is cool, I like that. But, aren't the books supposed ot answer what happened to the 8th Doc?

Beatly · Joined: 24 Jul 2005 Posts: 375 Location: London

Actually, I thought they could do a mini-series or film or whatever, set on Gallifrey, featuring President Romanadvoratrelundar, and the off-worlder Leela, and so on... sort of like the audio series, I suppose, but it could lead up to the Time War, with the 8th Doctor coming in at some point, and finishing with Gallifrey's destruction and the Doctor's regeneration, just as he's dashing off to see to a Nestene invasion of Earth. Just to answer a few hanging questions for the fans. Smile

Ace · Joined: 27 Jun 2005 Posts: 117 Location: Sydney

I think the regeneration at the end of the first series is a different matter than having Paul regenerate into Chris at the beginning of the season. They could afford to bring in a regeneration since the new series was established and a success. I think if it hadn't have been, they wouldn't have included the regeneration in the last episode. You know, it's a bit like William Hartnell regenerating into Patrick Troughton all over again. Will the new face be successful enough to carry the series on for another number of years? David Tennant has the same tough job as Patrick Troughton...and that is to be a success. Number one doesn't matter in the way that the series will be made or broken regardless.

Remember they didn't have Colin Baker back to regenerate into Sylvester McCoy...and really, it didn't work that well...did anyone else see how badly the wig and clothes fitted???

The point of the new series, Russell T Davies said, was to introduce it to a whole new audience...not harp on the past. That's what killed the TV movie and they learnt from the Americans' mistakes...fortunately. Having Paul in there would have confused too many of the new viewers...there would have had to have been over-long explanations as to who this Doctor was and why he was there. Those who had seen the TV movie would have wanted to know why the interior of the TARDIS was different and what happened to the Eye of Harmony (which should never have been in there in the first place).

So with hindsight (such a wonderful tool!) I think Russell did us a favour in not including an introductory regeneration...the new series is a whole new animal and was best started afresh.

Ace Question

Wester · Joined: 04 Aug 2005 Posts: 610 Location: Brisbane

Actually Beatly, I think the whole Time War thing needs to be explored more and can be considering that with a show that deal with time travel, it is all relative, isnt it?

Majestic · Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2005 10:02 pm Post subject:

I love Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor. He had done a superb job as the Doctor. I am glad he was casted as the 9th Doctor, and they didn't include an introductory regeneration scene at the beginning of the series.

I never saw much of the old series, so for others like me, it may of confused the audience.

I am looking forward to learning more about the Time War and I hope the new Doctor can fill Christopher Eccleston's shoes.

Dougy · Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2005 6:07 pm Post subject:

I'd like ot know more about the time war thing too. But it seems to be doing (at least at the moment) a sort of X-Files thign, where the first and last eps of a series has some big revelations and the "middle" eps are "unrealated" adventures with a few little hints thrown in every so often (such as Bad Wolf.) It wrked really well for the X-Files, and I think it's gonna work here too.

But yes, I'd like to know more.