Unless you live under a rock... on the moon (the dark side of course) then you should know that Steven Moffat is the current head writer for doctor who. He took over from Russell T Davies in 2010 but also wrote some doctor who stories before such as the highly praised 'Blink'. Now if you've read my previous articles, you'll know I'm not really a fan of Moffat. I liked almost all of his previous work before becoming head writer then I just completely lost hope in him after seeing series 6 although 'Day of the Doctor' was good. But I'm not going to talk about that (I'm tearing up) also it's rather hard writing about how angry I am with him with his face staring angrily next to me. Instead I'm here to talk about the big question: Who are the likely candidates to take over from Moffat? And how well I think they could fare (these choices are all people who have worked on doctor who before as basically I don't watch anything else, although I was contemplating putting J K Rowling here but that's just in my dreams). Mark Gatiss. For me, Mark is the likeliest candidate. He has a long history of Doctor who writing as well as co-creator of Sherlock with Steven Moffat so those two are quite good friends. To be honest, the episodes he has written for doctor who have been pretty average (The unquite dead, The idiots lantern, Victory of the Daleks, Night terrors, Cold war, The crimson horror as well as two more episodes for series 8) although his work on Sherlock is fantastic. As well as writing for doctor who he has played several characters such as lazarus. He also wrote and produced An adventure in space and time which was amazing. Likelihood: 8/10 - very likely. Russell T Davies (well I can dream can't I?) The previous head writer as I've mentioned above. He brought Doctor who back from the gutter in 2005 with a new doctor, new TARDIS and a new companion and he did it beautifully. If this doesn't prove how good he is then I don't know what will. He also had one of the most successful doctor's ever as well as saving doctor who again when Tennant left (they were going to cancel the show after he left but RTD stopped that). Likelihood: 4/10 - Pretty unlikely. Toby Whithouse. Another fairly likely choice, he has written some fantastic stories in the past (School Reunion, The Vampires of Venice, The God Complex and A Town Called Mercy, as well as the Torchwood episode Greeks Bearing Gifts). He has a lot of show running experience as well as creating the popular TV show 'Being human'. He has also said he would be interested in the role of doctor who head writer. Likelihood: 8/10 - Very likely. Neil Gaiman. I would certainly love this and I'm sure most other doctor who fans will agree but although he is a fan favourite, it's a bit unknown as to how well he would cope as head writer and he doesn't seem to have any interest in becoming head writer. Neil Gaiman wrote the extremely well-regarded episode The Doctor's Wife (which won a Hugo Award) and the somewhat less-well-regarded Nightmare in Silver. He has also written plenty of highly praised novels. Likelihood: 3/10 - Highly unlikely. Gareth Roberts. He's never run his own show so not much experience but in terms of writing, especially for doctor who he has plenty of experience. He has written The Shakespeare Code, The Unicorn and the Wasp, Planet of the Dead, The Lodger, and Closing Time as well as some Big Finish audio drama. He was also very involved with the Sarah Jane Adventures, where he wrote or cowrote 18 episodes. Finaly he has written a few doctor who books such as making the doctor who story Shada into a novel. Likelihood: 6/10 - Possible. Conclusion:
In conclusion I have reviewed 5 writers who I think are the most likely and I have found that the most likely person(s) to take over from Steven Moffat are Mark Gatiss and Toby Whithouse, both on 8/10. Next we have Gareth Roberts with 6/10, Then RTD on 4/10. Then in last place we have Neil Gaiman on 3/10. This is mainly because he is probably very busy.
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5) 1st/2nd/3rd doctor (1963-1970). It's the original and one of the most inventive. Built on a small budget, it was the longest surviving interiors therefore one of the most loved. From the coat stand to the really uncomfortable looking bed (so much so Susan stabbed them with a pair of scissors) it's all great. And part of the reason why it was so successful was because William Hartnell knew every button and leaver making it much more believable and showing the doctors intellectuality. It also looked quite welcoming. But I thought towards the end of Troughton's era it began to look slightly dated making it number 5. 4) 11th/12th doctor (2012-present). The latest in the long line of TARDISes and this one is easily the most modern and stylish. I thought it never fully represented Matt's doctor too well as it was too dark but I hope it will suit Capaldi's dark doctor much better. I like it's use of balcony's and the console is absolutely perfect. My favourite feature is probably the spinning wheels at the top of the time rotor. This is fourth because the doctor's TARDIS is meant to be an old model and this one looks much too modern and metallic. 3) 4th doctor (1976-1977). Used for only a short time as a secondary console room, the gothic design suited the 4th doctor to a tee. The console is at a higher level which is a nice touch and this TARDIS is probably the most different in the classic era apart from the 8th doctor's so I like it for that. The dark gothic colours and themes are what represents Philip Hinchcliffe era and that's what I like best about it. I also like the railings and other things surrounding the console, it is a good use of space. 2) 9th/10th doctor (2005-2010, 2011). I grew up with this TARDIS meaning the doctors home was like my home. The coral theme didn't suit Ecclestone's doctor too well but Tennant really used it to it's full potential and made it his own; from the rafter where he would throw his trench coat to the hammer he would hit the console with. This one also looks quite welcoming from the orange glow yet worn in a good way. The high roof also helped it to look bigger. If we had seen more of it then it could have been 1st place. 1) 8th doctor (1996 TV movie). How could it not be this one? The ginormous beautiful gothic design reflects perfectly the doctor. With bits and bobs strewn around in no particular order and pealing paint and damage and cobwebs covering every spot. This is what the TARDIS should be. Not perfect in everyway like the 11th/12th doctors TARDIS. The doctors TARDIS is meant to be an old model and this design shows this the best which is why it's first. Also it's somewhere where you just need to look at it to know it's the doctors home. If I could choose any TARDIS to return, it would definitely be this one. Welcome to yet another edition of 'my doctor who favourites' and this time it's my favourite New Who stories. Unlike my favourite classic stories post, I have seen all new who stories therefore this list is definite. They are all brilliant stories, being very different from the classics so... 5) Midnight. A excellent cast of characters makes this one of the most creepy stories in all of new who. The claustrophobic setting creates a spooky atmosphere. But basically I love this episode because it scares me which is something doctor who just doesn't do for me anymore with Moffat and his 'story arc's' in charge. I also like how simple the story is yet it creates a great amount of fear. 4) Dalek. In my recent article in the 'Reviews on DVD's' section I basically told you why love it but I'll go over the main parts. I think that this story is the best Dalek story on new who. It revolves around one Dalek which is good as it shows how powerful they are. I also love the resolution and how it's a bit of an emotional story I also love Ecclestone here, one of his best performances. 3) Blink. I don't really like going for the fan favourites when I think of my doctor who favourite stories because it feels like people just say that because everyone else does so this just shows how much I like this story. It's so creepy. Something as I've said above doctor who doesn't do for me anymore (but I'm getting older so I don't know if younger whovians get scared by doctor who) 2) Amy's Choice. In my personal opinion, the most important episode in series 5 as well as the most enjoyable. I thought that the biggest theme running through nearly all of Amy's time in the TARDIS was, who does she love more? The Doctor or Rory. And although this has been explored, (of course it's Rory!) this was the first episode to acknowledge it and I thought go into most depth. I loved the dream lord, he is one of my favourite villains beautifully played by Toby Jones (AKA Dobby) I would love for him to return to the show to also use the fantastic concept of different worlds that may not be reality. Definitely scary. 1) The Unicorn and the Wasp. Funny, witty and a marvellous plot. I just love this story. I always love a story that makes me laugh but not just that, it needs to be witty, everything this episode is. Donna is absolutely amazing here. I just love her. The murder mystery plot also works very well here too. The cast of characters is another great thing. But overall Donna just does it for me, it also allows Catherine Tate to show of her Comic skills. Written by guest contributor, Handbot10. Be sure to check out his site at http://thehandbotarchives.weebly.com/ Hello I’m Handbot10, but you can call me Handbot. Being a fan of doctor who in a crowd of millions I show my affection for the show in as many ways as possible. I have my own website dedicated to the show. My main feature of my website, The Handbot Archives, are my books. Now, thousands of people have told me that fan fiction is disgusting and original ideas are better than copying someone else’s, but I think differently. It’s my inner peace. I enjoy it and I know loads of other people that do as much as I do. It is nothing but a hobby for me yet surprisingly due to research and browsing, more people think what the fans make are better than what you get on the TV series. So, which is better: Fan Fiction or Official TV episodes? Yes, fan fiction is much better: Many of the fans we meet today are lifelong dedicated lovers. Many will argue that the classic series is better than the modern series but that is an argument for another day. It is because of this that writers like myself try to add bits from the old series into their up to date new series books. It makes them a whole lot better and welcoming. In the TV series, barley any of the classic series features are in it making it nearly a different show. For example, massive story arcs (e.g. silence will fall, knock four times…). Although fan fictioners sometimes do story arcs they are usually not as big. Not only that but fans like to work with and support other fans. And now born is the community side of things. Let’s take my good old favourite ‘Whovian Books’. This site has been through many ups and downs. They provide fan fiction with all doctors including spin offs! As many say, 2 brains or better than one. Working together helps bring a wide range of fun exiting moments into your books. And as they are only for fun the books are a lot more chilled out. I can honestly say, everybody at whovian books even though I might not know what they look like, sound like or behave like at the end of the day they are like my tiny family. And without a family many people are lost. With my family I feel encouraged and excited to write. No, the TV show is better! 99.999% of me doesn’t want to say this. Are the TV episodes actually better? For this I am including classic series. Everyone who writes for Doctor Who are usually good and well known writers. I mean, who else writes like Steven Moffatt. Since it’s revival in 2005, Doctor Who has become more twisted and gobsmacking. Sorry Dalekwho, there wasn’t much of that in series 1. Matt Smith’s era having a massive ark that was nearly rounded up perfectly and the way we were introduced to the War Doctor blew my socks off! Perhaps being a long running TV series it has more opportunities to surprise us and keep us on the edge of our seats. Now I know what you’re thinking, ‘The rings of akhaten’. Utter ****. And yet it did move you slightly. The point is, Doctor who has a new range of episodes from sad to happy, from shocking to boring. This wide diversity makes it the thing we all know and love. And adding in monsters and characters from the classic series like the curator makes it even more gripping. Now, us fan fictioners do add monsters back but it doesn’t quite have that same impact. Conclusion: Undoubtedly, Fan fiction owns the stage for me. It is the best, and is a big part of my life. The tv series still being a strong and great show fan fiction offers more juicy stories and no dry ones. What did you think? Thanks for reading, Handbot out! Well I've done my favourites so now it's time for the opposite side of the spectrum. again remember I haven't yet seen all stories so these could potentially change. Anyway welcome to... my least favourite classic stories!... 5) Trial of a time lord: The ultimate foe. What the heck was this? After the previous 3 instalments to the trial of a time lord series which weren't perfect but weren't bad ether we get this. Everything is just thrown out of the window, one minute we have the valeyard is a future doctor, then we have the master then we have being eaten by sand then we have going into the dream factory (which I may add is obviously a cheap knock off from The deadly assassin) and to top it all off we have the sixth doctor being reduced to childish name calling throughout the whole trial of a time lord (the 'scrapyard', I mean come on) Overall the whole thing is just one big mess. 4) Warriors of the deep. The reason I hate the 5th doctor era is because of the predominately 80's style of everything! Even if the story is set 1000 years in the future we still have a bunch of camp 80's people looking ghastly. This is why this story kind of sums up why I hate the 5th doctor era. Although the plot is quite good, the costumes, set's, effects and directing just fail the plot. Creating a bit of a bore-fest. And the mighty Silurains we saw in the 3rd doctor era are reduced to embarrassing shadows of what they once were... 3) The ambassadors of death. Now this one always causes conflict. Season 7 (Spearhead from space, The Silurians, The ambassadors of death and Inferno) is repeatedly called the greatest season in the whole of doctor who. For me I wouldn't call it my favourite. They are all pretty average stories for me (apart from the amazing Inferno!). The ambassadors of death just doesn't keep me interested for long enough, I usually only get to part 4 then fall asleep or turn it off, which is a shame because part 5,6 and 7 are all great but the first parts are just torture! 2) The Sensorites. Now don't get me wrong, part 1 and it's cliff hanger are quite good but then it just goes downhill from there... The plot just doesn't go anywhere and just takes ages to get to the small amount of action there is. The Sensorite costumes are pretty naff (although the head's aren't too bad) and finally the script and plot is just boring, the whole 6 episodes could have easily been put into a pretty interesting 2 parts. 1) Terminus (or ‘Terminally Boring’). Complete and utter crap! A total and utter embarrassment to the doctor who world. The whole thing is total rubbish with no logic and a crappy writer who won't even acknowledge what an embarrassment it is. I can't even put into words how bad it is therefore I'll leave you with I 'overheard someone telling their friend that Terminus was the best example of horror fiction he’d seen in the last 10 years.' This quote is from the writer in the DVD extras. If this doesn't show how deluded he is, I don't know what will. Sorry if these are anyone's favourite story, but I just hate them. Of course even though I dislike them, I won't forget the hard work (apart from Terminus) that went into them. Some of these problems that I mentioned were maybe unavoidable or a low budget therefore we can think that at least they tried... (apart from Terminus :P) Although I have already told you my big favourites, in these coming articles I will be going in depth on all my favourite episodes, doctor's companions etc... as well as my least favourite episodes, doctor's and companions etc... I will also be mostly splitting them up into classic and new who, maybe even involving spin offs or even you... (as I may decide to do polls but not sure). Anyway we'll start off with My top 5 classic stories, there are so many great one's it's really hard to choose, but this is what I've decided. Please bear in mind I haven't seen all classics but have been lucky enough to see most (see episode guide). Enjoy... 5) The daemons. As the title suggests this story is strongly about demons and dark things like that therefore we already know it's quite a spooky and dark story, all of which are helped a lot by the effects and cast. Also I love the resolution to this story which will definitely remain one of my favourites visually. Also the fact this is last in the season means that we have quite a good happy ending of the doctor dancing around a maypole.... aww... 4) The deadly assassin. Quite and important story in the world of Doctor who. It features our first proper look at the time lords since 'The war games' as well as being a rare story where the doctor doesn't have any companions and this story showed excellently what the doctor was like without companions creating one of the most scariest stories in all of doctor who, especially those scenes in the matrix. Suspense filled and exiting as well as a great cast and locations make a thrilling story! 3) Dalek invasion of Earth. Our second ever story featuring the Daleks and it is just perfect. Usually stories like this (6 parts) get really boring but this story uses every second to it's advantage. The cast really help but the effects are what really stands out. We have some huge set's as well as excellent locations. Also the Daleks are really menacing and scary which I think they have kind of lost now and mainly only appear to please fan's. Finally, the London locations like Trafalgar Square have created some of the most memorable scenes ever! 2) Carnival of monsters. The episode that surprised me most. I was expecting it to be another dull story where we are just bombarded with cardboard monsters. But I was really shocked to see a well paced, creative story full of excellent characters and brilliant monsters as well as a brilliant cast of characters. The fact the plot is so simple (set in a box) yet could become so big (we go to a boat as well as the home of the Drashig's all in this box) also I love the idea how this box is a futuristic circus, it's complete genius! 1) City of death. What an excellent episode, full of comedy as well as suspense. In my opinion Tom Bakers best ever performance in doctor who with the dynamic and friendship bouncing between him and Romana helping to this. The plot is also brilliant with excellent locations such as the Eiffel Tower. Also the villain is great too and played perfectly. Just overall such a great episode where everything's perfect and definitely deserves the title of having the highest viewing records of any classic story. Notable mentions include; The keys of Marinus, The web of fear, Frontier in space, Terror of the Zygons, The two doctor's and Resurrection of the Daleks. 1) No more big story arcs: For the love of god, I can't stress this enough. I'm sorry Moffat, but you are just awful (in my opinion) at finishing off a story arc satisfactory. Don't get me wrong, he is pretty good at setting them up but when it comes to completing it to a good standard, you just fail and it ends up one big ball of wibbly wobbly mess. I am fine with the odd thing like in series 3 with the 'vote Saxon' posters, but Moffat I think goes too big which ruins a lot of episodes that had a lot of potential. 2) Bring back 2 part stories! A large problem with most of the 11th doctor's story's was people felt that sometimes they were a little rushed for example the time of the doctor; there wasn't really much time for things to settle in like all those deaths in the town of Christmas. Also if Capaldi's episodes are well paced, it could help to make his doctor great and to properly develop. 3) Scottish doctor: I'm pretty sure now from what I've read/heard that Capaldi will be keeping is Scottish accent unlike a certain David Tennant, I am very happy with this as it will make his era kind of unique and possibly make more people want to watch it? 4) New aliens: Goodness I would love something new for the doctor to fight, Daleks have been completely overused now, they aren't very much scary anymore and mostly only appear to please fans. The 12th (or 13th... or 14th, I don't know) needs something new and unique. I mean it seems likely the Daleks will appear in Capaldi's first series as your not the doctor until you've fought the Daleks but hopefully there is some brilliant other new monsters waiting for us... A darker doctor: It seems pretty likely now that we are getting a complete opposite to Matt Smith's doctor, which means a much darker and angrier doctor, something a little more like the 1st doctor yet still with much compassion, and I for one am exited for this. Overall my main hope is that it doesn't get too confusing and you can enjoy all episodes with less 'meh' or 'what's going on'. And it all rests upon the shoulders of Steven Moffat and Peter Capaldi. Well bearing in mind we have only seen this one picture of the costume, I think it's... good. Not brilliant, oh no far from it but definitely not my least (although it is down there). I personally think that it's a little bit boring, this costume is what's going to define his doctor and there's nothing really to define it with apart from the beautiful jacket which is an obvious nod to Jon Pertwee's jacket. I think that a doctor needs something to define him, for example 11 had a bow tie, 7 had his umbrella, 4 had his scarf. It's just a little boring and not particularly alien or anything. Of course since we don't know much about his character it could suit him very well, we've heard he is kind of a dark doctor. I just want something to make him stand out, after all he is know for his terrible dress sense. Another thing is most of the previous doctor have worn very gentlemen and formal kind of clothes since the doctor is gentleman, and this just doesn't show this. Oh well I am just hoping that when I see more and see his doctor it will kind of grow on me which no doubt will happen. It's just that it shows his doctor as kind of empty with no personality, for example with no tie or anything and dark shoes, trousers and waistcoat. But I really do love the coat type thing although it could have been longer so that it kind of flows around him. But who knows maybe they could add a pocket watch or something to give him more of a personality. Please remember this is my opinion, and be sure to mention your thoughts in the comments section :) I have only just realised you know absolutely nothing about me really which is shocking! So in this short post I will give you an insight into me (doctor who wise obviously) My favourite doctor is the 11th doctor or the 7th (but they are all so brilliant in there unique ways.) My favourite woman companion is Ace or Donna like with the doctor's they are all brilliant.... apart from Mel..... and maybe Nyssa My favourite male companion is the wonderful Jamie. My favourite episode is City of death/carnival of monsters for the classics and Unicorn and the Wasp for new who (yes even better than the day of the doctor.) My favourite monster is possibly Weeping angels although this question is quite hard. I do hope you enjoyed this quick post, if you have anymore questions feel free to post them! Matt Smith's last episode isn't long off now and I thought there are still so many unanswered questions and mysteries. So what ones do I really want answering? 1) 'Silence will fall'. I thought all this had been solved in series 6 (although quite badly) but it seems that silence will fall will be quite a major part in the special. So I am looking forward to seeing how Moffat writes this and to finally get answers on the silence. 2) Remembering the 50th. There have been so many episodes that were epic then in the next one the previous events aren't even mentioned (although this could be because a few weeks have passed or something) but this time I hope to see the 11th doctor flying through the sky's looking for Gallifrey as an opening sequence, just to give the 50th more of an effect. 3) Gallifrey. I think that it would be cool if Trenzalore is actually Gallifrey, or at least the doctor could find Gallifrey or at least next series spend a whole episode with the doctor on Gallifrey as if you haven't seen the classic series you haven't really seen that much of Gallifrey. An episode like 'Invasion of time' would be good. 4) Every other question. I could go on forever writing all the mysteries of the Matt Smith era but that would take a good few days. I want questions like 'who blew up the TARDIS?', 'Who was the woman in the shop?' and any other question answering, after all Moffat said 'We will get answers!'. Hope you enjoyed this post. |
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January 2015
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