Series 4.5(?) Discussion - SPOILERS

So now that we've come to Journey's End for series 4, let us turn our interest to the next adventures. The upcoming specials for 08-09 or Series 4.5 since were in limbo until 5. Please note the name for this as it will contain possible spoilers and reveals for these specials that you may not want to know.

With all that out of the way, what's the word on these specials? Two are set, possibly three, making two of the four just usual specials as they are Christmas specials. The other, well words from Julie Gardner tell the tale. Taken from the Telegraph

Quote :

“Aside from Series Five, which will have a full 13 episodes and transmit in 2010, we are making four one-hour specials. The first, which we’ve already filmed, will go out this Christmas. The next will go out the following Easter. The other specials have yet to be scheduled, although one will definitely be on at Christmas 2009.”

Russell T Davies, Doctor Who’s executive producer and the show’s driving creative force, will be at the helm for all four specials. Davies will write two of them himself, and co-write the others. Gardner believes that the reduction in output won’t only whet the audience’s appetite; it will reinvigorate the franchise. Not least because the exhausted writers and production team have a chance to recharge their batteries.

“It’s been a very intense four years,” she says. “Making 13 episodes of Doctor Who is a year-long job. We film from July to March. In between March and July we’re in post-production. For Journey’s End, the final episode of Series Four, we delivered the finished programme to the BBC the Wednesday before transmission. That’s how close to the wire it is.”

Such a demanding schedule risks squeezing the zest and ingenuity out of the show, and the BBC wants to keep it alive long into the next decade. “When Russell T Davies brought Doctor Who back there was huge audience expectation,” says Gardner. “The reduced schedule for 2009 acknowledges the fact that the show should continue not just for another one or two years, but for another five or 10. It needs to be nurtured, loved and looked after.”

The plots of the forthcoming specials are still under the tightest of wraps. This year’s Christmas episode, reportedly entitled The Return of the Cybermen, will see David Tennant’s Doctor materialising in Victorian England. According to paparazzi photos taken during filming, the episode’s guest stars include David Morrissey and Dervla Kirwan. Beyond that, says Gardner, the “possibilities are endless”. Characters and storylines brought to the fore at the end of the recent series won’t necessarily be picked up again next year. “Our main concern is to find the most rewarding story [for each special]. You have to think about where you want to push the Doctor next: that’s the most important thing.”

What of the Doctor himself? Rumours abound that David Tennant, the Doctor for the previous three series, is to step down. David Morrissey (13 to Eight), John Simm (5/1) and Robert Carlyle (6/1) are the bookies’ favourites to replace him. Further down the odds come James Nesbitt (12/1), Stephen Fry (18/1) and, erm, Ricky Gervais (80/1).

Although it has been reported that Tennant has already made his decision and informed the BBC, Gardner says she doesn’t know whether he will still be the Doctor when the fifth series airs in 2010. However, his stint as a Time Lord is far from over. “I can confirm that David Tennant will be coming back after his run playing Hamlet [for the RSC] to film the four specials. Beyond that I don’t know. What I do know is that David still loves Doctor Who, does great work on the show and is very happy doing it.” One person who definitely will be standing down after the specials is Russell T Davies. Steven Moffat, who has written outstanding Who episodes including 2007’s Blink, will succeed Davies as lead writer and executive producer for Series Five. He will be joined by fellow executive producer Piers Wenger. Next year, Wenger will also take over from Gardner as the Head of Drama at BBC Wales.

John Simm? How would they pull that off? I get the idea of the Doctor choosing that form out of remembrance or something, but he could never be around Jack or Martha again.

the usual rumours are circulating speculating about Tennant. Aparently he might be tempted to do 2010...but the source is a very unreliable one at best...British tabloids. When they start- a source from the bbc...I roll my eyes. Hope he stays on with Moffat a little it would be nice to have Tennant in a few stories.
S 5 will be much more horror driven I assume because Moffat loves to scare children- which is a good thing. Until I hear an official statement from the bbc I will wait.

greenk9 wrote:

S 5 will be much more horror driven I assume because Moffat loves to scare children- which is a good thing.

Okay, first off, GreenK9 I rather enjoy your posts so let me be clear in saying this is not directed at you, rather posters in general, your recent post merely sparked my powder keg.

Where does it become popular acceptance that Moffat is merely out to "scare" us with his stories? Empy Child/Doctor Dances had an erie feel but it was one coupled with the threat of being in wartime not just a spooky child. Girl in the Fireplace had a yuck moment with the ships parts, but the robots were no scarier than the Host in VOTD which he did not write. And yes I know, Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead was supposed to be scarier than Blink. Honestly it was more campy than Blink and it showcased Riversong who has everyone wanting her return.

I guess the part that seems to keep sticking out is that everyone has put Blink out front and his more recent outings have helped fuel the fire of the series being darker and scarier. Steven Moffat is not Stephen King though, his writing has a wider range. While never the definitive source, I present his Wikipedia entry...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Moffat

As to his writings of a lighter note, I remind all of his comedic outing of "Doctor Who and the Curse of Fatal Death" for Comic Relief. And the story that inspired Blink was actualy the beginning of Sally Sparrow's adventures...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/episodes/2007/blink_annual.shtml

Other than getting out a growing frustration, I'm not sure what my point is, other than a hope we can all look past the dark, for the lighter side that may be shown.

ah curse of the fatal death...the master's bumps...still makes me smile. Moffat indeed provided light in the dark days when who was off the air...plus his comedic pedigree with coupling of course. Oh I do agree with you that Moffat has as many sides
to his fantastical mind- love the links. wiki rules.

Dont forget the Doctors screwdriver has THREE settings! :hitchhiker:

Everyone seem to be moving on to Doctor 11, but I'm not quite ready to let 10 go just yet. Still looking forward to his final stories. With that in mind I redirect your attention to the upcoming specials with news from the BBC...

Original story link is HERE

Quote :

The BBC has confirmed that part of the forthcoming Doctor Who Easter special will be filmed in Dubai.

Planet of the Dead, which stars David Tennant as the Doctor alongside Michelle Ryan and Lee Evans, began filming in January in Cardiff and the team are now descending upon the Arabian Gulf to film further scenes for the episode.

"We rarely take Doctor Who abroad," said Doctor Who Producer Tracie Simpson. "We did visit Rome for Series Four's The Fires of Pompeii - which gave us some spectacular footage. The locations in Dubai are a perfect match for writer Russell T Davies's vision of the episode and we expect to film some incredible scenes while we are here."

Bionic Woman and Merlin star Michelle Ryan plays the mysterious Lady Christina de Souza who joins the Doctor on a bus-trip which takes a very unexpected detour into danger. British comedy star Lee Evans also joins the cast playing a character called Malcolm whose life becomes connected to the Doctor's under extraordinary circumstances and Noma Dumezweni returns as Captain Erisa Magambo - last seen helping Rose and Donna save the world in Turn Left.

Planet of the Dead is the first of four Doctor Who Specials which will air in 2009. Written by Russell T Davies and Gareth Roberts, the episode is will be screened on BBC One in Spring 2009.

The story will also be the first to be shot and broadcast in the Hi-Defintion format already used by Torchwood and several other major BBC Productions.

And looking only slightly ahead, at least to the 2nd special...

Original story is HERE

Quote :

The BBC has confirmed that acclaimed actress, Lindsay Duncan will guest star in the second Doctor Who special of 2009.

Lindsay is best known for her roles across stage and screen, including Shooting the Past and GBH and is soon to star as Margaret Thatcher in the highly anticipated BBC Two drama, Margaret. In Doctor Who she will play Adelaide - the Doctor's cleverest and most strong-minded companion yet.

"I'm thrilled to be involved in Doctor Who," said Lindsay. "I've never done anything like this before and I'm really looking forward to working with David Tennant and the Doctor Who team."

Lindsay joins David Tennant as he continues his role as The Doctor in the second of four Doctor Who Specials to be screened throughout 2009. This will follow Planet of the Dead, due to air this Easter on BBC One.

Executive Producer and writer Russell T Davies said: "Lindsay is an incredibly talented actress and I've been an admirer of her work for some time. We are delighted to announce that she will be joining the team and playing the Doctor's most strong-minded companion yet."

Due to go into production in Spring 2009, the second episode written by Russell T Davies and Phil Ford will be produced by Nikki Wilson and will be screened on BBC One later this year.

Easter does seem to be a long way away. I do love when they film overseas- the episodes that come to my mind are the two doctors, fires of pompeii and of course my favorite episode- the city of death.

Interesting that they are bringing back the character from turn left- she had a brief role working with donna and rose. Obviously unit will play a role here...oh I know this probably will not happen but I sure hope they bring back alistar.

spoiler-do not read unless you are naughty like me....

o.k if you have seen the spoiler picts- why is the doc 10 back in the orange suit from the satan pit? They are shooting in a quarry again also- YEAH QUARRY! Doctor who is not complete without a quarry- this is how he will regenerate- his last words will be ..."not another quarry."

More News...Story is HERE

Quote :

Doctor Who – Planet Of The Dead
Unplaced
Day and time to be confirmed BBC ONE

* www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho

When a London bus takes a detour to an alien world, the Doctor must join forces with the extraordinary Lady Christina, in this one-off seasonal special. But the mysterious planet holds terrifying secrets, hidden in the sand. And time is running out, as the deadly Swarm gets closer.

Planet Of The Dead features David Tennant as the Doctor, Michelle Ryan as Lady Christina and Lee Evans as Malcolm. It is written by Russell T Davies and Gareth Roberts.

This is the blurb on Planet of the Dead as posted by the BBC, still haven't set the actual date and time, just the week of april 11th. Michelle Ryan should be really good in this one. I really liked her in the new Bionic Woman before NBC sacked it, and she was good as Nimueh in Merlin.

The new alien we'll see in "Planet of the Dead", the Tritovore, has been revealed. Here it is:

someone call terminex!!! Neat head but the jumpsuit ala daleks in manhattan? Me thinks this might be a light n' fluffy funny episode in the vein of partners in crime before the black rain cloud eps around christmas. WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL CHRISTMAS FOR THE THREE PARTER...CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Chris3123 wrote:

"Help me! Help me!"

Truly the most unsettling thing about that picture is the question it raises. How the heck does he work the zipper? If I am on the set as a runner, I'm saying no thanks and two words...adult diapers.

gregtdj wrote:

Truly the most unsettling thing about that picture is the question it raises. How the heck does he work the zipper? If I am on the set as a runner, I'm saying no thanks and two words...adult diapers.

Never mind the zipper....how does he work things when the zipper is open!!

(I know they are only gloves, but it is a funny image!)

doctor who in hd finally!!!!!!

well the bbc has confirmed that cribbins is back...for the last two episodes- does this mean donna is not that far behind?

Also I am wondering who picked up the ring of the masters and will this come into play somehow....

greenk9 wrote:

well the bbc has confirmed that cribbins is back...for the last two episodes- does this mean donna is not that far behind?

Also I am wondering who picked up the ring of the masters and will this come into play somehow....

im sure it will its a story device vague enough for them to do whatever they want much like spock melding with mcoy in the wrath of khan.

ok- according to opgallifrey- tennant says now c.tate is in this...hmmm I always love to mispredict but could she as some have guessed picked up the master's ring?

I still go back to river song's reaction about recognizing donna- that still bothers me-and the fact that dalek kahn said one will die....so if the doctor made donna better what would donna be like if she met the master? I know I will be wrong...