Doctor Who - The Time of The Doctor Review (Spoilers)

Doctor Who: 

The Time of The Doctor 

By Steven Moffat 

“We all change.  When you think about it we are all different people all through our lives and that’s OK, that’s good, you gotta keep moving so long as you remember all the people that you used to be.  I will not forget one line of this not one day, I swear, I will always remember when The Doctor was me.”

Matt Smith’s time as The Doctor has finally come to an end in a story that takes place yet again on Trenzalore.  The Doctor’s greatest battle to defend the people of Christmas from all his greatest enemies all in orbit around the planet waiting to see if he says his name to allow the Time Lords to return.  The Time of The Doctor is 2013’s Christmas Special and it is a bitter sweet affair as we say goodbye to Matt Smith as he regenerates and we say hello to Peter Capaldi.

The Time of The Doctor is a mix bag.  On a whole I did enjoy it but there was a couple of things that got me scratching my head wondering why Steven Moffat felt he needed to add these situations into the story. For one why did they find it necessary to have The Doctor walking around naked?  Even when The Doctor used the holographic clothes and then went to meet Clara’s parents for Christmas dinner he was clearly naked and it just made for a really stupid moment.  It just seemed so juvenile and doesn’t need to be in a science fiction show.  I know the show needs to be light hearted at times but that was just too immature.  What’s next fart jokes? Umm well that’s been done already also so moving on.

Doctor Who - "The Time of The Doctor" Final Preview Clip

Doctor Who - Jenna Coleman Talks About The Time of The Doctor

The last time The Doctor regenerated there was not a companion present.  The Doctor was all by himself but this time Clara played by Jenna Coleman will be on hand for the momentous occasion and this is the interview for the BBC Media Centre about The Time of The Doctor.
Source: BBC Media Centre

How did you find the read-through? Was it emotional?

It was a very emotional read-through. Just going through the process of saying goodbye was difficult. The script itself is very emotional, but also joyous. But saying those words and saying goodbye was never going to be easy. 

Is there a sense from the start of the episode that we’re moving towards a regeneration?

It’s very much an adventure, but it goes off on a different track. People watching will know that it’s Matt’s last episode, but it doesn’t loom over from the start. 

We were introduced to Clara as the impossible girl last year. Are we going to find out more about her family background?

Doctor Who - Steven Moffat Talks About The Time Of The Doctor

It is the week of Christmas and Matt Smith will soon be The Doctor no longer.  The BBC Media Centre has an interview up with the man who actually does the deed and kills off Matt Smith's Doctor.  Steven Moffat talks about the Christmas Special and beyond.
Source: BBC Media Centre

Can you set the scene for this Christmas episode? 

It’s his final battle and he’s been fighting it for a while. The Doctor is facing the joint challenge of a mysterious event in space that has summoned lots of aliens to one place and helping Clara cook Christmas dinner. There are also elements from every series of Matt’s Doctor, which will come to a head in this special. Things that we’ve laid down for years are going to be paid off. 

How was the read-through? 

It was emotional. I think possibly the beginning of the end is more emotional than the actual end. It was the same with The Angels Take Manhattan, when Karen and Arthur left. The read-throughs are the moments that tend to get people because obviously the shoot dissolves into what we hope will be a tremendously exciting wrap party. 

Did you know what you wanted Matt’s last words to be?

Doctor Who - Orla Brady Talks About "The Time of The Doctor"

Its that time when interviews are galore for the Doctor Who Christmas Special. The BBC Media Centre has a bunch of interviews and we start it off with guest star Orla Brady who plays Tasha Lem.  The Time of The Doctor airs on Christmas Day.

What drew you to the role of Tasha Lem?

 

So you're sitting in your dressing room on an ordinary day (well ordinary for an actress) playing a normal person who makes breakfast and loses her purse sometimes. Then along comes a call to play a galactic nun and whizz around the universe with Matt Smith. Now what girl wouldn't be drawn to that? 

Can you tell us anything about how we first meet your character? 

Doctor Who - New "The Time of The Doctor" Trailer

Doctor Who - 13 New The Time of The Doctor Promo Pics Released

Doctor Who - BBC America Air Time For The Time of The Doctor Announced

Doesn't look like we will be having a simulcast this time around so it would be a good thing to stay off social network during Christmas and if you are on social network on the big day shame on you.  9PM Christmas day is the time of The Doctor Who Christmas Special for the US and I would also guess for Canada also.

The date & time are here! Matt Smith's final episode, The Time of the Doctor premieres Dec 25 at 9/8c on @BBCAMERICA pic.twitter.com/4aDTGn6F5L

— BBC America (@BBCAMERICA) December 3, 2013

Doctor Who - Christmas Special Title and First Promo Pic Released

The BBC have released the first promo picture for this years Christmas Special which is titled 'The Time of The Doctor".  This is of course the last story to feature Matt Smith as The Doctor as he regenerates and Peter Capaldi takes over on Christmas Day.

Doctor Who - 2013 Christmas Special First Trailer

Doctor Who New Releases From BBC Home Entertainment - October & November Highlights

BBC America Home Entertainment has released some details on their Doctor Who DVD releases leading up to the 50th Anniversary.  Unlike in the UK the North America Tenth Planet release has not been moved up to October.  The Tenth Planet and Terror of the Zygons are ones fans have been clamoring for and they finally get the DVD treatment.

OCTOBER

DOCTOR WHO: THE DOCTORS REVISITED:

FIFTH – EIGHTH

Street Date: October1, 2013

Suggested Retail Price: DVD $39.98 ($49.98 in Canada)

Length: Approx. 448 mins + bonus material/ 4- disc set

BBC Home Entertainment continues its celebration of the 50^th anniversary of Doctor Who by looking back at the actors who have portrayed the series’ iconic hero over its historic past. The years 1981-1996 saw four new actors portray the Doctor: Peter Davison (1981-83), Colin Baker (1984-86), Sylvester McCoy (1987-89) and Paul McGann (1996). This collection features a retrospective on each actor and their tenure as the Doctor, followed by one full story for each Doctor, including Earthshock, Vengeance on Varos, Remembrance of the Daleks, and Doctor Who: The Movie, presented in both widescreen, feature-length version and in its episodic, original format. Bonus features include a specially recorded introduction to each classic story by executive producer Steven Moffat. The set also includes an exclusive set of 4 fridge magnets, one for each Doctor.

DOCTOR WHO: THE TERROR OF THE ZYGONS

Street Date: October 8, 2013

Suggested Retail Price: DVD $34.98 ($43.98 in Canada)

Length: Approx. 98 mins + bonus material / 2-disc set

Returning to Earth, the Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker), Sarah Jane (Elisabeth Sladen) and Harry (Ian Marter) arrive in the Scottish Highlands to investigate the mysterious destruction of several oil rigs in the North Sea. Local superstition speaks of a deadly threat that lurks in the mists of Tulloch Moor, but the truth is even more disturbing: the legendary Loch Ness monster is a terrifying cyborg beast which is controlled by the Zygons, an advanced alien race who are desperate to ensure their own survival, at any cost. This digitally re-mastered edition of the Doctor Who classic includes an extended cut of Episode 1; Audio Commentary with producer Philip Hinchcliffe, writer Robert Banks Stewart, production unit manager George Gallaccio, make-up designer Sylvia James and special sounds designer Dick Mills; Scotch Mist in Sussex, a making-of featurette; and much more. 

NOVEMBER

DOCTOR WHO: THE TENTH PLANET

Street Date: November 19, 2013

Suggested Retail Price: DVD $34.98 ($43.98 in Canada)

Length: Approx. 93 mins + bonus materials/ 2-disc set

The TARDIS arrives in December 1986 at a South Pole Space Tracking station where the personnel, under the command of General Cutler, are engaged in trying to talk down a manned space capsule that is experiencing difficulty. The First Doctor (William Hartnell) realizes that the problem stems from the gravitational pull of another planet that has entered the solar system and is now heading for Earth. His words are borne out when the base is invaded by a force of alien Cybermen. The Cybermen's world, Mondas, is draining energy from Earth – once its 'twin planet' - and the situation will soon become critical. This digitally re-mastered edition of the Doctor Who classic includes Audio Commentary with actors Anneke Wills, Christopher Matthews, Earl Cameron, Alan White, Donald Van Der Maaten, Christopher Dunham and designer Peter Kindred; Frozen Out, a making-of featurette; an interview with William Hartnell; and more.

Matt Smith Begins Filming His Last Doctor Who Story Sunday Sep. 8th

Matt Smith has told  the ITV show Daybreak at the GQ Awards that he will be begin filming his last story which is this years Christmas Special and also explains what they are going to do with his hair.  Here is the quote.

I did it for a film, but it means I have to wear a wig in Doctor Who which is a nightmare. I'm excited, I start shooting the Christmas Special Sunday. It'll be sad - the end of a wonderful era!

My idea for the hair would be to have the Cybermen shave it off while trying to convert him into a Cyberman. But anyway I guess it will be a wig then. 

Are The Cybermen Set To Return At Christmas????

The Cybermen may be having a presence in this years Christmas Special.  According to a tweet from Darrelle Parker.  The tweet has since been pulled so who knows if this is true or not or how much of a role the Cybermen play in Matt Smith's demise.  Time will tell.

Director Named For Doctor Who Christmas Special

The Director has been named for Matt Smith's last story which also happens to be this years Christmas Special.  The person in question is Jamie Payne who directed the Series 7 story "Hide".
His other credits include Ashes to Ashes, Survivors and Primeval.  So that is the first bit of news for the Steven Moffat episode so I'm sure there will be more to come in the coming weeks.

Matt Smith Leaving Doctor Who - Official Press Release

BBC Official Press release - 

Matt Smith to leave Doctor Who

The BBC is today announcing that Matt Smith is to leave Doctor Who after four incredible years on the hit show. Matt first stepped into the TARDIS in 2010 and will leave the role at the end of this year after starring in the unmissable 50th Anniversary in November and regenerating in the Christmas special. During his time as the Doctor, Matt has reached over 30 million unique UK viewers and his incarnation has seen the show go truly global. He was also the first actor to be nominated for a BAFTA in the role. Doctor Who is BBC AMERICA's highest-rated series and premieres as part of the channel's Supernatural Saturday programming block.

Matt quickly won over fans to be voted Best Actor by Readers of Doctor Who Magazine for the 2010 season. He also received a nod for his first series at the National Television Awards, before winning the Most Popular Male Drama Performance award in 2012. Matt has played one of the biggest roles in TV with over 77 million fans in the UK, US and Australia alone!

Matt Smith says: "Doctor Who has been the most brilliant experience for me as an actor and a bloke, and that largely is down to the cast, crew and fans of the show.  I'm incredibly grateful to all the cast and crew who work tirelessly every day, to realize all the elements of the show and deliver Doctor Who to the audience.  Many of them have become good friends and I'm incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last four years.

Having Steven Moffat as showrunner write such varied, funny, mind-bending and brilliant scripts has been one of the greatest and most rewarding challenges of my career.  It's been a privilege and a treat to work with Steven, he's a good friend and will continue to shape a brilliant world for the Doctor.

The fans of Doctor Who around the world are unlike any other; they dress up, shout louder, know more about the history of the show (and speculate more about the future of the show) in a way that I've never seen before, your dedication is truly remarkable.  Thank you so very much for supporting my incarnation of  the Time Lord, number Eleven, who I might add is not done yet, I'm back for the 50th anniversary and the Christmas special!

It's been an honor to play this part, to follow the legacy of brilliant actors, and helm the TARDIS for a spell with 'the ginger, the nose and the impossible one'. But when ya gotta go, ya gotta go and Trenzalore calls. Thank you guys.  Matt."

Steven Moffat, lead writer and executive producer, says: "Every day, on every episode, in every set of rushes, Matt Smith surprised me: the way he'd turn a line, or spin on his heels, or make something funny, or out of nowhere make me cry, I just never knew what was coming next. The Doctor can be clown and hero, often at the same time, and Matt rose to both challenges magnificently. And even better than that, given the pressures of this extraordinary show, he is one of the nicest and hardest-working people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Whatever we threw at him - sometimes literally - his behavior was always worthy of the Doctor.

But great actors always know when it's time for the curtain call, so this Christmas prepare for your hearts to break, as we say goodbye to number Eleven. Thank you Matt - bow ties were never cooler.

Of course, this isn't the end of the story, because now the search begins. Somewhere out there right now - all unknowing, just going about their business - is someone who's about to become the Doctor. A life is going to change, and Doctor Who will be born all over again! After 50 years, that's still so exciting!"

Having starred alongside three different companions, Amy Pond (Karen Gillan), Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) and most recently Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman), Matt's Doctor has fought Daleks and Cybermen, as well as Weeping Angels in New York.  Regularly heard shouting 'run' and 'Geronimo', through Matt's Doctor fans have been introduced to a new culinary combination - fish fingers and custard!

Matt's spectacular exit is yet to be revealed and will be kept tightly under wraps. He will return to BBC AMERICA in the unmissable 50th anniversary episode on Saturday, November 23, 2013 - TUNE IN!

Doctor Who is a BBC Cymru Wales production for BBC ONE

Matt Smith is Leaving Doctor Who!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just heard that Matt Smith is leaving Doctor Who after the Christmas Special this year -

From the BBC -


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-22741493