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The Next Doctor!! The Next WHO Christmas Special!! (Plus The Latest Adventures Of Wallace & Gromit!!)

I am – Hercules!!


The latest "Doctor Who" Christmas special just aired in the United Kingdom, and the reviews are mixed!

“ZombieBacon” says:

These days, Christmas in the UK wouldn't be Christmas without appearances by two famous travellers. The first is Santa himself, and the second is Doctor Who.

For the last three years, viewers have been treated to a prime-time Christmas Day seasonal adventure featuring the time-hopping Timelord and each time, things have got bigger, though not necessarily better.

Series' resurrector Russel T. Davies went for broke last time with a high-Adrenalin, action-packed sfx-laden spectacular that seemed to have a bigger budget than all episodes combined from the first 26 years. Think Douglas Adams' Starship Titanic meets the Poseidon Adventure.

Maybe a fair portion of that cash went on securing Kylie Minogue's services as Astrid - guarantying the story plenty of run-up coverage and huge viewing figures on the night regardless of the episode's actual quality.

In comparison, press coverage for The Next Doctor has been a little quieter this time round, but the hooks were still there. For casual viewers there was the return of the highly sinister metallic, logic-obsessed baddies: the Cybermen - last seen being sucked into a vortex between universes.

For fandom, the temptation to forget past excesses and intelligence-defying endings and give the specials another try has been Davies' admittedly brilliant twist. ANOTHER Doctor.
Shrouded in mystery until broadcast, the origins of this 'next Doctor' was the source of many healthy forum arguments with explanations from the mundane - a conman - to the inspired - a counterpart from a parallel universe.

Finding out the truth was as much a part of this story as the actual machine-ations of the feature baddies, aided by the deliciously wicked feminist fatale Miss Hartign.

Their plan - which culminates in the nearest Doctor Who has ever come to the wacky realms of Power Rangers - was a nice new take on the Cybermen's routine of wanting to take over the world and added to their interesting mythology.

It wouldn't have been enough on its own to sustain an hour's telly, but with a Crimbo-friendly Victorian London backdrop, great visual set-pieces - including a snow-covered graveyard assault featuring feral cyberpunk-inspired cyberwraiths - and a brilliant performance by the other Doctor (David Morrissey) 'The Next Doctor' made for an enjoyable festive treat.

Thankfully their was a clear chemistry between the leads and some rewarding scenes between Morrissey and 10th Doctor (David Tennant) which allowed Davies to present the new Who audience with snippets of Doctor Who's rich history. In particular there was a goose-pimple moment referencing all the previous incarnations, helping bridge the gap between the two incarnations of the series and bringing newer fans up-to-speed.

In the end, The Next Doctor wasn't as silly or over-blown as the other Xmas specials and all the better for it.

Not classic, but solid and highly watchable. Light stuff ultimately, but who wants heavy after a massive turkey nosh-up?
As Morrisey says at one point - 'complete and utter wonderful nonsense'.

Here's looking forward to the next special - lined up for Easter 2009 and excitingly entitled Planet of the Dead.

If you use this, you can call me ZombieBacon. Merry Christmas one and all.

“DJ Bollocks” says:

Firstly Happy Christmas to all AICN'ers...

Secondly I have to confess to have enbibed a little too much festive cheer this afternoon... but hey it comes but once a year which of course also applies to The Doctor Who Christmas Special which is now in it's 4th year... To be fair they haven't really been much good particularly after last years pantomime-esque Kylie fest.

Now that I'm living in Malaysia but back in the UK for Christmas I've remained relatively spoiler free having avoided trailers and only seen a few press pics along the way... what do we know from the teaser at the end of the last seasons Davros epic ? Cybermen, Dervla Kirwan (This is not just Doctor Who... This is Christmas Doctor Who...) and possibly set in the 18th/19th Century ? And the title... The Next Doctor... eyebrows raised all round... sadly it's also a Russell T Davies joint... so no guarantees that it'll be any good...

Mince pies at the ready... here we go...

Snow and jaunty music set the scene - it must be Christmas... funny how you don't get a Christmas themed story during the regular season... Anyway - great opening sequence where we're introduced to David Morrissey's rather eccentric 'Doctor' with a companion Rosita and a sonic screwdriver... "Alons Y" indeed...

So it appears that Morrissey's 'Doctor' has had his memory wiped by the Cybermen... some interesting self referencing dialogue - Sally Sparrow Don't Blink...

Then we meet the Cybermen and the Cyber Controller... The Cyber King will rise apparantly... Cut to the Late Rev Fairchild's funeral.... "The Doctor's companion does what the Doctor says".... has the spirit of Colin Baker been reborn...

It appears Morrissey's sonic screwdriver is just a screwdriver... curiouser... children missing... curiouser... fob watch.... just for decoration though....

We find some little metal containers - Infostamps - belonging to the Cybermen "and the night I regenerated.... and you were there". Seems The Next Doctor has a bit of an identity crisis... even a mid life crisis - "We'll find out together..."

Enter the scarlet woman... and a fantastically dark monologue from Miss Hartigan... When RTD is good, he is good... putting the fun back into the funeral indeed... "Not one of you has asked my first name.... It's Mercy !"

We find out a bit more about Rosita - the 'Doctor's companion - a cockney sparra and we're introduced to The erm Tardis... Tethered Air Release Delivered In Style - an air balloon ! I'm guessing we'll meet this Tardis again later...

Darkness descends - and the Cybermen and Miss Hartigan are after the workhouse children. We go back to Doomsday - these are Cybermen who may have slipped through the void that the Doctor sent them through - Morrisey's 'Doctor' is the missing Jackson Lake who's memory has been wiped by the Cybermen's Infostamps...

"A Fugue state.... You wanted to become someone else because Jackson Lake had lost so much"

"They killed my wife !"

The workhouse children are being marched to the Cybermen's lair... I'm half expceting the kids from the workhouse to start singing Oliver style.. and to ask for some more....

The Doctor finds a dimension vault... stolen from the Daleks

Miss Hartigan is now about to be converted - she's not too happy about that...

"That was designated - a lie..."

Looks like there's no mercy... for Mercy...

"This is your liberation All Hail The Cyber King...."

This is where the 'romp and slapstick' starts to get a bit silly... The pseudo science is a bit crap... there's fantasy and there's making shit up... the Cyber King is a big Transformer.... ever get the feeling that this was just a big exercise to sell toys...

Jackson realises that he had a son - Frederick which the Doctor saves in a fuzzy moment...

"The question is what do you make of me ?"

And then the dimension vault sends the Cyber King into the Time Vortex...

"Complete and utter wonderful nonsense.... oh gracious that's quite enough..."

My thoughts exactly David Morrissey - except for the 'wonderful' bit... Listen, as I stated earlier we should expect this... this could have been really good. The concept with David Morrissey's character was really interesting just delivered quite ineffectually - with a surprising lack of drama sadly. The rest of it just seemed quite lazy - brainwashing, the old humanising the emotionless robots angle that fails (it's a recurring theme with Cybermen), and other ridiculously clicheed plot devices that are liberally sprinkled in across the 60 minutes. There is greatness in it - Dervla Kirwan ridiculously outshines David Morrissey who seems almost disappointed that he's actually not playing the real Doctor and now has ruled himself out in doing so... even watching the Doctor Who Confidential afterwards he comes across as hugely disingenuous... but it just loses any sense of credibility the longer it goes on....

I guess the RTD haters will hate it and the lovers of Doctor Who romps will rejoice... what annoys me the most is that RTD in the Doctor Who Confidentials genuinely believes that this is the sort of story that fans want to see... because he's living his childhood again through it. Anyone who's read my ramblings in the past will know I can't wait for The Moff to take over... maybe next year's Christmas special might live up to the expectations...

PS Doctor Who will return in Planet Of The Dead - but no clips boo !!!!

“Fingers McGraw” says:

Hi Herc:

This is a review of not one, but two of the delights to grace tv screens here in the Uk this Xmas Day. The Doctor Who Xmas special, and the return of Wallace and Gromit.

Doctor Who: "The Next Doctor"

Following a strong fourth series that thrilled many and defied the Catherine Tate-haters earlier this year, Doc Who returns with a trip to a snowy Victorian London. No sooner has the Doctor (David Tennant) arrived in the Tardis, he bumps into another man, a man with no memory, who also calls himself the Doctor (David Morrisey). With the Cybermen returning, strange dog-like Cybershades and the sinister Miss Hartigan (Dervla Kirwan), can the two Doctors unravel the mystery before the rise of the CyberKing?

After three previous years of xmas specials of varying quality, Russell T Davies has crafted the most satisfying xmas special yet. This is a hell of a romp, leading to a spectacular finale with (spoiler) a 800-foot steampunk robot!

David Tennant is awesome as always, his sheer quality now almost taken for granted. But David Morrisey is also impressive, all gusto and presence, not only convincing as a potential Doctor but also giving life to a sympathetic character with an emotional arc.

Acclaim too for Dervla Kirwan, in full Cruella De Vil mode as the
delicious femme fatale villain. Without doubt one the finest guest villains the show has seen in a while.

Terrific entertainment that wets the appitite for the first of the 2009 Specials, "Planet of the Dead".

And now...

Wallace and Gromit in "A Matter of Loaf and Death".

After winning Oscars, taking their brand of none-more-english humour around the world and even hitting the big screen, Wallace & Gromit return to the small screen.

In another of his crazy business ideas, Wallace has opened a bakery, Top Bun(!) making dough-to-door deliveries all around town. But with the town's other bakers dropping like flies due to a diabolical serial killer, could Wallace be the next victim? And what does it all have to do with the mysterious Miss Piella Bakewell, who's set Wallace's heart a flutter?

Even though it's great to see W&G back on TV, and even though this is huge fun( and as usual replete with film references, even a huge homage near the end to Aliens, of all films!), this is not an instant classic like it's predecessors, especially The Wrong Trousers.

The plot tips its big reveal far too early, and Gromit gets wind of the villain's plan far too easily. But after all, this is only 30 minutes long, and still adheres to classic series formula. There's a mystery, Gromit's on the case, Wallace is five steps behind, and it all ends in a big, lavish finale.

This is a welcome, if not classic return of two beloved characters and, if eligable, could see Nick Park donning another bow tie come the Oscars.

That's all, Herc, and if you use this, call me Fingers McGraw.




Fresh Whedon!!


Seinfeld, Shield & Damages: $17.50??
Sony 2-For-1 Sale!!

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Reader Talkback

Davies last Doctor Who Crimbo special
by ScotiaNova
Dec 25th, 2008
06:20:06 PM
ScotiaNova
by Logo Lou
Dec 25th, 2008
06:25:49 PM
Logo Lou
by ScotiaNova
Dec 25th, 2008
06:32:36 PM
I watched this...
by emeraldboy
Dec 25th, 2008
06:38:16 PM
very well done
by jon pertwee
Dec 25th, 2008
06:39:39 PM
Come on you fucking torrents.
by Kurutteru Yatsu
Dec 25th, 2008
06:42:55 PM
re: bacci40
by ScotiaNova
Dec 25th, 2008
06:47:42 PM
Happy
by Turtle_Z
Dec 25th, 2008
06:50:28 PM
DJ Bollocks - Why waste our time?
by Lloytron
Dec 25th, 2008
06:52:56 PM
Pretty good I thought
by bellwether
Dec 25th, 2008
06:54:06 PM
Very entertaining
by Lloytron
Dec 25th, 2008
07:04:04 PM
check out 'Einstein and Eddington'
by mistergreen
Dec 25th, 2008
07:27:13 PM
Good stuff.
by SkidMarkedUndies
Dec 25th, 2008
07:45:40 PM
wallace & gromit
by jon pertwee
Dec 25th, 2008
08:28:53 PM
I LOVE Moz!!!!!
by Loosejerk
Dec 25th, 2008
08:35:43 PM
DJ Bollocks - there are no clips because
by Steve Rogers
Dec 25th, 2008
08:45:24 PM
Link for torrents yet???
by James_O'Nasty
Dec 25th, 2008
09:15:40 PM
Great fun with one two complaints...
by Logo Lou
Dec 25th, 2008
09:58:23 PM
Doctor Who Meets Star Trek Just In Time For Christmas...
by Kelvington
Dec 25th, 2008
10:13:08 PM
And, Danke to Anusmouth!!1
by James_O'Nasty
Dec 25th, 2008
11:44:07 PM
Wallace and Gromit
by CharyouTree
Dec 26th, 2008
12:26:37 AM
RTD goes overboard again...
by Mr Willi
Dec 26th, 2008
12:34:28 AM
Time to fire up Bittorrent! :)
by TheGhostWhoLurks
Dec 26th, 2008
12:39:10 AM
I have to agree with that.
by Shan
Dec 26th, 2008
02:12:24 AM
Let me be clear ...
by Shan
Dec 26th, 2008
02:14:49 AM
Herc, you should put a spoiler warning on Review #2
by Jinxo
Dec 26th, 2008
02:24:12 AM
Average at Best
by Stuart-Renton
Dec 26th, 2008
03:34:27 AM
RTD IS the King of Dr. Who
by lostbat
Dec 26th, 2008
04:08:36 AM
It is debatable whether or not Steven Moffatt...
by emeraldboy
Dec 26th, 2008
04:11:19 AM
DJ BOLLOCKS Powers of recall
by earlfist
Dec 26th, 2008
04:21:51 AM
you're not wrong emeraldboy...
by billyhitchcock
Dec 26th, 2008
04:24:01 AM
I fell asleep half way through
by pokadoo
Dec 26th, 2008
04:58:23 AM
River Song
by Shan
Dec 26th, 2008
05:11:43 AM
OK, point taken....
by dj_bollocks
Dec 26th, 2008
05:16:01 AM
This just in...
by dj_bollocks
Dec 26th, 2008
05:35:56 AM
Nice Figures
by knobjockey
Dec 26th, 2008
05:49:24 AM
I like The Phantom Menace as a title
by vadakinX
Dec 26th, 2008
06:12:22 AM
Melvin Pelvis
by billyhitchcock
Dec 26th, 2008
06:13:04 AM
How can the brits afford a giant clockwork robot
by David Cloverfield
Dec 26th, 2008
07:12:10 AM
River Song
by Jinxo
Dec 26th, 2008
07:17:36 AM
Dr. River Song
by mukhtabi
Dec 26th, 2008
08:48:10 AM
River Song
by spud mcspud
Dec 26th, 2008
08:57:00 AM
RTD can't write action
by Berkshire
Dec 26th, 2008
09:00:26 AM
The Next Doctor **spoilers**
by spud mcspud
Dec 26th, 2008
09:11:13 AM
Positive discrimination
by spud mcspud
Dec 26th, 2008
09:20:55 AM
THE NEXT DOCTOR **spoilers again**1
by spud mcspud
Dec 26th, 2008
09:29:18 AM
EDIT FUNCTION! PLEEEEASE!
by spud mcspud
Dec 26th, 2008
09:32:01 AM
The criticisms are fair and accurate.
by gotilk
Dec 26th, 2008
10:19:07 AM
re: EvilWizardGlick
by ScotiaNova
Dec 26th, 2008
10:21:03 AM
Well I Don't Really....
by Real Deal
Dec 26th, 2008
10:21:51 AM
Sorry I forgot the " S " in Allons-y
by Real Deal
Dec 26th, 2008
10:24:07 AM
EvilWizardGlick
by spud mcspud
Dec 26th, 2008
10:37:43 AM
W&G
by supertoyslast
Dec 26th, 2008
10:42:04 AM
Kelvington!!
by gotilk
Dec 26th, 2008
10:44:00 AM
Berkshire
by DoctorTom
Dec 26th, 2008
11:09:14 AM
spud mcspud - Dalek Kaan's prophecy...
by ejcarter9
Dec 26th, 2008
01:52:14 PM
I thought it was pretty classy.
by Smashing
Dec 26th, 2008
02:01:19 PM
Ignore the kiss.
by Smashing
Dec 26th, 2008
02:02:16 PM
DOCTOR-DONNA BOLLOCKS!!!!
by SISKOKID
Dec 26th, 2008
02:54:45 PM
Smashing
by spud mcspud
Dec 26th, 2008
04:47:04 PM
It is time for a black doctor...
by Leafar the Lost
Dec 26th, 2008
04:47:19 PM
And as for David Morrissey...
by spud mcspud
Dec 26th, 2008
04:52:35 PM
Leafar the Lost
by spud mcspud
Dec 26th, 2008
04:53:45 PM
RTD says he doesnt know
by emeraldboy
Dec 26th, 2008
05:02:15 PM
Giant robot was fucking gay
by Brody77
Dec 26th, 2008
05:17:36 PM
That was not good
by jccalhoun
Dec 26th, 2008
06:33:18 PM
Oh, Lord, maybe it's a good thing that.......
by axcel1
Dec 26th, 2008
06:41:24 PM
axcel1
by spud mcspud
Dec 26th, 2008
07:41:31 PM
What?
by rbottoms
Dec 26th, 2008
08:29:44 PM
But after all it is Christmas...
by davidaball
Dec 26th, 2008
08:45:11 PM
jccalhoun
by XoanonTORN
Dec 26th, 2008
10:06:56 PM
spud mcspud,
by axcel1
Dec 26th, 2008
10:14:12 PM
Oh, by the way...............
by axcel1
Dec 26th, 2008
10:16:48 PM
Now that you got me thinking about it....................
by axcel1
Dec 26th, 2008
10:28:49 PM
axcel1
by XoanonTORN
Dec 26th, 2008
10:51:44 PM
XoanonTORN
by jccalhoun
Dec 26th, 2008
11:06:56 PM
Will Ferrell is the next Doctor...
by BurnHollywood
Dec 27th, 2008
02:57:13 AM
Or, how about this?
by axcel1
Dec 27th, 2008
06:17:59 AM
As for who I would as the real next Doctor............
by axcel1
Dec 27th, 2008
06:23:52 AM
Ooooo, bad habit of mine...........
by axcel1
Dec 27th, 2008
06:26:42 AM
reminded me of Futurama
by br1947
Dec 27th, 2008
08:57:02 AM
"Well, it makes a noise. That's sonic, isn't it?"
by Kurutteru Yatsu
Dec 27th, 2008
10:35:43 AM
I must admit
by papabendi
Dec 27th, 2008
11:09:44 AM
First half hour was good fun
by kwisatzhaderach
Dec 27th, 2008
01:11:57 PM
You know, Spud, when you say things like
by omarthesnake
Dec 27th, 2008
01:43:32 PM
omarthesnake................
by axcel1
Dec 27th, 2008
05:12:05 PM
Or, I could sat this..........
by axcel1
Dec 27th, 2008
05:16:14 PM
RTD didn't save Doctor Who...
by lynxpro
Dec 27th, 2008
05:16:44 PM
now having said that...
by lynxpro
Dec 27th, 2008
05:17:06 PM
...
by lynxpro
Dec 27th, 2008
05:19:07 PM
Another bad habit.............
by axcel1
Dec 27th, 2008
05:21:00 PM
There Are A Lot Of Scrooges On This TB!
by IAmMrMonkey!
Dec 27th, 2008
05:44:25 PM
*SPOILERS* Planet Of The Dead
by IAmMrMonkey!
Dec 27th, 2008
05:46:26 PM
I wasn't too thrilled by that
by The Handsome 12th Doctor
Dec 27th, 2008
06:02:53 PM
Wallace and Gromit
by The Handsome 12th Doctor
Dec 27th, 2008
06:47:26 PM
The Handsome 12th Doctor................
by axcel1
Dec 27th, 2008
08:13:26 PM
I kept hoping...
by G8kpr
Dec 27th, 2008
09:43:52 PM
Kept mistaking Mercy for Gillian Anderson
by tangcameo
Dec 27th, 2008
10:00:13 PM
I was hoping...
by lynxpro
Dec 27th, 2008
11:38:12 PM
Tennant is strong enough without a companion.
by AnnoyYou
Dec 28th, 2008
03:36:05 AM
The Next Doctor..
by TinSpider
Dec 28th, 2008
04:18:05 AM
2009/10 Specials
by ScotiaNova
Dec 28th, 2008
06:19:50 AM
AnnoyYou.........
by axcel1
Dec 28th, 2008
08:26:41 AM
axcel1!
by IAmMrMonkey!
Dec 28th, 2008
10:11:55 AM
by EvilWizardGlick
by emeraldboy
Dec 28th, 2008
10:47:59 AM
Yes, IAmMrMonkey!, he is........
by axcel1
Dec 28th, 2008
10:55:13 AM
Had a hard time staying interested (Dr Who)
by ulcer
Dec 28th, 2008
11:46:41 AM
Any word on if SciFi or BBC America will air this?
by tonagan
Dec 28th, 2008
01:19:41 PM
tonagan, if you are a big Doctor Who Fan...........
by axcel1
Dec 28th, 2008
04:46:45 PM
Ulcer, Doctor Who isn't in HD
by lynxpro
Dec 28th, 2008
06:00:49 PM
EvilWizardGlick. yes, John Simm, maybe Colin Salmon, but........
by axcel1
Dec 28th, 2008
06:02:38 PM
I want Philip Glenister AS GENE HUNT as The Master!
by tangcameo
Dec 28th, 2008
07:56:30 PM
re:lynxpro, Who isn't in HD..
by ulcer
Dec 28th, 2008
10:12:48 PM
tangcameo
by lynxpro
Dec 29th, 2008
12:37:58 AM

by simhedges
Dec 29th, 2008
05:26:42 AM
Race Issues
by simhedges
Dec 29th, 2008
08:41:54 AM
The funniest ep of season two...
by emeraldboy
Dec 29th, 2008
10:17:50 AM
I Liked It...
by ericinwisconsin
Dec 29th, 2008
11:27:27 AM
Youtubed it.
by I am the most horrible
Dec 29th, 2008
02:30:12 PM
COMPANIONS cont'd
by I am the most horrible
Dec 29th, 2008
02:33:11 PM
We Need Galifrey Back
by DarfurOnTheRocks
Dec 29th, 2008
02:49:09 PM
Speaking as a Black American Whovian.......
by thecomedian
Dec 29th, 2008
05:21:37 PM
Please let MATT BERRY be the next Doctor..!
by workshed
Dec 30th, 2008
08:25:41 AM
thecomedian - Paterson Joseph
by spud mcspud
Dec 30th, 2008
11:05:26 AM
Spud your judging history as one entity.
by Smashing
Dec 30th, 2008
04:33:48 PM
Smashing
by spud mcspud
Dec 30th, 2008
06:09:12 PM
Johnny Vegas for Dr Who!
by spud mcspud
Dec 30th, 2008
06:11:38 PM
But the thing is...............
by axcel1
Dec 31st, 2008
05:35:18 AM
A reality star as dr who..
by emeraldboy
Dec 31st, 2008
07:33:45 AM
Counting down
by Aeronaut
Dec 31st, 2008
07:51:18 AM
Aeronaut
by spud mcspud
Dec 31st, 2008
08:44:53 AM
Don't matter if you're black or white
by mulberry
Dec 31st, 2008
08:49:33 AM
Passing through
by proper
Dec 31st, 2008
04:24:31 PM
This whole special
by NoahTall
Dec 31st, 2008
09:45:25 PM
And the next doctor is
by mulberry
Jan 2nd, 2009
10:17:57 AM
Although
by mulberry
Jan 2nd, 2009
10:55:53 AM
Oh the heck with it, I'm sticking to my guns.......
by axcel1
Jan 2nd, 2009
11:42:14 AM
Yea, BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
by axcel1
Jan 2nd, 2009
11:43:31 AM
OFFICIAL: NEW DOCTOR TO EE ANNOUNCED SATURDAY
by palimpsest
Jan 2nd, 2009
02:34:45 PM
Simms
by I am the most horrible
Jan 2nd, 2009
02:36:05 PM
A little birdie told me...
by workshed
Jan 2nd, 2009
02:48:51 PM
Ok, I am the most horrible, how about this?
by axcel1
Jan 2nd, 2009
03:41:52 PM
To all those who despise the show:
by Jack Parsons
Jan 2nd, 2009
04:18:41 PM

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