I loved the McCoy era, its vision, bravery, and ambition, being greatly admiring of how, at the very start, the actor quickly made the role his own, despite a very uninspiring debut story. When the show was cancelled on the back of what I believed to be some of its most ground-breaking storytelling, I was apoplectic, electing to turn my back on anything to do with it; until that is, a couple of years later, I happened on a VHS copy of The Brain of Morbius, and my life as a fan entered its second, more fulfilling, and still current incarnation. Survival was a perfect example of a story deriving from Andrew Cartmel's plan for the direction of the show, one which, by lending itself so readily to allegory (and requiring a fair amount of thought and reflection), was all the more engrossing and rewarding for it. I've seen it so many times, yet you all managed, individually and collectively, to give me an even deeper insight. Incredible to think that the new era has been with us for longer than the sixteen year hiatus in 1989. Russell T Davies' decision to essentially carry on, in terms of a suburban setting, from where the show left off is not one which was universally popular with longstanding fans, myself included. Nevertheless, it's safe to say that he made the absolute most of it, and I suspect strongly that it was largely responsible for the show moving seamlessly from cult status to one of mass appeal. Abiding thanks, Dan, Simon, and Sarah, for this unexpected, loving appraisal of what was a profoundly sad, yet also pivotal, time for our show. All the best for now. Paul
Seasons Greetings Type 40! Thanks Dan, Sarah and Simon for this very welcome stream. Hard to believe it's 35 whole years now, since the tea was getting cold! A delight to see the wonderful Starry Eyed Girl. Simon's memories really ring true. I vividly recall the Radio Times letters pages too. I think that might have been the first I was really aware there was to be "a bigger gap than normal til the next series"! Interesting Dan said he was leaving school in 89. I had started at Art College and Doctor Who in this era was something my younger brother recorded for me, as there was no way it would get air time on my student house TV. That said, I do recall Wednesday 6th December and just before Wogan, the BBC1 menu trail featured a clip of Who in the "death slot" of 7.35pm. My fellow students, unimpressed by the thought of an evening in with Wogan, Who and Bergerac decided to hit the pub. I watched the final episode alone, then joined my housemates to drown my sorrows - putting things down to a bad day! (Talking Who in public in 1989 wasn't done!) A bit of history, certainly, I agree with Simon's assessment that it wasn't a "great" Who serial but at least it wasn't Battlefield. Also I agree with Sarah's perceptive comment about the end working with and without Sylv's voice-over (incidentally, as I am sure you know, recorded on November 23rd.) Previous Wednesday nights my landlady would watch Corrie and I was reduced to "overhearing" Who through the wall from the old deaf lady next door, who fortunately seemed to permanently watch BBC1. This particular night my landlady was down the Bingo Hall for a Christmas party. Memories! A pity the BBC didn't allow JN-T to move on and either promote Andrew Cartmel to Producer or persuade Paul Stone or Renny Rye, who had made The Box of Delights, to carry the baton into the 90s. I find it interesting to see how Red Dwarf developed in the early 90s, compared to its more obvious "sitcom grammar" of the late 80s. I often felt if Who was given RD's kind of budget it could be at least as visually credible as a sci-fi drama. Anyway, best get some sleep now! Thanks again! Rob
I love Dr. Who and I don't ever want it to end but I do believe it's long over due for a brand new production team with new people because personally I think RTD, Moffat, Murray Gold, Tranter, Nick Briggs have all had their time because most of the current show is just same old, same old and it's tired it needs another I don't want to to say "reboot" but rather another "fresh start" for the show because I do believe if RTD keeps going on the route that he's taking with his politics and berating old fans the show will get cancelled. But if the show is to end I hope it ends the same way as "Survival" did with the Doctor and his companion walking to the sunset but without the speech.
Another great video again! On the subject of the final scene of Survival, I had heard/read that the world's out there speech was recorded after part one was transmitted. Would be interesting to hear the original lines.
I loved the McCoy era, its vision, bravery, and ambition, being greatly admiring of how, at the very start, the actor quickly made the role his own, despite a very uninspiring debut story. When the show was cancelled on the back of what I believed to be some of its most ground-breaking storytelling, I was apoplectic, electing to turn my back on anything to do with it; until that is, a couple of years later, I happened on a VHS copy of The Brain of Morbius, and my life as a fan entered its second, more fulfilling, and still current incarnation.
Survival was a perfect example of a story deriving from Andrew Cartmel's plan for the direction of the show, one which, by lending itself so readily to allegory (and requiring a fair amount of thought and reflection), was all the more engrossing and rewarding for it.
I've seen it so many times, yet you all managed, individually and collectively, to give me an even deeper insight.
Incredible to think that the new era has been with us for longer than the sixteen year hiatus in 1989. Russell T Davies' decision to essentially carry on, in terms of a suburban setting, from where the show left off is not one which was universally popular with longstanding fans, myself included. Nevertheless, it's safe to say that he made the absolute most of it, and I suspect strongly that it was largely responsible for the show moving seamlessly from cult status to one of mass appeal.
Abiding thanks, Dan, Simon, and Sarah, for this unexpected, loving appraisal of what was a profoundly sad, yet also pivotal, time for our show.
All the best for now.
Paul
Wonderful stream with Dan, Simon, and Starry! Really nice to see Starry again.Thanks everyone,cheers!
It's great to be back with the podcast for this new series. We have more plans for 2025.
Seasons Greetings Type 40!
Thanks Dan, Sarah and Simon for this very welcome stream. Hard to believe it's 35 whole years now, since the tea was getting cold!
A delight to see the wonderful Starry Eyed Girl. Simon's memories really ring true. I vividly recall the Radio Times letters pages too. I think that might have been the first I was really aware there was to be "a bigger gap than normal til the next series"!
Interesting Dan said he was leaving school in 89. I had started at Art College and Doctor Who in this era was something my younger brother recorded for me, as there was no way it would get air time on my student house TV. That said, I do recall Wednesday 6th December and just before Wogan, the BBC1 menu trail featured a clip of Who in the "death slot" of 7.35pm. My fellow students, unimpressed by the thought of an evening in with Wogan, Who and Bergerac decided to hit the pub.
I watched the final episode alone, then joined my housemates to drown my sorrows - putting things down to a bad day! (Talking Who in public in 1989 wasn't done!)
A bit of history, certainly, I agree with Simon's assessment that it wasn't a "great" Who serial but at least it wasn't Battlefield. Also I agree with Sarah's perceptive comment about the end working with and without Sylv's voice-over (incidentally, as I am sure you know, recorded on November 23rd.)
Previous Wednesday nights my landlady would watch Corrie and I was reduced to "overhearing" Who through the wall from the old deaf lady next door, who fortunately seemed to permanently watch BBC1. This particular night my landlady was down the Bingo Hall for a Christmas party.
Memories!
A pity the BBC didn't allow JN-T to move on and either promote Andrew Cartmel to Producer or persuade Paul Stone or Renny Rye, who had made The Box of Delights, to carry the baton into the 90s. I find it interesting to see how Red Dwarf developed in the early 90s, compared to its more obvious "sitcom grammar" of the late 80s. I often felt if Who was given RD's kind of budget it could be at least as visually credible as a sci-fi drama.
Anyway, best get some sleep now! Thanks again!
Rob
I love Dr. Who and I don't ever want it to end but I do believe it's long over due for a brand new production team with new people because personally I think RTD, Moffat, Murray Gold, Tranter, Nick Briggs have all had their time because most of the current show is just same old, same old and it's tired it needs another I don't want to to say "reboot" but rather another "fresh start" for the show because I do believe if RTD keeps going on the route that he's taking with his politics and berating old fans the show will get cancelled.
But if the show is to end I hope it ends the same way as "Survival" did with the Doctor and his companion walking to the sunset but without the speech.
Silence is Murray Golden
Another great video again! On the subject of the final scene of Survival, I had heard/read that the world's out there speech was recorded after part one was transmitted. Would be interesting to hear the original lines.
I believe they were additional, rather than replacements.