dbskyler

I'm watching the Doctors Revisited special for the Seventh Doctor right now, and thoroughly enjoying it. They have Bonnie Langford back again -- the first time a companion has been interviewed in more than one special -- and Sophie Aldred, and Sylvester McCoy.

The best quotes so far have been from Sophie. First she said that Sylvester would take every opportunity to "bring out those spoons," and then she said that her biggest claim to fame as a companion is that she beat up a Dalek with a baseball bat, and it would probably be on her tombstone.

"Famous foes" showcased the Rani, which is a little weird I think because she was introduced in a Sixth Doctor episode, but I suppose the pickings were slim.

Steven Moffat said some great things, and especially praised Sylvester's ability to be very comic with this tremendous layer of sadness underneath.

And now we're into "Remembrance of the Daleks." Steven Moffat introduced it, and he began by confessing that he didn't like the Seventh Doctor's first episodes, but he nevertheless cut short a meeting for "Press Gang" to rush home and watch "Remembrance," and he was completely blown away by it.

And now, my off-the-cuff reactions to "Remembrance of the Daleks," which I have seen before, but don't remember very well:

( spoilers for Remembrance of the Daleks )

No hint of whether they're going to do a retrospective for the Eighth Doctor. Hard though it would be to do one, I kind of hope they do!

BBCA's Fifth Doctor Revisited special is on my television right now, and for the first time, they have covered everyone -- Adric, Nyssa, Tegan, Turlough, and Peri have all made an appearance! Not only that, but Matthew, Sarah, Janet, Mark, and Nicola have all been interviewed! (And by the way, I would never have recognized Matthew Waterhouse, but he sounds exactly the same!)

After the sad and sometimes downright shameful companion omissions of past specials, it's nice to have everyone recognized and celebrated in this one. Peter Davison was also interviewed. I assume they'll continue with the Doctor interviews from now on -- hopefully everyone will agree to do it (can't wait to hear what Colin has to say!)

And now they're into the Fifth Doctor episode. And the chosen one? It's Earthshock! I guessed they would do Caves of Androzani, so I was wrong. I had to laugh, though, because in Steven Moffat's introduction to the episode, he made a point of talking about a surprise at the end -- but the surprise had already been given away in the special! With quotes from everyone, including Steven! So I guess the episode introductions get filmed at a different time than the retrospective interviews. I wonder if they're filmed first, or later? How far in advance does BBCA choose the episode? Do they know which one they're showing for the Sixth Doctor yet?

Anyway, on to watching Earthshock! I'm pleased, because for once it's an episode I haven't seen for ages, and I don't remember it that well. Although I do remember what happens at the end . . . ; )

ETA: And, now I remember why I haven't re-watched this episode in such a long time.

( spoilers for Earthshock )

The one good thing about commercials is they give me a chance to immediately type up my reactions, so here we go for the Third Doctor special.

Camille Coduri! Camille Coduri talking about how sexy Jon Pertwee is! Hurrah!!

And Hugh Bonneville??!! It's a little bizarre to have him talking about the Third Doctor, but I suppose that he too is of the correct age to have grown up watching those episodes.

And Richard Franklin!!!

Steven Moffat on "Spearhead from Space": "What was the plan, exactly? 'We're going to conquer the world by planting dummies in shop windows!'"

Aww, and Moffat is heaping praise on Nicholas Courtney and on Roger Delgado. Yes, I agree completely!!!

And of course everyone is also praising Jon Pertwee, which is only fair as this is his special. Now I wonder if they will actually interview Tom Baker in the Fourth Doctor special. Oooh, I hope they do!

Speaking of actors who are still alive, we don't have anything from Katy Manning yet. Perhaps they didn't include her. Bah. Well, maybe she wasn't available.

. . . and it just ended. No Katy. And nothing on Sarah Jane, although they did cover Liz Shaw and Jo Grant. That's a little disappointing, but I suspect they will do a lot on Sarah Jane for the Fourth Doctor special. Except they have a lot of companions to cover for him. But then maybe they'll do the same thing and leave Adric and Nyssa and Tegan for the Fifth Doctor?

Okay, on to watching (or rather, re-watching) "Spearhead from Space!" And here I thought they were going to choose "Terror of the Autons" as the Third Doctor episode to screen. Do I get partial credit for at least getting the invading force correct?

So apparently BBC America will be showing "Tomb of the Cybermen" for their 2nd Doctor installment of "Doctors Revisited." Which is good, and another great choice after "The Aztecs" for the 1st Doctor, except for one tiny little detail: I've already seen both of those episodes!!!!!!! Okay, they're great episodes, and that's one of the reasons why I've seen them (also they, you know, exist, unlike some of the other choices), but how amazing would it be for BBCA to broadcast a Classic Who episode that I haven't already seen?

Of course, I am currently making that less likely by what's currently in my DVD player: "The Sea Devils," a 3rd Doctor episode that I haven't seen before. But BBCA is unlikely to choose that one for the 3rd Doctor anyway, right?