Dr Who Anniversary Specials — Talking Doctor Who — A Review.

1st November, 2023: Talking Doctor Who.

It’s officially Wednesday.

And, frankly?

I’m roasting a potato or two: in anticipation of dinner.

‘In anticipation of dinner’ … ?

That’s possibly a little too pretentious, even for me.

At any rate: I’m doing dinner: one that shouldn’t take too long.

As I want to catch Talking Doctor Who — on BBC Four — tonight.

Without having to worry too about how much time I’ve got.

~≈👽≈~

2nd November, 2023.

Airing on BBC Four, Talking Doctor Who opens with with the new Whoniverse ident.

Then shifts: to show us an introduction from the documentary’s narrator: 14th Doctor actor, David  Tennant, himself.

Who introduces us to a montage of Classic series Doctors, and monsters.

Then shifts: as he shows us to the only surviving interview with William Hartnell, the First Doctor.

Then shifts, and shifts again: first showing us Patrick Troughton, on Pebble Mill at One, and interviews with Troughton and Davison on This Morning, shots of Jon Pertwee and various clips of Tom Baker filming his first series in the show …

And then regenerating in the Fifth Doctor, played by Tennant’s father-in-law, Peter Davison: who eventually gives way to Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy and Paul McGann.

Ending with a clip of McGann’s performance in the Dr Who TV movie, and McCoy’s closing speech from Survival … 

The show closes with a word or two from Tennant, himself.

~≈👽≈~

Now … what did I make of Talking Doctor Who?

Of something the show’s iPlayer page says tells “the story of the Doctor’s classic era”?

Hmmm … 

I have mixed feelings, I think.

I can’t fault David Tennant’s presentation of, and enthusiasm for, both the old and new version of the show.

He, like Peter Capaldi, is a noted fan of the show: so that fan knowledge — supplemented by the knowledge of a working actor who’s played two different versions of the central character — both shows, and helps.

So those David Tennant links?

Are very good.

The interviews and clips?

Are presented, very well.

But?

They’re not new: most of these — like the William Hartnell interview* at the start of the show? — have featured on various DVD and blu-ray sets over the past couple of decades.

Or have been uploaded — alongside other well researched, fan made material — to YouTube.

So … ?

Whilst I think younger fans will find Talking Dr Who interesting, it’s not necessarily giving older fans anything new.

It’s just giving us stuff that’s conveniently gathered together.

~≈👽≈~

There’s other issues, as well.

I’m very aware that Talking Doctor Who is exclusive to BBC Four: and to the BBC’s iPlayer service.

From what I’m told?

Russell T. Davies has stated that things involved with the 60th anniversary are being funded purely by the BBC: with no co-funding from Disney.

So won’t be shown internationally.

I think that’s fair enough.

But I also think there’s going to be interest in Talking Doctor Who from international fans: so can only hope it will see some sort of post-broadcast release, whether as part of the 60th Anniversary blu-ray release, or elsewhere.

As a minor point?

I don’t know what will be happening with blu-ray releases of Ncuti Gatwa’s first two seasons: and would love to find out.

But that is a minor point: and one for another post.

At any rate?   I’d be interested to hear if Talking Doctor Who will get an international release.

Feel free to pass on what you know.

~≈👽≈~

At any rate?

And in a desperate attempt to summarise?

Yes: Talking Doctor Who is a worthwhile watch.

Yes: I, as an older fan, found it entertaining, even if it’s showing me nothing new.

But, yes: newer fans will probably find it more interesting.

They?

Are the people Talking Doctor Who is aimed at, not me.

~≈👽≈~

Talking Doctor Who.

★★☆☆

*        The interview is from Hartnell’s time — post Dr Who — in panto: and is on the DVD version of The Tenth Planet.   He played a character called the Fairy Cobbler in a version of Puss In Boots.   (The Tenth Planet DVD is listed on CeX at £8.)