Introducing Amy

The Eleventh Doctor isn’t the only new face in the TARDIS as the Time Lord is joined by the feisty, fantastic new companion, Amy Pond! We know their paths cross in the series opener, The Eleventh Hour and that she accompanies him through time and space, but aside from that, what is Karen Gillan, who plays Amy Pond, telling us?

Karen Gillan AKA Amy Pond

Discussing Amy’s relationship with the Doctor, Karen muses, ‘She doesn’t take his word as gospel and she’s always happy to challenge him. If he tells her to do something then she won’t necessarily do it, she might go off and do her own thing which can sometimes create a rift between the two of them! They are best pals though and it’s a very up and down relationship because they are both very passionate people.’

Doctor Who?

Sounds like it might get stormy! Karen agrees, adding, ‘They have quite a turbulent relationship but it’s also really passionate and they care about each other… It’s a great relationship!’

The Angels are coming…

This episode revisits the Weeping Angels, terrifying predators disguised in the form of stone statues, which previously appeared in the tenth Doctor story Blink – itself based on a short story that Moffat wrote for a recent Doctor Who annual. In addition to this, the episode sees the return of the enigmatic River Song (played by Alex Kingston), a feisty archaeologist introduced in Silence in the Library, and supposedly the Doctor’s future wife. Drawing on themes from such well-received past stories, this episode certainly has high expectations to live up to.

Don't Blink

Well, the episode certainly delivers. After a fast-paced and clever opening scene, the Doctor and Amy soon join River Song on a barren ruined planet, in search of the last surviving Weeping Angel. They are accompanied by a squad of militant clerics, as they search for the creature amidst a ruined temple full of stone statues. There is a certain amount of friction between Amy and River at first, as they both vie for the Doctor’s attention, but this soon gives way to heart-stopping drama. Many moments reminded me of the episode The Impossible Planet, as the Doctor leads a party underground into the ruins of a lost civilization; and this outing is certainly as dark as that one.

While the Angels featured in the episode Blink merely sent their victims back in time, feeding on their stolen potential, Moffat now takes it up a notch. We are told that the Angels need bodies for something, so now they break their victims’ necks with stone hands.

In terms of plot, the episode runs like a horror movie. From Amy’s early encounter with the Angel, through the deadly expedition into the sprawling ruins, and the final horrifying twist at the end; each idea reflects classic horror scenarios, but strung together seamlessly, and featuring an entirely original new monster.

In The Time of Angels, Moffat doesn’t just bring back his creation, but rather he develops the idea in a number of ways. The idea that any image of an Angel can itself become an angel is truly frightening, and leads to a scene reminiscent of The Ring, when Amy is trapped in front of a screen, through which a videotaped Angel slowly emerges. The twist at the end, on realising that each one of the many stone statues is in fact another Angel, is devastatingly effective.

The idea that weak and hungry, the Angels begin to loose their form, becoming distorted, misshapen and wingless effigies, is another original twist. It makes the army of stone monstrosities even scarier, with their mutated and deformed features.

It is also rather disturbing that the angels were able to communicate using the dead consciousness of their victims. Though the idea makes little sense, it doesn’t feel like a problem, as the Angels are so far from human understanding, that they border on what we might call the supernatural. The realisation that the dead Private’s voice on the radio is actually speaking a message from these creatures  makes for a chilling moment.

The episode ends with an unusual cliff-hanger, as the party are trapped in the caves, surrounded on all sides by the approaching Angels. The Doctor gives a wonderful, triumphant speech to the creatures, before firing a sonic gun up at the ceiling above them. Rather than leaving things bleak and hopeless until next week, Moffat shows us that the Doctor has a plan, and we’re left waiting to see exactly what it is he’s done. It’s a refreshingly optimistic twist on the usual cliff-hanger format.

This episode also marked a far greater threat to Amy than before. As a result of her early encounter with the Angel, she becomes somehow tainted by it, resulting in strange hallucinations. We see stone dust falling from her eye as she rubs it later on, and towards the end she becomes convinced that her hand is turning to stone. This attack on the Doctor’s companion brings home the very real danger, and one can’t help but wonder what further horrors await her in part two.

In the preview of next week, we also see a glimpse of one of these developing cracks – this time it seems, as an integral part of the story. It’ll be good to see Moffat weaving this ongoing theme into the fabric of a story, and suggests we’ll learn a little more about what to expect towards the end of the series.

Some may be wondering by now exactly who River Song is. When she speaks to the Bishop early on, he comments that the Doctor doesn’t yet know her true identity, and refers to her recent incarceration. The idea that Song might be the Doctor’s future wife (and he her former husband) strikes me as a little thin, and one can’t help but wonder what hidden twist is coming.

She’s highly intelligent, possesses a sonic screwdriver, is familiar with the ancient artifacts of Gallifrey, knows the Doctor’s true name, and is able to fly a TARDIS better than he can. (One detail I rather enjoyed was the revelation that a TARDIS shouldn’t make any sound on materialising – the ‘vroorp vroorp’ sound we all know and love, it transpires, is a by-product of the Doctor trying to ‘park’ with the brakes turned on.) Personally, I’m rather hoping she’ll turn out to be the Rani – the Doctor’s Timelady rival, last seen in the 1987 story Time and The Rani - but we’ll just have to wait and see.

Roll on next week!

Anyways, I’m back so hello to all our frequent visitors and major apologies for my disappearing act, to celibrate my return to doing what I do worst, here is a good enough reason to watch the 5th series of doctor who, the lovely Amy Pond, aaah I love Doctor Who.

Post Your Comments, let me know what you will be doing and don’t forget, time is running out, visit www.DoctorWhoBlackpool.com before it’s too late!!!!!!

Closing on Sunday November 8th (open late till 8pm) the Doctor Who Museum in Blackpool will be looking to part with various set dressing and photos 7 days later.

The sale will comprise some large graphic panels from Blackpool and other recent exhibitions, smaller signs, photos and set dressing materials – PVC rock face, panelling, gravestones, jungle leaves, plinths and NON TV-prop dressing items. Some graphic panels measure 1900mm x 1200mm and are rigid, so ensure suitable transport if you wish to buy any of these.

No items can be left on site for later collection.

Please visit the ‘former’ Museum site on Sunday November 15th if you would like to see and bid for some unique pieces of the exhibition history. Cash and credit cards will be accepted, however regrettably cheques will not be accepted.

Meanwhile, the Museum (found on 95 Central Promenade, Blackpool, FY1 5AA) will be open every day from 10.30am to 8.00pm until the end of November 8th 2009.

More on the closure at: www.DoctorWhoBlackpool.com

** New ** Comment on the Doctor Who Exhibition Closure at our Sister Site http://www.doctorwhoblackpool.com

Here is the official press release it its entirity…….

“LAST CHANCE TO SEE! – DOCTOR WHO BLACKPOOL MUSEUM

Doctor Who Exhibitions would like to announce the last chance to see the classic collection of Doctor Who items at the Doctor Who Museum in Blackpool. After five years in Blackpool, the Museum will close its doors for the last time on the 8th of November after which some of the collection will be being re-distributed to other Doctor Who Exhibitions around the UK. The Museum features a unique collection of props, monsters and costumes from throughout the long history of Doctor Who, Britain’s best loved Science Fiction Drama.

The Exhibition will be open every day from 10.30am to 8.00pm until the end of November 8th 2009.

Please note that there is a shop on site but none of the display items will be for sale.”(end)

Need to get in touch?

I Know that many of you will have questions regarding the museum but please be aware that the museum phone line will be VERY BUSY this month, if you have trouble getting through you can call our alternative line on 01253 297522 ot better still email me using the contact-us page and I will reply every evening to your emails.

Here are a few questions you may want answers to:

When will the museum close?
The 8th November is the official closure date

What are your opening times?
from 10am till 8pm

How much will it cost?
£7.50 adults £5 children £22.50 family tickets.

for more info please visit: http://doctorwhoexhibitions.com/

Also don’t forget that our online store will remain trading as usual

www.DoctorWhoCollector.com

Dreamland – BBC Animated Adventure

The six-part series, titled Dreamland, will premiere on the Doctor Who website and via the BBC Red Button service in the autumn, before being broadcast on BBC Two as part of CBBC. It will also be available on the BBC HD channel.
In Dreamland, Tennant’s Time Lord visits Roswell, the area in New Mexico rumoured to be the site of an alien landing. During a visit to a local diner, he stumbles across a mysterious alien artefact and ends up battling the evil Viperox and the US military.

Georgia Moffett voices the character of Cassie Rice, the Doctor’s companion. David Warner plays the leader of the ruthless Viperox.

The 45-minute long adaptation is written by Phil Ford, who has scripted episodes of Doctor Who, Torchwood and the Sarah Jane Adventures.

Russell T Davies, Dreamland’s executive producer and the writer who brought Doctor Who back to the screen, said: “Dreamland is a remarkable project and I’m thrilled with it. Phil Ford is a wonderful writer and promises to send the Doctor into a whole new visual dimension.”

Back in the real world, Tennant will continue to play the Doctor in a series of special episodes before handing over to Matt Smith, who will take over the role in 2010.

David Tennant With On-Screen Daughter

Well talk about keeping it quiet, but every credit to David Tennant and single mother Georgia Moffett who have actually been dating for just over a year.

The couple certainly seemed “loved up” on a recent night out for a romantic meal at London’s The Ivy restaurant on Saturday.

Walking hand in hand, Georgia was all smiles even if the dapper dressed David seemed a bit more reluctant and uneasy in front of awaiting photographers.

To complete the Who connection she is also the daughter of Peter Davison, who played the Time Lord between 1982 and 1984, and American actress Sandra Dickinson.

Mr Davison said of his daughter’s relationship with David recently: ‘[When I asked if David was her boyfriend] Georgia barked at me: “No he isn’t!” But then I noticed that she had started referring to him as exactly that and bemoaning the fact that “her boyfriend was away” when David had to go off filming.

‘It can be odd when David comes round for Sunday lunch and we all sit at the table — me, an ex-Doctor Who, with my wife, and David, another Doctor Who, with my daughter.’

The pair have perhaps been coy about their relationship because of David’s infamous track record for romancing his leading ladies.

Last April David, who is currently filming his role as Lord Pomfrey in St Trinians, was reported to be dating second assistant director Jennie Fava, who moved to Cardiff to help film Doctor Who, which has been running since 1963.

Weeks earlier, he split with another BBC Wales staff member, Bethan Britton after a four-month relationship.

The Tenth Doctor With His Daughter

When the pair met she had been working in the corporation’s contracts office in the city when they met.

He was also linked to Kylie Minogue after the pop star appeared in the Christmas special, which featured a passionate kiss between the pair.

Tennant also had a two-year relationship with actress Sophia Myles.

They, too, met on set – when Miss Myles played Madame de Pompadour in a 2006 Dr Who episode.

But his relationship with Georgia, who played the Time Lord’s child Jenny in an episode entitled The Doctor’s Daughter, seems to be going the distance.

The actress, who has a six-year-old son named Tyler from a previous relationship, revealed after first meeting Tennant: ‘David is dishy, isn’t he?

‘He’s not only a good-looking but he is such a lovely, sweet guy.’

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1210241/Former-Doctor-Who-star-David-Tennant-takes-screen-daughter-romantic-date.html#ixzz0PnyjbGS2

Dalek Collector Set

Yes we’ve done it again with an Ebay Exclusive deal for our loyal customers, the Dalek Collector Sets that are retailing at a wopping £29.99 each are available here for just a tenner plus postage!

Our Ebay Store has always been a fantastic place to find silly priced Doctor Who Gifts, you can see our whole range here: www.doctorwhogifts.com 

But this new listing really does take the biscuit, I must remind you though, I’ve already gone through 60 sets in two previous listings so get em while you can.

So now if you want to get the latest information, news and gossip simply add the webmaster (little old me) “Martin DoctorWho”  as your facebook friend. that way every time I make  a new post, you’ll automatically receive it! Yippee!!!!

Of course this is also going to save me an awful lot of time which means I’ll be able to spend more time doing the most important jobs – reviewing new products and trawling for Doctor Who News!

You can let me know what you think of the new Facebook page directly from the site, or of course by commenting on DoctorWhoTorchwood.com

Thanks For Reading

Ed