All Things Doctor: God, I Love Series Five!

By FORCH F. FORTIER
I pledge allegiance to Steven Moffat, and to the awesomeness for which he represents!

In just five week, Moffat, the Producer of my personally favorite television show, Doctor Who, has re-affirmed my faith in all that is Whovian.

After watching the BBC hit series’ latest offering, Flesh and Stone, I take back any reservations [albeit little ones] that I had about Moffat helming the series, but more so, the casting of Matt Smith.

Now, I have gone on record once already, that I like Smith’s portrayal of our favorite Gallifreyan Time Lord, but each week, I grow to love his incarnation of the Doctor that much more.

The storylines that have been unveiled thus far have been nothing short of brilliant, and like the series before them, stand alone as individual parts, but also join together in one larger story. The “Crack in Time” theme that has been evident from the very beginning is not only one that I cannot wait to see the end results, and I am sure that geeks such as myself are speculating with great anticipation.

Karen Gillan, as well, is another masterstroke in casting. The character of Amy Pond is one that not only am I enjoying her sassiness, and her dynamic with the doctor, but I can’t help but just fall madly in love with her whenever I watch her on the screen. She’s gorgeous, and Scottish [a combination that I just love!]

Steven Moffat, at this point in time, is the perfect man to helm Doctor Who. Not only is he a brilliant storyteller, but also he is a fan, first and foremost. So you know that when he makes changes to time honored traditions in the series, you know that there is some sort of relevance. Look at the explanation that River Song gives the Doctor when she stabilizes the TARDIS and it does not make the classic “Vworp, vworp” sound. For almost 50 years, The Doctor has been travelling with the brakes on.

But then again, so have The Master and The Rani.

Last night’s installment made so excited while watching it. Throughout the show, a ton of clues and questions were just popping into my head. First off, did anyone put together that 06-26-2010 [which gets revealed as the date that Amy first started to travel with the Doctor] as also the date of the series finale?

Did anyone else also notice that when River Song was repairing the teleport, that every so often an eye appeared on the screen?

I’m starting to think that Amy is the reason for the crack in time and space. Last night’s episode once again asked the question why Amy did not remember the Daleks. My original suspicion was that The Doctor started travelling with her before the Dalek invasion, but of course, that theory is moot. Growing up around that crack in her wall may have made her a non-event in time and space, but that can’t be that simple.

And what about the people disappearing into the cracks? What is happening to them, other than them being erased from existence. Who is causing the crack? What grand villain is going to have some sort of masterstroke for the finale?

And just who the hell is River Song, anyway?

And how come after every episode, I grow impatient waiting for the next one?

Now that is the hallmark of a great television program. A lot of the writers in television can take a cue from the people who write for Doctor Who.

Preview: "Children in Need" - 2009 (Doctor Who)

The BBC is such an incredible station. I seriously wish that I could get the actual BBC here instead of BBC Canada or BBC Kids (Which seriously does not air anything that I would ever watch on the BBC, ahem! Doctor Who! ahem! Torchwood!). Every year the BBC does a Telethon called "Children in Need" and within the special, which is used to raise money for charities that work with children. Included within that telethon has been some of the best Doctor Who original material (Who can forget the Fifth and Tenth Doctor together in Time Crash?). Well this year is no exception...

This year's Doctor Who Children in Need special is a 3-minute prelude to "The End of Time" which as you know I am awaiting with baited breath! Watch away, and enjoy! :)



Sure, it doesn't give you more than you already know, but it's got David Tennant, playing the role he was born to play, if not for 3 more minutes!

Donate Today! At the: Official Children in Need site!


By: Forch F. Fortier (Who reminds you that he still dreams of a day where he can be the first "Non-European" to play the Doctor, but I would at least to have a supporting role in an episode, even if it's not "Groundbreaking".)

News: The End of Time is approaching....

"He will knock four times..."

Those words have been tormenting The Doctor since "The Planet of the Dead". What exactly do they mean? Well for the most disconcerting fan, they know that it could mean only one thing...

The Master is returning...

And that means that nothing good can come from his arrival. John Simm is still The Master? How is that so? And what role do the Ood play? What about Wilfred Mott? Or Donna Noble? All of these things are going to be answered, and the countdown to "The End of Time" has begun!

Here is the trailer, which played at the end of last night's: "The Waters of Mars"




By: Forch F. Fortier (Who is nervous, sad, worried, excited, happy, and a ton of other emotions at the prospect of not having David Tennant as The Doctor anymore. He's woven himself into my subconscious more than any Doctor before him, and I don't know if I can ever accept another... Matt Smith, you have your work cut out for you, son.)

Review: Doctor Who: "The Waters of Mars"

"They said that he would knock four times, but three times is all you're going to get!" The Doctor, the man who can travel throughout time and space in his blue box utters out during the climactic scene of the most recent episode of "Doctor Who". I waited all the way since Easter to see this installment, and I assure you that I was not at all disappointed.

When we last saw our gallant Gallifreyan Lord of Time, he had just rescued a bus full of passengers from impending doom, and as he left them, he was told. That his tale was nearing an end. Was tonight to be that night? As far as The Doctor was concerned.... NOT TONIGHT!


"The Waters Of Mars" written by Whoscribe: Russell T. Davies and co-written by Phil Ford, delivered a different episode than we were used to, one that I had warned the readers of this very blog about. Some were worried that different might not be good, but let's face it, as fans of Doctor Who, we're used to change, and "Different" is a word that gets thrown around a lot in our lives.

So The Doctor ends up on Mars, and meets up with the first Human colony on Mars, and lo and behold, like any time the Doctor shows up, death and destruction follow. The difference this time? The Doctor is powerless to change anything about this event. This is a fixed point in time. We learned about this in "The Fires of Pompeii" that some things are meant to happen, and they're not meant to be changed.


The episode plays out like you would expect. Bad guys start to overrun the colony, and there seems to be no hope to change any of this. The bad guy? WATER! And lots of it! It seems like the water supply is infecting the people of the colony, and like the Doctor says: "Water is patient... Water always wins..." so how are they to survive this catastrophe?

They're not.

Or are they?

The most dramatic part of this episode is the inner-conflict that The Doctor has. He wants to change this, but he knows that because of the change, certain future events would then be altered. As well, if one drop of that water reaches earth, then the human race is doomed.

The Doctor is faced with the knowledge that he's going to die soon, and it's touched upon a few times in the episode. After much soul searching, he realizes that he's the only Time Lord left, and he's the one that makes the rules. The rules of Time no longer apply, because there is no one there to Govern him. So he changes things. He takes it upon himself and changes things.

But what did he really change? This is the first time we get to see The Doctor's arrogance to the point of near-evil. It's an interesting turn for David Tennant's Doctor to take. You almost reach a point where you start to dislike him, until he realizes what he has done. And then you see the fear grip him. The fear that something is going to happen.

But what is going to happen???

All I know, is that he (Whoever "He" is... And yes, I know who "He" is...) is going to knock four times, and when he does.... The Drums will Sound off...

I give "The Waters of Mars" 10 Grilled Cheese sandwiches out of 10. That's right a perfect score. Some may disagree with me, but 1. It's Doctor Who, and 2. I don't care what you think! I LOVED IT!


By: Forch F. Fortier (Who reminds you that he does knock four times as well when he reaches your door. But he doesn't leave a wake of destruction in his path, he does, however leave your toilet smelling fresh, and clean! Oh wait, no. That's wrong. But when he does knock, make sure to have Diet Pepsi or Blue Kool-Aid handy...)

Doctor Who: Drowning in Anticipation!

I can't believe that it's 4 more days, and then: "The Waters Of Mars"! And I have to say this: I can not wait! Judging by the latest trailer for the episode, it looks better and better the more stuff that I see from it! I am filled with a sense of Ennui, because of the fact that the end is approaching ever faster for David Tennant's Doctor.







Just look at that! Such Foreboding! Such Suspense! Such Horror! The guys over at denofgeek.com have seen the episode itself, and they have said that it is the one of the darkest episodes of Doctor Who ever! The state that: "It's a super episode." I have no idea how the hell I am going to get through the next four days without either having a heart attack, or at best a nervous breakdown! I have no doubt that I am going to love the episode (As will Robert Johnson, Ace TNTM reporter, and Claye Hodge, Gastonia's Pride and TNTM reporter as well!) The worst part about "The Waters of Mars" is having to wait for "The End of Time" in December!

But at least the wait for that won't be as bad as the amount of time we've all had to wait for "The Waters of Mars".


By: Forch F. Fortier (Who reminds the fans of Doctor Who that Christmas is coming, and what better way to celebrate the birth of Jesus, than by buying Forch the "San Diego Comicon 2009 Exclusive Second Doctor with Telos Cyber Tombs Cyberman! It's a Must have for my collection!)

Doctor Who: The End Of Time Is Near, And The Doctor Doesn't Look Happy!

The first photo from the final David Tennant Doctor Who episodes have appeared online, and it looks like The Doctor is not a happy camper! I wonder why. Do you have any idea? Does it have anything to do with The Doctor being warned that his story is about to end? And what does "He will Knock Four Times" mean??? All of this and more this Christmas for the two-part "The End of Time" Doctor Who finale!!!

More to come!!! (As we get it!)

By Forch F. Fortier

Doctor Who: In Steve We Trust? We'll See Soon Enough!

So last week, scribe, and newest Producer of Doctor Who, Steven Moffat had a chat at a Screenwriter's Festival in Cheltenham, (UK) to discuss some of the things to expect for Series Five (I guess the episodes from 2009 are Series 4b?) of Doctor Who.

Benjamin Cook took the duties of interviewing, and it looks like there were a few items of interest that had been mentioned. Moffat had revealed the following was in store for the next series of our beloved Doctor Who, as well as a few interesting comments, which may spell out his vision of the show.

Special Thanks to denofgeek.com for the information, which appears that they got (At least in part) from Digital Spy who has a great excerpt, timeline wise of the interview here!


Here are some of the highlights of the interview:

* Could the new Tardis interior be influenced by Peter Cushing's, from the movie version of the show? Steven Moffat revealed that he's certainly a fan of Cushing's Tardis, so don't be surprised if its influence it felt...

* He re-emphasised that Doctor Who is a kids' show, citing the failure of the 1996 TV movie with Paul McGann as an example of how going too grown-up with Doctor Who doesn't work.

* Very, very good news: Mr Moffat is penning six (SIX!) episodes of the next series of the show. Add to that the earlier news that Richard Curtis is penning an episode, and that's six more to work out. It seems that Moffat wasn't to be drawn on that, though, although he didn't confirm or seemingly deny rumours of high profile guest writers being involved (although Curtis falls into that camp, to be fair).

* Moffat revealed that The Sun got hold of his script for The Silence In The Library before it was broadcast and threatened to publish it. Moffat simply told them to do it - "I'd like to see The Sun publish that many words in a day"


* Moffat said that Matt Smith was the third person auditioned for the role, reiterating that he's very much a young man coming across a lot older.

* The biggest challenge for Steven Moffat about Doctor Who's new series? According to the man himself, it's writing the final episode...

So what does this mean for Series Five??? Well as I had mentioned in a previous article (Prior to TNTM 2.0) that there was a chance that stairs were going to appear in the TARDIS, and it looks like there may be a completely different look to the series.

I am glad that Moffat is penning about 1/2 the episodes this year. He is clearly the best writer of the series (Sorry, RTD), penning each of my personal favorites from each series.

If Moffat thinks that Matt Smith can do an excellent job, then I put my faith in the both of them. I honestly won't complain until a reason for complaint is given to me. I am sure that we each could come up with a number of different actors that we want to play the Doctor, however obviously Moffat's vision has something specific, and Matt Smith, must be what he has envisioned for the series.

I sort of disagree, however with Mr. Moffat's assertion that Doctor Who is a Kid's show. Doctor Who is a Family show, in my opinion. It's one of the few shows that my Three Year Old Daughter, Chloe and I watch together (Without complaint by myself, or Spanish Lessons) and nothing makes me happier that my daughter knows what a TARDIS is, and has her own Sonic Screwdriver :) Nothing makes me prouder when that's the toy she wants to take back to Mommy's house. (Thank God I have 4)


By: Forch F. Fortier (Who knows that when The End of Time comes out, he'll be crying like a beaten step-child, but also knows that there's not going to be a long wait for the next series to get underway. Now all he needs is a girlfriend that is willing to watch Doctor Who with him and Chloe, and his life will then be complete!)

News: The Doctor.... A LAWYER???

For myself this is a great sign, and I feel that this might be a good sign for fans of "Doctor Who" star, David Tennant.

This Christmas, Fans of the Doctor are going to mourn the loss of Tennant's "Tenth Doctor" in "The End of Time" which is going to show Tennant handing the reins of the show over to Matt Smith, and new Series Producer, Steven Moffat.

Tennant, however appears to be moving on from the role that made him an international superstar, and it looks like he's striking while the iron is still hot. According to denofgeek.com Tennant has signed on to star in a new legal series on NBC called: "Rex Is Not Your Lawyer".

The premise of the show is a comedy/drama featuring a top Chicago litigator (Tennant) who suffers from panic attacks who coaches clients so that they can represent themselves in court. The concept appears to be one that is a little "Off the beaten track" so to speak, but one that Tennant can pull off without a hitch, as fans of who knows that the Tenth Doctor runs the gamut of emotions.

According to the report as well, it appears that the series has been in development for about a year or two, and it's been greenlit since the summer. NBC is hoping that the casting of Tennant will have the same effect for them that the casting of Hugh Laurie for the FOX medical drama, House had.

I know that myself, I am very excited for this, because I have become a huge fan of Tennant's work, and now that he's not going to be on Doctor Who, I want to see him become even more of a success, and I know a lot of others who are looking for the same. That, and I am interested to see what kind of accent Tennant uses for the part.


By Forch F. Fortier (Who reminds NBC that he does have acting experience. Sure it was just a TV commercial 3 years ago, but he still knows how to act. If you're looking for perhaps a series regular character, like a bartender buddy, or adopted brother who keeps bothering his Lawyer brother for money, I am available for work. Contact me at: forchman@hotmail.com.)

Doctor Who: The Waters will not just be of Mars, but of my eyes as well!

So, it's Sunday, and here I am cooped up in my Parents' basement (As I normally am when Chloe's not around) and so I have devoted my day to looking for stuff to write about, when on one of my geek-resources, io9.com I come across an article: Expect Tears For David Tennant's Doctor's Farewell.

Now at the present time, there are three remaining episodes of Doctor Who starring: (My personal favorite Doctor) David Tennant. I have been met with mixed emotions over this for about a year now, knowing that he'll be hanging up his Sonic Screwdriver for good.

Tennant's performance of the Doctor is many things. He's funny, he's eccentric, he's serious, he's a genius (He'd call you one too, but he's in the room!), he's romantic, he's charming, charismatic, amazing and so many other adjectives could be used to describe the tenth Doctor.


I'll be the first to admit, there are many times in the series that I have been moved to tears, most notably "Army of Ghosts/Doomsday" where The Doctor and Rose were separated for what looked to be forever. That scene in "Dårlig Ulv Stranden" (Translated to "Bad Wolf Bay" from Norwegian) where The Doctor projects a Hologram of himself (Using a Supernova just to say goodbye.) to Rose. Just as he's about to tell her that he loves her, he disappears.

Another scene is during the fourth series finale. (Specifically the episode: The Stolen Earth) where The Doctor sees Rose, and she sees him, and they both smile bigger than any two people I have ever seen smile, and they run toward each other so fast. I get welled up with emotion every time, and even more so, as The Doctor gets shot by one of those Damned Daleks.

So the show itself is just ripe with emotional content. (A testament to the writers of the series) And I, of course get sucked into that emotion really easily.

Now the next episode (Scheduled to air November 15th) is "The Waters of Mars", and according to some of the spoilers that I have read online (As the British Press has been privy to a screening of the episode) the episode is supposed to "put you through an emotional wringer", and that it's "mining the same territory as 'Torchwood: Children of Earth', in that it's the closest that Doctor Who will ever come to Nihilism".

Wow! That's a lot to live up to, in my opinion, but judging by the trailers, I have little doubt (If any at all) that "The Waters of Mars" will satisfy this craving that I have for Doctor Who.


In addition to the description of the emotionality of the episode, it's stated that "more than one enemy will put in an appearance, either in flashback (Not necessarily from the Doctor's life) or... dare I say, premonition."

My God... I have to see this episode!!!

The episode, of course ends with a "Flash-forward" to the "End of Time" two parter, to end Tennant's reign as the Doctor, which I know I will have to watch alone. (To save myself the embarrassment of crying in front of a bunch of dudes.) And from there I have the Eleventh Doctor, Matt Smith to look forward to. I still remain ambivalent about his Doctor, until I see something showcasing his Doctor. (Trailer, Preview, episode, whatever) I know that Steven Moffat will not let me down.


By Forch F. Fortier (Who is mentioning at this time, that if Matt Smith doesn't work out for the role of "The Doctor", that is he is a trained actor, and is willing to take over the role on a minute's notice. However, you're going to need to provide him with airfare and a place to crash, as he's flat broke right now... But wouldn't that be interesting? The first bald, non-european Doctor??? Think about it, Steve!)

The Waters of Mars are ruining my drapes...

Man, it's been a while since we got some new Doctor Who, but if rumors on the internet are any indication, it looks like it's going to be VERY SOON!

According to an article over at denofgeek.com there are signs pointing to the fact that November 14th will be the BBC air date of "The Waters of Mars", which will be the first part of the final three episodes featuring the 10th Doctor, David Tennant.

BBC has yet to confirm anything at all, but there are items of evidence to suggest that the 14th is the date.

First off, the BBC lists the episode for "Week 46", and if any semblance of normailty exists within the BBC, it's be on Saturday, like the BBC normally does, which is the 14th. or at the latest, the following Friday, the 20th.

The only time Doctor Who is ever not on Saturday is Christmas, and of course that's when the other two episodes are scheduled to air.

Additional evidence to suspect the 14th, is that Children in Need will be broadcasting on the 20th of November, which given that the Doctor Who portion of Children in need is going to preview the Christmas specials, it's safe to assume that "The Waters of Mars" will have aired by that point.

The rumor is that the BBC will confirm this by the end of the week.

The New Doctor Who Logo: Will It Get A Bigger Reception On The Inside???

So I have had a couple of week to think about my thoughts on the Newest Doctor Who Logo, and even after a fortnight, I am still feeling somewhat ambivalent about it.



I know when I saw the most recent one, I was a little put off by its simplicity. The logos of the past had a very iconic feel to it, which at the time, I felt was sorely lacking, but over time, and after the first time I saw the opening credits, my concerns were put to rest. The logo was perfect for what it was used for.

Now this one, I am leery, but excited at the same time.

I see it as a great advertising logo, to brand the show, however, I don't think that it would be a good logo to use for say, the opening credits. I find that having a "DW" in the shape of the TARDIS, really doesn't fit in the opening credits. If anything the TARDIS itself is what should be in there.

The 2005-Present credits by far are best, In my opinion. I love the fact that the time vortex, TARDIS, as well as kickass versions of the Opening Theme are prominent in the credits, of course, compared to credits of the past, the only thing missing was a photo of the Doctor himself, but I think that's kind of passe at this point, don't you?

With a major change in the series, it's always met with a lot of trepidation, and that's both good and bad, because change could go either way with the series, but generally, in the long run, I have always felt that the changes made have always worked out. Will this change work out? I think so, however I don't think that it will be met with a lot of positivity at first.

There seems to be TOO MUCH change going on at once, I think. With the addition of a New Doctor, new companion, new logo, what else is in line for a change? New opening music? I certainly hope not. The newest rendition of the Doctor Who Theme has been, in my opinion the best thus far. It combines the classic Orchestral feel, with a Modern Rock vibe to it, which I find to work, especially with David Tennant's Doctor.

Getting back to the Logo itself, I like it. I don't think that I would like to see it in the opening credits, but then again, ask me again after series 5 has run its course, and I may give you an entirely different opinion altogether!

That's the great thing about Doctor Who. We fans always get upset at the changes that are made, but we always end up accepting them, and grow to love them. We're experts at handling change!