Doctor Who Series Four Is A Go

netglen writes to mention that the fourth series of Doctor Who is a go. The BBC confirms that another season of the popular sci-fi series will be made, although the article is sketchy about the current doctor and his attachment to the next season. The third series starts at the end of this month in Britain with new companion Martha Jones, played by Freema Agyeman, replacing Billie Piper's Rose. "Tennant, who plays the time-travelling hero, would not talk to reporters about his role in future series. 'Do you know how many times I have been asked that question? Do you know how many times I have answered it?' said the actor. "

Comments

Billie Piper

[MikeDataLink]

The most common rumor is that Billie Piper (--YUM See pic at link--) wants to play the doctor in the next season. The theory is that the doctor will regenerate as her because of his love for her and because he misses her. My opninion is that they could do this and make it an incredible season, or totally ruin it. we'll have to see.

Re:Billie Piper

[NexusTw1n]

Er, no. The reason regeneration exists is because William Hartnell became ill, forcing the BBC to recast the lead in one of the most imaginative bits of writing seen at the time.

It has nothing to do with actor's demands, Who was created as a cheap, live, TV serial that was supposed to educate people about history.

Back in the early 60's BBC actors were paid pretty workman like rates of pay, and certainly didn't command huge fees for being stars.

Re:Billie Piper

[fermion]

This is not completely unheard of. Lalla ward originally played Princess Astra on the last segment of the Key To Time series. She then took over from Mary Tamm as the Time Lord named Romana. While Ms. Ward was not nearly as entertaining as MS. Tamm, it was a useful diversion.

It certainly would be nice to see the Doctor become a female. Most science fiction has delved into the gender non specific domain, often with good results. I hate to say it, but Ms. Piper seemed to be cast mostly as a fluff character, a plot device that allowed the Doctor to explain pertinent points to the audience, as well as a genuine romantic interest to satisfy those that needs sexual tension. It is not clear how that personality would meld into the expected actions of the doctor. The Doctor is far from infallible, and in the current incarnation is rather moody, but no Doctor has worried about all the stuff that Rose does.

All this is really irrelevent, as the BBC will do whatever will bring the rating and whaterver is cheap. Just look at the two part Dalek episode. Lets not create new materials, just rehash the old ideas.

What would be god, given that Sarah Jane Smith, and her wonderful inquisitiveness, has been introduced to the new generation of Dr Who fans, is that Elisabeth Sladen be given the part of the Doctor. If the Doctor does love humans, she was his first, at least in the context of the show.

OK, you've got me.

[Anonymous Coward]

'Do you know how many times I have been asked that question? Do you know how many times I have answered it?'

Actually, no, I don't. Googling just seems to bring up a bunch of rumors. What's he said before?

Re:POLL

[Dogtanian]

I'll probably download the series some time in the future (new and old) but House is still better. I still can't buy Hugh Laurie's American accent, but apparently all the real Americans thought it sounded convincing, so I guess it probably has more to do with his typecasting in my mind...

Turned Off by (the new) Season 1

[foo fighter]

Season 1 of this new run really turned me off and I haven't come back.

When I first saw the original series as reruns on over-the-air public television back in the late-80s to early-90s I thought the terrible special effects and camp were charming. The underlying plots were usually OK and kept me watching since they were so different from what Star Trek or Star Wars offered.

But now that I'm older I find the new series dependance on terrible, cheap special effects, mediocre acting and dialog, and camp just offputting. Also I'm much more busy with a wife and kid and don't (won't) devote as much time to television as I used to. My sci-fi budget is filled with Battlestar Galactica.

It's somewhat ironic that I prefer the new Galactica and old Who and very much dislike the original Galactica and new Who.

Do I lose my geek card for posting this?

Re:Regenerations

[Cheerio Boy]

Has it occurred to you that this is Regeneration number 10 for the doctor if you count Paul McGann? He has two more, then what will they do?

I'm going to post a crazy idea that I'd love to see - The Doctor regenerates into The Master and we run the series from the other direction so to speak.

Yes, I already know it'll never happen but it's a neat idea...

Re:Gun carrying Doctor

[pluther]

When did the new Doctor use a gun?

I do remember Tom Baker using a gun at one point. Well, sort of. (The episode involved a carnivorous alien plant, on earth, and a bunch of mind-controlled humans. Does that narrow it down much?)

"Doctor! You can't take them all on yourself!"
"Of course I can! I have a pistol!"

I don't think he actually *fired* it at any point, though...

Re:Fantastic!

[Phoobarnvaz]

If Sci-Fi has any plans on picking up Torchwood, they're being very quiet about it. Even if they did, they'd edit it quite a bit. (You can say/show things on British TV that Americans are too uptight for.)

If you haven't noticed...Battlestar Galactica has used the "F" word on several occasions this season on several episodes. This being the case...the language isn't going to be an issue...but the form of the naked persons is. With Sci-Fi not being on broadcast TV...the FCC has no control over anything they may do.

Re:Fantastic!

[meringuoid]

Then the BBC suddenly find the cojones to ignore the silly complaints about Doctor Who scaring kids* (could the good ratings have anything to do with it?).

Well, that and the fact that most of those kids' parents grew up being terrified by the show on a regular basis. Everyone had nightmares about one monster or another, everyone's hidden behind the sofa. I mean, if you don't want your kids to be scared by dreadful monsters, watching Doctor Who is a bit silly.

* Hah. Kids these days never watched Pertwee-era Doctor Who in black and white during the 70s miners strike, knowing that the daily power cut was due and at some point during the episode the lights would go out... Mummy!

Mu-mmy. Mummy. Please let me in Mummy, I'm scared of the bombs... (Just the voice still terrifies the hell out of my little sister two years later. Now that's proper Who!)

Re:Regenerations

[Fractal Dice]

In "The Five Doctors", the High Council offered the Master a full cycle of new regenerations in return for his help. Thus the canon has established the technology exists in the Whoverse to continue on beyond twelve regenerations (not that the Master was having that much trouble stretching out his regenerations anyway).

Can I get my geek card stamped please?