The Companion Poll Part Three

The third and final article looking at the Bar's selection of companions to the last three Doctors. As before, choose which companion you think was best and vote for the story we have chosen. The most voted for companion's story will be played on our special Bar Birthday session on Saturday pressing Play at 8:00pm.

Companion 9: Rose Tyler (Played by Billie Piper)
Stories Chosen: The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances

Rose Tyler, another streetwise girl, who doesn't take no for an answer but wears her heart on her sleeve. Someone who saved the Doctor's life and would literally die for him. A companion who had a boyfriend and was in constant conflict with her emotions for both her boyfriend Mickey, and the Doctor.

In The Empty child/ The Doctor Dances, Rose finds herself dangling from a great height only to be rescued by the dashing Captain Jack Harkness. She also helps the Doctor solve the mystery of a strange child wandering around in a gas mask which it transpires wasn't because of the feisty Gallifreyan curry the Doctor had the night before.

So, if you think Miss Tyler deserves to win, vote on The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances.


Companion 10: Donna Noble (Played by Catherine Tate)
Stories Chosen: The Fires of Pompei / Turn Left

The Doctor had many companions who spoke their mind and wouldn't take no for an answer. Then Miss Noble bumped into the Doctor on her wedding day.

Other companions step aside, this girl is the definition of feisty. Donna renders the Doctor speechless (unheard of) as she's bolshy, and not one to upset in an argument. Yet again however, she is another companion who is deep down very sensitive and caring about the Doctor, and individuals suffering or in pain.

This underlying tender character is clearly seen in The Fires of Pompei, and in Turn Left she needs to control her stubbornness to save the world.

So, if you'd like to see Donna, vote for The Fires of Pompei / Turn Left.


Companion 11: Amelia 'Amy' Jessica Pond (Played by Karen Gillian)
Stories Chosen: Amy's Choice / The Girl Who Waited

Who can forget little Amelia Pond who had to do an impromptu Ready Steady Cook session for a recently regenerated Doctor who had a ravenous, yet strange appetite. Then she waited for years for the Doctor to return by which time he was in serious trouble. Another strongwilled companion with a soon to be husband (cue the confusion again for a companion between the man she loved and the Doctor) but also had a softer interior.

In Amy's Choice, the gang catch up on their beauty sleep and find it hard to differentiate between dream and reality, and the choice Amy makes is crucial to their survival. The Girl Who Waited, Amy is stranded for many years and becomes cold and battle weary. Thinking back on the last time she was abandoned by the Doctor it becomes difficult to make the older Amy save her younger self in a different time stream.

So, if you'd like to see Pond run along, vote for Amy's Choice / The Girl Who Waited.

Don't forget to vote for our Birthday Poll!

The Companion Poll Part Two

Just a recap to those who missed Part One:

Saturday's Birthday Bar Poll is based on companions. The Bar team have selected one from each Doctor and a story that they feature heavily in. Choose which one you think was the best, and the one with the most votes will be played Saturday, Usual time of Bar opening at 7:30pm, pressing Play at 8:00pm.

So lets continue with selected companions of Doctors Five to Eighth.

Companion 5: Tegan Jovanka (played by Janet Fielding)
Story chosen: Kinda

Tegan was about to embark on a new career as a 'trolley dolly' when her Auntie's car developed a flat tyre. Instead of the AA, the Doctor came to her aid after she entered the TARDIS looking for help. She was a very vocal companion, not afraid to voice her opinion no matter how unfavourable her opinion, and if things didn't go her way she wasn't going to back down quietly! However, she was very affectionate and fond of her fellow companions and the Doctor himself and demonstrated her vulnerable sensitive side when Adric died.

In Kinda, Tegan's mind is taken over by the Mara, and just when you thought there was only one Tegan,.think again!

If you think Tegan deserves to win the Poll, vote for Kinda.


Companion 6: Perpugilliam 'Peri' Brown (Played by Nicola Bryant)
Story Chosen: Vengeance on Varos

Ah yes, Peri. One of the most infamous companions (aside from Leela) for making fathers and hormonal teenage boys drool. However, Peri was more than just a pretty face with a cracking figure. She was very adept at giving as good as she got when the Sixth Doctor used to bicker with her. On the outside it would seem they didn't like each other but there was affection from both parties, and both seemed to enjoy their sparring moments. She was bubbly and very open minded to what time and space had to offer. She would also come up with ideas which the Doctor himself hadn't thought of (which he disliked!)

In Vengeance on Varos, Peri and the Doctor find themselves the subject of a form of intergalactic Big Brother, and poor Peri's task is to keep her stunning looks intact when subjected to a cell mutator.

If you would like to see pretty little Peri, vote for Vengeance on Varos.


Companion 7: Dorothy 'Ace' McShane (Played by Sophie Aldred)
Story Chosen: Survival

Ace appeared as very streetwise, and tough. She liked nothing better than to play with nitroglycerin in her room (Don't try that at home kids!) Her feistiness hid her vulnerability and insecurities as poor Ace had suffered a traumatic childhood which, no doubt contributed to her hard exterior. Also as a result of the tragedies she faced, she was fiercely loyal and protective of the Doctor and had total respect for him.

In Survival, Ace is concerned as to why all her friends have disappeared in Perivale. She and the Doctor find humans are being transported to a different planet, where Ace suddenly acquires a taste for Whiskas.

If you would like to see Ace star in the Sci-fi version of Cats, vote for Survival.


Companion 8: Dr Grace Holloway (Played by Daphne Ashbrook)
Story Chosen: Doctor Who The Movie

Poor Dr Holloway, her opera night is ruined by her pager notifying her of an unusual cardiac arrest. Not knowing the unusual anatomy of the stranger, her treatment unfortunately kills the patient. A man begins to follow her the next day and tries to convince her that he is the man who died, despite his appearance being completely different. He convinces her and she decides to help him defeat the Master. Bet she's glad she missed the opera now! An intelligent, loyal and inquisitive companion and good all round person to aid the Doctor.

If you would like to see Grace with the Doctor, vote for The 1996 Television Movie.

That's all folks for now, Part Three tomorrow. Don't forget to vote!

The Knights: Daleks Set To Return In Series 7

The Knights: Daleks Set To Return In Series 7: Lost in all the hub bub about the new companion Dr Who Magazine tweeted that the Daleks will be making a return in series 7 also.

Read more at the Knights blog

The Companion Poll Part One

This Saturday's Poll celebrates the many individuals who have assisted and on many occasions saved the Doctor's life. The Doctor cannot deny that although he sometimes perceives himself as a self sufficient Time Lord, without his companions he would be nothing. 

Here are the Bar's selection of companions to represent the first four Doctors, read all three parts to this Poll (Thursday and Friday Parts Two & Three respectively) and vote for which story involving the companion who you think was the perfect right hand man or woman to our beloved Time Lord.

Companion 1: Steven Taylor (played by Peter Purves)
Story Chosen: The Gunfighters

Steven was stranded when he first met the Doctor in The Chase. A very strong willed individual who fought for what he believed in and who he respected. Someone who thinks rapidly on his feet and has a very balanced, if passionate sense of right and wrong, a perfect companion to the Doctor.

The Gunfighters is a strong Steven story, with Steven demonstrating his respect for the Doctor and protecting him from the Clantons who have mistaken him for their nemesis, Doc Holliday.

So if you'd like to see Steven in a crazy cowboy costume, vote for The Gunfighters in the Poll.


Companion 2: James 'Jamie' Robert McCrimmon (played by Frazer Hines)
Story Chosen: The Dominators

A feisty highlander who is arguably, the best companion to the second Doctor. A little headstrong at times but fiercely loyal; Jamie had such a unique rapport with the Doctor but was also not afraid to argue with him if he felt the Doctor was making a poor decision.

In The Dominators Jamie demonstrates his closeness to the Doctor by almost being able to read his mind to know what he needs to do next, and the rapport between them is wonderful.

If you'd like to see the kilted one, select The Dominators in the Poll.


Companion 3: Liz Shaw (played by Caroline John)
Story Chosen: Doctor Who and the Silurians

Liz is first seen in Spearhead from Space, as a scientist with a closed mind to such nonsense as aliens, and is seen to make the Brigadier quite bemused as she questions his integrity. She soon changes her mind and is willing to participate in the Doctors escapades, her intelligent mind being an invaluable source of information.

In the Silurians she demonstrates what a good team player she is by working closely with the Doctor and the Brigadier, and manages to uncover the Silurians master plan.

If you would like to see the lovely Liz, vote for Doctor Who and the Silurians in the Poll.


Companion 4: Sarah-Jane Smith (Played by Elisabeth Sladen)
Story Chosen: Pyramids of Mars

Ah, this is the hardest bit of this article to write because she captured our hearts. I apologise if I don't do this bit justice. Sarah-Jane; an inquisitive, thoughtful journalist who was passionate about finding out the truth and maintaining justice and peace. So far out of all the companions she is the one that cared the most for the Doctor (and some may argue she still is)

In Pyramids of Mars Sarah-Jane is invaluable, working closely alongside the Doctor to defeat Sutekh, and controlling those pesky robot mummies.

So, If you would like to see wonderful Sarah-Jane, don't hesitate in voting for Pyramids from Mars in our Poll.

Hope you've enjoyed this very brief overview, part two is tomorrow and will include companions of Doctors Five to Eight.

Please Remember to Vote!

Terror of the Autons

A story of many firsts.

It introduced Jo Grant, The Master and Mike Yates. It was also the first story that Barry Letts was able to have complete control over.

He wanted a character to explain what was going on and for audience to identify with. Thus Jo Grant was created. Barry Letts had auditions a hundred actresses, but one turned up late who was very short sighted and clumsy- the lovely Katy Manning. Barry asked her to pretend she was alone in a room, with a hat on a stand. Slowly the hat came to life and turned into a monster.  She did so well at this that Barry gave her the part.

A thin bearded man, dressed in black arrives as at a circus. He steals the Nestene unit from the circus’s owner and actives it..

Earth is in terrible danger from a renegade Time Lord who is using the power of the nestene duplicates, the Autons to invade earth. Will the Doctor’s new companion help or hinder him?

It's Spring so the Auton dummy heads are handing out daffodils, won't you take one?  It's only a harmless flower after all.

Join us from the slightly later time of 7.30pm GMT and we will press Play at 8pm.

A Defence of The Fifth Doctor

Let me take you back in time, hop in the TARDIS with me. Okay it's 1981, Tom Baker, the longest serving Doctor, and for some the most popular has announced his intention to resign. It was no secret that Tom didn't exactly see eye to eye with John Nathan-Turner and whilst still brilliant on screen, had become a challenge to work with. Nonetheless for seven years Baker's enigmatic and commanding performance as the Doctor had delighted fans everywhere. So what to do now? Well regeneration of course, but who would the programme's Producers get to fill the huge void (pun intended) left by Tom's departure.

Answer: No, not Daniel Radcliffe. Richard Griffiths.

Yes it's true, the Producers approached Richard Griffiths first but fortunately (or unfortunately depending on your opinion) he wasn't available.

John Nathan-Turner then suggested Peter Davison, a young actor he had worked with previously on the popular veterinary series, All Creatures Great and Small.

John wanted a radical departure from Tom's Doctor as he felt that providing the audience with someone too similar would provide unfavourable comparisons. He had a point, I mean think about it, no one does swishy long scarf and toothy grins better than Tom Baker.

Peter Davison was certainly different. Significantly younger, taller and thinner. He had a youthful enthusiasm about him that Nathan-Turner hoped would win the Whovian audiences over. He also felt the show needed a revamp as audience figures had been dropping off and a regeneration gave him a perfect opportunity to put his plan into action.

Okay so did it work? Well as you may have guessed from the article title I believe the answer is a resounding yes. You could accuse me of being biased as Davison is my childhood Doctor but I genuinely believe he was outstanding.

Our great Whovian leader Steven Moffat has recently stated he believes it takes a very special actor to play the Doctor. The Doctor is over 900 years old with, to date, ten persona's under his Timelordy belt. Whilst each new regeneration has to bring something new he (or she- shudder!) has to also reflect elements of the characters of the previous incarnations. That's a hard sell even for the most seasoned actor.

Davison does an excellent job on all counts. He is perhaps the most vulnerable Doctor, showing emotion regularly and also has a great rapport with his companions. He also portrayed the Doctor as someone that can make mistakes - sometimes fatal ones. In Earthshock it is the Doctors failure to realise and alert Adric in time that the spaceship about to crash into the Earth is actually the event that caused the Dinosaurs to die out. This event leads to Adric's untimely (again timely depending on your view) death.

So what seems to be peoples problem with our beloved Fifth Doctor? I suggest that for some, he just wasn't Tom. In the same way that Matt Smith just isn't David Tennant. For others it may have been the outfit. Now this I take exception to. Since when has the Doctor shied away from outlandish outfits. Pertwee with his Dandy image, Tom with his scarfs and broad hat, Colin Baker with his colourful outlandish outfits! You get my point!

The other issue seems to be that Davison's stories weren't up to much. Again I take issue with this. Yes okay there are some less favourable stories. Black Orchid (all Adric does is stuff his face with food!!) and Time-Flight (just no!) are two examples. But come on, every Doctor has some less favourable stories. Matt Smith - Lets Kill Hitler (erm) Tennant with Fear Her (I mean really who cares) Eccleston with Fathers Day (over emotional perhaps)

My point is you can go back through every regeneration and find some stories that aren't top notch!

Davison also had some fantastic stories, personally I like Resurrection of the Daleks and The Caves of Androzani but there are more.

To conclude I think that the problem with Davison was that he was the one who took over after Tom, plain and simple. Take some time to enmesh yourself by watching his stories - he's absolutely awesome, he really is.

Spearhead From Space by Cheezypeas

"His whole cardiovascular system is quite unlike anything I have ever seen and I'm told his blood cannot be identified"

A strange man without a name is discovered unconscious in woodlands next to a Police Box. The Brigadier is intrigued hoping the Doctor is the man in question. But to his surprise the man he sees in the hospital bed is a complete stranger, yet the stranger knows him. Coupled with reports of meteorites its just not Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart's day.

The Third Doctor's debut story comprises of the ever faithful Autons, hospital escapades, a dozy farmer and his nagging wife and some sharp fashion from The Dandy Doctor himself.

"OOOH Suits you Sir"

So join us for Mr Fancy Pant's first adventure and the very first adventure to be filmed in colour.

Wednesday 14th March 2012, the Bar opens at 7.00pm Press Play at 7.30pm #DWBar

Formal Attire optional

A beardy weirdy enemy,

Is something to behold,

You can never-ever defeat them,

As their beards hold powers untold.

Their beards maybe bigger than most hair,

And if small you should still beware,

For a beardy weirdy foe,

Could be hiding wherever you go.

The beard of a Jacondon,

Or the hair of a Peladon,

Even Sensorites have weirdy beardy's,

To disguise or even to con.

By Cheryl Riches. @Treehugger71

Why Victory?

Hello, I'm Ian Redman, and I'll be hosting this evening's Bar session, in which we'll be watching Victory of the Daleks!

There are a number of reasons why I went for this particular story. One of them is rather boring, and is just to do with how my collection happens to divide between DVD and Blu-ray, but there are also some (hopefully!) more interesting reasons behind it. I'll get the boring one out of the way first.

Mr Greeves asked me if I'd like to pick a Matt Smith story to view in the Bar, but almost all of my Eleventh Doctor collection is Blu-ray (which I can't currently play on my laptop, which is how I like to play them for Bar sessions). In fact, the only stories from his era that I currently also have on DVD are The Eleventh Hour, The Beast Below and Victory of the Daleks. The Eleventh Hour was ruled out for me, because I'm told that's been watched here recently. So, that left me with two more possible choices...

For me, the choice of Victory over Beast was quick and simple. Now, don't get me wrong, Beast is a good story. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that I loved it when it was first shown. But Victory has... well... Daleks! Okay, so some of these Daleks may be the Daleks that have divided fans and caused some to swear never to go near a Smartie ever again, but they are Daleks nevertheless. I love a Dalek, me.

And then there's Winston Churchill, played by the amazing Ian McNeice! (If anyone hasn't seen Doc Martin before, I'd urge you to as soon as possible. McNeice is fantastic in it.) Of all the encounters the Doctor has had on-screen with historical figures, this has to be up there among my favourites. This duo just works, like Morecambe and Wise, Torvill and Dean, and Horse and Sauce (that last one is a reference to a certain charity event that's coming up on the BBC soon, if you're reading this six months in the future - you might be surprised at who Sauce is).

I haven't even mentioned yet that this story has some references to... wait for it... The Power of the Daleks! Wow! If you're not too well versed on your old-school Who, then I'm afraid Power is one story you won't be able to watch any time soon. At least, not in its original form. You can buy an audio-only version of it on CD, or view some images on the BBC website, or watch some tiny fragments that exist on DVD, or even track down a fan-made reconstruction effort. But one thing you can't do is watch it as it was originally shown, because the original videotapes (and, to our knowledge, all film copies) are long gone. Unless a private collector somewhere has something. [repeatedly taps fingers on desk, waiting...]

Anyway, I'm babbling on a bit. The relevance this has to Victory is that I think it's brilliant that Mark Gatiss included some little nods to the Patrick Troughton classic. When the Dalek in Victory first says "I am your... soldier", it almost sounds like it's about to say... well, you'll have to obtain a copy of Power in some form to find out.

I'd better wrap things up before this becomes an essay. It just remains for me to say that a) I think Victory is wonderful, and b) I'll hopefully be seeing you in the Doctor Who Bar at 7pm this evening, to press play at 7:30!

(This will be my first time hosting, so if anything catastrophic happens, I apologise in advance.)

Article by @ianrdw.

Victory of the Daleks

On Wednesday we are watching Victory of the Daleks a story which is perhaps only remembered for the introduction of the multi coloured Daleks. Ok I'll be honest, I don't like them, they scream blatant merchandising opportunity and the new shape isnt the best. But if you look beyond the Daleks and at the story it's a clever little tale set in the British nerve centre of command during World War 2.

Ian McNeice turns in a stunning performance as Winston Churchill and his verbal sparring with The Doctor are highlights of the story Let's not forget Bill Paterson's performance as Bracewell who hides a terrible secret even he's not aware of. It's also notable as Amy and not our favourite Timelord saves the day.

So join us for a story which perhaps needs a second chance and yes there are faults but hey no ones perfect.

The Bar opens at 7pm and we press play at 7.30pm

The Beardy Weirdy Poll: The Mighty Beards of Doctor Who!

This week we though we should have a comical poll.

We want to celebrate the beards of Doctor Who that where so strange and wonderful, they deserve their own credit!

The Sensorites

These bulbous headed creatures madetheir debut in The First Doctor Era, in 1964.

It is their wispy facial hair that gives them telepathic abilities which can affect humans. The Doctor's Grand-daughter, Susan, was able to communicative with them telepathically.

The Claws of Axos

The Master's short beard, during

the Third Doctor Era added to his suave appearance.

The Curse of Peladon

Matching The Hair of Peladon, the Beards of the Elder Peladons enhanced their badger look and gave them a distinguished look!

The Horns of Nimon

Soldeed was not actually evil. He was possessed

by his facial hair, which manipulated him into working with the mighty Nimon. When his plans failed it was the beard that tried to kill the Doctor and Romana.

The Leisure Hive

During the Fourth Doctor's visit to Argolis he enters the Tachyon Recreation Generator which briefly gives him the appearance of Gandalf.

Time-Flight

There are three beardy appearences during this Fifth Doctor story:

Professor Hayter, cosplaying as an older version of the Eleventh Doctor... Six regenerations later The Doctor remembered Professor Hayter's look and copied it!

Using the power of the Beard the master disguised himself as the magician Kalid.

The Master, complete with resplendent beard!

The Twin Dilemma

Noma, A Jocondan. His beard gives him deceitful powers.

Attack of the Cybermen

The Cryons where the bearded ladies of Telos.

Mindwarp

It is a closely guarded secret that Brian Blessed's beard has grown internally, it has affected his brain, making him insane, affecting his speech patterns. Which is why his voice is that of a mad man.

Survival

Anthony Ainley was The Master of the Eighties. His beard was a supreme part of his appearance.

Colin Baker - The Sixth Doctor!

This week we are having a Sixth Doctor poll. He is a much maligned Doctor, so I thought I'd like to tell you all why I like Colin's portrayal in the role, whether you agree with me or not, feel free to comment below!!

Firstly, Colin's portrayal was less sympathetic than other incarnations to begin with, he was much more of an outsider and a rebel, he didn't suffer fools either! Shades of the William Hartnell characterisation! I loved his line in ascerbic wit, his brusqueness and his constant put downs of people, including poor Peri!

Secondly, he did look good in that costume! I know now that he considers his multi coloured costume a mistake but for me you either love it or hate it! Well I love it! It might look very Eighties but it does look good!

Thirdly, sadly his characters progression is a little bit jarring, not his fault, as the show was taken off the air in 1985 and when it returned we were introduced to a more mellower character, and this was a Doctor you could like! He and Peri stopped their bickering and became fast friends!

There are many opinions of The Trial of a Time Lord, and not many of them good but I certainly enjoyed it and Colin's great performances in it! The concept of the Trial is a strong one, and in my opinion stands up really well, as does the shocking revelation of the Valeyards origins!!

Despite the shabby way the BBC treated Colin Baker, he always gave his all for the programme. Colin's Doctor was a breathe of fresh air, for the first time in years the Doctor was played as more of an alien, shown to have different values and customs! The show had moved away from Peter Davison's Mr. Nice Guy Big Brother personae. Here was a Doctor who was as multi-layered as the Fourth Doctor's incarnation but sadly didn't play on television for as long.

Throughout his brief tenure in the role, Colin battled Cybermen, Daleks, Sontarans & the villainous Sil! He even ran into himself - Patrick Troughton in
The Two Doctors! He may have had a brief era on television but he has found new success with the Big Finish audio adventures!

Of course, if Colin Baker hadn't played Commander Maxil in the Peter Davison story Arc of Infinity he may not have gone on to take the lead role in the show.

I met him once at a Doctor Who Convention in Northern Ireland back in the Nineties and he was a complete gentleman. One of my favourite Doctor's ever, I enjoy Colin Baker's portrayal of the Doctor very much!