Roger Delgado, The Master remembered. Words by @Zeiton_7 and Pictures by @cheezypeas

On the 18th June 1973 the chauffeur driven car that Roger Caesar Marius Bernard de Delgado Torres Castillo Roberto was travelling plunged over a ravine. At the time he was filming  in Turkey and sadly all that were travelling in the car died.  Roger Delgado was the first actor to portray The Master and did so to perfection in eight stories. Tragically he was to feature in one final story with Jon Pertwee's Doctor and Roger's death has often been quoted as one of the reasons Jon decided to leave the series.

So, on Saturday we in the bar are leading an affectionate and loving tribute to the archest of The Doctors enemies. Roger's on screen presence was tangible right from the first scene in Terror of the Autons. He seemed to exude evil and malevolence without uttering a word. His planning was much more subtle yet still formidable, however the aim was always the same. Complete and total obedience to him and absolute destruction of The Doctor, normally after humiliating him first!

Delgado's Master had impeccable dress sense, normally opting for sharp black suits. His, literally, hypnotic eyes seem to bore into the poor unfortunate souls who crossed him and they soon were under his influence. Even when he seemed to be defeated it was never wise to let down your guard as he could always be relied on to pull another little twist and escape.

Delgado's relationship with Pertwee both onscreen and off was close. This may be one of the reasons that Delgado is so effective as The Doctors adversary. Their performances together show complete trust in each others acting abilities and this just adds to the delight in watching any stories they feature in.

I am sad to say that my recollections and affection for Roger Delgado only began some 15 years after his death. As I was born in 1975 my first encounters were in watching repeats of those classic stories and also with the brilliant writing within the Target books. Even so, I was totally amazed and in admiration of this actor who could deliver such an intense and powerful performance. Here, surely was a match for The Doctor's intellect and someone to be feared. I always felt that when The Master was around The Doctor was always in more danger than with any other foe (something which was ably proven during Logopolis)

Roger Delgado's legacy is obvious. He provided such a fantastically strong foundation for The Master that Doctor Who has been able to continue the characters development through 7 incarnations. Each new actor that portrays The Master, like those who play The Doctor, add something different. But all owe a great debt to the original, and in my opinion, the best.

The Master attends a Black Sabbath Concert.

So please join us on Saturday and revel in Roger Delgado's scene stealing performance as The Master. It is our will "so mote it be"

The Bar opens at 7:30pm BST and we press play at 8.00pm #DWBAR

The Space Museum by @The_Knights87

"You'll make a perfect specimen for my museum."

There are all types of museums.  All over the world and for the most part free to enter.  There are art museums, museums that house historical articles and museums that have natural history like dinosaurs and such. 

But the most famous museum of all is the Space Museum.  What is the Space Museum? Well it is a museum that is on the planet Xeros.  What is unique about this museum is that there are some pretty interesting exhibits on display.  Like for instance a Dalek from the planet Skaro.  Yes a Dalek on display.  Well maybe its shell as it is pretty empty inside luckily for us.

The gem of the museum is the exhibit of the time travelers.  Yes a true gem that.  The four time travelers and their blue box.  It is in fact a marvel that they can all fit in that box and travel through time.  So marvel at the time travelers known as The Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Vicky and look at their wonderful craft The TARDIS the next time you are on Xeros and are visiting The Space Museum. 

So join us in seeing how The Doctor gets out of this predicament when we journey down the path of Doctor Who’s classic history as The DoctorWhoBar watches the second season William Hartnell story “The Space Museum”

The Tin Dog Poll- An Introduction to K-9. Words by @Zeiton_7 and Pictures by @cheezypeas

"Good dog

Affirmative Master"

The Inner workings of K-9 or K-9 Naked!

On Saturday we in The Doctor Who Bar are paying tribute to the ultimate of all doggies, K-9.
There have been four versions of K-9 over the years and its amazing to think that he wasn't ever intended to be a regular companion.

K-9 first appeared in The Fourth Doctor story- The Invisible Enemy and was created by Professor Marius. The original, or Mark 1, version decided to remain on Galifrey with Leela at the end of the story The Invasion of Time. However, he had proved to be so popular The Doctor is seen unpacking a box labelled K-9 MK II.

Throughout his many adventures with The Doctor K-9 proved to be a useful companion and even boasted a laser for self defence, which was concealed within his nose. Whilst often the butt of The Doctors jokes and frustration, he was regarded with sentiment and affection.

However some of the crew and production team did not share this sentiment for the erstwhile dog. The limitations with K-9 were largely due to the difficulties experienced when K-9 had to traverse anything other than a flat, smooth service. To put it bluntly he wouldn't move!

This is best seen when K-9 is given the task of following the Marsh Men in Full Circle. Our doggy hero is thwarted by a very small ditch! This was the main reason why K-9 was finally written out of the series at the end of Warriors' Gate. I think people got fed up with the limitations they felt were apparent with a dog that just wouldn't play ball.

K-9 featured in the anniversary story The Five Doctors, albeit very briefly, and even had his own spin off series, K-9 and Company. After a pivotal and decisive role in the Tennant story School Reunion he was finally given to Sarah Jane Smith and featured regularly in The Sarah Jane Adventures.

K-9's final appearance in Doctor Who to date is in the final part of the end of season  two parter, Journeys End. He did feature in an Australian spin off series called er K-9. The problem with this series was that they totally redesigned K-9 and most Whovians really didn't like the reboot or the series as a result.

K-9 is loved by fans both young and old. I was recently at a conference where he made a guest appearance and immediately reverted back to childhood. Indeed, a collective cry of joy could be heard as the tin dog wheeled onto the stage. It is this universal affection that makes K-9 such an adorable and wonderful creation. Intelligent and witty he even beat The Doctor at chess once!

As the saying goes, slightly amended, "you can't keep a good dog down" and I am sure that we haven't seen the last of K-9 on our screens. What was that K-9? "Affirmative master"

 So join us on Saturday for a K-9 double bill. We will watch the winning story and the runner up. The bar opens at 7.30pm and we press play at 8pm. Please bring some doggy treats as K-9 gets upset! #DWBAR

Dragonfire- Words by @Zeiton_7 and Pictures by @cheezypeas

"Do you feel like arguing with a can of deodorant that registers nine on the Richter scale?"- Ace

Dragonfire is well known amongst Who fans for three reasons. Firstly, Mel leaves and Ace (the ravishing and feisty Sophie Aldred) joins The Doctor. Secondly, evil Kane melts at the end (this special effect is still shocking for Doctor Who and I still love it) Thirdly, the end of episode one cliff hanger involves The Doctor dangling over the edge of a sheer drop by his umbrella for absolutely no reason what so ever.

It is the third point I wanted to pick up on but before I do....... YEAH SHE'S GONE, THE ANNOYING SCREAMY IRRITATING MEL HAS GONE!!! Well thats now out of my system! No wait
WAAAHOOO!!!

...and we're back in the room! So where was I? oh yes! The Doctor clambers of the edge of a sheer icy drop and dangles, held by his trademark umbrella. Why? Why would you do that? Did he realise time was pressing and he needed to be in peril in order to move to the next episode? I have done some research and can now reveal the following. In the original screen play The Doctor is walking along an icy path and finds his way blocked so is forced to climb down the cliff face. This, rather important piece of information, did not make its way onto the finished filmed article. Andrew Cartmel (Script Editor) points out "one of the things that the director has to bear in mind is the viewers don't know the script"

Anyway, back to the plot. The Doctor and Mel find themselves on Iceworld, a space trading colony on the planet of Svartos. Ruled by the thoroughly unpleasant Kane this is a dangerous place. Kane's body temperature is many hundreds of degrees below zero and one touch can kill. So yes, finally a villain who is not just cold hearted! this guy is cold all over.

In addition to meeting up with Ace, in the coffee shop serving (badly) as a waitress they also reunite with the devious Glitz and together try to uncover the secret of Dragonfire.

I love Glitz, loveable rogue that he is. Not quite evil but he would sell his own mother for a few grotsits!

Dragonfire is Who at its best! great villains, wonderful fighting sequences and the introduction of, in my view one of  the best female companions ever. Move over Pond you can't hold a candle to our Ace!

The end of the story sees the departure of Mel, who is left to bother and annoy Glitz. This, for obvious reasons, is something that displeases him and his facial expression is a joy to behold.

So join us on wednesday, for cold nastiness, a wonderfully stupid literal cliff hanger and Sophie Aldred exploding onto our screens (with the aid of some Nitro 9 of course) for the first time as Ace. To quote the song "You're as cold as ice" and yes he is willing to sacrifice.




We watch Dragonfire at 7.30pm BST with the bar opening for chilled drinks at 7pm #DWBAR

Doctor Who - The Sixties By @The_Knights87

The 60’s.  A decade of psychedelic, strawberry fields, incense and peppermint and putting flowers in your hair.   It was also the decade that spawned a sci-fi phenomenon that still continues to this day.   I am of course talking about Doctor Who.    Yes many of you new to the program may not have been exposed to the early years of Doctor Who.  For shame if you haven’t.  Even though the stories are in black and white and some of the qualities of the effects are, well, let’s just say dated to put it nicely,  does not deter from the overall quality of the story that was written and  acted out by the actors involved.

60’s Doctor Who was an important era in the shows history.  For one it gave us the first appearances of the Dalek and Cybermen.  It introduced us to another of the Doctors people who happen to be a mischievous Monk and who would be the torchbearer to The Master and The Rani.  But the one most important thing that 60’s Doctor Who gave us which is the main thing credited for the shows longevity is of course regeneration. 

Yes regeneration.  If it wasn’t for the producers to come up with this idea then the show would have ended with William Hartnell.  So instead of ending the show with him the producers, well more or less booted William Hartnell from the role, changed actors by having the Doctor change appearances to keep the show going.  Brilliant idea and one that has been an occasion of great sorrow and excitement throughout the years when the current actor has decided to leave and replaced by the new guy.

The two main actors’ that portrayed The Doctor and more or less paved the way for the likes of Tom Baker, Sylvester McCoy, and David Tennant were of course William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton.   

William Hartnell who played The 1^st Doctor was the man who got the ball rolling.  His Doctor came across as crotchety but was also sharp as tack.  His Doctor was also very caring and loving even though he didn’t show it often but it was there.  The First Doctor was also the champion of the little guy.  If there was someone or something being oppressed the First Doctor was right there to help them out.  Whether it was helping earthlings against the Daleks in The Invasion of Earth or helping out Londoners against WOTAN in The War Machines you could expect The First Doctor to be there leading the charge.   

The second man to play The Doctor during the 60’s was Patrick Troughton.   The 2^nd Doctor is generally referred to as the cosmic hobo.  I refer to him as a classic Doctor whose mannerisms have been imitated by future Doctor’s right up to the current one Matt Smith.  His comedic style was quite a change from the dominating presence of his predecessor.  His style was a more kind and bumbling character but when the situation called for it the Second Doctor could be dead serious and commanded respect from his adversaries.   The Second Doctor also liked to make gadgets and brought some mystery to The Doctor like in Tomb of the Cybermen and also in The War Games.

Unfortunately a lot of the stories from the 60’s have been destroyed or lost and we only have a handful of complete stories from this era.  This is a shame really because there are some great stories that will never be seen.   But the ones that we do have are a treasure trove of Doctor Who’s early history and should be watched over and over.  So if you are a new fan of Doctor Who who caught on with the show during David Tennant’s or Matt Smith’s era then you need to do yourself a favor and watch some of the show’s finest stories from the 60’s and see what has inspired the show you are watching now.

The E-Space Trilogy- Warriors' Gate

"Now unless we work very closely together we could be caught here until the crack of doom. Oh, what's the use? Can I have one of your pickles?"

Tomorrow we watch the last story in The E-Space Trilogy and, indeed, the last story to feature Romana and K-9 as companions. Whilst it is well known and commentated on that The Doctor, throughout all his travels, has exhibited sometimes dubious control of the Tardis. This is perhaps the longest period of time where we have seen him lost and powerless to find a way home. What about his exile on Earth during his third regeneration? I hear you say! Well, it was just that, an exile. This is very much of The Doctor's own making. But this situation brings out a vulnerability, played out through the three stories, that bring to the viewer a different aspect to The Doctor. At times he simply doesn't have the answers and, lets face it, if K-9 doesn't know either we are in big trouble!

Warriors' Gate finds the Tardis and it's occupants trapped in a time rift. But they are not alone and soon come into contact with another ship. This ship is crewed by the mysterious Tharil race who are also its cargo. When the Tardis is visited by Biroc, a Tharil, The Doctor is persuaded try and unravel the mysteries surrounding what he has been told. But with K-9 seriously damaged and Romana missing what can he do? (I'd mention Adric but he too is, as usual, a little baffled)

The scene, pictured above, where the Tardis appears alongside the titular Warriors' Gate may look familiar to Doctor Who viewers. It is that particular white, "non space" that was used to such great effect in The Mindrobber (the classic Second Doctor story) This, no doubt, get the program within budget. However in todays world of CGI and sometimes overpowering effects perhaps there is an argument for less is more!

This is a fantastic story that features many twists and turns. Personally, I love the scenes when The Doctor is walking through the mysterious landscapes within the void. It also highlights Romana's compassion for other races and is, in my view, one of her biggest character strengths. Other Timelords are obsessed with power, control or their own self importance but Romana portrays a wonderful warm considerate side. She, in previous stories, has been at odds with The Doctor and would attempt to find more peaceful solutions to the predicaments they found themselves in. She was also his equal and could boast a breathtaking knowledge of the history of civilisations that rivalled The Doctor himself.

What is the mysterious Warriors's Gate? Why is Lazlo so hairy? Will The Doctor ever escape E-Space and how will this trilogy be brought to a close?

 We will find out the answers at 7.30pm tomorrow when we press play #DWBAR

Why I love Jon Pertwee The Third Doctor by @Via_The_Void

I first became a fan of Doctor Who during the Peter Davison era.  However although Davison was my favourite Doctor when I was growing up, and still is to a certain extent, I am rather fond of Jon Pertwee's portrayal in the role.

Jon just exudes class on screen.  He was debonair, charismatic, an action hero and a delight to watch.  No other Doctor has made such an impact on my life than Jon Pertwee's Doctor.  Like many Who fans I've been carefully weaned on a diet of BBC Doctor Who videos.  Can you imagine already being a fan of Doctor Who and having your favourite Doctor (Peter Davison) and then as you explore the many adventures from the previous era's of the show gradually coming to love and appreciate those who used to have control of the TARDIS!  That's how it was for me.

What I also love about Jon's portrayal of the Doctor, is that despite coming from a comedic background he played and took the role extremely seriously and I respect and applaud that decision.  There were still moment of humour, but I always felt safe when I was watching a Third Doctor story, the only time I didn't feel safe, for obvious reasons was the final episode of Planet of the Spiders.  It's heartbreaking for me to watch Pertwee's last adventure as so may of the shows lead stars are no longer with us.

My first BBC video was The Day of the Daleks, the compilation version shown above, it's a classic in my opinion and not just because Jon's in it but because of the dynamic and charisma the Third Doctor has with his companion Jo Grant, ably played by Katy Manning.  Katy and Jon's warmth and friendship together really shows on screen and it is testament to how well we remember that Third Doctor and Jo partnership.  The story also features those other stalwarts of the Pertwee era - UNIT, led by the much missed Nicholas Courtney as the Brigadier.

What I love so much about the Pertwee era is it is very much grounded in reality when the Doctor is exiled to Earth.  There was also some thought provoking stories during this time in the series history, The Green Death stands out particularly for it's environmental issues.  Other stories stretched the format of the show like most of the early seven parters of his very first season, even the classic story The Daemons, which is the only story during the entire run to be a five parter!

This era of the show has a few notable firsts for Doctor Who.  Number One of course is the appearances of the Doctor's arch villain the Master, played superbly by Roger Delgado.  We also discover that the Doctor has two hearts in his debut adventure!  And we first hear the name of the Doctor's home planet in The Time Warrior.  Favourite stories of mine from Jon's era include The Curse of Peladon, Inferno, The Sea Devils and Planet of the Daleks.

For me Jon Pertwee will always be the Doctor.  Through the delights of the BBC Worldwide DVD range, I have come to love and appreciate his time on the show even more.  No disrespect to the other actors to have played the role, but I will always have a deep fondness for the Third Doctor.  Jon Pertwee was a terrific actor and just lights up the screen whenever he appears.  I still feel really sad that he is no longer with us.  I always feel devastated whenever we lose someone from his era.  Why?  I hear you ask.  Simply put for me the Pertwee era is really special to me.  The loss of both Nicholas Courtney and Elisabeth Sladen last year was really heartbreaking for me.

What is interesting is how much this era of Doctor Who has influenced the show we watch today.  Russell T. Davies has said that the first 2005 series was an update of the Pertwee format of the series, that is obvious now when we remember that the Autons featured in the series debut Rose, just like Spearhead From Space many years ago.  Steven Moffat is now building on the strengths handed down from people like Barry Letts and Terrance Dicks.

What a truly unique television series Doctor Who is.  All the actors to have played the role have been tremendous, but I do love Jon Pertwee in the role, as I'm sure many of you reading this article have your own favourite Doctor.  The programme will unfortunately outlive all of them, but they will never ever be truly gone from our hearts and minds, or indeed our DVD players.

Please support the Official BBC Worldwide Doctor Who DVD releases.  Just to remind everyone that the next one up is Death to the Daleks, I shall definitely be getting that one!

The Master by @cheezypeas

“You are indeed a worthy opponent, Doctor. It's what gives your destruction its... piquancy.”

A chameleon, a charlatan. Brimming with evil cunning, and a psychotic megalomaniac to boot; the Master is the yang to the Doctors ying, and is as versatile as a Swiss army knife.

Love him or loathe him, The Master has been the Doctor’s “best enemy” since the Third Doctor’s era. Another renegade Time Lord, but with a more selfish power hungry motive and a begrudging respect for our beloved Doctor.

The Master wasn’t born evil. At the age of eight he undertook the ritual Time lord initiation. As everyone else before him, he peered into the time vortex via the untempered schism, a rather unpleasant experience that either makes or breaks a Time Lord Academy hopeful.

He was driven mad by this exposure, which wasn’t an unusual outcome. However, the constant drumming he believes he heard in his head from that day was unique as we know from the Tenth Doctors era Rassilon actually placed it there during the time war to release the Time Lords. It’s suggested this incessant drumming is why he became corrupt and evil.

By the time we first see the Master in Terror of the Autons he had already reached his final incarnation, but although he was desperate to obtain a new regenerative cycle this didn’t stop him trying to take control of the universe whilst trying to save his own life on numerous occasions.  He becomes adept at disguises and the aliases he used were normally anagrams for “Master”.  He also developed the art of possession in order to keep himself alive, carelessly murdering the innocent victims in the process.

We see his manipulative skills at great effect throughout the years, an expert hypnotist that would put Paul Mckenna to shame and his seemingly charming nature to the naïve assists him in getting where he wants and what he wants. He also has a terrible temper, and his psychotic tendencies often cause him mental conflict.

"What do you mean can I bend spoons and make you act like a chicken?"

Although he is hell bent on destroying the Doctor, the Master does admire his intelligence and ability to stay alive throughout the years. The Doctor himself is also in awe of the Master, but also disappointed as he can see what his full potential could be if he gave up his relentless quest to take over the universe.

Like the Doctor he has had many faces, but his goal always remains the same; take over the Universe, destroy the Doctor and stay alive.

As for you mere mortals; “YOU WILL OBEY ME!”

State of Decay by @The_Knights87

Edward and Bella, Sookie and Bill and other sappy vampire couples are second rate compared to Zargo and Camilla.  Zargo and Camilla along with Aukon is Doctor Who’s one true vampire couple. Long before the Matt Smith story The Vampires of Venice this classic story by long time Who scribe and fan favorite Terrance Dicks actually boasts human vampires and a really cool castle.

The State of Decay is the second part of The E- Space Trilogy and heralded by some to be the best story of the three.  I tend to agree.  Some may say that State of Decay is downright scary and has a paranoid feel to it.  The atmosphere of this episode really makes it one of those stories that you tend to remember long after watching it.

 

It is also a very interesting story in the fact that Terrance Dicks delves into more Timelord history and their involvement in a war with the Great Vampire.  Yes it seems the Timelords were a warmonger race well before they fought in the Time War.   But it is also great to see the Doctor and Romana scared as they are reading the history of the Timelords involvement with the vampires that you tend to get scared yourself. 

Imagine how the Doctor must feel like knowing it is his solemn duty as a Timelord to eradicate the universe of vampires and he happens upon the king of all vampires who happens to be feeding off an IV of blood that Arkon has gathered from sacrificing the villagers.

My fond recollection of watching this story is mainly that the Doctor is fighting vampires. A group of three vampires that is in a sense very odd and very scary.  One hell bent on terrorizing the villagers and the other two who seem to be living an extremely bizarre love life.  Plus it also has a great story of the villagers rising up against their oppressors and winning their freedom.  A staple of most Doctor Who stories but mainly a from the Jon Pertwee era where Terrance Dicks did most of his writing for the show but it was good to see that in a Tom Baker story. 

So if you are a fan of vampires or a fan of really good storytelling in a sci – fi setting then join us in watching State of Decay. 

Ten fo Ten Poll- A Celebration of The Tenth Doctor words by @Dr_Who_Con_Fans and pictures by @Cheezypeas

"no second chances I'm that sort of man"

On Saturday we will be watching the winner of The Ten for Ten- Tennant Poll. So lets take a little trip back to the end of Eccleston's tenure as The Doctor and the announcement that David Tennant was to take over.

On the 31st March 2005 Christopher  Eccleston announced that he was to leave after only one series as The Doctor. Thinking back at this now this was really unusual, as previously actors portraying The Doctor had undertaken at least 3 series or years (The Troughton 3 Year Rule is widely adopted as a sensible one) To have the title character being replaced so early on and especially after the show had only just come back after its 16 year hiatus (broken briefly by the one off tv movie) must have been worrying for the producers. So regeneration is on the cards again and who should they get to replace the outgoing Eccleston?

David Tennant had started to make a name for himself with audiences both of the stage and television. Young and enthusiastic he seemed an ideal choice to replace Eccleston. The BBC announced that Tennant was to take over the role of The Doctor on the 16th April 2005. Who fans undertook their normal activity of waiting and seeing how this new man would portray their beloved Doctor.

The answer was of course very very well. 

The first story of any newly regenerated Doctor is always difficult, both for the audience who are still adjusting to the loss of the previous actor and also for the new actor himself. How to play The Doctor, drawing on all previous regenerations but at the same time adding something new?

The writing by Russell T Davis on  The Christmas Invasion is, in my view, one of the best first Doctor stories ever written. The Doctor is recovering from his regeneration in bed and is not really on screen at all for the first part of the story. We are able to identify with the angst and confusion Rose feels as this mysterious man lies unconscious in bed. 

When Tennant finally bursts,literally, out of The  Tardis on the Sycorax ship we are ready to see what sort of a man he will be.


As it turns out one of "no second chances" and this is the beauty of The Tenth Doctor. He is capable of immense emotion ("My Sarah Jane" and crying with Wilf in "The End of Time") but also really dark almost sinister moments. His Doctor is one who is fiercely loyal to his companions but at the same time still showing the pain he feels for the loss of the Timelords. The moment when The Master dies in his arms is a heart breaking moment and Tennant portrays this, dare I say it, masterfully.

This is a Doctor that can be manic, hyper and just plain mad but also dangerous and totally in control. His final story at the beginning of 2010 made me cry as for once The Doctor did not want to regenerate. 

It is impossible to discuss Tennant without mentioning the fan girls (mostly) I know a certain Whovian who was completely put off The Tenth Doctor because of the reaction he produced from certain quarters. My view is simple on this. Everyone has a favourite Doctor, for any number of reasons and also favourite stories. The problem with some fans is they totally focus on Tennant as if he was the only Doctor. They also can sometimes show scant interest in who proceeded or follo Tennant's. All I say is that to be a Who fan you love the program and the show is  bigger than one person. It has to be!

So join us on Saturday for a Tennant evening. He truly was a fantastic and amazing Doctor and I loved almost every story he took part in. But, as the Brigadier said, "splendid fellows.... all of them"