If you’re familiar with the DWC, we sometimes run themed weeks covering certain aspects of Doctor Who. These might be focussed on a particular Doctor, companion, era, writer, producer, monster, story, spin-off – or indeed anything related to the universe’s best sci-fi show. This year, we’re doing something a bit different. Following on from the success of last year’s regular series reviews, we’re experimenting again by presenting Eleventh Doctor Season, a run of articles about Matt Smith’s incarnation of the Time Lord – with particular focus on Series 5.
That’s because today is 10 years since the transmission of The Big Bang. 26th June is an important date for Series 5, as the previous episodes led up to that series finale and established 26th June 2010 as the day the universe was rebooted (with a little help from the TARDIS, the Pandorica, the Vortex Manipulator, and Amy Pond’s memories).
Don’t worry: we’ll still be covering all your usual mix of news, merchandise, and reviews. Features will typically be tinted towards the Eleventh Doctor – but not exclusively.
We’re using Series 5 as a lense to examine the whole of Doctor Who. We’ll be catering for fans of all eras: sometimes, we’ll specifically mull over an Eleventh Doctor serial; sometimes, we’re using them as a basis to explore other aspects of the show.
For instance, The Hungry Earth/ Cold Blood gives us chance to talk about the histories of the Silurians and the Sea Devils (courtesy of Jordan Shortman). Using Victory of the Daleks as a springboard, Simon Danes asks whether the BBC is contractually obliged to include Daleks every series. Alex Skerratt ponders the lasting resonance of “The Pandorica Opens” painting featuring the exploding TARDIS. James Baldock explores a Van Gogh exhibition. And I’ll be talking about writing The Black Archive #44: The Pandorica Opens/ The Big Bang for Obverse Books.
Needless to say, there’s lots to come!
We’ll be scattering these articles across a few months, giving coverage to every Series 5 episode, and encapsulating more besides. As ever, feedback is always welcome, and we always thank you for your support. Without you, the DWC couldn’t keep ploughing ahead.
