What does RTD think of younger generations of writers? What do his Star Trek comparisons tell us about how he sees spinoffs? Who ultimately ‘owns’ the show? Why do certain spinoff ideas persist? How new will RTD’s new era be? How do we define ‘good TV’? Why would a past showrunner return?

We delve into these questions in a discussion of new Russell T Davies interviews and discourses in the lead-up to his second Doctor Who era. Along the way, we also look at the nature of different publications showrunners talk to, charitable & charitable readings, standards of TV quality, fans & the Fitzroy tavern, what makes Doctor Who unique compared to other franchises, & the ongoing Fourteenth Doctor Liberation of the Daleks comic.

Neo
Ingiga
Nate

TIMECODES:

(00:00:00) Continuation & chaos
(00:05:56) RTD eras: same or different?
(00:08:46) The Times: context & RTD’s approach
(00:18:27) The Times: heritage & spinoffs
(00:32:05) ‘They’re rubbish’
(00:40:16) Charitable & uncharitable readings
(00:46:58) RTD critiquing TV
(01:00:34) Fans, Fitzroy, ownership
(01:18:24) Showrunner symbolism & authority
(01:24:15) Surely Moffat would never come back!
(01:29:41) The Independent: RTD & making way
(01:34:58) Moffat & RTD on the showrunner role
(01:47:49) Why & how RTD returned
(01:58:30) Star Trek, spinoffs, & ‘the next stage”
(02:07:02) Money & the Disney deal
(02:16:12) Fan ideas for spinoffs
(02:24:04) Era popularity & trailer timing
(02:29:43) Liberation of the Daleks comic, part 4
(02:37:32) Doctor Who isn’t like Star Wars

Set leak photo credits:

“New Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa pictured on BBC set in iconic TARDIS for the first time.” The Mirror, 15 Feb. 2023, https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/new-doctor-who-star-ncuti-29223201 [photo credit Splash/Goff/Click news and Media]

“Doctor Who FIRST LOOK: New Timelord Ncuti Gatwa makes his FIRST appearance on set as he emerges from the Tardis while filming festive scenes with sidekick Millie Gibson.” The Daily Mail, 15 Feb. 2023, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-11753783/Doctor-LOOK-New-Timelord-Ncuti-Gatwa-seen-set-time.html [photo credit Splash/Goff/Click news and Media]

McKinon, Chris [@chrismckinon01]. “New exclusive images from last week filming #dwsr.” Twitter, 9 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230109132251/https://twitter.com/chrismckinon01/status/1612430873839931394

McKinon, Chris [@chrismckinon01]. “More pictures #dwsr.” Twitter, 9 Jan. 2023, https://archive.vn/zyPKx

McKinon, Chris [@chrismckinon01]. “And some BTS video! #dwsr.” Twitter, 9 Jan. 2023, https://archive.vn/13QyK

Mac, Josh [@Josh15Mac]. “Who tf is this guy.” Twitter, 7 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230116061102/https://twitter.com/Josh15Mac/status/1611727331181068291

Doctor Who Filming Locations [@set_dw]. “dwsr A better close-up of the creature.” Twitter, 5 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230116055623/https://twitter.com/set_dw/status/1611070659677007873

Doctor Who Filming Locations [@set_dw]. “dwsr UNIT soldiers drink coffee too.” Twitter, 10 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230110081331/https://twitter.com/set_dw/status/1612720018281713664

Doctor Who Filming Locations [@set_dw]. “dwsr Millie Gibson (Ruby Sunday) x Jemma Redgrave (Kate Stewart).” Twitter, 9 Jan. 2023, https://archive.vn/tSylZ

Doctor Who Filming Locations [@set_dw]. “dwsr On location.” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230116055945/https://twitter.com/set_dw/status/1610284599409610754

Doctor Who Filming Locations [@set_dw]. “dwsr Well that’s not pretty .” Twitter, 4 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230116055943/https://twitter.com/set_dw/status/1610673495968518144

Doctor Who Filming Locations [@set_dw]. “dwsr Better shot of the back of Millie’s costume jacket today.” Twitter, 9 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230116055938/https://twitter.com/set_dw/status/1612431673278500864

Doctor Who Filming Locations [@set_dw]. “dwsr The Scene: Kate and ruby talking outside. Kate shows Millie an i-pad. Kate then on the earpiece, looks quite shocked, looks at something in the sky and on the street and at the end of the call quickly leaves the scene. Ruby visually frustrated and upset as Kate leaves.” Twitter, 9 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230116055937/https://twitter.com/set_dw/status/1612479453585711107

Doctor Who Filming Locations [@set_dw]. “dwsr UNIT vehicles now here. Snipers to be positioned on multiple roofs. Think we’re in for a big action sequence.” Twitter, 10 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230116055935/https://twitter.com/set_dw/status/1612722634017357826

Doctor Who Filming Locations [@set_dw]. “dwsr Kate Stewart in action.” Twitter, 10 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230116055930/https://twitter.com/set_dw/status/1612812657026818048

Deri ComedyName [@DeriComedyN4me]. “ #doctorwho.” Twitter, 9 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230109172729/https://twitter.com/DeriComedyN4me/status/1612445037694013440

[@TeethanTheJedi]. “Xdwsr Space Saviour or Saviour? Either way I could see this being some Trump-esque “chosen by god” political commentary.” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2023, https://archive.vn/VBcMJ

Smith, Lee [@djleekee]. “More pics. #dwsr.” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230116054318/https://twitter.com/djleekee/status/1610333453194493955

[@Gullick]. “There is filming going on in the Capitol Shopping Centre, Cardiff. They’ve turned the old Boots into a ‘Campaign Office’ & inside the centre looks like it’s being used as the unit base. I don’t recognise the actor playing the candidate. @DoctorWhoPN anything you’re aware of.” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230103131104/https://twitter.com/Gullick/status/1610255697941336074

[@Gullick]. “The posters are all on show. Too reflective at this time of the morning.” Twitter, 4 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230116053357/https://twitter.com/Gullick/status/1610544068857061376

“New Doctor Who companion Millie Gibson seen filming on set for first time and springs straight into heavy-duty scene.” Metro, 12 Jan. 2023, https://metro.co.uk/2023/01/12/doctor-who-new-companion-millie-gibson-seen-on-set-for-first-time-18088871/ [photo credit Splash/Goff/Click news and Media]

“Doctor Who FIRST LOOK: David Tennant and Catherine Tate are seen on set for the first time as they film explosive scenes with a VERY familiar face after confirming their return for 60th anniversary.” Daily Mail, 17 May 2022, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10822343/DOCTOR-LOOK-David-Tennant-Catherine-Tate-film-explosive-scenes.html [photo credit w8 media]

“Doctor Who SPOILER: Transgender actress Yasmin Finney is spotted on set with David Tennant and Catherine Tate for the first time after joining the cast as companion Rose.” Daily Mail, 18 May 2022, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10826207/Yasmin-Finney-spotted-Dr-set-David-Tennant-Catherine-Tate-time.html [photo credit w8 media]

“Doctor Who: David Tennant and Catherine Tate seen on set for first time as they return to show after more than a decade.” Metro, 16 May 2022, https://metro.co.uk/2022/05/16/doctor-who-david-tennant-and-catherine-tate-seen-on-set-as-they-return-16655452/ [photo credit Jamesy / Gotcha Images]

“Doctor Who: Yasmin Finney ‘in shock’ after huge crowd of fans watch her film with David Tennant and Catherine Tate in London.” Metro, 18 May 2022, https://metro.co.uk/2022/05/18/doctor-who-yasmin-finney-david-tennant-and-catherine-tate-filming-in-london-16666511/ [photo credit REX / Shutterstock + Andy Barnes — Bob Grey / BACKGRID]

SOURCES:

1.
~3m13s
[@scribblesscript]. “”We did not know there would be another series of Doctor Who.” Strevens was only told about Russell returning the day before the announcement.” Twitter, 20 Feb. 2022, https://web.archive.org/web/20220220234824/https://twitter.com/scribblesscript/status/1495544612261220352

[@scribblesscript]. “”My utter relief was, we didn’t break it, and Jodie gets to regenerate!” Matt Strevens.” Twitter, 20 Feb. 2022, https://web.archive.org/web/20220220234825/https://twitter.com/scribblesscript/status/1495544613578313729

2.
~4m15s
Davison, Peter. “Doctor Who’s Peter Davison is “always happy” to come back to the show.” Interview with Radio Times. Radio Times, 3 Feb. 2023, 00:00-00:50, https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-peter-davison-return-exclusive-newsupdate/

3.
~8m30s
~1h30m28s
Davies, Russell T. “‘People like me can make way for trans storytellers’: Russell T Davies on Nolly, Doctor Who, and making progress on screen.” Interview with Neck Levine. The Independent, 1 Feb. 2023, https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/russell-t-davies-nolly-doctor-who-b2272818.html

4.
~9m4s
~18m34s
~32m26s
~1h29m25s
~1h44m10s
Russell T Davies and Mark Gatiss: How to save TV.” The Sunday Times, 29 Jan. 2023, https://archive.vn/LwSvT

5.
~12m37s
~2h6m4s
Kirkley, Paul, and Russell T Davies. “Russell T Davies: “The way I write is like life – sad one minute and sunny the next, and not a hair’s breadth between the two.” Interesting Media, 29 Jan. 2021, https://interestingmedia.blog/2021/01/29/russell-t-davies-the-way-i-write-is-like-life-sad-one-minute-and-sunny-the-next-and-not-a-hairs-breadth-between-the-two/

Kirkley, Paul. @prkirkley. “Didn’t have space for this…” Twitter, 22 Jan. 2021, https://archive.vn/vFRap

6.
~14m42s
Davies, Russell T, and Benjamin Cook. The Writer’s Tale – The Final Chapter. BBC Books, 2010, pp. 290-291.

7.
~18m4s
Mercer, Alex. Audio commentary. Doctor Who: series 11, episode 3 — Rosa. BBC, 2019, Blu-ray [Doctor Who — The Complete Eleventh Series, 14 Jan. 2019].

8.
~26m59s
Davies, Russell T, and Graham Norton. “Russell T Davies chats to Graham Norton.” Graham Norton [radio], 27 Oct. 2012, 14:17-15:08, https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p010bdq1

“’Torchwood’ future uncertain, says Starz boss.” Digital Spy, 1 Aug. 2011, https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a332758/torchwood-future-uncertain-says-starz-boss/

9.
~27m39s
Davies, Russell T. “Russell T. Davies wants Edgar Wright to direct Doctor Who.”
Interview with Jack King. GQ, 27 Jan. 2023, https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/russell-t-davies-nolly-doctor-who-interview-2023

“Doctor Who Confidential axed by BBC.” The Guardian, 28 Sep. 2011, https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/sep/28/doctor-who-confidential-axed

Armstrong, Stephen. “’The BBC are like undertakers’.” The Guardian, 4 May 2009, https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/may/04/hat-trick-productions-interview-jimmy-mulville

“Steven Moffat: The man with a monster of a job.” The Guardian, 22 March 2010, https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/mar/22/stephen-moffat-doctor-who

“Doctor Who boss not worried by budget squeeze.” BBC News, 23 March 2010, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8580299.stm

10.
~28m5s
“Steven Moffat: The man with a monster of a job.” The Guardian, 22 March 2010, https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/mar/22/stephen-moffat-doctor-who

“Doctor Who boss not worried by budget squeeze.” BBC News, 23 March 2010, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8580299.stm

11.
~29m36s
Johnson, Chris, and Russell T Davies. “Russell T Davies (Ep15).” Out Of The Broom Cupboard, episode 15, https://soundcloud.com/ootbc/ootbc_015

12.
~47m10s
“Russell T Davies blasts ‘pathetic’ Disney’s bisexual Loki scene as a ‘feeble gesture’.” Pink News, 10 Aug. 2021, https://www.thepinknews.com/2021/08/10/russell-t-davies-disney-loki/

13.
~48m37s
Davies, Russell T, and Charlie Brooker. Charlie Brooker’s Screenwipe, series 5, episode 3, 31:36-33:21, 33:44-33:58, https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/writersroom/entries/e38cdcdf-e436-3af8-81ae-72464302df54

14.
~57m12s
Davies, Russell T, and Bryan Elsey. The Writer’s Tale – The Final Chapter. BBC Books, 2010, pp. 368-369.

15.
~1h3m1s
Orman, Kate. “Interview: Kate Orman.” Interview with David J Richardson. First published in Sonic Screwdriver #88, Jan. 1995, http://davidj.richardson.name/drwho/prose_interview_kateorman.html

Miles, Lawrence. “Week Eight: “My Life with the New God-King.” Lawrence Miles’ Doctor Who Thing, 31 May 2008, https://web.archive.org/web/20170622004111/http://beasthouse-lm2.blogspot.com/2008/05/

Miles, Lawrence, and Andrew Hickey. “Reality Check: Lawrence Miles”, Reality Check, 29 Dec. 2013, https://archive.org/details/RealityCheckLawrenceMiles

16.
~1h6m8s
Cornell, Paul. “Author’s Notes [Human Nature].” BBC: Doctor Who [official website], original ebook publication 2002 (original book printing 1995) but archive access date 2 Jan. 2009, https://web.archive.org/web/20090102134334/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/ebooks/human_nature/notes.shtml

17.
~1h8m33s
Miles, Lawrence. “Week Eight: “My Life with the New God-King.” Lawrence Miles’ Doctor Who Thing, 31 May 2008, https://web.archive.org/web/20170622004111/http://beasthouse-lm2.blogspot.com/2008/05/

18.
~1h9m18s
Colgan, Jenny. “Is the monthly Doctor Who fan clan meeting to be exterminated?” The Guardian, 12 June 2014, https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/jun/12/doctor-who-fan-club-meeting-fitzroy-tavern

19.
~1h10m40s
Morris, Philip [@archives1963]. [Twitter profile page]. Twitter, accessed 18 Feb. 2023, https://archive.vn/8mFd9

20.
~1h11m9s
Morris, Philip [@archives1963]. “Anybody got any ideas ..I only got the gig cos I’m part of the fitzroy gang you know..” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2012, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103143347/https://twitter.com/archives1963/status/1345739975267151875

Lance [@lance73]. “You know RTD and Chibnall never went to the Fitzroy?” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103163921/https://twitter.com/lance73/status/1345771436636594176

Morris, Philip [@archives1963]. “Yes they did they are all part of the same circle clique.” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103163141/https://twitter.com/archives1963/status/1345769453502550023

Morris, Philip [@archives1963]. “This says guardian article confirms your talking shite Lance ..” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103211625/https://twitter.com/archives1963/status/1345841368829194240

Lance [@lance73]. “100% proof. I feel so foolish, now that a woman that never went to any fan meetings has written an article saying that RTD was in there. Also, no mention of Chibnall, but I’m sure the writer meant he was there too. Can’t believe I’m such an idiot!” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103220616/https://twitter.com/lance73/status/1345853945558786055

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “This is deeply unfair. I went to that pub loads and Chris Chibnall never went once. So why am I not in charge?” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103154029/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/1345756808133173248

Shearman, Robert [@ShearmanRobert]. “Hang on. I thought you were in charge. (This must be why all my letters to the production office asking you to bring back the Kraals go unanswered.)” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103185535/https://twitter.com/ShearmanRobert/status/1345805801689120771

Hickman, Clayton [@claytonhickman]. “As if Russell would have been seen dead at the Tavern! And if Moffat ever did show up we’d usually decamp to the other pub up the road” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103154423/https://twitter.com/claytonhickman/status/1345757312603086848

Hsieh, Andrew [@AndrewOnSeeAIR]. “Fitzroy Derangement Syndrome” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103164643/https://twitter.com/AndrewOnSeeAIR/status/1345773476607619075

Zygon Curry [@ZygCurry]. “Sounds good! I was a regular there too and never once saw Chibnall there either! :)” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210104003024/https://twitter.com/ZygCurry/status/1345890222639349761

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “THE RISING SUN ELITE. Four pints, then do we go to a) Pizza Express so that Steven can show off to the waitress who liked Press Gang b) the Thai c) the dodgy Italian.” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103154752/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/1345758577399623682

Hickman, Clayton [@claytonhickman]. “Ha! With him. They had actual seats in the other pub ” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103160552/https://twitter.com/claytonhickman/status/1345763183957585921

Shearman, Robert [@ShearmanRobert]. “Jonny and I would fight over billing.” Twitter, 4 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20230131141206/https://twitter.com/ShearmanRobert/status/1345926029349711873

Misc. related tweets to sources #20

Xoanon [@Xoanon11]. “Neither Chibnall or RTD ever went to the Fitz.” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103162655/https://twitter.com/Xoanon11/status/1345767779140591618

Morris, Philip [@archives1963]. “Yes they did they are all part of the same circle clique.” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103163141/https://twitter.com/archives1963/status/1345769453502550023

Xoanon [@Xoanon11]. “I used to go every month and never saw them.” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103163253/https://twitter.com/Xoanon11/status/1345769919191937029

Morris, Philip [@archives1963]. “Who did you see??” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103171448/https://twitter.com/archives1963/status/1345780458471174148

Xoanon [@Xoanon11]. “Moffat, Cornell, Spilsbury to name a few. There were more dr who people (i won’t list them all) but I never came across RTD or Chibnall.” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103171736/https://twitter.com/Xoanon11/status/1345781044335800320

[@davidwhittam]. “Same. I went from 99 to 2005. Never ever saw Chibnall or RTD. Gatiss came once in those six years and I went every single month.” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103183412/https://twitter.com/davidwhittam/status/1345800427300917260

Morris, Philip [@archives1963]. “[Retweet of] Here is a very interesting article confirming the regular attendees at the fitzroy tavern in London. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/jun/12/doctor-who-fan-club-meeting-fitzroy-tavern” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103211717/https://twitter.com/archives1963/status/1345841591601213440

[@davidwhittam]. “Jenny is wrong. As she says she never went in until years later. RTD never went. Chibnall never went.” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103212542/https://twitter.com/davidwhittam/status/1345843755774074882

[@davidwhittam]. “I WAS there. And yes Moffat came maybe four or five times a year at most. And Rob Shesrman, Paul Cornell and Gareth Robert’s were regulars. But it was just a group of fans chatting shit in a pub. We rarely even talked about Doctor Who ffs.” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103213035/https://twitter.com/davidwhittam/status/1345844954963308545

[@davidwhittam]. “And I’m not saying this to ‘defend’ Chibnall – I’m not overly enamoured with it either – but this idea of a shadowy cabal is just utter nonsense.” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103213157/https://twitter.com/davidwhittam/status/1345845335374131201

Morris, Philip [@archives1963]. “ Here is a very interesting article confirming the regular attendees at the fitzroy tavern in London. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/jun/12/doctor-who-fan-club-meeting-fitzroy-tavern” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103200551/https://twitter.com/archives1963/status/1345823582300102658

Morris, Philip [@archives1963]. “The public and the fans deserve a better show..One that isnt based on fan fiction produced and written by another from the fitzroy tavern ..How many people from the fitzroy gang Russell t davies Moffat chibnall the list is a formidable one and points to the real problem.” Twitter, 2 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210102113800/https://twitter.com/archives1963/status/1345333414472384514

Morris, Philip [@archives1963]. “The show is run sadly by yet another fitzroy tavern pratt pushing a woke agenda yet financed by china £400 million to be precise..if your not part of the solution your part of the problem..” Twitter, 28 Dec. 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20201228142844/https://twitter.com/archives1963/status/1343562170987139075

Morris, Philip [@archives1963]. “That’s bullshit web 3 was stolen incidentally by a member of the Fitzroy crowd.” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103161633/https://twitter.com/archives1963/status/1345765547036839938

Morris, Philip [@archives1963]. “Pointless unless the fitzroy crowd are moved on from the show there will be no real change. They complained JNT stayed too long..its time real talent came in not another member of the fitzroy club.Then we may get the show back..” Twitter, 4 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210104121219/https://twitter.com/archives1963/status/1346066594674446339

Morris, Philip [@archives1963]. “The BBC have had an appalling Christmas..Dont you think fans and the general public deserve better than this ..I want a show that unites the fandom and public alike credible must see tv.Not the same crap from yet another member of the fitzroy tavern.” Twitter, 2 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210102114153/https://twitter.com/archives1963/status/1345334386498134016

Morris, Philip [@archives1963]. “Basically if its RTD if its Moffatt chibnall it’s the same they are all from the fitzroy crowd. Dr who has never had a fresh showrunner since 2005 it’s the same people do some research on the fitzroy crowd, and it’s amazing how many names attached to the series since 2005.” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210103121614/https://twitter.com/archives1963/status/1345705312431517697

Morris, Philip [@archives1963]. “I think you need to bin the entire fitzroy tavern clique they are the ones responsible here.” Twitter, 22 Dec. 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20201222195359/https://twitter.com/archives1963/status/1341466540558979073

21.
~1h15m23s
Chibnall, Chris. “Jodie Whittaker Talks Her Role As The Thirteenth Doctor In BBC’s “Doctor Who”.” YouTube, uploaded by BUILD Series, 5 Oct. 2018, https://youtu.be/eQ8WMXFgMU8

22.
~1h19m49s
Davies, Russell T. “Letter from the Showrunner: Production Notes.” Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 586, 5 Jan. 2023, p. 7.

23.
~1h21m12s
“Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat quits to be replaced by Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall.” Radio Times, 22 Jan. 2016, https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-showrunner-steven-moffat-quits-to-be-replaced-by-broadchurch-creator-chris-chibnall/

“BBC drama chief Polly Hill in talks on ITV move.” The Guardian, 4 April 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/apr/04/bbc-drama-chief-polly-hill-itv

“ITV confirms Polly Hill as drama chief as it reveals new top team.” The Guardian, 8 April 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/apr/08/itv-polly-hill-drama-kevin-lygo-sue-murphy

24.
~1h21m59s
Davies, Russell T. “Letter from the Showrunner: Production Notes.” Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 586, 5 Jan. 2023, p. 7.

Davies, Russell T, Phil Collinson, Julie Gardner, and Jane Tranter. “From Cardiff With Love.” Interview with Benjamin Cook. Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 586, 19 Aug. 2021, pp. 32-33.

25.
~1h25m26s
Moffat, Steven. “Steven Moffat | Full Q&A | Oxford Union.” YouTube, uploaded by OxfordUnion, 10 Dec. 2021, 16:09-17:29, https://youtu.be/vdQVltEx_gE

26.
~1h26m48s
Moffat, Steven. “Steven Moffat: ‘Doctor Who could go on forever – I believe it can’.” Interview with Radio Times. Radio Times, 1 Feb. 2023, https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/steven-moffat-doctor-who-forever-exclusive-newsupdate/

Moffat, Steven. “Steven Moffat says he’d “have to be insane” to write more Doctor Who.” Interview with Radio Times. Radio Times, 2 Feb. 2023, https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-steven-moffat-return-exclusive-newsupdate/

27.
1h27m42s
“Steven Moffat doubts Doctor Who return: “It’s quite recent for me”.” Radio Times, 25 Sep. 2022, https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/steven-moffat-doubts-doctor-who-return-exclusive-newsupdate/

28.
~1h35m42s
Moffat, Steven. “Why Doctor Who is the hardest show to make | Steven Moffat.” YouTube, uploaded by Times Radio, 11 Feb. 2023, 16:15-17:32, 12:53-13:37, https://youtu.be/87kmUW7O808

29.
~1h38m4s
Davies, Russell T. “Russell T Davies with the Wonderbirds EP 337.” YouTube, uploaded by
Wonderbirds, 27 Jan. 2023, 07:47-09:24, https://youtu.be/8CCq0vMwmA0

30.
~1h43m34s
Davies, Russell T, and Benjamin Cook. The Writer’s Tale – The Final Chapter. BBC Books, 2010, pp. 176-177.

31.
~1h44m20s
Davies, Russell T, and Benjamin Cook. The Writer’s Tale – The Final Chapter. BBC Books, 2010, p. 201.

32.
~1h47m51s
Davies, Russell T. “Letter from the Showrunner: Production Notes.” Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 586, 5 Jan. 2023, p. 7.

Davies, Russell T. “Letter from the Showrunner: Production Notes.” Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 584, 10 Nov. 2022, p. 11.

33.
~1h48m39s
Davies, Russell T. “Russell T. Davies wants Edgar Wright to direct Doctor Who.” Interview with Jack King. GQ, 27 Jan. 2023, https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/russell-t-davies-nolly-doctor-who-interview-2023

34.
~1h52m24s
Tranter, Jane. “From Cardiff With Love.” Interview with Benjamin Cook. Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 586, 19 Aug. 2021, p. 31.

35.
~1h52m55s
“Russell T Davies on “comfort” of Doctor Who return after his husband’s death.” Radio Times, 31 Jan. 2023, https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/russell-t-davies-doctor-who-return-husband-newsupdate/

36.
~2h7m7s
“BBC Studios Boss Talks “Excellent” ‘Doctor Who’ Deal, M&A & International Growth.” Deadline, 2 Feb. 2023, https://deadline.com/2023/02/bbc-studios-doctor-who-tom-fussell-interview-1235244159/

Davies, Russell T. “From Cardiff With Love.” Interview with Benjamin Cook. Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 586, 19 Aug. 2021, p. 32.

37.
~2h15m52s
“ITV Buys Out BBC’s Share of BritBox U.K.” Variety, 3 March 2022, https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/itv-bbc-britbox-1235195054/

38.
~2h16m43s
Poster seemed to originate from Tumblr user ‘BRIGHTERTHANTHEFIRE’, judging by the credit on this poster seemingly from the same set: https://64.media.tumblr.com/552657346a3de656d4f7896bb6619ea1/tumblr_mox58gnwwQ1qzoivwo1_500.jpg
Their Tumblr now seems to be empty/cleaned out, so I’ve not been able to locate the original posting of the Gwen and Rose poster. This is a reposting from the original fan artist on another Tumblr, albeit without the ‘Earth Defence’ text, where they say in the tags that they originally posted the fanart around 2007 (they also characterise the original art as ‘pre-Tumblr’, so perhaps it predated the ‘BRIGHTERTHANTHEFIRE’ Tumblr entirely): https://web.archive.org/web/20230219085445/https://wantyousafe.tumblr.com/post/29352916443/doctor-who-spin-offs-that-should-have-happened

WilliamWho [@BBCWilliamWho]. “What #DoctorWho spin offs would you like to see?!” Twitter, 28 Jan. 2023, https://archive.vn/7AjXr

39.
~2h16m55s
Davies, Russell T. Doctor Who: The Inside Story, edited by Gary Russell. BBC Books, 2006, p. 241.

40.
~2h19m41s
Davies, Russell T. “Dr Forever! — The Apocalypse Element.” Doctor Who: The Visitation — Special Edition, 6 May, 2013. DVD.

41.
2h23m9s
Davies, Russell T. Doctor Who: The Inside Story, edited by Gary Russell. BBC Books, 2006, p. 252.

42.
~2h25m49s
~2h28m50s
Davies, Russell T. “Letter from the Showrunner: Production Notes.” Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 587, 2 Feb. 2023, p. 7.

43.
~2h36m22s
Bumber, Nate. “Was this the first published story in the Doctor Who universe?” On the Fringes of War, Tumblr, 28 July 2021, https://doctornolonger.tumblr.com/post/657961361536679937/was-this-the-first-published-story-in-the-doctor

Who Cares? - Dr. Who Fans Talk TV is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://whocaresdw.wordpress.com/

Ephemeral culture, alienation & interconectivity, social function of TV, uncategorisability, mortality & posthumous ‘final bows’, contempt & gender, story generation, & more are discussed in this review of Nolly, the 2023 miniseries from Russell T Davies that serves as a tribute to Noele Gordon of the British soap Crossroads.

Neo
Ingiga
Tyler

TIMECODES:

00:00:00 What we know of Crossroads
00:04:08 Experiences with soaps
00:10:25 Intimacy & social function of soaps
00:15:01 Who was Crossroads for?
00:17:27 Genesis of Nolly the show
00:24:58 Respect for soaps
00:27:49 Why RTD wrote this now
00:33:39 Mortality & legacy
00:38:45 Is the show too niche?
00:41:48 Tone & tribute
00:49:22 Uncategorisability
00:57:50 It’s a Sin connections
01:00:38 Contempt & gender
01:07:34 RTD invoking MeToo
01:12:40 Character passivity
01:19:25 Poppy
01:31:01 Writers: ego & experience
01:38:29 Why Nolly was fired
01:42:50 Accents & dialogue delivery
01:52:53 Posthumous final bow
02:00:01 The Times + raised on TV
02:08:12 Doctor Who parallels
02:15:18 RTD’s gestation periods
02:23:32 What has taken the place of soaps?
02:27:12 Resonances with the 80s + phrasing + cancellations
02:36:12 Passion for the past
02:38:50 RTD bookends

SOURCES:

1.
~11m17s
Davies, Russell T, Jill Arlon, and Deke Arlon. “The Real Nolly.” ITV, 2 Feb. 2023,
13:46-14:05.

2.
~15m43s
Davies, Russell T. “The Real Nolly.” ITV, 2 Feb. 2023, 04:07-04:24, 04:30-04:33,
04:37-04:40, 04:44-04:50.

3.
~17m38s
~2h39m11s
Davies, Russell T. “‘Somehow, something clicked’: Russell T Davies on how soap opera
changed his life.” The Guardian, 14 Jan. 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and
radio/2023/jan/13/nolly-russell-t-davies-crossroads-drama-helena-bonham-carter

4.
~20m59s
~40m43s
~2h0m13s
~2h4m44s
~2h6m44s
“Russell T Davies and Mark Gatiss: How to save TV.” The Sunday Times, 29 Jan. 2023,
https://archive.vn/LwSvT

5.
~21m40s
Bonham Carter, Helena, Mark Gatiss, and Russell T Davies. “ITVX Launch: Nolly Q&A.”
ITV Press Centre, 28 Nov. 2022, 01:13-01:40, https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press
releases/nolly-qa

Davies, Russell T. “The Real Nolly.” ITV, 2 Feb. 2023, 41:45-42:37.

6.
~27m57s
Davies, Russell T. “ITVX Launch: Nolly Q&A.” ITV Press Centre, 28 Nov. 2022,
08:34-09:21, https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/nolly-qa

7.
~28m46s
~2h23m33s
~2h32m10s
“Nolly Press Pack.” ITV, 19 Jan. 2023, https://www.itv.com/presscentre/media-packs/nolly-itvx

8.
~29m
Davies, Russell T. “Soap star scandal in Nolly’.” YouTube, uploaded by Associated Press, 2
Feb. 2023, 00:25-00:49, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWjSTllbgg4

9.
~29m53s
Davies, Russell T. “Russell T Davies with the Wonderbirds EP 337.” YouTube, uploaded by
Wonderbirds, 27 Jan. 2023, 05:15-06:10, https://youtu.be/8CCq0vMwmA0

10.
~33m58s
~57m56s
Davies, Russell T. “‘People like me can make way for trans storytellers’: Russell T Davies
on Nolly, Doctor Who, and making progress on screen.” Interview with Neck Levine. The
Independent, 1 Feb. 2023, https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv
features/russell-t-davies-nolly-doctor-who-b2272818.html

11.
~39m9s
~2h15m50s
Davies, Russell T. “Russell T. Davies wants Edgar Wright to direct Doctor Who.”
Interview with Jack King. GQ, 27 Jan. 2023, https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture
article/russell-t-davies-nolly-doctor-who-interview-2023

12.
~39m14s
Davies, Russell T. “ITVX Launch: Nolly Q&A.” ITV Press Centre, 28 Nov. 2022,
05:49-06:19, https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/nolly-qa

13.
~40m43s
“Russell T Davies: ‘Nolly is a story of a queen losing her crown’.” Radio Times, 8 Dec.
2022, https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/nolly-russell-t-davies-helena-bonham
carter-exclusive-newsupdate/

“Russell T Davies and Mark Gatiss: How to save TV.” The Sunday Times, 29 Jan. 2023,
https://archive.vn/LwSvT

14.
~49m38s
Davies, Russell T. “The Real Nolly.” ITV, 2 Feb. 2023, 01:32-01:52, 09:08-09:24.

15.
~51m27s
Davies, Russell T. “The Real Nolly.” ITV, 2 Feb. 2023, 20:58-21:23, 31:06-31:24,
31:45-31:57, 33:45-33:50.

16.
~55m3s
Davies, Russell T, Nicola Shindler, and Helena Bonham Carter. “ITVX Launch:
Nolly Q&A.” ITV Press Centre, 28 Nov. 2022, 01:13-01:40, https://www.itv.com
Presscentre/press-releases/nolly-qa

Davies, Russell T. “The Real Nolly.” ITV, 2 Feb. 2023, 43:24-43:56.

17.
~1h7m50s
Davies, Russell T. “The Graham Norton Show: Episode #499: Michelle Williams, Helena
Bonham Carter, Brendan Fraser, Russell T Davies, Oti Mabuse, Cat Burns.” The Graham
Norton Show, series 30, episode 14, 20 Jan. 2023, 23:01-24:05. BBC.

18.
~1h8m55s
~1h53m29s
“Inside the making of ITVX’s Nolly starring Helena Bonham Carter: ‘she fizzed off the
page’.” The Evening Standard, 25 Jan. 2023, https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm
nolly-itvx-making-of-russell-t-davies-helena-bonham-carter-crossroads-b1055193.html

19.
~1h18m15s
~1h19m29s
~1h40m3s
~1h53m19s
“How accurate is Nolly? Russell T Davies separates fact from fiction.” Radio Times, 2 Feb. 2023, https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/nolly-true-story-fact-fiction-itvx/

20.
~1h23m48s
“Star Trek’s Nichelle Nichols: ‘Martin Luther King was a Trekker’.” The Guardian, 19 Oct. 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/oct/18/star-trek-nichelle-nichols-martin-luther-king-trekker

21.
~1h29m49s
Davies, Russell T. “Reach Up For the Sunrise.” Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 584, 10 Nov.
2022, pp. 25-26.

22.
~1h33m51s
Cross, Neil. “Interview: Luther creator Neil Cross.” Interview with Jon Creamer.
TeleVisual, 4 June 2014, https://www.televisual.com/news/interview-luther-creator
neil-cross_bid-627/

Cross, Neil. “Neil Cross: ‘I don’t get on with novelists’.” Interview with Euan Ferguson. The Guardian, 7 Aug. 2011, https://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/aug/07/neil-cross-luther-calling-interview

23.
~1h35m24s
Auschwitz Memorial [@AuschwitzMuseum]. “We understand such concerns, and we have already addressed inaccuracies in some ‘…of Auschwitz’ books published. However, “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” should be avoided by anyone who studies or teaches factual history of the #Holocaust. https://t.co/HfjCEYlDlJ” Twitter, 5 Jan. 2020, https://archive.vn/39BQ0

“The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas author defends work from criticism by Auschwitz memorial.” The Guardian, 8 Jan. 2020, https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jan/07/john-boyne-defends-work-from-criticism-by-auschwitz-memorial

24.
~1h38m55s
Davies, Russell T. “ITVX Launch: Nolly Q&A.” ITV Press Centre, 28 Nov. 2022,
00:51-01:13, https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/nolly-qa

Davies, Russell T. “Russell T Davies with the Wonderbirds EP 337.” YouTube, uploaded by
Wonderbirds, 27 Jan. 2023, 6:10-6:33, https://youtu.be/8CCq0vMwmA0

25.
~1h49m23s
“Robbie Coltrane at the BBC.” BBC iPlayer, 26 Dec. 2022, 19:37-20:07, https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001gmt3/robbie-coltrane-at-the-bbc

26.
~1h53m25s
Davies, Russell T. “Who was Nolly? Crossroads star Noele Gordon wasn’t a diva, says
Russell T Davies.” Big Issue, 1 Feb. 2023, https://www.bigissue.com/culture/tv/who-is
Nolly-russell-t-davies-brings-crossroads-star-noele-gordon-back-for-one-last
bow%ef%bf%bc/

27.
~1h58m16s
Davies, Russell T. “Tooth and Claw: The Russell T Davies Interview.” Doctor Who
Magazine, vol. 360, 14 Sep. 2005, p. 18.

28.
~2h8m51s
Davies, Russell T. “The Real Nolly.” ITV, 2 Feb. 2023, 06:46-06:55, 09:08-09:24.

29.
~2h9m54s
Davies, Russell T. “The Real Nolly.” ITV, 2 Feb. 2023, 26:58-27:15.

Diamond, Anne. “The Real Nolly.” ITV, 2 feb. 2023, 28:52-29:02.

30.
~2h12m44s
Davies, Russell T. “The Graham Norton Show: Episode #499: Michelle Williams, Helena
Bonham Carter, Brendan Fraser, Russell T Davies, Oti Mabuse, Cat Burns.” The Graham
Norton Show, series 30, episode 14, 20 Jan. 2023, 04:50-05:13. BBC.

31.
~2h29m57s
“Russell T Davies blasts ‘pathetic’ Disney’s bisexual Loki scene as a ‘feeble gesture’.” Pink
News, 10 Aug. 2021, https://www.thepinknews.com/2021/08/10/russell-t-davies-disney-loki/

Who Cares? - Dr. Who Fans Talk TV is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://whocaresdw.wordpress.com/

What ideology drives Rosa? How does Spyfall conceive of history? What does it mean to blend the sci-fi butterfly effect with historical racism? What sort of scenes were cut from Rosa? What inspired Chibnall to write Spyfall? We explore these questions in a metacommentary unpacking the audio commentary tracks for Rosa, and Spyfall: Part One.

Along the way, we discuss free association writing, social implications of multiverse fiction, politicised time travel, thematic incongruity, untenable social myths, narrative truisms, dollhouse conceptions of racism, decontextualisation, actionability, applicability, & more!

Neo
Ingiga
Oliver

TIMECODES:

00:00:00 Rosa & Spyfall
00:02:19 Compartmentalised coverage + action & application
00:13:07 The slap + mindsets towards racism
00:22:39 G. F. B.
00:24:03 13 & Bansky + Malorie Blackman interview
00:29:29 Companions & exposition
00:33:24 ‘I don’t recognise anyone by that description’
00:35:24 Steve Jobs joke
00:36:17 Yaz and Ryan’s racism discussion
00:44:05 ‘It’s very largely a story about a bus’
00:45:45 Claudette Colvin + historical agency
00:54:51 Cut scene from Rosa + storytelling priorities
01:01:30 Martin Luther King’s inclusion
01:02:53 Butterfly effect
01:10:08 Voting & loopholes
01:18:21 Krasko’s departure
01:21:10 Alabama inaccuracy
01:22:04 Rise Up
01:26:02 Asteroids & agency
01:30:25 Malorie Blackman’s research
01:35:44 Spyfall: Part One + basketball
01:39:15 Genesis of Spyfall
01:46:43 Tosin Cole’s acting addition
01:48:02 ADR & scripting tangles
01:51:46 Continuity & inconsistencies
01:52:56 Yaz and the Master’s flirtation
01:54:59 Sacha Dhawan’s range
01:57:27 Multiverse fiction & fake agency
02:10:23 Outro

SOURCES:

Blackman, Malorie, Mandip Gill, and Alex Mercer. Audio commentary. Doctor Who: series 11, episode 3 — Rosa. BBC, 2019, Blu-ray [Doctor Who — The Complete Eleventh Series, 14 Jan. 2019].

Chibnall, Chris, Jodie Whittaker, and Tosin Cole. Audio commentary. Doctor Who: series 12, episode 1 — Spyfall: Part One. BBC, 2020, Blu-ray [Doctor Who — The Complete Twelfth Series, 4 May 2020].

1.
~8m16s
Chibnall, Chris. “Episode Preview: Demons of the Punjab.” Interview with Marcus Hearn. Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 531, 18 Oct. 2018, p. 27.

2.
~18m41s
“Doctor Who: Series 11 In-Home Trailer.” YouTube, uploaded by Doctor Who, 15 Jan. 2019, 01:04-01:12, https://youtu.be/3Dewhy823Y8

3.
~25m36s
Blackman, Malorie. “Golden Rosa.” Interview with Paul Kirkley. Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 539, 30 May 2019, pp. 30-31.

4.
~40m10s
~1h24m32s
Ingiga. “CHIBSHOW: 03. sub rosa.” Giga Who, 26 Oct. 2018, https://gigawho.wordpress.com/2018/10/26/chibshow-03-sub-rosa/

5.
~40m18s
Moffat, Steven. “Steven Moffat unveils his final Doctor Who episode – and reveals why Carey Mulligan said no to the Tardis.” Radio Times, 3 Dec. 2017, https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-steven-moffat-interview-christmas-special-peter-capaldi-david-bradley-carey-mulligan/

6.
~42m41s
[Millie Gibson Sainou acting profile]. “Millie Gibson [acting CV].” Sainou, accessed and archived 21 Dec. 2022, https://web.archive.org/web/20221221142148/https://www.sainou.com/individual/millie-gibson/

7.
~1h7m53s
Lenin, V. I. The State and Revolution. Moscow Foreign Language Editions, 1962 [original language publication May 1918], ch. 1.

8.
~1h33m22s
“Chris Chibnall: “I don’t know how many times I need to say it. There are no old monsters this series”.” Radio Times, 22 Sep. 2018, https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/chris-chibnall-i-dont-know-how-many-times-i-need-to-say-it-there-are-no-old-monsters-this-series/

9.
~1h47m45s
[@scribblesscript]. “”For me it was like… what do I do? Then I started to develop relationships without speaking, so I’m looking… sort of showing who’s side I’m on. Are Yaz and Ryan a thing, or are they friends? Then I start looking at the Doctor.” Gill on playing Yaz in the background in s11.” Twitter, 18 Feb. 2022, https://web.archive.org/web/20220218233003/https://twitter.com/scribblesscript/status/1494815224074948608

[@scribblesscript]. “I had to abbreviate and paraphrase a lot, she was talking fast. But basically she uses how she looks and listens to characters like Ryan, Graham, and Yaz to illustrate her relationships and character while they had more material.” Twitter, 18 Feb. 2022, https://web.archive.org/web/20220218233115/https://twitter.com/scribblesscript/status/1494815506825502721

10.
~1h54m34s
“Steven Moffat had plans for another Doctor Who companion between Jenna Coleman and Pearl Mackie.” Radio Times, 31 Jan. 2018, https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/steven-moffat-doctor-who-companion-jenna-coleman-pearl-mackie/

Who Cares? - Dr. Who Fans Talk TV is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://whocaresdw.wordpress.com/

How did Luther change in series 2? Crime mythology, dadcore storytelling, Alice magnetism, brazen corruption, illicit fun, video game killers, endearing moral disinterest, fandom-building, & more are discussed as we look at the second series of Luther, Neil Cross’ detective show starring Idris Elba and Ruth Wilson.

Neo
Ingiga
Tyler

TIMECODES

(00:00:00) Differences from series 1
(00:11:58) Character development in series 2
(00:14:55) Jenny + paternal Luther
(00:19:39) Male fantasy characters
(00:24:45) Ripley + Erin
(00:32:44) High stakes + Mark returning
(00:36:31) London & Gotham
(00:41:27) Flowing on from series 1’s ending
(00:47:06) British context of airing
(00:51:59) London crime
(00:54:21) Strata of time + dead city killer
(01:01:10) Serial killer mythologising + cretinised culture
(01:07:07) Luther healing, Alice surprises, ‘one last ride’
(01:10:43) Alice & Luther magnetism + moral disinterest
(01:18:07) Narcissism & Luther
(01:29:23) Luther’s new London flat + Mark’s safehouse
(01:35:06) Fandoms & popularity: mysticism, opportunities, genre
(01:54:02) Idris Elba + Luther without/before Alice
(02:00:00) Idris Elba’s input + 2011 context
(02:05:39) S2 songs, bookends, ending
(02:13:31) Final showdown + Cross & video games
(02:20:31) Toby & Jenny + murder & Luther
(02:25:21) Jenny’s character
(02:28:44) The twins reveal
(02:33:43) London gangsters + leaving the police
(02:35:41) The service station scene
(02:39:52) Humiliation, ringing phones, microexpressions
(02:43:07) Backstory for Jenny’s family
(02:44:55) Overall series 2 thoughts

SOURCES

1.
~4m15s
Elba, Idris. “Idris Elba introduces Luther Series 2.” Luther: Series 2. BBC, 2011, 00:37;01:21. DVD [5 April 2011].

2.
~11m8s
Cross, Neil. “Luther Creator Neil Cross Talks Luther.” BBC iPlayer, 29 May 2011, 01:07-01:25, https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00h58kb

3.
~12m17s
Idris, Elba. “Idris Elba talks ‘Luther’ season 2.” YouTube, uploaded by Digital Spy, 8 June 2011, 00:01-01:42, https://youtu.be/6Nhm4f80W2g

4.
~18m16s
Elba, Idris. “Idris Elba on LUTHER: “You know you’re reading a good script…” YouTube, uploaded by BBC America, 22 Sep. 2011, 00:00-00:23, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4j2torKO8A

5.
~53m54s
“I spy – the Wellingtonian who helps write Spooks.” Stuff, 3 May 2009, https://web.archive.org/web/20090505010831/http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/2380676/I-spy-the-Wellingtonian-who-helps-write-Spooks

6.
~1h14m54s
Cross, Neil. “The World of a Maverick.” Luther: Series 1. BBC, 2010, 01:09-02:03. Blu-ray.

7.
~1h24m50s
“‘Luther’ Remake ‘Rudra’ Is Most-Watched Hindi Web Series Of 2022 As Disney+ Hotstar Dominates.” Deadline, 13 Jan. 2023, https://deadline.com/2023/01/disney-hotstar-luther-rudra-amazon-prime-mx-player-1235220900/

8.
~1h28m29s
Elba, Idris. “Idris Elba: You may see “angry Luther” in season 3.” YouTube, uploaded by Digital Spy, 00:55-01:08, https://youtu.be/P_G8MJVuBf8

9.
~1h28m43s
“Mark Gatiss has “no immediate plans” to revive Sherlock.” Radio Times, 18 Nov. 2019, https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/sherlock-return-mark-gatiss/

“Sherlock and Doctor Who writer reveals bid to bring back Columbo.” The Columbophile Blog, 20 Nov. 2019, https://columbophile.com/2019/11/20/sherlock-and-doctor-who-writer-reveals-bid-to-bring-back-columbo/

“Moffat clarifies stance on Columbo following Radio Times interview.” The Columbophile Blog, 20 Nov. 2019, https://columbophile.com/2019/11/20/moffat-clarifies-stance-on-columbo-following-radio-times-interview/

10.
~1h38m
“Luther creator preparing big-screen version of the Idris Elba drama.” Radio Times, 24 March 2012, https://web.archive.org/web/20120324043541/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-03-22/luther-creator-preparing-big-screen-version-of-the-idris-elba-drama

“Idris Elba on ‘Luther’ movie: “It will be an origin story”.” Digital Spy, 20 June 2013, https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/cult/a491729/idris-elba-on-luther-movie-it-will-be-an-origin-story/

“Idris Elba: It’s complex but we can do a Luther film.” BBC News, 2 July 2013, https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-23143249

Elba, Idris. “Idris Elba on new Luther and movie plans.” YouTube, uploaded by Digital Spy, 9 July 2013, https://youtu.be/EuDud9fugKE

“Idris Elba talks ‘Luther’ movie.” Entertainment Weekly, 10 July 2013, https://ew.com/article/2013/07/10/luther-movie-idris-elba/

“‘Luther’ Creator Eyes Movie Version.” The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Aug. 2013, https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/luther-creator-eyes-movie-version-616591/

“Idris Elba’s Luther set for film prequel.” The Independent, 28 Aug. 2013, https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/idris-elba-s-luther-set-for-film-prequel-8787445.html

“Idris Elba: Luther belongs on the big screen and I expect to do several films.” The Mirror, 21 Nov. 2014, https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/idris-elba-luther-belongs-big-4664249

“Idris Elba: ‘As an actor I’m always reading someone else’s thoughts. What about my own thoughts?’” The Guardian, 7 Dec. 2015, https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/dec/05/idris-elba-on-luther-and-murdah-loves-john

“‘Luther’ Creator Neil Cross Working on Show’s Movie Version, Idris Elba Says.” Variety, 18 Dec. 2018, https://variety.com/2018/tv/global/luther-neil-cross-movie-idris-elba-ruth-wilson-1203092228/

“Luther season 5 sets up a movie – and Idris Elba’s anti-hero might be going “international”.” Digital Spy, 19 Dec. 2018, https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a25616947/luther-movie-season-5-idris-elba/

“Idris Elba Says ‘Luther’ Movie Is Moving Forward.” Deadline, 7 July 2020, https://deadline.com/2020/07/idris-elba-luther-movie-moving-forward-1202980120/

“Idris Elba: ‘Luther’s return? We’re THIS close to making a film’.” Sky News, 10 July 2020, https://news.sky.com/story/idris-elba-luthers-return-were-this-close-to-making-a-film-12020446

“Idris Elba Says ‘Luther’ Movie Is Happening: ‘The Sky Is the Limit’.” Variety, 31 July 2020, https://variety.com/2020/tv/global/luther-movie-idris-elba-confirms-baftas-1234722527/

11.
~1h38m22s
Elba, Idris. “Ask Idris: Part 5 of 5.” BBC iPlayer, 4 June 2011, 00:07-00:43, https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00h9jh1

12.
~2h0m28s
Elba, Idris. “DP/30 Emmy Watch: Luther, actor idris Elba.” Interview with David Poland. YouTube, uploaded by DP/30: The Oral History of Hollywood, 3 June 2011, 17:15-19:10, https://youtu.be/lBLSinQjToA

13.
~2h3m10s
Elba, Idris. “DP/30 Emmy Watch: Luther, actor idris Elba.” Interview with David Poland. YouTube, uploaded by DP/30: The Oral History of Hollywood, 3 June 2011, 19:39-20:40, https://youtu.be/lBLSinQjToA

14.
2h4m27s
“The Wire, 10 years on: ‘We tore the cover off a city and showed the American dream was dead’.” The Guardian, 7 March 2018, https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/mar/06/the-wire-10-years-on-we-tore-the-cover-off-a-city-and-showed-the-american-dream-was-dead

Who Cares? - Dr. Who Fans Talk TV is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://whocaresdw.wordpress.com/

What is Disney & Doctor Who’s new relationship? Where is RTD taking the show now? What gets confused, & what gets clarified, between production & fandom? New interviews are scoured, as we make sense of the development of the second era of Russell T Davies. Discourse with the Doctor, mechanics of misinformation, empire-building, saviour complexes, demystification, & the Liberation of the Daleks are just some of the topics discussed within!

Neo
Ingiga
Oliver

TIMECODES:

00:00:00 Discourse with the Doctor
00:03:38 Dissemination of info
00:07:04 Liverpool lesions, & mechanics of misinformation
00:22:11 Liverpool legions, & what RTD actually said
00:32:14 Captain Jack in A Good Man Goes To War
00:47:49 Disney
00:51:28 RTD + producers interview
00:57:13 Russell required + selling Doctor Who
01:06:54 Disney, Davies, David
01:11:14 ‘It’s really completely normal’ + spinoffs
01:28:50 Empire building
01:34:17 Notes from Disney
01:42:55 RTD’s issues with Disney
01:52:27 Viewing activism & politicisation
02:05:22 RTD2’s genesis + ‘I’m needed’
02:18:20 Spinoffs with past Doctors + incumbent sanctity
02:28:50 ‘I’m not going back’ + Mavic Chen
02:51:40 Kate, Gwilliam, Slug
02:56:34 Ruby, the new companion
03:02:17 Liberation of the Daleks (parts 2 and 3)
03:08:09 Outro

Set leak photo credits:

McKinon, Chris [@chrismckinon01]. “New exclusive images from last week filming #dwsr.” Twitter, 9 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230109132251/https://twitter.com/chrismckinon01/status/1612430873839931394

McKinon, Chris [@chrismckinon01]. “More pictures #dwsr.” Twitter, 9 Jan. 2023, https://archive.vn/zyPKx

McKinon, Chris [@chrismckinon01]. “And some BTS video! #dwsr.” Twitter, 9 Jan. 2023, https://archive.vn/13QyK

Mac, Josh [@Josh15Mac]. “Who tf is this guy.” Twitter, 7 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230116061102/https://twitter.com/Josh15Mac/status/1611727331181068291

Doctor Who Filming Locations [@set_dw]. “dwsr A better close-up of the creature.” Twitter, 5 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230116055623/https://twitter.com/set_dw/status/1611070659677007873

Doctor Who Filming Locations [@set_dw]. “dwsr UNIT soldiers drink coffee too.” Twitter, 10 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230110081331/https://twitter.com/set_dw/status/1612720018281713664

Doctor Who Filming Locations [@set_dw]. “dwsr Millie Gibson (Ruby Sunday) x Jemma Redgrave (Kate Stewart).” Twitter, 9 Jan. 2023, https://archive.vn/tSylZ

Doctor Who Filming Locations [@set_dw]. “dwsr On location.” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230116055945/https://twitter.com/set_dw/status/1610284599409610754

Doctor Who Filming Locations [@set_dw]. “dwsr Well that’s not pretty .” Twitter, 4 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230116055943/https://twitter.com/set_dw/status/1610673495968518144

Doctor Who Filming Locations [@set_dw]. “dwsr Better shot of the back of Millie’s costume jacket today.” Twitter, 9 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230116055938/https://twitter.com/set_dw/status/1612431673278500864

Doctor Who Filming Locations [@set_dw]. “dwsr The Scene: Kate and ruby talking outside. Kate shows Millie an i-pad. Kate then on the earpiece, looks quite shocked, looks at something in the sky and on the street and at the end of the call quickly leaves the scene. Ruby visually frustrated and upset as Kate leaves.” Twitter, 9 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230116055937/https://twitter.com/set_dw/status/1612479453585711107

Doctor Who Filming Locations [@set_dw]. “dwsr UNIT vehicles now here. Snipers to be positioned on multiple roofs. Think we’re in for a big action sequence.” Twitter, 10 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230116055935/https://twitter.com/set_dw/status/1612722634017357826

Doctor Who Filming Locations [@set_dw]. “dwsr Kate Stewart in action.” Twitter, 10 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230116055930/https://twitter.com/set_dw/status/1612812657026818048

Deri ComedyName [@DeriComedyN4me]. “ #doctorwho.” Twitter, 9 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230109172729/https://twitter.com/DeriComedyN4me/status/1612445037694013440

[@TeethanTheJedi]. “Xdwsr Space Saviour or Saviour? Either way I could see this being some Trump-esque “chosen by god” political commentary.” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2023, https://archive.vn/VBcMJ

Smith, Lee [@djleekee]. “More pics. #dwsr.” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230116054318/https://twitter.com/djleekee/status/1610333453194493955

[@Gullick]. “There is filming going on in the Capitol Shopping Centre, Cardiff. They’ve turned the old Boots into a ‘Campaign Office’ & inside the centre looks like it’s being used as the unit base. I don’t recognise the actor playing the candidate. @DoctorWhoPN anything you’re aware of.” Twitter, 3 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230103131104/https://twitter.com/Gullick/status/1610255697941336074

[@Gullick]. “The posters are all on show. Too reflective at this time of the morning.” Twitter, 4 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230116053357/https://twitter.com/Gullick/status/1610544068857061376

“New Doctor Who companion Millie Gibson seen filming on set for first time and springs straight into heavy-duty scene.” Metro, 12 Jan. 2023, https://metro.co.uk/2023/01/12/doctor-who-new-companion-millie-gibson-seen-on-set-for-first-time-18088871/ [photo credit Splash/Goff/Click news and Media]

“Doctor Who FIRST LOOK: David Tennant and Catherine Tate are seen on set for the first time as they film explosive scenes with a VERY familiar face after confirming their return for 60th anniversary.” Daily Mail, 17 May 2022, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10822343/DOCTOR-LOOK-David-Tennant-Catherine-Tate-film-explosive-scenes.html [photo credit w8 media]

“Doctor Who SPOILER: Transgender actress Yasmin Finney is spotted on set with David Tennant and Catherine Tate for the first time after joining the cast as companion Rose.” Daily Mail, 18 May 2022, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-10826207/Yasmin-Finney-spotted-Dr-set-David-Tennant-Catherine-Tate-time.html [photo credit w8 media]

“Doctor Who: David Tennant and Catherine Tate seen on set for first time as they return to show after more than a decade.” Metro, 16 May 2022, https://metro.co.uk/2022/05/16/doctor-who-david-tennant-and-catherine-tate-seen-on-set-as-they-return-16655452/ [photo credit Jamesy / Gotcha Images]

“Doctor Who: Yasmin Finney ‘in shock’ after huge crowd of fans watch her film with David Tennant and Catherine Tate in London.” Metro, 18 May 2022, https://metro.co.uk/2022/05/18/doctor-who-yasmin-finney-david-tennant-and-catherine-tate-filming-in-london-16666511/ [photo credit REX / Shutterstock + Andy Barnes — Bob Grey / BACKGRID]

SOURCES:

1.
~3m24s
Handcock, Scott. “Production Diary.” Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 584, 10 Nov. 2022, p. 19.

2.
~7m12s
[@SafeSpaceDrWho]. “Russell T Davies has said that episode 2 script contains the words “Liverpool lesions” and “non-diegetic”. It also has a studio that’s thrumming and humming and about to start one of the most important shots in Doctor Who’s history #DoctorWho.” Twitter, 5 Jan. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20230107051029/https://twitter.com/SafeSpaceDrWho/status/1610961366080262144

3.
~18m59s
“Noel Clarke accuses John Barrowman of exposing himself on Doctor Who set in resurfaced video.” The Independent, 30 April 2021, https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/john-barrowman-doctor-who-noel-clarke-b1840218.html

4.
~19m33s
Strong, James. “Chris Chibnall: The man who reinvented the cliffhanger.” Royal Television Society, 12 June 2017, https://rts.org.uk/article/chris-chibnall-man-who-reinvented-cliffhanger

5.
~21m50s
~2h5m28s
Davies, Russell T. “Letter from the Showrunner: Production Notes.” Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 584, 10 Nov. 2022, p. 11.

6.
~22m25s
~2h7m16s
Davies, Russell T. “Letter from the Showrunner: Production Notes.” Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 586, 5 Jan. 2023, p. 7.

7.
~34m6s
~39m1s
“Surprise Doctor Who guest star explains how he kept his appearance a secret.” Entertainment Weekly, 27 Jan. 2020, https://ew.com/tv/2020/01/27/captain-jack-harkness-john-barrowman-doctor-who/

8.
~34m35s
Barrowman, John. “John Barrowman Q&A Panel – FULL PANEL!!! ( COMIC CON HONOLULU 2016).” YouTube, uploaded by Grant Uchida, 5 Aug. 2016, 16:00-17:06, https://youtu.be/bOnN8nEK_QA

9.
~35m48s
Barrowman, John. “John Barrowman @ Wizard World Chicago Comic Con 2016.” YouTube, uploaded by ChristineDoesCons, 22 Aug. 2016, 19:54-21:11, https://youtu.be/knp5sf0rluA

10.
~37m13s
“Torchwood return stalled by “certain egos” says John Barrowman.” Radio Times, 9 Sep. 2016, https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/torchwood-return-stalled-by-certain-egos-says-john-barrowman/

11.
~37m58s
Moffat, Steven. “Moffat makes clear he’s not blocking Torchwood return.” Sci-Fi Bulletin, 13 Sep. 2016, https://scifibulletin.com/2016/09/13/moffat-makes-clear-hes-not-blocking-torchwood-return/

12.
~40m23s
“Torchwood: Week One Filming.” Doctor Who News Page, 16 Jan. 2011, https://web.archive.org/web/20110119224232/http://gallifreynewsbase.blogspot.com/2011/01/dwn160111110008-torchwood-week-one.html

[Miracle Day: Locations filmed for the story]. Doctor Who: The Locations Guide, last alteration 7 April 2013, https://www.doctorwholocations.net/stories/miracleday

[Locations: Torchwood Miracle Day]. Doctor Who: The Locations Guide, last alteration 7 April 2013, https://www.doctorwholocations.net/stories/T4

13.
~40m29s
~41m44s
Doctor Who: The Complete History #68. Stories 218-220: A Good Man Goes to War, Let’s Kill Hitler and Night Terrors. Panini UK, 25 Jan. 2017, pp. 13-14, 16-17, 22-24.

14.
~40m40s
“Steven Moffat: Torchwood’s Captain Jack May Visit Doctor Who, But Never, Ever the Reverse.” TV Line, 29 July 2011, https://tvline.com/2011/07/29/doctor-who-steven-moffat-captain-jack/

15.
~41m26s
“Torchwood @ Comic-Con: Talk of Dark Twists, Ianto’s Death and… In-N-Out Burger?.” TV Line, 22 July 2011, https://tvline.com/2011/07/22/torchwood-comic-con-panel-barrowman-myles/

16.
~43m14s
“John Barrowman has a special deal to help him return to Doctor Who.” Radio Times, 12 Sep. 2016, https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/john-barrowman-has-a-special-deal-to-help-him-return-to-doctor-who/

17.
~50m56s
~2h12m18s
Davies, Russell T. “BBC Writersroom Interviews: Russell T Davies.” YouTube, uploaded by BBC Writers, 5 Oct. 2021, 00:38-01:40, https://youtu.be/X17DHtuwGDM

18.
~51m35s
~57m17s
~1h7m9s
~1h9m4s
~1h10m6s
~1h10m18s
~1h11m24s
~1h36m42s
~2h13m38s
~2h14m34s
~2h28m51s
~2h57m38s
~2h59m11s
Davies, Russell T, Phil Collinson, Julie Gardner, and Jane Tranter. “From Cardiff With Love.” Interview with Benjamin Cook. Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 586, 19 Aug. 2021, pp. 28-34.

19.
~55m17s
Guilor, John [@GuilorJohn]. “1. I rarely use Twitter these days but a friend of mine has brought this Pinned Tweet to my attention which I can’t let go without comment. You seem keen to infer something here, but the story is quite pedestrian: I did indeed record a sketch which featured my impersonation of my”. Twitter, 19 July 2022, https://web.archive.org/web/20220719175642/https://twitter.com/GuilorJohn/status/1549452920634187776

Guilor, John [@GuilorJohn]. “2. …friend Lloyd as Adric. Lloyd is a Rastafarian. It came from a time (2012) when I did requests for friends and would record little skits on demand.” Twitter, 19 July 2022, https://web.archive.org/web/20220719175728/https://twitter.com/GuilorJohn/status/1549453123235749895

Guilor, John [@GuilorJohn]. “3. Just over a year ago I deleted my entire Soundcloud account because it was a collection of such requests which made no sense to anybody except those who had made the request. Thank you.” Twitter, 19 July 2022, https://web.archive.org/web/20220719175705/https://twitter.com/GuilorJohn/status/1549453229196451841

20.
~1h4m46s
“BBC to hive off production of top shows into studios division.” The Guardian, 2 March 2015, https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/mar/02/bbc-production-top-shows-studios-division-doctor-who

21.
~1h14m39s
Doctor Who on BBC America [@DoctorWho_BBCA]. “We’ve loved being part of such a legendary series and the best part has been all of you incredible fans. Thank you to every Whovian. #DoctorWho.” Twitter, 26 Oct. 2022, https://web.archive.org/web/20230119181025/https://twitter.com/DoctorWho_BBCA/status/1584905766711992327

22.
~1h16m59s
~2h15m35s
~2h16m20s
Kirkley, Paul. @prkirkley. “Didn’t have space for this…” Twitter, 22 Jan. 2021, https://archive.vn/vFRap

23.
~1h20m4s
Aldridge, Mark, & Andy Murray. T Is For Television: The Small Screen Adventures of Russell T Davies. London, Reynolds & Hearn, 2008, p. 213.

24.
~1h24m15s
Collinson, Phil. “All Systems Go.” Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 586, 19 Aug. 2021, p 4.

25.
~1h25m00s
~1h28m53s
Davies, Russell T. “Letter from the Showrunner: Production Notes.” Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 585, 8 Dec. 2022, p. 7.

26.
~1h30m42s
“Doctor Who getting spin-off series in conjunction with 60th anniversary special.” The Mirror, 19 July 2022, https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/doctor-who-getting-spin-series-27523698

27.
~1h33m12s
“Peter Capaldi won’t return to Doctor Who: “I’ve done my time”.” Radio Times, 27 Oct. 2022, https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-peter-capaldi-return-exclusive-newsupdate/

“Peter Capaldi is open to returning to Doctor Who: “I could pop up again”.” Digital Spy, 21 Aug. 2017, https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/cult/a836136/peter-capaldi-doctor-who-return/

28.
~1h34m59s
Handcock, Scott. “Production Diary.” Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 585, 8 Dec. 2022, p. 17.

29.
~1h35m48s
Handcock, Scott. “Production Diary.” Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 586, 5 Jan. 2023, p. 12.

30.
~1h36m28s
“Disney+ deal set to transform Doctor Who.” Broadcast, 7 Nov. 2022, https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bbc/disney-deal-set-to-transform-doctor-who/5176234.article

31.
~1h39m46s
Doctor Who: The Complete History #65. Stories 203-205: The Eleventh Hour, The Beast Below and Victory of the Daleks. Panini UK, 9 Aug. 2017, pp. 47-49.

32.
~1h41m36s
Moffat, Steven. “Steven Moffat on Matt Smith’s Era, Writing The 50th Anniversary & MORE! | Doctor Who: The Fan Show.” Interview by Christel Dee. YouTube, uploaded by Doctor Who, 17 Jan. 2018, 18:12-18:34, https://youtu.be/ZOfIIqb8Uhg

33.
~1h43m1s
~1h43m51s
“Russell T Davies blasts ‘pathetic’ Disney’s bisexual Loki scene as a ‘feeble gesture’.” Pink News, 10 Aug. 2021, https://www.thepinknews.com/2021/08/10/russell-t-davies-disney-loki/

34.
~1h44m52s
“Marvel Studios’ Disney Plus Shows Don’t Use Showrunners, and That Has Some TV Writers Worried.” Variety, 12 May 2021, https://variety.com/2021/tv/features/marvel-disney-plus-series-showrunners-1234970797/

“‘Loki’ Director Kate Herron Responds to Russell T. Davies’ Criticism of Bisexual Reveal.” Variety, 25 May 2022, https://variety.com/2022/scene/columns/loki-kate-herron-tom-hiddleston-russell-t-davies-bisexual-1235276689/

35.
~1h46m43s
“‘Star Wars’ Firing Reveals a Disturbance in the Franchise.” The Hollywood Reporter, 26 June 2017, https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-wars-han-solo-movie-firing-new-details-behind-phil-lord-chris-miller-exit-1016619/

36.
~1h52m37s
“Disney to Still Fund ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Bill Backers, Will Support Gay Rights with ‘Inspiring Content’.” IndieWire, 4 March 2022, https://www.indiewire.com/2022/03/disney-fund-dont-say-gay-support-gay-rights-content-1234704433/

37.
~1h59m19s
Moffat, Steven. “The DWM Interview.” Interview with Benjamin Cook. Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 500, 26 May 2016, p. 61.

38.
Moffat, Steven. “Steven Moffat | Full Q&A | Oxford Union.” YouTube, uploaded by OxfordUnion, 10 Dec. 2021, 16:55-17:29, https://youtu.be/vdQVltEx_gE

39.
~2h18m26s
“Steven Moffat: ‘Matt Smith had a plan for him and David Tennant to both continue in Doctor Who’.” Radio Times, 23 Oct. 2013, https://web.archive.org/web/20131024002758/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-10-23/steven-moffat-matt-smith-had-a-plan-for-him-and-david-tennant-to-both-continue-in-doctor-who

40.
~2h48m15s
Davies, Russell T, and Benjamin Cook. The Writer’s Tale – The Final Chapter. BBC Books, 2010, p. 163.

41.
~2h57m15s
Davies, Russell T. “A Brand New Face.” Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 586, 5 Jan. 2023, p. 21.

42.
~2h57m59s
~2h59m29s
~3h0m10s
~3h0m54s
Gibson, Millie. “Hello, Ruby Sunday.” Interview with Paul Kirkley. Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 586, 5 Jan. 2023, pp. 19-20, 29.

43.
~3h1m38s
Gibson, Millie [@MillieGibson01]. “He’s so hot.” Twitter, 12 Jan. 2023, https://archive.vn/ZWoar

44.
~3h6m31s
“The Strip of a Lifetime.” Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 584, 10 Nov. 2022, p. 35.

45.
~3h9m51s
Gatwa, Ncuti [ncutigatwa]. “Verified Popped into BW the other day…love what they’ve done with the place .” Instagram, 17 Jan. 2023, https://www.instagram.com/p/Cng0_mzIuXF/?hl=en

[@BadWolf_TV]. “When The Doctor appreciates your decor Our work here is done #DoctorWho.” Twitter, 17 Jan. 2023, https://archive.vn/R4SAF

Who Cares? - Dr. Who Fans Talk TV is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://whocaresdw.wordpress.com/

What makes Tesla & Demons distinct from other Chibnall Era episodes? How did their writers approach historicals? What were the contrasts and tensions within S11 & S12? We explore these questions in a metacommentary unpacking the audio commentary tracks for Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror, and Demons of the Punjab.

Along the way, we discuss tensions in historicals, earlier structures, clashes within series, power of storytelling, scriptwriting styles, producer input, commentaries from other shows, Graham whispering, & more!

Neo
Ingiga
Oliver

TIMECODES:

00:00:00 Intro
00:01:21 Tesla knowledge + S12 tensions
00:07:33 Historical inspiration + Doctor Who-able moments
00:11:27 Costume era
00:15:22 ‘Room to make stuff up’ + smart selections
00:19:28 Yaz & Tesla + companions left alone
00:22:15 Radar: clashes with Spyfall 2
00:27:55 Who did what?
00:28:43 Hope & tragedy: tensions in historicals
00:32:48 ‘Have you ever seen a dead planet?’
00:37:24 Favourite episodes + episode fullness
00:43:32 Demons of the Punjab: Thijarian inspiration
00:48:13 Partition context + Vinay storytelling
00:56:04 Remembrance Day + poppies
00:58:50 Series 11’s original structure
01:01:45 Vinay & Graham
01:04:04 Marriage ceremonies & symbolism
01:05:05 Tonal control + script styles
01:08:23 Commentary contrast (Better Call Saul)
01:20:09 Stage directions in scripts
01:31:04 Vinay’s series 12 blogs (pre Fugitive)
01:35:06 Vinay’s series 12 blogs (post Fugitive)
01:39:07 Outro

SOURCES:

Métivier, Nina, Mandip Gill, and Anjli Mohindra. Audio commentary. Doctor Who: series 12, episode 4 — Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror. BBC, 2020, Blu-ray [Doctor Who — The Complete Twelfth Series, 4 May 2020].

Patel, Vinay, Alex Mercer, Mandip Gill, and Shane Zaza. Audio commentary. Doctor Who: series 11, episode 6 — Demons of the Punjab. BBC, 2019, Blu-ray [Doctor Who — The Complete Eleventh Series, 14 Jan. 2019].

1.
~4m25s
Davies, Russell T, and Benjamin Cook. The Writer’s Tale – The Final Chapter. BBC Books, 2010, ch. 5.

2.
~12m41s
[@scribblesscript]. “”I didn’t know what Thasmin was” – Matt Strevens” Twitter, 18 Feb. 2022, https://web.archive.org/web/20220218195526/https://twitter.com/scribblesscript/status/1494761221601447938

[@scribblesscript]. “Mandip mentions a lot of fans told her how much they related to “I’ve never told anyone. Not even myself.”” Twitter, 19 Feb. 2022, https://web.archive.org/web/20220220003548/https://twitter.com/scribblesscript/status/1495194156938919938

[@scribblesscript]. “”Jodie said after the first season, oh there’s speculation out there, but we hadn’t really thought about it.” Matt Strevens confirms #Thasmin WAS NOT PLANNED at #gally1” Twitter, 18 Feb. 2022, https://web.archive.org/web/20220221035503/https://twitter.com/scribblesscript/status/1494761546697768960

[@scribblesscript]. “Flux I believe. Strevens said after Jodie brought it up after series 11 he “forgot about it”” Twitter, 18 Feb. 2022, https://web.archive.org/web/20220219062819/https://twitter.com/scribblesscript/status/1494920487415078913

3.
~25m27s
Tomkins, Oliver. “Nikola Tesla’s Night of Terror: Great Men and Great History.” Corrupt_Memories, 2 Sep. 2021, https://corruptmemories.com/2021/09/02/nikola-teslas-night-of-terror-great-men-and-great-history/

4.
~26m59s
Seifer, Marc J. Wizard: The Life and Times of Nikola Tesla. Citadel Press, 1998, ch. 8.

5.
~45m7s
“Doctor Who “The Rings Of Akhaten”: Writer Neil Cross Interview.” SFX, 5 April 2013, https://web.archive.org/web/20130518093809/http://www.sfx.co.uk/2013/04/05/doctor-who-the-rings-of-akhaten-writer-neil-cross-interview/

Gaiman, Neil [@neilhimself]. “Absolutely true. Nightmare in Silver wasn’t rewritten as much as the script as written wasn’t quite shot.” Twitter, 20 Dec. 2018, https://web.archive.org/web/20230108154847/https://twitter.com/neilhimself/status/1075726988126633984

6. + 23.
~48m55s
~1h34m7s
Chibnall, Chris. “Episode Preview: Demons of the Punjab.” Interview with Marcus Hearn. Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 531, 18 Oct. 2018, p. 27.

7.
~57m7s
Strevens, Matt. “Jodie Whittaker Talks Her Role As The Thirteenth Doctor In BBC’s “Doctor Who”.” YouTube, uploaded by BUILD Series, 5 Oct. 2018, 27:48-27:56, https://youtu.be/eQ8WMXFgMU8

8.
~58m54s
“The Making of Series 11: Demons of the Punjab.” Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 539 (deluxe edition), 30 May 2019, p. 16.

“The Making of Series 11: Kerblam!” Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 539 (deluxe edition), 30 May 2019, p. 18.

“The Making of Series 11: The Witchfinders.” Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 539 (deluxe edition), 30 May 2019, p. 20.

9.
~1h0m41s
“Doctor Who Series 13: new information from John Bishop”. Cultbox, 16 Jan. 2021, https://cultbox.co.uk/news/doctor-who-series-13-new-information-from-john-bishop

10.
~1h7m37s
Moffat, Steven. “Listen.” Accessed through the 2014 leak of scripts and workprints of episodes for the five first episodes of series 8.

Moffat, Steven. “Hell Bent.” Accessed through BBC Writersroom, released 9 Jan. 2019, https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/doctor-who-s9-ep12-hell-bent-steven-moffat.pdf

11.
~1h7m46s
Moffat, Steven. “The Magician’s Apprentice.” Accessed through BBC Writersroom, released 9 Jan. 2019, https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/doctor-who-s9-ep1-the-magicians-apprentice-steven-moffat.pdf

Moffat, Steven. “The Witch’s Familiar.” Accessed through BBC Writersroom, released 9 Jan. 2019, https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/doctor-who-s9-ep2-the-witchs-familiar-steven-moffat.pdf

12.
~1h8m13s
~1h22m38s
Moffat, Steven. “A Star In Her Eye.” Accessed through BBC Writersroom, released 1 June 2020, https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/doctor-who-s10-ep1-shooting-script-steven-moffat.pdf

13.
~1h9m26s
Morris, Micheal, Dean Norris, Bob Odenkirk, and Ann Cherkis. Audio commentary. Better Call Saul: season 5, episode 3 — The Guy For This. Sony Pictures, 2020, 44:45-46:58, Blu-ray [Better Call Saul: Season 5, 24 Nov. 2020].

14.
~1h12m38s
Bissette, Steve. Interview with Chris Dahlen. AV Club, 23 July 2009, https://www.avclub.com/steve-bissette-1798217824

15.
~1h17m28s
Dwahan, Sacha. “Discovering Your Identity With Sacha Dhawan.” Rule Not The Exception, season 1, episode 8, 23 March 2020, 01:06:21-01:07:46, https://rulenottheexception.simplecast.com/episodes/sacha-dhawan-XhqLG4Z5

16.
~1h18m2s
McCarthy, Cormac. “Cormac McCarthy on James Joyce and Punctuation”. Interview with Oprah Winfrey. OPRAH, 6 June 2007, https://www.oprah.com/oprahsbookclub/cormac-mccarthy-on-james-joyce-and-punctuation-video

17.
~1h19m53s
Talalay, Rachel. “Rachel Talalay & The Long Way ‘Round.” Interview with Kayti Burt. Den of Geek, 27 March 2019, https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/rachel-talalay-the-long-way-round/

18.
~1h23m20s
Talalay, Rachel. “Do Time Lords Have Free Will?: another Heaven Sent BTS blog.” Tumblr, 19 March 2019, https://web.archive.org/web/20230108170059/https://www.tumblr.com/racheltalalay/141324558429/do-time-lords-have-free-will-another-heaven-sent

19.
~1h24m40s
Moffat, Steven. “The Doctor Falls.” Accessed through BBC Writersroom, released 1 June 2020, https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/doctor-who-s10-ep12-the-doctor-falls-steven-moffat.pdf

20.
~1h30m21s
“Netflix Commissions Five U.K. Series Including Re-Make of David Nicholls’ ‘One Day’ and Abi Morgan’s ‘Eric’.” Variety, 30 Nov. 2021, https://variety.com/2021/streaming/news/netflix-one-day-u-k-commissions-1235121929/

21.
~1h30m31s
[Credits section]. VinayPatel.co.uk [official website], accessed Jan. 2023, https://archive.vn/tM9RN

22.
~1h32m16s
Patel, Vinay. “47 – On Not Filling In The Gaps.” Patelograms, 25 Jan. 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20230103154955/https://tinyletter.com/patelograms/letters/47-on-not-filling-in-the-gaps

24.
~1h35m21s
Patel, Vinay. “48 – Aftermath (of the Judoon).” Patelograms, 30 Jan. 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20230103154952/https://tinyletter.com/patelograms/letters/48-aftermath-of-the-judoon

25.
~1h37m45s
Morris, Mark [@MarkMorris10]. “Hi Vinay. I’m really intrigued by this, particularly as my 10th Doctor novel ‘Ghosts of India’ features the Doctor and Donna meeting Gandhi during the Partition of India in 1947. Nice to think the 10th & 13th Doctors are running around India at the same time!” Twitter, 15 Oct. 2018, https://web.archive.org/web/20230108140358/https://twitter.com/MarkMorris10/status/1051794656705617920

Patel, Vinay [@VinayPatel]. “Hi Mark! During researching to make sure I didn’t overlap anything previous, I saw that this was out and listened to the audio – a great story, congrats!” Twitter, 15 Oct. 2018, https://web.archive.org/web/20230108140400/https://twitter.com/VinayPatel/status/1051795283938545665

Who Cares? - Dr. Who Fans Talk TV is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://whocaresdw.wordpress.com/

What was cut from Spyfall, and why? Why did Chibnall include, and mindwipe, Noor Inayat Khan and Ada Lovelace? What did he want viewers to do after watching? We explore these questions in a metacommentary unpacking the audio commentary track for Spyfall: Part Two.

Along the way, we discuss phonewatching, historical agency, delayed gratification, additive iconography, educational remits, thematic irony, technological themes, fandom appeals to authority, & more!

Neo
Ingiga
Oliver

TIMECODES:

00:00:00 Intro
00:02:34 Insight & recaps
00:03:58 Historical knowledge + educational remit
00:11:22 Epic kneeling + writing gender
00:15:31 Doctor Who inspiration in history + historical styles
00:28:33 Scenes as three women
00:36:57 Nazi costuming + not mentioning race + writing styles
00:46:04 How Chibnall learned about Noor Inayat Khan
00:53:58 Cut 13-speaking-French scenes + disparate storytelling
01:02:33 Silence will fall: the empty commentary sections
01:05:53 Cut Noor Inayat Khan death scene + Googling
01:17:02 Mindwipes & agency + mechanical storytelling
01:31:14 ‘Second series Thirteen’ + storytelling epochs
01:37:10 The Master’s emotional beats
01:41:54 Saving beats for series 12 + ritualistic recitals
01:46:56 Phonewatching & story circles
01:50:06 Eras jarring against each other
01:53:33 Outro

SOURCES:

Chibnall, Chris, Jodie Whittaker, and Sylvie Briggs. Audio commentary. Doctor Who: series 12, episode 2 — Spyfall: Part Two. BBC, 2022, Blu-ray [Doctor Who — The Complete Twelfth Series, 4 May 2020].

1.
~8m8s
Chibnall, Chris. “Episode Preview: Demons of the Punjab.” Interview with Marcus Hearn. Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 531, 18 Oct. 2018, p. 27.

2.
~11m48s
Chibnall, Chris. “Spyfall: Part Two.” Accessed through BBC Writersroom, released 11 May 2020, pp. 22-23, http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scripts/doctor-who-s12-ep2-spyfall-part-two.pdf

3.
~14m15s
Chibnall, Chris. “Words and Music.” Interview with Marcus Hearn. Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 547, 9 Jan. 2020, p. 28.

4.
~14m21s
[@scribblesscript]. “”I didn’t know what Thasmin was” – Matt Strevens” Twitter, 18 Feb. 2022, https://web.archive.org/web/20220218195526/https://twitter.com/scribblesscript/status/1494761221601447938

[@scribblesscript]. “”Jodie said after the first season, oh there’s speculation out there, but we hadn’t really thought about it.” Matt Strevens confirms #Thasmin WAS NOT PLANNED at #gally1” Twitter, 18 Feb. 2022, https://web.archive.org/web/20220221035503/https://twitter.com/scribblesscript/status/1494761546697768960

[@scribblesscript]. “Flux I believe. Strevens said after Jodie brought it up after series 11 he “forgot about it”” Twitter, 18 Feb. 2022, https://web.archive.org/web/20220219062819/https://twitter.com/scribblesscript/status/1494920487415078913

[@scribblesscript]. “”A couple screengrabs went around that could be misinterpreted… and then we sort of forgot about it” Matt Strevens on Thasmin fandom and story planning after series 11” Twitter, 18 Feb. 2022, https://web.archive.org/web/20220218195909/https://twitter.com/scribblesscript/status/1494762674906808325

[@scribblesscript]. “”[Thasmin] was something that [Chris] wanted to bring in and sort of play with it” ‐ Strevens on ultimately bringing in Thasmin to the show” Twitter, 18 Feb. 2022, https://web.archive.org/web/20220221035500/https://twitter.com/scribblesscript/status/1494762385323671553

5.
~33m50s
Strevens, Matt. “Casting a female Doctor Who was a ‘condition’ of Chris Chibnall taking on showrunner role.” Digital Spy, 17 Sep. 2018, https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/cult/a866252/doctor-who-series-11-chris-chibnall-casting-female-doctor/

6.
~45m35s
Chibnall, Chris. “BROADCHURCH on Netflix and Amazon — From BBC America and ITV — Chris Chibnall: Creator/Executive Producer/Showrunner” [interview]. Interview with Neil Landau. Extra from TV Outside the Box: Trailblazing in the Digital Television Revolution, 22 Dec. 2015, Routledge. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/s3-euw1-ap-pe-ws4-cws-documents.ri-prod/9781138705715/the-box/TV_Outside_the_Box_Chris_Chibnall_Broadchurch.pdf

7.
~1h7m31s
Marion, Aurora [aurora_marion]. “And now the episode is out I can finally tell you…. In March last year I left a low to no budget set in Mani (Greece) to get to London for a last minute casting call. Landing in Brussels a week later to play at the European Parliament, I get the one and final « yes » from my agent and the production. I was Noor Inayat Khan for the BBC production of doctor who! She is the first female British spy to be sent to Paris during the second world war. My first time as a period character, my first time on a show of this scale, my first death by guns on set (Noor got shot by the nazis, not in the final cut though)… I feel ever so grateful to have spent a few days in Cardiff to shoot these impressive scenes and to have met all these incredible beings there. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to meet the non-human and the special effects were…waow…of another planet!!! My few days in Cardiff back and forth were a blast! Thank you thank you @bbc for giving me this exciting opportunity! {pic1 first day ever in Cardiff, pic2 Noor Inhayat Khan before the wig, pic3 with the wig, pic4 the set, pic5 my partners in crime-the doctor and Ada, pic6 full outfit photo shoot, pic7 dop, pic8 my Ada Lovelace and me, pic9 monitor} it looks like I’m still very excited just by looking at these behind the scenes snaps…#doctorwho #noorinhayatkhan #britishspy #spyfall #part2 #bbc @doctorwho_bbca @bbcdoctorwho” Instagram, 8 Jan. 2020, https://www.instagram.com/p/B7CAn8lA9OA

8.
~1h14m49s
[@scribblesscript]. “”Jodie said after the first season, oh there’s speculation out there, but we hadn’t really thought about it.” Matt Strevens confirms #Thasmin WAS NOT PLANNED at #gally1” Twitter, 18 Feb. 2022, https://web.archive.org/web/20220221035503/https://twitter.com/scribblesscript/status/1494761546697768960

9.
~1h18m49s
Chibnall, Chris. “The Flux: Story Breakdown | Behind the Scenes | Doctor Who: Flux.”
YouTube, uploaded by Doctor Who, 8 Dec. 2021, https://youtu.be/Uc28I-BIs7w

10.
~1h32m55s
Sepinwall, Alan. “‘Perry Mason’ Finale: A Courtroom Collapse.” Rolling Stone, 10 Aug. 2020, https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/perry-mason-season-one-finale-recap-1039841/

Sepinwall, Alan. “‘The Mosquito Coast’: Justin Theroux Heads South of the Border.” Rolling Stone, 29 April 2021, https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-reviews/mosquito-coast-review-justin-theroux-1161368/

11.
~1h35m18s
Moffat, Steven. “Steven Moffat On Matt Smith’s Era, Writing The 50th Anniversary & MORE! | Doctor Who: The Fan Show.” YouTube, uploaded by Doctor Who, 18 Jan. 2018, 23:18-23:30, https://youtu.be/ZOfIIqb8Uhg

Moffat, Steven. “Steven Moffat Interview: ‘Doctor Who’ Season 7, Amy Pond, River Song.” Interview with Jace Lacob. The Daily Beast, 22 Aug. 2011, https://www.thedailybeast.com/steven-moffat-interview-doctor-who-season-7-amy-pond-river-song

12.
~1h39m30s
Chibnall, Chris. “Spyfall: Part Two.” Accessed through BBC Writersroom, released 11 May 2020, p. 73, http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scripts/doctor-who-s12-ep2-spyfall-part-two.pdf

Who Cares? - Dr. Who Fans Talk TV is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://whocaresdw.wordpress.com/

Experimental formats, the ‘War on Christmas’, greener grass, fatalistic myopia, the nature of satire, ergodic literature, silliness vs seriousness, embedded narratives, & more are explored in this discussion over Flip-Flop, the 2003 Doctor Who Christmas audio drama.

Neo
Ingiga
Oliver

TIMECODES:

00:00:00 Christmas stories
00:04:53 Jonathan Morris as a writer
00:10:02 Ergodic literature
00:18:54 Promotion of the story + CD details
00:26:51 Looping the story
00:30:42 (So seminal)
00:37:32 Doctor Who Magazine coverage
00:42:02 Antagonistic attitudes towards stories + choices theme
00:54:00 Structural choices + more magazine coverage
01:00:56 The art + grab-bag of racism
01:10:22 Satire & anti-intellectualism
01:17:41 Inspiration & morality
01:24:36 Incoherence & bleakness
01:28:52 Clip #1: Armed refugees + blindness
01:37:05 Clip #2: Hard-hitting philosophy + slavery
01:42:12 Clip #3: Committee inclusion + signal boosting
01:54:30 Satire in Doctor Who
02:02:13 Clip #4: Grass is always greener (White)
02:04:20 Clip #5: False flag attacks
02:06:27 Clip #6: Minorities
02:09:59 Clip #7: War on Christmas
02:14:22 Clip #8: Presidency & power
02:19:11 Clip #9: Grass is always greener (Black)
02:22:59 2011 interview: Iraq War, Devil’s advocate
02:28:39 2021 interview: Hindsight & horseshoe theory
02:31:47 Tweetalong: Parody, Daily Mail, discomfort, Iraq
02:41:44 Tweetalong: Dialogue, sex, pride, firsts, books
02:50:57 2019 Twitter thread; ‘progressive bona fides’
02:57:55 Final thoughts

SOURCES:

1.
~31s
“Main Range 46: Flip-Flop (Unabridged).” Uploaded by Doctor Who. Spotify, accessed Dec 2022, https://open.spotify.com/album/3KY77VP7YlI4lwkZ3xJabG

2.
~5m35s
~2h40m23s
Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “12. CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON – TONY BLAIR’s first ten years – 1994 – 2004 He overcame all opposition and, after years in the wilderness, got back into Downing Street. What can I say? You were fantastic.” Twitter, 1 Aug. 2021, https://web.archive.org/web/20210801104941/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/1421784995744653315

3.
~7m45s
Morris, Jonathan. “Interview: The Tomorrow Windows.” BBC [Doctor Who section of the website], 24 May 2004, https://web.archive.org/web/20040630093432/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/news/drwho/2004/05/24/11330.shtml

4.
~8m7s
Morris, Jonathan. “Interview – Jonathan Morris (Big Finish Writer) // Doctor Who : The Sirens of Audio Episode 78.” YouTube, uploaded by The Sirens of Audio, 25:16-25:47, 15 Oct. 2021, https://youtu.be/kOer1VKn3Xo

5.
~15m8s
Morris, Jonathan. “Interview: Favourite books and Doctors.” BBC [Doctor Who section of the website], 24 May 2004, https://web.archive.org/web/20040627144301/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/news/drwho/2004/05/24/11321.shtml

6.
~19m13s
Magazine advertisement for Flip-Flop. Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 333, 20 Aug. 2003, p. 2.

7.
~20m12s
Back cover blurb. Doctor Who: Flip-Flop. Big Finish, July 2003. CD.

8.
~21m23s
Morris, Jonathan. Liner notes. Doctor Who: Flip-Flop. Big Finish, July 2003. CD.

9.
~27m27s
“Home > Doctor Who > Big Finish Monthly Series (1999-2021) > 46. Flip-Flop.” The Time Scales – Ratings and Reviews, accessed 16 Dec. 2022, http://thetimescales.com/Story/story.php?audioid=66

10.
~27m55s
“5 Things Video Games Do Better Than Any Other Forms of Art.” Cracked, 20 June 2013, https://www.cracked.com/blog/5-things-video-games-do-better-than-any-other-forms-art

11.
~48m17s
[Comments section.] “Time Can Be Rewritten 25 (Jubilee).” TARDIS Eruditorum, 15 June 2012, https://web.archive.org/web/20151223195713/http://www.eruditorumpress.com/blog/time-can-be-rewritten-25-jubilee/

12.
~1h1m40s
“Preview: Flip-Flop.” Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 333, 20 Aug. 2003, p. 8.

13.
~1h4m2s
~1h8m8s
~1h43m37s
~2h23m20s
Morris, Jonathan. “Jonathan Morris Interview.” Interview with ‘Doc Oho’. Doc Oho Reviews, 24 May 2011, https://docohobigfinish.blogspot.com/2011/05/jonathan-morris-interview.html

14.
~1h14m24s
“Wow! Man Being Ironically Sexist Is Also Normal Sexist.” Reductress, 15 June 2022, https://reductress.com/post/wow-man-being-ironically-sexist-is-also-normal-sexist/

15.
~1h14m53s
Morris, Jonathan. “Interview – Jonathan Morris (Big Finish Writer) // Doctor Who : The Sirens of Audio Episode 78.” YouTube, uploaded by The Sirens of Audio, 26:14-27:58, 15 Oct. 2021, https://youtu.be/kOer1VKn3Xo

Morris, Jonathan. “Jonathan Morris Interview.” Interview with ‘Doc Oho’. Doc Oho Reviews, 24 May 2011, https://docohobigfinish.blogspot.com/2011/05/jonathan-morris-interview.html

16.
~1h17m54s
Morris, Jonathan. “Interviews: Jonathan Morris.” Outpost Gallifrey, 2003, http://web.archive.org/web/20041104233924/http://gallifreyone.com/interview.php?id=morris

17.
~1h22m14s
~2h50m7s
Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “So, still mixed feelings towards #flipflop. On the one hand, it would work much better as a book, where readers can flip back-and-forth….” Twitter, 31 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221221173110/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/815301374678331393

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “…and thus pick up on stuff. On the other hand, if it was a book, you wouldn’t be able to do that two starts & two ends thing… #flipflop.” Twitter, 31 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223142827/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/815301655163994112

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “Unless you start going into BS Johnson territory and made it a book that could be read in two ways – maybe do that upside-down thing….” Twitter, 31 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223142830/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/815302026905194496

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “…where the ‘back’ of one book is the upside-down ‘front’ of the other. But, no. Never gonna happen. Onwards and upwards! #flipflop.” Twitter, 31 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223151427/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/815302335316586496

18.
~2h28m41s
Morris, Jonathan. “Interview – Jonathan Morris (Big Finish Writer) // Doctor Who : The Sirens of Audio Episode 78.” YouTube, uploaded by The Sirens of Audio, 26:14-27:58, 15 Oct. 2021, https://youtu.be/kOer1VKn3Xo

19.
~2h31m52s
Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “Okay. Live-tweeting Doctor Who: Flip Flop. First half. Starting with… the black disc, cos that’s the order I wrote it in..” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221221174043/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814939051748945920

20.
~2h33m17s
Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “I haven’t listened to it for at least 10 years and have all sorts of mixed feelings towards it..” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221221173126/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814939413805416448

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “Although I made sure episodes were all under 25-minutes, things… expanded somewhat in the performance. Particularly the Slithergees!.” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223135741/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814940323201843200

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “They do sound excellent. I’d forgotten all about that. And I’d forgotten it was set at Christmas! Amazing. Excellent atmos..” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221221181032/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814940592086155264

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “I’m not sure if I’ll go into the politics of the Slithergees. They were intended to make listeners uncomfortable, like proper monsters….” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221221171417/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814940962942291968

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “…but my main thinking was to parody a sort of do-gooding middle-class guilt. Which I think deserves parody, but maybe my aim missed!.” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223135908/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814941263204073474

21.
~2h34m35s
Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “The stuff about minority status & community leaders… I thought it would be amusing to have aliens that were like Daily Mail villains….” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221221171526/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814942289881612291

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “(The target being the ludicrousness of the Daily Mail caricature of minorities, not the mionorities themselves).” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221221171720/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814942509038272513

22.
~2h35m27s
Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “The complexity of this was… mind-boggling. Every episode has another Doctor & Mel running around in the background… #flipflop.” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223135952/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814943637419212804

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “And almost every scene in the black disc is a mirror of the same scene on the white disc. Everything is doing 3 things at once. #flipflop.” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223154832/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814943760966701056

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “Not sure the suicide would be acceptable now. Not sure it was acceptable then, TBH. #flipflop.” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223140028/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814945071816654856

23.
~2h37m11s
Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “Yes, this is uncomfortable listening in places. Deliberately so. That’s what I was going for. Not sure I would do that now. #flipflop” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223140924/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814945576152399872

24.
~2h37m45s
Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “There were 3 sort-of inspirations for the damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-don’t thing. Firstly, mainly, Neville Chamberlain. #flipflop.” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221221170846/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814945829081534468

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “The idea that history judges him as being naive cos of appeasement… but what if he’d done the opposite? Would things be better? #flipflop.” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221221172026/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814946228576354305

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “Another one was that a very similar situation was presenting itself with the then-imminent Iraq war….” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221221181026/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814946479706083329

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “The idea that the road not taken is always assumed to be the better one… grass is greener etc. #flipflop.” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221221172025/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814946949119885312

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “You have politicans now using that as a justification/criticism, a hypothetical parallel universe where things are better/worse. #flipflop.” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221221171459/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814947199243157505

25.
~2h40m02s
Cornell, Paul. “The Attraction of the Centre.” Paul Cornell [official website]. 12 Jan. 2006, https://www.paulcornell.com/2006/01/the-attraction-of-the-centre/

26.
~2h41m42s
Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “”You mean that predeterminism is merely a philosophical abstract and that the physical reality of the universe is one in which all…” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223140928/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814947325349167104

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “”potential action is permitted, including actions whose effect is to cancel out their own logical cause?” Tee hee. #flipflop.” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221221175051/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814947445318762496

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “#flipflop was written under the influence of The One Doctor and so 7th & Mel were deliberately given some Pip & Jane type lines..” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223140933/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814947618832924672

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “That’s my excuse for all the ‘Lowry setting up an easel’ ‘Now I know how Theseus felt’ stuff. Authentic! #flipflop.” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223141708/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814947736382476288

27.
~2h42m51s
Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “”Let me unwrap it!” Ah. Now. You see. This was the no-holds-barred era of the audios. Jubilee and all that. #flipflop.” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223141716/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814947950271037440

28.
~2h43m35s
Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “So, yes, I thought I’d include a silly sex scene in Dr Who. Particularly to be provocative but also as a contrast to bleakness. #flipflop.” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223141743/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814948197625921538

29.
~2h44m43s
Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “I’m still proud that the main idea behind #flipflop hasn’t been done anywhere else. Well, there’s a novel that does something similar….” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223141749/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814948498588266500

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “…but I’m not going to tell you what it is cos it’s a spoiler. And it’s only broadly similar, but not the same. #flipflop.” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223150133/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814948633808424961

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “And of course #flipflop is the only science fiction story with GENUINE alternate universes..” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223152019/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814948703823888385

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “@ EddieRobson @ BarnabyEdwards Hence Dr Who: Flip-Flop, 1st & only SF story set in alternate universes..” Twitter, 4 Sep. 2013, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223142547/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/375246658592067584

30.
~2h45m40s
Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “I’m proud of the idea that Stewart & Reed are fascist guards in one life & terrorists in another. Same people, different worlds. #flipflop.” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223142551/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814950917434970112

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “Also very proud that the ‘cliffhanger’ is the TARDIS arriving. Hasn’t been done before! Or since, I think? #flipflop.” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223151515/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814955328030863360

31.
~2h46m52s
Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “And the 3rd inspiration… well, the story rather charts the mindset of someone who has just come out of a long-term relationship. #flipflop.” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221221174108/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814950491117551616

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “Cos in that situation you think, maybe things would’ve been better if you’d never met, if you’d spent that time with someone else. #flipflop.” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223143530/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814953026880503808

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “Cheers. I’m not sure it was intentional… but it seems obvious in retrospect…” Twitter, 30 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223143302/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/814962276742627330

32.
~2h47m12s
Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “Onto part 4. I realise it’s repetitive, but for once, that’s the point – things should feel like they’re falling into place. #flipflop.” Twitter, 31 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221221170854/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/815293284662857728

33.
~2h47m59s
Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “The problem with the complex farce choreography of this is that – even more than usual – characterisation takes a back seat. #flipflop.” Twitter, 31 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221221175049/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/815297765844680704

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “On the other hand, #flipflop is trying to do a dozen things that have never been done before at once & reward multiple listens, so yay me..” Twitter, 31 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223143257/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/815298374735953920

34.
~2h48m25s
Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “If I was doing this story now, I’d do it differently. Not necessarily better. Lose the farce plotting, focus more on characters. #flipflop.” Twitter, 31 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221221175050/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/815299886644101121

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “I like the idea that one hisory is kind of left wing, the other is kind of right wing, but they could be balanced better. #flipflop.” Twitter, 31 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221221170850/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/815300493127909376

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “Cos one history has the Slithergees, which are fun, while the other just has… radiation? It’s not as interesting, is it? #flipflop.” Twitter, 31 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223143253/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/815300629065252864

35.
~2h49m22s
Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “Ah, back to the Slithergee stuff. Nowadays I’d have them claiming to be anti-establishment & persecuted by a metropolitan elite. #flipflop.” Twitter, 31 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221221172042/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/815295547686944769

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “This is basically their modus operandi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victim_pl….” Twitter, 31 Dec. 2016, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223142728/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/815297079165730816

36.
~2h51m8s
Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “I have found this episode particularly disheartening because, in my own little way, I’ve tried to be a champion of diversity. The one time I got to commission writers, I sought out female writers I’d never met. Every script I’ve made sure, gender balance, varied ages, etc..” Twitter, 17 Dec. 2019, https://web.archive.org/web/20191218025220/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/1207020767906586625

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “So it saddens me to see that, in some people’s eyes, that counts for nothing. I thought it was obvious that I was on the side of equality. It seems that people who don’t know me, who don’t know my work, don’t realise that. So I shall just to have keep on trying..” Twitter, 17 Dec. 2019, https://web.archive.org/web/20191217202831/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/1207023143820374018

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “It’s at times like these I think of the wise words spoken by Beryl Reid in Earthshock [1982]. “The enemy’s outside, Mister. You’re pointing your gun in the wrong direction.”.” Twitter, 17 Dec. 2019, https://web.archive.org/web/20191218033949/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/1207028726749421568

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “Sadly it seems they are unconvinced by my “progressive bona fides” and one of them has accused me of being racist and transphobic. I’m not gonna defend myself. I trust that anyone reading this will know it’s bollocks. But I’ve had enough. I’m locking this account. For a bit..” Twitter, 18 Dec. 2019, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223142113/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/1207175202808967168

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “I never intended for it to be open to interpretation in this way. It was about stuff going on in 2002 and intended for listeners in 2003. It was intended to be provocative and challenging – and I was deliberately writing against my own left-wing, pro-refugees values. (…)” Twitter, 18 Dec. 2019, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223152020/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/1207276866186416128

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “Because ideas explored in fiction do not and should not be taken as being the beliefs held by the author. Authors often write stories which go against their own beliefs. I think most people understood that; that’s certainly how it was taken at the time. (…).” Twitter, 18 Dec. 2019, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223142158/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/1207277875021398016

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “Of course, nowadays people are more eager to ascribe motives to authors based on their fiction. So if I was writing it now, I’d make sure it couldn’t be misinterpreted as being anti-refugee, and make sure that it couldn’t be misinterpreted in the context of the world of 2019..” Twitter, 18 Dec. 2019, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223142216/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/1207278657301098496

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “What it WAS about were two ideas; the idea that people’s political beliefs are a product of their environment; that one universe’s fascist policemen are another universe’s terrorirsts. And secondly, the idea that it is unfair to condemn with the benefit of hindsight..” Twitter, 18 Dec. 2019, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223142227/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/1207279148529524737

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “The idea that the grass is always greener on the other side, that if X hadn’t done so-and-so then things would’ve been better. i.e. if the US hadn’t removed Saddam Hussein from power, would things be more peaceful in the Middle East now? Maybe. Or maybe it would have been worse..” Twitter, 18 Dec. 2019, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223142246/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/1207280025285906435

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “There’s no way of knowing. So you can see, it was about stuff from 2002. One last thing. If it had been anti-immigrant, I don’t think it would have been made. Gary Russell wouldn’t have permitted it and I don’t think the BBC would have approved it..” Twitter, 18 Dec. 2019, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223142954/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/1207280974557523972

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “Oh, and one final thing. It was 17 years ago. You can’t judge people by what they were like 17 years ago. 17 years ago I was a different person to who I am now. I was miserable and bitter. I was self-destructive and selfish. What I wrote 17 years ago does not reflect me, in 2019..” Twitter, 18 Dec. 2019, https://web.archive.org/web/20221223142329/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/1207281951641616385

Morris, Jonathan [@jonnymorris1973]. “Absolutely. As that article says, the way works are viewed now is different to the past. Flip-Flop was not viewed that way at the time. I read all the reviews and Oupost Gallifrey threads assidiuously! (There was some criticism of the cover but that was nothing to do with me).” Twitter, 18 Dec. 2019, https://web.archive.org/web/20221221180031/https://twitter.com/jonnymorris1973/status/1207283870447652865

Who Cares? - Dr. Who Fans Talk TV is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://whocaresdw.wordpress.com/

Characterising historical figures, Gatiss writing, rift origins, contrasting moralities, cultural force, immersive settings, binary oppositions, the drafting process, invective & idolatry, & more are discussed in this review of The Unquiet Dead, the 2005 Doctor Who Christmas episode from Mark Gatiss.

Neo
Ingiga
Oliver

TIMECODES:

00:00:00 Back to 2005
00:02:34 The episode’s purpose
00:06:29 Celebrity historicals & deploying Dickens
00:18:08 Gatiss & tone
00:26:33 Expensive scenes filmed & unfilmed
00:31:33 Sneed parallels + snowy steps + companion bond
00:38:52 The Cardiff Rift
00:42:16 2018 RTD on the episode
00:47:08 Dangerous TARDIS journeys + snowy Cardiff
00:54:58 Series 1’s immersive settings & linkages
01:03:16 RTD contributions to the episode + Gwyneth/Rose
01:13:54 Different morality + social conscience
01:23:30 Gwyneth in the arch + Dickens science
01:32:24 Believers and skeptics
01:38:44 Historical representation
01:46:44 Charles Dickens as an integrated character
01:52:50 Gatiss as a writer & a fan
02:02:28 Christmas episode
02:04:39 Refugees, reception, & Lawrence Miles
02:12:53 Lawrence Miles blog post #1
02:18:59 Investment, influence, & invective
02:29:08 Subtext, fury, system shocks, cultural force
02:36:53 Calling someone ‘a racist’; binary oppositions
02:46:10 Duty of success
02:52:01 Lawrence Miles blog post #2
02:58:48 Idealising Classic Who; New Who as The Enemy
03:04:35 Live feed psychoanalysis
03:10:31 Writer responsibilities
03:17:06 It’s About Time
03:20:59 ‘That’s the way it is’
03:28:32 End

SOURCES:

1.
~2m57s
~9m43s
~20m19s
~26m19s
Doctor Who: The Inside Story, edited by Gary Russell. BBC Books, 2006, p. 148.

2.
~3m11s
Doctor Who: The Complete History #48. Stories 157-159: Rose, The End of the World and The Unquiet Dead. Panini UK, 10 Feb. 2016, pp. 125-126.

3.
~3m21s
~5m14s
Gatiss, Mark. “Laying Ghosts.” 00:40-01:15. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

4.
~4m0s
Davies, Russell T. “TARDIS Tales [full version]. Doctor Who Confidential, series 1, episode 3, BBC, 9 April, 2005, 11:36-11:57.

5.
~5m44s
Gatiss, Mark. “Laying Ghosts.” 00:00-00:30. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

Gatiss, Mark. “New Series Preview: Episode 3, The Unquiet Dead.” Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 355, 27 April 2005, p. 27.

6.
~6m37s
~7m16s
Gatiss, Mark. “Laying Ghosts.” 04:50-05:16. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

Doctor Who: The Inside Story, edited by Gary Russell. BBC Books, 2006, p. 148.

7.
~8m12s
“Vincent Van Gogh Visits the Gallery | Vincent and the Doctor | Doctor Who.” YouTube. Uploaded by Doctor Who, 15 Jan. 2015, https://youtu.be/ubTJI_UphPk

^Currently at ~23 million views, as of 18/December/2022

8.
~11m21s
Callow, Simon. Audio commentary. Doctor Who: series 1, episode 3: The Unquiet Dead, 07:05-07:30. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

9.
~12m2s
Gatiss, Mark, and Simon Callow. Audio commentary. Doctor Who: series 1, episode 3: The Unquiet Dead, 08:56-09:12. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

^Note that there may be a contradiction with this and an excerpt from the 2006 The Inside Story book. On p. 148 of The Inside Story, Gatiss states ‘What I saw initially [with Dickens] was a Scrooge parallel, and realised it had to be set at Christmas. The whole thing became about the redemption of Dickens. He finds his joie de vivre once again, thanks to the Doctor’.

10.
~14m20s
Callow, Simon. “Our Mutual Friend.” Interview with Benjamin Cook. Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 355, 27 April 2005, p. 50.

11.
~15m24s
Gatiss, Mark. Audio commentary. Doctor Who: series 1, episode 3: The Unquiet Dead, 41:04-41:28. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

12.
~18m57s
~19m6s
~23m9s
Gatiss, Mark. “Waking the Dead.” 00:58-02:10. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

13.
~24m10s
Gatiss, Mark. “Laying Ghosts.” 02:00-02:23. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

14.
~24m52s
Gatiss, Mark. “Waking the Dead.” 03:43-03:55. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

15.
~25m32s
Gatiss, Mark. “Waking the Dead.” 05:39-06:17. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

16.
~26m45s
Gatiss, Mark. Audio commentary. Doctor Who: series 1, episode 3: The Unquiet Dead, 37:49-38:10. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

17.
~27m38s
Lyn, Euros, and Mark Gatiss. Audio commentary. Doctor Who: series 1, episode 3: The Unquiet Dead, 09:42-10:10. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

18.
~29m31s
Doctor Who: The Complete History #48. Stories 157-159: Rose, The End of the World and The Unquiet Dead. Panini UK, 10 Feb. 2016, pp. 127-129.

19.
~30m5s
Gatiss, Mark. “Waking the Dead.” 08:13-08:50. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

Gatiss, Mark. “Waking the Dead.” 09:52-10:42. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

20.
~32m34s
Lyn, Euros. Audio commentary. Doctor Who: series 1, episode 3: The Unquiet Dead, 22:59-23:16. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

21.
~33m43s
Lyn, Euros. Audio commentary. Doctor Who: series 1, episode 3: The Unquiet Dead, 05:30-05:46. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

22.
~35m37s
Gatiss, Mark, Euros Lyn, and Simon Callow. Audio commentary. Doctor Who: series 1, episode 3: The Unquiet Dead, 04:48-05:26. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

23.
~39m54s
Gatiss, Mark. Audio commentary. Doctor Who: series 1, episode 3: The Unquiet Dead, 31:42-32:35. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

24.
~40m41s
Davies, Russell T. “New Series Preview: Episode 11, Boom Town.” Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 357, 22 June 2005, p. 27.

25.
~43m5s
Davies, Russell T. “Production Notes.” Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 524, 5 April 2018, p. 4.

26.
~43m59s
Collinson, Phil. “Mill Commissioned For Title Sequence.” Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 352, 2 Feb. 2005, p. 6.

27.
~44m25s
Gatiss, Mark [@Markgatiss]. “First draft. “The Crippingwell Horror”! Set in a boarding house. Gwyneth is servant to a medium, Mrs Plumchute, and there’s a mysterious lodger called Noah Sneed! #WhatTheDickens.” Twitter, 12 Dec. 2020, https://web.archive.org/web/20201212192840/https://twitter.com/markgatiss/status/1337841681694126082

28.
~47m40s
Lyn, Euros, Mark Gatiss, and Simon Callow. Audio commentary. Doctor Who: series 1, episode 3: The Unquiet Dead, 02:41-03:20. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

29.
~48m36s
Gatiss, Mark. “Waking the Dead.” 04:37-05:38. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

30.
~52m37s
Lyn, Euros. “TARDIS Tales [full version]. Doctor Who Confidential, series 1, episode 3, BBC, 9 April, 2005, 15:16-16:06.

31.
~53m49s
Davies, Russell T, and Phil Collinson. “TARDIS Tales [full version]. Doctor Who Confidential, series 1, episode 3, BBC, 9 April, 2005, 14:23-15:01.

32 / 33.
~1h0m33s
Gatiss, Mark, and Euros Lyn. Audio commentary. Doctor Who: series 1, episode 3: The Unquiet Dead, 24:56-25:31. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

34.
~1h2m41s
Piper, Billie, Paul Cornell, Phil Collinson, and Shaun Dingwall. Audio commentary. Doctor Who: series 1, episode 8: Father’s Day. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

35.
~1h3m26s
Doctor Who: The Inside Story, edited by Gary Russell. BBC Books, 2006, p. 149.

36.
~1h4m33s
~1h10m44s
Gatiss, Mark. “Laying Ghosts.” 03:58-04:46. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

37.
~1h6m22s
Doctor Who: The Complete History #48. Stories 157-159: Rose, The End of the World and The Unquiet Dead. Panini UK, 10 Feb. 2016, pp. 142-143.

38.
~1h12m10s
Gatiss, Mark. Audio commentary. Doctor Who: series 1, episode 3: The Unquiet Dead, 23:16-23:33. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

39.
~1h33m43s
Gatiss, Mark, and Simon Callow. Audio commentary. Doctor Who: series 1, episode 3: The Unquiet Dead, 27:35-28:08. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

40.
~1h39m5s
Doctor Who: The Inside Story, edited by Gary Russell. BBC Books, 2006, p. 151.

41.
~1h50m48s
Kashevsky, Max. “Folk Heroes and the Doctor: Doctor Who’s “Mythological Celebrity” Stories.” Tor, 25 June 2020, https://www.tor.com/2020/06/25/folk-heroes-and-the-doctor-doctor-whos-mythological-celebrity-stories/

42.
~1h53m1s
Gatiss, Mark. “Laying Ghosts.” 03:20-03:45. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

43.
~1h54m45s
Gatiss, Mark. “Waking the Dead.” 02:10-02:35. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

Gatiss, Mark. “Script Doctors: Mark Gatiss.” Interview with David Darlington. Doctor Who Magazine, vol. 353, 2 March 2005, p. 23.

44.
~1h55m9s
Gatiss, Mark. “Laying Ghosts.” 02:44-03:17. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

45.
~1h58m33s
Gatiss, Mark. “Laying Ghosts.” 07:50-08:11. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

46.
~1h59m14s
Gatiss, Mark. “Waking the Dead.” 17:02-17:30. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

Gatiss, Mark. “TARDIS Tales [full version]. Doctor Who Confidential, series 1, episode 3, BBC, 9 April, 2005, 13:05-13:29.

47.
~2h0m24s
Vincze, Ernie “TARDIS Tales [full version]. Doctor Who Confidential, series 1, episode 3, BBC, 9 April, 2005, 13:55-14:07.

48.
~2h2m43s
Gatiss, Mark. “Laying Ghosts.” 06:64-07:02. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

49.
~2h2m58s
Gatiss, Mark. Audio commentary. Doctor Who: series 1, episode 3: The Unquiet Dead, 45:01-45:06. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

50.
~2h4m57s
Doctor Who: The Complete History #48. Stories 157-159: Rose, The End of the World and The Unquiet Dead. Panini UK, 10 Feb. 2016, p. 149.

51.
~2h9m2s
Saward, Eric. “The Revelations of a Script Editor.” Interview with Starburst Magazine. Starburst, vol. 97, September 1986, pp. 16-19.

52.
~2h12m11s
Gatiss, Mark. “Laying Ghosts.” 02:30-02:38. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

53.
~2h12m26s
Gatiss, Mark. Audio commentary. Doctor Who: series 1, episode 3: The Unquiet Dead, 33:57-34:15. BBC, 21 Nov. 2005. DVD [Doctor Who: The Complete First Series].

54.
~2h13m4s
Miles, Lawrence. “The Unquiet Dead” [blog post]. Mileswatch, 9 April 2005, https://web.archive.org/web/20131203025233/http://lawrencemiles.blogspot.com/2005/04/unquiet-dead.html

55.
~2h20m2s
“Four Writers, One Discussion.” TSV [The Time/Space Visualiser], vol. 43, March 1995.

56.
~2h34m26s
Miles, Lawrence. “64 Thousand-dollar Questions: the “Reader’s Choice” Interview With Lawrence Miles Part Four: General Principles (I.e. Those That Haven’t Yet Been Compromised).” Menace: The Miles Mailing List, 11 March 2001, https://web.archive.org/web/20020906172751/http://www.menace.ndo.co.uk/loz/qanda/part4.htm

57.
~2h48m28s
Harness, Peter. “Peter Harness Interview.” Interview with Elizabeth Sandifer. Pex Lives: A Doctor Who Podcast, 21 Aug. 2015, https://pexlives.libsyn.com/peter-harness-interview

58.
~2h48m52s
Sandifer, Elizabeth. “When The Writing Comes First (Kill the Moon).” TARDIS Eruditorum, 14 May 2018, https://www.eruditorumpress.com/blog/when-the-writing-comes-first-kill-the-moon

59.
~2h52m20s
Miles, Lawrence. ““Doctor Who, Season X-1: “The Unquiet Dead”” [blog post]. Mileswatch, 12 April 2005, https://web.archive.org/web/20131203004648/http://lawrencemiles.blogspot.com/2005/04/doctor-who-season-x-1-unquiet-dead.html

60.
~3h17m39s
Wood, Tat, and Dorothy Ali. About Time: The Unauthorized Guide to Doctor Who — 2006-2006, Series 1 & 2. Mad Norwegian Press, 2013, pp. 51-69.

Who Cares? - Dr. Who Fans Talk TV is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://whocaresdw.wordpress.com/

Comic book London, merging British & American detectives, deindustrialisation, literal edginess, 2010 in detective TV, societal decay, murder morality, & more are discussed in this review of the first series of Luther, Neil Cross’ detective show starring Idris Elba and Ruth Wilson.

Neo
Tyler
Tomtit

TIMECODES

(00:00:00) Thoughts on Neil Cross
(00:04:39) What’s interesting about the show?
(00:13:01) Noir / comic book Luther + style
(00:19:58) Episode #1 & openings
(00:23:49) Accents
(00:25:50) Stakes & inertia, doors & fiddling
(00:28:01) Datedness & masculinity
(00:34:54) Alice & femininity
(00:37:18) Love triangle
(00:39:46) Dark matter & sci-fi + narcissism
(00:49:22) Doctor Who & John Luther
(00:58:48) Episode #1’s ending
(01:05:09) Whodunnits & how-to-catch-ems
(01:09:42) Stages of womanhood
(01:12:41) Episode #2, cops, military
(01:27:14) You should kill us all on sight
(01:35:20) Rooftops & Mark
(01:40:30) Episode #3 & weird killers
(01:50:20) Joking Apart comparison
(01:52:29) Alice & Mark
(01:58:33) Schenk
(02:06:28) Episode #4, Gotham, Nicola Walker
(02:15:52) Luther valuing human life + grossness
(02:23:08) Alice & Ruth Wilson
(02:36:19) Mark moments
(02:41:49) Episode #5 & white collar crime
(02:47:17) Ian, Iago + Alice & indifference
(02:56:46) Idris Elba’s musical input on Alice + murder obsession
(03:04:24) Ian’s characterisation + Batman morality
(03:14:47) Episode #5’s ending
(03:22:39) Music in the show
(03:27:36) Episode #6
(03:33:50) Teller’s top detectives
(03:39:41) Mark as Bilbo
(03:45:49) Alice’s glee
(03:47:58) End

SOURCES

1.
~4m25s
Elba, Idris. “Idris Elba discussing his role as DCI John Luther – BBC One.” YouTube, uploaded by BBC, 00:00-00:14, https://youtu.be/RDbmkmpgJT0

2.
~5m54s
Cross, Neil, Phillippa Giles, and Katie Swinden. “The World of a Maverick.” Luther: Series 1. BBC, 2010, 00:15-02:03. Blu-ray.

3.
~13m54s
“‘Hard Sun’ Creator Neil Cross Wants to Make a ‘Luther’ Cartoon (and Loves Putting His Characters Through Hell).” IndieWire, 7 March 2018, https://www.indiewire.com/2018/03/hard-sun-neil-cross-hulu-show-luther-interview-1201936597/

4.
~13m57s
Wilson, Ruth, Brian Kirk, and Phillippa Giles. “The World of a Maverick.” Luther: Series 1. BBC, 2010, 03:18-03:44, 03:54-04:19. Blu-ray.

5.
~15m25s
Cross, Neil. “Luther: Series 1, Episode 1.” Accessed through BBC Writersroom, released 14 March 2019, https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/scripts/tv-drama/luther/

6.
~16m26s
Court, Julian, Idris Elba, Brian Kirk, and Paul Cross. “The World of a Maverick.” Luther: Series 1. BBC, 2010, 25:06-26:16. Blu-ray.

7.
~17m54s
Cross, Paul, Adam Makin, Julian Court, and Katie Swinden. “The World of a Maverick.” Luther: Series 1. BBC, 2010, 26:17-27:03. Blu-ray.

8.
~20m52s
“Behind the Scenes: The Madsen Fall.” BBC iPlayer, 4 May 2010, https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p007pj9k

9.
~1h5m31s
Cross, Neil, Stefan Schwartz, Idris Elba, and Warren Brown. “The World of a Maverick.” Luther: Series 1. BBC, 2010, 04:37-05:05, 05:16-06:21. Blu-ray.

10.
~1h10m11s
Swinden, Katie, and Phillippa Giles. “The World of a Maverick.” Luther: Series 1. BBC, 2010, 09:12-10:16. Blu-ray.

11.
~1h52m26s
[@thedailymash]. “All men are twats, says woman exclusively attracted to twats.” Twitter, 12 Nov. 2018, https://archive.vn/4zSQf

[List of Twitter Likes.] “All men are twats, says woman exclusively attracted to twats.” Twitter, 12 Nov. 2018, https://archive.vn/y04Ub

12.
~2h1m32s
“Schenk’s Video Diary” [episode 3]. BBC iPlayer, 18 May 2010, 00:08-01:27, https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p007xrmv

13.
~2h3m49s
“The Last Chance Saloon.” Doctor Who: Time and the Rani, 09:21-09:48, BBC. 13 Sep. 2010, DVD.

14.
~2h6m21s
Wilson, Ruth. “The World of a Maverick.” Luther: Series 1. BBC, 2010, 06:55-07:05. Blu-ray.

15.
~2h6m54s
Mackintosh, Steven, and Idris Elba. “The World of a Maverick.” Luther: Series 1. BBC, 2010, 27:25-27:53, 19:23-19:33. Blu-ray.

16.
~2h9m49s
“New Doctor Who companion unveiled.” BBC Media Centre, 21 March 2012, https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/latestnews/2012/doctor-who-companion

17.
~2h27m50s
Wilson, Ruth, Brian Kirk, and Idris Elba. “The World of a Maverick.” Luther: Series 1. BBC, 2010, 11:02-12:14. Blu-ray.

18.
~2h30m21s
Kirk, Brian, Paul Cross, Adam Makin, and Ruth Wilson. “The World of a Maverick.” Luther: Series 1. BBC, 2010, 23:34-24:11. Blu-ray.

19.
~2h48m12s
Elba, Idris, and Steven Mackintosh. “The World of a Maverick.” Luther: Series 1. BBC, 2010, 20:56-21:50. Blu-ray.

20.
~3h1m44s
“Idris Elba confirms plans for Luther movie are in the works: ‘We’re this close to making a film’.” Metro, 2 July 2020, https://metro.co.uk/2020/07/08/idris-elba-says-plans-luther-movie-works-are-close-making-film-12961265/

“Idris Elba Says ‘Luther’ Movie Is Moving Forward.” Deadline, 7 July 2020, https://deadline.com/2020/07/idris-elba-luther-movie-moving-forward-1202980120/

21.
~3h1m52s
“In Conversation with Robert Bathurst: Part 2.” JokingApart.co.uk [fansite], Oct. 2004, https://web.archive.org/web/20220407054044/http://www.jokingapart.co.uk/in_conversation/robert_bathurst_p2.htm

22.
~3h33m33s
McGann, Paul. “The World of a Maverick.” Luther: Series 1. BBC, 2010, 02:41-02:56. Blu-ray.

23.
~3h34m51s
Kirk, Brian. “The World of a Maverick.” Luther: Series 1. BBC, 2010, 14:28-14:46. Blu-ray.

Who Cares? - Dr. Who Fans Talk TV is made with Jetpack Podcast. Full show notes and every episode at https://whocaresdw.wordpress.com/