The most exciting news this week is that fans have been given the lowdown on the remainder of Season 12. There’s also some cool stuff going on with the Cybermen coming back as well as another historically set adventure. Overall, it appears that this last lap for the current series promises some serious tension and a darker tone, both of which (I believe) are needed as the crescendo builds to Episode 10.
I also am curious to see how everything gets crammed into an epic, sensible ending that pays off for fans. It also remains to be seen how the companions will squeeze into all of this, especially with Cybermen, Gallifrey drama, a second Doctor and an angst-ridden Doctor running about. With so much going out, will Ryan, Graham and Yaz get marginalized or lost in the mess? Another thing I am curious to see is how Whittaker plays the Doctor going forward. As things get dimmer this season will she adjust her tone in portraying the Doctor or will she playthings even keel?
While I am curious to see where things go for the latter part of Season 12, I cannot say that I was overly impressed by Praxeus. While it looked great and the musical score was again outstanding, it lacked a certain something for me. I mostly enjoyed the Jake and Adam storyline but was surprised to see the Doctor so proactively save Adam, especially when the series has made such a big deal about fixed points in time previously.
We also didn’t get a lot of exposition in the beginning of Praxeus. It just started with a rush. This type of storytelling only works when there is some real substance to the story as it evolves. Here, the start seemed a bit off and it threw the overall pacing into a bit of a tilt. For a story which relied on such a massive global impact to hook in audiences, it didn’t really convey that sense of urgency. It was flat.
It is interesting to note that Whittaker’s Doctor seems totally distracted here. It is not to be unexpected after the previous episode, however, her portrayal of the Doctor here seemed lackluster. This could be due to the writing which, at times, has been dreadful this season.
In addition to fleshing out the rest of the season this week also has news about David Tennant and Matt Smith, each of whom has intriguing new projects coming out. There is also some exciting Big Finish news and guest announcements from Chicago TARDIS.
CAN YOU HEAR ME?
As we make the turn into the season’s final leap we are being given an intense set of stories that take things in a darker direction. Can You Hear Me? is set both in the past and in the present and looks like it could be kind of intense. Could the Remnants prophecy come back to the forefront here?
Synopsis
From ancient Syria to present-day Sheffield and out into the wilds of space, something is stalking the Doctor and her friends… As Graham, Yaz and Ryan return home to see friends and family, they find themselves haunted by very different experiences. Who is the figure calling from beyond the stars for help, and why? And what are the fearsome Chagaskas terrorising Aleppo in 1380? To find the answers, Team TARDIS must embark on a mission which forces them to face their darkest fears.
The seventh serial of the season was written by newcomer Charlene James and Chris Chibnall. It was directed by Emma Sullivan whom is also making her debut helming an episode of the program. Clare-Hope Ashitey, Ian Gelder (who voiced The Remnants last season), Buom Tihngang, Aruhan Galieva, Nasreen Hussain and Bhavnisha Parmar all guest star.
Here are some promotional images from the episode.
Here are trailers for Episode Seven.
THE HAUNTING OF VILLA DIODATI
It is back to the past for Episode Eight, an episode that sees the TARDIS crew meet Lord Byron, Percy Shelley and Mary Shelley. Thus, the Doctor reminds her friends not to interfere with historical events. It is set in Geneva on the night that Mary Shelley writes her classic novel, Frankenstein.
There has been speculation that the Cybermen somehow influenced the writing of that book. It is also rumored that the Master may be back.
Emmerdale’s Maxine Alderton and Chris Chibnall wrote the episode. Emma Sullivan returns to direct her second episode of the season.
Synopsis
The Doctor and gang arrive at the Villa Diodati, Lake Geneva, in 1816 , on a night that inspired Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. The plan is to spend the evening soaking up the atmos in the presence of some literary greats , but the ghosts are all too real. And the Doctor is forced into a decision of earth-shattering proportions…
Guest stars include Lili Miller, Nadia Parkes, Maxim Baldry and Lewis Rainer. Jacob Collins-Levy guest stars as Byron.
SEASON 12 FINALE NEWS
The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine features information about the two-part season finale. The first half is entitled Ascension of the Cybermen and the second is called The Timeless Children. Both parts will not only feature the Cybermen but also, most likely some sort of appearance by The Master and maybe Jo Martin back again as The Doctor. It is set after a war between humanity and the Cybermen that has left the Cyber Empire in tatters.
Episode Ten has a run time of sixty-five minutes. This means there’s a lot to work into the narrative here.
The season finale could most likely see the departure of Tosin Cole and possibly Mandip Gill for Bradley Walsh from the series. However Walsh is believed to be coming back for the next series.
Guest stars include Julie Graham, Steve Toussant and Ian McElhinney. Both parts were written by Chris Chibnall and directed by Jamie Magnus Stone.
CHICAGO TARDIS UPDATE
Chicago TARDIS has announced that Sylvie Briggs and Mark Dexter (aka Ada Lovelace & Charles Babbage) as their first guests for this year’s show. Both actors were featured in Spyfall Part 2.
Held over Thanksgiving weekend in Lombard, Illinois, Chicago TARDIS is the Midwest’s largest annual Doctor Who gathering. For more information visit: http://www.chicagotardis.com
MATT SMITH IN LAST NIGHT IN SOHO
September 25th sees the release of Edgar Wright’s newest film, Last Night In Soho. Matt Smith stars in the film alongside Terrence Stamp and Diana Rigg.
Currently in post-production, the film has been billed as a time travel horror film set in 1960s London. The film was written by Krysty Wilson-Cairns whose previous credits include Penny Dreadful and 1917.
Smith will also be seen in the blockbuster, Morbius, slated for release in July.
DAVID TENNANT NEWS
David Tennant has been cast as Phileas Fogg in a new version of Around The World In 80 Days for the BBC. Spanning eight episodes, it is being written by Ashley Pharoah (Life on Mars) and Caleb Ranson (Child of Mine).
Filming begins later this month in South Africa and in Budapest.
RIVER SONG AND CAPTAIN JACK FOR BIG FINISH
Alex Kingston and John Barrowman are finally hooking up for Big Finish. The Lives of Captain Jack Volume Three finally sees two of the universe’s biggest personalities in one epic adventure as River Song encounters Captain Jack Harkness. Camille Coduri also stars as Jackie Tyler/
The three-disc set was produced by James Goss and consists of three stories, written by Guy Adams, Tim Foley and Goss respectively.
Crush
Captain Jack takes Mrs Tyler on a luxury cruise in space
Mighty and Despair
On a distant planet in the far future two travellers have come looking for a mythical hero.
R&J
From ancient battles to eternal wars, a pair of time-cross’d lovers take the stars
Big Finish has released a trailer for the collection.
This exciting team up will be released in March via Big Finish.
Next time….Peter Capaldi news, Season 12, Big Finish and much more!
