So, a new era of Doctor Who history is dawning. And with a brand new production team, Doctor and companion, comes the inevitable new logo. So far, this redesign has rather divided fan opinion. Those who are passive towards it (including our very own Mr. Stewart) claim it brings nothing new to the table. That it is bland and unoriginal, and that the emblem that goes with it is rather naff. However, I think it works.
The very key to its appeal lies in the fact that it is unremarkable. It’s functional; it’s sleek and not at all garish. I’m already picturing in my mind the various bits of merchandise we’ll be seeing in 2010, marvelling at how great the logo looks on those DVD covers and action figures. It is basically a re-working of the 60s logos, with some of the metallic sheen that the TV movie version had. The emblem, I can only assume, will become the new Doctor Who watermark, an identifiable badge, if you will. I’m all for that, if only because it’ll look nice on the book spines Continue reading
Having bashed ‘Delta and the Bannermen’ to hell a few weeks ago, you’ll probably be expecting me, whilst reviewing this, the ‘Remembrance of the Daleks’ special edition DVD, to angrily remove both discs from their case and Frisbee them out of a nearby window. You can, however, relax. This 1988 adventure is the shining jewel in the crown of Doctor Who’s twenty-fifth season. Although it does have faults, ‘Remembrance’ is helped along by a first-class script, some ingenious set design and a stellar cast.
A favourite of many Whovians, this 10-episode epic is so engaging and inventive that it’s almost an affront to scrutinise its technical drawbacks. Watching it for the first time, this reviewer almost forgot about the fact that it marks the second Doctor’s departure from the TARDIS, not to mention that of his two most memorable companions, Jamie and Zoe. Sure it’s long, but its length gives you a chance to stand back and examine the bigger picture, the intricacies of the multiple plot threads that begin to come together tidily towards the climax.
On paper, this story promises much: a refreshingly domestic, historical setting, a fleeting cameo by a well-known star, and plenty of fast-paced action. Having not seen ‘Delta’ since I acquired a copy of the VHS a few years ago, I was optimistic about what lay ahead as I put the disc in the DVD player. The reality is, however, that this is an outrageously shoddy production.