Verity

It is especially sad to hear on the 44th anniversary, that Doctor Who's first producer Verity Lambert has passed away. Unlike, say, Star Trek, Doctor Who doesn't have one "creator" -- but her influence is very much still there today, showing up most recently in Human Nature.

It was Verity Lambert, after all, who argued for the first Dalek story with Sydney Newman -- without which it is unlikely Doctor Who would be, well, Doctor Who.

Doctor Who isn't her only work -- her entire
biography is impressive.

The best tribute to her is that the show she helped to create is still going strong four and a half decades along, and that she will be remembered as "Doctor Who's mother" for as long as the concept survives.

As Russell T Davies says: "This is her legacy and we will never forget that."

Torchwood Series Two In US --- in January!

Proving that Torchwood has been a success in the US, BBC America has announced that they'll be airing the second series even earlier than imagined -- in January, according to the Doctor Who News Page.

I'm impressed that this time it looks to be nearly simultaneous with the UK release -- certainly the shortest gap yet for either Doctor Who or Torchwood.

And with January looking very grim for American television due to the writer's strike -- this could be an especially good opportunity for British imports like Doctor Who and Torchwood.

Doctor Who Toys

Doctor Who Toys looks like an interesting site filled with reviews and commentary about various pieces of Doctor Who merchandise.

It's pretty difficult to keep track of it all, and this may give you some ideas.

Human Nature

I'm watching what may be the greatest disc of Doctor Who of all time -- I just finished watching Human Nature and The Family of Blood -- which was a very appropriate to watch today. And now I'm watching the Blink commentary track.

The more time that has passed the happier I am with the second half (in particular) of the most recent series of Doctor Who. It's all just about some of the best part of Doctor Who ever -- creepy, emotional, fan-pleasing, clever, and witty.

Fantastic.

People's Choice

They've told you especially to campaign for your favorite shows -- and well, there is no question, really.

Steampunk Dalek and Series Three.

I got my DVD set of Series Three today. I ran to check the commentary for some of the last bits of Utopia as I never get tired of seeing the performances at the end of the episode. I think the last half of Series Three is as good as Doctor Who has ever been -- and while I know some people have been critical of the season finale, it has only grown on me over time.

I leave you with this shot of a Steampunk Dalek, which comes from a variety of places

Time Warrior

It's difficult to evaluate a monster design based on press photos -- but it is recognizably a Sontaran.

I'm quite excited by their return -- I think the Sontarans fit in well with the new series ethic, and they've been high on my returning creature list for years.