Doctor Who: 12 Steven Moffat Quotes You Might Not Have Heard
5. On Other Writers' Scripts...
It's not just one man who writes the show, and some excellent writers have lent their talents to Doctor Who over the years. Which of them did Moffat enjoy the most? Most of us have heard him talk about how much he loves 'An Unearthly Child', 'Earthshock', 'Vincent and the Doctor' and the scripts that Mark Gatiss and Neil Gaiman have posted under his door, but what about the rest? He's probably seen everything. He certainly has an opinion on anything. It's sometimes surprising what he really rates...
"Anyone who's interested in writing should study 'Smith And Jones' - it's one of the most technically brilliant scripts you'll ever get your hands on. The construction of it is dazzling, and yet - and this is the REALLY dazzling part - it's designed to feel light and airy and simple. And for that dim-witted reason, people think it IS simple. It's not, it's incredible. Look, what's folded away in all that gorgeous froth. A new main character, whole and complete - an old friend within minutes. Her entire background and family, all there for us, perfectly clear. And while all thats going on, AT THE SAME TIME, a hospital gets stolen and taken to the (bloody) moon. All this in under ten minutes! And never mind all that, the entire format of the entire show is explained and sold to a brand new audience. Stunning. But - and this what makes your blood boil - because it's made to LOOK easy, idiots and critics think it IS easy. Try it! Go on, get yer pen, TRY it."
The Doctor Who Forum
"City Of Death is one of my favourite stories, probably my favourite Who script and Douglas Adams is one of my favourite authors."
The Doctor Who Forum
" Bloody loved it. Cheeky, audacious, mental. Does stuff only Doctor Who can do. And Doctor Who should never waste time doing anything else."
The Doctor Who Forum
" Pretty decent?? Pretty decent???? The Christmas Invasion is bloody brilliant. I've watched it three times. I dance along to it."
