The Classics Are Back In The Five Doctors (ish)
And finally we have the cherry on the icing that is the 50th anniversary cake. Way back in part 1 of my 50th retrospective I debated the rumours and intrigue that was the possibility of classic Doctors returning for the special. Well as we know, every Doctor had a part to play in the final tale, but the actors themselves (those still alive) weren't part of it. (Aside from Tom Baker's magnificent turn as the curator). But as a consolation prize we got this little 30 minute gem instead. Written and directed by Peter Davison (aka the Fifth Doctor) it involved a whole host of returning faces to the screen as Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy and Davison did what fans always wanted...try and make it onto 'Day Of The Doctor'. Of course it's a wonderfully tongue in cheek little film, everyone involved, including the former Doctors playing wonderful over the top versions of their real personas. WARNING -THERE ARE A WHOLE HOST OF GEMS IN THIS FILM, WHICH I WILL TALK ABOUT. PLEASE GO WATCH IT
HERE AT THE BBC BEFORE READING FURTHER... Peter Davison, whose sons think more of the Tenth and Eleventh Doctor more than their old dad. Colin Baker who subjects his family to repeat viewings of Vengeance On Varos special edition on DVD. (He even locks them in the house to prevent their escape!). Sylvester McCoy, throwing the Hobbit (in which he plays Radagast The Brown) into every conversation,. The extremely busy Paul McGann joining the action, except he doesn't actually get a look in because he is too busy to filming other things to take part. Steven Moffat plays a wonderfully villainous version of himself, refusing to take the former Doctor's calls. Though my two favourite moments have to be camp, gay and proud John Barrowman revealed to be a straight worn down family man. And Russell T Davies, just as desperate to have a part in the special about the Doctors trying to be in the special. (I love that Davison in turns rejects his calls!) It is definitely a labour of love too. From Janet Fielding turning up as Tegan in Davison's dream, to a fifth-Doctor style floating heads moment for Moffat when many past companion faces return. (I counted Susan (Carole Anne Ford), Jo (Katy Manning), Victoria (Deborah Watling), Sarah Jane (Elizabeth Sladen), Leela (Louise Jameson) alone and there's more). Davison's daughter and David Tennant's wife Georgia Moffet (now Tennant) refusing to take her father's calls and then having her husband forget that she's in labour because he's too busy filming the special. I particularly enjoyed the cameos from Peter Jackson (complete with Oscar in hand on McCoy's phone) kicking off because his Radagast had abandoned filing to try and get into the Doctor Who 50th and Ian McKellan calmly replying...Sylvester who? Tom Baker getting stuck in a time Vortex (as in 'The Five Doctors') when the others phone him for help. And kudos to the wonderful synthesised sounds of Classic Who music as the three actors sneak around the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff (I've been there and it's awesome) only to be replaced by Murray Gold's big, bold Nu Who style once they make it onto the 'Day Of The Doctor' set. My favourite scene? The saddest protest ever outside the BBC studios in London. McCoy quoting the Seventh Doctor incorrectly. Baker's frustration and the latest mention of The Hobbit. And John Barrowman announcing to Davison 'you do know they film it in Cardiff right?' A wonderful little gem that highlights everything great about Doctor Who. If the former Doctors couldn't be the main special, then this is great little treat none the less and I really hope it appears on the 'Day Of The Doctor' DVD (or 50th box set if they do something with all the specials...and I really hope they do). And that pretty much rounds up my review of the 50th specials. We've had shocks (McGann in 'Night Of The Doctor' and Capaldi / Baker in 'Day Of The Doctor'). We've had laughs (every reaction of Hurt's Doctor to Tennant and Smith's) and possibly a few tears too. If 'An Adventure In Space And Time' was the heart of the 50th, then 'Day Of The Doctor' was the celebration and fireworks it deserved and 'The Fiveish Doctors' was the bonus present with plenty of great laughs. My retrospective of the 50th anniversary year is almost at an end. I'll be back with the final part 4 in just over a month, looking at Matt Smith's departure in the now titled 'Time Of The Doctor' at Christmas and taking one final look back at 2013 in its entirety. In the meantime, please let me know your thoughts on the 50th below!