Episode #287 of the DWO WhoCast, Doctor Who Podcast is Out Now!

In this week's episode of the DWO WhoCast...

Dave and Thomas got all hot under the collar about this week's Doctor Who as the Ice Warrior's reappear to fight a Cold War in Mark Gatiss' latest story.

Listen to Episode #287 of the DWO WhoCast in the player below:

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[Source: DWO]

DWO’s spoiler-free preview of episode 7.9 Hide:

Legends exist throughout time about the ‘Ghast of Caliburn House’ - a spectral figure caught in a moment of abject fear and terror stalking the halls of the house. The house has stood for 400 years, but the ghost is far older than that. She’s held many names over the centuries, and now the Doctor has arrived to solve her mystery. 

For the first half of its running time, Hide is part Ghost Stories for Christmas and part Most Haunted, as the Doctor and Clara team up with Professor Alec Palmer (Dougray Scott) and Empathic Psychic Emma Grayling (Jessica Raine) for a night in the house in November 1974. Palmer and Grayling, along with the Doctor and Clara, carry the weight of much of the episode, while the four of them hunt the ghost through the halls of the house. 

It’s in this part of the story that the episode really sings, building up a nice amount of traditional ghost story terror, and providing plenty of opportunities to make you jump. It also gives us another great chance to see Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman sharing the screen. The pair of them continue to work well together - it’s telling that while this was the first episode shot with the current version of Clara, the two feel like they’ve been travelling for a while. 

Clara’s continuing to find her feet throughout this episode: she’s not as sure about time travel as some of the Doctor’s other companions have been. Hide plays with the slightly interesting idea that the Doctor and Clara don’t really trust each other, but that they just get on with the adventure - having an empath around certainly allows each of them to be given a few clues about the other. 

Once the story has moved on from the early ghost story feeling and starts to reach outside the confines of the house it somewhat loses its atmosphere, and risks becoming A. N. Other Doctor Who adventure. Though the series has often gone out of its way to find a more scientific explanation for supernatural phenomena, the interesting idea behind this ghost seems to get a bit lost during translation to the screen, leaving the latter half of the episode less interesting than the set-up.

There’s plenty to love throughout the tale, though, including some fantastic direction from series newcomer Jamie Payne throughout, whose style is a perfect fit for a ghost story. This, coupled with the iconic ‘haunted house’ look of Hide really is one of the highlights.

Five things to look out for...

1) “It’s 1974 - you’re the assistant”

2) Ignorance is Carlisle.

3) A blue crystal from Metebilis III plays a vital role.

4) Whiskey is the 11th most disgusting thing ever invented. 

5) “Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it!”

[Sources: DWO; Will Brooks]

The BBC have released a series of Doctor Who promo images from 7.8: Cold War.

Check Out DWO's Guide to Series 7 Part 2, below:

 W = Written By / D = Directed By:

7.6: The Bells Of Saint John - [W: Steven Moffat / D: Colm McCarthy]
7.7: The Rings of Akhaten - [W: Neil Cross / D: Farren Blackburn]
7.8: Cold War - [W: Mark Gatiss / D: Douglas Mackinnon]
7.9: Hide - [W: Neil Cross / D: Jamie Payne]
7.10: Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS - [W: Stephen Thompson / D: Mat King]
7.11: The Crimson Horror - [W: Mark Gatiss / D: Saul Metzstein]
7.12: Nightmare In Silver - [W: Neil Gaiman / D: Stephen Wolfenden]
7.13: The Name Of The Doctor - [W: Steven Moffat / D: Saul Metzstein] - Rumoured Title

+  7.8: Cold War airs on Saturday 13th April on BBC One at 6:00pm.

[Source: BBC]

DWO's spoiler-free preview of episode 7.8 Cold War:

The Ice Warriors haven’t had the most lucky experience with Doctor Who over the years. After appearing in two 1960s stories, and two 1970s stories, they somewhat disappeared from the show. In the 1980s, two planned returns for the creatures were both scuppered when the series was cancelled. They’ve shown up plenty of times in comics and novels since then, but this is their first appearance in televised Who for 39 years. That’s one hell of a nap.

The Doctor and Clara - headed for Vegas, but getting the direction a little wrong - arrive on a Soviet submarine in the mid-1980s. Following an expedition to the North Pole, the sub is carrying a very precious cargo: a creature found perfectly preserved in the ice. As curiosity gets the better of the crew, disastrous consequences await them...

Coming after two adventures set in big, open places - filled with panoramic views of modern London, or overlooking an alien vista with a parasitic sun - the most striking thing about Cold War is the claustrophobia of the episode. The feeling of being trapped on an submarine, with a vengeful alien bearing down on you really comes across, and director Douglass Mackinnon really sells the feeling of entrapment, and ramps up the tension as time runs out for the Doctor and the crew. 

Praise also needs to be given for just how... wet the set is throughout. Almost every scene features the sub leaking from somewhere, with water streaming down the walls. Visually, it’s quite unlike anything we’ve seen in the programme before - and it’s gorgeous.

Of course, the thing that everyone is waiting on this episode for is the reappearance of an Ice Warrior to the series. It’s pleasing that the design of the creature remains true to what we’ve seen in the series before now, and proof that some Doctor Who monsters are so fantastic that they don’t need a big overhaul to make them acceptable to twenty-first century viewers. We see the advancement of the Ice Warrior, though, and it performs a trick that even the Doctor hasn’t seen one do before.

Ice Warrior aside, this is another important step for Clara as a companion - her first trip back into history. Following on from last week’s episode, it helps to establish the rules of the programme again for a new companion, and an audience that might have joined since Amy Pond ventured into World War Two in 2010 (in another script by Mark Gatiss, who pens this week’s instalment). There’s plenty of opportunity for Clara to learn about life in the TARDIS: it can get very real sometimes. 

Elsewhere, David Warner as Grisenko steals the show, puncturing all the end-of-the-world macho-ness with a wonderfully fun performance, roaming the corridors of the submarine singing the hits of the day. Warner’s character is fairly representative of the story as a whole. For all the danger of the Ice Warrior and the threat to the world, Cold War is a very funny episode, filled with great dialogue that really gives the cast - and especially Matt Smith - a chance to shine. 

Five things to look out for...

1) It’s probably a mammoth.

2) An Ice Warrior isn’t the only Second Doctor-era invention to appear in this episode.

3) The Doctor is always serious. With days off. 

4) Polar Bears are cuddlier than Ice Warriors.

5) It’s not a mammoth. 

[Sources: DWO, Will Brooks]

The overnight viewing figures are in for 7.7: The Rings Of Akhaten.

The episode achieved a figure of 5.5m viewers, with an audience share of 29%, and Doctor Who was the third most-watched programme for Saturday, winning its time-slot for the evening.

Top Overnights - Saturday 6th April:

1 - 7.3m - Saturday Night Takeaway - ITV1
2 - 6.4m - The Voice - BBC One 
3 - 5.5m - Doctor Who - BBC One

Final BARB ratings will be available within the next 10 days.

+  What did you think of the episode? Rate / Discuss in the DWO Forums!

[Source: Andy Parish]

BBC South Africa have unveiled brief, official synopsis' for the rest of Doctor Who Series 7 Part 2.

7.10: Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS

The TARDIS has crashed, Clara is lost inside, and the Doctor has 30 minutes before his ship explodes!

7.11: The Crimson Horror

Something ghastly is afoot in Victorian Yorkshire, as bodies are found with their skin a waxy, glowing red.

7.12: Nightmare In Silver

Hedgewick's World of Wonders: the perfect theme park day out - and ground zero for a deadly silver resurrection.

7.13: The Name Of The Doctor (rumoured title)

Someone is kidnapping the Doctor's friends, leading him towards the one place in all of time and space that he should never go.

Check Out DWO's Guide to Series 7 Part 2, below:

 W = Written By / D = Directed By:

7.6: The Bells Of Saint John - [W: Steven Moffat / D: Colm McCarthy]
7.7: The Rings of Akhaten - [W: Neil Cross / D: Farren Blackburn]
7.8: Cold War - [W: Mark Gatiss / D: Douglas Mackinnon]
7.9: Hide - [W: Neil Cross / D: Jamie Payne]
7.10: Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS - [W: Stephen Thompson / D: Mat King]
7.11: The Crimson Horror - [W: Mark Gatiss / D: Saul Metzstein]
7.12: Nightmare In Silver - [W: Neil Gaiman / D: Stephen Wolfenden]
7.13: The Name Of The Doctor - [W: Steven Moffat / D: Saul Metzstein] - Rumoured Title

[Source: BBC South Africa]

 DWO reports from The Rings Of Akhaten, with a spoiler-free preview of episode 7.7:

DWO's spoiler-free preview for 7.7: The Rings Of Akhaten.

Having finally caught up with the impossible Clara Oswald, the Doctor is determined to solve her mystery. First, though, he has a date to keep, and offers to take Clara anywhere in time and space. Armed with her trusty guide of 101 Places to See, she only has one stipulation: somewhere ‘awesome’. 

Last year, much was made about Season 7 being comprised of stand-alone episodes. Big, individual, filmic ideas that can really take in the full scope of what Doctor Who can deliver. Taking us from a Dalek Asylum, to a spaceship filled with dinosaurs and back to the old west in the space of three weeks. 

The New Series, while having more of an on-going narrative than the final days of the Ponds, still retains this style. The Bells of Saint John was typified by being set against a backdrop of twenty-first-century London icons, while this episode takes us through to another end of the spectrum, with a rich and textured alien society, where they barter with memories rather than money, and live in a world ruled in part by songs and stories. 

It’s in the design that The Rings of Akhaten really excels, with the TARDIS landing on the inhabited rings of the title, an alien civilisation with an arabic vibe. The heart of the society is the bustling marketplace - crowded streets filled with a whole host of brand new aliens. While it’s perhaps a shame not to not see any familiar faces buried within the crowds, it’s hard not to find yourself drawn in by the sheer... alienness of these new creatures. 

There’s something of a vibe of the Russell T. Davies era present here, with our brand new companion out on her first adventure. The story serves the same purpose as The End of the World or The Fires of Pompeii, and there are elements of both those stories echoed here, opening Clara’s eyes to the wonder of the TARDIS. 

We’re also given the perfect opportunity for Jenna-Louise Coleman to shine on her own terms, removing The Doctor from the equation so we can can witness her first exposure to the universe though Clara’s eyes. Matt Smith continues to - impossibly - keep getting better at simply being the Doctor, and is given plenty of time to shine in this episode, too. 

As this version of Clara first steps out into the stars, The Rings of Akhaten doesn’t disappoint. If the rest of the series continues on in the same quality displayed here, then we’re certainly fulfilling Clara’s desire - we’re headed somewhere really, really, awesome... 

Five things to look out for...

1) The Doctor is a fan of The Beano.

2) Time isn’t made of strawberries.

3) Clara’s leaf is the ‘most important leaf in human history’.

4) The Doctor gets to imitate a certain famous archaeologist.

5) Reference is made to the Doctor’s first incarnation.

[Sources: DWO, Will Brooks]

The overnight viewing figures are in for 7.6: The Bells Of Saint John.

The episode achieved a figure of 6.2m viewers, with an audience share of 30%, and Doctor Who was the third most-watched programme for Saturday, winning its time-slot for the evening.

Top Overnights - Saturday 15th September:

1 - 7.2m - Saturday Night Takeaway - ITV1
2 - 6.24m - The Voice - BBC One 
3 - 6.2m - Doctor Who - BBC One

Final BARB ratings will be available within the next 10 days.

+  What did you think of the episode? Rate / Discuss in the DWO Forums!

[Source: Andy Parish]

The BBC have released a series of Doctor Who promo images from 7.6: The Bells Of St John.

Check Out DWO's Guide to Series 7 Part 2, below:

 W = Written By / D = Directed By:

7.6: The Bells Of Saint John - [W: Steven Moffat / D: Colm McCarthy]
7.7: The Rings of Akhaten - [W: Neil Cross / D: Farren Blackburn]
7.8: Cold War - [W: Mark Gatiss / D: Douglas Mackinnon]
7.9: Hide - [W: Neil Cross / D: Jamie Payne]
7.10: Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS - [W: Stephen Thompson / D: Mat King]
7.11: The Crimson Horror - [W: Mark Gatiss / D: Saul Metzstein]
7.12: Nightmare In Silver - [W: Neil Gaiman / D: Stephen Wolfenden] - Updated Title
7.13: The Name Of The Doctor - [W: Steven Moffat / D: Saul Metzstein] - Rumoured Title

+  7.6: The Bells Of St John airs on Saturday 30th March on BBC One at 6:15pm.

[Source: BBC]

The BBC have released a new promo image and some further information regarding Series 7B of Doctor Who.

The series is set to return to BBC One on Saturday 30th March 2013 in a modern day urban thriller, finally confirmed today as 'The Bells of St John', as the first official image is revealed (pictured-right), giving fans a sneak peak at what to expect from the epic new series. Eagle-eyed fans will also spot a sneak peek at the revamped Ice Warriors, in the promo image. For the less eagle-eyed out there, DWO have put together an image (also pictured-right) featuring all the Ice Warrior portions of the promo image.

Written by Steven Moffat, 'The Bells of St John' will mark the official introduction of the Doctor's newest companion, Clara Oswald, played by Jenna-Louise Coleman.  Having already made two appearances last year, the opening episode will be the first time fans get to see the Clara that will accompany The Doctor across the series' eight adventures.

Set in London against the backdrop of new and old iconic landmarks, The Shard and Westminster Bridge, 'The Bells of St John' will also establish a new nemesis, the Spoonheads, who will battle The Doctor as he discovers something sinister is lurking in the Wi-Fi.

Steven Moffat, executive producer and lead writer, said:

"It's the 50th year of Doctor Who and look what's going on! We're up in the sky and under the sea! We're running round the rings of an alien world and then a haunted house. There's new Cybermen, new Ice Warriors and a never before attempted journey to the centre of the TARDIS. And in the finale, the Doctor's greatest secret will at last be revealed!  If this wasn't already our most exciting year it would be anyway!"

Featuring a movie a week from a ghost story to an underwater siege to a period drama, the new series will also introduce new monsters, as well as bringing back fan favourites The Ice Warriors and The Cybermen.

Meanwhile the series' stellar list of guest stars include: Celia Imrie; Warwick Davis, Jessica Raine, Dougray Scott and Tamzin Outhwaite, as well as for the first time on screen together, mother and daughter Dame Diana Rigg and Rachael Stirling.

Check Out DWO's Guide to Series 7B, below:

W = Written By / D = Directed By:

7.6: The Bells Of St.John - [W: Steven Moffat / D: Colm McCarthy]
7.7: The Rings of Akhaten - [W: Neil Cross / D: Farren Blackburn] - Rumoured Title
7.8: The Cold War - [W: Mark Gatiss / D: Douglas Mackinnon] - Rumoured Title
7.9: Phantoms Of The Hex - [W: Neil Cross / D: Jamie Payne] - Rumoured Title
7.10: Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS - [W: Stephen Thompson / D: Mat King]
7.11: The Crimson Horror - [W: Mark Gatiss / D: Saul Metzstein] - Rumoured Title
7.12: The Last Cyberman - [W: Neil Gaiman / D: Stephen Wolfenden]
7.13: Untitled - [W: Steven Moffat / D: Saul Metzstein]

Watch the preview for Series 7B, below:

[youtube:0q7xbDpym0Q]

+  The Bells Of St John will air on 30th March on BBC One at Time TBC in the UK.
+  The Bells Of St John will air on 30th March on BBC America at Time TBC in the USA.
+  The Bells Of St John will air on 30th March on Space at Time TBC in Canada.

[Source: BBC Media Centre]

Steven Moffat has (quite possibly deliberately) added fuel to the rumours that past Doctors might return for the 50th Anniversary Doctor Who Special.

Speaking at the recent BBC Drama Commissions event, and subsequently quoted by The Mirror newspaper, Moffat had the following to say regarding plans for the special:

“Getting the other Doctors involved would be very fitting for the anniversary episode, wouldn’t it?”

Initially The Mirror newspaper failed to state the source of the quote, but DWO today got confirmation that it was indeed at the BBC Drama Commissions event.

Matt Smith has also added fuel to the rumours, having been quoted saying:

“How amazing would it be to see Tom Baker? Can you imagine seeing him back in the scarf? That would be so cool! Paul McGann is a great Doctor – I say bring back Chris and Dave too.”

+ Woud you like to see past Doctors return for the 50th Anniversary Special? Vote Now in the DWO Forums!

[Sources: The Mirror; DWO]

BBC Worldwide Channels has announced that the much-anticipated latest episodes of the BBC’s hugely popular sci-fi drama Doctor Who will be coming to BBC Entertainment in Poland and South Africa just one day after its UK premiere transmission.

The second part of Series Seven (eight episodes) will air on UK screens on 30th March 2013 and will transmit the following day, 31st March, on BBC Entertainment in Poland at 6:00pm, and on BBC Entertainment in South Africa at 7:00pm.

The first fantastic adventure in the run is written by the show’s lead writer and executive producer, Steven Moffat, and directed by Colm McCarthy, whose previous credits include Hustle, Spooks and Endeavour. Later adventures in the run are written by Mark Gatiss and Neil Gaiman among others.

Jon Farrar, VP Programming, EMEA, BBC Worldwide Channels said:

“It’s a very important part of our programming strategy to bring our acquired content to air as close to its UK transmission as possible. Doctor Who is a hugely popular programme and I’m delighted we are able to bring the Doctor’s latest adventures to Polish audiences just one day after the UK premiere transmission.”

Doctor Who is the world’s longest running science fiction series and will celebrate its 50th anniversary on 23rd November 2013. One of BBC Worldwide’s flagship global brands, the show has now been seen in over 200 territories worldwide.

[Source: BBC Press Office]

SFX Magazine have exclusively revealed that Classic Series villains, The Ice Warriors, will return in Series 7 of Doctor Who.

Speaking to SFX in an exclusive interview, Executive Producer, Caro Skinner, had the following to say regarding their eturn:

“We’ve got the most fantastic episode by Mark Gatiss, where we are bringing back the Ice Warrior… on a submarine! It’s a really wonderful kind of ‘bunker’ episode, and a classic monster which Mark has brought his own inimitable twist to.

We wanted to bring them back because they’re wonderful! In the mix of stories that we were planning for this year it felt as if doing something very bold with a monster that hadn’t been seen for a while would be really cool. Mark is an enormous fan of the Ice Warrior stories and came up with the idea. The sense of a monster of that scale and that size trapped in a really small, contained environment such as a submarine was a really brilliant story to be able to tell. And obviously we’ve had a huge amount of fun going back to the traditional designs and recreating them, bringing the Ice Warriors back to life again.

They were such a beautiful original design, and are genuinely really scary in terms of what they look like as they’re coming towards you in that armour. Letting a huge Ice Warrior loose at the heart of a classic Hunt For Red October style submarine movie was exactly the kind of story that the Doctor should get mixed up in.

They’ve got really scary voices as well. I spent quite a lot of time on set trying to hiss like an Ice Warrior...”

Armed with lethal sonic technology, the reptillian warmongers first tangled with Patrick Troughton’s Doctor in 1967′s “The Ice Warriors”, returning two years later in “The Seeds Of Death”. Jon Pertwee’s incarnation encountered them in 1972′s “The Curse Of Peladon” and 1974′s “The Monster Of Peladon”. Traditionally seen as one of the show’s 'Big Four' pantheon of monsters – along with The Daleks, The Cybermen and The Sontarans – the militaristic Martians won a throwaway mention in 2009′s “The Waters Of Mars” but have remained unseen in the 21st Century series.

Watch a clip from The Ice Warriors, below:

[youtube:HMGJCssAXL0]

[Source: SFX Magazine]

The title of Neil Gaiman's Series 7 Doctor Who episode has now been confirmed.

Speaking in an interview to TheMusic.com.au, Gaiman himself revealed the title of his Cyberman epsiode:

“I’ve written [one] that broadcasts in May. It guest stars Warwick Davis, Tamzin Outhwaite and Jason Watkins. The episode is called The Last Cyberman. It’s about identity, it’s about responsibility and it’s about porridge.”

[Source: TheMusic.com.au]

Doctor Who executive producer Steven Moffat has been talking about what viewers can expect from the new series, which is set to resume on Saturday 30th March on BBC One. 

Speaking at the Radio Times covers’ party, Moffat teased:

“We’ll be up in the air, we’re under the water, we’re on a fantastic alien planet, we’re back in time, we’re forward in time, and the Doctor’s greatest secret is in jeopardy.” 

The upcoming eight episodes - which see Matt Smith teaming up with new companion Jenna-Louise Coleman - will include instalments written by Moffat, as well as Luther creator Neil Cross, Neil Gaiman and Mark Gatiss. 

In November, Doctor Who will, of course, celebrate its 50th anniversary and Moffat was also asked about whether he was apprehensive as regards the forthcoming anniversary: 

“You can’t do this job if you’re nervous all the time. So, seriously, I’m mostly excited, a little bit nervous and aware of trying not to let people down.” 

When probed about how big the event would end up being, the writer replied:

"Pretty big. But, you know, I don’t want people to get bored just yet. So let’s just wait and get our next eight episodes out of the way before we start talking about it.”

+  Series 7: Part 2 begins on Saturday 30th March 2013 on BBC One.

[Source: Radio Times]

BBC One have contacted DWO to let us know that Doctor Who will return to our screens on Easter Saturday (30th March 2013).

W = Written By / D = Directed By:

7.6: The Bells Of St.John - [W: Steven Moffat / D: Colm McCarthy] - Rumoured Title
7.7: Untitled - [W: Neil Cross / D: Farren Blackburn]
7.8: Untitled - [W: Mark Gatiss / D: Douglas Mackinnon]
7.9: Phantoms Of The Hex - [W: Neil Cross / D: Jamie Payne] - Rumoured Title
7.10: Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS - [W: Stephen Thompson / D: Mat King] - Confirmed Title
7.11: The Crimson Horror - [W: Mark Gatiss / D: Saul Metzstein] - Rumoured Title
7.12: Untitled - [W: Neil Gaiman / D: Stephen Wolfenden]
7.13: Untitled - [W: Steven Moffat / D: TBC]

[Source: BBC One]

The final BARB viewing figures are in for 7.6X: The Snowmen.

The episode achieved a final rating of 9.87m viewers - a shift of +4.12m - the biggest ever!, with a total audience share of 38.8%, making it the 4th most-watched programme on Christmas Day, behind Eastenders (11.31m), Call The Midwife (10.18m) & The Royle Family (9.90m), respectively.

The figures include recordings of the episodes within 7 days of transmission.

Overnight Rating:
7.59m / 33.9% audience share.

AI Score:
87

BBC iPlayer Downloads (1-day):
1.47m 

Time Shift:
+4.12m 

+  What did you think of the episode? Rate / Discuss in the DWO Forums!

[Source: Andy Parish]

The BBC Doctor Who site have confirmed the rumours that The Cybermen will return in 2013, for the story written by Neil Gaiman.

The episode (7.12), will also guest star Warwick Davis (Star Wars, Willow, Harry Potter), Tamzin Outhwaite (Eastenders, Hotel Babylon) and Jason Watkins (Being Human, Lark Rise to Candleford), as 'a band of misfits on a mysterious planet'.

Stephen Woolfenden has been confirmed as the Director of the episode.

Writing on his blog, Neil Gaiman teased the title of the episode:

"Oh, and for the curious, the episode will be called . Only with letters instead of Ascii Blocks. Unless we change the title again before it's broadcast. Which might well happen, actually. I mean, it was originally called ."

Why not put your guesses below in the comment box, or tweet your guesses to the @DrWhoOnline Twitter account using the button to the right.

[Source: BBC Doctor Who site]

According to an entry on Simon Dennis' (Doctor Who Director of Photography) agency website, the title of Episode 6 of Series 7 is 'The Bells of St. John'.

The entry has recently gone through an update and has now omitted the reference to the title. If true, the DWO Guide to Series 7 shapes up as follows:

W = Written By / D = Directed By:

7.1: Asylum Of The Daleks - [W: Steven Moffat / D: Nick Hurran] - Aired
7.2: Dinosaurs On A Spaceship - [W: Chris Chibnall / D: Saul Metzstein] - Aired
7.3: A Town Called Mercy - [W: Toby Whithouse / D: Saul Metzstein] - Aired
7.4: The Power Of Three - [W: Chris Chibnall / D: Douglas Mackinnon] - Aired
7.5: The Angels Take Manhattan - [W: Steven Moffat / D: Nick Hurran] - Aired
7.X: The Snowman - [W: Steven Moffat / D: Saul Metzstein] - (2012 Doctor Who Christmas Special) - Rumoured Title
7.6: The Bells Of St.John - [W: Steven Moffat / D: Colm McCarthy] - Rumoured Title
7.7: Untitled - [W: Neil Cross / D: Farren Blackburn]
7.8: Untitled - [W: Mark Gatiss / D: Douglas Mackinnon]
7.9: Phantoms Of The Hex - [W: Neil Cross / D: Jamie Payne] - Rumoured Title
7.10: Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS - [W: Stephen Thompson / D: Mat King] - Confirmed Title
7.11: The Crimson Horror - [W: Mark Gatiss / D: Saul Metzstein] - Rumoured Title
7.12: Untitled - [W: Neil Gaiman / D: Stephen Wolfenden]
7.13: Untitled - [W: Steven Moffat / D: TBC]

[Sources: DWO; Independent Talent]

Following on from yesterday's announcement, the BBC have now released 'P.S.'; a short video written by Chris Chibnall with a voiceover from Arthur Darvill, which lets us find out what happened to Brian, Amy and Rory after the events of 7.5: The Angels Take Manhattan.

View the video below, then Rate / Discuss it in the DWO Forums:

[Source: BBC Doctor Who site]

Rory’s dad, Brian Williams, only appeared in two episodes but swiftly established himself as a favourite amongst Doctor Who’s audience. After Amy and Rory’s heart-breaking departure in The Angels Take Manhattan the BBC Doctor Who Team received many emails asking what happened next to Brian. Did he ever find out what took his son and daughter-in-law? If so, how? And would Brian – and viewers - ever learn more about Amy and Rory’s life after the Doctor?

A special scene was written by Chris Chibnall that revealed some of the answers but sadly, the sequence was never shot. However, the BBC Doctor Who site will be bringing you the scene tomorrow. Using animated storyboards and a voice-over specially recorded by Arthur Darvill, we’ll discover more about Brian and the Ponds, post-Angels.

It begins with Brian alone, doing what he once told the Doctor must be done – watering the plants. But his life is about to change forever...

Doctor Who’s Executive Producer, Caro Skinner, said:

"We’re delighted we can present this lovely scene written by Chris Chibnall. People took Rory’s dad, Brian, to their hearts very quickly, so it’s fitting we can give the character a degree of closure in this poignant piece."

P.S. is a short video written by Chris Chibnall and will be essential viewing for anyone who wants to know more about what happened to Brian, Amy and Rory. It will be available to watch on the BBC Doctor Who site Tomorrow (Friday 12th October).

[Source: BBC Doctor Who site]

The final BARB viewing figures are in for 7.3: A Town Called Mercy.

The episode achieved a final rating of 8.42m viewers - a shift of +1.8m , with an total audience share of 33.4%.

The figures include recordings of the episodes within 7 days of transmission, but not BBC iPlayer viewings and downloads.

Overnight Rating:
6.6m / 29.1% audience share.

AI Score:
85

Time Shift:
+1.8m 

+  What did you think of the episode? Rate / Discuss in the DWO Forums!

[Source: Andy Parish]

The overnight viewing figures are in for 7.4: The Power of Three.

The episode achieved a figure of 5.5m viewers, with an audience share of 25.6%, and Doctor Who was the second most-watched programme for Saturday, winning its time-slot for the evening.

Top Overnights - Saturday 15th September:

1 - 8.2m - (35.7%) - The X Factor - 20:15 - ITV1
2 - 5.5m - (25.6%) - Doctor Who - 19:30 - BBC One
3 - 4.0m - (17.7%) - Casualty - 21:15 - BBC One 

Final BARB ratings will be available within the next 10 days.

+  What did you think of the episode? Rate / Discuss in the DWO Forums!

[Source: Andy Parish]

The overnight viewing figures are in for 7.3: A Town Called Mercy.

The episode achieved a figure of 6.6m viewers, with an audience share of 29.1%, and Doctor Who was the third most-watched programme for Saturday, winning its time-slot for the evening.

Top Overnights - Saturday 15th September:

1 - 8.6m - (38.3%) - The X Factor - 20:15 - ITV1
2 - 8.0m - (40.2%) - Strictly Come Dancing - 18:30 - BBC One
3 - 6.6m - (29.1%) - Doctor Who - 19:30 - BBC One

Final BARB ratings will be available within the next 10 days.

+  What did you think of the episode? Rate / Discuss in the DWO Forums!

[Source: Andy Parish]

The overnight viewing figures are in for 7.2: Dinosaurs on a Spaceship.

The episode achieved a figure of 5.5m viewers, with an audience share of 26.2%, and Doctor Who was the second most-watched programme for Saturday, winning its time-slot for the evening.

Top Overnights - Saturday 1st September:

1 - 7.7m - (TBA%) - The X Factor - 20:10 - ITV1
2 - 5.5m - (29.3%) - Doctor Who - 19:35 - BBC One
3 - 3.3m - (TBA%) - Red or Black? - 19:25 - ITV1

Final BARB ratings will be available within the next 10 days.

+  What did you think of the episode? Rate / Discuss in the DWO Forums!

[Source: Andy Parish]

The BBC have released a number of promotional pictures for this week's episode of Doctor Who; 7.2: Dinosaurs on a Spaceship.

+  7.2: Dinosaurs on a Spaceship will air on Saturday 8th September at 7:35pm on BBC One.

+  Read DWO's Spoiler-Free Preview for this story, here.

[Source: BBC Pictures]

The overnight viewing figures are in for 7.1: Asylum of the Daleks.

The episode achieved a figure of 6.4m viewers, with an audience share of 29.3%, and Doctor Who was the second most-watched programme for Saturday, winning its time-slot for the evening.

Top Overnights - Saturday 1st September:

1 - 8.6m - (36.8%) - The X Factor - 20:10 - ITV1
2 - 6.4m - (29.3%) - Doctor Who - 19:20 - BBC One
3 - 4.2m - (TBA%) - Casualty - 21:00 - BBC One

Final BARB ratings will be available within the next 10 days.

+  What did you think of the episode? Rate / Discuss in the DWO Forums!

[Source: Andy Parish]

DWO have seen 7.2: Dinosaurs on a Spaceship and have put our spoiler-free preview together:

When Steven Moffat referred to this new series as "filmic" and "like standalone movies", it's difficult to think how such a thing would be possible with the restriction of a 45-minute time-slot - not to mention BBC budgets, but the Doctor Who team being who they are, only went and did it - in spades!

Dinosaurs on a Spaceship sees us travel from Egypt 1334 B.C. to Earth 2367 A.D. and then back in time to the African Plains of 1902 A.D., before we're brought crashing back down to the mundanity of real life in the Pond household. And that's all before the title sequence!

Sure, there's a lot crammed into this 45-minute episode, but rather cleverly (and miraculously) it doesn't feel cluttered or rushed. The Doctor has a total of 5 companions with him on this particular outing (not all of them are willing), and it leads to a surprisingly refreshing gear change that, on paper, shouldn't work, but to watch on screen is thoroughly entertaining.

The idea that The Doctor can pick up a companion of his choosing, anywhere in time and space is really quite fun and explored rather mischievously here - especially when they turn out to be Queen Nefertiti (Riaan Steele) and big-game hunter, John Riddell (Rupert Graves). An odd pairing, but one that works all the same - and with dinosaurs abound, The Doctor is going to need all the help he can get!

We mustn't forget Amy and Rory, though! There's plenty of Pond action for you to be getting on with. Amy in particular comes forward and shows off some of the skills she has learnt from her time travelling with The Doctor. Rory feels a little underused, however, which is a shame considering the momentum of his character development in recent episodes.

Together with a particularly unlikable villain (played by the wonderful David Bradley of Harry Potter fame) as well as two equally unlikeable (though slightly irritating) robot servants (voiced by comedians David Mitchell and Robert Webb), Dinosaurs on a Spaceship is incredibly well-rounded.

But lets get to the bit everyone wants to hear about, The Dinosaurs!!! Firstly, they are fantastically well done. The CGI shots are of the highest calibre (kudos to The Mill) and the model shots are so realistic, they give Spielberg's Jurassic Park a run for its money. Speaking of which, there are a couple of obligatory nods to the aforementioned movie, with Murray Gold's awesome score feeling quite John Williams-esque in places.

Writer, Chris Chibnall, has to be commended for this script. It would have been so easy to get carried away with the concept of throwing Dinosaurs into a Doctor Who story, but they're not overused. Everything and, more importantly, everyone, fits together nicely. Action-packed would be a bit of an understatement for this episode, and when you throw the words 'Doctor', 'Triceratops' and 'Golf Ball' together…well…just wait and see!

Five things to look out for...

1) Were introduced to another member of the Pond family (or should that be Williams).

2) It's been 10 Months since the events of Asylum of the Daleks.

3) The Doctor has a gang now!

4) The Doctor still has a Christmas List!

5) "Doctor, after all this time…"

[Source: Doctor Who Online]

The BBC Doctor Who Website have uploaded the final part (Part 5) of the Pond Life mini-series which can be viewed below:

[youtube:SxXAY7LyjcM]

+  Asylum of the Daleks airs at 7:20pm on BBC One on Saturday 1st September.

[Source: BBC Doctor Who Website]

The BBC Doctor Who Website have uploaded Part 4 of the Pond Life mini-series which can be viewed below:

[youtube:Ikv0QbubV7Y]

+  Part 5 will be available from Midday on Friday 31st August.

[Source: BBC Doctor Who Website]