It was pretty big, and timely, news the other week when Bleeding Cool reported a rumor that the BBC had unearthed some old episodes of Doctor Who including classic storylines like Dad’s Army, Morecambe And Wise, and The Sky At Night. But did someone jump the gun when they talked to Bleeding Cool?

An official source with the BBC told Bleeding Cool that, yes, they have. Philip Fleming, Head of Communications, Brands, Content & Digital, BBC Worldwide told BC’s Rich Johnston:

There are always rumours and speculation about Doctor Who missing episodes being discovered, however we cannot confirm any new finds.

Well that’s the end of that right? Not to fast, Bleeding Cool ran a follow-up to the follow-up that seemed to indicate that the BBC may have been fibbing a little as to just how much this rumor is not-true. Indeed one reformed naysayer, an archivist named Ian Levine, tweeted that “I am so f***ing speechless, I have no idea how I am going to sleep tonight. I was utterly wrong, but I was lied to, yes barefaced lied to.”

He then tweeted further that, “I have just seen ‘three tons’ of evidence that tells me it’s all true. Saying no more. Apart from I now believe it again.” He then responded to a follower saying, “I’ve just been given proof that backs up the entire story,from 2011. So yes I now really believe he has found 90 missing episodes.”

The reference to “three tons” of footage was a  2011 report about a huge shipment of old BBC footage from several shows from the 60s, up-to and including Doctor Who. From the original article:

I work at a regional branch of a large international logistics company. On Tuesday morning a customer called in to collect a box sent from Zambia via Nigeria containing BBC tapes and 16″ films, supposedly for returning to the archives. The guy apparently said (I didn’t serve him myself) that the box contained recovered 60s material including episodes of Doctor Who (the only programme he mentioned by name, it seems) and that we’d be hearing all about it before the end of the year. Naturally I was keenly excited, particularly given that this seemed to suggest a major find, but, having encountered neither box nor customer myself, I couldn’t pursue the matter directly. I’ve checked the paperwork but I can’t fathom why BBC archive stuff would be addressed to a Merseyside address, especially one where the company name given doesn’t match the stated premises or postcode (hence why we couldn’t deliver the box and the customer had to fetch it himself). Then again, the shipper may have just cocked up the address slightly, it’s all perfectly kosher and I’m just fretting inappropriately. After all, the customer did say all would be revealed in time.

So don’t discount the possibility that there may be some found Doctor Who out there. This year would be the perfect time to unleash some lost then found Who and obviously the BBC is going to let those punks at Bleeding Cool ruin the surprise.

More news as it develops.

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Liz Buckley, a friend of Kinnear’s family tweeted this,

As always, you have to take each bit of news or Internet rumor with a huge grain of salt, until the BBC officially announces the casting it’s all just smoke and mirrors. The casting smokescreen sounds about right to me. Hey, Kinnear could be on a short list and he is a favorite among some of those pundits making lists of casting possibilities.

There are still many fans hoping the Doctor will regenerate as a woman. What do you think?

Via: Bleedingcool

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So… take this next one with a big helping of skepticism.  It seems, if the rumors are true, that the new Doctor will be announced by the BBC sometime soon.  They will, in fact, be telling us who to expect to see in the T.A.R.D.I.S. within the next two days.  Along with this rumor of the imminent arrival of the 12^th comes a short-list of folks who may be top of the heap in securing the role.  Again, it’s all hearsay at this point, but check out the list below (after the jump) and see what you think.

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Unsurprisingly, ever since the announcement Matt Smith‘s leaving Doctor Who all anyone can talk about is who’ll be his replacement. There’s all sort of rumors ranging from the next Doctor being older, maybe younger, no longer white, and possibly a woman. Of course, it’s all hearsay as I’m sure eve the BBC doesn’t know who’ll be the next Doctor. Or, do they?

All right, so yesterday the Radio Times ran a story stating there could be an announcement of who is the next Doctor by next month, because it’ll be impossible to keep things secret while filming the Christmas special. And this is Radio Times, not The Sun or Daily Mail, they’re not printing total bullshit just to drive up their numbers. If an official announcement is only a month away, surely the role already is cast, right?

Then there’s this from one Mr. Wil Wheaton, who on his Tumblr wrote,

Am I the only person who knows who has been cast as the next Doctor, and who has known this was coming for several weeks? I figured that if it filtered down to me, it must be common knowledge among people who matter.

…now I feel kind of special. Yay me.

The post was in response to a quote from an article naming actor, Chiwetel Ejiofor as the running favorite for Doctor Who. He apparently has very good odds, coming in at 7/1. Back in 2011 when Ejiofor was asked if he’d ever be interested in playing The Doctor he responded,

Yes, of course. It’s always good to be asked to come back to London and do great stuff not only in television but in theatre and film too.

And while a little vague, still an affirmative. But what does Wheaton’s cryptic confession and the good odds for Ejiofor have to do with one another? Other than both appeared on Wheaton’s Tumblr? Absolutely nothing, but it’s interesting nonetheless, no? Could Wheaton’s response mean Ejiofor is a likely candidate, or that he isn’t?

I certainly think Ejiofor would make an excellent Doctor and his casting would comply with wishes of those, like myself, who’d like to see someone other than a white male as the Time Lord. What do you think? Is Ejiofor someone you’d like to see the BBC consider? Does Wheaton actually know who’s been cast? Meaning, have they already cast Smith’s replacement?

Source: The Mary Sue

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Sure, we’ve met a Time Lady before in the Fourth Doctor’s companion, Romana, but isn’t it about time for a Time Lady to run the show rather than run with it? The announcement of Matt Smith‘s moving on at the end of this year’s Christmas special has the Whovians in an uproar over who’ll be the next Doctor. Many are calling for a change in the lineage of white men who’ve played the Time Lord over the past 50 years. And as The Sun reports, Doctor Who‘s producers are thinking the the same thing.

They’ve been told by an “insider,”

All actors, no matter their sex or race, will be considered. If they are good enough, the part is theirs.

All right, coming from The Sun this is likely utter bullshit, but they’re not wrong in bringing it up. It’s been long discussed whether The Doctor can regenerate into any one, regardless of race or sex, and it’d be a fitting subject to explore as the series begins its next 50 years. What are you bastards thinking? Are you up for anyone to become the next Doctor?

Source: Digital Spy

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After five long years, we come to the end of our journey with Merlin. Picking up where we left off last week on the fields of Camlann, the hour was a roller coaster ride, not because of the action, but because of the emotion. Secrets are revealed, destinies are realized, and not everyone makes it out of the hour alive.

Merlin makes it to the battlefield, and manages to end the fight decisively with some impressive feats of magic. The Saxons start to retreat, but not before Arthur comes face-to-face again with Mordred. After a brief fight it seems that Mordred fulfills the prophecy and deals Arthur a fatal blow, but Arthur returns the favour and runs Mordred through with the king’s own enchanted sword. By the time Merlin arrives on the scene, Mordred is dead, but Arthur has been seriously wounded, and because it’s a mystical wound as well, Merlin will need some extra help in order to save his king.

Taking his cues from Gaius, Merlin departs with Arthur for the Isle of Avalon, home of the ancient magic that will heal the king. But wait! We get ahead of ourselves. Merlin reveals to Arthur that he’s got magic, and it does not go over well. Although Arthur’s been a bit more level-headed on the subject of magic than his father, he still feels hurt and revolted at the revelation that his friend, servant and confidant is, and has been, a dirty sorcerer. Arthur refuses Merlin’s help, but Merlin gives it anyway. It doesn’t help when Gaius arrives and let’s Arthur know that, “hey, I knew Merlin was a wizard the whole time and it’s totally N.B.D.” But soon it’s time for Merlin and Arthur to make their run to Avalon, and in Weepy Tissue Moment #1, Gaius says goodbye to his ward saying that he’ll have his favourite meal waiting for him when he gets back, while knowing full well that this was probably the last time he’d ever see Merlin.

Meanwhile, Morgana’s getting her revenge on. Mordred’s dead, but Arthur’s still out there wounded. She sends her Saxons out to find him, remaining as ruthless and defiant as ever.

As Merlin and Arthur make their way through the still dangerous backwoods, Arthur sees more of Merlin’s magical works. An understanding begins to occur in the king, not just all that Merlin’s hid from him, but everything that Merlin has done for him, in secret, without ever even trying to claim credit. Arthur and Merlin recall the first time they met and the fight with the mace, and Arthur asks why Merlin never told him he was a sorcerer. Merlin says that he never wanted to put Arthur in an awkward position given the laws of Camelot, but Arthur admits that he has no idea what he would have done. But despite the refreshing honesty, and honest bromance, Arthur is getting worse.

Back at Camelot, Gaius returns with news: Arthur is injured, but Merlin is taking him to help. He also gives Guinevere the ring of the dragon, a bequeathment from Arthur and with it the power to rule Camelot. And oh, by the way, Gwaine’s girlfriend Eira is Morgana’s spy. A scheme is set up where Eira sends Morgana the wrong information about Arthur’s whereabouts, and when she gets to that wrong location, Gwaine and Percival will be there to finish her off for good. As for Eira, off with her head!

As for the grand plan, it was somewhat not very successful. While Gwaine and Percival get the drop on Morgana, she still has magic, and thus the upper hand. Morgana tortures Gwaine with one of those truth snakes (Why does it have to be truth snakes?), and gets Arthur’s real location. Percival comes to and after freeing himself he finds Gwaine near death. With his last breath, Gwaine says he fails, and dies. (That was Weepy Tissue Moment #2.) Morgana does indeed catch-up with her half-brother and her mortal enemy Emrys, catching them off guard. Morgana revels in Arthur’s predicament, and taunts Merlin that as a high priestess, she can’t be killed, but oh yes she can. Merlin runs her through with Excalibur saying that he’s to blame for what she became, but it was time for the circle of violence to end. Morgana falls to ground dead.

Having lost their horses, Merlin tries to take Arthur the rest of the way to Avalon on foot, but Arthur is not doing well at all. The king is near death, Merlin is behind himself and here comes Weepy Tissue Moment #3. Arthur tells Merlin that he has something he wants to tell him, but Merlin doesn’t want to say goodbye. “No, Merlin, says Arthur, “everything you’ve done. I know now. For me, for Camelot. For the kingdom you helped me build… [...] I want to say… something I’ve never said to you before… thank you.”

In agony, Merlin calls out to the Great Dragon for help, and although he takes Merlin and Arthur the rest of the way par avion, it really is too late. Merlin thinks he’s failed, but the Great Dragon disagrees and gives Merlin some last bit of wisdom. “Though no man, no matter how great, can know his destiny, some lives have been foretold, Merlin… Arthur is not just a king, he is the Once and Future King. Take heart, for when Albion’s need is greatest, Arthur will rise again. It has been a privilege to have known you, young warlock. The story we have been a part of will live long in the minds of men.”

Merlin puts Arthur on a boat and points it towards the island of Avalon. Merlin breaks down in tears as the boat leaves the shore, but he stands and watches his friend sail away into the mist. Meanwhile, back in Camelot, it is announced that the king is dead, and the court rousingly declares, “Long live the Queen!”

Flash-forward to the present day, and a legitimately old Merlin strolls by the water’s edge where he sent Arthur on his way hundreds of years before, still waiting for the time of Arthur’s return.

The End.

EPISODE NOTES

-Mordred went down like punk bitch, didn’t he?

-That was pretty sweet when the Saxon bursts into the medical tent and Gwen takes him out. It was a nice reminder that Queen Gwen is the fighting daughter of a blacksmith.

-I realize there’s a TV budget constraint, and there was a lot to get to in the hour, but it did seem like the Battle of Camlann was over really fast for such an important benchmark.

-I liked that Merlin took the mulligan for making Morgana what she became. It was kind of alluded to in the past that if Merlin had taken Morgana under his wing when they realized she had magic, they might have mitigated some of those evil doings.

-RIP: Arthur, Morgana, Mordred, Gwaine, and the Great Dragon

-I remember when they announced Merlin’s cancellation there was a possibility mentioned of a spin-off, but now having seen the finale, I’m curious to see what a spin-off would look like. Would it be the adventures of Queen Gwen in a post-Arthur Camelot, or would it be Arthur and Merlin in the modern world solving crimes and other stuff? I really hope that it was the later rather than the former.

Thanks to the cast and crew of Merlin for five great years of TV. It was a helluva ride.

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In breaking news straight from the BBC, Matt Smith is saying goodbye to Doctor Who after four years with the program. His last adventure as the Eleventh Doctor will be this year’s Christmas special. Of course, before then it’s the highly anticipated 50th anniversary special airing on November 23rd. Here’s Smith’s official statement,

Doctor Who has been the most brilliant experience for me as an actor and a bloke, and that largely is down to the cast, crew and fans of the show. I’m incredibly grateful to all the cast and crew who work tirelessly every day, to realise all the elements of the show and deliver Doctor Who to the audience. Many of them have become good friends and I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last four years.

Having Steven Moffat as show runner write such varied, funny, mind bending and brilliant scripts has been one of the greatest and most rewarding challenges of my career. It’s been a privilege and a treat to work with Steven, he’s a good friend and will continue to shape a brilliant world for the Doctor.

The fans of Doctor Who around the world are unlike any other; they dress up, shout louder, know more about the history of the show (and speculate more about the future of the show) in a way that I’ve never seen before, your dedication is truly remarkable. Thank you so very much for supporting my incarnation of the Time Lord, number Eleven, who I might add is not done yet, I’m back for the 50th anniversary and the Christmas special!

It’s been an honour to play this part, to follow the legacy of brilliant actors, and helm the TARDIS for a spell with ‘the ginger, the nose and the impossible one’. But when ya gotta go, ya gotta go and Trenzalore calls. Thank you guys. Matt.

Moffat also made a statement,

Every day, on every episode, in every set of rushes, Matt Smith surprised me: the way he’d turn a line, or spin on his heels, or make something funny, or out of nowhere make me cry, I just never knew what was coming next. The Doctor can be clown and hero, often at the same time, and Matt rose to both challenges magnificently. And even better than that, given the pressures of this extraordinary show, he is one of the nicest and hardest-working people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Whatever we threw at him – sometimes literally – his behaviour was always worthy of the Doctor.

But great actors always know when it’s time for the curtain call, so this Christmas prepare for your hearts to break, as we say goodbye to number Eleven. Thank you Matt – bow ties were never cooler.

Of course, this isn’t the end of the story, because now the search begins. Somewhere out there right now – all unknowing, just going about their business – is someone who’s about to become the Doctor. A life is going to change, and Doctor Who will be born all over again! After 50 years, that’s still so exciting!

Surprising, but somehow not entirely shocking news. It’s been rumored for some time Smith would exit with the 50th anniversary, sending the show into its next 50 years with a new Doctor. And it seems, that’s basically what’s happening, though The Doctor’s 12 regeneration will come at the end of the Christmas special as opposed to the anniversary special.

For me, I’m sad to see Smith go, but I’m already excited about the prospect of a new Doctor. I still firmly believe Smith’s first season as The Doctor is the best of series since it returned in 2005. What Smith pulled off I thought was impossible. He followed David Tennant and managed to make Doctor Who even more popular during his tenure in the TARDIS. But all good things come to end, right? And nothing is ever more exciting than the search for the next Doctor!

Sorry to see Smith moving on? Share your favorite Eleventh Doctor moments in the comments below. And, who’d you like to see as the next Doctor?

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We’re all expecting Doctor Who‘s 50th anniversary special to be a big affair, especially after that cliffhanger. I mean, WHAT!? We know it’ll be shown in 3D, possibly in theatres, and of course, features 2x The Doctor what with David Tennant joining Matt Smith for the special. What hasn’t been confirmed is the 50th’s run time. Rumors have stretched from an hour long episode to one pushing 90 minutes.

Speaking with Doctor Who Magazine, Steven “The Moff” Moffat teased the special could be a long one,

People keep asking how long the anniversary special is, and it’s a fair question. I don’t actually know, because the answer is, it’s as long as it needs to be.The script is quite long though. I’m looking at it now. Ooh, that’s quite long.

I’m betting it’ll have to be at least 90 minutes, or close to, as that’s about how long those 10th Doctor movies were that comprised Tennant’s final season. And for the 5-0, you either go big or you go home, right?

About how long would you expect/want Doctor Who‘s 50th anniversary special to be? It’s airing on November 23rd, likely on BBC and its affiliates, and possibly in a theatre near you.

Source: Digital Spy

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One can always expect the villain of Doctor Who to come out of left field, usually in an unassuming , silly and non-threatening way, until the gnashing teeth and wickedly sharp claws come out and things get hairy for the good Doctor. This time around Doctor Who is facing a real life threat from an unexpected corner, scholarly critics who claims the series is “thunderously racist”.

Doctor Who and Race: An Anthology edited by Dr. Lindy Orthia, is a collected work that examines:

Representations of race in the world’s longest running science fiction television show, from colour-blind casting to colonialism, eugenics to euro-centrism, nationalism to noble savages.

I looked over the site and noticed that all, or at least a majority of the proceeds are being donated to charity.

All editor/author royalties from the sale of Doctor Who and Race (8% of net receipts) will be donated to charitable organisations. Specifically, they will be split evenly between two charities: AVERT and Médecins Sans Frontières. The contributors unanimously agreed on this decision and we are very proud to be supporting these outstanding humanitarian organisations.

The BBC has had to respond and released a statement in support of Doctor Who:

Doctor Who has a strong track record of diverse casting among both regular and guest cast. Freema Agyeman became the first black companion and Noel Clarke starred in a major role for five years [Mickey Smith].

Reflecting the diversity of the UK is a duty of the BBC, and casting on Doctor Who is color-blind. It is always about the best actors for the roles.

I haven’t had time to read the essays yet, but considering that Doctor Who has been on the air for such a long period of time, I’m sure there are examples that reflect the race attitudes of the times. I am interested in what, if any, of the authors have to say about the current run of Doctor Who.

What do you think? It’s worth the time to examine the subject and not jump to conclusions on either side of the fence. I certainly don’t think there is any shadowy conspiracy at the BBC to promote racist views on the show, that’s just silly.

Via: Digital Spy

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