Destiny of the Doctors: Trouble in Paradise Review

We finally get a clue as to why the Doctor's interfering in his own timeline so much: apparently the entire universe is in danger of collapsing. Unfortunately, that's happened multiple times now, so it's not much of a hint. There could be multiple reasons why it's doing that. We'll still just have to wait and see what this is all about.

This story is very wibbly-wobbly compared to some of the other stories in the series. There's finally a story with a heavy amount of time travel involved. It's about the biggest interference in the history of the Earth we've ever seen. It's the type of event that's so important it was bound to happen anyway, the characters just caused it to happen at an earlier point in history.

I'm not sure I like the introduction of a third dominant species of Earth. It kinda of messes with your notion of Who-history, especially since it's a species that exists in real life. Buffalo ruling humans? I'm not sure that idea is going to catch on.

I like stories that take place in parts of Earth other than Britain. This particular story takes place in the Caribbean, which is a nice break from cold and dreary England. I think if they had more stories in other parts of the world, that might draw in wider audience. It would also make it a bit more realistic, since the TARDIS can go anywhere.

Something Borrowed Now Available

The 50th Anniversary ebook, Something Borrowed, is now available for download from Amazon and iTunes. The short story is written by Richelle Mead and stars the sixth Doctor and Peri.

http://www.amazon.com/Doctor-Who-Something-Anniversary-ebook/dp/B00AWJYKPK/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1372011667&sr=1-1&keywords=something+borrowed+doctor+who

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/doctor-who-something-borrowed/id591301583?mt=11

Video Thank You From Matt Smith

Matt Smith has issued a video thank you message to the fans for all our support over the past four years.

Jamie Payne Revealed as Director of Christmas Special

Jamie Payne, director of this year's episode Hide, is set to direct the 2013 Christmas special. The episode is written by Steven Moffat and will be the last one starring Matt Smith. Jenna-Louise Coleman will also star, possibly alongside the 12th Doctor (depending on if they wait till next year to pick one).

Matt's Unfinished Business

One of the reasons I was surprised at the announcement of Matt Smith leaving is that his Doctor still has some unanswered questions hanging around. Unless the next two episodes can answer them, they're going to be hanging around until the 12th Doctor era.

The most important question is who blew up the TARDIS in Series 5? Unless the entire fandom has missed the answer, we still have not received any information on what caused the TARDIS to self-destruct in The Pandorica Opens. I'm now starting to think Moffat is playing something extremely long-term here that won't show up until Series 8. Either that, or he hasn't caught onto the fact that we don't know, which I think is unlikely.

Another thing is the Doctor's screwdriver. He was supposed to get a new sonic screwdriver and give it to River the last time she saw him at the Singing Towers of Darillium. We already saw that scene in the Last Night mini-episode, but we haven't seen the Doctor get a new screwdriver. That has to happen sometime before the Christmas special, which really only leaves the 50th anniversary.

You can see a complete list of unanswered questions from Matt Smith's and David Tennant's time here. These two thing are just the main items left from Matt Smith's era.

Dominic Cooper Responds to 12th Doctor Rumors

Dominic Cooper has talked to the Express about rumors that he may be playing the 12th Doctor.

I've heard absolutely nothing of this! It's nice to be thought about though, wherever it came from. It's a very nice acknowledgement. Whoever does take it on has a very very hard job. Matt done such a wonderful, wonderful job with the intriguing, interesting and brave choices he made with him. They're huge shoes to fill.

Personally, I'm not expecting an official announcement until San Diego Comic Con at the earliest. They'd have to announce it before the Christmas special, or someone will surely leak it.

Something Borrowed Video

The video featuring author Richelle Mead has been released for the sixth Doctor eShort, Something Borrowed. The story is one in a series of eleven featuring all of the Doctors and will be released on the 23rd of this month, priced £1.99.

Synopsis:

A wedding on the planet Koturia turns out to be a far more dangerous proposition than the Sixth Doctor and Peri ever expected. It marks the return of a formidable old foe whose genius matches the Doctor’s. Can the Doctor outwit this villain, save Peri and stop the wedding in time?

Big Finish's License Extended Through 2016

Big Finish's license to produce Doctor Who content has been extended through December 2016. The company produces original audio adventures featuring all of the classic Doctors.

Executive producer Nicholas Briggs has been quoted as saying

This year will mark my seventh anniversary as executive producer at Big Finish. For me, it's a clear indication of how much fun I've been having with the work and the people I'm privileged to work with that I am looking forward to the possibilities opening up with this latest extension of our licence so much. And by that time, I'll have been in the role for ten years! Bring it on, I say. We have a great relationship with AudioGO and there will be exciting developments ahead.

Line producer David Richardson has also stated

‘We have so many more tales to tell with the first eight Doctors and their companions. We can promise that 2016 will see more of your favourite ranges – plus maybe a brand new range or two that will surprise and delight. Certainly, as a team, we could not be happier that we will continue to be able to make our Doctor Who dreams a reality.

Big Finish is currently celebrating the 50th Anniversary with the Destiny of the Doctors range and The Light at the End multi-Doctor special. Destiny of the Doctors is ongoing and available here, while The Light at the End will be released in November and is available for pre-order here.

Helen Mirren on Playing the 12th Doctor

Dame Helen Mirren has responded to recent remarks about her playing the 12th Doctor.

Oh, please — I would put much longer odds on it than that. But I think it’s absolutely time for a female Doctor Who. I’m so sick of that man with his girl sidekick. I could name at least 10 wonderful British actresses who would absolutely kill in that role.

 She has been given odds of 25:1 of playing the next Doctor by bookkeepers.

Jenna on the Next Doctor

Jenna spoke to BBC News about the casting of the 12th Doctor & Matt's final story earlier today.

Everybody else in the building has asked me who the next Doctor is, and I can tell you honestly we don’t know. It’s going to be a long, long search. But yes, I’m being asked that question a lot. I am completely open, and I have lots of confidence in Steven and all the team. And I'm sure they're very much across it. But we shall see.I just can’t think about it yet. I think because we’ve [Matt and I] got so much left to [do]. We haven’t even begun our goodbye yet. So, I suppose that’s all I can think about at the moment.

New eShort: Something Borrowed

Details on the sixth Doctor anniversary eShort have been released. The story will be written by Richelle Mead, author of the Dark Swan series. The story will be available for digital download on the 23rd priced £1.99.

Synopsis

A wedding on the planet Koturia turns out to be a far more dangerous proposition than the Sixth Doctor and Peri ever expected. It marks the return of a formidable old foe whose genius matches the Doctor’s. Can the Doctor outwit this villain, save Peri and stop the wedding in time?

Series 8 in August 2014?

Prior to the official release of Matt Smith's departure last Saturday, there were all sorts of rumors about what the BBC was going to be announcing. Apart from Matt's departure, the main one was that Series 8 was going to be in August 2014.

Since then, I have not seen anything denying this is actually true. According to the Sun and the Radio Times, it is true and the new series will be twelve episodes long.

I suspect the reason it's slightly shorter at 12 episodes is that the 2013 & 2014 Christmas specials will make it the usual thirteen episodes plus a Christmas special. Either that, or Moffat's screwing us over again. At least it appears we'll be having the entire series in 2014, so we won't be as starved as this year.

Jenna Speaks About Matt Leaving

Jenna-Louise Coleman has given a few words about Matt Smith's departure.

I could not have imagined coming into the show without Matt as my Doctor, holding my hand, really, quite literally. I totally lucked-out in having a creative, generous, clever, and lovely fella to work alongside day after day. I feel so privileged to have been part of Matt’s reign, to have to been companion to what is and what I think always will be one of our greatest Doctors. He is so in love with the show, he works tirelessly hard, surprises me every day, always creating and discovering something new about the Doctor. A true gent, a leading man and a very special friend. I know it will be a very difficult goodbye for me, but I for one can’t wait to see where his career takes him next.  And of course with the same welcome I was brought in with, I look forward to welcoming the next Doctor. BUT it’s not over till its over. See ya at the big 5-0!

There will be a special video later today featuring Matt, so check back later.

BREAKING: Matt Smith Officially Leaving Doctor Who

The BBC have announced via their blog that Matt Smith is leaving Doctor Who after this year's Christmas Special. The Christmas special doesn't film until September, so we've got a good few months left of him filming as the Doctor. Plus, we'll have another two months of him promoing after that. They apparently haven't begun the casting process yet, so it's unclear when we'll have an announcement as to the successor.

Speaking online, Matt said

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.

In the same online interview, Moffat stated that

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!

 Reminder: this is actually official. This is not just another rumor from various tabloids. It's actually happening.