Dr Who - 50th anniversary feature length one-off

Much as I love Doctor Who, it has a lot to answer for. I was walking to my writers' group the other day, when i heard Christmas carols in the distance. And what popped into my mind first? A group of homicidal robotic Santas with trumpet guns, playing carols!!

I laughed out loud at myself - must have looked a right idiot.

Pretty disappointing.

Yes, I agree Elis. 1 bit didn't work too well. I suppose it didn't matter that the Doctor there was David Tennant as he would have time travelled there, but she was a bit 'Who's Queen?' certainly.

Deedaa, yes the Queen Elizabeth was a huge miscast, am aware that Dr Who is hardly a deep historical drama but the series does expect us to become wrapped up in the suspense and drama which is hard to do when you cannot believe a character who plays quite an important part of the plot.

I enjoyed it but found Elizabeth 1st rather annoying. Much more Queenie from Blackadder than the offspring of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII.

Ah, I was wondering where the John Hurt Doctor fitted into the line. Just before the Christopher Eccleston Doctor does make more sense than anywhere else.
I think David Tennant is a really good actor but I preferred Eccleston as Doctor Who.
It was great to see it back with him but I think the BBC was right to junk originally. It had got quite stale and very violent and sick. Brilliant when it came back though.

I seem to be in the minority too. Never liked it as a child and not interested now.

Thanks feetle I get it now.
I don't watch it very often

@Lona - John Hurt was playing a character who had never appeared before - so casting a known 'ex-Doctor' would have been something of a no-no...

Not quite my thing, but watched it with my GS and enjoyed parts of it esp David Tennant. A bit speedy like American films....

Anyone remember DT in the one about the Blackpool casino? Amazing chemistry between him as the detective (?) and the man who ran the casino...

Joan It's just not my thing. Anything sci-fi - Star Trek, Star Wars - not my

I think the script demanded a new face - "the one I don't think about" and Hurt is a great actor. Neither Baker nor Ecclestone would have fitted the bill. I thought it had quite a few funny lines in it but I was struggling to keep up with the whole Gemma Redgrave sub-plot. But the 3 doctors were brilliant. As was Billie Piper (even though i have not quite forgiven her for playing that silly glamorised prostitute role)

I don't understand why John Hurt was in it, when they had other actors available who really had played 'the Doctor'.
Am I being thick?

Peter Capaldi's eyes were suitably mad, I think he'll be great.

"Oh the pointing again. They're screwdrivers! What are you going to do? Assemble a cabinet at them?"

Excellent in so many ways... The most engaging TV drama I have ever seen, is The Doctor...

Love it. Love David Tennant, Did anyone see the two Doctors on Graham Norton last night with the lovely Emma Thompson?

I remember watching the first episode. Was a big fan then. Just watched the 50th birthday prog. Not sure I understood it all. Will have to watch again as I dozed off for about 20 mins! Am I getting old?

Love David Tennant. Amazingly versatile actor.

I would rather my licence fee went on Dr Who, which has been going since 1963 than and Come dancing

Just watched it - at 5.45 am our time - absolutely loved it!

Merlotgran and KatyK - tut tut tut.

I have always loved Doctor Who, and I think the modern ones are brilliant.

Thought John Hurt made a good doctor. Noticed that in the end credits he was put in the line up just before Chris Eccleston's doctor. Nice to get a glimpse of the new doctor too.We now know he's the 13th doctor.

I used to find David Tennant very irritating, but then I saw him in Hamlet and realised how good he is!

Oh yes and Graham Norton's whole programme last night was a joy!

David Tennant, Strictly AND Borgen....wow Saturday night as it should be!

merlot that's very scathing. This is a huge money spinner for the BBC - it is one of their most successful exports. So it is subsidising your licence fee.

Can't stand Dr Who. Love David Tennant though and Christopher Eccleston.

merlot Surely that's the idea, to entertain so many people.