The mind plays tricks, as Jackson Lake would attest.
It was surprising that we are got to this story so late in the Tennant era. It feels like it came much sooner, perhaps before we'd even met Donna Noble. But here it is, part of that handful of specials that mark the extra "half-season" that Tennant hung around for. Interested in other projects, but not quite ready to relinquish his hold on the sonic screwdriver, Tennant worked out a reduced load of stories with RTD so that they could enjoy one more year as Doctor Who's star and showrunner.
What I remember most about "The Next Doctor" is that from the moment this special's title was announced, speculation was rife that we'd catch a glimpse of Tennant's successor, and maybe even see a regeneration take place. After all, it had been one whole episode since the last time we'd been teased with a regeneration. Snark aside, there's not much else that stands out for me in rewatching this story. What were your memories going in, Sarah?
Sarah -
I definitely remember the chaos unleashed when David Morrissey turned up in the trailer for "The Next Doctor". The title was a clever ploy on RTD’s part. I imagine ratings for the Christmas special would have been higher than usual that year.
I think the concept of having the Doctor’s memories imprinted on Jackson Lake’s brain is brilliant. It’s clever to have the Doctor think he’s meeting his successor when he’s not.
Harry -
As mindbenders go, it was positively Moffatesque.
Sarah -
In retrospect, I think it would have been a more interesting episode if the truth about Jackson Lake had been revealed later. The Cyberking nonsense is nowhere as compelling as the mystery of the Next Doctor.
Harry -
Oof! The Cyberking. I guess it was meant to shakeup a bog standard Cybermen-invade-Earth story. In this case, the reveal came way too late. Mercy Hartigan was totally forgettable as the villain-slash-human stooge. Neither her backstory nor her motivation to conspire with the Cybermen was given much thought, making her one of the worst adversaries in the Tennant era. Naturally, she got her just desserts in the end and the Cyberking got zapped out of existence. I really would have liked to see the Cyberking in a different setting, maybe somewhere rural where you could really play up the wicker man folk horror aspects. Cybermen feeding terrified peasants straight into the belly of the monster. That sort of thing. Hopefully somewhere out there is a fan fiction along those lines.
Anyway, it's all over, hurrah and happy Christmas.
Sarah -
I usually cut Christmas stories a lot of slack and try to just enjoy the episode, but this is the beginning of the Tennant lap of honour year so it’s bound to be more than a little annoying. I don’t really have much else to say.
Harry -
Same here. Not much note taking took place during this rewatch. Happy to move on.
Sarah -
Best Line: If you could stand back, sir. This is a job for a Time Lord.
Favorite Moment: The Doctor’s confusion when he meets Jackson
Lasting Image: For better or worse, the massive Cyberman stomping around London
4/10
Harry -
Best Line: I'm the Doctor. Simply, the Doctor. The one, the only and the best. [loved the delivery, such oomph!]
Favourite Moment: Jackson unveiling his TARDIS.
Lasting Image: Terrified peasants being fed to my alternate-universe rural Cyberking.
5/10
Our marathon continues with Story #200: Planet of the Dead...
