One of my favourite moments from the actual episode (and from this video) is when the Wraths start to talk and they have this very normal, calm British accent. I love this. You can imagine them sitting on their armchair in their nest, reading the Wrath Magazine, drinking their tea-like drink, and then go to sleep early because the next day they have to travel across universe to find the Meep. Everyday life for anybody, really.
I love that Danny is still there. He's the one behind the scenes constant (that has a name) since the start of Eccleston's era. Showrunners, writers and actors come and go but he's still there, blowing it all up.
What bugged me is that they never interviewed the performer of the Meep. We only got a quick one or two glances. One for close ups (green clothes) and one for wider shots (person inside). @@NitroCandyNC
Especially when you consider that they were a work-for-hire creative team who don't own their creations, so the people at Who technically didn't *need* to consult them but they did because they deserve credit and respect. If only the MCU had that approach towards the people behind the source material.
@@MichaelThomas-cy2kr The comics side of Marvel has criticized before for how little credit and royalties it gives to its writers and artists for creating the characters that show up on screen. There was that story of Ed Brubaker getting paid more for showing up on camera in Captain America The Winter Soldier, than he did in royalties for creating the Winter Soldier character. Bringing comic artists and writers in on to the production side of an adaptation isn't something I hear happening a lot, particularly for a live action production, because they surrender all rights to everything they create and generally are treated as "unneeded" when it comes to adaptation. Apparently the Star Beast comic creators were happy with how the BBC TV production treated them when bringing them onto the production, but still unhappy with how the comic publishers still haven't paid them any royalties for the comics. I guess the comics industry in the both US and the UK like to screw over their creators.
I mean, to me that whole scene withthe actors on the Wrarth costumes was funny due to just how casual they were and Stephen's Hello was just the cherry on top
This was fantastic. David aged so gracefully and Catherine and Jacqueline haven't aged a day. It was so lovely seeing all these poeple come back to the world of Doctor Who and I'm so excited for next week's episode. It'll be sad to see Tennant and Tate go after this run of three specials, but I'm so intrigued and excited to see what Ncuti and Millie bring for the next incarnation of the Tardis Crew.
DITTO! I'm overjoyed to see my favorite team back in the TARDIS, but looking forward to the new Doctor as well. And David Tennant's still got it! In his early 50s and still running around like a man half his age!😂
He was still alive and spotted filming alongside David Tennant and Catherine Tate in fact David Tennant even helped him get round as he was unwell and in a wheelchair. Sadly he passed away as filming had taken place but he did pretty much finish his filming the sections he was apart of.
It was extremely fortunate that he finished filming shortly before his death. One last goodbye to the best Doctor Who companion, and one of the best actors they've ever had.
Seeing a glimpse of Bernard Cribbins during the reading made me heart sink a bit, knowing that he was supposed to be in this. Rest in peace. Update: Thank you to everyone mentioning he's most likely appearing in later episodes, you can stop now!
12:30 - when I saw The TARDIS behind the scenes, I was like wow.....that is so big, that is 10x bigger than the 2005-2010 TARDIS, even the 2011-2017 TARDIS consoles. They really did a fantastic job blending both the CLASSIC WHO and MODERN WHO Tardis interiors together
Always nice to see that the people in the monster suits with all the latex and makeup and so on are cheerful and happy to be there. At least I get that from these actors in here.
There was so much in this episode that I thought was for sure CGI and come to find out the vast majority of it were very cleverly mounted practical effects simply enhanced later with CGI. This really does seem the way to go for technological, budgetary, successful execution, as well as realism reasons. They really nailed it. I thought for sure the Meep and the Tardis console room had to have been largely CGI but nope.
Most of the practical effects has a CGI overlay pass on it, they mentioned it when talking about the Meep. But invisable CGI is what enables people to say "it's all practical"
While the pacing was a bit too quick and some of the dialogue was very on the nose, this was a definite return to normality for Doctor Who, just a madman, a box and a wacky alien monster to defeat.
@@swiftlymurmurs I think this every time someone complains that the ending was a rushed deus ex machina, like, have you seen doctor who??? the character is a walking deus ex machina
It was a bit crammed full but I've felt that about Who since RTD rebooted the series back in the 00s. It's just a price we pay for the condensed nature of the show's format now, I accept it for what it is because they're never going to go back to the 4-8 serial structure storylines of Classic Who. What mattered, is that for the first time since Moffat's departure, the show FELT like Doctor Who again. I was smiling and laughing away from beginning to end. Pure delight.
They were properly paid, Pat talks about it in his book Pageturners. 8 eight chapters dedicated to Doctor Who, including how they were approached by the studio and their visit to the set. (Shameless plug: I'm Pat's wife)
“Are you all right?” “I gave away my money.” Ignition in 75. “Right, but...” “I gave away all my money. And do you know why, Doctor? I gave it away to be like you. So I could be kind. So I could be nice. So I could be helpful.” Ignition in one minute. “I had a subconscious infracutaneous retrofold memory loop, making me act as soft as you and give away £166 million! “Yes, Donna... Destruction of London?” “Oh, I'll show you destruction, mate. I will tripledrive the particle manifesto, overstep the umbilical feed, vindicate the cyberline and roast the hyperfeeds. Like this!“
It almost felt like she was mimicking Capaldi when she said the "I gave it away to be like you" line. Not sure if thats what they were going for, but it is in my head-canon! Such a great scene
I love how happy the cast and crew are to be on the set, I love the use of practical effects, and I love how everyone on set is respectful to each other.
I love the respect shown to Pat Mills and Dave Gibbons. Real respect for the source material, bringing their fantastic story into the 2020s, while acknowledging their great work.
This was an amazing addaptation of the story; I remember owning a copy in comic book form in the early 1980s - there was a local comic book store called Shinders that sold Doctor Who comics, and I remember buying several story lines there. I don't remember if it was properly released in the US or if Shinders was selling as an import, though. The important thing is that Russell did a fantastic job bringing it to life. It was such a joy to watch!
Was probably the American, 23-issue Doctor Who comic by Marvel. They reprinted storylines from earlier issues of Doctor Who Weekly/Monthly, but in nice garish color. Star Beast was the first two issues. :) I used to buy them at Geppi's in Baltimore!
Loved the special, loved Rose and MamaDonna and DoctorDonna, loved the new feel David is bringing to Fourteen (a little weary, a little older and a bit more grounded, but still ready to go....just like David), and absolutely _adored_ the new TARDIS interior. Was literally weeping of joy when Fourteen was running around and checking it out. Absolutely brilliant.
The moment when David runs about the TARDIS console room, I cried. The last modern console room he was in was the "Toyota Console," and while it was bigger than his Coral Console, it's peanuts compared to the new one. He looked like he was a kid in a candy store seeing the console room. I would run about and all up and down the ramps too if I was in his shoes
All my insides are bubbling from the fact that Doctor Who is back after a one and a half year hiatus. Even after watching series four within the week to prepare myself, I still wasn't ready for what just happened. Well done Russell, well done Murray, well done David, Catherine, Yasmin, and everyone behind the scenes, and thank you for bringing back joy I didn't realise I had.
This is the best behind the scenes ever. People genuinely coming together to make the nerdy and silly and moving and fantastic show we know! I will never not be a fan of such an incredible show! I mean look at it all!
This was great, I love how we not only get Unleashed but we also get this bonus behind the scenes footage. This is something the last few years have severely lacked.
@@MissEzi I’m not dragging Chibnall but there wasn’t this amount of content under him or Moffat or even RTD the first time. Certainly not without buying DVDs.
Well done!! Russell T Davies did an AMAZING job bringing back the excitement, thrill and pure Doctor Who JOY! My husband and I have been so excited for today's reveal and it was beyond wonderful! Murry Gold music tied it all together! Seeing Donna & the Doctor together again was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! Loved Rose, Shawn and Meep, but seeing Sylvia again was a thrill too. So excited for more!
Not really since he thew all that away when he started making comments about disability and calling fans poor baby for having a valid argument hes just an idiot stop giving him praise he doesn't deserve
Thank you for mocking pronounes and showing how silly they are, my kids watched it and they knew donna's daughter was female because they know non-binary is not a thing.
Not gonna lie I actually had a dream that I would see a TARDIS console room exactly like this one! 🙌 A mixture of CLASSIC WHO and NEW WHO and I love it! 💙💙
Oh what a fantastic day to be a Doctor Who fan, a brand new episode, a great after show behind the scenes special, a commentary track on iPlayer and now I come here online and there’s so much more! Oh I couldn’t be happier, happy Whoniversary everyone!
i gotta say i love the new functions of the sonic we've seen (I don't know if we've actually seen them functions before). iv'e always imagined that the sonic could do stuff like what was shown and the sonic itself looks so awesome. Also the new T.A.R.D.I.S is cool I like how clean it looks its a complete flip from the 10th's grungy kind of design. And finally all the practical stuff really was great.
As the Toymaker will be in the last of these specials, I'm now certain he's behind EVERYTHING. Perhaps even the events of "Liberation of the Daleks"? Will be interesting to see if the epic comic strip will be referenced somehow. As for having THAT face, my guess is it will be in reference to that incarnation " Not wanting to go", and the Toymaker granting his wish.
Just after the UNIT soldiers are possessed, you can see a blurry figure running by in the background behind Shirley. My guess is it's the Toymaker, and he'll keep appearing very subtly in the background until the big reveal in the third special.
@@ashbridgeindustries380 props to RTD if they legit got Neil Patrick Harris to run around an abandoned factory in Wales at night for a split second blink and you'll miss it cameo
The episode I needed after being in the wilderness for a good 15 years now! I just couldn't get into the show after RTD and co left and stayed away for the most part only occasionally dipping in to see if it could catch my interest again. Then came last night's episode and I was in tears with a lot of it. It was utterly sublime and for me, Doctor Who is finally back after yet another very long hiatus! Thank you Russell, Julie, David, Catherine and everyone else involved! I've already watched it again twice so far to make sure it's real LOL!
my ops on the epidsode, what do u guys think?: - got so hyped up to see Wilf then the episode ended 😭😭 - i think the pacing was a bit fast - love the inclusion but some lines felt a bit insincere rather than genuine inclusion - missile wheelchair was sick af lol - title sequence looks stunning but the camera angles are overdone, should have been one take imho - i think the whole 'letting go' thing is too much of a convenient way to end the dr donna arc but russel does that a lot ig
I loved it, but the doing away with the metacrisis feels like it renders the entire thing a superficial charade. It works, yes, but it's rather disappointing. I think it would have been far more feasible to have Donna slowly succumbing to the effects of a Time Lord mind once again, and by The Giggle, that same scene between Donna and Rose could be achieved.
The inclusion part, precisely what I was thinking. It felt like Russel T. Davies wrote the episode and then asked a Twitter-obsessed moron to do the representation part. It's so obviously written-in just to be there and makes no sense the way it was written. It's almost like a mockery of actual inclusivness. Like, how the hell does being non-binary help you survive having a Gallifreyan brain in a human body? Like, why would you even do it this way? Just make Rose non-binary, have The Doctor relate, Tennant can absolutely act such a scene with sincerity, and bam, you've got a perfect way to include queer representation without having to write around it or try to connect it to something completely unrelated like metacrisis. And I really didn't like the jab at the Doctor like "Shame you're not a woman anymore, no male-presenting Time Lord could understand." Is this the writer being unaware of what was said not even 10 minutes prior? The Doctor is man, woman, non-binary, anything and everything. Why are you imposing a gender stereotype (a sexist thing in and of itself) on the same character you clearly classified as queer and who literally had used she/her pronouns AND used to have a biologically female body, so they should easily be able to understand? I also love the wheelchair, I gotta say, it felt like something from an old Bond movie. In fact, I think Q had made something similar in the past, or do I misremember that?
Oh my goodness same! The lines at inclusivity felt clumsy. Just saying "Rose in nonbinary" would have transmitted the point more elegantly. Such a win with Shirley being a bada$$ in a wheelchair, only to stumble and miss on the inclusive bit too preachy. Heck, the UNIT soldier wearing the head covering not being one of the ones that got mind controlled was brilliant!
@@quantumvideoscz2052 It's largely because at this point, making it abundantly clear that the Usual Suspects aren't welcome is probably the main objective, as opposed to just being inclusive. It's the difference between "We like minorities here" and "We like minorities here, and anyone who doesn't isn't welcome"
@@quantumvideoscz2052 Also it seems like she identifies as female so isn't that something completely different than being nonbinary. I'm all for inclusivity but I think this felt too forced
Of all the things to say, what a random part to compliment. I just like how it gives them so much more dynamic potential for dialogue. So many awkward scenes between the characters in the Jodie one with how small and flat the set was
I love seeing this behind the scenes stuff because it lets me see more of the people who worked so hard on the episode, and it just feels like my appreciation for the episode expands through it
The villain plot was rushed, some of the resolutions were meh......and the chemistry between the Doctor and the Nobles was so good that it simply didn't matter. Welcome back to a time when large audiences fell in love with this show.
It was a bit crammed full but I've felt that about Who since RTD rebooted the series back in the 00s. It's just a price we pay for the condensed nature of the show's format now, I accept it for what it is because they're never going to go back to the 4-8 serial structure storylines of Classic Who. What mattered, is that for the first time since Moffat's departure, the show FELT like Doctor Who again. I was smiling and laughing away from beginning to end. Pure delight.
Oh absolutely, the first series alone had plenty of underwhelming monsters and rushed conclusions. But again, the dialogue between Nine and Rose was so good that we all wanted to see how it would play out next. RTD understands what big Saturday evening audiences want the most, everything else can be worked on from there.
Dr. Who Special 1 was better than I imagined. I was content just knowing David Tennant and Catherine Tate were back together again, but the special effects and costume/make-up were spectacular. Y'all outdid yourselves. Can't wait until next week's Special 2.
Seeing this come together is amazing. Love "The Star Beast" from start to finish. That table read must have been incredible. The VFX, so good. Creature designs. Everything was so, so good
7:43 Makes me wonder if the ending of the Star Beast isn't what it seems. The ending seems "innocent and cute". The city is saved, Meep is captured, Donna survives, and the meta-crisis is just 'let go' even though it seemed like a big deal in Journey's End. It's possible that the Toymaker meddled with every aspect of this first story to make it perfect for 'nostalgia' since the Toymaker is maybe a fan of the Doctor and views him like a show. It's possible that the Toymaker wanted to make this first story a little too perfect so that way it makes a bigger impact when he eventually peels away the reality and reveals his big plot. In the end the Toymaker may revert everything back to the way it's supposed to be, which may include Donna actually dying.
@@normietwiceremoved I mean I personally enjoyed most of it. Albeit a lot was kinda... Not great. But like 90% was really good. I got my non nostalgia lensed bf to think it was good
@@spaceylatte the wheelchair bazooka and non binary girl power ending nearly made me scratch my eyes out. There were standout moments, but in the whole it was a mess of an episode. So much was thrown it carelessly.
@@normietwiceremoved idk I'm used to cheese. This is doctor who after all. And even then. The wheelchair was a little over the top yes. And specifically the line "non binary" bugs me a lot. I think they could have tightened the messaging and spoken to some actual trans folks just in case. I've seen too much confusion on the metaphor that shouldn't have happened. Otherwise it honestly didn't have the much going on. We got the nobles, meep, and that's really it. And . Flux was recent. That shit was actual... Shit. And very very overdone confusing shit
The first special was such a delight and I enjoyed seeing The Doctor and Donna’s dynamic once again. Their chemistry is fantastic and just wonderful seeing them play off of each other.
Love doctor who and love Yasmin Finney!! watched her in heartstopper a few months ago just to spend the whole special like wait a second I ***know*** her from somewhere!! This put it all together for me
@@stephenmurphy2212no these are separate behind the scenes bits. Unleashed has stuff filmed at the same time though, so they've divided it between the two
@@SleepyHarryZzzthese feel identical to me, the Unleashed segment had a bunch of FX stuff shown, including the Meep effects. This just felt like a clip that should've been part of the overall Unleashed segment. And why isn't Unleashed on Disney+ as well, not just on the BBC iPlayer? Absurd release strategy and licensing mess, it looks like. Clearly there is an interest beyond the British public (for decades), so why don't they acknowledge it properly
@@PigDan I don't know the details of the deal, but I suspect that Disney aren't funding the Unleashed stuff, so they don't get (or maybe even want?) anything other than the episodes.
I liked the story as an adaptation, and David and Catherine's chemistry is as great as ever, but for a 60th special you would expect better. Also, the new TARDIS Console is mesmerising
Well, I would agree that this episode alone doesn’t trump the 50th special, but it IS one of 3 specials… and if *all three* of them are of this quality at very least, I think that’s definitely something to write home about
The Meep was a spectacular effect. I wish the episode was quite as good. Here's hoping the next two won't be as clunky without having to establish so much in so little time. I'm rooting for you, DW, you can do it, I know you can!
The production value was noticably betteer, but the old feel what made me fall in love with Who was there. Russel T Davis did a great job! Of course, Tennant and Tate were fab, as they always are together. Felt like they had finished up the previous time together on DW yesterday. Alons y!
I really wanted Donna to say "It's even bigger on the inside." It's nice and clean but also empty, so I don't know what to make of it yet. The console looks good though.
A return to form. I loved all the characters and the story, Doctor and Donna back again, felt a lot of fun, some lines were a bit on the nose, and yeah the 'let go' idea was a bit too convenient for me. Still those are minor nitpicks to an overall excellent episode. And dear god the budget! How much money did they get?!
My one major critique is Rose Noble should not have been written as a fifteen year old. I know sometimes older actresses are hired to play teenagers, but she does not look like a teenager at all. Rose Tyler looked younger than Rose Noble and Rose Tyler was meant to be early twenties at the start of the series. And yes I get it they wanted to align the timelines to the show, but you could have made the Doctor land in 2028.
Incredible episode. Loved all of it except for the line about "male-presenting" people not being to let things go. That line made me cringe because it's really untrue. Gender does not determine the ability to move on. Everything else was peak. Love the mirroring of Donna and Rose. The chemistry between Donna and the Doctor. Can't wait for the next two episodes.
It was a bad line but I don't think it will have any lasting impact (on screen at least, people will be raging online for months). It felt almost apologetic in the context of giving the starring role back to a man.
Yup, classic "sexism against men is fine". And ironic, because the Doctor is non-binary. The writers just did a friendly-fire. They mocked a non-binary character for changing their preferred pronouns after their body literally changed. This is one of the reasons I am not buying their "we are progressive and care so much" stuff. Apparently they don't care, they're just lying.
One of my favourite moments from the actual episode (and from this video) is when the Wraths start to talk and they have this very normal, calm British accent. I love this. You can imagine them sitting on their armchair in their nest, reading the Wrath Magazine, drinking their tea-like drink, and then go to sleep early because the next day they have to travel across universe to find the Meep. Everyday life for anybody, really.
The Wraths really be distinguished gentlemen
in the comic, they talked calmly with the Doctor and drank tea with a cake. It was fun.
I love how much they use practical effects instead of leaning on VFX too much
I love that Danny is still there. He's the one behind the scenes constant (that has a name) since the start of Eccleston's era. Showrunners, writers and actors come and go but he's still there, blowing it all up.
The meep looks absolutely amazing in this episode. If we get costumes on this level for the series proper then I'll be overjoyed.
that's davies' charm????
wouldnt be dr who without silly rubber costumes
What bugged me is that they never interviewed the performer of the Meep. We only got a quick one or two glances. One for close ups (green clothes) and one for wider shots (person inside). @@NitroCandyNC
I really liked Shirley. I hope we see more of her. I also love how she didn't even fangirl when she met the Doctor.
You could see the inner squee was there, but she was keeping it cool, which was a great bit of acting!
What strikes me is the joy of everyone involved in this production. Bringing in the original writer and artist of the comic was brilliant.
Especially when you consider that they were a work-for-hire creative team who don't own their creations, so the people at Who technically didn't *need* to consult them but they did because they deserve credit and respect. If only the MCU had that approach towards the people behind the source material.
Marvel produced the Star Beast comics.
The title of the story says Stan Lee presents Doctor Who and The Star Beast.
@@MichaelThomas-cy2kr The comics side of Marvel has criticized before for how little credit and royalties it gives to its writers and artists for creating the characters that show up on screen. There was that story of Ed Brubaker getting paid more for showing up on camera in Captain America The Winter Soldier, than he did in royalties for creating the Winter Soldier character.
Bringing comic artists and writers in on to the production side of an adaptation isn't something I hear happening a lot, particularly for a live action production, because they surrender all rights to everything they create and generally are treated as "unneeded" when it comes to adaptation.
Apparently the Star Beast comic creators were happy with how the BBC TV production treated them when bringing them onto the production, but still unhappy with how the comic publishers still haven't paid them any royalties for the comics.
I guess the comics industry in the both US and the UK like to screw over their creators.
@@sebastianevangelista4921
I hope they will eventually.
3:33 I don't know why, but that pan over to Stephen was really funny to me😂😂
Ikr!! I posted too lol..he just waves,goes Ello!!😂😁✌️🍻
Same 😂
Hope RTD got permission from the Kamen Raida folks for the Wraithe design, lol
I mean, to me that whole scene withthe actors on the Wrarth costumes was funny due to just how casual they were and Stephen's Hello was just the cherry on top
Had me in stitches just ullo 😂
This was fantastic. David aged so gracefully and Catherine and Jacqueline haven't aged a day. It was so lovely seeing all these poeple come back to the world of Doctor Who and I'm so excited for next week's episode. It'll be sad to see Tennant and Tate go after this run of three specials, but I'm so intrigued and excited to see what Ncuti and Millie bring for the next incarnation of the Tardis Crew.
Same Tennant is my doctor and I love getting to see him and donna have a few episodes back together but also excited to see the new doctor too
DITTO! I'm overjoyed to see my favorite team back in the TARDIS, but looking forward to the new Doctor as well. And David Tennant's still got it! In his early 50s and still running around like a man half his age!😂
@@tjb7756Right?!?!? I'm 2 years older than he is, but I look and move like someone 30 years older. 😊
Well said so excited to see the old faves looking beautiful with the new characters. It was amazing Russell T has brought back the magic ❤❤❤
Im looking forward to seeing Bernard cribbins as Wilf in what was prob his last acting role may he rest in peace!
I knew Bernard Cribbins died in July 2022, so I was unsure he'd be involved in these specials at all. What a lovely surprise?! 💗
Indeed!
He was still alive and spotted filming alongside David Tennant and Catherine Tate in fact David Tennant even helped him get round as he was unwell and in a wheelchair. Sadly he passed away as filming had taken place but he did pretty much finish his filming the sections he was apart of.
It was extremely fortunate that he finished filming shortly before his death. One last goodbye to the best Doctor Who companion, and one of the best actors they've ever had.
So we will likely have a send off the him at the end then. @@mohammedali-zd1rs
To me this is a justifiable last hurrah for the greatest gentleman who defines my generation
Seeing a glimpse of Bernard Cribbins during the reading made me heart sink a bit, knowing that he was supposed to be in this. Rest in peace.
Update: Thank you to everyone mentioning he's most likely appearing in later episodes, you can stop now!
I've heard he's going to be in the end of next episode and the beginning of the 3rd special
Bless Wilf 😢
He is there’s a picture of him and DT in a wheelchair on set🥹
he's in The Giggle :)
It was probably a read through of all three episodes, so as others have mentioned he's probably just in the giggle
I’m positively surprised by how far they go before they resort to CGI effects.
😊honestly same. Too many shows relay on green screens and cgi now.
Imagine watching a Doctor Who battle on your street? Wow! So much went into this episode. TARDIS looks amazing!❤❤
^ fake AI account and fake AI comment
come on BBC you don't need to do this!!
12:30 - when I saw The TARDIS behind the scenes, I was like wow.....that is so big, that is 10x bigger than the 2005-2010 TARDIS, even the 2011-2017 TARDIS consoles. They really did a fantastic job blending both the CLASSIC WHO and MODERN WHO Tardis interiors together
I am stunned by how far these productions have come. I can't believe the creatures look as good as they do before VFX.
Always nice to see that the people in the monster suits with all the latex and makeup and so on are cheerful and happy to be there. At least I get that from these actors in here.
There was so much in this episode that I thought was for sure CGI and come to find out the vast majority of it were very cleverly mounted practical effects simply enhanced later with CGI. This really does seem the way to go for technological, budgetary, successful execution, as well as realism reasons. They really nailed it. I thought for sure the Meep and the Tardis console room had to have been largely CGI but nope.
David talking about how he remembers the original comic... and nobody's surprised :)
I’ve never seen a more practical episode of who
I present to you literally all of classic
@@HerohammerStudios lmao true
That’s a wild thing to say given the history of this show, and almost 200 people cosigned it 😮💨
you guys know classic who never had an episode of this scale lmao
Most of the practical effects has a CGI overlay pass on it, they mentioned it when talking about the Meep. But invisable CGI is what enables people to say "it's all practical"
While the pacing was a bit too quick and some of the dialogue was very on the nose, this was a definite return to normality for Doctor Who, just a madman, a box and a wacky alien monster to defeat.
What's a doctor who episode without some jank and a teaspoon of cringe, right? All part of the package
@@swiftlymurmurs Very true, let's hope RTD pulls it out the bag for the next two specials.
@@swiftlymurmurs I think this every time someone complains that the ending was a rushed deus ex machina, like, have you seen doctor who??? the character is a walking deus ex machina
@@ltbq all the sudden deus machina means is that RTD era who is back, baby
It was a bit crammed full but I've felt that about Who since RTD rebooted the series back in the 00s. It's just a price we pay for the condensed nature of the show's format now, I accept it for what it is because they're never going to go back to the 4-8 serial structure storylines of Classic Who.
What mattered, is that for the first time since Moffat's departure, the show FELT like Doctor Who again. I was smiling and laughing away from beginning to end. Pure delight.
I LOVE that they made a point to have Pat Mills and Dave Gibbons visit the set and that they both got onscreen credit!
I loved that too!
Hopefully they were paid a bit for it, too.
They were properly paid, Pat talks about it in his book Pageturners. 8 eight chapters dedicated to Doctor Who, including how they were approached by the studio and their visit to the set. (Shameless plug: I'm Pat's wife)
“Are you all right?”
“I gave away my money.”
Ignition in 75.
“Right, but...”
“I gave away all my money. And do you know why, Doctor? I gave it away to be like you. So I could be kind. So I could be nice. So I could be helpful.”
Ignition in one minute.
“I had a subconscious infracutaneous retrofold memory loop, making me act as soft as you and give away £166 million!
“Yes, Donna... Destruction of London?”
“Oh, I'll show you destruction, mate. I will tripledrive the particle manifesto, overstep the umbilical feed, vindicate the cyberline and roast the hyperfeeds. Like this!“
Definitely my favorite part of the episode, that was the Donna I knew and loved! XD
It almost felt like she was mimicking Capaldi when she said the "I gave it away to be like you" line. Not sure if thats what they were going for, but it is in my head-canon! Such a great scene
I love how happy the cast and crew are to be on the set, I love the use of practical effects, and I love how everyone on set is respectful to each other.
I love the respect shown to Pat Mills and Dave Gibbons. Real respect for the source material, bringing their fantastic story into the 2020s, while acknowledging their great work.
I love the making off behind the scenes stuff. Physical models, costumes and VFX.
This was an amazing addaptation of the story; I remember owning a copy in comic book form in the early 1980s - there was a local comic book store called Shinders that sold Doctor Who comics, and I remember buying several story lines there. I don't remember if it was properly released in the US or if Shinders was selling as an import, though. The important thing is that Russell did a fantastic job bringing it to life. It was such a joy to watch!
Was probably the American, 23-issue Doctor Who comic by Marvel. They reprinted storylines from earlier issues of Doctor Who Weekly/Monthly, but in nice garish color. Star Beast was the first two issues. :) I used to buy them at Geppi's in Baltimore!
Loved the special, loved Rose and MamaDonna and DoctorDonna, loved the new feel David is bringing to Fourteen (a little weary, a little older and a bit more grounded, but still ready to go....just like David), and absolutely _adored_ the new TARDIS interior. Was literally weeping of joy when Fourteen was running around and checking it out. Absolutely brilliant.
"Literally weeping" me too. Thought I'd never enjoy...even from the first sounds of their intro.
No but when the Doctor and Donna squealed together reacting to the new TARDIS?
The moment when David runs about the TARDIS console room, I cried. The last modern console room he was in was the "Toyota Console," and while it was bigger than his Coral Console, it's peanuts compared to the new one. He looked like he was a kid in a candy store seeing the console room. I would run about and all up and down the ramps too if I was in his shoes
It feels like returning to what I loved so much about Doctor who, like all of that charm and warmth has come back and i just ahhhhh it's incredible
Everybody is rightfully talking of Bernard Cribbins but it's great to see Phil Collinson and the explosions guy! Like back in confidential
To me, the only thing that would make this BTS better is some Julie Gardner 😄
3:16 This is just too funny. Just two Wraths acting like it's a regular interview is just too funny
All my insides are bubbling from the fact that Doctor Who is back after a one and a half year hiatus. Even after watching series four within the week to prepare myself, I still wasn't ready for what just happened. Well done Russell, well done Murray, well done David, Catherine, Yasmin, and everyone behind the scenes, and thank you for bringing back joy I didn't realise I had.
Oooh, mah stomach bubblin'
that Murray Gold score gave me chills multiple times, what an absolute delight
This is the best behind the scenes ever. People genuinely coming together to make the nerdy and silly and moving and fantastic show we know! I will never not be a fan of such an incredible show!
I mean look at it all!
This was great, I love how we not only get Unleashed but we also get this bonus behind the scenes footage. This is something the last few years have severely lacked.
nah its great but wwe've had plenty of backstage behind the scenes footage. yall can praise rtd without draggging chibnall in the process, i promise!
@@MissEzi I’m not dragging Chibnall but there wasn’t this amount of content under him or Moffat or even RTD the first time. Certainly not without buying DVDs.
Yes! Now we have 45 minutes of bts material in total, just like in the good old DW Confidential times.
Well done!! Russell T Davies did an AMAZING job bringing back the excitement, thrill and pure Doctor Who JOY! My husband and I have been so excited for today's reveal and it was beyond wonderful! Murry Gold music tied it all together! Seeing Donna & the Doctor together again was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! Loved Rose, Shawn and Meep, but seeing Sylvia again was a thrill too. So excited for more!
Not really since he thew all that away when he started making comments about disability and calling fans poor baby for having a valid argument hes just an idiot stop giving him praise he doesn't deserve
I absolutely LOVED this!!! Russell did a fantastic job, and what can I say about David Tennant? Ok, I'm off to watch it again!
Same!
Same
@@whocatalogue
Same!
I watched it three times in a row lol
Thank you for mocking pronounes and showing how silly they are, my kids watched it and they knew donna's daughter was female because they know non-binary is not a thing.
Not gonna lie I actually had a dream that I would see a TARDIS console room exactly like this one! 🙌 A mixture of CLASSIC WHO and NEW WHO and I love it! 💙💙
Don't get attached... it blew up XD
@@sw-gs It'll survive. It's very conveniently wheelchair friendly (ramps and elevators).
@@johnathantaylor5913 Yeah... but you can admit that it went through 'rampage' ;)
@@sw-gs Oh -- god...
As long as it wasn't deleted... @@sw-gs
Absolutely loved the fact that the Meep was a practical effect! So expressive, cute, and freaky all in one fuzzy little package.
Can I just say the current theme music with the in and out breaths is so cool?!
Oh what a fantastic day to be a Doctor Who fan, a brand new episode, a great after show behind the scenes special, a commentary track on iPlayer and now I come here online and there’s so much more! Oh I couldn’t be happier, happy Whoniversary everyone!
I love seeing the staff being happy about blowing stuff up :D
i gotta say i love the new functions of the sonic we've seen (I don't know if we've actually seen them functions before). iv'e always imagined that the sonic could do stuff like what was shown and the sonic itself looks so awesome. Also the new T.A.R.D.I.S is cool I like how clean it looks its a complete flip from the 10th's grungy kind of design. And finally all the practical stuff really was great.
As the Toymaker will be in the last of these specials, I'm now certain he's behind EVERYTHING. Perhaps even the events of "Liberation of the Daleks"? Will be interesting to see if the epic comic strip will be referenced somehow. As for having THAT face, my guess is it will be in reference to that incarnation " Not wanting to go", and the Toymaker granting his wish.
Just after the UNIT soldiers are possessed, you can see a blurry figure running by in the background behind Shirley. My guess is it's the Toymaker, and he'll keep appearing very subtly in the background until the big reveal in the third special.
@@ashbridgeindustries380 props to RTD if they legit got Neil Patrick Harris to run around an abandoned factory in Wales at night for a split second blink and you'll miss it cameo
Would love an art book for these series of specials
Can’t get enough of the concept art
The episode I needed after being in the wilderness for a good 15 years now! I just couldn't get into the show after RTD and co left and stayed away for the most part only occasionally dipping in to see if it could catch my interest again. Then came last night's episode and I was in tears with a lot of it. It was utterly sublime and for me, Doctor Who is finally back after yet another very long hiatus! Thank you Russell, Julie, David, Catherine and everyone else involved! I've already watched it again twice so far to make sure it's real LOL!
my ops on the epidsode, what do u guys think?:
- got so hyped up to see Wilf then the episode ended 😭😭
- i think the pacing was a bit fast
- love the inclusion but some lines felt a bit insincere rather than genuine inclusion
- missile wheelchair was sick af lol
- title sequence looks stunning but the camera angles are overdone, should have been one take imho
- i think the whole 'letting go' thing is too much of a convenient way to end the dr donna arc but russel does that a lot ig
I loved it, but the doing away with the metacrisis feels like it renders the entire thing a superficial charade. It works, yes, but it's rather disappointing. I think it would have been far more feasible to have Donna slowly succumbing to the effects of a Time Lord mind once again, and by The Giggle, that same scene between Donna and Rose could be achieved.
The inclusion part, precisely what I was thinking. It felt like Russel T. Davies wrote the episode and then asked a Twitter-obsessed moron to do the representation part. It's so obviously written-in just to be there and makes no sense the way it was written. It's almost like a mockery of actual inclusivness. Like, how the hell does being non-binary help you survive having a Gallifreyan brain in a human body? Like, why would you even do it this way? Just make Rose non-binary, have The Doctor relate, Tennant can absolutely act such a scene with sincerity, and bam, you've got a perfect way to include queer representation without having to write around it or try to connect it to something completely unrelated like metacrisis.
And I really didn't like the jab at the Doctor like "Shame you're not a woman anymore, no male-presenting Time Lord could understand." Is this the writer being unaware of what was said not even 10 minutes prior? The Doctor is man, woman, non-binary, anything and everything. Why are you imposing a gender stereotype (a sexist thing in and of itself) on the same character you clearly classified as queer and who literally had used she/her pronouns AND used to have a biologically female body, so they should easily be able to understand?
I also love the wheelchair, I gotta say, it felt like something from an old Bond movie. In fact, I think Q had made something similar in the past, or do I misremember that?
Oh my goodness same! The lines at inclusivity felt clumsy. Just saying "Rose in nonbinary" would have transmitted the point more elegantly. Such a win with Shirley being a bada$$ in a wheelchair, only to stumble and miss on the inclusive bit too preachy. Heck, the UNIT soldier wearing the head covering not being one of the ones that got mind controlled was brilliant!
@@quantumvideoscz2052 It's largely because at this point, making it abundantly clear that the Usual Suspects aren't welcome is probably the main objective, as opposed to just being inclusive. It's the difference between "We like minorities here" and "We like minorities here, and anyone who doesn't isn't welcome"
@@quantumvideoscz2052 Also it seems like she identifies as female so isn't that something completely different than being nonbinary. I'm all for inclusivity but I think this felt too forced
Yasmin and Tate did have a great mother-and-daughter relationship so they both had a great link with their characters 😮😊
Some of the same people have been working on Doctor Who since 2005. That's loyalty.
WILF!! Oh , it's such a pleasure to see him after all these years, back in his iconic character. RIP Bernard Cribbins, you amazing man.
I am sooooo glad the new TARDIS interior is so bright and light, not dark and gloomy like 13's. Really looking forward to seeing the episode.
the new tardis interior is so cool! possibly my favorite one
Of all the things to say, what a random part to compliment.
I just like how it gives them so much more dynamic potential for dialogue. So many awkward scenes between the characters in the Jodie one with how small and flat the set was
Still Capaldi's was the best imho, just the perfect moodiness and lightshow
It's too big. It's EMPTY. There's no character to it.
@@normietwiceremoved agreed. It needs ANYTHING going on other than the console, even a coathanger or a sofa...
I love seeing this behind the scenes stuff because it lets me see more of the people who worked so hard on the episode, and it just feels like my appreciation for the episode expands through it
The villain plot was rushed, some of the resolutions were meh......and the chemistry between the Doctor and the Nobles was so good that it simply didn't matter. Welcome back to a time when large audiences fell in love with this show.
It was a bit crammed full but I've felt that about Who since RTD rebooted the series back in the 00s. It's just a price we pay for the condensed nature of the show's format now, I accept it for what it is because they're never going to go back to the 4-8 serial structure storylines of Classic Who.
What mattered, is that for the first time since Moffat's departure, the show FELT like Doctor Who again. I was smiling and laughing away from beginning to end. Pure delight.
Oh absolutely, the first series alone had plenty of underwhelming monsters and rushed conclusions. But again, the dialogue between Nine and Rose was so good that we all wanted to see how it would play out next. RTD understands what big Saturday evening audiences want the most, everything else can be worked on from there.
Shoutout to that extra Disney distribution budget allowing Russel T Davies to really push the sets and the effectswork.
Who else cheered when seeing Paul Kasey? He's had a huge promotion as well, no longer wearing the alien of the week suit/prosthetics. :)
I loved him as a kid and was extremely happy he returned.
Dr. Who Special 1 was better than I imagined. I was content just knowing David Tennant and Catherine Tate were back together again, but the special effects and costume/make-up were spectacular. Y'all outdid yourselves. Can't wait until next week's Special 2.
so glad they brought rachel talalay back, she’s so wonderful!
Seeing this come together is amazing. Love "The Star Beast" from start to finish.
That table read must have been incredible. The VFX, so good. Creature designs. Everything was so, so good
Wow. The sets and effects were absolutely amazing!
I love the real sets being used! It really helps bring the story to life!
7:43 Makes me wonder if the ending of the Star Beast isn't what it seems. The ending seems "innocent and cute". The city is saved, Meep is captured, Donna survives, and the meta-crisis is just 'let go' even though it seemed like a big deal in Journey's End. It's possible that the Toymaker meddled with every aspect of this first story to make it perfect for 'nostalgia' since the Toymaker is maybe a fan of the Doctor and views him like a show. It's possible that the Toymaker wanted to make this first story a little too perfect so that way it makes a bigger impact when he eventually peels away the reality and reveals his big plot. In the end the Toymaker may revert everything back to the way it's supposed to be, which may include Donna actually dying.
Better save this comment in case this actually happens!
Don't gaslight yourself into thinking this was good writing, smh.
@@normietwiceremoved I mean I personally enjoyed most of it. Albeit a lot was kinda... Not great. But like 90% was really good. I got my non nostalgia lensed bf to think it was good
@@spaceylatte the wheelchair bazooka and non binary girl power ending nearly made me scratch my eyes out. There were standout moments, but in the whole it was a mess of an episode. So much was thrown it carelessly.
@@normietwiceremoved idk I'm used to cheese. This is doctor who after all. And even then. The wheelchair was a little over the top yes. And specifically the line "non binary" bugs me a lot. I think they could have tightened the messaging and spoken to some actual trans folks just in case. I've seen too much confusion on the metaphor that shouldn't have happened. Otherwise it honestly didn't have the much going on. We got the nobles, meep, and that's really it. And
. Flux was recent. That shit was actual... Shit. And very very overdone confusing shit
The first special was such a delight and I enjoyed seeing The Doctor and Donna’s dynamic once again. Their chemistry is fantastic and just wonderful seeing them play off of each other.
Loved how the warriors looks, I’m a big Kamen Rider Kuuga/Agito fan, they just reminded me of the riders in those shows
Those did look like Ramen Rider
RIP Bernard. Russel so great to have you back on Dr Who.
The Meep looks so incredible, as does everything else in the episode.
Thank you so much for uploading it here!
I felt like a kid again during the entire episode. It was brilliant the whole way through.
This first special was wonderful. I might have changed one or two lines to be a little less didactic, but no real complaints.
I think they should have been more obvious, frankly. Fuck them terfs, scream it into the sky
Thank you for posting this! I love seeing how things are done. That Meep puppet with two heads is brilliant!
The homage to the original story was terrific and it was quite moving when the original creators where brought on the set
I'm Waiting For The Next Saturday Called "Wild Blue Yonder".
Love doctor who and love Yasmin Finney!! watched her in heartstopper a few months ago just to spend the whole special like wait a second I ***know*** her from somewhere!! This put it all together for me
What an amazing ep!! 8.5/10 wow!!! goodbye blue and piss yellow! Hello vibrant colors!!! David tennant was amazing!
Donna's response to the boys dead naming Rose was spectacular!
Russell seems positively giddy to be back. I can't wait for this new era of Who!
It's going to be hard seeing Wilfred for the last time 😢
it was SO good I had full body goosebumps and tears .
Great to have a behind-the-scenes show, shame it’s not 30 minutes. I think it’s better than the unleashed one.
Wait, this isn’t Doctor Who Unleashed? Bear in mind i don’t have BBC Three or BBC iPlayer.
@@stephenmurphy2212no these are separate behind the scenes bits. Unleashed has stuff filmed at the same time though, so they've divided it between the two
I agree - this feels more like Confidential, especially showing some of the special effects. I did like Unleashed too tbf
@@SleepyHarryZzzthese feel identical to me, the Unleashed segment had a bunch of FX stuff shown, including the Meep effects. This just felt like a clip that should've been part of the overall Unleashed segment.
And why isn't Unleashed on Disney+ as well, not just on the BBC iPlayer? Absurd release strategy and licensing mess, it looks like. Clearly there is an interest beyond the British public (for decades), so why don't they acknowledge it properly
@@PigDan I don't know the details of the deal, but I suspect that Disney aren't funding the Unleashed stuff, so they don't get (or maybe even want?) anything other than the episodes.
Production quality looks amazing across the board. Congrats to all involved in making it happen.
I liked the story as an adaptation, and David and Catherine's chemistry is as great as ever, but for a 60th special you would expect better. Also, the new TARDIS Console is mesmerising
Rtd couldnt write his name let alone a coherent drama without tick boxes and social issue politics.
@@boxinggospel5334ah here comes the urine evaporation lmao
@@boxinggospel5334ah, a member of the Foolish Right has arrived on the planet. Looks cuddly but has teeth.
Well, I would agree that this episode alone doesn’t trump the 50th special, but it IS one of 3 specials… and if *all three* of them are of this quality at very least, I think that’s definitely something to write home about
For starters david and catherine are back! But I'm absolutely blown away that "The Meep" is an animatronic!
it's not an animatronic, it's a manned puppet with a remotely controlled face
Im so excited for more david tennant as doctor who. His time as the doctor was fantastic, but all too brief.
Brilliant episode. All the Ts and everyone is on board. Thank you all.
Seeing all of the actors of SEASON 4!!! Of Doctor Who make me hype.
The Meep was a spectacular effect. I wish the episode was quite as good. Here's hoping the next two won't be as clunky without having to establish so much in so little time. I'm rooting for you, DW, you can do it, I know you can!
The production value was noticably betteer, but the old feel what made me fall in love with Who was there. Russel T Davis did a great job! Of course, Tennant and Tate were fab, as they always are together. Felt like they had finished up the previous time together on DW yesterday. Alons y!
Ngl i have a weird nostalgia seeing Danny Hargreaves explain practical effects on a BTS doccy who package 💅
I love Doctor Who again, and it is delightful.
I watched this wrongly assuming that the Meep was CGI. I will have to watch it again just for that reason alone.
Doctor Who IS back! 💙🙌
Saw it last night and love it! So happy to see The Doctor and Donna together again!
Very different than Doctor Who Unleashed. Hope we get more of thing next week.
I hope somebody got a picture of David Tennant with those two Wrarth actors and captioned it “Doctor, Strange, Love”
The New Console Room is amazing.....and holy....SO BIG
I really wanted Donna to say "It's even bigger on the inside."
It's nice and clean but also empty, so I don't know what to make of it yet. The console looks good though.
Watching David Tennant nerd out over the original writer and artist of the comic is just wonderful.
What an awesome episode with a brilliant story adaptation! Looking forward to next Saturday!
OMG Bernard Cribbins was still alive during the readthrough. Hope he got to do some filming too and this ends up in the specials. Love Wilfred!
I believe he did
A return to form. I loved all the characters and the story, Doctor and Donna back again, felt a lot of fun, some lines were a bit on the nose, and yeah the 'let go' idea was a bit too convenient for me. Still those are minor nitpicks to an overall excellent episode. And dear god the budget! How much money did they get?!
We're so bloody back, I can't stop getting emotional
Love his upgraded screwdriver. 11 would be jealous 👀
So happy that they are all back, has brought the joy and excitement back into Dr Who!
My one major critique is Rose Noble should not have been written as a fifteen year old. I know sometimes older actresses are hired to play teenagers, but she does not look like a teenager at all. Rose Tyler looked younger than Rose Noble and Rose Tyler was meant to be early twenties at the start of the series.
And yes I get it they wanted to align the timelines to the show, but you could have made the Doctor land in 2028.
Incorrect. Rose Tyler was 19 when she started.
@@gregeviganoh wow, so much difference
Absolutely agree, this Rose looks like she could be in her early 20s too, no way we‘re supposed to believe she‘s 15?!
DOCTOR WHO IS BACK!!!!
Incredible episode. Loved all of it except for the line about "male-presenting" people not being to let things go. That line made me cringe because it's really untrue. Gender does not determine the ability to move on.
Everything else was peak. Love the mirroring of Donna and Rose. The chemistry between Donna and the Doctor.
Can't wait for the next two episodes.
It was a bad line but I don't think it will have any lasting impact (on screen at least, people will be raging online for months). It felt almost apologetic in the context of giving the starring role back to a man.
Yup, classic "sexism against men is fine". And ironic, because the Doctor is non-binary. The writers just did a friendly-fire. They mocked a non-binary character for changing their preferred pronouns after their body literally changed. This is one of the reasons I am not buying their "we are progressive and care so much" stuff. Apparently they don't care, they're just lying.
exactly! this was my only problem with it as well, but i loved everything else
@@carb_8781 Ik, such a shame becuase the rest of the episode was good
@@michaeldallaway1988 i thought it came off as apologetic too! that's exactly what i told my friend a few minutes before reading your comment haha