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    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (18→13)

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    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (42→37)

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    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (24→19)

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    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (42→37)

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    November 13, 2021

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    June 19, 2025

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    May 21, 2025
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    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (36→31)

    October 12, 2023

    A Studio Film (or rather a film in the studio)

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    … And All That Yaz

    November 16, 2022

    Fivey at Forty: The First Companion Death of 1982

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    Sweet, not Effete

    April 5, 2025

    Arguably Arguable

    August 19, 2024

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (48→43)

    September 28, 2023

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    January 13, 2025

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    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (6→1)

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    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (48→43)

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    June 19, 2025

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    May 21, 2025
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    December 24, 2024

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    May 21, 2025
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50 for 50 Christopher Eccleston

50 for 50 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — #47

By -- DSWJanuary 4, 201302 Mins Read
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So onto my #47….Probably a shock to many simply being so far down the line, as it appears to be the most popular Christopher Eccleston with the majority (not with me, but that’s another story…um, episode), but still certainly warrants inclusion in the top 50. Given his short time in the role, and the time given to establishing the new series’ format, it takes half of the 2005 series to accept Eccleston in the role, by which time we all knew he was going…in at #47, it’s The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances.

Before The Eleventh Hour, and the Pandorica, and The Impossible Astronaut, here is Moffat’s first turn at writing officially for the new series, after the world (and me, too) said he should be writing for the show if it ever came back when he did The Curse Of The Fatal Death for 1999’s Comic Relief. And he definitely brings it all to the table, everyday things made creepy, memorable setting, and great characters, perhaps most notably a brilliantly short, but memorable piece from Richard Wilson, and the debut of a certain Captain Jack Harkness.

Witness John Barrowman’s most reserved acting turn here, though his flirting with Rose and the Doctor is a real treat, and Moffat’s clever writing makes him an instantly likable companion, more so than the selfish Rose. Though his conservatively safe writing means the invisible enemy kills no one by the story’s end, and the empty child, and everyone else returns to normal, well, I suppose it hadn’t been done before.

Compare this to the series in 2011, Moffat clearly was testing the water, and barely dips his toe here, almost frightened to be too daring … How times change.  But overall, even nearly eight years later, the gas-masked zombie child, chanting ‘Are you my mummy?’ still raises chills, and made the arguably first iconic moment of the new series. Certainly for my then 7-year-old daughter, it secured the show as must-see TV at that time.  — Andy

Alan’s #47 — The Edge of Destruction
David’s #47 — School Reunion
Steve’s #47 — Rose

Thus endeth 50 for 50 Week 1.  50 for 50 begins weekly revelations January 9th.  What terrifying turn could #46 hold in store?

Short Hops:

50 for 50 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — #38 50 for 50 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — #15 50 for 50 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — #9
The Impossible Astronaut 50 for 50 Christopher Eccleston The Pandorica Opens Series 1 The Empty Child The Doctor Dances School Reunion The Edge of Destruction Rose The Eleventh Hour
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On This Day in Doctor Who History

July 2025

Tuesday July 8

2006: Doomsday
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Wednesday July 9

1966: The War Machines [3]
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Thursday July 10

1965: The Time Meddler [2--The Meddling Monk]
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1964: The Sensorites [3--Hidden Danger]
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1966: The War Machines [4]
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1965: The Time Meddler [3--A Battle of Wits]
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1964: The Sensorites [4--A Race Against Death]
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1965: The Time Meddler [4--Checkmate]
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1964: The Sensorites [5--Kidnap]
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Friday August 1

1964: The Sensorites [6--A Desperate Venture]
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1964: The Reign of Terror [1--A Land of Fear]
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1968: The Dominators [1]
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1964: The Reign of Terror [2--Guests of Madame Guillotine]
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1968: The Dominators [2]
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1964: The Reign of Terror [3--A Change of Identity]
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Random Thoughts

Strife on Mars

By -- DSWNovember 8, 2009 Tour Updates 1 Min Read

Time Thrash(ing)

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Game of the Name

By -- DSWMay 19, 2013 Tour Updates 2 Mins Read
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