November was really a count down to the 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who. Having attend the Proms in the summer and recently visited the set in Cardiff, it made sense that I attended the official celebration in London’s docklands. It had been sold out about an hour after the tickets went on sales several months before and I had high hopes. The event was very well attended and must have had 5000 or more dressed up as The Doctor or other characters from the show.
Various monsters were seen walking about and the production stands were very interesting. The talks were fairly unrehearsed and awkward, especially the SFX talk which felt very random. However, all that was overshadowed for me as I had the opportunity to meet The Doctor himself, Matt Smith.
The day passed quickly and then it was onto the main event, The Day of the Doctor. An episode that had to please fans and still be entertaining for those that don’t watch on a regular basis. The story fulfilled everything I wanted and could expect. Watching my favorite TV show in a cinema with other fans all dressed up and cheering and laughing together was an amazing and magical experience which served to enhance the story and celebration.
The surprise of Tom Baker’s appearance towards the end was very emotional for older viewers like me and a huge cheer went up when new Doctor Peter Capaldi’s eyes appeared. The story delivered in the most part with John Hurt really standing out as The War Doctor but the Zygon’s were a little wasted and actually forgotten in narrative terms. However, I loved it and have watched it 5 times so far. Roll on Christmas… Allons–y.
M