VOTE SAXON

Is it me, or is the recent series of Doctor Who simply brilliant? Apart from the very high production values (why not in HD? - Torchwood was) and the necessary corridors to run down - there has clearly been some planning.

Those of us who grew up spending saturday nights behind the sofa will recognise Russell T Davies (head honcho) as fellow traveller from this period. The stories are scary, the monsters realistic, the special effects pretty good for a telly programme made on a budget by BBC Wales. (Battlestar Galactica it aint, but the budget that new series had would run the beeb entirely for about 3 months). Oh and it has Daleks & Cybermen - together, fighting over the earth - genius!

There has been a lot of debate over the BBC and impartiality, and on the license fee. But when they produce 3 series of Dr who and one of Torchwood (with one in the pipeline) that are this tightly written, this well produced and this well acted - you have to admire them. It has spawned a raft of copycats over on the commercial channels - but they don't bear scrutiny well.

Oh and the fact that Torchwood was based in Cardiff -lovely touch. Saved money on the sets, had mountains and quarries nearby for explosions, alien invasions and the like and was generally a nicer, rougher feel to it. Before you ask, why would an organisation like that be in Cardiff - well it wasn't. Torchwood one got zapped by the cybermen, and the daleks.

Torchwood background data


But the true genius lies in the embedding of story arcs. Take "Bad Wolf" from the last series - it culminated in the battle of canary wharf and the tasty Billie saving the universe. But the latest story arc has been running throughout this series, through a series of Torchwood and even back to some of series 2.

Of course we are talking about Mister Saxon - or the Master - played by Derek Jacobi and John Simm. Towering actors both - playing the most evil man from Gallifrey - how could they resist?

The embedding of the arc is seen in overheard snatches of conversation "Fire on Mr Saxon's orders". or "Mister Saxon insists ...". It is seen in election posters in Torchwood. It is seen sprayed on the walls in backdrops in early episodes. It even has its own website http://www.votesaxon.co.uk/ .

Clearly this is no accident. The final 3 episdoes of the series have been planned, written and thought through from the very beginning of at least series 2. This shows an attention to detail in the production and the writing that is of the highest calibre in my opinion.

And while i may be over 35, I may have far too many responsibilities. The series may be as camp as christmas, (viz Capn Jack trying to shag anything that moves) but i am proud to say...

This saturday evening - I will not be going out - I shall be watching Dr Who.

www.bbc.co.uk/Torchwood
www.bbc.co.uk/drwho