The same yet very different (Review: 'Doctor Who' 34.1, "Deep Breath")

So after eight months, the 'Twelfth Doctor', as played by Peter Capaldi, finally makes his debut on our screens... and it was definitely worth the wait. The 80 minutes flew by and I highly enjoyed the episode.

Ten points from this:

• Bit disappointed with the new title sequence; possibly it's the theme arrangement.
• The Twelfth Doctor is excellent; even in his post-regeneration confusion. He's very alien in a much different way to his predecessor; while the jokes are still there, he's a much colder and more withdrawn character, looking pretty scary at times.
• Clara seems to have been considerably better written here than at previous time; she sold the whole difficulty with accepting the Doctor's regeneration very well indeed.
• The dinosaur was great to see (and I liked the joke about the neck), but it was obvious why it couldn't have stayed too long.
  
• There was also some lovely Scottish jokes; remember both Moffat and Capaldi are from Scotland. The independent eyebrows joke in particular.
• Indeed Moffat's script contained a number of superb bits of humour;
  
• Great CGI all round; even with the budgetary issues the show is always facing, I never spotted anything ropey.
  
• I liked the call back to a previous Moffat episode.
  
• It was nice to see the Paternoster gang back again, but I wasn't too impressed with Strax, who lacked the number of funny lines that he got last time.
  
• That was a lovely surprise appearance at the climax; I didn't know that was coming and I'm glad it wasn't leaked.
  

Conclusion

A superb start for a great new Doctor.

9/10

Misty Wilson becomes Deputy General Coordinator

Jason Andersen has confirmed that Misty Wilson, currently the Contender, will also be his Deputy General Coordinator.

While this may seem strange, he has assured the membership this does not violate the site's legislation.

A full throttle adventure (Review: 'Doctor Who: Engines of War', 2014)

I believe that Steven Moffat now ties the record for most incarnations of the Doctor created under his tenure as showrunner; at three[1]. Eleven, Twelve (who seems to be getting excellent reviews from the "Deep Breath" previews) and the War Doctor, as played by John Hurt.

For those of you who haven't seen "The Day of the Doctor" yet (and why haven't you), the "War Doctor" is the incarnation of the Doctor between McGann and Eccleston; the one who fought the Time War and who as a result is the Doctor's biggest secret. A grouchy and stern old man who renounced the name 'Doctor', he is also a deeply compassionate individual who wants to end the war... although he is horrified at what he might have to do to end it.

After his three appearances in the TV show, the War Doctor is now making his first appearance in Doctor Who's vast expanded universe in an original novel by George Mann, who has previously written an Eleventh Doctor novel. From this, it's clear that he's more than just a one-trick pony.

Where we're at

Set towards the end of the War Doctor's long life (he ages a great deal between "Night of the Doctor " and "Day"), he doesn't have a regular companion and nor does he want to take the risk of acquiring one.

The plot

Arriving on the war-ravaged human planet of Moldox, the Doctor teams up with a local woman to stop a Dalek plot to win the Time War and gain control of all history.

What works

• Cinder. The "guest companion" in this one is a Dalek hunter only known as 'Cinder', who lost her family in the Dalek invasion of her homeworld. She proves an able and fierce ally of the Doctor, who is willing to let her carry a weapon with her (provided she doesn't actually use it). Well written and very interesting.
• The War Doctor. An excellently portrayed character both on screen and in print, this Doctor combines a strong heroic streak with the irreverent attitude demonstrated through all his incarnations... and maintains his standards through all the horror.
  
• The Time Lords - we get the return of Rassilon as portrayed by Timothy Dalton and some extensive sequences on the Doctor's home planet, including one place I didn't expect. The rottenness in the state of Gallifrey is visibly dripping in these scenes and some very dodgy stuff is done.
  
• The Daleks. Well developed, not prone to being defeated in stupid ways and their relationship with a certain Time Lord is well explained.

What doesn't

• We get one recurring character too many coming back.
  

Conclusion

A superb novel featuring a Doctor who will hopefully become a more regular feature in the literature - he's fully earned his place here.

9/10

[1]John-Nathan Turner was in charge for the Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Doctors.

ksabers named Deputy EVC

In one of the first major governmental changes of the new administrations, Zuzutoo has named ksabers as his Deputy Elections and Voting Coordinator; he is already Sim Development Officer.

As yet, we do not have a Deputy General Coordinator, but one should soon follow.

Election Results 2014

Phoenix has a new General Coordinator after much-delayed elections; Jason Andersen becomes the third head of the club as we approach our 4th anniversary on Saturday. Elections Coordinator Kevin Diamond informed Phoenix of the results on Friday:

For General Coordinator the winner with 33% of the ranked voting is Jason Andersen. Third times the charm. The office of Contender goes to the second place Candidate with 27% of the vote, Misty Wilson.
Technical Coordinator we came out with a straight tie of 50% each... Assuming Jason wishes to keep his title of General Coordinator, that would mean that Euan Reid retains the sole possession of his keys to the Technical Coordinator position.

Quite literally one or two voters could have changed either of these races, so your votes have great value. Thank you to everyone that participated in the election of our governance. Congratulations all!

Jason then withdrew from the TC race, meaning that Euan spends a fourth term as Phoenix's tech head.

Silent Hunter stood down immediately as planned following the elections in which he did not run; Jason has allowed him to retain his posts as Twitter and Blog Admin Officers.