Review: Doctor Who and the Terror of the Autons

BBC Audio's latest book, Doctor Who and the Terror of the Autons, seems like the perfect release to compliment the return of a certain plastic specie in the current series, as well as the news of a certain Jo Grant appearing in The Sarah Jane Adventures. The audiobook, read by the devilishly delightful Geoffrey Beavers, boasts the first appearances of the (equally devilish) Master, Jo Grant and Mike Yates - opening a huge door for appearances to come.

The story itself is written masterfully by Uncle Terry (Dicks, that is), brought to life by the amazing sound which creates a Classic Who atmosphere, without being too Classic. The listener does not need to know about the Auton's first invasion (Spearhead From Space - 1970) as there are many references and explanations as we see a whole new world through Jo's eyes. Beevers' portrayal of the Third Doctor is especially spot-on, and we also get an appearance from Bessie.

All in all, the story keeps you on tenterhooks the whole way through by meandering through different, extraordinary tales and bringing it to a crescendo of a finale.

Out July 8th 2010, it can be pre-ordered here.

PLANET GALLIFREY rates

DOCTOR WHO AND THE TERROR OF THE AUTONS

9/10

5.1 million for The Big Bang

Yesterday's finale of Doctor Who was watched by 5.1 million viewers, according to unofficial overnight figures.

Despite the low ratings, again, the audience share was 31% and was the second most-watched programme of the day, being beaten by the USA vs. Ghana World Cup match.

Your Reactions.

Who is she? What caused it? Who caused it? Why did it happen?!

'Blood of the Cybermen' now available

The next interactive Doctor Who episode, Blood of the Cybermen, is now available for download. It can be downloaded here, for PC-using UK residents only. Mac users can download it on the 30th June.

Unfortunately, for overseas residents, the game is not available to download.

Spoiler Splash!

io9 have collected together lots of spoilers for us to enjoy!

Sarah Jane Adventures - Series 4 titles confirmed

The Doctor Who Magazine confirmed the S4 titles as follows -

4.1/4.2: The Nightmare Man
Written by Joseph Lidster
Directed by Joss Agnew
Guest starring Julian Bleach as the Nightmare Man

4.3/4.4: The Vault of Secrets
Written by Phil Ford
Directed by Joss Agnew
Guest starring Cheryl Campbell as Ocean Waters

4.5/4.6: Death of the Doctor
Written by Russell T Davies
Directed by Ashley Way
Guest starring Matt Smith as the Doctor and Katy Manning as former Third Doctor companion Jo Grant

4.7/4.8: The Empty Planet
Written by Gareth Roberts
Directed by Ashley Way
Guest starring Joe Mason as Gavin

4.9/4.10: Lost in Time
Written by Rupert Laight
Directed by Joss Agnew
Guest starring Cyril Nri as the Mysterious Shopkeeper.

4.11/4.12: Goodbye, Sarah Jane Smith
Written by Gareth Roberts and Clayton Hickman
Directed by Joss Agnew
Guest starring Julie Graham as Ruby White.

Blood of the Cybermen trailer

Blood of the Cybermen is the next episode in the four virtual adventures!

The Doctor and Amy materialize in the Arctic - where members of a survey team are turning from flesh to metal and digging something sinister from under the ice that's been waiting thousands of years - an army of Cybermen!

This is your chance to be the Doctor.

Are you ready for the challenge?

It will be free to download on Saturday 26th June.

The Big Bang - First Clip

Today we can enjoy the first clip of the next episode of Doctor Who: The Big Bang.

The Big Bang will broadcast this saturday, 26, and will be a 55 minutes length.

Comments!

It seems that, akin to the current finale, all comments have seemingly disappeared from the site. This seems to be a problem with many bloggers, which Google have not responded too. That is a real shame, so I ask of you to comment again on everything you commented on, please!

The Big Bang - Introduced by Matt Smith

... and tomorrow the first clip of The Big Bang. Is everyone sitting comfortably? Good... because we're going to start...

'Pandorica' ratings and reactions

The trend of low viewing figures continues this week with The Pandorica Opens peaking at 5.9m. Even though the figures are lower than previous series', the episode gained an audience share of 30% and was the most watched show of the night.

Overall, the press reaction was positive. The Daily Telegraph called it "sensational ... a gripping adventure with plenty of shocks and surprises." Meanwhile, The Guardian commented on "the most dramatic cliffhanger in Doctor Who history,"

WOW.

Your thoughts?

The Big Bang trailer will air at 21:11 (GMT) tonight on BBC One. The trailer wasn't an actual trailer, it was more of a recap of the series...

Finale Cast List

SPOILERS!!

Karen Gillan talks about finale

Digital Spy interview Karen Gillan and she revealed some things about the finale. Spoilers!

'The Pandorica Opens' trailer

WOW.

The Eleven Doctors!

A brand new figure collection will be coming soon, featuring all 11 Doctors! Check out the never-been-seen-before Eighth Doctor mould!

Exciting!

The Big Bang synopsis

It's here. It's airing on JUNE 26th 2010 and it looks amazing.

Highlight to reveal the awesomley spoilery amazingly amazing synopsis!

The Doctor is gone, the Tardis has been destroyed, and the universe is collapsing. The only hope for all reality is a little girl who still believes in stars, as this series of Doctor Whoconcludes with an episode written by Steven Moffat.


First reaction: OMG!

Images from 'The Lodger'

Digital Spy have posted six pictures from this Saturday's episode! Check them out here.

Fourth series for Torchwood!

BBC Cymru Wales, BBC Worldwide and US premium entertainment network, Starz Entertainment, have today announced a three way co-production partnership that will develop a new series of the hit BBC sci-fi drama Torchwood. BBC Worldwide will also distribute the series to broadcasters globally.

The 10-episode instalment will be written by a team led by Torchwood creator, Russell T Davies, Julie Gardner and Jane Tranter.

While previous series were based on location in Cardiff, Wales, this new instalment will see storylines widen to include locations in the U.S. and around the world. John Barrowman and Eve Myles will return in their roles as Captain Jack and Gwen respectively, along with new faces.

Announcing the commission, Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning said: "We have a long history of working with many U.S. networks but it is incredibly exciting to be working with Starz for the first time, as well as to be reunited with the best of British in Russell, Jane and Julie. Torchwood will burst back onto the screen with a shocking and moving story with global stakes and locations that will make it feel bigger and bolder than ever"

Jane Tranter, added: "Torchwood has attracted remarkable attention and loyalty in both the UK and U.S., and in this new partnership with Starz, the next chapter will not only reward our current fans, but also introduce new viewers to the most impressive instalment yet."

"We're committed to programming exceptional television that is entertaining, imaginative and provides a premium TV experience, and by any measure the new concept for Torchwood fits that mandate," Starz, LLC, President and CEO Chris Albrecht said. "I've been part of successful partnerships with Jane Tranter and the BBC previously, and I'm very much looking forward to working with them again."

Russell has confirmed that it will be like Children of Earth - 
"The show was previously a format show - monster of the week. The breakthrough was Children of Earth and that it became one long story. It's not going to be Lost and take 20 years to find out what's going on. It's going to have a most remarkable conclusion after ten episodes."

Figures!

Check out the images for the next batch of figures (well, the first batch for Series 5) which are to be released very soon!

Amy Pond

Regenerating Weeping Angel

New Look Red Dalek

Ironside Dalek

Smiler person

The Doctor!

Hawthorne

Banner Competition!

Competition has now ended!
Because of the show's new colour scheme, the site needs a new banner, and who better to do it than one of the readers?


Please email your entries to planetgallifrey@inbox.com in a .png format.


Rules:

• You can enter as many times as you wish (put all your entries in one email.)
• Please identify the email as being an entry by putting 'Competition Entry' or something similar in the title.
• Please sign off the email with the name you wish to be called if your entry wins.

• The banner must be the same size as the current banner, you can use the current banner as a template.
• The banner must have a blue colour scheme which coheres with the site's colours.
• The banner must have rounded edges.
• The banner must have the words 'Planet Gallifrey' on them. This can be in any typeface you wish.
• The banner must include things from Doctor Who!
• The banner may have additional text, but just as long as it does not interfere with most of the banner.

Have fun! All entries must be in by 21st July 2010 please. Any questions can also be sent to that email address (planetgallifrey@inbox.com)! :)

Next Week...

The Lodger! James Corden! The stairs!

Marry Me Miss Gillan?!

Karen Gillan revealed in an interview with Digital Spy, that she was proposed to... by a Doctor Who fan!

"I got proposed to in America by a girl," she said. "I was quite taken aback by that. She was very nice and all, but I'm not really ready for marriage."

Karen, who plays the wonderful Amy Pond, also promised an emotional finale, saying that "the second part of the finale was the most difficult, because it's a big climax for Amy and her story." She teased that there would be something to do with "horses" in the finale.

In the Series Five trailer, we saw River Song riding one of three horses!


Meanwhile, the DVD cover for Series 5, Volume 2 has been released. Check out a lovely HQ version here, courtesy of Cameron over at Blogtor Who!

City of the Daleks

The BBC have released a new game called City of the Daleks, one of four in a series titled 'The Adventure Games' - the rest which will be released over the year. For all international viewers, you can download it here, otherwise, all viewers in the UK can check it out here!

Sorry to all international viewers, but the BBC have now blocked any overseas access to the game.

Hello Hello Hello!

Check this amazing picture out (mega spoilers for the finale...!)

...HERE.