The Erimem Paradox

Erimim, erstwhile Pharoh and Companion to the Fifth Doctor, is at the center of a large debate in fan circles. Many people are debating the fact that if the Fifth Doctor and Peri had a Companion who traveled with them, became extreemly close to them, and they never spoke of her ever again. What could be the fate of our Lady Pharoh???

A Closer Look: Dr. Evelyn Smythe

Dr. Evelyn Smythe was fifty-five when she began her travels with the Doctor. She first appeared in the play The Marian Conspiracy (2000), when the Sixth Doctor found her while searching for a temporal nexus point. Travelling with the Doctor back to 1554, she became involved with the turmoil surrounding the reign of Queen Mary, which would soon give way to that of her half-sister Elizabeth. At the end of that adventure, she insisted on accompanying the Doctor further, because as an historian, the chance to travel in a time machine was irresistible.

Being more mature than most of the Doctor's other companions, she was more than a match for the more abrasive Sixth Doctor, often questioning his decisions and even counselling him on them. In turn, the Sixth Doctor recognized Evelyn's wisdom and ability and respected her advice.

Their relationship was not always smooth. Evelyn had a heart condition which she kept from the Doctor, fearing that he would return her home if he found out. She also blamed the Doctor for his inability to save a young woman named Cassie in Project: Lazarus (2003), something the Seventh Doctor said she never forgave him for, even when she parted ways with him.
While visiting the planet Világ and helping repel an alien invasion by an aggressive species known as the Killorans, Evelyn met and fell in love with Governor Rossiter, who eventually became the political head of the union of three nations (Arrangements for War, 2004).

When she and the Doctor returned a year later, Evelyn decided to stay and marry Rossiter. She subsequently became involved in the politics of Világ and underwent surgery for her heart. The surgery, however, did not actually correct her heart condition; without her knowledge, she was injected during the surgery with blood extracted from Killoran prisoners. The infusion disguised Evelyn's heart condition, but also caused her to suffer from headaches, increased aggressiveness and irritability.

Two years later, the Sixth Doctor brought his new companion Mel to visit Evelyn on Világ. During their visit, Evelyn was kidnapped by a political enemy, and during the ordeal she became seriously ill as a result of the Killoran blood in her system. With the aid of the Doctor's blood, Rossiter's daughter Sofia, a physician, corrected the effects of the Killoran blood. During her recovery, Evelyn was secretly paid a visit by the Seventh Doctor as well. The Seventh Doctor wanted to tell Evelyn that Cassie's son, Hex, was now travelling with him, and assured her that some good had come out of the tragedy after all.

While not an example of the stereotypical companion, Evelyn made her way into the hearts of fans around the world. She has even broken into the novel range in Instruments of Darkness by Gary Russell. Her travels with the Doctor continue to this day in the Big Finish audio range.

Series Four Writers

We now know who the writers are for Season 4 of Doctor Who. Helen Raynor and Stephen Moffatt are both back, each penning a two part story for the season. Joining them are returning writers Gareth Roberts, Tom Macrae, and Stephen Greenhorn. Writing their first episodes for Doctor Who are James Moran and Keith Temple. Russell T Davies will be writing 4 episodes plus the Christmas Special. Preliminary statements claim that Roberts script will be directly tied to the Series 3 Finale.

Trek Invasion

Star Trek Author Keith R.A. DeCandido has enlisted the help of some of his fellow Star Trek authors on his upcoming Short Trips volume, The Qualities of Leadership. Diane Duane and Peter David, both huge Trek fan favorites, are currently on-board to write stories for this volume.

From the Big Finish website: "The Quality of Leadership is about leadership from throughout history. The stories will each focus on the Doctor's encounters with dukes and despots, prime ministers and presidents, kings and queens, tribal shamans and galactic emperors. "

Regenerated Fans

I heard a phrase today that was new to me. "Regerated" Fans are fans that were fans of the 'classic' series, but left fandom once the show went off the air; but came back to fandom with the start of the 'new' series. Now we have the 'Wilderness Years', and 'Regenerated Fans', I guess it is only a matter of time before we divide into 'Loyalists' and 'Communists'.

Blink

The BBC have released the synopsis for Blink, the upcoming episode written by Steven Moffatt. Following on from the success of The Girl in the Fireplace and The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances, this episode is highly anticipated.

"In an old, abandoned house, the Weeping Angels wait, as Russell T Davies's Doctor Who continues. However, when people start disappearing, a young woman called Sally finds cryptic messages bleeding through from 1969 – messages from a mysterious stranger called the Doctor. But can she decipher them before the Angels claim their prize? "

Oh No It Isn't!

This week I went back and listened to the Bernice Summerfield audio play Oh No It Isn't!, the first in the Bernice Summerfield range at Big Finish Productions. This was a re-working of the novel by the same name that was the start of the Benny New Adventures from Virgin Publishing. I must admit that I understood and appreciated the humor in the plot more in the audio medium than I ever did as a novel. There is just something about trying to capture Panto in the written word that just doesn't jive well.

It is also interesting to note that the 'Spot the Nick Briggs voice' game can be played this far back as well. Both he and Mark Gatiss join the cast. Which leads me to the lady herself, Lisa Bowerman. I always have a problem seeing characters on the screen that I first met in print. One of the major issues I have is the voice. It never quite fits.. this is something that bothered me in the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter films also. It does seem though that Lisa is quite possibly the perfect person to play Bernice. In fact whenever I re-read a New Adventure, I can hear her voice along with Sylvester and Sophie taking me on this journey. I also have Alfre Woodard playing Roz, but that's just me.

All in all I give this version props over the original, though I feel as a season opener it lacks something. Though exactly what that something is I wont know for a while now.

Reflections on a Human Nature

This week sees the airing of Human Nature on BBC1. Written by Paul Cornell, this episode is an adaptation of his highly acclaimed novel. I remember those many moons ago when I first read the novel. It was highly compelling and really hit home, especially since it followed up the heart wrenching Sanctuary. One wonders what will be the reason to compell the Doctor to live the life of a human. In the novel, it was a want for understanding of the trauma Bernice was experiencing the loss of Guy. Martha has not experienced such a loss recently, the closest thing that she has had is a fling in an escape pod... which resulted in a quick peck.

It is amazing that so many elements from the original story have carried over onto the screen. Everything from character names to occupations are the same, which leaves one to wonder if the Tardis is going to leave this story with a new feline crew member.

Welcome to Good Companions

Greetings all!! And Welcome to the first installment of the Good Companions Doctor Who blog. This blog celebrates all things Doctor Who.. from the hit TV series now on BBC1 to the audio ranges from Big Finish Productions. Here we will discuss and debate the trials and tribulations of our favorite Time Lord. So sit back, grab your sonic screwdriver, and get ready as we look back on 40 years in time and space.