June 20th, 2021
757 comments
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Who The Collection Season 24 Blu-ray
Available to order from www.amazon.co.uk
Also available from www.hive.co.uk, www.zavvi.com and various sellers on www.ebay.co.uk
Available to order in the Australia from www.sanity.com
Released on 28th June 2021
BBC Studios announces Doctor Who: The Collection -Season 24
BBC Studios announces Doctor Who: The Collection – Season 24 BBC Studios has today announced the next instalment in the Doctor Who: The Collection range with Season 24, offering Doctor Who fans the opportunity to continue building their own home archive on Blu-ray. Starring Sylvester McCoy in his first season as the Seventh Doctor, this must-have instalment can be pre-ordered now ahead of release date later this year.
Doctor Who –The Collection: Season 24
- TIME AND THE RANI
- PARADISE TOWERS
- DELTA AND THE BANNERMEN
- DRAGONFIRE
Season 24 first aired in 1987 and saw the Seventh Doctor and companion Mel (Bonnie Langford)travel through space and time traversing alien planets, a hostile futuristic tower block, 1950s Wales and finally, the mysterious colony of Iceworld, where the Doctor meets Ace (Sophie Aldred).
The Doctor is faced with enemies including the Rani (Kate O’Mara)and the terrifying Tetraps in Time and the Rani, Kroagnon and his cleaning robots in Paradise Towers, the ruthless Bannermen in Delta and the Bannermen and Kane (Edward Peel), the murderous ruler of Iceworld in Dragonfire.
These four stories have been newly remastered alongside extensive and exclusive Special Features including:
- EXTENDED VERSIONS of all four stories, featuring previously un-seen material.
- IMMERSIVE 5.1 SURROUND SOUND–on all four stories and extended versions.
- ISOLATED SCORES–on all four stories.
- BRAND NEW DOCUMENTARIES-Including a feature-length overview of Season 24-Here’s To The Future,plus The Making Of Delta And The Bannermen.
- RARE STUDIO & LOCATION FOOTAGE-Over 25 hours of raw material never seen before, including behind-the-scenes footage from the regeneration scene.
- IN CONVERSATION-Matthew Sweet interviews Sylvester McCoy about his life, career, and time as the Seventh Doctor.
- BEHIND THE SOFA-Four new episodes with Sylvester McCoy, Bonnie Langford, Sophie Aldred,Peter Davison, Janet Fielding, Sarah Sutton, Colin Baker & Michael Jayston.
- THE DOCTOR’S TABLE-Sylvester McCoy, Bonnie Langford, Sophie Aldred and Clive Merrison reminisce about the making of the season.
- RARE GEMS FROM THE ARCHIVES-Hours of footage covering the promotion of this season including lots of previously unreleased material.
- AN AUDIENCE WITH LADY STEPHENS-A brand new interview with Season 24 actor and Rocky Horror cult figure Patricia Quinn.
- BLU-RAY TRAILER-A brand new mini-episode.
- CONVENTION FOOTAGE
- HD PHOTO GALLERIES-Including many previously unseen images.
- INFO TEXT-Behind-the-scenes information and trivia on every episode.
- SCRIPTS, COSTUME DESIGNS, RARE BBC PRODUCTION FILES AND OTHER RARITIES FROM OUR ARCHIVE
- AND LOTS MORE!
The eight-disc box set also includes hours of special features previously released on DVD and Blu-Ray
Please note we will no longer allow ANY retailer discussion here for the time being. Comments should be confined to the product itself. Some comments with a retailer name may also have that name removed.
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Tardis7k
June 27th, 2021 - 9:04pmDoes the set come with new fx or not ?
Timelord 1944
June 27th, 2021 - 8:28pmWhat are amazon playing at? Mine has said “preparing for dispatch” all afternoon and now it has reverted back to “not yet dispatched.” Anyone else having issues with their amazon order?
Anonymous
June 27th, 2021 - 7:08pmSo, my amazon order switched from tomorrow delivery to July 5th??? Cancelled and re-ordered from ebay HMV store. no additional charge. Utter idiots.
Coleman
June 27th, 2021 - 5:15pmJust checked account, Mine says arriving tomorrow before 11.00 PM
Sarge
June 27th, 2021 - 5:44amAnyone have a shipping notice from Amazon?
jvm2701
June 27th, 2021 - 7:26amNothing yet for me. Still says “arriving tomorrow”… but it hasn’t been despatched yet. I hope to hear from them later.
on tenderhooks
June 27th, 2021 - 8:18amsame here. arriving tomorrow but no sign of dispatch yet
D84
June 27th, 2021 - 9:33amSame, arriving tomorrow but not yet despatched
Lewis Frisby
June 27th, 2021 - 9:51amYes they have taken the money out of my account and it is coming tomorrow
Christopher Maile
June 27th, 2021 - 9:55amYep – it’s on its way – arriving by 9pm today (although it has been known for Amazon to suddenly delay delivery at the last minute until the next day)
Timelord63
June 27th, 2021 - 11:29amStill says arriving tomorrow but no dispatch confirmation as yet
Christopher Maile
June 27th, 2021 - 4:30pmAs suspected, my delivery has now been delayed until tomorrow
jvm2701
June 27th, 2021 - 4:49pmNow despatched but still arriving tomorrow. Fingers crossed! Hope everyone else has had their despatch notice now too!
Anonymous
June 27th, 2021 - 5:00pmI ordered x2 copies – x1 from HMV, which has been posted. Other copy pre-ordered from Amazon, but delivery estimate is 05/07
Philip Shaw
June 27th, 2021 - 7:02pmMine should have been today, but as usual with Amazon ‘we are running late’ probably tomorrow which is ok on day of release.
NX-74205
June 27th, 2021 - 9:40pmNo dispatch but tracking says delivery appointment scheduled, that was at 6.15pm tonight and a tracking number, says arriving tomorrow
Doug Who
June 27th, 2021 - 9:41pmThey charged an out of date card but having now charged the correct one I have just had a despatch notice! Slight concern but arriving tomorrow now…
I miss Zoom, they always delivered the sets early!
Anonymous
June 28th, 2021 - 3:46amNo dispatch email and it says it should arrive by 11pm today! Getting rather concerned now!
Anonymous
June 26th, 2021 - 10:37amI have seen on here that people who have ordered from HMV have already gotten their dispatch emails and I’m getting concerned that as I have not yet if I will indeed actually get my copy!
Does anyone have anything to calm my nerves down or have the same experience yet? ‘Cause I paid the highest amount for shipping that I could, thought I’d be one of the first ones to get it 🙁
booboo
June 26th, 2021 - 11:44amIf you paid it means it should be tracked which means you should get an email when its picked up by RM with the tracking number and a email on the day of delivery but sadly doesn’t always make it quicker for pre orders in my experience.
Tom Williams
June 26th, 2021 - 6:16amWhoop got a email from Royal Mail on its way that’s my weekend sorted
Gordon
June 25th, 2021 - 9:50amThat’s my order on its way from hmv
Lege
June 25th, 2021 - 11:16amSnap
ChrisP
June 25th, 2021 - 12:46pmMe too
Anonymous
June 25th, 2021 - 4:32pmI have also pre-ordered from HMV but yet no dispatch email yet 🙁 Do you think I’ll get an email soon? Used tracked 1st class delivery.
Chris
June 25th, 2021 - 8:43pmSame got my email this morning too . Any news on any future limited edition sets coming out ?
Lewis Frisby
June 26th, 2021 - 10:32amAmazon says it is being delivered on Sunday
SilentNinjaZero
June 21st, 2021 - 9:30amZavvi AU have taken payment for the set from my bank statement, has anyone else had this? It does say it’s in a Visa hold though. They usually send out my pre-orders on the date of release, so wondering if they are following the original release date here.
Tegan’s distant cousin
June 22nd, 2021 - 5:56amSame, which is very promising! It happened with season 8 too, so it looks like Zavvi are finally getting their act together. It’ll probably still arrive late, but at least not as late as some of the earlier sets. Hopefully Zavvi will also continue to package the orders decently which, credit were it is due, they did with season 8.
SilentNinjaZero
June 23rd, 2021 - 12:39amYeah season 8 was better than usual. Being in NZ, Zavvi is my only option to pay a good price for the limited edition sets. I am hoping they continue to ship them here for the rest of the run, as I don’t want to have to resort to ebay prices!
SilentNinjaZero
June 23rd, 2021 - 12:43amJust got a dispatch email from Zavvi a few hours ago! Am really looking forward to watching the set and reading the booklet. Zavvi usually send my pre-orders out after release date, so it’s nice to get it early this time 🙂
Thomas Caldwell
June 23rd, 2021 - 4:04amI’m in Australia so I also have to rely on Zavvi to get these editions at a reasonable price. Thank goodness they seem to be improving in terms of postage times, packaging and customer service as it was a bit bleak for a while there. But yes, got my dispatch email earlier today too! I’m really looking forward to this one as I have such fond memories of this season. I know a lot of people are down on it, but I saw it at the perfect age for it to turn me into a lifelong fan of the show.
Lewis Frisby
June 23rd, 2021 - 7:07amYes I cant wait to get the set aswell it looks amazing and I watched time and the rani a few months ago and I really like it
The Valleyard
June 24th, 2021 - 1:18pmMy HMV order just says “Authorized” should I be worried?
Lewis Frisby
June 25th, 2021 - 7:43amNo nothing to worry about probably will do it over the weekend
daz
June 19th, 2021 - 6:13pmJason Arnopp has done an unboxing video on YouTube for those wanting a peek.
Loving the Tardis artwork. Well, all of it…
Lewis Frisby
June 20th, 2021 - 1:42pmYes I have saw that video it is a great video and I love what the booklet holder looks like with the doctor regenerating how lee binding did it it is amazing I cant wait to get my hands on it in 8 days time
The Valleyard
June 17th, 2021 - 7:30amThis will be my first time ordering from HMV.
Due to the limited nature of these sets I’m a little nervous.
For reassurance, everyone had positive experiences with HMV? And arrives on the day?
Thanks
Mark Moxham
June 17th, 2021 - 9:43amYes. Used them every time. Well packed and arrives on time.
Richard
June 20th, 2021 - 1:14pmI order with hmv every time – arrives well packed and on time.
Joe
June 10th, 2021 - 10:22amHMV emailed me
“We’ve just been advised by the manufacturers that the release date for the above item has changed to 28/06/2021 and your order will therefore be processed and dispatched nearer to this date”
So…. Is this in general or just HMV?
Anonymous
June 10th, 2021 - 10:41amSame e-mail from hmv too
Daniel
June 10th, 2021 - 11:46amLooked on Zavvi site and the release dated is 28/06.2021 as well
Gordon
June 10th, 2021 - 11:52amGot that too. I thought with them waiting till 5 weeks before the date before announcing it the date would have been locked in but alas not to be. It’s only an extra 7 days to wait so not too long extra to wait
D84
June 10th, 2021 - 1:24pmI’ve got my order in with Amazon and having just checked it still says arriving 21st June. That’s “at the moment though” – we all know by now how these things go ………….
MDS
June 10th, 2021 - 3:21pmMy order is with HMV and I have got the same email.
B D Fackrell
June 10th, 2021 - 4:52pmAmazon 28th June excellent news for my pay Wimbledon middle Sunday will be Sci Fi Sunday Who Time
D84
June 10th, 2021 - 9:27pmAh yes, my Amazon order now says arriving 28th June too …….
Lewis Frisby
June 11th, 2021 - 9:32amYes I got the same thing from Amazon
Lee d
June 11th, 2021 - 5:36pmYes, I got an email from Amazon last night. Not too long to wait now in the sceme of things
Matthew Jennings
June 10th, 2021 - 10:03amJust got a email from HVM the release date is now 28th of June
JL
June 10th, 2021 - 9:58amJust got an update from hmv that it’s been delayed until the 28th
Bobby Fackrell
June 9th, 2021 - 7:36pmThe release date is three days before pay day do I cancel and re-order? Risk it? Or starve?
D84
June 9th, 2021 - 8:53pmStarve 100% 🙂
Gordon
June 9th, 2021 - 10:36pmAmazon still has it up for pre order. Go and get yourself food. If I had some extra money lying around I would have put aside a spare set to make sure you got a copy.
the ergon
June 9th, 2021 - 11:42pmRisk it. Its season 24 not 7 or 13. Be Bobby fackrell not Bobby sands.
ChrisP
June 10th, 2021 - 10:15amHmv just emailed me with updated date of 28 June
Bobby Fackrell
June 10th, 2021 - 12:23pmNice one!
Rory
June 11th, 2021 - 12:25pmWorked out nicely for me too as I’m on holiday on the 21st but back before 28th. No complaints here.
Prof Horner
June 9th, 2021 - 9:38amWell you make some fair points Gordon. As I said before I hope one we the true story of what happened to the series in the eighties. I think Saward was a poor script editor,but JNT was responsible for him and the way some fans used Saward as the scapegoat at not to blame poor John was disgusting. Let’s just have a bit of Ballance please . But for some of us it is a bitter memory.
James T
June 25th, 2021 - 2:14pmDoes anyone know when Amazon normally despatch? Still waiting to hear.
booboo
June 25th, 2021 - 2:17pmNormally on Sunday as for the most part they use their own drivers, a few get sent out by RM a couple of days before
TARDIS traveller
June 8th, 2021 - 9:48pmI’ve had a soft spot for season 24 for a while. I’ve always seen as a season of missed opportunities and ambition. The stories on paper are creative. The first bit of who I watched was trail on VHS which had a picture of McCoy from this season on the bottom (the same picture on the cover art) and was fascinated by what happened next. I was disappointed but I’ve come to accept this season for being its own thing. It’s just a shame bonnie was never given any meat to work with especially when considering what she did next.
Prof Horner
June 8th, 2021 - 7:23pmWell you can think what you like Gordon, I don’t know how old you are, I was 24 in 1987 and watched the series I love destroyed by JNT a man who seemed incapable of learning anything . It is certainly true that Jonathan Powell hated Doctor Who even more than Grade,if Powell had been a fan of Doctor Who,JNT would have been sacked as producer in 1985 as he should have been.as the late great Terrance Dicks said those who want to produce shouldn’t be allowed to produce and he was talking about JNT when he said it. Enjoy season 24 and JNTs work as I enjoyed his first couple years .But please stop treating this man as if he was blameless for what happened to the series in the eighties .as I said before in the end it destroyed him and that was so sad .
Anonymous
June 9th, 2021 - 12:21pm@Prof Horner just wanted to ask how JNT’s 9 Years in charge of the show ruined the 17+ Years of great stories you are talking about… Between 1980 and 1989 there are still great stories just as there were not great ones before JNT took over.
Its not so much. A case of age, as it is what you were first introduced to…
Prof Horner
June 9th, 2021 - 4:03pmI never said it ruined the the first 17years of the series . As I said I enjoyed his first couple of years in charge. All I am saying is stop thinking that he was blameless for what happened to the series in the eighties.
Mark Moxham
June 9th, 2021 - 7:20pmCompare JNT’s season 18 with season 24. He did great stuff and awful stuff. Just that the awful stuff came at a time when the BBC had fallen out of love with the show, and he effectively was producing material that played into their agenda.
Doctor Blu
June 5th, 2021 - 9:47pmNot the best season of Doctor Who. So I’m happy to wait and purchase the standard edition Blu-ray of Season 24.
Mark Moxham
June 6th, 2021 - 11:02amYou’re not the only one!
Lewisfrisby
June 6th, 2021 - 11:37amI think this season is overly hated on I really like thine of the rarni the only bit I dont like is the regeneration and my favourite story is dragon fire
Mark Moxham
June 6th, 2021 - 5:12pmOverly hated because of – the incidental music (bar Dragonfire), the design, Richard Briers, the Tetraps, Mel, the Bannermen, the pantomime end of the Chief Caretaker maybe?
Lewis Frisby
June 7th, 2021 - 8:52amWell I haven’t seen delta and the batsmen or paradise towers and I quite like mel
Gordon
June 7th, 2021 - 10:55amIt’s very easy to blame season 24 on music, design companion or being pantomime etc but that is the symptoms rather than the cause. It may have not been the season people wanted but “Controversial opinion alert” it was the season they needed to make in 1987. The previous couple of years the show was in turmoil to put it mildly. The bbc controller (Michael grade) made it public that he hated the show. In 1985 He cancelled/put the show on hiatus (depending on who you believe) and was only brought back due to fan outrage. When it was brought back it’s runtime was halfed and in a very divisive trial format. Nicola Bryant decided to leave and they got bonnie Langford as a replacement which was seen as stunt casting by some due to bonnie’s background in light entertainment. Also not giving Mel a proper introduction didn’t help things or giving her character any development outside of health and fitness fanatic and being a computer programmer (which really isn’t character development) The ending was so divisive that the script editor quit over it who then went to stardust and gave a scathing interview aimed at the show giving it another kicking (which Colin has never forgiven him to this day). The ratings had taken a tumble from season 22 (22: 7.11 million average per episode/season 23 4.8 million average per episode) and had been decided to move the show to a midweek slot against Corrie (a show at that time that had been getting about 15m on average). To top things off the 6th floor decided they didn’t want Colin anymore and sadly told John Nathan Turner that he had to tell Colin that his services were no longer required. It was a show that had lost its confidence and needed to find its feet again. Jnt had no plans to stay on and wanted to leave and had nothing ready for another season but 6th floor said no. December 1986 he had no doctor or script editor and only 1 script from pip and Jane baker that would need to be massively reworked as it was for colin’s doctor and needed to have a regeneration worked into it and it needed to be ready to film in about 4 months and the whole season had to be broadcast. Looking back it’s amazing that they were able to get season 24 on screen at all with how little time they had to make it. If it had a bit more support from the higher ups I suspect it might have been pushed to early 1988 to give it enough time to be produced and made properly. It’s a very transitional season in front and behind the scenes. Sylvester is effectively finding his feet all throughout the season and in dragonfire there are hints at the darker and mysterious version that his version would eventually become. Mel leaves and we transition to ace which gave us one of the great doctor and companion pairings the show ever did. This season also transitioned away from the previous writers of the show. After time and the rani it was all new blood going forward. If it wasn’t for season 24 I don’t think season 25 and 26 would have turned out the way they did.
Mark Moxham
June 7th, 2021 - 5:11pmThat’s a very interesting view, but I’d argue they played right into BBC Management hands and in effect produced exactly the wrong season for 1987. But it is what it is, and at least it provides for an exchange of opinions.
Lee. D
June 7th, 2021 - 6:13pmI really liked Time and the Rani but as a young teenager, I was just so shocked by what happened after, with Paradise Towers that it put me off the show for a good while.All the sillyness. Shame as if there had been a bit more seriousness with the stories, the season could have flown!! I’ve grown to like the season a bit better over time.
Prof Horner
June 7th, 2021 - 6:16pmIf this season had been made by a completely new production team it might have been acceptable. But with a producer who with seven years experience as producer and who should know what worked and what didn’t it wasn’t. When JNT took over the series he made great claim to that series had become too silly and that his taste was for wit raither than slapstick. It seemed to me that put back all of that back in for season 24. It was his selfishness and complacency that got Doctor Who into that mess in the first place in 1985.he should have left the series with Davison to give Colin Baker a fair chance. Doctor Who was a sitting duck for the axe in 1985. The same old monster poping up to keep the fans happy. The series should been backed with a completely new production team .The series is the star not one person . I hope one day we will get the true story of what happened to the series in the eighties.
Lee D
June 7th, 2021 - 6:34pmAs a teenager, years ago, I really liked Time and the Rani, but by Paradise Towers, it put me off the program for a while with all the sillyness. As a season, it has grown on me a bit more, over the years.
Tegan’s distant cousin
June 8th, 2021 - 5:19amWell said Gordon! I was the perfect age to appreciate season 24 at the time and it is the season that made me into a lifelong fan of the show. There are many eras that I now consider far superior of course, but season 24 was a desperately needed breath of fresh air at the time and even without viewing it through the lens of nostalgia, I still love it. I reckon you’re bang on the money about why it was necessary at the time, and the love that I and many others I know have for it is evidence that every era of the show has its fans and that’s part of why I love the show so much.
Lewis Frisby
June 8th, 2021 - 8:41amI do think there are some good points and bad points about it but that is the same as every season I would say for me the worst bit which sticks out like a saw thumb is the regeneration how silvester mcoy is whereing a wig and made to look like colin baker and I am sad that he didnt get a good send of and I think that is why I really like 6th doctor last adventure from big finish I really think it does him justice
Mark Moxham
June 8th, 2021 - 11:54amAbsolutely agree Prof Horner. It’s no coincidence that JNT never worked again in television.
Prof Horner
June 8th, 2021 - 2:09pmYes Mark Moxham, it is funny how nobody ever mentions how if JNT was a great producer why he never worked on TV series never again. The truly sad thing is if he had remained a production assistant which he was by i believe he was very good at , not only would the story of Doctor Who in the eighties been very different , but he may have been still alive today. In the end working on Doctor Who destroyed him .
Gordon
June 8th, 2021 - 3:50pmBbc management saw the show as a kids tv show. Reading Andrew cartmell’s book and Johnathan Powell (head of drama and also Michael grade’s replacement as bbc controller) told him bluntly in 1987 that it was a kids show. From what I read and heard he was happy with season 24. He sent a memo congratulating the show on paradise towers (which was unheard of at the time). Let us not forget the reason for axing they gave to jnt was it had became too dark and violent. It might have been not what the fans wanted but I would say the light and campy season 24 probably would fit what bbc management wanted from a kids show
It doesn’t matter how good or experienced you are as a producer if you aren’t given enough time to do it adequately it’s not going to work out well. Doctor who isn’t like other tv shows. Anytime the doctor changes the show evolves and effectively becomes a brand new show. What worked with previous doctor’s doesn’t necessary work with Sylvester’s doctor. People can say john should have left but the bbc wouldn’t let him leave. Listening to his memoirs He’d been wanting to move on at the earliest in 1983 after the five doctors. They could have got rid of him in 1985 when the show was axed (they had no problem ditching Colin in 86) but they kept him on. Clearly they thought he was the best/only person suitable for the job. The 1985 axing was wrong in my opinion. The average viewing figures of season 22 was on par with the previous 2 seasons (20: 7.06m, 21: 7.18m, 22: 7.12m). Even though there was some inconstancies in quality in season 22 but it’s no less bad than other eras. Every era has its clunkers. Even Tom, Jon, Patrick and William all had duffers. Season 22 is very underrated season in my opinion. Attack is a lot of fun (until they land in telos in part 2) though full of needless continuity references, varos has aged very well and feels more relevant as time has passed, Rani is fun, timelash is a dud but is it any more a dud than the likes of underworld, space pirates, dominators time flight etc which didn’t get calls to be cancelled? No. Two doctors is too long and Spain is pointless but it’s historically the last time we get to see Patrick on screen as the doctor and revelation is a very well made story. Was season 22 too dark and violent for a young kids show (as the higher ups saw it) I would say yes but it should never have been simply axed because of that. Michael grade was shacked up with colin’s ex wife at the time and some question if his decision to axe was a personal vendetta against Colin especially as he had no qualms firing him in 86.
Prof Horner
June 8th, 2021 - 7:09pmWell you can believe what you like Gordon. I don’t know how old you are , I was 24 in 1987. I watched the series I loved been destroyed by a man who seemed in incapable of learning anything. It is certainly true that Jonathan Powell hated Doctor Who even more than Grade , because if Powell had been a fan of the series JNT would have been sacked as he should have been in 1985. As the late great Terrance Dicks said those who what to produce shouldn’t be allowed to produce and he was talking about JN T when he said it. At the end of the day any producer is responsible what we see on the screen and JNT let the series down and destroyed series and his own career and in the end his own life in the process. Enjoy season 24 and JNTs work and as I enjoyed his first couple of series in charge.But please accept that JNT must take a lot of responsibility for what happened to the series in the eighties.i will try not to say anything more on the subject.
Prof Horner
June 8th, 2021 - 7:32pmWell you can believe what you want Gordon, I don’t know how old you are I was 24 in 1987and watched the series I love being destroyed by JNT a man who seemed incapable of learning anything. It is certainly true that Jonathan Powell hated the series even more than Grade , because if Powell had been a fan of the series JNT would have been sacked in 1985 as he should have been. As the late great Terrance Dicks said those who want to produce shouldn’t be allowed to produce and he was talking about JNT when he said it. Well enjoy season 24 and JNTs work as I enjoyed his first couple of years. But please stop saying that he was blameless for what happened to the series in the eighties
Gordon
June 8th, 2021 - 11:58pmI think John would have probably have still have became a producer if he hadn’t got the who job in 1980. He was a very successful production unit manager with some big hits under his belt (morcambe and wise and all creatures as well as doctor who to name 3). Being a producer was clearly the next step for him. If George Gallaccio hadn’t turned down the producer role in 1979/80 it would have been interesting to see where John would have ended up. if John had left in 83 like he originally wanted or 85/86 he probably would have ended up doing something light entertainment variety show or perhaps a soap like eastenders or similar. He loved doing the yearly doctor who panto’s so these things seem like in his wheelhouse. By 1990 the name doctor who was pretty much poison at the bbc and he was very much identifiable with doctor who and the bbc just wanted rid of him. Andrew cartmell mentioned in the showman documentary that someone told him that if he resigned he would get other shows to work on as a freelancer and they used that as an excuse to get rid and not use him again.
I never said jnt was blameless. He had his faults. The over reliance on the master and classic monsters beyond the 20th anniversary year. Obsession with Stunt casting, Not balancing budgets so that some stories didn’t run out of money (timeflight, twin dilemma, timelash to name a few. The over reliance on contunity. The Scripts that didn’t work (saward has to shoulder some of the blame), not reigning saward in, Not giving Colin a proper audition (he was the right person for the role but he should have been given a proper audition), having his debut story at the end of the season when the money had run out written by a writer that had little sci fi experience, colin’s coat, strangling peri and ending the season being genuinely unlikeable, Being violent that it gave the higher ups the ammunition to pull the trigger on it (saward should share a good chunk of the blame here), the trial concept (was it really a good idea to do that when the show was effectively on trial by the higher ups), bonnie Langford (love bonnie but clearly she was used as stunt casting), not giving Mel a proper introduction episode, screwing up peri’s ending by Not having her die, not being able to secure the extra time required to get season 24 ready, the dragonfire literal cliffhanger, not having remembrance as the actual 25th anniversary story, having silver nemesis have similar story beats as the superior remembrance (seriously how lazy was this), making ghost light incomprehensible to the casual viewer and this is all I can think of right now.
The buck does stop with him and yes he should get the blame for the show but I don’t feel it’s fair that he’s the only one that has to shoulder the blame for the show going the way it did especially as there was a lot of interference and meddling from up above him that was out of his control.
David
June 9th, 2021 - 3:22pmI agree with a lot of what has been said by Gordon, though I feel a lot less negative toward JNT. I think season 24 is full of so much that is good, and for the first time in a while. I really like seasons 22 and 23, but it was getting a bit stale and ‘space corridor’ like, leaning heavily on the past and alienating a lot of the casual audience in the process. The strong DWB sort of fandom were almost controlling what we saw from afar (though Ian Levine has done so much good for fandom and the show I think). I did enjoy Revelation, Trial, Two Docs, Vengeance, Attack etc, but it was leaning on the past and not really engaging with the wider audience at times. I hated what happened to Colin.
Season 24 is tonally awkward in places, but perhaps it has to be as all 4 stories are very dark if you think about it (genocide in delta, urban decay in paradise, massacre and a very evil main character in Dragonfire). All things are not quite in sync, and there are many problems, BUT we have a show which is fresh and each story is an adventure with brand new events and worlds. In Delta, we have as fun and breezy an adventure as we have had for ages. The new production team are young and remember the show as children, so they are bringing new ideas to an age old show. We also have romance for once and a doctor who is sweet and lovely, who comforts broken hearted Rae by actually dancing with her. Then we have the real! Holiday camp location and we are filming inside a real building with views through real windows, to real people outside. It doesn’t sound much, but Doctor Who was so behind at this stage, and it is a big shift from dark and claustrophobic space stations etc, and clunky dialogue. We have McCoy finding his feet, but having success along the way in his escape from the caretakers and his line about the rationality of love or his days like crazy paving. Not to mention how he talks to Kane. I think the season was a necessary journey towards the 2 seasons of gold we got later (my childhood era which mad eme a fan and these seasons are my favourites), and it is clear that these 3 years are the template for the new series. A great companion enters in season 24 and the two middle stories in season 26 are clearly the dark and complex type favoured by the MOFF, with Battlefield and Survival being more akin to RTD Who, where we have characters who have real backgrounds and development (Ace-Rose), all set in a contemporary Earth we recognise.
We aren’t always relying on big space guns, but instead pots of honey to take out the enemy. We have world building with Kang slang! So much creativity. Cartmel hit the ground running with new writers, bursting with original ideas, in tune with contemporary TV and sci-fi in literature. Then we get the jump to Remembrance which is an unbelievable story. The editing is an issue in this era, but we have shorter scenes which give the 3 seasons from this time a real pacing advantage and make then stand up against the new series well.
JNT is a hero of mine as he gave me the era of the show which made me a fan and had a profound effect on me back then, with the nostalgia lasting to this day, just magical. The show was amazing again and it died due to lack of promotion (and scheduling quality), a daft management department and a public who had given up. It was the best kept secret on TV by 1988. Instead it got cancelled and we ended up with sub-par rubbish taking its place! So stupid!
JNT kept the show alive at the cost of his own career (and maybe even life) as he loved it. He is not around to defend himself, but Saward has blamed him for so much. But why did the show work so well with Cartmel and before Saward too? It takes the two big roles (script editor AND producer) to tango. JNT made the decision to bring Cartmel in and he rightly made Ghost Light about Ace, not the doctor!. A good decision. He took a back seat in this era and without him, the show would have been cancelled much sooner than it was. He is not without fault but he achieved a remarkable amount. Not least, having a reduced episode count and just a million quid for a whole season as budget, not like today where it is a million per episode! He made the money work! The show never looked better than in Fenric and Ghost Light.
I hope this box set will prompt re-evaluation, just like pod casts have done, of this fascinating yet undervalued era, which has proven hugely lasting and influential on pop culture today.
Bobby Fackrell
June 9th, 2021 - 3:51pmAs Eccleston has often said the be all and end all is in the writing. The 1980s started strongly with Christopher H Bidmead the ended strongly with Andrew Cartmel. Saward wrote some individual corkers like Earthshock and Revelation of the Daleks but was a terrible script editor. A bit like Steven Moffat wrote some great stories under RTD but his era was all over the place. Series 24 was a troubled series but very nostalgic for many. Taste is subjective. Some don’t like JNT, some do, I don’t like Moffat, some do, I love Chibnall and Jodie some don’t but no need for all the hate is there? Claiming it was a terrible time in your life and blaming that on JNT is a bit much. All Whovians, myself included, who watched it in the 1980s were sad when it was cancelled but we aren’t war veterans, we are fans. If McCoy’s debut season is not for you that’s fine, don’t buy it, why the need for all the trash talk?
Bobby Fackrell
June 11th, 2021 - 5:27amAnother important factor is that Season 24 has Delta and The Bannermen in it ❤️
Neill Stringer
June 2nd, 2021 - 2:36pmWonder if we will hear what the next season will be soon?
Anonymous
June 6th, 2021 - 12:52pmI hope so. in theory we should but with covid who knows anymore. my money on a 4th doctor probs season 16 or 17 but likely 16 with 17 having filming abroad. and then season 20? idk they confirmed it was coming but again filming abroad.
Gordon
June 7th, 2021 - 11:02amChris chapman has just been commissioned for 3 new documentaries last week he mentioned on his Twitter. Assuming it’s for the next set I doubt we will hear anything till all 3 is recorded (the trailer normally has footage for the next set) so probably won’t be this month if that is the case
Auton
June 8th, 2021 - 7:01pmChris had also said on his twitter that he’s already started to find some potential interviewees and done some reccing some hopeful once all these have been filmed we will get an announcement. I think we will get the announcement in July or August
Richard
June 1st, 2021 - 6:27pmI have pre-ordered with hmv but they still list this set as COMING SOON. Not sure why the listing hasn’t been updated?
Neill Stringer
May 31st, 2021 - 8:32pmI meant part that contains the digistack of discs
Neill Stringer
May 31st, 2021 - 8:31pmHas anyone notice if their art that contains the digistak of discs be a bit lower in some seasons than others? Probably just a manufacturing thing.
Stephanie Robbins
May 27th, 2021 - 1:37amWonder when the US will get this. It was available for preorder on amazon, but I just got an email that it got canceled due to it apparently being unavailable.
Peter Knapp
May 27th, 2021 - 12:15pmI ordered mine at the BBC shop:
https://shop.bbc.com/products/doctor-who-sylvester-mccoy-complete-season-1-bd-23151
Anonymous
May 29th, 2021 - 12:05amMy Amazon.ca pre-order just updated with a release date of Sept 21st. Not sure how official that is, but its better than TBD
Gordon
May 27th, 2021 - 1:35amDisc content is
Disc One
Time and the Rani Four episodes, restored in HD
Existing Special Features
Audio commentary with Sylvester McCoy, Bonnie Langford, and Pip and Jane Baker
The Last Chance Saloon – making-of documentary
Helter Skelter – creating the title sequence
7DFX – visual effects
Casting Sylvester – with Clive Doig
Lakertya – how the concept of the planet changed during production
Hot Gossip – Sylvester McCoy and Kate O’Mara remember being on set
On Location – Breakfast Time report, broadcast 5 May 1987
Blue Peter excerpt with Sylvester McCoy, broadcast 2 March 1987
The Name’sh McCoy (previously an Easter Egg on the DVD release)
Eye-Sore (previously an Easter Egg on the DVD release)
Coming Soon: Paradise Towers
New Special Features
Behind the Sofa: Time and the Rani – with Sylvester McCoy, Bonnie Langford and Sophie Aldred; Colin Baker and Michael Jayston; Peter Davison, Janet Fielding and Sarah Sutton (the same contributors appear on all episodes of Behind the Sofa in this box set)
Optional 5.1 audio on all four episodes
Isolated score on all four episodes
Deleted and extended scenes
Optional updated special effects for the regeneration scene, in HD
Open Air excerpt with Sylvester McCoy, Bonnie Langford and John Nathan-Turner, broadcast 29 September 1987
Points of View excerpt, broadcast 16 September 1987
Saturday Superstore excerpt with Bonnie Langford, broadcast 21 February 1987
It’s Wicked excerpt with Sylvester McCoy, broadcast 30 May 1987
Blue Peter excerpt featuring a Dalek car, broadcast 24 September 1987
The Six O’Clock News report on Sylvester McCoy’s casting, broadcast 2 March 1987
Pamela Armstrong excerpt with Sylvester McCoy and John Nathan-Turner, broadcast 3 March 1987
Seventh Doctor audition tape – Sylvester McCoy
Seventh Doctor audition tape – Dermot Crowley
Seventh Doctor audition tape – David Fielder
Clean opening and closing titles in HD, with four audio options: stereo effects only, stereo music only, stereo full mix, 5.1
Clean ‘Dark Doctor’ opening and closing titles (as seen in Part Four) in HD, with three audio options: mono effects only, mono music only, mono full mix
Season 24 press trailer
Visual effects model film trims (mute)
Visual effects model film inserts (mute)
Breakfast Time location report rushes
Sylvester McCoy regeneration compilation
Trails and continuity
Revised and updated production subtitles
Photo gallery in HD
PDFs
Production paperwork
Scripts (four rehearsal scripts and four transmission camera scripts)
BBC Enterprises sales sheets
Costume designs
Visual effects design drawings
Radio Times cuttings
Disc Two
Time and the Rani Four extended episodes, restored in HD
New Special Features
Optional 5.1 audio on all four extended episodes
Studio footage
Location footage
Disc Three
Paradise Towers Four episodes, restored in HD
Existing Special Features
Audio commentary with Mark Ayres, Stephen Wyatt, Judy Cornwell and Dick Mills
Horror on the High Rise – making-of documentary
Optional alternative music by David Snell on all four episodes
Coming Soon: Delta and the Bannermen
New Special Features
Behind the Sofa: Paradise Towers
Optional 5.1 audio on all four episodes
Isolated score on all four episodes
Deleted and extended scenes
The Doctor’s Table – with Sylvester McCoy, Bonnie Langford, Sophie Aldred and Clive Merrison
Open Air excerpt with Richard Briers, broadcast 17 December 1987
TENCON convention panel with Julie Brennon and Mark Strickson
Audio archive: Nicholas Mallett
Trails and continuity
Revised and updated production subtitles
Photo gallery in HD
PDFs
Production paperwork
Scripts (four rehearsal scripts and four post-production camera scripts)
Radio Times cuttings
Disc Four
Paradise Towers Four extended episodes, restored in HD
New Special Features
Optional 5.1 audio on all four extended episodes
Studio footage
Location footage
Disc Five
Delta and the Bannermen Three episodes, restored in HD
Existing Special Features
Audio commentary with Sylvester McCoy, Andrew Cartmel, Chris Clough and Sara Griffiths
But First This – excerpt featuring interviews on location, broadcast 31 August 1987
Wales Today – location report, broadcast 3 July 1987
Clown Court – excerpt from The Noel Edmonds Saturday Roadshow featuring outtakes and deleted scenes, broadcast 8 October 1988
Hugh & Us – Hugh Lloyd Interview
Coming Soon: Dragonfire
New Special Features
Holiday Camp – making-of documentary
Behind the Sofa: Delta and the Bannermen
Optional 5.1 audio on all three episodes
Isolated score on all three episodes
Did You See feature on Doctor Who’s 24th anniversary, broadcast 22 November 1987
Going Live excerpt with Sylvester McCoy, broadcast 14 November 1987
Disc Six
Delta and the Bannermen Three extended episodes, restored in HD
New Special Features
Optional 5.1 audio on all three extended episodes
Optional raw audio on Part One
Wrap party compilation
Location footage compilation 1
Location footage compilation 2
Disc Seven
Dragonfire Three episodes, restored in HD
Existing Special Features
Audio commentary with Mark Ayres, Andrew Cartmel, Sophie Aldred, Edward Peel, Ian Briggs, Dominic Glynn and Chris Clough
Fire and Ice – making-of documentary
Deleted and extended scenes
The Doctor’s Strange Love – discussion between Joseph Lidster, Simon Guerrier and Josie Long
New Special Features
Behind the Sofa: Dragonfire
Optional 5.1 audio on all three episodes
Isolated score on all three episodes
Studio tapes
Patricia Quinn: An Audience with Lady Stephens
Hartbeat extract with Sylvester McCoy as the Pied Piper, broadcast 11 November 1987
The Lowdown: Desperate to Act with Sylvester McCoy as the Pied Piper, broadcast 31 May 1988
Corners with Sophie Aldred and Keff McCulloch, broadcast 19 February 1988
Trails and continuity
Revised and updated production subtitles
Photo gallery in HD
PDFs
Production paperwork
Mike Tucker’s visual effects design drawings
Scripts (three rehearsal scripts and three transmission camera scripts)
Radio Times cuttings
Disc Eight
Dragonfire Three extended episodes, restored in HD
New Special Features
Optional 5.1 audio on all three extended episodes
Sylvester McCoy in Conversation with Matthew Sweet
24 Carat – trailer for The Collection: Season 24 box set, with stereo and 5.1 audio options
Here’s to the Future – documentary on Season 24
50 Years in the Tardis with Bonnie Langford
50th Anniversary Archive with Bonnie Langford
But First This – location rushes
Trails and continuity
Revised and updated production subtitles
Photo gallery in HD
PDFs
Production paperwork
Production drawings
Scripts (three rehearsal scripts and three transmission camera scripts)
Radio Times cuttings
SilentNinjaZero
May 27th, 2021 - 5:30amPacked full of new and interesting stuff as usual. I’m always interested in media coverage and excerpts from the time, so really happy there’s a heap of new ones here. Am also looking forward to the extended episodes, the new docos and the Delta wrap party. As it’s a compilation I’m assuming they have cut stuff that would have raised the rating certificate.
Thanks as always Gordon for typing the contents out, must have taken you a while!
Auton
May 27th, 2021 - 7:29amThanks Gordon for posting the list, there’s tons of new stuff too look forward too
daz
May 27th, 2021 - 8:20amThanks Gordon. Looking forward to the extended episodes and new features.
Recently updated my sound system so finally get to listen to 5.1 mix too.
Chris P
May 27th, 2021 - 10:47amThis was the season that I thought I would skip on blu ray. (I hated it so much as a 13 yo and haven’t watched it since original transmission. Unlike 25 and 26, which I’ve come back to in later years and now really enjoy).
But I have been swung by the extras and the pandemic-induced longer gap between box sets. So I’m definitely getting this.
Anonymous
May 27th, 2021 - 12:38pmI’m eager to see the different takes of the regeneration without the effects, and it’s great they’ve included the credits with just the sound effects from The Curse of Fenric DVD (cause that wasn’t included on the Season 26 box set) and a clean version of the Part Four prototype titles (where the Doctor’s face isn’t as distinct)
Gordon
May 27th, 2021 - 6:14pmThere really is so much stuff on here. It’s going to take nearly a month to work through it all. Was hopeful they would get the delta wrap party as I’ve seen it on YouTube and I’m thrilled it’s on here.
Auton
May 27th, 2021 - 7:52pmIt’s also got the original audition tapes for the final 3 possible 7th doctors which will be interesting to see
Lee
May 27th, 2021 - 9:02pmWhat does it mean by “Opening & Closing “Dark Doctor” sequences from episode 4”…..?
Did that episode have a different title sequence??
Gordon
May 27th, 2021 - 9:52pmthey accidentally used an unfinished version of the title sequence for episode 4, resulting in the Doctor’s face being harder to make out
DPHill
June 1st, 2021 - 12:42pmWhen they said that Time and the Rani had enough to be two discs way back when on dvd and that it would not necessarily be viable, I had no idea that all season 24 stories can essentially fill up to two Blu-ray Discs with some location footage still not featuring – this is an extravaganza! So much to look forward to!
The Evil Dalek
May 23rd, 2021 - 7:20pmI’m looking forward to the Isolated Score for the this Season’s stories. Keff’s music for Time and the Rani, Paradise Towers and Delta & the Bannermen are smashing! And Dominic’s music for Dragonfire is great too! Paradise Towers and Delta & the Bannermen weirdly didn’t get an Isolated Score feature on their DVD releases, I think because the copies of music were a bit poor and needed remastering. I’m hoping for also an Isolated Score for Paradise Towers’ rejected score by David Snell as despite being poorer then Keff’s score, is still would be interesting
Lewis Frisby
May 27th, 2021 - 7:43amIs that from the new DWM issue I am picking up today cant wait for it the cover looks amazing
Lewis Frisby
May 23rd, 2021 - 1:40pmYes probably I cant wait for season 24 I think time and the rani is underrated
Lewis Frisby
May 23rd, 2021 - 1:39pmYeah that is true so maybe 15 or 16
Philip Shaw
May 20th, 2021 - 8:10amDidn’t last long…note from Amazon this morning new date of 28th June!
Auton
May 20th, 2021 - 8:18amIt still says 21st June on Amazon so I think you got the estimated delivery date mixed up with the release date
D84
May 20th, 2021 - 9:29amJust checked and mine is still showing arriving 21st June. That’s “at the moment” – we all know how these sets seem to get delayed. Wouldn’t surprise me at all if the date slips into early July. As long as it lands on my doorstep in good condition I’m not particularly fussed to be honest.
Michael M
May 20th, 2021 - 6:38pmMine also is still June 21. I think Auton is correct. Some people don’t read their emails in full and just see dates. June 28 is likely to be the delivery date.
Lewisfrisby
May 21st, 2021 - 6:35amYeh I checked my order it still says 21st of June for me aswell yours might be just a glitch or it might be coming at a different time
Anonymous
May 18th, 2021 - 8:20pmWhat’s the next season gonna be does anyone know?
D84
May 19th, 2021 - 9:43amMy personal view is that we can maybe expect another Tom set (with 4 left to go) this year if we are going to get one. Or the Season 20 set that seems to have been rumoured for ages but not confirmed (extras not being completed yet).
Lewisfrisby
May 21st, 2021 - 6:38amI think if it’s a tom baker season probably season 15 or 16 or I think it might be season 20 since that has been rumoured since January 2020 because they were filming in Amsterdam so if they finished that before covid then they might release that
Auton
May 21st, 2021 - 1:18pmDue to the fact that they most likely haven’t filmed anything at Amsterdam due to covid it’s much more likely that a Tom season will be released next, so season 15, 16 and maybe 17 but they might want to record something in Paris for city of death so that’s also unlikely.
Phil
May 23rd, 2021 - 5:41pmI’m leaning with 16, definitely gotta be a Baker season next:) it would be fun if they surprised us with a Troughton or a Hartnell…maybe 2022:)
Auton
May 23rd, 2021 - 5:51pmI’m looking forward to 16 more than 15 because I really want them to make a Mary Tamm tribute