Doctor Who New Series Commentary Guide

I was looking around online for an update list of the commentaries available for modern Who having discovered the original podcast commentaries were still available hidden away on the BBC website. For the ones on DVD, the contributors weren’t listed in the booklet. To make things easier for me I decided to write up who’s on them and with links to the podcasts and iPlayer commentaries to make things easier.

 

Series 1

Rose

• DVD / Blu-ray - Russell T Davies (Writer), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer), Phil Collinson (Producer)

The End of the World

• DVD / Blu-ray - Phil Collinson (Producer), Will Cohen (VFX Producer)

The Unquiet Dead

• DVD / Blu-ray - Simon Callow (Charles Dickens), Mark Gatiss (Writer), Euros Lyn (Director)

Aliens of London

• DVD / Blu-ray - David Verrey (Joseph Green), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer), Will Cohen (VFX Producer)

World War Three

• DVD / Blu-ray - Annette Badland (Margaret Blaine), Phil Collinson (Producer), Helen Raynor (Script Editor)

Dalek

• DVD / Blu-ray - Bruno Langley (Adam), Nicholas Briggs (Dalek Voice), Robert Shearman (Writer), Dave Houghton (VFX Supervisor)

The Long Game

• DVD / Blu-ray - Bruno Langley (Adam), Christine Adams (Cathica), Brian Grant (Director)

Father’s Day

• DVD / Blu-ray - Billie Piper (Rose Tyler), Shaun Dingwall (Pete Tyler), Paul Cornell (Writer), Phil Collinson (Producer)

The Empty Child

• DVD / Blu-ray - John Barrowman (Captain Jack), Steven Moffat (Writer), Dave Houghton (VFX Supervisor)

The Doctor Dances

• DVD / Blu-ray - John Barrowman (Captain Jack), Steven Moffat (Writer), Dave Houghton (VFX Supervisor)

Boom Town

• DVD / Blu-ray - John Barrowman (Captain Jack), Annette Badland (Margaret Blaine), Phil Collinson (Producer)

Bad Wolf

• DVD / Blu-ray - Russell T Davies (Writer), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer), Phil Collinson (Producer)

The Parting of the Ways

• DVD / Blu-ray - Billie Piper (Rose Tyler), John Barrowman (Captain Jack), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer)

 

Series 2 (2005)

The Christmas Invasion

• DVD (in-vision) / Blu-ray (not in-vision) - Russell T Davies (Writer), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer), Phil Collinson (Producer)

• Podcast Commentary – SAME AS DVD - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020bgpm

New Earth

• DVD / Blu-ray - James Hawes (Director), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer), Will Cohen (VFX Producer)

• Podcast Commentary – David Tennant (The Doctor), Russell T Davies (Writer) and Phil Collinson (Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p01x64bv

Tooth and Claw

• DVD / Blu-ray - Russell T Davies (Writer), Dave Houghton (VFX Supervisor), Stephen Nicholas (Supervising Art Director)

• Podcast Commentary – David Tennant (The Doctor), Derek Riddell (Robert MacLeish) and Simon Winstone (Script Editor) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p01x64rw

School Reunion

• DVD / Blu-ray - David Tennant (The Doctor), Toby Whithouse (Writer), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer)

• Podcast Commentary – Eugene Washington (Mr Wagner) Helen Raynor (Script Editor) and Phil Collinson (Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p01x64wq

The Girl in the Fireplace

• DVD (in-vision) / Blu-ray (not in-vision) - David Tennant (The Doctor), Sophia Myles (Reinette), Phil Collinson (Producer)

• Podcast Commentary – Noel Clarke (Mickey Smith) and Steven Moffat (Writer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p01x6522

Rise of the Cybermen

• DVD / Blu-ray - Noel Clarke (Mickey Smith), Camille Coduri (Jackie Tyler), Andrew Hayden-Smith (Jake Simmonds)

• Podcast Commentary – Graeme Harper (Director), Neill Gorton (Prosthetics Designer) and Rob Mayor (Prosthetics Supervisor) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p01x654r

The Age of Steel

• DVD (in-vision) / Blu-ray (not in-vision) - Paul Kasey (Cyber Leader), Nicholas Briggs (Cyber Voice), Graeme Harper (Director)

• Podcast Commentary – Noel Clarke (Mickey Smith), Camille Coduri (Jackie Tyler), Shaun Dingwall (Pete Tyler) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p01x65b0

The Idiot’s Lantern

• DVD / Blu-ray - David Tennant (The Doctor), Edward Thomas (Production Designer), Charlie Bluett (SFX Technician)

• Podcast Commentary – Ron Cook (Magpie), Louise Page (Costume Designer) and Sheelagh Wells (Make-up Designer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p01x65m5

The Impossible Planet

• DVD (in-vision) / Blu-ray (not in-vision - David Tennant (The Doctor), Shaun Parkes (Zachary Cross Flane), Will Cohen (VFX Producer)

• Podcast Commentary – MyAnna Buring (Scooti Manista), James Strong (Director) and Mike Valentine (Editor) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p01x65p6

The Satan Pit

• DVD / Blu-ray - Ronny Jhutti (Danny Bartock), James Strong (Director), Mike Jones (Editor)

• Podcast Commentary – Russell T Davies (Executive Producer), Peter McKinstry (Design Assistant), and Gareth Skelding (Location Manager) – https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p01x66gw

Love and Monsters

• DVD (in-vision) / Blu-ray (not in-vision) - Camille Coduri (Jackie Tyler), Dan Zeff (Director), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer)

• Podcast Commentary – Russell T Davies (Writer), Phil Collinson (Producer), and Susie Liggat (1^st Assistant Director) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p01x66q0

Fear Her

• DVD / Blu-ray - Matthew Graham (Writer), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer)

• Podcast Commentary – Abisola Agbaje (Chloe Webber), Euros Lyn (Director) and Steffan Morris (2^nd Assistant Director) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0201z3x

Army of Ghosts

• DVD / Blu-ray - Noel Clarke (Mickey Smith), Tracy-Ann Oberman (Yvonne Hartman), Raji James (Dr Rajesh Singh)

• Podcast Commentary – Russell T Davies (Writer) and Matt Savage (Concept Designer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p02022bp

Doomsday

• DVD (in- vision) / Blu-ray (not in-vision) - David Tennant (The Doctor), Billie Piper (Rose Tyler)

• Podcast Commentary – Russell T Davies (Writer), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer), Phil Collinson (Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020278g

 

Series 3

The Runaway Bride

• DVD / Blu-ray - David Tennant (The Doctor), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer)

• Podcast Commentary – SAME AS DVD - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020bq2p

Smith and Jones

• DVD / Blu-ray - David Tennant (The Doctor), Russell T Davies (Writer)

• Podcast Commentary – Freema Agyeman (Martha Jones) and Phil Collinson (Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020f9ns

The Shakespeare Code

• DVD / Blu-ray - David Tennant (The Doctor), Christina Cole (Lilith)

• Podcast Commentary – Gareth Roberts (Writer) Charles Palmer (Director) and Julie Gardner (Executive Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020f9zr

Gridlock

• DVD / Blu-ray - Travis Oliver (Milo), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer), Marie Jones (VFX Producer)

• Podcast Commentary – David Tennant (The Doctor), Russell T Davies (Writer) and Dave Houghton (VFX Supervisor) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020grvg

Daleks in Manhattan

• DVD / Blu-ray - Miranda Raison (Tallulah), Helen Raynor (Writer), Louise Page (Costume Designer)

• Podcast Commentary – James Strong (Director) and Phil Collinson (Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020grzv

Evolution of the Daleks

• DVD / Blu-ray - David Tennant (The Doctor), Nicholas Briggs (Dalek Voice), Barney Curnow (VFX Supervisor)

• Podcast Commentary – James Strong (Director) and Mike Jones (Editor) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020gt10

The Lazarus Experiment

• DVD / Blu-ray - David Tennant (The Doctor), Mark Gatiss (Lazarus)

• Podcast Commentary – Reggie Yates (Leo Smith), and Will Cohen (VFX Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020gvpx

42

• DVD / Blu-ray - Chris Chibnall (Writer), Russell T Davies (Executive Producer)

• Podcast Commentary – Michelle Collins (Kath McDonnell), Anthony Flanagan (Orin Scannell) and Phil Collinson (Producer)  - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020gwf8

Human Nature

• DVD / Blu-ray - Paul Cornell (Writer), Charles Palmer (Director), Murray Gold (Composer)

• Podcast Commentary – Freema Agyeman (Martha Jones), Thomas Sangster (Tim Latimer) and Ailsa Berk (Choreographer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020ptpj

The Family of Blood

• DVD / Blu-ray - Susie Liggat (Producer), Arwel Wyn Jones (Supervising Art Director), Tracie Simpson (Production Manager)

• Podcast Commentary Ruari Mears (Scarecrow), Paul Cornell (Writer), Danny Hargreaves (SFX Technician) – https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020px2b

Blink

• DVD / Blu-ray - Steven Moffat (Writer), Murray Gold (Composer)

• Podcast Commentary – Finlay Robertson (Larry Nightingale), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer) and Andy Pryor (Casting Director) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020pzr1

Utopia

• DVD / Blu-ray - David Tennant (The Doctor), Russell T Davies (Writer)

• Podcast Commentary – Phil Collinson (Producer), Louise Page (Costume Designer) and Arwel Wyn-Jones (Supervising Art Director) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020q285

The Sound of Drums

• DVD / Blu-ray - Julie Gardner (Executive Producer), Phil Collinson (Producer)

• Podcast Commentary – Freema Agyeman (Martha Jones), Trevor Laird (Clive Jones) and Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Tish Jones) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020rd7b

The Last of the Time Lords

• DVD / 2013 & 2019 UK Blu-ray - David Tennant (The Doctor), Freema Agyeman (Martha Jones), John Barrowman (Captain Jack)

• Podcast Commentary / US DVD and Blu-ray + 2023 UK Blu-ray – Russell T Davies (Writer), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer), Phil Collinson (Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020rh7h

 

Series 4

Voyage of the Dammed

• DVD / Blu-ray - Russell Tovey (Midshipman Frame), Peter Bennett (1st Assistant Director), Murray Gold (Composer)

• Podcast Commentary – Russell T Davies (Writer), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer), Phil Collinson (Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020brqn

Partners in Crime

• DVD / Blu-ray - Russell T Davies (Writer), James Strong (Director), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer)

• Podcast Commentary – David Tennant (The Doctor), Catherine Tate (Donna Noble) and Phil Collinson (Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0208481

The Fires of Pompeii

• DVD / Blu-ray - David Tennant (The Doctor), Catherine Tate (Donna Noble), Tracie Simpson (Production Manager)

• Podcast Commentary – Francois Pandolfo (Quintus), James Moran (Writer), and James North (Associate Designer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p02086k7

Planet of the Ood

• DVD / Blu-ray - Roger Griffiths (Commander Kess), Graeme Harper (Director)

• Podcast Commentary – Paul Kasey (Odd Sigma) Keith Temple (Writer) and Susie Liggat (Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p02088xx

The Sontaran Stratagem

• DVD / Blu-ray - Dan Starkey (Commander Skorr), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer), Neill Gorton (Prosthetics Designer)

• Podcast Commentary – Freema Agyeman (Martha Jones), Ruari Mears (Movement Artist) and Helen Raynor (Writer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0208cpw

The Poison Sky

• DVD / Blu-ray - David Tennant (The Doctor), Russell T Davies (Executive Producer), Susie Liggat (Producer)

• Podcast Commentary – Catherine Tate (Donna Noble), Ryan Sampson (Luke Rattigan) and Julie Gardner (Executive Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0208f97

The Doctor’s Daughter

• DVD / Blu-ray - Catherine Tate (Donna Noble), Georgia Moffett (Jenny), Ben Foster (Conductor)

• Podcast Commentary – David Tennant (The Doctor), Russell T Davies (Executive Producer) and Alice Troughton (Director) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0208h80

The Unicorn and the Wasp

• DVD / Blu-ray - Fenella Woolgar (Agatha Christie), Felicity Kendal (Lady Eddison)

• Podcast Commentary – Tom Goodman-Hill (Arnold Golightly), Gareth Roberts (Writer), Graeme Harper (Director) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0208ksp

Silence in the Library

• DVD / Blu-ray – David Tennant (The Doctor), Steven Moffat (Writer), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer)

• Podcast Commentary – Euros Lyn (Director) and Phil Collinson (Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0208mk7

Forest of the Dead

• DVD / Blu-ray – Euros Lyn (Director), Helen Raynor (Script Editor), Louise Page (Costume Designer)

• Podcast Commentary - David Tennant (The Doctor), Steven Moffat (Writer) and Russell T Davies (Executive Producer) – https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0208qdt

Midnight

• DVD / Blu-ray - David Tennant (The Doctor), Russell T Davies (Writer), Alice Troughton (Director)

• Podcast Commentary – Julian Howarth (Sound Recordist), Paul McFadden (Supervising Sound Editor) and Bryn Thomas (2^nd Boom Operator) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0208rnw

Turn Left

• DVD / Blu-ray - Catherine Tate (Donna Noble), Jacqueline King (Sylvia Noble), Bernard Cribbins (Wilfred Mott)

• Podcast Commentary – Graeme Harper (Director), Tracie Simpson (Production Manager) and Nick Murray (Standby Art Director) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0208sjv

The Stolen Earth

• DVD / Blu-ray - David Tennant (The Doctor), Russell T Davies (Writer), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer)

• Podcast Commentary – Nicholas Briggs (Dalek/Judoon Voice), Barnaby Edwards (Dalek Operator) and Nick Pegg (Dalek Operator) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020b6h0

Journey’s End

• DVD / Blu-ray - David Tennant (The Doctor), Catherine Tate (Donna Noble), Russell T Davies (Writer)

• Podcast Commentary – Julie Gardner (Executive Producer), Phil Collinson (Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020b9wx

The Next Doctor

• Podcast Commentary / 2023 Blu-ray - Russell T Davies (Writer), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020bw6y

Planet of the Dead

• Podcast Commentary / 2023 Blu-ray - David Tennant (The Doctor), James Strong (Director), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020c0kl

The Waters of Mars

• Podcast Commentary / 2023 Blu-ray – David Tennant (The Doctor), Russell T Davies (Co-writer), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020dh18

The End of Time, Part One

• DVD / Blu-ray - David Tennant (The Doctor), Catherine Tate (Donna Noble), Euros Lyn (Director)

• Podcast Commentary – Russell T Davies (Writer), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020f6d5

The End of Time, Part Two

• DVD / Blu-ray - David Tennant (The Doctor), John Simm (The Master), Euros Lyn (Director)

• Podcast Commentary – Russell T Davies (Writer), Julie Gardner (Executive Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p020h6yx

 

Series 5

The Eleventh Hour

• DVD / Blu-ray (in-vision on some releases) - Steven Moffat (Writer), Beth Willis (Executive Producer), Piers Wenger (Executive Producer)

Victory of the Daleks

• DVD / Blu-ray (in-vision on some releases) - Barnaby Edwards (Dalek Operator), Nicholas Briggs (Dalek Voice), Mark Gatiss (Writer)

The Time of Angels

• DVD / Blu-ray (in-vision on some releases) - Karen Gillan (Amy Pond), Steven Moffat (Writer)

The Vampires of Venice

• DVD / Blu-ray (in-vision on some releases) - Alex Price (Francesco), Toby Whithouse (Writer), Jonny Campbell (Director)

Cold Blood

• DVD / Blu-ray (in-vision on some releases) - Alun Raglan (Mo), Ashley Way (Director), James DeHaviland (2nd Assistant Director)

The Big Bang

• DVD / Blu-ray (in-vision on some releases) - Karen Gillan (Amy Pond), Arthur Darvill (Rory Williams), Toby Haynes (Director)

 

Series 6

The Impossible Astronaut

• DVD / Blu-ray - Arthur Darvill (Rory Williams), Marcus Wilson (Producer), David Mason (US Line Producer)

The Doctor’s Wife

• DVD / Blu-ray - Neil Gaiman (Writer)

The Rebel Flesh

• DVD / Blu-ray - Marshall Lancaster (Buzzer), Mark Bonnar (Jimmy), Julian Simpson (Director)

A Good Man Goes to War

• DVD / Blu-ray - Arthur Darvill (Rory Williams), Neve McIntosh (Madame Vastra), Tim Barter (On-Set VFX Supervisor)

The Wedding of River Song

• DVD / Blu-ray - Frances Barber (Madame Kovarian), Steven Moffat (Writer), Jeremy Webb (Director)

 

Series 7

The Snowmen

• DVD / Blu-ray - Michael Pickwoad (Production Designer), Paul Spriggs (Supervising Art Director)

Cold War

• DVD / Blu-ray - Mark Gatiss (Writer), Murray Barber (VFX Supervisor), Jenna Powell (VFX Producer)

Hide

• DVD / Blu-ray - Matt Smith (The Doctor), Jamie Payne (Director)

The Crimson Horror

• DVD / Blu-ray - Neve McIntosh (Madame Vastra), Catrin Stewart (Jenny), Dan Starkey (Commander Strax)

 

Series 8

Into the Dalek

• DVD / Blu-ray - Phil Ford (Writer), Ben Wheatley (Director)

Robot of Sherwood

• DVD / Blu-ray - Paul Murphy (Director)

The Caretaker

• DVD / Blu-ray - Paul Murphy (Director), Kate Walshe (Prosthetics Effects Producer), Pete Hawkins (Animatronic Engineer)

Kill the Moon

• DVD / Blu-ray - Paul Wilmshurst (Director), Scott Bates (1st Assistant Director)

 

Series 9

Last Christmas

• DVD / Blu-ray (including solo release) - Paul Frift (Producer), Paul Wilmshurst (Director)

Under the Lake

• DVD / Blu-ray - Sophie Stone (Cass), Derek Ritchie (Producer), Toby Whithouse (Writer)

Before the Flood

• DVD / Blu-ray - Sophie Stone (Cass), Derek Ritchie (Producer), Toby Whithouse (Writer)

The Woman Who Lived

• DVD / Blu-ray - Maisie Williams (Ashildr/Me), Derek Ritchie (Producer)

Sleep No More

• DVD / Blu-ray - Reece Shearsmith (Rassmussen), Mark Gatiss (Writer)

 

Series 10

The Pilot

• DVD / Blu-ray - Pearl Mackie (Bill Potts), Steven Moffat (Writer)

Knock Knock

• DVD / Blu-ray - Bill Anderson (Director), Mike Bartlett (Writer)

Oxygen

• DVD / Blu-ray - Pearl Mackie (Bill Potts), Matt Lucas (Nardole), Jamie Mathieson (Writer)

 

Series 11

The Woman Who Fell to Earth

• DVD / Blu-ray - Jodie Whittaker (The Doctor), Jamie Childs (Director)

Rosa

• DVD / Blu-ray - Mandip Gill (Yasmin Khan), Malorie Blackman (Writer), Alex Mercer (Producer)

The Tsuranaga Conundrum

• DVD / Blu-ray - Mandip Gill (Yasmin Khan), Ben Bailey-Smith (Durkas Cicero), Suzanne Packer (Eve Cicero), Nikki Wilson (Producer)

Demons of the Punjab

• DVD / Blu-ray - Mandip Gill (Yasmin Khan), Shane Zaza (Prem), Vinay Patel (Writer), Alex Mercer (Producer)

 

Series 12

Spyfall, Part One

• DVD / Blu-ray - Jodie Whittaker (The Doctor), Tosin Cole (Ryan Sinclair), Chris Chibnall (Writer)

Spyfall, Part Two

• DVD / Blu-ray - Jodie Whittaker (The Doctor), Sylvie Briggs (Ada Lovelace), Chris Chibnall (Writer)

Nikola Tesla's Night of Terror

• DVD / Blu-ray - Mandip Gill (Yasmin Khan), Anjli Mohindra (Queen of the Skithra), Nina Métivier (Writer)

 

Series 13

War of the Sontarans

• DVD / Blu-ray - Sara Powell (Mary Seacole), Dan Starkey (Svild), Jamie Magnus Stone (Director), Ray Holman (Costume Designer)

Eve of the Daleks

• DVD / Blu-ray - Adjani Salmon (Nick),  Nicholas Briggs (Dalek Voice),  Annetta Laufer (Director)

Legend of the Sea Devils

• DVD / Blu-ray - Crystal Yu (Madam Ching), Craige Els (Chief Sea Devil), Haolu Wang (Director)

The Power of the Doctor

• DVD / Blu-ray - Jodie Whittaker (The Doctor), Mandip Gill (Yasmin Khan), Chris Chibnall (Writer)

 

 60^th Anniversary

The Star Beast

• DVD / Blu-ray / iPlayer (in-vision) – David Tennant (The Doctor), Phil Collinson (Executive Producer), Vicki Delow (Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0gsdjvg/doctor-who-video-commentaries-the-star-beast-with-commentary

The Giggle

• DVD / Blu-ray / iPlayer (in-vision) – David Tennant (The Doctor), Russell T Davies (Writer), Phil Collinson (Executive Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0gsdjvn/doctor-who-video-commentaries-the-giggle-with-commentary

 

 Season 01

The Church on Ruby Road

• DVD / Blu-ray / iPlayer (in-vision) – Millie Gibson (Ruby Sunday), Russell T Davies (Writer), Chris May (Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p0gsdjvx/doctor-who-video-commentaries-christmas-special-the-church-on-ruby-road-with-commentary

Boom

• DVD / Blu-ray / iPlayer (in-vision) – Steven Moffat (Writer), Russell T Davies (Showrunner), Joel Collins (Executive Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001zpmb/doctor-who-video-commentaries-boom-with-commentary

Empire of Death

• DVD / Blu-ray / iPlayer (in-vision) – Bonnie Langford (Mel), Russell T Davies (Writer/Showrunner), Vicki Delow (Producer) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0020m9n/doctor-who-video-commentaries-empire-of-death-with-commentary
  

 

 

 

Doctor Who Series 1-4 Blu-ray Box Set - What's the deal?

 UPDATE 05/02/24 - Replacement discs are being issued for The Specials Disc 2 (The End of Time disc) to correct the wrong screengrabs on the scene selection menu and subtitles. 

 

2023 saw another new release of Series 1-4 in the UK on Blu-ray. Containing new upscales of the standard definition episodes (this time at the correct speed!). Some fans have asked me is this release worth getting? That’s a very tricky thing to answer. In truth (with the exception of The Next Doctor, I’ll get on to that), this is the best release this of these episodes hands down - but there are some caveats. I’ll attempt to answer the question in more detail.

 

Now we have had a bit of time to digest this release, (there was far too much going on in November and December in the Whoniverse to look at this properly) I thought this package could do with a proper write up explaining my thoughts.

 

The Packaging

In terms of how box set is laid out, it was definitely the right approach. Using 5 standard amary Blu-ray cases inside a box makes it easy to access the episodes, display them on the shelf and store them. I’m not a fan of digipacks and big bulky packaging these days, it suits The Collection, but most of the time it’s not practical as I just want to access the episodes quickly without having to do some origami.

A full on detailed booklet would have been a really nice addition with some details. The originals that came with the DVDs were exceptional. But at least we do have a leaflet listing what is on each disc which is important.

Now onto the artwork itself. I’m not here to slag of the artist, I know people who like the design. The artwork is fine, but personally I prefer Stuart Crouch’s Blu-ray covers from a decade ago.

With so many brilliant artists working on Doctor Who merchandise from Big Finish to the DVDs, we are very lucky to have such brilliant, talented fans designing merchandise that shines on our shelves. But that sadly means when something is just fine - not in any way bad but perhaps not up to that very high standard that’s been set - it causes some debate. Plus when you’ve seen those gorgeous steelbooks from a few years ago, I do think the if the box set had used a more dynamic and eye grabbing design, it would have helped shift more copies. Remember the vast majority of people buying these sets are fans who have shelled out possibly several times on owning these episodes, people want an upgrade as much as they can in as many ways as they can. To build a Doctor Who home media Collection that looks impressive is sometimes as much of a thrill as the contents.

Having the Doctors in silhouette is a strange decision. It doesn’t jump out on the shelves of HMV. It also the front doesn’t scream Doctor Who other than the logo when you first see it. I recognise Eccleston and Tennant because I’m a nerd for Doctor Who publicity photos, but would the casual buyer immediately think that’s them from a quick glance?

But as I said the artwork is fine and I don’t think the artist who created it did a bad job.

 

The Episodes

The important bit.

With the exception of The Next Doctor, these are by far the best releases of these episodes to date. I’ll break this down further.

Frame Rates

For the first time on Blu-ray, all the episodes play at the correct speed. For the 2013 release the Blu-ray masters were originally produced for the US, therefor were slowed down slightly to match the 30 frames per second standards as opposed to 24 fps used in the UK (Note – the US release of this set under Series 1-13 is still rendered at 30fps).

It might seem like a small, hardly noticeable thing, but the 2013 version adds a few minutes onto each episode – which when totalled with the entire series adds a good few hours. The sound slowing and pitch correction from 2013 also introduced some artefacts into the sound, which are now gone. Plus watching the episodes at a slower speed made the lockdown watch-a-longs quite tricky to keep in time. This to me was the most important thing about this release and I’m pleased they’ve fixed it.

 

Picture Quality

If you have the 2013 Blu-rays then you won’t see a significant increase in clarity. At the end of the day this is standard def television and unless you use AI (which has massive pros and cons) it’s as good as it’s going to get. The picture does look good though for what is coming up to be 20 years-old next year. The main thing that lets it down now is the softness of the CGI. But it still holds up really well.

The restoration was overseen by Paul Vanezis who works on the classic series releases, so it’s been handle by someone in the know.

Planet of the Dead, The Waters of Mars and The End of Time were made and transmitted in HD. But the new encodes are an improvement.

TJDW has produced an excellent comparison video here:

 

Audio Quality

I’m not an audiophile, but to me the sound is a little bit clearer. No leaps and bounds, but slightly better. It may have been nice is the original stereo mixes as used on the vanilla DVDs had been included (as some argue the dialogue is clearer).

 

Audio Description

The original DVD box sets included optional Audio Description for the visually impaired and blind. This was omitted from the 2013 release, but is back here now thankfully.

 

The Next Doctor

I believe overall every episode on this set is better than the previous releases with the exception of The Next Doctor. Sadly there are several cases of missing dialogue throughout this episode, with dialogue from Jackson Lake, the Doctor and a few deletes from the Cybermen not present.

I don’t really know how this happened. It’s not Paul Vanezis fault as I don’t think he edited the audio. My guess is they have used an unfinished early edit of the episode. All the missing dialogue were likely ADR (Additional Dialogue Recordings) that were added at a very late stage. Essentially what I think we got here is an early edit. I think this is too big an error and is worthy of a replacement discs.

There are a few other inconsistencies with the episode as well. The transmitted version is correctly missing the Cyberman stomps in the scene where the children are being led to the Cyberman workhouse. These are present on the Blu-ray and all other commercial releases of the episode with the exception I believe of the ‘vanilla’ 2009 release.

If you don't have the 2009 solo DVD release, it may be something worth considering if you are interested.

There is also an issue with the credits, which I’ll talk about in the next section.

 

Opening and Closing Credits

The title captions, on-screen credits, and closing credits have been remade for everything up to and including The Next Doctor. This makes it much more legible to read. And of course taking advantage of the HD render of the closing titles done for the specials.

Credits for Rose from the 2013 Blu-ray

 

 

Credits for Rose from the 2023 Blu-ray

That said the credits for The Specials (The Next Doctor - The Waters of Mars + The End of Time Part 2) use the more old fashioned slow moving style credits that are presented in two columns which is incorrect. On the original transmission the credits were presented in the newer scrolling format.

 

Incorrect formatting for The Waters of Mars from 2023 Blu-ray

As broadcast credits for The Waters of Mars from BBC iPlayer

Comparison Video by Andrew Hsieh.

Whilst I call it incorrect, technically isn't. Since writing this article I've heard that the two column credits scene is preferred by the production team and was intentionally made for the physical media releases to allow everyone to be credited and easily visible on screen. The faster as transmitted credits was a stipulation by BBC One at the time.

 

The End of Time – Part 1 however does use the original transmission credits. This is likely because they purposely sought out original masters as other physical media releases have used a different version of the “TO BE CONTINUED” text (presented as a tame plain text version as opposed to a big 3D text).

 

There is one minuscule error that has been spotted on 42 in which instead of a fade up with the title caption it just appears. But that’s the only error as such.

 

Other Episode Issues

When it comes to correctly matching the original transmission it’s a mixed bag. Some faults have been corrected such as the audio fault on Rose, the missing Two Years Later caption on Blink.

There are a couple that aren’t though. The different music track on the gramophone in The Unicorn and The Wasp (this might be forced upon them due to rights issues) and Cyberman stops in The Next Doctor are still present.

I can’t call these errors as a) previous box set releases have used these versions b) some of them may be a necessity due to rights issues. But these things don’t match the original transmissions. These are also present on the previous box sets so they are in no way unique. However some of the transmitted versions are present on the masters used for the bare-bone release and DVD files

In 2007 Doctor Who took a week off due to Eurovision. Instead of the usual Next Time trailer on BBC One, they produced a “Coming Up” trailer teasing the rest of the series. The box sets and iPlayer instead use the originally planned Next Time trailer. 

Coming Up trailer and Dr Who will return in two weeks caption missing from DVD

Screenshot from iPlayer

 

The originally intended Next Time trailer for 42 as used on physical media

Screenshot from 2023 Blu-ray
 

Also on The Girl in the Fireplace, there is an erroneous BBC logo over the opening Versailles shot. Not a big one, but it shouldn't be there.  

 

Screenshot from 2023 Blu-ray with the BBC Logo

Screenshot of transmitted version without the BBC logo (from iPlayer)

Ideally I what I would have liked used as masters on this Blu-ray are the original transmitted versions of these stories as I consider them to be default version. But sometimes what is used isn’t an error, and is in fact what the production team originally intended.

 

Audio Commentaries

Whilst nothing new was recorded for this set, there are some commentaries that are new to disc. On the original DVD and Blu-ray box sets for The Specials, there was no commentary available for The Next Doctor, Planet of Dead and The Waters of Mars. However at the time the BBC produced their own commentary tracks for the website and the long defunct BBC Radio 7. For the three specials these were:

The Next Doctor – With Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner

Planet of the Dead – With David Tennant, Julie Gardner and James Strong

The Waters of Mars – With David Tennant, Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner

The decision to include these is fantastic. Now every RTD1 story has a commentary on disc! Something I have always wanted. It always seemed silly to me not to put those commentaries on the original DVDs.

There is an unfortunate caveat, the podcast commentaries have been put on disc out of sync with the visuals. Whilst it’s still better than nothing, it’s not a smooth watch.

The Last of the Time Lords also has a commentary issue. On previous UK releases, the commentary featuring David Tennant, Freema Agyeman and John Barrowman contained JB bursting into song. This couldn’t be cleared for the US release of the set, so instead the podcast commentary made for the website with Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner was used. For unknown reasons the podcast audio was used on this new set, with the cast commentary omitted.

In some ways it’s a good thing as the podcast commentary has never been available on disc before in the UK. But I would still like to have the cast one available. At least for those who are keeping the old release they have options.

 

Minisodes

Born Again (the 2005 Children in Need Special) at last finally uses the correct sound mix. The previous box sets used an early edit by mistake with Murray Gold’s score and the cloister bell sound effect omitted. Finally it can be watched as intended.

Born Again and Time Crash haven’t been upscaled in the same way as the full episodes. But they look fine.

I’ll talk about the unreleased mini episodes later.

 

Confidential

As this set didn’t set out to add any new extras, nearly all of the versions of Doctor Who Confidential match the previous box sets, usually in the cutdown form.

There are however two cut-down episodes that have been further cut-down from Series 1.

The episode Why on Earth? has a very tiny yet puzzling edit. A clip from Aliens of London was edited to remove Rose’s line “You’re so gay”, which she says to the Doctor. Whilst I understand the terminology is outdated, what makes it puzzling is that the line is present within the episode elsewhere on this set. Why edit out Confidential but leave it intact elsewhere? I just can’t explain it.

The World of Who episode has a cuts that makes much more sense. Footage from behind the scenes of John Barrowman’s naked scenes have been vastly edited to make it more sensitive. In the un-edited version John Barrowman talks about how much he enjoyed being naked filming those scenes. In light of more recent revelations which I won’t go into here, this edit makes a lot of sense and to some degree I’d argue necessary.

The Confidential episode Desert Storm is (assuming by mistake) is presented in Standard Definition, despite being in HD on every other release so far to date. I assume this happened because they tracked down different masters to make sure it played at the correct speed.

There is also another small error on Bring Back the Doctor (Rose) episode where half-way through the end credits it cuts off. Why this happened I have no idea.

At least at the time of writing, all this content is intact via the Whoniverse on iPlayer, including the full unedited Confidential. Those are my default version now anyway (at least while they are available).

 

The New Extra

Whilst this set hasn’t given us many new extras, there is one. On the third disc of the specials is a 20 minute newly shot feature containing individual interviews with Russell T Davies and David Tennant. In this feature shot during a recording break of the 60^th Anniversary specials, the pair talk about Series 1-4, the rest of the modern series and the future for the show.

Whilst it’s not essential viewing, it’s a nice little extra and was more interesting than I was expecting.

 

The Missing Specials Bonus Disc

Included on the 2019 Specials Steelbook and US release of The Complete David Tennant Collection was a bonus disc containing the two animated specials; The Infinite Quest and Dreamland, The Sarah Jane Adventures – The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith (featuring David Tennant as The Doctor) and another exclusive David Tennant interview marking the 10^th anniversary of him leaving the role.

It would have been nice to include it on this new set. The interview and HD versions of Dreamland and the SJA episodes have never been made available elsewhere and would have helped sweetened the deal with this new set. They are a key part of this era of the show.

 

What else could have been included?

Whilst it would be very welcome, I know there was no budget for this release to make Collection style content. A few new bits of archive content would have been very welcome.

The first thing that immediately springs to mind is BBC Online/Red Button interactive episode Attack of the Graske. Whilst I’d imagine it would be tricky to retain the interactive element on disc, I would have been very happy even to see a edit without these bits. It seems incredible there’s footage of David Tennant as Doctor Who that isn’t available on disc.

Another canonical piece of media, again from Series 2 is the TARDISodes. These 13 mini-scenes acted as teaser for the forthcoming episodes in 2006, available on the BBC website and could be obtained via texting on the phone. I’m perplexed they weren’t included back on the original box sets. They are on YouTube, but only in 144p. It would be nice to see them properly.

A very simple thing to include would have been the podcast commentaries. Now hidden away on the official website, putting these on disc would have given these episodes something new in being able to sync the visuals to the sound easily. There are a few podcast commentaries on here, but a lot more were produced from Series 2 onwards.

Anything else you could have mopped up would have been welcomed as well. Such as the David Tennant Dalek and Cyberman introductions from the old 2009 DVDs.

 

Should I buy this release?

To put it simply, (with the exception of The Next Doctor) these are the best releases of these episodes on disc. Yes there might be the odd niggle here and there - but that’s probably worth sacrificing in order to have the correct speeds and best quality available.

If you are owning these on disc for the first time, get it as there is still a wealth of Special Features to enjoy that aren’t available anywhere digitally.

If you only own the DVDs, then the picture upgrade is worthwhile.

If you own any of the previous Blu-ray releases, then it might be worth weighing up how much the slowdown bothers you plus what else I have said in this article. The picture quality isn’t noticeably better, but there are lots of benefits.

If you are in Region 1 and thinking about buying the Series 1-13 set to get these discs, I would probably leave it if you own the episodes already. Without the benefits of the slowdown, there’s not a huge benefit here over the 2013 masters.

Things to keep

To round this off, I’ve put together a list of things that are on the previous Blu-ray releases that might be worth keeping if you are thinking about trading in your old releases.

• Doctor Who Confidential Cut-downs: Series 1(unedited)
• The Last of the Time Lords Cast Commentary
• The Next Doctor (less errors)
• Doctor Who Confidential – Desert Storm (Planet of the Dead) in HD
•  

Simeon Carter has also written a more detailed guide as to what extras are missing, which you can read here. 

Special thanks to Andrew Hsieh for sending me screenshots. Rey Hickman @YoungButRetro and @Merganman4