This little 8-minute special, which exists chronologically right between the third and the fourth seasons of "Doctor Who", is quite possibly the best thing that the new series has offered us so far. I laughed out loud, I cried (I've never even watched a single episode of the old series - and yet David Tennant's "All my love to long ago" at the end had more emotional power than, say, the Doctor-Rose farewell scenes at the end of "Doomsday"), I had my mind boggled in a way only "Blink" (also written by Steven Moffat) had managed to do before, and I admired the subtle way Tennant breaks out of character at the end to express his own personal feelings. This special celebrates not only a part of "Doctor Who" history, but also the past in general, the things that shape and define us. The ONLY reason I'm deducting half a star is because of the reference to L.I.N.D.A: first of all, how could the Fifth Doctor know about them, and second of all, who wants to be reminded of the worst episode of the entire series ("Love And Monsters") while they are watching the best (this one)? ***1/2 out of 4.
15 Reviews
"All My Love To Long Ago"
Stargazer5916 November 2007
Warning: Spoilers
"Doctor Who" was back for all of eight minutes, as part of "Children in Need" night, in a mini-episode, written by Steven Moffat and directed by Graeme Harper, entitled "Time Crash". I've already seen it described, subsequently, as "Time Crap" but I thought it was good fun with a rather poignant final minute. My favourite line was actually one given to tenth Doctor David Tennant, and thus the obvious choice for the title of this post, but, overall, I thought fifth Doctor Peter Davison out-acted his successor. He was "let's be honest, pretty sort-of-marvellous"! Readers may think I'm prejudiced in his favour because I prefer the classic series to Russell T. Davies' reinvention but that isn't the reason. Peter wasn't "My Doctor", just the better actor on this occasion. They really only got it spot on, during his era, in his final story so it was intriguing to see the actor reunited with the director of that story, "The Caves of Androzani", for this little, well-balanced, excursion.
While David may have had the best line, the one tinged with A. E. Housman-style regret of a past long since lost, the fifth Doctor had the leading question, and the one I've been asking myself for the last two years, when he asks the tenth, "Is there something wrong with you?"! Perhaps David is "the decorative vegetable" rather than Peter's stick of celery!! Steven Moffat summed up the current Doctor's predilection for "ranting in my face about every single thing that happens to be in front of him" perfectly!!! My only regret about "Time Crash" is that it wasn't a full-length episode. Having gone to the trouble of rehiring a popular former-leading man from the series, together with the programme's best director of that period combined (for the first time) with the writing skills of the current series' best author, it would've been nice to see the central relationship developed further as in "The Two Doctors", one of my "Blue Remembered Hills". I echo the sentiment, "All My Love To Long Ago".
While David may have had the best line, the one tinged with A. E. Housman-style regret of a past long since lost, the fifth Doctor had the leading question, and the one I've been asking myself for the last two years, when he asks the tenth, "Is there something wrong with you?"! Perhaps David is "the decorative vegetable" rather than Peter's stick of celery!! Steven Moffat summed up the current Doctor's predilection for "ranting in my face about every single thing that happens to be in front of him" perfectly!!! My only regret about "Time Crash" is that it wasn't a full-length episode. Having gone to the trouble of rehiring a popular former-leading man from the series, together with the programme's best director of that period combined (for the first time) with the writing skills of the current series' best author, it would've been nice to see the central relationship developed further as in "The Two Doctors", one of my "Blue Remembered Hills". I echo the sentiment, "All My Love To Long Ago".
Ten meets Five, the future Father-In-Law...
zacpetch1 December 2014
Warning: Spoilers
When a young David Tennant watched Dr Who his favourite take on the hero was that of Peter Davison. As the then-current star, Tennant got the chance to work with him for this short and what does his character say to the man who would later be his father-in-law? You were my doctor. Inside references are the best aren't they?
So, what's this about? The Tenth and Fifth Doctors meet each other, that's what! If two of the finest actors ever to grace our screens coming together as the same character isn't enough to grab at you then I don't know what is.
"Two minutes to Belgium!" As in, an explosion the size of. The TARDIS can't cope with being in the same place as its past self and it's up to the two incarnations to stop that from happening. Doing so will separate the two again and Ten has some important parting words to Five first. It's great to see the classic doctors getting the respect they deserve. This probably led some young fans to investigate the older Dr Who serials for the first time and that's only ever a good thing.
Moffat delivers the goods again. Shame we couldn't see them team up for a whole episode.
So, what's this about? The Tenth and Fifth Doctors meet each other, that's what! If two of the finest actors ever to grace our screens coming together as the same character isn't enough to grab at you then I don't know what is.
"Two minutes to Belgium!" As in, an explosion the size of. The TARDIS can't cope with being in the same place as its past self and it's up to the two incarnations to stop that from happening. Doing so will separate the two again and Ten has some important parting words to Five first. It's great to see the classic doctors getting the respect they deserve. This probably led some young fans to investigate the older Dr Who serials for the first time and that's only ever a good thing.
Moffat delivers the goods again. Shame we couldn't see them team up for a whole episode.
I loved being you!
msb_rock17 November 2007
This short adventure featuring two doctors was absolutely amazing, it had such an epic feel and I felt I had died and gone to heaven. When the new series started I began getting DVD's of the classic series and Peter Davison's stories such as Earthshock and The Caves Of Androzani were great and proved how good a doctor he was. So to have Peter Davison and possibly the best Doctor of them all David Tennant together was magical. The story also gets the chance to pay homage to Peter Davison and what he did as the character all those years ago, this story leaves everyone smiling and feeling nostalgic but it also leaves the question 'Will the doctor meet any of his selves again?' based on the quality of this short story, I sincerely hope so. Doctor Who is still as strong as ever!
Brilliant!
MrFilmAndTelevisionShow4 April 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This I think has to be my favourite little supplementary Doctor Who episode (so far), even topping the Rowan Atkinson special. I haven't even seen any Davison episodes yet and yet I loved the chemistry between Tennat and Davison. It was a brilliant, truly and completely (and utterly) brilliant!
Doctor to Doctor
wetmars20 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Man, I absolutely love this to the death! This was just funny and just deep at the same time, wow... What a masterpiece!
I liked when 10th said "Right. Tardises are separated. Time's up Doctor. Back to long ago. Where are you now? Nyssa and Tegan? Cybermen and Mara? Time Lords in silly hats and the Master? Oh he just showed up again same as ever."
and when 5th said "Oh no, really? Does he still have that rubbish beard?
10th: "No, no beard this time. Well, a wife."
Just a wonderful comeback to Earthshock, Arc of Infinity, The Five Doctors, and The Mark of the Rani? Man, Omega and the Rani should return to Doctor Who but... yeah... the current state of Doctor Who... thanks alot, bloody Chipnall...
10/10!
I liked when 10th said "Right. Tardises are separated. Time's up Doctor. Back to long ago. Where are you now? Nyssa and Tegan? Cybermen and Mara? Time Lords in silly hats and the Master? Oh he just showed up again same as ever."
and when 5th said "Oh no, really? Does he still have that rubbish beard?
10th: "No, no beard this time. Well, a wife."
Just a wonderful comeback to Earthshock, Arc of Infinity, The Five Doctors, and The Mark of the Rani? Man, Omega and the Rani should return to Doctor Who but... yeah... the current state of Doctor Who... thanks alot, bloody Chipnall...
10/10!
When Doctors meet
ShadeGrenade18 June 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Of all the 'Doctors' to follow Tom Baker's epic ( seven year ) run, Peter Davison was for me the most impressive. His boyishly charming, cricket-loving Time Lord made a nice contrast to his grinning, scarf-wearing Bohemian predecessor. Alas the actor was served appalling scripts of the calibre of 'Time Flight' and 'Warriors Of The Deep', and after three seasons beat a hasty retreat to the cosy Sunday evening world of James Herriot.
'Time Crash', written by Steven Moffat before he became producer, was a short ( 8 minutes, to be exact ) episode that went out as part of 'Children In Need' in November 2007. It was not the first 'Doctor Who' to have that honour - the last one was in 2005 when the show still basked in the glory of the Eccleston/Piper combo, and featured David Tennant's debut in the role. Chronologically, it takes after 'Last Of The Time Lords' ( what a horrible season finale that was! ) and before the 'Voyage Of The Damned' Christmas Special.
After seeing Martha off, the Doctor is alone in the Tardis once more. But not quite. A stranger has mysteriously slipped aboard. An older-looking Fifth Doctor, still wearing that Edwardian cricketing costume, and baffled by his predicament. The episode then becomes a two-hander, loaded with continuity references, but still managing to satisfy young viewers not readily acquainted with '80's 'Who'. The exchange was easily the best since the 'dandy and the clown' of 1973's 'The Three Doctors'. I liked the way The Tenth Doctor spoke of his delight at being The Fifth. The line "You were my Doctor!" was delivered with absolute sincerity.
Graeme Harper, who directed the final Davison story 'The Caves Of Androzani', drew from the actor one of his very best performances in the role. Like a fine wine, his Time Lord had mellowed with age. I was touched when he doffed his hat in respect, before vanishing into the ether. They should do a sequel one day.
'Time Crash', written by Steven Moffat before he became producer, was a short ( 8 minutes, to be exact ) episode that went out as part of 'Children In Need' in November 2007. It was not the first 'Doctor Who' to have that honour - the last one was in 2005 when the show still basked in the glory of the Eccleston/Piper combo, and featured David Tennant's debut in the role. Chronologically, it takes after 'Last Of The Time Lords' ( what a horrible season finale that was! ) and before the 'Voyage Of The Damned' Christmas Special.
After seeing Martha off, the Doctor is alone in the Tardis once more. But not quite. A stranger has mysteriously slipped aboard. An older-looking Fifth Doctor, still wearing that Edwardian cricketing costume, and baffled by his predicament. The episode then becomes a two-hander, loaded with continuity references, but still managing to satisfy young viewers not readily acquainted with '80's 'Who'. The exchange was easily the best since the 'dandy and the clown' of 1973's 'The Three Doctors'. I liked the way The Tenth Doctor spoke of his delight at being The Fifth. The line "You were my Doctor!" was delivered with absolute sincerity.
Graeme Harper, who directed the final Davison story 'The Caves Of Androzani', drew from the actor one of his very best performances in the role. Like a fine wine, his Time Lord had mellowed with age. I was touched when he doffed his hat in respect, before vanishing into the ether. They should do a sequel one day.
Take the Fifth.
southdavid12 August 2021
This Doctor Who short first appeared as part of the Children in Need charity presentation in 2007. Designed to fit seamlessly between the season three finale, and the already seen teaser for that year's Christmas special, the short is a funny crossover, that is as much a meta ode from its writer, as anything else.
Having said goodbye to Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman), The Doctor (David Tennant) has a paradoxical meeting with The Doctor (Peter Davison) when their Tardises (Tardi?) merge. The tenth Doctor tells the Fifth about how much he loved being him, and what traits he continues with - before solving an issue on board with a textbook causal loop paradox.
As I say, the episode is mostly a way for Stephen Moffat to get out his feelings for "his" Doctor, in this case Peter Davison. This is back before David Tennant would meet and marry Davison's daughter, so he gets to poke some gentle fun at his future Father-in-law's missing hair and middle-aged spread. The love from both the star and writer is palpable though.
Some funny gags and some poignant moments, all in 8 minutes of TV. The only shame is that there isn't more of it.
Having said goodbye to Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman), The Doctor (David Tennant) has a paradoxical meeting with The Doctor (Peter Davison) when their Tardises (Tardi?) merge. The tenth Doctor tells the Fifth about how much he loved being him, and what traits he continues with - before solving an issue on board with a textbook causal loop paradox.
As I say, the episode is mostly a way for Stephen Moffat to get out his feelings for "his" Doctor, in this case Peter Davison. This is back before David Tennant would meet and marry Davison's daughter, so he gets to poke some gentle fun at his future Father-in-law's missing hair and middle-aged spread. The love from both the star and writer is palpable though.
Some funny gags and some poignant moments, all in 8 minutes of TV. The only shame is that there isn't more of it.
Time Crash
studioAT10 September 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The 5th Doctor meets the 10th (and not around the dinner table seeing as they are Father/son in law in real life) in this fun special short episode that's probably more entertaining than anything the 4th series brought us.
Just about veering on the right side of in-jokes, this was good fun.
Just about veering on the right side of in-jokes, this was good fun.
"Not a lot of men can carry off a decorative vegetable." Fun little promo piece.
poolandrews16 November 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Doctor Who: Time Crash is a short (under 10 minutes) little piece made specifically for the 2007 BBC Children in Need night of fund raising.
There's no real story other than the fifth Doctor (Peter Davison) ends up meeting the tenth Doctor (David Tennant) in the TARDIS just after he leaves Martha (Freema Agyemen) on Earth at the end of season 3 of the new series.
I actually thought it was a nice little fun self referential piece where doctor number ten pokes a bit of fun at one of his previous incarnations while Doctor number five at first thinks he's a loony fan & criticises the new interior of the TARDIS likening the change to that of a Windows desktop! There are some amusing references to various enemy's, Doctor fives traits & some of his companions. I actually smiled on a few occasions & Time Crash has enough continuity with he series as a whole to become an accepted part of it in it's own right. It's certainly far more serious & sensible in tone than the silly Dimensions in Time (1993).
Hell, I liked it, I like both David Tennant & Peter Davison although he has noticeably aged which is explained by the time difference or something technobable like that & it also features Freema Agyeman at the start (in footage taken from the end of Last of the Time Lords(2007)) & I admit I have the hots for her & really like her in general so that also helps. At the end Doctor number ten says Doctor number five was his Doctor & in fact in reality Peter Davison would have been David Tennant's first Doctor as he grew up which I thought was a nice little touch.
It never leaves the confines of the new style TARDIS & actually leaves you wanting something a bit more substantial, a complete proper story to feature both Tennant & Davison (I wouldn't have said no to Freema Agyeman appearing as well) would have been nice if this little taster was anything to go by. I thought it was a fun little piece & a nice accompaniment to both the new & old series that works well within the context of both. But then again what do I know? The end features a gratuitous plug for the upcoming Christmas special Voyage of the Damned (2007) & also features more footage from the end of Last of the Time Lords.
There's no real story other than the fifth Doctor (Peter Davison) ends up meeting the tenth Doctor (David Tennant) in the TARDIS just after he leaves Martha (Freema Agyemen) on Earth at the end of season 3 of the new series.
I actually thought it was a nice little fun self referential piece where doctor number ten pokes a bit of fun at one of his previous incarnations while Doctor number five at first thinks he's a loony fan & criticises the new interior of the TARDIS likening the change to that of a Windows desktop! There are some amusing references to various enemy's, Doctor fives traits & some of his companions. I actually smiled on a few occasions & Time Crash has enough continuity with he series as a whole to become an accepted part of it in it's own right. It's certainly far more serious & sensible in tone than the silly Dimensions in Time (1993).
Hell, I liked it, I like both David Tennant & Peter Davison although he has noticeably aged which is explained by the time difference or something technobable like that & it also features Freema Agyeman at the start (in footage taken from the end of Last of the Time Lords(2007)) & I admit I have the hots for her & really like her in general so that also helps. At the end Doctor number ten says Doctor number five was his Doctor & in fact in reality Peter Davison would have been David Tennant's first Doctor as he grew up which I thought was a nice little touch.
It never leaves the confines of the new style TARDIS & actually leaves you wanting something a bit more substantial, a complete proper story to feature both Tennant & Davison (I wouldn't have said no to Freema Agyeman appearing as well) would have been nice if this little taster was anything to go by. I thought it was a fun little piece & a nice accompaniment to both the new & old series that works well within the context of both. But then again what do I know? The end features a gratuitous plug for the upcoming Christmas special Voyage of the Damned (2007) & also features more footage from the end of Last of the Time Lords.
Amazing! Awesome!
ernestoyilmaz24 August 2020
Fascinating
pablolukevalg3 November 2019
This story is interesting and a beautiful tribute to the Doctor of Peter Davison, they use concepts that we could not have imagined to explain this time clash, funny script, and incredible performances, a good start for season 4.
Timeless Charm
A_Kind_Of_CineMagic17 November 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This Children in Need charity special mini-episode is absolutely joyous.
We get the 10th Doctor meeting up with the 5th Doctor in a really lovely, funny and engaging little interaction.
It was marvelous to bring Peter Davison back and his banter with David Tennant is really funny and utterly charming.
Also this is well enough done to make it actually work as part of the ongoing series forming a link between Last of the Timelords and Voyage of the Damned. It massively improves on Dimensions in Time, showing how to do a charity special properly.
As a fan who watched all the 5th Doctor era as a kid itwas so special for me and indeed David Tennant was also a child fan of Davison (who weirdly became his father-in-law in real life). All the references are great and it is a joy to watch.
My Rating: 9/10.
We get the 10th Doctor meeting up with the 5th Doctor in a really lovely, funny and engaging little interaction.
It was marvelous to bring Peter Davison back and his banter with David Tennant is really funny and utterly charming.
Also this is well enough done to make it actually work as part of the ongoing series forming a link between Last of the Timelords and Voyage of the Damned. It massively improves on Dimensions in Time, showing how to do a charity special properly.
As a fan who watched all the 5th Doctor era as a kid itwas so special for me and indeed David Tennant was also a child fan of Davison (who weirdly became his father-in-law in real life). All the references are great and it is a joy to watch.
My Rating: 9/10.
Just not funny
hgwsavage1 March 2020
Not a good watch
Horst_In_Translation27 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
"Doctor Who: Time Crash" is, as the title already suggests, a Doctor Who short film from almost 10 years ago. The story here is that the (then) current Doctor Who meets his equivalent from the past. Of course, this story had to be taken up at some point with all the time travel references and here it is. However, their dialog for roughly 8 minutes is neither too inspiring nor really memorable. Nothing stays in the mind. Then again, I am not the biggest Doctor Who fan anyway, so fans of the series may see this differently. That's also what the IMDb rating implies. Graeme Harper directed this and he worked on several Doctor Who episodes as well. I hope the are funnier and smarter than this boring short movie. Not recommended.
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