Edit
Storyline
The Doctor is in a seasonal mood when he arrives in London on Christmas Eve 1851. There are snowflakes in the air, carol singers in the market square and a generally festive air all around. When a woman in distress calls for him to help her, he arrives to find someone else answering her call and calling himself the doctor. The alternate Doctor seems to know more than he should, dresses like the real Doctor and even has a Tardis - though in his version, it's actually a hot air balloon. While The Doctor sorts out just who this impostor is and why they find themselves in the same time and place, Mercy Hartigan and the Cybermen are kidnapping children to work in building their weapon that will allow them to crown their King. Written by
garykmcd
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Edit
Did You Know?
Trivia
The episode played on public expectations, as
David Tennant's successor to The Doctor was soon to be announced. This was heightened by the fact that
David Morrissey had apparently been in talks to play the Eleventh Doctor.
See more »
Goofs
As the TARDIS (balloon) is ready to take off the assistant starts releasing the tether ropes. Despite being buoyant, the last tether tied to the post is still hanging loosely.
See more »
Quotes
[
Rosita is calling out for the Doctor]
The Doctor:
It's alright, it's me, I'm here!
Rosita:
[
Looking at him]
There can't be two of you!
See more »
Crazy Credits
Credit at the end of "The Next Doctor": "Doctor Who will return in Planet of the Dead"
See more »
Soundtracks
"Doctor Who Theme"
(uncredited)
Written by
Ron Grainer
Arranged by
Murray Gold
Performed by
BBC National Orchestra of Wales See more »
The Next Doctor as a whole was "okay". The script was very dull. The saving grace was David Morrissey playing the said 'Next Doctor'. His performance was astoundingly good - really exceptional - he gave it all he had; but definitely wasn't OTT (like his counterpart). Mr Morrissey exhibited a quality well above this production, and it blew me away. I shall certainly be looking out for him in future. The stand-out factor of the show was the giant robot at the end rising from the Thames and stomping on Olde Worlde London; it really did look fantastic and the CGI dept did a very fine job indeed. The big aspect of the show that genuinely upset me was their use of a REAL graveyard to shoot a Cyberman group attack scene; it was covered with paper snow and the actors were running/falling all over the graves, which for me personally isn't acceptable for any production. The graveyard could easily have been constructed in a studio, thus negating this most disrespectful behaviour. Overall, not a bad show; however it was just the talent of David Morrissey and the giant robot that saved it, otherwise it would have been totally forgettable.