Saturday, January 31, 2004
Lost Dalek episode returned to the BBC
The surprise return of the "Doctor Who" episode 'Day of Armageddon' has meant that, just as the BBC were completing their video releases of all surviving episodes, there's suddenly another episode to release. However, since this is merely one part of a 12-part story (13 if you include 'Mission to the Unknown') that is still mostly missing, it's not as though they can merely bung it out on video to complete their releases.
One obvious problem is that VHS is a dying format. Many of us might have hundreds of tapes - either pre-recorded or taped off-air - but DVD is what we're all buying these days, so even if the BBC could find a way of releasing 'Day of Armageddon' on video, it would be a mistake. The 'Reign of Terror' boxed set released last November was the first video I'd bought in years, and I only bought that because I'd never seen the four Hartnell episodes or the two surviving ones from 'The Faceless Ones' (I'd taped the Yeti episode from the BSB weekend in 1990).
Therefore, the newly recovered episode should only be released on DVD and, despite the BBC's intention to concentrate on complete stories for the time being, it makes sense to capitalise on the excitement over the episode's return by releasing it as soon as possible. (Failing that, a broadcast on BBC Four would be one way of letting us see it.)
The black and white stories released so far on DVD have shown what wonders can be achieved by decent restoration. A fully cleaned restored and VidFIREd 'Day of Armageddon', along with the two other 'Master Plan' episodes released on the 'Daleks - The Early Years' video in 1992 and other clips would be the way to go. Some linking material to fill in the gaps would be nice (although Peter Davison's links from the 'Daleks' tape could be included as an extra as long as the costs are too prohibitive), but we've got the CD release of the story for the complete versions of the missing episodes, so this can be kept relatively brief.
No doubt some will point out that even DVDs of complete "Who" stories aren't exactly big sellers, but while many of us are picking and choosing our way through these releases (I'd probably buy the R1 release of 'Remembrance of the Daleks' because of the missing FX shot in the R2 release), most people buying all or most of them will surely be interested in an episode that we've never seen and a story that will never be shown on TV.
The surprise return of the "Doctor Who" episode 'Day of Armageddon' has meant that, just as the BBC were completing their video releases of all surviving episodes, there's suddenly another episode to release. However, since this is merely one part of a 12-part story (13 if you include 'Mission to the Unknown') that is still mostly missing, it's not as though they can merely bung it out on video to complete their releases.
One obvious problem is that VHS is a dying format. Many of us might have hundreds of tapes - either pre-recorded or taped off-air - but DVD is what we're all buying these days, so even if the BBC could find a way of releasing 'Day of Armageddon' on video, it would be a mistake. The 'Reign of Terror' boxed set released last November was the first video I'd bought in years, and I only bought that because I'd never seen the four Hartnell episodes or the two surviving ones from 'The Faceless Ones' (I'd taped the Yeti episode from the BSB weekend in 1990).
Therefore, the newly recovered episode should only be released on DVD and, despite the BBC's intention to concentrate on complete stories for the time being, it makes sense to capitalise on the excitement over the episode's return by releasing it as soon as possible. (Failing that, a broadcast on BBC Four would be one way of letting us see it.)
The black and white stories released so far on DVD have shown what wonders can be achieved by decent restoration. A fully cleaned restored and VidFIREd 'Day of Armageddon', along with the two other 'Master Plan' episodes released on the 'Daleks - The Early Years' video in 1992 and other clips would be the way to go. Some linking material to fill in the gaps would be nice (although Peter Davison's links from the 'Daleks' tape could be included as an extra as long as the costs are too prohibitive), but we've got the CD release of the story for the complete versions of the missing episodes, so this can be kept relatively brief.
No doubt some will point out that even DVDs of complete "Who" stories aren't exactly big sellers, but while many of us are picking and choosing our way through these releases (I'd probably buy the R1 release of 'Remembrance of the Daleks' because of the missing FX shot in the R2 release), most people buying all or most of them will surely be interested in an episode that we've never seen and a story that will never be shown on TV.
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Well, after moaning about Sky One not buying "Alias" last week, I suppose I should raise a cheer for the fact that season 3 has been picked up in the UK. Although since it's on Bravo, I suppose a half-hearted cheer would be more appropriate. I'd be surprised if we get it in 16:9, and hopefully Bravo will regard it as a flagship show, not one to brand with a "Fash FC" DOG. In fact, if they do see sense then it could turn out better than had Sci-Fi (who I thought the most likely channel to buy it) snapped it up, since they seem to have adopted the "permanent branding" policy. I was unlikely to watch 'all new' "Veritas" even without the DOG telling me it starts next month, but I'm buggered if I'm watching it or any other programmes they're happy to ruin in this way.
Anyway, roll on Sunday 14 March, 9pm, and we'll see...
Anyway, roll on Sunday 14 March, 9pm, and we'll see...
