Mike Maddox

The novelisation is a missed opportunity and a lost art form, poached from us by capitalists.

We still know the stories of Robin Hood and King Arthur because of novelisations. Peter Pan & Hitchhiker were novelisations. They should be a thing all writers can enjoy doing, knowing it's a real art form

Oh! There’s one of mine in the list!
Which is nice.

Green and pink narrow spikes of aurora borealis in a star filled sky

Green and pink aurora borealis (northern lights) in a star filled sky

Mostly pink aurora, with one bold green spike in the centre

Are you looking for a sign to run away and live in the Arctic wilderness? Because it's that time of year again where there are so, so many signs.

Teenage me, last century, sat in a present from my lovely sister.

I wonder what “Vwoorp vwoorp” is in Maltese?
(Lovely here, btw).

This.

“Faith,” the last surviving member of the “Faith, Hope and Charity” trio of Gloster Gladiators on Malta. Or rather what’s left of her. Genuinely moving to finally be here. I first heard their story as a 10 year old and remain moved by it, to this day.

Balsa and paper Fokker D8. Elastic band driven. Rather pleased with my handy work.

Hope all goes well. Also: cool T-shirt.

Not figure skating, no. But I reckon I would have won medals as a speed skater.
I can’t really skate all that well at all, I should add.

After the excitement of watching actors struggling to walk in flippers in Marinus, I’m disappointed that nobody trips over their shoes in this one.
I feel bad about this longing.

…and like the Sensorites, the Ood are lovely. So
Much so that it’s all the more scary when they get taken over and become hostile.

Find myself wondering how different The Impossible Planet would have been if RTD had gone with his original idea of using Sensorites. As it turns out, the Ood are not a million miles away, are they? The dangly thing, no mouth, bald, weird eyes…

I’m watching Doctor Who again from the beginning. No 7, The Sensorites, Jun-Aug ‘64. Lovely story, the aliens themselves gentle, shy creatures and the humans are the bad guys. Also, they look amazing. Fabulous moment: the Doctor descending into darkness to face unseen monsters.

Can’t stop thinking about this one.
So good. Stays with you.

This is one of those stories that some people hint still exists and may turn up one day. I don’t know if there’s any truth in it, but I do hope it does. I really do.

I genuinely enjoyed this one, as I’m sure I will most Who. The last time I attempted this I think the only thing I didn’t enjoy was the final part of the Armageddon Factor. This was great, though!

There should be a version of thiswhere Barbara decides to stay behind and rule as their goddess, bringing forward the Industrial Revolution by four hundred years, or however long it is.

The horror of the story, that someone is going to be deliberately sacrificed and that the TARDIS crew can’t intervene, is strong stuff. People die in Doctor Who all the time and yet there’s something truly awful about their not being able to stop it.

I’m watching Doctor Who again from the beginning. No 6, The Aztecs, May-June 1964. Loved it. Absolute cracker of a story. Obviously, were it made now things would be different, but I thought this was superb. Fabulous moment: The Doctor gets married.

It’s all just church, really.

Me yesterday: robed up in the Cathedral for the Reader’s service. Me this morning: putting a new fridge in, repairing damage after a burst pipe in the church office and picking up dog poo in the graveyard.

So exhausting..

I’m watching Doctor Who again from the beginning. No 5, The Keys of Marinus Apr-May 1964. Sixties spies, talking brains, courtroom drama, it’s all there. Some people say it’s a mess, I think it’s brilliant. Fabulous moment: Voord who trips on his flippers.

The Bible: Nobody knows the day or hour.
People: It’s September 23rd 2025!

Tsk.

Magnificent. Al Hartley?

Fabulous moment: Alan Bradley from Corrie has a sword fight with someone from “Where Eagles Dare” and wins.
The Doctor is
Quite likeable now, unlike his earlier, drearier version. Also he’s on holiday for one whole episode, it seems.

I’ve started watching Doctor Who again from the beginning. No 4, Marco Polo. Feb-April 64. Cracking story, really picks you up and moves you along with the characters on their journey. Costumes are amazing, even in BW. I’m born at some point during this one.
Recon version, obvs.

“If I have to choose between my religion and my neighbour, I choose my neighbour.”

Can’t remember who said that. Might have been a bishop of Liverpool. Anyway, what he said.