EIGHTH DOCTOR
PAUL McGANN —1996
As far as television goes, the Eighth Doctor's era is barely an era. It consists of a single 2-hour television movie, co-produced by the BBC in England, Fox in America, and directed by a Canadian. The story takes place in America, and features a Master played by American Eric Roberts. It was not the most Doctor Who-ish Doctor Who.
After many failed attempts to move Doctor Who to the big screen, and a few attempts at a television revival, it all finally came to fruition in 1996, to terribly mixed reviews from press and fans alike.
The Eighth Doctor movie, unofficially titled "The Enemy Within", is certainly not without its problems. The story leaves much to be desired, for starters, and it makes very odd and unnecessasry changes to established history (like the Doctor being half-human...on his mother's side) and includes scenes that simply don't make any sense (like the opening teaser about the Daleks taking the Master to Skaro to stand trial for his crimes). In short, it gets a lot of stuff wrong. The direction, while trying to be clever, goes over the top on a number of occasions, like the scene in which the Doctor wakes up (in a morgue) after his regeneration, while a hospital employee watches "Frankenstein" in other room. As the Doctor sits up and gets off the slab, the 'action' is intercut with scenes of Dr. Frankenstein yelling over his newly awakening monster "Its alive! Its alive"! Very subtle.
Though the movie achieved very good ratings, it was almost universally panned. The one good thing about the movie, though, was Paul McGann. His performance immediately found its favour amongst fans, and offered the hope that, were this to continue to series, he would make a perfect Doctor.
Alas, that was not to be. However, Paul McGann returned to the role of the Eighth Doctor years later in Big Finish's audio series, to great acclaim amongst fans. It is in the audio series that the Eighth Doctor lives and has been developed in fascinating ways. His audios (amongst those recorded by Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy) are divided into seasons, with the story picking up directly after "The Enemy Within" and continuing on. A new companion, Charley Pollard played by India Fisher, was introduced in the first story and proved to be a hit with fans.
| Season | Story Title | # of Episodes | Companions | Avg Rating | Main threat |
| 24 | "The Enemy Within" | 9.1 million | The Master |
Recommended Listening
"Neverland"
Starring Paul McGann (the Doctor), India Fisher (Charley) and Lalla Ward (Romana)
Why are the Time Lords so keen to track the Doctor down? Exactly what lengths will the Celestial Intervention Agency go to in their efforts to retrieve something important from within his TARDIS? Who is the mythological destroyer Zagreus? And what has caused Imperiatrix Romanadvoratrelundar to declare war on the rest of creation? The Doctor seeks the answers deep within an entirely new universe and must face up to the actions not only of himself but the hundreds and thousands of Time Lords who have gone before.
Comments:
"This one's a corker! The Time Lords and the Never People are an interesting concept, as is the consequences of Charley's existence. Also of note is the Doctor and Charley declaring their feelings for one another, pre-dating Rose by a few years! I still don't totally buy Romana willingly returning to Gallifrey to be President (for Pete's sake, she stayed behind in a pocket universe in the TV series to get away from the Time Lords!) but this is still a great story." ~Chad
"The Stones of Venice"
Starring Paul McGann (the Doctor), India Fisher (Charley)
The Doctor and Charley become embroiled in the decadent court of a tired Duke and his search for his beloved wife. The curse of the long since dead Duchess has finally come to pass and the enchanted city of Venice is sinking beneath the canals...
***
"Zagreus"
Starring Paul McGann (the Doctor) and India Fisher (Charley), with Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Sophie Aldred, Lisa Bowerman, Nicholas Courtney, Louise Jameson, Robert Jezek, Bonnie Langford, John Leeson, Caroline Morris, Elisabeth Sladen, Maggie Stables, Mark Strickson, Sara Sutton, Lala Ward, Don Warrington, Anneke Wills
The Doctor is possessed by the anti-time force known only as Zagreus. As a result, he's rampaging through the TARDIS trying to kill poor Charley Pollard. And if he gets out, the universe is doomed. Charley, however, has met an old friend who is trying to explain just how Zagreus isn't the only problem the universe faces. Right now, hammering on the other side of a dimensional gateway are the Divergence. You see, this used to be their universe and they want to come home... Neither Zagreus, the Time Lords or even Lord Rassilon himself seem to think this is too good an idea but it's up to Charley to work out who is telling the biggest lies of all and whether the Divergence are the destroyers or the saviours of time itself...
***
"Terror Firma"
Starring Paul McGann (the Doctor), India Fisher (Charley) and Conrad Westmaas (C'rizz), with Terry Molloy (Davros) and Nicholas Briggs (Dalek Voices)
Centuries ago on the war-torn planet Skaro, a great scientist created the most evil creatures the Universe would ever know… Daleks. It was at their genesis that the scientist, Davros, first met and was defeated by the Doctor. Over the years and throughout space, they fought, a fight that ended with the Doctor’s destruction of Skaro and the Daleks. Except…
Davros survived. Alone. In the dark. With only thoughts of revenge keeping him alive.
The Doctor is back. Davros is waiting. Their destiny is now
