Wednesday 9 July 2014

DW 01-07: The Long Game

A Guide to Classic Who references in New Who episodes.


The seventh episode of the new series.  Rose, the Doctor & Adam visit a Space Station in the far future.

Warning: May contain Spoilers for

"The Long Game"


Viewing Order

  • 1-01 "Rose(Suggested viewing - introduction of characters.)
  • 1-06 "Dalek(Suggested viewing - introduction of character.)

References

[1ST] - The first appearance of things in Doctor Who series.
[NEW] - Stuff seen previously in the New Series.
[OLD] - Things that first appeared in the classic series (or the film.)  Episode List.
[OTH] - A reference to Doctor Who books, comics, audioplays, etc.
[REF] - A reference outside of Doctor Who.

  • [1ST]  The Year 200,000 - First reference to this year.
  • [1ST]  The Fourth Great & Bountiful Human Empire - First reference to this Empire.  Previously there had been references to an Earth Empire between 25th and 31st Centuries, presumably the first Empire (but I'm not sure whether it was considered Great or Bountiful.)
  • [REF]  Megacities - A Megacity is a metropolitan area with over ten million people and there are 24 as of 2013, however, the term is popular in Science Fiction and usually means more than just a population number, usually including giant buildings (as seen here).  The term is also famously used in 2000AD comics (Judge Dredd lives in Mega-City One, and it could be a reference to that.)
  • [OTH Kronkburger - I know I said I wouldn't reference material outside the televised episodes, but as this is a direct usage, I figured I'd acknowledge it.  Kronkburgers originally appeared in a comic in Doctor Who Magazine in 1979, and have appeared in other media since.  This is the first appearance in a televised episode.
  • [REF]  Paris - Obviously a real place, the capital of France.  The Doctor has referenced or visited Paris (in different eras) on screen a couple of times, especially the Fourth Doctor story "The City of Death" but he was never shown kissing strangers in Paris.
  • [1ST]  Satellite 5 - First appearance on screen.
  • [NEW]  The Face of Boe - Appeared on screen in "The End of the World."  The TV Station should be familiar, too.  The rest of the references "New Venus," etc are new.
  • [1ST]  The Mighty Jagrafess of the Holy Hadrojassic Maxarodenfoe - First appearance.
  • [NEW]  2012 - Second appearance.
  • [1ST] Adam is the first companion to be kicked out of the TARDIS, even Turlough a companion of the Fifth Doctor who under the influence of an enemy Doctor tried to kill the Doctor redeemed himself and left on good terms. 

The 10 Rules to Doctor Who.

10.  TARDIS:  The TARDIS is to travel to and to Earth in 2012.  Adam attempts to use future knowledge for personal gain. [.5]
9.  Meeting Yourself:  No one tries.  [X]
8.  Non-sequiturs:   Yes.  [1]
7.  Serious/Frivolous:  Shows aspects of both personality.  [1]
6.  Series Final:  This is not a series final.  [X]
5.  Companion:  Rose, contemporary British female and Adam a near contemporary British male.  (Far Future, near Earth story).  [1]
4.  Emotionless:  The Mighty Jagrafess of the Holy Hadrojassic Maxarodenfoe seems to have emotions.  The editor behaves in an emotionless manner, but isn't. [0]
3.  Title Spoilers:  The title is actually a bit of a non-sequitor, but vaguely a spoiler for later episodes and the Doctor does meantion it feels like someone is playing a long game.  [1]
2.  The Threat:  The viewer has glimpses of the Editor and the Mighty Jagrafess of the Holy Hadrojassic Maxarodenfoe before the Doctor sees them.  The Doctor knows something up, but the Editor fills in the blacks.  [.5]
1.  Last of It's Kind:  There's no reason to believe that the Mighty Jagrafess of the Holy Hadrojassic Maxarodenfoe is, but it seems to be alone.  It turns out that individuals other than the Doctor are the most dangerous in the episode.  [0]

Score:  5/8.


~ DUG.

The Time Crash blog was created to help New Who fans understand Classic Who references - and to know if something isn't a reference but a new idea.  If there's a reference I missed or a subject that you feel needs more explaining, please comment.

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