Monday 9 February 2015

DW 02-07: The Idiot's Lantern

A Guide to Classic Who references (and other references) in New Who episodes.
Doctor Who series 2, episode 6 (Story 17).  Rose & the Doctor & the Queen's coronation.


Viewing Order
  • 01-01  "Rose(Suggested viewing - introduction of characters.)
  • Children in Need - "Born Againor Christmas Special 2005 - "The Christmas Invasion" (Suggested viewing - reintroduction of character.)

References

[1ST] -  The first appearance of things in Doctor Who series.
[NEW] - Things that first appeared previously in the new series.
[OLD] - Things that first appeared in the classic series (or the film.)  Episode List.

  • [NEW]  1953 - The year Queen Elisabeth II was coronated (obviously).  The coronation occurred on the 2nd June.  In the Fifth Doctor story "Mawdryn Undead" it was noted that the Brigadier joined the military in this year.

  • [1ST]  The Wire - First appearance of this villain, unless you count the Tardisode.  The character is not related to the US TV series of the same name went from 2002 - 2008.

  • [NEW]  Gran - First appearance of the Connelly Family, except Mrs Connelly's mother, who appeared in the Tardisode.  However, the Tardisode does occur after her appearance in the opening scene here.  It's, you know, timey whimey.

  • [OLD]  Elvis Presley - A real person.  I know, shocking, but this is a pretty self-contained episodes and so entries may just me here for padding.  In the "Revelation of the Daleks" (The Sixth Doctor) the DJ played "Blue Suede Shoes" which was dedicated to George in Casket 816 from his wife Annetta (however, the version used was from "Smash Hits - Elvis Style" by an unknown Elvis impersonator.  "Hound Dog" was also played.  The Seventh Doctor names a number of personalities, including Elvis as never existing if the Rani's plans come to fruition in "Time & the Rani."  Presley graduated high school in June of 1953 and made his first recordings later that year.

  • [OLD]  Unreliable TARDIS - The Doctor had aimed for New York in the late 50s, and got London in 1953.

  • [OLD] Union Jack - Actually, I can't remember a specfic example, but I'm sure there are many.  Rose wore a t-shirt decorated with one in "The Empty Child" which she herself referred to as a "Union Jack."  A jack or jack flag is a small flag flown on the bow of a ship.  The Union Jack was first used by English and Scottish ships in 1606, while on land the national flags were used until they became a single country in 1607 and it was proclaimed the national flag.  While it has had many names the Union Jack is the most common and both Union Jack and Union Flag have been used as its name at sea or on land in official documents for centuries.  Tthe chief vexillologist of the Flag Institute states that the Union Jack is a legitimate name in any situation.  The one above the painting of flowers is upside down as Rose points out.  Whatever you call the flag, it should never be used for padding.

  • [OLD]  Falling From A Radio Tower - It may be fatal for the King of Belgium, but the Doctor would never meet his end that way, right? The Fourth Doctor in "Logopolis."

The 10 Rules to Doctor Who.

(Read the rules here.)

10.  The TARDIS is for arriving at the location of the story at the beginning of the episode and leaving at the end.  This is because Time Travel is the excuse for the story, not that the story is about.  Unless the episode is written by Steve Moffat, then it's definitely about Time Travel.
No time travel but arriving and leaving.  [1]

9.  No one can cross their own Time Stream, except when they do.
No one tries. [0]

8.  There's no situation that can't be briefly defused by a non sequitur.
As always.  [1]

7.  The Doctor is both the most serious and most frivolous person in the room - any room - at the same time.  And he does that without becoming insane.  Mostly.
As always.  [1]

6.  The last episode of every series must contain the Master or at least one Dalek.  Every time.  However briefly.
Not a series final.  [NA]

5.  The main companion will be a young contemporary British female.  Although, to be
fair, almost everyone in the Universe is British and most things happen in contemporary London.
Rose is a young female contemporary companion.  (Past London setting, but the Doctor tried go to New York.)  [1] 

4.  The more emotionless a species, cyborg or robot the more likely they are to be destroyed by emotions.  This is true of the Daleks.  It is particularly true of the Cybermen.
The Wire doesn't seem emotionless.  [0] 

3.  Even if the episode title contains the words "Dalek(s)" or "Cyberman/men" the presence of the Daleks and or Cybermen will at the beginning be treated as a mystery and their revelation a surprise.
The title is a reference to a nickname for television, but is a very mild spoiler.  [.5]

2.  The nature of the threat will be revealed to the audience before the Doctor.  The truth behind the threat will be unknowable by the audience until it is explained by the Doctor.
As always.  [1]

1.  The most dangerous creature in any situation is the last of its kind.  This sometimes also applies to aliens other than The Doctor.
Just the Doctor, and he really becomes dangerous when Rose is endangered.  The Wire is mad at other of its kind for trying to execute it, so they must exist.  [.5]

Score:  6/9.

~ 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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