Sunday 20 August 2017

DW 04-08: Silence in the Library

A Guide to Classic Who references in new Who.


Doctor Who series 4 episode 8 (Story 39 Part 1) in which Donna and the Doctor visit The Library.



Warning: May contain spoilers for

"Silence in the Library"


Viewing Order

"The Unicorn & The Wasp" < Doctor's Timeline > "Forest of the Dead" (Part 2)

"The Husbands of River Song" < River's Timeline > "Forest of the Dead" (Part 2)


References

[OLD] - Things that first appeared in the classic series (or the film.)  Episode List.

For context, the following are also covered:
[1ST] -  The first appearance of things in Doctor Who series.
[NEW] - Things that first appeared previously in the new series.

Ongoing References...



  • [OLD] The Doctor - The central character of both series of Doctor Who.  This is the Tenth Doctor.  He's a Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey.  This, it turns out, means he can survive cyanide poisoning.  Real name: unknownactual age: unclear.

  • [OLD]  The TARDIS - The Doctor's time and space travel vehicle.  TARDIS stands for Time And Relative Dimension(s) In Space.  Like a lot of Time Lord technology, it is "bigger on the inside."  The Doctor stole his Tardis when fleeing Gallifrey.  It is an older model ("Type 40") and unreliable, often ending up in the wrong location and the chameleon circuit - designed to make the Tardis appear inconspicuous in any surroundings it appears has failed so it always appears as a police telephone box from 1960s England.


  • [OLD] Sonic Screwdriver - The Doctor's favourite tool.  First appeared in "Fury of the Deep" (Doctor Who Season 5) and has been used off and on by various Doctor including the Ninth and Tenth.  This appears to be the first reference to it not working on wood.

  • [NEW]  Psychic Paper - An item usually used by the Doctor to create false identification for the Doctor.  It first appeared in "The End of the World" (Doctor Who series 1).  It was first used to send him a message in "New Earth (Doctor Who series 2).



  • [OLD]  The Sontarans - A race who frequently appeared in classic Doctor Who.  This is the second part of their first appearance in new Who.  Their primary weaken, ever since their first appearance in "The Time Warriors" (Doctor Who Season 11) has been their Probic Vent.   They have also appeared in new Doctor Who.


This episode...

  • [1ST]  The Library - First appearance of this planet.

  • [1ST]  River Song - First appearance in the show of this character, although from her point of view it's one of the last.

  • [1ST]  River Song's diary - First appearance of this book of spoilers.

  • [1ST]  "Crash of the Byzantium" - First reference in the show to this event in the Doctor's future and River's past.

  • [1ST]  "Picnic at Asgard" - First reference in the show to this event in the Doctor's future and River's past.

  • [1ST]  Vashta Nerada - First reference to this species, althought the Doctor appears to be aware of them.

  • [1ST]  River Song's Sonic Screwdriver - First appearance in the show of this device.

  • [NEW]  Squareness gun - A sonic blaster, form a factory formerly on Villengard.  Jack Harkness had one in "The Empty Child"/"The Doctor Dances" (Doctor Who series 1).  It is possible that this is Jack's.

"The Unicorn & The Wasp" < Doctor's Timeline > "Forest of the Dead" (Part 2)

"The Husbands of River Song" < River's Timeline > "Forest of the Dead" (Part 2)


~ 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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