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Series 13 Production News, Spoilers, Speculation Discussion

DanaK

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DanaK

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Just to note, the Who social media accounts were back up yesterday almost exactly 24 hours after they went down. Besides a slightly more orange logo, I'm not sure anything else changed. Other than getting fans talking about it, I'm not sure why they needed to be down a day. But they were back a half hour before the new teaser was revealed on TV

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DanaK
DanaK

New trailer Fantastic!

Llywela
Llywela

You know what, I got tired of 'biggest ever cliffhangers' and universe-in-peril storytelling way back when Davies was in charge first time round. The show desperately needs to learn how to tell compel

JustHereForFood
JustHereForFood

I like this. I also love Doctor Who and I have liked this run so far, definitely more than the last of Moffat, which I wanted to love so much, because I loved Peter Capadi's portrayal, he was my favor

Llywela

Llywela

41 minutes ago, DanaK said:

Just to note, the Who social media accounts were back up yesterday almost exactly 24 hours after they went down. Besides a slightly more orange logo, I'm not sure anything else changed. Other than getting fans talking about it, I'm not sure why they needed to be down a day. But they were back a half hour before the new teaser was revealed on TV

It wasn't about making a change; none of the sites or socials would need to be taken down for that and certainly not all at once and for that length of time. It was 100% about generating a buzz, ready for the announcement yesterday. And it worked. I would lay good money that the outage didn't just happen to be 'noticed' by fans, but instead was deliberately made known to them, probably almost as soon as it happened, specifically to generate that buzz.

I would also lay good money that the WhereIsDoctorWho hashtag wasn't actually dreamed up by a fan who just happened to notice the outage, but was a pre-planned part of the marketing, because that's how marketing is done these days. 

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DanaK

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One of the show's producers Matt Strevens posted on his private Instagram account the other day that said he was going into Wales for the last time for a Doctor's appointment. The suggestion is that they are filming final scenes for Jodie's last special, which sounds about right as it's been speculated they are almost finished filming

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JustHereForFood

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2 hours ago, DanaK said:

There is speculation they are talking about Rochenda Sandall and that maybe she'll have a recurring role in Series 13 like Jacob Anderson

I completely misread it at first and took the "series lead" as an information that they cast the new Doctor. LOL.

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DanaK

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9 minutes ago, ElleryAnne said:

I gotta admit, that trailer is pretty good.  Does anyone know who the woman at the 13 second mark is?

 

I think that’s supposed to be Annabel Scholey. If so, she’s in the Weeping Angels episode

BBC America is calling it a global premiere event similar to how they described the Series 11 premiere. If they do the same thing now that they did then, they will show it at the same time as the UK adjusted for time differences and then repeat in its regular timeslot. BBC America also showed a shortened version of the trailer at least once tonight (Friday)

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DanaK

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6 new images released. Provisional start time for first episode is 6:20pm British Standard Time of 50 minutes in length. Final schedule will be released later today (UK time)

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Llywela

Llywela

(edited)
5 hours ago, DanaK said:

Radio Times: Chibnall talks about blowing up the universe in the first episode and featuring some of their biggest ever cliffhangers https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-chris-chibnall-blow-up-universe-series-13-newsupdate/

You know what, I got tired of 'biggest ever cliffhangers' and universe-in-peril storytelling way back when Davies was in charge first time round. The show desperately needs to learn how to tell compelling, engaging stories without constantly trying to raise the stakes, because it isn't necessary and just leads to burnout.

Edited by Llywela
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DanaK

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(edited)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2021/44/doctor-who-the-halloween-apocalypse

The BBC has confirmed the first episode, titled in the previous post, will run from 6:25-7:15pm on BBC1

The synopsis:

"A universe-spanning adventure in space and time starring Jodie Whittaker, Mandip Gill and John Bishop.

On Halloween, all across the universe, terrifying forces are stirring. From the Arctic Circle to deep space, an ancient evil is breaking free. And in present day Liverpool, the life of Dan Lewis is about to change forever.

Why is the Doctor on the trail of the fearsome Karvanista? And what is the Flux?"

BBC America will likely have a press release on when it will be shown in the US, assuming it's on at the same time as the BBC and repeated at 8pm, and not just 8pm ET like usual

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(edited)

BBC America will show the first episode of this season at 2:25pm to 3:37pm Eastern Time (1:25pm Central Time, 12:25pm Mountain Time and 11:25am Pacific Time) on the 31st and repeat it again at 8pm ET and a couple more times after that, listing those repeats as an "extended cut", though they are just a couple of minutes longer and there's no word on what "extended cut" means here. But note that the showings likely include commercials, so it will be futile to try to keep up with social media at the same time

The Williamson Tunnels under Liverpool will be featured in the new season along with their builder https://cultbox.co.uk/news/headlines/eccentric-liverpool-tunnel-builder-to-be-featured-in-doctor-who-flux

 

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Cultbox summarizes a Radio Times post that lists the second episode as “War of the Sontarans”

The synopsis:

“The Doctor has an unexpected encounter with one of her deadliest enemies when the Sontarans become a new faction in the Crimean War. As the British army goes into pitched battle with the warlike aliens, the Doctor and her companions seek the help of renowned nurse Mary Seacole (Sara Powell), while an ancient temple hides mysterious secrets.”

The Cultbox article also has the cast list for the episode

https://cultbox.co.uk/news/headlines/doctor-who-flux-second-chapter-title-and-synopsis

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DanaK

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Note that the broadcast date will be November 7 and the time for the second episode will be 6:10-7:10pm on BBC1 so it will be an hour long. It will be broadcast on BBC America in the US 8-9:27pm ET

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(edited)

Released last night, while John Bishop was visiting The One Show, a new clip of Dan

 

Mandip interview with Metro https://metro.co.uk/2021/10/26/doctor-who-mandip-gill-cried-at-end-of-series-13-and-fans-will-too-15489464/

A summary or a bit of Jodie's interview with Empire https://www.empireonline.com/tv/news/jodie-whittaker-promises-a-massive-arc-in-doctor-who-flux-exclusive-image/

 

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Be sure to note that the UK moves their clocks back an hour this Sunday, but the US won't do so until November 7. So the UK will be 4 hours ahead (Eastern Time) for a week, and then the usual 5 hours ahead (ET) once we in the US move our clocks back a week later

Based on everything I've been reading and seeing about Series 13: Flux, I'm pretty excited to see it. It's one story over 6 chapters yet still a bit episodic, and Jodie said in an interview that something brought up in one episode for example won't necessarily be answered in the next episode but answered a couple of episodes later. The one story idea is unique for Modern Who and somewhat for Classic Who though I've seen some fans say it reminds them so far of Trial of the Time Lord and maybe The Chase

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Llywela

Llywela

(edited)
2 hours ago, DanaK said:

Based on everything I've been reading and seeing about Series 13: Flux, I'm pretty excited to see it. It's one story over 6 chapters yet still a bit episodic, and Jodie said in an interview that something brought up in one episode for example won't necessarily be answered in the next episode but answered a couple of episodes later. The one story idea is unique for Modern Who and somewhat for Classic Who though I've seen some fans say it reminds them so far of Trial of the Time Lord and maybe The Chase

It was, in fact, completely normal storytelling in the classic era to tell a story over multiple episode. Every classic adventure was a serial, usually of four episodes, but the number varied from story to story. Some were two episodes, some six - the very longest of all were ten (The War Games) and twelve (The Daleks' Master Plan) episodes.

The Chase was a completely normal serial, one story spread over six episodes (each episode was set in a different place, though- it was a chase). That six-episode serial wasn't a season in itself, but merely part of a longer season. The show was on for most of the year at that early stage, 40+ episodes a year.

Trial of a Time Lord was a break from the usual format, yes - each four episode serial forming part of an overarching seasonal arc. The Key to Time series in the late 70s was also a seasonal arc, with a series of serialised adventures (mostly four eps, but one of six) all forming part of a broader storyline that came to a head at the end of the series.

So, yeah. It wasn't unheard of for the classic show to attempt what we would now call a seasonal arc, although it was unusual. But serialised storytelling, with one story spread over multiple episodes, that was the bog standard format of the classic era. And although the adventures within those serials were usually standalone, they often ran into one another, with the action picking up directly where it left off, so that when you watch all those serials in a row (especially in the 60s and parts of the 70s), they tell a continuous ongoing story about the experiences of the characters, even if not a pre-planned plot arc.

Basically, what they seem to be planning for this new season both is and isn't a departure from previous storytelling formats!

Edited by Llywela
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DanaK

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2 hours ago, Llywela said:

It was, in fact, completely normal storytelling in the classic era to tell a story over multiple episode. Every classic adventure was a serial, usually of four episodes, but the number varied from story to story. Some were two episodes, some six - the very longest of all were ten (The War Games) and twelve (The Daleks' Master Plan) episodes.

The Chase was a completely normal serial, one story spread over six episodes (each episode was set in a different place, though- it was a chase). That six-episode serial wasn't a season in itself, but merely part of a longer season. The show was on for most of the year at that early stage, 40+ episodes a year.

Trial of a Time Lord was a break from the usual format, yes - each four episode serial forming part of an overarching seasonal arc. The Key to Time series in the late 70s was also a seasonal arc, with a series of serialised adventures (mostly four eps, but one of six) all forming part of a broader storyline that came to a head at the end of the series.

So, yeah. It wasn't unheard of for the classic show to attempt what we would now call a seasonal arc, although it was unusual. But serialised storytelling, with one story spread over multiple episodes, that was the bog standard format of the classic era. And although the adventures within those serials were usually standalone, they often ran into one another, with the action picking up directly where it left off, so that when you watch all those serials in a row (especially in the 60s and parts of the 70s), they tell a continuous ongoing story about the experiences of the characters, even if not a pre-planned plot arc.

Basically, what they seem to be planning for this new season both is and isn't a departure from previous storytelling formats!

But, depending on how things were defined in Classic Who, weren't very few of the serials done over an entire season instead if several serials over a season?

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Llywela

Llywela

9 hours ago, DanaK said:

But, depending on how things were defined in Classic Who, weren't very few of the serials done over an entire season instead if several serials over a season?

Yes, and I detailed the occasions when it was done - Trial of a Time Lord and the Key to Time series. But what you said was that it was unusual in Classic Who to tell a story over multiple episodes, which isn't accurate, because all classic storytelling was serialised. It's the one story over a whole season aspect that's unusual (but not unheard of), rather than the serialised storytelling style.

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DanaK

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Episode 3's title has been revealed to be "Chapter Three: Once, Upon Time"

It will be about 50 minutes in length and provisionally is set to start at 6:30pm on BBC1 on November 14

The synopsis:

“Time is beginning to run wild”. On a planet that shouldn’t exist, in the aftermath of apocalypse, the Doctor, Dan, Yaz and Vinder face a battle to survive.

 

 

 

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(edited)

Episode 4 is titled: "Chapter Four: Village of the Angels". Premiering November 21, 2021

Co-written by Chris Chibnall and Maxine Alderton

Director: Jamie Magnus Stone

Synopsis:

Devon, November 1967. A little girl has gone missing. Professor Eustacius Jericho is conducting psychic experiments. And in the village graveyard, there is one gravestone too many. Why is Medderton known as “The Cursed Village”? And what do the Weeping Angels want?

ETA: The Doctor Who page about the episode says its 56 minutes long and starts at 6:20pm in the UK https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0011vnw

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The longer 30-second next time trailer for Episode 3:

 

There's also supposed to be an additional look at Episode 3 released at midnight UK time. I don't know if it's just the longer trailer or one of those first look teases networks put out for an upcoming episode

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Title of Episode 5: "Chapter Five: Survivors of the Flux", premiering November 28, 2021

Synopsis:

As the forces of evil mass, the Doctor, Yaz and Dan face perilous journeys and seemingly insurmountable obstacles in their quest for survival.

Written by Chris Chibnall

Directed by Azhur Saleem

The latest issue of Doctor Who Magazine is out and it has the cast and producers talking about the season and how wild and serialized and very different than the usual Doctor Who it's going to get and how viewers should not necessarily expect answers right away. Chibnall indicated since they couldn't do a normal 10 episodes due to the pandemic, he wanted each of the 6 episodes to be a double shot expresso of Doctor Who. It also has interviews with Sam Spruell and Rochenda Sandall who play Swarm and Azure. I recommend getting the issue if you can (it's available digitally as well as in UK stores)

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DanaK

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Here's a bit more of a summary about Series 13 from the most recent Doctor Who Magazine:

In Chibnall's Production Notes, he indicated things were arranged so that Jodie's final scenes for the 3rd special were shot on her last day (though not the last day of filming for the crew) and the last shot of the day is the last shot of the 13th Doctor

Per producer Matt Strevens, after the first 2 episodes, the season becomes more multi-stranded. In terms of form and structure, the storytelling, especially in Chapter Three, takes the show in a new direction. It's very ambitious and credits the audience with sophistication and intelligence. It's very much asking you to trust the show and go on a ride. Not everything is given to you in the moment. It credits the audience with a degree of patience, that they're not going to know quite what's going on.

The third chapter is very serialized, connecting to everything that's gone before it. Strevens says when he got the script for that episode, he was blown away. It was a form of storytelling they haven't done before. It's similar to some of the stories he loves, like Marvel's way of telling stories, the way they parcel out info and things can seem incredibly random and abstract, but they aren't in the end. They are part of a very cohesive whole, but you don't get served that straight away

Director Azhur Saleem (who directed Episodes 3, 5 and 6) talks more about Episode 3: He describes it as a massive jigsaw puzzle. He did a short film, Project Artichoke, which deals with similar themes of memories, and Strevens told him it would be useful because he was picking up something crazy for Episode 3. He talked to Chibnall who referenced the movie Cloud Atlas, so there's a lot of that inspiration in there, in terms of multiple storylines and perspectives. A strand that runs through the episodes Saleem directed is the Doctor's journey of self-discovery, delving into places she's never been before and coming up against things she's never experienced

Chibnall confirmed every episode will have a cliffhanger (though it's not clear if that means Episode 6 as well; if there is, I think it would likely lead into the NYD special)

In regards to Episode 4, which is a story about the Weeping Angels, Chibnall says they found a shape for this story that accommodates the Angels very nicely. They put them in a place they haven't been in before and doing some interesting things with them

Strevens hopes the audience is ready for the next part of the adventure. As they build through the second half of the season, the Doctor discovers more of what the Flux is. They start to peel back the onion a bit more, in terms of its origins and its purpose, and we start to see how everything ties together.

Per Chibnall, since they couldn't make a 10 episode series due to Covid, he wants each of the 6 episodes of Flux to feel like a double expresso shot of Doctor Who. He says formatting this season as a serial has really helped to create that intensity

Chibnall says with the Doctor confronted by many of her most dangerous enemies, the season draws to a shattering conclusion. They always knew where they were going with the end of Jodie's second season and that's why Fugitive of the Judoon was slap bang in the middle of her era. Having set up that situation, Jodie's third season was always going to be about playing in that sandbox

Chibnall is staying tight-lipped about the momentous events that unfold in Chapter Six, but hints that he's taken a typically fearless approach to the season finale, saying "This show has so much untapped potential. There are so many things you can do with it. You have to take risks..."

Also, as verified by the Doctor Who episode pages, Episodes 3 is 50 minutes long, Episode 4 is 56 minutes and Episode 5 is 50 minutes. According to the timeslot shown on BBC America, it's looking like Episode 6 will be about an hour, and from what I've heard, we should officially be getting Episode 6's title and synopsis next Tuesday. There was a supposed leak of Episode 6's title the other day by fans looking in the website code (yes, again).

Supposed title:

Spoiler

"The Vanquishers"

 

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