We got our first proper look at the saurian masters of the Red Planet today in 1967, when Part Two of The Ice Warriors made its debut. Carry On... star Bernard Bresslaw appeared as ice Warrior commander Varga for the first time in this episode. It was a different actor, wearing a different design of helmet, who had featured in Part One.
In 1978 The Stones of Blood reached its fourth and final episode, meaning that the search for the Key to Time had arrived at its mid-point. The story had also been the 100th since 1963, and fell close to the programme's 15th Anniversary, so there was a bit of extra media coverage around this time.
Kerblam! - the only Doctor Who story to feature an exclamation mark in its title - made its debut today in 2018.
As part of the run-up to the 50th Anniversary, BBC3 showed a documentary on today's date in 2013 - Doctor Who: The Ultimate Guide. We'll be mentioning a few of these special programmes over the next few entries in this series, as we approach 23rd November.
Today's birthday of note is that of former show-runner Steven Moffat. After writing a number of highly regarded, award-winning, stories during RTD's tenure (including the creation of the Weeping Angels, who are back later this week), Moffat took over the running of the show in 2010 with Series 5, and new Doctor Matt Smith. Moffat remained in charge through the 50th Anniversary in 2013, and the regeneration of the Doctor into Peter Capaldi. He departed the role after Series 10 and the 2017 Christmas Special - Twice Upon A Time. Moffat has long been associated with Mark Gatiss as a co-writer. Gatiss wrote a number of stories for Moffat, and acted in the show twice during his tenure, and outside Doctor Who they collaborated in the Sherlock series, and a new adaptation of Dracula.
On this day in 1924 William Russell who played first doctor companion Ian Chesterton was born.
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