Monday, 6 December 2021

On This Day... 6th December


For some people, Doctor Who ended today in 1989. Part Three of Survival was broadcast that evening, which brought the "Classic Era" of the series to an end. 1996 saw the false dawn of a failed continuation attempt, and we had to wait until March 2005 for the series to successfully return. There were those at the time, however, who refused to accept this new series as a continuation - some even going so far as to claim they weren't going to watch it. You'll find Facebook groups which refuse to touch "Nu-Who".
Back in 1975, we also had the third episode of The Android Invasion.
In 1980 State of Decay also reached its third instalment, whereas 1986 saw the conclusion of the longest ever Doctor Who story - Trial of a Time Lord
The fourteenth episode, the second half of The Ultimate Foe, was shown on this date. It was the longest ever story when publicised by its producer at the time, but was considered as four separate stories when he wanted Dragonfire to be the 150th story.
The original Part Fourteen had been written by Eric Saward, based on notes and discussions he had had with the late Robert Holmes. When the working relationship between Saward and JNT finally collapsed - mainly due to the ending of this episode - Saward withdrew permission to use it, forcing JNT to approach Pip & Jane Baker to come up with a hurried replacement.

Today's birthday of note is that of Noel Clarke, who played Mickey Smith - the first TV companion from a minority ethnic background. (Both the Third and Fourth Doctors had BAME companions in comic strips). Unfortunately for Clarke, he's persona non grata at the moment, thanks to allegations of bullying and misogyny, so he's probably not enjoying his 46th birthday quite as much as he did his 45th.

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