NINTH DOCTOR
CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON — 2005
After a break of 15 years, Doctor Who returned to full production on BBC, 9 years after its last small-screen appearance (the McGann movie in 1996).
The announcement that the series was being renewed came on September 24, 2003, just a few months before the show's 40th Anniversary, when all things Who were very high profile. The announcement could not have been a bigger bombshell, and the story was covered by press all over the world
The casting news of Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper also met with a great deal of press frenzy.
The big story, though, was the Daleks. First, it was said that the Daleks would be appearing in the new series. Then, that was withdrawn as negotiations with the Terry Nation estate had fallen through and an acceptable deal had failed to materialize. Then, in a surprise move, the Nation folks relented and granted permission for the Daleks' use.
The BBC laid promotion for the series on pretty heavily in the 2 weeks prior to its debut, and it paid off: "Rose", the first episode, raked in 10.8 million viewers, soundly beating its ITV competition.
A second year was already in the planning stage before the BBC announced, just 4 days after the stellar performance of "Rose", that it was granting the go-ahead for a second season.
But the excitement of that news was dampened on the same day by the surprise announcement that Christopher Eccleston was leaving the program after only 1 season.
This caused quite an uproar in the press and amongst fans, and a backlash against Eccleston. In addition, press reports have been very contradictory on whether the one-season deal was planned all along or whether Eccleston was leaving the Beeb hanging in an unexpected walk-out. In interviews, executive producer Russell T. Davies has gone on record as saying that Chris leaving after only one season, with the final episode of the year all along titled "The Parting of the Ways", was always part of the plan. The Beeb has since publicly admitted mishandling the Eccelston situation.
The series proved to be a huge hit with British audiences. While the series suffered from the inevitable slump in ratings as it entered the summer months (all shows and networks are victims of the same phenomenon), the show maintained its audience percentage, which is the far more important figure. Throughout the 13-episode run, the show drew an average of 40% of the viewing audience for its timeslot, and was often the most watched show of the day and sometimes even the week.
This first season of the new series was a very good one for monsters. In addition to the much publicized return of the Daleks and the Autons, viewers were also introduced to the Mighty Jagrafess of the Holy Hadrojassic Maxarodenfoe, the Moxx of Balhoun, the Tree People from the Forest of Cheem, the dragon-like Reavers, the gaseous Gelth, the Face of Boe, the Empty Child and the Slitheen family from Raxicoricophalipatorious! In fact, the new series had its first major hit with the Empty Child, which is currently leading the pack in a "Vote for your Favourite DW Monster" poll, even ahead of the Daleks!
We were also introduced to two new companions: The Doctor and Rose met Adam in "Dalek", but he was sent packing at the end of the following episode, "The Long Game". Two weeks later, Rose fell into the arms of Captain Jack Harkness, an ex-Time Agent who has had the last 2 years of his memory wiped clean by the Time Agency, leaving him something of a freelancer. Jack appeared in the final 5 episodes and will reunite with the Doctor and Rose in Season Two.
With a budget in the neighborhood of 1 million pounds per episode, the production values were extremely high, with special effects (digital and live), costuming and makeup some of the best work ever seen on British television.
| Season | Story Title | # of Eps | Companions | Avg Rating | Main Threat |
| 1 (27) | "Rose" | 1 | Rose | 10.8 mil | Autons |
| 1 (27) | "The End of the World" | 1 | Rose | 7.97 mil | |
| 1 (27) | "The Unquiet Dead" | 1 | Rose | 8.9 mil | the Gelth |
| 1 (27) | "Aliens of London" |
1 | Rose | 7.63 mil | The Slitheen |
| 1 (27) | "World War III" (pt 2 of 2) |
1 | Rose | 7.98 mil | The Slitheen |
| 1 (27) | "Dalek" | 1 | Rose, Adam | 8.63 mil | Dalek |
| 1 (27) | "The Long Game" | 1 | Rose, Adam | 7.5 mil | The Editor / The Jagrofess |
| 1 (27) | "Father's Day" | 1 | Rose | 8.06 mil | The Reapers |
| 1 (27) | "The Empty Child" (pt 1 of 2) |
1 | Rose, Captain Jack | 7.11 mil | |
| 1 (27) | "The Doctor Dances" (pt 2 of 2) | 1 | Rose, Captain Jack | 6.3 mil* | |
| 1 (27) | "Boom Town" | 1 | Rose, Captain Jack | 7.68 | The Slitheen |
| 1 (27) | "Bad Wolf" (pt 1 of 2) | 1 | Rose, Captain Jack | 6.81 mil |
|
| 1 (27) | "Parting of the Ways" (pt 2 of 2) |
1 | Rose, Captain Jack | 6.7 mil | Dalek Invasion Fleet |
Recommended Viewing:
Listed below are some of the standout stories from the Ninth Doctor era, hand selected by members of the Atlanta Gallifreyans. The titles are listed in order of most votes.
"Dalek" (2005)
Starring Christopher Eccleston (the Doctor), Billie Piper (Rose Tyler)
A wealthy enterpreneur has a secret underground bunker in which he has collected a museum of alien artifacts found on Earth. The Tardis materialises inside and after being captured by the security guards at the site, the Doctor is shown the one living exhibit in the museum—on of his arch-enemies, the Daleks.
Comments:
"Some of the best writing in the series. The Doctor meets his match in the verbal sparring with the Dalek." ~Roger
"Unfortunately, only one season to work with here. I'd have to go with "Dalek"—you see the Doc's inner guilt, his darker side, and a great introduction of the new, improved, ass-whooping Daleks. The look on his face as he first encounters the Dalek is absolutely priceless." ~Adam
"A really dark tale, where you learn that the Doctor was not the only survivor of the Time War. The special effects team make the Daleks do all the things that you always new they could do but never saw on screen. A wholey new spin on the Daleks. Amazing." ~Alan
***
"The Empty Child" (2005)
Starring Christopher Eccleston (the Doctor), Billie Piper (Rose Tyler), John Barrowman (Captain Jack Harkness)
While travelling in time, the Tardis detects an emergency capsule travelling through time and gives chase. The pod eventually lands in wartime London, where the Doctor and Rose rapidly discover something strange going on. In particular a small boy with a gas mask on who seems to be chasing a young woman and a bunch of street urchins. Cornered by a number of zombie like annimated bodies in an old hospital in wartime London, with a fellow time traveller called Captain Jack, the Doctor and Rose attempt to escape and find the secret behind the plague that seems to be creating the zombies.
Comments:
"Beautifully told, atmospheric, and Christopher Eccleston is in full command of the role." ~Susan F.
"An extraordinary story with a beautiful ending. Terrific dialogue, a strong supporting actress, and the introduction of Capt. Jack!" ~Alan
"Sheer perfection! Every time I watch this it makes me wish Chris Eccleston was still playing the Doctor; he's brilliant." ~Chad
***
"The Unquiet Dead" (2005)
Starring Christopher Eccleston (the Doctor), Billie Piper (Rose Tyler)
Travelling back in time to see Charles Dickens in the theatre, Rose and the Doctor witness a ghostly apparition and their investigation leads to a undertaker's office where the dead keep getting out of their coffins.
Comments:
"This was the third episode of the new series, and it was the first one that really felt like Classic Who. Great performances, especially by Simon Callow as Dickens." ~Alan
***
"Father's Day" (2005)
Starring Christopher Eccleston (the Doctor), Billie Piper (Rose Tyler)
The Doctor asks Rose where she would most like to go in time and space and she decides she'd like to see the moment her father was killed in a car accident. She decides to intervene and in the process changes her own history with dire consequences.
Comments:
"Even though I'm not a fan of Exploring the Companion's Life, I was really impressed with "Father's Day." That and "Dalek" were most interesting and well-done in my view." ~Brian
To add your comments to the titles above, or to recommend an additional title, please email me. Thanks!
Celebrity Reviews:
Sylvester McCoy:
"Overall I was left feeling very positive about the new series. It had a great pace, it moved really quickly and was witty. Before I saw the episode I didn't think I would catch the new series, as I am working in the theatre all the time and watching television can be difficult. But I have been captivated by both the new Doctor and his assistant, Rose. I want to learn more about them as the series progresses."
Colin Baker:
[March 30:] "Christopher Eccleston is absolutely spot on. He has just the right mix of humour, passion, quirkiness and single-mindedness to provide the dynamo that is necessary at the centre of the programme. Billie Piper too is an unexpected revelation and has made the perfect start. And the writing, special effects, filmic style and "look" have been pitched at precisely the right level. All of which has contributed to a whole fresh and inspiring feel to the programme. A new audience could not fail to be gripped and I believe that a significant portion of the old loyal diehards will find enough that is familiar to be carried along for the ride, with a smile. The Doctor is back with a vengeance."
[April 28:] "I've never seen Billie Piper act, and shared the expectation that many people had that this was a pop star moving into acting, but I couldn't be more wrong...she's the definitive companion, she's very very good. I mean its all very good, I can't fault it."
Maureen O'Brien:
"I really liked it. They really have something going for them and the casting is perfect. Christopher Eccleston reminds me so much of William Hartnell. All of the other doctors had something of a silly quality about them that seemed to lessen the show somehow but, like Bill, Christopher is a really frightening, dangerous Dr Who. Slightly off-the-wall. And I think the reason why Billie Piper goes off with him is great. I used to try and make my character, Vicky, a proper character but I don't think the 1960s were quite ready for that."
Barry Letts:
"I was desperate for it to work and it has. Russell T Davies said what he was doing was carrying on the torch from our time. He's a big fan. It's a relay race, you stagger on for so many years, then pass the baton on when you're exhausted. They've managed to give a few nods to the past, which the old Doctor Who fans will appreciate, without making it confusing for anybody coming to it fresh. They've done a brilliant job of updating it."
Terrence Dicks:
"I'm so pleased. The last Who, I hated it. It was aimed at the mid-Atlantic; I've always said it should be made in England. They've kept the feeling of the show. I think Christopher Eccleston is very good. There's a gap in the market for something both good and popular. There's stuff that's critically acclaimed and stuff that's popular, like reality TV. But this does both."
