Blackadder to Make an Appearance in Series 5 of Doctor Who?

The Sun broke the story today that Richard Curtis, the creator of British comedies Blackadder, The Vicar of Dibley and Comic Relief is set to write a new episode of Doctor Who starring Matt Smith.

About the Doctor Who episode, Curtis teased that:

"There will be a monster. And a famous historical figure will battle the monster."

The rumours flying around are that the famous historical figure making its Doctor Who appearance could be Sir Edmund Blackadder – a character played by Rowan Atkinson - that appeared in four series (one for each time period: Middle-Ages, Elizabethan Era, Regency and WWI). The series ended about 20 years ago.

Whether or not this will happen is still a matter of conjecture. Moreover, if the character does make an appearance, the question remains which of the incarnations will be used, or will we get a brand new Sir Edmund Blackadder? Since only real historical characters have appeared in Doctor Who, this bit should be taken with a grain of salt.

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Doctor Who 2010 Preview Clip Recording with Matt Smitt

This is a very funny animated video featuring the Eleventh Doctor with an appearance by the Tenth.

Enjoy!

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Nimoy Not Coming Back as Spock in the Star Trek Sequel

During this weekend's Dragon*Con, Leonard Nimoy has announced that he will not be reprising the role of the famous Vulcan for the Star Trek sequel which is still in the writing stage.

During the Panel, Nimoy said:

There are no plans for me to return for the second movie. I think the Spock character is very well established as portrayed by Zachary Quinto. And I think if you saw the movie Bill, you'd say the same of Chris Pine.

This is sad news but it doesn't mean that he could not appear in another sequel. However, it is certain that there will be no Spock Prime in the next Star Trek movie.

You can go HERE to view the story and videos of the Shatner/Nimoy panel taken at Dragon*Con

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Zachary Quinto's Hostage: A Love Story

Well, Zachary Quinto and his production company, Before the Door, have done it again.

After the wonderful ''Bordeaux,'' and the funny and weird ''Buddy ‘n’ Andy,'' Zach and Before the Door partners Corey Moosa and Neal Dodson have produced ''Hostage: A Love Story'' which must be one of the funniest things I have seen in a while.

The sketch made for Zachary Quinto’s Funny or Die Channel features the actor himself as a gunman who falls in love with his hostage. In an almost five minute sketch, we see windows in the life of this weird and dysfunctional couple, where Zach’s character holds a gun to the head of his beloved the entire time.

Although everyone is remarkable in their roles, the stand-out performance belongs to Zachary Quinto who plays the gunman with gusto and energy (the police was called in during the filming of the robbery scene because unsuspecting people thought there was a real gunman robbing the shop. It is a real testament to Quinto’s performance and the quality of this production, in my opinion). The actor shifts effortlessly on and off between the foul-mouthed gunman to the sweet and caring man who gets won over by his hostage.

Written by Holt Bailey and Brian Steele, ''Hostage: A Love Story'' also stars Roberta Valderamma in the role of the hostage and also features an appearance by Corey Moosa in the role of the bartender.

You can view the video HERE (Please note that there is some adult language and situations)

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Star Trek Back on IMAX for a Limited Time Only

This friday, IMAX will bring back Star Trek for a two-week special engagement in some selected cities. If you are one of the lucky ones (not in my city of Montreal unfortunately), I urge you to go and see it on the IMAX screen if you haven't done so yet. I can tell that that it's an incredible experience to be able to see the Enterprise on that giant screen. For those who have already seen it, why not go back to see it again?

You can click to the IMAX web site HERE to go and see if Star Trek will play in your city.

Trek Movie also has a list of the theatres currently showing the movie HERE

Returning Guest Characters for the End of David Tennant's Doctor

Picture 1: Bruno Langley as Adam Mitchell

Picture 2: Russell Tovey

Picture 3: Russell Tovey as Midshipman Frame

UPDATE September 4th 2009: I noticed today that the name of Bruno Langley was taken off the IMDB list. So it seems that Adam Mitchell wont appear for the finale after all.

Russell T. Davies is stopping at nothing for the two-part final story that will feature David Tennant's Time Lord. With the return of many fan favourites such as Captain Jack, Donna Noble and her grandfather Wilfred Mott, Rose and Jackie Tyler, Sarah Jane Smith and her adopted son Luke, the Master and his wife Lucy Saxon; one cannot help to stop and wonder if it can get any better. I discovered that it can.

As I browsed through IMDB Pro, two more character names caught my attention and one of them especially has me pretty much excited.

First listed as appearing in the very last episode (tentatively January 1st) is Bruno Langley who is back as Adam Mitchell, short time companion to the NINTH Doctor (the Christopher Eccleston Doctor) in the episodes Dalek and The Long Game. Adam Mitchell is the only former companion of the new Doctor Who era to not have been brought back during the Season 4 finale. Seems this will somehow be rectified (though his presence has me, and probably many others, simply mildly excited) in this final episode. It may be significant to remember that the Doctor left Adam back on Earth - with an implant in his head - because of his bad behavior. Kicked out of the Tardis he was!

However, the most exciting name for me is that of Rusell Tovey who is returning as Midshipman Alonso Frame in both parts of the finale. Tovey is now better known as werewolf George Sand in the delightful BBC series Being Human which recently ended it's first season run on BBC America. At one point, Tovey was even touted as possibly being in the run to be the next Doctor soon after Tennant announced his departure.

Midshipman Frame appeared only in the 2007 Christmas special, Voyage of the Damned, which also introduced us to Bernard Cribbins as the delightful Wilfred Mott, Donna's grandfather (though we did not know that yet at the time). In my opinion, these 2 characters were some of the best parts of this christmas special which also featured Kylie Minogue (who was not really good in my opinion). Midshipman Frame shone in that episode, although Tovey spent most of his time alone: he only met the Doctor towards the end of the special – but it was a memorable meeting, and my favourite dialogue snippet between them is this one:

Doctor: What's your first name?
Midshipman Frame: ''Alonso''
Doctor, looking stupefied: ''You're kidding me''
Midhipman Frame: ''Why?''
Doctor: ''That's something else I've always wanted to say. Allons-y, Alonso!''

Now, I don't know if Midshipman Frame and Adam Mitchell will appear in flashbacks (doubtful) or if they'll actually take an active part in the storyline; Like Mitchell, some of the other former companions appear only in the last episode of the two-parter – such as Sarah Jane and Rose. On the other hand, both Donna, Captain Jack, Wilf and Midshipman Frame are set to appear in both. We know that the dying Doctor will meet Rose at a time in her past just before she meets the Doctor in his Ninth incarnation.

The presence of all these companions (with the notable exception of Martha Jones and her family who are not coming back, I have to add) makes me wonder if the Doctor will be put through some sort of a trial or if he'll be going through time setting up things. It is clear other Time-Lords are involved and that we will see the Doctor's mother (played by Claire Bloom) in the two-parter as well.

However, these are all conjectures on my part. We'll probably get to know a bit more as the end draws near. Only a few months to go now!

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2009 Las Vegas Star Trek Convention: Trekkies!

No Star Trek Convention can be called a proper one without some people dressing up as their favourite Star Trek characters or wearing the uniform of their favourite Star Trek series. Not everyone dresses up at these conventions, but there are a fair amount of people who do. When you are there, however, it feels like nothing could be more natural and I absolutely loved it!

*please not that the ''Bunny Girl'' is not wearing a Star Trek costume but rather one of her own creation.

Newest Stargate Universe Trailer

This is the newest Stargate Universe trailer and is the version that was shown in US theatres.

You can also find a plethora of new pictures Here

Enjoy!

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The Return of Charlie on Heroes?: A Reflection

Nothing has been set in stone but it seems that actress Jayma Mays may be set to return to the role of Burnt Toast Diner waitress and Hiro love interest Charlie Andrews in season 4 of Heroes. We know that Hiro has a bucket list of things to do before he dies and saving Charlie (whom he had tried to save before) must be priority one on his list. But what will it mean for the show and for some characters?

First, if Hiro kills Sylar to save Charlie, it will not be permanent. Sylar is a main character and we know Zachary Quinto is contracted for more years so no permanent Sylar death. Yet. If that's the case, then ultimately something will re-set the past again and all of Hiro's efforts will be for nothing.

Also, if Hiro's saving of Charlie is permanent, then it will be done without killing Sylar. However, there is nothing that will guarantee us that she wont die another way. Remember that Charlie has a blood cloth in her brain and that she will most likely die from a brain aneurysm. Will Hiro have another plan to save Charlie?

I wouldn't mind seeing more of the character and the actress in season 4 since Charlie is a well-loved character. Plus the two actors, Masi Oka and Jayma Mays, have an incredible chemistry together. Only time will tell if her presence on the show will be long or short lived. As of now, it seems she may be on the show for 3 episodes. Ultimately, I really wonder if Hiro will indeed die this year. I do like this character and if that's the case I will miss him terribly. I really do wonder what the writers will have in store for us. Bring on season 4!

More Churchill and Dalek News for Doctor Who

After hearing Matt Smith's Doctor for the first time, now we have other snippets of dialogue, this time from a Dalek (voiced by Nicolas Briggs as usual) who asks ''would you care for some tea? This question is definitely un-Dalek like and has me much intrigued about the storyline.

As well, we have a few more informations about the characters that will appear in this episode. As previously mentioned, we have Winston Churchill, and a character called the Professor.

Life, Doctor Who and Combom has the exclusive by alun.vega:

As far as I can tell, the story so far is that Bill Patersons character is some kind of Professor, a boffin working for Churchill during WW2. He believes hes invented the Daleks as a new super-weapon, though hes a bit fuzzy on how the idea came to him. The Daleks are stringing the Professor along, playing docile and very British.

Dalek: Would you care for some tea?

Churchill doesn't care where the Professor's "ironclads" came from, only that they have the potential to defeat the Nazis and win the war.

Churchill: Death to our enemies, Death to the 3rd Reich!The Doctor: Yes, yes, and death to everyone else too.

The Doctor is trying to convince the Professor and Churchill not to unleash the Daleks, but they're not taking him seriously (possibly because he seems implausibly young?) hence his growing frustration and anger, as he turns on the playing-it-innocent Daleks:

The Doctor: I sent you back into the void. I saved the whole of reality from you. I am the Doctor, and you are the DALEKS!

The Professor (Bill Paterson) seems to warm to Amy, as they're both Scottish. I believe the Professor says: "Are you from the Islands?" Very sweet.

My reading of this line is, he seems not only to be trying to convince Churchill and the Professor of the Daleks true nature, but also reminding himself of who he is: the Doctor!

Amy Pond is definitely 100% Scottish. She has a soft accent, so her voice didn't carry far, making it hard to hear anything she said.

We glimpsed someone looking very Churchillian from the side, yesterday lunchtime, but didn't recognise the actor

At one point, the professor talks about the Daleks being his ''Ironsides'' (probably meaning a form of weapon against the Nazis.) As well, he claims to have created the Daleks, and these ones answer back that THEY created him.

To hear the many awesome bits of audio recordings and more of Alun.vega's pics go Here

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2009 Star Trek Convention: Saturday Night Gala

Picture 1: Robert Picardo belting it out for the crowd

Picture 2 and 3: Tim Russ with his electric guitar, accompanied by a piano man

Picture 4: Jacqueline Kim getting ready for her performance

Picture 5: Brent Spiner entertaining a raptured audience

Picture 6: The Enterprise Blues Band at the Dessert Party

On the Saturday night of the Star Trek Convention, I attended the gala presentation where four beloved actors were scheduled to perform.

Opening the evening and in great form, was Robert Picardo, all dressed to the nine – minus the tie. Accompanied by the orchestra, and to a thunderous round of applause, Mr. Picardo entertained the attending crowd with four musical renditions of various love songs.

He was then followed by Tim Russ who accompanied himself with his electric guitar (and by a piano player as well) and blew us away with his raw musical style.

Third up was the lovely Jacqueline Kim who was there for the first time. Playing acoustic guitar, and visibly nervous, Miss Kim charmed many in the audience with her soft voice. I was delighted to hear her sing a song in french, my own native tongue.

Last, but not least, was Brent Spiner, accompanied by his orchestra. The highlight of the gala, it was Mr. Spiner's first time singing during a Star Trek Convention. He closed the evening with 6 songs, and managed to make us laugh – while at the same time showing his showmanship – by admitting he had missed a few of his lines. The audience was laughing and was completely under his spell.

At the end, there was a much deserved standing ovation from the crowd.

The gala was then followed by a dessert party (mainly ice cream and many toppings, no cakes – shame on you Creation, I feel you're going cheap on us). We were again entertained by Star Trek actors, namely from the Enterprise Blues Band. On certain tables, throned centerpieces made by convention-goers themselves.

All in all, I thought it was a better evening than the previous Thursday Night Gold Party. My recommendations to Creation though, stop going cheap on your guests with the food. Nuff said.

Hear the Eleventh Doctor Speak!

Well, this is one fantastic piece of news! We get to hear Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor speak for the first time!

It was recorded today (august 28th), in Jacobs Antiques Center in Cardiff, by alun.vega who says ''

''I wasn't bugging them! I was simply standing in the stairwell above where they were recording. There is a open (caged) lift shaft - seen in Love & Monsters - and the sound carried upwards when the actors shouted, as Matt did here.''

On the recording, the Doctor says:

''I send you back into the void. I saved the whole of reality from you. I am the Doctor, and you are the DALEKS''

You can hear the fantastic recording HERE!

I had to listen to it a few times. I find the way he calls the Daleks a bit weird, like he's saying Da -aah -leks. Perhaps this scene was re-shot a few times, and I suppose it needs to be heard and seen in context to make sense of the way he says the word.

In further news, it seems that Winston Churchill may finally make his appearance (it's been talked about for ages, and I know that the book writers were forbidden to use the character, meaning the show had plans to use Churchill) in the WWII-Daleks episode. Life, Doctor Who and Combom has received a scoop from both alun.vega and Scooty. Go here for the story. Remember, nothing is confirmed yet!

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The Daleks Are Back on Doctor Who?

Picture 1: The RTD Era Daleks

Picture 2 by Scooty: You can make out the top of the Dalek's head

Picture 3 by Scooty: Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor

The always excellent Life, Doctor Who and Combom reports some filming on season 5 of Doctor Who and says that we will be seeing the Doctor's oldest and most resilient ennemies: The Daleks.

From the recent pictures taken by Scooty (which you can see here), we can make out the top of a Dalek's head. You can also see Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor and actors dressed as soldiers from WWII. Filming is currently taking place at the Glamorgan Building at Cardiff University.

These pictures support earlier reports I have read about filming in an underground WWII bunker in Swansea, Wales. These reports can be found here with pics here.

I myself I'm very much excited about the return of the Daleks though many people have complained that they have been overutilised during Russel T. Davies' run of the series. In a way, I find that it links the series together, even though Steven Moffatt now runs the show. I would have feared a complete deconnection from what has been done before just because there is a new man at the helm and a completely whole new cast.

My Top Ten Data Episodes

Lieutenant Commander Data is arguably one of the most popular characters of the Star Trek universe and one of my own personal favourites. After finishing my TNG marathon viewing this winter, I wrote down a list of favourite episodes that have Data as the main protagonist. For you, dear readers, I decided to chose which ones, in my humble opinion, are the 10 best of the bunch. The choice was based on whether the episode brings character development or because it is simply fantastic. It was a difficult list to come up with because there are more than 10 episodes where the android shines. In chronological order they are:

1- The Measure of A Man (2x09): One of the greatest Data episodes as well as one of the best of Star Trek. It dealt with Data’s rights as a sentient being and whether or not he was the property of Starfleet. This episode will have repercussions on a further TNG episode titled The Offspring and on a Voyager episode called Author, Author

2- The Ensigns of Command (3x02): Data alone must convince a colony of 15, 000 people to evacuate a planet within three days before the planet's alien owners - the Sheliak Corporate - arrive and wipe the colony. The episode provides a further step in the android’s development as Data must use all his skills to convince people to trust and follow him. He will later get the chance to show his commanding skills in Redemption Part II

3- The Offspring (3x16): In this episode, Data’s rights as a father are challenged when Starfleet wants to take possession of a female android he has created, a ''daughter,'' named Lal (meaning Beloved in hindi). It is both funny and poignant as Data deals, in one scene, with his daughter’s flirtation with Commander Riker, and later with her untimely death when she exceeds her own programming and develops emotions causing damage to her system. An emotionless Data can only stand by and watch. This episode is a true testament to Brent Spiner's magnificent performance as Data who makes us, the viewers, feel for him.

4- The Most Toys (3x22): Data is kidnapped by a trader named Kivas Fajo who wants to add the android to his collection of unique and valuable items. Fajo’s subsequent murderous action, in order to keep Data, brings the android himself to the brink of murder - despite his directive against killing for no reason.

5- Brothers (4x03): Data endangers a mission when he is summoned by his creator, Dr. Noonien Soong. This episode is a real Tour de Force by Brent Spiner who plays the multiple roles of Data, his brother Lore and his creator Dr. Soong. We also first hear of the emotion chip in this episode.

6- Data’s Day (4x11): This fun and light episode shows 24 hours in the life of the android recorded for Commander Bruce Maddox, the man who previously challenged Data’s rights in Measure of a Man. Data tries to understand human behavior as his friend Keiko Ishikawa decides to cancel her wedding to Lieutenant O'Brien in a case of cold feet. The android also learns to dance for the wedding and acts as Father of the Bride.

7- Birthright, Part 1 (6x16): The main protagonist of the story is Worf but equally important is Data’s story because in this episode, the android gains the ability to dream. In Data's dreams, we also see a young Dr. Soong.

8- Descent, Part 1 and 2 (6x26, 7x01) Data gets manipulated by his brother Lore and the Borgs. In this episode, Data gains the capacity for emotions, albeit only violent ones. In the end, he chooses to have the emotion chip removed, wants to destroy it but keeps it, on his friend Geordie LaForge's entreaties.

9- Phantasms (7x06): Data begins to have nightmares because of interphasic parasites. This episode features some disturbing images of Data cutting a Counsellor Troi cake and stabbing her. He even visits a holographic Sigmund Freud to help him understand his nightmares.

10- Inheritance (7x10): Data discovers that his previously unknown ''mother,'' Doctor Juliana Tainer, is in reality another android and that she is completely oblivious to that fact. It is also discovered that androids can age due to an ''aging'' chip or program (surely to account for the fact that actor Brent Spiner was getting older in appearance whereas an android should remain eternally young).

Special love mentions go to: Deja Q (3x13) in which Data helps a temporarily human Q who has seeked asylum on the Enterprise. At the end of the episode the android is recompensed with a one time gift of sudden laughter; In Theory (4x25) in which Data gets a girlfriend - it's really a sweet story; and Time's Arrow parts 1 and 2 (5x26 and 6x01), a story that has Data stuck in 19th century San Francisco and aware of his possible upcoming ''death,'' after his severed head is found in an archaeological dig in the 24th century.

Doctor Who New Tardis Interior Revealed?

Matt Smith and Karen Gillan in front of the re-designed Tardis Exterior. New interior coming soon.

There's a description of the interior of the new Tardis on the Digital Spy Forum from someone who claims he has visited the new set and has taken pictures. These pictures have not yet appeared on the net but as soon as I find them, I will post them.

In the meanwhile, nothing is confirmed yet, so please take this news with a grain of salt.

Here is the description:

The set is on 2 levels, joined by a spiral staircase, but is not as big as I'd thought. It's apparently finished though sections of it seem to be missing at present. We saw the console room, a lab area, a sort of sitting room area, a fairly long section of corridor leading nowhere and numerous other little nooks and crannies. The console room reminds me of a new and shiny version of the old one, except the roundels are very simple and basic looking, simply spherical dents in the walls.

These new style roundels are featured throughout the whole set, though not on every wall. Back to the console room - mainly golds and silvers and the coral theme has been replaced with a smooth marble like finish. Also the room is not circular, it's a kind of hexagon-joined-to-a-square shape, the hexagon bit containing the console, which to me looked like the same console they've used throughout the series except with new buttons and blinky lights, though apparently it's entirely new. Your beloved hatstand was still there but no sign of the interior doors, also there was no ceiling to the set - could be that these bits are meant to be there but were missing from the set for some reason I suppose.

Apparently the whole set has been designed in a modular way, so things can be moved and double as other parts of the ship. The roundels are different colours in each area, gold for the console room, silver/grey/blue in the lab, brown in the sitting room. The roundels can be removed/swapped out or even turned around completely to be convex rather than concave, in order to become a different area

If this is real, then it will be very exciting to finally see more of the Tardis than what was previously shown (which was just the main console area and the wardrobe section). We know from the older series that the Tardis is huge and that it has many more rooms.

So there you have it. What do you think?

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