About Time 8
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About Time 8 was the eighth volume in the About Time series of Doctor Who reference books. It covered series 3 of the televised series, from The Runaway Bride to Voyage of the Damned, as well as The Infinite Quest.
Publisher's summary
In About Time, the whole of classic Doctor Who is examined through the lens of the real-world social and political changes — as well as ongoing developments in television production — that influenced the series in ways big and small over the course of a generation. Armed with these guidebooks, readers will be able to cast their minds back to 1975, 1982, 2005 and other years to best appreciate the series' content and character.
Volume 8 of this series focuses on series 3 (2007) of the revamped Doctor Who starring David Tennant, as well as the Christmas special Voyage of the Damned and the animated story The Infinite Quest. Essays in this volume include: "Why Weren't We Bovvered?", "How Messed-Up Can Narrative Get?", "Which are the Most Over-Specialised Daleks?", and "Is Kylie from Planet Zog?"
Subject matter
to be added
Contents
- Each story is broken down into many segments, including:
- Section 1
- Which One Is This? (very brief introduction, as the writers eschewed dense plot summaries)
- Firsts and Lasts
- Watch Out For...
- Continuity
- The Doctor, The TARDIS, The Time Lords, The Supporting Cast, The Supporting Cast (Evil), Planet Notes, The Non-Humans
- History / Planet Notes
- Dating
- The Time War
- Additional Sources (for information provided only in DVD extras or spin-off series), a Catchphrase Counter and lists of any Deus ex Machina
- Analysis
- The Big Picture
- English Lessons (/Welsh Lessons)
- Oh, Isn't That...?
- Things That Don't Make Sense
- Critique
- The Facts (cast, dates and ratings, translations, edits)
- Production (behind-the-scenes notes)
- Section 1
Essays
Most serials are accompanied by an essay, and the essays cover a very broad range of topics.
Essays in this volume include:
- Why Weren't We Bovvered?
- Why Does Everyone Forget About the Aliens?
- Why Does Britain's History Look So Different These Days?
- Must They All Be Old-Fashioned Cats?
- What Were the Best Online Extras?
- Who are You Calling Monsters?
- How Long Should an Episode Be?
- Why Would an Alien Love Cricket?
- How Many Times has This Story Happened?
- How Messed Up Can Narrative Get?
- Why Hide Here?
- How Come Britain's Got a President and America Doesn't?
- Martha - What Went Wrong?
- Why Not Mention the War?
- Is Kylie from Planet Zog?
- Is Animation the Way Forward?
Notes
- The cover was designed by artist Jim Calafiore, and is his representation of Gridlock.
- Cover colours were by Richard Martinez, and the jacket and interior design was by Christa Dickson.
External links
- Official About Time 8 page at Mad Norwegian Press
