JournalofImpossibleThings

Flatline by Jamie Mathieson (2014)

You are monsters. That is the role you seem determined to play. So, it seems I must play mine. I came into the re-watch of this story with a slight misconception. I had always assumed that the pitch went like this. What if figures from Banksy’s street art came to life and started killing peopleContinue reading “Flatline by Jamie Mathieson (2014)”

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland -a tribute to Deborah Watling

The following article was written in July 2017 just after I heard the news that Deborah Watling had died. This was my tribute to her. I am going to talk about a few specific scenes from 1960’s Doctor Who. It is to remember Deborah Watling and the companion she played – Victoria Waterfield. I haveContinue reading “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland -a tribute to Deborah Watling”

Quatermass II by Nigel Kneale (1955)

Subjection to the intention of the thing is widespread… ‘Quatermass II is the second in the original trilogy of Nigel Kneale Quatermass stories. It picks up the story two years after the original. Like it’s predecessor, ‘The Quatermasss Experiment‘, whilst a hugely important cultural artefact in it’s own right, it is also hugely influential, particularlyContinue reading “Quatermass II by Nigel Kneale (1955)”

Mummy on the Orient Express by Jamie Mathieson (2014)

There were many trains to take the name Orient Express, but only one in space. Completely faithful recreation of the original Orient Express. Except slightly bigger. And in space. Oh, and the rails are actually hyperspace ribbons. But in every other respect, identical. Painstaking attention to detail. A mini-break for two… There’s a body andContinue reading “Mummy on the Orient Express by Jamie Mathieson (2014)”

Listen by Steven Moffat (2014)

Question. Why do we talk out loud when we know we’re alone? Conjecture. Because we know we’re not It could be with us every second and we would never know. How would you detect it, even sense it, except in those moments when, for no clear reason you choose to speak aloud? What would suchContinue reading “Listen by Steven Moffat (2014)”

Father’s Day by Paul Cornell (2005)

Peter Alan Tyler my dad. The most wonderful man in the world. Born 15th September 1954. It is 2005, ‘Doctor Who has been off screen, barring the 1996 TV Movie and a few repeats for 15 years. A generation had grown up without knowing what a TARDIS or Daleks were and the British TV schedulesContinue reading “Father’s Day by Paul Cornell (2005)”

The Next Doctor by Russell T Davies (2008)

I’m the Doctor. Simply, the Doctor. The one, the only and the best. If you could stand back, sir. This is a job for a Time Lord. ‘The Next Doctor’ – the one with the rubbish, shaggy Cyber Shades and that nonsensical giant Cyberman at the end, isn’t it? Well, there is a lot moreContinue reading “The Next Doctor by Russell T Davies (2008)”

Never cruel or cowardly

A tribute to Terrance Dicks (first posted in the aftermath of his death in 2019) When I first met Terrance Dicks at a convention in the early 80’s, I was still a child really and I was meeting the man who had written the first book I ever bought. My first real encounter with himContinue reading “Never cruel or cowardly”

Doctor Who and The Web of Fear by Terrance Dicks Target Novelisation (1976)

‘Forty years the Yeti had been quiet – Collector’s item in a museum. Then without warning it awoke – and savagely murdered. At about the same time patches of mist began to appear in Central London. People who lingered anytime in the mist were found dead, their faces smothered in cobwebs. The cobweb seeped down,Continue reading “Doctor Who and The Web of Fear by Terrance Dicks Target Novelisation (1976)”

The Five Doctors (Target Novelisation) by Terrance Dicks (1983)

Ahead of time… It is Saturday November 19th 1983. “Doctor Who’ isn’t on TV, it isn’t the 20th anniversary yet, Longleat has long been and gone, all should be quiet. So, why is a 14 year old me standing excited beyond belief in a bookshop in Liverpool? To answer that question, I’ll ask you aContinue reading “The Five Doctors (Target Novelisation) by Terrance Dicks (1983)”