EYE OF HORUS - The independent DOCTOR WHO resource - link to front page
Link to EYE OF HORUS HOME Link to DOCTOR WHO NEW SERIES 7 Link to DOCTOR WHO CLASSIC SERIES Link to DOCTOR WHO NEWS Link to EXCLUSIVE COMPETITIONS + EDITORIAL FEATURES Link to REVIEWS - DVD + AUDIO + PRINT Link to AMAZON.CO.UK - DOCTOR WHO official store Link to SEARCH within eyeofhorus.org.uk
DOCTOR WHO SERIES ONE
SERIES ONE HOME - ABOUT THE SHOW
EPISODE GUIDE
DOCTOR WHO CONFIDENTIAL
PROMOTIONAL TV TRAILERS
CAST BIOGRAPHIES
MARCH-JUNE 2005
(aka DOCTOR WHO SEASON 27)
EPISODE GUIDE
SERIES 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2009/10 SPECIALS
SERIES 5 | 6 | 7 | 2013 SPECIALS
The Mighty Jagrafess of the Holy Hadrojassic Maxarodenfoe - The Editor-in-chief is revealed
07 - THE LONG GAME (Episode photos below)
 
"...how can you walk through the world
and not leave a single footprint..."

PLOTLINE

The TARDIS materialises in the year 200,000, on Satellite Five, a huge satellite broadcasting system that transmits news to a million households through out the Human Empire.

However, the Doctor soon discovers that something sinister is going on in the television agency...

EPISODE SEVEN REVIEW Spoilers ahead

THE LONG GAME?

Fascinating episode title.

Part of a 'long con'? Someone manipulating unsuspecting players unknowing that they are part of a fictional game? The Doctor's game of travelling through time and space?

Could be anything, go anywhere and involve anyone, and the episode does not disappoint as it has a beginning, a middle and a satisfying (and tantalising if you pin back your lugholes for the clues and hints at what is come.) end.

In effect, this was a traditional CLASSIC SERIES plot. A view of the human race that has developed to it full potential only to become reliant on a external source which is acting for its own benefit rather than the good of the whole. Earth unwittingly becoming enslaved or pawns within a greater sphere of influence. Alien influence with a human henchman. It could quite easily be an episode of THE TOMORROW'S PEOPLE.

But would such a 1980s story fit into the 2000s NEW SERIES?

Yes, however , yet another Earth-based story is wearing a bit thin. Travels in time and space means that the TARDIS can go 'infinite-where' - alien worlds, inter-spaces between time, etc. It is seemingly easy to 'do' Earth but the NEW SERIES needs to expand its perspective.

Satellite 5 is home to the news (arrogantly, Satellite is regarded as 'the news' by its news journalists), broadcasting 600 channels to the Fourth Great and Bountiful Human Empire ("five moons, mega cities, 96 billion population. A hub of a galactic domain with mankind at it middle", as the Doctor labels it) but, as the Doctor surmises, the technology and scope of influence does not correspond with his expectations of the timeline.

DOCTOR WHO: This technology is wrong.
ROSE: Trouble?
DOCTOR WHO: (with relish) Oh, Yeah.

And that's the story arc of THE LONG GAME; discover who is in control and put them out of action.

Add to the mix the mystery of what actually happens on Floor 500, the off-the-cuff comments about central heating plumbing issues, a terrorist disguised as an unassuming journalist and an errant TARDIS traveller who is out for personal gain (one that makes Adric look like a saint).

With a few exceptions, DOCTOR WHO has never been very good (I hesitate to use the word 'realistic') at representing a vision of the future. Well, it's impossible, isn't it? But STAR TREK's (post-the original series) vision seems to sit comfortably with our own hopes and fears of the distant future. Clean lines, organised, informational, subtle, and highly electronic. DOCTOR WHO's vision of year 200,000 is recycled, grime-coated, still materialistic and de-progressive.

The set design is uninspiring, and looks like a warehouse in Newport on a budget of an end of term school play. Unfortunately, from wobbly sets to weak sets. End of term report? Could do better.

However, the computer generated environments, created by MillTV, are constantly exceptional but will only be tested as we encounter alien cultures and architecture. The solidity of the structures and encompassing 'space' give weight to this NEW SERIES.

However, whilst the characterisation of the Doctor and Rose are similarly 'weighty', supporting characters are tortuously flat - bones yet no flesh. Surprisingly so as Russell T Davies frequently preaches that 'character' must have a strong back-story or motivation for them to be part of the story. Suki is an exception but as soon as we learn her 'secret' she is taken out of the equation. Cathica is simply a journalist. The Editor could have double-crossing his 'master' but he wasn't; basically, a minion of an alien power motivated by money.

But remember that this is CLASSIC SERIES within the NEW SERIES, and all is well.

THE LONG GAME is a two-level contemporary parable that is realised with every new JAMES BOND film (in particularly in the 1997, TOMORROW NEVER DIES). Be careful not to accept everything you have been told, and be careful not to want for more you can rightly have.

For 90 years, planet Earth hangs like a celestial couch potato force-fed with dribble, dross and MINE ALL MINE, whilst Adam Mitchell succumbs to greed for hindsight forethought only to be gorged by technology he sought. The DOCTOR WHO universe is cruel, at times.

Leaving aside the Jagrafess, the other misguided creature is the Editor (played by the talented and bleached-out Simon Pegg). Employed by a consortium of banks (ah, Morgus would be so pleased) that finances Satellite 5 to manipulate mankind (through changes in nuances of inflection or emphasis within the news-output) and retaining subservience & promoting fear.

Simon Pegg is charmingly and calculating mischievous with an edge of dispossession, and handed, by RTD, on a platter rich and witty dialogue that, in the hand of another less professional actor, could have been overly played for laughs. Played straight, the arrogance and ambition of the character draws in the viewer who relish the quick-fire verbal exchange between him and the Doctor. His demise, whilst justly deserved, is unfortunate for he would have made a interesting 'foe' for future episodes - unless the Editor was part of a 'cloned' race of Coordinators.

The Adam Mitchell story-arc was, thankfully, short and resolved within two episodes. Employed to divert the story to a sub-plot away from the Doctor and Rose (and giving the lead actors a breather from the pressures of a hectic filming schedule. In the CLASSIC SERIES, it would like writing the Doctor out of a story for an episode whilst the actor took a vacation). Adam is seen to greedy acting upon his own wants with little regard for the consequences (".be careful not to want for more you can rightly have.") for either himself, others or time itself. Would the Doctor act so quick to ditch Rose should she do the same in coming episodes? I doubt it.

Eccleston grows into the role, intermixing that comic charm so well employed by Patrick Troughton's Second Doctor persona and the "you know that he knows more than he's letting on" look so well employed by William Hartnell's First Doctor persona. This ninth incarnation keeps the audience second guessing; does the Doctor like this person or loathe him? Does the Doctor know what is going on or is he just impulsive? The side glances are just as telling as the full-on reproaches or berating his issues forth.

Truly a magnificent actor playing the most rewarding television character ever written?

And he's leaving at the end of this series.

THE LONG GAME, as I said, is well-rounded and satisfyingly resolves itself.

DOCTOR WHO: The human race should accelerate and get back to normal.

However, after such a reliance upon 600 channels of news and information that is instantly terminated, can the planet come full circle and become, once again, self aware?

Things will never be the same again.

Oh, did I mention the rewarding tracking shot as the TARDIS materialises? fantastic.

 

Things to look out for...

DOCTOR WHO FOLKLORE Pending

DOCTOR WHO FOLKLORE Pending

CONTINUTY We're still checking.

 
Satellite 5 - An orbiting facility broadcasting news to the Empire
The Editor played by Simon Pegg
Adam and his...frozen discharge of...well,...sick The Mighty Jagrafess of the Holy Hadrojassic Maxarodenfoe - The Editor-in-chief is revealed. Described by the writer as
The Editor takes being at gun-point seriously
Earthling phones home
The Editor-in-Chief is tad a angry

Review - Matthew Walter
EOH RATING

Rated 5/5


CAST
DOCTOR WHO
Christopher Eccleston
ROSE TYLER
Billie Piper
THE EDITOR
Simon Pegg
THE NURSE
Tamsin Grieg
CATHICA
Christine Adams
SUKI
Anna Maxwell Martin
ADAM'S MUM
Judy Holt
ADAM MITCHELL
Bruno Langley
HEAD CHEF
Colin Prockter
     
PRODUCTION CREW
1st ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
George Gerwitz
2nd ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Steffan Morris
3rd ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Dafydd Rhys Parry
LOCATION MANAGER
Clive Evans
PROD.
CO-ORDINATOR
Dathyl Evans
PROD. ACCOUNTANTS
Debi Griffiths
Kath Blackman
CONTINUITY
Sian Prosser
SCRIPT EDITOR
Helen Raynor
Elwen Rowlands
CHOREGRAHPER
Ailsa Aliena-Bark
CAMERA OPERATOR
Mike Costello
Martin Stephens
FOCUS PULLERS
Steve Lawes
Mark Isaac
GRIP
John Robinson
SOUND RECORDIST
Ian Richardson
BOOM OPERATOR
  Damian Richardson
GAFFER
  Mark Hutchings
BEST BOY
  Peter Chester
STUNT
CO-ORDINATOR
  Rod Woodruff
PROD. BUYER
  Catherine Samuel
SET DECORATOR
  Peter Walpole
SUPERVISING ART DIRECTOR
  Stephen Nicholas
STAND-BY ART DIRECTOR
  Julian Luxton
PROPERTY MASTER
  Patrick Begley
CONSTRUCTION MANAGER
  Andy Smith
ASSISTANT COSTUME DESIGNER
  Yolanda Pearl-Smith
MAKE-UP SUPERVISOR
  Linda Davie
MAKE-UP ARTIST
  Sarah Wilson
CASTING ASSOCIATE
  Kirtsy Robertson
POST PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
  Marie Brown
ON LINE EDITOR
  Matthew Clarke
COLOURIST
  Kairan Beers
2D VFX ARTISTS
  Simon C Holden
David Bowman
Sara Bennett
Alberto Montanes
Jennifer Herbert
3D VFX ARTISTS
 

Andy Howell
Chris Tucker
Jean-Claude Dagnara
Mark Wallman
Paul Burton
Chris Potts
Porl Parrot

DIGITAL MATT PAINTER
  Alex Fort
DUBBING MIXER
  Tim Rickettts
DIALOGUE EDITOR
  Paul McFadden
SOUND FX EDITOR
  Paul Jefferies
BRAND MANAGER
  ian Grutchfield
BUSINESS MANAGER
  Richard Pugsley
CONCEPT ARTISTS
  Bryan Hitch
CASTING DIRECTOR
  Andy Pryor CDG
PRODUCTION MANAGER
  Tracie Simpson
PRODUCTION ACCOUNTANT
  Endaf Emyr Williams
COSTUME DESIGNER
  Lucinda Wright
MAKE-UP DESIGNER
  Davy Jones
VISUAL EFFECTS
  THE MILL
VISUAL FX PRODUCER
  Will Cohen
VISUAL FX SUPERVISOR
  Dave Houghton
SPECIAL EFFECTS
  ANY EFFECTS
PROSTHETICS
  Millennium Effects
PRODUCTION DESIGNER
  Edward Thomas
EDITOR
  Mike Jones
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
  Ernie Vincze BSC
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
  Helen Vallis
SPECIAL MAKE-UP
  Neill Gorton
MODELS AND MINATURES
  Mike Tucker
INCIDENTAL MUSIC
  Murray Gold
PRODUCER
  Phil Collinson
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS
  Mal Young
Julie Gardner
Russell T Davies
DIRECTOR
  Brian Grant
  Produced by
BBC WALES
WRITER
  Russell T Davies
     
INFORMATION
BROADCAST DATE
7 May 2005
(BBC1 19:00-19:45)
 
REPEATED DATE
  8 May 2005
(BBC3 19:00-19:45)
     
FIRST RUN UK RATINGS (millions)
Unofficial Average 7.8
Unofficial Peak 8.5

Official BARB RATING 8.10
Top 100 rating 6TH
DVD RELEASE
15 June 2005 (as part of Volume 3 boxset)

 

Online visitor hits since 13 April 2003

© www.eyeofhorus.org.uk 2015
(Extra © information visit here)

"DOCTOR WHO commentary since 1983"

Email us EDITORIAL EMAIL - We do not reply to emails

Follow us on TWITTER - eyeofhorus.org.uk on Twitter


Contact us - EDITORIAL EMAIL
Link back to HOME - EYE OF HORUS Link to DOCTOR WHO NEW SERIES 2 Link to CLASSIC SERIES 1963-96 Link to CURRENT NEWS Link to BIG FINISH AUDIO Link to EYE OF HORUS - EDITORIAL + GIVEAWAYS Link to DOCTOR WHO MERCHANDISE EMAIL - EOH cannot reply to all emails due to time restrictions