Are there any foundations to the rumour that Peter Capaldi will have a single hander in series 9?
PC's single hander
Moffat and Minchin.... and the Episode Guide 
DS treated it like a rumor despite it being confirmed in the press reports a month ago, which was odd.
DS treated it like a rumor despite it being confirmed in the press reports a month ago, which was odd.
I've heard it said their is an episode featuring only the doctor, but that doesn't necessarily mean just Capaldi. Tennant did visit the set after all, and considering -
I know it's probably just wishful thinking on my part, but it's good to keep an open mind when were talking about an actor who was actually their whilst filming was taking place.
Spoiler
I know it's probably just wishful thinking on my part, but it's good to keep an open mind when were talking about an actor who was actually their whilst filming was taking place.
It has been described as a one-hander, though, which would mean just one standard actor. Could be running from a cloaked monster, mind. That veiled figure in the trailers doesn't seem to fit anywhere else.
Or multiple 12s, which would have given Talalay a headache
Or multiple 12s, which would have given Talalay a headache
Originally Posted by doctor blue box:
“I've heard it said their is an episode featuring only the doctor, but that doesn't necessarily mean just Capaldi. Tennant did visit the set after all, and considering -
I know it's probably just wishful thinking on my part, but it's good to keep an open mind when were talking about an actor who was actually their whilst filming was taking place.”
“I've heard it said their is an episode featuring only the doctor, but that doesn't necessarily mean just Capaldi. Tennant did visit the set after all, and considering -
Spoiler
I know it's probably just wishful thinking on my part, but it's good to keep an open mind when were talking about an actor who was actually their whilst filming was taking place.”
The Moff did say Tennant wasn't involved in filming, but then the Moff lies.
Originally Posted by Whovian1109:
“The Moff did say Tennant wasn't involved in filming, but then the Moff lies.”
“The Moff did say Tennant wasn't involved in filming, but then the Moff lies.”
Of course he'd say that either way. Whilst it's just wild speculation and slight wishful thinking, I think it's possible that Tennant and RTD could have both contributed since the multiple face explanation business was to do with RTD.
Think about it, RTD had the official explanation of being their for a completely different reason, (which was revealed after everyone was speculating why he was there) so if he were actually there for who as well, it would be a sort of 'hidden in plain sight' thing where no-one would suspect because of the 'real' reason having been given.
Ahh, like 'The Deadly Assassin' was a single hander for Tom Baker. After posting that I heard a trailer for series 9 on Radio 2 in which I think I heard a line spoken by Capaldi which ran along the lines of 'An invitation to all of me'. A possible nod to the inclusion of another Doctor as mentioned above? It is after all the 10th anniversary of the new series. I wonder if 'Face the Raven', being broadcast on November 21st would feature a multiple doctor story?
Originally Posted by Ulsterguy:
“Ahh, like 'The Deadly Assassin' was a single hander for Tom Baker. After posting that I heard a trailer for series 9 on Radio 2 in which I think I heard a line spoken by Capaldi which ran along the lines of 'An invitation to all of me'. A possible nod to the inclusion of another Doctor as mentioned above? It is after all the 10th anniversary of the new series. I wonder if 'Face the Raven', being broadcast on November 21st would feature a multiple doctor story?”
“Ahh, like 'The Deadly Assassin' was a single hander for Tom Baker. After posting that I heard a trailer for series 9 on Radio 2 in which I think I heard a line spoken by Capaldi which ran along the lines of 'An invitation to all of me'. A possible nod to the inclusion of another Doctor as mentioned above? It is after all the 10th anniversary of the new series. I wonder if 'Face the Raven', being broadcast on November 21st would feature a multiple doctor story?”
The Deadly Assassin was a story where The Doctor had no companion, but it's not a single-hander. A single-hander is an episode where literally there's only one actor in the whole thing... nobody else, at least nobody identifiable. If you look at the cast credits for Heaven Sent (the Series 9 episode in question), no matter how many characters are in it, it'll simply say Peter Capaldi, Peter Capaldi and Peter Capaldi.
If I understand correctly, Eastenders did a single-hander a few years back with their Dot Branning character.
As for talk of a returning Doctor, I really hope not. I want a series where we just have the Doctor "as is" rather than back and forthing. I wasn't a huge fan of the idea for the 50th Annivesary (hi, misery guts over here
) but more beyond that is just... meh. Especially when the likely returnee would be Tennant...again... I wasn't fussed about him when he was in the role, let alone after it. All just personal opinion of course, but I don't see him cropping up in Series 9.
Originally Posted by Abomination:
“The Deadly Assassin was a story where The Doctor had no companion, but it's not a single-hander. A single-hander is an episode where literally there's only one actor in the whole thing... nobody else, at least nobody identifiable. If you look at the cast credits for Heaven Sent (the Series 9 episode in question), no matter how many characters are in it, it'll simply say Peter Capaldi, Peter Capaldi and Peter Capaldi.
If I understand correctly, Eastenders did a single-hander a few years back with their Dot Branning character.
As for talk of a returning Doctor, I really hope not. I want a series where we just have the Doctor "as is" rather than back and forthing. I wasn't a huge fan of the idea for the 50th Annivesary (hi, misery guts over here ) but more beyond that is just... meh. Especially when the likely returnee would be Tennant...again... I wasn't fussed about him when he was in the role, let alone after it. All just personal opinion of course, but I don't see him cropping up in Series 9.”
“The Deadly Assassin was a story where The Doctor had no companion, but it's not a single-hander. A single-hander is an episode where literally there's only one actor in the whole thing... nobody else, at least nobody identifiable. If you look at the cast credits for Heaven Sent (the Series 9 episode in question), no matter how many characters are in it, it'll simply say Peter Capaldi, Peter Capaldi and Peter Capaldi.
If I understand correctly, Eastenders did a single-hander a few years back with their Dot Branning character.
As for talk of a returning Doctor, I really hope not. I want a series where we just have the Doctor "as is" rather than back and forthing. I wasn't a huge fan of the idea for the 50th Annivesary (hi, misery guts over here
) but more beyond that is just... meh. Especially when the likely returnee would be Tennant...again... I wasn't fussed about him when he was in the role, let alone after it. All just personal opinion of course, but I don't see him cropping up in Series 9.”
I'm not entirely convinced that sort of single hander would work for Dr Who. The Doctor on his own yes, but not the sole person in the story.
I wasn't wild about the 50th either! I thought I was the only one. But there is a tradition of multiple Doctors on anniversary stories.
Originally Posted by Ulsterguy:
“I'm not entirely convinced that sort of single hander would work for Dr Who. The Doctor on his own yes, but not the sole person in the story.
I wasn't wild about the 50th either! I thought I was the only one. But there is a tradition of multiple Doctors on anniversary stories.”
“I'm not entirely convinced that sort of single hander would work for Dr Who. The Doctor on his own yes, but not the sole person in the story.
I wasn't wild about the 50th either! I thought I was the only one. But there is a tradition of multiple Doctors on anniversary stories.”
I guess we have a few months and then we'll find out if Moffat and Capaldi (and director Rachel Talalay) can deliver the goods. I'll point out that they've also been a bit mysterious by saying that the episode has only got Capaldi, but that doesn't mean we've only got the one character in it. There could be numerous Capaldi's from different timelines, there could be alter-Doctor's, or alter-Capaldi's... we may get to see him kitted out in Italian attire again possibly, as per The Fires of Pompeii? We might learn here why he's had numerous faces in the 'Whoniverse', we might get to see him play his part in the 'Gallifrey Stands' moment from The Day of the Doctor. There'll likely be a spaghetti of things going on, hopefully good though we'll have to wait and see...or at least until we hear more. It's a different idea for Doctor Who, which alone is quite commendable.
And yeah, you have a show that can go absolutely anywhere in time and space and do absolutely anything it wants - it has one of the most flexible formats of any show in the world. And it decides to focus on a multi-Doctor story that only brings back the lead from three years earlier. Granted I also feel bringing back Classic Doctors would have been an error, but it's all a sign that the idea is more based on fan-service than delivering something genuinely exciting. I wasn't thrilled by it, and found An Adventure in Space and Time, The Night of the Doctor and The Five-ish Doctors to all be better ways of celebrating the 50th than the actual centrepiece itself.
There is already a thread about this, made a week or so ago:
http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2103353
Check that out, for more details.
http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2103353
Check that out, for more details.
Out of interest, does anyone know of any Moffat quotes where he specifically says either 'just the doctor' or 'just Capaldi' because it would be interesting to know, and the differing quotes obviously change what might possibly be expected of the episode.
Originally Posted by Ulsterguy:
“I'm not entirely convinced that sort of single hander would work for Dr Who. The Doctor on his own yes, but not the sole person in the story.
I wasn't wild about the 50th either! I thought I was the only one. But there is a tradition of multiple Doctors on anniversary stories.”
“I'm not entirely convinced that sort of single hander would work for Dr Who. The Doctor on his own yes, but not the sole person in the story.
I wasn't wild about the 50th either! I thought I was the only one. But there is a tradition of multiple Doctors on anniversary stories.”
Not really, no.
There have been very few multiple Doctor stories, thank goodness.
The first was The Three Doctors which was sort of intended to be a 10th anniversary story but actually the first episode aired on 30 December 1972, barely a month after the 9th anniversary.
The Five Doctors was aired on or as close as possible to the 20th anniversary.
In early 1985 we had The Two Doctors, mainly because Patrick Troughton had enjoyed himself so much on The Five Doctors and knew Colin Baker socially. There was no anniversary to celebrate however.
The 25th anniversary was marked with Silver Nemesis, not a multi Doctor story.
No-one likes to talk about the 30th... D*mensions In T*me... not a proper story, not canon, not even bearable or watchable telly.
The 40th wasn't marked and the only other multi Doctor story before the 50th was the short Time Crash.
Not much of a tradition really.
Originally Posted by doctor blue box:
“Out of interest, does anyone know of any Moffat quotes where he specifically says either 'just the doctor' or 'just Capaldi' because it would be interesting to know, and the differing quotes obviously change what might possibly be expected of the episode.”
“Out of interest, does anyone know of any Moffat quotes where he specifically says either 'just the doctor' or 'just Capaldi' because it would be interesting to know, and the differing quotes obviously change what might possibly be expected of the episode.”
Well it was described as a one-hander which alone is a reference to the actor, rather than the character - as it's production terminology. I can't find the quote from Brian Minchin, but he said something or other to back it all up, whilst Rachel Talalay said her head was "in spaghetti" whilst directing the episode.
Moffat meanwhile revealed the concept himself with "I’ve written a one-hander for the Doctor, I can’t tell you too much about this, but it’s certainly unique and a big first for the show!”
Originally Posted by adams66:
“Not really, no.
There have been very few multiple Doctor stories, thank goodness.
The first was The Three Doctors which was sort of intended to be a 10th anniversary story but actually the first episode aired on 30 December 1972, barely a month after the 9th anniversary.
The Five Doctors was aired on or as close as possible to the 20th anniversary.
In early 1985 we had The Two Doctors, mainly because Patrick Troughton had enjoyed himself so much on The Five Doctors and knew Colin Baker socially. There was no anniversary to celebrate however.
The 25th anniversary was marked with Silver Nemesis, not a multi Doctor story.
No-one likes to talk about the 30th... D*mensions In T*me... not a proper story, not canon, not even bearable or watchable telly.
The 40th wasn't marked and the only other multi Doctor story before the 50th was the short Time Crash.
Not much of a tradition really.”
“Not really, no.
There have been very few multiple Doctor stories, thank goodness.
The first was The Three Doctors which was sort of intended to be a 10th anniversary story but actually the first episode aired on 30 December 1972, barely a month after the 9th anniversary.
The Five Doctors was aired on or as close as possible to the 20th anniversary.
In early 1985 we had The Two Doctors, mainly because Patrick Troughton had enjoyed himself so much on The Five Doctors and knew Colin Baker socially. There was no anniversary to celebrate however.
The 25th anniversary was marked with Silver Nemesis, not a multi Doctor story.
No-one likes to talk about the 30th... D*mensions In T*me... not a proper story, not canon, not even bearable or watchable telly.
The 40th wasn't marked and the only other multi Doctor story before the 50th was the short Time Crash.
Not much of a tradition really.”
But when you consider that the 10th, 20th, 30th and 50th Anniversary stories were all multi-Doctor and that the 40th didn't have one, it kinda suggests that it's a tradition that all major anniversaries (25th apart but if you're going on a decade by decade basis and besides the show was on its last legs by 1988) contain more than one Doctor.
Originally Posted by Whovian1109:
“But when you consider that the 10th, 20th, 30th and 50th Anniversary stories were all multi-Doctor and that the 40th didn't have one, it kinda suggests that it's a tradition that all major anniversaries (25th apart but if you're going on a decade by decade basis and besides the show was on its last legs by 1988) contain more than one Doctor.”
“But when you consider that the 10th, 20th, 30th and 50th Anniversary stories were all multi-Doctor and that the 40th didn't have one, it kinda suggests that it's a tradition that all major anniversaries (25th apart but if you're going on a decade by decade basis and besides the show was on its last legs by 1988) contain more than one Doctor.”
My point exactly! I kind of like multi Doctor specials.
Originally Posted by Abomination:
“Well it was described as a one-hander which alone is a reference to the actor, rather than the character - as it's production terminology. I can't find the quote from Brian Minchin, but he said something or other to back it all up, whilst Rachel Talalay said her head was "in spaghetti" whilst directing the episode.
Moffat meanwhile revealed the concept himself with "I’ve written a one-hander for the Doctor, I can’t tell you too much about this, but it’s certainly unique and a big first for the show!”
”
“Well it was described as a one-hander which alone is a reference to the actor, rather than the character - as it's production terminology. I can't find the quote from Brian Minchin, but he said something or other to back it all up, whilst Rachel Talalay said her head was "in spaghetti" whilst directing the episode.
Moffat meanwhile revealed the concept himself with "I’ve written a one-hander for the Doctor, I can’t tell you too much about this, but it’s certainly unique and a big first for the show!”
”
Thank for the info. Moffat actually saying "Ive written a one hander for the doctor" rather than "for Peter" does make it sound like he's only saying it features the character rather than just the one actor. Of course I know that doesn't necessarily mean any other incarnations will pop up, it's just interesting that it doesn't rule it out either, in a series where we know at least one former incarnation was on set during filming.
Originally Posted by doctor blue box:
“Thank for the info. Moffat actually saying "Ive written a one hander for the doctor" rather than "for Peter" does make it sound like he's only saying it features the character rather than just the one actor. Of course I know that doesn't necessarily mean any other incarnations will pop up, it's just interesting that it doesn't rule it out either, in a series where we know at least one former incarnation was on set during filming.”
“Thank for the info. Moffat actually saying "Ive written a one hander for the doctor" rather than "for Peter" does make it sound like he's only saying it features the character rather than just the one actor. Of course I know that doesn't necessarily mean any other incarnations will pop up, it's just interesting that it doesn't rule it out either, in a series where we know at least one former incarnation was on set during filming.”
Very true, never take anything for granted with Doctor Who I guess
And I suppose if there was ever a character you could cheekily suggest had a one-hander when in fact there's more than one person involved - it'd be The Doctor. You could hypothetically have the biggest cast in a single episode ever and claim they're all future Doctor's, and still claim only one character appears in the story
At any rate, I'm really hoping it's just Capaldi as opposed to just the Doctor. I don't personally want Tennant turning up yet again (if he does, I'll be likening him to one of those pesky illnesses that you just can't shake off!) or indeed anyone else (unless by some miracle they've got Eccleston back, which we know isn't going to happen)...the idea of Capaldi having 45 minutes to do Capaldi-stuff is intriguing as an idea... a multi-Doc story...less so.
Heaven Sent
-minchin
Quote:
“"This is a 'single-hander' which only features the Doctor and no-one else. It's the first time we've ever done an episode like it. And it's the most virtuoso, fantastic piece of writing from Steven [Moffat, lead writer]."”
“"This is a 'single-hander' which only features the Doctor and no-one else. It's the first time we've ever done an episode like it. And it's the most virtuoso, fantastic piece of writing from Steven [Moffat, lead writer]."”
-minchin
I had thought that Moffat only said it was a Capaldi one-hander but it seems he did say a Doctor one-hander so unless this is him being tricksy (again) it suggests it is not about the other faces. I still have a feeling it will involve that though.
As for Tennant coming back, I doubt it after having Smith do his cameo. There were some complaints that Capaldi should have been allowed to assume the focus and not compromise this with the previous Doctor. Having yet another old Doctor appear in consecutive series' might make it feel like Capaldi needs help or lead to some saying how much they miss the old one. It's possible, of course, that Capaldi himself may even be keen on the idea so you never know.
The director saying it was awkward for them makes me think of Capaldi in multiple roles which would lead to various logistical issues so I suspect Pompeii etc. may well feature in some way or other.
As for Tennant coming back, I doubt it after having Smith do his cameo. There were some complaints that Capaldi should have been allowed to assume the focus and not compromise this with the previous Doctor. Having yet another old Doctor appear in consecutive series' might make it feel like Capaldi needs help or lead to some saying how much they miss the old one. It's possible, of course, that Capaldi himself may even be keen on the idea so you never know.
The director saying it was awkward for them makes me think of Capaldi in multiple roles which would lead to various logistical issues so I suspect Pompeii etc. may well feature in some way or other.
Originally Posted by The_Bonobo:
“I had thought that Moffat only said it was a Capaldi one-hander but it seems he did say a Doctor one-hander so unless this is him being tricksy (again) it suggests it is not about the other faces. I still have a feeling it will involve that though.
As for Tennant coming back, I doubt it after having Smith do his cameo. There were some complaints that Capaldi should have been allowed to assume the focus and not compromise this with the previous Doctor. Having yet another old Doctor appear in consecutive series' might make it feel like Capaldi needs help or lead to some saying how much they miss the old one. It's possible, of course, that Capaldi himself may even be keen on the idea so you never know.
The director saying it was awkward for them makes me think of Capaldi in multiple roles which would lead to various logistical issues so I suspect Pompeii etc. may well feature in some way or other.”
“I had thought that Moffat only said it was a Capaldi one-hander but it seems he did say a Doctor one-hander so unless this is him being tricksy (again) it suggests it is not about the other faces. I still have a feeling it will involve that though.
As for Tennant coming back, I doubt it after having Smith do his cameo. There were some complaints that Capaldi should have been allowed to assume the focus and not compromise this with the previous Doctor. Having yet another old Doctor appear in consecutive series' might make it feel like Capaldi needs help or lead to some saying how much they miss the old one. It's possible, of course, that Capaldi himself may even be keen on the idea so you never know.
The director saying it was awkward for them makes me think of Capaldi in multiple roles which would lead to various logistical issues so I suspect Pompeii etc. may well feature in some way or other.”
But Minchin has verified it being only the Doctor, so unless Capaldi is playing other Doctors I can't see him doing any other roles.
Originally Posted by Whoswho1:
“Heaven Sent
-minchin”
“Heaven Sent
Quote:
“"This is a 'single-hander' which only features the Doctor and no-one else. It's the first time we've ever done an episode like it. And it's the most virtuoso, fantastic piece of writing from Steven [Moffat, lead writer]."”
“"This is a 'single-hander' which only features the Doctor and no-one else. It's the first time we've ever done an episode like it. And it's the most virtuoso, fantastic piece of writing from Steven [Moffat, lead writer]."”
-minchin”
Could be interesting if The Doctor was reviewing the situation. Videos he made of himself, talking to himself at various times. How many screens would he need?
Videos he made of himself, talking to himself at various times. How many screens would he need?
Originally Posted by sebbie3000:
“But Minchin has verified it being only the Doctor, so unless Capaldi is playing other Doctors I can't see him doing any other roles.”
“But Minchin has verified it being only the Doctor, so unless Capaldi is playing other Doctors I can't see him doing any other roles.”
OK fair enough that suggests no Pompeii face etc. Although possibly Minchin is also being economical with the truth or just means only the Doctor as in only the actor who plays the Doctor.
So two other possibilities are archive footage (Day of the Doctor or even Classic Who footage) being mingled with new footage, or the Doctor communicating with himself via video screens or something along those lines. These would also be awkward for the director. Probably absolutely nothing like any of this though.
