End of Ten 2009: The Unofficial and Unauthorised Guide to Doctor Who [Paperback]

It's very difficult when an author you respect massively for a previous work doesn't quite meet that high level of expectation subsequently.

This is a good book but not a patch on the quality SJW achieved in The Television companion. This and his series 3&4 books follow on from the quite dreadful Back to the Vortex books which seem to work on the premise that people will pay money to read a series of egotistical reviews from people who don't actually seem to like Dr Who very much - when better quality stuff exists on most fan forums. (Actually it's a decent premise as I DID buy the first one. Let's just say the spine won't wear out in the way the Television Companion did)

To an extent SJW falls into the same category except the quality of his writing and his obvious passion for the show shine out and almost - almost - make the "here is my view on Dr Who" worth the `admission price'. But make no mistake this is his view and the blinkers that damaged his assessment of series 3 and 4 remain firmly in place.

In series 3 his enthusiasm for Freema Agyeman and Martha is fine in itself but there is no analysis of the sizeable proportion of Who fandom that bought neither the character nor the actress.

In series 4 his anti Christie prejudice means an objective assessment of the "Unicorn an d the Wasp" is lost in peevish comparison between Christie and McDonalds.
That RTD has previously based well received plot structure on "populist" real life culture - e.g. Big Brother - receives no mention.

Additionally his own personal distaste for Donna Noble moves to obsession as he spends a page and a half analysing whether his prediction of doom has come true or not. He concludes that he was right - but the series has survived despite his concern Phew - that's alright then.

There's plenty of other examples.

None of this matter in itself except the triumph of The Television Companion was that the authors appeared to at least try to consider the main differences of opinions that exist around the series. It is not that SJW doesn't like Donna. It's simply that if he were to describe the opposing viewpoints and THEN outline his conclusion it would be a thousand times more powerful. At least it would suggest his view was reached considering all aspects as opposed to just a fan's immediate reaction.

This manifests itself in this book. For example memories of Jan Vincent Rudzki are evoked in his dislike of the treatment of time lords - but there are contrary views. His enthusiasm for Planet of the dead doesn't match how it was received by fandom. But more seriously his analysis of the regeneration is seriously flawed. Yes there is an argument that the courage of the Doctor is called into question by his "rants" and "I don't want to go". The opposing view would say that there has always been a regeneration crisis and why not have it PRE the change as opposed to post. Personally I think that the courage of the character is reinforced by his rant against the inevitability of what has happened (and that's what it is) and yet despite his fear and impending "death" - he of course still does the right thing. And whilst on first viewing there is an element of "get on with it" as the last 20 minutes sag, on repeated viewing the construction of the crescendo towards the change can be better appreciated.

This isn't that SJW is wrong. It's merely that he reinforces his own conclusions if he considers a contrary view. That happened in The Television Companion. It doesn't really happen here. Thus The Television Companion is THE authoritative history of classic Dr Who. This is SJW's opinion about the specials. Interesting if blinkered. But not in the same league.

As I said. Expectations..................

I love this book as it gives complete information in an easy to digest manner. It pleases the anorak in me, and I can only say I love it, and will be sorry not to be buying any regarding Series Five, as Ten was MY doctor.