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The Doctor and Lucie find themselves literally among the gods, as they land on a planet apparently ruled by Zeus, Hera and a host of other gods. But how did they get there? And given the fact that they clearly age, how do they maintain their immortality? When Zeus’ son Kalkin falls inlove with a young girl named Ararti, it sets in motion a chain of events that will alter the landscape forever.

written by Jonathan Clements
directed by Jason Haigh-Ellery
music by ERS

Cast: Paul McGann (The Doctor), Sheridan Smith (Lucie Miller), Ian McNeice (Zeus), Elspet Gray (Hera), Jennifer Higham (Sararti), Anthony Spargo (Kalkin), David Dobson (Tayden), Jake McGann (Ganymede)

Notes: Elspet Gray portrayed Chancellor Thalia in the original Doctor Who story Arc Of Infinity. Jake McGann is Paul McGann’s son.

Timeline: after Horror Of Glam Rock and before Rose

Review: Immortal Beloved is another story that uses a tried-and-true plot device: the astronauts-use-technology-to-rule device. But it is on an emotional level that this one distinguishes itself. The “gods” that have set themselves up display much of the selfishness and capriciousness that marked the gods of myth themselves. But they are still firmly planted in the real world, with real world needs and desires. The Doctor and Lucie never really believe thay are gods, but it is interesting watching them work out what really is going on. It’s also worth pointing out that they actually have little to do with the eventual resolution, as the machinery of the “gods” is breaking down anyway, meaning a denoument was inevitable. (more…)

The Doctor tries to get Lucie back to her own time, but lands in 1974 in the middle of the Glam Rock fad. On a wintery night, they find themselves holed up in a diner with a variety of music-business types, including a manager and his up-and-coming young brother/sister act, Trisha and Tommy Tomorrow. But there’s also a never-was ex-singer with an odd connection to Lucie. And who are “The Only Ones”? And what do they want from Tommy Tomorrow?

written by Paul Magrs
directed by Nicholas Briggs
music by Tim Sutton

Cast: Paul McGann (The Doctor), Sheridan Smith (Lucie Miller), Bernard Cribbins (Arnold Korns), Una Stubbs (Flo), Stephen Gately (Tommy Tomorrow), Clare Buckfield (Trisha Tomorrow), Lindsay Hardwick (Pat), Katarina Olsson (Headhunter)

Notes: Bernard Cribbins previously portrayed Tom Campbell, the storyline replacement for Ian Chesterton, in the second Doctor Who theatrical film, Daleks - Invasion Earth 2150 AD. The title of this story is a play on The Horror Of Fang Rock, a popular Fourth Doctor story.

Timeline: after Blood Of The Daleks Part 2 and before Rose

Review: Stories like Horror of Glam Rock are nothing new. Tales of aliens communicating through music (for good or nefarious resaons) are about as old as the genre itself. But if it’s not exactly original, at least it’s handled well. (more…)