“The Whimsical Worlds of Who: Uncovering the Surprising Tweaks Behind the Latest Doctor Who Colorization Debacle”

The 60th anniversary of Doctor Who is a significant event, and to commemorate it, the BBC released a colorized version of the classic serial “The War Games”. The special edit, which aired on BBC 4 in the UK, showcased significant changes to the original story. In this article, we’ll explore three of the biggest tweaks and changes added to the proceedings.

The War Chief and the Master

One of the biggest theories played with in “The War Games” in color is the connection between the original story and the show’s immediate future. The colorization made it explicit that one of the serial’s major antagonists, the War Chief, was none other than an incarnation of the Master himself. Throughout the War Chief’s appearances in the colorization, the newly updated soundtrack incorporated contemporary Who composer Murray Gold’s iconic “Master Vainglorious” theme. When the War Chief is executed by the Time Lords upon their arrival in the climax of “The War Games”, you can even briefly hear the telltale sound of Doctor Who’s modern regeneration SFX as his body is being dragged away.

This change is significant because it confirms an idea that was already established in the original story that the War Chief was a renegade Time Lord. The implication now being that he did so initially with Roger Delgado’s incarnation of the character. This change has been bandied back and forth over the years, and it’s interesting to see it finally confirmed in an official capacity.

The Trial and the Faces of the Doctor

Another significant change in the colorization is the climax of the Time Lords’ trial of the Doctor. After concluding in agreement with the Doctor that there were many perils across the universe worth confronting in spite of their non-intervention policies, the Time Lords still choose to punish the Doctor with exile on Earth and a forced regeneration. In the colorization, these faces – all of which the Doctor still refuses for various reasons – are no longer just random unknown identities. Instead, the Doctor is offered the chance to regenerate into the faces of several of their future incarnations beyond the third Doctor, as the Time Lords project images that we know are in fact the Twelfth, Tenth, Thirteenth, and Eleventh Doctors.

This change is a bit weird, considering there wasn’t really any particular theorization or desire that these faces had a particular connection to the Doctor beyond the Time Lords offering them up to him in the moment. However, it’s a funny joke in the moment that the Doctor has little desire to have any of several faces we know they eventually end up with later on in life.

The Second Doctor’s Regeneration (and UNIT Dating)

The colorization also includes a new addition to the Second Doctor’s regeneration scene. Using rotoscoped footage of Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee’s Doctors, the colorization established the actual moment of the Doctor’s regeneration. This scene sets the stage for the events that would unfold in the decades that follow, including the formation of UNIT (United Nations Intelligence Taskforce) and the Doctor’s role in it.

FAQ:

Q: What is the significance of the colorization of “The War Games”?
A: The colorization of “The War Games” is significant because it provides a new perspective on a classic story. It also allows for changes to be made that can be used to strengthen the narrative and provide new insights into the characters.

Q: What is the significance of the War Chief being revealed as an incarnation of the Master?
A: The revelation that the War Chief is an incarnation of the Master is significant because it confirms an idea that was already established in the original story. It also provides new insights into the Master’s character and his motivations.

Q: What is the significance of the Doctor being offered the chance to regenerate into the faces of several of their future incarnations?
A: The change in the Doctor being offered the chance to regenerate into the faces of several of their future incarnations is significant because it provides a new perspective on the Doctor’s character and their relationships with their future selves. It also allows for new insights into the themes of identity and regeneration.

Conclusion:

The colorization of “The War Games” is a significant event in the history of Doctor Who. It provides a new perspective on a classic story and allows for changes to be made that can be used to strengthen the narrative and provide new insights into the characters. The revelation that the War Chief is an incarnation of the Master is a significant development that confirms an idea that was already established in the original story. The change in the Doctor being offered the chance to regenerate into the faces of several of their future incarnations is also a significant development that provides new insights into the Doctor’s character and their relationships with their future selves.The Regeneration of the Second Doctor: A Fannish Nod to the UNIT Dating Controversy

The regeneration of the Second Doctor into the Third Doctor is a pivotal moment in the history of Doctor Who. The recent colorization of the serial “Spearhead From Space” has brought this moment into line with modern depictions of regeneration, and in doing so, has made a nod to a long-running fan theory, the UNIT Dating Controversy.

For those who may not be familiar, the UNIT Dating Controversy refers to the discrepancy in dates surrounding the career of Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, a key character in the Third Doctor’s adventures. The controversy arises from the fact that Lethbridge-Stewart is mentioned as being promoted to Brigadier in 1968, but is also shown to have retired from UNIT in 1976. This has led to confusion over the timeline of the Third Doctor’s adventures, with some fans believing that the events of the show took place in the 1970s, while others argue that they took place in the 1960s.

The recent colorization of “Spearhead From Space” has addressed this controversy by having the TARDIS display flicker between the years 1970 and 1980, implying that the events of the show took place during this time period. This nod to the UNIT Dating Controversy is a fannish acknowledgement of the issue, and provides a sense of closure for fans who have been debating the timeline of the Third Doctor’s adventures for years.

But what does this mean for Doctor Who as a whole? The colorization of the serials is not the only way to experience these stories, as the original versions are available on physical media and streaming. However, the changes made to the serials do provide an interesting glimpse into the possibilities of future colorizations. As each new colorization brings with it an attempt to make connections across the vast and often contradictory continuity of Doctor Who, it is likely that future colorizations will continue to tweak and refine the timeline of the show.

This raises questions about which stories could come next and what changes could come with them. Will future colorizations continue to address continuity issues, or will they focus on other aspects of the show? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the colorization of Doctor Who serials is an exciting development that has the potential to bring new life to classic stories.

FAQ:

Q: What is the UNIT Dating Controversy?
A: The UNIT Dating Controversy refers to the discrepancy in dates surrounding the career of Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, a key character in the Third Doctor’s adventures.

Q: Why is the UNIT Dating Controversy a problem?
A: The controversy arises from the fact that Lethbridge-Stewart is mentioned as being promoted to Brigadier in 1968, but is also shown to have retired from UNIT in 1976. This has led to confusion over the timeline of the Third Doctor’s adventures.

Q: What does the recent colorization of “Spearhead From Space” mean for Doctor Who?
A: The colorization has addressed the UNIT Dating Controversy by having the TARDIS display flicker between the years 1970 and 1980, implying that the events of the show took place during this time period.

Conclusion:

The regeneration of the Second Doctor into the Third Doctor is a pivotal moment in the history of Doctor Who. The recent colorization of “Spearhead From Space” has brought this moment into line with modern depictions of regeneration, and in doing so, has made a nod to a long-running fan theory, the UNIT Dating Controversy. As each new colorization brings with it an attempt to make connections across the vast and often contradictory continuity of Doctor Who, it is likely that future colorizations will continue to tweak and refine the timeline of the show.