Doctor Who, Story 29: The Tenth Planet

At long last...
If you only own one other Dr. Who video, your collection is incomplete without The Tenth Planet. It depicts, of course, the most significant turning point in the history of the show, the departure of William Hartnell as the Doctor. That, in itself is more than enough reason to buy this video.
As a special bonus, there are the Cybermen. Don't be fooled as I was by the still photos which gave them a cheesy appearance. They don't appear terrifying at all until you see them in action. The lip action and voice characterization are nothing less than chilling. I first saw the Cybermen in "Revenge" then later in "Earthshock" and "Attack" and found them scary enough then. Now that I've seen "Tenth" I realize that they actually got less and less scary as time went on, which makes this one the scariest ever.
The reconstruction of the unfortunately missing final episode is surprisingly and absolutely brilliant. The audio track is complete and...
A Must For Fans, But Over-Hyped
Make no mistake: Doctor Who fans are well justified in purchasing this video. The first appearance of the wonderful Cybermen and the final regular appearance of the legendary William Hartnell is now finally available to own and the reconstruction of the missing final episode is superb. But what has been overlooked for all these years is the fact that the actual plot concocted by the talented Gerry Davis and Kit Pedler is hardly amazing. The storyline has all the requisite misunderstandings and escapes and diabolical schemes, but very little of it is executed with any real enthusiasm. Until the Cybermen arrive the first episode is surprisingly slow, with many scenes involving two incredibly dull actors portraying two incredibly lifeless astronauts in trouble. Things are not helped by a hammy performance by the actor portraying General Cutler, whose road to madness is unconvincing to say the least. While William Hartnell gives a bravura performance, he is not entirely essential to the...
A new body, at last!
Whether you grew up watching "Doctor Who" as it was first broadcast in the UK, or in endless 1980s US PBS reruns, "The Tenth Planet" is one of those stories you were dying to see again and again. Annoyingly, you couldn't, because the BBC destroyed all prints of the fourth and final episode, and the story was thus "incomplete" and never re-aired.
The recent BBC releases of stories featuring William Hartnell, the First Doctor, have been exemplary, and this VHS continues the trend. The first 3 episodes of "Tenth Planet" -- long seen only on dim, bootlegged, Nth generation copies of the original -- are nearly pristine. Episode 4 is reconstructed using existing still photos, the audio track, and a few well-used video effects which serve to add to the pictures, not detract from them. (It's heartening to note that for this story, the "restoration" team did not seek to alter the existing footage by replacing scenes with outtakes, or...
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Last Tango in Halifax

A Charming Second Chance Romance Develops Into A More Eccentric Family Drama As It Progresses
When I heard the initial concept of the new BBC series "Last Tango in Halifax," I thought that it might be a cute romantic trifle. What's not to like about a sweet late period romance with two senior citizens of the over seventy set finding love? Despite the presence of the great Derek Jacobi and Anne Reid, I was afraid that the series might be too safe and too saccharine. Somehow, I just feel like older characters receive very little respect in mainstream entertainment. They are either cutesy or curmudgeonly (but still lovable) with little real world nuance or dimension. A lot of recent movie hits featuring an older cast (Quartet, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) have been pleasant escapism, but didn't really hold any surprises. And as this six part series began, I still wasn't convinced. Early episodes are indeed amusing and romantic. But as the six episodes progress, the scope of the show expands to include a larger cast. What's funny is that Jacobi and Reid might be the sanest...
Wow!
I just saw the first episode on PBS affiliate GPB Georgia. It was fantastic! I became a fan of Derek Jacobi during the Brother Cadfael series years ago. He's every bit as good now in a totally different role. The other cast members are excellent and the multiple plot lines interesting, to say the least. This new series should be thoroughly engaging, judging by the first episode. I can hardly wait a week to see the next one. I will definitely buy the DVD if my expectations are realized.

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Silk: Season One

Six Episodes Of Cutthroat Courtroom Competition: A Solid, If Not Spectacular, Legal Drama From Britain
Television has been populated by so many legal dramas through the years, it has become increasingly difficult to make the genre seem fresh and exciting. "Silk" is just the latest affair from the BBC. Premiering in 2011, the show is ramping up for the debut of its third season later this year in Britain after having its second season nominated for a BAFTA TV Award for Best Drama Program. Unlike comparable American programming, British television tends to be served up in much smaller doses. Therefore, Season One of "Silk" is defined by only six hour long episodes. The show is based around a group of ambitious barristers (led by Maxine Peake as Martha Costello) who all seek advancement within the legal field. The next step up the career ladder is to appointed to the Queen's Council (QC) and that honor is referred to as "taking silk" due to the gowns worn at that level. As this is a merit based appointment, it is imperative to be noticed as a winner. So "Silk," while episodic in...
Enjoyable British Legal Series
If you like British series and legal dramas, this is a delightful combination of the two. The primary characters, though flawed, are endearing. You follow barrister Martha Costello (Maxine Peake) and her colleague -- and sometimes friendly rival -- Clive Reader (Rupert Penry-Jones) as they argue cases in court whilst striving to get their "silk" and Queen's Counsel status. Once barristers attain the rank of Queen's Counsel, they are allowed to wear a long wig and a silk robe. Costello's and Reader's law firm works with a mix of English society. Cases they try include burglary and assault, rape and attempted murder among other offenses. Nothing too grisly is portrayed.

It's fun to note the differences between the British and American systems - in one episode there's a jab at the American court protocol when the judge tells a young attorney to quit moving around so much, that it's not an American court of law.

You observe the wild frumpy wigs, and see where the...
Queen's Counsel
"The series' title refers to the act of being appointed a Queen's Counsel, known as "taking silk". Queen's Counsel wear distinctive full-bottomed wigs and silk gowns when they appear in Court. It is this gown which gives rise to the colloquial reference to Queen's Counsel as "silks" as well as to the phrase "taking silk" referring to their appointment." Wiki

Silk is a superb drama from BBC that follows a set of lawyers or barristers as known in the UK. Life for a barrister is a little different than layers in the US. The Chambers or barristers' chambers are the set of professional rooms used by a barrister or an association of barristers. There is a senior clerk who runs the chambers financially and All the legal work. He assigns all the cases that come to his chambers, and it is very competitive. Billy Lamb, played by Neil Stuke leads this chamber.

Martha Costello, played by Maxine Peake, is one of the best and most intelligent of...
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The Paradise: Season One

Retail Therapy: Eight Episodes Of Lightweight Escapism Set In A Posh Department Store
Looking for a stately British period piece about a burgeoning retail empire? No, I'm not talking about "Mr Selfridge." Prior to the ITV Studios depiction of London's elite shopping emporium Selfridges in 2013, the BBC had already unleashed the handsome production "The Paradise" in 2012. Somebody has a love of shopping! Or maybe they just think that the birth and heyday of department stores makes a sexy setting for romantic entanglements and personal intrigue! Of course, "Mr Selfridge" was the first to receive distribution in the North American market being picked up by Masterpiece Theater, undoubtedly due to the presence of Jeremy Piven in the lead role. But don't let that dissuade you from sampling "The Paradise." Ostensibly based on the novel "The Ladies' Paradise" (Au Bonheur des Dames) by Emile Zola, the adaptation may not fully satisfy purists looking for Zola's vision. There are glimpses of his style, but this is a decidedly soapier affair. But that's not all bad for a...
Enchanting Period Drama
Set in an undisclosed location in the north of England during the 1870s, 'The Paradise' is a historically accurate period drama regarding Britain's first department store, and the lives of those people affected by it. From Mr Moray, who struggles to make his visionary enterprise thrive, to the small shopkeepers he has inadvertently put out of business, to the the wealthy Glendennings and humble employees alike. Everyone, including the side characters, are richly drawn and come to life. Especially Denise, who quickly proves adept at her position in lady's wear (much to the chagrin of Miss Audrey, the strict departmental head who Sarah Lancashire plays to such perfection, she steals every scene), and becomes something of a love interest to Moray. The tension there, I might add, is lovely, and plays a role in the last episode's cliffhanger. Thankfully, 'The Paradise' has been recommissioned for a second series.

In addition to the character driven story lines, this made for a...

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Sinbad: Season One (Blu-ray)

An Adventure Series With Plenty Of Potential: A Sometimes Uneven Tone Is Offset By An Impressive Array Of Guest Stars
I approached this new British interpretation of the Sinbad legend with a fair amount of trepidation. I had heard the show described to both extremes, both as brilliant and as horrendous. So in truth, I probably didn't expect very much from the viewing. I thought I'd try an episode, but then bow out if it was too cheesy or silly. Instead, however, I've been pleasantly surprised. As is the way with most TV programs (even the best shows have their haters and the worst shows have their supporters), "Sinbad" is neither absolutely terrific or totally abysmal. Although far from perfect, it is a program with a great deal of potential. Somewhat uneven in tone from episode to episode, the narrative has a solid premise and the effects are better than you might anticipate. Perhaps closest in feel to this "Sinbad" is the recent anachronistic updating of "Robin Hood" from the BBC. Part comedy, part adventure, the individual episodes can range from gripping to amusing to slightly painful. But...
Worth the wait
I came across this series while visiting Montreal last year on Canada's version of the Syfy channel (goes by another name but similar content).
It is an exciting, beautifully filmed production with a talented multi-ethnic cast of both older and newer faces. If you watch British TV productions you'll recognize the more established actors like the ever charismatic Orla Brady from "Mistresses", and be delighted by handsome Elliot Knight in the title role and gorgeous Estellla Daniels as Nala.
It's a very contemporary re-visioning with the same charms of the classic Sinbad movies- exotic locales, mystery, magic and monsters. The costumes are quite beautiful as well. It's all around a visual and entertaining treat!
An Adventure Series With Plenty Of Potential: A Sometimes Uneven Tone Is Offset By An Impressive Array Of Guest Stars
I approached this new British interpretation of the Sinbad legend with a fair amount of trepidation. I had heard the show described to both extremes, both as brilliant and as horrendous. So in truth, I probably didn't expect very much from the viewing. I thought I'd try an episode, but then bow out if it was too cheesy or silly. Instead, however, I've been pleasantly surprised. As is the way with most TV programs (even the best shows have their haters and the worst shows have their supporters), "Sinbad" is neither absolutely terrific or totally abysmal. Although far from perfect, it is a program with a great deal of potential. Somewhat uneven in tone from episode to episode, the narrative has a solid premise and the effects are better than you might anticipate. Perhaps closest in feel to this "Sinbad" is the recent anachronistic updating of "Robin Hood" from the BBC. Part comedy, part adventure, the individual episodes can range from gripping to amusing to slightly painful...
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Luther 3

One of the best police dramas ever!
"Luther" --- Why can't U.S. TV studios make something like this? I discovered this late in the game after I got DirecTV and was able to watch the BBC America channel. I guess it's too intelligent for most American viewers, as it requires the attention span of more than a gnat which is far above the 18-31 aged viewer they so desire. That said, this show needs to be a FULL run of 16 to 20 episodes per "season", not the teasers we're getting. Pay Mr. Elba whatever he wants --- just keep "Luther" on the case!
Anti-Hero Alice Morgan "Nails" It (Literally) & Luther Does "Falk" Well!
VERY MINOR SPOILERS:

4-episode (3-storylines/2-cases) season.

The overriding theme of Series 3 being an Internal Affairs investigation of Luther. The 2-cases involve a serial killer cum woman's shoe thief and a vigilante.

Apparently, the inspiration for Luther came from both "Sherlock Holmes" and "Columbo". While I don't see all that much of "Holmes", I came up with "Luther" as "Columbo 2.0" on my own.

As an American watching "Luther", I found myself frequently screaming at the TV, "where is your gun!" There was also a dramatic scene where even though I knew it was coming, it still provided my with a jolt that my wife commented on the next morning! So what pushes "Luther" over the top from 4* territory to 5*? Namely, as intriguing a character as there is on television, the deliciously psychotic Alice Morgan, played brilliantly by Ruth Wilson. Alice, a recurring character from past series, made a surprise entrance in episode 4, which...
great but only four episodes
the star's career has taken off so much that there are only four episodes in this third season. however, the high quality continues in each episode. as usual, he not only has to figure out the mystery and solve it but also survive the plots of those in the department who are after him. The black policewoman who was after him last season ups the ante this season, trying to recruit his partner as an informer. meanwhile, Luther is busy solving the cases. Indris Elba who plays Luther is a terrific actor and is now starring in movies as well. Netflix streaming also carries this series. i love the music in the series too.

the humdinger of a story in this series is a vigilante, tom marwood, who is trying to avenge his murdered wife by murdering criminals. although he is initially sympathetic, as tom gets more out of control, he becomes a menace to society in general and Luther in particular. in this episode we also see the return of red haired Alice, who looks out for Luther...
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Doctor Who: The Ice Warriors (Story 39)

Troughton at his Best
This video is a must own for anyone who has ever pined away for the lost episodes of Doctor Who. It satisfies the hunger of die-hard Troughton fans and is a perfect example of the stories, characters and quality acting of this period in Who. If you have little experience with Troughton's genius portrayal of the Doctor, the "Ice Warriors" shows him at the top of his game.

The story is told in the typical Who acts ... the Doctor and crew are mistaken as trouble makers ... then they are befriended ... then they truly are part of the trouble. It includes the characteristic Who "companions and Doctor are captured and then escape" moments and the obligitory "...oh yeah, there are only 5 minutes left, so let's defeat the bad guy" endings. But the ideas, performances and costumes lift this production up.

The ideas of Man vs. Machine and man's dependence on machine are well played out. Supporting characters like Leader Clent are well fleshed out and...
classic fare from Doctor Who's Monster era
The Ice Warriors is a treasured link in a season know to fans as the Monster era, where every story in the season featrured a "monster" of some kind. Many of the monsters went on to a repeat performance in later years, and the Ice Warriors were no exception, making 3 more later stories. The idea of a futuristic world frozen over in a new ice age is relevant today, ironically not due to fear of cold, but of warming trends, though the same disasterous effects are predicted. The missing episodes are cleverly linked, and the accompanying audio cd and book fill in the rest perfectly. I was greatly disappointed that the documentary "The Missing Years" and the 1 remaining episode of Troughton's "The Underwater Menace", both included in a box set of the UK release of "The Ice Warriors", were missing from this collection. No doubt Fox/BBC will release this as a seperate video on a future date.Well worth buying though, and we thoroughly...
DVD Extras and Animated Episodes!
We are looking out on a world of ice. An eerie voice is singing - or is it calling? The very beginning of "The Ice Warriors" sets a mysterious tone that reminds me of the underrated classic, "The Abominable Snowman" (1957 with Peter Cushing).

We go inside to a strange console room. Over the loudspeaker, we hear, "Prepare Phase 1 evacuation procedure." Leader Clent comes in bristling, "We certainly will not evacuate. We've beaten its tantrums before."

"It" is the ionizer, and Miss Garrett, worrying around her controls, tells Clent, "Within 2 hours, the ionizer will be useless." She mentions more than once that they need Penley, Penley and his expertise.

But maybe they can make do with someone else. The TARDIS lands, sideways and slipping on the snow. The Doctor, Victoria and Jamie are taken to the Leader. Clent offers the Doctor a test. Answer a question, and they can stay. If not, they are obviously scavengers instead of scientists, and the three of...
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Waking the Dead: Season 8

For those who like the series
I noticed a 1 star review and wanted to counter it. Yes Waking the Dead is one of the premier TV series from the UK. It is thoughtful and intelligent. Series 8 and it final season 9 are excellent. I have seen the UK versions of it. The criticism is not the content or the series, but release schedule for a series that already completed. Come on. Finish the releases and the series. How come the US versions are delayed by years.
Dutch import - Shortened!
It's a pity, but this Dutch Pal import has all episodes shortened by approx 10 minutes. The cutting has been done "gently", but leaves some strange ellipses.
No subtitles other than Dutch ones.
Otherwise good quality.
Again, we bought an all region DVD player....
We will soon run out of this series and that is too bad. These characters, Boyd, Grace, Spence, et al, are the most interesting and complex characters since Hill Street Blues. We will feel like family is missing and will be reduced to watching something much less satisfying and interesting. If you haven't seen any of Waking the Dead yet, start with the First Season and prepare for a bumpy ride!
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Doctor Who: Scream of the Shalka (animated)

Read why my rating is bogus.
Am I reviewing this product? That depends on what "the product" is. I have not seen this DVD. I HAVE seen the story. It can still be seen in episodic pieces as a BBCi Flash animated production at http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/webcasts/index.shtml. The story is good and the then new, 9th Doctor is, too. This Doctor, who is not included in the Canon, is portrayed by Richard E. Grant, who actually played The Doctor, briefly, in Steven Moffat's hilarious Comic Relief spoof, "The Curse of Fatal Death". Roz Kaveney, in the Amazon.com Editorial Review of the skit on VHS, wrote, "...[Richard E. Grant's] performance indeed gives one uncomfortable thoughts about roads not taken..." I agree. R.E.Grant would have made a fine Doctor. But a different choice was made for live action, so "Scream of the Shalka" stands to one side as a single play. The story and performances are worth watching multiple times. I've watched the streaming version at least a half dozen times, and always enjoyed...
Misprint
On the copy I received it said there were 2 discs, but there were not. Just one. All DVD extras are on the single disc. Just an FYI if your copy has a misprint too.
4.5 Stars ~ Terrific Animated Doctor Who Story!
Doctor Who: Scream of the Shalka is one of my all-time favorite Doctor Who episodes and that's saying a lot because I'm not normally a fan of animated features unless they're from Disney! I was more than a bit skeptical going into this. A few of the reasons that I enjoy the live action series so much is the little nuances and amusing facial expressions of the actors on the screen. It's impossible to catch the twinkle of the eye or even something like the movement hair. Surprisingly, even though these details weren't present in this feature, the actors voicing the Doctor, Alison, and even the Master really brought the characters to life. Richard E. Grant, Sophie Okonedo and Derek Jacobi are just a few of the famous actors who lent their voice talents to this little masterpiece and later starred alongside the Doctor in the live action series. You know how great they were in the new series so you can imagine how wonderful they were in this animated bridge between classic and new...
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Doctor Who, Story 80: Terror of the Zygons

An excellent leading story for the 13th season
After a very subpar Cybermen story,the Doctor, Sarah and Harry come back to Earth to help UNIT investigate destroyed oil rigs. What they find are people who aren't what they appear to be, an alien threat and one version of the Loch Ness Monster. This story is full of nice touches, including the Doctor's indignation at being called back about "mineral slime" until the Brigadier reminds him of the loss of life, a look at the Brigadier's Scottish heritage and Harry not being an imbecile. The Zygons are well written with a fascinating technology and deserved to come back, which sadly never happened onscreen. However, their one appearance is well worth getting.
The Doctor won't let Zygons be Zygons
The opening story of the thirteenth season has the Doctor, Harry, and Sarah responding to the Brigadier's emergency call that he got at the end of the previous story. Three rigs by the North Sea have been destroyed in one month. First there's a radio blackout, then a weird sound that comes in, and then the rig is destroyed. UNIT is stationed in the nearby village of Tullock, Scotland to investigate.

Some curious markings from the wreckage of the Bonnie Prince Charlie, the rig destroyed at the beginning of the story leads the Doctor to do a study in orthodontology, with a cast of "a set of giant molars than can chew through solid steel as easily as paper." Could it be a manifestations of evil spirits that Angus McRanald, landlord of the inn UNIT is occupying, tells about to Sarah? "Bad luck comes to them who set foot on Tullock Moor" he tells her. But do evil spirits destroy oil rigs?

Another character is the Duke of Forgill, a cynical-looking man with a withering look who...
Zygons?...A name humans will learn to fear!
This story has be rated as one of the best ever. Not only are the monsters among the series most convincing (by 1970's Dr Who standards), but the overall atmosphere generated by the direction and production is extremely powerful. Adding to this wonderfully eerie feel, is a superb score by Geoffrey Burgon - the tension created by his music is incredible. For me John Woodnutt steals the show, playing two parts as the lead monster 'Broton', and the 'Duke'. His whispering delivery of the aliens' threat to the world ranks as one of the series most remarkable performances. Some feel that the story is let down by some badly executed animation used for the 'Skarasen' (The Loch Ness Monster). But for me, this only further enhances the appeal of the story: It's not Hollywood special effects that make it work, it's a superb mix of deep characterisation, thoughtful direction and above all, spine-tingling performances from all involved.
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Doctor Who: The Doctors Revisited 5-8 (2013)

Four More 50th Anniversary Specials!
2013 is the 50th Anniversary of "Doctor Who". This set of 50th Anniversary Specials covers the 5th through the 8th Doctors. The Specials for the first four doctors were issued July 2013, in a set titled:
Doctor Who: The Doctors Revisited 1-4.

"Revisted 5-8" has 4 discs. Each Doctor has a 40-minute celebratory feature/special looking back on his tenure. There are interviews, photos and clips from various series. For Doctors 5-7, each special is followed by a favorite series for that Doctor. Doctor #8 had only one show. The Colin Baker selection, "Vengeance on Varos", is one of my top 10 Classic Doctor Who stories. In addition to being a good science fiction story, it comments on the human condition - Are we are no different from the Roman mob gleefully giving thumbs down to a gladiator as our afternoon entertainment?

5th DOCTOR - PETER DAVISON (1982 -1984)
The Special commentators...
Retrospectives Of Each Era, Not Rehashes
The primary,new content of these Doctors "revisited" pieces is comprised of interviews with the actors and others involved with or reflecting on each particular Doctor's era. Thanks to C.D. who gave me a heads up that each retrospective also contains a complete episode from the featured Doctor's era. I had initially thought that just clips from episodes were present.
Doctor who:The Doctors Revisted 5-8 (2013)
Personally i love collecting who dvds & blurays & getting all the variant versions.This set offers great extras for completists even if you already own these stories & great stocking fillers for newbies too.
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The Secret of Crickley Hall

Planning A Country Get-Away? Probably Best To Avoid Moving In To A Creepy Old Orphanage
In the mood for an old fashioned ghost story? You could certainly do worse than the entertaining mini-series "The Secret of Crickley Hall." Adapting the 2006 novel from the prolific Best Selling author James Herbert, BBC fashioned a handsome supernatural tale that has both heart and horror. Stretched over three hour long episodes, the story has the time to develop at its own pace without rushing. Some of the developments can seem a bit far-fetched, as you might expect. But by focusing on character, the mini-series remains grounded due to it having invested the time to actually make you care about the outcome for the lead family. Even as the main saga gets loopier and less faithful to the source material, I always remained connected. Perhaps "The Secret of Crickley Hall" is not the scariest or most realistic ghost story ever made, but that's a rather lofty expectation to have! It was, however, genuinely well executed, well acted, and atmospheric. So I was happy enough to...


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In the Flesh

The Zombie Next Door: BBC's Original And Emotional Take On The Zombie Craze
While I have an undeniable soft spot in my heart for the flesh eating undead, the zombie genre has been a bit overworked lately with projects (whether in film, TV, or books) of varying degrees of quality. Let's face it, the walking dead are everywhere! I'm certainly not complaining, but it's becoming increasingly difficult to find entertainment that still feels fresh and vital. So if you're looking for something a little different, look no further than "In The Flesh." This three part miniseries for the BBC takes a familiar concept and completely reworks the genre. Less a horror thriller than a social commentary, this domestic drama examines a world in which zombies return to a cognitive state and attempt to return to society. But is the world ready to cohabitate with this perceived threat?

The premise behind "In The Flesh" is pretty dazzling in its audacity. Forgiveness, retribution, prejudice, and loyalty are all concepts that face a small Lancashire village still...
Biggest surprise of the year.
We rarely get to see an original story these days, especially when the subject is zombies - excuse me, Partially Deceased Persons.
This 3 part series takes us into completely unexpected directions. Don't worry if you can't understand all the North Country accents. The actors make every twist plain to understand and only two or three characters have truly thick accents.

Best of all the BBC has announced a six part second series due in 2014. Can't wait.
even if you hate zombie flicks, you will love this series!
this is such a fresh take on the whole zombie concept. just when i thought i'd seen everything one could do with zombies, someone came up with an unexpected twist. that twist is that there is a cure for zombies, aka "the partially deceased", as the government calls them. the uk government has come up with an utterly socialist way to deal with these new "people". this part is so droll and ironic that you might miss it if not attuned to the nuances of this show. the whole of government apparatus springs into bureaucratic action with the reintroduction of them into society, supporting them as the newest recovering group. they must be given daily shots so as not to revert. there is a case worker assigned to each family which is reintegrating a PD into their family household. there is a vigilante movement of the requisite rednecks which wants to execute these PDs. there is even an underground movement you can find online of those who hate being PDs and combine together to resume full...
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Last of the Summer Wine: Vintage 2000

Compo's Funeral -- Some of the best writing
According to IMDB, the year 2000 should contain the 3 episodes that lead to and make up Compo's funeral (Bill Owen died in 1999). As a serious "Last of the Summer Wine" fan those three episodes (IMO) were not only the funniest, but also the saddest! I cry all the way through every time. I really do hope 'Elegy for Fallen Wellies', 'Surprise at Throstlenest' and 'Just a Small Funeral' are included in this set. I've been waiting SO LONG to add those to my collection!! There is NOTHING better than "Last of the Summer Wine".
Wonderful
We have been watching Last of the Summer Wine for a long time. It just keeps getting better and better.
This one is one of the best. You get to know the characters and find all the story lines funny.
Best British SitCom
Last of the summer wine is the world's longest running sit com. Soothing real comedy. We watch it over and over. Wish we could get the entire shows series in one purchase. Many of the actors have left us. Hated to see it discontinued.
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Doctor Who: Series 1-7 Limited Edition Blu-ray Giftset

All-Inclusive
For those of you wondering, all of the specials are indeed included in this set. The Blu Rays for Series 2-7 independently contain the Christmas specials that preceded that season. If you'd like to go through the contents of each individual series, you can look them up here on Amazon and you will see that the specials are included in the sets.

To summarize: Every single episode of Who that has aired since 2005 will be on this set.
Doctor Who: Series 1-7 in the Blue Box
I haven't seen this box set but do own the Tennant specials and subsequent series on Blu-ray. At this point, I just want to make a few remarks about image quality.

I had often wondered why the early reboot series were not in available in Blu-ray. Some web research led me to the answer. Doctor Who Series 1-4, with exception of the last two specials, were shot in Standard Definition (SD). SD PAL (Europe) is 576 scan lines as opposed to SD NTSC (US) 480 scan lines. When mastered for DVD some resolution was lost, not a whole lot overall, but some. Blu-ray Disc (BD) has more than enough room for that full SD PAL to shine. It will *never* be full 1080 HD but these will look as good as they ever will!

The current Series 5-7 on BD look and sound *fantastic*. So, allons-y! This is the set to get.

Web rumors indicated Series 1-4 will receive separate BD releases in 2014. Till then -- Geronimo!

BTW -- WB says --

Special Features:
All...
It is all here!
A special Blu-Ray high-definition box set of every episode and special since the 2005
Relaunch, up to The Name of the Doctor. This is a must have. The episodes in series 1-4 were originally shot at the UK's standard definition of the time, 576i, while everything from Planet of the Dead onwards was shot at 1080i. All are being converted up to 1080p for this gift set. Also
included in the set is an Eleventh Doctor Sonic Screwdriver Remote Control for TVs
and other home media equipment. That alone is $100.00. The on-disc contents should be identical to those for the previously-released complete season sets (apart from the definition increase, of course).
Each season will come in its own case, with an outer box to contain them all in. The set
may also contain a few other little souvenir nick-knacks.

The up-converted series 1 to 4 sets will also be made available to purchase on their own,
but likely not until the middle of 2014.
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Snow Queen

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