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Second Flight
Back To The Vortex II

by J Shaun Lyon



      If you cheered when Dr Who burst triumphantly back onto the small screen in 2005 after sixteen years in limbo (not counting 1996), then this book is for you. It is time to go back behind the sofa again, so don’t forget to take this tubby tome with you, a one-volume guide to every episode of the second David Tennant season and more besides. Telos has made quite a name for itself with these guides to cult TV shows and, as with the others, this one is pretty exhaustive. Each episode is described in some detail, and much is made of what went on behind the scenes and some of the thinking behind the stories, series directions and casting choices. There is a brief synopsis of the plot, what The Doctor and Rose were up to, how various characters were built on, references (if any) to Torchwood, the body count, inconsistencies, music used and, most importantly, reviews by several people. It is fascinating to read why people think different episodes and plotlines work or fail, and why (which is presumably why you are reading this...)

Add to this a cast and crew index, notes about Doctor Who Confidential, the ratings (always surprising reading), what was on as a rival on other channels, and a list of novels and comics produced concurrently. Phew! It is all fascinating reading and might sound frivolous on the surface, but there is just so much about social science and psychology in here that touches on many deep and thought-provoking themes. Why something is popular is a perennial question and depends on so many factors - read this and you will learn more than just about Dr Who. Highly recommended for fans, and for anybody else interested in modern culture.

The Book

Telos Publishing Ltd
January 2007
Hardback
1845830083
Non-Fiction/SF/TV tie-in
More at Amazon.com US || UK
Excerpt
NOTE: Earth & Various Planets Featured in the Series

The Reviewer

Rachel A Hyde
Reviewed 2007
NOTE:
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