Science fiction and horror are often cited as two seperate genres in film, TV and literature; however I think they can quite often cross or share elements. Science fiction can be scary just as horror can fall on the science fiction side! Think about movies such as Alien (scary science fiction) or Hellraiser (horror with science fiction elements). This is also true of Doctor Who (though maybe a bit more family friendly).

Lets start with those ever present stone creatures that can kill you kindly – the weeping angels. The Weeping Angels are scary for a multitude of reasons, not least of all because they are practically inescapable (short of being The Doctor and his friends) – one can try their hardest not to blink but one watery eye and a split second later, and boom – hello 1920.

But what really makes the Weeping Angels so scary is the cinematography – the gothic feel of an old abandoned house, dilapitated garden and beautiful sad weeping stone angels. The scenery adds to the creepy factor because imagry has a pyschological effect on our minds. We remember a frightening image (like, say, a stone angel all teeth and claws coming at you in flickering lights) and it will stay with us much longer then a scary concept or storyline (not to say that those don’t frighten us either).

At the end of Blink we are given a montage of every day statues – monuments in parks and gargoyles on gothic buildings and now we have been made weary of any stone statue we come across. We have been made to think twice about them as we walk past and what Whovian has actually tried not to blink, at least once?

But it’s not only the Weeping Angels episodes that have frightened us. After The Silence in the Library, we became even more scared of dark corners and shadows. The dark is one of the first and most ingrained fears humans were born with. We never know what is in the dark and after this episode, the scary shadows have a name: The Vashta Nerada. Now we count our shadows and make sure we’re not repeating ourselves, and when we encounter the darkest dark we think twice about it. As The Doctor says, “It’s whats in the dark. It’s what’s always in the dark.” The Vashta Nerada are always there. And the scariest part is that eventually, they are not only in the dark corners of a room, but the dark corners of our minds.

Sometimes it’s not the villian that’s scary but the way a story is told. Hide is one of these episodes. I love Hide because it starts out as a traditional ghost story, complete with an old dusty mansion and a dark and stormy night (absolutely classic). Dougary Scott (a favorite actor) and Jessica Raine are ghost hunters trying to contact the otherside. In the end we find out it’s not a ghost but a space traveller trapped in a bubble universe – the perfect example of science fiction and horror mixed. The episode is one of the more ‘gothic’ episodes and probably one reason why I love it. One of the creepiest scenes is when Clara and the Doctor are standing in the doorway, in the dark with only a candleabra for light. Clara says she might be scared but she doesn’t need him to hold her hand, to which The Doctor replies that he is indeed not holding her hand! So then what is? The creep factor is raised with the realization that something we can’t see is touching Clara.

And who could forget Nine’s encounter with The Empty Child? Creepy gas mask children asking, “Are you my mummy?” for seemingly no reason at all? Gas masks have never been the same for Doctor Who fans since. A gas mask growing from your skin with nothing behind it – almost soulless – which is one of the most frightening things to encounter. Something without a soul is dangerous because it doesn’t have a moral compass. And something without a moral compass is scary because it indicates a lack of humanity which comes with no compassion. No compassion leads to not knowing good from bad, or right from wrong, and therefore makes one unpredictable. The Doctor and Rose don’t know what The Empty Child is let alone what it is capable of.

As for a lack of humanity, what about the Gangers of The Rebel Flesh/ The Almost People? They are simply clones that at first seem to be quite human but later turn out to be not human at all. Consider having a clone of yourself – the exact image of you – walking around with your memories and thoughts and desires. Just as what happens in the episode the doppelgangers would end up trying to taking over and leading a war against the humans. Amy does not even know which Doctor is hers. Two Doctors and they’re both exactly the same to where you can’t even decide which one is yours? Now that’s pretty scary (but only in a Whovian way). Your Ganger could do any manner of horrible things and you would be blamed for it. That’s a terrfiying thought! Not to mention the fact that the Gangers can ‘grow’ as Jennifer shows us when she turns into a creature.

So just because it’s science fiction doesn’t mean it can’t be scary. These are just a few examples, but lets not forget how scary the universe in itself can be; aliens both good and bad, different kinda of planets (remember Midnight?), black holes and the TARDIS going off course, among a myriad of things. It’s all part of the adventure but it doesn’t come without some fright.

I’d say it’s worth it though.

OK, Doctor Who: Legacy is super fun to play. Not gonna talk about that much; the gameplay is simple enough, doesn’t need a lot of explanation. Match rows, build up power, hit the bad guys, advance. But this addictive game is also crammed full of inside jokes, references, heart, and insight, the exactly perfect bait for a Whovian. Seriously, you guys, we’ve got:

Companions who are unexpectedly awesome. We collect a companion like Amy or Clara and it’s no surprise of course. Only this is Doctor Who: Legacy. So we have Bitey the Cybermat. And Stormageddon, and Handles. Spoonhead and Flesh Doctors, young and old Canton, young and old Amy, fighting together! Ianto and Jack! Oods! Sarah Jane Smith! There are literally dozens of companions to help the Doctor save the Universe, some obvious, some obscure, each with their own contribution to make. We build their strength and endurance to higher and higher levels as we play.

These collectible companions have a special ability that is specific to their characters. For example, Clara’s special ability is to heal, just like she healed the Doctor after he was blasted with loss. Sassy River Song converts blue gems (Eleven’s colour) into her own red gems, just, you know, because she’s River Song. We have added a Dalek to our allies. A Dalek?! It’s Oswin Oswald in there, failing at soufflé, but increasing Eleven’s strength while she does. Rory heals because he’s a nurse, Vincent resets the game board because of how he sees the world… It’s all so wonderfully familiar, so… right.

The Doctor himself appears in several of his incarnations and we get to choose our favourite for each level (or episode) when we play. Will it be Sixie, with special ability Cavalier? Or Two, with his, I Don’t Like It. Nine offers Air From My Lungs. Grinning yet? The War Doctor’s ability is named No More. The Doctor’s abilities range from superhuman healing to stunning an enemy for up to four turns to changing gems from one colour to another to dealing a devastating hit to the enemy.

AMY: Okay, so we’ve basically run up the inside of a chimney, yeah? So what if the gravity fails?
DOCTOR: I’ve thought about that.
AMY: And?
DOCTOR: And we’ll all plunge to our deaths. See? I’ve thought about it. The security protocols are still live. There’s no way to override them. It’s impossible.
RIVER: How impossible?
DOCTOR: Two minutes.

- Flesh and Stone, 2010

Very, very often during his adventures, the Doctor faces a scenario where that extra two minutes is critical, where two minutes means the difference between annihilation and salvation. In Legacy, for the Doctor ‘s special ability only, you can use it as soon as it’s charged… Or you can stall, give the Doctor the extra two minutes he needs, dig in for a few more turns. And if you can hold off just that tiny bit longer, his ability’s power doubles. How many times have we seen the Doctor frantically wiring a solution, concocting an antidote, executing a plan, counting on those two minutes? Legacy gets it. There’s this, too: You can’t build the Doctor’s strength and endurance to higher and higher levels as we play–because his level is calculated by his team. His companions make him stronger, and the better they are, the better he is. Way to be, Legacy! Very satisfying.

In the meantime we’re navigating the Asylum of the Daleks. We’re fighting Angels in Manhattan and we’re traveling to Trenzalore. During all of this we face time distortions that make The Bells of Saint John interrupt Season Six, for example. We’re battling Cybermen, Daleks, Tocolofane, Dinosaurs, Weeping Angels… Many with their own, evil version of special abilities.

The key in this game is to never, ever give up, and never give in. Sound familiar? Just when we’re at our lowest, when Winston is stunned and the TARDIS (yes, of course she’s a character, I told you, this is LEGACY) won’t dematerialize and K-9’s low on batteries, a plan will unfold in your mind… The pieces will move on the board and you will not only survive (love it when that happens), but you will finish off those Sontarans and move on to the next level.

Levels of Legacy are accompanied by something else Whovians covet: A story. The levels of the game are like episodes of the show, complete with story arc and cliff-hangers. The Doctor and his team gather allies, defeat enemies, gain strength and intelligence, all in order to progress through the story. What’s the story about you ask? Spoilers…

As with most matters Whovian, we fans hold no small amount of influence with the Legacy team at Tiny Rebel Games. They not only accept suggestions from fans–they invite suggestions from fans! They encourage and consider and even appreciate suggestions from fans! When Jack Harkness was released into the Legacy universe, he had brown eyes. For about an hour. Now they’re blue. That’s how it’s done, Legacy! Details, everyone knows, are crucial to a believable Universe.

More addictive than Vraxoin, with gameplay as urgent and engaging as the most exciting episode, employing tactics that would make BBC producers proud, and set in a Universe where we all feel at home, I give you Doctor Who: Legacy, ladies and gentlemen! An ordinary game with extraordinary heart, crafted especially for us.

Editorial written by Dennie Kuhn

Next month sees the release of another audio adventure for the Eleventh Doctor and his companions.

In The Empty House by Simon Guerrier the TARDIS lands in rural England in the 1920s and the Doctor, Amy and Rory find a crashed spaceship nearby – the discovery marks the beginning of a nightmarish chain of events for them.

It’ll be released on 6th September 2012 and is read by The Rebel Flesh/The Almost People’s Raquel Cassidy.

See the latest Doctor Who products on sale now via our merchandise section!

With thanks to AudioGO.

Last month we told you about the new Series 6 soundtrack which is to be released in time for Christmas – and now its track listing has been revealed!

The 2-disc CD will be available to buy/download from 19th December, featuring an array of Murray Gold’s scores which were heard throughout this year’s adventures.

Check out the track list below! Any tracks you’re particularly looking forward to humming along to…? Let us know!

Something else which will no doubt be at the top of our Christmas wish lists this year is the Series 6 boxset, which is out now on DVD and Blu-ray! Find out more about it here.

DISC ONE
- The Impossible Astronaut/Day of the Moon
1) I Am The Doctor In Utah
2) 1969
3) The Impossible Astronaut
4) Trust Me
5) Help Is On Its Way
6) Another Perfect Prison
7) Greystark Hall
8) Apollo 11
9) Day Of The Moon
10) I See You Silence

- The Curse of the Black Spot
11) You’re A Dead Man
12) Deadly Siren
13) Perfect Reflection
14) All For One
15) The Curse Of The Black Spot

- The Doctor’s Wife
16) I’ve Got Mail
17) My TARDIS
18) Run, Sexy
19) Locked On

- The Rebel Flesh/The Almost People
20) The Chemical Castle
21) Which One Is The Flesh?
22) Scanning Me
23) Ransacked
24) Always With The Rory
25) Double Doctor
26) Tell Me The Truth
27) Loving Isn’t Knowing

- A Good Man Goes To War
28) River’s Waltz
29) Pop
30) Tell Me Who You Are
31) Melody Pond

DISC TWO
- Let’s Kill Hitler
1) Growing Up Fast
2) The Blush Of Love
3) Terror Of The Reich
4) The British Are Coming
5) A Very Unusual Melody
6) When A River Forms
7) Pay Attention Grown Ups
8) The Enigma Of River Song

- Night Terrors
9) Bedtime For George
10) Tick Tock Round The Clock
11) A Malevolent Estate
12) Night Terrors

- The Girl Who Waited
13) Apalapucia
14) 36 Years
15) Lost In The Wrong Stream

- The God Complex
16) The Hotel Prison
17) Room Of Your Dreams
18) Fear Enough
19) What’s Left To Be Scared Of?
20) Rita Praises

- Closing Time
21) Stormageddon, Dark Lord Of All
22) Definitely Going
23) Over Your Shoulder
24) Ladieswear
25) Fragrance
26) My Time Is Running Out

- The Wedding Of River Song
27) Tick Tock (Vocal Track)
28) 5:02pm
29) The Head Of An Enemy
30) My Silence
31) Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart
32) Forgiven
33) Time Is Moving
34) The Wedding Of River Song

35) The Majestic Tale (Of A Madman In A Box)

See the latest Doctor Who products on sale now via our merchandise section!

The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) has updated their site with a list of special features that will presumingly be included on the complete Series 6 DVD/Blu-ray!

Firstly, this year’s Comic Relief specials, Space/Time, will both be present on the boxset, as will the prequels for The Impossible Astronaut, The Curse of the Black Spot, A Good Man Goes to War, Let’s Kill Hitler and the yet to be released prequel for The Wedding of River Song. A few commentaries have also been classified.

These are for the episodes The Impossible Astronaut, The Doctor’s Wife and The Rebel Flesh, though we can assume that they’ve been recorded for all of the episodes.

Meanwhile (and here’s the really exciting bit!), in a similiar fashion to last year’s Series 5 boxset, the Series 6 boxset will include exclusive additional scenes, which have been named as Bad Night, Good Night, First Night, Last Night and, finally, Up All Night.

If we go by previous boxset releases, we can also expect to see the usual Confidential Cut Downs, trailers, as well as the Monster Files for the the Silence, Gangers, Antibodies and Cybermats, the latter of which are included on the Part 1/Part 2 separate releases.

Please note that nothing has been confirmed yet, so regard this as speculation for now!

See the latest Doctor Who products on sale now via our merchandise section!

Part one of Series 6 is now out to buy in the UK in a 2-disc DVD and Blu-ray boxset!

It contains the first 7 episodes of the current series – The Impossible Astronaut, Day of the Moon, The Curse of the Black Spot, The Doctor’s Wife, The Rebel Flesh, The Almost People and A Good Man Goes to War – and two ‘Monster Files’ as special features, but is it worth it?

Let us know YOUR thoughts about the boxset in the poll!

Buy Series 6: Part 1 DVD on: Amazon.co.uk | Play.com | HMV.com
Buy Series 6: Part 1 Blu-ray on: Amazon.co.uk | Play.com | HMV.com

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For fans of the Doctor in the US, you’ll be able to take home the boxset from 19th July.

See the latest Doctor Who products on sale now via our merchandise section!

The first half of Series 6 has now reached its epic conclusion on ABC1 in Australia, and here’s a round up of how each of the episodes faired in the ratings!

The series opener, The Impossible Astronaut, averaged 865,000 viewers, while Day of the Moon was watched by 895,000. Meanwhile, 837,000 tuned in for The Curse of the Black Spot, and 785,000 for The Doctor’s Wife. The Rebel Flesh and The Almost People interested audiences of 823,000 and 718,000, respectively.

The mid-series finale, A Good Man Goes to War, was watched by around 815,000.

Did you enjoy the mid-series finale? Discuss the climax and its cliffhanger…

Final ratings for last weekend’s broadcast of the mid series finale, A Good Man Goes to War, have been released.

The episode was watched in the UK by an official audience of 7.57million, a 31% share of the total television audience.

Now that official ratings for all seven episodes are available, we can see that the first half of Series 6 was watched by an average audience of 7.66million. Congratulations to the cast and crew for the achievement!

Series 6: Part 1 Official BARB Ratings Round up
The Impossible Astronaut (Part I) – 8.86million
Day of the Moon (Part II) – 7.30million
The Curse of the Black Spot – 7.85million
The Doctor’s Wife – 7.97million
The Rebel Flesh (Part I) – 7.35million
The Almost People (Part II) – 6.72million
A Good Man Goes to War – 7.57million

Did you enjoy the mid-series finale? Discuss the climax and its cliffhanger…

The final ratings for Series 6 Episode 5, The Rebel Flesh, have been released.

The information shows that the episode, part one of Matthew Graham’s two parter, was watched by an official audience of 7.35million, which is an impressive 34.1% share of the total television audience.

Congratulations to the cast and crew for yet another brilliant figure! Everything’s coming up Doctor!

Did you enjoy The Almost People? Rate the episode and its shocking climax…

The BBC’s YouTube channel has a great video of Matt Smith and Karen Gillan embarking on a ghost hunt!

Filming for The Rebel Flesh/The Almost People two parter at Caerphilly Castle in South Wales inspired them to share their own paranormal experiences. The castle is supposedly haunted by the ghost of the Green Lady, who is said to have died of a broken heart. Are you a believer? Have you had any ghostly occurrences of your own? Let us know in the comments!

Were you enthralled or appalled by The Rebel Flesh? Let us know your views!