This updated guide to all things Gallifreyan covers each episode from the pilot ("An Unearthly Child") in 1963 to the final episode of the resurrected series ("Bad Wolf") in 2005, as well as spin-offs (not including Torchwood) and special occasion episodes (like "The Christmas Invasion"). Each episode guide has details on the guest stars, writer/s, purpose-composed music, a verdict with rating out of ten, and more.
Unfortunately there's precious little about the plot for each episode, which is what I was far more interested in. I was led astray by the back blurb, which begins:
"23 November 1963: Two schoolteachers follow heir strange pupil into a gloomy junkyard. She disappears into a weirdly humming Police Box. A stooped figure appears, frail and elderly, yet oddly menacing.
"26 March 2005: A shop worker in a London store goes down to the basement. Mannequins jerk to life around her, blocking off her escape. As if from nowhere, a tall and energetic figure in a battered leather jacket appears and offers her his hand... two beginnings, one ongoing story."
Based on the blurb I was expecting some discussion about the evolution of the series and the character, the franchise, significant plot points... But the average summary (headed 'gist' rarely exceeds a sentence, and usually ends in an ellipse. For example, the first episode of the all-new Dr Who, "Rose", reads in total "The Autons are planning another takeover of earth..." and the commentary focuses solely on technical issues, logistics and the changes made to the TARDIS.
This was yet another reminder to keep the Fourth Rule of Book Buying at the forefront of my mind (aka the Lesson of MacAlister) - however good the book sounds, crack it open and check out the writing before forking over precious money - and also a reminder that a bargain's not a bargain if it's something you don't need. - Alex
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