Talk:Doctor Who season 16/Archive 1

Archive 1

Why a 'Notes' section?

Why does this article have a 'Notes' section? With that section I can't help but look for superscripted numerals that I might've missed when reading the article. Not a big deal, just slightly confusing. --Mrwojo 23:04, 26 November 2005 (UTC)

Fake White Guardian?

The most recent edit [1] changed the article to say that it was the Black Guardian disguised as the White Guardian that sent the Doctor on this quest. I can't recall anything from the Key to Time series that would confirm that it was either the Black or White Guardian who appears in The Ribos Operation. I've always thought it was the White Guardian because otherwise the Black Guardian would've disguised himself similarly in The Armageddon Factor. BBC.co.uk says it's possible that it was the Black Guardian in disguise. Unless there's some evidence one way or another, I think the uncertainty should be noted in this article, The Ribos Operation, White Guardian, and Black Guardian. Thoughts? --Mrwojo 02:46, 28 December 2005 (UTC)

If it was actually the White Guardian who sent the Doctor to find the Key to Time, then the Doctor would not have re-scattered the Key - he would be worried about what the White Guardian would say. Therefore, it makes sense that it was actually the Black Guardian in disguise. Also, if I'm not mistaken, in the beginning of the Ribos Operation, the White Guardian makes some comment about the fact that lives could be lost in the search for the Key, but he didn't seem to care about it - the same fact that led the Doctor to realize in the end that it was the Black Guardian trying to get the Key, not the White.

That's speculation, really, albeit a plausible one. I try not to ascribe to conspiracy what can be attributed to mere incompetence, or in this case, sloppy writing. If indeed the "White Guardian" at the end was intended to be the White Guardian at the beginning and the Black Guardian in disguise, why is the "White Guardian" at the end not played by Cyril Luckham and then transform into Valentine Dyall? Instead, it is Dyall in both guises at the end. That suggests to my mind that it was intended as a cue to the viewer that it was the baddie in disguise, as they would conceivably be wondering, "Hang on, he looks different..." On the other hand, that means the Black Guardian is singularly incompetent at disguises, given the level of power he exhibits... --khaosworks (talk • contribs) 01:40, 17 February 2006 (UTC)

Well, that's how I would justify it, correct or not. Just a thought.

I've just been watching the DVDs - there is mention of this theory on the commentary track and the information text, but the writers said that they had intended that it was the *real* White Guardian who gave the Doctor his mission - the theory that it was the Black Guardian all the time was thought up by the fans later on. PaulHammond 09:21, 1 June 2006 (UTC)

Region One Only?

Does anyone know why The Key To Time was only released as Region One? It's the only Fourth Doctor series that has no Region Two DVD releases. Snowflake Sans Crainte 22:51, 31 August 2006 (UTC)