OMG I almost missed the special image on the main page.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/ (permanent flash link)
If that doesn't draw in any Buffy fan at this point, I don't know what will.
(ahem, note the rooftop)

You can catch a few seconds of him in action on this preview clip (it's legal)
hear his voice at 14 seconds and best part at 32 seconds
Far more than even the trailer for this episode!

Last but not least, don't forget you can join us on the Doctor Who chat on Whedonesque.org

[ edited by TaraLivesOn on 2006-04-26 13:50 ]

TaraLivesOn | April 26, 15:18 CET

Ha. Action Giles.

Simon | April 26, 15:18 CET

I like my blood shaken, not stired... (sorry had to caption it, tee!)

Look at poor K-9, you can see all that rust!

Someone could have some serious fun photoshopping this image - cutting the women out and putting in Buffy with a stake, and then sticking in "Sunnydale" before "high school". Giles on the rooftop is like alternate "evil" universe. Heh.

Russell T. Davies didn't write or direct this one so it should be pretty good (kidding!!!! I didn't like a few of his episodes last year but his style grew on me and I "get it" now).
Written by: Toby Whithouse
Directed By: James Hawes

[ edited by TaraLivesOn on 2006-04-26 13:38 ]

TaraLivesOn | April 26, 15:28 CET

I'd say more like Gothic Giles if he stayed in the Dark Side with Ethan Raynes.
As for K-9, I hope he gets an Extreme Makeover soon, if the plans of making him a cartoon hero come true, according to gallifreyone.com.

[ edited by impalergeneral on 2006-04-26 13:36 ]

impalergeneral | April 26, 15:35 CET

Did you see that there's going to be a K9 series?

Now my little fanboy heart who loved to have seen Tony Head and Chris Eccleston* together. But it'll be fun to see the new Doctor with him. And is it just me or does Tony Head look better with every passing year?

Simon | April 26, 15:35 CET

I'm really enjoying the Doctor we're seeing on Sci-Fi Channel in the U.S. now, Christopher Eccleston, but I guess that means we have about a year to wait for ASH's appearance to come to our screens. Oh, well. This photo link is great, lets us know what we're waiting for!

Hey, UK folks, let us know how the ep is (great, I'm sure)! ;-)

billz | April 26, 15:36 CET

Well Disney has got a (hidden) hand in the new K9 series so I am hoping they don't totally screw it up. The new K9 looks a bit too funky and suspeciously designed for mass marketing some kind of new toy. This would make him a mark IV or mark V model I guess (oh I am so geeking out).

Another good image of rusty K9 in this photo
(minor spoiler warning for the text at the bottom of the image)

[ edited by TaraLivesOn on 2006-04-26 13:54 ]

TaraLivesOn | April 26, 15:43 CET

Be still my heart. No Simon, I don't think he is looking better every year - I don't think that is possible. Thanks for the images, TaraLivesOn. That's the closest I'll be getting to the new series over here.

Lioness | April 26, 15:52 CET

Cool, it's 'The Dark Giles Returns' ;).

I sort of like the 'battle damaged' K9 though I could see him having a make-over by episode end (The Doctor might have some spares kicking around in the back of the TARDIS).

(I know what you mean about the 'Disneyfication' of a beloved character Taraliveson but I think the new model looks pretty good and also a kind of Aibo in a K9-ish shell with K9-ish voice and attitude might be just the excuse I need to start buying toys again ;)

Saje | April 26, 15:56 CET

I'm so excited. This series of Doctor Who is shaping up to be even better than the last one.

flugufrelsarinn | April 26, 16:24 CET

Ha. That is fantastic. Giles. Rupert Giles.

smog | April 26, 17:30 CET

Loving the new series of Who and Simon is right, Tony just gets better with age.

zeitgeist | April 26, 17:34 CET

ASH looks great but Elisabeth Sladen (Sarah Jane Smith) looks absolutely incredible (or should I say "smashing" :-) considering the last time she was active on Doctor Who was 30 years ago. For the resourceful folks, try finding on the web the Blue Peter interview she did (with K9) from a few days ago, it was wonderful!

Here she is with K9, 30 years ago
and other great K9 photos...

[ edited by TaraLivesOn on 2006-04-26 18:18 ]

TaraLivesOn | April 26, 17:44 CET

I so need an action figure of The Headmaster. Tony, slicked back hair, bad ass-i-tude...oh my.

I've found a few sets of action figures for the new series, but has anyone heard if there will be more sets released?

Selannia | April 26, 18:12 CET

Selannia - I would count on it. From all accounts, the merch is doing well. And TLO is so right, Elizabeth Sladen looks incredible as well.

zeitgeist | April 26, 18:19 CET

I really tried to get into this series when it came on Sci-Fi recently, but it just didn't grab me. And I liked Eccleston from Cracker, so I had high hopes. But he just spent most of the eps grinning like a loon, so I really couldn't feel it.

I also think I'm just too used to the US way of tv. A little shiny. A little fake. UK tv is pretty gritty, and I don't just mean in writing or acting. Actual visuals. Which worked for Cracker, being a crime show, but it's just not working for me with a sci-fi show about time travel, when even the futuristic stuff looks old and grungy.

I don't know, it's really hard to describe. I wanted to like it, but also it came on so late, I couldn't stay awake for more than half an episode. I've no doubt, with all the raves, there is something worth watching in there. I just couldn't find it.

*sigh* I miss Bilborough.

Rogue Slayer | April 26, 18:27 CET

Doesn't anyone else immediately think "Hannibal Lecter"?

petranef | April 26, 20:10 CET

Thanks to YouTube, I have been able to see David Tennant's turn as the Doctor. A bit too goofy sometimes, compared to Chris Eccholson, but I think he's settling into the role. He just needs a more dramatic story to show he's worthy. I hope by next week we'll have "School Reunion" there.

impalergeneral | April 26, 21:48 CET

So is ASH meant to be "The Master"? Weird that on the photo gallery page he's listed as "Head Master" and not Headmaster as you'd expect...

If he is The Master then could it be a recurring role?

zz9 | April 26, 22:37 CET

If that's the case, the Master may have found another way to get around the "12 regenerations per Time Lord" rule, as he did at the end of "The Keeper of Traken". Seeing ASH as downright diabolical would be great.

impalergeneral | April 26, 23:52 CET

As far as we currently know, Tony isn't the Master.

There have, however been rumors that the Master will appear this season, and rumors saying that Tony Head will play him.

Last time we saw the Master he got sucked into the Eye of Harmony in the Cloister Room of the TARDIS (RTD has said he considers the TV movie cannon). So it'll be interesting to see how he escapes.

Ghost Spike | April 27, 00:39 CET

Hmmm.... I don't think I've ever seen anyone write Headmaster as two words... RTD showed with the Bad Wolf thing that he likes giving hints to viewers.

zz9 | April 27, 03:27 CET

...and he showed with Torchwood in Tooth and Claw that he can't resist bludgeoning instead of hints sometimes :) Plus -- you've never seen that, eh? Be careful when searching that phrase on google ;)

zeitgeist | April 27, 04:43 CET

lol zeitgeist. I would love ASH to be The Master but at the moment I don't think it's likely. It would top what's already looking like an awesome episode though.

Paul_Rocks | April 27, 20:48 CET