Writer Steven Moffat and Executive Producer Julie Gardner talk about the Doctor
Russel T Davies was scheduled to appear but is tied to a chair writing episodes of Torchwood, according to Julie Gardner.
Moffat claimed to have written the first episode of Season 5 on the flight over. He is a self professed Doctor Who fanboy. He was so devoted to watching as a youth, he didn't have many friends (a fact that is still ture according to Gardner). Moffat said he was terrified when he was first given the opportunity to write Doctor Who. "I felt like a sad little fanboy handed an enormous toy to play with." Moffat also said that if you go to Britain where there are parents with their children, you'll constantly hear, "If you're not good, you won't get to watch Doctor Who." He feels like he's the best behaved boy in the country to have been given Doctor Who. It is also his belief that the writers shouldn't write to the actors. He said that would annoy them. The writers are to write the Doctor and it's up to the actors to put their own spin on the character.
Question and Answer portion:
Are there plans for the return of the Time Lords or Galifrey? Steven Moffat's answer: "I'm not telling you."
What's it like becoming the head writer? "It's just exciting. It's not like working in a hospital. It's just fun!"
What's Moffat's favorite era? "The Fifth Series." He enjoys the modern episodes and the fact that he's been given a "go at it." But he's loved it all.
What's the inspiration behind his terrifying episodes? He just remembers being terrified during Doctor Who often as a child. He feels the writers write in the way they remember Doctor Who growing up.
Who is his least favorite Doctor? None. Moffat said, "There's not ten Doctors, only one played by different actors.
Will any of the past Doctor's return? Moffat said he wouldn't rule it out. There needs to be a reason for the story. He feels the "stunt value" only lasts about eight minutes. The question is what do you do with the rest of the time?
What will happen when the Doctor reaches his final regeneration? Moffat replied, "The rules are off. The Doctor's always breaking rules. With the Time Lords gone, there's no need to worry. He'll be fine."
Why does it appear that the Doctor's getting younger as he regenerates more? Julie Gardner feels it's due to his constant running. Moffat related it to when you're young, you want to be seen as older. When you're older, you want to be seen as young and more immature.
Does Moffat worry about continuity? Being that the Doctor travels throught time, it's okay if something is contradicted. He says you don't have to have continuity. It could always be related to a time ripple from the Time war.
If a joke seems too "British" will they still include it knowing the American audiences may not get it? When that comes up, they'll put it in anyways.
With the return of Sarah Jane (and K-9) will any other characters return? "I'm not telling you!" Moffat also likes when things are new for the new viewers. He wants it to be accessible to the new younger watchers of the series.
The question came up with Moffat's "scarier" writing. "If people are concerned that every episode will be scary...tough!"
The panel ended with an extended trailer (with never before seen footage) of the Christmas Invasion '08 episode with the Cybermen.