The book was waiting on the doormat when I got in from work, and I’ve just spent the last five hours or so reading it from cover-to-cover.
My thoughts:
In some of Mr. Walker’s previous books of this type, my least favourite part (by a large margin) is usually the diary section that opens the book, which (probably due to its very nature rather than a fault on the part of the writer) can be a little dry, being mostly a list of Who-related news and media quotes from the period in question.
However, for some reason, the equivalent chapters in The End of Ten were much more enjoyable this time. Whether it was the layout, or the writing style, I can’t quite put my finger on it. But certainly the ‘News in Review’ section this time out was a more engaging read than previously. Maybe the news was just more exciting that year, what with the Doctor changeover, and the various media rumours that surrounded the gap year and the regeneration!
The episode guide is usually my favourite part of these guidebooks, and once again End of Ten doesn’t disappoint. The reviews are both extensive and fair, as always. Being a keen lurker in the ‘Rate the episode’ threads on GB, I was a little concerned that there was nothing new to say about these episodes, critically. How wrong I was! Even having read thousands of posts about these episodes, Mr Walker has managed to say something fresh about them, making new points I had never heard nor considered before.
Another thing about Mr Walker’s reviews (and this is a carry over from his previous reviews going back as far as the old Handbook series) is that, even when he’s not a big fan of a certain episode, he’ll always spot a few things that he likes, highlighting both the good and the bad in every episode. Many Who reviews these days seem to be either ardent love or abusive hate – it’s so nice to get some middle ground in there for a change. And even when I didn’t agree with some of the reviews (I’m a big fan of ‘The Waters of Mars’, for example), Mr Walker’s reviews are always heartfelt, fair, thought-provoking and above all, balanced.
And also, as always, the usual facts and stats and ratings analysis.
I really cannot recommend this book highly enough – some of the viewpoints might be slightly controversial, but it’s an enjoyable overview of the Specials that expertly manages to blend fact and opinion in one all-encompassing volume – one I’m sure to dip into for reference many times in the future. In partnership with Andrew Pixley’s DWM Companion that covered the Specials, these two pubilcations ensure there is really no need for any other guide to the show as it was in 2009 – all bases seem to be well and truly covered!
What with their previous Who-related releases, and with Wiped, Timelink and the next Toybox Update all on the horizon also, Telos is undoubtedly now the ultimate resource for non-fiction Doctor Who books. Long may it continue!