Good evening all,

Not much to report here, hence the double dose of Doctor Who countdown. I've not really been watching much in the way of TV so can't really comment on that, although I am looking forward to the start of Strictly Come Dancing again (sad, I know), which will probably be on before Merlin. I caught a trailer for it when I went to the cinema last night and I have to say, it does look rather interesting. Click here to watch it.

There's also been an extended trailer for the Doctor Who Christmas special doing the rounds, which was shown at the Comicon. Dervla Kirwan doesn't seem to be exactly sweetness and light, which could be interesting. Ah, I might as well- click here for it (but the quality is not so good)

I've been sorting out a trip to Birmingham next weekend for a friend's birthday. Here's hoping it goes better than my last trip there. I have to go and be measured for a tuxedo tomorrow- it's a formal bash which should be fun. The last time I wore a tux was nearly ten years ago.

Sorry there's not much here- to be honest, I'm feeling a bit flat at the moment but want to keep my hand in with the blogging and such (so I don't slip back to where I was earlier this year).

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Musical Interlude:Click here to hear Tracy Chapman's brilliant version of Bob Dylan's amazing song 'The Times They Are A-Changing'. Just in case you're a purist, click here to hear Dylan's original.

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QB'S OFFICIAL AND DEFINITIVE NEW WHO COUNTDOWN! (PART TWO)

50. EVOLUTION OF THE DALEKS
Written by Helen Raynor and directed by James Strong

'There ain't nothing more creepy than a theatre in the dark. Listen, Doctor, I know you got a thing for showtunes but there's a time and a place.'

A rather predictable and disappointing end to the third season Dalek saga, but with strong guest performances by Hugh Quarshie, Miranda Raison and Andrew Garfield.

49. THE IDIOT'S LANTERN
Written by Mark Gatiss and directed by Euros Lyn

'Now, are you sitting comfortably? Good, then we'll begin.'

A spirited turn by Maureen Lipman as the intergalactic Wire lifts this from mediocrity. The domestic subplot with the Connellys is a bit soap-opera though.

48. BOOM TOWN
Written by Russell T. Davies and directed by Joe Ahearne

'From what I've seen, your funny little happy-go-lucky life leaves devastation in its wake. Always moving on because you dare not look back. Playing with so many people's lives, you might as well be a god.'

A fun little episode actually set in Cardiff,which pits the Doctor against an old adversary. There's a good turn by Annette Badland although it's pure filler before the season finale.

47. THE POISON SKY
Written by Helen Raynor and directed by Douglas Mackinnon

'The planet is going nuclear! I admire them. The bravery of idiots is bravery nonetheless.'

Just as with Evolution Of The Daleks, it's a predictable end to the Sontaran saga despite a great guest turn by Christopher Ryan as General Staal and a nice turn by Freema Agyeman as the clone Martha.

46. THE END OF THE WORLD
Written by Russell T. Davies and directed by Euros Lyn

'The end of the Earth. It's gone. We were too busy saving ourselves, no one saw it go. All those years. All that history and no one was even looking.'

Basically a murder mystery set on a spaceship, this mark's Rose's first venture to an alien world. Further information is also given on the Time War. A passable episode.

45. THE AGE OF STEEL
Written by Tom MacRae and directed by Graeme Harper

'This is the Age of Steel and I am it's creator.'

For some reason, it's rare that the second parts of two-parters live up to the promise of the first. I certainly found this with the round-up to the season two Cyberman story (despite the divine presence of Andrew Hayden-Smith)

44. THE CHRISTMAS INVASION
Written by Russell T. Davies and directed by James Hawes

'When you go back to the stars and tell others of this planet... When you tell them of its riches, its people, its potential... When you talk of Earth, then make sure that you tell them this... It is defended!'

Mr Tennant's first decent crack as the Doctor sees him saving the Earth at Christmas from the Sycorax. A very engaging debut for him but there are much stronger episodes.

43. NEW EARTH
Written by Russell T. Davies and directed by James Hawes

'I'm The Doctor. And if you don't like it, if you want to take it to a higher authority: there isn't one. It stops with me.'

Sinister cat nurse nuns, the return of an old adversary and some kooky bodyswap issues makes this a light and breezy season opener, albeit without much substance.

42. THE RUNAWAY BRIDE
Written by Russell T. Davies and directed by Euros Lyn

'That's what you do, the human race. Make sense out of chaos. Marking it out with… with weddings and Christmas and calendars. This whole process is beautiful, but only if it's being observed'

The Doctor is confronted by a loudmouth woman in a wedding dress who suddenly materialises within the TARDIS. Catherine Tate starts off quite annoying but mellows by the end. Some good effects too (especially with the Racnoss).

41. PARTNERS IN CRIME
Written by Russell T. Davies and directed by James Strong

'I had that one day with you and I was gonna change. I was gonna do so much. Then I woke up the next morning. Same old life. It's like you were never there'

Donna meets up with the Doctor as they investigate a new diet pill that seems too good to be true. The Adipose are cute but not too much of a threat and a lot of the stridency has gone from Tate's performance. Like New Earth, a bright and breezy way in but little substance.

(Next blog, episodes 40-31)

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Well, that's it from me. Take care, everyone!

QB

Drums please!

In honour of the first anniversary of the amazing wedding held last year in which France and Joey and I got spliced (can't believe it's only been a year, feels like longer- but in a good way) and also my third anniversary for joining the site, I decided it's time for a blog party!

So, what are we waiting for? Let's Get The Party Started!

There's a well-stocked bar:

But for the designated drivers (and those underage), we have:

The buffet is open too:

The DJ will be taking requests, so any songs you want featured - let me know! For the moment, he's piling on the cheese with a few hits from Girls Aloud

Love Machine

I Think We're Alone Now

There are plenty of things for those with a sweet tooth too:

and my personal favourite...

Well, it's been quite a year for all three of us since that amazing, crazy day last year. I have to say though that the wedding day last year was one of the highlights of my year. You both mean the world to me, more than I could ever actually say. You're incredibly special and wonderful people who deserve nothing but the best.

Before the little gifties, here is A Song For Joey and A Song For France.

Happy anniversary, my darlings!

I got you both a lovely Welsh love spoon:

And for Joey, you get an hour in a locked room with:

France, you get an hour in a locked room with:

And I get an hour in a locked room with:

I cannot quite believe it's been three years. This place has become such an intrinsic part of my life now. In that time, friends have come and gone, there has been fun and excitement, heartache and sorrow, all the rich facets of life. Who'd have guessed you could have found that in a website to discuss television? I've made some good friends here and I thank you all. You're all complete stars.

Before I go, here's a song for all my TV.com friends!

Now enjoy the fireworks!

Here's to the next three years!

Much luv to you all,

QB

PS. The Doctor Who Countdown will resume in the next blog!

Good afternoon, everyone.

I wasn't planning on blogging before Monday (for the anniversaries) but then I changed my mind. It's a gentleman's prerogative apparently. As promised, the Doctor Who countdown starts today!

Firstly, a very big CONGRATULATIONS to Matt for his stellar GCSE results and well done to anyone else who had their results and were pleased. As a personal aside, it always grinds my gears when- after any exam results are announced and the pass rate goes up- people automatically say 'oh, they're getting easier'. Nobody actually seems to credit the people who pass with hard work and hours of study who actually DESERVE the good results they have.

Secondly, I can officially die a happy man. A comment I posted on the official Doctor Who Magazine Facebook page has been published in the magazine (which went onsale yesterday!). It was praise for The Stolen Earth. I did actually squee when I saw it. Yep, a twenty-nine year old man squeed when he saw his name in print in DWM. Says it all really.

The past couple of days have seen me jumping through hoops with the unemployment department regarding my Jobseeker's Allowance. As I'm sure a_spod will verify, they're a uniquely bureaucratic bunch. Three days of phonecalls- and being passed from pillar to post with no clue as to what's happening- finally ended with me in the Jobcentre at 9am this morning filling out yet ANOTHER form. Hopefully this farce has now ended and normal service will be resumed soon.

I've been watching a lot ofwhat would now be considered cl@$$ic comedies at the moment: things like Fawlty Towers, Red Dwarf (Mr Flibble's very cross...) and Dinnerladies. Victoria Wood is just brilliant if you ask me.

One more thing before we crack on: the new series of The Sarah Jane Adventures is due to start at the end of September. The six stories which comprise the new series (each a two-parter) are The Last Sontaran, Day Of The Clown, Secrets Of The Stars, The Mark Of The Berserker, The Temptation Of Sarah Jane Smith and finally Enemy Of The Bane. It's confirmed that Yasmin Paige (Maria) is leaving after the first story but is replaced by Anji Mohindra as the new girl Rani. Nicholas Courtney- the Brigadier- is making an appearance (get him in for Who as well!) and Samantha Bond returns for the last episodes (she appeared as Mrs Wormwood in Invasion Of The Bane). The clown one is gonna freak me out as I don't like clowns- but in the absence of anything else, I'll give em a watch.

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Musical Interlude: Click here for Tracy Chapman's brilliant 'Talkin' Bout A Revolution'. Joey featured her amazing song 'Fast Car' on his new blog (go read if you haven't!) so got me in the mood for her.

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QB'S OFFICIAL AND DEFINITIVE NEW WHO COUNTDOWN! (PART ONE)

OK, it's been a while in coming but I think I've finally sorted out my list. It ranks the first four seasons of the new Doctor Who including Christmas specials but excluding mini-scenes etc. (so no Time Crash, Music Of The Spheres, Attack Of The Graske or Children in Need 2005 cutaway). So without further ado, here we go with episodes 55-51.

55. THE LONG GAME
Written by Russell T. Davies and directed by Brian Grant

'Create a climate of fear and it's easy to keep the borders closed. It's just a matter of emphasis. The right word in the right broadcast repeated often enough can destabilize an economy, invent an enemy, change a vote.'

Even a committed performance by Simon Pegg as the sinister Editor can't save this thorougly muddied and fairly unimpressive episode. Elements of it return at the season finale but, all in all, it's the weakest of the lot for me.

54. ALIENS OF LONDON
Written by Russell T. Davies and directed by Keith Boak

'Excuse me, do you mind not farting while I'm saving the world?'

The first season was very much trying to establish a tone. Unfortunately, this opening for the first two-parter is quite badly judged. The Slitheen are an interesting idea but the comedy farting is just too much- you can't really take them seriously.

53. FEAR HER
Written by Matthew Graham and directed by Euros Lyn

'Fear, loneliness. They're the big ones, Rose. Some of the most terrible acts ever committed have been inspired by them. We're not dealing with something that wants to conquer or destroy.'

There seems to be a definite treading water feel to this episode, pure filler before the explosive climax of the second season. Some strong ideas but not realised to their full potential. Strong performance by Nina Sosanya as the mother, though.

52. WORLD WAR THREE
Written by Russell T. Davies and directed by Keith Boak

'Our inspectors have searched the sky above our heads and they have found massive weapons of destruction, capable of being deployed within forty-five seconds.'

Given the WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) farrago at the time, it's amazing this got through. Good turns by Penelope Wilton and Annette Badland strengthen this episode, but it's still a fairly plodding affair.

51. LOVE & MONSTERS
Written by Russell T. Davies and directed by Dan Zeff

'When you're a kid, they tell you it's all "Grow up, get a job, get married, get a house, have a kid" and that's it. Nah. The truth is the world is so much stranger than that, it's so much darker. And so much madder. And so much better'

The only reason this is placed so highly is due to the brilliant guest cast- Marc Warren and Shirley Henderson especially- and a sympathetic turn by Camille Coduri. Peter Kay is OK as Victor but the supreme silliness kicks in when you see him as the Abzorbaloff.

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Bonus Feature: Click here to watch a very funny scene from Blackadder Goes Forth.

Anyway, I hope y'all have a good weekend - see you Monday for my anniversary blogs!

QB