Doctor Who: Complete Series 1-7 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Doctor Who: Complete Series 1-7 Blu-ray Movie Review

An exhaustive, frankly exhausting box set. And I'm still hungry for more!

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown December 5, 2013

Whovians, rejoice! Doctor Who has arrived on Blu-ray in its entirety in an arguably must-own set sure to be the envy of fellow fans this holiday season. Though notably pricey, the 29-disc Complete Series box set is worth consideration... if, that is, BBC's hefty, beautifully constructed, high-quality Sonic Screwdriver Universal Remote (MSRP $100) strikes you as an enticing collectible; enticing enough to justify splurging now rather than waiting for the individual seasons and remasters to receive separate releases. (Personally, I find the screwdriver pack-in to be a fun, entertaining treat. It even comes with a plastic-domed display stand. Although I will say my son, recognizing a top dollar, top shelf toy when he sees one, commandeered the device within a day of its arrival.) The complete Doctor Who series comes packaged in an oversized box with individual, standard-sized Blu-ray cases devoted to each season, the 2008-10 specials collection, and the set's exclusive bonus disc and documentaries. In other words, significant shelf space isn't a prerequisite.

Along with the Sonic Screwdriver remote, the 29-disc Doctor Who treasure box also features:

• Every episode and special to date, either remastered and/or presented in 1080p with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround (minus the recently aired 50th Anniversary special, Day of the Doctor, which is available separately)
• Remastered 1080p/DTS-HD MA versions of the previously released 1080i/DTS-HD HR Complete Specials collection, fifth and sixth seasons, and standalone Christmas special discs
• Hours upon hours of supplemental content, including the aforementioned bonus disc and its three new-to-Blu-ray specials: "The Brit List's Ultimate Doctor Who List of Lists,"The Best of the Christmas Specials" " and an uncut, remastered presentation of "Doctor Who at the Proms"
• Three Doctor Who Art Cards: Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant and Matt Smith
• Exclusive Doctor Who Comicbook

The only catch? The first four seasons of Russell T. Davies' Doctor Who reboot weren't shot in high definition, meaning Series 1-4 -- though presented in 1080p -- are essentially marginally improved SD upscales. (More on that in the video section below.) Even so, these are now the definitive versions of Series 1-4, without any possibility that future releases will somehow miraculously deliver anything more. Otherwise, there's very, very little to complain about here, and even less that might prevent the Complete Series set from being one of the best TV releases of 2013.

Doctor Who: Complete Series 1-7 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The Doctor Who collection is a tale of two presentations: Series 1-4 and 2008 David Tennant special "The Next Doctor" have been upscaled to 1080p from a take-it-or-leave-it standard definition source, while the remaining 1080p presentations of Series 5-7, the additional Tennant specials and the 2010-12 Christmas specials have been created from a native high definition source. The differences are quite startling if you aren't prepared for the changeover, and the boost in color, clarity and crispness when moving from Series 4 to The Complete Specials or Series 5 is dramatic and dazzling. That doesn't mean that there's anything wrong with Series 1-4, though. Nor is there a feasible way BBC Entertainment could have delivered the first four seasons any other way. The upgrade from DVD isn't blatantly obvious, at least not initially, but if you know what to look for, improvements abound. Colors are a touch stronger, saturation is a bit more lifelike, black levels are both deeper and purer, contrast is more consistent, and several eyesores from the DVDs are MIA (particularly compression artifacts and encode-born macroblocking, which have all but been eliminated). The softness inherent to any upscaled presentation and the anomalies that frequent the show's visual effects sequences (aliasing especially) are really the only irritations to be had, and again, none of it could have been prevented or lessened. The first four seasons aren't going to wow anyone, no argument here. But, all things considered, the first four seasons couldn't look any better than they do here.

The rest of the seasons and specials have already been released on Blu-ray in one form or another. The Complete Specials, The Complete Fifth Series, The Complete Sixth Series and Series 7's four individual releases all topped out at 1080i. Until now, only The Complete Seventh Series box set offered a 1080p Doctor Who presentation. That all changes with BBC's 29-disc set. Everything is AVC-encoded 1080p, including all of the seasons that were previously released in 1080i. And, for all intents and purposes, the new 1080p presentations are as close to perfect as any Doctor Who fanatic could hope for. Now, the old 1080i releases were no slouch in the video department, so the upgrade we're discussing isn't game-changing or life-affirming. Most viewers won't even notice the difference without comparing screenshots or scrutinizing any given episode. That doesn't mean there aren't notable improvements, though. Superior quality abounds -- slight as it may seem at times -- and the few issues that haunted each season and special's 1080i counterpart have, for the most part, disappeared. Any unsightly business that remains is merely a product of the source or the show's modestly budgeted VFX. Nothing more sinister.

Colors and primaries are striking, fleshtones and saturation are lovely on the whole, black levels are bold and wholly satisfying, edge definition is clean and refined, textures are exceedingly well-resolved, and delineation is excellent. Moreover, significant artifacting, banding, ringing and other mishaps are kept at bay. Yes, blink-and-miss-it aliasing still manages to creep in from time to time, grain-like noise is an inherent part of the image and, every now and then, contrast is superheated to the point of growing a wee bit overbearing. But once again, the series' source and photography are the culprit. And none of it amounts to anything of consequence. The Doctor Who box set could have been a lazy double dip that slapped all the previously released discs in one premium-priced package. Instead, the studio has taken the road less traveled, honoring fans with the best presentations possible for each and every episode. There's absolutely nothing here that should be cause for legitimate disappointment. The first four seasons were shot in SD. Deal with it. Better on Blu-ray than not. The specials and last three seasons have never looked better. Embrace it. Enjoy it. Eat it up. This is the set every Who fan should have at the top of their wish list. If I wasn't lucky enough to already own a copy, it would certainly be sitting at the top of my own list.

Doctor Who: Complete Series 1-7 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Pleased as I was with the video presentation, the Doctor Who set offers a more consistent audio experience. Each season, episode and special is presented in all its lossless glory with terrific DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround. (Note: the majority of the previously released DW Blus offer DTS-HD High Resolution audio, but no lossless mix.) Subjectively, listeners will note a slight uptick in perceived -- key word perceived -- quality from one series to the next. Objectively, though, every season's mix is as proficient and precise as any other. Any "improvement" should be chalked up to the show's steadily increasing production values and other ingrained factors; not a quality discrepancy of any sort. The first season in particular is rougher than the rest, while Series 5-7 feature the most progressively cinematic sound design of the seven. So what does any excitable fan have to look forward to? LFE output is aggressive and booming, throwing its weight behind every explosion, implosion, TARDIS crash, hurtling spacecraft, doomed planet, Dalek blast, Cybermen assault, lumbering beast and destructive interstellar event the Doctor(s) encounter. The rear speakers are convincing and nicely populated too, with slick, smooth pans and accurate directionality (especially in more atmospheric or frightening episodes, where nightmarish happenings are made that much more intense by the already engaging soundfield). Better still, dynamics are quite excellent, and dialogue remains clean, clear and carefully prioritized throughout all seven seasons. The series' music comes on a bit strong on occasion, but it hardly amounts to an issue. Short version: no complaints here.

Doctor Who: Complete Series 1-7 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

If there's one quibble to be had with the box set's supplemental package it's that Series 1-4 doesn't include any new special features, nor is any of it presented in HD. Be that as it may, I'm a happy boy. Most everything available has been transplanted to the 29-disc set, and if that isn't enough for you, a bonus disc with even more content tops of the collection. Would I have liked to see an high definition Tennant retrospective? An HD look-back at Eccleston's run? Absolutely. Is it a deal breaker? Not at all. The set is bursting with value, especially for those who don't already own the DVD versions of Series 1-4.

Discs 1-3: The Complete First Series

Series One Episodes


• Rose
• The End of the World
• The Unquiet Dead
• Aliens of London
• World War Three
• Dalek
• The Long Game
• Father's Day
• The Empty Child
• The Doctor Dances
• Boom Town
• Bad Wolf
• The Parting of the Ways

Series One Special Features


• Doctor Who Confidential (SD, 156 minutes): Included on Disc Three are thirteen truncated Doctor Who Confidential featurettes; one for each Series One episode, with two and a half hours of material in total. As is the case with most every Confidential mini-doc, edited as these are or otherwise, the first season's trek behind the scenes is candid and extensive, delving into the challenges of rebooting and continuing the show, modernizing the mythos, casting, writing, striking a balance in tone, visual effects and much, much more. Series One may be the most problematic stretch of Doctor Who, but the Russell T. Davies-helmed overview of the production is a terrific one.
• Audio Commentaries: Accessed under "Setup" with the discs' audio options rather than in "Special Features," The Complete First Series includes thirteen lively, altogether entertaining cast and crew commentaries from the previously released DVD box set, one for each episode:
  
  
  • "Rose" with Russel T. Davies, Julie Gardner and Phil Collinson
  • "The End of the World" with Collinson and Will Cohen
  • "The Unquiet Dead" with Mark Gatiss, Euros Lyn and Simon Callow
  • "Aliens of London" with Gardner, Cohen and David Verrey
  • "World War Three" with Collinson, Annette Badland and Helen Raynor
  • "Dalek" with Bruno Langley, Nick Briggs, Robert Shearman and David Houghton
  • "The Long Game" with Langley, Brian Grant and Christine Adams
  • "Father's Day" with Collinson, Shaun Dingwall, Billie Piper and Paul Cornell
  • "The Empty Child" with Houghton, Steven Moffat and John Barrowman
  • "The Doctor Dances" with Moffat, Barrowman and Houghton
  • "Boom Town" with Collinson, Barrowman and Badland
  • "Bad Wolf" with Davies, Gardner and Collinson
  • "The Parting of the Ways" with Gardner, Piper and Barrowman
• BBC Breakfast Interview (SD, 12 minutes): Ninth-now-newly-revised-Tenth Doctor Christopher Eccleston pops up for a brief interview... then promptly disappears again from much of the supplemental package. Of note, Eccleston touches on the changes made to key characters in the series, particularly the Doctor's female Companions.
• Designing Doctor Who (SD, 21 minutes): From the TARDIS set to other notable locales, props and sets, this Confidential-esque doc follows the design team as they offer tours of their efforts.
• Making Doctor Who (SD, 16 minutes): An excited, pressed-for-time Davies offers a glimpse into the early days of the first series' production from his point of view via a quaint little video journal.
• Waking the Dead (SD, 18 minutes): Another video journal, this one from a forthright Mark Gatiss that begins after his first meeting with the BBC then plows into his day-to-day involvement.
• Destroying the Lair (SD, 3 minutes): The creation of a complicated scene utilizing miniatures.
• Laying Ghosts (SD, 8 minutes): Gatiss discusses "The Unquiet Dead" and its inspiration.
• Deconstructing Big Ben (SD, 5 minutes): More fun with miniatures.
• On Set with Billie Piper (SD, 19 minutes): Piper earns her own lengthy video journal.
• Mike Tucker's Mocks of Balloons (SD, 6 minutes): Another miniature featurette.
• The Adventures of Captain Jack (SD, 9 minutes): Barrowman on Harkness.
• Series One Trailers (SD, 4 minutes): A collection of television promos.
• Storyboard of Opening Trailer (SD, 1 minute): Storyboards for an early trailer.
• Launch Trailers (SD, 3 minutes): Pre-launch TV promos.

Discs 4-6: The Complete Second Series

Series Two Episodes


• The Christmas Invasion
• New Earth
• Tooth and Claw
• School Reunion
• The Girl in the Fireplace
• Rise of the Cybermen
• The Age of Steel
• The Idiot's Lantern
• The Impossible Planet
• The Satan Pit
• Love & Monsters
• Fear Her
• Army of Ghosts
• Doomsday

Series Two Special Features


• Doctor Who Confidential (SD, 148 minutes): Thirteen more truncated Doctor Who Confidential featurettes, for a total of two and a half hours of behind-the-scenes material. Setting aside the fact that the full and complete post-episode Confidential specials still have yet to be released on home video, this is nevertheless an excellent multi-part dissection of yet another Doctor Who season.
• Audio Commentaries: Accessed under "Setup" rather than in "Special Features," The Complete Second Series includes fourteen audio commentaries, one for each episode. Note: five of the commentaries were previously released as picture-in-picture video commentaries. Here they are standard audio tracks, which doesn't strike me as much of a loss. Commentaries include:
  
  
  • "The Christmas Invasion" with Russell T. Davies, Julie Gardner and Phil Collinson
  • "New Earth" with Gardner, James Hawes and Will Cohen
  • "Tooth and Claw" with Davies, Dave Haughton and Edward Thomas
  • "School Reunion" with Gardner, David Tennant and Toby Whithouse
  • "The Girl in the Fireplace" with Tennant, Collinson and Sophia Myles
  • "Rise of the Cybermen" with Noel Clarke, Camille Coduri and Andrew Hayden-Smith
  • "The Age of Steel" with Graeme Harper, Nick Briggs and Paul Kasey
  • "The Idiot's Lantern" with Tennant, Thomas and Charlie Bluett
  • "The Satan Pit" with James Strong, Mikes Jones and Ronny Jhutti
  • "The Impossible Planet" with Tennant, Cohen and Shaun Parkes
  • "Love and Monsters" with Coduri, Gardner and Dan Zeff
  • "Fear Her" with Gardner, Nina Sosanya and Matthew Graham
  • "Army of Ghosts" with Clarke, Tracy Ann Oberman and Raji James
  • "Doomsday" with Tennant and Billie Piper
• Children in Need Special (SD, 7 minutes): This connective minisode takes place between the end of Series One, "The Parting of the Ways," and the Series Two Christmas special, "The Christmas Invasion."
• Billie's Video Diaries (SD, 4 minutes): A short video journal courtesy of Piper.
• David's Video Diaries (SD, 85 minutes): Far more revealing (and exhaustive) is Tennant's video journal, which covers far more ground, offers much more insight and proves far more engaging.
• Deleted Scenes (SD, 16 minutes): A decent assortment of deleted scenes.
• Outtakes (SD, 8 minutes): Laugh it up with the Doctor.

Discs 7-9: The Complete Third Series

Series Three Episodes


• The Runaway Bride
• Smith and Jones
• The Shakespeare Code
• Gridlock
• Daleks in Manhattan
• Evolution of the Daleks
• The Lazarus Experiment
• 42
• Human Nature
• The Family of Blood
• Blink
• Utopia
• The Sound of Drums
• Last of the Time Lords

Series Three Special Features


• Doctor Who Confidential (SD, 153 minutes): Another season of Doctor Who, another series of Confidential featurettes. Thirteen to be precise, one for each episode. These still aren't the full Confidential episodes, but they're nicely edited and a fine addition to the supplemental compendium.
• Audio Commentaries: Accessed under "Setup" rather than in "Special Features," The Complete Third Series includes ... audio commentaries, one for each episode. Commentaries include:
  
  
  • "The Runaway Bride" with David Tennant and Julie Gardner
  • "Smith and Jones" with Tennant and Russell T. Davies
  • "The Shakespeare Code" with Tennant and Christina Cole
  • "Gridlock" with Gardner, Marie Jones and Travis Oliver
  • "Daleks in Manhattan" with Louise Paige, Miranda Raison and Helen Raynor
  • "Evolution of the Daleks" with Tennant, Nicholas Briggs and Barney Cunrow
  • "The Lazarus Experiment" with Tennant and Mark Gattis
  • "42" with Davies and Chris Chibnall
  • "Human Nature" with Charles Palmer, Murray Gold and Paul Cornell
  • "The Family of Blood" with Suzie Liggat, Tracy Simpson and Arwel Wyn
  • "Blink" with Gold and Steven Moffat
  • "Utopia" with Davies and Tennant
  • "The Sound of Drums" with Gardner and Phil Collinson
  • "Last of the Time Lords" with Davies, Gardner and Collinson
• Freema Agyeman Studio Tour (SD, 19 minutes): Freema Agyeman aka Martha Jones lead viewers on a tour of the production offices and studio lot, providing a chatty glimpse into the place where the magic happens.
• David Tennant's Video Diary (SD, 105 minutes): Join Tennant for a feature-length compilation of video diaries that document the production of every episode. Tennant is a fantastic host as usual, and a direct, candid one at that.
• Music and Monsters (SD, 59 minutes): A bonus Doctor Who Confidential special recapping a live music show -- "Doctor Who: A Celebration" -- hosted by David Tennant, with performances by the BBC Symphony Orchestra of Wales.
• Deleted Scenes (SD, 18 minutes): Another round of deleted scenes.
• Outtakes (SD, 5 minutes): Who-born hilarity.
• Trailers (SD, 7 minutes): BBC promos and launch trailers.

Discs 10-13: The Complete Fourth Series

Series Four Episodes


• Voyage of the Damned
• Partners in Crime
• The Fires of Pompeii
• Planet of the Ood
• The Sontarian Stratagem
• The Poison Sky
• The Doctor's Daughter
• The Unicorn and the Wasp
• Silence in the Library
• Forest of the Dead
• Midnight
• Turn Left
• The Stolen Earth
• Journey's End

Series Four Special Features


• Doctor Who Confidential (SD, 164 minutes): Fourteen more Doctor Who Confidential featurettes, coming in at nearly three hours of behind-the-scenes material. The complete post-episode Confidential specials are still lost in time, but the extensive, entertaining selection of Series Four mini-docs isn't a bad way to spend a three-hour chunk of your life. Not by any stretch.
• Audio Commentaries: Accessed under "Setup" rather than in "Special Features," The Complete Fourth Series includes fourteen more audio commentaries, one for each episode. Tracks include:
  
  
  • "Voyage of the Damned" with Russell Tovey, Peter Bennett and Murray Gold
  • "Partners in Crime" with Russell T. Davies, Julie Gardner and James Strong
  • "The Fires of Pompeii" with David Tennant, Catherine Tate and Tracie Simpson
  • "Planet of the Ood" with Graeme Harper and Roger Griffiths
  • "The Sontaran Stratagem" with Gardner, Dan Starkey and Neill Gorton
  • "The Poison Sky" with Davies, Tennant and Susie Liggat
  • "The Doctor's Daughter" with Tate, Georgia Moffett and Ben Foster
  • "The Unicorn and the Wasp" with Felicity Kendal and Fenella Woolgar
  • "Silence in the Library" with Gardner, Tennant and soon-to-be-showrunner Steven Moffat
  • "Forest of the Dead" with Euros Lyn, Helen Raynor and Louise Page
  • "Midnight" with Davies, Tennant and Alice Troughton
  • "Turn Left" with Tate, Jacqueline King and Bernard Cribbins
  • "The Stolen Earth" with Davies, Gardner and Tennant
  • "Journey's End" with Davies, Tennant and Tate
• The Journey So Far (SD, 31 minutes): The story -- and production -- thus far, streamlined into one manageable half-hour documentary with a who's who lineup of key members of the cast and crew.
• Deleted Scenes (SD, 39 minutes): Need more Tennant? Want more from the Doctor, his Companions and the men and women he meets along the way? Try this deluge of Series Four deleted scenes.
• Time Crash (SD, 8 minutes): A terrific Series Four prequel short.
• David Tennant's Video Diary (SD, 15 minutes): Another behind-the-scenes journal with Tennant.
• Trailers (SD, 13 minutes): Numerous promos.

Discs 14-16: The Complete Specials - Remastered

Doctor Who Specials (2008-10)


• The Next Doctor
• Planet of the Dead
• The Waters of Mars
• The End of Time, Part One
• The End of Time, Part Two

Special Features


• The Next Doctor Confidential (HD, 56 minutes): Who fans will want to make a beeline for this extensive five-part documentary (subsequently the first of many included with the Specials). It not only provides an inch-by-inch tour of the production, it features interviews with every key member of the cast and crew, examines the story and its place in the Who mythos, and digs into The Next Doctor's script, casting, performances, special effects, location shoots, stunts, and more.
• Planet of the Dead Confidential (HD, 57 minutes): Writer/producer Russell T. Davies, director James Strong, and countless other talking heads chime in on the production as candid behind-the-scenes footage reveals the effort and hard work that went into Planet of the Dead. Sure, a fair bit of back-patting dilutes the waters, but the cast and crew's passion is palpable and engaging.
• The Waters of Mars Confidential (HD, 58 minutes): Another special, another captivating "Confidential" documentary. In it, Davies and his time-lording cohorts discuss the Martian base sets, the team's special and practical effects, the character-driven nature of the story, the emotional evolution of the good Doctor, and the reasons The Waters of Mars takes a slight detour from the established Who formula. There aren't any mind-blowing revelations -- if anything, the documentary idles at times -- but it answers most questions fans will be left asking after the Doctor closes out the special questioning his existence.
• The End of Time Audio Commentaries: Actor David Tennant and director Euros Lyn (joined by Catherine Tate for Part One and John Simm for Part Two) host a pair of spirited discussions about The End of Time, the Who saga as a whole, and the characters at the heart of the tale. To their credit, they rarely touch on topics covered in the discs' "Confidential" companions, and when they do, it's from a completely different perspective.
• The End of Time Confidentials (HD, 114 minutes): Davies and company return for a comprehensive look at both halves of The End of Time, its heroes and villains, vast vistas, makeup and prosthetics, special effects, stunts, climatic battles, and chapter-closing storyline.
• David Tennant Video Diary: The Final Days (SD, 41 minutes): The man who helped reinvent the Doctor takes a moment (forty-one of them actually) to reflect on his efforts, hop from set to set, and chat with his fellow castmates and crew.
• Doctor Who at Comic-Con (HD, 21 minutes): Follow David Tennant, Russell T. Davies, and Julie Gardner as they brave the depths of Comic-Con, answer questions on an official panel, and share their experiences with a room full of oh-so-eager fanboys.
• Deleted Scenes (HD, 17 minutes): A collection of decent deleted scenes -- culled from all five specials in the set -- with introductions by Davies.
• Doctor Who BBC Christmas Idents (SD, 1 minute): Two semi-amusing Who-themed holiday promos for the BBC.

Discs 17-20: The Complete Fifth Series - Remastered

Series Five Episodes


• The Eleventh Hour
• The Beast Below
• Victory of the Daleks
• The Time of Angels
• Flesh and Stone
• The Vampires of Venice
• Amy's Choice
• The Hungry Earth
• Cold Blood
• Vincent and the Doctor
• The Lodger
• The Pandorica Opens
• The Big Bang

Series Five Special Features


• Audio Commentaries: First up are six informative audio commentaries, including "The Eleventh Hour" with executive producers Piers Wenger, Steven Moffat and Beth Willis; "Victory of the Daleks" with writer Mark Gatiss, Dalek voice actor Nicholas Briggs and Dalek motion actor Barnaby Edwards; "The Time of Angels" with Moffat and actor Karen Gillan; "The Vampires of Venice" with director Jonny Campbell, writer Toby Whithouse and actor Alex Price; "Cold Blood" with director Ashley Way, second assistant director James Dehaviland and actor Alun Raglan; and "Big Bang" with Gillan, director Toby Haynes and actor Arthur Darvill.
• Doctor Who Confidential (HD, 177 minutes): Thirteen behind-the-scenes featurettes are also available, one for each episode of The Complete Fifth Series. While they essentially remain EPK shorts, they're a welcome addition to the release and offer a fitting overview of the show's production.
• Video Diaries (SD, 29 minutes): Three video diaries fill in the blanks left by the commentaries and the "Confidential" featurettes, leaving fans with few questions about the tireless efforts invested in each episode of the series.
• Monster Files (HD, 40 minutes): Familiarize yourself with the creatures, alien races and adversaries the Doctor encounters, among them the Daleks, the Weeping Angels, the Silurians and the Alliance.
• Meanwhile In the TARDIS (HD, 7 minutes): Two decent deleted scenes.
• Outtakes (HD, 8 minutes): A collection of semi-amusing gaffs.
• BBC Indents & Trailers (SD, 13 minutes)

Discs 21-24: The Complete Sixth Series - Remastered

Series Six Episodes


• A Christmas Carol
• The Impossible Astronaut
• Day of the Moon
• The Curse of the Black Spot
• The Doctor's Wife
• The Rebel Flesh
• The Almost People
• A Good Man Goes to War
• Let's Kill Hitler
• Night Terrors
• The Girl Who Waited
• The God Complex
• Closing Time
• The Wedding of River Song

Series Six Special Features


• Audio Commentaries: The Complete Sixth Series serves up five audio commentaries. And while a track per episode would have been even better, the five on hand prove to be enough. Tracks include "The Impossible Astronaut" with producer Marcus Wilson, line producer David Mason and actor Arthur Darvill; "The Doctor's Wife" with writer Neil Gaiman (yes, that Neil Gaiman); "The Rebel Flesh" with director Julian Simpson and actors Marshall Lancaster (Buzzer) and Mark Bonnar (Jimmy); "A Good Man Goes to War" with actors Arthur Darvill and Neve McIntosh (Madame Vastra) and effects supervisor Tim Barter; and "The Wedding of River Song" with head writer/executive producer Stephen Moffat, director Jeremy Webb and actress Frances Barber (The Eye Patch Lady/Madame Kovarian).
• Doctor Who Confidentials (HD, 153 minutes): Thirteen episodes, thirteen high definition featurettes, two and a half hours of behind-the- scenes material. Combining fly-on-the-wall footage with a variety of interviews, episode overviews, visual effects breakdowns, scene prep, cast rehearsals and more. Whereas Smith, Gillan and other notable Who regulars are nowhere to be found on the set's commentaries, they're out in full force in the "Confidential" featurettes, popping up anywhere and everywhere to give fans a peek behind the curtain of the madcap misadventures of the dear Doctor.
• A Christmas Carol Confidential (HD, 56 minutes): Follow the cast and crew from table read to post-production for the development and shoot of the Christmas Carol special. Thorough and thoroughly entertaining, it would be downright silly to ask for a more in-depth look at Who's spin on Dickens' classic, especially considering the 56-minute documentary almost runs longer than the 62-minute special.
• Comic Relief Sketches (HD, 7 minutes): The Christmas Carol disc also includes two previously unreleased comedy sketches -- "Time" and "Space," written and directed by Stephen Moffat and starring Smith, Gillan and Darvill -- each of which is as riffy, rift-y and funny as fans could hope for. Enjoy!
• Series Six Episode Prequels (HD, 8 minutes): Prequel shorts accompany several episodes -- "The Impossible Astronaut," "The Curse of the Black Spot," "A Good Man Goes to War," "Let's Kill Hitler" and "The Wedding of River Song" -- and offer up some fantastic (and, in some cases, fantastically chilling) opening volleys that, short as they may be, are well worth watching. Does Moffat phone anything in? The short answer? Nope.
• Night and the Doctor Shorts (HD, 14 minutes): Another series of plucky, paradox-ridden comedy shorts from Moffat, starring Smith, Gillan, Darvill and Alex Kingston: "Bad Night," "Good Night," "First Night" and "Last Night." Don't let the minisodes' small stature fool you, though, they're a riot, a blast, a buzz and a wicked laugh, in that order.
• Doctor Who Confidential: The Nights' Tale (HD, 15 minutes): What goes on when the Doctor and his companions aren't saving time, space and existence? Go behind-the-norm for a look at the idea for the "Nights" shorts, the shoot and the final storyline.
• Up All Night Short (HD, 2 minutes): A fifth "Nights" short is on hand (starring the ever-endearing James Corden), but it has net to little to do with the others. It's also the only expendable extra in the set, so consider yourself warned.
• Monster Files (HD, 43 minutes): "Silence, Doctor. Silence will fall!" Dissect the beasties, baddies and whatever-they-are's of the Whoverse. Segments and multidimensional creatures include "The Silence," "The Gangers," "The Anti-Bodies" and "The Cybermats."
• Series Six Trailers (Disc 5, SD, 2 minutes): Brief television promos for Series Six: Part One and Series Six: Part Two round out the 6-disc set's supplemental package.

Discs 25-28: The Complete Seventh Series

Series Seven Episodes


• The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe
• Asylum of the Daleks
• Dinosaurs on a Spaceship
• A Town Called Mercy
• The Power of Three
• The Angels Take Manhattan
• The Snowmen
• The Bells of Saint John
• The Rings of Akhaten
• Cold War
• Hide
• Journey to the Center of the TARDIS
• The Crimson Horror
• Nightmare in Silver
• The Name of the Doctor

Series Seven Special Features


• Audio Commentaries: Episode audio commentaries are included for "The Snowmen" with production designer Michael Pickwoad and art director Paul Spriggs; "Cold War," with writer Mark Gatiss, visual effects supervisor Murray Barber and visual effects producer Jenna Powell; "Hide," with director Jamie Payne and actor Matt Smith; and "The Crimson Horror," my personal favorite commentary, with chummy trio Catrin Stewart (Jenny Flint), Neve McIntosh (Madame Vastra) and Dan Starkey (Strax).
• Behind the Scenes (HD, 55 minutes): Fourteen behind-the-scenes featurettes are available, one for each Series Seven episode and one for The Snowmen. Featurettes include: "Life Cycle of a Dalek" (Episode 1), "Raptors, Robots and a Bumpy Ride" (Ep2), "Wild, Wild Spain" (Ep3), "A Writer's Tale" (Ep4), "A Fall from Grace" (Ep5), "Clara's White Christmas" (The Snowmen), "The Bells of St. John" (Ep6), "The Rings of Akhaten" (Ep7), "Cold War" (Ep8), "Hide" (Ep9), "Journey to the Center of the TARDIS" (Ep10), "The Crimson Horror" (Ep11), "Nightmare in Silver" (Ep12) and "The Name of The Doctor" (Ep13).
• The Companions (HD, 45 minutes): An exploration of The Doctor's companions and their function in the series, as told by numerous members of the Doctor Who cast and crew, among them Steven Moffat, Caroline Skinner (executive producer), 10th and 11th Doctors David Tennant and Matt Smith, and supporting actors Jenna-Louise Coleman (Clara), Karen Gillan (Amy Pond), Arthur Darvill (Rory), John Barrowman (Captain Jack) and Noel Clarke (Mickey Smith). Also featured is footage of Doctor Who table reads, episode shoots and other fun surprises.
• Doctor Who in the U.S. (HD, 43 minutes): A look at the appeal and sudden popularity of the series on this side of the pond, as well as America's many appearances in the show over the decades. Includes interviews with Steven Moffat and other members of the production team, 10th and 11th Doctors David Tennant and Matt Smith, and supporting actors John Barrowman (Captain Jack), Karen Gillan (Amy Pond), Arthur Darvill (Rory) and Noel Clarke (Mickey Smith), among others.
• The Science of Doctor Who (HD, 44 minutes): Is it possible to one day develop a TARDIS-like spacecraft? Achieve invisibility? Travel between dimensions and time? Where does the science fiction in Doctor Who stop and science fact begin? Examine the science behind the series, the advances that may be possible within our lifetime, and the theories behind many of the elements, tech and futuristic wizardry featured in the show.
• Last Days of the Ponds (HD, 12 minutes): Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill prepare for their final scene, then reminisce about Amy and Rory's run on the show, chat about the things they'll miss most, and share a few heartfelt farewells. The bittersweet featurette also includes interviews with Steven Moffat, Matt Smith and others.
• The Battle of Demon's Run: Two Days Later (HD, 3 minutes): After the Battle of Demon's Run, Vastra and Jenny recruit Strax and answer the eternal question, "what do you do on this Planet London?"
• Doctor Who on The Nerdist (HD, 15 minutes): Three interviews are included: two with Matt Smith on the new Nerdist BBC America series (via satellite), and one with Jenna-Louise Coleman on host Chris Hardwick's Nerdist podcast.
• Creating Clara (HD, 10 minutes): Steven Moffat, Matt Smith and Jenna-Louise Coleman dissect Clara, outline her development, and touch on her character and Coleman's performance.
• She Said, He Said (HD, 4 minutes): Another prequel minisode, one that begins with an in-character monologue/interview with Clara.
• Inforarium (HD, 2 minutes): More prequel madness (and fun), this time with Matt Smith's Doctor working to prevent an Inforarium's data-peddling scheme with a little trick picked up from The Silence.
• Clara and the TARDIS (HD, 2 minutes): One more prequel for the road, with Clara going toe to... timey wimey wire with the TARDIS.
• Rain Gods (HD, 2 minutes): The last of the Moffat prequels available follows the 11th Doctor and River Song working to escape ritual sacrifice.
• The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe Prequel (HD, 2 minutes): The Doctor, his finger holding down a red button, calls Amy Pond for help. If he lets go of the button, his ship will explode.
• Asylum of the Daleks Prequel (HD, 3 minutes): Another short prequel minisode, this time for the seventh season opener "Asylum of the Daleks."
• The Making of the Gunslinger (HD, 2 minutes): Rather than a production documentary, which would warrant more attention, this is an in- universe commercial for a gunslinger cyborg.
• Pond Life (HD, 6 minutes): A five-part mini-adventure featuring Amy, Rory and the Doctor.
• Doctor Who at Comic Con (HD, 11 minutes): Smith, Gillan and Darvill hit Comic Con and participate in an amusing Q&A panel that has unfortunately been edited down to only include the best bits.
• Vastra Investigates (HD, 3 minutes): A prequel to The Snowmen featuring Vastra, Jenny and Drax.
• The Great Detective (HD, 3 minutes): Yet another Snowmen prequel short, albeit one that also stars The Doctor.
• The Bells of St. John (HD, 3 minutes): This prequel opens Part Two of the seventh series, and finds a little girl talking with a lonely Doctor sitting on a swing at a playground.
• Clarence and the Whispermen (HD, 2 minutes): This Series Seven epilogue serves as a lead-in to "The Name of the Doctor," the upcoming Doctor Who 50th Anniversary film, and involves an imprisoned murderer who's visited by the Whispermen.

Disc 29: Doctor Who Bonus Disc

Special Features


• The Brit List's Ultimate Doctor Who List of Lists (HD, 45 minutes): BBC America correspondent Asha Leo is joined by John Barrowman (Captain Jack Harkness) to reveal the "Top Five Companions," "Top Five Scariest Moments," "Top Five Best Monsters," "Top Five Guest Stars" and "Top Five Things You'll Only See on Doctor Who."
• The Best of the Christmas Specials (HD, 46 minutes): This December 2011 television special offers up the best moments from the Doctor Who Christmas specials as a parade of celebrity fans and familiar faces toss their favorite moments from the Tennant and Smith-era Christmas episodes into the ring.
• Doctor Who at the Proms (HD, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround, 91 minutes): Karen Gillen and Arthur Darvill descend on Royal Albert Hallhost to host a musically exhilirating live event, with selections of the series' score played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. This is the first time the full 90-minute concert has been available on home video, and it's presented in HD with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround.

Doctor Who: Complete Series 1-7 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Doctor Who isn't necessarily the ideal candidate for a sprawling 29-disc Blu-ray box set. After all, its first four seasons weren't shot in HD, making theirs a decent but decidedly upscaled presentation. Even so, every season, episode and special is delivered in 1080p with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround, and AV quality remains as impressive as it could be from start to finish. Add to that hours upon hours upon hours of special features, audio commentaries, documentaries, Doctor Who Confidential featurettes and much, much more -- including a first class Sonic Screwdriver remote sure to bring out the kid in every Whovian -- and you have a pricey but tempting box set worthy of any fan's collection. Add this to your Wish List, your Christmas List... whatever list has the best chance of getting the Series 1-7 mega-set under your tree this year.