DOCTOR WHO season 8 saw some changes from the previous season format of Jon Pertwee's first year as the Doctor. In his second season of playing the doctor, Jon was given a Timelord nemesis called the Master (Roger Delgado) who was featured in every story. It also introduced the Doctor's new companion/ assistant, Jo Grant (Katy Manning). UNIT featured in four of five stories while the fifth saw the Doctor and Jo visiting another planet. This is one of the stronger seasons of the third Doctor era as producer Barry Letts and script editor/ writer Terrance Dicks continue to evolve what they wanted DOCTOR WHO to be during their tenure on the show. With this release of season 8 of the classic series of DOCTOR WHO, the episodes are presented in their best quality possible given how some episodes had to restored to color by various means by tech savvy Doctor Who fans known as the Doctor Who Restoration Team. Also this release marks the 50th anniversary of the character of the Master and Roger Delgado played him with sinister charm in what is my favorite version of the character. What makes this season works are the characters and how they interact with each other.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
This blu-ray set delivers above and beyond like the previous classic DOCTOR WHO blu-ray sets. Each story includes audio commentaries, DVD trailers for the stories, updated and revised production subtitles, PDF material, BEHIND THE SOFA reaction videos with cast from the classic and new series, old DVD features and new material never before seen for disc in addition to new documentaries made for this set. Below is a list of some of the new and old special features (like the wonderful making-of documentaries for each story produced originally for the DVD release of each season eight story) you will find on the set.


DISC 1-
LIFE ON EARTH- making-of documentary
PLASTIC FANTASTIC
THE DOCTOR'S MORIARTY- a featurette on the Master

Optional 5.1 audio for all episodes in addition to optional updated special effects

DISC 2-
MILITARY MIND- making-of documentary
NOW & THEN featurette
1971 Television Centre documentary

DISC 3-
AXON STATIONS- making-of documentary

2005 restoration of episode two and three
DIRECTING WHO
Studio footage and DVD restoration featurette

Extended episode one

DISC 4-
IMC NEEDS YOU! Making of documentary

DISC 5-
Film trim highlights in addition to the full film trims of location work and SFX
Early edit of episode two

DISC 6-
THE DEVIL RIDES OUT- making of documentary
Colourisation test and restoration featurette
Optional 5.1 soundtrack for all episodes

DISC 7-
LIVING WITH LEVINE is a great old feature from the DVD as you get to know more about Ian Levine's life.

REMEMBERING BARRY LETTS
Repeat omnibus edition of THE DAEMONS

DEVIL'S WEEKEND sees Katy Manning and Ian Levine return to Aldbourne where THE DAEMONS was filmed on location

DISC 8-
KATY MANNING IN CONVERSATION with Matthew Sweet is a great interview with Katy about her time on Doctor Who
THE DIRECT ROUTE- the directors of season 8 visit the filming locations of the series

Bonus scene from THE DIRECT ROUTE

TERRANCE AND ME- all about writer Terrance Dicks as Frank Skinnner meets the family and friends of the prolific Doctor Who writer.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Another great Jon Pertwee season as the Third Doctor is out on blu-ray and it is a must own for fans with plenty of extras (new and old). I wish it included and insert or booklet (like the UK version). I can't wait for other Third Doctor seasons to come to blu-ray. If you don't own the DVDs of each story, this is a great budget alternative to owning the whole season. If you own the DVDs, the new features are well worth the upgrade.

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