Doctor Who Officially Returns To Theaters This Month

Doctor Who may be on something of a break right now, but the world’s longest-running sci-fi TV series still intends to celebrate its upcoming 63rd anniversary in style. The BBC has officially put Doctor Who out for competitive tender, in accordance with the broadcaster’s Royal Charter. It means we have no idea what to expect going forward; the BBC will review proposals by next March, and then it will be a case of getting on with the show.

Still, there’s good news for Whovians; Doctor Who intends to celebrate its anniversary, on November 23, with a classic two-part David Tennant episode adapted for the big screen. Doctor Who – The Satan Pit Extended Cut will release on what the BBC now officially call “Doctor Who Day,” making it one of the darkest but most enjoyable celebrations we’ve had in years. Forget multi-Doctor stories; welcome to Hell.

The Satan Pit Is One Of The Darkest Doctor Who Stories Of All Time (& It’s Wonderful)

I’m not just saying that to be flippant; the words “Welcome to Hell” are literally emblazoned on the walls of the space station in The Satan Pit. Doctor Who is a unique TV show, because the TARDIS means the series can blend historicals, fantasy, hard sci-fi, and pretty much any other genre you can think of. The Satan Pit dives into horror, as the Doctor arrives at an impossible space station held in orbit just outside the event horizon of a black hole. At its heart is the Devil himself.

This is one of David Tennant’s best Doctor Who stories. Written by Matt Jones and directed by James Strong, it’s a fascinating blend of science-fiction and fantasy. Doctor Who has long dabbled with the supernatural; the Jon Pertwee era featured the Daemons, said to be the inspiration behind horned beasts of great power (which also generated complaints because the would-be demons were defeated when a church exploded). The Satan Pit follows the same vein, unveiling an evil from before the Dark Times—a cosmic entity that inspired legends of the devil.

In Doctor Who terms, the plot is a classic “Base Under Siege” (most common during the Patrick Troughton era). As much as I love the Troughton era, though, I have to admit that The Satan Pit does this story so much better than most. It’s just the right length; classic Doctor Who tended to be four (or, during that time, more commonly eight) parters. Pacing isn’t up to modern standards. Meanwhile, The Satan Pit released at a time when showrunner Russell T. Davies tended to release single-episode stories, but it was longer, giving the plot time to breathe.

And, of course, there are the performances. This is David Tennant and Billie Piper at their best, in a story that really demonstrates their acting chops. The Satan Pit ups the stakes massively, apparently leaving them stranded when the TARDIS itself is lost, and Billie Piper’s Rose Tyler is even forced to make the ultimate sacrifice. This is a dark, brooding and intense story, and I can’t wait to see how it’s been adapted for the big screen.

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