Five minutes
- Publication: Radio Times
- Date: 2023-12-09
- Author:
- Page: 42
- Language: English
Doctor Who
6.30pm BBC1 Catch up via iPlayer Five minutes. That's the length of time it took for certain fans to get aerated after Russell T Davies's new era of Doctor Who began airing. I'm referring here to the Children in Need "minisode", which took Davros out of his mobile life-support chair and onto two feet. As the writer explained, tastes have changed since Davros made his debut in 1975. But some viewers — for a variety of reasons — weren't happy.
What I'm hoping is that the return of classic villain the Toymaker (now played by Neil Patrick Harris) in this third anniversary special doesn't generate similar debate, as there have been a few alterations.
Gone are the silk robes that were reminiscent of Imperial China. And dropped is the "Celestial" prefix from his name, presumably due to its negative connotation when it comes to East Asia.
But hey, this is an adversary that hasn't been seen on screen since 1966 and, thankfully, society has moved on. So, let's just go with it all and enjoy the Toymaker's latest game of brinkmanship with the Doctor. Though it's a fight the Time Lord might not be able to win...
Caption: DEADLY GAME The Toymaker (Neil Patrick Harris) is back to torment the Doctor. The character first appeared in 1966, played by Michael Gough, below
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- APA 6th ed.: (2023-12-09). Five minutes. Radio Times p. 42.
- MLA 7th ed.: "Five minutes." Radio Times [add city] 2023-12-09, 42. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: "Five minutes." Radio Times, edition, sec., 2023-12-09
- Turabian: "Five minutes." Radio Times, 2023-12-09, section, 42 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Five minutes | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Five_minutes | work=Radio Times | pages=42 | date=2023-12-09 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=5 December 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Five minutes | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Five_minutes | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=5 December 2025}}</ref>
