“Far more than a ritual ‘making of’… Best masterclass in telly I’ve ever attended… Made me cry.”

The Tardis has landed. The original hardback recorded the online dialogue between Russell T Davies, resurrector of Dr Who, and Benjamin Cook, tough and devoted companion, through 2008, year of the last full series of the programme. Although it detailed everything fans could want to know about the BBC Cardiff fantasy factory and rep company, it was far more than a ritual “making of” – it was about creation, where ideas well from and what it means to be responsible for their management from nicotined inspiration to global transmission. Best masterclass in telly I’ve ever attended. The paperback continues the conversation through 2009 to cover the special shows that scripted the long goodbye for Davies and production chiefs as well as David Tennant’s farewell as the Doc: a generous 300 extra pages of budget cuts, on-set catastrophes and tears at wrap parties as the comrades walk away from their consuming adventure. They triumphed, but it’s over, and they’re back to rain, electricity bills and a future swimming as small fishes in a big Hollywood pool. Made me cry.

Vera Rule