Best bit of fan service in the show?

[burrunjor]

Sometimes fan service can be pointless, a way to distract from a poor story, or a sign that a show is out of ideas or all of the above. 

Other times however it can be quite touching and a reminder of how vast and wonderful the series history is. 

What if any examples from Classic or New Who do you think worked well? 

I'm going to say this moment here. 




Doesn't drag too much, shows just how much the Brig has seen and the music that goes with it is haunting and optimistic, just like knowing the Doctor would be LOL. 

PS I don't consider examples of continuity fanservice. IE I wouldn't say Resurrection is fanservice because it carries on from Destiny. To me that is literally just writing a story, but sadly the Paul Cornell side of fandom have tried to make out even that is fanservice. Similarly for the revival I wouldn't consider the Cult of Skaro fanservice, as again that's a story arc. 

To me fanservice is when you just toss in an old face, or scene for the sake of nostalgia bait. I don't view the Brig coming back in Mawdryn Undead as that, as he works with the story, but that montage absolutely is. It could easily just have been him regaining his memory, but they went all out and this time it worked brilliantly. 

Another less successful example of fan service would be the montage in Resurrection. I don't view it as harmful per say, but it's a bit pointless and only there for member berries. Same with the cameos in the Magicians' Apprentice, or Hartnell in the Zygon episode. 

[cyberhat]

That clip is acceptable fanwank as it's part of the story, not outside it. Helps the pacing, doesn't hinder it. Like the way The Three Doctors does it. You get The Three Doctors, but that's it. No Daleks or Cybermen coming back. A brand new villain in fact.

There is nothing good about the Paul Cornell side of fandom. It's the "I'm the Deputy Chief Executive Commanding Officer of the local Doctor Who fan group, so I matter more than you" mentality that's ended up taking over the entire show. Thinking their the reborn Charles Dickens in the 90's cause they put some boobs in their fan fiction.

[Deleted]

The Totter's Lane stuff in Remembrance.

"He's in there."

"How do you know?"

"I've been here before..." That little smile McCoy gives after he says it is just magical.

[rushy]

Pertwee name-dropping Ian, Barbara and Susan

[Clayton Dickman]

"Hello Vicky."

[rushy]

Oct 22, 2023 13:00:49 GMT Clayton Dickman said:

"Hello Vicky."

Always thought this one was a bit weird, because that's clearly a Victoria costume, not a Vicki one. I know Vicki is a nickname for Victoria, but they never called her that. 

[iank]

To be fair, he's clearly meant to be miles away.

[Cherry Pepsi Maxil]

Oct 22, 2023 15:11:55 GMT rushy said:

Oct 22, 2023 13:00:49 GMT Clayton Dickman said:

"Hello Vicky."

Always thought this one was a bit weird, because that's clearly a Victoria costume, not a Vicki one. I know Vicki is a nickname for Victoria, but they never called her that. 

He does later says, "Victoria wore it" which confirms he was talking about Watling's character.

[Cherry Pepsi Maxil]

Just anything in Remembrance really. I've heard criticism that there's too much of it, but personally I don't think you can ever have too much fan service in an anniversary story or season.

[Spark Doll King]

The Entirety of the Three Doctors.

Leela's wet shirt in Talons.