• 2nd March 2010 • Blog Post by Jonathan Capps •

A Doctor Who DVD, there

Blogtor Who, diligent as ever, have spotted that the first volume in 2|entertain’s protracted war against sensible pricing and single dipping is now listed on Play.com.  Because DVD covers give us the horn, here are a few thoughts on the matter after the jump:

• Yes, we know, the artwork is still to be confirmed but it’s often the case that artwork like this will end up on the final release, especially since it bears the look of something specifically made for series 5, rather than a mish-mash of past images for the sake of a mock up.  That said, I really, really like it.  I was getting more than a little bored of the old style of merchandise packaging that required some boring poses from The Doctor and Current Companion and I love this move to artwork, rather than the old use of promo shots.  This could all change, of course, but still.
• The new Time Vortex and TARDIS (albeit with rather dull and strange looking whites) are present and correct and are looking like a lovely partnership.  This New Blue scheme just looks so classy next to the old flames and orange.
• I know it’s a small detail, but I *love* the hexagon on the right.  Old school and lovely.
• Play have this release specifically labelled as ‘Series 5’.  Yeah, good luck getting people to accept this is Series 1, Moff.
• Curiously, despite this looking like volume 1 of the vanilla releases we have an extra listed, namely The Monster Diaries, when traditionally these releases have bugger all included, with all the extras saved for the ludicrously priced boxset at the end of the year.  So, does this mean a move towards spreading extras throughout the individual releases to provide better value?  I certainly hope so, because £15.99 RRP for three episodes isn’t a price anyone should be accepting after the dark days of overpriced VHS volumes.

Unlimited Rice Pudding:  Where whole paragraphs meet bullet points in an uncomfortable collision.