Tom Baker Returns!

After another period of behind-the-scenes happenings and the 60th (or really 15th anniversary) specials we now have confirmation of the next season to enter the Collection range with Season 15.

Season 15 has been rumoured for a while, and comes over two years after the previous Tom Baker set, Season 17 which came in December 2021.

The boxset sports another intriguing round of cover art, though the jury is out for me regarding the Rutan design, which is akin to the new CGI version we’re getting. A short film has also been put together for the release, penned by Pete McTighe and starring Leela (Louise Jameson) in a last stand against Daleks during the Time War.

Season 15 ran from 3rd September 1977 to 11th March 1978, and comprises of six stories:

  1. Horror of Fang Rock
  2. The Invisible Enemy
  3. Image of the Fendahl
  4. The Sun Makers
  5. Underworld 
  6. The Invasion of Time 

Season 15 marked the beginning of producer Graham Williams’ run as producer, which would last until 1980. It saw the series attempting to move away from the darker aspects of the Hinchcliffe seasons, though several stories still embark on rather violent affairs. Script Editor Robert Holmes would also depart during this season, with Anthony Reed taking over until the end of Season 16. The season is perhaps most notable for two things: the introduction of K9 (John Leeson) and the production budget running thin towards the end of the season. 

The Collection: Season 15 contains the following confirmed special features:

  • Updated Special Effects for Horror of Fang Rock
  • Six new episodes of Behind the Sofa with Louise Jameson (Leela), Colin Baker (The Doctor), Sarah Sutton (Nyssa), Janet Fielding (Tegan), Matthew Waterhouse (Adric), Katy Manning (Jo Grant), Betsan Roberts (wife of director Pennant Roberts) and comedian and presenter Toby Hadoke.
  • The aforementioned new trailer for the set.
  • Darkness and Light, a look into the life and career of producer Graham Williams.  
  • A new instalment of the In Conversation series, this time with Matthew Sweet interviewing Louise Jameson.
  • Inside the Lighthouse Making Horror Of Fang Rock.  
  • Another entry into the Tom Talks series, wherein Tom Baker muses on life, the universe and everything.  
  • Exclusive new audio commentaries from Tom Baker.
  • 5.1 Surround Sound mix on Horror of Fang Rock 
  • Rare convention footage.
  • Tom Baker Blackpool exhibition links.
  • Rare archive treats.
  • HD photo gallery.
  • Info text.

It’s nice to see another Tom Baker set after a few years but I am rather yearning for a Patrick Troughton set on my shelf, but his era has been the dominant for the animations. A release date has yet to be set for this boxset, but a March release window wouldn’t surprise me.

Stay tuned for an in-depth review and unboxing of the boxset once it’s released!

By HW Reynolds

Images provided by the BBC

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