“Doctor Who” is Pants!

I was going to write an article berating the near-obsession with women’s underwear in Russell T. Davies’ version of “Doctor Who”. Having caught a recent rerun of the Series Three episode “The Lazarus Experiment”, I noticed the Doctor seemed particularly interested in a pair of Martha’s knickers! Much to her embarrassment, he actually picks them off the clothes line where they are drying and waves them at her; although her response is more one of mock indignation. This viewer was left with the distinct feeling that Martha is actually pleased the Doctor is finally showing an interest. Then I remembered the incident with Rose’s Mum Jackie, in “Love & Monsters”, in which she flashes her undies at poor old Marc Warren in the Laundromat and I began to get a little hot under the collar!! No, not for the reasons you’re thinking, dear reader! This scene was actually picked out of “Love & Monsters” and used as part of the Next Time trailer at the end of the preceding episode, “The Satan Pit”, in which we’d only just been treated to a glimpse of Rose’s thong, protruding from the back of her jeans, as she hugs the Doctor on her return to the TARDIS at the end of the story. I began to think that Russell is showing an awfully keen interest in the undergarments of his leading ladies, especially for someone who’s gay!!!

I decided to examine this pressing issue, of panties in our favourite science fiction series, just a little further! I thought back to the classic series and naturally remembered an incident involving the lovely Katy Manning! Who could forget her frilly red knickers as she climbs up a ladder out of a tunnel, in “The Day of the Daleks”, hotly pursued by Jon Pertwee gazing upwards as he makes his ascent!! I thought back even further and remembered Maureen O’Brien giving us a quick flash as she is menaced by Koquillion in the two-part adventure “The Rescue”. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you the colour of her panties as this serial was made in black and white! Fast forward two decades and Sarah Sutton gives us more than just a brief glimpse as she strips down to her undies for her swansong tale “Terminus”. A memorable farewell to all her adoring fans. And, no doubt she acquired many more following such a finale! Given the present penchant for female pop singers in science fiction, what with Billie and Kylie in “Doctor Who”, and “Primeval” actress Hannah Spearritt persistently battling dinosaurs in a vast array of not-so-baggy bloomers, what next? Given the soundtrack of the Christopher Eccleston episode “The End of the World”, it seems possible that Russell might want to cast Britney Spears as a future companion. There’s just one problem… As everyone knows, from all the lucrative paparazzi up-skirt shots of Britney’s vagina, Miss Spears doesn’t do pants!