Charlie McDonnell - Christmas Presents (badger) (CON episode)^[1] was the last of four short episodes of Doctor Who Confidential broadcast via BBC Red Button in the run-up to A Christmas Carol. Like all in this special series of Confidential, it featured a young internet filmmaker, Charlie McDonnell, giving his thoughts on a ramble round the Upper Boat Studios. It was a kind of video diary, but one nevertheless produced by and released under the banner of Doctor Who Confidential.

Unlike the first two episodes, however, the dress of the people on camera clearly shows this episode was filmed in cold weather. It is reasonable to assume that this episode was filmed around Christmas itself, rather than during the July production of A Christmas Carol. McDonnell's appearance is also radically more mature than in the earlier episodes.

Contents 1 Aspects of production covered 2 People interviewed 3 Home video releases 4 Footnote

Aspects of production covered Edit

This episode covered no aspect of production whatsoever. As the title suggests, the major focus of the episode was to give Christmas presents to various people at the Upper Boat Studios.

People interviewed Edit

Some crew members were briefly glimpsed, but the chief interview subjects were Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill. The episode involved Charlie asking Smith and Gillan what gifts they'd like to get, then which gifts would be appropriate for their fellow cast members. Charlie spent the middle part of the episode actually buying the gifts. The last third of the episode was spent on the trio's reactions to the gifts they had been given.

Gillan asked for and received organic chocolate. She suggested that perhaps Smith might enjoy some new guitar strings, but strictly ruled out getting anything musical for Darvill. Smith was less specific as to his own desires, suggesting that whatever came would be appreciated. However, he did mention that something badger-related would be nice. He said that Gillan was always late, and that an alarm clock might therefore be appropriate for her — or some sort of portable warming device. Darvill, for his part, was not interviewed about what he might want, but a substantial amount of time was given to his reaction to his gifts. He got three different, but obscure, musical instruments — including a kazoo and an odd horn. He seemed genuinely excited, as evidenced by the fact that he immediately drew Charlie into an impromptu jam session.

Smith's present was a badger hand puppet, which he instantly named "Charlie" and donned for the camera.

Home video releases Edit

to be added

Footnote Edit

v • e Doctor Who Confidential episodes Series 1 Special episodes Pre-Premiere: Doctor Who: A New Dimension • Pre-Finale: The Ultimate Guide Regular episodes Bringing Back the Doctor • Aliens: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly • TARDIS Tales • I Get a Side-Kick Out of You • Why on Earth? • The Daleks • The Dark Side • Time Trouble • Special Effects • Weird Science • Unsung Heroes and Violent Death • The World of Who • The Last Battle Series 2 Special episodes DVD only: Backstage at Christmas • Pre-Premiere: One Year On Regular episodes New New Doctor • Fear Factor • Friends Reunited • Script to Screen • Cybermen • From Zero to Hero • The Writer's Tale • You're Got the Look • Religion, Myths and Legends • The New World of Who • The Fright Stuff • Welcome to Torchwood • Finale Series 3 Special episodes Christmas Special: Music and Monsters Regular episodes Meet Martha Jones • Stage Fright • Are We There Yet? • A New York Story • Making Manhattan • Monsters Inc. • Space Craft • Alter Ego • Bad Blood • Do You Remember the First Time? • 'Ello, 'Ello, 'Ello • The Saxon Mystery • The Valiant Quest Series 4 Special episodes Children in Need Special: Children in Need Special • 2007 Christmas Special: Kylie Special • 2008 Christmas Special: Confidential Christmas 2008 • Proms: At the Proms • Eleventh Doctor Announcement: The Eleventh Doctor Regular episodes A Noble Return • The Italian Job • Oods and Ends • Send in the Clones • Sontar-Ha! • Sins of the Fathers • Nemesis • Shadow Play • River Runs Deep • Look Who's Talking • Here Come the Girls • Friends and Foe • End of an Era 2009 Specials Desert Storm • Is There Life on Mars? • Lords and Masters • Allons-y! Series 5 Regular episodes Call Me the Doctor • All About the Girl • War Games • Eyes Wide Open • Blinded by the Light • Death in Venice • Arthurian Legend • After Effects • What Goes on Tour... • A Brush with Genius • Extra Time • Alien Abduction • Out of Time Series 6 Special episodes Christmas Special: Christmas Special 2010 • My Sarah Jane: A Tribute to Elisabeth Sladen Charlie McDonnell series Charlie McDonnell - Runner • Charle McDonnell - TARDIS • Charlie McDonnell - Decorating Bus • Charlie McDonnell - Christmas Presents (badger) Regular episodes Coming to America • Breaking the Silence • Ship Ahoy! • Bigger on the Inside • Take Two • The Born Identity • River Runs Wild • About a Boy • What Dreams May Come • Heartbreak Hotel • Open All Hours • When Time Froze Episodes listed here are only those that have been officially licensed by the BBC.

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