It has been a while since I have been genuinely thrilled, speechless and left bewildered after watching DOCTOR WHO.

Sure this NEW SERIES has been stunningly executed, entertaining and richly appreciated by all viewers but it has lacked a moment of complete "I-know-that-I-should-breath-but-I-am-having-a-problem-with-that-key-metabolic-activity".

Since 2005, with eyeofhorus.org.uk, I have tried to balance the voracious need & wanting for DOCTOR WHO information and holding back in talking about information that would spoil the magic. A balance that I have not quite right yet. I suppose I don't visitors (loyal and otherwise) disappearing to other fan-produced websites en masse. In a way, I didn't want to spoil the NEW SERIES for myself either. As a long time viewer (since 1972), I want the magic too.

I have spoken of the EARTHSHOCK moment. A shared collectibve moment in 1982 when UK fandom was hidden from the reappearance of the Cybermen by covert BBC actions. Of course, that was 1982. There were a handfull of DOCTOR WHO fan magzines and a media that were not totally enamoured with a second-rate kids sci-fi series.

However, 26 years later, we have a 24 hour media, tens of thousands of websites & (hideous) blogs, online forums, and WHOratzi stalking BBC WALES film crews on location that make spoilers inevitable.

Until THE STOLEN EARTH. Even the title was "hidden" from viewers (yes, even we were told it was to be WAR ON SKARO...) until a a week or so from broadcast. But on Saturday NEW SERIES viewers had their first (or only) EARTHSHOCK moment. The "regeneration" of the Tenth Doctor.

Congratulations to BBC WALES and the BBC for keeping it a secret.

Matthew Walter - Online Editor
eyeofhorus.org.uk has been commenting on DOCTOR WHO since 1983.