Highlight of L.I. Who

Article by Paulie

On November 7th, I went to the 2nd annual L.I. Who, Long Island’s Doctor Who convention. I arrived early, checking in and meeting a couple friends who were gracious enough to help me with getting my bags to my room. Walking down the hall to the elevator, I crossed paths with Wendy Padbury, who starred on Doctor Who in the late 60’s as Zoe Heriot

After settling into my room for a some time, I went back down to the lobby and found the end of the line to get my convention badge and passes for the Friday night dinner and Sunday morning breakfast, both having been opportunities to mingle up close and personal with the stars.

Shortly after that, I got in line for the early autograph session with Eighth Doctor actor Paul McGann. It was then that I started to feel “at home” again, making friends with those in line around me, reacquainting myself briefly with someone I met last year, not to mention seeing former companion to the Sixth Doctor, Nicola Bryant walk by.

After some time, I was allowed to jump to the head of the line, as I had made friends with enough of the convention staff so they knew me, and graciously accommodated my physical limitations. (For any of you reading this who don’t know me well, I’ve walk with crutches all my life.) The next thing I knew, I was face-to-face with Paul McGann. And for any of you who haven’t met him, he is a talker, and a lovely man.

I made my way back to the lobby, took a seat, and in no time at all, I spotted yet another guest across the way. This time the man in question was Terrance Dicks, who wrote a few scripts, and oversaw the show as script editor in the early 70’s. I made my way over to him and shook his hand, introducing myself and telling him how the period that he worked on the show as script editor was my favorite era.

Then it was time for the Dinner of Rassilon. Sitting across from me at my table was Dick Mills, who had a long standing association with the classic series in sound effects. After dinner, I reconnected with some friends from last year and went to the Karaoke of Rassilon. And then I went back to my room, but not to sleep – not immediately.

I would feel it the next morning, walking into a panel on the similarities between Star Trek and Doctor Who, followed by a panel with the lovely Wendy Padbury and another actress from the 60s that she didn’t share screentime with – Deborah Watling. I got in the last question on that panel, asking Wendy to compare Matt Smith’s take on The Doctor – who she discovered – with the Doctor she spent time with in Patrick Troughton.

Then I got in line for a photo with Wendy and Deborah, and Frazer Hines, who had been at last year’s L.I. Who, and I had gotten along famously with. Every time I saw that man this time, he would ask whomever I was chatting with if I was bothering them. What a kidder! I also spent some time getting autographs and in the vendors halls.

After that, I didn’t do too much until the broadast of the 8th series finale of Doctor Who. And after that was the Dance Party of Rassilon, where some friends I made last year invaded the party as the clones from BBC America’s Orphan Black.

Sunday morning, I got a picture taken with Dick Mills before breakfast, and with Nicola Bryant afterwards. She was the excited one when I asked for a picture with her. I paced myself the rest of the day, getting more autographs and merchandise, until it was time to get a picture with the Doctors in attendance, Colin Baker and Paul McGann.

And then it was time to say goodbyes to friends I’d seen again, and others I’d made that weekend. I would leave in the morning, after spending some time chatting with Frazer Hines, Daphne Ashbrook, Wendy Padbury, Deborah Watling and Colin Spaull.

L.I. Who 3 will be moving to a larger hotel in the Hyatt Regency, having quickly outgrown the Clarion from the last two years. The first of many guests announcements will be made in December. If any of you want to meet met there, and I would suggest this as a great weekend get away to any Whovian, - Allons-y!