Giant Freakin Robot

Looking for a new desktop PC? Have an unhealthy fixation with the BBC’s long-running sci-fi adventure series Doctor Who? Well, then this TARDIS mod may be exactly what you’re looking for. This scale model replica of the Time Lord’s preferred method of time and space travel may be one of the nerdiest things you’ll ever see. And that isn’t meant to be hyperbole. If you could quantify geekiness, this particular artifact would be way up there.

We’re only a couple of weeks away from Christmas, and for many of us that means planning family gatherings, finishing up the holiday shopping, and building a bunker in case we’re invaded by a horde of murderous snowmen. Okay, you may not have experienced that one, but you can see how the Doctor will handle that very scenario when the Doctor Who Christmas special — entitled “The Snowmen” — airs on Christmas day, both in the U.K. and the U.S. The lovely folks at the BBC have released a trailer for the special, and it has all the ingredients to be a perfect Christmas gift for dedicated Whovians: an alien menace, a chilly Victorian setting, a fairy tale feel, a brand-new companion, and the soothing voice of Sir Ian McKellen (he’s voicing the Snowmen). Check it out!

With Doctor Who celebrating its 50th anniversary next year, there has been tons of rumors and speculation about what’s going to happen, which former cast members will return, and what surprises lay in store for us. One thing that hasn’t seemed likely is a new regeneration into the Doctor’s twelfth incarnation, but in a new interview with series star Matt Smith, the actor seems to leave the door open for that possibility, while still insisting he has no “immediate plans to leave.”

Speaking to Bangshowbiz, Smith seems to hedge his bets on the subject of his eventual departure from the show. Of course, he’s fielded questions like this many times before, but his responses here do make it seem like he’s looking a further down the road and seriously considering finding a time to bow out. Here’s what he said:

We’ve got Doctor Who‘s 50th anniversary coming up in November 2013, and one assumes there’ll be another Christmas special after that, and I’d hope to be part of it. I take each year as it comes. All good things come to an end, but my mum is aghast at the thought of me ever not being the Doctor. The show is the star and will continue without me.

I’m committed to it next year and will sit down with Steven Moffat and see where we go from there. I’ve no immediate plans to leave. I’m around for a whole year and that’s a long time.

Maybe someone could play the Doctor for seven years like Tom Baker, but… it’s 10 months a year.

Ian McKellen has already become an indelible part of two geek-loved universes — via the X-Men and Lord of the Rings movies — and this holiday season he’ll be putting his stamp on yet another one. He’ll be voicing the titular villain in this year’s Doctor Who Christmas special, entitled “The Snowmen.”

McKellen’s involvement was confirmed by the folks at Den of Geek, but we don’t have any other details at this point. There are obviously many Snowmen, hence the title, so it’s not clear if McKellen will be lending his pipes to all of them, or just to their “leader” or what-have-you. Either way, it doesn’t sound like the British actor will be physically appearing in the special. Unless they sneak him into a clever cameo in the background, which I wouldn’t put past them.

The episode was penned by showrunner Steven Moffat, and will feature our first proper introduction to the Doctor’s new companion, Clara (Jenna-Louise Coleman). Not counting the actress’ appearance in the season opener, “Asylum of the Daleks,” a role I’m sure will be explained later in the season…