Once more, the year has turned to that most blissful of times: Gallifrey One!
Every year since the blog started (with the exception of that first one, when it was only a few weeks old), I’ve made the pilgrimage to Los Angeles over Presidents Day weekend to rub elbows with Doctor Who creators and just generally have fun with some three thousand other fans, who become my closest friends over those three-plus days (and some of them, beyond!)
This year is no exception. The con runs from this Friday (15 Feb 2019) through Sunday (17 Feb), with a “pre-con” social scheduled for Thursday night, though many attendees extend their stays for extra days before or after those dates. I’ll be among those, giving myself just a smidge of extra time to adjust to the time zone change before things get into full swing.
Each iteration of Gally is unique, awesome in its own particular way. Offerings depend on which guests are present, what’s been going on in the show recently, and obviously which fans are in each panel to share their opinions. For 2019 (“Gallifrey One: 30 Years in the TARDIS”), headliners are Colin Baker (the Sixth Doctor), Catherine Tate (Donna Noble), and John Barrowman (Capt. Jack Harkness). Pearl Mackie (Bill Potts) had also been slated to appear, but had to cancel a couple of weeks out due to a new work obligation—sad for us, but great for her!
Other guests include—but are very much not limited to!—William Russel (Ian Chesterton), Carole Ann Ford (Susan Foreman), Nicola Bryant (Peri Brown), and Katy Manning (Jo Grant). There are scads of other guests, from both the Classic and modern eras, in front of and behind the camera. All are sure to be fabulous.
For me, the predicted programming highlights will be participating as a panelist again (“Jodie and the Yorkshire Cast,” at noon on Saturday in Program C), checking out the Academic Symposium on Friday (various talks from 3:00-7:00 in Program B), and attending a kaffeeklatsch with Christopher Jones and Greg Weisman.
Of course the most important part is seeing my friends, my once-a-year family. I look forward to being able to talk to my favorite podcasters (the folks from Verity!) as well as listening to the fabulous things they have to say. I look forward to meeting online-only friends in meatspace for the first time. And most of all, I look forward to seeing those I only see at Gally, whether it’s been one year or three since our last meeting.
The wonder and anticipation that I felt as a child with the approach of Christmas has faded over the years with age, experience, and cynicism. But I still get giddy in the days and weeks leading up to Gally. It’s frenetic and fantastic and fatiguing, and it’s the best. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.