Imagined conversation

"...no, I don't like that. What else you got?"
"Um...um...um..." (thinking frantically) "...mummies on the Orient Express!"
"A mummy on the Orient Express, eh?" (Note the instinctive cost-cutting) "I like it. Yes. A period piece. Authentic costumes, detailed recreations, lots of atmosphere. Yes, I think we can work with that. But here's how we can make it even better. A mummy on the Orient Express...in space!"
"In space?"
"Sure. Why not? Russell did the Titanic in space and that worked."
"Yes, he did rather."
"That way if we get the details wrong it won't matter. Besides, everyone loves to see aliens in period costumes. It shows Earth's still the coolest planet ever. Everyone wants to go on the Orient Express, even aliens."
"And it won't matter that there aren't any rails, or any stations, or any exotic places to look at?"
"Nah, they'll all be too busy dealing with the mummy. Only of course it won't be a mummy."
"It won't?"
"Trust me. Bung in a mummy and you'll have fanboys whining about Sutekh all over the net. No, real mummies are out. It's got to be something that just happens to look like a mummy. Doesn't matter what, you'll think of something. The real point is getting the Doctor and Clara back together after the break-up. All the plot stuff is just filler. She needs to remember why she went with him in the first place, and he needs to do something heroic so she'll like him again."
"And...something that happens to look like a mummy on something that happens to look like the Orient Express will do that?"
"Well, it was your idea. Now buzz off and write it, there's a good boy. Oh, and don't forget to put in a singer. Music always helps to fill out the time."

In other news, nuWho is still not delivering on the promise of Day Of.