Watch Doctor Who? Who me?

[Ana Canino-Fluit (Anacoqui- mod)]

So after many years of gentle and not so gentle prodding I have finally started watching Doctor Who.  In the past I have seen snippets of the new series, and generally walked away muttering “…alright …that was odd…don’t see much point in that.” However my friends BatMatt and Doc kept suggesting I try it (much the same way we kept suggesting Rich try watching Firefly…) and since I share a lot of tastes in
common when it comes to TV shows and comics a few months ago I relented and let Doc know that I had come to terms with fact that someday I would eventually ended up watching some Doctor Who but needed to know where to start.

Fast forward to two weeks ago when my father had me open a Netflix account so we could figure out why Netflix streaming wasn’t working for him (no streaming outside the 50 states and DC…you lose out if you live in a Commonwealth of the US it turns out…bummer).  Since I had started the clock on my 2 week trial I figured I might as well take advantage of it once we were back in Rochester.

So early last week I started out watching Season 1 of the New Doctor Who series, starring Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor. The first 13 episodes are available via Netflix streaming, and I have watched 12.

If you haven’t watched the series yet…you might as well stop reading unless you want to be spoiled as to how I reacted…

[Batmatt Beyond]

Ana, as I've commented elsewhere, welcome to the TARDIS! You are now the third person with no prior knowledge of Doctor Who that I've helped lead to the fun and thrills of The Doctor and company. It probably comes as no surprise that those people are Whedon fans, too. I think the heart of the Whedon shows and the heart (hearts?) of Doctor Who beat to the same rhythm. They all focus on characters that are easy to love with plots that keep your interest. However, I will say that transitioning those new fans from Mr. Tennant to Mr. Smith may not be easy; they both love Mr. Tennant a whole lot.

[The Baron]

[Ana Canino-Fluit (Anacoqui- mod)]

Oh, so far he is nice...and I like his wit, and he is cute, sort of dapper, while I would have characterized #9 as having a being more of a scrapper and a strange mix of goofy and dangerous. Tennant is growing on me but I still like Eccleston more.

Jeff of Earth-J said:

What's your opinion, Ana, of the Tenth Doctor so far in comparison to the Ninth? Do you have a preference?

[Doc Beechler (mod-MD)]

He became my favorite after The Girl in the Fireplace

[Ana Canino-Fluit (Anacoqui- mod)]

Just watched the episode with Sarah Jane, and that was great, kitchy K-9 and all. Loved Anthony Head as the head bat, what a fun day on the set he must have had!

Really loved that they gave us that episode...The Doctor finally saying goodbye to her, having to confront the fact that he just leaves people behind all the time. I think Tennant nailed it.

Doc Beechler said:

He became my favorite after The Girl in the Fireplace

[Doctor Hmmm?]

Ana Canino-Fluit (Anacoqui) said:

Just watched the episode with Sarah Jane, and that was great, kitchy K-9 and all. Loved Anthony Head as the head bat, what a fun day on the set he must have had!

Really loved that they gave us that episode...The Doctor finally saying goodbye to her, having to confront the fact that he just leaves people behind all the time. I think Tennant nailed it.

I've watched that episode several times, and even now just thinking about the scene when Sarah Jane meets the Doctor in the hallway and realizes who he is .. gives me goosebumps. Of course, for longtime fans of Sarah Jane, that scene's just weighted with history. And Liz Sladen nailed it.

[Doc Beechler (mod-MD)]

While the leaving is often sad, the other theme that you'll see again and again is that time with the Doctor makes a person better. But...there will be exceptions. :(

[The Baron]

One thing I liked about the way Rose was portrayed was the way in which she was shown occasionally to be still just a kid, and maybe even a little immature at times. She knew the Doctor was 900 years old, did she think he traveled alone all that time until he met her? Maybe she did - or, more likely, maybe she never even thought about it at all.

[The Baron]

Doctor Hmmm? said:

Ana Canino-Fluit (Anacoqui) said:

Just watched the episode with Sarah Jane, and that was great, kitchy K-9 and all. Loved Anthony Head as the head bat, what a fun day on the set he must have had!

Really loved that they gave us that episode...The Doctor finally saying goodbye to her, having to confront the fact that he just leaves people behind all the time. I think Tennant nailed it.

I've watched that episode several times, and even now just thinking about the scene when Sarah Jane meets the Doctor in the hallway and realizes who he is .. gives me goosebumps. Of course, for longtime fans of Sarah Jane, that's scene's just weighted with history. And Liz Sladen nailed it.

You're right, there, Doc - "Hullo, Sarah Jane", and, later "Goodbye - my Sarah Jane." I don't cry watching TV much, but I came close here.

There's one other moment that got to me, but I'll leave for it Ana to find, if she keeps watching.

[Cavaliere (moderator emeritus)]

Anthony Head starred in a trilogy of audio adventures from Big Finish where his character encountered the Doctor in his fifth, sixth, and seventh incarnations. He does "menacing" very well, even just with his voice.

[Ana Canino-Fluit (Anacoqui- mod)]

WOw...that was a heartbreaking episode!

Doc Beechler said:

He became my favorite after The Girl in the Fireplace

[Jeff of Earth-J]

Ana, you mentioned all of the series one episodes in order, then after “The Christmas Invasion” you skipped to “School Reunion” and “The Girl in the Fireplace.” Did you see “New Earth” and “Tooth and Claw” which came between?