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…

[Ana Canino-Fluit (Anacoqui- mod)]

Yeah I figured that about the Daleks and Cybermen...since they made such a deal of their confrontation.

It was very interesting to read that they filmed these episodes very early on in the Season (as to have access to Mickey and Pete), but were able to keep a lot of mystery out there about whether Billie Piper was leaving the show or not.

The Baron said:

Interesting as always, Ana.

A few notes: As you may or may not know, "Army of Ghosts"/"Doomsday" was the first meeting of the Cybermen and the Daleks. In the "old days" there was a sort of "unwritten rule" that the two should never meet, so this was a big deal for us aging fanboys.

The Macra (the crab monsters in "Gridlock") had only ever appeared once before, in 1967, and would've been pretty low on my list of "creatures they will bring on the new show". That pleased me in a way - it's fun seeing the old critters done with a better special effects budget.

I tend to agree that the Daleks should not be overused.If it was up to me, each Doctor would have one adventure with them, but that they ought not to be used more than once every three-four years, otherwise.

[Doc Beechler (mod-MD)]

I like all of the companions in the new series, but Martha Jones was and is by far my favorite. The third series also has my favorite episodes and they're all lined up together. While I love Freema, having Jessica Hynes and Carey Mulligan on the show was a giant ice cream sundae for me.

[PowerBook Pete, the Mad Mod]

Ana, somewhere around here might be a good place to insert the first season of Torchwood. The whole of that season takes place after "Army of Ghosts"/"Doomsday" and before "Utopia."

[Ana Canino-Fluit (Anacoqui- mod)]

Thanks!

PowerBook Pete said:

Ana, somewhere around here might be a good place to insert the first season of Torchwood. The whole of that season takes place after "Army of Ghosts"/"Doomsday" and before "Utopia."

[The Baron]

I still have never seen any Torchwood. I never was the biggest Capt. Jack mark, but you people tempt me....

[Jeff of Earth-J]

I'm reading this thread and have a lot of comments to make, but I just don't have the time right now! One thing regarding spoilers, I no longer have to worry about some of the things I wanted to say, because by this time you've already seen the episodes I'd want to avoid spoiling. I jsut yesterday finished watching Torchwood seasons 1 & 2 for the first time and the Children of Earth mini-series for the second time. I really liked the series, but both Torchwood and Sarah Jane are very different from their parent show. I like all three (in different ways and for different reasons), but they're not nearly as close to each other in tone as, say, Buffy and Angel. Whereas Doctor Who is (arguably) aimed at a general audience, Sarah Jane is definitely aimed at kids and Torchwood is definitely aimed at adults.

Regarding new series companions, I can tell you how it breaks down in our house. Rose is our favorite companion, not just of the new series, but ever. (I bought Tracy a t-shirt that says, "Rip Open Reality and Go Get Rose!") Beyond that, Tracy likes Donna very much but hates Martha. Me, I like Martha but I could take or leave Donna.

I'll try to respond to the rest of your posts if I have to log on from home over the weekend to do it!

[Doc Beechler (mod-MD)]

Man...why does she hate Martha?

[PowerBook Pete, the Mad Mod]

Because of Martha's feelings for the Doctor that Tracy didn't like.

[Jeff of Earth-J]

Good guess, but no, that’s not it. She thinks Martha is whiny and unflatteringly jealous of Rose. She also complains about a certain “noise” Martha makes in stressful situations.

[Doc Beechler (mod-MD)]

But Martha had the spunk to walk away...no points for that?

[Alan M.]

Doc! Spoilers!!!

[Doc Beechler (mod-MD)]

Sorry! Ignore me!