/Filmcast E-Mails

How Does One Start Watching Doctor Who?

So, you’re interested in watching Doctor Who, but are a bit unsure where to begin. That is quite understandable. Doctor Who can seem like a huge investment of time at a glance. The show began in 1963 and ran until its cancellation in 1989. During that time, the show saw seven different actors take on the role of the Doctor. It reappeared in 1996, as television movie, in an attempt to bring the show back into the mainstream. This movie featured a new actor as the Doctor, but failed to capture an audience, and it would be another nine years before the show would find its following. And it is here that many newcomers to Doctor Who start.  In 2005, Doctor Who returned, with Russell T. Davies as head writer, and Christopher Eccleston in the lead role as the 9th version of the Doctor. This new series of Doctor Who, sometimes referred to as nuWho, could be seen as a reboot of the series. Yes, everything that happened from the show’s beginning in 1963 up to the television movie in 1996 was canon. However, the audience was now seeing the Doctor in a new light, through the eyes of his newest companion, a young woman named Rose Tyler. It is through her that a new viewer may learn about the Doctor’s past, character and motivations. Anytime a classic enemy from the show’s long history is reintroduced, they are explained to a companion who has no knowledge of them, much like new viewers. This is what makes the 2005 series a very good place to start with Doctor Who, for people who have very little knowledge of what the show is, or how it’s structure works. Yes, some of the writing in this first season is a bit poor, and that may turn some viewers off. However, I would certainly recommend that you stick with it. Christopher Eccleston gives a strong performance as the Doctor, and although his time was short, it really sets the stage for that character for the rest of the series. The second season of nuWho welcomed the actor David Tennant into the role of the Doctor, and like his companion Rose Tyler, the viewer sees that while the face of the man changes, his greatness lives on. With this new actor came better writing, better characters, and an overall better feel. This continued for the next 4 years, with Davies as head writer and Tennant as the Doctor, but like with many drama series, each consecutive season can be reliant on the events that occurred in the prior season, ie. characters and events are introduced and appear or are referred to again and again. This is why many new viewers do not start with the Tennant era, however some of science fiction’s greatest stories, and the show’s greatest character moments lie within his run, which I as a lover of the genre would hate to see someone (who is too) miss out on.

Now perhaps you’ve seen an episode or two during the Davies era, and didn’t care for it enough to invest in watching the seasons featuring Eccleston and Tennant, but you’ve heard very good things about the 5th series and would like to start with that? Well, here is my take. The fifth season (aired in 2010) is much like the 2005 season, it featured a major overall. BAFTA award winner Steven Moffat, who had written episodes of the series since 2005, was now the head writer. Matt Smith (age 27 at the time) took on the role as the Doctor, the youngest actor to portray him. The show sported a new facelift, with the best production values the series has ever seen in its near 50 year history, thanks to its growing success over the past five years. And again the show focused on a newcomer to these adventures with Karen Gillan as companion Amy Pond. This is why many have found the 2010 season to be a great jumping off point.  Matt Smith’s portrayal combines a youthful spirit with the wise experience of a character who is over 900 years old. Amy learns about the Doctor, but without feeling too repetitive. And Steven Moffat’s life long love of the show shines through with every episode he writes and his overall care of the series. It is a great place to start, the show is at the best its ever been. If you choose to begin here, I have faith that you will fall in love with it.  However, allow me to make a small suggestion. As I mentioned, Steven Moffat had written for the show since its return from hiatus in 2005. He wrote for each season and actually left hints within those stories for future events that would take place when he took over the series. Specifically in the episodes Blink from season 3, and a two part story in season 4 beginning withSilence in the Library and ending with Forest of the Dead. Both are absolutely brilliant stories, and I recommend you watch them before starting the fifth season (which is the first featuring Matt Smith), as they will prepare you for what to expect, and introduce you to some characters and enemies who will appear later on.

So with all of that, what do you do? Short answer, either begin with the first season in 2005 and go from there, or start with the three episodes mentioned and then continue with the2010 fifth season. There is no reason to feel burdened by the classic series that ran from 1963-1996, while great, it is not necessary for you to enjoy the new series. Hopefully you’ll fall in love the series, and if that happens, there will be hundreds of past adventures to satisfy your cravings of all things DOCTOR WHO.

I hope this helps. I love the /filmcast, it has become an indispensable part of my movie going/television experience. I wish you continued growth and success.

-Brandon