The who
This time two weeks ago I wrote a blog about my love of football and how strange it must be, for people who can’t see the appeal, to witness the way the country/world comes to a standstill to watch, shout at and sob over a series of events with no intrinsic meaning at all. Tonight I’m in the opposite position on the cultural-alienation-spectrum, as one of a tiny number of people not watching Doctor Who.
Don’t tell anyone.
This is not a value judgement, but I just can’t get into it. I was never raised with a reverence for the old ones, and I never succeeded in getting on the bandwagon when it returned. I tried watching a couple of the Christopher Eccleston/Billie Piper ones but it didn’t grab me; even sexy old Tennant wasn’t quite enough to pull me in. And now there’s this new bloke, so young he barely looks like he should be doing a GAP year, let alone skipping through time and space. Once again it looks like it would be nice to be involved, but I just can’t quite, as people used to say in the sixties, get with it.
I’m sure it’s my fault, not the Doctor’s. I don’t know. I was never much of a sci-fi enthusiast, but Who’s appeal goes far beyond the traditional geek, so I feel like I should be more responsive. Basically, I just struggle to get excited by the stories; it always seems a bit empty, the dialogue always makes me feel like I’m not quite getting something, and the weird grins of the various Doctors only confirms that impression. Perhaps I’m too literal-minded and I should stop over-analysing and just go with it. Perhaps I was unlucky not to be initiated into it much earlier in life.
But in any case, I’m posting this quite late on a Saturday night and it should escape general attention because everyone will be too busy discussing things that took place 42 million light years away. If you are reading, I’d be interested either to hear the secret of getting into Doctor Who, or to hear from people who are in the same, stuck-in-the-21st-century boat as me. And as for me, well, Match Of The Day will be on in a bit. I know where I am with that. Phew.
Posted by knox on May 8, 2011
I seriously thought I was the only one who didn’t watch Dr Who! It’s not that I wouldn’t like to- I’ve seem it a few times, and always really enjoyed the fact that it really is proper family viewing and has some good storylines. Admittedly those times were both Christmas specials, so maybe they were extra good. But I’ve never been so hooked that I can spend the time it takes to be devoted. Even the x-files, which I was a huge fan of when I was younger, lost me after the first few seasons, as I just never quite got round to watching it. That said, as with lots of things I really know nothing about, it didn’t stop me having an opinion when the new doctor was cast- surely too young, especially after the wonder that was David Tenant, though that opinion has been tempered by radio times/time out covers that make me feel maybe he’s not been too bad a choice after all.
Posted by Charlotte Edmonds on April 7, 2010
Oops, a bit late to the party, but I don’t have time to keep up daily with the blog, alas.
Doctor Who … not for me. I am a wannabe-Trekkie (as in, I would be a Trekkie if I had the time) who will defend The Next Generation, Voyager, and even Deep Space Nine ’til I’m blue in the face – I am completely hooked. However, Doctor Who borders a bit too much between sci-fi and supernatural, to my mind, and I won’t touch supernatural / paranormal with a bargepole, on account of conscience.
That said, when David Tennant was The Doctor, I was clueless as to Star Trek, and I didn’t ‘get’ Doctor Who at all – I didn’t know it was even supposed to be sci-fi. I confess I found myself intrigued by Tennant though, so on the odd occasion that I caught an episode halfway through, I did find myself watching just to watch him. (That’s before my conscience objected to supernatural / paranormal stuff.)
Also from what I recall and have heard though, other than possibly the time travel, the sci-fi sounds pretty wishy-washy to me. At least Star Trek sci-fi has its roots in reality, and the science (extrapolated) behind it is substantial.
Posted by Laura on April 6, 2010
Fear not Mr. Watson, I too am an unfanatic of “Dr.Who” lol
Posted by glamlovinkitty on April 5, 2010
I’m so with you. I have never watched Dr Who in my entire life. I loathe any sci fi with a fiery passion. The very idea of watching any sci fi or fantasy pish makes my soul die.
I live with someone who, sadly, likes sci fi very much. Luckily, it’s his only appalling trait. So I let it be and just leave the room when any sci fi is on.
Posted by Kate (ClariSaxy) on April 5, 2010
I’m with you Mark. Never saw the facination and don’t suppose I ever will do and I really don’t mind that I feel that way. I certainly wouldn’t miss it if it got cancelled today.
Posted by Amy on April 5, 2010
I started typing this earlier, then my computer freaked out on me and I lost it all, so here’s hoping for second time lucky!
Although my parents are old enough to remember the Classic Series, as it’s called these days, neither of them were particularly into it, and actually my mum really didn’t like it at all because of those pesky Daleks invading her nightmares, so I most definitely didn’t grow up in a home that revered Doctor Who, or any other sci-fi for that matter. And, when I heard it was coming back in 2005, I dismissed it straight out of hand, “outer space? Metal aliens? All sounds rather stupid to me.” and didn’t watch it at all.
A couple of weeks later, there was a slot on GMTV about the return of the Daleks and how they could now go up stairs. The bloke being interviewed firmly assured the viewer that it would be a “moment of TV history.” Being rather too forward thinking in my cynicism, I decided to watch it that weekend, because there’d surely be one day when I was 40, sat in a pub, everyone talking about this moment of supposed history, and I wanted to be able to ridicule it properly. And you may be able to guess from where this story’s going, but reluctantly, I sort of enjoyed it. Not all of it, I still thought shooty laser beams and sink plunger arms were completely daft, but there was just -something- about it.
The next couple of weeks, I made sure I didn’t watch it in case I was further drawn in, but inevitably, after a while, there was nothing else on, so I thought I might as well put it on as it wasn’t HIDEOUS before, and really, I’ve not looked back. I can now look to my right and see my Doctor Who calendar, to my left and there’s a sonic pen from a sonic screwdriver toy set (no, I kid you not.), behind me there’s every Series 1 – 4 boxset, and a couple of the specials (hopefully getting the Winter ones for my birthday next week!), and my next door neighbour brought me along a Doctor Who Easter egg earlier today, saying “I couldn’t resist, I know how much you love it!”. I think it’s safe to call me a hardcore fan. Or a “nutcase”, if you will
My point is that, I went from not even wanting to like Doctor Who, to wholly adoring it, and so I think it’s quite reasonable that you might be able to go from not getting it to thinking it’s quite good, once those stumbling blocks are out of the way.
1) The dialogue that leaves you confused, I’m assuming, is the technobabble; all Medusa Cascades and Shadow Proclamations that make no sense at first. Never fear! The more you watch, the more you gather what these things are. And for things that you think “I just can’t understand the episode being in the dark about this.”, there is the brilliant http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/Doctor_Who_Wiki where most things you could ever want to know about Doctor Who are explained.
2) With the above said, try not to get too hung up on the “science” of it all. Rose said once, to paraphrase, that the Doctor likes to talk at a million miles an hour then look at the humans around him like they’ve just dribbled on themselves. We’re not necessarily meant to get all the “science”, because the Doctor is hundreds of years old and so knows a LOT of stuff that we don’t. Which is why the grins help to say “the Doctor’s figured it out, but don’t ask how.”
3) The Doctor Who universe DOES have its own sort of logic and rules. For instance, you can’t travel back on your own timeline, and some events in time are “fixed”, meaning they can’t be changed, and others are in flux, so they can be changed. Again, the more you watch, the more of the rules you pick up, and the more overall sense it all makes. And for the times when the writers forget their own rules, there’s the overriding, “wibbley wobbley, timey wimey” rule, which in layman’s terms means “it’s too complicated for you to understand as a human, but it’s possible, honest!”.
4) The emotion, the characters, the acting and the messages are what truly brought me in, and shape what my favourite episodes are. I have a funny feeling that you may have just seen the wrong episodes so far, because I agree, some are a bit “empty” – not to say I dislike them, because it only takes a small amount of Eccleston being grumpy and sarcastic, or Tennant grinning or putting on the nerdy specs to make me happy – but if they were my first episodes, I’d not think that highly of them. I honestly think though, once you get into the series more, just seeing the Doctor go on a new adventure is good, even if not the bestest thing ever. So maybe try and look at it as a drama first, and as a sci-fi series second?
4) Where you can, start with an early episode from a series, if not the first. That way, the story arcs over the whole series are in the right order, and aren’t going to leave you wondering about what on earth that obscure, prophetic comment just now was all about. The majority of the episodes feed into the series finale, y’see.
And going against my own advice a bit, here are some recommendations for first episodes to watch, not necessarily from early in a series:
Series One, Episode Six – Dalek – this is the one that made me reluctantly like it. The first half isn’t amazing, but the end scenes with Rose and the Dalek, and then the Doctor, are what the show’s all about for me. A bit of emotion, people growing, learning to be kinder, but with a dash of alien thrown in for good measure.
Christmas Special – “The Christmas Invasion” – David Tennant’s first episode, and easily one of the funniest and most fun ones too – my other favourite aspects of the show.
Series Three, Episode Ten – Blink – there’s not actually much of the Doctor or Martha in this one, but it’s very plotty, the scariest of them all, and if you’re not so sure how the time travel element can be made new and exciting after a couple of trips back and forth, this does it. In spades.
Series Four, Episode Ten – Midnight – this one has a lack of obvious aliens, and plays on the psychological scares more than the monsters. This episode always seems more “grown up” to me, and looks a bit at group mentality, how people can turn on each other in a pressurised situation etc.
I hope you do end up “getting it”, because it is a lovely, warm and fun series, but even if you don’t, you get my respect for trying. Oh, and lastly, I’m sorry for leaving such a long comment! Good luck.
Posted by Suz on April 4, 2010
Ah, Doctor Who. I think the secret of getting into it is just to suspend your disbelief and not worry too much about the odd bit of dodgy sci fi reasoning and cheese. It has heart, it’s fun, funny, creative, genuinely scary at times, and it’s exciting. It’s not serious business, it might not be the coolest thing on telly (despite its popularity), but I love it. I think Charlie Brooker put it best when he said that it bypasses the cynical bit of his brain and plugs straight into the gurgling, overgrown child bit.
Matt Smith’s age doesn’t mean a thing once you see him playing the Doctor. He brings a lot of authority to the role. He’s old and wise, but also youthful, fun and energetic, and I think he was the perfect choice. He’s very talented.
Having said that, different strokes for different folks. You just like what you like, don’t you?
Posted by Carey on April 4, 2010
I totally agree about the dialogue thing. I tried to watch but I just cannot enjoy it. I also dislike the idea that the world is ending every episode. The old ‘end of the world’ ploy has to stop some time.
Posted by Anna Lowman on April 4, 2010
I don’t watch much sci-fi, but I love Doctor Who because it’s got such heart – the sci-fi nuts will disagree, but for me, most of the time, the fact that time travel and other worlds are involved barely matters; it’s about the strangeness and complexity of the Doctor’s relationships (I mean, that strangeness and complexity stems from the fact that he’s a 900 year old being from another planet but hey). There’s a real sense of wonder and adventure about the series, and it’s made with such care. Sometimes it’s rubbish, sometimes it’s passable, but more often it’s really good stuff, and when it’s *really* on form, it’s laugh out loud one moment and heart-melting the next.
Posted by Hannah on April 4, 2010
Just watch it, try and ignore how ridiculous it is, and love it. It’s very funny. Honest.
P.S He is 26 – aren’t you only 30?
Posted by helen on April 4, 2010
there is one doctor who episode you can use as kind of litmus test for whether you will ever like it. series 3 of the new stuff and it’s called ‘blink.’ if that doesn’t grab you, then you can walk away with your head held high, confident in the knowledge that it’s just not your thing. it might be genetic…
Posted by Tom Beasley on April 4, 2010
Doctor Who is a brilliant programme. It’s sci-fi that is accessible to everyone, whether they are into sci-fi in general or not.
Posted by Rachael on April 4, 2010
I’m the same, never been interested in the Doctor. I never really gave it a chance to be honest but I think it might be the weird technology and stuff in it, what’s all that about?
Posted by Catherine on April 4, 2010
We’ll talk in two weeks. Have to wait on BBC America. (not even David Tennant could get you interested?)
Posted by ElizabethD on April 4, 2010
I’ve loved Doctor Who for at least 32 years. I say at least because I was already watching it pretty regularly at 4, but 4 is the age I can first remember watching it. (In fact, I can remember Doctor Who episodes that I saw in 1978 more clearly than things I did in real life with my actual family which is sad on several levels.) Being a Who fan from childhood was unusual in the States–bit less so now that it’s back on and people are watching it with their kids–because when I was a kid very few people watched public television, not all public television stations carried the show, and on top of that to like the show you had to be a fan of sci-fi and be able to understand those “weird accents.” My brother and I were unique in our school because we LOVED Doctor Who and everyone else loved The Dukes of Hazard (I mean honestly, talk about stupid accents!) We didn’t care (much) about being unique though ’cause our hero was the Doctor and if you learn nothing else growing up with that man as your hero you learn that odd is good. ODD IS BRILLIANT!!! Keep Superman, Knight Rider, Starsky and Hutch and especially the Duke boys (as with most of the guys I grew up around, once you got past the cool car there wasn’t much on offer) Give me an action hero with a brain, a huge massive amazing brain, who solves situations with science (slightly flawed science at times, but still: science) and reason and humor. To hell with having a great big gun (not impressed fellas) or super strength, or a car with doors that have been welded shut (seriously, how lame is that at a drive in?) Give me a hero with a humming screwdriver, a remote controlled dog, a yo-yo, an insanely long scarf or celery on his lapel and let me watch him save the world, the galaxy, the universe, all of everything everywhere, all the while showing us, not just a weird grin, Mark, he needs the crazy eyes as well. THAT is a hero! (Also Curt Schilling pitching for the 2004 Red Sox, but we’re not talking about that even though opening day at Fenway Park is in 2 1/2 days)
It’s still a bit odd to me when I consider that Doctor Who is this massive phenomenon in the UK, because to me he was…well yeah, he was an in joke, but not the mean horrid exclusionary kind. The Doctor was an in joke told to you be your best friend that made you smile for weeks afterward every time you thought about it.
I’m not gonna tell you to watch it. Not your thing and there’s nothing wrong with that. Certainly the Doctor would never suggest that people should just follow the crowd. Yes, I know he’s fictional. Of course I know that; it’s one of the great disappointments of my childhood. In spite of his fictional nature, The Doctor taught me a lot over the years, including a love of science and mathematics that has never left me, even when I tripped and stumbled into a career in the arts. The most important lesson of all was to love the people that stand out from the crowd and to always strive to be such a person.
Nevertheless, if you are going to take a stab at watching it I do have a few recommendations:
–Now would be the time. New guy, new head writer, mostly new production team. Unlike everyone else watching, you don’t have to worry about getting past a Tennant obsession in order to like Matt Smith.
–If you are going to go back a bit, then like a few others I recommend Blink. It’s good and creepy, Steven Moffat wrote it so it’s in the style of the show the way it is now, and also introduces some of Mr Moffat’s favorite re-occurring in jokes. And the Doctor is hardly in it, so you won’t have to worry about getting to attached.
–Leave cynicism at the door. Try and watch it the way you watched TV as a kid. Just go for the ride.
After all, don’t you do that when you watch Match of the Day? You’re an adult so of course you know that a lot of professional sports has been taken over by guys who are paid outrageously and act like spoiled thugs most of the time and some of them seem to have the morals and intellect of the average orangutan, but during the game, a really excellent game in particular, is that the stuff you’re thinking about?
PS Matt Smith rocked the show tonight.
Posted by Emmy on April 4, 2010
I am a massive fan of Doctor Who, and of sci fi in general. I can see how it would be an acquired taste however. But personally, Dr. Who’s insane silliness and witty (or at least I think they’re witty) jokes are what make it great.
That being said, I was weaned on Star Trek. My dad, being a massive sci fi fan, did everything he possibly could to get me to like it. And it worked. He did the same to get me to like Marmite, and now I love the stuff. Mark, have you started making your kiddo watch football with you yet?
Posted by rvdk on April 4, 2010
Same for me.
Mind you, Staurday night TV as a whole is worth avoiding. Well, the stuff on the main channels anyway.
Posted by Kate on April 4, 2010
That is precisely how I feel about football – I know that lots of people are passionate about it, I see in principle how it could be a good thing, but I’ve never quite got into it. I do like Doctor Who rather a lot though.
Echoing Anna’s comment, it’s not remotely compulsory to enjoy DW (despite what some of the scarier fans seem to think), but if you do feel like giving it a go, tonight’s episode is a really good place to start. This series is a bit of a re-boot and you can just start from here without needing to know any of the past stuff, and it’s rather fun. If nothing else, I think as a writer you’ll appreciate the craft that’s gone into it.
Posted by Kathryn on April 4, 2010
I have to concur with all the recommendations for Blink. It’s more thriller than sci-fi, anyway, and I’ve been scared of blinking ever since.
My brother keeps me up to date with football, usually by talking about it at me when I’m trying to do something else, but I can’t stand MOTD. There are very few worse things to be watching at that time on a saturday. Each to his/her own.
Posted by Anji on April 4, 2010
Thank goodness. I sort of always thought I was alone in never having watched or gotten into Dr Who. I will go to bed knowing I’m not now.
I don’t know why I haven’t, and am happy to accept I’m never likely to either.
I guess it’s all just another thing that makes the world the place it is. Just the same as supporting different teams/sports. Good to know your not all alone but not all the same.
Posted by Beth on April 3, 2010
I’m with you, Mark.
I’ve never really gotten into it. I tried watching a few of the Tennent episodes because a friend of mine was banging on about how good it is but it really did fail to grab my attention. My friend says I’m missing out, but, I’d really rather watch LOST…
Posted by Steph on April 3, 2010
I am a Doc Who fan. I got into it during Series 3 with Martha as the companion and “sexy old Tennant”. I think for a while its been a bit lost because there hasn’t been a series as such but only a “special” every now and then. Now that a new series has begun I am excited that we can get into some proper story arcs.
As for getting into it, I don’t have any tips except as you say, not to over-analyse. There’s a lot of stuff that we’re not meant to properly understand. Just make your peace with it and enjoy the crazy characters/aliens/planets.
I saw the MOTD guys on Sport Relief Masterchef. Not too shabby!
Posted by Iona on April 3, 2010
I am a massive doctor who fan.
I’ve only seen the newer series and one of the episodes that stood out most is one from the first new series with gas mask children. I had actual nightmares after that one. I was only 11 but still.
I really liked tonight’s episode as well, matt smith lived up to expectations well and I liked the new companion.
Like most others I would recommend the episode blink which was spooky and clever and also has Carey mulligan in it! (though with blond hair so most people wouldn’t recognise her).
Posted by Jade on April 3, 2010
I am on th same page as you Mark. I just don’t get the appeal and I can’t get drawn in. Like you I never saw it when it was first around but I know of a number of people who didnt either and appear to be very enthusiastic about the whole thing??! Then again I’ve not watched Glee either (which appears to have got some good reviews from other followers) so perhaps I just don’t belong in this century. J
Posted by EmmaT on April 3, 2010
I can not quite get into Doctor Who either, you are not alone! I do wonder why as my whole family watch it and they are quite the eclectic bunch.
Not a big football fan either, its all about the egg chasing for me. The mighty Gloucester won by one solitary point today, which is quite enough excitement for one day without having to deal with a whole load of ‘skipping through time and space’!
Posted by h2osarah on April 3, 2010
I’m not a Doctor Who fan either. It’s easier cos I’m in Canada, but a fair number of people I know do watch it here as well. It looks like cheesy science fiction to me. You’re not the only one.
S x
Posted by Someone on April 3, 2010
Yeah, some parts of it can be a bit stupid… but you just have to take those cheesier bits with a pinch of salt and see the general brilliance of (some of) the stories of David Tennant (big fan). I didn’t like the Eckleston dude I have to say so still haven’t seen most of those episodes, but the new guy didn’t seem as bad as i expected, so that’s good.
I know a lot of people who don’t like it, or say that Tennant can’t act (he can)… but you should give it another go!
My faves are The Girl in the Fireplace and Blink – both really clever and moving. If you don’t like those two then I guess there’s no hope for you!
Also the final story of him with Rose, and his last episode. New bloke has a lot to live up to. Just keep an open mind – embrace the sci-fi!
Posted by Heather Jones on April 3, 2010
Hello from the other side of the fence – I just don’t ‘get’ football, whereas I love the Timelord!
Was raised on the REALLY old Dr Whos (Troughton, Pertwee and Baker), – hid behind the sofa in my pyjamas, had nightmares, the lot…as I got older I went off it, especially with the next swathe of many ho-hum Who incarnations – but I was an easy sell when the relaunch came, and we (me, husband and sons) did indeed all sit down as a family to watch it.
Not crazy about Eccleston’s gurning and forced zaniness, mind you (although I liked the stories) but fell in love with Tennant as the most attractive Who ever! Hadn’t been sure if the new chap could fill those shoes but was totally convinced by tonight’s 1st episode. He’s going to be a great Who! May not be as good looking, but he’s great in the part.
I don’t know the secret of getting into Dr W, sorry.
Enjoy the football (I won’t be watching)
Posted by Misha on April 3, 2010
Oops, hit the enter button too soon.
Anyway, if you want to try getting into it I’d reccomend tracking down Moffat’s episodes (The Empty Child & The Doctor Dances two parter, Girl in the Fireplace, Blink, Silence in the Library)
Posted by Misha on April 3, 2010
I’m a truly self confessed who nerd.
But then i’m a sci-fi fan generally. Which is why I spent 2 and a half hours in the bath on friday finishing 2001: A Space Oddessy.
I’m not sure there’s really a knack to liking it, it’s just something you either do or you don’t like, in the same way I just can’t comprehend football but I got myself into truly quite hysterical tears watching the christmas special. Each to their own right?
I think it requres a suspension of belief though, you have to turn off the logical part of your brain and go okay yes, of course its bigger on the inside why wouldn’t it be? And so on and so forth.
Posted by Steph on April 3, 2010
I’ve never got into it either. I feel like I should, and I’ve watched a couple of episodes, but I’ve never been able to get as excited about it as everyone else so I just gave up a bit.
Posted by Zoe Fell on April 3, 2010
I’m a dedicated Whovian. Please don’t hate me. Although I can see easily where people could just not “get into it”. That maybe didn’t come out right…
Can I suggest a couple of things for you to do Mark? Firstly, check out Blink. It was a genuinely scary episode of Doctor Who, it spooked me at the age of 19! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsWFtvdi5mU
Secondly, do try and have a look at the latest episode. It’s a completely different take on the story, not just with a new actor playing The Doctor, but with a new producer and a brand new team. There’s a particularly excellent stop motion section in the middle of the episode. Admittedly, the monster this week isn’t the best, but it’s a great opener to the series with a lot of character development. If you don’t like it, at least you can say you tried it. And if you do like it, then that’s great. And that’s surely what the TYSIC is all about.
=]
xoxo
Posted by lisa brunders on April 3, 2010
I’ve never got it either. My Mum, 78 and niece, 13, both told me today they’d be watching. I kind of feel left out. But I’ve just never got into it, despite liking sci-fi.
Posted by Anna on April 3, 2010
Liking Doctor Who is by no means compulsory, but I do get the feeling you haven’t really given it a go. If you’re at a loose end this week, why not watch the new one on iPlayer? Worst case scenario, you genuinely don’t enjoy it, in which case at least you know you’re not missing anything.
Posted by Laura on April 3, 2010
I am a late-in-life Who fan (although I draw the line at calling myself a Whovian) and really couldn’t appreciate it until its reinvention. That said, I could barely watch the Ecclestone ones because of his incessant gurning, so I am in total agreement there. Essentially I was a fantasy fan who came on board to Who because of lovely David. There have been some awsomely exciting/funny/moving epsiodes (mostly written by Steven Moffat – praise be that he is now the Who overlord, replacing that idiot Russell T Davies), but there have also been some truly shite ones (RTD is almost solely responsible for those, and his over-the-topness in the last two Tennant eps is absolutely unforgiveable).
I don’t really know how its transition from geek domain to Saturday fun for all the family – even the mums! – came about. I think it is either one of those things you can get into or not, although the editorial decision to steer away from too many aliens to a more Earth-based approach seems to have worked wonders for it.
I wouldn’t really recommend it as an introduction into the world of genre or cult tv – there are far better programmes with better acting/better writing/better production values that would give a greater insight into the wonder of sci fi/fantasy (Battlestar Galactica, I’m looking at you). I think had I not already developed a passion for this type of tv from other sources I would definitely be in the same position as you.
After all that, I am unable to suggest a way for you to embrace it. What an arse about face way of saying, ‘Sorry, you’re on your own with this one’.
Stick with MOTD: you can always rely on Gary, Hansen and Lawro, although my enjoyment of it is inextricably linked with the performance of my beloved Spurs (bugger Sunderland).
Posted by Corey on April 3, 2010
I’m the same, I don’t get it…I’ve tried it, but can’t get into it. I do remember quite enjoying it in the 80′s, but I hated the Eccleston return series and saw a couple of the Tennant ones but it’s not for me. I don’t usually like sci fi as a rule, but saw the latest Star Trek film last week and loved it so its not a space phobia!?!.
Its a club I’m not invited to and I’d rather watch Italian football on ESPN.
Posted by MrMatt on April 3, 2010
I’m a massive Doctor Who geek. Have been since the age of 8, so 15 years of experience may be on my side here.
For me it was watching it and getting into the whole escapism of the show. The thrill of the adventures and the overall idea of travelling in time and space.
Recommended viewing is Blink from Tennant’s series 3 or The Caves of Androzani (the final one with Peter Davison). These have the advntage of being scary and rather enjoyable, plus the effects aren’t TOO pony.
Agree with MOTD too. Great telly, let down slightly by its sister show on a Sunday IMO.
Posted by tothesky on April 3, 2010
I also agree with you.
Though, I must admit I have always wanted to watch it and it does intrigue me somewhat. I wanted to catch the final Tennant episodes during Christmas but I decided to watch Hamlet instead.
I’ve always thought that I’d iplayer them but I never do.
So I guess that means I want to be part of this but not so much that I have to put effort in to it. And like Carl said, it does feel like a ‘in joke’ which you’re not part of when every Monday morning in chemistry all I heard were lines quoted from the previous episode. That still didn’t force me tune in though. It’s just never the right time.
But that’s ok. I get fan obsessed about other weird stuff and create my own little in jokes. And this is a terrible thing to admit or even feel but I like my geeky/nerdy obsessions better as I know they’re not being shared with millions of other viewers on a primetime Saturday evening slot on BBC One. Yes, that does make me awful.
Posted by Maddie on April 3, 2010
I have only ever watched one episode of Dr Who. It had Tennant in it. That’s about all I remember from the experience. Not for me I’m afraid.
Glad to know that other people are happy to not be a member of the Dr Who fan club too!!
Posted by Carl on April 3, 2010
Silly iPhone. The typos should say: fan, me and too.
Posted by Carl on April 3, 2010
Think I’m on your side on this one, Mark.
When it first came back on my Dad encouraged me to watch it and as a fun of Christopher Ecclestone I thought, why not? Unfortunately the script just doesn’t do it for mr and it’s all a bit to…fluffy. It feels like it’s one big in joke the world decided to exclude me from.
What worries me most though is will the same thing happen when I’m nearly 60 to shows I love?
Anywho, great result for Swindon today: 3-0 at Elland Road which puts us up in to 2nd. If you lot can hang on in there, could be some decent matches to look forward to on the Championship
Posted by Adele on April 3, 2010
I’ve never seen the appeal of Dr Who. I don’t get it and find it all a bit lame. I’ve always felt like it was some sort of in-joke that I just wasn’t privvy to. Stick with football I say!
Posted by Laurs on April 3, 2010
I’m a DW geek and I love it! I got into the show quite late after adamantly claiming that I would not be dragged into it, then after watching one episode with Tennant, I was hooked (I guess it helps that I think he is gorgeous, but that’s a whole other discussion!)
I totally get why people aren’t interested in it, but you should give some episodes a chance, it doesn’t matter if you never saw classic Who, I hadn’t.
I recommend Fire of Pompeii, series 4, ep 2 (Tennant and Tate). It’s a great episode.
And as for MOTD, great tv for a Sat night, but unless Forest pull their fingers out, it will be a while before I can watch that with a vested interest!!