Comments | sliv_1: Doctor Who Question

sliv_1

Doctor Who Question

Oct 29, 2007 15:45

I know, I know, it's been ages.

My question is where is the best place to start someone off on the Doctor Who oeuvre? I can't really begin at the beginning, as many episodes are lost or incomplete. The Tom Baker years, perhaps the "Key of Time" cycle? Or would it just make more sense to start off with the excellent recent reboot?

Comments 18

princeofcairo October 30 2007, 07:22:40 UTC

Just Tom Baker. Then, if they want to watch more, clap them on their shoulder in manly fashion and say, "You know, don't you, that Leela never comes back. But good luck anyhow."

muckefuck October 30 2007, 13:52:56 UTC

It annoyed me no end that the reason for dumping her was basically that the writers couldn't think of how to script plots for a female companion whose MO wasn't "Scream and wait for Doctor to save you".

bunj October 30 2007, 14:46:42 UTC

I'd have to rewatch it to see how confusing it is for new viewers, but maybe "The Talons of Weng-Chiang" would be a good place to start? It is, after all, the best storyline they've ever done ( ... )

The ex-Doctor Who club librarian says... ladytiamat October 30 2007, 14:43:51 UTC

People, people.. no bitching. The man needs specific advice.

Start with "City of Death". Tom Baker, Lalla Ward written by Douglas Adams. cameo by John Cleese. Then if you want to show scary, go for "Horror of Fang Rock". Sci-fi? "Robots of Death". Then jump to "Resurrection of the Daleks" from the Fifth Doctor - it has Davros, and the Daleks on Earth. Sidestep to "Earthshock" if you want to introduce the Cybermen. Then "Curse of Fenric" from the Seventh Doctor -- awesome episode, very creepy and "who is the Doctor, really?" stuff. Then start with Eccleston.

And I find Tennant spastic, but nevertheless quite lickable. *grin*

Re: The ex-Doctor Who club librarian says... bunj October 30 2007, 14:52:21 UTC

If you're jumping around, let me suggest "The Talons of Weng-Chiang" (mentioned above), as it is the single best storyline they've ever done. I would also suggest you watch "Genesis of the Daleks" before "Resurrection of the Daleks". It introduces Davros and much of the Dalek lore. It's also crucial to explaining the Time War in the current series.

Re: The ex-Doctor Who club librarian says... ladytiamat October 30 2007, 15:04:05 UTC

"Genesis of the Daleks" is really good, I agree, but it's also long, and there's a lot of running around with the Thals that might get boring for a new viewer. I thought "Resurrection" had more of an emotional punch -- but you might be right about needing to prep for the Time War thing. I *love* "Talons of Weng-Chiang", but it doesn't really prep one to watch the reboot eps, which is what I was aiming for. I mean, three episodes into 9 you have "Unquiet Dead", and your new viewer is saying "what, Victorian England again?" Do you think "Deadly Assassin" would be a good addition, for the Gallifrey side of things? I also feel like The Master should get some play -- "Terror of the Autons" or "Survival", or "The Keeper of Traken"?

So much to see...

Re: The ex-Doctor Who club librarian says... bunj October 30 2007, 17:59:32 UTC

If the goal is to act as a primer for the new show, then "Terror of the Autons" has the benefit of also having the autons, who show up in the new show's first episode.

I'm not sure if jumping around is really the best idea, though. Plenty of PBS stations still show the old shows late at night. Just jump in somewhere in the Pertwee or Tom Baker runs and go from there.

Thread 7

chrisfs October 31 2007, 22:58:23 UTC

If/When you decide to do a DR Who marathon, let me know, I'd love to come over and will bring my dvds