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If You've Never Seen "Doctor Who," Now Is a Good Time to Start

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (64)

doctor-who5.jpg

If you’ve often considered checking into “Doctor Who,” even just to keep up with the constant references on this site, but have never gotten around to it, now’s as good a time as any if you have BBC America. I don’t know how often they rerun the show, but I happened to notice that they’re starting at the beginning again today. So, if you’re so inclined, you can use your DVR and begin collecting episodes from the beginning and marathon them on the weekends.

If you need more reasons, you can check the comments below, where our readers will hopefully provide you with numerous compelling reasons to check it out. To start, I’ll give you two.

Here’s one:

hhhhhhhhhh.jpg

And second, after watching the first two seasons, you can go over to YouTube and check out scenes of Billie Piper on “Secret Diary of a Call Girl” and experience a weird thrill at seeing one one of the Doctor’s companions engage in activities unbecoming of a Doctor’s companion.

You can also search for Steven Lloyd Wilson’s phenomenal reviews of each of the first four seasons, and C. Robert Dimitri’s recaps of season five.










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Comments

Watch the Who! ONE OF US! (Also, Dustin, I hope the nerds don't give you flack for saying "from the beginning," when there are decades of Who that predate the Eccleston/Piper season. This is not me giving you flack. This is me hoping for no flack. None. Forget I mentioned it.)

Posted by: coveredinbees at November 3, 2010 5:39 PM

With time I've realized Billie Piper did a competent yet lackluster job as a companion, at her best when she had her mind on the mission at hand at her WORST when pinning for the doctor. She was surpassed by Martha Jones who herself was surpassed Donna Noble.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at November 3, 2010 5:43 PM

No, damn it! I'm having enough trouble keeping up with the rest of my shows. I can't. I want to but...I just can't.

Posted by: Paultera at November 3, 2010 5:44 PM

Or you can just "Watch It Now" on Netflix. I have them ALL in my instant queue.

New season DVD's start arriving on Tuesday!!!

Posted by: jen at November 3, 2010 5:50 PM

K, I've seen episodes on PBS and just to get it straight: the Doctor (who apparently doesn't have a name other than The Doctor) occasionally gets a new body? As played by a variety of quirky British actors? That's the part I don't quite get. Does the old body wear out from all that manic running around and chattering? Or does being mobbed by doofus Dr. Who fans get old so quickly that they can't keep an actor in the role for more than a couple seasons?

I gotta admit, I think I like the Donna chick the best. She's goofy and fun to watch. The other two (hot white chick and hot black chick) are OK, but ... the not-quite-hot redhead is entertaining. And so is her grandpa (or whatever he is).

Posted by: Slash at November 3, 2010 5:54 PM

I've only seen a few episodes of this new Who -- Eccleston for the win -- but there is nothing weird about the "thrills" in Secret Diary of Call Girl. Mmmm... Billie Piper...

Is it just me, or is it because I'm new here, and Ginger Lists aside, but does Dustin have a fetish or what? Not that I blame him, of course. Gingerphiliacs unite!

Posted by: RobP at November 3, 2010 5:57 PM

Hi Slash. Speaking as one who has watched Dr. Who from the beginning (1963), the Doctor is a Timelord from the planet Galifrey, and when he dies, his body regenerates into a new one, thus allowing a new actor to play the part and keep the show going on and off for 48 odd years.

Strangely, the bodies have been getting younger as the years go by. I expect Doctor #12 to be sperm.

Posted by: BWeaves at November 3, 2010 5:59 PM

During an early (1963) episode, the Doctor traveled with his granddaughter, Susan Foreman. When another companion called the Doctor "Dr. Foreman," the Doctor replied, "Dr. Who?"

Posted by: BWeaves at November 3, 2010 6:01 PM

I just started the past weekend on Netflix Instant, so this is well timed.

Posted by: Patty O'Green at November 3, 2010 6:04 PM

LOBSTER! YES! WE'LL HAVE SO MANY NEW THINGS TO LOBSTER ABOUT!

Posted by: coveredinbees at November 3, 2010 6:11 PM

I recently got initiated into the Doctor Who cult. Love all five seasons but I have to agree with BSlim, the show is at its worst when it brings in romance. Martha could have been a decent character if she didn't spend half the time crushing on the Doctor.

Posted by: juicyjui at November 3, 2010 6:11 PM

BBC America edits them.

DON'T WATCH THEM THERE!!!!

Posted by: Jay at November 3, 2010 6:17 PM

I agree that you should check it out if you have not done so before. I would, however, recommend the Netflix option over the BBCA option if you have a choice, as the BBCA unfortunately and frustratingly edits out a couple minutes of each episode due to time constraints.

Posted by: C. Robert Dimitri at November 3, 2010 6:21 PM

Karen Gillan is a good reason to look at pictures of Karen Gillan. She is NOT a good reason to watch Doctor Who.

Posted by: Todd at November 3, 2010 6:24 PM

I don't know.

I've tried to watch it (went back to season...uh...one? of the new stuff) and choked through a couple of episodes and just found it relentlessly cheesy. Not creepy, just hacky-cheeseball and annoyingly....gouda-like.

I'm usually a go for anything that smacks of nerdiness, but this was just....I don't know.

Can somebody reassure me that it gets better than plastic recycling bins eating people? Or if that doesn't appeal to me, am I screwed for the rest of the series?

Posted by: meh at November 3, 2010 6:26 PM

meh >> Yes, the program does get substantially better. It's admittedly somewhat hit or miss throughout, but when it's good, it's great. Check out the two-parter "The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances" from that first season with Eccleston, and if that doesn't hook you, you're probably not going to buy in.

Posted by: C. Robert Dimitri at November 3, 2010 6:31 PM

meh, I, too, was put off by some of the sh*te in Season One of New Who. It was only my rampant anglophilia that made me press on.

Let me assure you, it does get better. . .less hokey and, oftentimes, quite poignant. There will always be, however, an element of silly. The show is ostensibly for children, so there are, throughout, some gags that will appeal to them.

Posted by: coveredinbees at November 3, 2010 6:31 PM

And second, after watching the first two seasons, you can go over to YouTube and check out scenes of Billie Piper on “Secret Diary of a Call Girl” and experience a weird thrill at seeing one one of the Doctor’s companions engage in activities unbecoming of a Doctor’s companion.

Don't get too thrilled. Apparently, she has two body doubles; one for the top half and one for the bottom.

Trivia: Richard Dawkins is married to a former Doctor's assistant.

Posted by: Ballymena Bob at November 3, 2010 6:33 PM

Ok, this is a ridiculous question, but does this version of Dr. Who use the same music that the original series used? I'd like to watch it, but I was *terrified* of that theme song when I was little -- I would run screaming out of the room when the show came on -- and I just can't get over the admittedly ridiculous fear of watching a show that would make me hear that music every week.

Posted by: Shannon at November 3, 2010 6:38 PM

meh, it's always pretty cheesy. I almost quit watching it midway through the first series, but then I saw "The Empty Child/ The Doctor Dances". The writing of Stephen Moffat and the appearance of Captain Jack sustained me until David Tennant came on in series 2. If you like Tennant and snappy dialgoue, you should give it another try.

Posted by: Three-nineteen at November 3, 2010 6:42 PM

Same version, Shannnon, though remixed and remastered.

Posted by: coveredinbees at November 3, 2010 6:48 PM

Yes! Watch them! All of you! Even figgy (who I know will probably never read this comment due to her usual boycott of all things Who)! And don't judge it by the first episode! Everyone hates the walking mannequins. But everyone loves crazy Eccleston and his giant smile of beatitude. And everyone loves David Tennant and his gut-wrenching, "awwww"-inducing sad face. And everyone loves Matt Smith and his crazy ability to pull off insanity. Only one thing everyone* hates, and that's Donna Noble. Just ignore her and you'll be great. So yes, go watch. Because we're not at all creepy and obsessive over here.

*Except apparently BSlim, who is now officially insane in my book.

Posted by: esme at November 3, 2010 6:55 PM

is there anything creepier than the weeping angels I get shivers now when I go past gothic churches thanks to this show and I'm a large Marine

Posted by: BigTodd at November 3, 2010 6:57 PM

If you can watch BBC programming online or DVD, do. They edit it all to hell on BBCA.

Posted by: Lindsey with an 'e' at November 3, 2010 7:00 PM

I TRIED to watch this show. I really did. On Netflix, so they weren't edited. But holy cheeseballs, is this show hokey! I couldn't even finish the first episode.

Plus, this crazy man just inserts himself into her (no idea what the first companion's name is) life and she just goes with him?!? Her life is in danger and rather than freak out she grabs his hand and runs off around London with him? Sheeyah right!

Posted by: MelBivDevoe at November 3, 2010 7:02 PM

Only one thing everyone* hates, and that's Donna Noble. Just ignore her and you'll be great. So yes, go watch. Because we're not at all creepy and obsessive over here.
*Except apparently BSlim, who is now officially insane in my book.
Posted by: esme at November 3, 2010 6:55 PM

-----------------------------------------

I'm afraid it is YOU who is insane, my friend. You almost had a coherent argument before you lost your fucking mind generalizing that *everyone* hates Donna Noble.

Get some help, seriously.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at November 3, 2010 7:05 PM

RE BWeaves
Hi Slash. Speaking as one who has watched Dr. Who from the beginning (1963), the Doctor is a Timelord from the planet Galifrey, and when he dies, his body regenerates into a new one, thus allowing a new actor to play the part and keep the show going on and off for 48 odd years.


K, thanks.

Posted by: Slash at November 3, 2010 7:07 PM

Sorry Esme, I'm another Donna Noble fan chiming in to say that she gets plenty of love from Doctor Who fans. She's easily my favourite companion of the new series (I haven't seen enough of the older episodes to give my two cents on those companions). She's mouthy, opinionated, and not at all infatuated with the Doctor. What's not to love?

The show definitely has it's cheeseball moments, and if you can't handle any amount of cheese then you should probably avoid it. But there are also moments of terror, humour, and poignancy that make this show so amazing that you may even come to love the cheese. I know I did!

Posted by: LowSlash at November 3, 2010 7:23 PM

I remember the older series from childhood, and it never interested me enough to watch.
But given all of the talk it gets among my contemporary geek associates, I'd been contemplating jumping in to the series, but like many uninitiates, didn't know where to begin (until I had the novel idea to look it up using the new-fangled tool called the "Internet").
Just over the past couple of months I've caught a Tennant episode on BBCA, and a few Matt Smith episodes, and just this evening, I managed to catch the first episode ("Rose") of what I guess is considered the contemporary starting-point; the "New Who."
And Hello, Billie Piper. Rawr.

Posted by: Rykker at November 3, 2010 7:27 PM

You take that back, esme! Donna Noble is awesome. Donna Noble has left the library.

This show is completely worth getting through the first couple eps with the ninth Doctor. For every cheesy British sci-fi bit, there are two moments of sheer brilliance. Once Tennant takes over, for every moment of brilliance there are two moments that will make you go fetal with grief. But in a good way.

Posted by: Ophelia at November 3, 2010 7:27 PM

Count me into the Donna Noble camp.
Loved her from her first appearance in that wedding dress. Ballsy, brassy, awesome.
Plus she has Bernard Cribbins as her Grandad.
Perhaps my favourite character ever.

Posted by: Odnon. at November 3, 2010 7:36 PM

besides the people eating trash cans in the first episodes was supposed to be tongue and cheek and lil wink to fans of the old series I personally enjoy how each seemingly unrelated episodes actually connects as a whole

Posted by: BigTodd at November 3, 2010 7:40 PM

I love Donna Noble.

And I'm with everyone else, if you have Netflix, (new) series 1-4 plus the wonky not-quite-series 5 is all on Instant. Instant gratification, skipping, and no cuts. What more could you want?

And then, if you're feeling the Captain Jack love, Torchwood 1, 2 and Children of Earth is also available on Instant.

Have yourself a Who-orgy!!!!

Posted by: MyySharona at November 3, 2010 7:40 PM

As a looonnnggg term Who fan, I can say with some authority that the re-boot with Christopher Eccleston was one of the greatest things that the BBC has done in my lifetime.

Bringing in great writers, excellent character actors, and spending plenty of cash on what is basically a childrens serial, and then having it praised by the critics, far and wide, is a major triumph.

It amuses, it scares and it informs.
What more do you want?
Karen Gillan, Billie Piper, Freema Agyman for the boys; Eccleston, Tennant, Smith for the girls.
(or vice versa if you swing that way)!

AND DALEKS!!!!!

Posted by: Frank_247 at November 3, 2010 7:52 PM

esme, baby, I LURV Donna. Big improvement over Martha in my opinion. She might be my favorite over all, but Amy Pond is nibbling away at my heart.

Posted by: coveredinbees at November 3, 2010 8:01 PM

I'm starting with 102 (The End of the World) RIGHT NOW because I love Lady Cassandra. Like, a lot.

Posted by: MyySharona at November 3, 2010 8:01 PM

Well said, Frank_247.

I wasn't really down with Donna Noble's first appearance, and the announcement of Catherine Tate as a regular companion worried me, given her usual brand of comedy. I didn't want the show to become too jokey. In the end, though, I was a fan. She and Tennant had fantastic platonic chemistry, which was a refreshing change given a little too much unrequited romance that had come in the prior seasons. On top of that season four really hit Who's stride. It did not contain my favorite episodes of the Davies era, but in terms of consistency it surpassed one through three.

Posted by: C. Robert Dimitri at November 3, 2010 8:13 PM

One of my favourite Who experiences was when Mysharona set up a Pajiba Chat Board for Children of Earth.

It helped me through the doldrums of unemployment. If only I had a chat room and the desire to stay up til the sun comes up now...

Posted by: jim of the lower case at November 3, 2010 8:16 PM

Add me to the Donna Noble fan club. For all of you other fans here is one of the best non-Who snippets of Tennant and Tate I've seen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxB1gB6K-2A

It's a bit laugh track-y but hang in there.

Posted by: Mustang Sally at November 3, 2010 8:30 PM

Being a minor fan of the Tom Baker/Peter Davidson Doctors, I tried with the new version, I really did. But I watched dozen or so episodes and found them wanting.

General problems included it being sentimental, bombastic, over-reliant on back-ground music, unwisely trying to make it romantic, and portraying the Doctor as messianic way way too many times. For an example of all of the above, try watching David Tennant's last episode and keeping your lunch down at the same time.

Still, some people love it, so you might too.

I, on the other hand, wanted to take the over-utilised sonic screwdriver (aka the deus ex machina for virtually every episode) to Russell T Davies' laptop so he never writes again.


Posted by: Simon at November 3, 2010 8:46 PM

I don't HATE Donna Noble, but she is not my favorite. Loved Rose and Martha and Amy is fantastic. Doctor #11 has grown on me, but in NO WAY will ever overtake my obsession/love for 10. This from a girl who started watching the Tom Baker eps at midnight in college.

Oh, and Torchwood...especially Children of Earth and the GORGEOUS Capt. Jack? Love.

Now, get over to BBCA and watch. Allons-y!

Posted by: dammitjanet at November 3, 2010 9:11 PM

Love, love, love Doctor Who! Love Donna Noble and David Tennant's Doctor. Love the Torchwood spinoff (and can't wait for the upcoming revival).

BUT... the Daleks annoy the crap outta me and I want them to be obliterated from the series once and for all. I know that all of the villains are super-cheeseball, but they are the worst. Of any show. Of any movie. Of all time.

Posted by: Laura at November 3, 2010 9:13 PM

Statement: Cybermen are completely useless as enemies for the Doctor or just about anybody, frankly; and in any case Star Trek did a much better job of the half-organic, half-robot superrace with The Borg.

Discuss.

Posted by: a disturbingly large amount of poo at November 3, 2010 9:28 PM

Hi jim!!!

That chat room between you me and Bill was the first of the Pajiba chat rooms and it was a freaking godsend. I SO wanted to discuss CoE with people but almost no one had seen it yet. thanks for being one of the few who 1) had watched it and 2) were willing to discuss it at length.

Naturally, we brought the discussion down to Pajiba levels quickly. I vaguely remember something about "vagina glasses" but I have no clue of the context now . . .

Posted by: MyySharona at November 3, 2010 9:50 PM

More Donna Noble love.
And I love her because she is NOT in love with the Doctor, but more of a mate.
And with the introduction of Rory I became happy with Amy Pond.

Posted by: Jules at November 3, 2010 10:15 PM

"and in any case Star Trek did a much better job of the half-organic, half-robot superrace with The Borg."

I know this to be true, disturbingly large amount of poo.

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at November 3, 2010 10:25 PM

But esme, I loved Donna! :-(

Posted by: Kiddo at November 3, 2010 10:48 PM

So glad you are letting people know about this. I recently started watching this and it's quickly become one of my favorite shows. I started with the David Tennant episodes and I've caught up with the Matt Smith episodes. Eccleston has yet to grow on me. I've only seen the plastic episode with him but I'll see how it goes.

And oh yeah I loved Donna Noble's character.

Posted by: Adrienne at November 3, 2010 11:00 PM

I will 85th the "Donna Noble is awesome" line.

Posted by: Three-nineteen at November 4, 2010 12:10 AM

Esme, I've got to chime in here and say that I think the one thing almost everyone agrees on is that Donna is AMAZING. What corners of the internet are you hanging out in where the opposite is true?

Posted by: dsbs at November 4, 2010 3:08 AM

a disturbingly large amount of poo

Riposte - The Borg are nothing more than a tribute act, appearing a good 20 years after the first appearance of the cybermen.

Posted by: Simon at November 4, 2010 7:57 AM

I guess I’ll give this a try. Again. The mannequins were almost enough to turn off the first episode, but I decided to soldier on. Then there was the leather face that needed moisturizing. Ugh. That was terrible. Oh! And a suicidal tin can robot.

However, this might be the 3rd time I attempt to watch this series, which tells me that I am somewhat intrigued.

Plus, so many Pajibans simply cannot be wrong.

Right? So say we all?

Posted by: Scully at November 4, 2010 8:40 AM

i've tried but i just don't find the doctor compelling. it's been a while since i saw one though so perhaps it's time to give it another try; oh, wait. i don't have access to bbc america where i live. oh, well.

Posted by: splinter at November 4, 2010 8:45 AM

Then there was the leather face that needed moisturizing. Ugh. That was terrible. Oh! And a suicidal tin can robot.

Did you see the Tennant/Noble one ("Partners in Crime"} where people were taking this diet pill that, while they slept, made their fat jump off their body and run out the window?
That one was kinda weird...

And if I may interject with a question from another thread:

Red wine drinkers? Aww fuck. I've been watching the wrong news station. Or do you mean Zinfandel and Merlot? Then yeah, fuck those fuckers. Because I'm calling Bordeaux, Cab and Cab Franc for Liberals. So hands off the good stuff, Leno viewers!

Posted by: Scully at November 2, 2010 9:25 PM

What about Pinot Noir?
(I watch Stewart and Colbert, and I passionately dislike Leno.)

Posted by: Rykker at November 4, 2010 9:19 AM

Rykker I never got that far. I got half way through Series 1 and, well, kinda forgot about it. But I think I'll pick it up tonight, since I'll be home with blankets and soup and cold medicine (*cough cough*).

Also, please add Pinot to OUR list. Yes, we shall claim Pinot as ours and ours alone. Yummy, delicious goodness...

Posted by: Scully at November 4, 2010 9:29 AM

I loved Donna Noble! She will be my favorite for EVER. Her story was probably the most compelling (not counting anything from the 60's on, which I haven't seen). I loved the Doctor-Donna stuff. Turn Left, was my favorite episode.

Posted by: Candee at November 4, 2010 10:00 AM

Woops. Don't know why I put a comma there.

Posted by: Candee at November 4, 2010 10:01 AM

a disturbingly large amount of poo,

I don't have anything to say really. I just wanted to type that out. Apparently I'm 11 years old.

Posted by: Paultera at November 4, 2010 10:19 AM

esme:

I've got your back. Donna Noble is a massive stinking taint on the Who franchise. Catherine Tate can't act. Donna Noble spends every episode pretending to be brave and then as soon as things go wrong she's all "get me out of here: this is your mess not mine". She's about as bright as a Tea Party candidate discussing the Constitution. I almost abandoned 35 years of watching the show because of her.

Posted by: PaddyDog at November 4, 2010 10:36 AM

Oh but Donna gets one of the best exchanges with the Doctor in the history of Ever. I have to love her just because she isn't freaking dewy-eyed about him all the time like Martha and Rose.

Donna: I'm not coming with you. I've been thinking... Sorry, I'm going home.
The Doctor: Really?
Donna: I've got to.
The Doctor: Well, if that's what you want. It's a bit soon. I had so many places I wanted to take you. The fifteenth broken moon of the Medusa Cascade, the lightning skies of Cotter Palluni's World, the diamond coral reefs of Kataa Flo Ko. Thank you. Thank you, Donna Noble, it's been brilliant. You've saved my life in so many ways. You're... you're just popping home for a visit, that's what you mean?
Donna: You dumbo.
The Doctor: And then you're coming back?
Donna: Do you know what you are? A great big outer space dunce.
The Doctor: Yeah.

Posted by: Anne (in Reno) at November 4, 2010 11:07 AM

I'll chime in with a couple of things: I love this show to death. I don't have BBC any channel, so I won't be able to see this new doctor until the DVDs come out, but I love both of the previous 2 Doctors. I started with the Eccleston season, and I loved him and Piper so much, I was concerned that I was going to have trouble getting into Tennant. Within 2 episodes, though, I was in love again.

I had the same issue with Piper- I loved her so much, I was afraid I would be unable to love another Companion; again, both Martha and Donna proved me wrong. They each bring a little different something to the equation, and that's part of what I like about the series; it's never trying to make the new Doctor or the new Companion the same as the previous one, it works with the differences. (Although I will say that the first moment I saw shrill Donna, I wasn't a fan, but she grew on me very quickly.)

I also think the cheesiness is part of its charm. The Daleks, the Cybermen, the robot dog, Mickey, Rose's mom... the silliness often makes the poignant moments even more so. I've wept at some of these episodes like I haven't wept since Buffy.

Also, it is in fact available on Netflix Instant (although I'm not sure about all of the xmas specials.... only a couple were on instant before, but I think the others come and go).

Posted by: Anna von Beav at November 4, 2010 11:40 AM

Intellectually I know there are people who weren't raised on Doctor Who, but it sounds like a sad and deprived childhood to me. No hiding behind the couch? Weird.

For anyone who hasn't seen any Who (*pauses to let mind boggle a bit more*) I suggest you download the episode "Blink", which I think stands up very well as a self-contained introduction to the Whoniverse.

Posted by: YeahButNoBut at November 4, 2010 5:21 PM

Oh my God, Donna all the way. By far, the most tragic event of S4 was that a character who had come such a long way had to be sacrificed and returned to who she had been before. And that even a season later when she wasn't even aware of his existence, the Doctor still referred to her as his best friend, still protected her, and was affected that she was not around.

And while Matt Smith made Eleven the best part of the entire series with some extremely dud episodes, Amy Pond nearly made me stop watching the show. After such brilliant characters in Nancy and Sally, Steven Moffat really shit the bed with Amy. Rory is vital to keep around, he's the only thing that humanises her.

Posted by: Laurie at November 4, 2010 8:53 PM

I'm watching The End of Time this weekend. I've put this off for as long as I could. I don't want to see Ten-nant go either. I saw some previews and my heart just shattered. I'm afraid I won't be able to love the series quite as much after the regeneration. Because you know what, Doctor? You were my Doctor!

Also Dona Noble gets a lot of love chez the Klutz Tower. A whole lotta love. From the previews I almost hope that she will remember, because they seem to be hinting at it, and that they will somehow find a way around that pesky "if she remembers just for a second she will die" business. Please. Pretty please. Pretty please with sugar lumps on top.

Posted by: TweeBubblyKlutz at November 5, 2010 6:50 AM