# I've never seen Dr Who **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 18, 2017, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577 "2017-07-18T16:08:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/41 "2017-07-22T21:53:26Z")
Everybody should watch. Where ever you start is up to you. I started with NuWho and Ecclestan and have been watching ever since. I’ve like some episodes and Doctors more than others but that is to be expected. Just start somewhere, anywhere, and you’ll figure it out for you. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/42 "2017-07-22T22:46:08Z")
I’ve watched every episode. :eek:🆒 The early ones were made cheaply and although I’m glad I watched them (especially Tom Baker as the Doctor), I can confidently recommend to new viewers that they start with the new ones (with Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor.) All you need to know is: - the Doctor is a Time Lord (an alien from the planet Gallifrey) - Time Lords can regenerate instead of dying (but their appearance changes) - the Doctor owns a Tardis (a living machine that can travel in time and space) - The Tardis (Time And Relative Dimension In Space) is bigger on the inside - the Doctor has faced many aliens especially Daleks (killer machines)and Cybermen (androids) - the Doctor uses intelligence and a sonic screwdriver, not a gun ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/43 "2017-07-22T23:31:26Z")
If the serial plots are self-contained, why would you start with the “new” ones rather than watch random episodes, or, better yet, known-to-be-good ones, which should depend more on the writer than the budget? ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/44 "2017-07-23T14:07:22Z")
I hesitate to archive-binge a webcomic series that’s more than a couple of years old. The idea of delving into a 54-year-old teevee series is terrifying. I’ve always liked the concept behind the show, too. But it’s just too damn much to deal with. Besides, I could use that time to read _Middlemarch._ ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/45 "2017-07-23T17:53:58Z")
Just be warned that since Whittaker was announced, the fandom is a minefield of a very few sincere MRAs and a host of trolls who are pretending to be MRAs because the circumstances around the show are allowing for tremendous opportunity to troll. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/46 "2017-07-23T19:37:32Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > I hesitate to archive-binge a webcomic series that’s more than a couple of years old. The idea of delving into a 54-year-old teevee series is terrifying. > > I’ve always liked the concept behind the show, too. But it’s just too damn much to deal with. > > Besides, I could use that time to read _Middlemarch._ This was my opinion, as well, that so many years of it are overwhelming. But the 2005 reboot has been a very good jumping off point and it’s free on Amazon Prime. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/47 "2017-07-23T20:32:24Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > I hesitate to archive-binge a webcomic series that’s more than a couple of years old. The idea of delving into a 54-year-old teevee series is terrifying. > > I’ve always liked the concept behind the show, too. But it’s just too damn much to deal with. > > Besides, I could use that time to read _Middlemarch._ I loved the old series when I was a kid. I’ve dipped my toe in a couple of times since but it hasn’t aged well. The newer episodes are not that hard to get into. It’s the BBC so the seasons are short. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/48 "2017-07-23T20:50:05Z")
If there are people interested in the classic series, but are daunted by the huge number of episodes, then maybe we should make lists of the best ones to watch. Mostly good episodes, with some “so bad it’s funny” episodes thrown in. Maybe even specify which ones have links to the new series. Unfortunately, I’m more familiar with bad episodes from humorous reviews, so I can’t help too much. I’ve just seen a few Dalek episodes and liked them. I think they were “Genesis of the Daleks” and “Power of the Daleks” (the latter I believe had some reconstructions). ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/49 "2017-07-23T21:02:41Z")
> [@Murph1111](#): > > I don’t know. I read any and all sci-fi I can find, but can never stand to watch more than a couple minutes of Dr Who. To me, it’s too much like those low-budget films they show on Mystery Science Theater, but without the entertaining kibitzers. This. I’ve tried to watch it over the decades (and I do mean decades) and it has bored me silly within half an episode. I’ve probably seen every Doctor at least once. Regeneration or not, they are all boring as fuck. So the OP shouldn’t feel bad. There are plenty of people who have never seen the show, and I daresay their lives are the better for it. 😃 YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/50 "2017-07-23T21:36:06Z")
I can honestly say I have tried numerous times to like Dr. Who, over the past 40 years, and have failed miserably. It’s a show I ought to love. It’s even had some stars I love (like Tom Baker). Even so, every ten years or so, I’ve given it a shot, and it has yet to grab me. I don’t plan to give the Doctor any more chances. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/51 "2017-07-25T21:05:13Z")
> [@DPRK](#): > > If the serial plots are self-contained, why would you start with the “new” ones rather than watch random episodes, or, better yet, known-to-be-good ones, which should depend more on the writer than the budget? Because the new seasons are quite a bit better than the old ones. The old ones have a certain charm, and if you like that sort of thing they are the sort of thing you’ll like. But they’re stagy, very cheaply made, fairly slow paced, extremely inconsistent, and have haphazard acting and dialog. If you regularly watch and enjoy old-timey TV shows from the 70s and 80s then you might like them. The “new” episodes are much more professional and tailored to modern tastes. If Doctor Who seems dumb to you then don’t watch it. The only reason to even be in this thread is if you never watched the show but have heard about it and are trying to decide whether to give it a chance. It turns out lots of people like the show, so maybe you will too. Or maybe you won’t. You’re much more likely to enjoy watching the newer episodes than old archived episodes from the 70s unless you’re a connoisseur of that era. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/52 "2017-07-25T21:42:56Z")
I am suggesting that a good “classic” episode might be more fun to watch than a mediocre “new” episode, in which case something like a top-20 or top-50 list of the best-of-all-time episodes would be handy for getting into it. If even the worst new episode is quite a bit better than the best of the classic episodes, that is worth knowing. The guide would still be helpful, because even without the old ones there are still hundreds of episodes spanning over a decade. ETA: I would not presume to judge whether a show is dumb or entertaining before watching it. ---
**Author:** ![Cayuga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@Cayuga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cayuga)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/53 "2017-07-25T22:12:15Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > I’d put it in the same category as the 60’s Batman series with Adam West. Everyone is certainly entitled to their own opinion, but … damn, this is disturbing. The 1960s Batman was straight-up camp. It was a comedy, a joke, existing for no other reason than to provoke laughter. It’s true that Doctor Who doesn’t take itself too seriously, in the same way that, say, most of the recent Marvel comic book movies don’t take themselves too seriously. But that’s a far cry from “comedy,” and a farther cry from “camp.” P.S. Love the screen name. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/54 "2017-07-25T22:23:50Z")
> [@Cayuga](#): > > It’s true that Doctor Who doesn’t take itself too seriously, in the same way that, say, most of the recent Marvel comic book movies don’t take themselves too seriously. But that’s a far cry from “comedy,” and a farther cry from “camp.” In fairness, they missed pretty close with _City Of Death_. ---
**Author:** ![HookerChemical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/278dde/32.png) [@HookerChemical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HookerChemical)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/55 "2017-07-25T23:27:36Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Classic Who only did a seasonal story arc once (_The Key to Time_) and even that one used it as an overarching theme instead of concentrating on it (the point was to find the six pieces of the Key to Time, so they’d show up at a planet and have an adventure while trying to track it down). All the other episodes stood alone, though they would reference previous adventures in passing, especially with the monsters. They tried again with Trial of a Time Lord, but I don’t think it’s well regarded. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2017, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/56 "2017-09-03T18:50:35Z")
In my view, it’s not a legitimate drama. It is adventure/thriller that is weighted toward kiddie fare. When it was rebooted, I was hoping that it would become real drama, like the Galactica reboot, but it hasn’t changed much in tone from the '70s. ---
**Author:** ![c\_carol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e79b87/32.png) [@c\_carol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/c_carol)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2017, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/57 "2017-09-03T19:52:48Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > In my view, it’s not a legitimate drama. It is adventure/thriller that is weighted toward kiddie fare. > > When it was rebooted, I was hoping that it would become real drama, like the Galactica reboot, but it hasn’t changed much in tone from the '70s. “Legitimate”, what’s that? :dubious: Doctor Who is _supposed_ to be an adventure/thriller for all ages. That’s the whole point of it. It isn’t meant to be, say, Game of Thrones, and why should it have to be, to be considered “legitimate”? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2017, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/58 "2017-09-03T19:57:54Z")
> [@c\_carol](#): > > “Legitimate”, what’s that? :dubious: Doctor Who is _supposed_ to be an adventure/thriller for all ages. That’s the whole point of it. It isn’t meant to be, say, Game of Thrones, and why should it have to be, to be considered “legitimate”? The OP asked whether it was a drama. I said it’s not. I don’t see what the problem is here. The show makes some gestures in the direction of drama, but they don’t add up to it being a drama overall. That’s all I meant by saying it’s not a legitimate drama. If it makes you feel better, read my post without the word “legitimate.” It’s not worth quibbling over. As for whether is “has” to be any specific thing or not, I didn’t say it did. I just hoped that it would be a real drama, like the Galactica reboot, and it disappointed me on that count. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2017, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/59 "2017-09-03T19:59:53Z")
What makes it not a drama, “legitimate” or otherwise? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2017, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577/60 "2017-09-03T20:15:44Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > What makes it not a drama, “legitimate” or otherwise? A drama is ultimately about people, choices they make, the consequences of their actions, emotional and otherwise. It’s about the arcs of characters as people, how they change, what they learn. Doctor Who is ultimately just about a hero doing heroic things in fantastical settings with cool gadgets, and there is suspense and thrills. So, as I said, it’s an adventure/thriller that leans towards children’s entertainment. To the extent that it addresses the emotional and human aspects of the characters’ lives, it does so on a very thin, superficial level. It’s more Commando Cody than Firefly. It’s more Star Wars than Star Trek. It’s more '70s Galactica than 2000s Galactica. I really don’t know why any of what I’m saying is causing consternation at all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ive-never-seen-dr-who/791577.md?page=4)