Where to Start Watching Dr Who?

Cafe Society
1

Just as the title asks: What version/episode/season should a noob in all things Doctor Who start?

I’m huge fan of science fiction, used to love watching Star Trek both TOS and TNG and host of others as well (FarScape, Battlestar Galatica, Babylon 5, etc). I hear nothing but great things about Doctor Who, and from what I’ve heard I would really like it, but I’ve never watched an episode. From what I understand, there was an original series that started in the 70s (?) in the UK, and now there is a current version.

I’m told he travels through time and space in his telephone booth, generally just having adventures. Any non-spoiler summaries you can give me? And most importantly, where should I start to get into the series?

2

I would say start with the 9th Doctor and watch Rose. You’ll get different answers from people here, but I think we generally agree that you’ll be OK if you start there. They do explain things as they go, so it’s a good place for the unitiated. Christopher Eccelson is a great Doctor, but he’s also kind of moody and dark. The next year, David Tennant comes in and is a fantastic Doctor, but I think you’d do well to start yout journey with Eccelson.

3

I’m old school, so the correct answer is “start with the very first episode from 1963 and watch them all in order, of course”.

But on the off chance that you don’t have several months to devote to ‘catching up’, I’d start with the first season of the ‘New Who’, with Christopher Eccleston as The Doctor. There’s really very few tie-ins between the original series and the new show, so you won’t miss out by not having the historical background. And if you want to jump in real quick so you can keep up with the new season, you could just start with last season (Season 5), which was the first with Matt smith as the Doctor. That started a new doctor, new Companions, and brand new storylines, so you shouldn’t feel lost if that’s where you begin.

4

It actually started in 1963, first broadcast was the day after President Kennedy was shot. It was on haitus from 1990 through to 2005, so you could start with the 9th Doctor, Chris Eccleston. No prior knowledge is assumed.

Alternatively, you could start with the 11th Doctor, Matt Smith, from 2010 and work through that, and you could easily catch up to the current season. A new Doctor, companion and show runner took over in 2010, and the first episode of that season The Eleventh Hour does a decent job of going over the basics for newbies. After that go back to Eccleston’s Doctor and work forward.

Once you are fully caught up with the modern Who, there’s only 700-odd episodes* of the old series to go…

  • it’s surprisingly difficult to count how many episodes of Who there have been, and “episodes” isn’t even a particularly useful measure, particularly for Old Who
5

I’d do like others here suggested, and start with the beginning of the “New Who”.

Conversely, if you find the first few episodes too light and silly - like I did, almost causing me to drop the show - jump ahead to Episode 9, “The Empty Child”. That’s the point where the new series gets really, really good.

6

Cool, thanks for the replies so far! So every few seasons a new actor steps in as the main character? Do old doctors retire in the show and new ones step in? Are they part of an organization or something? I really don’t know how any of this works. If it’s spoiler like info, don’t feel the need to answer. I’m not looking to ruin the experience, just curious and would like to hear about the show before I jump in.

7

No - it’s cooler than that. There’s only one Doctor. When he dies, he “regenerates”, and is reborn with a new body and a slightly different personality. That way you can have endless continuity without being dependent on a single lead actor.

8

If you REALLY don’t want to be spoiled, then I won’t spoil you. Except to say that each Doctor is a new Doctor and each Doctor is the old Doctor and they belong to a larger organization but he’s the only one. But really he’s not.

Confused? You won’t be after this episode of Soap…

9

This is the answer. Start with Eccelson, although he’s not the best, he’s very very good, and you need to start with Rose for so many reasons.

10

If you have Netflix Streaming (or can get it), you will find all the Christopher Eccleston & David Tennant episodes. My cable company’s On Demand has last year (Matt Smith’s first) on view until November 1, 2011. And every new episode goes On Demand the morning after it’s shown on BBCamerica–although it doesn’t stay indefinitely.

I join the chorus to start with Eccleston.

11

I just started watching the new season of the current series that debuted last Saturday. Really liked the episode, so I’ll be back next week. If I get hooked, then I’ll either find a way to watch the older stuff, or find a website with convenient summaries.

12

Wikipedia actually has decent plot summaries of each episode. I was just over there refreshing my memory about last season in preparation for the new one. Additionally, Television Without Pity has more detailed recaps of the past few seasons.

13

I’d say a good place for a new viewer to start would be “Rose” - the first episode of the new series, which re-introduces the character & basic concepts fairly well.

If you want to delve into the original series, I’d also say that a good place to start would be the very beginning. But of course, the original series covered a loooong span of time, and (let’s face it) includes a whole lot of clunky howlers. So, as a long-time die-hard fan, I’ll chime in on what I think are the key stories of each Doctor:

Doctor #1 - William Hartnell:
“An Unearthly Child” - introduces the original cast, the TARDIS & basic series premise.

“The Daleks” (also known as “the Mutants”) - Introduces the most enduring alien / villain in the show’s history.

“the Aztecs” - a historical adventure that actually holds up very well, all things considered.

“the Dalek Invasion of Earth” - the second outing of the Daleks, and one of the all-around best early serials.

“the Time Meddler” - The first time another Time Lord apart from the Doctor (and possibly his grand-daughter Susan) is shown. (Even though they weren’t called “Time Lords” yet.)

Doctor #2 - Patrick Troughton:
It should be noted that the BBC junked a lot of the master tapes of episodes from this period, therefore a whole lot of stories are lost or incomplete.

“Tomb of the Cybermen” - the earliest Cyberman story in which all episodes are still intact. It’s also reputed to be the best early Cyberman story.

“the Mind Robber” - a rare surreal story in which the Doctor & his companions travel to the Land of Fiction.

“the War Games” - Not an especially good storyline actually, but it is essential viewing if only for the final episodes in which the Doctor’s back-story gets filled in, and the Time Lords are officially introduced.

Doctor #3 - Jon Pertwee:
“Spearhead From Space” - First 3rd Doctor story, and essentially a second pilot, as it introduces a whole new format with an Earth-bound Doctor aiding a military organisation known as UNIT in fending off alien invaders.

“the Silurians” - one of the best of the UNIT era stories, featuring one of the most intriguing “alien” races.

“Terror of the Autons” - The main storyline is essentially a retread of “Spearhead”, with the same alien race invading again, but it does introduce two important characters - the Master (the Doctor’s Moriarty/nemesis) and popular companion Jo Grant.

“the Daemons” - Pertwee’s personal favorite DW story.

“the Three Doctors” - a rare story featuring the meeting of all three Doctors in action.

Doctor #4 - Tom Baker:
“Robot” - Again, a lackluster main story, but it introduces the fourth Doctor, so watch at least the first episode.

“the Ark In Space” - You’d swear that the writers of the movie “Alien” saw this story before they wrote that screenplay.

“Genesis of the Daleks” - Perhaps the single best Dalek story ever. Introduces one of the best ever villains - Davros.

“the Deadly Assassin” - The only story from the original series in which the Doctor has no companion character. Also gives a lot of detail about his home-world - including crucial information about the process of regenerating.

“the Sun-Makers” - another surreal story that parodied the British taxation system. Also like it because it excellently show-cases Leela, his companion of that time.

“the City of Death” - the episodes that scored the highest ratings ever for the original series. Interesting use of time travel in the story, cameo appearance by John Cleese, and has one of the best companion characters in it - Romana (2nd incarnation.)

“the Keeper of Traken” - the first part of a loose trilogy of serials that ressurected the character of the Master, and lead up to …

“Logopolis” - Another regeneration story. Second story of the trilogy.

Doctor #5 - Peter Davison:

“Castrovalva” - Third in the trilogy of stories.

“Kinda” - another oddity, a sci-fi tale based on Buddhist/Hindu philosophies.

“Mawdryn Undead” - Reunites the Doctor with the Brigadier (from the UNIT stories), introduces a nebulous new companion Turlough, and another good story about time travel conundrums.

“The Caves of Androzani” - a surprisingly gritty story (given the light-hearted tone of the original series.)

Doctor #6 - Colin Baker:
“Vengeance On Varos” - This is a terrific story, but alas it’s just about the only good one from this Doctor’s era. The series was seriously sloping downhill during the mid-80s.

Some might say that the “Trial of a Time Lord” is important to the overall canon of the series, but that doesn’t excuse the fact that it’s a long, boring slog that’s painful to watch. All you really need to know is that the main villain of it - the Valeyard - is revealed to be a possible future (evil) incarnation of the Doctor, and the Time Lords are revealed to be a decidedly shady, self-serving group rather than the benevolent, wise overlords they claim to be.

Doctor #7 - Sylvester McCoy:
I had given up on the series by the time he took over the part. I’d say “Remembrance of the Daleks” is an OK story, but overall the series seemed generally tired, with little life left in it.
The FOX TV movie is the one & only television adventure of Doctor #8 - Paul McGann, who I liked in the part. Alas, everything else about this outing is unwatchable.

14

I attempted to quote Don Draper but trying to edit large blocks of texts on an iPhone is the way to madness.

Anyway, I find it interesting that you thought Romana was one of the best companions. I thought she defeated the purpose of the companion as someone “normal” for the audience to relate to, especially when she starts spouting some timey-wimey gibberish with the Doctor. Not to mention that schoolgirl outfit and the relationship between the two made it a bit creepy.

Anyway, as for the OP, yes start with the 9th Doctor and you must watch through to The Empty Child, at least. Something about creepy children that’s scarier than most other monsters.

15

[QUOTE=Wile E;13726514Anyway, as for the OP, yes start with the 9th Doctor and you must watch through to The Empty Child, at least. Something about creepy children that’s scarier than most other monsters.[/QUOTE]

“Are you my Mummy?”

16

There’s two good options, in my book.

If you have the time, hop in with “Rose.” The whole revived run is delightful and rewarding, but, yes, have patience. From the outset, it will seem silly and kiddy – it takes a while for the show to really assert itself, especially to a newcomer. The show really finds its legs with “The Empty Child,” but you’re shortchanging yourself if you skip straight there.

The other entry point, if you want to get “current” quicker is to hop in at the start of season five. Read a synopsis of the backstory first to understand who The Doctor really is, though. Season 5 didn’t reboot the series, but it definitely breaks from the first four with a new cast and crew from top to bottom. The season premiere was designed as a starting point, and the show reintroduces everything that needs reintroduction. Matt Smith is a phenomenal Doctor, and the writing and production since he took over are tops.

That said, the experience is far more rewarding if you start from “the beginning” with the revival. Matt Smith’s performance is all the more impressive if you’ve seen the whole arc beginning with Eccleston.

17

This was my introduction to the current show runner, Steven Moffat’s scary side.

18

Awesome! Thanks for the responses everyone. I will definitely with Eccelson and let you know how it goes!

19

I see what you did there.

20

We’re always up for a Who thread.