Watching Doctor Who

As most of you know there have been ten different television-based incarnations of The Doctor (soon to be eleven). The original show ran from 1963-1989 (7 Doctors during that time), then there was an American-made film for television (loved the Doctor, thought that the film itself was not the best ever…), and then the new series that began in 2005. Now, I’m sure that you all know that the current series is designed rather like most American television shows, in that the episodes are about an hour in length (when you include advertisements). The Classic series wasn’t like that. One story could last up to twelve episodes (in the case of The Dalek Masterplan), with a cliff-hanger generally at the end of each one. Now, granted that the current series does include some two-parters, but it’s still not quite the same thing. So, I offer you a basis for comparison. (Yes, this would be another one of my lists. Oh, and for the record, I am not including multi-doctor episodes in the tally of any other than the reigning Doctor at the time.)

1. William Hartnell - 1963-1966
29 Stories/134 Episodes (25 minutes each)

2. Patrick Troughton - 1966-1969
21 Stories/119 Episodes (25 minutes each)

3. Jon Pertwee - 1970-1974
24 Stories/128 Episodes (now in color)

4. Tom Baker - 1974-1981
42 Stories/178 Episodes (if you include Shada)

5. Peter Davison - 1982-1984
20 Stories/69 Episodes

6. Colin Baker - 1984-1986
11 Stories/31 Episodes (45 minutes each after The Twin Dilemma, then back to 25 minutes each during Trial of a Time Lord)

7. Sylvester McCoy - 1987-1989 (and 1996 film)
12 Stories/42 Episodes (and the film)

8. Paul McGann - 1996 film
The American Film (and many audio adventures)

9. Christopher Eccleston - 2005
13 Episodes

10. David Tennant - 2006-2010?
39 Episodes, 4 Christmas Specials, 3 other specials…

11. Matt Smith - 2010-?

The Doctor, William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Doctor Who

(As promised, here is the first installment of the Beginner’s Guide to Doctor Who. Mom? You can rest easy now. Let’s begin at the very beginning, shall we?)

Doctor Who in an extremely popular British Science Fiction television show. The classic show began on 23 November 1963. Rumour has it that the premiere was pushed back a bit due to coverage of the assassination of American President John F. Kennedy the previous day. This version of the show ran until December 1989. It was followed in 1996 by a TV movie (which many agree had a terrible story, but a great Doctor.) The current incarnation of the show began in 2005 and has run for four series. 2009 will only see four specials instead of a full series while we transition from one head writer to another. The fifth series will play as usual in 2010.

Now that you know how long the show has been around, I should probably tell you what it’s about. The show focuses on the main character, an enigmatic alien known as The Doctor. Throughout the years, he has been joined by any number of companions in his travels. They travel through time and space in his ship known as the TARDIS and encounter all sorts of baddies…that they trounce. That’s pretty much the formula. Simple, yes, but open to nearly endless variety.

One last thing. Contrary to popular belief, Doctor Who is not a Children’s show. It is specifically a show designed to be enjoyed by the whole family together.

Next time: We look at The Doctor and the men who have played him.

Doctor Who

So…have you ever wondered about the origins of our beloved show? Well, now you can read all about it. The BBC Archives have released documents from the conceptual beginning of the show. Did you know that The Doctor’s granddaughter Susan was originally a human girl named Biddy? The BBC Science Fiction Report at the time noted that “Inherently, SF ideas are short-winded. The interest invariably lies in the activating idea and not in character drama.” …I expect that they’ve learned differently by now. The Follow Up Report was adamant that they not end up with “Bug-Eyed Monsters” and that the central characters should never be tin-robots.

Check it out for yourself. You’re sure to find something that amuses you. They even offer some photographs to browse through.

As I’m sure you all know by now, I tend to spend a fair amount of time surfing around on Youtube. There’s just so much stuff to look at over there. Today I bring you two videos for the price of one.

The price of one, being “free” in this case…but you get the idea.

The first video isn’t available to be embedded, sadly, but I can offer you a link. In 1979, British television played a spoof called Doctor Eyes. Can Doctor Eyes and Gloria survive the planet Chromokey? It’s a bit of silliness, but worth it for the giggle.

My second video offering today is from the 1985 Children in Need special. All you have to do is watch one of the special guests to know that it’s 1985. He’s dressed a wee bit like Rose’s dad in Father’s Day. Also, I’ve never really thought of the TARDIS as a clown car, but watching this video brings the image to mind. It’s more of a class reunion than a special scene or anything. Still, it’s worth watching for the memory jog. Enjoy!

Doctor Who Children in Need 1985:

Doctor Eyes, Doctor Who, Children in Need

Remember how I mentioned the other day that I am now the proud owner of a box of Doctor Who coolness? Well, let me give you a better idea of what I’m talking about. (All hail Michael for giving this stuff to me.)

Okay, here’s a sort of top view of the magazine stack. I’m currently in the process of organizing all of this. Hey. I’m a Librarian. What do you expect?

This side view gives you a better idea of how big the stacks actually are. …And a lovely picture of part of my knee.

In case you were wondering, that is in fact Jon Pertwee’s autograph. Yes! Now I have both the 2nd and the 3rd Doctors’ autographs.

I even received three 45s of coolness. Now I just need my husband to fix that speed on my record player.

Anyway, at some point I obviously need to have a contest, as I have a few duplicate Classic Who magazines now. I’ll have to come up with something fun. Perhaps for the 2nd anniversary of this blog in November. Hmmm…

There you go. This way we are guaranteed bits of flashback fun during the Who drought.

Doctor Who, Jon Pertwee

This week I pose you a question of costuming. Yes, costuming. Imagine, if you will, that you could obtain the costume of any of the Classic companions. I know that this could be a variety of things, as the companions got to change their clothing often, but bear with me. If you could have the costume of any of the Classic Doctor Who companions, whose costume would you choose? Would you dress like Tegan, in her air stewardess outfit? Do you prefer Turlough’s schoolboy look? Or would you rather skip all of this and dress up as K-9? What do you think? As usual I have included a few names to jog your memory. Feel free to wander off in blatant disregard of rule one.

We are travelers in time…

• Leela (It’s the warrior woman look.)
• Jamie McCrimmon (Have Kilt, Will Travel.)
• Sarah Jane Smith (The journalist who can hold her own.)
• Ace (I dig the jacket. Is that a Blue Peter badge?)
• Susan Foreman (Typical alien teen?)
• Perpugilliam Brown (Shorts and a top, mostly.)
• Ian Chesterton (Science teacher chic.)
• Adric (Don’t forget the Badge for Mathematical excellence.)
• Romana I (Long flowing white dress…)
• Liz Shaw (The well-dressed scientist.)

Not only do I have the name of the companion that I’ve chosen, but I also bring you a picture of the outfit. I want Romana 2’s pink version of The Doctor’s costume. So, if anyone out there knows where I might find that pink coat, please let me know. This is one of those times that makes me really wish that I could sew. (I even took a class. Sigh.)

Well, that’s my choice. Who did you choose?

costuming, Doctor Who, Leela, Jamie McCrimmon, Sarah Jane Smith, Ace, Susan Foreman, Perpugilliam Brown, Ian Chesterton, Adric, Romana, Liz Shaw

Jamie McCrimmon, his life (and death?) as envisioned by VanielDonovan to the music from Terminator 2. I love well done fan music videos, and I am especially happy to share one with you that features the Classic Doctor Who. Enjoy!

Jamie McCrimmon, Doctor Who

William Hartnell 1908-1975

William Hartnell originated and portrayed the title character of Doctor Who from 1963 to 1966. His Doctor was a crotchety old man who could be quite selfish and intent upon getting his way. Also, he already exhibited The Doctor’s tendency to try and talk himself out of dangerous situations. Further, he wasn’t yet proficient at flying the TARDIS. (Mind you, it could be argued that he still hasn’t mastered the art of piloting his ship.)

In the beginning, he traveled with his granddaughter Susan. Next he kidnapped two of her school teachers, Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright, fearing that they knew too much about Himself, Susan, and the TARDIS. Eventually, his companions changed. He left Susan behind to be with the man she loved. Ian and Barbara found their own way home, albeit to not quite the time that they left. The First Doctor encountered Daleks for the first time in his second story. Little did he know how many times his path would cross theirs, and how closely their fates would become linked.

It has always interested me that the transition between the First and Second Doctor seems to have been the only natural regeneration that The Doctor has ever had. Perhaps it is due to his first body dying of old age instead of from poison or falling from a great height. In any case, he didn’t seem to be suffering from much in the way of regeneration sickness.

William Hartnell was born on 8 January 1908 in London. He died 23 April 1975. He would have been one hundred this year.

William Hartnell, Doctor Who

Before the aired version of An Unearthly Child there was another pilot filmed. This one had a few differences. I remember reading the reason why they they made some changes and re-filmed the pilot episode, but I don’t actually remember that reason. Anyway, I will be reviewing this episode rather like the others, but I will note differences as I see them.

An Unearthly Child features The First Doctor as played by William Hartnell.

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An Unearthly Child, The First Doctor, William Hartnell

And now, my review of Part four of the Classic Doctor Who serial An Unearthly Child, which is known as The Firemaker. I will be reviewing each episode, rather than each story, as some of the classic stories are really long. This is the last of four parts of this first episode, so next week I will review (or rather, discuss) the pilot episode. Luckily, it is available on my DVD. I will try and note any differences.

An Unearthly Child features The First Doctor as played by William Hartnell.

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An Unearthly Child, Doctor Who, The Firemaker

And now, my review of Part three of the Classic Doctor Who serial An Unearthly Child, which is known as The Forest of Fear. I will be reviewing each episode, rather than each story, as some of the classic stories are really long. When I finish all four parts of this first episode, I will also review (or rather, discuss) the pilot episode. Luckily, it is available on my DVD. I will try and note any differences.

An Unearthly Child features The First Doctor as played by William Hartnell.

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An Unearthly Child, Doctor Who, The Forest of Fear

And now, my review of Part two of the Classic Doctor Who serial An Unearthly Child, which is known as The Cave of Skulls. I will be reviewing each episode, rather than each story, as some of the classic stories are really long. When I finish all four parts of this first episode, I will also review (or rather, discuss) the pilot episode. Luckily, it is available on my DVD. I will try and note any differences.

An Unearthly Child features The First Doctor as played by William Hartnell.

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An Unearthly Child, Doctor Who, The Cave of Skulls

Here at last is my first Classic Doctor Who episode review. I will be reviewing each episode, rather than each story, as some of those stories are really long. When I finish all four parts of this first episode, I will also review (or rather, discuss) the pilot episode. Luckily, it is available on my DVD. I will try and note any differences.

Back on November 23, 1963, Doctor Who first premiered. Unfortunately for the show, President John F. Kennedy had been assassinated the previous day, and this caused the episode to be pushed back a bit. In order to make things a bit easier on the folks who had been watching the news, instead of watching this new show, the first episode was re-run the following week. That must have worked out for them, as the show survived for quite a few years afterwards.

Okay then, let’s get started at the beginning with The First Doctor.

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An Unearthly Child, Doctor Who

Once upon a time, there was a show on the BBC called Jim’ll Fix It which encouraged folks to write in with wishes, and some of them would come true during the course of an episode. (It originally ran from 1975 to 1994, and it has recently been brought back to life…much like Doctor Who.) One of these wishes was sent in by one Gareth Jenkins. Gareth’s wish is fulfilled by participating in a Doctor Who adventure. Gareth, The 6th Doctor, and Tegan (accidentally transmatted on board) work together to defeat a couple of Sontarans that have managed to get on board the TARDIS. Can our three heroes defeat the Sontarans? Will Gareth get his “Jim Fixed it For Me” medal? Watch and find out!

A Fix With Sontarans pt. 1

A Fix With Sontarans pt. 2

Yes, Janet Fielding agreed to appear in this short when Nicola Bryant (Peri) was not available.

Jim’ll Fix It, Doctor Who, Gareth Jenkins, 6th Doctor, Tegan, Sontarans, Janet Fielding, Nicola Bryant

Look what I found. This is a video containing all of the Doctor Who title sequences complete with title music. (Not each entire sequence, rather more of a continuous melding of once sequence into another.) Someone by the handle of “royalmarriage” over at Youtube put this together, and I think that they did a great job. They even included one of the 3rd Doctor sequences that I had completely forgotten about. For those of you who have not seen much of the classic series, this video will give you a better idea how the opening titles, and title theme, have changed throughout the years.

Doctor Who, 3rd Doctor