Doctor... Who?
I remember watching episodes of Doctor Who (I think it was the Tom Baker years) back when I was little, in the early 80s. It was mainly the Daleks (alongside the title music) that were imprinted on my mind rather than the Doctor himself or his companions, but I was never in a position to seek out the older material, nor did I have the impetus to do so, as the series had been canceled and interest in past seasons was minimal to non-existant, over here in Belgium.
So when the new series kicked off in 2005, I wasn't sure what to expect or how much I'd like it. Would it be like Buffy, where I got sucked in at first and then ended up being pretty much repulsed by the series as a whole due to offensively bad writing and acting? Or would it be more like Star Trek: TNG, where my love for TOS--another series I watched in black and white as a kiddie, too young to really have clear recollections of all the stories--was eclipsed by this new fresh start? (Despite a great many atrocious episodes penned throughout its 7 seasons, TNG will always hold a special place in my heart, unlike Buffy). So far I'm leaning towards the TNG-feeling, although we're only 2 seasons in and I adored BtVS up until the 3rd season finale, so who knows what the future will bring?
All this to say that I am, in principle, a total newbie fan of Doctor Who--and frankly, I am incredibly eager for the BBC to put out nice dvd box sets chronicling the various Doctor's encounters with Daleks, Cybermen, the Master, and so on. For you see, this current new incarnation of the series stands well enough on its own, but by referring to old stories in ways both subtle and explicit, I am intrigued by what came before, even though it's not crucial to the current goings-on. Which is what I call the miracle of continuity: jumping in at a particular point and having one's imagination captured enough to want to seek out what came before alongside what is to come. Some think of it as a burden, especially in the world of superhero comics, but I see it as an enriching experience. Thanks to the many resources available on the internet, I'm learning more and more with each passing episode (and each accompanying new foray into past exploits, to place the latest story in its proper context).
Take tonight's episode, "School Reunion", for instance. I was excited to watch it because of the excellent acting skills of Tony Head, once and former Rupert Giles, one of my favorite characters on the aforementioned Buffy show--who was slated to play the role of evil, charismatic villain in tonight's showing (and he performed right on key).
But seeing the current, Tenth Doctor reunited with one of his former companions (as well as a metal pet called K-9, not to be confused with the useless K-Fed) was an unexpected joy to watch, despite being unfamiliar with said companion. Writing and acting alike were able to create a sense of wonder (and fun!) about this aging woman stumbling onto the TARDIS once more, seeing herself reflected in the far younger Rose, the enigmatic Doctor's current traveling buddy, as she once was. By highlighting her important role in the title character's past (and easily having her play her part in the modern-day adventure), I automatically became even more interested in that selfsame past. Unlike superhero comics though, it appears rather difficult to delve into the old serials, which is why I'm genuinely hoping that the current revival will lead to dvd's of the older episodes, much like Marvel and DC are providing their rich past in phonebook sized Essentials and Showcases. I really enjoy how this series is geared towards a newer audience while also seeming quite respectful to its long-time fans.
In any case, I may not be immediately privy to much of the Doctor's past, but you can be sure I want to be around for his future! (here's hoping the future will contain more Daleks. Seriously, Daleks rock. Let's see the Daleks and the Borg team up against, say, Doctor Doom! Ah, the joys of raging fanboyism :)
So when the new series kicked off in 2005, I wasn't sure what to expect or how much I'd like it. Would it be like Buffy, where I got sucked in at first and then ended up being pretty much repulsed by the series as a whole due to offensively bad writing and acting? Or would it be more like Star Trek: TNG, where my love for TOS--another series I watched in black and white as a kiddie, too young to really have clear recollections of all the stories--was eclipsed by this new fresh start? (Despite a great many atrocious episodes penned throughout its 7 seasons, TNG will always hold a special place in my heart, unlike Buffy). So far I'm leaning towards the TNG-feeling, although we're only 2 seasons in and I adored BtVS up until the 3rd season finale, so who knows what the future will bring?
All this to say that I am, in principle, a total newbie fan of Doctor Who--and frankly, I am incredibly eager for the BBC to put out nice dvd box sets chronicling the various Doctor's encounters with Daleks, Cybermen, the Master, and so on. For you see, this current new incarnation of the series stands well enough on its own, but by referring to old stories in ways both subtle and explicit, I am intrigued by what came before, even though it's not crucial to the current goings-on. Which is what I call the miracle of continuity: jumping in at a particular point and having one's imagination captured enough to want to seek out what came before alongside what is to come. Some think of it as a burden, especially in the world of superhero comics, but I see it as an enriching experience. Thanks to the many resources available on the internet, I'm learning more and more with each passing episode (and each accompanying new foray into past exploits, to place the latest story in its proper context).
Take tonight's episode, "School Reunion", for instance. I was excited to watch it because of the excellent acting skills of Tony Head, once and former Rupert Giles, one of my favorite characters on the aforementioned Buffy show--who was slated to play the role of evil, charismatic villain in tonight's showing (and he performed right on key).
But seeing the current, Tenth Doctor reunited with one of his former companions (as well as a metal pet called K-9, not to be confused with the useless K-Fed) was an unexpected joy to watch, despite being unfamiliar with said companion. Writing and acting alike were able to create a sense of wonder (and fun!) about this aging woman stumbling onto the TARDIS once more, seeing herself reflected in the far younger Rose, the enigmatic Doctor's current traveling buddy, as she once was. By highlighting her important role in the title character's past (and easily having her play her part in the modern-day adventure), I automatically became even more interested in that selfsame past. Unlike superhero comics though, it appears rather difficult to delve into the old serials, which is why I'm genuinely hoping that the current revival will lead to dvd's of the older episodes, much like Marvel and DC are providing their rich past in phonebook sized Essentials and Showcases. I really enjoy how this series is geared towards a newer audience while also seeming quite respectful to its long-time fans.
In any case, I may not be immediately privy to much of the Doctor's past, but you can be sure I want to be around for his future! (here's hoping the future will contain more Daleks. Seriously, Daleks rock. Let's see the Daleks and the Borg team up against, say, Doctor Doom! Ah, the joys of raging fanboyism :)
posted by Peter at 10:18 PM
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