mrv3000: made by elismor (DW - end of the world)
mrv3000 ([personal profile] mrv3000) wrote2006-03-17 07:16 am
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Doctor Who or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Cheese

Should I watch? If you're a fan of science fiction, I'd say try a few episodes. To me this is classic scifi storytelling – cheesy at times but wildly imaginative. And FUN. That being said, if you're looking for Son of BSG you should turn away now. This is not a deep, angsty allegory that will get into a philosophical debate over religion, politics or sausages. If that's what you crave, this show will probably only annoy you. ETA: LA Times Article

You said 'cheesy?' o_O Even with the relatively high production value, yes, this show can be quite cheesy. Plus on top of the cheese there are plot holes big enough to drive a cliché!vehicle through. My take on it is, and some people may *hate* this idea, that Doctor Who is the Disneyland of science fiction. No, really. Take the Matterhorn ride. You could get off the ride feeling disappointed that the mountain wasn't real -- the rocks were fake, the snow was painted on, and you had your doubts about the Abominable Snowman as well. Or you could ignore all that and realize you've just been on one hell of a ride. That right there is Doctor Who.

But I've never watched Doctor Who before this and I know this show has been around forever. Won't I be lost? The show really makes no demands from the viewers on having prior knowledge of the "old school" Who. I had absolutely no problems when I picked up the 2005 series cold. Since the character of Rose is also a newbie, she and the viewer are given the basics in the first couple of episodes.

How's the fandom? It's...old. And pretty subdivided. A lot of old school vs. newbies going on. That's not to say everyone is like that. There are also a lot of people who are just into the rainbowy world of Wholove in all its incarnations. If you find yourself needing a safe place to ask questions about what has come before the 2005 series, I'd really recommend [livejournal.com profile] dwcanon_fodder. Very cool people who have much knowledge they happily share with the new fan.

The overall quirkiness of Doctor Who may not be for everyone, but if you check it out at least you'll know what your flist has been going on about. Besides, what else are you going to do while waiting for SG-1/A to start up again? ;)

Airs tonight (March 17) at 9/8C on SciFi. Two hours.

[identity profile] mrv3000.livejournal.com 2006-03-17 07:08 pm (UTC)(link)
There was a US movie of it? Yikes! Oh, was this it?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116118/

I'm glad Hollywood isn't involved with the new series. Come to think of it, some of my favorite shows stay the hell away from Hollywood. Hmm.

[identity profile] greenpear.livejournal.com 2006-03-18 12:36 am (UTC)(link)
No, no, no. This is the reincarnation of the Doctor from Britain. America attempted to remake the series in the 90s. Unfortunately - they forgot the cheese!!!!

It was a one shot deal and it died a horrible death. Go here for the imdb description.

It starred Paul McGann as the Doctor. I think he might be making a short cameo in order to die. The old Doctor's always did that. One last shot before the new Doctor took over.

[identity profile] pixiesio.livejournal.com 2006-03-18 01:00 am (UTC)(link)
It starred Paul McGann as the Doctor. I think he might be making a short cameo in order to die. The old Doctor's always did that. One last shot before the new Doctor took over.

Have you actually seen the new series yet, or are you only getting your first viewing tonight? Just asking as I wanted to comment on this but didn't want to spoil you!

[identity profile] greenpear.livejournal.com 2006-03-18 01:05 am (UTC)(link)
It's my first time with this doctor

Well it ain't like spoilers for Battlestar Galactica. But I'd probably like to go into this one without too much preknowledge. I just figured that McGann would show up to send this one off...

[identity profile] pixiesio.livejournal.com 2006-03-18 07:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Well, I guess you know the answer to that now. :)

[identity profile] greenpear.livejournal.com 2006-03-18 08:00 pm (UTC)(link)
But not ALL the answers. Only the Doctor knows ALL the answers...

[identity profile] pixiesio.livejournal.com 2006-03-18 08:30 pm (UTC)(link)
LOL!