Where to start...

[Itisnotlogical]

I've heard a lot about Doctor Who. It's the biggest thing among my friends who watch science fiction and I've noticed it's a rather big thing here on the BBS too. I've been meaning to start watching for a while, but the show has been going on with varying amounts of success since the era of black-and-white television. With movies in between.



The show sounds very awesome, but I'm not sure where to start. Can someone point me in the direction of a good starter episode? I intend to digest the series from where I begin all the way to the most recent episode. Can someone tell me where a good point to begin that would be?

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

How much free time do you have?

Starting with series 1 (Eccleston) is as good as any point and easier to get hold of entire seasons.

 

[od0_ital]

Christopher Eccleston's premiere episode, 'Rose' from 2005-ish. Its the beginnin' of the new era.

And I know that's a good startin' point, 'cause that's where I started from.

 

[Professor Zoom]

Christopher Eccleston's premiere episode, 'Rose' from 2005-ish. Its the beginnin' of the new era.

And I know that's a good startin' point, 'cause that's where I started from.

Agreed. It's a good starting point... though back in the day, I think I started around the 5 Doctors... and then on my local PBS went through Pertwee to McCoy.

I believe the new series, 1-4, is available on netflix streaming, if you're in the US.

 

[Blamo]

While 'Rose' isn't a very good episode, it is a great starting point.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

^ How many "first" episodes of a series are great ones?

 

[Whofan]

If you'd like to check out the classic series first, try "The Beginning" boxset. It features the first three stories, such as the pilot that establishes the Doctor and the TARDIS, and the second story which introduces the Daleks.

However, if you do that, keep in mind that the original show is dated, and low-budget, so the FX/sets and other stuff isn't perfect. Also several serials of the black and white era are incomplete or lost almost entirely, so it's impossible to watch every single WHO story ever (Although a lot of the stories have been novelized or reconstructed so you can enjoy them in a different way). From Jon Pertwee (Third Doctor) forward there are no missing stories, although some of the Pertwee stuff isn't in the best shape and required extensive restoration/recolorization.

Basically the main difference between the two series-apart from the budget-is that the status quo has changed for the series. For instance:

Spoiler: Doctor Who

In the original series the Doctor is in sort of a self-imposed exile from his own people, because he found them boring. In the new series however, his people are gone, destroyed, and the Doctor, like Superman, is more or less the last of his kind.

 

[Shatnertage]

Here's what I'd do: watch "Blink" first.

All you need to know beforehand is that the Doctor and his companion travel through time and space in a blue box. And I just told you that.

It barely features the Doctor, but I think it's a good introduction to the show. And it's a great episode, so you should have fun even if you don't get hooked.

 

[lurok]

I'm not sure if this is a helpful or practical suggestion but I'm pretty sure there are one or more good DW documentaries - either online, DVD or both - that could give you a good taste of show, different era and personalities in-front and behind camera, and could help inform your decision as to precisely where to start.

 

[CommanderRaytas]

Blink was my first episode, too. I loved it to bits, and have watched all series (well the new ones) now. Have been a fan ever since.

 

[Count Zero]

I'd also recommend starting with the new show and at its beginning. It was designed to be an entry for people who hadn't watched Who before and it explains everything along the way.

You can always go back and watch (some of) the old show if you want.

 

[Kelso]

Start with "Rose" or "The Eleventh Hour."

 

[Psion]

It's a question involving several variables: how much time are you willing to commit to catching up? How tolerant are you of old TV shows with more talking than action? Are you able to look past a low budget and able to enjoy what the production was trying to achieve?

In a perfect world, I'd expect your commitment to the project to be 100% and advise you to start with "An Unearthly Child" -- the very first episode from 1963 and follow the series forward linearly as concepts developed. It's amazing how much has been retained from the early days.

But if you're like me, you're not going to enjoy doing it that way. Look, I like the show, but there are times when the low production values are so glaring in the old days that you can't help but laugh at the supposedly terrifying monster. Heck, even as a teen back in the seventies when I first started watching on PBS, I realized some British programming was ... an acquired taste.

Still with me? Terrific! Start with the 1996 Paul McGann movie. Yeah, I know, it's the failed pilot for a new Fox series that never happened, and yeah, it was made by Americans, but it really set the tone for the future of Doctor Who beyond that point. For the first time, the franchise was given a decent budget and special effects, and it introduces you to basic concepts of the show. You even get to meet one of the earlier Doctors.

After that, watch the first year with Chris Eccleston as the Doctor and then "The Christmas Invasion." The latter introduces David Tennant in the lead role. Then watch the first two episodes of Tennant's first year, "New Earth" and "Tooth and Claw".

Stop there. By now you should have a decent feel for the show and if you really, really like it, you need to get a little wibbly-wobbly with your viewing order and take your first dip into the show's distant past. Find "The Time Warrior", a Jon Pertwee episode from 1973. Then "Planet of the Spiders", "The Pyramids of Mars", and finally, "The Hand of Fear". However, skip all that if you've decided the show isn't quite your cup of tea.

Now watch "School Reunion" through "The Runaway Bride". You should notice the show's quality steadily improving, and David Tennant is generally one of fandom's favorite Doctors. By now, you should get the show even if you don't like it. If not, you're thick and there's no hope for you, but that's not relevant here.

Now move on to "Smith and Jones". Martha Jones is an unappreciated companion, but I love it when the Doctor has someone along who doesn't need to be talked down to. Plus, this is a fantastic season/series of Doctor Who with some really stand out episodes, including "Family of Blood" and "Blink". Finish off the season, then find "Time Crash". If you're curious about Peter Davison's Doctor, go wibbly-wobbly again (you should get that reference after having watched all the above -- and if you don't, you're thick) and go find Tom Baker's last regular performance as the Doctor with "Logopolis", then follow up with "Castrovalva" through "The Caves of Androzani" and don't forget "The Five Doctors" along the way. Stop before you get to Collin Baker ... he's a bit of an acquired taste of acquired tastes, and while I really like some of his episodes, I loathe his companion and wouldn't wish her upon anyone.

Anyway, now pick up with "The Voyage of the Damned" then "Partners in Crime" this re-introduces my personal favorite Doctor Who companion and I really enjoyed most of the season/series that followed. Make sure you catch "Silence in the Library" and "Forest of the Dead". Seriously, those are important episodes. And finish off the season with "The Stolen Earth" and "Journey's End". If you haven't noticed that the final episode of each series/season tends to get really high-concept and weird by this point, you're thick.

A series of "specials" follows with "The Next Doctor", "Planet of the Dead", "The Waters of Mars", and "The End of Time", which is the end of David Tennant's stint.

Are you into the wibbly-wobbly, timey-whimey stuff? Then go back and watch Patrick Troughton's "The War Games". It's one of my favorite episodes. You might also enjoy "The Two Doctors".

Now you're ready for Matt Smith in "The Eleventh Hour". It is my opinion that Matt Smith is the best Doctor yet. I'm not alone in that opinion, but neither is that thought universally shared. Still, Smith's first season/series is a lot of fun and a bit tighter than most of the ones that preceded it.

By now, you're a Doctor Who fan, or you're not, or you're really, really thick. In any event, I hope you've enjoyed the trip. Because that's what it's all about.

One more thing: while Doctor Who is loads of fun, don't go in expecting a serious show. While it isn't comedy, it doesn't take itself too seriously, either. This isn't hard science fiction, it's a family-oriented, light-hearted affair with some really amazing ideas, and is sometimes the best science fiction to ever air on television.

 

[Australis]

^ And don't expect cast-iron continuity either. Time can be rewritten.

 

[Psion]

^ And don't expect cast-iron continuity either. Time can be rewritten.

Australis speaks great truth.

 

[CommanderRaytas]

Yeah, I wouldn't worry too much about trying to sort out the timeline in your head, like, at all. It'll only hurt your brains.

 

[Mr Light]

If you're gonna watch a lot of it start with "Rose" the pilot of the modern series. If you're looking for less start with "Eleventh Hour" the first episode of the new Doctor and show runner which basically requires zero foreknowledge of the previous seasons.

 

[Australis]

^ And don't expect cast-iron continuity either. Time can be rewritten.

Australis speaks great truth.

I find your thoughts intriguing and wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

 

[23skidoo]

Here's what I'd do: watch "Blink" first.

All you need to know beforehand is that the Doctor and his companion travel through time and space in a blue box. And I just told you that.

It barely features the Doctor, but I think it's a good introduction to the show. And it's a great episode, so you should have fun even if you don't get hooked.

It also has the added bonus of featuring a pre-stardom Carey Mulligan, lest we forget.

Lots of good responses to this, so all I'll really add is that when it comes to the original series, the characters and the writing take precedence over all else. If you're only interest in special effects, don't even bother with the original series. But if you enjoy (usually) good writing, (usually) good performances, and an (always) fascinating cast of characters - but rarely more than 2 or 3 at a time - then there's a wealth of stuff to dive into. And I think, contrary to what some think, starting even with Matt Smith's Doctor and then working back adds immensely to the enjoyment of the earlier Doctors because you can watch it knowing what he will eventually become. I remember the feeling of discovering past Doctors when I initially thought Tom Baker's Doctor was the ONLY Doctor there ever was, and then stumbled upon a magazine article that revealed to me the existence of the others.

BTW the timeline is easy to keep track of. There are 11 Doctors, and once you learn the order of them (I'm sure there's a meme you can memorize, like people do with the planets) then, really, the individual chapter and verse isn't that important. Just keep in mind the Doctor played by Peter Cushing isn't counted because his two films were remakes of TV stories (and made many changes to the concept and characters). But the one who appeared in the American TV movie (Paul McGann), much to the chagrin of some, is official.

Alex