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I must confess that I have no idea where I got the brushes I used in my new Dr. Who icon. If anyone recognizes them, please let me know, as I don't like using things and not crediting.
I have just finished watching the first eight episodes of the new series, and was thinking I wouldn't make this post until I got back from Seattle this weekend. But since I have a few moments, I'm going to do it now instead. I have rather a lot to say, and I'm going to divide it up into my inital non-spoilery comments, and my final more spoiler-filled ones.
Let me start off by giving you my general feelings towards Dr. Who. You see, I grew up in a SF/Fantasy loving household. I danced in diapers to the Star Trek opening credits when I was too young to remember. Saw Star Wars when it first hit theaters, though I'm a little murky on that, too, having only been three years old at the time. My parents watched everything halfway decent of a SF bent, and that included the somewhat quirky British SF series, Dr. Who. I'm fairly certain I've seen every episode, many of them multiple times. I loved all the various Doctors for different reasons, but my very favorite was always Tom Baker, with his multi-colored scarf. I'm pretty sure the scarf was one of my main reasons for loving him, actually. Though he also had some of my favorite Doctor companions -- Romana (both incarnations) and the warrior woman Leela. Yes, the show was at times the cheesiest SF you've ever seen, and I'm not just talking the special effects, but that didn't really matter. The Time Lords, the TARDIS forever trapped in its police box configuration (you'd think the Doctor would fix that eventually, but then, it wouldn't be his TARDIS anymore if he did), the ever-changing companions, and the regenerating Doctor himself. Something about this mix of characters, story, world building, and time travel really made it fun to watch.
When it ended, I didn't really notice the difference. Probably because BBC kept broadcasting repeat episodes for some time after. And other, newer, more up-to-date shows were popping up with better looking effects. When it disappeared altogether, I admit I didn't give it a second thought. Dr. Who was relegated to my childhood memories, my SF love involved in other worlds and characters.
But then this year, BBC brought it back. In fact, they brought back a whole new Doctor, in an updated show. Now, for those of you who have heard your f-lists raving madly about the incredible new Doctor, I'm giving you fair warning: DO NOT go into watching this expecting The Greatest Show Ever. Don't even expect the Next Best Thing. It is, after all, Dr. Who. Some of the effects are still cheesy (think Buffy, only a step down even from that), and it is still very much a British show. If you like the American version of TV and find British humor corny or unintelligible, this is not the show for you. If, however, you find the occassional foray into British shows a refreshing change, I recommend you give the new Dr. Who a second look. And here's why:
The Doctor has always been a complicated character, with many layers. Not the least of which is his regenerating into a slightly different version of himself every time he "dies". Then there's the fact that he's a Time Lord, with a mandate for saving the world and universe as we know it (or don't). He lives a very solitary, lonely existence, and thus his habit of picking up random "companions" on his journeys. No, not that kind of companion! Just people who travel with him, keep him company, help him out of sticky situations, and inevitably, eventually leave him at unexpected turns. It seems the life of a Time Lord is often too much for ordinary folk, be they human or alien. The companions leave for various reasons -- they miss their old life, fall in love in a new time or world, get emotionally overwrought because the world was almost destroyed again...you name it. And the Doctor is once again alone, and must start over with someone new. Which means even when he has a companion, he is still often without true companionship.
You're getting the idea for the depth of his character? Well, the new show takes it one step further. I don't think it will be a spoiler to tell you the basic premise ( but just in case )
I have just finished watching the first eight episodes of the new series, and was thinking I wouldn't make this post until I got back from Seattle this weekend. But since I have a few moments, I'm going to do it now instead. I have rather a lot to say, and I'm going to divide it up into my inital non-spoilery comments, and my final more spoiler-filled ones.
Let me start off by giving you my general feelings towards Dr. Who. You see, I grew up in a SF/Fantasy loving household. I danced in diapers to the Star Trek opening credits when I was too young to remember. Saw Star Wars when it first hit theaters, though I'm a little murky on that, too, having only been three years old at the time. My parents watched everything halfway decent of a SF bent, and that included the somewhat quirky British SF series, Dr. Who. I'm fairly certain I've seen every episode, many of them multiple times. I loved all the various Doctors for different reasons, but my very favorite was always Tom Baker, with his multi-colored scarf. I'm pretty sure the scarf was one of my main reasons for loving him, actually. Though he also had some of my favorite Doctor companions -- Romana (both incarnations) and the warrior woman Leela. Yes, the show was at times the cheesiest SF you've ever seen, and I'm not just talking the special effects, but that didn't really matter. The Time Lords, the TARDIS forever trapped in its police box configuration (you'd think the Doctor would fix that eventually, but then, it wouldn't be his TARDIS anymore if he did), the ever-changing companions, and the regenerating Doctor himself. Something about this mix of characters, story, world building, and time travel really made it fun to watch.
When it ended, I didn't really notice the difference. Probably because BBC kept broadcasting repeat episodes for some time after. And other, newer, more up-to-date shows were popping up with better looking effects. When it disappeared altogether, I admit I didn't give it a second thought. Dr. Who was relegated to my childhood memories, my SF love involved in other worlds and characters.
But then this year, BBC brought it back. In fact, they brought back a whole new Doctor, in an updated show. Now, for those of you who have heard your f-lists raving madly about the incredible new Doctor, I'm giving you fair warning: DO NOT go into watching this expecting The Greatest Show Ever. Don't even expect the Next Best Thing. It is, after all, Dr. Who. Some of the effects are still cheesy (think Buffy, only a step down even from that), and it is still very much a British show. If you like the American version of TV and find British humor corny or unintelligible, this is not the show for you. If, however, you find the occassional foray into British shows a refreshing change, I recommend you give the new Dr. Who a second look. And here's why:
The Doctor has always been a complicated character, with many layers. Not the least of which is his regenerating into a slightly different version of himself every time he "dies". Then there's the fact that he's a Time Lord, with a mandate for saving the world and universe as we know it (or don't). He lives a very solitary, lonely existence, and thus his habit of picking up random "companions" on his journeys. No, not that kind of companion! Just people who travel with him, keep him company, help him out of sticky situations, and inevitably, eventually leave him at unexpected turns. It seems the life of a Time Lord is often too much for ordinary folk, be they human or alien. The companions leave for various reasons -- they miss their old life, fall in love in a new time or world, get emotionally overwrought because the world was almost destroyed again...you name it. And the Doctor is once again alone, and must start over with someone new. Which means even when he has a companion, he is still often without true companionship.
You're getting the idea for the depth of his character? Well, the new show takes it one step further. I don't think it will be a spoiler to tell you the basic premise ( but just in case )
