Series Three, one too many? (Doctor Who Thread - aka yet another TV programme thread) - by Raven
SubJeff on 23/11/2013 at 23:27
I'm a sci fi fan and I can't stand Dr Who. The old stuff was okay, the reboot is just poor quality. Lexx is better. The only redeeming thing was that Scottish redhead who was in it for a bit.
Briareos H on 24/11/2013 at 00:31
I just watched the Day of the Doctor, which was broadcast here only a few hours later than on the BBC, and it was my first Dr. Who episode ever. I liked it, although I immediately liked Tennant as a guest doctor much more than the current doctor, which was a good thing because they then decided to show two episodes from Series 4. I might have to start watching those 'old' episodes, it's quite light-hearted and has interesting dynamics. The lore is a bit heavy but really nothing a few Wikipedia clicks can't solve.
mrle01 on 24/11/2013 at 08:27
After my last post from 5 years ago, I saw all the DW episodes from the beggining (it must have taken me a year or two to watch them), and it is one of my favourite shows. The Day of the Doctor episode was really good, lots of nods to the history of the show. Shame that Eccelston didn't participate.
faetal on 24/11/2013 at 14:32
Quote Posted by NuEffect
I'm a sci fi fan and I can't stand Dr Who. The old stuff was okay, the reboot is just poor quality. Lexx is better. The only redeeming thing was that Scottish redhead who was in it for a bit.
This. I enjoyed it as a kid, but the new stuff I just find a bit mawkish and low budget tacky.
nickie on 24/11/2013 at 18:20
I started with William Hartnell, gave up half way through Tom Baker and never got back into it again. Having said that, if they did find the missing episodes, I'd be quite interested to see those. I have an enduring memory of looking out of my office window in Portland Place one day, opposite Broadcasting House, and seeing a dalek on the pavement. For a split second . . .
icemann on 25/11/2013 at 07:19
I started with Tom Baker re-runs and was instantly hooked. Or I was until the more newer series made it to the 3rd new doctor. The new series lacks much of the grim dark feel that was so common in the earlier seasons.
But anything William Hartnell - Colin Baker I absolutely love.
We also on the odd occasion get a "new" episode from the William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton black and white transmission seasons whenever a missing episode is recovered and restored.
1 complete story + all but one episode of another were found last month for example, with rumors circulating this week of another complete episode (Marco Polo) having been recovered and restored.
june gloom on 25/11/2013 at 12:30
Can't say I get the point of Dr. Who. Seems to be to Brits what Star Trek is to the US -- just one of those quirky sci-fi things from a million years ago that shock people when they find it's still on and you have to be of a certain personality to really enjoy.
faetal on 25/11/2013 at 13:02
I grew up watching Star Trek and am as British as a bulldog fucking a cup of tea.
SubJeff on 25/11/2013 at 14:56
Star Trek, the entire franchise, has a ton of awesome in it and some real weak drivel too. So it is with Dr Who, it's just that the new stuff is the weak stuff.
It's nothing to do with a US/UK split. I understand Dr Who is plenty popular in the US. Probably with rednecks who are their own grandfathers.
DDL on 25/11/2013 at 15:10
The new stuff is a bit more...presented: they can do more with effects, so they do. They seem to consequently go for more pew pew and less "thought provoking". And when it DOES go thought-provoking, it frustratingly pulls its punches.
Old Who is fucking terrible if you're expecting sci-fi LAZORS and shit, but generally has a higher percentage of episodes that make you think. Also they have a higher chance of being geniunely creepy because it's what you DON'T see that scares you more (and they really can't let you see the monsters because they're actually fat men in bear suits or some shit).
Mind you, the recent stuff is incredibly genocidal. The doctor's wiped out a ton of intelligent species while managing to somehow make it look like their fault. Some of them multiple times (time travel: it means I can wipe you out AGAIN).
This makes a lot of the moral handwaving seem quite odd.
