This TV month is not to be completed without my favourite television show of all time, Doctor Who. Since it's creation in 1963, the show has evolved over the years. From the campy, cheap and creepy to a action packed, thrilling and intelligent show. For those of you that don't know, the show was cancelled in 1989, around the same time Red Dwarf was really starting. So for 26 years, it is the longest running science fiction television show in the world. The series was attempted to be revived in 1996 with a TV movie, which while not bad, it certainly left a lot to be desired. But the series was finally revived for a second time in 2005. with Russell T Davies as head writer and Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant and Matt Smith as the lead roles, that ensured a long lasting show that will eventually lead to a mainstream and cult following. For this time I will only review the revived series.
The story, for those few of you who don't know: A Time lord named The Doctor travels through time and space in a space ship called the Tardis(Time And Relative Dimensions In Space). His race, the Time Lords, were wiped out in a war against many beings and creatures throughout time and space(this later becomes the focus of the series as The Doctor is still shrouded in mystery and gradually facts are revealed about him throughout the series). After landing in London(you will be seeing a lot of London, this is where most of the first two series action takes place), he meets Rose one of the first companions(these are people who travel with the doctor) and over the coarse of the series meets new allies and enemies. His most recurring enemies are the Daleks, Cybermen, and the Master. Of all my favourite episodes The Daleks will appear in most of them. The Doctor also has the ability to regenerate, meaning when the actor retires, quit's, is fired or dies, then a new actor steps in and The Doctor changes. This also causes a change in personality, from being serious to being childish. For those of you who want info on the show in no time at all, watch The Fine Bros on youtube for a six minute explanation of the mythos.
I love this series because of its characters and stories in this show. I have said that Red Dwarf was very clever with their stories. This more or less sticks to travelling to planets or to different points in time. In fact it is explained by the Doctor, that travelling to parallel universes is impossible. This almost limits the stories, but each story is more for telling the life of the Doctor as seen by the companions. The effects are good for the most part. I mean did the sea devils, Cybermen and axons look real to you growing up. Now the suits are metal or a very metal looking plastic and the ships look, very CGI. The cult for the show came in the 70's and 80's. when the threat of nuclear war was dwindling and the there was so much space to explore. The effect and props, while cheesy, did have a feel to them. Even if they didn't look real, they were most definitely scary. If there is one aspect about doctor who I miss, it's feeling scared. The closest I got to that was the weeping angels. at first they frightened me(I couldn't even sleep well at night) , but after the effect began to ware off.
They had to be clever and practical when it came to monsters planets and spaceships. Did you know the TARDIS hum is actually a key on piano strings. Now it is like the series is set in Cardiff. Because that's where they film all the time. Sometimes a world will look real, army's need to be large and buildings are impossible, but they can become a bit of an eyesore.
I am also going to say this now. I LOVE MATT SMITH'S DOCTOR. He is so eccentric, likable, threatening, intelligent and enjoyable. His youth has opened a world of enjoyment. When we first saw the doctor in 2005, in thirty seconds he showcased a whole array of skills from fancy shuffling to deductive reasoning. Now he has learned a whole array of new talents. Like the Fifth doctor(who played cricket), he plays one of England's favorite sports, Football( or soccer for anyone from America, don't worry I call it that too). In fact the person who annoys me the most is River, I don't care about her or her mystery. I never thought the Doctor would marry(OK I though it would be Rose, I was Eleven) and it would certainly not be this woman. I know they are trying to get across a mystery with this character, but it should only be given to the Doctor. Also I love Clara. As well as being the most beautiful companion since Captain Jack(Just Kidding!!!, Since Freema Agyeman, that's right, I said it), but she is hands on, intelligent, can match wits with the Doctor and her backstory and mystery are top notch. I hope to see more of her in the next few series.
But the reason the show is loved is the Doctor and the companions and the legacy it has created. Who can forget that opening theme. There is another guy on youtube, BrianRimmer, who has all the themes in one video if you want to hear them. By the end you will feel the same effect as ingesting a large amount of LSD. For those of you who love the show like I do, are you excited for the 50th anniversary. please comment to let me know. Also I will being doing a top ten Doctor Who episodes in the near future, please tell what are your favorites.
Thank you for reading, have a nice day(or night or evening or afternoon depending on the time zone)
The story, for those few of you who don't know: A Time lord named The Doctor travels through time and space in a space ship called the Tardis(Time And Relative Dimensions In Space). His race, the Time Lords, were wiped out in a war against many beings and creatures throughout time and space(this later becomes the focus of the series as The Doctor is still shrouded in mystery and gradually facts are revealed about him throughout the series). After landing in London(you will be seeing a lot of London, this is where most of the first two series action takes place), he meets Rose one of the first companions(these are people who travel with the doctor) and over the coarse of the series meets new allies and enemies. His most recurring enemies are the Daleks, Cybermen, and the Master. Of all my favourite episodes The Daleks will appear in most of them. The Doctor also has the ability to regenerate, meaning when the actor retires, quit's, is fired or dies, then a new actor steps in and The Doctor changes. This also causes a change in personality, from being serious to being childish. For those of you who want info on the show in no time at all, watch The Fine Bros on youtube for a six minute explanation of the mythos.
I love this series because of its characters and stories in this show. I have said that Red Dwarf was very clever with their stories. This more or less sticks to travelling to planets or to different points in time. In fact it is explained by the Doctor, that travelling to parallel universes is impossible. This almost limits the stories, but each story is more for telling the life of the Doctor as seen by the companions. The effects are good for the most part. I mean did the sea devils, Cybermen and axons look real to you growing up. Now the suits are metal or a very metal looking plastic and the ships look, very CGI. The cult for the show came in the 70's and 80's. when the threat of nuclear war was dwindling and the there was so much space to explore. The effect and props, while cheesy, did have a feel to them. Even if they didn't look real, they were most definitely scary. If there is one aspect about doctor who I miss, it's feeling scared. The closest I got to that was the weeping angels. at first they frightened me(I couldn't even sleep well at night) , but after the effect began to ware off.
They had to be clever and practical when it came to monsters planets and spaceships. Did you know the TARDIS hum is actually a key on piano strings. Now it is like the series is set in Cardiff. Because that's where they film all the time. Sometimes a world will look real, army's need to be large and buildings are impossible, but they can become a bit of an eyesore.
I am also going to say this now. I LOVE MATT SMITH'S DOCTOR. He is so eccentric, likable, threatening, intelligent and enjoyable. His youth has opened a world of enjoyment. When we first saw the doctor in 2005, in thirty seconds he showcased a whole array of skills from fancy shuffling to deductive reasoning. Now he has learned a whole array of new talents. Like the Fifth doctor(who played cricket), he plays one of England's favorite sports, Football( or soccer for anyone from America, don't worry I call it that too). In fact the person who annoys me the most is River, I don't care about her or her mystery. I never thought the Doctor would marry(OK I though it would be Rose, I was Eleven) and it would certainly not be this woman. I know they are trying to get across a mystery with this character, but it should only be given to the Doctor. Also I love Clara. As well as being the most beautiful companion since Captain Jack(Just Kidding!!!, Since Freema Agyeman, that's right, I said it), but she is hands on, intelligent, can match wits with the Doctor and her backstory and mystery are top notch. I hope to see more of her in the next few series.
But the reason the show is loved is the Doctor and the companions and the legacy it has created. Who can forget that opening theme. There is another guy on youtube, BrianRimmer, who has all the themes in one video if you want to hear them. By the end you will feel the same effect as ingesting a large amount of LSD. For those of you who love the show like I do, are you excited for the 50th anniversary. please comment to let me know. Also I will being doing a top ten Doctor Who episodes in the near future, please tell what are your favorites.
Thank you for reading, have a nice day(or night or evening or afternoon depending on the time zone)
Great review, good job as always
ReplyDeleteThank you. So far that is the best compliment I have received on my blog.
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