Doctor Who? What I want is "Where to begin?" And why and how?
08-02-12, 07:16 AM
#1
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Doctor Who? What I want is "Where to begin?" And why and how?
Okay, after seeing an absolutely excellent clip with "the angels", I've decided I want to watch Dr. Who. I just have no idea where to start.
So first off, sorry if this is a repost. The forum search limitations make searching for this a little challenging, since "Dr" and "who" are both too small. I did find THIS THREAD, but it's about six years out of date (DVDs were just being released for the series, apparently, I think new material has come out since then, and I'm sure viewing options like Hulu/Amazon video/etc weren't around at all).
1) Where should I begin? I'm afraid to start at the beginning, because until I get a grasp on the mythology, I'm afraid I might be initially put off by how dated some of the old stuff is. But I'm not totally opposed to just going chronologically.
2) What's the easiest and most economical legalway to view it? DVD/Blu Ray? I have access to Amazon Prime, and I think they have some available. I'm not even opposed to renewing Netflix to watch this.
Thanks.
So first off, sorry if this is a repost. The forum search limitations make searching for this a little challenging, since "Dr" and "who" are both too small. I did find THIS THREAD, but it's about six years out of date (DVDs were just being released for the series, apparently, I think new material has come out since then, and I'm sure viewing options like Hulu/Amazon video/etc weren't around at all).
1) Where should I begin? I'm afraid to start at the beginning, because until I get a grasp on the mythology, I'm afraid I might be initially put off by how dated some of the old stuff is. But I'm not totally opposed to just going chronologically.
2) What's the easiest and most economical legalway to view it? DVD/Blu Ray? I have access to Amazon Prime, and I think they have some available. I'm not even opposed to renewing Netflix to watch this.
Thanks.
08-02-12, 07:53 AM
#2
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Doctor Who? What I want is "Where to begin?" And why and how?
Probably the 2005 series, or maybe the 1996 movie. Both will introduce, but likely leave you with questions that will be answered to varying degrees as the 2005 series on on progresses.
I believe Netflix has all 2005+ streaming. I know Amazon has some, but as you said not sure how much.
I believe Netflix has all 2005+ streaming. I know Amazon has some, but as you said not sure how much.
08-02-12, 08:56 AM
#3
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Doctor Who? What I want is "Where to begin?" And why and how?
I started with the 2005 series and pretty much everything is answered as it moved along.
I think Prime has everything from the 2005 series so that will be your easiest way to watch it more than likely.
I think Prime has everything from the 2005 series so that will be your easiest way to watch it more than likely.
08-02-12, 09:09 AM
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Re: Doctor Who? What I want is "Where to begin?" And why and how?
Reading this beforehand wouldn't hurt: http://www.avclub.com/articles/doctor-who,39924/
08-02-12, 10:18 AM
#6
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Re: Doctor Who? What I want is "Where to begin?" And why and how?
As much as I love the original series, new viewers are going to have a bad time. I recommend you start with the 2005 series as well. The 1996 movie is corny and has a lot of controversial stuff / continuity problems.
But don't be afraid to investigate some of the old stuff as well as it's widely available on the streaming services. I'd start with "City of Death" as it's the most accessible. If you don't feel that one, you probably won't like the others.
But don't be afraid to investigate some of the old stuff as well as it's widely available on the streaming services. I'd start with "City of Death" as it's the most accessible. If you don't feel that one, you probably won't like the others.
08-02-12, 10:34 AM
#7
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Doctor Who? What I want is "Where to begin?" And why and how?
Another vote for starting with the 2005 series. I never watched the old Doctor Who and I've never had the urge to watch the low budget stuff. I'm sure it's charming but I have much better things I haven't gotten around to that I want to see.
By the way, it's always written "Doctor" and not "Dr."
By the way, it's always written "Doctor" and not "Dr."
Last edited by movielib; 08-16-12 at 08:16 AM.
08-02-12, 10:35 AM
#8
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Re: Doctor Who? What I want is "Where to begin?" And why and how?
As much as I love the original series, new viewers are going to have a bad time. I recommend you start with the 2005 series as well. The 1996 movie is corny and has a lot of controversial stuff / continuity problems.
But don't be afraid to investigate some of the old stuff as well as it's widely available on the streaming services. I'd start with "City of Death" as it's the most accessible. If you don't feel that one, you probably won't like the others.
But don't be afraid to investigate some of the old stuff as well as it's widely available on the streaming services. I'd start with "City of Death" as it's the most accessible. If you don't feel that one, you probably won't like the others.
Start with Rose and work your way onwards. Then I'd sample a few Tom Bakers (and maybe Peter Davison) before fully immersing yourself to the classic series.
For Tom, I'd definitely recommend Pyramids of Mars, The Brain of Morbius, Robots of Death, The Talons of Weng-Chiang, Horror of Fang Rock and City of Death. For Peter Davison, Kinda and The Caves of Androzani.
08-02-12, 10:38 AM
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Re: Doctor Who? What I want is "Where to begin?" And why and how?
Yea, 2005 (aka Rose) is most likely the best point. Netflix has everything from 2005 forward, and a few of the old ones if you feel froggy.
08-02-12, 10:47 AM
#11
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Re: Doctor Who? What I want is "Where to begin?" And why and how?
Another vote for the 2005 series to start with. Although the original run can be enjoyed, the 2005 series is where the Doctor truly hit it's stride.
08-02-12, 10:57 AM
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08-02-12, 11:01 AM
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Re: Doctor Who? What I want is "Where to begin?" And why and how?
I will agree with everyone else here. I just started about 3 months ago and am currently in season 3, and I just started Torchwood season 1, I should have started this before I started season 3 of the Doctor. You may or may not like Torchwood and you do not have to watch it to follow the Doctor.
08-02-12, 11:48 AM
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Re: Doctor Who? What I want is "Where to begin?" And why and how?
As others have said, Amazon Prime has pretty much everything from the current run for free, except for the Matt Smith Christmas specials but you don't have to worry about those for a while.
They also have a lot of good episodes from the classic series, so it's worth dipping into those after you've seen some of the new series. The Key to Time season has been on my mind lately, because the actress who played Romana recently died (and was HOT). The Caves of Androzani is widely considered to be one of the best classic stories, plus it's the 5th Doctor's regeneration story. I'm also partial to the 3rd Doctor's first season.
They also have a lot of good episodes from the classic series, so it's worth dipping into those after you've seen some of the new series. The Key to Time season has been on my mind lately, because the actress who played Romana recently died (and was HOT). The Caves of Androzani is widely considered to be one of the best classic stories, plus it's the 5th Doctor's regeneration story. I'm also partial to the 3rd Doctor's first season.
08-02-12, 11:55 AM
#16
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Doctor Who? What I want is "Where to begin?" And why and how?
Here's a similar thread that's more recent:
http://forum.dvdtalk.com/tv-talk/593...start-all.html
FWIW, I also started with the 2005 relaunch, and have only seen a small scattering of earlier episodes. I do think that one could also feasibly start with Matt Smith's Doctor in series 5 of the relaunch, as Adam Tyner has done.
http://forum.dvdtalk.com/tv-talk/593...start-all.html
FWIW, I also started with the 2005 relaunch, and have only seen a small scattering of earlier episodes. I do think that one could also feasibly start with Matt Smith's Doctor in series 5 of the relaunch, as Adam Tyner has done.
08-02-12, 12:19 PM
#17
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Re: Doctor Who? What I want is "Where to begin?" And why and how?
Probably the 2005 series, or maybe the 1996 movie. Both will introduce, but likely leave you with questions that will be answered to varying degrees as the 2005 series on on progresses.
I believe Netflix has all 2005+ streaming. I know Amazon has some, but as you said not sure how much.
I believe Netflix has all 2005+ streaming. I know Amazon has some, but as you said not sure how much.
08-02-12, 12:20 PM
#18
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Doctor Who? What I want is "Where to begin?" And why and how?
I started with 2005 and had no problem figuring anything out. And yeah, both Amazon ' and Netflix have 2005+ on it. If you only have Netflix viewing devices, you could always free trial for a month and get through all of it.
08-02-12, 12:37 PM
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Re: Doctor Who? What I want is "Where to begin?" And why and how?
Looking forward to it!
08-02-12, 01:40 PM
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Re: Doctor Who? What I want is "Where to begin?" And why and how?
I decided to give this a go around Christmas. I jumped in with the Christopher Eccleston season. I made it through half the season. It wasn't bad, but wasn't great either. I liked him and Rose, but there wasn't anything pushing me to keep watching. It just wasn't clicking for me for some reason.
08-02-12, 02:10 PM
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Re: Doctor Who? What I want is "Where to begin?" And why and how?
I'm happy I read this thread now that I know netflix has it since 2005 a I can watch it and take it off my dvr except for the new episodes and it looks like i will be having a Doctor Who marithon
Last edited by bigluelok; 08-02-12 at 02:43 PM.
08-02-12, 02:20 PM
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Re: Doctor Who? What I want is "Where to begin?" And why and how?
I decided to give this a go around Christmas. I jumped in with the Christopher Eccleston season. I made it through half the season. It wasn't bad, but wasn't great either. I liked him and Rose, but there wasn't anything pushing me to keep watching. It just wasn't clicking for me for some reason.
08-02-12, 02:43 PM
#23
Re: Doctor Who? What I want is "Where to begin?" And why and how?
Prior to the 2005 series the only Doctor Who I saw was part of an older episode that was set in a plaza that they were unable to leave because they would re-enter the plaza when exiting -- perhaps Castrovalva?
The 2005 series gets better as it moves along with Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant does a great job in the following series. I have not seen any episodes with Matt Smith however...
The 2005 series gets better as it moves along with Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant does a great job in the following series. I have not seen any episodes with Matt Smith however...
08-02-12, 02:49 PM
#24
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Re: Doctor Who? What I want is "Where to begin?" And why and how?
Maybe skip ahead to the end of the season for Eccleston's final stories, and then try out season 2 to see if Tennant is more to your tastes. If not...maybe skip even further ahead to the Matt Smith era. They changed executive producers at that point, so the stories do have a different feel to them.
Both have all the episodes in order up through season 4, including the specials (although they don't have the Children in Need shorts). Then they mess up on the specials after The Next Doctor but before season 5.
- On Amazon, these are listed as "The David Tennant Specials" and under a different listing:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003LWG6AC - On Netflix, these are separated out into individual listings:
- Planet of the Dead (currently missing, but not essential)
- The Waters of Mars
- The End of Time (Parts 1 and 2)
If you don't watch these episodes, which were David Tennent's last as the Doctor, then the start of season 5 may come as a shock.
Season 5 is fine, but the Christmas special for that year (A Christmas Carol) is not on Netflix, while it's not free for Prime users on Amazon Instant. It's a great episode, but like Planet of the Dead is not essential from the perspective of the overall storyline.
Also, before watching Season 6, catch these two Red Nose Day shorts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51JtuEa_OPc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkmiefoRcfU
Season 6 is complete on both, but Amazon has the 2 minute prequels to episodes 1, 3, 7, 8, and 13, free to all. However, Netflix has the Christmas special (The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe), while Amazon is pay only.
08-02-12, 03:01 PM
#25
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Re: Doctor Who? What I want is "Where to begin?" And why and how?
Maybe skip ahead to the end of the season for Eccleston's final stories, and then try out season 2 to see if Tennant is more to your tastes. If not...maybe skip even further ahead to the Matt Smith era. They changed executive producers at that point, so the stories do have a different feel to them.
This. It looks like Michael Corvin stopped right before the excellent two parter "The Empty Child" / "The Doctor Dances". Skipping around to try the various Doctor/companion combinations would be a good thing to try too. And Dr. Who fan or not, everyone should watch "Blink."