Do I dare to even try give a summary as to what the show's about? I've only watched five episodes so far - the last three of season 2 and the first two installments of season 3. I don't even have all of the characters or plot lines remotely straight. There's this quirky guy who doesn't have a name other than "The Doctor" who travels around space and time in a police box and sorts out problems dealing with various alien forces and manifestations. In the episodes I saw, he was accompanied by a side-kick or assistant named Rose. Now it appears that she won't be in the next season and another gal is being set up as the side-kick. I'm sure that fans have their opinions as to the relative merits of this development. Me, I don't have an opinion. Other than that what I saw made me want to go back and see how the relationship between the Doctor and Rose developed because it was quite obvious in the season finale that there was a something very real and deep between them.
What I quite liked about what I've seen so far is that this show is not strictly sci-fi. It also has strong elements of drama, comedy, adventure, and even little hints of romance. And while I found myself laughing at the almost Peter-Pan like whimsy of the Doctor on than one occasion, the "bad guys" and their nefarious intentions are very real and quite dark. Who would have thought that a tin can that looks like a squared-off version of R2-D2 could actually be scary. When it's gliding around screeching "Exterminate!" in maniacal-robot tones and then shooting people into dust bits, it starts looking a lot less cute. And then there was this super-creepy part in which the humans are being conquered by these machine-like beings and having their brains sucked out and installed into metal bodies. eep! What makes it all watchable is the human element. The Doctor is a multi-faceted character who is alteratively really funny, incredibly smart, deadly serious, and deeply intuitive. You get the impression that beneath his cheerful and often flippant mannerisisms he is an old soul. From what little I saw of Rose, she impressed me as having her head screwed on straight and not just being a TSTL female side-kick installed for the purpose of making the male lead look stronger and smarter. She's in touch with her emotions, but she's also strong and resourceful. I quite liked her and look forward to seeing the previous seasons.
Now I'm off to netflix to see if I can't find the aforementioned previous episodes. Yay for more entertainment to fill my already busy schedule.
7 comments:
Wait, wait, wait--Richard Armitage, U2, and now the Doctor? I have a tiny girlcrush on you, but probably because we could talk for hours about The Good Stuff. Have fun with the earlier episodes. Then we can debate the relative merits of Christopher Eccleston versus David Tennant. Or we could just think Man Love Monday and refuse to choose.
BTW, your admiration for David Tennant should increase when you learn he's really friggin' Scottish.
I know, Carrie...the synchronicity is almost scary! But in all the best ways. (personally, I think it just goes to show that U2 fans have the best taste in everything)
David Tennant is scottish? Ok, I'm sold. What else is he in? Ecceleston I remember from the depressing Jude movie, but where have I seen Tennant before? And is it wrong to have a geeky crush on him and his crazy hair? *ahem*
off to watch more episodes...
Daleks are the scariest things in all creation. Half Britain (including myself) spent their formative years diving behind a sofa every single time a Dalek swept on screen.
David Tennant played Casanova in a mini-series - would that be what you were thinking of?
Marianne McA
My 9 year old son has recently discovered Doctor Who thanks to my brother in law so we have been watching quite a few episodes and very much enjoy them!
I finally got BBC One on my digital cable!! And guess what show was on? Doctor Who. :)
Maybe I can catch up on the Robin Hood repeats now :) :)
I *heart* David Tennant - Chris Ecclestone ain't even close (never been able to forgive the sobbing throughout 'Jude').
Tom Baker was always The Doctor for me - but now it's DT.
Oh - and Casanova is such a fun romp - well worth a watch if you can get hold of it. Peter O'Toole plays DT as an old man. Great casting.
Marianne, I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one to be scared by a Dalek. I was beginning to wonder if there was something wrong with me. It's that voice, I think. ExTERminate!!! I think the movie I was thinking of is the Harry Potter movie in which he had a bit part. (looked it up on imdb.com) But I will definitely be checking out Cassanova.
marg, good to hear that your family has been enjoying the show. It doesn't give your son nightmares? I have been a little surprised at how genuinely suspenseful many of the plots have been.
katiebabs, how cool that you got your cable running. So does this mean no more dial-up?
tumperkin, I spent all of yesterday afternoon and evening watching the Eccleston version. I'm still not decided on which portrayal I prefer, but I'm going to give the edge to Tennant for sheer madcap fun-ness (is that a word?)
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