Favorite Doctor Who episodes.

[fullflavormenthol]

I just recently discovered this show, but I am instantly a fan. I bring this up here because even in the newer episodes I am impressed by the use of low tech special effects to move the story along.

My favorite episode from what I have seen is the episode Blink, I found the use of statues to be scary just for the implication. As a wanna be film maker it was brilliant. I wish I could develop a concept that relied so strongly on audience participation.

Blink dealt with Angel statues that would come to life when you were not looking at them, which meant if you were around them you could not blink or term away or they would get you.

In many ways Doctor Who is the closest thing I can find to a modern day Twilight Zone in the sense of being low tech and completely effective.

This show made me go out and buy a Region free DVD just to by the Box sets cheaper.


Show what are your favorite episodes?

[NewtonTrino]

Make sure you watch the old doctor who episodes as well. I've been watching a bunch of stuff from the 70's and some of it is pretty good.

For the new stuff there are a bunch of good episodes. The girl Freema is freakin' super hot if you ask me so anything with her was good.

Delete! Deelete! Deeeeleeeeeeete!

[fullflavormenthol]

Make sure you watch the old doctor who episodes as well. I've been watching a bunch of stuff from the 70's and some of it is pretty good.

For the new stuff there are a bunch of good episodes. The girl Freema is freakin' super hot if you ask me so anything with her was good.

Delete! Deelete! Deeeeleeeeeeete!
I have been trying to work my way back. I am really waiting for my fiance to attend her sister's wedding in Ireland to get ahold of some of the older episodes on DVD. I would like to get them at a better rate, and Ireland would have them. I hate paying American rates on Dr. Who collections...they are insane.

[arthwollipot]

The new Dr Who is pretty good, but John Pertwee and Tom Baker will always be The Doctor to me.

Oh - and...

Leela.

[Fredrik]

"Blink" seems to be everyone's favorite. Most of the episodes written by Stephen Moffat are really good. (You might also want to check out a comedy show he wrote called "Coupling", if you haven't already).

[Sideroxylon]

The new Dr Who is pretty good, but John Pertwee and Tom Baker will always be The Doctor to me.

Oh - and...

Leela.

Those are the Doctors that I grew so same here. I'd reccomend any episode from that vintage.

A few faves though:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramids_of_Mars
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terror_of_the_Autons
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ark_in_Space

[arthwollipot]

Green Death. Planet of the Spiders. Horns of Nimon...

[Magenta]

I especially liked "Silence in the Library" (also written by Steven Moffat).

[brodski]

I think that all true fans know that the TV movie with McGan as the Doctor is easily the best episode ever.

[Mashuna]

I think that all true fans know that the TV movie with McGan as the Doctor is easily the best episode ever.

No, it's any of the episodes with Adric. If only he'd made a comeback in the TV movie, it would've been perfect.



Of the new series, my favourite has been the Human Nature two-parter (Family of Blood).

[arthwollipot]

I still haven't seen all of the Key to Time series.

[JohnG]

Blink is one of my favorites from new(er) series, but the whole thing of trying not to blink struck me as a little nonsensical. If you feel the need to blink, why not just wink one eye at a time?;)

Favorites from each Doctor:

First Doctor: The Aztecs
Second Doctor: Tomb of the Cybermen
Third Doctor: Spearhead FRom Space
Fourth Doctor: The Talons of Weng Chiang
Fifth Doctor: Kinda
Sixth Doctor: Vengence on Varos
Seventh Doctor: The Curse of Fenric
Eighth Doctor: TV Movie (it had its moments)
Ninth Doctor: The Doctor Dances
Tenth Doctor: Blink

[volatile]

Of the new episodes, Girl in the Fireplace was the stand-out for me. Of the old ones, I love:

Fourth: City of Death, Genesis of the Daleks, Keeper of Traken, Talons of Weng Chiang and Pyramids of Mars.

Fifth: Caves of Androzani, Mawdryn Undead, Enlightenment

Sixth: The whole of Trial of a Timelord

Seventh: Curse of Fenric

[Professor Yaffle]

For the new episodes, another vote for Blink:

http://forums.randi.org/picture.php?albumid=238&pictureid=1422

From the older ones, it has to be any of the ones with Davros in. He used to scare me ****less. I still vividly remember the moment when they found Davros (I think in Destiny of the Daleks) in suspended animation. Then you just see the tiniest movement of his finger.

ETA: I have just discovered that Davros was partly modelled on Bertrand Russell... as was Professor Yaffle.

[Whiplash]

I must admit that I still have yet to see most of the first two Doc's, even though I have video tapes provided by friends when they were shown on PBS.

My Doctor Who adventures started with Jon Pertwee. I'm looking over a list of all Dr. Who episodes, from him to the present, and will list those that I find most enjoyable.

My list is extensive. If I don't list it, it doesn't mean I hate it. I'm sticking to ones that range from "I like this one alot" to "OMG one of the best Dr.Who episodes EVAR!!!one"

I will give 1-4 stars on those I like alot, plus BOLD font on OMG BEST EVAR! ones.



Jon Pertwee:

The Silurians ***
Inferno ****
The Mind of Evil **
The Claws of Axos ***
Colony in Space ***
The Daemons **
The Sea Devils ****
The Mutants ***
The Time Monster ***
Carnival of Monsters ****
Frontier in Space ***
The Time Warrior ****
Planet of the Spiders ***

Tom Baker:

Genesis of the Daleks ****
Terror of the Zygons **
Planet of Evil **
Pyramids of Mars ****
The Brain of Morbius ****
The Seeds of Doom ****
The Masque of Mandragora ***
The Hand of Fear ***
The Deadly Assassin **
The Face of Evil ****
Robots of Death ****
The Talons of Weng-Chiang ****
(yes that is the entirety of Season 14 :D)
The Horror of Fang Rock ****
The Image of the Fendahl ***
The Sunmakers ***
The Invasion of Time ****
The Ribos Operation ****
The Pirate Planet ****
City of Death ***
Nightmare of Eden ****
The Keeper of Traken ****
Logopolis ****

Peter Davison:

Castrovalva **
Four to Doomsday **
Kinda ***
Earthshock (bye bye Adric) ****
Arc of Infinity ****
Mawdryn Undead ****
Terminus ***
Enlightenment ****
Warriors of the Deep ***
Fontios ***
Planet of Fire ***
The Caves of Androzani ****

Colin Baker:
Attack of the Cybermen **
Vengence on Varos **
The Mark of the Rani **
The Two Doctors ****
Timelash **
Revelation of the Daleks ***
All of season 23 (The Trial of a Timelord) ***

Sylvester McCoy:

Time and the Rani **
Remembrance of the Daleks **
The Curse of Fenric ***


Paul McGann's only offering is pretty good, but has flaws. But I think he's an excellent Doctor.


Then we get to the new series:

Eccleston:

Rose ****
The Unquiet Dead ****
Dalek ****
Father's Day ****
The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances ****
Parting of the Ways **

and finally, Tennant:

New Earth **
Tooth and Claw **
School Reunion ***
The Girl in the Fireplace ****
The Impossible Plant/The Satan Pit ****
The Runaway Bride **
Smith and Jones **
The Shakespeare Code **
Gridlock ****
Daleks in Manhattan/Evolution of the Daleks ***
42 ***
Human Nature/Family of Blood ****
Blink ****
Utopia ***
Partners in Crime **
The Fires of Pompeii **
Planet of the Ood ****
The Sontaran Strategem/The Poison Sky ****
The Doctors Daughter ***
Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead ****
Midnight ***
Turn Left **
The Stolen Earth/Journey's End **
Planet of the Dead ****

[Aitch]

7th Doctor? I'd go for Remembrance of the Daleks*.


* the one with the original flying Dalek.

[Whiplash]

7th Doctor? I'd go for Remembrance of the Daleks*.


* the one with the original flying Dalek.

Ya I wonder if I should add that one to my list. I do remember that great episode break.. The Doctor runs up the stairs to a door, and find's it is locked. He turns around, and with a look of horror on his face, see's the Dalek is floating up the stairwell at him.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2b/Remembranceofthedaleks.jpg

I always prefered to think that the Daleks were floating on some small cushion of air of some kind, as opposed to physically rolling along the surface. They really should have had the Daleks flying for a long time, but I'm sure budget was a problem. But when you look at them in the original form.. Yikes. If the stories of the nightmares with K-9 are any indication of truth, all one would have to do to escape a Dalek would be to drop just a few grains of sand or grit on the ground in front of them.. let alone find a staircase.

[Geezer]

I especially liked "Silence in the Library" (also written by Steven Moffat).

Yes, I love this one too

"HEY!Who turned out the light?"

[Ocelot]

I think that all true fans know that the TV movie with McGan as the Doctor is easily the best episode ever.

No, it's any of the episodes with Adric. If only he'd made a comeback in the TV movie, it would've been perfect.


Id on't think it could quite be perfect without Mel - as played by Bonnie Langford.

[Professor Yaffle]

Id on't think it could quite be perfect without Mel - as played by Bonnie Langford.

You bastard! Every time someone mentions her, I can't get her face/voice out of my head all day!

:mad:

[Whiplash]

Wow Adric, Mel.. heck, you add Chameleon to that mix and you have the most awesome Doctor Who ever. It probably could not even be filmed, the awesome would just be too overwhelming for any camera lense. ;)

[Aitch]

I always prefered to think that the Daleks were floating on some small cushion of air of some kind, as opposed to physically rolling along the surface. They really should have had the Daleks flying for a long time, but I'm sure budget was a problem. But when you look at them in the original form.. Yikes. If the stories of the nightmares with K-9 are any indication of truth, all one would have to do to escape a Dalek would be to drop just a few grains of sand or grit on the ground in front of them.. let alone find a staircase.

As someone whose Doctor is the Hartnell incarnation, I remember the days when the Daleks were confined to a metal city as they drew their power via the floor and could be shut down by rolling them onto a coat or something. Then they managed to develop a broadcast power system.

Then RTD came along and effectively made them all powerful.

Another good thing in the RotD series was the Special Weapons Dalek (http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/Special_Weapons_Dalek). I want one! :cool:

[Whiplash]

As someone whose Doctor is the Hartnell incarnation, I remember the days when the Daleks were confined to a metal city as they drew their power via the floor and could be shut down by rolling them onto a coat or something. Then they managed to develop a broadcast power system.

Then RTD came along and effectively made them all powerful.

Another good thing in the RotD series was the Special Weapons Dalek (http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/Special_Weapons_Dalek). I want one! :cool:


Oh damn, I do remember that. One of the few Hartnell episodes I saw was a Dalek one with exactly what you mention.. them rolling along metal powered floors. I totally forgot.

I agree they are all powerful now.. but having them limited to certain surfaces really diminshes their threat, don't you think?

And yes, Special Weapons Dalek rocks the casbah.

[Denver]

I still haven't seen all of the Key to Time series.

It was actually during the Key to time series that I first discovered Dr Who while surfing through a PBS channel one Sunday back in the 70s.

It's hard for me to pick a favorite - I think all the best ones are being listed above. I'd have to say that my favorite regeneration series was from Baker to Davison. Probably because it was my first regeneration, but also, the music during that period was very cool.

[Denver]

I still haven't seen all of the Key to Time series.

It was actually during the Key to time series that I first discovered Dr Who while surfing through a PBS channel one Sunday back in the 70s.

It's hard for me to pick a favorite - I think all the best ones are being listed above. I'd have to say that my favorite regeneration series was from Baker to Davidson. Probably because it was my first regeneration, but also, the music during that period was very cool, and the Master had just gotten his second wind. (Or was it his 13th?).

[Aitch]

I agree they are all powerful now.. but having them limited to certain surfaces really diminshes their threat, don't you think?


Yes it does. The problem with making them too powereful, though, is that you end up having to have ridiculous plots to be able to defeat them eg turning Rose into a 'goddess' (Willow was better in that sort of part;)).

[Whiplash]

I only really enjoyed the first two Key to Time stories. The others were ok, probably my third favorite being the final one. But I felt like Androids of Tara and Power of Kroll were rather silly.

Aitch: I agree with that. The've been borgified now.

[Damien Evans]

I've only seen the new stuff, and of that my favourites are the girl in the fireplace and the empty child/the doctor dances

[Darat]

I only really enjoyed the first two Key to Time stories. The others were ok, probably my third favorite being the final one. But I felt like Androids of Tara and Power of Kroll were rather silly.

Aitch: I agree with that. The've been borgified now.

We don't use that example of plagiarism in Dr Who threads - the correct term is "cyberised" ( cf. Lytton) or, as some of the more recent stories have it "upgraded".

[ponderingturtle]

Ya I wonder if I should add that one to my list. I do remember that great episode break.. The Doctor runs up the stairs to a door, and find's it is locked. He turns around, and with a look of horror on his face, see's the Dalek is floating up the stairwell at him.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2b/Remembranceofthedaleks.jpg

I always prefered to think that the Daleks were floating on some small cushion of air of some kind, as opposed to physically rolling along the surface. They really should have had the Daleks flying for a long time, but I'm sure budget was a problem. But when you look at them in the original form.. Yikes. If the stories of the nightmares with K-9 are any indication of truth, all one would have to do to escape a Dalek would be to drop just a few grains of sand or grit on the ground in front of them.. let alone find a staircase.

If Daleks didn't roll how did they stop that one by rolling it onto a cloak in the first episode with them in it?

[Whiplash]

Well, as I said, I have barely seen any of the first Two Doctors, and I just said I had forgotten about that episode, which I have seen. But also, I did say "I always prefered to think", not that that is how they definately work. It was my own internal rationalization.

[oggiesnr]

The scariest thing I think I ever saw (ok I was six at the time) was the Dalek coming out of the River Thames at the end of episode one of "The Daleks" and yes I did hide behind the sofa!

Steve

[Comsat Angel]

According to my dad, when watching "The Web Planet" I witnessed a "Larvae Gun" in action and was so scared I jumped into his lap ( I was only 3 at the time, in my defence).

One of the coolest moments ever ever ever in Doctor Who is in an episode of "The Silurians", where the Doctor suddenly and unexpectedly comes face-to-face with a Silurian (imagine a bipedal humanoid with crocodile ancestry). He doesn't scream, shout, pull out a gun, run away or punch it in the face. No. He makes to shake hands. That moment really defines the series for me.

Oh - "Blink"? Verrrry spooky indeed!

[Salerio]

I'll put in another vote for anything with Leela in it. I thought she was a great errr actress, yeah, that's right, great actress :)

Invasion of the Sea Devils was scary when I was little

[JFrankA]

I'm a big Dr. Who fan going way back. My favorite doctor is still Slyvester McCoy, followed very closely by David Tennant.

I love the "Trial of the Time Lord" and I'm anxious to see the "other side" of that story: Namely, how did the Valeyard got created and what happened to the Doctor's "good half"?

Of the new series my favorites are the creepiest ones, "The Lonely Child", "The Doctor Dances", "Blink", "Human Nature", "The Family of Blood", "Silence in the Library" (HEY WHO TURNED OUT THE LIGHTS!) "Forest of the Dead" but I'm surprised no one mentioned "Midnight".

Having the Doctor first not getting any trust from others, then have that mob go after him and then, especially, the Doctor completely losing his strongest weapon (his ability to talk), made for the most chilling episode ever. I still shudder when I see that.

[Soapy Sam]

Any with Elizabeth Sladen in them.
Back in 197X I was madly in love with the woman, though I was sometimes unfaithful in my heart with Jan Francis- who would have made one helluva doctor's " companion"

Ah, the lusts of yesteryear...

[CptColumbo]

All the episodes from "Deadly Assassin" to Nightmare of Eden."

In the revival series I enjoyed "Dalek" and "Blink."

[JWideman]

I only really enjoyed the first two Key to Time stories. The others were ok, probably my third favorite being the final one. But I felt like Androids of Tara and Power of Kroll were rather silly.

Aitch: I agree with that. The've been borgified now.

Are you kidding? Androids of Tara was my favorite in that storyline, and one of my favorites from that Doctor. But then I loved Dr. Who for its campy qualities most.

[ugot2bekidding]

I started loosing interest when Peter Davison came along, but I was a big fan up untill that point.

My all time favorite episodes are Planet of the Spiders, and The Pyramids of Mars. Honorable mention: The Brain of Morbius.

[Aitch]

Any with Elizabeth Sladen in them.
Back in 197X I was madly in love with the woman, though I was sometimes unfaithful in my heart with Jan Francis- who would have made one helluva doctor's " companion"
I can understand that! ;)
Ah, the lusts of yesteryear...
What do you mean 'yesteryear'? I suspect the a lot of the middle-aged men tuning in to CBBC to watch The Sarah Jane Adventures (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qgb3) don't actually have any children! :cool:

[arthwollipot]

I'm a big Dr. Who fan going way back. My favorite doctor is still Slyvester McCoy, followed very closely by David Tennant. Ha! If those two are your favourites, then you don't go "way back"... :D

Actually the Sylvester years were when I started losing interest. They just weren't as good. Maybe it was just because I was getting older.

[Syameese]

"Blink" seems to be everyone's favorite. Most of the episodes written by Stephen Moffat are really good. (You might also want to check out a comedy show he wrote called "Coupling", if you haven't already).

I haven't caught up with the latest series, but have heard that "Blink" is very, very highly recommended and scary!!! Mind you one of my earliest TV memories is being scared ******** by the very first Dalek series with William Hartnell (old dude admission:))

PS Coupling - imo one of the best comedy shows ever - brilliant writing and superb casting combined with a style of comedy that allows repeated viewings. If you haven't seen it check it out.

[Sideroxylon]

The scariest thing I think I ever saw (ok I was six at the time) was the Dalek coming out of the River Thames at the end of episode one of "The Daleks" and yes I did hide behind the sofa!

Steve

Invasion of the Sea Devils was scary when I was little

The Sea Devils also scared the life out of me as a youngster. The scene where they marched out of the sea is etched on my memory. I also watched these from behind the sofa. I used to get my mum to turn off the TV when the theme music started.

[Darat]

Any with Elizabeth Sladen in them.
Back in 197X I was madly in love with the woman, though I was sometimes unfaithful in my heart with Jan Francis- who would have made one helluva doctor's " companion"

Ah, the lusts of yesteryear...

There was something very appealing about Sarah-Jane. (No I was never confused.)

I can understand that! ;)

What do you mean 'yesteryear'? I suspect the a lot of the middle-aged men tuning in to CBBC to watch The Sarah Jane Adventures (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qgb3) don't actually have any children! :cool:

I watch that! Whilst she has aged, she has aged into a striking and still very beautiful woman.

[Marduk]

http://www.doctorwho-episodes.com

who needs dvd when we have the internets
:D

personally I always thought that Leela was stupid and smelled, then I passed puberty and she has been a frequent caller in my sexual hang ups ever since
http://revolutuck.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/leela2.jpg

anyone want to argue that Tom Baker wasn't the best doctor ever please explain why he is the most frequently parodied
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55lfbMr8gqo&feature=related

[Retrograde]

ok. I'll play.

"Blink" is the best of the new revived series, I'd say, followed closely by "The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances".

Of the old ones:
I didn't see enough of the Harnell episodes to comment, and I don't like Troughton's Doctor. From the Pertwee years "Spearhead from Space" sticks in my mind. Tom Baker: anything with Leela, the whole Key to Time series, the Mona Lisa heist. Peter Davison is still my favorite Doctor, so I'm biased here - although if I could edit out Andric I would. Colin Baker's Doctor was OK, but his companions grated on my nerves so badly I stopped watching. Didn't see too many of the McCoy ones.

Favorite old episode? "The Five Doctors".

[ugot2bekidding]

anyone want to argue that Tom Baker wasn't the best doctor ever please explain why he is the most frequently parodied


I always liked Tom Baker the most because he was an eccentric loony. For instance, in a scene where he explains to someone what an implosion is..."instead of it exploding out (TB makes a gesture with his hands inward ), it explodes in" (gestures outward ).

He had a devil-may-care vibe that I really liked. Part of that may have been from the fact that he had no clue what was going on in the script (or so he once said in an interview).

[Brainster]

Everybody knows Curse of the Fatal Death is the best Dr. Who episode!

I was on an exchange program in London in 1976. We stayed at a hotel, which had a TV room. I remember flipping through the channels one weekend afternoon and coming across Seeds of Doom, which looked pretty cool. Our RA walked in and laughed when he saw what I was watching; he told me the whole story about how Dr Who had been on since he was a kid.

Unfortunately, just when it was getting really dramatic, the episode ended, and I never caught another showing until maybe 3-4 years later when it started airing on PBS. By 1981 I was living in SF, and I had a pretty good situation there, with the local cable system carrying both the SF PBS station and the San Jose outlet as well. IIRC the San Jose station had the Dr Who show on at 10:00 PM on Saturdays, while the SF station started a different episode at 11:30 the same night, so if the SJ show was only a three-parter I could watch two complete shows back to back. Unfortunately, I've always been an early riser, so I usually fell asleep halfway through the SF episodes.

Faves:
Pertwee: Any of the episodes with the Master
Baker: Seeds of Doom, any of the Dalek episodes
Davison: Snakedance, Castrovalva, the first Turlow episode

I don't know the modern Dr Whos well enough to comment.

[Retrograde]

Can I throw in some least favorites? Anything with Daleks in it. Blasted pepperpots with nasal voices, that's all they are.

[Whiplash]

Can I throw in some least favorites? Anything with Daleks in it. Blasted pepperpots with nasal voices, that's all they are.


Even Resurrection of the Daleks? ;)

[dropzone]

http://www.doctorwho-episodes.comOMG! They're all online?

ETA: Thems whats still available, of course. :(

[Rrose Selavy]

Jon Pertwee was "my" Doctor growing up in the 70s - Oh and Sarah Jane (fav "companion" :))
The Daemons always stuck with me as the most memorable - very Canterbury Tales (powell * Pressbuger) "English" - A village with a schoolteacherish "White Witch", an ancient dig that will release "terrible forces" , a giant Freddy Mercury lookalike.
Oh and a living gargoyle called Bok.
The late Roger Delgado (really the Master) as the local Vicar!.

http://www.doctorwho-episodes.com/doctor-who-the-daemons/403.html

The Tom Baker years may have had their moments but it soon after that went to pot and was only for ridicule.

Of the new batch, "Dalek" was a very well written self contained story. Often indifferent to it now but at least the production values have improved from the awful tin foil days.
-

[JohnG]

Of the new batch, "Dalek" was a very well written self contained story. Often indifferent to it now but at least the production values have improved from the awful tin foil days.
-


I appreciate state of the art special effects as much as the next nerd, but I never had a problem with "the tin foil days". To me there's something inherently intriguing and even witty about those so called primitive effects. However, those of you who have a low opinion of tin foil might appreciate this:

VQEmGC6VK8k

[Rrose Selavy]

I'm all for less of the fancy stuff for the sakeof it , after all, what few special effects were used lately in "Dalek", one of the better episodes or the acclaimed "Blink"?
Producers earlier on just needed to recognise their limitations (whether budget, time etc) - and "suggest" things rather than try to depict it just made it embarassing - More BalsaWood than HollyWood.
But things always seemed scarier as a child. Ice warriors, Cybermen, yeti, The Brigadier's moustache.....

-
-

[JohnG]

An example of gratuitous special effects in the new series is the penchant for showing the TARDIS interior from outside of the TARDIS. It's sort of like explaining a joke; there's no need for it if you get the joke. They do it because it apparently irked them as kids ("Hey! they're just walking into a dark police box interior! That's not the control room!") and since they have the money, the opportunity and the technology to "do it right", by god, they're going to show you everything!

[Whiplash]

VQEmGC6VK8k


That was brilliant. ;)

[Whiplash]

And I want to say, in terms of Doctors. My tastes keep changing except for finding Tom Baker to be my personal favorite.

Back in the old days, when I discovered the show, Davison was the current Doctor. And I'd seen virutally none of the first two doctors. At that point, I felt that my list would be:

1) Tom Baker
2) Jon Pertwee
3) Peter Davison

I've still seen little of Troughton, but enough more for him to grow on my substantially. Also, Colin Baker. I didn't like him at first, but over time he grew on me quite a bit. I never cared greatly for McCoy.

By the end of the final run, I'd have made a list something like this:

1) Tom Baker
2) Jon Pertwee
3) Peter Davison
4) Patrick Troughton
5) Colin Baker
6) William Hartnell
7) Sylvester McCoy

(sorry Hartnell and McCoy fans, it's just my opinion, but it must re-iterated I've not seen a lot of Hartnell).

Jump forward to the new series. With Eccleston, at first I was like :confused:, but then later I was like :cool:.

And then David Tennant. Same thing, at first I was a bit unsure, but holy crap this man has delivered (for me) in the biggest ways ever. I find him to be similar to Tom Baker. I certainly have no problem thinking of them as being the same being. I find often that he says lines that I could easily picture Baker saying in similar ways.

As of this date, my list has changed again therefore. I now would rank them something like this:

1) Tom Baker
2) David Tennant
3) Jon Pertwee
4) Christopher Eccleston
5) Peter Davison
6) Patrick Troughton
7) Paul McGann
8) Colin Baker
9) William Hartnell
10) Sylvester McCoy

Again, with apologies to Hartnell and McCoy fans. I am definately going to give Hartnell a full shot here, and soon, and expect it to change. I doubt McCoy will ever do it for me much more though. I liked his darker personality and dangerous tones. But the man, the look, the accent, it just didn't do it for me.

[Sideroxylon]

Fans of '70s BBC wobbly set Sci-Fi should check out Blakes 7 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blakes_7). The show was created by Dr Who writer and Darlek creator Terry Nation.

You can watch the whole of Series 1 Ep 1 starting here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBifd_kDvUA

[Whiplash]

Blakes 7 is another of my all-time favorite shows. Seen them all, several times each.

I love shows set in this idea of a darker, morst hostile future. It seems much more realistic to me than utopian dreams. It's the same reason I enjoy Babylon 5 I think.

Great characters. Great dialog. Some very good stories, some weaker ones, and not the greatest effects. But the good parts really outshine the bad enough to make it quite memorable and enjoyable.

In closing:

Gan: I can't find Orac, I even tried calling out his name.
Avon: I'm sorry I missed that, it's the sort of natural stupidity no amount of training could ever hope to match.

[arthwollipot]

I always liked Tom Baker the most because he was an eccentric loony. For instance, in a scene where he explains to someone what an implosion is..."instead of it exploding out (TB makes a gesture with his hands inward ), it explodes in" (gestures outward ).Image of the Fendahl. (nods sagely)

[Whiplash]

That episode also has him coming back into the room where the scientist is monitoring the machine that is going to blow up (some scanner) and says:

"Remember, three minutes!" while he is holding up four fingers in front of his face.

[GlennB]

I especially liked "Silence in the Library" (also written by Steven Moffat).

Me too. The older Dr Who series would sometimes branch away from adventure and into something plain weird. Glad to see the tradition continued.

Of the recent series I especially liked the 'lone dalek with existential crisis' episode :D. One thing I realy don't like is the tendency to round off each new series with a huge blockbusting emotional gush, like the closing scenes in Star Wars films.

[Hamsterfan]

Hm, favorite Doctor Who episodes: The Empty Child, Blink, Midnight (really REALLY creepy) and honestly the last one in Season 4. It was neat to see the whole gang, together, like a family... and yet the Doctor is still alone. Ouch.

Anyone seen the new Doctor at all in anything? I grew so attached to Eccleston and Tennant that I find myself hesitant to see the new one.

[JohnG]

Me too. The older Dr Who series would sometimes branch away from adventure and into something plain weird. Glad to see the tradition continued.

Of the recent series I especially liked the 'lone dalek with existential crisis' episode :D. One thing I realy don't like is the tendency to round off each new series with a huge blockbusting emotional gush, like the closing scenes in Star Wars films.


Along the same lines, I hope there's less hugging, crying and general sentimentality than there was during RTD's tenure. You could argue that the inclusion of that sort of emotional stuff was a key component to the amazing success the new series has had, and you'd probably be right, but I personally feel that they've gone overboard quite a bit.

[arthwollipot]

Along the same lines, I hope there's less hugging, crying and general sentimentality than there was during RTD's tenure. You could argue that the inclusion of that sort of emotional stuff was a key component to the amazing success the new series has had, and you'd probably be right, but I personally feel that they've gone overboard quite a bit.I think audiences react to different things now. Back when we were watching in the 70s and 80s, monsters and aliens were all the rage, so that's what they did. Today, audiences still like monsters and aliens (Carnival of Monsters?), but they've grown up to expect some emotional involvement too. There isn't a market any more for the straightforward action. It could be argued that the characters (and the audience) are simply more sophisticated.

[Whiplash]

I agree with that and can deal with that. What I have a problem with is that Doctor getting massivley snogged by every single companion, and over the top sexual inuendo (such as in Voyage of the Damned. The Doc says "you should see me in the mornings" and the companion gal says "ok!" in a rather suggestive manner). Going from the rather asexual type of show that it had been, into something very different. I don't want the show completely devoid of this stuff. But it does seem a bit over the top in places, which can put me off. It's nothing to do with any problem with myself, and sex. It's more about not being used to see The Doctor in such circumstances. That it feels wrong for him, on some level. He is an alien after all. And I prefered it when he was more aloof.

[arthwollipot]

*ahem*

Leela.

She got more fan mail than any other companion.

[Whiplash]

I don't understand.. are you saying Leela brought sexuality to Who? I don't disagree with that. But it was never direct. It was based more on the fact she's good looking and wore revealing clothing. I don't recall her and the Doc ever snogging. Or her using her femine wiles to do anything.

I'm just saying that I didn't like the way every new companion has been a love interest for the Doc. Rose was one thing. And it was interesting and a nice little diversion for the character. But since then, ever female char has also snogged him, and ended up having obvious feelings for him. It seems like it was becoming the new formula.

[iMaGiNaTioN]

I just recently discovered this show, but I am instantly a fan. I bring this up here because even in the newer episodes I am impressed by the use of low tech special effects to move the story along.

My favorite episode from what I have seen is the episode Blink, I found the use of statues to be scary just for the implication. As a wanna be film maker it was brilliant. I wish I could develop a concept that relied so strongly on audience participation.

Blink dealt with Angel statues that would come to life when you were not looking at them, which meant if you were around them you could not blink or term away or they would get you.

In many ways Doctor Who is the closest thing I can find to a modern day Twilight Zone in the sense of being low tech and completely effective.

This show made me go out and buy a Region free DVD just to by the Box sets cheaper.


Show what are your favorite episodes?



I too am a newbie Doctor Who fan. I have only seen random episodes on Sci-Fi, so I have no sense of what the continuing story is. I think my favorite episode I have seen is Blink, and the episodes where the Doctor took human form in a school as a teacher. The show is utterly brilliant though and I need to find the time to buy the dvds and watch every episode.

[Lithrael]

I don't understand.. are you saying Leela brought sexuality to Who? I don't disagree with that. But it was never direct. It was based more on the fact she's good looking and wore revealing clothing. I don't recall her and the Doc ever snogging. Or her using her femine wiles to do anything.

Hahaha yeah the closest you got was her line in Fendahl: "...You are very heavy..."

I must back up Arth's rec of "Horns of Nimon" because it is exactly the sort of fun, silly romp, played brilliantly, DEADLY straight by Lalla Ward, that the 'be more serious damn you' fans can't stand. I will always love Horns of Nimon.

I also MUST REC THE BIG FINISH AUDIO DRAMAS. For they are on the whole, extremely, extremely good. And they give Eight and Six and even Seven the chance to really shine that their TV runs didn't really much. Their Five is great too. My favorite Seventh Doctor story is "Shadow of the Scourge" and McCoy is brilliant in it. BF really knows how to play to the actors' strengths. There are only a handful of stories I haven't enjoyed, out of well over 100. Support these people! :D

http://www.bigfinish.com/Doctor-Who