Thanks to M-D, I was able to watch the first three episodes of the new Doctor Who BBC television programme. I was supposed to wait until my flight to California before watching the show, but you know me and instant gratification. Even though I’ve been a fan of Doctor Who since I was five years old, I can say from an unbiased point of view that it was good. Very good, even. It has the potential for being a great show.
Yes. The effects were a little cheesy, but that’s the Doctor Who I know and love. Rose, the new “companion,” is wicked cute. (She’s played by Billie Piper.)
If I were five years old again — or ten — watching this show I would be just as intrigued as I was when I was that age and saw some of the best classic Tom Baker episodes. Like the classics, from the point of view of a pre-teen thinker, I think the series would appear a little scary, a little fun, and would even have some parts that make you think about space, time and other cool science topics.
One positive: the sonic screwdriver is back! One negative: the interior design of the TARDIS.
I hope the show runs for another 42 years.
You know, I was going to mention that the new shows have a lot of Tom Baker-esque feel to them, without being over sullen or melodramatic as Baker could be sometimes. Plus, I just love this bit of dialogue:
***THE DOCTOR opens the door to the roof.
DOCTOR: I’m The Doctor, by the way. What’s your name?
ROSE: Rose.
DOCTOR: Pleasure to meet you, Rose. *hold up bomb* RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!
The interior TARDIS design didn’t bother me too much, if only because the Doctor and Rose don’t spend a lot of time inside the TARDIS – although if the time they spent on the inside increased, it could get annoying. But I liked the fact that it was very open and large (giving the whole “it’s bigger on the inside” feel) while not being gawdy and ostentatious like the version in the Paul Mcgann telemovie.