Someone Call a Doctor!

Welcome back, all six of you! I realize it’s been awhile, but it’s back. Season two of NMFM starts with our newest installment of
THINGS YOU SHOULD BE INTO:
                                         5 Reasons Doctor Who is the Best Show Ever.

I realize I’m being a total fanboy, but I love this show. It’s one of the few things that get me genuinely excited. I’m big into character development, and this show tops that department. Which is really surprising given how often the cast changes. Let me give you a quick rundown of the show.
In 1963, BBC debuted a show called Doctor Who. The show follows the adventures of a man known only as The Doctor. The Doctor is a time traveling humanoid alien called a Time Lord, from the planet Gallifrey. The Time Lords are the most powerful, technically advanced race in the universe, existing for literally billions of years. They are the most technologically advanced civilization, having mastered time travel, and have set themselves up as guardians of Time. As a result of generational exposure to time travel, Time Lords have become immortal, never aging. They can also revive themselves from death, though they can only do  that 13 times.  A dry, sometimes pompous race, they are feared and revered by species who are aware of their existence. The Doctor was a rebellious youth (about 700 years) who stole a time machine and went adventuring. His first adventures landed him on Earth, and while initially frosty about people, The Doctor has come view himself as Earth’s campion, even more so after the destruction of Gallifrey. Without concern for self, The Doctor and various human companions travel through space and time and help people, fight monsters, and save the universe.   So, without further ado, here’s five reasons you should geek out about this show

1.    The Show Is 50 Years Old.
This year Doctor Who celebrates 50 years since the creation of the show.  The show has had dozens of actors, story lines, monsters and thrills. And it’s never been better. In 2005, Doctor Who was revamped and brought back to TV, after several years off the air. The show has gone on to become the most watched show in the world. It’s critically acclaimed, popular, and has spawned two spinoffs, multiple books and comics, soundtracks, and even a concert series Music of the Spheres, performed every year at Royal Albert Hall.

2.        The Music
I’m totally biased, but DW has some of the best music of any tv show. This is especially evident in the new series, composer Murray Gold has created catchy, mood sensitive and enduring music. Not to mention, the theme song is one of the best ever.
3. The Monsters

Even if you are not familiar with the show, you probably think of the shows effects and props as cheesy. While it is true that during the 1970’s the show’s producers had to cut costs and sometimes it shows. But all in all, Doctor Who is known for some spectacular effects, but most notably, the monsters. The Daleks, Cybermen, the Master, The Silence, and of course, the Weeping Angels, remain some of the scariest monsters on TV. In England, many people have gotten so scared watching Doctor Who that the phrase “watching from behind the couch” was coined for the show.

4. The Spinoffs
Doctor Who has two spin off shows, if you don’t count the ill fated K9, in the late 70’s. While Doctor Who has often straddled the line between serious adult show, and something the whole family can enjoy, the spinoffs took the extreme of both directions. The Sarah Jane Adventures starred Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith, a popular Companion from the 1970’s, in her own adventures tracking down aliens and defending the planet. The show was very successful, lasting until Elisabeth Sladen’s death last year. The show was made for children, and featured a light, whimsical tone, and multiple guest appearances from the Doctor. The other spin off show was called Torchwood. It followed the adventures of former Companion Captain Jack Harkness, a bisexual time travelling reformed con artist as he builds a covert team to protect the planet by any means necessary. Unlike Sarah Jane Torchwood was very adult, featuring blood, violence, homosexuality, foul language and questionable morals. Although the first few seasons link directly with Doctor Who, the series eventually establishes its own mini series style storylines, making its link to Whoniverse questionable. Recently, a 10 episode miniseries called Torchwood:Miracle Day aired on the Starz network. Both shows have received good critical reviews and rabid fan bases, and  are much more enjoyable with previous Who knowledge.

5. The Doctor

The Doctor’s alien physiology allows him to heal his body, or regenerate, up to 13 times. However, while doing this, his appearance and personality changes. This allows new actors to step into the role, bringing their own unique styles and mannerisms to the role, while still retaining the overall character and mythos. This is where the series really shines, Many of the actors brought on to play the Doctor have been or become accomplished actors. Hell, it’s almost impossible to watch a british television series made in the past 20 years without seeing an actor who was in Doctor Who. The two most celebrated Doctors would be Tom Baker, who played the 4th Doctor, and David Tennant, who played the 10th. Personally, I loved the Ninth Doctor, Christopher Eccleston, and am really growing into the 11th, and current, Doctor played by Matt Smith.This show is worth watching if for no other reason than the great acting, and the emotional connections and moments they bring to life.

So, there you go. No big secret that this show is one of my favorite things ever. I highly recommend watching it, and if you have Netflix, the last six season of Doctor Who are available for streaming, and are a great place to pick up the show, as they make a conscious effort to welcome in newcomers. Torchwood is also streaming.