Palindromatic said
I'm not enough of a legitimate Doctor Who fan to say I've watched anything before Nine. Perhaps someday I'll actually get around to watching every season. I've heard it's a little harder to get into. Is that true?
Sadly, yes. As great as the Classic series is once you get a feel for it, it can be difficult for fans more used to the new series to get into, especially if you jump in blindly without much background knowledge. :/ I'd love to help get you started, though.
From what I've read, it seems like the majority of the companions before Nine were not twenty-something common-day British women. For once I would love for the Doctor to have a (permanent) companion that is anything but that.
Well I wouldn't say "majority", since many of them were still young, female humans, but I will say there was more variety with the companions back then. Not only were many of them male (without being an accessory to an existing female companion, like Rory and Mickey were), but he also had a lot of human companions from Earth's far past and far future - and quite a few companions that weren't even human at all!
I realize that part of this variety comes from the fact that the Classics have had more companions in total than the new series has had so far (at least twenty, I believe), but with New Who having gotten as far as it has, it would be nice to see a companion who's either not from the present day or simply not from earth. I feel like they've gotten far enough to give it a try. In fact,
When watching Into the Dalek, I was really hoping that Rusty would wind up a companion. D: ...Not that there were any Dalek companions in Classic Who, but, still! It would be nice to have something more out-of-the-ordinary.
Genkai said
I do need to go back to the old Who now that I have time. I've been meaning to ever since I caught myself up to the new stuff.Though I'm not a fan of Clara or River, the past season or two have been hard to watch in terms of writing and characters...so I'll probably go back before my semester kicks back up but I've heard such good things about Four, but I shouldn't skip 1,2 or 3 if I can help it...depending what is available on Netflix...Anywho!Okay thanks for letting us know! :3
If it helps you get back into New Who any, Peter Capaldi is
amazing.
As for the Classics, you'd actually probably be fine if you watched one or two Tom Baker episodes just to give the show a try. In fact, I'd even say I recommend it.
Because see, while I definitely wouldn't recommend skipping the first couple Doctors outright (especially since William Hartnell is adorable and my all-time favorite), I will admit that one of the reasons why people have a hard time getting into the Classics is because starting right at 1960's Who can be a massive culture shock. Not only is the feel of the show so very, very different than what we have today, but TV in
general was quite different back then. And while many people have probably heard of how low-budget the Classics were and how admittedly awful their special effects could be at times, you may not have known that the earliest,
earliest episodes were so horribly low-budget that they couldn't even do re-takes for minor mistakes most of the time. Every once in a while you'll hear one of the actors trip over their words a bit or you'll see the camera get knocked slightly and they had no choice but to keep it in the final cut.
...Yeah. :/ All that can be a bit much if you're not expecting it. Especially if you're not thinking about the fact that the show doesn't stay quite like that all through the Classic's run. I mean, compare Nine's episodes to the most recent ones, for example. As we know, many writers on the show changed in that time, and so the feel of the episodes turned out rather different. The Classics are the same way.
Because of that, I actually recommend "sampling" each one of the Classic Doctors, watching one or two episodes of each, to get somewhat of a feel for each of them, maybe see which one you like best just based off of a first impression. It works since, unlike in the new series, the Classics don't place nearly as much effort on season-long arcs. Season-long arcs are the reason why you often need to watch the episodes in a New Who season in order in order for everything to all make sense. But in the Classics (in
most cases... a good chunk of Three's run is kind of an exception to this rule), the episodes are generally much more self-contained, and you can watch each one without much background knowledge regarding previous episodes (and anything you do need to know is generally recapped for you).
However, before I go much further, I should probably explain what exactly I mean by "episode" in this sense...
See, the individual episodes in Classic Who may have been only 24 minutes, about half the length of the modern ones, but they were all strung together in very closely-knit "arcs", each consisting of about 4 episodes on average. These arcs all flow together so smoothly that they honestly don't even feel like individual episodes. When watched in succession, the episodes in an arc feel much more like a movie-length special than they do individual episodes. And so each arc is generally thought of as an episode, rather than calling the individual pieces episodes. For reference, an arc is what virtually every Classic Who fan is talking about when they say "episode". In fact,
even the official episode list from BBC does this, as each episode title here is actually referring to an arc. In fact, Two's era and onwards, the individual episodes in an arc were sub-titled "Part 1", "Part 2" etc, as opposed to each individual part getting its own title like they did in One's era, just to make the arcs even clearer.
The arc setup is kind of an important thing to understand, since, when you start watching, the speed at which the plot moves makes a lot more sense that way. I've encountered quite a few people who claimed they tried starting episode 1 but got bored when the episode was nearly over and the plot had hardly moved. ...Well yeah, cuz you're only a quarter of the way through that particular plotline.
Also, I should probably warn you about some of the "lost episodes"... because way back in the 60's, TV networks did not archive their material nearly as carefully as TV networks today, and sadly, many Doctor Who episodes have been lost to history because of this. I mention this because, as you can see from looking at this
lost episode list, most of the arcs that are missing material are not missing in their entirety - with only some of their individual episodes gone. And, well, while I don't have Netflix streaming, I'm
told that Netflix adds the episodes in these only partially-existent arcs to their list. Given what I've already told you about arcs, it should be clear that this is a real recipe for confusion among viewers, as these arcs
do not make sense and cannot be followed unless you see each piece! Soo... you might want to keep those links on hand while you browse episodes, just so you know what you're selecting and whether or not it's really watch-able. =_=
But yeah, back to sampling the Doctors - I recommend grabbing at least two episodes from each Doctor to watch to start with, thus giving you a good feel for the show overall, as well as giving you some early ideas as to who some of your favorite Doctors/companions are. That's what I did to get into the Classics, and I'd say that worked out pretty well.
And while, with most of these Doctors, I tried them out chronologically, I'd recommend starting with Four. Why? Firstly because Four's generally a fan-favorite. Not everyone ranks him as their absolute fave but I've never met anyone who actively dislikes the Fourth Doctor, so therefore you'll most likely enjoy him, too, thus making him a good introduction to the Classic Doctors (compare this, to, say, One, who people seem to either love or hate and if you fall into the latter group, I can see how you'd be turned off to Classic Who rather quickly starting right from the beginning). The next reason is because, well, remember when I talked about 1960's Who being a massive culture shock? Four's era can have somewhat of a similar effect just because of what a different feel the show has (not to mention the uh... effects budget...) but not
nearly to the level that the absolute earliest episodes would. With Four you can at least expect that the actors will all get their lines right and no one will brush up against one of the cameras or anything. ...Also it's in color if that sweetens the deal for anyone.
After that, I suppose it makes most sense to sample the Doctors chronologically, though really you can go in any order you want. I suppose I should also point out though that, contrary to popular belief, the Eighth Doctor isn't exactly a part of the Classic series, assuming you define "Classic series" as the show's original run, which ended in 1989, because that series ended with the Seventh Doctor. The Eighth Doctor was only ever seen in the 1996 Doctor Who TV movie, which was actually an attempt to generate enough interest to reboot the show. ...It didn't work, obviously.
The movie's kind of ridiculous plot-wise, and also it was co-produced by 20th Century Fox, essentially making it American Doctor Who... but Paul McGann is absolutely adorable as the Eighth Doctor and he makes it all worth watching if you ask me.
Back to the actual Classic episodes - I chose my starting episodes essentially at random, since I didn't really have any guidance regarding which ones to pick, and also I didn't just want to watch all their beginning episodes since I kind of wanted to get a feel for each of these Doctors when they
weren't high on regeneration energy... But if you want, here are some of my personal picks for great Classic Who episodes to get started with. Bear in mind though that even I haven't finished the Classics yet, and I've kind of just been jumping around, so my recommendation lists for some of these Doctors (especially the latter ones) are a little bit skimpy. ...Granted the 6th and 7th Doctors have really skimpy episode lists in general, so yeah.
The Daleks - You get a cookie if you can guess which iconic alien race debuted in this episode. Bear in mind however that said race has spent the past 50 years growing more powerful and ruthless as the writers had to eliminate every weakness the Doctor exploited in them to keep them from turning stale. So by comparison, the Daleks of back then are much weaker, and you could even say considerably kinder than the ones you know today. This makes them somewhat hilarious and also kind of adorable. Also don't expect Davros to be in their backstory. He's not a thing yet.
The Keys of Marinus - This one's a good place to start if you can't quite wrap your head around the arc setup yet. The episodes in this one all take the Doctor and his companions to a different setting with different conflicts, all while everything that happens in those individual episodes connects to a central plot. It more strongly resembles the season-long arcs of the new series, although shorter, as Keys of Marinus is only like 4 or 5 episodes long I think.
The Sensorites - This one's great if you wanna start noticing all the tiny references to the Classics that are peppered throughout New Who - all so subtle and cleverly woven-in that they don't even sound like references (or don't stand out as memorable at all) when you don't catch said reference. Watch Sensorites and then re-watch New Who's Planet of the Ood, or that ending scene from Gridlock when the Doctor tells Martha about Gallifrey. You'll see what I mean.
The Dalek Invasion of Earth - MANY TEARS WERE SHED. I won't give spoilers, but the ending to this episode is rather heavy. Also it features the First Doctor's most famous lines - so famous in fact that you may have even heard them before without quite knowing the reference.
The Space Museum - When I first saw this, I thought it was the first episode in which the show attempted to be really fucking creepy. But then later I realized it was also the first real timey-whimey episode. So that's cool, too.
The Gunfighters - I am listing this not because it is a good starting episode, but because it is specifically not a good starting episode. Most of this episode is ridiculous and hard to wrap your head around, and it features constant interludes of the most annoyingly catchy song in the universe. In fact John Barrowman once called this "the weirdest episode of Doctor Who ever", and I'd say he wasn't exaggerating. This makes it a good novelty episode and I recommend it if you want a laugh, but not a good place to get a feel for the series.
The Macra Terror - My purpose for listing this is rather similar to that of the Sensorites. Watch this one, then re-watch Gridlock. Be amazed. I warn you however that parts of this arc are categorized among the lost episodes, so if you want to watch it then you'll have to look up a fan-made reconstruction.
The Mind Robber - This one's listed for reasons rather similar to the Gunfighters. It is the trippiest episode I've ever seen. I mean, the TARDIS explodes within the first five minutes and then things just get crazier and crazier from there. I warn you that it might not be a fantastic introduction, but oh god is this a must-see episode in the long run.
The Seeds of Death - If you want to watch Patrick Troughton swim around in huge mountains of foam, watch this episode.
The War Games - This is my all-time favorite Classic Who episode. It's a little lengthy at 10 parts long, but unlike some of the longer arcs, this one never feels slow - it is thoroughly intense the whole way through. It also features the introduction of the most terrifying alien race in the entire series... the Time Lords. In the new series, the Time Lords are not only largely absent but are also made to look like victims in the grand scheme of things. Also their name is played off as sounding pretentious. In the Classics, the Time Lords deserved that title, and watching them here, it's made very clear why the Doctor felt the need to destroy them all in the first place. The Time Lords are a major difference between the Classic and New series, and since this episode is the first time we ever see any Time Lords (renegades like the Doctor obviously notwithstanding), it does make a fantastic introduction.
Spearhead from Space/Terror of the Autons - Remember the Autons? Those living mannequins from the very first episode of New Who? Yeah, they're fucking terrifying in the Classics. It's gotta be the cheap plastic or something... Anywho they came up twice in the Classics, both times in Three's era. The episodes weren't right next to each other, though, I should point out. Also, Terror of the Autons features the Master's debut!
Inferno - I cannot explain why this episode is amazing and worth watching without spoiling it. You'll just have to trust me.
The Daemons - Did you like Satan's Pit? Then feel free to watch the episode that Satan's Pit blatantly ripped off! What's the difference between the two? This one includes the Master performing Satanic rituals. Unfortunately, Satan's CGI doesn't look nearly as nice. Also, the writers for this episode seem to get Satanism and Paganism confused quite a bit. ...I can see why they felt the need to re-do this one, admittedly.
The Green Death - This episode briefly features the Doctor in drag. ...That is all.
Invasion of the Dinosaurs - Ever wondered why there seem to be so many dinosaurs in New Who recently? Well, you'd want all the fancy CGI dinosaurs you could get, too, if the budget and technical limitations of your early days once made your dinosaurs look like this.
Genesis of the Daleks - Remember when, in my summary of "The Daleks", I mentioned that Davros wasn't a thing back then? Well, he is now! :D Enjoy this episode's horrifying and heartbreaking insight into the nature of the Daleks. Also some fans speculate that the events of this episode played a part in triggering the Time War. Food for thought.
Terror of the Zygons - Because it's important to know what the Zygons' transformations looked like before the amazing effects in Day of the Doctor became a thing. Also, did I mention the Loch Ness Monster is an alien?
The Hand of Fear - Terrifying creatures of stone that long pre-date the Weeping Angels.
The Deadly Assassin - Another one of my all-time favorites and a definite must-see, especially if you're eager to see more Time Lords. This episode starts out with the Doctor getting accused of assassinating the President of Gallifrey and is put on trial - with his life on the line, mind you. This episode gets more and more intense as it goes on - even long after the trial is over. It is also the first episode in which the Doctor is not accompanied by a companion throughout, apparently.
Full Circle - This episode is the debut of my all-time favorite companion, Adric. ...That is all.
State of Decay - Vampires. ...No, not fish from space. Actual vampires.
Warriors' Gate - Furry-like aliens. Also some of K-9's best moments.
Castrovalva - A very spacey-wacey episode! Also, the only time the Doctor is in a post-regenerative haze that is so bad, he temporarily forgets how to count to three. I will warn you, however, that my reactions to this post-regenerative state were a mixed bag. As, at the best moments, the Doctor's confusion was kind of hilarious and I got to "d'awwww" at the TARDIS pretty much attempting to nurse him and help him pull himself back together. However, while I would normally forgive the Doctor as he was not in his right mind, the things he did to the outfit he'd been wearing previously - particularly a very iconic piece of neckwear - are just unforgivable... I understand now why Eleven took off his bow tie before regenerating.
Kinda - The visual effects in this episode were surprisingly good. ...Well, up until the very end (you'll know what I mean when you get there). Also, this episode overall was another kind of trippy one, but not so much ridiculous trippy like the Mind Robber. Rather... mildly creepy trippy. @_@ It's a good one, anyway.
Earthshock - There is a reason why this episode has "shock" in the title. The ending to this one was probably the most unexpected thing the writers could have done at the time (and also one of the saddest), and it is a benchmark episode for the series. Try not to Google this episode if you don't want spoilers.
Arc of Infinity - Yet another episode where the Time Lords are trying to kill the Doctor, however this time it is for a much more asshole-ish reason than in all their previous attempts. Also, one of the main Time Lords involved in all this was played by Colin Baker. If that name rings a bell, it's probably because he was later re-cast as the Sixth Doctor. ...That makes this episode kind of weird to watch in the same way that Fires of Pompei is weird to watch now that you can't not think about the Twelfth Doctor.
Attack of the Cybermen - The TARDIS's chameleon circuit was briefly fixed during this episode.
The Trial of a Time Lord - This arc is extremely long at 14 parts long. In fact, some sources will actually count this as 4 separate arcs, but I think it makes more sense to count it as one (even if it might not be possible to watch all at once). In this episode, the Doctor is on trial in front of the High Council of Gallifrey and facing charges punishable by death... again... *scratches head*. Difference is, this time they're holding him responsible for the sort of shit he pulls on a regular basis fucking with time and all that, so the process of going over the evidence, well, explanations aside, basically makes it look like they're sitting around watching some typical Doctor Who episodes, which is interesting. Also, this arc features the most terrifying Time Lord in the entire show's continuity. I have a theory this man will return in New Who season 8. ...And I am so scared.
Remembrance of the Daleks - So, what exact year does the Doctor decide to fight Daleks in this time? 1963. ...Yeah, the writers had a lot of fun in this episode. If you think you'll enjoy a ton of references to One's era and also a lot of other in-jokes then you'll definitely like this one. Also, even if you don't catch all those references and in-jokes, this episode is still surprisingly intense towards the end with a lot of insane twists that I did not see coming. Also, it features the most memorable way in which a Dalek was ever killed. I won't spoil it, but wow is it worth watching.
I'm sorry I haven't watched more Seventh Doctor episodes. You'll probably have more luck randomly poking around than I did.
Hopefully you see now why the Classics can be so hard to get into.
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