Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Off Topic Utterly OT: So Dr Who then?

Dr Who also developed a cult following in the US during the late 70s-early 80s. I lived in the US for a couple of years during that period and Dr Who was screened every week night on PBS starting with the John Pertwee episodes.

Cliff

No one watches PBS in America. Long time ago as kid I watched PBS because of " Soccer Made In Germany". the ony source of soccer in America at that time. Now I watch it because of the HD content.

PBS was the only thing I found watchable on US television, especially those "spunky two fat ladies" :-)

My favourite enemy was the Yeti.

I was staying with family friends in Philly during the PBS Dr. Who period and managed to see the classic Pertwee storyline which introduced both the Matrix and the Master. All four episodes strung together with no adverts. Marvellous.

Oh yes, and I'm sure there was a sandpit or quarry in there somewhere!

Well there we go, the final episode has just finished. The writing on this particular one wasn't just as strong as the rest of the series, but what a cracking good job they've made of bringing the doctor back for a contemporary audience. The stories have been impressive, and the acting way beyond any previous Who outings. Some amazingly poignant moments, such as Rose going back to meet her dead father, and the last surviving Dalek episode. And very respectable special effects too! I hope they can maintain the same high standard throughout the forthcoming series, but first sight of David Tennant this evening...nah, young pup.

Cheers

George

The problem is he looks just like Casanova... now there's a combined story line to scare the kids!

Let's hope the next series keeps up the standard.

Chris

Extremely enjoyable series which I am sure will get shipped to the US, eventually.

Let's give Mr Tennant a chance. Hope Rose stays on - very pleasing on the eye!

Cliff

Yes, much better than I ever imagined it would be. It made a real change to be able to watch something else on BBC other than Top Gear!

However, there will be nothing to watch on a Saturday evening now. Possibly some crass quiz show?

The few things I didnt like about the series?

1. The Tardis interior is a mess and doesnt appeal.
2. Bit too much nipping back to 'current day' London/Wales. Ok it keeps the costs down but maybe I'm just a tad cynical.
3. Showing a preview of next weeks episode at the end kind of spoils the fun.
4. They started to concentrate a bit too much on the 'well what if we just went back 10 minutes' aspect which the earlier series had avoided as it can get messy (say Back to the Future 2 style). This is stuff we all imagined about the show (what if) but they stayed away from to keep the 'move on to the next adventure' plots going.

Other than that, well done.

I can see I'm not going to win many friends here but I was disappointed. The whole series smacked to me of 'Dr Who meets East Enders' with too many references to the current TV fad of reality/quiz shows (Big Brother, Weakest Link etc). Not what I expected from Dr Who. Rose's mother & boyfriend I found particularly annoying and once the mother brought the tow-truck round to rip open the TARDIS console things really had gone too far. To be fair Eccleston actually made a pretty good doctor (just the right amount of quirkiness) its a pity he's given up so quickly.
I'm a great fan of the Big Finish Audio adventures which have stayed true to the original premise and since they don't have to be burdened by special effects can concentrate on the story instead and some pretty fine ones there have been too. Admittedly one or two have been a bit suspect but even on an off day they beat the new TV shows hands down.
Oh well just my 2p's worth

Graham

The sexiest (OK, I was at that age) were Sarah Jane Smith and the girl from the orbiting space station - anyone know her name - she wore a tight fitting costume (of course).

Best Doctor was Tom Baker... followed by All Creatures Great and Small.

Best baddies were the daleks followed by the Cybermen, with the Centaurans leading the rest a long way behind.

Aidan