Dave -
"Watch Doctor Who" they said. "It'll be fun" they said. However, they did not tell me to have a box of tissues nearby, so there have been a few episodes where I ended up with a tear-soaked sleeve. Yes, I willfully admit the show has made me cry.
Everyone starts their journey with the Doctor at different times. Some start at random episodes. Some start with a particular Doctor. There have 13 so far. 14 if you count the War Doctor that was introduced later in the timeline. Being a completist, I felt I should start with Season 1, Episode 1 of the reboot. I chose that because a lot of the earlier classic episodes from the 1960's are missing and I felt I had a better chance of liking the current era than if I started with the classics. From the moments on screen and the word "RUN!", I was drawn in and there was no turning back. I have since went back and watched everything from the classic run of 1963-1989. The story of Doctor Who is a long one, going back almost 60 years since the first airing meaning has a legion of die-hard fans. One thing is for sure, I can always count on a reaction when I am in public with a Doctor Who t-shirt on. Whether it’s just a nod or a smile from another fan wearing a Doctor Who shirt or sometimes it just strikes up a random conversation on the bus. Comic Cons are also a great place to interact with fans. You can be waiting in line to meet one of the actors and start talking to the fans around you because you know have that similar interest or you can ask them if they have seen any Doctor Who related stuff around. My first time attending NYCC, I spotted a fan and asked if they knew where Jenna Coleman's table was. The NYCC a couple years was ago was a great way introduce the 13th Doctor. I got to watch a panel and the world premiere of the new episode and first-time seeing Jodie Whittaker in action in a roomful of about a 1000 fans !
Jenn -
Doctor who. What can I say or where to begin? Well, I’ll just start from the beginning. When I was younger, to me Doctor Who was something stupid and I never understood why people actually liked it. Well now I do and that’s all thanks to Mels. I remember first watching them online through my computer. This was before Netflix or HBO Max. I also remember asking Mels what happens next, and her just telling me to keep watching. Have you noticed that about her, if you are lucky enough to be her friend you will hear that A LOT! So I did.
I ended up falling for the Doctor and his/her companions. Especially the companions because they’re the ones that actually made you feel like you are with the Doctor on this journey. That TARDIS and the beautiful sound it makes will forever be etched in my memory and I’m not saying that’s a bad thing because it’s not. The Doctor is someone in my opinion who we should all strive to be like, because even with his/her enemies the Doctor doesn’t want to harm them, unless given no choice which that often ends up being the case. If you haven’t joined the Doctor in the TARDIS, I think you should. You will not regret it and it will be the ride of your life.
Mels -
Oh where to start! The Whoverse is just so incredibly large, I think it can be daunting for many people. I have been a Whovian since I was a child and the show was airing with Tom Baker (4th Doctor) on the BBC.
Going through many reincarnations, some better than others, a failed movie reboot in 1996 (which broke up the gap between 1989 and 2005), and a complete overhaul in 2005 with the 9th Doctor hitting the screens, Doctor Who has a huge fan base which has only continued to grow. For the most part new people watch from the 2005 “New Season 1”, (Like Dave and Jenn) but there are several great jumping in points. Personally I always recommend “Blink” (New Season 3 – Episode 10) which features the 10th Doctor (David Tennant), but unlike other episodes is told from the perspective of someone not familiar with the show. This is actually how I hooked Greg - and then he went back and watched from the 9th Doctor's introduction. (Trailer below) Other great jumping in points are the beginning of the new Season 5 which introduces us to the 11th Doctor (Matt Smith), a new Showrunner (Steven Moffat) and no continuing companions, and then finally the beginning of Season 11 which introduces us to the 13th Doctor (Jodi Whitaker) and another new Showrunner (Chris Chibnull), and again all new companions meaning that the story starts completely fresh. Dave has already mentioned the Whovian Fandom. We are vast and many, and yes if you see one in public there will probably be some acknowledgment. That being said, I find that online the fandom (especially long term fans going back to "Original Who" can be quite Toxic and judgy. They are by far one of the most toxic online fandoms I have seen, but don't let that put you off. The Whovian Musers, as with all Muser Shows, are fabulous and supportive. (I will actually be doing a vlog about the Whovian Toxic Fandom in the near future so watch for that!) The other video below is from about 3 years ago, when there were just rumors of the possibility we could have a "Female Doctor", but my thoughts really haven't changed. I think Jodi and the crew are fabulous, and i know my heart will break a little, as it always does, when they leave. Doctor Who has always been a #MustWatch for me – but I love to see all the new Whovians popping up – maybe it could be your next fandom!
The New Doctor Who Episode Will Air New Years Day! Doctor Who Is Currently Available in the US on BBC America and HBO Max.
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