Doctor Who made me cry. :(

[Fledchen]

My first Doctor Who experience was with the Fox-produced TV movie. I enjoyed it, but not enough to try tracking down any of the old TV episodes. I think I read a few of the novelizations that I'd picked up at used book stores, but I don't remember much about them. They were a "no one is willing to drive me to the library this week and I don't have anything else to read" last resort.

I'm very glad that I overcame my ambivalence and watched DVDs of the first few episodes of the 2005 series. I was hooked, and am now slowly progressing through the original series episodes. Hooray for Netflix!

[The Hooded Claw]

I watched Tom Baker on PBS as a teenager, but have enjoyed the new series.

And I do agree that the departure of Russell Davies is important, probably more important than getting a new Doctor! I have high hopes for the new guiding spirit, "Blink" is my favorite episode, even though it had very little Doctor in it!

I actually like Torchwood better than I like Doctor Who, but I suspect Torchwood ain't comin' back! :-(

[Fledchen]

Originally Posted by The Hooded Claw

I actually like Torchwood better than I like Doctor Who, but I suspect Torchwood ain't comin' back! :-(

The BBC has commissioned a fourth Torchwood series and John Barrowman has confirmed that he's signed a contract for it. It hasn't begun production yet.

[NekoGurrl]

I cried at a couple points, but I think that was part of the plan, Davies gave Davie Tennant a chance to say goodby. From the interviews I've seen with Matt Smith, he shows promise. He defiantly has enthusiasm for the character. What really gives me hope is Steven Moffat taking over as producer. Davies brought the Doctor back to us, but I think Moffat has the range to take us to a new level. Remember, he gave us Captain Jack!

However, there where elements of the finale that where hard to understand. Timothy Dalton was a fantastic choice for the Leader of the Time Lord's, but to name him Rassilon? Confusing to those of us who have followed the Doctor for decades.

Still, I'm looking forward to more adventures in the Tradis...

[Ken Maltby]

I haven't seen much of the whole span of Doctors, just Tom Baker on PBS and a few of
the older guys that proceeded him, then the BBCA "revival" of the series (from the USA
view, I don't remember there being much of Dr. Who after Tom Baker.)

Anyway, somehow I was under the impression that the Doctor always got younger with
his regenerations. I saw "The Five Doctors" but can't remember if that provides any
support for that impression or not.

Luck;
Ken

[Dylrob]

Originally Posted by Fledchen

The BBC has commissioned a fourth Torchwood series and John Barrowman has confirmed that he's signed a contract for it. It hasn't begun production yet.

It'll be interesting to see what direction that takes.

Spoiler:

(Considering that at this point they've killed off most of the main characters)

[Solitaire1]

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

There is a get-out clause for that though - the master is past his 13th regeneration...

From what I understand, The Master's last two "regenerations" (toward the end of the Fourth Doctor's time and in the Fox Movie with the Eighth Doctor) were not true regenerations. Rather, he basically hijacked someone's body. I remember reading in one novel that The Master dislikes having to survive this way and wants another set of regenerations in a true time lord body.

Originally Posted by Lo Zeno

No, but I am more inclined to think that they might take a more "american" approach (american as opposed to the brisith approach) and, instead of ignoring or badly twisting the "established law", shifting the series to another point of view (and another main character) copmpletely.
For example... he's been a father, several times... what if one of his offsprings becomes the "doctress Who"?

It could work to have someone eventually succeed the current Doctor if it grows organically out of the series, rather than being suddenly sprung on the viewers. For example, it could be that one of his companions who has been there a long time is revealed to be one of The Doctor's children. When The Doctor reaches his end, his successor vows to carry on for him out of love and gratitude.

Another possibility is that the 12-regeneration limit is simply the limit on the number of safe regenerations a time lord can accomplish in his/her life. With each regeneration after that, the chance for catastrophic failure and death significantly increase (witness The Master's attempt at a 13th regeneration). It could be that the risk of a horrible and painful death is so high that most time lords decline to risk it and decide to pass on peacefully.

There are at least two precedents for this in the series. Both the Fifth and Sixth Doctor's regenerations almost failed.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by The Hooded Claw

And I do agree that the departure of Russell Davies is important, probably more important than getting a new Doctor!

Let's not denigrate RTD, though; the new series would not have been the success that it was without his work. I agree that he's not the world's greatest writer, but he's a superb executive producer.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by The Hooded Claw

...

I actually like Torchwood better than I like Doctor Who, but I suspect Torchwood ain't comin' back! :-(

Sure doesn't look like it does it....

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Ken Maltby

Anyway, somehow I was under the impression that the Doctor always got younger with
his regenerations. I saw "The Five Doctors" but can't remember if that provides any
support for that impression or not.

Luck;
Ken

William Hartnell wasn't as old as you might think. He started playing The Doctor at the age of 55, and finished at 58.

[JSWolf]

I did finally see part 2 and it was really really good. I'm just sorry we had to lose such a good doctor. Oh well.

[pilotbob]

Ok I acquired (a hem) the whole season four and the end of time part 1 and 2. So... I have some stuff to watch this weekend. I didn't know that season 5 (reboot) had been put off until 2010. No wonder my TiVo didn't record any new Who's all last year.

Personally, Donna Nobel is not one of my favorite companions.

BOb

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Ok I acquired (a hem) the whole season four and the end of time part 1 and 2. So... I have some stuff to watch this weekend. I didn't know that season 5 (reboot) had been put off until 2010. No wonder my TiVo didn't record any new Who's all last year.

Personally, Donna Nobel is not one of my favorite companions.

BOb

Season 4 was broadcast in 2008, Bob. Following season 4 there were 5 "specials":

"The Next Doctor" (2008 Christmas special)
"Planet of the Dead" (shown at Easter)
"The Waters of Mars" (shown in November)
"The End of Time", parts 1 and 2 (shown Christmas Day / New Years' day)

The next "season" starts probably late March this year.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Season 4 was broadcast in 2008, Bob. Following season 4 there were 5 "specials":

Yea.. I know. I think I missed some of them though. Not sure why... I think they weren't on a regular schedule here on the SyFy channel.

Originally Posted by HarryT

"The Next Doctor" (2008 Christmas special)
"Planet of the Dead" (shown at Easter)
"The Waters of Mars" (shown in November)
"The End of Time", parts 1 and 2 (shown Christmas Day / New Years' day)

Ah... thanks... I will have to look for those. The d/l I found included Time Crash and Voyage of the Damned. When did those air?

Originally Posted by HarryT

The next "season" starts probably late March this year.

Yea... gotta check my TiVo season passes to make sure they get recorded.

Thanks for the info.

BOb

[daffy4u]

BOb, do you get BBC America? That's the channel I have my TiVo set to in order to get all the episodes.