Monster Zero x SciFi Japan - Archive Only

I'm all for the Doctor's face being back in the credits and have never liked the TARDIS' interior in the current series, but using the Daleks again this soon is a BAAAAD idea. I hope the deal with Terry Nation's estate runs out soon afterward and the representatives ask for more money than the BBC are willing to pay. The Daleks have been over-used, and I was hoping they wouldn't pop up again for at least two more seasons (that is, actual seasons; the specials don't count).

I'm going to have to find some other way to watch the series, apparently; BBC America is showing the specials instead of Sci-Fi, and I don't get BBC America anymore. (Had to dump some channels last year, and it was part of the package that I had to let go)

Just a helpful reminder, taken from my posts at Kaijuphile.com...

Doctor Who: The Next Doctor - Airing this Saturday on BBC America!

I'm happy to inform everyone that the first of David Tennant's final adventures as the tenth incarnation of the famous alien hero, will be airing this Saturday on BBC America (check your local times and listings).

Entitled The Next Doctor, the hour long special (which is being aired for this time at least, in it's entirety) is a fun period adventure set in Victorian England, where those soulless cyborg invaders known as the Cybermen seek to convert all of mankind early in history, with the help of the human villainess Miss Hartigan, and their giant robot weapon dubbed the Cyber King.

The Doctor is luckily on hand to stop the menace, but also is joined by a strange yet bold Victorian man (played David Morrissey) who claims that he is the Doctor as well! The Doctor now must stop the Cybermen, while at the same time try to figure out the true identity of this supposed 'Next Doctor'.

It's a overall enjoyable romp, and although it's been mocked constantly by fans and critics alike for the climax, only on Doctor Who can you see a giant Cyberman war-bot rampage across Victorian London, and like all good fantasy-related entertainment, unapologetically so.

Here's BBC America's official page for Doctor Who:



And the spoiler filled Wikipedia article can be viewed here:

Don't get confused by that. The new Doctor Who series that started in 2005 stands fairly well on its own. Yes, they are all part of the same universe of the show that started in 1963, but I'm pretty sure you can just enjoy the new series without knowledge of the old one (1963-1989). Hard for me to say since I've been watching since 1978.

In terms of marketing, the old series is released in no particular order. Some will never get released as they don't exist anymore. Some are released in special packs (like the E-Space Trilogy with 112,113,114), consecutive related episodes or those grouped by themes/monsters (like Beneath the Surface, with 52,62,131).

I think this is about right (do they count Shada? I guess they count Shada)

First Doctor (William Hartnell) - Stories 1-29 - 1963 to 1966
Second Doctor (Patrick Troughton) - Stories 30-50 - 1966 to 1969
Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee) - Stories 51-74 - 1970 to 1974
Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker) - Stories 75-116 - 1974 to 1981
Fifth Doctor (Peter Davison) - Stories 117-136 - 1982 to 1984
Sixth Doctor (Colin Baker) - Stories 137-147 - 1984 to 1986
Seventh Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) - Stories 148-159 - 1987 to 1989
(break of 7 years)
Eighth Doctor (Paul McGann) - Story 160 (TV Movie) - 1996*
(break of 9 years)

Here begins the "new" series that you're watching. They do not use the Story #s on the DVD releases, and instead refer to them as Series One, Two, etc. (as opposed to the older ones, "Season One, Season Two, etc.)

Ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) - Stories 161-173 "Series One" - 2005
Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) - Stories 174-220 "Series Two, Three, Four and Year of Specials)" - 2006 to present
Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith) - "Series Five" starts next year **

Along with (or after) the new ones you're watching, I suggest these classics:

#1 The Unearthly Child
#6 The Aztecs
#37 Tomb of the Cybermen
#46 The Invasion
#62 The Sea Devils
#65 The Three Doctors
#70 The Time Warrior
#76 The Ark in Space
#82 Pyramids of Mars
#91 Talons of Weng-Chiang
#115 The Keeper of Traken
#116 Logopolis
#117 Castrolvalva
#122 Earthshock
#136 The Caves of Androzani
#139 Vengeance on Varos
#141 The Two Doctors
#152 Remembrance of the Daleks
#158 The Curse of Fenric

The ones in bold are one from each Doctor 1-7* that IMO only are the best of those Doctors available.

* Doctor 8's TV Movie may never be released in the US for rights issues.
** EDIT - Just found out that this year of specials is not considered "Series Five". Series Five starts with Matt Smith next year.

Amazingly close to my list of favorites Robert! Though I haven't seen The Aztecs.

I'd probably switch Ark in Space with Genesis of the Daleks in my list.

I liked The Five Doctors quite a lot but it may be nostalgia coloring my like of it more than the actual quality of the show itself. It was my first exposure to the pre-Tom Baker Doctors.

Also in the not-related category is new series director Alice Troughton to Patrick Troughton.

Eccleston left for fear of typecasting.

I think it was more a case of Eccleston wouldn't commit to more than a year out of fear of typecasting and the schedule. I think they knew pretty early on he was only going to be there for one series, which was fine because a) he's one of the UK's best actors and would be a great draw to this "new" series, and b) writer/producer Russell T Davies wanted to introduce the concept of regeneration fairly early on.

I think those are right, but new info may have come out recently that sheds more light on the behind the scenes stuff. I really have to read RTD's book that I bought last year.

Dan's right: Genesis of the Daleks is a must for a number of reasons. Watch that sooner than later!

"The Five Doctors" is... okay. It depends a lot on nostalgia and was written as a gift to the fans at the time. I woudn't make it a priority but if you find yourself enjoying the classics, go for it. This is pretty true of all of the "____ Doctors" stories.

Except for the brilliant 5 minute long "Time Crash".

(it's on The Complete Fourth Series DVD)