A Guide for the the Doctor New-Comers

So recently I've been nerd-ing out everywhere.  Okay so not recently, BUT, I have been talking a lot of Who with friends lately.  Now, many of my friends do watch the show, but I keep coming across people I know would love it but fear it's epic cannon.  I mean, not counting the 20-something seasons of the original run of the show, we are 8 seasons deep.  That's a lot of binge watching.  I mean, for me, its a normal amount, but for the average layperson who doesn't crave watching hours of TV, it seems like it requires too much dedication to try.  So I've come up with my own list of Who episodes that include ALL the "new" Doctors (with the exception of the War Doctor but don't worry about that).  The sole purpose of this list is to whet your whistle with the whoniverse.  Every season has an over arching plot line that is more complicated than you'd think they could do with a limited number of episodes, so you'll have to go back and re-watch, but the idea of this list is just to get you hooked.

Blink- Season 3

A 10th Doctor (David Tennent) classic.  The reason I tell everybody to start with this episode is because it's very doctor light.  You learn about the Doctor through the eyes of Sally Sparrow (Carey Muligan) and her misadventures with the Weeping Angels.  This episode is also Time Travel light, so if your not into the timey-wimey explanation of things, this one is for you.

The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances- Season 1

The 9th Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) is not one of the most beloved, but whatever, he carried the weight of restarting a legendary series and I love him.  This is a two-part story and its worth watching back to back, but leave the lights on because it may scare this piss out of you.  This story is completely unrelated to the over-arch of season 1 so you can watch spoiler free.  These two episodes feel more like a movie than a tv show, with limited time travel and the introduction of the fabulous John Barrowman as Capatin Jack it is way way way worth the watch.

Vincent and the Doctor- Season 5

Matt Smith, aka, the 11th Doctor is a charming, childish and yet ancient man who carries the weight of his 900 some-odd years with a wink, a smile and a bow tie.  This episode is early in Matt's run and does contain some elements of the series over-arching plot, but I think its worth the potential spoiler.  The goofiness, kindness and pain of this doctor can all be seen beautifully in this episode.  And let me not forget to mention the brilliant performance of Tony Curran as Vincent Van Gogh.

The Mummy on the Orient Express- Season 8

Now, while I have been LOVING Peter Capaldi as the cantankerous 12th Doctor, I didn't enjoy series 8 overall.  The plots were all WAY to wrapped up in the Doctor's companion Clara (Jenna Louise Coleman) and I didn't feel we were giving the proper chance to really "meet" this new Doctor.  We just got a lot of Clara being cheeky and cute.  Because that's pretty much all she does.  Complaints aside, The Mummy on the Orient Express is a FUN episode that has way more of this new Doctor in it than most of the other episodes.  

The Unicorn and the Wasp- Season 4

I had to throw this in because it is probably my second favorite episode of Doctor Who (my first one being Midnight).  This episode showcases something none of the others listed do.  Humor.  Sure, there is inherent humor in this "meant for kids" show, but this episode is laugh out loud funny.  With my favorite companion Donna Noble (the hilarious Catherine Tate) bumbling about the 1920s with Agatha Christie (Fenella Woolgar).  There is one scene in particular that I will call "The Doctor Detox" that I can watch on loop without it ever losing its charm.

Please let me know what you think of the list, and feel free to comment on any Who Starter Pack episodes you feel should have been included.

The 12th Doctor: Math wiz?

So, it's been a while since I've blogged, work/play/life has been getting in the way as they are want to do.  First off let me say, BRAVO on the Peter Capaldi casting.  I don't seem to be going through the same "who is this guy and why should I like him" thing that I've gone through with every regeneration (yes including Tennant, how can I trust a doctor who cant get out of a coma?)  He opened his Scottish accented mouth and I say "Yes."  This sort of acerbic, scathingly funny doctor is a welcome change from two back to back goofy charmers.  Not that 12 isn't charming, he is just charming in a "I'd always like to be on his good side" kind of way.  I just adore him!  He even elevated my opinion of Clara, now that she isn't the doe eye puppy love of 11.  She actually is developing a personality beyond being in love with the Doctor.

Kinda TARDIS-y?

Alright, enough Capaldi love, time to get to the meat of this thing.  We are already getting lots of hints about the over all story arc here, the connection to the mysterious Missy and the promise land/paradise/heaven.  Speculating on it this too early would be pointless, but my favorite theory is that Missy is a TARDIS.  But I don't want to speculate too much as Doctor Who tends to absolutely pull the rug out from under its fans (River Song is Melody Pond?!)  What I am more interested in is 13's relationship with his past and time.

That time the Doctor went all Beautiful Mind of us

In one of the billion interviews Calpaldi has done promoting this new incarnation, he offhandedly said that his Doctor has a "unique relationship with time."  This is the most interesting nugget of information we've gotten from the tight lipped Scott.  We see in his very first episode "Deep Breath" 12 is sprawling some Galifreyan math all over the damn floor after sniffing out some chalk.  Chalk the presumably was planted by Missy, because why would their be chalk in a bedroom.  So far in every episode that has proceeded "Deep Breath" we have seen some sort of chalk board covered in strange markings.  What is the Doctor doing?  What does all of this math mean.  Certainly Moffat wouldn't keep showing these images without some kind of purpose.  That sly devil always has a purpose!  Also, is it just me or is this doctor the best at flying the TARDIS.  With the exception of is Glasgow screw up, he seems to be getting Clara exactly where she wants/needs to be.  Does this have something to do with the Doctors new interest in theory?

Beyond 12's beautiful mind math, time seems to be catching up with him in all sorts of odd ways.  First off- the face.  The Doctor knows he has seen this face before.  Because he has.  In Pompeii.  The Scottish accent, apparently taken from Amy Pond, his old companion and final hallucination before regeneration.  The clockwork robots connected to the Madame Du Pompadour ship 10 came across in "The Girl in the Fire Place."  And was it me or did that crack in the Dalek look strikingly like the crack in Amy's bedroom???  Could this have something to do with 11 entering his own time stream?  Is the new regeneration cycle messing with the Doctor's time line?  And isn't it interesting that he finds himself once again with his good old friends Madame Vastra, Jenny and Strax who he spent quite a lot of time with as 11?  Speaking of those three, would somebody just GIVE them a spin-off already?  Seriously we all want it.

So what do YOU think?  What is going on with the Doctor and this whole new Timey Wimey craziness?  Whats with the Galifreyan theorems, the new face, the Scottish accent, the reoccurring characters?  WHAT IS HAPPENING!

The Doctor's New Look... meh.

So a few months ago, when Peter Capaldi was announced as the new Doctor, I wrote a blog post about the many fashions of Doctor Who (as can be read here: http://thedefinitionofnerd.blogspot.com/2013/08/we-have-new-doctor-but-nobody-is-asking.html).  Welp, yesterday the first photo of Capaldi's costume was released.... and I was really... really underwhelmed.  And also, kind of disappointed that they released the look so early.  That's probably due to the boom in the show's popularity keeping something as simple as a costume under wraps is probably near impossible, thanks to paparazzi and off set lurkers filming with cell phones.  In fact, Capaldi's casting was leaked nearly 2 days before the big reveal (those most people wrote it off a speculation).  It's always been nice to see the Doctor carefully picking out his outfit, finding his look and debuting it to his companion.  

First off, let me say I am genuinely truly excited to see Capaldi's Doctor, as I respect him as both an actor and a fellow Whovian... but the costume.  Meh.  Maybe it's because Matt Smith gave us such and ICONIC look that following it was doomed, but Capaldi's costume seems lacking, much like Chris Eccleston's to be honest.  It's missing an a signature piece, because not much can really be said for a red silk lined black coat.  I mean, its cool, but it's no bowtie and suspenders or pinstriped suit with converse.  And speaking of converse, what are those SHOES?!  No.  It kind of looks like the Doctor, if the Doctor was Dracula... or Frankenstein.

Well, Clara seems to like it.

Maybe it's just that we haven't seen the outfit in action, flapping in the wind as the Doctor runs from his latest foe, OR they are still waiting to reveal an element of it (I'm hoping for a pocket watch or SOMETHING).  Thankfully, we have not seen what the sonic screwdriver NOR the Tardis will look like, and I pray it's something they are able to keep quiet, I would like to be surprised.

I really cannot wait for new episodes to start, I think Capaldi is going to blow us all away, even if his costume doesn't.  I also can't wait to see how Clara interacts with the "older" Doctor.  Here's to the Doctor's long x13 life!

We Have A New Doctor, But Nobody Is Asking The Real Question: What Will He Wear?!

So this weekend it was announced that Peter Capaldi will be taking on the iconic role of the Doctor in his 12th regeneration.  Now that the question of who the new Doctor will be has been answered, a more important question as arisen:  WHAT WILL HE WEAR?!  Maybe  its just the girl in me, but the Doctor's outfit as been the defining image of each Doctor, from celery pinned to a lapel, or a really cool bowtie.  Each Doctor faces villains, and has different personality quirks, but when somebody yells out "THE FOURTH DOCTOR!" you think "ludicrously long scarf."  Why that situation would arise is beyond me, but you know 4 = scarf.  Like your favorite cartoons, the Doctor is a character whose outfit is always the same, only changing slightly between each episode (maybe a blue suit instead of a brown one, but still exactly the same suit).  So how will Doctor 12 play it, sleek and tough like 9 or absolutely batshit crazy like 6?  Lets take at 50 years of Who fashion.

THE FIRST DOCTOR:  William Hartnell

The 1st Doctor always makes me think, "this is what Dracula would look like if he was your grandpa."  With his high pointed collar and small cravat, the 1st Doctor looks a bit menacing.  That is until he has to go outside sporting a loose cloth beanie looking thing and scarf.  Maybe it's just me, but with his slicked back hair and uncomfortable looking collar, I find the first Doc creepy.

The Second Doctor:  Patrick Troughton

With a bowl cut only a mother could love (or give) and conflicting patterns between his vest and pants, the 2nd Doctor constantly looked like he just rolled out of bed.  With a teeny tiny often askew bowtie (11 wasn't the first one to think bowties were cool), a plethora of fun hats and a bizarre fur coat, I think 2's most defining fashion choice was that haircut.

The 3rd Doctor: Jon Pertwee

If any Doctor's fashion embodied the time period he was in, it is easily #3.  This doctor flounced about in loudly colored velvet suits, capes and ruffled shirts WITH some sort of bowtie or cravat.  With his curly white hair, this doctor karate chopped his foes in style.  He may have been a bit of a dandy, but #3 is one Doctor I would not want to mess with.

The Fourth Doctor:  Tom Baker

One of the most iconic and easily recognized Who outfit was worn by Doctor 4.  With his dangerously long scarf and absolute mop of crazy curls, the fourth Doctor would hide his Jelly Babies in his long coat to take out at the most inconvenient times.  Going back to the cravat, this doctor often wore earthier tones, a stark contrast to his predecessors loud velvet get-ups.  Let's not forget his frumpy hat for outdoor adventures!

The Fifth Doctor: Peter Davison

The most adorable Doctor in my opinion, the fifth Doctor was always dressed to play cricket, with a sweater-vest and candy-stripped pants, he was to date probably the most fashionable of the Doctors.  Well... that would be with the exception of the inexplicable celery pinned to his lapel.  Seriously, why celery?  In a pinch it would provide little to no nutritional value.  Later, the Fifth Doctor's get up got a bit darker and a question mark was added to his collar, but pretty much this was his get up, day in and day out.

The Sixth Doctor: Colin Baker

With the exception of keeping the question marks on his collar, the 6th Doctor wore the polar opposite of muted tones of his predecessor.  What looks to be the product of a rainbow having sex with a clown, we get this rejected member of Godspell.  While I love all the Doctors, I will never understand how this crazy colorful outfit came about.  Despite the insane outfit, Baker was able to shine through, and the Doctor never lost his edge.

The Seventh Doctor: Sylvester McCoy

Taking the question mark motif to a whole new level, the clownish yet sad #7 carried a question mark umbrella while wearing a question mark sweater-vest, paired with tweed pants and some form of overcoat.  Often wearing a straw hat and some kind of loud tie, #7 was the last to carry the question mark, going out with a questionable explosion.... of gunfire.

The Eighth Doctor: Paul McGann

Rock me Amadeus!  That's what I think every time I see this Doctor.  With his strange old fashioned parted in the middle hair and 19th/18th century style, I don't get this Doctors fashion choice.  Maybe it's meant to hearken back to the 1st doctor, but when you are in the 90s and have so many great fashion choices, why would you go here?  It is a nice cravat though.

The Ninth Doctor:  Christopher Eccleston

I do, I really do love this Doctor, despite what others say, but my GOD did he have the most boring outfit.  A leather jacket is the only real iconic piece in the 9th Doctor's wardrobe.  Other than that it's black, black, black.  In a few episodes this Doctor tries to play off this boring wardrobe as fashionable in any age, but considering how his previous regenerations dress... well... yawn.

The Tenth Doctor: David Tennant

SEXY BEAST!  Oh, oh... sorry.  With his pinstripe suits, Converse, floor length over coats and occasional thick framed glasses I would call Ten, dapper as fuck.  Sorry, this Doctor just does things to me.  When I get married one day, this is how my husband will be dressed, minus the 3-d glasses of course.  Or not.  I guess it will depend on my mood.  

The Eleventh Doctor: Matt Smith

If our reigning Doctor has taught us anything its that bowties are cool.  An so are tweed jackets, often with elbow patches, suspenders, pants that are always a little too short, lace up boots and of course, fez...es.  Since the reboot, 11 is the first Doctor to wear something a bit out there.  With his kind of nerdy outfit, he is most known for his bowtie, but I have always been more into his high-water pants that show off #11's strange leg movements that make no physical sense.  With hair that defies gravity, whenever 11 wears a fez... or a stetson, it makes me a little sad.  11 you will be missed!

The Twelve Doctor: Peter Capaldi

So what will our newest member of the TARDIS wear?  Will they bring back the question marks?  Or keep it sleek and modern?  Well we go batshit clown crazy or will we keep the bowtie?  The Doctor's outfit is just as important as his companion or catch phrase.  Both 11 and 10 spent an entire SCENE picking out a new outfit.  IT. IS. IMPORTANT!  I almost wonder though... will they do a nod to Capaldi's previous stint on Who in "The Fires of Pompeii".

My Personal Thoughts: Peter Capaldi, The New Doctor

So yesterday as the clock ticked away I counted down to 2:00 to watch the big reveal of the new Doctor Who.  I felt like a patient waiting for test results.  I was legitimately nervous.  As I waited while BBC America experienced some technical difficulties that made me want to throw my TV out a window, I held onto a pillow and repeatedly told my mom how much I was going to miss Matt Smith.  My mom did not care.  I was so worked up in fact that I needed a day to process before blogging about the big news.   

Here is the thing though.  As I waited in heart pounding anticipation my rational mind told me "It will be fine."  I believe in the Doctor.  When Matt Smith came on I thought, "No way.  No way is this young, kind of doofy looking guy the Doctor.  Not my Doctor!  You can't replace David!"  But you know what?  He has been an incredible Doctor.  I will miss him with everything inside of me, I have come to love him just as much as David Tennant, and being nearly the same age as Smith has made me really appreciate his performance and ability to stuff 900+ years on a 20 something year old face.

So when the internet guessed correctly and Peter Capaldi walked out on stage as the 12th Doctor, I was extremely please.  Just looking at Capaldi, I could see the Doctor.  No, he won't be the lithe jello-like, constantly moving, extremely physical Doctor that Matt Smith has been.  I see Capaldi being a more cerebral Doctor, and that is in part to do with his age, which seems to be the biggest complaint I have read about his casting.  But here's the thing, he is not the first "older Doctor."  The first Doctor was the exact same age as Capaldi when the show started (though he looked much older due to illness).  Jon Pertwee, one of the most popular Doctors was also in his 50s when he took on the role and he karate chopped his way through foes!  Patrick Troughton was in his late forties when he sported his bowl cut and hopped on the TARDIS.

What I am most interested in is seeing Capaldi's relationship with Clara.  Let's be honest, Clara was never really the 11th Doctor's companion, she was the 11th Doctor's challenge.  Amy and Rory were the 11th Doctor's companions.  Clara will really be taking on her companion role with the newest regeneration and I think she will be known more for being the 12th Doctor's companion.  I always felt that her relationship with Smith was oddly awkward and somewhat strained, due in part to the fact that the Doctor was more curious about who or what Clara was.  Now that he knows the truth about this girl who saved his lives, he will be able to settle into a relationship with her closer to that of other Doctor/Companion relationships.  It will be interesting to see how her character shapes to fit in with Capaldi's Doctor.

No matter what anybody says, I think Capaldi is an excellent fit and I look forward to saying hello to a new regeneration as I tearfully say goodbye to an old one.  On a side note, I ran into an old companion this weekend and had a minor mental meltdown on the streets of Manhattan, the city that killed him off the show.  That's right folks, I saw Rory aka Arthur Darvill coming out of his performance in Once as I walked out of seeing Kinky Boots.  Needless to say I had I geeked out hard and may have pushed a girl out of the way to take a picture.