Are you looking for a new TV show to binge watch? I have you covered. Doctor Who. Get on it. I didn't think it would be my kind of show, but it's pretty much the only show I continuously watch now.
It's been going on for over 50 years, but don't worry - you don't have to watch 50 seasons because there aren't that many. There is the 'Classic Doctor Who' and the newer Doctor Who. I haven't watched the older DW yet (I know, bad Whovian) but I am quite partial to the new DW, which started in 2005. That's where I started, and I give you permission to start there too.
First off, I don't mean to spoil it for you but his name is not Doctor Who. It's just The Doctor. He says 'I'm the Doctor' and people always say 'Doctor Who?' - get it?
He is a Time Lord, from the planet Gallifrey. He's about 900 years old. He is the only Time Lord left (in the new series). His spaceship is called a Tardis, which stands for Time And Relative Dimension In Space.
There have been 12 Doctors. So basically this show can go on forever! I'm just going to be talking about Doctor's 9-12, because they are the new Doctors.
The 9th Doctor was played by Christopher Eccelston, and he was the first new Doctor.
He only had one season. I
loved him, I thought he was absolutely hilarious.
His 'word' or catchphrase if you will, was Fantastic.
The 10th Doctor was David Tennant. Don't worry, the Doctor doesn't die, he just regenerates. He has all of his memories and whatnot, but he's basically a new person. When David Tennant came on the scene, I was not impressed. I was really sad about Christopher Eccelston, and I only knew David Tennant from Harry Potter, so I was pretty sure I was going to give up on DW because I wouldn't like him.
I'm glad I kept watching because David Tennant is absolutely brilliant and hilarious and I
love him and the 10th Doctor is my favourite. His 'words' are brilliant and Allons-y. Because he is brilliant.
DT was on for 3 seasons, and here is another gif because why not, I love him okay.
The eleventh Doctor was Matt Smith. He's the one
I met last year. It took me awhile to warm up to Matt Smith because I loved David Tennant so much, and though Matt Smith is hilarious, DT is still my fave.
Matt Smith's 'word' is Geronimo. I don't know why I'm telling you their words, but hey. Let's go with it. He also likes bowties and sometimes wears a fez.
Matt Smith was the Doctor for 3 seasons as well. In my opinion, he was the 'weird' one, but in a good way.
Alright, lastly we have the
twelfth doctor who is Peter Capaldi. I'm not gonna lie, so far, I don't love him. He has only been on for one season so far and I feel like he has potential but I guess I'm still attached to the previous 3.
Don't get me wrong, he's still good - it just takes a bit to let a new Doctor into your heart!
He's not very nice, but I guess that's his thing.
Okay, now that we have the Doctors out of the way, let's touch on the companions. The companions are people who travel with the Doctor. I'm not going to introduce every single one (because that would be insane) but I'll share my favourites.
Rose. She was the 9th & 10th's companion. I
love Billie Piper (and I'll be meeting her soon!) and I just think she's brilliant in the show.
Donna. She is definitely my fave after Rose. She is freaking hilarious. I love Catherine Tate. She was 10th's companion.
Amy Pond (and Rory). Pond was 11's companion, played by Karen Gillan who
I also met last year.
Clara. She was 11's companion and is currently still in the show with 12. I liked Clara, but then I didn't and to be honest I think she doesn't fit with the new Doctor.
Don't worry, there have been guy companions as well.
Captain Jack Harkness. So popular, he got his own TV show (Torchwood). He's been in several different episodes with different Doctors.
I missed a lot of companions, but that doesn't mean I don't like them, it just means I need to hurry up and get to the point of this post, which is...
Why you should watch Doctor Who.
Badass women. It doesn't score amazing on the
Bechdel Test but it's much better than a lot of TV shows or movies.
History. Okay, so it might be fictional history but a lot of the episodes bring actual history to life. There's been a Queen or three, Shakespeare, Van Gogh, Adolf Hitler, Agatha Christie and Pompeii to name a few. I'm still waiting for my Jane Austen episode.
It's funny. Well, in my opinion it is. Sassy one liners, witty banter, fabulous characters. Love it.
It's sexy. Sometimes. Okay, not really.
It reminds me of home. Okay, that won't convince you, but.. I dig it.
It's not overly emotional. It's not going to make you cry every episode (cough, Grey's Anatomy, cough) but it might sometimes.
It's a really imaginative show. Sometimes it's a bit out there, but it's a show about a 900 year old alien, I think out there is expected.
It's kinda scary. I'm not into
actual scary stuff, but Doctor Who has made me scream / jump many times.
Great cameos. To name a few; Bill Nighy, Kylie Minogue, Carey Mulligan and Simon Pegg, I love the random and fabulous cameos in DW.
It's super easy to get into. I thought I wouldn't like it because I hadn't been watching it forever and I'm not really into sci-fi. Doctor Who is not complex, it's hardly ever confusing, it's not serious, and it's very light on the science and stuff. There are a few 'multi part' episodes, but most of the time each episode is like a mini movie, it's own little story. There is adventure, romance, comedy, drama - you never know what you're gonna get and you can't really pigeon hole DW. It's just a fun, silly show about an alien.
It's a fun club to be in. Like runners, or expats.. if you meet a fellow Whovian you are instant besties.
It's on Netflix, just in case you are curious.... The next season is due to start Sept 19th..., so you've got a little bit of time to binge watch!