Is it important to watch the early Dr. Who series'?

[Dangit2019]

I very recently made myself get into Doctor Who by watching the episodes on Netflix, and personally, I love it so far. My problem is, I know that there's much more episodes from the original series that isn't on Netflix, but I'm wondering how important it is to search these out for entertainment value.

My question is: Is it important that a "true" Doctor Who fan watch the original series as well as the new series?

 

[bobmus]

If you're looking for some kind of validation of what makes you a 'true fan', then don't.
Because the answer probably involves Rule 34.

I've only ever really watched the new Whos, because I found the old stuff badly dated.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

Inb4 TimeLord.

I don't watch Dr Who, but from what I've heard, you don't have to have watched the old Who to know what's going on.

 

[CODE-D]

I havent ever watched dr. who, so no not really.

 

[Sixcess]

The old (or as it's sometimes referred to 'classic') series is not essential viewing. Doctor Who has never been very strict about continuity and the revived series, from Eccleston onward, tells you everything you need to know.

Whether or not you'd enjoy them as entertainment is a matter of individual taste. I grew up with the original series, from Tom Baker onward, so I'm used to it. a new and dare I say it younger viewer might find the pacing and style of the old show jarring - not to mention that the special effects are often famously cheap.

But Who was never about the sfx.

If I was going to recommend one story to watch to get an idea of the old show I'd pick Genesis of the Daleks - first appearance of Davros and really the story that redefined the Daleks as what they are today. Plus it's Tom Baker, who will always be the Doctor in my biased eyes.

I'm sure other Whovians will be along shortly to recommend other episodes. With ten Doctors and fifty years to choose from, and wildly varying styles throughout that time, there's something for everyone. It's all a matter of personal taste.*

[sub]*(but Tom is still the best)[/sub]

 

[Rylot]

I never did and I enjoyed the new series just fine. It might be fun to go back and see them for shits and giggles but definitely not necessary.

 

[Hazy992]

I've never watched the old Dr. Who and I don't plan to either. I enjoy the new series just fine.

 

[Amarok]

To quote Neil Gaiman on the topic:

"There?s a big blue box. It?s bigger on the inside than the outside. It can go anywhere in space and time, sometimes where it is supposed to go. Something will go wrong, and there?s some bloke called The Doctor who?ll make it all right because he?s awesome. Now sit down, shut up and watch Blink."

To summarise: You don't have to watch them, but if you think you'll enjoy them, why not?

 

[Kermi]

If you really love old sci-fi, it might be worth watching some of the older episodes. Tom Baker was good - but the show is awfully dated and most of the stories are poorly paced across 4-episode arcs. It's fun to check out one or two of these and it sometimes gives you background that is worthwhile, but it's not necessary.

The new series does a good job of establishing the core concepts and main villains - I DO recommend you start with the beginning of the new series (with Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor) and watch all (or at least most) of the new episodes instead of just jumping into the current (Matt Smith) era.

To quote Neil Gaiman on the topic:

"There?s a big blue box. It?s bigger on the inside than the outside. It can go anywhere in space and time, sometimes where it is supposed to go. Something will go wrong, and there?s some bloke called The Doctor who?ll make it all right because he?s awesome. Now sit down, shut up and watch Blink."

To summarise: You don't have to watch them, but if you think you'll enjoy them, why not?

Oh yeah. The "Blink" episode is pretty much the greatest thing ever.

 

[Tanis]

You don't HAVE TO, but there are some REALLY good arcs within it.

Personally, I'd suggest the books (audio and text) if you're in some kind of time limit.

Don't forget:
Many of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Doctor's stuff has been lost/is of low low quality.

Which is a shame because Smith (11th Doctor) based much of 'his' Doctor on the 2nd Doctor's style.

I mean, name another Doctor who TALKED A Dalek TO DEATH.
Yep.

 

[GinraiPrime]

While no its not a necessity to watch the classic Doctor Who to enjoy it I think it can be abit of an eye-opener for alot of people if they choose to. True to alot of people who are used to flashy special effects it will look dated but look past that, you'll find some excellent stories, memorable characters and if you're curious about it then give it a go. I might sound alittle bias saying this because I've grown up on the older series', my oldest brother got my into Doctor Who at an early age and he's nearly gotten all of the VHS releases that the BBC did back in the day, soon to start on the audio stories. Some stories do have some long arcs and lengthy amount of episodes but you have to remember that this is when the stories were done on weekly and I think on some every other day basis's. Plus having more episodes lets them show more story moments, which is more than can be said for some of the newer shows. Thats probably one of my few little niggles about the new shows that at times they can feel abit rushed in the story department, whereas in the classic its more of a build to, which I think is better in the long run.

Bottom line; If you're interested in seeing the original series, go for it! If not then no worries, the new shows seem to be doing fine and thankfully don't need alot of explaining to know whats happening.

 

[Thedutchjelle]

If you really love old sci-fi, it might be worth watching some of the older episodes. Tom Baker was good - but the show is awfully dated and most of the stories are poorly paced across 4-episode arcs. It's fun to check out one or two of these and it sometimes gives you background that is worthwhile, but it's not necessary.

The new series does a good job of establishing the core concepts and main villains - I DO recommend you start with the beginning of the new series (with Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor) and watch all (or at least most) of the new episodes instead of just jumping into the current (Matt Smith) era.

To quote Neil Gaiman on the topic:

"There?s a big blue box. It?s bigger on the inside than the outside. It can go anywhere in space and time, sometimes where it is supposed to go. Something will go wrong, and there?s some bloke called The Doctor who?ll make it all right because he?s awesome. Now sit down, shut up and watch Blink."

To summarise: You don't have to watch them, but if you think you'll enjoy them, why not?

Oh yeah. The "Blink" episode is pretty much the greatest thing ever.

I thought the same thing of Blink until I couldn't sleep at night without checking my room every minute.

OT: I didn't know Dr. Who existed until a friend of mine recommended it to me. I started watching the "new series" (With rose) and then caught up. I don't really feel that i miss anything.

How they pulled that off with one episode what most directors can't do with a whole movie is amazing.

 

[GinraiPrime]

You don't HAVE TO, but there are some REALLY good arcs within it.

Personally, I'd suggest the books (audio and text) if you're in some kind of time limit.

Don't forget:
Many of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Doctor's stuff has been lost/is of low low quality.

Which is a shame because Smith (11th Doctor) based much of 'his' Doctor on the 2nd Doctor's style.

I mean, name another Doctor who TALKED A Dalek TO DEATH.
Yep.

To my knowledge (without looking at a wiki mind lol) only about 1 episode of the 3rd Doctor is missing and it was from Invasion of the Dinosaurs I believe. Pretty much everything else of Jon Pertwee's era is avaliable.

 

[Tanis]

To my knowledge (without looking at a wiki mind lol) only about 1 episode of the 3rd Doctor is missing and it was from Invasion of the Dinosaurs I believe. Pretty much everything else of Jon Pertwee's era is avaliable.

I think even THAT is, partly, available.

However there are several 3rd Doctor episodes that are of...questionable...quality and/or black-and-white, when they were broadcast in color.

It's not a MAJOR issue for me, but it might be for the 'graphics whore' generation.

 

[GinraiPrime]

To my knowledge (without looking at a wiki mind lol) only about 1 episode of the 3rd Doctor is missing and it was from Invasion of the Dinosaurs I believe. Pretty much everything else of Jon Pertwee's era is avaliable.

I think even THAT is, partly, available.

However there are several 3rd Doctor episodes that are of...questionable...quality and/or black-and-white, when they were broadcast in color.

It's not a MAJOR issue for me, but it might be for the 'graphics whore' generation.

True, the ones that were in black and white only were colourised later on, such as The Daemons and Terror of the Autons. My brother does have Invasion of the Dinosaurs on VHS and I think the 1st episode is the one missing, theres basically a summary at the beginning and then jumps ya straight into the 2nd episode if I recall correctly

 

[Tanis]

True, the ones that were in black and white only were colourised later on, such as The Daemons and Terror of the Autons. My brother does have Invasion of the Dinosaurs on VHS and I think the 1st episode is the one missing, theres basically a summary at the beginning and then jumps ya straight into the 2nd episode if I recall correctly

The Daemons was pretty good...
I think the BnW actually ADDED to it.

Well, yes, but there are 'fan releases' out there.
It's amazing the level of dedication folks have.

They'll take 50 different versions of an episode and cut-n-paste it into one complete(ish) episode.

 

[The_Echo]

It's not necessary to watch the older Who.

I've only followed the series starting with the revival, but I do plan on watching the rest of the show. I know I'm missing out on some good stories, and it'd be nice to see how the show evolved.

 

[Duggan1]

The show's mythology is huge. It would be a significant effort to collect all of the episodes ever, which most fans simply won't or can't do. The writers want to keep the show popular, so it's written for the relatively new fans. Sure, if you're master of the who-verse you'll get about one or two extra jokes and call-backs in each episode, but essentially anybody can fully enjoy the show without the mythology. I recommend watching all of the netflix episodes, references to earlier tend to be very nonspecific, such as to previous gizmos seen in the tardis. Just watching the specials will clue you into those references. When in doubt, look it up to the internet. Somebody will explain it.

 

[malestrithe]

It's not necessary for the current series.

It might be a better experience overall. Stuff made after 2005 tends to be about God solving complex problems for his little pets and crying when they do not work for him. The older series with all of the other Time Lords roaming the time continuum kept the Doctors in check meant that God could not always get away with his actions.

 

[Supertegwyn]

I may be slightly biased, but I reckon it's worth it. I grew up with it though, so that is a factor.

Not necessary for the new series however.