Poll: Doctor Who isn't very good (My opinion) DO you think it is?

[Lenny Magic]

*head Desk* I hate every British attempt at sci-fi tv series.

 

[TheReactorSings]

I still have fond memories (probably unwarranted) of the older series, particularly the Tom Baker ones, which makes the newer episodes hard to watch. I know it's tongue-in-cheek family fare, but I find the frequent attempts at apocalyptic gravitas (the Time Lords in the last two episodes being a case in point) and CONSTANT music* nigh on unbearable. Every now and then it feels like it's building up some atmosphere and then David Tennant will all but look at the camera and go "Phwoar! How about this then?! What a larf!"

Anyway, not really my thing, although I begrudgingly accept its existence.


*I guess the programme makers have to cue the audience for the split-second changes in mood.

 

[The Fork of Truth]

It used to be pretty good in my opinion, especially when David Tennant got in, but it started to decline after series 3, and by the series 4 finale it was the gloopy, horrifying mess of nonsensical writing and unconvincing acting it has become. I'm hardly optimistic for series 5.

 

[1gremlyn1]

I enjoy watching it, and the effects are better than what i am told they were like back when it first started, and i just accept that the writing won't be great most of the time.

 

[Commander Jack Rankin]

Thanks to PBS here in the States, I became a Who fan. Tom Baker is the definitive Doctor in my opinion, but David Tennant was really good too. Shame to see him go.

 

[Insideout Ink Demon]

I actually do like Doctor Who, though, but I'm really glad Russel T Davies (head writer) has left, as though I'm grateful for him ressurecting the franchise, he wrote the worst stories out of ALL the writers

You can tell it's his because the first half (or first episode if it's a two-parter) seems to build up to something really secret, mysterious, universe-changing and epic. Lots of awesome things pull together and come to a climactic cliffhanger at the end of this segment

The second half (or episode) starts when the cliffhanger is dispelled in a dismissive and "meh" fashion, and the rest of the episode spirals out of control as Russel tries to make it even MORE suspense-ish, before ending with an even bigger anticlimax that leaves everything just the way it was and all the villains DEAD THIS TIME NOT COMING BACK...OR ARE THEY "DUN DUN DUUUH" (They WILL come back, garanteed)

i've noticed that about those episodes, although until now i didn't realise they were Russels eps

OT: it's layed back n enjoyable easy going sci-fi
that said, i do find the episodes very hit and miss.

i also like the fact the series has an openly homosexual/bisexual character who is also a tough guy action hero

 

[AndyRock]

Catherine Tate, was not very good for the series, although I like doctor who it's losing it's touch

 

[Gildedtongue]

Considering I grew up on videotapes of episodes of the Tom Baker era Doctor Who, one learns to stop looking for pretty special effects and sit down for long, slightly convoluted, but largely quirky and enjoyable storylines yarned around A plots, B plots, C plots, and several subplots all gearing towards a climax of the Meta arc (and sometimes those meta arcs can combine into an even bigger arc, like the six stories of the Key of Time saga).

Is it particularly exceptional writing? Not really, but at the same time it tends to be better than what passes for science fiction in the post "Return of the Jedi" era of media. Today, angst and emo whining replace melodrama in what drives most people to pound their heads into walls, but at least in melodrama characters are actually doing something (thus why Final Fantasy IV and VI are better than VII and VIII). Granted, melodrama is hard to pull off effectively and tends to be lost on people, which is why usually angst and emo tends to sell better.

But, considering in 3 years, Doctor Who will be a 50 year old franchise (just pause a moment and let that sink in, the series is 47 years old), the plots have gone just about everywhere, numerous spin-offs, novelizations, and all, and yet there does seem to be A) a big enough draw for people to hear more, and B) new things for him to do. The Doctor, while saving the day, usually, more often than not scrapes by by the skin of his teeth, and by the end usually has sacrificed people he's held dear. The character seems to have plenty of pathos, at least to the fans.

But, in the end, you don't have to enjoy it.

 

[Mordant Marmite]

Note: Only had time to read first page. I do like Doctor Who. Excuse what are likely to be numerous typos...

I suspect you mean season 27 and 28 or so

You correct him and yet you still refer to them as seasons?

*snip

Apart from Tennent being the best so far (he really isn't), what he said. I think one of the worst moments that comes to mind is Tom Baker getting attacked by a Bertie Basset monster. A guy in a suit made from rubber and foam sweets is very hard to take seriously IMO.

As far as episodes go personally my faves are the two-parter (but not two-parter finale) episodes, especially "The Impossible Planet"/"The Satan Pit" from Series 2. The others can be a bit of a hit and miss depending on the writer/director combo; and if Davies wrote it you can probably guarantee it'll suck potatoes. As others have said Moffat seems much better so one can only hope...

In terms of 'companions' the only one that really stands out from the old series (and that's if he can really be classed as one) is the Brigadier. From the revived series Martha was painfully awful. I didn't like the woman in the first place and they made it worse by trying to make her the next Rose (who I wasn't too fond of in the first place). Both Donna's (Tate) first appearance and first episode in a full series were irritating but, like others have said, her character mellowed out a bit and she was alright towards the end (well at least until Davies had her mind wiped back to her irritating-ness).

As for 'The Doctor' himself personally I like the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 9th doctors and was slightly (little did I know) irritated when Eccelston became Tennent. Thankfully I won't have "WH~A~A~AT!!!!!!!!1!!!ONE!!!!!" blasting out of my speakers now he's beggered off. The brief glimpse of the new guy seemed alright though *crosses fingers*.

 

[Mordant Marmite]

Who was the best companion of the David Tennant series? Wilf. Watch the finale. I know, it blew, but watch it. See Wilf? See him take everything in stride, make himself useful, and easy to listen to not to mention funny (with excellent timing) where appropriate? See how Wilf has issues that make him sad, thoughtful, extremely brave and well-adjusted? Seem him wrestle with inner demons from his WWII experience? That's good TV.

Glad to see there are more Wilf/Cribbins fans. Seriously his brief appearance along with Russel Tovey (Alonso), Geoffrey Palmer (The Captain) and Clive Swift (Mr Copper) were the only things that held the "Voyage of the Dammed" episode together.

the New Years episode featured Bernard Cribbens on a laser turret

And it was awesome

 

[The Riff]

Doctor Who is a tv programme on British television that is generally on BBC ONE

After watching the last two seasons of Doctor Who and honestly hating every bloody minute of that tripe. I ask to you fellow escapistians. Do you like Doctor Who!

I personally (and this is just personally) Hate Doctor Who with a passion, it makes no sense and the characters and effects are so poorly done its just upsetting.

For instance.. In the on New Years Eve this person got stuck in a chamber that was about to flood with radiation. Firstly the barrier between him and the outside world was glass and as we know Gamma Radiation works on an electromagnetic wavelength and can only be stopped by high density materials.. like a lot of lead. They tried to explain how this was special glass that doesnt allow radiation to permiate.. okey ill dig...

They zoom into the person in the glass container and you can clearly see that between the door is a very wide GAP, quite noticeable.. so why have the radiation proof glass?

Im probebly just not very good at having an imagination but this isnt really trying.. Also its let down by bad acting and ... Well Catherine Tate... for god sake ...

Also i believe its very popular and want to find out why..

Edit: I have to watch tv with my family every so often.. i get made to watch it. I do not watch it off my own accord.

Dr. Who is great, i loved it. The reason it was glass in the last episode was is so YOU COULD SEE THEIR EMOTION so you could feel sad for

Spoiler

when the doctor had to enter the radiation chamber.

It would have just been stupid if it just was a metal box and all you could hear was mhf mhf mhf doctor, or a low voice that and how would they be able to talk to each other it it was a thick metal room.

The reason they had glass at all was so they could find a unexpected way to kill off the doctor and change doctor. I doubt anyone expected how the doctor died.

 

[orangebandguy]

It's ok, but it's no master piece when it comes to the writing.

There are a few great episodes though.

 

[Danny Ocean]

effects are so poorly done its just upsetting.

That's because it's done by BBC wales. That's a small part of the UK. They can't afford any really good effects.

 

[wolf thing]

some of the episode are good but resantily the writting and storys have gon down hill

 

[BlumiereBleck]

nope, and wasnt it a show in like the sixties or something?

 

[Axeli]

Who was the best companion of the David Tennant series? Wilf. Watch the finale. I know, it blew, but watch it. See Wilf? See him take everything in stride, make himself useful, and easy to listen to not to mention funny (with excellent timing) where appropriate? See how Wilf has issues that make him sad, thoughtful, extremely brave and well-adjusted? Seem him wrestle with inner demons from his WWII experience? That's good TV.

You would have had me with just "he's not just another fangirl wanting to shag the Doctor".

That's why Donna was the best of the companions (official ones anyway). Her gawking/nagging at the Doctor ratio was bearable.

 

[Cosplay Horatio]

I like Doctor Who. I've stopped watching since the first few episodes of Season 4 but I'll eventually get back to them. If not then I'm okay with that.

 

[Bananahs]

It has its good moments.