15 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
15 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Doctor Who 50th Anniversary - Should the TARDIS be retired?

by David Braybrooke
12 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
    • |
Watched the 50th Anniversary episode this weekend and enjoyed seeing the return of Tom Baker, 4th Doctor. In my opinion the series is starting to lose some of its magic, after a five decade run.

Do you agree with this or do you think that Peter Capaldi can breathe new life in to a timeworn show?

And just one more thing: HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOCTOR!!

PS - By asking if the TARDIS should be retired, I was using it as a metaphor to ask if the Doctor really has had his day!? Or do new adventures still need telling about our favourite Time Lord?

Pic taken at 50th Anniversary Dr Who Exhibition:
  • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
    I don't know about the new Doctor. But up until now, the writing is very impressive. Nearly every episode has the requisite "crying moment", a moment when The Doctor shows strength, and when The Doctor shows silliness.

    Possibly (according to me) the best written series on TV.

    I watched it twice. "Whew!"

    I also watched the movie about how the first Doctor Who episodes came to be. It was boring, to me. I switched channels after and hour.

    I think the idea of The Doctor is far more interesting than seeing it filmed.
    I love watching Superman fly. But I don't want to see the wires..or green screen.

    Yeah, seeing Tom Baker was a nice touch.
    Signature
    One Call Closing book https://www.amazon.com/One-Call-Clos...=1527788418&sr

    What if they're not stars? What if they are holes poked in the top of a container so we can breath?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8730903].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author David Braybrooke
    Thanks Claude,
    I miss the Jon Pertwee/Tom Baker eras the most. A bit high camp and silly at times perhaps but engaging and enjoyable! The younger the Doctor regenerations became, the less impressive and likeable they were, IMO.

    I'm ready for a female Doctor Who actually. That would mix up the formula and freshen up the Whovian universe methinks. Vote 1 for a Lady Doctor! ;-)
    Signature
    "The scientific theory I like best is that the rings of Saturn are composed entirely of lost airline luggage." - Mark Russell
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8730969].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    I think a lady doctor would alter things too much considering that he is a man and has all the memories and behaviours appropriate to a man. Also it would alter the history in some way but not quitue sure how because Doctor Who has its own unique set of circumstances. I think a female would be too much of a twist. I believe Peter Capaldi will do what every doctor has done so far and that is to breathe new life and something different to the show. 50 years is an incredible record and it's unique in that the regeneration process can help improve and change the show while still retaining its style and everything else that is Whovian.
    Signature

    Cheers, Laurence.
    Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8731030].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author David Braybrooke
    Oh come on laurencewins, live a little! ;-) What makes Doctor Who great has been its innovative and groundbreaking approach to storytelling and the inventive narrative it uses.
    I think the shock and novelty factor of a Lady Doctor could shakeup the show and help it to attract a brand new audience. Admittedly, the role would have to go to the right woman in order for it to work well. Just an idea. http://www.rte.ie/ten/news/2013/1123...ew-doctor-who/

    On another note, I was interested to read that the 50th Anniversary was a world record breaking one. Here's why: Dr Who anniversary episode, starring Derbyshire's John Hurt, breaks world record | Derby Telegraph
    Signature
    "The scientific theory I like best is that the rings of Saturn are composed entirely of lost airline luggage." - Mark Russell
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8731060].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    David, it's not a case of :"live a little." As an actor and writer/director myself with many years experience I perhaps see some things others may not.
    Because of the uniqueness of this show and the fact that previous doctors and memories can always be referred to, if a female played the role, it would have to affect a lot of previous episodes as well as future ones and that is a scenario that is way too complicated for anyone to write about.
    Signature

    Cheers, Laurence.
    Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8731108].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author David Braybrooke
      Originally Posted by laurencewins View Post

      David, it's not a case of :"live a little." As an actor and writer/director myself with many years experience I perhaps see some things others may not.
      Because of the uniqueness of this show and the fact that previous doctors and memories can always be referred to, if a female played the role, it would have to affect a lot of previous episodes as well as future ones and that is a scenario that is way too complicated for anyone to write about.
      As I said, live a little! Doctor Who is about risk-taking and forward thinking by the very nature of the show. 'Way too complicated to write about'? Give me a break. The world of imagination knows no bounds my friend. Let's drop the ultra-conservative reasonings and think possibilities.

      Long live the Doctor ... in whatever form!
      Signature
      "The scientific theory I like best is that the rings of Saturn are composed entirely of lost airline luggage." - Mark Russell
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8731166].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author David Braybrooke
    Everyone deserves some time off Ken.
    Was just stirring the pot.
    Signature
    "The scientific theory I like best is that the rings of Saturn are composed entirely of lost airline luggage." - Mark Russell
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8731319].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      I don't think it matters so much who The Doctor is played by. There are plenty of actors that could pull it off.

      But the writing us excellent. Every episode there are at least a few lines that I think "Wow! Worth watching the whole episode just to hear those lines."

      To be honest I only started watching it when Christopher Eccleston was Doctor Who.
      Signature
      One Call Closing book https://www.amazon.com/One-Call-Clos...=1527788418&sr

      What if they're not stars? What if they are holes poked in the top of a container so we can breath?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8731653].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    They could NEVER retire the TARDIS. BUT I would kinda like to see the chameleon circuit fixed, even if it was temporary, as that could create some funny situations on its own. So I agree with Ken there. The TARDIS is as much a part of the show as the Doctor is. Yes, they do upgrade the inside which is great but essentially it is still the same blue box/ship it has always been.

    My earliest memories were of Jon Pertwee playing the Doctor as I turn 50 next month so I was too young to have seen William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton.

    I did enjoy the show about making the first episodes on TV last night though. That show came so close to not making it at all and then being shelved after William Hartnell became ill.
    Signature

    Cheers, Laurence.
    Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8731658].message }}

Trending Topics