The Day Of The Doctor
Fifty Years In The Making - Doctor Who
A DVD which has been 50 years in the making! The Day Of The Doctor is THE Dr Who Gift! As you will know of course the program celebrated its' 50th Anniversary just a short while ago.
Even if like me you were very young everybody knows the date November 22nd 1963. It was the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas. However, the following day is another landmark day. It was the day that launched a new sci fi series that would go on to be the longest running ever.
The Day of The Doctor appeared on our screens exactly 50 years to the day that the first ever episode of Dr Who was aired. 50 years on. I cannot put into words quite how good it was and it certainly lived up to all the expectations I had. Imagine, in a simultaneous global broadcast, the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary was commemorated with a special episode, the Day of the Doctor. Let me simply say you need to buy it!
Introducing The Day Of The Doctor
As anyone who knows me will be aware I am a massive Doctor Who fan. For that reason I wanted to take a look at why has this cult British sci fi series been so successful, and why is it becoming more and more popular?
Dr Who is one of the flagship shows of the BBC. The original run lasted 23 years, ending in 1986. I was delighted when ten years later, it returned as a one off movie as I hoped that it would mark the return of The Doctor to our television screens. But it took another 9 years for the series to return with the 9th Doctor. From then, it has grown from strength to strength, attracting an estimated 80 million viewers in 206 countries.
Why Is Doctor Who So Popular?
The first key element in Dr Who which is different from pretty much any other series is the change in lead character. The original Doctor was played by William Hartnell, and when he decided to quit the series after only 3 years in the role, it brought a challenge to the show's creators.
Doctor Who Regeneration
They didn't want the show to die with the lead man, and so the regeneration of the Doctor was born. This meant the show could continue for many years. A new Doctor was able to bring a new character, who would still have some of the traits of previous incarnations.
So far, the series has seen 11 different Doctors with a 12th coming at Christmas 2014, and this really helps keep the show fresh and interesting.
Doctor Who Companions
The Doctor has also had many companions that would come and go. In the early days, companions would last perhaps a series, but the newer Doctor's companions would come, go and return with varying frequency. This helped breed familiarity, and also helped delve deeper into the character's personality and their history to be explored.
In the later episodes particularly, we have seen a greater relationship between Doctor and companions that wasn't so obvious in the early days. This shows that the show not only developed main and supporting characters, but also moved with the times as well as audiences demanded more in depth character development.
Doctor Who The Villians
For me The third reason Dr Who has been so successful is the villains. The Doctor has engaged with many adversaries over the years, but key villains return with frequent regularity. The Cybermen, the Master, and of course the Daleks who would be the Doctor's greatest adversary. I can well remember as a child feeling scared but excited as the chilling "Exterminate" boomed from the television and it still sends a shiver up my spine today!
The series has always been able to rely on these return villains, always guaranteeing the highest ratings. I don't know about you but a season without an appearance by the Daleks, would be a little disappointing.
I believe that these three elements, have enabled Dr Who to stand the test of time and continue to evolve. The program's ability to keep a firm foundation of repetition in a similar formula of Doctor, companions, and villains. With the ability to change all these elements and still be the same, but different it has been able to keep it fresh and unique.
From Classic Doctor Who To The Day Of The Doctor
I love watching the classic Doctor Who episodes as much as the current program. From the wobbly sets of the early days, to the high budget computer generated sets of today, Dr Who will keep on going from strength to strength. The Doctor Who 50th anniversary episode promises to deliver more of the same.
Have you ordered your copy yet? If like me you are in the UK then you can also order your copy here: The Day of The Doctor - 50th Anniversary Special.
Buy The Day Of The Doctor Now!
More Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Must Haves!
The 50th Anniversary of Doctor Who offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in the Whovian Universe. The products below are my favorite choices for you and items that I can highly recommend!
The Night Of The Doctor
Before The Day Of The Doctor there is of course The Night of The Doctor!
Watch as Paul McGann sets the scene for the Day of The Doctor and you can also see the trailer for the main event!
Who Is Your Favorite Doctor Who Actor?
Are You A Doctor Who Fan?
Personally I'm not a huge "Doctor Who" fanatic, but this review has made me want to watch some more episodes. Your passion for this franchise really shines through. Worthy posting!
I have been feeling left out for years of not watching Dr. Who. Your review just cinched it! Got to finally check this out!
I am such a nerd - Doctor Who is next on my list.
Didn't this create a massive paradox - if the earlier Doctors know they didn't actually kill off [spoiler so I won't say any more]. Anyway, I've just ordered Enemy of the World and Web of Fear so you know where my allegiance lies! I did like Christopher Eccleston though.
One of these days, I WILL watch a Dr. Who episode! I am beginning to feel left out since I've never seen it! :)
I have seen a few, years ago, but have never seen the whole series. I do have it in my Netflix queue so will be watching it in 2014. Nicely done review.
I have never seen Dr. Who on the telly. Don't know if it was run in my country (The Netherlands) too, but if it did, I must have missed it entirely.
I loved David Tennant -don't really know why because Matt Smith's great too. I remember the very first doctor. I was very young and he scared almost more than the Daleks!
I loved the edge that Christoper Eccleston brought to the role, but then David Tennant proved to be compulsive and compulsory viewing. Well done on LOTD Paul.
Doctor Who? Smiles... I am not a Dr. Who fan but AM a fan of that British guy named Paul. Congrats on LOT D!
PS Forgot to say congratulations on LOTD
As I moved to Spain I missed out on most of the doctors after Tom Baker. Started again with Christopher Eccelstone and have been hooked ever since. It is very occasionally on tv here but now I buy the DVDs. David Tennant is my favorite but I slowly started to appreciate Matt Smith. Will miss the 50th anniversary show but will definitely pre-order the DVD and hope it will be there when I go back to the UK at Christmas. Looking forward to the Christmas special too.
Well done on getting LOTD!
Congrats on Lot D. I started watching the series in the middle but am still enjoying going back to watch the earlier years.
Congratulations on LOTD! Boy I must really be out of touch, I've heard of Dr Who but don't know anything about the character...but now know much more.
Congrats on the LOTD! Well done! Guess I need to start watching!
Beautifully written! Congrats on lotd!!!
Great show. Congratulations on getting LotD!
Well done again, Paul ;)
I can remember the very first series! What a great program and you hit it right on the Nail with this wonderful lens. Well done on the LOTD!
Thanks for explaining the show, Paul. Well deserved spot in that upper left hand corner of the Squidoo home page!
Congratulations on LOTD! It is a wonderful program and 50 years is a big deal. Your enthusiasm shines through :)
I haven't watched Dr. Who in a long time. I think I will start watching again.
Looking forward to the special. I watched the very first episode with William Hartnell - makes me feel very old!
I've still never seen this show, but I know you are a huge fan and my son has expressed an interest, so we're going to check it out. I guess it's better late than never!
- AUTHOR
@FanfrelucheHubs: Now let me think Nathalie hmmmm could it be the one and only David Tennant? :-)
Great job - LotD worthy indeed! You've made me feel like I have to catch up on my Dr Who viewing, and watch this new special.
Now Paul, Guess who is my favorite doctor :)
@pkmcruk: Ah, time travel :) Yes, that's always a nice plot device.
- AUTHOR
@religions7: Well you have to start with what TARDIS stands for - Time and Relative Dimension In Space and then think about where all the villains come from :)
I came late to the Dr Who party.... but now, thanks to BBC America, I'm rivited!
Thanks for this great introduction to the series. I had heard of Dr. Who, but really had no idea what it was about. There is only one thing I don't get: what's the science fiction part of the story? So far it sounds like a who-done-it type show.
Thanks for putting this all together, I had no idea this show had such a rich history.
Congratulations on LOTD, Paul. I know I have one really super excited little girl who cannot wait to see this. She's obsessed with Doctor Who which is odd because we are not. If she likes it, I'll buy the DVD so she can watch it again - and again!
Love Doctor Who!
Sounds like a great gift idea!
Great review.
As a Brit in Canada I am currently guiding my Canadian boyfriend through the Matt Smith seasons (hopefully in time for Day of the Doctor - fingers crossed!) He is thoroughly enjoying them. Then I will take him through the David Tennant seasons, Christopher Eccleston seasons, and back hopefully all the way to the William Hartnell seasons.
Thanks for a great lens.
6 DAYS TO GO!!! :-)
Nice review! Well, that's a great gift idea for all Doctor Who's fans and lovers!
Wooooooo! Can't wait for the special, and the rest of the season! Here's to another 50 years :)
Well done, Paul! :)
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