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The New Series of Doctor Who: Fleeing From Format?

Posted by Soulskill on from the this-equals-not-that dept.

An anonymous reader sends in this thoughtful article about the format of Doctor Who: "The New Series has given itself two basic tasks. One, to put back and keep on our screens a program by the name of Doctor Who that maintains substantial visible continuity with the classic series in many ways. Two, and this is where conflicting elements start to come in, to seek to define this resurrected program against many aspects of the classic series, even fundamental aspects, in pursuit of task one. In itself this is neither good nor bad. If anything it is on balance probably a good thing to seek to redress the shortcomings of the classic series, but what matters, ultimately, is the choices involved and their execution."

7 of 170 comments (clear)

  1. Waste of time reading by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    This seems to me like someone doing lots of talking but not actually saying anything. I get the impression that the author likes the sound of his own voice.

  2. Re:Keep the Doctor Who series the same by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    He's basically MacGyver with a time machine.

  3. Re:Based on the summary... by ravenshrike · · Score: 4, Informative

    Trust me, reading the actual review it only gets worse.

  4. Supports the fallacy that there IS a classic Who by uCallHimDrJ0NES · · Score: 3, Informative

    This was interesting and well written in many ways. However, the author makes assumptions about the classic series which are unlikely to be shared by a broad audience, as the comments here so far demonstrate. The "classic" version ran for 26 seasons, and was under constant revision. Originally, there were supposed to be no B.E.M.s. Then, Daleks came. Newman wanted 50 percent historical stories. That lasted maybe a season. The concept of Time Lords wasn't even jelled until season 5 or so, during "The War Games". I could go on for pages, but I won't. The series is similar to a long running superhero comic book, in that the content changes to reflect what the producers feel the audience of the day desires. The author of this article really has a problem with the modern audience (meaning most of you), but he's turned it into a faux critical comparison so he doesn't have to be a hater. That said...you know what? I'm not afraid. I'll be a hater. Holmes and Hinchcliffe rule the Who universe, and those who disagree will one day be exterminated!

    --
    Cloudiot: A person who does not see offsite storage as a way to lose control over access to his or her own data.
  5. Re:Based on the summary... by hawkinspeter · · Score: 3, Informative

    Reading the review has ruined my brain.

    --
    You're a temporary arrangement of matter sliding towards oblivion in a cold, uncaring universe
  6. Re:Based on the summary... by quax · · Score: 4, Informative

    Indeed, TFA could be summarized as:

    • The classic doctors were better.
    • The relaunched series was better in the beginning.
    • Some things are still cool, but so much sucks now.

    And now get off my lawn!

  7. Re:Reincarnation by aitikin · · Score: 3, Informative

    Ah, but they've solved that with River giving the Doctor all her remaining regenerations in "Let's Kill Hitler."

    --
    "Don't meddle in the affairs of a patent dragon, for thou art tasty and good with ketchup." ~ohcrapitssteve