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Anung Un Rama wrote:Haven't seen Torchwood yet. My brother said it's not that good though I do want to see it just for more of Jack Harkness. Are there a lot of crossovers? Should I watch it parallel to Doctor Who?
How's Sarah Jane Adventures?

Sarah Jane Adventures is pretty good, but be warned that it's basically Doctor Who for kids. The stars of the show (other than the titular Sarah Jane) are all young teenagers who meet with an older Sarah Jane Smith, one of the Doctor's companions (she was a regular companion throughout the lives of the Third and Fourth doctors, and reappeared during various specials) as she hunts down alien activity and prevents hostile takeovers involving the entire planet. If you really, really enjoy all the aliens trying to take over the Earth stories from Who, Sarah Jane Adventures is probably worth a look, because that's pretty much every episode.

I'd say Torchwood gets better throughout its series, and is well worth a look IMO. "Children of Earth" is particularly good. Also, the end of Series 1 links with the Dr. Who episode "Utopia", and there is significant interaction in "The Stolen Earth/Journey's End".

Speaking of Doctor Who for kids, I was in London last fall and I'm surprised how big it is, over there. It felt like it's bigger than Star Wars over there.

Locclo wrote:

Anung Un Rama wrote:Haven't seen Torchwood yet. My brother said it's not that good though I do want to see it just for more of Jack Harkness. Are there a lot of crossovers? Should I watch it parallel to Doctor Who?
How's Sarah Jane Adventures?

Sarah Jane Adventures is pretty good, but be warned that it's basically Doctor Who for kids. The stars of the show (other than the titular Sarah Jane) are all young teenagers who meet with an older Sarah Jane Smith, one of the Doctor's companions (she was a regular companion throughout the lives of the Third and Fourth doctors, and reappeared during various specials) as she hunts down alien activity and prevents hostile takeovers involving the entire planet. If you really, really enjoy all the aliens trying to take over the Earth stories from Who, Sarah Jane Adventures is probably worth a look, because that's pretty much every episode.

It's really very good. Better than Torchwood IMO, which is bleak and "adult" in a rather adolescent fashion, ie stick some bad language and rubbish sex scenes and it's now Doctor Who for grown ups. The Children of the Earth series was the best Torchwood has been, but there's so much rubbish in the earlier seasons. SJA is more rewarding, it's very pleasant viewing and on several occasions is better than some of Doctor Who's output.

Anung Un Rama wrote:Speaking of Doctor Who for kids, I was in London last fall and I'm surprised how big it is, over there. It felt like it's bigger than Star Wars over there.

Dr who is a British idol, like the queen and tea

corpsesarefun wrote:

Anung Un Rama wrote:Speaking of Doctor Who for kids, I was in London last fall and I'm surprised how big it is, over there. It felt like it's bigger than Star Wars over there.

Dr who is a British idol, like the queen and tea

I knew the old series was, I'm just surprised how popular the new show is, conserding just how many Sci-Fi series there are.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Howard A Treesong wrote:It's really very good. Better than Torchwood IMO, which is bleak and "adult" in a rather adolescent fashion, ie stick some bad language and rubbish sex scenes and it's now Doctor Who for grown ups. The Children of the Earth series was the best Torchwood has been, but there's so much rubbish in the earlier seasons. SJA is more rewarding, it's very pleasant viewing and on several occasions is better than some of Doctor Who's output.

My brother said the problem with Torchwood is, that it takes itself to seriously and that Harkness isn't as much fun in there as he was with the 9th Doctor.

Anung Un Rama wrote:

corpsesarefun wrote:

Anung Un Rama wrote:Speaking of Doctor Who for kids, I was in London last fall and I'm surprised how big it is, over there. It felt like it's bigger than Star Wars over there.

Dr who is a British idol, like the queen and tea

I knew the old series was, I'm just surprised how popular the new show is, conserding just how many Sci-Fi series there are.

like 80% of households watch it at least semi-regularly and almost everyone watches the Christmas specials now.

Amusingly its uncommon for someone under 30 to watch the old series unless forced by nostalgic parents.

corpsesarefun wrote:

Anung Un Rama wrote:

corpsesarefun wrote:

Anung Un Rama wrote:Speaking of Doctor Who for kids, I was in London last fall and I'm surprised how big it is, over there. It felt like it's bigger than Star Wars over there.

Dr who is a British idol, like the queen and tea

I knew the old series was, I'm just surprised how popular the new show is, conserding just how many Sci-Fi series there are.

like 80% of households watch it at least semi-regularly and almost everyone watches the Christmas specials now.

Amusingly its uncommon for someone under 30 to watch the old series unless forced by nostalgic parents.

True dat. Genuinely quite surprised one of the satelllite channels hasn't picked up old Who. Years and years ago, I think UKTV Gold used to show entire stories all at once. Them were the days!

Here we are, I tell my little brother to watch doctor who and before he even finshes the second season he spawned a 3 paged ongoing thread :-)

I've seen every of the new Episodes so far, including the imo best Christmas Special of the new show.
I loved Tennant but with the last few Episodes Smith just nailed the character.

As of the old shows I've only seen the first three stories with Hartnell, wasn't that impressed though.
Is it essential to watch every old Episodes or are there some key ones to follow the main story arc ?

Maybe I'll give Torchwood another try...

Anung Un Rama wrote:

Howard A Treesong wrote:It's really very good. Better than Torchwood IMO, which is bleak and "adult" in a rather adolescent fashion, ie stick some bad language and rubbish sex scenes and it's now Doctor Who for grown ups. The Children of the Earth series was the best Torchwood has been, but there's so much rubbish in the earlier seasons. SJA is more rewarding, it's very pleasant viewing and on several occasions is better than some of Doctor Who's output.

My brother said the problem with Torchwood is, that it takes itself to seriously and that Harkness isn't as much fun in there as he was with the 9th Doctor.

I'd agree with the points raised about Series 1. Series 2 corrects a lot of these, and Children of Earth is the best it has been.

I can't wait, supposedly there'll be new Torchwood this year! It makes me hopeful for Jack being on Doctor Who again.

M@MAX wrote:
As of the old shows I've only seen the first three stories with Hartnell, wasn't that impressed though.
Is it essential to watch every old Episodes or are there some key ones to follow the main story arc ?

I have watched many of the old series, but have never found anything relating directly to the story arc of the current DW episodes. It's almost a new show altogether. I would like them to do something with this time war that they keep taling about. Like a movie or something.

The only real use you would get out of watching through the old series (other than enjoyment, that is - the show DID go on for 20-some seasons, so that should be proof enough that it's a decent show) is to meet some of the Doctor's enemies, and learn some of their origin stories. The Daleks have numerous serials that are, for the most part, really well-done. I recommend the first one just for the shock value of seeing the Daleks in a completely different personality than the modern ones. That, and the fact that they are defeated by the awesome power of a tarp.

(And no, that's not a misspelling. I mean a tarpaulin. Daleks have extreme tunnel vision, so tossing something over one's head is enough to blind it completely.)

Locclo wrote:The only real use you would get out of watching through the old series (other than enjoyment, that is - the show DID go on for 20-some seasons, so that should be proof enough that it's a decent show) is to meet some of the Doctor's enemies, and learn some of their origin stories. The Daleks have numerous serials that are, for the most part, really well-done. I recommend the first one just for the shock value of seeing the Daleks in a completely different personality than the modern ones. That, and the fact that they are defeated by the awesome power of a tarp.

(And no, that's not a misspelling. I mean a tarpaulin. Daleks have extreme tunnel vision, so tossing something over one's head is enough to blind it completely.)

Or a well placed set of stairs

youbedead wrote:

Locclo wrote:The only real use you would get out of watching through the old series (other than enjoyment, that is - the show DID go on for 20-some seasons, so that should be proof enough that it's a decent show) is to meet some of the Doctor's enemies, and learn some of their origin stories. The Daleks have numerous serials that are, for the most part, really well-done. I recommend the first one just for the shock value of seeing the Daleks in a completely different personality than the modern ones. That, and the fact that they are defeated by the awesome power of a tarp.

(And no, that's not a misspelling. I mean a tarpaulin. Daleks have extreme tunnel vision, so tossing something over one's head is enough to blind it completely.)

Or a well placed set of stairs

The safest place to be in case of a Dalek attacking you? The middle of the top floor of a block of UK flats. They have to be UK though, otherwise the Dalek could use the lifts, you know, the big metal boxes that don't work in this country =P

Haven't seen many of the old DrWhos, but in my opinion, the Doctor gets better with each regernation in the newer series. Ecclestone was okay, but he didn't seem to have the eccentricity of the Dr, nor did he really look into it.

Tennant was a lot better at this, but I think the bat-crap-crazy was a little overdone; his choice of companions (*cough* Catherine Tate *cough*) didn't help much. I couldn't ever take CT seriously. After you've watched enough Catherine Tate Shows, you just can't take anything she does seriously.

Matt is doing a great job balancing eccentricity and getting more immersed in the role of the Doctor. His obsessions with random objects can get quite tedious though, "Yes, it's an X, we know it's cool, can you please stop saying it?".

Companion-wise (looking at the main ones; bar SJS), Rose was alright. Micky seemed like he'd been tacked on last-minute and didn't really serve as the character that I think Rory serves currently. Martha was a little dull (Rose had some spark and life) but she knew her way around herself. Tate... I think Donna could've been played by someone else. Tate doesn't fit the role for me, as I mentioned. Karen. I might be considerably biased her for somewhat obvious reasons, but I like how she is as Amy. She pushes the boundaries of the companion and adds a bit more to a character that seems more like a more mischievous Rose. She was especially good in Amy's Choice, as her portrayal of Amy's feelings and emotions at that point in time are what i'd see as spot on. Rory is a bit mysterious. I'm not quite sure what, but something is telling me to expect the unexpected from him. The way he's played so far is a bit half-hearted at times, but i'm sure it'll pick up.

I wonder when they will get to a Doctor Who cartoon...

WarOne wrote:I wonder when they will get to a Doctor Who cartoon...

Technically, about three years ago.

Not a full-fledged Doctor Who cartoon series, but they did make two animated features, with a third one released online.

"Blink" may be the best time-travel related thing since Back to the Future II.

Here's a pretty awesome song about Doctor Who by a band called Chameleon Circuit, they only make songs about Doctor Who, it's called 'Time Lord Rock'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eF1f0ficW3E

This one is about The Doctor and Daleks, my favourite one.

Anung Un Rama wrote:Speaking of Doctor Who for kids, I was in London last fall and I'm surprised how big it is, over there. It felt like it's bigger than Star Wars over there.

It is bigger than Star Wars for British people.

Doctor Who was originally conceived as a children's series and first aired in 1963. It was usually broadcast about 6p.m. on Saturday afternoons, just after the end of the sports coverage. My family is on to the third generation. My parents watched it when it started, then I watched it in the late 60s and 70s, and now my daughter watches the new series.

Kilkrazy wrote:

Anung Un Rama wrote:Speaking of Doctor Who for kids, I was in London last fall and I'm surprised how big it is, over there. It felt like it's bigger than Star Wars over there.

It is bigger than Star Wars for British people.

Doctor Who was originally conceived as a children's series and first aired in 1963. It was usually broadcast about 6p.m. on Saturday afternoons, just after the end of the sports coverage. My family is on to the third generation. My parents watched it when it started, then I watched it in the late 60s and 70s, and now my daughter watches the new series.

Wow. That is really nice.

@ Avatar 720

Amy is useless!!! She is the most worthless companion the doc has ever had. She gets in the way more than anything, and I can't remember one episode when she was actually helpful. Rory is helpful, if only slightly.

but Amy is a cute redhead (I can hope to see the nun's outfit for her Kissagram gig).

Two things to remember about Dr Who. It's as bad as panto gets. It has cardboard sets (virtual cardboard these days) and it doesn't take itself seriously or know how to count.

Nocturnal_Absence wrote:@ Avatar 720

Amy is useless!!! She is the most worthless companion the doc has ever had. She gets in the way more than anything, and I can't remember one episode when she was actually helpful. Rory is helpful, if only slightly.

I never said she was useful.

She is, however, bloody hot!

I don't think any of the companions have been particuarly useful (Excluding Donna in her 'Dr Donna' thing). Ain't they just there so the Doctor has someone to explain things to and the audience can understand whats going on?

Nocturnal_Absence wrote:@ Avatar 720

Amy is useless!!! She is the most worthless companion the doc has ever had. She gets in the way more than anything, and I can't remember one episode when she was actually helpful. Rory is helpful, if only slightly.

Balls I say! Balls!

The one with the void whale. She works it out, and shows the Doctor he can be wrong, and doesn't need to do everything himself. The rest of the season, she was the plot.

It's all about her connection to the crack in time, and how the Doctor, well, I won't spoil it. She very much serves a purpose.

Mr Mystery wrote:

Nocturnal_Absence wrote:@ Avatar 720

Amy is useless!!! She is the most worthless companion the doc has ever had. She gets in the way more than anything, and I can't remember one episode when she was actually helpful. Rory is helpful, if only slightly.

Balls I say! Balls!

The one with the void whale. She works it out, and shows the Doctor he can be wrong, and doesn't need to do everything himself. The rest of the season, she was the plot.

It's all about her connection to the crack in time, and how the Doctor, well, I won't spoil it. She very much serves a purpose.

Just for future reference, I never said she was useless either! *is now protected from all sides

I'll give you the space whale. None of the rest. The doctor was nearly trapped forever because of her connection with the crack in time. She was a trap. SHE was the problem.

Donna was really useful. One memorable moment was when she discovered that the sick days folder in the ATMOS plant was empty. Another was when she Helped stop people from turning into living blobs of fat in Partners in crime. And when she managed to get the Doc to alter 'unalterable' history int Pompeii. I belive we've already mentioned the DrDonna.

Martha saved the Doc's life. She restarted his hearts twice. When Harold Saxon Took over the world she saved it.

With rose all I have to say is two words: "Bad Wolf."

Regardless, she is constantly integral to the plot. Ergo, her character had a serious role to play.

Avatar 720 wrote:I never said she was useful.

She is, however, bloody hot!

M@MAX likes this