DOCTOR WHO advice, anyone?

[proggrrl]

So as I am winding down with my viewing of LA FEMME NIKITA, I've decided my next show to watch on DVD is...DOCTOR WHO. I'm sure a bunch on my flist will be happy to hear it. I figure 8 million Brits must be onto something, right? *g*

FYI Sci-Fi Channel is showing a marathon of the 2nd half of S2 tomorrow as they prep for the launch of S3 here in the states tomorrow night. I am Tivo'ing all of this, but can't decide - so DW fandom friends, tell me: would it be totally lame to start watching from the middle of S2, or should I catch up on DVD first?

Oh and about LFN...for those who care - I watched the "LOVE SLINKY" ep last night! *melts*

Comments

[pathstotread.livejournal.com]

I don't know. I'm such a completist that I can't, in my right mind, suggest jumping into any show in its second season. Plus, I'm a huge fan of season 1. So my suggestion would be to catch up on DVD first, but if you're not completely obsessive about watching things in order like I am, you might be okay just jumping in. If you do, though, you might want to read a few summaries of the basic plot online first.

Either way you slice it, yaaaay Doctor Who!

[suffolkgirl.livejournal.com]

I figure 8 million Brits must be onto something, right? *g*

Yeah, we are, Doctor Who is a lot of fun!

Hm, starting in the middle of the new DW second series - well on the one hand, because DW episodes are all stand alone adventures (with some two-parters), it is the kind of show you can dip into in the middle. However so far each series has also had an arc plot that comes together in the last few episodes of the series, so that might confuse you, and the end of this series in particular might have less emotional impact because you haven't watched all the characters' history.

But to be honest, as long as you know the Doctor is an alien who can travel through time and space, that's pretty much all the backstory you need. I started watching Doctor Who during the Peter Davison years in the early 80s and I haven't seen of the any hundred or so earlier episodes than that to this day, and it hasn't caused me any problems!

[hollywoodgrrl.livejournal.com]

What's benefiting you is the fact that it's a new Doctor in S2 than S1. So it's pretty much only half a season you're catching up on. ;) But I picked up BSH in Home pt 2 and hey, it didn't stop me, lol! Just jump in is what I gotta say. S1 looks a lot worse than S2 as well. And in the middle there are some amazing episodes. You'll catch up eventually and probably even see the ones you've seen again. What's important for S3 is the end of S2. So make sure to see "Doomsday."

[etilia76.livejournal.com]

Oh and about LFN...for those who care - I watched the "LOVE SLINKY" ep last night! *melts*

*melts with you* I really should start rewatching...hmmm...

[brokenmnemonic.livejournal.com]

I've only seen the 1st series of Dr Who, because my ability to remember anything relating to times on television is miniscule (bless downloads and DVD box sets) but the first season was pretty good. I'd say watch whatever you want, though :) A good show will hook you at almost any point, unless it's intentionally arc driven.

[nebakanezer]

I agree that as long as you know the premise you can jump in. Maybe you could download the first episode and watch just that one and then start at season 2. Or read an episode recap about the first episode. They are mostly stand alone stories but there is a little continuity but not actual story arcs. Some characters do return here and there. I say jump in!