Preview
DOCTOR WHO
Runs Tuesdays at 8 p.m.
CBC
British character actor Christopher Eccleston (28 Days Later, Jude, Shallow Grave) is the ninth man to play the sci-fi character known as The Doctor on television. In the 1960s, there were two Doctor Who films starring Peter Cushing, but they didn’t follow the continuity established by the TV series. For that reason Cushing is generally not included in archival listings of the various doctors.
How do I know this? Well, ah… I was doing research for this story and um… all right! I’ll admit it! I am a Doctor Who fan! I have many episodes on tape, I‘ve read some of the companion books and I was quite excited that the series recently launched a new run of episodes on CBC. There, are you happy? I just admitted to being part of a very un-hip sci-fi fan base. Doctor Who fans are generally sneered at by the not-so-lofty likes of people who love Space 1999 and the original Battlestar Galactica series. With my dignity now shattered I will bravely attempt to forge ahead.
Doctor Who is back, with its first ongoing series in 16 years. Episodes from the original TV show that ran from 1963 to 1989 are guilty pleasures to many fans, considering their dreadful special effects and often slipshod acting.
Having viewed "Rose," the initial episode of the new Doctor Who incarnation, I can say those two aspects of the series are vastly improved. The swirling pool of malevolent goo, known as the Netsene consciousness, featured in the debut, is a computer-animated baddie that is a quantum leap forward from the gaudy makeup and rubber-mask villains of the past.
Eccleston skilfully portrays a time-travelling adventurer geared to the modern generation of viewers. Gone are the flamboyant costumes, wacky haircuts and paternal manner of previous doctors. Eccleston’s doc is a driven, quick-witted, leather jacket-wearing guy, at times indifferent to the feelings of others. His new assistant, Rose Tyler (Billie Piper), is a fit and pretty blond lass who looks like she is going to emit terrified shrieks far less than past Doctor Who companions.
The revamped show has been a big hit across the pond. Doctor Who made its debut with huge ratings and the series has already been picked up for next season. Yes, the TV series will continue in spite of the recently announced fact that Eccleston will not be back for another year. It seems the actor is worried about being typecast and wasn’t thrilled with the gruelling shooting demands of the program. Eccleston’s current run of 13 episodes and an upcoming Christmas special will be the extent of his embodiment of The Doctor.
But, hey, let’s not worry about the future, let’s concentrate on the now. The current crop of Doctor Who adventures promises to be very entertaining. And we can look forward to the mid-season return of those lethal garbage cans of death, the Daleks.
Doctor Who devotees know that the Daleks are the long-running No. 1 enemy of The Doctor. They also know that it’s best not to wear a Doctor Who T-shirt out in public for fear of being set upon by those nasty, nerdy bullies known as Star Trek fans. Can’t all you aggressive Spock and Kirk disciples just leave us alone? Please! |
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