24 February 2006

Doctor Who: A Review of the Show


Back in September of 2003, when on a weekend, the BBC announced that after 15 years, Doctor Who was returning -a day that I have been waiting for -it made me excited. Of course, I would be remiss to say it coud’ve come sooner, but its finally here.

Even though the show was announced on that late summer day, it would be a year and a half before it would be broadcast in the U.K. After all, a new Doctor had to be cast and Russell T Davies had to get the scripts together, as he was now the shows new runner.

Davies is one of Britains most respected writers for TV, and has proven again and again that he can produce the best TV on what ever budget he is given. But while he is not known here in the States, he was the creator of one of the most controversial shows to hit the British shores in years. And while the British are less parochial when it comes to sex and sexuality, it still came as a shock to many when Queer as Folk appeared in 1999. It became a hit, not because I think, of the openness of the gay characters and their bed hopping, but because it well written. People may have tuned in to see men getting it on with other men, but, like all good drama, it transcended the tawdriness and people saw that the characters were real, and the writing was crisp and electric (and also featured a character who loved Doctor Who).

The US cable network Showtime picked up the show, or I should say, adapted the show for America. Vince in the UK version who adored Doctor Who, was changed to Michael here, where his love a comic books was highlighted. The US version of QAF ended in 2005 after a five year run.

Anyway, back to Doctor Who. The BBC launched the new version in March of 2005, with Christopher Eccleston as the ninth Doctor and singer Billie Piper cast as new companion Rose. It was an instant hit. But where was it here, in the good old US of A?

For years the classic version of the show, 1963-89, had ben airing on PBS. This new show, more expensive with CGI effects and location filming in Cardiff, Wales, the show was not going to be sold to the usually financially strapped Public Broadcasting System. BBC wanted more money, so they started shopping it networks here in the US. But no one, it seemed, was biting. Perhaps -and they realized way too late - that while the BBC could bully other countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand and what not to purchase the classic series along with the new one, the America network executives just shut their doors.

And then waiting game began.

Meanwhile, only two days after the new Who premiered, the BBC announced that a second season was already being planned (with a Christmas special to air during the holidays in 2005), but new Doctor, Christopher Eccleston, was bowing out. At first, it appeared that the star was doing this because he was afraid of typecasting, which eventually turned out to be red herring on the BBC’s part. It appeared long before the show was broadcast, the BBC was aware that Eccleston only wanted to do one season, and that it was suppose to be a secret. But as history has proven, one person spoiled it. And even though it was an honest mistake, the BBC was forced to apologize to Eccleston.

To further fix the damage that was done, the BBC announced that David Tennant would now become the 10th Doctor and beyond the planned 2005 Christmas episode and second season (along with a 2006 Christmas episode), there would be a third season of 13 episodes (which will include another Christmas episode for 2007).

Then the BBC came to America in January 2006 to work out a deal to bring the show here. With the show already airing in Canada, and with the DVD announced for February 2006 in both Great White North and here in the States, they still wanted a US distributor. As late as 2004 or early 2005, NBC/Universal seemed to be interested in the show, but it did not want the classic show. Now, the BBC seemed to realize that to get the new show on a US network, they would need to pull the classic show off the table.

And a deal was struck. NBC/Universal agreed to air the first season on their sister cable channel, The Sci Fi Network starting March 17. Thus, while the DVD release in Canada would remain for February 14, the US release will be pushed to July 4. And while this is intended to get as many viewers in the US as possible, Americans could still obtain the season boxed set from Amazon.ca, the Canadian version of the popular American one. Same region and all.

And being impatient, I decided to order it. I just could not wait until July 4. It took a week to get here, but I finally saw all 13 episodes, and I tell you it is worth the expense.

The first two episodes -Rose and The End of the World - are somewhat awkward, I guess. As with most "pilots", Rose suffers from too much exposition and a monster -while the Autons are an odd choice to launch the new series -they’ret that menacing. But the acting is superb, with Eccleston’s version of the Doctor being very different from the previous, but still retaining much of the mystery that he should have. If there is a need of a comparison, Tom Baker’s style of goofy humor and Peter Davison’s unearthliness are close to what Eccleston is trying to achieve here.

As for Billie Piper, well, I’m surprised on how good she is; and that’s not meant as I thought she would be horrible. Like all things on the internet, you hear the nastiest things about people. All I knew she was some popular pop singer in Britain, and was now acting. So people must’ve thought she was a horrible singer and was even less talented as an actress. Whatever they said, seems to not have been borne out here. She is a marvel, with a bright smile, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes and probably the most equal of all the Doctors companions.

The End of the World has some of the same issues as Rose, in the sense that once again, much expounding goes on, but the episode seems static with no clear purpose (except maybe as analogy on how "alien" space travel is for Rose -who is hip 21st Century girl with a black boyfriend).

Also, in those two episodes, the show features Rose’s Mum and boyfriend, Mickey (who the Doctor takes an immediate dislike for, calling him Ricky and other names). Camillie Coduri as Jackie Tyler is annoying shrew of Mother who appears to not have her daughters best interest at heart - at least at first. Noel Clarke suffers the same fate, as he appears to be the buffoon the Doctor seems to think Mickey is.

But, it is a testament to Davies, as both come into their own as the season progresses. Atypical of the old series, this first season features many of the adventures on Earth or close by. The arc of the season is Rose traveling with the Doctor, and reactions of her very dedicated mother and boyfriend. Jackie Tyler becomes three-dimensional and Coduri settles in nicely. Noel Clarke easily shakes off the "silly" boyfriend and grows to understand that he really loves Rose (like her mother) but sees that she needs to do what she needs to do. Only do we in Boom Town how important Micky has become and his admittance that he’ll wait for Rose, no matter how long she decides to stay with the Doctor.

Then there’s John Barrowman. Introduced in The Empty Child, this Glasgow born actor who was raised in Joliet Illinois -my old home state - shines as 51st Century Time Agent Captain Jack Harkness. His squared jawed gee wiz attitude makes him a perfect foil for both Rose and the Doctor. And, for the first time in the Who universe, he plays a guy who likes both girls and boys, and doesn’t care that anyone thinks. Only Davies -who is gay - could create a great character as Harkness and only could Barrowman -who is also openly gay - bring such a gregarious character to life without tipping the scale into campiness and other gay stereotypes. Barrowman almost steals every scene he’s in and is close to outshining Rose (which may be the reason he’ll be taking the Jack Harkness character to his own show, as the spin-off Torchwood {an anagram of Doctor Who} will launch in the fall of 2006. I can’t help but wonder if an American TV executive would be brave enough to launch a new sci/fi adventure series featuring an openly gay actor in the lead?).

Emotional, fast, very funny and way ahead of the classic series, this new version clearly shows what a true fan can do when given the chance. While granted Davies has a proven track record, his love of Doctor Who shines through in every episode. He knows what he’s doing and its clear that the BBC understand this, by clearly giving him latitude to do it.

So, while I was not "enthused" so much with the first two episodes, the remaining 11 shattered all my doubts. I mean, anyone that can make the Daleks scary again deserves a fair chance. While improved visual effects have made the Daleks more maneuverable and real, it still comes down to the scripts.

Fantastic, as the Doctor number nine says often. Brilliant also.

Coming soon: Episode reviews.

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