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[Mr. Sam]

SPOILER ALERT: This post and the thread as a whole will include spoilers for the Christmas specials (Tennant's final episodes) and spoilers about the current series. Proceed with caution.

It's either Series 31 of Doctor Who or Series 1 of Matt Smith's Doctor. It's not Series 5. The reason is that Series 31 sounds epic and awe-inspiring, Series 1 sounds exciting, but Series 5 sounds boring, like an aging brand, and it's inaccurate.

If Moffat says it's Series 1, who I am to argue? It's Series 1. Or 5, or 31, or Fnarg. Or even 'New Series'. Whatever.

On New Year's Day, both David Tennant and Russel T. Davies bowed out of the series with The End of Time. This was to make way for the new Doctor, Matt Smith, and the new executive producer/lead writer, Steven Moffat - a man who has already written several acclaimed Doctor Who episodes, including:

"The Curse of Fatal Death" (Comic Relief Episode, 1999)
"The Empty Child" / "The Doctor Dances" (2005)
"The Girl in the Fireplace" (2006)
"Blink" (2007)
"Time Crash" (Children in Need Mini-Episode, 2007)
"Silence in the Library" / "Forest of the Dead" (2008)

In summary, the confirmed writers for Series 1 are (with parenthesis indicating number of episodes written):

Steven Moffat (6), Mark Gatiss (1), Gareth Roberts (1), Richard Curtis (1), Toby Whithouse (1), Chris Chibnall (2) and Simon Nye (1).

Directing duties for:

Adam Smith, Andrew Gunn, Ashley Way and Jonny Campbell.

The good folks at GallifreyBase have put together a rough episode list (spoilers and inaccuracy ahoy!): http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8H3NvF7Sa_Q/SxQ1K3oxXQI/AAAAAAAAAaM/AgsJ9kUuUvE/spoilerchart.JPG

Confirmed Episode Titles as of 4th March:
Episode One - The Eleventh Hour - GAF Consensus: An exceptional start, if not Moffat's best ever.
Episode Two - The Beast Below - GAF Consensus: Keeps standards high, but leaves us wanting in some areas.
Episode Three - Victory of the Daleks - GAF Consensus: The first non-Moffat episode, and it shows. Disappointing.
Episode Four - The Time of Angels
Episode Five - Flesh and Stone - GAF Consensus: A brilliant two--parter, inexplicably described as "not the greatest thing ever" by some.
Episode Six - Vampires in Venice - GAF Consensus: Witty, charming and good fun. Shows Who can be written well by people who aren't Steven Moffat. Isabella can't act though.
Episode Seven - Amy's Choice - GAF Consensus: Pretty well-liked, yeah. But who, really, is the Dream Lord?
Episode Eight - The Hungry Earth
Episode Nine - Cold Blood - GAF Consensus: An uneven two-parter with a lot of surprises - some good, some bad.
Episode Ten - Vincent and The Doctor - GAF Consensus - OHMYGOD SO SAAAAAAAAAAD! And yet so happy.
Episode Eleven - The Lodger - GAF Consensus - Nice, clean fun. Genuinely humorous. And not nearly as bad as Love and Monsters. Phew.
Episode Twelve - The

Spoiler

Pandorica

Opens
Episode Thirteen - The Big Bang


It's odd that a series that is itself a relaunch of an old series should be relaunched, but that's exactly what happened. Sort of. For some, the departure of RTD as lead writer and executive producer and the arrival of Steven Moffat was a relief. Others, however, were sceptical of this "12 year old with a crackling voice" and his ability to fill David Tennant's shoes.

With that in mind, here I have DoctorWho's views. The user, obviously.

The beauty of Doctor Who is that the conceit of the character being able to regenerate gives the series itself a continuous opportunity to evolve. This is one of the primary reasons that the show continued to be as successful as it was during its initial run. With people tiring of RTD's "cheese" the transition to a new Head Writer and to new branding for the series will keep the series fresh in the minds of the audience.

To help you make your mind up, here's the official BBC preview of Series One:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnPUF8an-XE

And here are the tenth doctor's final moments:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsVYit2WSsY

The trailer for Series One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpbmMhNe6aA&feature=player_embedded

We have a new logo (above), a new Doctor, a new assistant, a new TARDIS, a new, well, everything. Let me take you through it.

The Eleventh Doctor - Matt Smith

Here is Matt Smith in his brand spanking new Doctor outfit. Far removed from Tennant's outfit and even further removed from Eccleston's outfit, it's kind of... old school. Then again, a lot of things in Moffat's series seem to be re-imaginings of 'old school' Doctor Who. I must confess, I've seen little of the original Doctor Who and so am not qualified to comment. I can say that I don't hate the new outfit, despite previously proclaiming the bow tie was "a step too far". Expect Smith to be one of the quirkier Doctors. Well, more than Eccleston. It would appear he even has a catchphrase:

Spoiler

"Geronimo!"

New Companion (Amy Pond) - Karen Gillan

Or assistant, if you prefer. Ah yes, Karen Gillan, the new red-haired companion. I do believe that one (over)enthusiastic GAFfer proclaimed he would "fuck that 'til my dick snapped off". Charming. People wonder why Sally Sparrow was scared off. Just how she comes into contact with Smith's Doctor is, understandably, under wraps. Pictures seem to suggest that it isn't long after the regeneration. Personally, I think that previous companions have been inconsistent (Donna being the best, Martha the worst) but - judging from images alone - think that Gillan will prove a success. As always, in Moffat we trust.

New Tardis - It's All Shiny

That's Time And Relative Dimension(s) In Space to you. Yep, another new thing. Who woulda thunk it? A result of Tennant smashing up the old Tardis during his regeneration, the Tardis (or TARDIS) now has a nice retro look. Reports also suggest the interior has changed - as would make sense. There's a blurry picture of a little bit of the inside knocking around on the internet, but I don't honestly think it's that interesting. It's very likely that the Tardis will now have multiple floors. This is really just representative of the change (we hope) Moffat is bringing to the series.

Oh, and I almost forgot:

New Sonic Screwdriver

This calls for a captioning contest.

My thanks to:
DoctorWho, smarties00, Wes, infiniteloop, Burai, Linkzg, APZonerunner.

I'll update the OP with important information as it becomes available. I'll do my best to keep it relatively spoiler free though.

 

[infiniteloop]

Quite looking forward to this. 6 episodes of Moffat even if they are watered down will be a great thing.

Little snippet I saw today:

Matt Smith: 'My Doctor is less tolerant'

Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith has said that he will play the role in a different way to his predecessors.

The 27-year-old actor, who takes over from David Tennant this spring, told Doctor Who Magazine that he hopes to bring a new chemistry to the role.

"My character will be less tolerant than a lot of those who have gone before him," he said.

He added of his assistant Amy Pond, played by Karen Gillan: "And Amy's got real fire in her belly. But there's also great affection and love there, and we're developing that all the time."

[url]http://gallifreybase.com/forum/showthread.php?t=31344[/URL]

 

[DrForester]

From the previews, I'm kind of disappointed that the

Spoiler

Weeping Angels

are back. It was a good stand alone episode and I liked them being one-shot villains.

Also, was it an intentional reference to them in the "End of Time" specials with the two Time Lords behind the president covering their faces, or am I looking into it too much.

 

[gerg]

The Empty Child was the episode with "Are you my mummy?", wasn't it?

It was one of the few episodes of Doctor Who I enjoyed before I thought the series became rubbish. I haven't watched it since.

 

[infiniteloop]

The Empty Child was the episode with "Are you my mummy?", wasn't it?

It was one of the few episodes of Doctor Who I enjoyed before I thought the series became rubbish. I haven't watched it since.

Watch 'Blink'. It's an episode from Series 3.

 

[kaching]

Is there a specific start date yet, or is still just "Spring 2010"? And any idea if BBC America plans to air the new episodes in close proximity to the original UK airing?

 

[JonathanEx]

You didn't list Curse of the Fatal Death, also a classic Moffat episode.

 

[infiniteloop]

Is there a specific start date yet, or is still just "Spring 2010"? And any idea if BBC America plans to air the new episodes in close proximity to the original UK airing?

Seems likely it'll be around Easter, but nothing definite.

 

[bengraven]

I watched half of one Dr. Who episode and enjoyed it, but I have no idea where to start on this series.

 

[gdt]

When/where can I see this in America? Sci-Fi, err, SyFy?

 

[Mr. Pointy]

Will we still get that Neil Gaiman DW ep anytime?

 

[Mr. Pointy]

I watched half of one Dr. Who episode and enjoyed it, but I have no idea where to start on this series.

You should probably start with Season 1 (Christopher Eccleston) of the new series then go from there.

The original series is reaaalllllllly not to everyone's taste. I personally can't watch any of it.

 

[Messypandas]

Has the tardis gotten bigger?

Looks huge there

 

[Blader]

When/where can I see this in America? Sci-Fi, err, SyFy?

BBC America

 

[gdt]

BBC America

Ah, ok. Starting when?

Edit: And when/if will they be airing the last special. I guess the one where they switch Doctors...?

I have been out of DW for awhile.

 

[Tim the Wiz]

Will we still get that Neil Gaiman DW ep anytime?

Unless he's writing a special, he won't be doing it this year. At least, that's how it appears now - all the episodes seem accounted for.

 

[Blader]

Ah, ok. Starting when?

Edit: And when/if will they be airing the last special. I guess the one where they switch Doctors...?

I have been out of DW for awhile.

They just aired that last weekend. I think they're re-airing Waters of Mars and The End of Time this weekend too.

 

[gdt]

They just aired that last weekend. I think they're re-airing Waters of Mars and The End of Time this weekend too.

Yeah, I see it on the schedule (End Of Time). All three hours.

It's on right before Chuck too, nice.

 

[bengraven]

You should probably start with Season 1 (Christopher Eccleston) of the new series then go from there.

The original series is reaaalllllllly not to everyone's taste. I personally can't watch any of it.

Ah, Eccleston's series was a reboot? Of sorts?

 

[FnordChan]

Ah, Eccleston's series was a reboot? Of sorts?

Doctor Who went on hiatus in 1989 and, a TV movie aside, didn't return until 2005, where Eccleston picks up the role. This wasn't really a reboot - it's the same Doctor and the old continuity hasn't gone anywhere - but its' probably a better starting place for someone completely new to Doctor Who than the old series.

You should probably start with Season 1 (Christopher Eccleston) of the new series then go from there.

Alternately, I'm hoping the new series will make for an excellent jumping-on point. The only backstory that anyone really needs to know is: "The Doctor is a very old alien who travels through space and time as one of the good guys. Periodically he regenerates (read: the actor changes) and his time machine looks like an old police phone box. The Doctor usually has a companion with him so there's someone to whom he can explain the plot." At that point they're good to go, and you aren't left trying to talk someone through the worst portions of the Davies run. Clean start and all that.

That said, if I were trying to turn someone on to New Who, I'd throw some of the best stand alone episodes of the new series at them rather than suggest they start from the top and watch a full season. Here's my suggested list:

The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances (2005 eps 1.9-1.10)
The Girl in the Fireplace (2006 ep 2.4)
The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit (2006 eps 2.8-2.9)
Human Nature/The Family of Blood (2007 eps 3.8-3.9)
Blink (2007 ep 3.10)
The Unicorn and the Wasp (2008 ep 4.7)
Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead (2008 eps 4.9-4.10)

There, 11 episodes and nothing continuity heavy or anything that goes more than two episodes.

Survey says?

FnordChan

 

[JonathanEx]

Ah, Eccleston's series was a reboot? Of sorts?

Doctor Who had not been on TV for a considerable number of years, with the exception of a one-off TV movie. The 2005 series was a very different show to the stuff before it. Well, production-wise. The same idea and elements behind the show, but it was made for a modern audience.

Edit: I found this on YT today. Rather good copies of the music from the specials, without dialogue. Somehow. http://www.youtube.com/user/fundns

 

[Mr. Sam]

I watched half of one Dr. Who episode and enjoyed it, but I have no idea where to start on this series.

There are only four series (Edit: of "New Who"), excluding the recent specials, so Series 1 (the, uh, other Series 1) with Eccleston is a great place to start. Otherwise, I don't think anybody would blame you for kicking off with this Series 1.

Well, the people that consider David Tennant the best Doctor ever might blame you.

 

[Mr. Sam]

The new series begins in the UK Easter Saturday April 3rd - its just been confirmed on Steve Wright's Afternoon Show on BBC Radio 2.

The things you find in YouTube comments. I'll put this in the OP if I can confirm it.

 

[Alphahawk]

Just a heads up to new Who fans: You can watch every single episode of the 2005 series up untill the specials on Netflix instant streaming...

Edit: Also technicly this is Series 5, although BBc apparently refers to this series internally as "Series one"

 

[Barkley's Justice]

did moffat write the episode in the library last year? i thought that one in particular was excellent.

 

[gcubed]

i recently got back into Doctor Who and went on overload when it was on a 48 hour marathon on BBC America last weekend. Cant wait for the next series, i wish BBC America would pick it up and air it close to the same time as original air date.

 

[JonathanEx]

Edit: Also technicly this is Series 5, although BBc apparently refers to this series internally as "Series one"

And will externally. Moffat said that it's either Series 31 of Doctor Who or Series 1 of Matt Smith, but not Series 5. It's all one show, technically, and that's what they're getting at.

And yes, Moffat wrote the library episode.

 

[OMG Aero]

Matt Smith: 'My Doctor is less tolerant'

Wasn't Tennant supposed to be man of no second chances?

I'm still wary of Matt Smith, but then again I was wary of Tennant when he first appeared.

The good folks at GallifreyBase have put together a rough episode list (spoilers and inaccuracy ahoy!): http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8H3NvF7Sa_Q/SxQ1K3oxXQI/AAAAAAAAAaM/AgsJ9kUuUvE/spoilerchart.JPG

WAIT, THE

Spoiler

CYBERMEN

ARE BACK? HELL YEAH

 

[mjc]

did moffat write the episode in the library last year? i thought that one in particular was excellent.

Yeah he wrote Silence in the Library and Forest of the Dead.

 

[Mr. Sam]

Yeah he wrote Silence in the Library and Forest of the Dead.

Both of which I purchased on iTunes just the other day. Not entirely sure why, but it made good watchin'.

 

[smarties00]

Awesome thread!
Hopefully much more news in the coming weeks.

For are American cousins the tenth doctors final moments on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsVYit2WSsY

 

[infiniteloop]

I much prefer 9's regeneration to 10's. Tennant's was way too dragged out.

 

[Tim the Wiz]

The original series is reaaalllllllly not to everyone's taste. I personally can't watch any of it.

Not even Tom Baker? Hell, I even enjoyed the older ones with Pertwee and Hartnell. Davidson was the last Doctor I could watch, though; something about McCoy just put me off.

ABC (that is, the publicly funded Australian Broadcasting Corporation) started airing most of the original series nearly a decade ago. Unfortunately, they stopped with it maybe three or so years back - or, they actually finished all the episodes (as I said, I bailed out around the time when McCoy was introduced) and saw little point in continuing with the reboot being such a hit.

 

[Mr. Sam]

For are American cousins the tenth doctors final moments on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsVYit2WSsY

Thanks! Added to the OP so everyone can watch it. Nice that it has Smith in there, too - I don't think the BBC iPlayer version did.

 

[Sqorgar]

The original series is reaaalllllllly not to everyone's taste. I personally can't watch any of it.

Classic Who is considerably better, but I would be wary of recommending it to anyone under the age of twenty. Seems this upcoming generation can't watch anything made before the 90s. They just wait for the remake.

(Yes, I sound like a bitter old man, but in my opinion, the scientific stupidity of reversing the polarity of the neutron flow looks like quantum theory next to "let's fly the earth" or "let's burn the entire atmosphere, everyone duck!".)

But if you are having trouble with Classic Who, go further back. The second and third Doctors had less special effects, generally speaking, and spent more time on the characterization and stories. I've been watching The Krotons (2nd doctor) and it is probably more watchable than most of Baker's era.

 

[joeyjoejoeshabadoo]

Just a heads up to new Who fans: You can watch every single episode of the 2005 series up untill the specials on Netflix instant streaming...

Edit: Also technicly this is Series 5, although BBc apparently refers to this series internally as "Series one"

Thanks for the heads up. I've wanted to get into the series and didn't know about the BBC America marathon until it was too late.

 

[Regulus Tera]

On New Year's Day, both David Tennant and Russel T. Davies bowed out of the series with The End of Time. This was to make way for the new Doctor, Matt Smith, and the new executive producer/lead writer, Steven Moffat - a man who has already written several acclaimed Doctor Who episodes, including:

"The Empty Child" / "The Doctor Dances" (2005)
"The Girl in the Fireplace" (2006)
"Blink" (2007)
"Time Crash" (Children in Need mini-episode, 2007)
"Silence in the Library" / "Forest of the Dead" (2008)

You forgot The Curse of Fatal Death, you prick!

 

[Mr. Sam]

You forgot The Curse of Fatal Death, you prick!

This is the second complaint now, so I put it in.

 

[Regulus Tera]

This is the second complaint now, so I put it in.

Okay. :lol

Spoiler

I wasn't being totally serious.

You people should really watch it, nevertheless.

 

[Tim the Wiz]

Classic Who is considerably better, but I would be wary of recommending it to anyone under the age of twenty. Seems this upcoming generation can't watch anything made before the 90s. They just wait for the remake.

Nonsense, as I can personally testify. Either that, or I was an odd kid.

 

[BocoDragon]

Ohhh... I'm kinda excited for this! I totally tuned out of the Who revival a couple years into Tennant's reign. He was actually one of the best Doctors ever... and I really don't like the look of this new Doctor... but none of that matters. It's all about writing and general series direction. It had become a chore to get through the RTD era with its silly plotting and lame companions.

And this new companion looks cute! I'm in. Just gonna jump in with this one, I can catch up with the latter years of Tennant later.

 

[Blader]

I much prefer 9's regeneration to 10's. Tennant's was way too dragged out.

I don't mind that, Tennant's departure is a big deal for me.

And millions of British children too, I imagine. :lol

 

[infiniteloop]

Things I would like from this next series:
- Have at least one episode where it's not some alien causing mischief. There was plenty of classic series stories where they'd run into trouble with the locals and have to find a way out. How many aliens are hiding on earth? How many historical figures encountered an alien?
- Have the same Doctor/companion team next series. There's never been a series of new Who with the same coupling as the previous series.
- No earth crisis for the finale. We've done people running out their houses freaking out over spaceships/planets in the sky numerous times now.

 

[Mr. Sam]

Okay. :lol

Spoiler

I wasn't being totally serious.

Don't worry, I know. :lol If Time Crash qualifies, I don't see why Curse of Fatal Death wouldn't.

 

[APZonerunner]

I watched half of one Dr. Who episode and enjoyed it, but I have no idea where to start on this series.

You should start with Eccleston or the new Series in Spring. One of the two, I'd say.

 

[distantmantra]

i wish BBC America would pick it up and air it close to the same time as original air date.

BBC America aired the two End of Time specials 24 hours after they aired in the UK, so they're on the right track.

 

[genjiZERO]

I don't mind that, Tennant's departure is a big deal for me.

And millions of British children too, I imagine. :lol

Tennant is my favourite Doctor. I'm sad to see him go, but I think they fleshed him out as much as they could, and I liked the way the series was tied together and ended. So I think it ended as well as it could. I'm a little sceptical of the new doctor (but that's to be expected), but I really like the work Moffat has done so I'm a bit optimistic the show will be good.

 

[MCF]

I'm glad Euros Lyn isn't directing any eps. His stuff always seemed awful.

 

[pnjtony]

I'm glad Euros Lyn isn't directing any eps. His stuff always seemed awful.

He directed Torchwood: Children of Earth. I thought that was pretty good.

 

[Regulus Tera]

I'm glad Euros Lyn isn't directing any eps. His stuff always seemed awful.

This reminds me, why did they not call Graeme Harper back? He was my favourite director from the RTD era.