Whovian Status: Allons-y
60 years of fandom and a partnership with Disney+ show there are still so many stories left to be told. The future belongs to the Doctor.
Happy 60th Birthday, Doctor Who! It’s been (and continues to be) an incredible ride.
In the vast expanse of science fiction, one show has stood the test of time, captivating audiences for six decades with its iconic time-traveling adventures and regenerating lead character. Doctor Who, the beloved British sci-fi series, celebrates its 60th anniversary, a milestone that echoes through time and space. As we prepare to embark on this primer through the annals of the Doctor's history, we find ourselves at the intersection of nostalgia and anticipation.
The Evolution of Doctor Who Fandom
The Doctor Who fandom has been an integral part of the show's success, evolving and adapting alongside the Time Lord's ever-changing faces. What began as a local phenomenon in 1963 has grown into a global community of Whovians, united by their love for the Doctor's escapades. Fan events, conventions, and an explosion of fan-created content have transformed Doctor Who from a television series into a cultural phenomenon with a dedicated and diverse following.
As the show has aged, so too has its original fanbase, with many introducing it to their children and their children’s children. It becomes a family legacy of fandom to be passed from generation to generation.
Old-School
We can’t talk about the OG Doctor Who episodes without acknowledging that for some episodes, you really just had to be there. With the news that the BBC will be adding over 800 archived episodes to iPlayer, there are many episodes that are simply lost, with them only now existing as faint memories in the minds of fans that watched them on TV decades ago.
The original series, a mixture of low-budget sci-fi and British culture, hit TVs in 1963, with the original role being portrayed by William Hartnell. It had the budget you would expect from an experimental show that told the story of a double-hearted Time Lord from Gallifrey who traveled the stars in his blue police box called the TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension in Space).
No journey through time is without its bumps, and Doctor Who has faced periods of criticism and declining viewership. Yet, like the Doctor's ability to regenerate, the show has consistently bounced back from challenges. The unwavering loyalty of the fanbase has played a crucial role in the show's enduring success, proving that even in the face of low points, the Doctor's adventures continue to captivate audiences.
There were multiple variations of the Doctor as each regeneration led to new adventures and new companions. There are iconic costumes, from a somewhat never-ending scarf to a celery pinned to a lapel, to a sweater vest with question marks. The old series continued until 1989, with what seemed like the end of the show as we know it.
A New Generation Discovers the Doctor
For many. Christopher Eccleston is their first Doctor. Dressed in black, with a wry humor, and a bit of a broken dark spirit, he ran into Rose Tyler, told her to “run,” and we were ready for the ride. But he wasn’t really the first Doctor after the break. He did, however, relaunch the show and start a new era of Doctor Who.
For those who aren’t necessarily diehard Whovians, you’d be forgiven for believing that this was the resurgence of the Doctor, but it wasn’t. In 1996, the Doctor regenerated into Paul McGann and tried to capture the attention of America in a movie of all things. Originally not particularly well received, it now is seen as a missed opportunity, with many fans clamoring for McGann to get a chance to have his own season.
The Baddies: Daleks, Cybermen, and Weeping Angels, Oh My
“What is the one thing evil cannot face—not ever? Itself.” – The Fifth Doctor, Kinda (1982)
The world can be a terrifying and tragic place, and just like we yearn to see superheroes beat the bad guy, the Doctor has his own villains to fight in order to make the universe and earth, particularly, a safer place. Just like you would expect with any classic hero, the Doctor’s rogue’s gallery is filled with aliens, robots, and monsters.
Whether it's the classic villain of the Dalek (see Davros above) who fought the Time Lords of Gallifrey in the Great Time War or the Weeping Angels who touched Amy Pond and removed her from the 11th Doctor's life, these villains create new challenges and opportunities for the Doctor and the companions to rise up and prove that good can win.
In addition to all of these villains, we see a classic one emerges, the Master. The Doctor’s equal in so many ways and yet instead of choosing peace and trying to fight for a better place in the world, he wants to control it. It feels very classic, like Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty. Similar titans with devastatingly different goals, drawn to each other and compelled to fight.
Companions
When it comes to Doctor Who, the companions mean just as much, sometimes, as the Doctors in each regeneration. These companions act as entry points for the viewer. They’re human. They're flawed. They come from different economic backgrounds. They are excited to go on an adventure. They doubt themselves and realize they're important in the universe because of their connection to the Doctor.
That relationship can be platonic or feel familial. Sometimes it's romantic, if we're thinking about Ten and Rose, but the companions hold such a deep place in the lore of Doctor Who because it makes it accessible, because we mere mortals are also a part of these really beautiful, intense stories across the universe.
Whether it’s the old-school Doctor with his granddaughter or the UNITs and Torchwoods of the world, companions’ lives are forever changed.
And the Doctor needs them. The Doctor, at the core, is loneliness incarnate. The last Time Lord, saving the world since he couldn’t save his own.
“I’m old enough to know that a longer life isn’t always a better one. In the end, you just get tired; tired of the struggle, tired of losing everyone that matters to you, tired of watching everything you love turn to dust. If you live long enough, Lazarus, the only certainty left is that you’ll end up alone.” – The Tenth Doctor, The Lazarus Experiment (2007)
The Fan Favorites Return
The announcement of David Tennant's return (as the Fourteenth Doctor) and Russell T Davies' comeback (as showrunner) sent shockwaves through the fandom. Excitement and speculation reached a fever pitch as it was announced that Catherine Tate (Donna Noble) would also return to complete our cast and unite the 10th Doctor with his truest partner in crime. Tennant's iconic portrayal and Davies' influence on the show's narrative and tone are etched in the memories of fans worldwide. Add the chemistry between Tate and Tennant, and we are seated.
It’s important to note that over the years that Davies has been away, many fans have left the series, with many citing a decline in the writing and storytelling. It seems clear that for the franchise to come back to full strength and reinvigorate the fandom, Tennant and Davies returning is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Doctor Who Joins Disney+
In a move that sent ripples through the Whovian community, Doctor Who joined the Disney+ platform. The decision brings both excitement and concern as fans contemplate the potential benefits and changes to the show's dynamic. The increased budget promises a boost in production value, opening new possibilities for storytelling and visuals that have fans on the edge of their seats. But will that remove any of its charm? Time will only tell, but we do love a revamped TARDIS with new bells and whistles.
You simply can’t ignore that Disney money! As soon as we saw the new opener, it was clear that money was no object. Doctor Who joining Disney+ does two things: It opens the show up to an American and international audience far wider than BBC America ever could, AND it’s bankable enough that Disney+ knows it will be successful. It speaks volumes that Disney would see this show as a core fandom and audience it wants to tap into, and it makes a lot of sense since there is overlap in a lot of sci-fi/comic book circles.
As noted here, Disney gets the international streaming rights which offers Doctor Who the reach that many old-school fans may still find unbelievable given that the show was seen as a classic icon of British culture, only to become an international phenomenon.
From David Tennant to Ncuti Gatwa
We have to talk about the bi-generation.
We were ALL ready to say goodbye to David Tennant’s Doctor. We were ready to mourn this man all over again. Let’s be honest; we’re still healing from the first time he left.
That’s not what happened in “The Giggle;” the last of three specials celebrating the 60th anniversary of the show. Instead, we were witness to probably the best display of fan service I’ve ever seen. While viewers all have a favorite Doctor (hint: it’s the one you’d run away with in a heartbeat) David Tennant is the pre-eminent Doctor for many, myself included.
Not only did we not have to say goodbye to Tennant, but we saw his Doctor find peace and comfort. Just like Rose, Donna will get her own Doctor. I was prepared to cry and yet I cried for very different reasons.
This not only offered a completely new kind of regeneration, but it made Ncuti’s job of replacing Tennant that much harder. The shoes (or chucks in this case) were hard enough to fill with a classic regeneration, with a soft glow of Tennant turning into Gatwa. With this bi-generation, Gatwa had to stand side by side with Tennant and carry his own. He had to match Tennant in order to be accepted.
I’m pleased to say that he did just that. He was sassy and comforting at the same time. He was everything the Doctor is known to be, and he gave my Doctor the one thing I never thought I’d see. He gave him comfort. The hug between them was everything to me. It was a declaration of self-love, healing, and it made it possible for my Doctor to stop running finally.
I am eternally grateful. I can’t overstate how powerful it is to see your comfort character be happy and find peace.
https://twitter.com/fabledfool/status/1733709880358551962
As we celebrate Doctor Who's 60-year journey, we marvel at the enduring legacy and adaptability of this beloved series. Like its protagonist, it isn’t afraid of a fight or adapting to live on with a new face. Doctor Who remains a beacon of hope, proving that even across the vastness of time and space, the Doctor's adventures continue to unite fans, old and new.
If you made it to the end and either want to start watching Doctor Who or do a rewatch, check out this episode guide filled with recommendations.
Want to use Doctor Who to educate your children? Check out these resources that discuss the show and history.
To all Whovians, young and old, we invite you to share your thoughts and reactions to the 60th anniversary celebration. Who’s your favorite Doctor or DW episode? What did you think of the specials?
https://t.co/x8RtjVntVL
Until next time, Allons-y.
CG