2015/04/03

In 2013 Doctor Who celebrated it's 50th birthday, started in 1963. It ended it's first run in 1989. In 1996 there was one unsuccessful movie, although it seems this one is being appreciated more now, than 19 years ago. In 2005, March 26, Doctor Who returned to TV after a 16 year hiatus.

In the first season Christopher Eccleston was the 9th Doctor, he did a fantastic job, really loved him as a Doctor. His companion was Rose, whom, I believe, is still, for many, the favourite companion of the re-imagined series which started in 2005. Doctor Who was a huge success, the first season had great ratings in the UK as well as in the US. Unfortunately Christopher Eccleston did not want to do a second series, rumours were he was not happy with the working situation, he did not feel comfortable in that working environment.

So after only one season we already got the 10th Doctor, David Tennant was going to be the next Doctor. That's something I always found baffling, lead-actors in North America tend to keep their job as long as possible, actors in the UK apparently don't want to stick around that long, after one, two or three series they need to move on. Anyway I was very worried, I loved the 9th Doctor and I really was afraid I would not like David Tennant 10th Doctor. My fears were put to rest quite fast because David Tennant was a fantastic Doctor, I don't know how they do it there at the BBC but they have a nose for it to select the right actor the audience wants to except with open arms. During this time not one but two spin-off TV series emerged, the first one is Torchwood and the other one of course The Sarah Jane Adventures. We are still waiting on series 5 of Torchwood, which hasn't been cancelled at this point and of course The Sarah Jane Adventures ended after 5 series, with the death of Elizabeth Sladen.

After three series and a year of specials, David Tennant also wanted to spread his wings and he too left the series. Again we, were faced with getting used to a new Doctor. This time it was even harder, David Tennant was very popular, perhaps the most popular Doctor of the new series. I too again was afraid, especially when I saw the first pictures of BBC's choice for the third Doctor. Billie Piper (Rose) left after the second series, Freema Ayeman (Martha Jones), who came with the third series, also left after only one season. During Tennants last series, series 4, he was accompanied by Donna Noble, played by Catherine Tate.

With Tennant, Tate also left the series, after one series, making series five a brand new start with a new Doctor and a new companion. As I said, I really was worried with this third Doctor, Matt Smith, the was only 26 years when he began his role as the Doctor. But for a second time my worries were unfounded, at least for me, I really loved Matt Smith as the Doctor, I thought he was phenomenal, my favourite Doctor of the 2005 series. It's companion Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) was also an instant favourite of mine. However, I was never really fond of Rory, a third wheel, which, for me, was completely unnecessary.  Matt Smith had another companion of course, the one who currently still is the companion to the current Doctor, Clara Oswin, played by Jenna-Louise Coleman. 

In 2013, when Doctor Who was celebrating it's 50th anniversary, Matt Smith was the Doctor of course, it was celebrated with a special in which we see the return of Rose and also the second Doctor of the 2005 series, Davind Tennants' impersonation of the Doctor. We also get to see a cameo of probably the most favourite Doctor of all time, the fourth, played by Tom Baker.

By the time Matt Smith left the series, after 3 series, I wasn't worried anymore, I knew BBC would come up a good actor. And although perhaps a bit of an odd choice, the next Doctor,  played by Peter Capaldi, did replace Matt Smith's Doctor seamlessly, after a few episodes I could hardly imagine anybody else as the Doctor. Great actor, Peter Capaldi, great sense of humour also. I hope he stays on for a couple more series but I'm not worried anymore when the current Doctor announces his departure from the series.

I'm really glad Jenna-Louise Coleman decided to stay on because I have to say, they, the Doctor and Clara, are a perfect team and she is one of the reasons the Doctor works so perfectly. I have one concern, I think the quality of the episodes is much more of a mixed bag lately, at least, as I see it. There are great episodes but also quite a number of mediocre episodes. It is of course hard to keep up the quality after 8 series but I still hope we get to see a few more series at least.

So this concludes my thoughts, happy 10th anniversary for the re-imagined Doctor Who series, 10 years already, where does the time go!

Pictures: kissthemgoodbye.net