Doctor Who episodes rec meme
Nov. 14th, 2011 09:23 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
selenakVia calapine:
Rec one TV story per Doctor. Not neccesarily your favourites, but ones you think might appeal to newbies. This is your chance to sell your favourite Doctors!
Hartnell: The Aztecs, all the way. I'd never start anyone not familiar with Old Who on the pilot, but by the time of The Aztecs everything great about the original Team TARDIS has come together. Has the original Doctor-Companion argument about whether or not time should/can be changed, Barbara is outstanding in it, there is one of the best cliffhangers around, the Aztecs themselves are neither patronized nor demonified, and the One/Cameca story is just lovely. (And has interesting parallels in the much later Girl in the Fireplace.)
If you don't have The Aztecs available: The Romans. The Barbara and Ian interaction is divine, just so very relaxed and charming that it's impossible to believe they're not a couple at this stage. Bonus points for realistic depiction of ancient world slavery. One behaves as if on speed at times, but hey.
Throughton: The Invasion on dvd. Which has amazing cartoon restoration in the burned parts (complete with New Who retcon - check out the "Bad Wolf" graffiti in Isabel's apartment), a great villain in Tobias Vaughn, UNIT gets introduced which means we get the Brig in fine form, Two poses mid-invasion for the press and team Jamie-Two-Zoe are incredibly indearing all around.
Pertwee: Spearheads from Space. Almost like a second pilot of the show, and I find this one works better than An Unearthly Child on new viewers. Especially ones who like the early X-Files and get a Scully and Mulder vibe from Liz Shaw and the Brig (only the Brig > Mulder, obviously). (*looks atmonanotlisa*) Three gets introduced as a work in transition as a post regeneration Doctor should (Pertwee displays some Two-ish mannerisms early on in the hospital though he sheds them quickly) and acquires some quintessential Three traits, including his insistence that he can't possibly accept money from the Brig but you know, a lab, a fast car, snappy clothes and an assistant would do just fine. (Who was it again that said the Brig had to feel like a man keeping a capricious mistress a lot of the time Three works for him?) Bonus point: shower scene!
Alternative: Mind of Evil. The one thing Spearheads from Space is lacking is Delgado!Master, and here he is in fine form, with the slashiness between him and the Doctor turned up to the nth degree (complete with torture-leading-to-life-saving scene). It's also an excellent Jo story (very good to show those who insist Jo is "useless" as she here not only demonstrates her escapologist skills in a prison full of violent criminals in charge but pwns the Master), and has the Brig in terrific form throughout. Extra bonus: the Doctor and Master conversation where the Doctor tries to explain who Bessie is (his car, newbies) via gestures.
Tom Baker: errr. Here I have a problem. City of Death is the certified classic because of the Douglas Adams script, the Paris location and the Doctor-Romana coupleness as its height, and it gets universally voted as one of the top DW stories of all time, but - it was actually the second or so DW story I watched, ever, and, err. It didn't work for me. Didn't leave me enchanted at all. This is heresy of the first degree, and maybe it would be completely different now if I rewatched, but in-her-early-20s-me basically shrugged and didn't watch more DW for ages. But maybe I am the lone exception and everyone else would be drawn in. Otherwise, I would go for, wait for it, The Keeper of Traken. Why? I love the costumes and the fully realized world that is Traken (Renaissance type politics and scheming are always welcome), and Anthony Ainley actually gets to act, with his pre-Master character being quite endearing so when the Master takes over his body, it's really a blow.
Davison: only if your potential newbie has watched all the other Doctors first: The Five Doctors. Unabashed fanservice, but very well done and very entertaining, and contains the priceless scene of the High Council sending the Master to save the Doctor as well as a voice appearance from Rassilon that makes his Timothy Dalton characterisation much later utterly unsurprising. Also the Two and Brig scenes are aw-inducing, and Five making his getaway at the end is just quintessential Doctor-ish.
If your newbie has not seen any DW before: Black Orchid. It's just plain charming and fun, Davison gets to play cricket, the scene of Tegan teaching Nyssa how to dance the Charleston is adorable, and also it's short.
Colin Baker: here I'm cheating and recommend going for the audios as an introduction, to be specific, The Marian Conspiracy. Not only do the audios give Colin Baker a chance to show what he can do with good scripts and without Eric Saward but this particular story introduces the wonderful Evelyn, near-60 historian whose dynamic with the Doctor is one of the best things ever. Also the script treatment of Mary Tudor is layered instead of black and white, and the scene where the Doctor draws a direct parellel between Mary causing the death of many of her subjects for what she sincerely believes is their salvation and the greater good and some of his own actions is awesome.
If it has to be a tv story: Mark of the Rani, for the three-way Time Lord bickering and the Rani basically refusing to pass notes between the Doctor and the Master and being one of the most memorable DW characters ever. (Shame her second story, the only other one, didn't live up to this.) There is the minus of the Six and Peri interaction being as usual on the unpleasant side of bickering (they hardly ever go the balance right) and the historical setting used very blandly instead of memorably, but the Rani, Rani-Master and Rani-Doctor-Master scenes definitely make it all worth it.
McCoy: Curse of Fenric. For the most unusual use of a World War II setting in the Whoverse (hint: it's not about the brave little island resisting the evil Nazis), sympathetic Russians, co-dependent Ace and Seven hurt/comfort, Ace and her mommy issues being focused on creatively, and that sublime scene in which we find out what the Doctor has faith in. (His companions, all of them.)
McGann: well, there is only the tv movie of doom as far as on screen Eight is concerned, so you should totally go for the audios. Chimes at Midnight is genuinenly twisty and scary, and should work even if you haven't heard Charlie stories before because the necessary information to understand this particular story is worked into the dialogue.
Eccleston: The End of the World. It's one of the best RTD scripts, has Nine displaying both his darker (not just towards Cassandra but also towards Rose) and more empathic sides, the Nine-Jabe chemistry is awesome, and the use of Tainted Love will never fail to put a big smile on my face. Plus the cinematography, in lack of a better term, is gorgeous.
Tennant: The Fires of Pompeji. The Doctor and Donna interaction is awesome, moving from the funny ("I am Spartacus", and few people do banter as well as Tate 'n Tennant) to the serious (the big argument about whether or not to change history with a new tragic twist) and showcases why this is still my favourite Doctor-Companion combination of New Who, the Rome sets are put to very creative use and make the episode look as expensive as it was, it brings home the destruction of Pompeij as a real loss of human life in a way none of the movies ever sold me on it, the look of the Pyrophiles reminded me of the bodies of the actual dead from Pompeii I've seen in museums, the geekery is great (with the family bearing the name of the Cambridge Latin course characters), and the call back to Old Who is typical for the RTD era in that it's a treat for Classic fans but doesn't confuse newbies, either (it's the scene where Ten emphatically and very unconvincingly denies he had anything to do with the fire that burned Rome in Nero's time; see also: The Romans). Bonus: spot the Karen aka Amy Pond in a minor role. In conclusion: DID I MENTION I LOVE THIS EPISODE TO BITS?
Smith: The Doctor's Wife. It was this or The Eleventh Hour, but while I agree that the later is one of the best introductions of a new Doctor and the show, and I love little Amelia as much as anyone, The Doctor's Wife trumps it. It focuses on the Doctor/TARDIS OTP in a way that is comprehensible even if you haven't followed all their history before, the Neil Gaiman script is charming, quirky and scary in different turns as you expect Neil Gaiman scripts to be, it also manages to give us a great Amy and Doctor friendship scene and excellent Amy and Rory scenes, and House is a suitably callous and mind-games loving villain whose defeat feels very satisfying indeed. In conclusion, I love this one to bits, too!
calapine: Rec one TV story per Doctor. Not neccesarily your favourites, but ones you think might appeal to newbies. This is your chance to sell your favourite Doctors!
Hartnell: The Aztecs, all the way. I'd never start anyone not familiar with Old Who on the pilot, but by the time of The Aztecs everything great about the original Team TARDIS has come together. Has the original Doctor-Companion argument about whether or not time should/can be changed, Barbara is outstanding in it, there is one of the best cliffhangers around, the Aztecs themselves are neither patronized nor demonified, and the One/Cameca story is just lovely. (And has interesting parallels in the much later Girl in the Fireplace.)
If you don't have The Aztecs available: The Romans. The Barbara and Ian interaction is divine, just so very relaxed and charming that it's impossible to believe they're not a couple at this stage. Bonus points for realistic depiction of ancient world slavery. One behaves as if on speed at times, but hey.
Throughton: The Invasion on dvd. Which has amazing cartoon restoration in the burned parts (complete with New Who retcon - check out the "Bad Wolf" graffiti in Isabel's apartment), a great villain in Tobias Vaughn, UNIT gets introduced which means we get the Brig in fine form, Two poses mid-invasion for the press and team Jamie-Two-Zoe are incredibly indearing all around.
Pertwee: Spearheads from Space. Almost like a second pilot of the show, and I find this one works better than An Unearthly Child on new viewers. Especially ones who like the early X-Files and get a Scully and Mulder vibe from Liz Shaw and the Brig (only the Brig > Mulder, obviously). (*looks at
monanotlisa*) Three gets introduced as a work in transition as a post regeneration Doctor should (Pertwee displays some Two-ish mannerisms early on in the hospital though he sheds them quickly) and acquires some quintessential Three traits, including his insistence that he can't possibly accept money from the Brig but you know, a lab, a fast car, snappy clothes and an assistant would do just fine. (Who was it again that said the Brig had to feel like a man keeping a capricious mistress a lot of the time Three works for him?) Bonus point: shower scene! Alternative: Mind of Evil. The one thing Spearheads from Space is lacking is Delgado!Master, and here he is in fine form, with the slashiness between him and the Doctor turned up to the nth degree (complete with torture-leading-to-life-saving scene). It's also an excellent Jo story (very good to show those who insist Jo is "useless" as she here not only demonstrates her escapologist skills in a prison full of violent criminals in charge but pwns the Master), and has the Brig in terrific form throughout. Extra bonus: the Doctor and Master conversation where the Doctor tries to explain who Bessie is (his car, newbies) via gestures.
Tom Baker: errr. Here I have a problem. City of Death is the certified classic because of the Douglas Adams script, the Paris location and the Doctor-Romana coupleness as its height, and it gets universally voted as one of the top DW stories of all time, but - it was actually the second or so DW story I watched, ever, and, err. It didn't work for me. Didn't leave me enchanted at all. This is heresy of the first degree, and maybe it would be completely different now if I rewatched, but in-her-early-20s-me basically shrugged and didn't watch more DW for ages. But maybe I am the lone exception and everyone else would be drawn in. Otherwise, I would go for, wait for it, The Keeper of Traken. Why? I love the costumes and the fully realized world that is Traken (Renaissance type politics and scheming are always welcome), and Anthony Ainley actually gets to act, with his pre-Master character being quite endearing so when the Master takes over his body, it's really a blow.
Davison: only if your potential newbie has watched all the other Doctors first: The Five Doctors. Unabashed fanservice, but very well done and very entertaining, and contains the priceless scene of the High Council sending the Master to save the Doctor as well as a voice appearance from Rassilon that makes his Timothy Dalton characterisation much later utterly unsurprising. Also the Two and Brig scenes are aw-inducing, and Five making his getaway at the end is just quintessential Doctor-ish.
If your newbie has not seen any DW before: Black Orchid. It's just plain charming and fun, Davison gets to play cricket, the scene of Tegan teaching Nyssa how to dance the Charleston is adorable, and also it's short.
Colin Baker: here I'm cheating and recommend going for the audios as an introduction, to be specific, The Marian Conspiracy. Not only do the audios give Colin Baker a chance to show what he can do with good scripts and without Eric Saward but this particular story introduces the wonderful Evelyn, near-60 historian whose dynamic with the Doctor is one of the best things ever. Also the script treatment of Mary Tudor is layered instead of black and white, and the scene where the Doctor draws a direct parellel between Mary causing the death of many of her subjects for what she sincerely believes is their salvation and the greater good and some of his own actions is awesome.
If it has to be a tv story: Mark of the Rani, for the three-way Time Lord bickering and the Rani basically refusing to pass notes between the Doctor and the Master and being one of the most memorable DW characters ever. (Shame her second story, the only other one, didn't live up to this.) There is the minus of the Six and Peri interaction being as usual on the unpleasant side of bickering (they hardly ever go the balance right) and the historical setting used very blandly instead of memorably, but the Rani, Rani-Master and Rani-Doctor-Master scenes definitely make it all worth it.
McCoy: Curse of Fenric. For the most unusual use of a World War II setting in the Whoverse (hint: it's not about the brave little island resisting the evil Nazis), sympathetic Russians, co-dependent Ace and Seven hurt/comfort, Ace and her mommy issues being focused on creatively, and that sublime scene in which we find out what the Doctor has faith in. (His companions, all of them.)
McGann: well, there is only the tv movie of doom as far as on screen Eight is concerned, so you should totally go for the audios. Chimes at Midnight is genuinenly twisty and scary, and should work even if you haven't heard Charlie stories before because the necessary information to understand this particular story is worked into the dialogue.
Eccleston: The End of the World. It's one of the best RTD scripts, has Nine displaying both his darker (not just towards Cassandra but also towards Rose) and more empathic sides, the Nine-Jabe chemistry is awesome, and the use of Tainted Love will never fail to put a big smile on my face. Plus the cinematography, in lack of a better term, is gorgeous.
Tennant: The Fires of Pompeji. The Doctor and Donna interaction is awesome, moving from the funny ("I am Spartacus", and few people do banter as well as Tate 'n Tennant) to the serious (the big argument about whether or not to change history with a new tragic twist) and showcases why this is still my favourite Doctor-Companion combination of New Who, the Rome sets are put to very creative use and make the episode look as expensive as it was, it brings home the destruction of Pompeij as a real loss of human life in a way none of the movies ever sold me on it, the look of the Pyrophiles reminded me of the bodies of the actual dead from Pompeii I've seen in museums, the geekery is great (with the family bearing the name of the Cambridge Latin course characters), and the call back to Old Who is typical for the RTD era in that it's a treat for Classic fans but doesn't confuse newbies, either (it's the scene where Ten emphatically and very unconvincingly denies he had anything to do with the fire that burned Rome in Nero's time; see also: The Romans). Bonus: spot the Karen aka Amy Pond in a minor role. In conclusion: DID I MENTION I LOVE THIS EPISODE TO BITS?
Smith: The Doctor's Wife. It was this or The Eleventh Hour, but while I agree that the later is one of the best introductions of a new Doctor and the show, and I love little Amelia as much as anyone, The Doctor's Wife trumps it. It focuses on the Doctor/TARDIS OTP in a way that is comprehensible even if you haven't followed all their history before, the Neil Gaiman script is charming, quirky and scary in different turns as you expect Neil Gaiman scripts to be, it also manages to give us a great Amy and Doctor friendship scene and excellent Amy and Rory scenes, and House is a suitably callous and mind-games loving villain whose defeat feels very satisfying indeed. In conclusion, I love this one to bits, too!
no subject
Date: 2011-11-14 06:02 pm (UTC)I still need to see the Curse of Fenric and listen to the 8th Doctor audio series.
no subject
Date: 2011-11-14 06:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-11-14 06:32 pm (UTC)Great choices, particularly Black Orchid! I've always loved the Tegan dancing the Charleston scene. Not only is it plain adorable in its own right, it also adds an important layer to her characterization.