Doctor Who: Twice Upon a Time 4K UHD (2017)

[pottyaboutpotter1]

Originally Posted by RockyIII

I want to get this, but I think I should first start watching from series 1 just to get familiar with this universe

Doctor Who isn't a traditional show so it doesn't really matter when you start watching. Most episodes are designed to be self-contained. The show "reboots" itself every few years too so, in theory, the debut episode of a new Doctor or Companion is a perfect jumping on point. If you want to catch up quickly for this episode, you can just watch Series 10 as that series was designed to be a jumping on point for new viewers with the debut of companion Bill. There will be references to past episodes you won't get and past characters return, but their identities are quickly summarised in dialogue to catch up new viewers.

Otherwise, other good jumping on points are; Series 1, Series 3, Series 5 and Series 8. Although I'd recommend starting with Series 8 if you want the full context for this Christmas Special. Otherwise, Series 10 episode 1 which is aptly named "The Pilot" works as a pretty good introduction to Doctor Who. Although personally, I think Series 5 is the best jumping on point currently and the first episode of Series 5 "The Eleventh Hour" is a better introduction to Doctor Who than the first episode of Series 1 "Rose" which, while still entertaining, hasn't aged that well. My personal recommendation is to start with Series 5 and then go back to Series 1-4 later.

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by pottyaboutpotter1

Doctor Who isn't a traditional show so it doesn't really matter when you start watching. Most episodes are designed to be self-contained. The show "reboots" itself every few years too so, in theory, the debut episode of a new Doctor or Companion is a perfect jumping on point. If you want to catch up quickly for this episode, you can just watch Series 10 as that series was designed to be a jumping on point for new viewers with the debut of companion Bill. There will be references to past episodes you won't get and past characters return, but their identities are quickly summarised in dialogue to catch up new viewers.

Otherwise, other good jumping on points are; Series 1, Series 3, Series 5 and Series 8. Although I'd recommend starting with Series 8 if you want the full context for this Christmas Special. Otherwise, Series 10 episode 1 which is aptly named "The Pilot" works as a pretty good introduction to Doctor Who. Although personally, I think Series 5 is the best jumping on point currently and the first episode of Series 5 "The Eleventh Hour" is a better introduction to Doctor Who than the first episode of Series 1 "Rose" which, while still entertaining, hasn't aged that well. My personal recommendation is to start with Series 5 and then go back to Series 1-4 later.

I know nothing about Doctor Who, so I am a little afraid I'd get totally lost if I don't start from series 1
I already ordered The Day of The Doctor 3D and Twice Upon a Time 4K, but I don't think I'd dare watch them before being done with series 1-11

[Doctorossi]

Originally Posted by pottyaboutpotter1

Doctor Who isn't a traditional show so it doesn't really matter when you start watching.

That's generally true, but this particular story is especially lore-heavy and self-referential. I would not call it a good starting point.

[oddbox83]

You probably could pick it up, but only if you have some knowledge of the show eg. regeneration. Which RockyIII hasn't.

Day of the Doctor is very continuity heavy to the entire 2005 onwards series, and I imagine anyone coming to that blind wouldn't have a clue what they were watching.

[NoFro]

I agree that Season 5, Episode 1"The Eleventh Hour" is the best jumping on point. Great episode and the first series shot completely in HD so it looks a bit better than 1-4. Matt Smith's eleventh doctor is introduced alongside new companions and it's full of wit and charm.

[RockyIII]

Originally Posted by NoFro

I agree that Season 5, Episode 1"The Eleventh Hour" is the best jumping on point. Great episode and the first series shot completely in HD so it looks a bit better than 1-4. Matt Smith's eleventh doctor is introduced alongside new companions and it's full of wit and charm.

Why do you speak of the eleventh doctor? Do you mean the eleventh actor to take on the leading role or are there literally 11 different doctors throughout the storylines??

[Indiana Jones]

Originally Posted by RockyIII

Why do you speak of the eleventh doctor? Do you mean the eleventh actor to take on the leading role or are there literally 11 different doctors throughout the storylines??

Matt Smith was the 11th actor to take on the role so is the 11th Doctor, each time a new actor was cast there would be a regeneration scene so while the face and personality might be different it is still the same character.

[Deciazulado]

Originally Posted by Indiana Jones

I never knew the Tennant Specials got 25/50 releases any ideas which countries.

Indy, just got one and confirmed it.

Disc 1 The Next Doctor is a region 2 PAL DVD, the others region free 1080i50 BDs

(Well I just tested one in A and B, not C)


Menus are German.

[Deciazulado]

Originally Posted by RockyIII

Why do you speak of the eleventh doctor? Do you mean the eleventh actor to take on the leading role or are there literally 11 different doctors throughout the storylines??

They are legion.. Wikipedia is your friend.

[RockyIII]

So what Doctor # is featured in Series 1?

[Indiana Jones]

Originally Posted by RockyIII

So what Doctor # is featured in Series 1?

The 9th.

[Deciazulado]

In new series 1? the 9th, unless you count the WD which makes it 10, but if you count Peter Cushing is 11, and Doc Brown makes it 12

[RockyIII]

That makes an entire football team

So if I start from series 1 I will be going over 3 different Doctors? Why can't they just keep one doctor all the way?

[Indiana Jones]

Originally Posted by RockyIII

That makes an entire football team

So if I start from series 1 I will be going over 3 different Doctors? Why can't they just keep one doctor all the way?

Considering the actor that first played the Doctor died in 1975 would be a bit difficult to keep just the one actor for the part lol

Part of the charm of the show is the new actors coming in and making the part their own and long may it continue.

[oddbox83]

Originally Posted by RockyIII

So if I start from series 1 I will be going over 3 different Doctors? Why can't they just keep one doctor all the way?

More than that, but SPOILERS.

They are the same person though. You'll understand when you get to the end of series 1.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by Doctorossi

That's generally true, but this particular story is especially lore-heavy and self-referential. I would not call it a good starting point.

Yeah, it's an epilogue to Series 10, really.

I always tell people to jump into Doctor Who when a Doctor changes. I'd recommend Series 5 as a great starting point for anyone, and the Smith series are on sale right now for $15 I believe.

[morphinapg]

Originally Posted by RockyIII

I want to get this, but I think I should first start watching from series 1 just to get familiar with this universe

If you're the type that can binge through this stuff, I highly recommend doing so. Even if you don't like the first season (it's not particularly strong but has a few great episodes), keep going, as things just keep getting better from there at least up to season 5. After that, the quality is a bit less consistent, but usually pretty good for the most part, and better on binge as well.

If you absolutely wanted to skip forward, the only place I would say is okay to do so is Season 5, but even then you'll still miss out on some of the ways they introduce the audience to the main character, and some absolutely brilliant episodes in the earlier seasons. While it's true you could technically jump in whenever and not be super confused or anything, I really don't recommend doing that if you want the best experience.

[RockyIII]

I think it's stll kind of cruel to change Doctor every so often, particularly when an actor is doing a really good job with the character and the audiences respond well. Like they say here in the US "Why fix it if it ain't broken?"

[Sky_Captain]

It's usually because the actor decides to leave.

[pottyaboutpotter1]

Originally Posted by RockyIII

I think it's stll kind of cruel to change Doctor every so often, particularly when an actor is doing a really good job with the character and the audiences respond well. Like they say here in the US "Why fix it if it ain't broken?"

Peter Davison (the 5th Doctor) started the trend of "three and done" for Doctors; three series covering roughly about four years (only the 8th and 9th Doctors went under this for various reasons). After that, many actors seek to move on to pursue other projects/fear of being typecast/they feel they can't offer the show anything else. Doctor Who is a show that films throughout most of the year and leaves very little time for the actors to do other projects or to spend time with family, which often contributes to their decision to leave. BBC sometimes alters the schedule to allow actors some time off (2009, 2012 and 2016 saw a reduced episode count to allow the actors some time off).

Plus, Doctor Who by design reboots itself every few years thanks to a constantly rotating cast (Series 6 and Series 9 are the only series that don't feature a major cast change from the previous series, all the others debut either a new Doctor or a new Companion or both). It's not about trying to "fix" the show, it's just the show keeping itself fresh so things don't get stale.