"Dr Who's appeal to fans? " Topic

Most of my adult life, over several decades, I've known Dr Who fans. As an outsider, what is the appeal--is it in the writing and story lines or the characters or ? It may be hard to explain I realize. And I know there have been several incarnations of Dr Who. Is there a history to the original story line that propels it forward, much like the original star trek or star wars beginning? Thanks--I'm not trolling!!

For me it was a number of things. The idea of "reincarnating" the doctor with a new actor was cool.

Lots of great, interesting and unusual story lines.

Tiny budgets so the effects are all home made. That definitely added a lot of charm. Kinda felt like "I could do that"

Daleks are one of my favorite all time villains

I am not a fan and simply don't understand the appeal. I know we all enjoy different things, but I do wonder what other people see in this character/show that I do not. So, no offense to those of you who enjoy the show, and I am interested in reading your replies.

Great story telling! In the older series, the low-budget effects didn't matter at all when the writing and acting was cranked up. Some of the story arcs had some really well-done directing and with very accomplished guest actors coming in.

It was on just after I saw Star Wars. The local pbs station played an entire story each week, a movie length sci-fi show once a week was awesome.

I think low budget special effects forced me to 'fill in the gaps' with my imagination…which was pretty awesome before I became a crusty old fart.

That and the stories were interesting.

Science fiction is all about the "What If". Dr. Who did a great job asking this question. The writers did a good job creating a new world with backstory and interesting minor characters.

I am old enough to have watched the first ever episode back in the 1960s … and I was hooked.

The strength of the programme is that it has evolved over time, and each actor/Doctor has brought something special and distinct to the role.

I also never understood the appeal of Dr Who. But hey it's your time!

I can remember hiding behind the couch when the Daleks first appeared. Mum still reminds me of that to this day. Its not lost its appeal since then although I'm not that fond of some of the new Dr's.

I've only watched one, that was in the early 70s. Scared the hell out of me, I had to hide behind the sofa! I'm nearly 50 now, perhaps I should have another go😀

I'm not a huge fan of the newer stuff, but the Baker years were great ones for me.

I guess not having the budget for special effects led them write more character driven stories.

For me, much of the appeal was the fact that here was a character who used his brain to get out of situations as opposed to his fists and weapons.

For many fans it is something we have grown up with for decades. I watched it from the start through various incarnations. I always enjoyed the new worlds and characters. I think the main appeal was that anything could happen and that it was not confined to 1 universe or a single storyline. New Doctors and companions brought new takes on the characters and situations.

Any of the original Doctors,but to be honest, I much prefer Blake's 7.

+1 skinkmasterreturns

I have enjoyed many of the story lines over the years and many of the Doctors but the biggest draw for me is The Daleks. Daleks are awesome.

Part of my life since 1963.
Always moving on, memorable stories,leaps of imagination, and after 50 plus years a huge history to dip into.

Also you cannot have too many Daleks.

For myself, I liked how the Doctor was an egotistic so-and-so and could get away with it! The Daleks were great -- evil cold machines, and all that. I think without these, the show would have been "meh" and quite forgettable. I haven't many of those from the new series, but they're quite likable.

This is my response to people who asked me that question before (most of whom commented on how strange it seemed to them. "The show is weird, but it's MY kind of weird!"

I feel two things contributed to the popularity of the show.

Dalekmania Nuff said

And the fact that the bbc wiped many episodes in the 70s. This meant that with out being able to have repeats, the fans had to read the novels. Then the novels popularity allowed the idea that vhs would be popular, both bringing in new fans, then dvd. If the show was not wiped I feel it may not be as popular. It has a mystery about it due to this no other sci fi has (that I have heard of).

For my self it is a show with aliens and models and props and…best of all (until the 80s) no horrible cgi to bother everything up. Though I don't acknowledge the show after '96 (its now just bad fan fiction (I'd prefer to hunt down the Ace/sontaron movies)

I always suggest people try the first season of the third doctor if they have never seen the show before and just want to give it a quick go. For numerous reasons I have listed elsewhere, mostly due to familiarity.

Just to clarify the effects, props, costumes and sets were not cheap or home made. The bbc outscored a lot of special builds to Shawcraft for the first doctor and then the bbc's own special effects department took over. One costumes were certainly good enough to be reused in The empire strikes back! Doctor who suffered budgetwise due to it being a drama. Regardless there were many good effects.

One thing that may have people confused id the fact that the show was recorded live with very few edits, meaning almost everything had to be done in a single take. This may contribute to the bad effects myth. Star Trek, for example was shot on cheaper film (as opposed to the doctor's expensive video tape), so things could be reshot and edited much more. Typically edits on who were reserved for technical issues, not actors lines, which is why line fluffs are numerous. Even so most early edits were only meant to be allowed maybe 5 edits per episode, a rule broken often by Verity Lambert , from what I have watched.

"Stoooop!"

Ok.