Doctor...who?

This is not really a review of this particular DVD, but of the entire Doctor Who phenomenon. (But I did have my reasons for placing this review here.)

"Doctor Who" is often regarded as the world's longest running TV production, hardly surprising since it aired for 26 seasons from 1963 to 1989. A new version began airing in 2005. The series is British and due to its longevity, many Brits quite literally grew up with it. Not having the questionable benefit of living in Liverpool or Leeds, I didn't. However, I've seen some of the classic serials from the 1970's plus the entire "Ninth Doctor" from 2005. The DVD on this product page includes three episodes of the "Ninth Doctor", including my favorite episode "Dalek".

I'm not sure if an American can ever grok "Doctor Who". The series is quite unlike anything you've seen before. Forget about Star Trek, Star Wars and PLEASE forget Close Encounters of the Third Kind! "Doctor Who" is to scary for small children, but too childish for teenagers and adults. I never quite understood whose supposed to be watching it. 12-year old boys? Well, at least it appeals to the 12-year old inside me, LOL. And it seems everyone in Britain is still watching. Indeed, the series became so popular there that a crazy pop band sampled the theme melody, re-mixed it with Gary Glitter, and made it to the top of the British charts! (The Timelords, Doctorin' the Tardis. You can watch it at Youtube. Don't say I didn't warn you.)

The plot of "Doctor Who" is actually quite simple. The main character is a mysterious, human-like space alien, simply called The Doctor. He has the ability to shape-shift, which makes it possible for the producers to change the lead actor on a semi-regular basis, thus contributing to the series' longevity. The Doctor roams the universe in a curious time machine, known as the TARDIS, a time machine disguised as a phone boot! He always has at least one human companion, sometimes two. The Doctor's main enemies are two races of sentient and evil space robots, the Daleks and the Cybermen. However, he also encounters everything from body-snatchers to mad scientists.

The "Ninth Doctor" series (of which this DVD is a part) is somewhat different from the classical series. The main concept is still the same, but the series have become more "politically corrrect". I can already hear the critics scream "Damn liberals". The Doctor's companions includes a White underclass girl, her Black boyfriend and a bisexual conman with a penchant for fashionwear. Including an overtly bisexual character must have been controversial, especially since he has lines such as: "I remember the last time I was sentenced to die. I don't remember much after that, until I woke up in bed with the two executioners. Really nice couple. We still keep in touch". (WHAT???) The series also includes covert criticism of the war in Iraq, and one episode showing Trotskyist posters! Personally, I find all this quite funny and didn't really mind.

In order to get the entire "Ninth Doctor", you unfortunately have to buy all volumes of "Doctor Who, The Complete First Season". This DVD only contains three episodes, including, as I already mentioned, "Dalek", my favorite episode and the only one that's even remotely serious. But be warned! If you buy this DVD, or ANY "Doctor Who" DVD, you might get so infatuated that you'll never stop...