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New Who for beginners
Curious about Doctor Who but never sat down and watched? Seen classic Who but didn't like it? Watched the first episode of the new series and it was too corny? Intimidated by the 32 seasons? This is my guide to the essentials if you want to get the gist of the new series without watching through all of it.
This guide contains light spoilers. I've tried not to include anything you won't already be able to guess by looking at the current series (i.e. neither Eccleston or Tennant are still the Doctor).
Series 1 Episodes 9&10: The Empty Child & The Doctor Dances
Do not start with "Rose." People will tell you to start with it. But I've introduced a few people successfully to Doctor Who through this two-parter, including someone who tried to watch episode 1 and couldn't get into it. If you end up falling in love with the show, go back and watch all of them. Otherwise, there are some episodes in series 1 you can skip.
This is a fabulous story, tight and genuinely scary. Also, the introduction of Captain Jack.
Series 1 Episode 6: Dalek
A strong episode that proves that one dalek is more scary than a million, which is why they had to kill them all off between the classic and new series. Watching this after episodes 9 and 10 shouldn't be too confusing.
Series 1 Episode 7: The Long Game
This one is decent and sets up things that are important to the series finale.
Series 1 Episode 8: Father's Day
The effects in this one are corny, but it's an important bit of Rose's backstory and an emotionally powerful use of time travel.
Series 1 Episode 11: Boom Town (optional)
Cool aliens and guest stars.
Series 1 Episodes 12&13: Bad Wolf & The Parting of the Ways
The climax of series 1. Essential to the storylines of both the Doctor and Captain Jack.
Special: The Christmas Invasion
This is an uneven episode, but introduces Torchwood.
Series 2 Episode 3: School Reunion
Sarah Jane is the most beloved companion of the classic series. Watch this one so you know who she is.
Series 2 Episode 4: The Girl in the Fireplace
This won a Hugo award. Enough said.
Series 2 Episodes 5&6: Rise of the Cyberman and The Age of Steel
The Cybermen are classic villains and this is a classic aliens-attack plot, plus alternate realities.
Series 2 Episodes 12&13: Army of Ghosts & Doomsday
The climax of Series 2. Important Torchwood backstory.
Series 3 Episode 1: Smith and Jones
Introduction of Martha.
Series 3 Episode 6: The Lazarus Experiment (optional)
This guest stars Mark Gatiss, a treat for Sherlock fans.
Series 3 Episodes 8&9: Human Nature and The Family of Blood
The Doctor as a human. Great acting, decent handling of race issues, and Harry Lloyd (Viserys from Game of Thrones) in a minor role.
Series 3 Episode 10: Blink
If you watch nothing else in Series 3, watch this. Heard of the Weeping Angels?
Series 3 Episodes 11&12&13
The return of The Master, the Doctor's Moriarty.
"Master."
"I like it when you say my name."
Enough said.
Series 4 Episode 1: Partners in Crime
The most adorable monsters ever, and the real introduction of Donna (if you're following this guide, you'll have skipped her first episode, where she's a much less likeable character).
Series 4 Episode 3: Planet of the Ood
Thematically strong episode.
Series 4 Episodes 8&9: Silence in the Library and Forest of the Dead
If you watch only one story in Series 4, let it be these. Strong two-parter that introduces an important character. Also guest stars Talulah Riley (hotblonde!Eames in Inception). After watching Series 5 and 6, you'll want to go back and watch these again and cry.
Series 4 Episode 10: Midnight
Decent episode, mainly interesting because it guest stars Colin Morgan (Merlin). If you're not interested in that you can safely skip it.
Series 4 Episode 11: Turn Left
A well-acted episode focusing on current and past companions.
Series 4 Episodes 12&13
Traditional series finale 2-parter that wraps up Tennant's story. This was the end of Russel T. Davies' tenure as show-runner. It's also a crossover that features Torchwood characters.
Specials
I haven't seen these yet because Netflix doesn't put them in the right place in the series, will add recommendations later.
Series 5 & 6
Coming tomorrow!
Feel free to share/link this if you feel it's useful!
This guide contains light spoilers. I've tried not to include anything you won't already be able to guess by looking at the current series (i.e. neither Eccleston or Tennant are still the Doctor).
Series 1 Episodes 9&10: The Empty Child & The Doctor Dances
Do not start with "Rose." People will tell you to start with it. But I've introduced a few people successfully to Doctor Who through this two-parter, including someone who tried to watch episode 1 and couldn't get into it. If you end up falling in love with the show, go back and watch all of them. Otherwise, there are some episodes in series 1 you can skip.
This is a fabulous story, tight and genuinely scary. Also, the introduction of Captain Jack.
Series 1 Episode 6: Dalek
A strong episode that proves that one dalek is more scary than a million, which is why they had to kill them all off between the classic and new series. Watching this after episodes 9 and 10 shouldn't be too confusing.
Series 1 Episode 7: The Long Game
This one is decent and sets up things that are important to the series finale.
Series 1 Episode 8: Father's Day
The effects in this one are corny, but it's an important bit of Rose's backstory and an emotionally powerful use of time travel.
Series 1 Episode 11: Boom Town (optional)
Cool aliens and guest stars.
Series 1 Episodes 12&13: Bad Wolf & The Parting of the Ways
The climax of series 1. Essential to the storylines of both the Doctor and Captain Jack.
Special: The Christmas Invasion
This is an uneven episode, but introduces Torchwood.
Series 2 Episode 3: School Reunion
Sarah Jane is the most beloved companion of the classic series. Watch this one so you know who she is.
Series 2 Episode 4: The Girl in the Fireplace
This won a Hugo award. Enough said.
Series 2 Episodes 5&6: Rise of the Cyberman and The Age of Steel
The Cybermen are classic villains and this is a classic aliens-attack plot, plus alternate realities.
Series 2 Episodes 12&13: Army of Ghosts & Doomsday
The climax of Series 2. Important Torchwood backstory.
Series 3 Episode 1: Smith and Jones
Introduction of Martha.
Series 3 Episode 6: The Lazarus Experiment (optional)
This guest stars Mark Gatiss, a treat for Sherlock fans.
Series 3 Episodes 8&9: Human Nature and The Family of Blood
The Doctor as a human. Great acting, decent handling of race issues, and Harry Lloyd (Viserys from Game of Thrones) in a minor role.
Series 3 Episode 10: Blink
If you watch nothing else in Series 3, watch this. Heard of the Weeping Angels?
Series 3 Episodes 11&12&13
The return of The Master, the Doctor's Moriarty.
"Master."
"I like it when you say my name."
Enough said.
Series 4 Episode 1: Partners in Crime
The most adorable monsters ever, and the real introduction of Donna (if you're following this guide, you'll have skipped her first episode, where she's a much less likeable character).
Series 4 Episode 3: Planet of the Ood
Thematically strong episode.
Series 4 Episodes 8&9: Silence in the Library and Forest of the Dead
If you watch only one story in Series 4, let it be these. Strong two-parter that introduces an important character. Also guest stars Talulah Riley (hotblonde!Eames in Inception). After watching Series 5 and 6, you'll want to go back and watch these again and cry.
Series 4 Episode 10: Midnight
Decent episode, mainly interesting because it guest stars Colin Morgan (Merlin). If you're not interested in that you can safely skip it.
Series 4 Episode 11: Turn Left
A well-acted episode focusing on current and past companions.
Series 4 Episodes 12&13
Traditional series finale 2-parter that wraps up Tennant's story. This was the end of Russel T. Davies' tenure as show-runner. It's also a crossover that features Torchwood characters.
Specials
I haven't seen these yet because Netflix doesn't put them in the right place in the series, will add recommendations later.
Series 5 & 6
Coming tomorrow!
Feel free to share/link this if you feel it's useful!