ENTERTAINMENT: ‘Doctor Who’ Fans Await ‘The Day Of The Doctor’
By Jesiree Carrera – Editor-In-Chief
“Doctor Who,” a British sci-fi TV series, is celebrating 50 years of its popular franchise with a 50th Anniversary episode on November 23.
The series began on BBC in 1963, yet the concept hasn’t changed. It is simply the same man, a extraterrestrial Time Lord named the Doctor who travels in a blue box called the TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimension In Space), with many different faces.
Each Doctor is a “regeneration” of the last, allowing variety to casting, costumes, and abilities with each new actor who takes on the well known and beloved role of the Doctor. As known by the fans and followers of the series, “Doctor Who” lives by dying, a concept which rose to fruition after the retirement of William Hartnell, the first Doctor, and the succession of Patrick Troughton, the second Doctor.
After the cancellation in 1989 to the revival in 2005, “Doctor Who” has spread farther than Britain and even spread through the generations. It has turned into the family show of which everyone in the family could follow and fall for their own Doctor, depending on which version they grew up on or loved the best.
It has an estimated 80 million viewers in 206 countries around the world, as well as an honor by Guinness World Records as the longest running and most successful science-fiction series in the world.
With the 21rst century revival, the series not only unites the young and old, but also creates bonds and the idea of fate.
Fans know that with every regeneration, there will be a new man playing the Doctor, with new companions, adventures, and villains. While tears have been shed over the parting of ways with Russel T. Davies, the show’s former runner, David Tennant, the tenth Doctor, Rose Tyler, a companion to both the ninth and tenth Doctors played by Billie Piper, and many other beloved characters, the series truly shows that there are friendships and love that not even the warped time and space premise of the show can break.
Even with the knowledge that Matt Smith, the eleventh and current Doctor, is soon going to part ways with his role, fans know that with the leadership of Steven Moffat, the show’s “guardian angel” (as said in the reveal of the twelfth doctor) and current writer, “Doctor Who” will continue its many adventures throughout time and space. His successor’s identity was revealed to be Peter Capaldi, an actor who previously appeared in “The Fires of Pompeii” and the “Doctor Who” spinoff, “Torchwood” in “Children of Earth.”
Smith said his goodbyes to the fans at the San Diego ComicCon and thanked the audiences of “Doctor Who” for their support of his role in playing the Doctor.
Devoted followers and anxious fans will have to wait for Capaldi’s premier in the Christmas special where Smith will regenerate for all “Whovians” to see.
Capaldi’s return is not going to be the first familiar face seen.
The highly anticipated 50th anniversary episode is said to star John Hurt, Tennant, and Piper once more. Some of the Doctor’s old nemeses will also be making a comeback, of which include the Zygons and Daleks.
Currently, only images of the 50th anniversary episode and the fan-teasing trailer have been released to the public. Fans can find them, as well as airtimes for the special and other “Doctor Who” episodes and news, on BBCAmerica.com as they await “The Day of the Doctor.”
(Some information courtesy doctorwho.tv, BBCOne.com, BBCAmerica.com, huffingtonpost.com, and herocomplex.latimes.com)
(Photo courtesy bbc.co.uk)
The Advocate Online 
Since it’s been running for so long, where should I start?
Since there are really two different “Doctor Who” series, the modern and the classic series, its up to you as to where you should start. The classic series began in 1963 with William Hartnell as the First Doctor. The first few episodes are in black and white, but they soon transition it into color, as it is today. In the classics, you can see the previous regenerations and companions that the Doctors have experienced, as well as villains. There is an enemy called the Zygons from the Fourth Doctor and they are said to be reappearing in the modern series, so if you want to find out more about the Doctor’s history, this is definitely where I would start. If the black and white version will hinder you from appreciating the series, then I’d go for the more modern version starting with Chris Eccleston as the Ninth Doctor. Even though some people do not like how “slow” and “boring” Eccleston’s season is, I highly recommend that WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT SKIP NINE! The Ninth Doctor’s season sets up the background for “Bad Wolf” and “Doomsday” throughout the modern series, and to this day, they continue to make references towards the Ninth Doctor’s season.
I completely agree. The ninth doctor is such an influential doctor that it irks me when people skip his season.
Has John Hurt’s character been confirmed yet?
As of right now, his character name is still “The Doctor.” Nothing has been made official yet as to what regeneration he is or a real name for who he plays. Perhaps one day, viewers will be able to find out who “Doctor Who” really is.