Like many American fans of this show, I was introduced to it in the early 80s. A very VERY British science fiction show, I was struck by how different and fun the show was. Excellent story telling without taking itself too seriously, Doctor Who just kind of grew on me.
The Doctor, the title character, is a Timelord from the planet Gallifrey. He is capable of traveling through space and time in his TARDIS, a shape-shifting time machine trapped in the shape of a British Police Call Box (Phone Booth). The show was the longest running science fiction show in TV history. From 1963 until 1989, seven different actors portrayed the Doctor in his adventures through time and space. It seems that the Timelords can regenerate their bodies twelve times, thus having thirteen different physical forms/personalities.An extraordinary number of companions traveled with the Doctor over the years, giving him someone to protect and the audience someone to sympathize with. Doctor Who is not hard science fiction, nor is it great drama. But it is fun for those who have some imagination and don't need huge special effects budgets to enjoy a TV show. Translated that means the special effects are often cheesy-looking, so don't come in expecting to be blasted out of your seat by flashy effects! From my point-of-view, the best introduction is the 1983 story entitled "The Five Doctors." At that time, there had been five actors in the role of the Doctor. In the story, all five of the Doctors come together to deal with an emergency in time. One recast was necessary as the First Doctor, William Hartnell, had passed away some years before the episode. The Fourth Doctor appears courtesy of unused footage from an incomplete story. A number of the Doctors companions also appear, giving a new viewer an introduction to the series and a way to pick a direction... It's all here, from adventures filmed in black and white, to stories with high end CGI effects, there is something for every one...
The Doctor, the title character, is a Timelord from the planet Gallifrey. He is capable of traveling through space and time in his TARDIS, a shape-shifting time machine trapped in the shape of a British Police Call Box (Phone Booth). The show was the longest running science fiction show in TV history. From 1963 until 1989, seven different actors portrayed the Doctor in his adventures through time and space. It seems that the Timelords can regenerate their bodies twelve times, thus having thirteen different physical forms/personalities.An extraordinary number of companions traveled with the Doctor over the years, giving him someone to protect and the audience someone to sympathize with. Doctor Who is not hard science fiction, nor is it great drama. But it is fun for those who have some imagination and don't need huge special effects budgets to enjoy a TV show. Translated that means the special effects are often cheesy-looking, so don't come in expecting to be blasted out of your seat by flashy effects! From my point-of-view, the best introduction is the 1983 story entitled "The Five Doctors." At that time, there had been five actors in the role of the Doctor. In the story, all five of the Doctors come together to deal with an emergency in time. One recast was necessary as the First Doctor, William Hartnell, had passed away some years before the episode. The Fourth Doctor appears courtesy of unused footage from an incomplete story. A number of the Doctors companions also appear, giving a new viewer an introduction to the series and a way to pick a direction... It's all here, from adventures filmed in black and white, to stories with high end CGI effects, there is something for every one...