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The venerable science fiction program Doctor Who returned to British televisions in 2005 after a 15-year absence and delighted the majority of fans and critics with its adherence to the adventure and charm of the original series while making admissions for a new generation of viewers (hipper editing and score, CGI effects). Thirteen episodes were generated, all starring Christopher Eccleston as the ninth Doctor and pop-singer-turned-actress Billie Piper as his companion Rose; acclaimed writer/producer Russell T. Davies (Touching Evil, Queer as Folk) oversaw the show as chief writer and executive producer. The new series proved so popular that the BBC agreed to revive the program for second and third seasons--though without Eccleston, who has since been replaced by David Tennant. This six-disc set comes with all 13 episodes plus the battery of supplemental features now customary to all Doctor Who DVD releases. Eccleston is very engaging in the title role, bringing a manic curiosity tempered by occasional bouts of gravity (which befit a personality with a long and dramatic a lifespan as the Doctor's) that hew closely to the (arguably) most popular Doctor, Tom Baker. Piper is equally adept as department store clerk Rose--she's afforded more of a back story than most of the Doctor's sidekicks have received in the past, and she more than handles her own alongside Eccleston. Highlights among the 13 episodes include the season opener, "Rose" (which sees the return of an old foe, the Autons, and their controlling force, the Nestene Consciousness); the revamped Daleks in "Dalek" and the two-parter "Bad Wolf" and "The Parting of the Ways"; a trip to Victorian England to aid Charles Dickens in "The Unquiet Dead," and of course, the arrival of the tenth Doctor at the conclusion of the action-packed "Parting of the Ways." The episodes strike the right blend of quirk, excitement, and imagination, thanks largely to the engaging performances and the guidance of Davies, whose admiration for the show and its history is evident throughout. Supplemental features--and there are many--including commentary on all 13 episodes by members of the cast and crew, including Piper and Davies; numerous making-of featurettes, including a profile of Davies; a video diary by Piper; an interview with Eccleston, and best of all, a glimpse at the 60-minute Christmas special, "The Christmas Invasion," which picks up where the series concludes. Who fans won't be disappointed.Read full review
I had never watched the original Doctor Who series prior to the 2006 season, but when I watched my first episode, I was hooked. I came in half way thru the second season, with David Tenent, and loved every episode. I had to see if from what I thought was the start and started watching for the re-runs on the BBC. Being hooked, I had to own this series, and started looking for it on DVD. There is everything you want in a series, Love story, Adventure, Danger, Monsters, and the unknown. It was also nice to see something done that wasn't all the Hollywood glitz & glamor as produced in the Hollywood sets. This series grabs you and doesn't let go, and continues to satisfy in every episode. The roles of the companions were great, and out of all of them, Rose has got to be the best of the Best. The other girls do a great job, but Billie Piper as Rose by far and in my opinion has done the best job. That is why I had to get the series 2005 from its beginning. And with that being said, I was watching the Series with David Tenet as the Doctor, loving every episode. Once I was able to watch from the beginning, and saw the first season, with Chris Eccleston, I realized I had missed something Big! This was a Great Actor, and really started the re-start of a series with a bang. As much as I have enjoyed watching David Tennant & Billie Piper's interaction, Cris & Billy were just as good if not better. It was a shame he only had one season on this show. I think he could have done so much more, if given the opportunity. A Side Note: There are sellers out there selling a Box Set of Series 1-4, for a very low price, like too good to be true. Beware of this. I bought it, an they are from China. The first 2 Seasons wouldn't play in my Blue Ray Player, and out of 4 other DVD players, would only play in one of them. If you love the show and are considering buying the Series, look for the original releases from the BBS, as released in the Stores. You won't be disappointed. I consider myself a big Sci Fi Fan, growing up with Star Trek, Star Wars,and such, but this Series by far has touched me more than any other I have seen. It is one I will be watching over & over again.Read full review
Fans of the original run of the show will not be disappointed, both new and old villains make an appearance and the oldest of villains become key to the overall story arc of the season. The Doctor and his companions visit the past and future and the laws of time are bent once again. Both the Doctor and Rose have to deal with individual consequences of interfering with the past and the future. The scripts for the series are tight and very well written with very few holes. The special effects are pretty much industry standard. In my opinion, the character development is outstanding. I would recommend this show to both avid science fiction viewers and non-viewers who want to see how well written, acted and directed scripts can truly make three dimensional characters. Perhaps, in the case of Doctor Who, I should have said four dimensional characters. "Doctor Who - The Complete First Season," is available as a box set or on four individual discs but, I would sincerely suggest that you chose the set. The season needs to be watched in its entirety to be fully appreciated. The bonus disc of "Doctor Who Confidential," in the set also, provides great insight into the series from inception to completion on an episode by episode basis.Read full review
I'm a Doctor Who fan from 35 years back, when Tom Baker played the role, and PBS was the only place to see the series broadcast. To put it in perspective, home computers were fanciful talk, vinyl records and cassette tapes ( yeah, even 8 track) were the media of the day, and special effects for a TV show involved no computer generated images, just whatever you could cobble together under budget, and if the plot couldn't hold it up, the show would be doomed. Fast forward to now. I own some of those Tom Baker episodes from back in the day, and will, as the budget allows, get more of the early stuff; but the "New" Doctor Who series, which hooked me instantly when I saw episodes on BBC America (on cable TV), hooked me instantly back in to the whole bit. The actors are good, solid, believable. The storylines more than hold their own, dialog is well thought out, effects are a vast improvement over what was possible back in the old series episodes, but ( at times ) somewhat less than we have come to expect, having been "spoiled" by the stunning effects now possible in huge budget movies. Suspend a little disbelief, and you're right there. The continuity between episodes is flawless to my mind, and the links between the old series and the new is what makes this true to itself, the major difference being that, now the Doctor is the LAST Time Lord, in the last Tardis; home world and race having been otherwise wiped from the universe. This doesn't stop him from being the same interloper in earthly near disasters as before, but he has some additional "baggage" now, and isn't beyond needing to learn a thing or topabout himself in harsh circumstances (as in the episode, "Dalek", when the example of that nemesis race gives the Doctor a "compliment"). I'm very pleased , and have also purchased the complete second season. Will keep up with new releases as they come out. So long as the writing stays up to the new standard, and the series remains true to itself, this Fan won't have to pine for "the good old days".Read full review
As a product of the 60's, my sci-fi experience was for years limited to Star Trek. Imagine my delight when I discovered "my doctor": Peter Davison. So when BBC America began showing the "new Doctor Who" I was totally prepared to dislike Christopher Eccleston. Needless to say, he stole my heart away! Not only rife with the tongue in cheek humor Brits are known for (Every planet has a north), his quirky relationship/romance with Rose Tyler had me at "run for your life". I am thrilled to bits with this set, and, like so many Whovians before me, will pass it along to my kids and grandkids as an obsession. RUN, don't walk, to buy one for yourself. It's a fabulous intro to the Whoniverse, the TARDIS, the Daleks, Captain Jack, Mickey, and all the rest. You'll be hooked by the end of the first episode. And it only gets better!Read full review
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