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Post by nucleusofswarm on Jun 2, 2022 23:09:24 GMT
As we arrive at a new era, and the 60th, we can expect an influx of new eyes on the property, who of course will learn just how big it really is. Chiefly of course, the original show: one from a very different era of TV. Add to that issues of availability, depending where you live and what your financial/tech situation is, and well, not all the new guys can get into it. But do new fans need to watch the classic series before they can call themselves 'Doctor Who fans', or is it just gatekeeping hyperbole?
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Post by Digi on Jun 3, 2022 0:35:09 GMT
Nah.
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Post by relativetime on Jun 3, 2022 0:44:06 GMT
Absolutely not. If someone has only ever watched the new series and never plans to watch the classics, they are every bit a Doctor Who fan as the rest of us. Period. I think this attitude some people have that you HAVE to go back to watch the classic seasons actively deters new fans from checking those stories out and it’s creating a lot of the divide in the first place. I do hope people are going back to check out these older seasons, but I don’t think we should be shaming anyone who hasn’t or pressuring them to do so for perceived fandom brownie points or something.
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Post by masterdoctor on Jun 3, 2022 1:05:52 GMT
Nope, not a bit. Just like Classic Who fans don’t have to watch Modern Who if they don’t want to. As long as everyone allows each other to enjoy what they do and mov past what they don’t, fandom and everyone would be in a much better place.
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Post by aussiedoctorwhofan on Jun 3, 2022 1:06:16 GMT
If people want to get more backstory and history then go for it.. No shame in not, just means you will be missing out on some great stories and previous incarnations.
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Post by theillusiveman on Jun 3, 2022 1:18:28 GMT
Well if they want to watch good doctor who stories sure
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Post by Star Platinum on Jun 3, 2022 1:19:11 GMT
It's ultimately their choice, I'd encourage it. But then again, I'd also enourage listening to BF, reading the VNAs and the 8DAs.
There's a wealth of fantastic stories out there, and new who only scratches the surface of them, but it but if someone chooses not to deep dive into the franchise, that's their choice and it doesn't make them any less of a fan than the person who has consumed every last story.
It's a big Whoniverse, and there's room for everyone in it.
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Post by shallacatop on Jun 3, 2022 6:43:53 GMT
Absolutely not and I don’t think new fans even need to watch New Who. We’re 13+ series in now, which is a substantial commitment in itself. The show thrives on its accessibility and regular change, which makes it easy to constantly gather new fans, whether that’s due to a new Doctor, a new companion, a returning monster giving a mid series or finale push, Christmas specials, etc.
I think as fans we tend to get too concerned with what a new or casual viewer will think, particularly with continuity references, etc. But we shouldn’t because it’s their equivalent of the Doctor referencing an unseen adventure that we speculate about.
How many of us have actually started our viewing experience at the very beginning of an era? I’d hazard not as many as we think. And would we recommend anyone watch Classic Who from the beginning of an era, or would we recommend a selection of stories? I’d hazard a guess at the latter, so I think the same applies to any new fan.
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Post by nucleusofswarm on Jun 3, 2022 8:08:53 GMT
Well if they want to watch good doctor who stories sure I know you don't like Chibnall, but throwing RTD1 and Moffat under the bus as well? |
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Post by Chakoteya on Jun 3, 2022 8:54:01 GMT
Depends if they think they can stand watching numerous 25 minute episodes (with cliffhangers) in order to see a whole story, if they are used to devouring their TV in 40/50 minutes slots (padded out to an hour with adverts in many cases.)
If yes, there are some absolute crackers out there. I gather Forces TV is showing The Daemons on Saturday, Genesis of the Daleks on Sunday, Terror of the Zygons and Robots of Death on Sunday, then City of Death on the 18th.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2022 9:53:03 GMT
No. Its an aspect of New Who that RTD was very careful with. Even when reintroducing elements, he would have someone not familiar with the classics check it so it worked as well to meet a classic monster as a new one.
The pace of 60s-80s British TV is not for everyone. Someone who came to Who in, say, 2010 would find it quite different - and whether positively or not it isnt fair to expect them to be able to love a show made potentially before their parents were born.
There are newer fans who adore the classics, many are on Youtube but at the same time we are talking a time jump from early classic era to now nearly twice the size of the one from Buster Crabbe's Flash Gordon and Buck Rodgers serials to Star Wars. We wouldnt expect new SW fans to be up on their 30s serials even if they are direct predecessors for Star Wars.
The Twitch watch-thru did well for modern fans. That kind of endeavour seems an easy way to reach new demos and let them decide if its for them or not.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2022 12:12:58 GMT
No but i highly recommend they should especially the Letts/Dicks Hinchcliffe/Holmes era.
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Post by mark687 on Jun 3, 2022 12:22:31 GMT
Need No Will they Benefit from doing so Yes. I'm Wilderness Years Generation (I've vague memories of Season 25/26). so my 1st proper absorbing was the 1992/93 repeat seasons which gave the flavor of all the Doctors and the genereal feeling that was the same genaerally very show. The true fan test story is The Myth Makers BTW  Regards mark687 |
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There’s a horror movie called Alien? That’s really offensive. No wonder everyone keeps invading you.
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Post by shutupbanks on Jun 3, 2022 14:24:18 GMT
Honestly, until the advent of home video there was a generation of fans who had barely seen anything of the early years. You don’t have to know everything about something to be a fan of it.
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Post by Chakoteya on Jun 3, 2022 16:26:08 GMT
<snip> The true fan test story is The Myth Makers BTW  Regards mark687 Ah, but do you also need to have read the Iliad first? (Not necessarily in the original Greek...) 
Obviously, the stamina test is The Dalek's Master Plan...
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Post by nucleusofswarm on Jun 4, 2022 13:14:48 GMT
Good points here. I do agree with davy, the twitch stuff is a great allrounder for newcomers. It's something I hope they do through the 60th and beyond.
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Post by aussiedoctorwhofan on Jun 4, 2022 22:22:33 GMT
I have to say 1 thing that threw me when it came back was how quick the episodes were.1 X 40 min episode. I was with my now wife for only a few months when it came back on with Eccleston , she was in the wilderness years generation she knew of it from older family friends etc. I know she sometimes gets frustrated at the "slowness" of the classic era.. 6 episodes etc..  |
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Post by Sir Wearer of Hats on Jun 4, 2022 23:54:50 GMT
Yeah… nah.
They might get a shock when they’re told off for calling Peter Capaldi the fourth Doctor though.
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Post by Kestrel on Jun 5, 2022 1:54:07 GMT
You don't even "need" to watch all of New Who. The beauty of this franchise is that each new Doctor represents a soft-reboot, and is an ideal place for new fans to jump in. New companions, too, as they often function as audience surrogates.
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Post by fitzoliverj on Jun 7, 2022 17:59:21 GMT
Judging by Twitter today, they need to have a good understanding of the comics under their belts, too.
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