The Doctor's Dillemma

Before "Battlestar Galactica", before "Star Wars", even before "Star Trek", there was the Doctor. Started on Nov. 23rd, 1963 (17:16:20 to be exact), "Doctor Who" is the most successful and long-lasting science-fiction TV show in history, thanks partly to the Doctor's ability to regenerate, allowing numerous different actors to play him and keep the show going. Speaking of the Doctor, I guess I should introduce him.

The Doctor is a Time Lord, an almost-immortal humanoid alien who is the last of his kind. He travels through all of time and space (and I do mean ALL of time and space, he even went to the end of the universe in the episode "Utopia") in a time machine called the TARDIS (permanently disguised as a 1960's Police-box), combatting evil and saving lives without guns or thank yous. Since he's insanely lonely (having your whole species wiped out will do that to you), he comes to Earth every now and then to pick a brave or open-minded human as his companion to travel in the TARDIS (usually it's a VERY attractive young British woman who can, fortunately, act). The Doctor, in short terms, is an ancient and well-known character that terrifies some entire alien worlds with the mere mention of his name. In long terms, I will quote a little British boy from the episode "The Family of Blood" when he talks about him:

He's like fire and ice and rage. He's like the night, and the storm in the heart of the sun. He's ancient and forever. He burns at the centre of time and he can see the turn of the universe. And...he's wonderful.

And now he's getting a movie.

At least, that's the rumour that has begun circulating in the last litle while. This Whovian storm includes such theories as David Yates (director of my favourite Harry Potter movie, "Deathly Hallows Part 1") helping to bring the Doctor to the screen, and the movie starting from scratch with a new Doctor (not the current TV Doctor). David was actually the one to start this whole thing with some "off-the-cuff" remarks on the Red Carpet. Steven Moffat (the head writer and executive producer of the present show), on the other hand, is putting his foot down and saying NO (See Twitter post above left). Since Steve is closer to the Doctor than Mr. Yates, I'm siding with him. While an accessible (and AMAZING) international film would be good for proppelling the show forward, we don't want to rush into this (remember the first "Twilight"?). If the Doctor were to ever make a new movie, he must have his Brit-ness intact and his weirdness too. Doctor Who should never be dumbed down.

For any people new to the show, or who doubt some obscure(!!!) British kiddie's TV show could make a great movie, I have included my set of favourite, and most cinematic, Doctor episodes to show the kind of awesomeness the Doctor could wreak on the Big Screen (For any Whovians reading, I apologize if I'm one of those newbies who only knows the 10th and 11th Doctors):

"Human Nature/Family of Blood", (May-June 2007)

This brief, but powerful two-parter explores what would happen if the Doctor were to become human, deciding to disguise himself in order to hide from the alien Family of Blood-not because of fear, but out of mercy for the pathetic villains. Doc's brief vision of a wonderful human life, his final epic decision, a genuinely powerful war-veteran moment...it's all too much to leave a dry eye anywhere. Great acting as well.

"Utopia"/"Sound of Drums"/"Last of the Time Lords" (June 2007)

While some fans were dissapointed with the third part, this is now probably one of the best-known of all the story arcs. The Doctor's archenemy, the Master, returns and holds nothing back in his victory over the Doctor and conquering of Earth using victims from the future. One of the defining moments for the Doctor, his companions (especially the lovely Freema Argyeman, who must uphold much of this story), and of course, the delightfully psychotic Master.

"Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead" (May 2008)

Possibly my two favourite episodes of the entire series, this brilliant duet concerns the Doctor and his new comp Donna visiting a planet-wide library, which turns out to be deserted save for a small group of archeologists and some very dangerous creatures in the shadows. Highly imaginative, highly intense, highly recommended.

"Turn Left" (June 2008)

Dead Doctor, Dead Martha, Dead Sarah Jane Smith, Dead Britain, Concentration Camps, A Life-Sucking Beetle...one the great "Doctor-lite" episodes, and a highly moving experience.

"The Beast Below" (April 2010)

One of the most imaginative and fairy-tale like episodes, and woefully underrated. The Doctor and the pretty Amy Pond travel to a future Space Station Britain where the current Queen (the amazing Sophie Okenedo) is trying to uncover a creepy conspiracy. Shows what real Sci-fi should be.

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