My family refuses to be converted. I have tried from Rose. I have tried just some highlights. They think it’s stupid. So frustrating because it’s so good
My first episode was Rose and still think its the best place to start, it can be a bit cheesy but i think that its where most of the charm of Who comes from.
not to mention its almost as if its the first episode of doctor who ever. You learn all about the doctor in the POV of rose, and she doesnt know anything in the beginning.
It will always be the best jumping on point for new viewers. A jumping on point shouldn't just be one episode, it should be the entire series, maybe even era. RTD did it brilliantly, explaining everything a fan needed to know in the first series over time, then introducing villains and characters as his era went one and showing new viewers new concepts to help them with transition between Doctors and companions. This is where series 5 fails. The first 3 episodes were a great jumping on point, but Moffat seemed to have assumed that new viewers would've caught up by then and threw in River and the Weeping Angels with little to no explanation as to who these characters were. Then the finale bringing in a hundred past villains in cameos. It's same issue with series 10, it starts off as a good starting point but its not by the end of the series. Chibnall did it pretty well with series 11, even if it did have it's own problems. But similarly to Moffat, he assumed new viewers would've caught up between series 11 and 12 by throwing in the Master, the Judoon, Jack, Cybermen, Gallifrey lore.
I have no idea why that wasn't at the top of the list, it is DEFINITELY the best place to start (okay maybe a little biased since I started there but still)
Great list! As far as the Wibbly Wobbly method, in the classic series, start with The Five Doctors and allow them to pick which Doctor they'd like to see more of.
I'm a fan of wibbly wobbly myself, although I'd probably start with an episode like The Runaway Bride or The Beast Below because I feel like they show more of what's to be expected from any episode. While Blink is an obvious favorite, the storytelling is so unique that I feel it creates almost a false expectation of what the show is
As a (very) long time fan of Doctor Who, I think that "Rose" is a good place for newbies to start but as they get more into it., they can then go back to the classic series to fill in gaps that are presented. School Reunion is definitely an episode that would send avid viewers back to see who Sarah Jane Smith was to the Doctor.
I started with The Eleventh Hour and I agree it's a great place to start the show. Glad it succeeded in pulling me in otherwise I would've missed out on so much
As a long time fan I love being able to start anywhere but I think it's so good to give people an entry point, coming into the fandom now it probably feels so intimidating seeing how much lore they have to catch up on. Love the videos keep it up!
I almost always have new fans start with The Eleventh Hour so, I absolutely agree with its placement on your list and your reasoning for it! Though I have used the Wibbly Wobbly method a couple times too... 😆 As for the 60th Anniversary, I suspect that it won't necessarily be the best place to start for brand-new fans (probably better for returning fans who might have dropped off at some point and are now trying to pop back in). However, I agree that the 15th Doctor's first episode will likely be a nice jumping in point for the new fans that have never seen the show before. However, we'll just have to wait and see to be sure...! Honestly, can't wait! 😁
I guess you could also start from “The Snowmen”, as it is kind of a series reset? But definitely start with “Rose” or “An Unearthly Child” if you want the full history of Doctor Who
Not the Snowmen. It has three returning characters and new viewers may be very confused as to why the Doctor is so depressed, and who the hell Oswin is at the end
When I was in college I hooked two different roommates to Doctor Who in completely different ways. One I sat and watched through all the DVDs of New Who up to that point (Series 3). There were some "duds" for him but he found the storytelling amazing and was surprised he hadn't heard much about it before. The other roommate I showed Torchwood... While he didn't latch onto Doctor Who as much he loved the more gritty and violent Torchwood. I plan to get a friend prepared for Doctor Who's specials by showing her Blink, but I was considering having her watch Series 4 as I would say that series is still my favorite even if it is very sad. Also tip for those starting with the Matt Smith era, go back and watch Silence in the Library and Forest of the Dead as those are the first appearances of River Song and start the whole River Song arc which runs through Series 5.
I remember being so upset with the loss of David Tennant that I wasn't ready to accept a new Doctor but naturally, I begrudgingly tuned in. Matt Smith had me by fish fingers and custard. It really was an incredible start.
"Rose" is the only place to begin watching, if you didn't grew up with the classic series. Tom Baker isn't the longest running Doctor on-screen, Paul McGann is. Paul portrayed the Doctor on-screen from 1996 until his regeneration in 2013 which is 17 years. If you count all media he's appeared in, Tom has been portraying the Doctor for 46 years.
This is fantastic advice! I'm a lifelong diehard Whovian, and as part of that, I do a monthly Classic Who Night for my friends to bring fans of Modern Who into the Classic run with a curated experience. I go about it wibbly wobbly style, picking the best the series has to offer and giving context each time, kind of like a living commentary reel. Been at it for ten years and I've made many a convert, hehe. Feel free to steal the concept 💙💙.
I think a very underrated place to start in Dragonfire with the Seventh Doctor. I had already seen the modern stuff, but this is where I started to adventure into the classic stuff.
I think that I would suggest the Wibbly Wobbly approach to my friends. I have always watched Doctor Who and as a build up to the 60th anniversary I am watching the Whovian Universe on I Player. Takes me back sixty years so I've time traveled wow. Thank you for such interesting content, looking forward to more of it
I would agree with the list just switch one and two. I do agree that eleventh hour is the better episode and the best first episode of any doctor. However, Rose is the perfect introduction episode for people new to doctor who by design. It had the task of taking what was a long running show from a long time ago and reviving it for a new generation that may not have ever heard of doctor who. It introduced us to the doctor and the world and invited us on a the ride of a lifetime inside the TARDIS. Also, if you start at eleventh hour, you miss the great introductions of the dale's, cyber men, the master, weeping angels, and all of the character stories that came before this episode. That is why if anyone asks me where they should start watching Doctor Who I will always say Rose.
I watched “The Unearthly Child” and I thought the 1st Doctor was quite humorous 😂 the sarcasm was top tier!! It’s changed a LOT though (obviously) Also, I wish RTD put some gaps in his gaps, for example having 10 travel alone for like 50 years or so .. but I love the chronological feel he gave too!
I did the River Song method (seriously, Ellie, I did). My actual first episode was Waters of Mars, and it scared me so much I didn't return to the show for over a decade. Then I stumbled upon River and the Doctor's relationship, and it intrigued me enough to give the show another go. I watched all her episodes first, then watched Eleven's run, then went back to Rose and watched through Thirteen's specials and interspersed Classic Who and Big Finish along the way. River Song is the reason I'm a Whovian 😂💋
Ellie, I won't say "thanks to", but due to the pandemic & staying at home when I wasn't out driving I got hooked on Brit box & each day I watched a full story line of Doctor Who from the very beginning!
For me. My starting point is always the 9th doctor and rose. It was when I started watching when I was 7 years old. I got a few people to watch Doctor who and I started with 9 and Rose.
My friend had gotten me into Dr who using the 11th hour episode and hade me watch that entire series then jump back to series 1 amd then catch up that way. To me that was the best way to watch it. Though I started from Rose with my own 11 year old and he loves it all the way around.
I started as a kid watching „Sarah Jane Smith Adventures”. That’s where I got to know who Doctor is. Years later I saw some of the parts from „Doctor Who” on RUclips. And then started watching everything from 10th Doctor.
Good list, I would also add "the war machines" , the 1st soft reboot, the template for the unit stories, & the introduction of new companions Ben & Polly- plus it's a great story too!
Recently I did what I guess they would call a wibbly wobbly tour where I watched every doctor regeneration and every episode I remember loving when I first watched them and I would definitely recommend it was really fun!
I think watching all the Donna noble episodes would probably be the way to go. All fantastic, and that's probably the only place the specials will expect you to know
Not really since Series 11 doesn't have a story arc, that's the point and was the intention, the closest it gets is a character arc but that is a very different thing.
If new viewers just want to see if they like DW, I'd suggest watching a Christmas special or two parter. Stories that are self contained (for the most part) and don't need any prior knowledge to enjoy. With a wide selection, all with standalone trailers, a viewer can find the story they're interested in and watch. My recommendation would be The Empty Child, from the first series of new who.
The first episode I ever saw was The Christmas Invasion, Tennant’s first episode. We all watched it around my grandparents’ house on Christmas Day and I didn’t want to watch it, but I was drawn into the mystery and the drama of the episode. My dad told me he used to watch the show as a child and this was a reboot version, so I assumed it was just the first episode. Luckily I was wrong! After the episode, I wanted to watch more and found a way to watch the Eccleston series. Didn’t even realise there was so many older seasons until years later! (Despite what my dad had told me). So, in short, I think any Christmas (or otherwise) special episode would be a good place for anyone new to start.
I was home sick for a couple of weeks one year and got a notification on Netflix that Doctor Who was going to be taken down soon, and I knew of it’s existence but never thought it would be something I’d actually enjoy, so while sick I thought why not? 2 weeks later I’d bought every NuWho series set of DVDs I had a sonic screwdriver pen that looked like the 9th & 10th’s sonic several TARDIS toys (can only find one now) and 3 Darlek figures (one actually talks). I have also consumed as much of the Whoniverse I could get my hands on, including the all the classic series. So while I encourage everyone to watch the adventures through time and space, fair warning, you’ll be in above your head in no time, but this is probably the only instance where that is a good thing. But my recommendation is start with Rose like I did I have never thought of a better place to start, other than unearthly child that is but some of those classic serials can be a bit of a slog.
I grew up watching Pertwee and Baker as the first two doctors I remember. I have been watching Hartnell and Troughton episodes, and find them rather slow paced and stilted. I'm looking forward to seeing the advent of colour when I get to the Pertwee episodes.
I think i first heard about doctor who in roughly 2009/2010. But when my mon and dad hewrd me talk about i only watched one episode and liked it enough but didnt stay to watch the next due to our limited cable plan at the time. However when i got back into the series a couple years ago, i remembered the episode was the elevwnth hour. I distinctly remember my classmates talking about being huge fans of tennet and matt smith and then when they showed me the photos of tennett and i remembered wait thats barty crouch jr! At that point my dad promptly had me watching the 4th doctor and instantly became a fan.
I was introduced by receiving copies of series one and The Three Doctors I fell in love with the campy stylings of the classics era and the action packed rompings of the Modern and I was hooked
Looks like y'all had a lot of fun making this one. Well done. As for keeping my eyes peeled, I try to peel my eyes at least once every two weeks. Yeah, that sounded funnier in my head.
wow this is a perfect video uploaded at the perfect time. This is gonna get a lot of views from outside your normal viewing audience. Congrats to whoever thought of this topic
Okay, now for the follow-up video: Top Ten Stories to Introduce Your Friends to "Doctor Who" Using the Wibbly-Wobbly Method. You have some good ones, but let's get a longer list going, picking from both classic and new "Who". I actually used "The Time Meddler" on a friend, that actually worked pretty well.
Back in the day, my introduction came when he 4th Doctor appeared on our local PBS (US) station and fell in love with the quirkiness and strange silliness of the episodes. K-9 also captured my heart! I am going to get out to BritBox to rewatch the 1st Doctor’s introduction! Saw it once as a promotional for a donation drive to keep DW on the air. It was chopped up by “pledge drive” woohaa, which showed small segments divided by LONG begging sessions. CAN’T WAIT FOR 60th ANNIVERSARY with David Tennant as Doctor 14 and then on to Doctor 15‼️ Wonder if we’ll also get a Christmas special too 🎄
I started watching Doctor Who with the Eleventh Doctor and I understand all the story at the same and then I watched all the seasons from the Ninth Doctor to the Thirteenth
I don't think the Ncuti Gatwa era alone will save Dr Who, and I'm convinced it needs a refresh which a David Bradley reboot of the Hartnell Doctor should be a central feature. William Hartnell’s era defined what the television series was and I’m convinced we need to go back to basics as over the years the series has lost its way and I don’t believe Russell T Davies can pull it back without reviving Hartnell’s Doctor as envisaged by Sydney Newman, Verity Lambert and David Whitaker, Terry Nation and Dennis Spooner. Classic Who, that’s what’s needed stories like The Dalek Invasion of Earth, The Time Meddler, The Savages, The War Machines and historical ones like Marco Polo and The Reign of Terror. Science fiction with some depth to it that will appeal to older fans that grew up with Dr Who in the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
My first episode was the empty child as it came up on reruns and i had recently heard someone joke about doctor who but had never seen it. Came in right around when nancy sends him to see the doctor which was thoroughly confusing as an introduction. Was maybe 8 or 9 years old so it made quite an impression.
I like to get people into the show based on their own personal interests and show them episodes relevant to that (For example, if they like Horror then I show them an episode like Hide or Listen, if they like a political thriller something like the Long Game is aa good shout)
Nice collection of starting points! Can't disagree with any of them. My first episode was "Robot" (and it's still honestly my favorite. It just opened up a whole new genre of sci-fi for me). My first was Robot because it was the first Doctor Who episode that my local PBS station showed. They ran through the 4th Doctor era, 5s first season, then backtracked into the whole 3rd Doctor run. Alternating bonus episodes of what was available for Docs 1& 2 played every other month after the local PBS station ran through all the episodes of Blake's Seven. After that, we got the rest of 5, 6, and 7. Then they took it off the PBS channel for good, unfortunately (Doctor Who had been canceled by the BBC for about 4-5ish years by that time).
Well I am insanely curious about Dr who but I want to get all the lore. I feel like all those recommendations are like „Watch here as you don’t need to know any of the lore“ but that’s exactly what I don’t want to miss! How much am I losing if I start with , say the tenth Dr ? I feel like the ones before won’t catch me as they seem very .. outdated and I don’t really enjoy watching „old media“
I actually started with The Eleventh Hour so I love seeing it as number one! I didn't start there by choice; it was all I had access to at the time. And I wouldn't change a thing; it's such a great place to start!
For reference I started watching Dr Who in the Jon Pertwee era although I did move away from it slightly from Peter Davidson until the Paul McGann movie (which I've just rewatched and actually rather enjoyed more this time around, alos been ctaching up on Sylvester Mccoy era which I totally missed) and more latterly watched the rebooted series religiously (Although not a huge fan of Jodi Whittaker TBH although some of the stories were good). Of the new era for me the standout Doctor has been Peter Capaldi and if there's one episode everyone should watch it's Heaven Sent. That all said the one thing for me that has always been synonymous with the Doctor is the Daleks and IMHO you could do nothing worse than watch every Dalek related episode/serial in transmitted order. It covers a lot of the Doctors psyche and gives a good feel of what he is all about.
my first episode was the impossible planet / Satan pit two parter, still think it's the perfect jumping on point. It's perfect Sci fi horror base under siege mystery right from the cold open. then going back and starting with rose..
My favorite Classic Era Doctor is Pertwee (though McCoy is a close 2nd) & my favorite Modern Era Doctor is Capaldi, & I feel T. Baker & Tennant are good but overrated.
I have a 13-month-old granddaughter. How old do you think she needs to be to introduce her? I'm currently working on watching all the first and last stories of each Doctor. I started watching in 78 or 79 (as well as I could in Chicago) and my first story was Claws of Axos, but I've really taken a shining to Patrick Troughton. I wish you had called the "Rose" method the New Who method, because I don't like Rose and I watch those episodes for Christopher Eccleston and tolerate (barely) Rose. I think this is probably the best way to start Doctor Who if you have NO history of Who at all. Matt Smith is my favorite new Doc (I'm very much looking forward to Ncuti Gatwa) but I think it might be better to start with the reboot.
By all means include Blink in your wibbly-wobbly start, but not actually first. Starting on a Doctor-lite seems like it would give the wrong impression
The first Doctor Who episode I watched was in 2009 Utopia from Series 3 when a friend of mine was watching it on Netflix. I had no idea what was going by I was interested in the episode's plot. PLOT: 3 time travelers (The Doctor, Martha & Jack) going to the distant future fighting against human villains while rescuing and helping the good humans escape to a "Utopia" only to run into the main time traveler's rival (The Master) when he thought he thought he was the last of his kind? Also that cliffhanger at the end made me wanna tune into the next episode... And I have proudly been a fan of the show to this day 🙂
For me starting from the beginning with An Unearthly Child might be a bit overwhelming, but would be a great place to start from a classic who point of view. The Eleventh Hour made doctor who more relatable for a lot of fans over the world so that's a great episode to start with! The Pilot was really refreshing and provides a great place for new fans to jump in as the episode itself is about companion Bill Potts meeting the doctor, discovering aliens exist and stepping inside the tardis for the first time! I think The Woman Who Fell To Earth was far too disconnected from the previous eras of doctor who and wouldn't be a great place for new fans to start with in my opinion. I started doctor who with the series 1 episode Rose and I'm glad I did! Christopher Eccleston's ninth doctor was fantastic and Billie Piper's companion rose tyler was so relatable! Smith and Jones and Partners in Crime are also great starting points for new fans! Great video, thanks Ellie and Who Culture! 😊😊
The Ribos Operation is great! I love Romana I as much as I despise Romana II. Could we have Romana III in this new era of Doctor Who? On the other hand, Smith and Jones, as good as it is, is not the best place to start, bc 10th is still pining for his former companion (avoiding spoilers), and you'd miss something from the previous season.
Absolutely agree with 11th Hour as number one spot. It's in HD, has decent VFX and is a great story over all, while Rose is in SD with that weird Series 1 image filter on top, has very dated CGI and if you continue watching from there on, you'll reach the farting aliens two-parter very soon. The wibbly-wobbly approach would be my number two. Just let someone watch one of the all-time greats. You don't need to know more than "There's a timetraveller in a blue box trying to do the right thing" to understand most episodes.
As someone who was converted to a Doctor Who fan at the launch of Matt Smith's first season, year 5, I think the best season to start with (introduce to someone new) is year 5, I've already converted a few friends thanks to it... starting with it and watching episode by episode from year 5 onwards I feel that anyone can get a taste of the series.
Same. I got my partner to start watching secretly just to start making references to me slowly and knew that The Eleventh Hour was my favorite episode. He then felt the need to go back and watch all of it and was surprised to be really interested since he's not a sci-fi fantasy kind of person like I am (except for Star Wars... He's a super fan of that).
For most Americans, their first Episode was Doctor Who - Robot. IMHO - This is the best starting point if any youngsters wanting to watch to old series. If you do not enjoy TB as The Doctor, you won't enjoy any Doctors that come after or before. The only other truly correct starting off point is Episode one of the re-boot - Rose.
My entry into Doctor Who was definitely the wibbly wobbly method. I was introduced to the first Doctor midway through a Dalek story then later introduced to the fourth Doctor midway through another two stories(The Pirate Planet and Stones of blood) before I saw a complete story(Androids of Tara) from there I was hooked. I still don't feel as though I know all the lore of the sixty years of the show. I have friends who didn't know about the original series but we're enjoying the new series, until they started talking with me. I still enjoy bouncing through episodes watching just my favourites.
Go watch “Tales from the Tardis” - it’ll give you the appetise, to go watch the Classic episodes. Already on day 4 of watching 60 years of Doctor Who, currently with The Third Doctor & Jo Grant.
It’s cool to see that my coincidental start, the 11th hour, Is considered a good start by you guys. I definitely agree with this personally!, if I recall correctly in the first season the only existing character that shows up is River song, so you won’t be wondering who everyone is or what’s happening. And River is still a mystery to the doctor at this point so you’re not missing much
I am really happy to have started at the number 1 spot way back when it was on netflix, watched it up untill the regeneration, and went back and started with the reboot some months back, currently at 13th and hoping to be on time with the 60th special
I would have said Runaway Bride and Partners in Crime as a good starting place. You get to see the best of Tennant (in my opinion) and a bunch of really good episodes like Forest of the Dead, Midnight, fires of Pompeii, and many more It also provides context to why the doctor travels with a companion, and it also explains what happened to his last in Runaway Bride, while also showing her return in Season 4 aswell, and also an excellent way to introduce other side characters like Mickey, Jack, Sarah Jane, A very very good dalek 2 parter and so much more
@@Nebby_smells _The Runaway Bride_ introduces Donna. It is not possible to jump forwards from there to Season 4 as that was broadcast decades before TRB's 2006 (specifically 1966-1967).
I usually start with an Un Earthly Child and the first doctor then work my through the entire series. I start on Brit Box and then move over to the Classic Series after cancelling my Brit Box subscription. Right now I am currently on Series five and have just finished up the Pandorica Opens. I am hoping that I can wrap up the series by the time that I anniversarry special. If i am not able to do that I will just wait a couple of days to watch the anniversary special.
I started with series 5, and watched everything from nuwho up until series 11. Then only some episodes. Currently watching everything from season 1 onwards.
nice idea and there IS a reconstruction of power of the doctor, and the animation. Its not quite the4 same as watching it properly but its quite good. I'm not quite old enough to watch 1st and 2nd but I've watched from 3rd on first broadcast and played catch up with one and two when I could
Rose is definitely the best starting point, Series 1 is the most consistently amazing series of the lot and is the most likely to get someone hooked. They can then make their way through modern Who and if they want more after that they can return to the classic era.
Never skip Nine. You start with Rose, in my opinion and then go back to Classic Who because some of the plots aren’t whole. Well that’s just what I did. 😂
The Key to Time arc is where I started my Doctor Who journey and agree it's a good starting point. Also preferred Mary Tamm as Romanadvoratnelundar. Just wondering out loud, but don't most first-timers have a least an inkling or basic idea of what the Time Lord is all about? Cheers....
I started with NuWho, but the Key to Time arc was my first experience with the classic series. I agree that it was a great place to start! As to whether people have a basic idea of what it's about, I think it really depends. I didn't have much of a clue until my friends told me about it, but I was an American teenager and the show was just starting to gain traction where I lived (2009ish). The only reason I knew anything when I jumped in at Utopia is because I spent some time reading Wikipedia beforehand.
@@musenightingale that's what I meant. New fans hear from friends or Wiki or other social media, etc, but don't go in as blind as I did in '78 when I first tuned into the Doctor. Whether starting from scratch or loaded with info, it's great to dive into both the Classic and NuWho universes. Have fun. Cheers....
We all have that one person in our lives who hasn't started watching Doctor Who yet. Hope this video helps!
Oh it does😂
@@sscc2000All non-Whovians must be CONVERTED
@@WhoCultureOh…that’s MUCH better than Exterminated…glad I saw this comment!
My family refuses to be converted. I have tried from Rose. I have tried just some highlights. They think it’s stupid. So frustrating because it’s so good
I was expecting this video to be subjective filler rubbish. Not at all. Thoughtfully assembled and intelligently justified. Thank you for another win.
My first episode was Rose and still think its the best place to start, it can be a bit cheesy but i think that its where most of the charm of Who comes from.
not to mention its almost as if its the first episode of doctor who ever. You learn all about the doctor in the POV of rose, and she doesnt know anything in the beginning.
@eepss6098 That is another great point!
It will always be the best jumping on point for new viewers. A jumping on point shouldn't just be one episode, it should be the entire series, maybe even era. RTD did it brilliantly, explaining everything a fan needed to know in the first series over time, then introducing villains and characters as his era went one and showing new viewers new concepts to help them with transition between Doctors and companions.
This is where series 5 fails. The first 3 episodes were a great jumping on point, but Moffat seemed to have assumed that new viewers would've caught up by then and threw in River and the Weeping Angels with little to no explanation as to who these characters were. Then the finale bringing in a hundred past villains in cameos. It's same issue with series 10, it starts off as a good starting point but its not by the end of the series.
Chibnall did it pretty well with series 11, even if it did have it's own problems. But similarly to Moffat, he assumed new viewers would've caught up between series 11 and 12 by throwing in the Master, the Judoon, Jack, Cybermen, Gallifrey lore.
I have no idea why that wasn't at the top of the list, it is DEFINITELY the best place to start (okay maybe a little biased since I started there but still)
I started with "The Eleventh Hour" and I still think it's a good jumping on point
Great list! As far as the Wibbly Wobbly method, in the classic series, start with The Five Doctors and allow them to pick which Doctor they'd like to see more of.
I'm a fan of wibbly wobbly myself, although I'd probably start with an episode like The Runaway Bride or The Beast Below because I feel like they show more of what's to be expected from any episode. While Blink is an obvious favorite, the storytelling is so unique that I feel it creates almost a false expectation of what the show is
YES please don't show Blink as the 1st DW for someone anymore
the beast below is the 2nd episode in the season,, why not just start at 11th hr?
lol I wouldn’t start with either
@@TheSilverPhoenix356 where would you start then?
I almost think the 11th hour with her starting young might be a bit too much. I can see beast below and then going back later to the 11th hour
As a (very) long time fan of Doctor Who, I think that "Rose" is a good place for newbies to start but as they get more into it., they can then go back to the classic series to fill in gaps that are presented. School Reunion is definitely an episode that would send avid viewers back to see who Sarah Jane Smith was to the Doctor.
I started with The Eleventh Hour and I agree it's a great place to start the show. Glad it succeeded in pulling me in otherwise I would've missed out on so much
The 11th Hour was my First Episode of DW, and I am so happy it's #1 on this List!!! It's Perfect!!!
The first episode I ever saw was The 11th Hour.
I saw a random clip on YT and thought it looked good, so I started watching.
As a long time fan I love being able to start anywhere but I think it's so good to give people an entry point, coming into the fandom now it probably feels so intimidating seeing how much lore they have to catch up on. Love the videos keep it up!
I almost always have new fans start with The Eleventh Hour so, I absolutely agree with its placement on your list and your reasoning for it! Though I have used the Wibbly Wobbly method a couple times too... 😆
As for the 60th Anniversary, I suspect that it won't necessarily be the best place to start for brand-new fans (probably better for returning fans who might have dropped off at some point and are now trying to pop back in). However, I agree that the 15th Doctor's first episode will likely be a nice jumping in point for the new fans that have never seen the show before. However, we'll just have to wait and see to be sure...! Honestly, can't wait! 😁
I guess you could also start from “The Snowmen”, as it is kind of a series reset? But definitely start with “Rose” or “An Unearthly Child” if you want the full history of Doctor Who
I technically started from Jodie Whittaker’s first series, but I didn’t get into DW from there, i instead started properly from “Rose”
Not the Snowmen. It has three returning characters and new viewers may be very confused as to why the Doctor is so depressed, and who the hell Oswin is at the end
When I was in college I hooked two different roommates to Doctor Who in completely different ways. One I sat and watched through all the DVDs of New Who up to that point (Series 3). There were some "duds" for him but he found the storytelling amazing and was surprised he hadn't heard much about it before. The other roommate I showed Torchwood... While he didn't latch onto Doctor Who as much he loved the more gritty and violent Torchwood. I plan to get a friend prepared for Doctor Who's specials by showing her Blink, but I was considering having her watch Series 4 as I would say that series is still my favorite even if it is very sad. Also tip for those starting with the Matt Smith era, go back and watch Silence in the Library and Forest of the Dead as those are the first appearances of River Song and start the whole River Song arc which runs through Series 5.
My first episode was The Unicorn and the Wasp. I was a bit lost but was also completely pulled in and became a dedicated fan in about a week lol
I remember being so upset with the loss of David Tennant that I wasn't ready to accept a new Doctor but naturally, I begrudgingly tuned in. Matt Smith had me by fish fingers and custard. It really was an incredible start.
I could argue the toss about some of 2-9 but I wholeheartedly agree on #1. The very best regeneration story ever, by a country, no, galactic mile. :)
"Rose" is the only place to begin watching, if you didn't grew up with the classic series.
Tom Baker isn't the longest running Doctor on-screen, Paul McGann is. Paul portrayed the Doctor on-screen from 1996 until his regeneration in 2013 which is 17 years.
If you count all media he's appeared in, Tom has been portraying the Doctor for 46 years.
This is fantastic advice!
I'm a lifelong diehard Whovian, and as part of that, I do a monthly Classic Who Night for my friends to bring fans of Modern Who into the Classic run with a curated experience. I go about it wibbly wobbly style, picking the best the series has to offer and giving context each time, kind of like a living commentary reel. Been at it for ten years and I've made many a convert, hehe. Feel free to steal the concept 💙💙.
I think a very underrated place to start in Dragonfire with the Seventh Doctor. I had already seen the modern stuff, but this is where I started to adventure into the classic stuff.
I think that I would suggest the Wibbly Wobbly approach to my friends. I have always watched Doctor Who and as a build up to the 60th anniversary I am watching the Whovian Universe on I Player. Takes me back sixty years so I've time traveled wow. Thank you for such interesting content, looking forward to more of it
I would agree with the list just switch one and two. I do agree that eleventh hour is the better episode and the best first episode of any doctor. However, Rose is the perfect introduction episode for people new to doctor who by design. It had the task of taking what was a long running show from a long time ago and reviving it for a new generation that may not have ever heard of doctor who. It introduced us to the doctor and the world and invited us on a the ride of a lifetime inside the TARDIS. Also, if you start at eleventh hour, you miss the great introductions of the dale's, cyber men, the master, weeping angels, and all of the character stories that came before this episode. That is why if anyone asks me where they should start watching Doctor Who I will always say Rose.
I watched “The Unearthly Child” and I thought the 1st Doctor was quite humorous 😂 the sarcasm was top tier!! It’s changed a LOT though (obviously)
Also, I wish RTD put some gaps in his gaps, for example having 10 travel alone for like 50 years or so .. but I love the chronological feel he gave too!
I did the River Song method (seriously, Ellie, I did). My actual first episode was Waters of Mars, and it scared me so much I didn't return to the show for over a decade. Then I stumbled upon River and the Doctor's relationship, and it intrigued me enough to give the show another go. I watched all her episodes first, then watched Eleven's run, then went back to Rose and watched through Thirteen's specials and interspersed Classic Who and Big Finish along the way. River Song is the reason I'm a Whovian 😂💋
I've actually started watching in the 2005 series. Fortunately, I had most of the knowledge from watching a few episodes a long time ago.
Ellie, I won't say "thanks to", but due to the pandemic & staying at home when I wasn't out driving I got hooked on Brit box & each day I watched a full story line of Doctor Who from the very beginning!
For me. My starting point is always the 9th doctor and rose. It was when I started watching when I was 7 years old. I got a few people to watch Doctor who and I started with 9 and Rose.
My friend had gotten me into Dr who using the 11th hour episode and hade me watch that entire series then jump back to series 1 amd then catch up that way. To me that was the best way to watch it. Though I started from Rose with my own 11 year old and he loves it all the way around.
I started as a kid watching „Sarah Jane Smith Adventures”. That’s where I got to know who Doctor is. Years later I saw some of the parts from „Doctor Who” on RUclips. And then started watching everything from 10th Doctor.
Good list, I would also add "the war machines" , the 1st soft reboot, the template for the unit stories, & the introduction of new companions Ben & Polly- plus it's a great story too!
Recently I did what I guess they would call a wibbly wobbly tour where I watched every doctor regeneration and every episode I remember loving when I first watched them and I would definitely recommend it was really fun!
I think watching all the Donna noble episodes would probably be the way to go. All fantastic, and that's probably the only place the specials will expect you to know
"Little in the way of a story arc" Brutal :D
Not really since Series 11 doesn't have a story arc, that's the point and was the intention, the closest it gets is a character arc but that is a very different thing.
Someone who starts with classicWho is doing things the long-way-round. This is the best Who quote ever.
If new viewers just want to see if they like DW, I'd suggest watching a Christmas special or two parter. Stories that are self contained (for the most part) and don't need any prior knowledge to enjoy. With a wide selection, all with standalone trailers, a viewer can find the story they're interested in and watch. My recommendation would be The Empty Child, from the first series of new who.
I knew Rose and Eleventh hour were gonna be the top 2, but was surprised about what the order was! Definitely agree though!
The first episode I ever saw was The Christmas Invasion, Tennant’s first episode. We all watched it around my grandparents’ house on Christmas Day and I didn’t want to watch it, but I was drawn into the mystery and the drama of the episode. My dad told me he used to watch the show as a child and this was a reboot version, so I assumed it was just the first episode. Luckily I was wrong!
After the episode, I wanted to watch more and found a way to watch the Eccleston series. Didn’t even realise there was so many older seasons until years later! (Despite what my dad had told me).
So, in short, I think any Christmas (or otherwise) special episode would be a good place for anyone new to start.
I was home sick for a couple of weeks one year and got a notification on Netflix that Doctor Who was going to be taken down soon, and I knew of it’s existence but never thought it would be something I’d actually enjoy, so while sick I thought why not? 2 weeks later I’d bought every NuWho series set of DVDs I had a sonic screwdriver pen that looked like the 9th & 10th’s sonic several TARDIS toys (can only find one now) and 3 Darlek figures (one actually talks). I have also consumed as much of the Whoniverse I could get my hands on, including the all the classic series. So while I encourage everyone to watch the adventures through time and space, fair warning, you’ll be in above your head in no time, but this is probably the only instance where that is a good thing. But my recommendation is start with Rose like I did I have never thought of a better place to start, other than unearthly child that is but some of those classic serials can be a bit of a slog.
Been watching DW since 2005 and recently started watching the classic DW.
I grew up watching Pertwee and Baker as the first two doctors I remember. I have been watching Hartnell and Troughton episodes, and find them rather slow paced and stilted. I'm looking forward to seeing the advent of colour when I get to the Pertwee episodes.
I think i first heard about doctor who in roughly 2009/2010. But when my mon and dad hewrd me talk about i only watched one episode and liked it enough but didnt stay to watch the next due to our limited cable plan at the time. However when i got back into the series a couple years ago, i remembered the episode was the elevwnth hour. I distinctly remember my classmates talking about being huge fans of tennet and matt smith and then when they showed me the photos of tennett and i remembered wait thats barty crouch jr! At that point my dad promptly had me watching the 4th doctor and instantly became a fan.
I was introduced by receiving copies of series one and The Three Doctors I fell in love with the campy stylings of the classics era and the action packed rompings of the Modern and I was hooked
Looks like y'all had a lot of fun making this one. Well done.
As for keeping my eyes peeled, I try to peel my eyes at least once every two weeks.
Yeah, that sounded funnier in my head.
Disclaimer: We do NOT recommend people literally peel their eyes
@@WhoCulture Now you tell me
wow this is a perfect video uploaded at the perfect time. This is gonna get a lot of views from outside your normal viewing audience. Congrats to whoever thought of this topic
Rose is the best place! RTD is the best showrunner! :) altho I also love Capaldi’s take on the doctor
Okay, now for the follow-up video: Top Ten Stories to Introduce Your Friends to "Doctor Who" Using the Wibbly-Wobbly Method. You have some good ones, but let's get a longer list going, picking from both classic and new "Who". I actually used "The Time Meddler" on a friend, that actually worked pretty well.
Back in the day, my introduction came when he 4th Doctor appeared on our local PBS (US) station and fell in love with the quirkiness and strange silliness of the episodes. K-9 also captured my heart! I am going to get out to BritBox to rewatch the 1st Doctor’s introduction! Saw it once as a promotional for a donation drive to keep DW on the air. It was chopped up by “pledge drive” woohaa, which showed small segments divided by LONG begging sessions. CAN’T WAIT FOR 60th ANNIVERSARY with David Tennant as Doctor 14 and then on to Doctor 15‼️ Wonder if we’ll also get a Christmas special too 🎄
Ark in Space? Season 12-14 is the best starting point.
I started watching Doctor Who with the Eleventh Doctor and I understand all the story at the same and then I watched all the seasons from the Ninth Doctor to the Thirteenth
I don't think the Ncuti Gatwa era alone will save Dr Who, and I'm convinced it needs a refresh which a David Bradley reboot of the Hartnell Doctor should be a central feature. William Hartnell’s era defined what the television series was and I’m convinced we need to go back to basics as over the years the series has lost its way and I don’t believe Russell T Davies can pull it back without reviving Hartnell’s Doctor as envisaged by Sydney Newman, Verity Lambert and David Whitaker, Terry Nation and Dennis Spooner. Classic Who, that’s what’s needed stories like The Dalek Invasion of Earth, The Time Meddler, The Savages, The War Machines and historical ones like Marco Polo and The Reign of Terror. Science fiction with some depth to it that will appeal to older fans that grew up with Dr Who in the 1960s, 70s and 80s.
True
My sister recently starting watchung DW, I told her to watch from Rose. This was before November 1st
I need to get back into it, so Wibbly-Wobbly it is
My first episode was the empty child as it came up on reruns and i had recently heard someone joke about doctor who but had never seen it. Came in right around when nancy sends him to see the doctor which was thoroughly confusing as an introduction. Was maybe 8 or 9 years old so it made quite an impression.
I like to get people into the show based on their own personal interests and show them episodes relevant to that (For example, if they like Horror then I show them an episode like Hide or Listen, if they like a political thriller something like the Long Game is aa good shout)
Nice collection of starting points! Can't disagree with any of them. My first episode was "Robot" (and it's still honestly my favorite. It just opened up a whole new genre of sci-fi for me). My first was Robot because it was the first Doctor Who episode that my local PBS station showed. They ran through the 4th Doctor era, 5s first season, then backtracked into the whole 3rd Doctor run. Alternating bonus episodes of what was available for Docs 1& 2 played every other month after the local PBS station ran through all the episodes of Blake's Seven. After that, we got the rest of 5, 6, and 7. Then they took it off the PBS channel for good, unfortunately (Doctor Who had been canceled by the BBC for about 4-5ish years by that time).
I started right at the start of new era in Rose as a 5 year old and still a viewer at 24 years old
personally I think that while The Eleventh Hour may be a better EPISODE than Rose, I don't think it's a better STARTING POINT
I love this channel so much!!!
Well I am insanely curious about Dr who but I want to get all the lore. I feel like all those recommendations are like „Watch here as you don’t need to know any of the lore“ but that’s exactly what I don’t want to miss!
How much am I losing if I start with , say the tenth Dr ? I feel like the ones before won’t catch me as they seem very .. outdated and I don’t really enjoy watching „old media“
I actually started with The Eleventh Hour so I love seeing it as number one! I didn't start there by choice; it was all I had access to at the time. And I wouldn't change a thing; it's such a great place to start!
For reference I started watching Dr Who in the Jon Pertwee era although I did move away from it slightly from Peter Davidson until the Paul McGann movie (which I've just rewatched and actually rather enjoyed more this time around, alos been ctaching up on Sylvester Mccoy era which I totally missed) and more latterly watched the rebooted series religiously (Although not a huge fan of Jodi Whittaker TBH although some of the stories were good). Of the new era for me the standout Doctor has been Peter Capaldi and if there's one episode everyone should watch it's Heaven Sent.
That all said the one thing for me that has always been synonymous with the Doctor is the Daleks and IMHO you could do nothing worse than watch every Dalek related episode/serial in transmitted order. It covers a lot of the Doctors psyche and gives a good feel of what he is all about.
my first episode was the impossible planet / Satan pit two parter, still think it's the perfect jumping on point. It's perfect Sci fi horror base under siege mystery right from the cold open. then going back and starting with rose..
I remember convincing my gf by watching the 11th hour
My favorite Classic Era Doctor is Pertwee (though McCoy is a close 2nd) & my favorite Modern Era Doctor is Capaldi, & I feel T. Baker & Tennant are good but overrated.
I have a 13-month-old granddaughter. How old do you think she needs to be to introduce her?
I'm currently working on watching all the first and last stories of each Doctor. I started watching in 78 or 79 (as well as I could in Chicago) and my first story was Claws of Axos, but I've really taken a shining to Patrick Troughton.
I wish you had called the "Rose" method the New Who method, because I don't like Rose and I watch those episodes for Christopher Eccleston and tolerate (barely) Rose. I think this is probably the best way to start Doctor Who if you have NO history of Who at all. Matt Smith is my favorite new Doc (I'm very much looking forward to Ncuti Gatwa) but I think it might be better to start with the reboot.
I think The Face Of Evil is a good jumping on point
I love these types of videos
By all means include Blink in your wibbly-wobbly start, but not actually first. Starting on a Doctor-lite seems like it would give the wrong impression
The first Doctor Who episode I watched was in 2009 Utopia from Series 3 when a friend of mine was watching it on Netflix. I had no idea what was going by I was interested in the episode's plot.
PLOT: 3 time travelers (The Doctor, Martha & Jack) going to the distant future fighting against human villains while rescuing and helping the good humans escape to a "Utopia" only to run into the main time traveler's rival (The Master) when he thought he thought he was the last of his kind?
Also that cliffhanger at the end made me wanna tune into the next episode...
And I have proudly been a fan of the show to this day 🙂
Utopia was my first episode, too! I was instantly hooked. Still one of my favorite episodes!
I'm getting back into the show slowly, so I wondered if you could do a video on getting back into the show. Thanks
There's a video coming next week that might be of interest to you. Keep an eye out!
Romana 1 had, by far, the best wardrobe!
For me starting from the beginning with An Unearthly Child might be a bit overwhelming, but would be a great place to start from a classic who point of view. The Eleventh Hour made doctor who more relatable for a lot of fans over the world so that's a great episode to start with! The Pilot was really refreshing and provides a great place for new fans to jump in as the episode itself is about companion Bill Potts meeting the doctor, discovering aliens exist and stepping inside the tardis for the first time! I think The Woman Who Fell To Earth was far too disconnected from the previous eras of doctor who and wouldn't be a great place for new fans to start with in my opinion. I started doctor who with the series 1 episode Rose and I'm glad I did! Christopher Eccleston's ninth doctor was fantastic and Billie Piper's companion rose tyler was so relatable! Smith and Jones and Partners in Crime are also great starting points for new fans! Great video, thanks Ellie and Who Culture! 😊😊
Throughout the WHOLE video I was getting really anxious that you weren’t going to bring up the 11th hour and how great of a starting point that is!
I've never watched Doctor Who, I know what's the series about but that's it. So is it really ok to start with the 60th special?
The Ribos Operation is great! I love Romana I as much as I despise Romana II.
Could we have Romana III in this new era of Doctor Who?
On the other hand, Smith and Jones, as good as it is, is not the best place to start, bc 10th is still pining for his former companion (avoiding spoilers), and you'd miss something from the previous season.
I started watching from "The Eleventh hour" accidentally, it was the first one I had available. It is a purr-fect place to start.
Absolutely agree with 11th Hour as number one spot. It's in HD, has decent VFX and is a great story over all, while Rose is in SD with that weird Series 1 image filter on top, has very dated CGI and if you continue watching from there on, you'll reach the farting aliens two-parter very soon. The wibbly-wobbly approach would be my number two. Just let someone watch one of the all-time greats. You don't need to know more than "There's a timetraveller in a blue box trying to do the right thing" to understand most episodes.
This just gets me more pumped to dig into the upcoming Limited Edition NEW WHO Box Set coming out in a couple weeks time.
I started with series one! now I'm watching the classics too, currently at... at least two seasons before the fourth regenerates♡
How long is that recap going to be?
As someone who was converted to a Doctor Who fan at the launch of Matt Smith's first season, year 5, I think the best season to start with (introduce to someone new) is year 5, I've already converted a few friends thanks to it... starting with it and watching episode by episode from year 5 onwards I feel that anyone can get a taste of the series.
Same. I got my partner to start watching secretly just to start making references to me slowly and knew that The Eleventh Hour was my favorite episode. He then felt the need to go back and watch all of it and was surprised to be really interested since he's not a sci-fi fantasy kind of person like I am (except for Star Wars... He's a super fan of that).
I'd say Eleventh Hour, Rose, Smith & Jones, or Mummy on the Orient Express
I started from 11th hour. Yes.
For most Americans, their first Episode was Doctor Who - Robot. IMHO - This is the best starting point if any youngsters wanting to watch to old series. If you do not enjoy TB as The Doctor, you won't enjoy any Doctors that come after or before. The only other truly correct starting off point is Episode one of the re-boot - Rose.
My entry into Doctor Who was definitely the wibbly wobbly method. I was introduced to the first Doctor midway through a Dalek story then later introduced to the fourth Doctor midway through another two stories(The Pirate Planet and Stones of blood) before I saw a complete story(Androids of Tara) from there I was hooked. I still don't feel as though I know all the lore of the sixty years of the show. I have friends who didn't know about the original series but we're enjoying the new series, until they started talking with me. I still enjoy bouncing through episodes watching just my favourites.
All great choices
Go watch “Tales from the Tardis” - it’ll give you the appetise, to go watch the Classic episodes. Already on day 4 of watching 60 years of Doctor Who, currently with The Third Doctor & Jo Grant.
WhoCulture choosing the Eleventh hour as number one makes me feel validated!!!!
GERONIMO
Good list.
The first episode i watch is human nature /family of blood.
I watch the classics in wibly wobly method lol😂
Great choice for number 1👍
It’s cool to see that my coincidental start, the 11th hour, Is considered a good start by you guys. I definitely agree with this personally!, if I recall correctly in the first season the only existing character that shows up is River song, so you won’t be wondering who everyone is or what’s happening. And River is still a mystery to the doctor at this point so you’re not missing much
I am really happy to have started at the number 1 spot way back when it was on netflix, watched it up untill the regeneration, and went back and started with the reboot some months back, currently at 13th and hoping to be on time with the 60th special
I would have said Runaway Bride and Partners in Crime as a good starting place. You get to see the best of Tennant (in my opinion) and a bunch of really good episodes like Forest of the Dead, Midnight, fires of Pompeii, and many more
It also provides context to why the doctor travels with a companion, and it also explains what happened to his last in Runaway Bride, while also showing her return in Season 4 aswell, and also an excellent way to introduce other side characters like Mickey, Jack, Sarah Jane, A very very good dalek 2 parter and so much more
Donna isn’t in Season 4.
@@DrWhoFanJ yeah its why I specified Runaway Bride
@@Nebby_smells Really not getting the point you think you’re making here.
@@DrWhoFanJ Runaway Bride introduces donna, then you skip right to season 4 ep 1 to see when they meet again
@@Nebby_smells _The Runaway Bride_ introduces Donna. It is not possible to jump forwards from there to Season 4 as that was broadcast decades before TRB's 2006 (specifically 1966-1967).
I usually start with an Un Earthly Child and the first doctor then work my through the entire series. I start on Brit Box and then move over to the Classic Series after cancelling my Brit Box subscription. Right now I am currently on Series five and have just finished up the Pandorica Opens. I am hoping that I can wrap up the series by the time that I anniversarry special. If i am not able to do that I will just wait a couple of days to watch the anniversary special.
It’s gonna be tight but you can do it!
I started with series 5, and watched everything from nuwho up until series 11. Then only some episodes.
Currently watching everything from season 1 onwards.
The very first episode I watched was episode 1 ,series 1 with no 9 .The best decision I made with absolutely no regrets ended up being a loyal fan .
What i like to do is the registration method to watch the first and last episodes of each doctor
nice idea and there IS a reconstruction of power of the doctor, and the animation. Its not quite the4 same as watching it properly but its quite good. I'm not quite old enough to watch 1st and 2nd but I've watched from 3rd on first broadcast and played catch up with one and two when I could
Rose is definitely the best starting point, Series 1 is the most consistently amazing series of the lot and is the most likely to get someone hooked. They can then make their way through modern Who and if they want more after that they can return to the classic era.
As an American i first watched Doctor Who when it started on BBC America and i fell in love with it.
Never skip Nine. You start with Rose, in my opinion and then go back to Classic Who because some of the plots aren’t whole. Well that’s just what I did. 😂
The Key to Time arc is where I started my Doctor Who journey and agree it's a good starting point. Also preferred Mary Tamm as Romanadvoratnelundar. Just wondering out loud, but don't most first-timers have a least an inkling or basic idea of what the Time Lord is all about? Cheers....
I started with NuWho, but the Key to Time arc was my first experience with the classic series. I agree that it was a great place to start! As to whether people have a basic idea of what it's about, I think it really depends. I didn't have much of a clue until my friends told me about it, but I was an American teenager and the show was just starting to gain traction where I lived (2009ish). The only reason I knew anything when I jumped in at Utopia is because I spent some time reading Wikipedia beforehand.
@@musenightingale that's what I meant. New fans hear from friends or Wiki or other social media, etc, but don't go in as blind as I did in '78 when I first tuned into the Doctor. Whether starting from scratch or loaded with info, it's great to dive into both the Classic and NuWho universes. Have fun. Cheers....