Personally, whenever watching, I always start right from the beginning, I'm incapable of watching episodes out of order, I genuinely don't know how some people manage it, they're made of stronger stuff than me. I find it so much more rewarding to watch the entire show from start to finish, because not only does that make each "checkpoint" more defined (reaching the end of a Doctor/companion's era for example), but it all becomes on single story by following the progression of the Doctor, it feels a lot more natural. I definitely hear the argument for starting with the modern era, particularly for younger audiences who may not be used to the format of the classic era, but definitely go back to the classic era once you're caught up and are waiting for more Doctor Who content while you're waiting for the next season to air. I don't particularly advocate for the soft reboots (series 5, series 10, series 11 etc) because while they do indeed take things back to basics, they always get right back into the lore at the first opportunity and it will be very confusing for a new viewer. Whatever starting point you choose, I think it's best to just go with it, don't start jumping around to random episodes because by doing that, you're more at risk of exposing yourself to spoilers, and not getting the desired effects from major plot reveals and things like that, and you won't get the same satisfaction from characters without the full context of their stories and where they're at at that particular moment. I think if you really want to get into Doctor Who, you just have to jump in at the deep end, you can't always rely on current episodes to baby you into it, if you want the full context to whatever is going on right now, sometimes you just have to go back to the beginning. It sounds harsh, but if that means you don't watch along live with the rest of the audience for another year or two, then so be it. It's much more rewarding having all that knowledge and being on the same level of understanding as everyone else than just entering without a clue.
I sorta straddle old and new WHO. I was born 78 so Doctor 7 is really my Doctor and then hiatus… I love some of New Who but also the strangeness of the Classic Series. There are some superb monsters that get forgotten- Sil, The Chief Clown, I even have a soft spot for the Kandy Man. I suppose it what helped form my childhood; watching it on a Wednesday night at the age of 9. Brings back great memories which New Who brought right back. Alright, Classic Who may be slower paced and it does look ‘cheaper’ but it has charm and enthusiasm. You’re dead right that 60s Who might turn people off but again, some excellent monsters, yeah, even the Zarbi, and Ian and Barbara can’t be beaten as companions- having been a teacher myself, I sympathise. 😂 Love what you do- keep it up and here’s to lots more New WHO HQ in the future/past/present…
Also: each head writer changes the style of the show considerably and when they change doctor who essentially does a soft reboot. 13 seasons of nuwho can be quite intimidating so I would reccomend only comitting to watch the RTD era which is seasons 1 to 4 plus a few specials untill david tennant leaves. It's considered the "golden era" and had the most widespread appeal. However if you don't like it, don't write off doctor who entirely and give season 5 a go as that is the start of the moffat era. Or maybe the even the classics!
Personally, whenever watching, I always start right from the beginning, I'm incapable of watching episodes out of order, I genuinely don't know how some people manage it, they're made of stronger stuff than me. I find it so much more rewarding to watch the entire show from start to finish, because not only does that make each "checkpoint" more defined (reaching the end of a Doctor/companion's era for example), but it all becomes on single story by following the progression of the Doctor, it feels a lot more natural.
I definitely hear the argument for starting with the modern era, particularly for younger audiences who may not be used to the format of the classic era, but definitely go back to the classic era once you're caught up and are waiting for more Doctor Who content while you're waiting for the next season to air.
I don't particularly advocate for the soft reboots (series 5, series 10, series 11 etc) because while they do indeed take things back to basics, they always get right back into the lore at the first opportunity and it will be very confusing for a new viewer.
Whatever starting point you choose, I think it's best to just go with it, don't start jumping around to random episodes because by doing that, you're more at risk of exposing yourself to spoilers, and not getting the desired effects from major plot reveals and things like that, and you won't get the same satisfaction from characters without the full context of their stories and where they're at at that particular moment.
I think if you really want to get into Doctor Who, you just have to jump in at the deep end, you can't always rely on current episodes to baby you into it, if you want the full context to whatever is going on right now, sometimes you just have to go back to the beginning. It sounds harsh, but if that means you don't watch along live with the rest of the audience for another year or two, then so be it. It's much more rewarding having all that knowledge and being on the same level of understanding as everyone else than just entering without a clue.
I sorta straddle old and new WHO. I was born 78 so Doctor 7 is really my Doctor and then hiatus… I love some of New Who but also the strangeness of the Classic Series. There are some superb monsters that get forgotten- Sil, The Chief Clown, I even have a soft spot for the Kandy Man. I suppose it what helped form my childhood; watching it on a Wednesday night at the age of 9. Brings back great memories which New Who brought right back. Alright, Classic Who may be slower paced and it does look ‘cheaper’ but it has charm and enthusiasm. You’re dead right that 60s Who might turn people off but again, some excellent monsters, yeah, even the Zarbi, and Ian and Barbara can’t be beaten as companions- having been a teacher myself, I sympathise. 😂 Love what you do- keep it up and here’s to lots more New WHO HQ in the future/past/present…
Im not new to doctor who but this was entertaining!
Also: each head writer changes the style of the show considerably and when they change doctor who essentially does a soft reboot. 13 seasons of nuwho can be quite intimidating so I would reccomend only comitting to watch the RTD era which is seasons 1 to 4 plus a few specials untill david tennant leaves. It's considered the "golden era" and had the most widespread appeal. However if you don't like it, don't write off doctor who entirely and give season 5 a go as that is the start of the moffat era. Or maybe the even the classics!