The Day of the Doctor
Doctor Who, a British science fiction television programme, first aired on BBC Television at 17:16 (Greenwich Mean Time) on the 23rd of November 1963. The very first episode was entitled 'An Unearthly Child'. Time-travel forward half a century, and the fiftieth anniversary special, 'The Day of the Doctor' aired at 19:50 on the 23rd of November 2013. Over the years, Doctor Who became a cult television show, not just to the British nation, but to fanatics all over the world. And no wonder: it's something more than merely nonsensical imaginings or a traveller's tales. Although the face of The Doctor has changed over the past fifty years, at its hearts, Doctor Who remains a show which inspires hope to generations, to adults and children alike.
Both of my parents were born in 1960 and grew up with Doctor Who playing a huge part in their lives. Their enthusiasm for the television show continues to this day. Like my parents, I grew up with Doctor Who in the background. I was born the year that the Doctor Who movie aired, with Paul McGann portraying the Eighth Doctor. In 2005, when the show returned with Christopher Eccleston as the Ninth Doctor, I was nine years old and watched the show religiously each week, keen to discuss my thoughts about it with my family as well as friends. However, neither Paul McGann or Christopher Eccleston were in fact my 'first Doctor'. The first Doctor who I saw on screen was Tom Baker, the Fourth Doctor, which was because he was my father's favourite Doctor. I was immediately enthralled by Tom Baker's eccentricity and, of course, his scarf. I recall being obsessed with jelly babies for years, and often trying to create my own K-9 out of cardboard boxes. I also remember adoring Elisabeth Sladen's portrayal of Sarah-Jane Smith. As a child of five, I wished that I could be her; not just because she travelled with The Doctor in the TARDIS, but because she was a wonderful character in her own right.
This evening I (now aged seventeen) was fortunate enough to be able to see 'The Day of the Doctor' in 3D at my local cinema. Fifty years of Doctor Who - the thought of that alone is astonishing. It was utterly brilliant to be able to view a celebration of a well-loved show on the big screen, and alongside other fans of the show, many of whom dressed up with fezzes, bow ties, scarves, sonic screwdrivers...I even saw a man with a piece of celery pinned to his jacket! It was a mind-blowing experience to have that sheer amount of people joined together in celebration, with children and adults alike queuing up to buy their tickets. Doctor Who is more than just a television show - it's a cause of joy, of loss, and of wonder. Doctor Who brings people together as a community, to share the love, excitement (and anticipation) for the same one thing. Doctor Who may be a science fiction programme about an alien which was originally intended for a target audience of children, but on nights like tonight I feel that it manages to bring out the best of humanity.
Happy fiftieth birthday, Doctor Who. Thank you.
Both of my parents were born in 1960 and grew up with Doctor Who playing a huge part in their lives. Their enthusiasm for the television show continues to this day. Like my parents, I grew up with Doctor Who in the background. I was born the year that the Doctor Who movie aired, with Paul McGann portraying the Eighth Doctor. In 2005, when the show returned with Christopher Eccleston as the Ninth Doctor, I was nine years old and watched the show religiously each week, keen to discuss my thoughts about it with my family as well as friends. However, neither Paul McGann or Christopher Eccleston were in fact my 'first Doctor'. The first Doctor who I saw on screen was Tom Baker, the Fourth Doctor, which was because he was my father's favourite Doctor. I was immediately enthralled by Tom Baker's eccentricity and, of course, his scarf. I recall being obsessed with jelly babies for years, and often trying to create my own K-9 out of cardboard boxes. I also remember adoring Elisabeth Sladen's portrayal of Sarah-Jane Smith. As a child of five, I wished that I could be her; not just because she travelled with The Doctor in the TARDIS, but because she was a wonderful character in her own right.
This evening I (now aged seventeen) was fortunate enough to be able to see 'The Day of the Doctor' in 3D at my local cinema. Fifty years of Doctor Who - the thought of that alone is astonishing. It was utterly brilliant to be able to view a celebration of a well-loved show on the big screen, and alongside other fans of the show, many of whom dressed up with fezzes, bow ties, scarves, sonic screwdrivers...I even saw a man with a piece of celery pinned to his jacket! It was a mind-blowing experience to have that sheer amount of people joined together in celebration, with children and adults alike queuing up to buy their tickets. Doctor Who is more than just a television show - it's a cause of joy, of loss, and of wonder. Doctor Who brings people together as a community, to share the love, excitement (and anticipation) for the same one thing. Doctor Who may be a science fiction programme about an alien which was originally intended for a target audience of children, but on nights like tonight I feel that it manages to bring out the best of humanity.
Happy fiftieth birthday, Doctor Who. Thank you.
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