New Fall Season - What Shows Are Jumping Ahead?

Hello Tourists.  Yes, I confess, it's been a while ... a long, damn while since I've posted anything.  Admittedly, TV has been a little slow for me in this latter part of summer.  But of course that's going to change very soon as we move into the new fall season (and PLEASE tell me Time Warner Cable and CBS will have resolved their stalemate and the network will be back on the air soon, cause I watch a LOT of CBS).

In the meantime, I have learned that quite a few of my returning shows are going to be making use of time jumps in their premieres.  What that means is that instead of picking up right where we left off in last spring's finales, we'll be revisiting them a while - often months - after those events occurred.  Sometimes they catch us up with what has happened during that unseen time period in great detail, sometimes it's barely touched on.

Is this a case of storytelling laziness?  Admittedly, time jumps are a neat and tidy way to move the action along without having to deal with complications of plotlines, character relationships, etc.  But when a show leaves us with a cliffhanger, it'd be nice to come back right at that moment we were left with, fulfilling the inevitable "Holy crap!  What happens next??" hole left.

SPOILERS!

Shows that are gratefully bringing us back right to that last moment are Grey's Anatomy (Does Richard live or die?), Castle (Will Beckett accept or decline Castle's marriage proposal?).  Once Upon a Time (we're off to Neverland!) and Supernatural (The angels fell!  How is Sam's health?  Where is Cas?  Is Crowley cured?).

Shows jumping ahead are Arrow (5 months have passed), Elementary (a summer has passed), Parenthood ( a few months), Revenge (5 months), Scandal (a few months), The Vampire Diaries (3 months) and The Walking Dead (a few months).

So how do you feel about your favorite shows jumping ahead?  Leave me a comment below.  And for premiere date information, check out the column to the left, which I update daily.

All About the BBC - Doctor Who and Broadchurch

 

Okay, I'm WAY behind on weighing in on BBC America's announcement of the casting of Peter Capaldi as the 12th Doctor on the long-running series Doctor Who.  The news was presented Sunday during a live special that was clearly a big event over there ... live studio audience, big fanfare, plenty of teasing and anticipation-building.  And thunderous applause when Capaldi made his way on stage.

Whether you're a Whovian or not, you have to appreciate just how big casting for this role is.  Consider that there have been 11 actors to portray THE SAME ROLE ... that's unheard of.  And this new Doctor comes just when the show is celebrating its 50th anniversary.  It's just a lot of big news all around.

As for Capaldi,  I don't know much about him.  He has guest-starred on the show before and has worked in both television and film and was most recently seen in World War Z (ironically as a W.H.O doctor).  At 55, he is far older than his predecessor Matt Smith, who will depart the role this Christmas.  Show runner Steven Moffat has said he wanted an older Doctor, and he has gotten his wish, saying that the list of contenders for the role pretty much consisted of one name:  Capaldi.

As has been before, it will take some time to get used to this new Doctor, but I think they have made a good choice.

In related news - related in that my favorite Doctor is starring in a new series - David Tennant headlines a new BBC America series, Broadchurch, which premieres tomorrow night.  

There are certain actors that I really only love in one role (sorry, David Boreanaz, I know Bones is a successful show but to me, you'll always be Angel) and there are those I'll follow wherever they go (Jensen Ackles, Nathan Fillion), and Tennant is one of them.  This incredibly talented Scotsman won me over instantly as the 10th Doctor and I have since watched him online in other projects, including a bit of Shakespeare, which he masters so well.

So I was excited to learn that he was starring in this new drama and was also happy to learn that there would be other Who alums included in the run, including Arthur Darvill, who played Rory Williams in Series 5, 6 and half of 7 (in England, seasons are called series).

THE LOWDOWN

Broadchurch - critically-acclaimed and a hit in the U.K. - centers on the murder investigation of a young boy, Danny, in a British seaside town.  Leading the investigation are two detectives – Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman, Hot Fuzz, The Iron Lady), the strong yet compassionate local Detective Sergeant, and Alec Hardy (Tennant),  the by-the-book Detective Inspector and Ellie’s newly appointed boss.  By circumstance they are partnered to solve the murder, keeping the newspapers from derailing the investigation and trying to prevent the crime from impacting tourism at the beach where the boy was murdered.

The premiere episode opened with an impressive single-take tracking shot which, in a matter of a few minutes, introduced us to a good number of townsfolk, undoubtably many of which will figure into the ongoing mystery. The setting is bright and sunny in the onset, which you don't normally think of when you think of England.  It isn't long before we're taken to the crime scene and we're there as his mother Beth (Jodie Whittaker) experiences the horror of her loss.

I love hearing Tennant speak with his native Scottish accent!  This is a far different role from the Doctor ... quieter, more internal, far less physical ... but it's nice to watch him play someone different.  I admit that though his character is angry, disheveled and has a troubled past, I'm hoping for a touch of the levity I've come to love from his earlier performances ... but this is not that show.

 

You get a sense that the two lead characters are destined to clash in their opinions and investigative styles, and Tennant and Colman play off each other nicely.  In her bland pant suit and closely-cropped curls, Colman's Ellie looks harder, colder than she actually is - she's rather sensitive, cautious - and it works well.  Plus the fact that these people are her neighbors, some friends, and the fear that one of them could be a killer, gives her a really interesting facet to play.

The show plays with a lot of interesting camera angles and lighting and is supported by a very haunting score.  I know people are likening this series to AMC's The Killing or Sundance Channel's Top of the Lake, but I haven't watched either so I can't concur (though I hear the latter is really good).  There's nothing particularly groundbreaking here.  This is a show I think you watch more for the characters and their interactions and emotions rather than the mystery of the murder itself, though I'm hoping for a nice twist or two along the way.  At only eight episodes and with a promised solving at its conclusion, I expect the story to move along at a decent pace.

Bottom Line:  As a true Tennant fan, I have to say give this show a go.

Broadchurch premieres tomorrow, Wednesday, Aug. 7 at 10 p.m. on BBC America.

Doctor Who ... Is Next?

 

The 12th Doctor will finally be revealed!  At least, the actor (or actress) playing him/her will be this Sunday, August 4 at 11 a.m. PST during a live special on BBC America.


Participating in the special will be the new Doctor, current and exiting Doctor, Matt Smith, executive producer Steven Moffat and previous Doctor portrayers (David Tennant, I hope!).

Nothing was divulged during the panel at Comic-con, so this is truly one of the best-kept secrets in entertainment.  No clue who it could be, but if tradition stands, the new Doctor will not be a big-name actor, they will be from Great Britain (English and Scottish are both acceptable) and they will become a part of a truly historic and beloved legacy.

ALLONS-Y!

Comic-Con 2013

I have finally recovered from my annual pilgrimage to San Diego's ultimate geek-fest.  Yes, I only went for one day - Sunday - but that doesn't mean I wasn't exhausted!  To prove it, here was my trip:

Woke up Saturday morning at 8:30, worked all day, then left for San Diego from L.A. at 8 p.m., arriving around 10:30 p.m.  Met up with friends, one of which headed over with me to the Convention Center, where we parted ways to get into our respective lines, me for Sunday badge pickup, her for Hall H.  This was at 1 a.m..  That's right:  We camped out ALL NIGHT LONG. I was first in my line!  Never been first in such a line as this before ... it was quite cool.  But I maybe nodded off a couple of times for maybe 20 minutes here and there. 

Went into badge pickup around 8:15 a.m., then met up with friend in Hall H line, which was INSANE!!  But we got in and happily watched panels for Supernatural, Breaking Bad, Doctor Who and Community.  We then spent a couple of hours walking the Exhibit Hall before heading out at the end of the Con to meet with a friend for dinner, after which we drove back to L.A. (thanks 5 Hour Energy!).  Got home around midnight Sunday night.

So yeah, about 2 hours sleep over two days.  Granted, my friend was there all four days and barely slept all THAT time, but still ...

Anyhoo, the panels were very cool and I watch all four shows faithfully, so that made it even better.  Here are some highlights:

SUPERNATURAL

What can I say ... any chance to see my boys in person is a treat!  There was the usual joshing, joking and teasing among the guests, which included show runner Jeremy Carver, executive producer Robert Singer and actors (pictured here L-R) Felicia Day (who was a surprise panelist), Jensen Ackles, Mark Sheppard, Misha Collins and Jared Padalecki (who is going to be a father for a second time - congrats!).  A particularly funny bit was when Sheppard's name plate got knocked off the table.  He got up and walked around to pick it up and on his way back, Ackles told Collins to knock it off again.  He didn't ... until just before Sheppard sat down again.  Sheppard then got up, picked his up and placed it, then promptly knocked Collins' off.  Love stuff like this!  We were treated to the always-hilarious gag reel and a scene from the first episode of the new season, but not much else.  No real spoilers or reveals ... but I can live with that.  Can't wait for Season 9!

BREAKING BAD

 

Yeah, let me explain ... this.  See the panel for Breaking Bad featured creator Vince Gilligan and stars Aaron Paul, Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, RJ Mitte and Bryan Cranston.  When Cranston came out, he looked exactly like he does as his character Walter White ... which was weird because they finished filming the final eight episodes quite a while ago.  So why keep the shaved head?  Psych!  He didn't.  Bryan proceeded to pull off an extremely accurate - and somewhat creepy - Walter White mask, which you see above (and which he wore while walking around the Exhibit Hall with fans completely unaware of his true identity).  The "face" made its way during the panel from being on the table to ending up on Bryan's mic, with Bryan conducting the rest of the talk speaking into his own mouth.  Not kidding.


See for yourself:

 

Funny as hell but weird!  The actors spoke about where their characters are now and their various evolutions over the course of the series, which begins its final 8-ep run on August 11.  Again, no spoilers and frankly, I was just too damned distracted by that mask!

DOCTOR WHO

 

I was so terribly excited for this panel, having become a major Whovian over the last month (see my two-part feature story here on TV TourGuide.net).  I was happy to see the latest Doctor, Matt Smith, who is departing the role this Christmas, along with co-star Jenna Coleman, actor David Bradley (who is starring in the upcoming making-of-Doctor Who special An Adventure in Space and Time) and producers Stephen Moffat, Marcus Wilson and Mark Gatiss, but ultimately I was hoping the rumor of David Tennant  - a.k.a the 10th Doctor - making a surprise appearance was true and eagerly awaited his arrival ... but alas, denied.  I

It was still great to hear the panelists talk about the series, which is celebrating a huge milestone this year - its 50th anniversary.  The best came when we were treated to an exclusive trailer for the anniversary special that will air on Nov. 23.  First, the 6,500 attendees were warned that if ANY of the footage shown ended up online in ANY capacity, the BBC would NEVER bring footage to Comic-Con again - ever.  We all solemnly swore and were given the fantastic gift of seeing the return of Tennant to the role of the Doctor, giddily sharing the screen with his successor Smith.  Suffice to say, CAN. NOT. WAIT.  No word on who the 12th Doctor will be ... they are actually still writing Smith's swan song episode.  So that, too, will be a long, hard wait.  But when it comes ... 

COMMUNITY

 

That's creator Dan Harmon in that Ironman costume.  The room erupted when that was revealed (with help from show stars Danny Pudi and Jim Rash).  See, in case you are unfamiliar with the behind-the-scenes of Community, Harmon was fired after season 3, leading to a rather off-kilter fourth season.  Many petitioned to reinstate Harmon and they were successful.  He will be back as show runner for season 5.  This is the show that (thankfully) will not die.  It's not a ratings winner in any way and every year its renewal is a big surprise.  But the show's motto of "Six Seasons and a Movie" may not be that farfetched.  

Also on the panel were co-stars Yvette Nicole Brown, Gillian Jacobs, Alison Brie and Ken Jeong, who were all clearly thrilled to have Harmon back at the helm.  Here's hoping for the return of our beloved Community's true voice and spirit, cause it's damn special.

Supernatural returns October 15 on the CW.

Breaking Bad returns August 11 on AMC.

Doctor Who's 50th anniversary special airs November 23 on BBC America.

Community return date TBD on NBC.

Primetime Emmy Nominations

The nominations for the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards were announced bright and early (for West Coasters) this morning by Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul (who is nominated for his role as Jesse on the hit AMC show, which concludes later this fall) and Neil Patrick Harris, who is hosting this year's ceremony on Sept. 22.

I'd like to say I get excited for these nominations but frankly, I didn't even know today was announcement day, guess cause I knew deep down there weren't going to be any real surprises.  And I was right.  Same old, same old for the most part, with a very few exceptions.  Just once I'd like to see nominations for an actor or a show out of left field (Jared Padalecki was particularly great this year on Supernatural) or actually nominate someone who truly gave a beyond-worthy performance (hello, Monica Potter on NBC's Parenthood this year!  And Jennifer Carpenter on Showtime's Dexter?  Come on!) instead of the usual suspects who seem to get the obligatory nomination out of, what, laziness of voters?  Can't say.

Cable rules once again, far surpassing nominations over network TV.  I think the only category cable doesn't dominate in is reality TV.  Wonder how long that'll last.

The few pleasant surprises for me include Kerry Washington on ABC's Scandal, a show I binge-watched recently and who is very, very good in the role of crisis manager Olivia Pope,  Happy to see Mayim Bialik recognized for her role as Amy on CBS' The Big Bang Theory, though I would have been equally happy for Melissa Rausch for her consistently hilarious Bernadette.  And Netflix is in the game now with their series House of Cards and stars Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright and the return of Arrested Development (Jason Bateman is nominated).

Thrilled to have Emilia Clarke's Daenerys and Peter Dinklage's Tyrion on Game of Thrones get nods.  And kudos to Firefly alums Morena Baccarin (Showtime's Homeland) and Christina Hendricks (AMC's Mad Men) for thiers.

Elisabeth Moss is a double nominee, for her role as the ever evolving Peggy on Mad Men and her work in the Sundance miniseries Top of the Lake.  And there are some noms for shows that are no longer with us, including HBO's Enlightened (star Laura Dern is nominated) and USA's Political Animals (star Sigourney Weaver is, too).

Big yawn once again for the onslaught of noms for the Modern Family guys in the Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy category.  There really isn't ANYONE else in all the comedies?  And I guess voters want to give one last nod to the folks at 30 Rock.  If Alec Baldwin wins again ... wish he'd pulled a John Larroquette and stopped submitting himself long ago.  He has enough Emmys for the role!  And where is Dexter ... anything??

So what do you think of this year's nominations?  Are you excited for anyone?  I'll definitely be anticipating Neil Patrick Harris and his hosting magic once again  on Sept. 22.

Here are the main categories:

Drama Series
Breaking Bad (AMC)
Downton Abbey (PBS)
Game of Thrones (HBO)
Homeland (Showtime)
House of Cards (Netflix)
Mad Men (AMC)

Comedy Series
The Big Bang Theory (CBS)
Girls (HBO)
Louie (FX)
Modern Family (ABC)
30 Rock (NBC)
Veep (HBO)

Lead Actor in a Drama Series
Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad
Kevin Spacey, House of Cards
Hugh Bonneville, Downton Abbey
Jon Hamm, Mad Men
Jeff Daniels, The Newsroom (HBO)

Lead Actress in a Drama Series
Vera Farmiga, Bates Motel (A&E)
Michelle Dockery, Downton Abbey
Clare Danes, Homeland
Robin Wright, House of Cards
Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men
Connie Britton, Nashville (ABC)
Kerry Washington, Scandal (ABC)

Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Jason Bateman, Arrested Development
Jim Parsons, The Big Bang Theory
Matt LeBlanc, Episodes (Showtime)
Don Cheadle, House of Lies (Showtime)
Louis C.K., Louie
Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock

Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
Laura Dern, Enlightened
Lena Dunham, Girls
Edie Falco, Nurse Jackie (Showtime)
Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation (NBC)
Tina Fey, 30 Rock
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Bobby Cannavale, Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
Jonathan Banks, Breaking Bad
Aaron Paul, Breaking Bad
Jim Carter, Downton Abbey
Peter Dinklage, Game of Thrones
Mandy Patinkin, Homeland

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Anna Gunn, Breaking Bad
Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Emilia Clarke, Game of Thrones
Christine Baranski, The Good Wife
Morena Baccarin, Homeland
Christina Hendricks, Mad Men

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Alan Driver, Girls
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Modern Family
Ed O'Neill, Modern Family
Ty Burrell, Modern Family
Bill Hader, Saturday Night Live
Tony Hale, Veep

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Mayim Bialik, The Big Bang Theory
Jane Lynch, Glee
Sofia Vergara, Modern Family
Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Merritt Wever, Nurse Jackie
Jane Krakowski, 30 Rock
Anna Chlumsky, Veep

Best Supporting Actor in a TV Miniseries or Movie
Michael Douglas, Behind the Candleabra
Matt Damon, Behind the Candelabra
Toby Jones, The Girl (HBO)
Benedict Cumberbatch, Parade's End (HBO)
Al Pacino, Phil Spector

Best Supporting Actress in a TV Miniseries or Movie
Jessica Lange, American Horror Story: Asylum
Laura Linney, The Big C: Hereafter
Helen Mirren, Phil Spector
Sigourney Weaver, Political Animals
Elisabeth Moss, Top of the Lake

Miniseries or Movie
American Horror Story: Asylum (FX)
Behind the Candelabra (HBO)
The Bible (History Channel)
Phil Spector (HBO)
Political Animals (USA)
Top of the Lake (Sundance)

Damn Good TV - Doctor Who (Part 2)

Welcome back, Tourists for Part 2 of my feature on the phenomenal BBC series Doctor Who.

After the 10th Doctor (David Tennant) and companion Martha Jones parted ways, he began traveling with Donna Noble (Catherine Tate).  Tennant and Tate had worked together prior to her joining the show and the two actors had a definite, established chemistry.  Not a romantic one, though - their relationship was more comical, more brother-and sister.  Donna was a real foil for him, constantly challenging and berating him, whom she referred to as "Spaceman."

Toward the end of Tennant's tenure as the Doctor, the show reached an amazing pinnacle when prior Companions Rose and Martha joined Donna and the Doctor in an amazing three-part season finale, "Turn Left", "The Stolen Earth" and "Journey's End."  This trilogy is incredibly epic and has so much astounding adventure and action and featured the Doctor's greatest enemy, the Daleks, who were thought destroyed in the Time War but who keep coming back and never seem to die.

That's another great thing about Doctor Who.  The history of the whole series is respected and treasured.  These latter seasons have greatly capitalized on that history, often referring to (and slide-showing) the Doctor's previous incarnations and bringing back in full-force long-ago established villains and monsters, most notably the Daleks, the Cybermen and the Master.

Let me take a moment to acknowledge other great characters I've encountered watching this show:  the swashbuckling Captain Jack Harkness (John  Barrowman), Rose's comical mother Jackie (Camille Coduri), the mysterious and cunning River Song (Alex Kingston), self-identity obsessed Prime Minister Harriet Jones (Penelope Wilton) and the power-hungry Master (John Simm).

I humbly admit I sobbed my eyes out for a good ten minutes when Tennant's Doctor regenerated in "The End of Time, Part 2", another two-parter that easily rivals some of the best of sci-fi movies.  It was a beautiful, heart-breaking swan song and I really had to take a day to decompress before I could open myself up to the 11th Doctor, played by Matt Smith.

 

The thing with the regenerations is, not only does the Doctor have to adjust to a new face, body and personality, the fans do as well.  But each actor has the freedom to bring something new to the role.

Smith's Doctor has less of Tennant's overall wonder and affection for humans.  He's more about solving puzzles and often comes across as a petulant child with ADHD.  He has a penchant for lying (instantly admitting to doing so), talks at the speed of light and throws his arms about in wild flails and randomly hits himself.  And his jawline?  A bit otherworldly!  Cool tidbit - notice when you watch how, while Tennant talks down through his noseline from above, Smith talks up through his browline.  Subtle but a cool difference.

With our new Doctor comes a new Companion, the infamous (and often said to be the most popular) Amy Pond (Karen Gillan).  But with her comes her own Companion, boyfriend/husband Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill).  The pair kind of become pseudo-parents to their Doctor over the course of their very long relationship with him ... this is definitely the longest you see a Doctor with a Companion - two and a half seasons.  These are also characters that challenge the Doctor and call him on it when his actions are morally questionable.  And the love story of the Ponds (yes, he unofficially takes her name in marriage) is quite beautiful.

With the 11th Doctor also comes the ever mysterious story of River Song (Alex Kingston), a character we first meet in the 4th season episode "Silence in the Library" and who seems to have a very deep, very long, incredibly involved and complicated history with the Doctor.  With a "Hello Sweetie" or a warning of "Spoilers", this was a character to be reckoned with.  And Kingston is great in the role.

When we bid farewell to the Ponds at the end of the first part of season 7, we were introduced to the most recent Companion, Clara Oswald (Jenna-Louise Coleman), who we come to know as The Impossible Girl."  I think Clara is the most like the Doctor, constantly matching him in wit and fortitude with a playful gleam in her eye.  And she comes to play a pivotal role in the Doctor's existence, which is what we are left with at the end of season 7.

So now I'm all caught up and have the terrible feat of waiting with everyone else for comes next, which is the 50th anniversary special airing November 23, followed by the Christmas special, which will bid farewell to Smith, who announced earlier this year that he is exiting the role.

Another regeneration, a new Doctor, a new actor in the role (as yet uncast) we'll have to come to know and hopefully love.  Quite a legacy to join.  A truly unique, wonderful, fantastic series for all time ... and space!

So PLEASE, come aboard the TARDIS and join the Doctor, his Companions and me in enjoying this amazing, incredible show.  You can stream the last six seasons on Netflix and additional episodes on Amazon Instant Video.

Geronimo!

Damn Good TV - Doctor Who (Part One)

It's nearly time for Comic-con!  I'm going for only one day but fortunately it's the day that features a panel for my all-time favorite show, Supernatural.  Last year, that panel came right before one for the BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

I had never seen the program - as a child the music and swirling vortex in the opening credits scared me - so I had no idea what the hundreds of people all around me in line were discussing and raving about.  Had no context at all.  My friend and fellow CC compatriot is a fan and has told me many times I needed to see the show, so I decided to use my summer binge-watch time to settle in, see what all the fuss is about and be in the know for this year's panel.

I am so very very glad I did, because Doctor Who is EXTRAORDINARY television.  Weird, wacky, whimsical, sometimes sad, sometimes scary, often hopeful, inspirational, adventurous, many times epic.  Better than a lot of sci-fi feature films in scope and story.  An ongoing, engaging saga with terrific characters, mind-twisting plots and a whole lot of fun.

So, allons y!  First, enjoy the epic theme:

Doctor Who has been on and off the air since 1963.  The series tells the story of the Doctor, the 900+-year-old sole survivor of a race of beings called Time Lords, time travelers from the planet Gallifrey, which was destroyed in the great Time War of long ago.

The Doctor travels in a stolen time machine/space ship called the TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension in Space), which is disguised at a 1960s British police call box and is notoriously "bigger on the inside."  It can literally go anywhere in space and time.  The Doctor is often referred to as the TARDIS' "thief," as he initially stole it.

There have been 11 actors in all to play the Doctor:  William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvestor McCoy, Paul McGann, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant and Matt Smith.  This isn't a Bewitched situation where a cast member is replaced in a role but the show goes on as if nothing has happened.  The Doctor, when he is about to die, has the ability to regenerate, or transform himself into a completely new body while retaining memories of his previous incarnations.  With regeneration comes new personality traits, mannerisms, quirks, etc.  He is at the same time the same man and a whole new man - a paradox (paradoxes are played with throughout the series).

The Doctor travels quite often with a "Companion," in most cases (but not always) a young woman.  He has traveled with multiple people as well, but usually it's just a duo.  As far as I know, it's never a physical relationship.  More like a hero-sidekick one sometimes with platonic, romantic overtones.  Fate often brings the Doctor to his Companion and the show is arguably more about her journey while traveling with the him than his actual story.  But each Companion's time comes to an end and it's on the next, often coinciding with a regeneration.

 (The Companions since 2005 (L-R):  Billie Piper, Freema Agyeman, Catherine Tate, Karen Gillan, Jenna-Louise Coleman)

The Doctor's tool of the trade is a sonic screwdriver, which "doesn't kill, doesn't wound, doesn't maim but is very good at opening doors" and accomplishing a wide array of tasks

My relationship with the Doctor begins with the series that returned in 2005 with the 9th Doctor, Eccleston.

(L-R: David Tennant, Matt Smith, Christopher Eccleston)

Eccleston only played the Doctor for one season.  He is, in my opinion, the most main-stream in terms of looks, with a simple, single-colored tunic and black leather jacket (explore the clothing of the other Doctors and you'll see that many dressed more .... colorfully, some rather strangely).  He played the Doctor with an often manic giddyness, flashing a great big smile in his excitement over the situations he encountered.  And the worse the circumstances, the happier he was (a common trait in his successors).

The 9th Doctor's Companion was Rose (Billie Piper), a 19-year-old Londoner whose life he saved.  After their first adventure, Rose instantly signed up to travel with the Doctor, eager to explore the universe with the odd, mysterious alien.

I wondered how I would accept my first regeneration from 9th to 10th Doctor - I got used to Eccleston in the role.  But after what has since become my favorite episode - "The Christmas Invasion" - which introduces David Tennant in the role, I knew I had found my Doctor.

With a face that can rival Jim Carrey in transformation, Tennant is positively brilliant as the Doctor.  It was fun to learn that he was a fan of the show since he was a boy and who had wanted more than anything to play the Doctor.  Love stories like this!  Tennant gives his Doctor a childlike wonder, a boisterous enthusiasm, an unending faithfulness in humanity, a great sense of mercy and a fierce temper.  He can go from the sweetest smile to the scariest scowl in a heartbeat.  And his hair is awesome!

I truly became a devoted Whovian (the term for fans of the show) during Tennant's tenure.  I loved the sweetness, the loyalty and the obvious but never admitted love that came with his relationship with Rose.  Her journey came to an end after Tennant's first season and we ventured on with his new companion Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman), a medical student 10th meets when her hospital is hijacked to the moon.

These two had a interesting dynamic, being that Martha was in love with the Doctor who would never requite her feelings.  But they made a good team.

That's all for now.  Come back later for Part Two of my wondrous journey with Doctor Who!

But let me leave with with a little sampling of my favorite Doctor, David Tennant!