What’s Up Wednesday: Doctor Who Edition
This coming Saturday, Doctor Who, the longest-running sci-fi series, and the only reason for having a television, turns fifty. So there’s a distinctly Whovian turn to this week’s WUW, if you don’t mind. For those who don’t know, What’s Up Wednesday was devised by Jaime Morrow and Erin Funk as a way for reader/writer buddies to keep up with each other. Find out how to join in the WUW fun and visit other WUW participants on Jaime’s blog (Erin’s taking a blog break for a while).
What I’m Reading
I finished the Doctor Who book I was reading, and I reviewed it on Goodreads. It was a good story, but the writing left a bit to be desired. I contemplated diving into another Doctor Who book, but in the end I chose NIGHT SHIFT by Stephen King. I’ve been saying for a while that I need to write some short stories that I could submit to publications and/or competitions, which is primarily why I picked this as my next read. NIGHT SHIFT is a collection of short stories, written by King between 1970 and 1977. The first, “Jerusalem’s Lot,” appears to be a prequel to ‘SALEM’S LOT. Again, horror’s not my genre of choice, but King is an excellent writer, and I hope to pick up some tips on how to structure a good short story.
What I’m Writing
Again, work on the revisions is slow, but while my Mum’s here, that’s fine. I wrote a piece of flash fiction for the YA Buccaneers’ “Walk the Plank” challenge yesterday that was fun to do. While revisions are slow, it’s good to do things like this that stir the creative juices and remind me that I can still write.
What Inspires Me Right Now
Doctor Who. What particularly inspires me about Doctor Who is how this show that I remember watching as a child on TV in England is still going, and has become such a worldwide phenomenon. The 50th Anniversary Special is being simulcast on television stations in at least 75 countries. It’s being shown in 3D in movie theaters around the world (including this little corner of Eastern North Carolina!). And the Eleventh Doctor graces the cover of this week’s TV Guide magazine here in the States. For all the Radio Times covers the Doctor has appeared on over the years, to land a place on the US’s most prestigious listing guide just shows how far it’s come.
The amazing thing, though, is the fact that all this success is not just due the show itself (though, of course, that is a big factor–it’s an awesome show), but the incredible, loyal fandom the show has. There are people watching today who were sat in front of their TVs that Saturday night in 1963. The people who make the new, rebooted Doctor Who are among some of the biggest fans of the show, and watched it religiously as children. The Tenth Doctor, David Tennant, was (and still is) a complete Doctor Who geek, as is the actor who will become the Twelfth Doctor at Christmas, Peter Capaldi. Even the team of sound and video engineers who restore classic Doctor Who stories for DVD release are all long-time fans of the show. There is such a lot of love for this program both inside and outside the television industry, it’s breathtaking. And that’s the power of a great idea, and what can happen when great ideas capture the imagination. You see a similar kind of thing with the Harry Potter fandom, and I don’t doubt in 2047, people will be celebrating 50 years since HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE was released in the UK.
You might be interested in the following list of celebrities who are fans of Doctor Who (pulled from Wikipedia)–some of these names surprised me!:
- Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
- The Prince of Wales
- Mark Gatiss
- Benedict Cumberbatch
- Stephen Fry
- David Duchovny
- Tom Hanks
- Eric McCormack
- Simon Pegg
- Rob Lowe
- Anthony Stewart Head
- Steve Martin
- Scott Bakula
- Noah Wyle
- Simpsons creator Matt Groening
- Inheritance Cycle author Christopher Paolini
- Firefly creator Joss Whedon
- Science fiction writer Robert J. Sawyer
- Horror writer Stephen King
- Graphic novelist and fantasy writer Neil Gaiman
- Star Trek star Patrick Stewart
- Craig Ferguson of the Late Late show
- Author Rick Riordan
- Director Peter Jackson
- “Star Wars” creator George Lucas
- Director Steven Spielberg (at least a fan of the classic series)
What Else I’ve Been Up To
This past weekend, SecondBorn turned 18. I am now the father of two adult children. I feel old. We had a fun time celebrating, though. And, of course, this Saturday, we’ll be joining with friends to watch the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Special. FirstBorn says she’ll make Dalek cupcakes, and wifey’s trying to think of an appropriate supper to fix. We’re all looking forward to that.
If you’re not a fan of Doctor Who, or have heard of it but never watched it, and you feel like you’re missing out on something… well, yes, you are. š
What’s your week been like?
I’ve never watched Doctor Who, and I do feel a little left out! I’ve been asking my boyfriend to show me some episodes, but we haven’t got around to watching them yet.
It’s a great time to be a Who fan, Laura. With seven season of the new series, and 26 seasons of the classic series to catch up on–most of which are now available on DVD, and through digital subscription services–there are days/weeks/months worth of great stories to get into.
I hope you get to join in the fun soon! š
I think I definitely would enjoy Doctor Who and must get on that. š And yay for writing flash fiction to stir the creative juices. When I get to the point where I’m not writing new scenes for current story, I need to do some of that. Great challenge!
Have a great week! Also, we are not old. We are young at heart. š
People may be a bit hesitant with Who because it’s “sci-fi,” and they’re not into “sci-fi.” But this is family sci-fi, with adventure, humor, and everything that makes for good story-telling. Yes, there are aliens and technical jargon, but there’s so much more to it than just “sci-fi.” I agree–I think you’ll enjoy it. š
I’m always game for a flash fiction challenge, and precisely because it forces me to think outside of my comfort zone, try new ideas, and practice editing. š
Thanks, Alison. My mind and my body have serious disagreements about how old I actually am. š
I love Doctor Who, though I’ve not seen many of the older episodes – I started watching the reboot at Season 3. It definitely shows the staying power of a great idea!
Doesn’t it, though? The original mandate for Doctor Who was to be an educational tool to teach science and history through this alien who travels through time and space. But I think what really gives it life is the incredible possibilities hidden within that mandate. The TARDIS, the sonic screwdriver, regeneration, and all the times and worlds the Doctor visits, all stem from that one idea.
I hope you have a great anniversary weekend, Emma! š
Colin, I too was inspired my the Doctor this week and am throughly geeking out about the 50th Anniversary coming up Saturday! My family and friends who are fans are having a viewing party at my brother’s house.
I had to back and re-read your post because I got so excited to see another Doctor Who fan on the bloghop this week. Keep pressing forward with revisions!
There are a lot of us Whovians out there–and probably more emerging from behind the sofa now that Doctor Who has achieved a coolness status unheard of in the days when I watched it with my brother in our bedroom on a black-and-white portable television.
Thanks for the encouragement, Rebekah! I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating Who with friends and family this weekend. š
I’ve watched season one of Doctor Who but am STILL waiting on my library to send me season two. Obviously it’s a hot commodity because I’ve been waiting since the summer. I have to admit, I wasn’t blown away by the show- I’m not quite sure where all the raving comes from- but I did like it enough to want to keep watching the next season. š
Some people get hooked after a few episodes of season 1, for some it takes a couple of seasons. At least you’re interested enough to keep going. You may prefer David Tennant’s Doctor over Christopher Eccleston’s.
I think part of the “raving” comes from the deep history of the show. To press the Harry Potter comparison further, consider the way Potter fans talk about the series: they don’t just discuss what happens. They talk about Quidditch, horcruxes, the Black family history, who’s related to who, possible back stories, and a whole host of other things alluded to or hinted at by JKR and the books. That’s what fuels the fire of fandom. And Doctor Who has a lot of that same kind of depth to it. Fans talk about stories, episodes, favorite Doctors–but also things hinted at by the series: the Time War, the war between the Sontarans and the Rutans, the Dalek history, how many regenerations can a Time Lord have, Rassilon and the whole back story of the Time Lords, and many many other things.
I’d like to think you’ll become a fan, Melanie, but if it just brings you some hours of enjoyment, that’s enough. š
So…I started watching Doctor Who finally. You should be proud of yourself what with all of your prodding. š It’s definitely different than a lot of what I’ve watched in the past, but it’s fun too. I’m not sure that Christopher Eccleston will be my favourite Doctor, though. Can’t wait to move on to some of the others. Thank you, Netflix, for streaming past seasons!
Happy to hear that you’re having a good visit with your Mum. Thanksgiving will be extra great this year, I imagine. š
*fans face* *wipes away tears* I’m so proud of you Jaime!! š And I’m very gratified that after all my cajoling and badgering, you didn’t hate it! Christopher Eccleston did a great job, but David Tennant won the hearts of many in terms of his portrayal. If you like what you’ve seen so far, I predict you’ll be a fan by the end of season 4 (perhaps sooner..!). š
Thanksgiving will be special this year. It’s been back-to-back celebrations this month for us: my son’s 15th, my SecondBorn’s 18th, Doctor Who, then Thanksgiving. Having my mum here for them all makes them that much more special. š
Okay, you’re making me feel like I should give Dr. Who a chance. My husband and daughter love it, but I’ve yet to watch a full episode. Maybe it’s time to change that? And happy birthday to your second born. You are not old — writing YA keeps us all young. š
Yes, Katy, you should definitely change that! As for feeling old, well my mind and my body frequently dispute my actual age. š
I think I’ve watched like four epesodes of Dr Who in my entire life. I should probably give it more of a chance, since I’ve never heard anyone say anything bad about it. I doubt I’ll ever get to the point where I read Dr. Who books though. When a movie is based on a book, I read the book and skip the movie. But a book based on a TV show, I think I should just watch the TV show.
The books (especially the Virigin and BBC novels) are not based on the TV series in the sense of novelizations of TV stories. They are original stories that use characters from the show. The Eighth Doctor books I’ve been reading are particularly exceptional because they were written during a time when Doctor Who wasn’t even on television. The authors use the character of the Doctor, and other familiar icons of the show (the TARDIS, the sonic screwdriver, etc.), and even some old enemies and companions–but everything else is different. The tone of these books is geared much more to the older reader, and can be quite violent. His regular companions have never been on the TV series. Many of the enemies are new to Doctor Who.
However, saying that, the TV show is what is primarily considered “canon”–so, yes, you should watch more Who. š
If Captain Picard…. sorry, Patrick Stewart, turned up in an episode, it would be pretty cool… except of course he’d have to be with the Tenth Doctor š
As for this weekend’s episode… we’ll have to wait and see, won’t we?
Since Star Trek has been mentioned in the show as fiction, I don’t think we’ll be seeing Captain Picard turning up. However, a guest appearance by Patrick Stewart wouldn’t be out of the question, and could, indeed, be a lot of fun. š
“Doctor Who, the longest-running sci-fi series, and the only reason for having a television,”
Now that Fringe is over, I agree! And it’s definitely one of few programs both parents and children can enjoy together. That I’m aware of, anyway.
I recently introduced my five-year-old daughter to the show, and she’s already fanatical about “Dr. Whooie Who.” I had to make her a shirt to wear for tomorrow.
I won’t be watching the 50th until Monday, when it hits the movie theater here. =( Needless to say, I won’t be on social media much from the Saturday airing until then. Luckily I have the in laws to distract me.
Doctor Who is definitely inspiring on so many levels. The power of an idea and a fandom just amazes me. I wrote about that a couple months ago, specifically with what happened with the Veronica Mars movie. I love seeing a fandom grow like wildfire, spreading throughout the world and touching so many different people. It really brings the point that we are all connected somehow home.
Happy Who week!