Run!
For years I have avoided Doctor Who at all costs: It’s a load of rubbish, and it’s extremely overrated. Where this notion came from, however, I do not know, as before today (other than send-ups & Daleks) I’d never seen any episodes of Doctor Who. In fact, the closest I ever got to the series was an old friend’s cassette-driven games console, as he had the game.
When I first got wind of this new series, I realised that I’d unfairly dismissed the programme, so thought about giving it a go. Then I heard that Billie Piper was a main character, which really put me off. But knowing that Christopher Eccleston was set to play the doctor, then reading that Mark Gatiss & Steven Moffat were on the writing team, and that Mike Tucker was involved with the effects, I was swayed to give it a proper chance.
So what did I think of it, then? Well, from a technical point of a view I was shocked when the automation in the new Broadcast Centre went wobbly, allowing us to hear Graham Norton over the top of the episode. I mean, it was one of the Beeb’s most important broadcasts (no, really) and they managed to cock it up; I feel gutted for the people on the production team.
As for the episode itself - excellent stuff indeed. (Not that either of my brothers would agree.) The script was top-notch with a great blend of science fiction and comedy. Everything was executed well, with a snappy pace that didn’t deaden the drama. Eccleston was brilliant as the doctor, and Piper didn’t irritate me at all (I’ll even go as far as to say that she was “very good”).
I’m surprised to say that I’m instantly hooked, and will be watching in weeks to come.
So there you go.