Evolution of Doctor Who | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Evolution of Doctor Who

The Longest lasting sci-fi Show.

274
Evolution of Doctor Who
The Big Bang Theory Wiki

For those who may not know, Doctor Who is a Sci-Fi series created by BBC in 1963. The essential plot line is an alien known as a Time Lord, who travels through all of time and space, saves the universe time and time again, at least when he can.

Doctor Who is known for being the longest lasting Sci-Fi TV show, lasting 53 years and counting, next to Star Trek that lasted only 39 years.

Doctor Who just recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, in 2013. As The Press (a British newspaper) stated in 2008, some believe that it has lasted so long on account for a gap period in the series. They didn’t have any episodes, and it was thought the show had ended, but in 1996 they tried to bring it back with a movie until they were finally able to succeed in 2005 with their comeback series.

Others believe that the Doctor’s ability to fight death and regenerate is what has kept it up and running. Troy Lennon, author of "The how, why, when and where of Dr. Who", states that when the original Doctor became ill, they did not want to end the show, so they came up with a reason why the doctor changes faces. What happens is, whenever the Doctor faces death, his second heart allows him to regenerate.

This regeneration allows them to change actors and keep the show running for many more years to come.

The Doctor has faced many enemies in his lifetime, and similar to regenerations, these monsters have taken on an evolution of their own. The monsters started off as simple creations, and over the years have become more complex.

The first antagonists to take the stage are known as Daleks, they are the Doctor’s arch nemesis, they began as simply a highly decorated trash can, with a flashlight, plunger, and a whisk. As seen in this image (Left) created by a fan, you can see the progression over the years, they have become bigger and more modern looking.

On top of the physical evolution, the antagonist has gained a more psychological impact. For example, the Weeping Angels, who according to Clarke, a BBC employee, are defined as “quantum-locked alien killers, as old as the universe itself. When observed, they freeze like stone, but in the blink of an eye they can move vast distances." Most people have a tendency to close their eyes against something they are afraid of and have you ever felt the difficulty of keeping your eyes open when you're told not to blink?

Some other similar creatures are the Vashta Nerada, which are these flesh-eating shadows, the reason why people are afraid of the dark according to the episode “Silence in the Library.” Speaking of silence, theSilence are aliens that give reason to forgetting what you walked into the room to do, for the moment you look away from them; you forget you ever saw them.

These creatures are still not the end of the changes Doctor Who has taken over its 53 years.

The TARDIS, otherwise known as Time And Relative Dimensions In Space, is the time machine The Doctor travels in. With the help of Time Lord technology, it’s bigger on the inside and has taken many upgrades through the years. Dr. Piers Britton explains that the TARDIS takes the shape of a 1960’s London police box, and it should have the ability to change shape and blend into its surrounding. However, the chameleon circuit malfunctioned.

As the series progresses, we later find out that the iconic sound the TARDIS makes is because the Doctor simply leaves the breaks on. BBC explains how this sound was first created by rubbing a key against the bass strings of a piano. Now it is simply computer generated.

(The Mind Robber) As you can see in the image to the left, the details on the outside of the TARDIS have changed with every decade or so. The inside also changes from time to time with the culture trends of the viewers.

The show was taken many changes over the years, and from 1963-2016, Doctor Who has seen some good times, and some bad, but through it all, they have lasted long enough to become well known for being the longest lasting sci-fi show.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
nothing on to-do list

Winter break is a cherished time for many after enduring a grueling fall semester. It’s a time of relaxation and time spent with loved ones over the holidays. However, once the new year rolls around, we’re all ready to go back to school. Here are thoughts every college student has during winter break.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

10 Facts All People In A Large Family Can Confirm During The Holiday Season

The holiday season can be the best and most stressful time of the year, especially when more people are involved.

2880
kids jumping

The holidays are full of lights, sweets, sweaters, and your favorite movies. There's nothing quite like this period from the beginning of December through January. Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years. The fun of it all.

I don't know about you but with my large Italian family something is always going on during this season. It can be the most wonderful time of the year while also being the most hectic. These are a few things you know if your family is anything like mine during this time.

Keep Reading...Show less
10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over
reference.com

To those who celebrate, you just spent an entire day cooking an elaborate meal with all of your favorite foods. You probably ate your body weight in pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. What happens now? Oh yea, Christmas. It’s time to take out all of the decorations and Christmas themed things that have been sitting in the attic since last year; it’s time to make a reappearance. So, here are 10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

5455
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

3414
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments