How would YOU fix it?

[HappyHippo]

*possible spoilers for people who have been under rocks*

Ok, I'll be honest, I've never been a die-hard Who-ie, and I've done more than my fair share of moaning about the new series(es), but I'm beggared if I can think what I'd do to make it, for want of a better word, 'better'. Apart from never casting Billie in the first place?

As far as my other half is concerned, they hit the jackpot in 'Doomsday', *spolier for people under rocks* with Daleks and Cybermen facing off, but I thought the plotting was tenuous and it was TOTALLY spoiled by all the mushy stuff.

Anyhow, enough dribbly gibberings from me, I'll turn it over to you, with just the one question:

How would you fix Doctor Who to make it perfect for you?

[Lenny]

I've only seen a few of the episodes of the original doctors by RTD brough thim back, but I loved the way that it wasn't a completely different storyline a week - instead it's 4 or 5 episodes based around one plot.

I sometimes found myself feeling rushed after the odd new episode (unless it's a two-parter), simply because you can't fit something like Dr. Who into a 45 minute slot and expect it to have a full and satisfying storyline.

Don't get me wrong, there have been some excellent 45 minute episodes - one of my favourites has to be the second episode of David Tenant as Doctor, where they are in Torchwood House in Scotland with the Werewolf chasing them.

But, yeah... to make Dr. Who perfect for me, I'd bring back the 4/5 episode stories. You can explore everything in 5 episodes (a total of 3 and a half hours) a lot better than you can in 45 minutes.

[HoopyFrood]

Have more of David Tennent on the screen!

Hmm...ok, then. Well, I like the occassional funny moments, so a few more of them would be good. And I loved the chase along the motorway in the Tardis in the Christmas Special, I think that was fantastic. And I agree about the mushy stuff, I quite liked the tension between the Doctor and Catherine Tate's character in the Christmas special, so more of that would be good, as well (with someone else of course).

And DEFINITELY more Daleks! I don't mean in number terms, just general Dalek-ness. Just more interaction with them, because you just can't beat the Daleks!

Hmm...that's about all I can think of...

Oh, no, one more thing...No more stupid spin-offs!

But overall, I'm quite happy with Doctor Who. I shall continue to watch it and enjoy it!

[HappyHippo]

Really? More Daleks? I was left feeling rather deflated with the dalek's insides, the effects were rubbish. Back in the 80's *when I were a lass, and ha'penny sweets could still be had* there was this guy called Davros, and he was the inside of one dalek, and he scared the living poo out of me! I think the daleks aren't that scary, and now they can fly, what's the point?

I agree with Lenny, though, I think extended episodes would give the writers a chance to really get their heads round Doctor Who and do it justice. Maybe an extended extra-dalecky series?

[HoopyFrood]

Ooh, I remember Davros...yes, he was very scary.

And yeah, the insides of the Dalek weren't fantastic...but I still love 'em. And I don't think they needed to go over the top with the flying, but I love how they can get up stairs now!

[Lenny]

I'm starting to get sick of the Daleks... the episode with Eccleston in the underground bunker was great. And the first series finale was, although expected, quite unexpected.

The second series finale with the battle between the Cybermen and Daleks felt as if the writers thought, "DAMN! We need to get the Daleks in or we'll miss our quota!"... though it was a good finale.

And we all know the Black Dalek is returning in the new series (it was in the sequence at the end of the Special with Tate).

I'd like to see The Master come into it, maybe. They never killed him off in the old series, so he's still out there, with his own TARDIS.

[HoopyFrood]

Black Dalek...man, I love that thing. I'd marry if it were at all possible!

[HappyHippo]

ewww, logistically dodgy!

It is nice and shiny, though...

Didn't they kill the master off in the travesty which was the movie? Julia Roberts' brother? His eyes went weird? Umm...

what about the Doctor finds an AA meeting; Assistant's Anonymous. He has to deal with a variety of middle aged women with long memories and big grudges! And some dodgy wardrobe options.

[Lenny]

I don't know much beyond the two new series, to be honest. I've read about the Master, and that's about it.

[Coolhand]

Well my version of Who would go back to the episodic nature of the original Who, or at least have more of an in-depth story arc to get some more depth to the tales. I'd also compleatly ditch the "Chavs in Space" approach that it seems prone to now (I never EVER want to see Rose's mum again. Unless she's being horribly killed like she was in the Cyberman episodes.)

I'd stop using every other epsiode to plug Torchwood by somehow twisting a reference to that abortion into the script. In fact I'd totally replace Torchwood with UNIT. UNIT rock. Torchwood don''t.

There's a lot about the New Who that's good. But there's a lot that could make it even better.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by HappyHippo

How would you fix Doctor Who to make it perfect for you?

I think you're asking the wrong question there. As a kids programme it still works. My children and their friends all love it. That's something I could never have believed possible even as little as three years ago. My son used to watch Doctor Who on UK Gold and my old videos of episodes, and his friends had never heard of a Dalek before at that time.

What I want and what my children want are totally different things. They love the monster of the week. I want a more adult scifi show, with adult storylines that explore the nature of time travel and it's many paradoxes. That was why I was really looking forward to Torchwood. Now, how do you fix Torchwood? Well, I don't think it's possible. I think it's completely broken!

[HappyHippo]

Originally Posted by Coolhand

I'd stop using every other epsiode to plug Torchwood by somehow twisting a reference to that abortion into the script. In fact I'd totally replace Torchwood with UNIT. UNIT rock. Torchwood don''t.

didn't the slitheen sort unit out?

and as dave said: What I want and what my children want are totally different things. They love the monster of the week. I want a more adult scifi show, with adult storylines that explore the nature of time travel and it's many paradoxes. That was why I was really looking forward to Torchwood. Now, how do you fix Torchwood? Well, I don't think it's possible. I think it's completely broken!

I think a return to longer stories would definitely be more satisfying. The two-parters have been much, much better than the standalones, even the Impossible Planet/Satan pit one, which was naff.

I think the chavs were there to get chavs to watch!

[Farren Whyde]

Doctor Who doesnt need fixing!!!!!

but bloody Torchwood does..........

[Bel_Azad]

There have been some 'adult' type material in these new series of Dr Who

We have the episodes suggesting homosexuality
We have the many episodes where the Dr has had to confront the consequences of his actions
We have the episode about the devil, something before time and exploring Dr beliefs
Love interests in madame pomp.

I also liked the 2 parters and would like Davros, Master, Gallifrey and the Daleks brought back -

Maybe seeing the Dr defeated would be good to see

Both my kids LOVE these new series and can watch repeats endlessly on UK Gold, BBC etc

It has certainly brought back Sci Fi to the young imaginations - and they like Torchwood too

[pyan]

I think it's back on track, after a long hiatus - but I also agree with Coolhand and HH - I miss the cliffhanger endings of a 4 - 5 episode story.