Today was Doctor Who day, because on 23 November 1963 the first episode of Doctor Who was broadcast by the BBC starting a saga that is still going strong 62 years later. I have been a Doctor Who fan since 1992/93 onwards which was when I read the first novelization of one of the episodes. I think it was either Nightmare of Eden or the Sunmakers but don’t remember for sure. For a long time I didn’t know that this was a TV series because all I had read were the Target novelizations which I loved.
When I got to college I searched for the episodes online and found them on various sharing sites and DVD’s that I bought. In 2005 the show was revived with Christopher Eccleston playing the 9th Doctor and the series because an all time hit (again). Over the years I have collected every episode of the show that still exists and all of the New Series Adventure novels along with most of the Target novelizations as well.
There are folks who dislike the new incarnations because it is becoming ‘woke’ but that is the beauty of Dr Who. The show has always taught the viewers the power of compassion, to work with folks who are different than us and above all be kind. The 12th Doctor summarizes his etho’s beautifully with the following quote:
Never be cruel, never be cowardly. And never ever eat pears! Remember – hate is always foolish…and love, is always wise.
Always try, to be nice and never fail to be kind.
Some of my other favorite quotes are:
“We’re all stories, in the end. So let’s make it a good one”
“There’s no point in being grown up if you can’t act childish sometimes.” – 4th Doctor
The Doctor: I eat danger for breakfast. I don’t, I prefer cereal. Or croissants. Or those little fried Portuguese—never mind, it’s not important. -13th Doctor
I try my level best to follow this philosophy in my life and am eagerly waiting for the next set of Dr Who books and episodes to come out.
– Suramya