This is certainly the year of “Doctor Who.” Not only is 2013 the fiftieth anniversary of the celebrated British sci-fi television series, it is also the year the show has hit its height of popularity worldwide. With the traditional Christmas special just a day away, in which lead actor Matt Smith is replaced by the new Doctor Peter Capaldi, what better time to focus on a special last minute Holiday Gift Guide entry, Who’s 50: The 50 Doctor Who Stories to Watch Before You Die. Check it out, after the jump.
The Question
There are those among us – the nerds, the dweebs, call us what you want – who have always know who and what “Doctor Who” was about, and have loved it for decades. We were the ones who watched on PBS on Saturday afternoons, pledged money or even answered phones during beg-a thons for those stations to keep the show on the American airwaves. We were the ones who were so thrilled when it returned in new sophisticated story arc adventures, and conquered the world.
Now that “Doctor Who” is mainstream, and a major part of the world’s pop culture, just as much as “Downton Abbey,” “Homeland,” or the Marvel Cinematic Universe, all of our non-nerd friends want to watch “Who” too. This is a daunting task with fifty years of continuity behind it, and they all ask the same question – “Where do I start?” We have all struggled with this question, and now here’s the book that answers it.
The Answer and the Authors
Who’s 50 is subtitled “The 50 Doctor Who Stories to Watch Before You Die,” and it’s both accurate and misleading. These are indeed the best and most important episode/stories of “Doctor Who.” From “An Unearthly Child” through to “Time of the Doctor” the authors take us through a tour of all the landmark stories, and why they are such, and why they are required viewing.
And the authors are no slouches when it comes to Whovia, not only is this volume amazing, but it’s their second book on The Doctor. Graeme Burk and Robert Smith? (complete with his own question mark at the end of his name) are also the authors of Who Is The Doctor: The Unofficial Guide to Doctor Who: The New Series, available from our friends at ECW Press. They know their Who.
The Adventures
The book has in depth descriptions of fifty stories from every decade, every era, and every Doctor. Not only does it tell you why each chosen adventure is important and why it stands out as one to watch, you get background info on the actors, writers, directors, and all the behind the scenes goodies. There is also the continuity of the stories, the monsters, the villains, the companions, and how the stories link to the current adventures.
So if you have someone on your holiday gift list who wants to know the hows and whys of the Daleks, Gallifrey, the Silurians, the Cybermen, Rose Tyler, the TARDIS, and regeneration – or you’re a Who fan yourself who will be mesmerized by the wonderful information in this bountiful and accessible tome – this is the perfect gift. Definitely check out Who’s 50: The 50 Doctor Who Stories to Watch Before You Die: An Unofficial Companion by Graeme Burk and Robert Smith?, available from ECW Press here. Highly recommended.
