Trust me, I'm a Doctor.

If you're looking for a scientific, almost clinical look at The Doctor Who series, forget it.  One need only peek into any Who-related online forum or fan club to realize the sway this franchise holds over people, with an almost impossible task to satisfy everyone.  Forty-plus years of television, film, radio, novels, and the occasional videogame adaptation can do that to a franchise (just look at Star Trek).  You also won't find any spoilers to the final chapter of the David Tenant/Russell T Davis era of the series 'The End of Time', except to say that its an emotionally charged and fitting conclusion that should leave many fans reduced to tears.

During its extended-running time we see The Doctor once more take on both The Master and the returning Time Lords, all with subtle nods to the Star Wars and Star Trek universes (love the Cantina scene) with plenty of action and humor to keep the suspense higher than ever.  There's also a fond remembrance of the things that made this particular journey so special, all before leading up the inevitability that all Doctors must eventually face - regeneration.

While terms like Cybermen, Daleks, and The Ood will probably bring more stares of insanity from most people, to the growing world of Who-fans across the planet they’ve become standard language and will probably conjure up fond memories of action-adventure that spans the universe (and mostly England).  But that’s just par for the course in a series that blends hard science-fiction, comedy, and drama into one of the most accessible and demographic-skewing television shows in history.  We’ve also seen skin-stretched creatures and the sexual-ambiguity of Captain Jack Harkness, fought off killer mannequins and met the Devil.

‘The End of Time’ officially closes off one of the most critically-acclaimed and popular editions in the show’s long history.  Through its 2005 – 2009 airings this updated Doctor Who defied the odds by simply existing at all.  And while many updates to popular franchises often discard the more embarrassing parts of their historical canon, Who bucked the trend by embracing them – warts and all.  The effects might be more professional and the costumes more prosthetic rubber than garbage bags and tinfoil, but that didn’t stop the return of the vicious Daleks (“EXTERMINATE!”) and the precursor to Star Trek’s Borg, the assimilating Cybermen (“You will be processed…”).  There have been new friends and companions along the way, including Rose Taylor and Donna Noble, and the surprising return of some old favorites, including Sarah Jane and the faithful robo-pooch, K9.

A big part of the new series success must go to its second and Tenth overall star in the role, Scottish-actor David Tennant.  Easily the most popular and beloved Doctor since the amazing Tom Baker and his Forth Doctor episodes of the 70s and 80s, Tennant’s unique spiky hairstyle and odd behavior helped endear him to fans new and old alike, with the occasional dramatic outing helping demonstrate what a versatile talent he really was.  No spoilers here, but when his Doctor cries out “I don’t want to go” in the final episode we completely understand.  We don’t want to let him go.

What’s next for Tennant is purely up to Tennant, which could just about anything for the actor.  Reports have him taking the lead in his first American television series, Rex Is Not Your Lawyer, starring alongside fellow science-fiction star Jerry O’Connell (Sliders) and scheduled for a 2010 release.  Its Wikipedia entry describes the show as a legal drama about "a top Chicago litigator who becomes so crippled by anxiety that he takes to coaching his clients into representing themselves."  Definitely sounds like something right up Tennant’s alley, whose pilot will be directed by House/Heroes alum David Semel.

Tennant will also star in the upcoming theatrical release Burke and Hare, starring alongside fellow BBC superstar Simon Pegg (Spaced, Shaun of the Dead) and will be the first effort from legendary director John Landis (Trading Places, Coming to America, Thriller) in over a decade.  The film follows the real-life exploits of two men who strike it rich selling cadavers for medical science in 19th Century Edinburgh.  Murder a source for buddy-comedy?  It would be nice to see Landis return to form here, and to see Tennant pair up with Pegg (who just missed a choice collaboration in the Who episode ‘The Long Game’ from the 2005 season).

There's also been much discussion about the possibility of Tennant joining the newly-reformed Batman universe, which starring Christian Bale and directed by Christopher Nolan has become one of the most popular and exciting franchises in recent film history.  The connections between both franchises, Who and Batman, have been well noted by those with dreams of the perfect ‘fan casting’ of popular Batman characters – particularly the baddies.  Director Nolan is fond of casting British talent in lead roles, which include Batman (Bale), Michael Caine (Alfred), Gary Oldman (Gordan), Liam Neeson (Ra's al Ghul), and of course, Heath Ledger as The Joker.  Tennant’s name has been frequently submitted to take on the role of The Riddler in the next chapter of the franchise, which like Doctor Who has managed to defy the odds and completely revitalizing what many felt was a dead series. (did you see Batman and Robin?)

Such a thing wouldn’t be completely unheard of, especially given the cache that Tennant has garnered since his last appearance in a Hollywood super-franchise (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, as Barty Crouch Jr.).  His predecessor and Ninth iteration of The Doctor, Christopher Eccleston, recently took the lead role as Destro in the big-budget blockbuster GI Joe: The Rise of Cobra.  While some may consider him snagging the role as perfect casting, I think this has to do more with the desire to see Tennant return to the manic eccentrics of his Who persona than having a completely new take on one of Batman’s greatest villains.

But the most fun that I’ve had in discovering this new Who universe has been sharing it with friends, many of who (no pun intended) were already big fans from previous iterations.  As Popzara’s most Johnny-come-lately fan of the series I’ve probably babbled my enthusiasm far too long, and its probably as good a time as any to get another perspective.  Fellow Who-fan and editor Wolfman (i.e. Chris Mitchell) and I have spent countless hours gabbing over the series, and I thought it would be appropriate for him to chime in a few words.  Take it away, Chris!

"Yes, Nathan and I are both huge fans of Doctor Who, and I enjoy talking about our favorite parts and episodes of the series.   I especially enjoyed the episode ‘The Fires of Pompeii’ and the holiday special ‘The Waters of Mars’, where The Doctor had the moral dilemma of choosing whether or not to let people die or save them and change history.   I also enjoy any of the many episodes that delve into The Doctor's past, which always seems very emotional for The Doctor when someone (or something) brings it up.  I'm really looking forward to what Matt Smith is going to bring to the series as the new Doctor, and the many new adventures the season will bring."

That Matt Smith is none other than the newest actor to take on the lead role of The Doctor starting with a brief appearance in the second part of ‘The End of Time’.  As the latest promo for the series upcoming series reminds us, the end is just the beginning.  While Tennant has made his final and emotional farewell, the future is now with Smith, who at 27 is the youngest actor to ever take the role.  With his distinctive look and mannerisms perfect for the series his tenure should be fun to watch unfold.

Also new will be head-writer Steven Moffat ascending to lead writer and executive producer of the series, replacing the outgoing Russell T Davies.  Moffat’s been in charge of some of the new series most memorable and exciting episodes including the Weeping Angels statues in ‘Blink’ and the two-part (and my personal favorite) "Silence in the Library"/"Forest of the Dead."  His work on the series has been so impressive that he was personally selected by none other than Steven Spielberg to help work on his latest project, a live-action/animated hybrid of the Tintin series with Peter Jackson.  Yet Moffat declined, instead choosing to fulfill his childhood dream rather than join the ranks of Hollywood’s most elite club.  This, my friends, is true dedication and a clear sign that the future of Doctor Who is indeed in the right hands.