The last of my thoughts: March 2020

Doctor Who

Doctor Who has been my favourite programme for as long as I can remember. It’s been there with me throughout the pivotal moments of my life! It cheers me up when I’m down. I can recite quotes, I can tell you facts, I can explain storylines, plot points and characters and naming every actor who has ever played the Doctor is like asking me to name my friends.

The show returned on the 26^th March 2005 and I’ve probably been watching it since 2006 making my first Doctor David Tennant. He due to this is also my favourite actor and my favourite Doctor. I don’t quite remember the first episode I ever watched I think it was Tooth and Claw. Give me a break, I was only 5.

The Tenth Doctor - David Tennant (2005-2010,2013)

But from the moment I set eyes on this show it became a massive and significant part of my life. I collected the magazines, I follow the social media pages, I have the action figures, the books, the annuals (still a tradition that my brother must buy it me every year for Christmas), I had a Tardis and I have two large boxes full of collectibles and memorabilia.

Modern Doctor's 9 - 13

(Left to Right) Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant,

Jodie Whittaker, Peter Capaldi and Matt Smith

The thing about Doctor Who is it never takes itself too seriously. It’s a feel-good show for all the family. There are some heart-breaking moments, the loss of a good companion or the regeneration of a Doctor can be so sad. The words ‘I don’t want to go’ have never hurt so much. But it educates, originally being a show for children that teaches them Science and History depending on where the Doctor ends up it still has that essence today. The historical episodes teach you so much and make you want to research more even this series! 14 years since I started watching the show and an episode taught me about an important man in the history of technology who I’d never heard of but became fascinated by.

The friendships the Doctor makes are brilliant. Companions such as Rose Tyler, Sarah Jane Smith, Donna Noble, Martha Jones and Amy Pond will go down in history as iconic female characters in the fictional and sci fi world. So much so that their stories still live on now, Sarah Jane having been a companion from the original run of the show got her own show after guest appearance in 2006.

The Sarah Jane Adventures Cast

(Left to Right) Clyde, Rani, Sarah Jane and Luke

The Sarah Jane Adventures gave Doctor Who a whole new younger audience. The simpler stories and clever characters created a bigger fandom for those obsessed with CBBC. I have many friends who aren’t fans of Doctor Who but used to watch The Sarah Jane Adventures. It was the show for the kids, inspiring us forever. Who would have thought the young journalist from Doctor Who of the 70’s would have such an impact on young minds in the early 2000’s. Her legacy will forever live on and to be a Doctor Who companion you have big boots to step into.

Rose Tyler - Billie Piper

Rose Tyler was my first companion and she is still my favourite. Her story of shop girl to heroic time traveller is brilliant. She becomes so much more fierce, independent and daring as the show goes on. Her development from season 1 - 4 shows you how much the Doctor has changed and made her grow. Her love story with The Tenth Doctor is my favourite, my original ship (before I even knew what a ship was!). They were so cute together, they laughed and looked after one another. They were always on the same page and the devastating conclusion to their story really was the only way Rose Tyler would ever leave her beloved Doctor.

Martha Jones - Freema Agyeman

Like every companion some fans love and some hate them. Martha Jones is an absolute badass. Only someone with strength and power could travel the world by themselves in order to save it when The Doctor isn’t able to. She starts off as just a follower and sadly just a step in while the Doctor is still getting over Rose. But by the end she is good. She deserves recognition for the pure determination she shows in the season 3 finale Last of The Time Lords.

Donna Noble - Catherine Tate

Donna, the most tragic story I’ve ever seen in Doctor Who. The Doctor gives her strength and confidence. He gives her the belief in herself that nobody ever has except for her wonderful Grandad. Add that with her quick wit and comedy, she and The Doctor make a great team. Their friendship and their comedy timing make them an awesome team! Donna isn’t afraid to question The Doctor’s actions and makes her own decisions she is a perfect example of a companion.

Torchwood Cast

(Left to Right) Jack, Gwen, Ianto, Owen and Tosh

Then there’s the men, Captain Jack Harkness, Rory Williams, Mickey Smith. Captain Jack gave people confidence, he was flamboyant but a hero. You knew he was gay from his early scenes but that didn’t stop him from being a hero and saving the day. Another one who got his own TV show. Torchwood, Doctor Who for the adults. It involves swearing, it’s a bit gorier and there’s even sexual scenes. It shows you who looks after the world when The Doctor’s not around and with Captain Jack as your main character its full of comedy, awesomeness and many innuendos!

Rory with wife Amy Pond - Arthur Darvill and Karen Gillan

Rory and Mickey are perfect examples of zero to hero. They start off as pretty useless. They’re not very helpful, they ask stupid questions and most of the time they get in The Doctors way. But then they learn, they fight, they stand up for what they believe in and they protect those they love. Rory took it one step further waiting 2000 years for Amy Pond, if that isn’t commitment, I don’t know what is.

Mickey Smith - Noel Clarke

As for Mickey once he finally realised that the Rose, he loved was no longer the person she used to be. He took it better than most would, he stopped being the idiot and became a true hero. Having him stay in the parallel world to defeat the cyberman allowed him to develop into a leader rather than a follower but he still had his comedic moments.

Every story needs a villain and Doctor Who has provided some of the most iconic monsters and aliens of all time. Anybody in Britain would be able to tell you what a Dalek is! This recurring foe has left children terrified for years, they are the Doctors biggest foe and a stapled part of pop culture.

Doctor Who's most iconic villains

These recurring villains like cybermen, zygons, weeping angels and The Master have left children with nightmares and hiding behind the settee. They are one of the things that make Doctor Who such an iconic show and without the new villains or the old favourites Doctor Who just wouldn't be the same.

The greatest thing about Doctor Who is it constantly develops, aliens can change, but old favourites will come back. One companion leaves and the next one is right around the corner ready to tell a whole new story. As for The Doctor, each one is different. No two actors will ever play The Doctor the same way. They each bring their own showmanship to The Doctor and allow a new audience to enjoy someone and everyone has their Doctor.

Now 57 years since it started running and 15 years since it returned, and I joined this phenomenon’s massive fanbase and 13 Doctor’s later it still is adored by audiences around the world. It will forever remain my all-time favourite TV programme and I will continue to delight in everything Doctor Who.

All Doctor's from 1963 to Present Day

- Courtney -

You've got that concert feeling!

The rush of 9am ticket release, the excitement of waiting for tickets to arrive, listening to their music days on end, buying all the merchandise possible and waiting for them to come on singing all their best hits. A concert is one of the best experiences you can have.

I’d never really been to concerts. My first was when I was 13, I saw McBusted (a birthday present off my sister). I’d never been obsessed with music as I was more into films and tv. My obsessions probably still lie more heavily with films and tv but to live without my music would be a dull life.

But the build up to McBusted was something I could never have anticipated. I got the tickets in December; the concert was in May, so I had 5 months to wait. It seemed like forever away until suddenly it was the end of April and I was counting down the 10 days until seeing my favourite band in concert. Then it began... They were all I’d listen to, I spent days working out what to wear, thinking about where we were sat, what songs they would sing.

The day finally arrived, the whole time I was getting ready was a mix of McFly, Busted and the songs they sang together at McFly’s 10th anniversary concert. I just became more and more excited throughout the day to the point where all I did was smile on the two trains to the venue. We arrived and my little 13-year-old self was overwhelmed with excitement seeing so many people like myself with huge smiles, excitedly chattering and wearing their own McFly/Busted t-shirts.

I’d saved money for the merchandise for ages and it didn’t disappoint. I came out with a t-shirt, key ring, wristband, poster and a tote bag. Safe to say I went a little bit overboard but if you don’t do that at a concert when can you?

Then you have the agonising wait. Checking the clock. Is it time? When are they coming on? I sat through the supporting act feeling slightly bad for them, because they were good, but they weren’t who I came to see and I didn’t know who they were or their songs and all I wanted was for them to hurry up and get off the stage!

Finally the moment I’d been waiting for since the tour had been announced arrived, the lights went dark, everyone starts cheering and an opening video plays and then they appear on a flux capacitor (any fans will know it’s a Back To The Future reference from the Busted song Year 3000 and the name of the band McFly). Then from the opening notes of Air Hostess to the closing notes of Year 3000 I sang, smiled, clapped, screamed, laughed, danced, whooped and cheered my heart out. I stared in amazement as my favourite band sang their hearts out and lit the name up in fire. I felt as if I was apart of something. A feeling I don't think you can quite understand unless you've stood in a room singing along to your favourite songs surrounded by people who feel exactly the same as you. Concerts take you away from the realities of life and for those two hours you're inside a bubble of joy and you never want it to end.

McBusted - 3rd May 2014

Every time I go to a concert is the same. I experience the same set of emotions as if I’ve never been to one before. I get excited, I play the artists music nonstop the days leading up to the concert, I buy way to much merchandise, I take loads of videos of my favourite songs, I sing my heart out and normally have a sore throat the next day, I clap till my hands go red and start to sting, I leave content with a wide smile, their lyrics in my head and happy that they were as good as I expected and then the next day I have tour blues listening to their music wishing I could go again.

And since that amazing day back in May 2014 I’ve gone on to see a few more, always leaving with at least a programme, t shirt or keyring. These artists include Michael Bublé, The Jonas Brothers, Ed Sheeran, I’ve seen The Script three times! McBusted then Busted and now finally I’m hoping to complete the trio by going to see McFly in May! Fingers crossed with things being the way they are it won’t get cancelled. But either way, if I have to wait 2 months for my next concert or 6 lets be honest, I will always come home with no money but many memories and a massive smile on my face.

Below are a few photos I've taken during my own concert experiences: