Doctor Who

[citizen k]

... which would be considered essential watching?

The Tom Baker years followed by the Jon Pertwee years.

[Brazen]

... which would be considered essential watching?

The Tom Baker years followed by the Jon Pertwee years.

No, without some context they'll just look like horribly dated, underfunded crap. David Tenant is probably most accessible, THEN followed by Tom Baker.

[Brazen]

I can't possibly select given the options available. I'd need some sort of proportional representation. Individual doctor-wise I'd go:

David Tenant=Tom Baker
Christopher Eccleston
Jon Pertwee

And a special mention for Paul McGann.

[Martinus]

Torchwood is better.

[Razgovory]

Torchwood is better.

Let me guess.  Because one of the characters is gay?

[Eddie Teach]

Let me guess.  Because one of the characters is gay?

Every character is... flexible.

But aside from Marty's preoccupations, it's a more grown up take on the Who universe. Less campy, less deus ex machinae, less ridiculous moralizing. OTOH, just about every episode is set in the modern world and those are always the weakest Who episodes. It lacks much of the whimsy and sense of adventure that make the original show.

[Martinus]

Torchwood is better.

Let me guess.  Because one of the characters is gay?

Out of six main characters, two are gay/bi men (who end up in a relationship, even though one of them is an omni-sexual playboy from future, who pretty much fucks everything he meets), and one is a les.

[Valmy]

Out of six main characters, two are gay/bi men (who end up in a relationship, even though one of them is an omni-sexual playboy from future, who pretty much fucks everything he meets), and one is a les.

You know you do not have to hold on to this schtick with such a grip of iron.

[Eddie Teach]

Six main characters? Are you counting Rhys, or did they add somebody after season 1?

[HVC]

I didnt like torchwood. I can ignore the stupid plotlines with doctor who cause it's campy but torchwood took itself seriously so it didn't work (for me)

[Josquius]

Torchwood is a bit much of a 16 year old boy's take on grown up. Keep it juvenile but add some sex, swearing and guns.
With added homosexuality.

Its decent and watchable but...myeh. Dr Who knows its silly and mad. Torchwood has a bit of a pretense of being a serious show.

[Habbaku]

Torchwood is better.

Sounds thoroughly boring.

[crazy canuck]

... which would be considered essential watching?

The Tom Baker years followed by the Jon Pertwee years.

No, without some context they'll just look like horribly dated, underfunded crap. David Tenant is probably most accessible, THEN followed by Tom Baker.

I dont see anything wrong with starting right from episode 1 of the new Who.  That way he gets to see the transformation at the end of the first season and he can get right into the Who lore quickly.

[Valmy]

I picture David Tennant whenever I think of Dr. Who so I guess I vote New Who.

[Eddie Teach]

Torchwood is a bit much of a 16 year old boy's take on grown up. Keep it juvenile but add some sex, swearing and guns.
With added homosexuality.

I said more grown up than Dr Who. The guns alone are enough to do that; the Doctor's pacifism is so extreme at times as to insult the intelligence(though that may be changing with season 6, his treatment of the Silence seemed unwontedly cold-blooded). It's still a far cry from Fringe or the X-Files I'll grant you.