On Doctor Who and Attractive Scots

David Tennant courtesy DreamWorks

I paid good money to see Fright Night, despite my belief that no one will out-sexy '80's Chris Sarandon (creepy-sexy, not sexy-sexy.) It was decent, happily, and written by Buffy scribe Marti Noxon, so it had smart dialogue. Colin Farrell did his best Nic Cage (seriously strange,) only hotter, and Anton Yelchin was as adept and adorable as he always is. The reason I put my butt in that seat, however, was David Tennant.  And it was worth every penny. Tennant played a Criss Angel type, a Vegas illusionist with goth trappings, and he owned every scene he was in. And the eyeliner! I could die! More thin Scottish men in leather pants, please. David Tennant might not be anyone you've heard of, but he's been Hamlet, and Barty Crouch in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Most importantly, he's my Doctor.

"Doctor Who." British TV show, broadcast off and on since 1963, and he's been played by 11 different actors--the character's body regenerates, conveniently. It's a thing. He's got a blue police box called the TARDIS that is really gigantic on the inside and can travel through time and space. Want to spy on Shakespeare? Sure. Visit New Earth in the year 5 billion and twenty three? OK, but watch out for the cat-faced nuns. The Doctor (his name isn't Doctor Who, never ever call him that) travels around the universe in the TARDIS, with human companion(s), saving some civilizations and damning others. He's like the sheriff. Of the entirety of space and time.

The show returns to BBC America on Saturday night for the second half of season 6. The first 7 episodes aired in April, ending on a crazy cliffhanger, but jumping right in is strongly encouraged! There are plenty of stand-alone mystery hours that don't require encyclopedic knowledge of the mythos. The show is, at its heart, classic sci-fi with fantasy elements, a bit of horror, and a new lesson every week about what it is to be human, or to have humanity. Easy to get.  And you get to look at this guy:

Matt Smith and the TARDIS

This is Doctor Who in his 11th incarnation, portrayed by Matt Smith since series 5 began last year. He's younger, naughtier, and the vibe of the show is edgier and more fairytale-esque than the Tennant years. Smith has a distinctly nutty-professor thing going on that is very, very appealing. The guy's like 25 and he gives you nothing but ancient soul and the weight of the world when he needs to. Then he goes and dips fish sticks in custard and you realize "Ahhh, he really is the whole wacky package." You immediately want to leave your dismal existence and climb aboard his police box. You want him to pick you. That's the essence of imagination, and as an adult it's difficult to suspend your pragmatism long enough to access that feeling without a little help.

Mention must be made of Alex Kingston, as the mysterious River Song, who is evidently the Doctor's great love (but due to time travel hoo-ha, he doesn't really know it yet,) and the superb Karen Gillan, as Amy Pond. She delivers willful intelligence with just a purse of her lips. She is funny, feisty, and utterly devoted to her husband, Rory, played with excellent comedic timing by Arthur Darvill. Darvill is the heart of the team, though, not just the funny yutz in the corner. The two actors have goofy, sweet chemistry, and to watch the Doctor watch Amy and Rory have a loving relationship has added extra dimension to every relationship on the show.

So to review: Doctor Who--TARDIS--Time/Space travel--Cool aliens--Bow ties.

He wears bow ties. They're cool. It's a thing.

Watch BBC America on Saturday night at 9:00, let me know what you think.