I write this approximately 14 days before the British screening of the new Doctor Who TV-Movie. Despite problems with the certification of the video, the feedback so far from non-Who fans has been quite positive. Before the trailers, I would ask my friends if they'd watch it. The answer was maybe or no. Now, the answer is 'it looks pretty cool, yes - if the special effects are good.'
Whilst they might have missed the point as far as Doctor Who's appeal, this is certainly a boost to the morale of die-hard fans. Could their series evolve into something with mass appeal once more? If so, how will the original be perceived?
Of course, all Star Trek fans have been at this critical moment before. After all, no one was sure of Next Generation's fate when the pilot, Encounter at Farpoint was released. It was also a long time before Next Gen managed to gain the same respect - it took at least three series, whereas today, Babylon 5 and the X-Files only took two to become mainstream.
And the 'Classic' series of Star Trek still survives, many fans still preferring the days when 'men were men and women wore miniskirts.' This and 'Classic' Coke are tributes to the fact that the first is always conceived as a great achievement and does not disappear.
Hopefully, too, the Virgin Doctor Who novel range will not be dropped, although I can see the BBC wanting more control if a new series did commence. Over the last few years, it has been one of the few things that has kept Doctor Who alive for the average fan, and perhaps even improved on it. It would be a shame to discard all that progress.
So, perhaps Doctor Who will become a hugely popular series once more, equal to the X-Files and Star Trek?
We can but wait and see.
Andrew Blyth, Fanzine Editor.
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