I’ve read from some people, mainly those who think Pirates of the Caribbean is the greatest film trilogy of all time, that there is nothing available on Netflix instant viewing to make the Roku player worthwhile. Realizing that certain people are prone to take so-called experts at their word without doing the research to find out if these people have any qualifications whatever to pass judgment on what makes for good TV viewing, I have written a series of articles detailing what is available for Netflix instant viewing and whether the Roku would be a good investment. For the most part these articles have focused on genre, but for this one I want to appeal to a quite specific group of people. Those potential Netflix Roku owners who are, or may become, Doctor Who fans. The following is a look at just ten of the Doctor Who episodes or season discs available from Netflix for instant viewing on the Roku.
Doctor Who: The Talons of Weng Chiang
I’m not what you would call a Doctor Who fan. My wife was a huge fan when she was a teenager and when we moved to Atlanta in the mid-1980s the PBS station there was still showing Doctor Who reruns. She convinced me to give it a try and the Talons of Weng Chiang was either the first or second that I saw. Even I could tell that this had to be the greatest Doctor Who arc ever. It was hilarious and I mean intentionally. Later I would learn that this story was rated the best Doctor Who ever by who would actually know. Get your Roku and begin with this sumptuous tale of Victorian England, Chinese magicians, and ninjas.
Doctor Who: Fang Rock
My wife is also a collector of lighthouses and this Doctor Who story arc takes place at a remote lighthouse so you know we sat down and watched this one in Atlanta. A Roku, when you think about it, is the perfect way to watch Doctor Who story arcs that consist of multiple episodes because that way you don’t have to keep your Netflix disc for a week just to get through them all. This is another one that features Leela as the Doctor’s companion and it ends with a blinding flash of light that the poor primitive girl can’t help but watch. Voila! Suddenly the color of her eyes change.
Doctor Who: Season 1.
After being off the air for quite some time, the Doctor recently made a reappearance in big glitzy self-contained episodes that lack the charm and interest of the low budget tradition of the show. The only good thing about the latest incarnation of Doctor Who was Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor. Unfortunately, he all too quickly handed over the reigns to the current pretty boy. You can watch these pretty regularly on the Sci-Fi channel, of course, but with the Roku you can watch the Doctor on demand.
Doctor Who: The Mind Robber
Even before Tom Baker there was Patrick Troughton. Use Roku and the Netflix instant viewing capability to catch up on all the good Doctors. Troughton’s episodes are even cheesier than Tom Baker’s. This Doctor Who episode is perfect for the Roku owner who loves word games as well, overflowing with puns and intricate surreal fantasies.
Doctor Who: Carnival of Monsters
Another early one, this time featuring Jon Pertwee as the Doctor. This is a highly rated story arc for Doctor Who featuring time travel and as well as interesting invention that is like a TV set that features miniature beings acting out stories for the viewer.
Doctor Who: Vengeance on Varos
This one offers Netflix Roku a chance to check out one of the least popular Doctors, that played by Colin Baker. I’m not sure if you’ve ever hard the devastating song “Atrocity Exhibition” by Joy Division, but that song would make a great accompaniment to this episode which revolves around the Bush-style view that torture of your suspected enemies makes great entertainment. A rather timely episode of the Doctor Who all things considered.
Doctor Who: The Three Doctors
Three Doctors for the price of one! Jon Pertwee, William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton must come together to the save the universe in this one of the kind special.
Doctor Who: The Aztecs
Generally considered one of, if not the best, of the William Hartnell incarnations, and certainly the best that is available on DVD. And it is unquestionably the best William Hartnell Doctor Who available for instant viewing on your Roku from Netflix. Aztecs and chocolate. What would be better?
Doctor Who: The Curse of Fenric
Sylvester McCoy’s place in the pantheon of the Doctors is rather unique. Some place him right alongside Tom Baker as the best ever (David Tennant recently and inexplicably topped a poll; actually, not so inexplicably since most voters probably were kids who think the arc-style Doctor Who series was too old-fashioned), while others place him down in the bottom of the pit alongside that other Baker, Colin. The Curse of Fenric is not only routinely rated the best of McCoy’s tenure, but often cited as one of the best of the 1980s. A few have even forwarded it as the best Doctor Who ever. Fire up your Roku and determine Fenric’s place in the pantheon for yourself.
Doctor Who: The Pyramid of Mars
My wife would kill me if I didn’t single about a Sarah Jane Smith episode. This may not be the best to feature Sarah Jane as Tom Baker’s companion, but it is one of the few available for viewing on the Netflix Roku.
