As my fellow Quad writer Joel explained in the first installment of “English Breakfast,” we will typically focus on our culinary adventures during our four-month stay here in London. However, for this edition, I am going to have to stray away from that topic in order to indulge my inner sci-fi nerd (which, I must admit, is not buried very deep at all).
In exactly 9 days, 18 hours, 40 minutes, and 19 (18…17…16…) seconds from this very moment (actually though, from the moment I wrote this), The Doctor Who Experience will officially close its doors here in London and move to its permanent location in Cardiff, Wales. This interactive multimedia exhibit displays all things Doctor Who. As the website explains, it is “the largest-ever collection of original Doctor Who props and artifacts, including the entire collection of Doctors’ iconic costumes from 1963 to the present day.” The Experience opened in London in February 2011. It was originally meant to close back in September, but due to extreme public demand, its stay was extended through February 22, 2012.
For those Quad readers that have not been introduced to the pure genius that is Doctor Who, let’s start with an explanation: This show is centered around a man called The Doctor and his ever-changing companion (who is typically a young, attractive female). He is a Time Lord, meaning he can travel through time and space in his ship called the Tardis (which looks like a big blue box). Together, the Doctor and his companion travel to wherever, or whenever, their help is needed. The show is action-packed, funny, and, admittedly, sometimes scary. The original show aired from 1963 to 1985, and was relaunched in 2005 by the BBC.
Now, I have to confess that I’m not a lifelong Doctor Who fan. In fact, I didn’t become a true Doctor addict until this past summer, and now I just can’t get enough of it. However, despite my newfound addiction, I was completely unaware of this exhibit’s existence until I met Emily, a fellow BU student and Doctor Who fanatic. Thanks to her impressive ability to keep track of dates, we were able to make it there before all was packed up and shipped off to Cardiff.
To quote a young child I saw hurtling out of the exhibit, it was “the greatest experience EVER!” This may be a bit of an exaggeration, but his extreme enthusiasm was shared by all who attended, including throngs of young children, their nostalgic parents, and countless 20-somethings (many of which were dressed as the Doctor).
After queueing for close to 30 minutes, we were ushered into the first part (the interactive portion of the adventure), where a video of the Doctor (played by Matt Smith) appeared on the wall. He explained that he was trapped and that it was the audience’s job to save him. The video ends, and the wall slowly opens, revealing a long hallway. There were a few brief encounters with some of the show’s most memorable villains, including the Weeping Angels, Cybermen, and the Daleks. In one dimly-lit room, we were surrounded by Daleks, who, as usual, were wailing “exterminate!” at us, as we were not superior lifeforms (at this point, the many young children in the group went straight into full-blown panic attacks). A video of the Doctor magically appears to save the day, in which he explains to the Daleks that we “are not human, rather a harmless sub-species known as shoppers.” It was a very close call, but we made it out alive.
Very quickly, we found ourselves inside of the Tardis, where you have the opportunity to “control” it based on the Doctor’s directions. The floor moves during this portion of the adventure, supplying a thrilling moment for children and nerdy adults alike. After a few more rooms, including one with a 3D movie, we successfully saved the Doctor and were rewarded with the opportunity to look at more stuff.
If I’m going to be completely honest, I have to say that I wish the entire Experience had been like the interactive portion. The actual exhibit was a bit underwhelming, as it simply displayed the costumes, props, and characters from the hundreds of past episodes (mostly focusing on the most recent ones, though). Regardless, it truly was an exciting hour spent in London.
Now, stop reading and go watch Doctor Who right now. May I suggest starting with the first episode of the 2005 relaunch? Please enjoy the truly horrible special effects featured in that episode, as well as those also featured in many of the following episodes. They are a major part of the series’ charm. And with that, I leave you with a spoof of Doctor Who (for charity, of course) featuring Rowan Atkinson, Jonathan Pryce, Richard E. Grant, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Grant, and Joanna Lumley.
