View source for He Doctor is in: 'Dr. Who' 50th anniversary plans

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| publication = The Seattle Times
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| date = 2013-11-14
| author = Melissa Davis
| pages = B5
| language = English
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| categories = conventions
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"I love you" is the answer many people give when asked for their favorite three words.

Not "Dr. Who" fans; they dream of hearing "I'm the Doctor."

The First Doctor (played by William Hartnell) was introduced on the BBC's "Dr. Who" in 1963. Five decades later, the 12th Doctor, to be played by Peter Capaldi, is due to arrive. (He'll appear with the 11th Doctor in next month's "Christmas Special," because the 11th Doctor is regenerating briefly just for that appearance, and — well, as the many good doctors would say, "it's wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff").

The Doctor isn't really a doctor. He's a Time Lord, from the planet Gallifrey, and able to see everything from the past and the future, as well as what could be, at the same time. He travels in a TARDIS, or Time and Relative Dimension in Space vessel, which handily works as both a time machine and a spaceship. It takes the form of a 1960s English police telephone booth, but as all fans know, "it's bigger on the inside." And it appears in some very strange places to help each incarnation of the Doctor acquire his new sidekick.

Fans can celebrate all this time and space locally:

— "Don't Blink: A Doctor Who Quiz": Don't worry if you're a newbie to the Whoniverse; teams of six will answer questions primarily about the Modern "Who" Era, encompassing Doctors 9 through 11. Prizes. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Montlake Ale House, 2307 24th Ave. E., Seattle; $5 ( geekswhodrink.com).

— EMP "Dr. Who" celebration: The party features a TARDIS photo booth, classic episode screenings, games, talks and an original Dalek. Other EMP exhibitions will be open during the party. 7-11 p.m. Nov. 23, 325 Fifth Ave. N., Seattle; free with museum admission, $14-$20 (206-770-2700 or empmuseum.org).

— "Day of the Doctor": BBCAmerica will broadcast the 50th anniversary episode, which will feature appearances by Doctors 10 and 11, and the evil Daleks, on Nov. 23.

— "Day of the Doctor: 3-D": You can watch the anniversary episode in a movie theater in 3-D ... on the evening of Nov. 25. Beware of social media spoilers if you forgo television and opt for this; the BBC has coordinated carefully to show the "Day of the Doctor" two days earlier on TV in a third of the known world. Participating theaters include Pacific Place, Thornton Place and Alderwood 7; $15 ( fathomevents.com).

Caption: Jenna Coleman, left, and Matt Smith, the current Doctor, in "Dr. Who." Adrian Rogers /BBC Worldwide

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