Why I Like ‘Doctor Who’ (And I Think You Should Too)

From my love of Converse All-Stars Sneakers (from the 10th Doctor), my leather jacket (from the 9th Doctor), and my 12 foot scarf I adore (from the 4th Doctor), The Doctor has taught me something more: to do the right thing.

'Doctor Who' recently became the longest running show in television history by celebrating it's 50th anniversary. Over the years there have been twelve actors who have played the time traveling alien, and a multitude more that aren't considered cannon.

The Doctor--his true name is unknown. He chose the title "The Doctor" for himself and it is speculated in the show that he is where humans get that word for our healers--is a renegade Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey. Well over 1,100 years old, he stole a TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimension In Space) with his granddaughter and set off adventuring.

The Doctor has had many faces. In the early years, the original doctor, William Hartnell wanted to leave the show, but the BBC wanted it to continue. Writers and producers came up with the idea that The Doctor could "regenerate" if he were mortally wounded. He would turn into a completely new man, new face, new mannerism, but still The Doctor.

During the time of the 8th Doctor (Paul McGann) the Last Time War broke out between the Time Lords and a hateful race known as the Daleks. As each side sought to wipe the other out once and for all countless civilizations were destroyed. At the end of all things, as the universe burned, the Doctor was faced with a horrific choice: let the war rage and watch it consume the entire universe, or stop the Daleks and Time Lords once and for all. He chose to act and all Time Lords and Daleks were wiped from existence. The Doctor killed his own people to save the universe.

But he is a hero. He does the right thing. Despite the heavy heart and guilt for what he had done, The Doctor kept the vow he made to himself to never be cowardly, to never cruel, to never give up, and never give in. He doesn't always make the right decision, but in the end, he always tries.

The Doctor is a hero in the truest sense of the word.

So, yeah, he's all whiz-bang flying around time and space with cute companions who more often than not wear skirts that seem possibly short, and has battles with aliens with sausage fingers or who look like giant pepper shakers, but he never runs and he faces down the odds.

More than that, 'Doctor Who' is ingrained in my life. When I was little I had Asthma so I spent quite a few days home sick with my mom. Instead of making me watch another 'Sesame Street' rerun on TV, she would let me watch the adventures of Tom Baker as the 4th Doctor and his amazingly long scarf. It was shortly after I moved to Idaho that 'Doctor Who' was resurrected and I found myself watching the show with my mom and falling in love all over again.

The Doctor is my hero.

If you're looking for some great television over the Christmas holiday, I highly recommend 'Doctor Who'. It's available now on Netflix. Start with "Rose" featuring the 9th Doctor, and keep on going.

On Christmas Day this year (12/25/13), The Doctor faces once of his biggest challenges. On a planet called Trenzalore--which will become the Doctor's tomb in the future--all of his greatest enemies have descended and silence will fall.

It's Matt Smith's final episode as the 11th Doctor with his bow ties ("Bow ties are cool"), and will introduce the 12th Doctor, played by Peter Capaldi. Watch the trailer here.