This British phenomenon is quite something to behold.  How long has this show run anyway?  If you know the answer, you could easily be classified as a Whovian.  There have been many Doctors spread along the years, and most recently, a twelfth has been selected.

The First Doctor- He was played by William Hartnell, who portrayed a character who was very aloof while still retaining a sense of warmth and compassion.  Companions include: Susan Foreman, Barbara Wright, Ian Chesterton, Vicki, Steven Taylor, Sara Kingdom, Dodo Chaplet, Polly, and Ben Jackson.

The Second Doctor- This incarnation appeared as bumbling and playful, but hiding a darker aspect of his personality.  His actor was Patrick Troughton.  Companions include: Polly, Ben Jackson, Jamie McCrimmon, Victoria Waterfield, Zoe Heriot, and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart.

The Third Doctor- The third version rendered a frustrated, though not unfeeling, Doctor.  He was very eager for contact, perhaps because of his exile from the rest of the Time Lords.  He was portrayed by Jon Pertwee.  Companions include: Liz Shaw, Jo Grant, and Sarah Jane Smith.

The Fourth Doctor- The next Doctor, acted by Tom Baker, had a severe case of wanderlust and went to explore the stars with his two major companions.  He was known to become aggressive when he or his friends were threatened but usually reserved a cheery disposition.  Companions include: Sarah Jane Smith, Harry Sullivan, Leela, K-9 Mark I, K-9 Mark II, Romana, Adric, Nyssa, and Tegan Jovanka.

The Fifth Doctor- The fifth embodiment became more human than the previous fourth.  Actor Peter Davison played a kinder character, whose preferred method to defeat enemies was by wordplay.  Companions include: Adric, Nyssa, Tegan Jovanka, Vislor Turlough, Kamelion, and Peri Brown.

The Sixth Doctor- Terry Molloy represented a very arrogant Doctor.  He was very dramatic and self-absorbed, and his reserves of charity only shone through very occasionally.  Companions include: Peri Brown and Melanie Bush.

The Seventh Doctor- It took a good actor, one such as Sylvester McCoy, to act as a Doctor such as the Seventh.  He started out as bubbly and cheerful, but as time progressed, became cunning and less benevolent than before.  Companions include: Melanie Bush and Ace.

The Eighth Doctor- He was a romantic, acted by Paul McGann.  Much more likely to be amused than annoyed, he was often in admiration for the human race.  He was easily impressed and showed a love for all living things.  Companions include: Grace Holloway.

The Ninth Doctor- The next regenerate was played by the legend Christopher Eccleston.  He tended to brood but was often jovial and good-tempered.  He preferred the benefit of the doubt, but was punishing when he needed to be.  He was very concerned for his companion Rose Tyler, and they shared nearly every adventure together.  Companions include: Rose Tyler, Adam Mitchell, and Captain Jack Harkness.

The Tenth Doctor- David Tennant should have won an award for his work as the Tenth Doctor.  This one was genial and funny, who cared very deeply for his companion Rose, previously a companion to the Ninth Doctor.  He tried to make light of situations and hated breaking promises.  He was a man (or alien) of no second chances, however.  Companions include: Rose Tyler, Mickey Smith, Donna Noble, Martha Jones, Jack Harkness, Astrid Peth, Sarah Jane Smith, Jackson Lake, Rosita Farisi, Lady Christina de Souza, Adelaide Brooke, and Wilfred Mott.

The Eleventh Doctor- He was very adventurous and eager to throw off the burden of the Last Great Time War.  Matt Smith, his actor, gained many new Whovians because of his reincarnation, and suddenly, fezzes were popular.  Companions include: Amy Pond, Rory Williams, River Song, Craig Owens, and Clara Oswald.

The Twelfth Doctor has had no episodes so far, but the tension the Whovians have building up is something to be reckoned with.  The Doctor has changed so much through the years, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse, but it still remains one of the BBC’s most popular shows.