Made In SA: Crystal Shedrock Rangel

QUEEN OF THE WHOVIANS: Crystal Shedrock Rangel unites DOCTOR WHO fans in SA.

CRYSTAL SHEDROCK RANGEL is president of the San Antonio-based DOCTOR WHO Fans Unite, an organization created to bring together fans of the TV show DOCTOR WHO. They first united for the common interest of the show and now, in following with the beliefs of the main character, their mission is to serve the community as a group. Future plans include participating in charitable events, such as walks, telethons, etc., so that they may help others while promoting awareness of the group.

Favorite authors, books, comics, and TV shows include:

Frank Herbert, George Orwell, Neil Gaiman, CHILDREN OF DUNE, 1984, Phillip Pullman’s DARK MATERIALS trilogy,
THE LONG HALLOWEEN, Gaiman’s SANDMAN series, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER written by Joss Whedon, the new BATTLESTAR GALACTICA series, STAR TREK: THE ORIGINAL SERIES and THE NEXT GENERATION, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, FIREFLY, SUPERNATURAL

What made you become a devoted fan of DOCTOR WHO in the first place? 

I was actually into TORCHWOOD before I was into DOCTOR WHO. In America they promoted TORCHWOOD as the X-FILES of the UK. I started watching it and then one day had the Sci-Fi Channel on and they were running a DOCTOR WHO Marathon. I suddenly saw Captain Jack running around on this satellite and they were calling him Captain Jack. I was hooked. I rented all of the DOCTOR WHO series that were out and fell in love with the show. I have been a fan for about two years now.   

I started DOCTOR WHO Fans Unite because I did not have anyone to talk to about the show. All of the other TV shows that I love have huge fan clubs and organizations in the US and I realized there were hardly any fan groups for DOCTOR WHO in America.

David Tennant, the 10th Doctor

What are your three favorite DOCTOR WHO episodes?

“Blink”, “The Empty Child”/”The Doctor Dances” and “The Parting of the Ways”/”Bad Wolf”. The ones with two titles together were two-parters.

“Blink”: Because it is amazing! Steven Moffat won the Hugo Award for it. Surprisingly, it’s the one episode that barely has the Doctor in it. But it’s so creepy and Sally Sparrow is such an interesting character that you hardly realize the Doctor isn’t there.  

“The Empty Child”/”The Doctor Dances”: Again very creepy story, but is brilliantly done. The small child walking around looking for his mummy is especially haunting. But it has a very happy ending and as the Doctor states, “Everybody Lives, Rose! Just this once everybody lives!”

“The Parting of the Ways”/”Bad Wolf”: I get goose bumps just thinking about this story. It is a pivotal moment for the series where many things are revealed especially who/what the Bad Wolf is and why it is mentioned so often to that point in the series. The Bad Wolf will continue to resonate throughout the series. Anyone who has seen the episodes will remember Rose’s speech about the Bad Wolf. It is also significant because we lose our fantastic 9th Doctor, but gain our brilliant 10th Doctor.

How has San Antonio responded?

In September of 2008 we had our first event at the Alamo Drafthouse where we showed “Blink” and “The Girl in the Fireplace.” I was amazed that San Antonio would have so many DOCTOR WHO fans. There was not an empty seat in the theater, and chairs and tables were brought in before the screening began. I think my group is popular because we offer something that no one else in South Texas does. We are bringing fans of DOCTOR WHO together and giving them a place to watch the new series on a big screen for free! We never charge for any of our events; I do not even charge my members a membership fee.

I have members that range from 15-year-old students to 75-year-old college professors, and whole families come together. I have about 200 people that I’ve met in person and I email them monthly about upcoming events.

How do you get the word out? 

This blog is terrific about spotlighting the city’s genre scene, including us. Rene Guzman’s Geek Speak keeps the community up-to-date on all of our upcoming events. Other local businesses that have helped get the word out from the very beginning are Heroes & Fantasies, Dragon’s Lair, Atomic Comics, and of course, the most fantastic theater in San Antonio: THE ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE WESTLAKES!

What’s coming up for DOCTOR WHO Fans Unite? 

We host DOCTOR WHO Appreciation night on the third Wednesday of every month, and this July we are celebrating our one-year anniversary on Sunday, July 19th.

What’s been your most satisfying moment with the group?

I think it would be the Alamo Drafthouse events. I get to meet so many fans of the show and so many different professionals in the sci-fi/fantasy business. I am just amazed that there are so many talented and unique people in our city.

What’s your favorite place in San Antonio?

The Alamo Drafthouse of course! It feels like my second home and I truly love everyone who works there.

Favorite San Antonio food?

My favorite food is Bar-B-Que. I love B&B Bar-B-Que on Pleasanton Rd., on the Southside. I love Texas Pride off 1604 on the Eastside. And of course, Bill Miller’s because their sweet tea is to die for — literally. I think I need to go into rehab for my addiction to it.