I wonder if there is any corollary between the age of the characters and the wherewithal of the fans.

Not that I've noticed, no.

If there hadn't been such a clear NuWho division, yeah, I'd feel recent--and now most people aren't catching up earlier than 9, and those who make the leap don't seem to make it earlier than 4 without real completist urges--it's not like you have to watch the whole thing--it's not like you can.

Heh. To be fair, though, it's a serious pain to catch up with Old School Who pre-Tom Baker (or even post), as that which exists often exists not on streaming. I'll occasionally manage a "verify my nostalgia before purchase" event on YouTube before the Beeb takes it down, but given the hit-or-miss nature of some of the serials, I don't want to invest in something I can't watch multiple times.

Also, I tend to avoid anything with Jamie, because he annoys me and fails to die in a fire.

Hell, I'd rather watch Adric than Jamie.

Hell, I'd rather watch Adric than Jamie.

Ow.

On the other hand Ace is awesome. So is Leela. So was Sarah Jane.

I heart Ace so hard. And Leela.

Sarah Jane was my absolute favorite (SO glad Elisabeth Sladen made a comeback and got to feel the outpouring of admiration and affection from the fans before she passed away!). But Romana I was pretty awesome too.

Sarah Jane was too screamy for my tastes when I was young. But boy I loved the hell out of that episode--Stolen Planet?--where she confronted Davros and he remembered her. Such a lovely moment for Old School Whovians.

How could I forget Romana I?? Though Ace remains my all time favorite. Sensitive and tough as nails without being a cliche sensitive bad-ass.

NITRO 9! Ace is the bomb.

Ace is the bomb.

I see what you did there

"Ace, I don't suppose you would go against my express instructions and do something so insane as to make more Nitro 9?"
"What if I had?"
"Do you have any with you?"