Topic: Doctor Who **USE SPOILER TAGS PLEASE**

[WhereAngelsPlay]

If the guy off My Family gets it then I shall stop watching,I will give it a go if a Lady gets it,not arsed about race or age just not him.

[oojason]

My only concern with the idea of a female Doctor is visions of a Janeway-like character, who the Voyager producers felt had to always be the best at everything as they didn't want to have male characters be seen to talk down to her... That might work in Who actually, where usually the Doctor is genuinely the best, most knowledgable person in the group.

Sod it, I'm in. As long as it's not literally Janeway.

Spoiler

I don't think Comic Book Guy could handle it...

[close]

But what character archetype would the (presumably male) companion be? Unless we're bringing Bill back for more 'young companion pines after the sexy older Doctor' scenarios.

Voyager's EMH Doctor would be a better Doctor Who than her mate (some very bad writing, stories and continuity in there on Voyager for Janeway - and others - shudders...)

Clara it is then

[TepidT2O]

The shout for Matt Berry was the best, make it happen!

Read that as Mary Berry...

Thought she might struggle with bits of it.

[Andy @ Allerton!]

I heard it's going to be...

Spoiler

[close]

 

[Andy @ Allerton!]

I don't care if it's a woman as long as they're right for the part. Michelle Gomez was great as the Master. Don't think you can write it off until you've seen it. I'm not suggesting you're being sexist as I know there's been plenty of debate about whether having a woman play a 'male' character is appropriate or desirable but I don't see his manliness being so intrinsic to the plot or the show. Would hope any actual fans of the program would give it a chance before writing it off completely.

Maybe, if they have picked a woman, it's because she's the best for the part? Or suits the stories? Not just because of political correctness.

Nah if he ends up being a woman, then that's it - wouldn't even watch it if they changed it back again later. It's being politically correct for no reason.

I can just about put up with the stupidity with minor characters being afflicted, but it makes no sense. It wasn't even a suggestion until recently.

Stupid idea. How about the next Star Wars, Han Solo is a 5' 2" blonde 14 year old girl, Princess Leia is a 34 stone semi-pro Wrestler, Darth Vader is a bucket, Chewbacca is a tin bath and C3PIO is a starfish that can levitate.

I mean, what's the actual point?

[SP]

Nah if he ends up being a woman, then that's it - wouldn't even watch it if they changed it back again later. It's being politically correct for no reason.

I can just about put up with the stupidity with minor characters being afflicted, but it makes no sense. It wasn't even a suggestion until recently.

Stupid idea. How about the next Star Wars, Han Solo is a 5' 2" blonde 14 year old girl, Princess Leia is a 34 stone semi-pro Wrestler, Darth Vader is a bucket, Chewbacca is a tin bath and C3PIO is a starfish that can levitate.

I mean, what's the actual point?

That was George Lucas's initial plan for the prequels.

Dr Who is a fantastical story, where anything can, and often does happen. There should be no limitations on the creative freedoms driving the story. If the story is good, I'll forgive anything. Of course casting a woman doctor would heap the pressure on. They would have to deliver.

[Andy @ Allerton!]

That was George Lucas's initial plan for the prequels.

Dr Who is a fantastical story, where anything can, and often does happen. There should be no limitations on the creative freedoms driving the story. If the story is good, I'll forgive anything. Of course casting a woman doctor would heap the pressure on. They would have to deliver.

That's my point. If the writing is good enough and the story is good enough, then why bother with this absurd concept? What does it add?

I can think of one thing it does right off the top of my head. How many male role models have kids had that did exciting things, saved people, helped people and used their brains instead of blowing things the fuck up in every episode?

I can think of one.

Mind you, when he changes into being a women than you can rightly say - see every role model that you ever saw as a male - was was basically killing things, acting like a tit and waving his dick around is how things are. That's how boys are SUPPOSED to be - dick waving, angry, shooty gobshites. We can now say that with all seriousness because the one lasting role model that wasn't like that - was actually a woman all along.

[Barefoot Doctor]

Any guesses then? Not long till the big reveal judging by how Federer is getting on. I'm going Ben Whishaw.

[Andy @ Allerton!]

Any guesses then? Not long till the big reveal judging by how Federer is getting on. I'm going Ben Whishaw.

I'd like to see Martin Freeman and he's worked with the people that produced Dr. Who as well.

If we make the Doctor not a man, then I'd like to see him recast as a splendidly animated slug with a monocle and a Top Hat, a Toaster (based on the one from Red Dwarf) or a floating jellybaby.

[oojason]

I'd like to see Martin Freeman and he's worked with the people that produced Dr. Who as well.

If we make the Doctor not a man, then I'd like to see him recast as a splendidly animated slug with a monocle and a Top Hat, a Toaster (based on the one from Red Dwarf) or a floating jellybaby.

or



(Mr Flibble - not Rimmer)

[Trada]

Jodie Whittaker

[WhereAngelsPlay]

Well people will say that she has big shoes to fill & she does have big feet for a lady of her height.

[tubby]

Good luck to her.  Better choice than Kris Marshall, let's see what she does with it.

[Andy @ Allerton!]

And that's me done. Watching it since I was a kid. They can fuck off now. Won't even bother watching the Christmas one. What's the point?

[Ultimate Bromance]

*shrugs*

Not overly impressed, but can't say it's a huge issue. The writers are the ones in desperate need of regenerating anyway.

[jillcwhomever]

Good luck Jodie, you will need it.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

Good luck to her.  Better choice than Kris Marshall, let's see what she does with it.

1000% He would've killed it for me.

[JerseyKloppite]

And that's me done. Watching it since I was a kid. They can fuck off now. Won't even bother watching the Christmas one. What's the point?

I'm sure they will miss you dearly.

Why don't you judge the quality of the program before you make a series of pronouncements about their reasons for choosing her and the resulting quality of the Doctor going forward?

Maybe she was the best person for the job.

[Betty Blue]

I've got no idea who she is, but I'll give it a go whatever. I remember thinking Matt Smith would be fucking terrible because he was too young for the role, and now he's amongst my top 3 doctors ever. I learnt my lesson.

[Trada]

It was always going to happen if it wasn't this time it would have been the next.

I wonder what her first line will be?

"Ive got Tits I will be back in an hour"

[Andy @ Allerton!]

I'm sure they will miss you dearly.

Why don't you judge the quality of the program before you make a series of pronouncements about their reasons for choosing her and the resulting quality of the Doctor going forward?

Maybe she was the best person for the job.

Because its stupid. People have been watching it for five decades and they've shat on them. Missus will be happy she hates it and thought the idea of a woman doctor who was fucking stupid.what's next Brian Blessed being cast as Florence Nightingale. Anyway bollocks to them. Obviously don't want an older audience

[TepidT2O]

Because its stupid. People have been watching it for five decades and they've shat on them. Missus will be happy she hates it and thought the idea of a woman doctor who was fucking stupid.what's next Brian Blessed being cast as Florence Nightingale. Anyway bollocks to them. Obviously don't want an older audience

Sexist

[Barefoot Doctor]

Yes, a women playing an alien who can regenerate into different bodies is the same as Brian Blessed playing Florence Nightingale.

[JerseyKloppite]

Because its stupid. People have been watching it for five decades and they've shat on them. Missus will be happy she hates it and thought the idea of a woman doctor who was fucking stupid.what's next Brian Blessed being cast as Florence Nightingale. Anyway bollocks to them. Obviously don't want an older audience

Well it's a kids/family show at heart.

I'm sure they like the older audience and there's plenty of nods to old Who for the keen fans but they're not the target market, and indeed never were.

I'm not bothered enough to have some protracted debate about it but the old fans have hardly been "shat on". He's an alien with two hearts who repeatedly takes on a new form in a sci fi show with monsters, aliens etc etc. It's hardly the craziest thing for him to take the form of a woman.

Matt Smith, Christopher Ecclestone, Tom Baker, Sylvester McCoy, William Hartnell. All hugely different Doctors in terms of personality, attitude, character.

I wonder if Hartnell fans complained like this when Tom Baker was the Doctor. "They've shat on the fans, the Doctor is supposed to be a cantankerous old fellow, not a zany jelly baby obsessed loon."

[WhereAngelsPlay]

Who would've thought that Michelle Gomez would turn out to be one of the best Masters.I know that I didn't and she certainly was.

[TepidT2O]

A lot of hoo haa (who haa?)

Let's see what she's like before castigating the poor woman..

[coolbyrne]

These kinds of decisions are always interesting to me because it shows a side of posters I might not normally have suspected or seen. (Religion and politics threads are also good for this kind of discovery.) In an era where we're having a hell of a time accepting the simple idea of a black James Bond, it's no surprise that there's already ugly crying about Jodie Whittaker's casting and not-so-secret hopes that she fails so that the dissenters can point and say, "Told you." Here's the thing: I haven't watched Doctor Who since Tom fucking Baker, but I will definitely be checking it out now, and I assure you, for every one viewer taking their Tardis and going home, there will be someone to step in to take your place. If it fails, it will be on the merits of the writing and storytelling, not because the Doctor is a woman.

[jillcwhomever]

These kinds of decisions are always interesting to me because it shows a side of posters I might not normally have suspected or seen. (Religion and politics threads are also good for this kind of discovery.) In an era where we're having a hell of a time accepting the simpleidea of a black James Bond, it's no surprise that there's already ugly crying about Jodie Whittaker's casting and not-so-secret hopes that she fails so that the dissenters can point and say, "Told you." Here's the thing: I haven't watched Doctor Who since Tom fucking Baker, but I will definitely be checking it out now, and I assure you, for every one viewer taking their Tardis and going home, there will be someone to step in to take your place. If it fails, it will be on the merits of the writing and storytelling, not because the Doctor is a woman.

Brilliant post my thoughts entirely.

[SP]

My 12 year old daughter is happy.

[SamAteTheRedAcid]

These kinds of decisions are always interesting to me because it shows a side of posters I might not normally have suspected or seen. (Religion and politics threads are also good for this kind of discovery.) In an era where we're having a hell of a time accepting the simpleidea of a black James Bond, it's no surprise that there's already ugly crying about Jodie Whittaker's casting and not-so-secret hopes that she fails so that the dissenters can point and say, "Told you." Here's the thing: I haven't watched Doctor Who since Tom fucking Baker, but I will definitely be checking it out now, and I assure you, for every one viewer taking their Tardis and going home, there will be someone to step in to take your place. If it fails, it will be on the merits of the writing and storytelling, not because the Doctor is a woman.

You can't change things like this though.

People won't stand for it.

People remember the Doctor being a man, pounds and ounces, shillings and guineas, back when we had the Empire, back when Britain was great before the EU started meddling in it, back when men were men and women were in the kitchen. It's political correctness gone mad, Beryl.

[Skeeve]

Regardless of who they picked, the most crucial person in new Who has been shown to be the show runner rather than the doctor after Capaldi was badly let down by things getting too Moffaty.

Hopefully they will go for a larger group of companions/assistants than recent years to avoid the tedious relationship rubbish, sort of like early Peter Davison where he had about 3 or 4 with him at one point.

[Trousers]

I'm out.
Let's have Pippi Longstocking as a middle age man.

[dave 5516]

You can't change things like this though.

People won't stand for it.

People remember the Doctor being a man, pounds and ounces, shillings and guineas, back when we had the Empire, back when Britain was great before the EU started meddling in it, back when men were men and women were in the kitchen. It's political correctness gone mad, Beryl.

Why did I even bother voting for Brexit...

[SamAteTheRedAcid]

People seem to forget that fluid gender roles in acting have been around since before Shakespeare's time.

It's only a few hundred years old as a concept.

Some astonishingly backwards views (mainly on Twitter, of course)

I'm out.
Let's have Pippi Longstocking as a middle age man.

Did I miss the bit where Pippi Longstocking is an alien capable of regenerating into many different forms?

[Wool]

The reaction has been as amusing as I was expecting. I haven't watched the show in a few years, but this is interesting enough to pull me back in.

[SamAteTheRedAcid]

Why did I even bother voting for Brexit...

All that good work getting us out of the EU, ruined by a BBC casting decision. I don't pay my licence fee so they can go around trying new things out on poor unsuspecting viewers!

[coolbyrne]

You can't change things like this though.

People won't stand for it.

People remember the Doctor being a man, pounds and ounces, shillings and guineas, back when we had the Empire, back when Britain was great before the EU started meddling in it, back when men were men and women were in the kitchen. It's political correctness gone mad, Beryl.

Very true. I've heard Peter Dinklage has been cast to play Anne Frank. But that's what happens when you cast a woman in the role of an alien time lord who travels through time and space in a phone box.

[Trousers]

Who would've thought that Michelle Gomez would turn out to be one of the best Masters.I know that I didn't and she certainly was.

There have been four full time masters.
She's not better than Simm, certainly not better than Anthony Ainley.
Roger Delgado? Don't be absurd.

So I'd say that no, she wasn't one of the best masters.

[dave 5516]

All that good work getting us out of the EU, ruined by a BBC casting decision. I don't pay my licence fee so they can go around trying new things out on poor unsuspecting viewers!

Disgusting behaviour! They'll want the vote next.

I haven't watched the series since Baker was the Doctor. I just might check it out. The last time I watched The Master was a man...I read that the last Master was a woman, yeah?  Iirc, are not Doctor Who and Master the same race? Therefore...at the end of the day, it's Dr Who...and wasn't it primarily a kids programme like...Captain Scarlet.

[MolbyLovesGravlax]

My 12 year old daughter is happy.

My 11 year old daughter is unhappy. It is easy to just decide that anyone against the concept is a middle aged Daily Mail reading sexist, but like most things there are more layers than that..
For my kid and me this is probably our biggest bonding thing, watching Dr who together. She wasn't a particular fan of Capaldi, but she stuck with him, I'm hoping she hangs on for a totally different dynamic before bailing, because before long she is a teenager with no desire to hang out with her dad anyway.
in terms of rating popularity, not just in the UK, but around the world has been dropping steadily, and it's because the new incarnation is, for better or worse, defined by having chemistry between young(ish) Drs and companions. Capaldi threw that off and people bailed. I honestly don't think a female dr, even if you give her an attractive young male companion, is going to create the dynamic that brings audiences back, at least not past an initial curiosity bounce.


***oh and for context, I live in the US and have for 20 years, so the show is more a niche thing, than embedded into popular culture***