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Vague grumblings
Feb. 15th, 2020 07:54 amThe current series of Doctor Who is such a mess. The point of each episode is to cover a Very Important Topic, which is generally done by beating the viewer over the head with it until they beg for mercy. The last episode dealt with the Very Important Topic of mental health. Now, this is a very important topic and they actually achieved a touch of subtlety with this one - kudos to the writer! And, obviously, mental wellbeing is something that affects everyone to a greater or lesser degree - but did EVERY character have to have something to tackle?! And did all the somethings have to be crowded into the last five minutes?!
That episode is, however, noteworthy for getting it spot on with the Doctor's character. She's still an alien and still doesn't really understand humanity, despite her deep admiration and love for us. Graham's unloading was really touching - and the Doctor was suitably awkward about it.
But that came AFTER her worthy speech about how resilient humanity is. Although that wasn't as toe-curling as the speech about our impending environmental disaster a few episodes ago. I still have nightmares...
A number of stories have also suffered from not being spread across two parts. Just when they're getting into something really interesting, suddenly we pivot into the end sequence where the Doctor waves her sonic screwdriver around and saves the day - then gives one of her excruciating monologues about this week's Very Important Topic. It's just painful.
Part of the problem, I think, is that they've stopped writing the Doctor as the Doctor (with some notable exceptions - see above). Suddenly, she (and I think part of the reason for this is that she is a 'she') is an intergalactic SJW. Which, yes, the Doctor is... but not in this sledgehammer to crack a nut approach. Tom Baker's Doctor wrestling with whether to commit genocide when he discovers the lab where the Daleks were first created - THAT is the Doctor as SJW!
Another aspect is that this is a New Doctor, with New Companions, for a New Generation. It's a children's programme - you have to make things obvious for children... Except, you don't. First of all, most of the Very Important Topics are things children are all too familiar with, these days. Secondly, you never talk down to children - you talk up. Those of us who grew up with the Old Doctor didn't need to be clobbered with the bleeding obvious - we enjoyed stories where we weren't always entirely sure what was going on because they stretched us mentally, emotionally - and imaginatively.
*heavy sigh*
OK, Doctor Who rant over. What's next for today?
That episode is, however, noteworthy for getting it spot on with the Doctor's character. She's still an alien and still doesn't really understand humanity, despite her deep admiration and love for us. Graham's unloading was really touching - and the Doctor was suitably awkward about it.
But that came AFTER her worthy speech about how resilient humanity is. Although that wasn't as toe-curling as the speech about our impending environmental disaster a few episodes ago. I still have nightmares...
A number of stories have also suffered from not being spread across two parts. Just when they're getting into something really interesting, suddenly we pivot into the end sequence where the Doctor waves her sonic screwdriver around and saves the day - then gives one of her excruciating monologues about this week's Very Important Topic. It's just painful.
Part of the problem, I think, is that they've stopped writing the Doctor as the Doctor (with some notable exceptions - see above). Suddenly, she (and I think part of the reason for this is that she is a 'she') is an intergalactic SJW. Which, yes, the Doctor is... but not in this sledgehammer to crack a nut approach. Tom Baker's Doctor wrestling with whether to commit genocide when he discovers the lab where the Daleks were first created - THAT is the Doctor as SJW!
Another aspect is that this is a New Doctor, with New Companions, for a New Generation. It's a children's programme - you have to make things obvious for children... Except, you don't. First of all, most of the Very Important Topics are things children are all too familiar with, these days. Secondly, you never talk down to children - you talk up. Those of us who grew up with the Old Doctor didn't need to be clobbered with the bleeding obvious - we enjoyed stories where we weren't always entirely sure what was going on because they stretched us mentally, emotionally - and imaginatively.
*heavy sigh*
OK, Doctor Who rant over. What's next for today?
