Last Sunday it was announced that Jodie Whittaker would take on the role of the 13th Doctor replacing Peter Capaldi. While most of the reactions have been positive, it’s alarming how many have been equally as hateful. And it’s baffling because it all has to do with gender.
I confess that I’m a bit of a newcomer to the Doctor Who fandom and I have a lot to learn, especially with looking at the classic series. However, I’ve seen enough Doctor Who to recognize when people are in the wrong about casting choices. So let me clarify a few things for those haters:
One, the Doctor is an alien. Unless you are not familiar with the series or living under a rock this whole time while watching, it means not human. It means that he doesn’t abide by our understanding of being, what gender is. As far as I understand it, the Doctor has never said that he is a man. He is just a being from a different world. And while he has up to this point been played by all male leads, it doesn’t automatically make him a man. His companions, generally are the ones who make the distinction and from what I see the Doctor just plays along. It’s no different when the Doctor and his companions land on an alien world and blends in just so they can help save the day.
Michelle Gomez took over as the Master in series nine of the new series, a role that had been portrayed by male actors. It gave a fresh take on the character and allowed said character to have different avenues to explore and play with. Her Master or “Missy” as she was called was more diabolic and evil than her predecessor, John Simm.
Two, if you are a true fan of Doctor Who, who he becomes is part of the show’s appeal. He has evolved so much from the bumbling space hermit. Just from watching the new series, I can track how far the character has come. From “Rose” the Doctor has been battle scarred and broken from the events of the Time War. He has changed from being closed off and broken to someone who is willing to step in and speak up when something is wrong.
And finally three, the real reason there should be less hatred among fans is that the Doctor stands up for all people, all creatures, regardless of creed or belief. In the episode “New Earth” the newly minted 10th Doctor says to Rose Tyler after she makes a fuss about cats in robes, “Now, don't stare. Think what you look like to them, all pink and yellow.” This emphasizes the Doctor’s ideology that all creatures need to be treated with equal value. The Doctor believes in peace, in doing what is right.
In closing, a woman as the Doctor should have very little impact as long the character continues to stand up and take action against enemies that threatened the universe. I will be watching Doctor Who with Jodie Whittacker as the Doctor and I can’t wait.
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