Too Much
Having a blog means you write about whatever your passion is. Well, mine is Doctor Who and this season fans watch a completely different show than what they saw the last ten years. This article gives many different changes to Doctor Who which points to those changes being the biggest ever. Even though they are the biggest, there is a question to ask. Are all the changes too much too soon.
Everyone who is a fan needs to understand is Doctor Who survives because of change. Change is a part of its DNA, therefore it takes place every few years. Thanks to the early producers and showrunners choosing to make the change with the lead character because of illness. Doctor Who remains because of that becoming an integral part of the show. The changes took place even before the regeneration of Bill Hartnell into Patrick Troughton. Because of companions leaving, a change was inevitable.
When one looks at the fans of the classic show, you see men and women who have seen lots of changes. Companions changed more often than the Doctor and just as you get use to one they leave and you get one or two new ones. But the changing of companions is not as big as the changing of the Doctor, and that is a true statement because he/she is who the show revolves.
Every fan knows the changes made to Doctor Who this season are massive. Not only did they change the Doctor, but the gender as well. Which did not sit well with many older fans? The question one may ask is why it didn’t sit well with them? Which is a good question and one which only they can answer?
Let’s delve into this a little further or at least say a little bit about it. Okay, what if John Nathan-Turner had cast a female to replace Tom Baker. What does everyone think the reaction would be? Word is that Nathan-Turner thought about changing gender in 1980 when he cast Peter Davison as the fifth Doctor. At that time, the world was a lot different. Women had more rights then than in the 1960’s, but things were not as advanced as now. But at that time Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of England. So, in the UK it may not have been such a big deal.
Thinking about it, maybe it would have been better if gender change happened in the 1980’s. As fans look at it, they may ask the question, had Nathan-Turner cast a female as the Doctor does the show get canceled before she decides she is done? Which if that happens Doctor Who is canceled nine years earlier. Fans will not know the answers to those questions because it did not take place.
Well, looking at today’s changes, one can see where the older fans can see where it may be too much too soon. Most people don’t do good with change. Especially, when it ie as drastic as the ones to Doctor Who. Not all fans dislike the change, but they will need some time to adjust to what they are getting. Change can be uncomfortable no matter where it happens.
Those older fans who see it being too much too soon may leave for a little while. They may need more time to adjust to all the changes and before come back. But then they may not ever come back. Who knows? Yes, it is a lot to deal with and some will not return, but then there are those who will return. These fans don’t need to be badgered and talked down to, but that goes both ways. Those willing to stay even with the changes don’t need to be badgered either.
Whether you think the changes are positive or negative, we are all Whovians and should band together because of our love for Doctor Who. Since the gender change, there has been too much negativity. Doctor Who is Doctor Who no matter what fans think or say. Change is evitable, so whether you like the changes or not. We are all still Doctor Who fans.
