How to divide fans of Doctor Who - Clara and a female Doctor

Next week sees the return of long running British science fiction series Doctor Who, and with it two distinct splits between fans. Clara and a female Doctor.

Clara started out as “The Impossible Girl” and was a very interesting character and her ark had an heir of unpredictability with Matt Smith. However, whilst Peter Capaldi has been every bit as good as I believed he would, he almost feels like a supporting character in “The Clara show”. I have no issue with the audience viewing the Universe of The Doctor through the eyes of his companion, a formula that has existed since the first episode in 1963. However, when the focus turns to the relationship of the companion and their world, we move away from what the show is all about - a humanoid alien traveller who has adventures in space and time.

The other problem with Clara is that she is yet another everyday, mid twenties, good looking, white, contemporary human girl accompanying The Doctor. She is no different to Rose nor Amy. Why can’t we have someone of equal or near intellect? Osgood would have been fantastic, a nod to Liz from the early 70s, but she was killed in the last season (although she is due back in the new season, but will it be the Zygon double from the 50th anniversary show?). Frank Skinners character, an engineer on an interstellar train based on the Orient Express, would have been neither contemporary and a stereotype. Maybe someone from the past, struggling to cope with technology that would be like magic to him or her (there a fair number of companions like this in Classic Who).

The second split is of course a future casting of an female in the roll of The Doctor. Since The Master changed gender and became “Misty” in the last season, speculation has intensified that the next regeneration will bring a woman to the role. A feeling that Misty was a testing of the waters on how people would react, and also a way of making it possible that Timelords can become Timeladies, without setting it in stone (The Master is mad enough to force a change of gender to try and get one over The Doctor).

Now, as my boss puts it, I’m one of those “lefty Guardian reading do-gooders,” so naturally I like to see diversity in TV and in particular the genre I love. I don’t like what happened with the “Sad Puppies” at the Hugo awards as I believe diversity in Science Fiction is a wonderful thing and some of my favourite books contain a rich tapestry of diverse and interesting characters. However, I don’t agree with diversity being forced on canon and characters being changed for non organic reasons.

People will argue it isn’t canon that the Doctor is male, however I would counter argue that there have been thirteen actors who have played the character since 1963 and all have been white and male. Regenerating to a female form would feel forced and wouldn’t be organic. It simply wouldn’t be logical. We as the audience would ask why hadn’t it happened during his previous regenerations?

If a more diverse show is needed, then go back to my points on Clara, and have a less generic companion? Or bring in a Timelady who isn’t a villain (Romana perhaps)?

Besides, I’m still waiting for a ginger Doctor.

There is no borders in Space between us

Today, I came home and I gave my little boy a hug and played chase with him. Nothing unusual with this. Depending on the day of the week, he may have been with his grandparents, my wife, who works part time, or at the childrens nursery he attends. Today it was a day with his one Granddad. What was different, was the extra long hold of him, the extra kiss on his forehead and the feeling, that I truly am a lucky man, and he himself is also truly lucky. Why? The image of the three year old Syrian refugee laying dead on a beach having been washed up, has hit me on a personal level.

Like many parents who will have seen this photo, I saw my own boy laying down

We are all made of atoms and for a quirk of fate I was born in a first world country and should never have to live in fear because of war near my home, or because I believe in an alternative version of the same religion, or my ethnicity is traced back to a rival tribe. That quirk of fate has meant my son was not born into that world. A World, we in the west, in our protective bubble, simply will never understand or experience. Imagine, for just a moment how it must felt, to spend your life savings, getting on a boat for a dangerous journey just to ask for help what you hope are loving human beings? The risk is huge, yet it is still safer than staying in their homeland for these poor people.

Yet, there are those, who believe they are only coming here for handouts and benefits. Logically, this is a load of rubbish. Morally, this is disturbing. Why would someone spend thousands of pounds just to get a few measly benefits? Why would someone risk the lives of their families just for a few measly benefits?

Yep, it doesn’t make sense to me neither.

Or, maybe, they are so desperate, so fearful of their lives, they simply want to go somewhere where they are safe. Just safe. Nothing else. Just safe. The basic human instinct is survival and this is all these poor people are doing. Surviving, even if the risks are huge.

Even if they do make it over to a country in the EU, they become pawns in a bigger political game where the countries of the EU, play a game of “I’m alright jack” and “its not my problem”. The actions of the UK government have left me embarrassed to call myself British. I look at Germany and the help they are providing and I feel pride that I live on the same continent as them. I see the #refugeeswelcome and I feel pride that there are hundreds of thousands more Brits who feel the same way.

This isn’t about borders, and immigration controls and statistics. Its about helping our fellow human. Its about not allowing another poor child, parent and families to die as they flee wars and oppression.

I am reminded of a quote from an astronaut on the ISS when discussing working with someone from a country with political differences and he said ‘There is no borders in space between us.’

Maybe, all our problems can be traced back to the moment we moved from a nomadic society to one of ownership of land and borders.

So, if you’re a parent, give you son or daughter an extra special hug and be thankful.