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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Jodie Whittaker to be 13th Doctor Who

181 replies

Pariswhenitdrizzles · 16/07/2017 17:07

Not really AIBU - just want to hear your thoughts really.

I don't often watch it, but think it's nice that they've finally cast a woman as the Doctor :)

OP posts:
cardibach · 16/07/2017 19:06

When you're my age 2007 is just a couple of years ago! What I meant was it isn't, and wasn't, part of the original premise of the show, however much you would like it to be Jacques and Poppy. That doesn't mean it can't be changed, but to argue it's part of the basic concept is a bit silly.

cardibach · 16/07/2017 19:07

Sorry, 2011. Even more so then.

GinaFordCortina · 16/07/2017 19:12

"I know Matt Smith, Chris Eccleston and obviously David Tennant. Oh! And let's throw in David Bradley! Four Doctors! So I'm hoping I get some calls of advice

She's about to get hella doctor 'splained

JacquesHammer · 16/07/2017 19:16

cardi the fact that the previous incumbent couldn't control the changes has ALWAYS been part of the storyline. The fact that the change could take any form has ALWAYS been part of the storyline.

PlinkyTheFairyWitch · 16/07/2017 19:20

She's about to get hella doctor 'splained

It'll make a change from all these mantrums, at least!

cardibach · 16/07/2017 19:24

Jaqcues I've been watching since Troughton. This idea has only been around for a few years. I'm not saying it can't change, just that it is a change.
Rhubarb she was passable in Broadchurch 1, but the role didn't need much range. In 2 and 3, she was very poor. Some post reports say she's good in other stuff. I'll wait and see.

BraveBear · 16/07/2017 19:26

When you're my age 2007 is just a couple of years ago! What I meant was it isn't, and wasn't, part of the original premise of the show, however much you would like it to be Jacques and Poppy. That doesn't mean it can't be changed, but to argue it's part of the basic concept is a bit silly.

Doctor Who started in 1963, and there can't be many existing shows with more flexible rules around what the main character can do. It's a show where if everything else fails, just point the sonic screwdriver at it and you'll probably get out of trouble. This show has never once stated that the Doctor will always regenerate as a man. If we want to be sticklers for the rules the show shouldn't even still be on TV. All the regenerations got used up - so Matt Smith's Doctor was just conveniently gifted more.

This show does allow for the fictional shape shifting alien to be female, to assume any shape actually, so why shouldn't it happen? Doctor Who is not going to be all about bra's and tampons now, it will be the usual fighting aliens in space stories. Literally nothing of importance will change.

HattiesBackpack · 16/07/2017 19:28

I'm really excited about this, I think JW is great choice. I haven't enjoyed the last few series', I think the writing has been poor, and I think this is a great chance to redirect dr who into a brilliant show again.

JacquesHammer · 16/07/2017 19:28

cardi did you really try to prove your point by a "I've been watching longer than you" type comment Grin

PoopyPanda · 16/07/2017 19:32

My name isn't Poppy Hmm

(It's a reference to a 1958 short story by C M Kornbluth.)

SailAwayWithMeHoney · 16/07/2017 19:32

I loved her in Attack the Block. (But then I love that film!) so am considering starting watching Dr Who again.
I've not watched it since the night Christopher Ecclestone turned into David Tennent cause I didn't like Tennent Grin

donquixotedelamancha · 16/07/2017 19:34

DW made me watch two series of Broadchurch and it still took me a couple of minutes to realise where I recognised her from. Then I thought- meh. She's an ok actress, but hasn't got much screen presence.

Should have been Phoebe Waller-Bridge. I don't care whether it's a man or a woman, but they have to be right. I worry they've picked a woman, just to be PC (for want of a less horrid phrase). Hope I'm proved wrong.

cardibach · 16/07/2017 19:38

Jacques since you used the 'it's always been like that* argument I thought it was relevant.
Brave it doesn't explicitly state he can't be a fish, either - is that an argument for him being one?
Poopy apologies. I'm a shit typist.

EastMidsMummy · 16/07/2017 19:42

Sorry, but it honestly is a fucking stupid thing to say that "they" have picked a woman "to be PC."

This will be the most high profile casting decision Chris Chibnall, the show runner, will ever make. He will be judged professionally on this for the rest of his career.

He's done this because it's narratively interesting. It allows him to tweak the tried and tested formula. And he's worked closely with Jodie Whittaker and obviously believes she has what it takes.

BraveBear · 16/07/2017 19:43

Brave it doesn't explicitly state he can't be a fish, either - is that an argument for him being one?

Well yes, because a fish Doctor couldn't do anything more than swim around its fish-tank Tardis, wouldn't get much planet saving done. Remembering that this is a fictional show and not reality, it wouldn't be a very entertaining change in direction would it?

But what difference does it make to the show that this Doctor will have ovaries? What will the show lose?

BrokenRing · 16/07/2017 19:44

Like cardibach, I'm not overly wanting a woman as the Doctor but I will watch and see how it goes. And can I add, the Doctor hasn't "changed gender" but has changed sex - the Doctor's body is a female body for the immediate future. For me, this wasn't a necessary change. The Doctor was male and it's been decided in very recent years that that has to change - and that doesn't impress me. I am happy that it's showing equality and that will be shown very clearly to the youngsters watching. Still doesn't make the change right ultimately. I've been watching a good 45 years so I'm not likely to stop now. I hope she does the role credit and the plots and writing don't let the audience down. (I am glad they have chosen someone not terribly well known, at least, who will focus on the role rather than other projects.)

JacquesHammer · 16/07/2017 19:48

cardi you've missed out on William Hartnell - some super episodes

MrsTerryPratchett · 16/07/2017 19:49

Time travelling alien, has two hearts and regenerative powers, magic blue box bigger on the inside than out, saves world countless times using nothing but a sonic screwdriver and wit. A-OK.

Alien is female - NOPE, just not realistic!

Because it WILLING suspension of disbelief and some people are simply not willing to believe that a woman can save the universe.

My main reason for being pleased is that a friend of DH's who was on FB and blocked me, will be incensed. He was ranting years ago about how a female Doctor was unfathomable. And I asked him for a non-sexist reason why. Bwahaha, in your face!

GinaFordCortina · 16/07/2017 19:51

People will dislike her no matter what and they will say she's wrong because she's a woman. And they should have chosen a different woman... because there can be only one. It's Doctor Who not the Highlander

BraveBear · 16/07/2017 19:53

The Doctor will still have the Tardis, will still have the screwdriver, will still have a sidekick, will still time travel and fight aliens, will still ultimately regenerate. All the ingredients of the show will be there.

So what is the change? How will it manifest itself?

cardibach · 16/07/2017 19:55

I'm aware of that Jacques. I have watched some of them. Who's doing one upmanship now?

GinaFordCortina · 16/07/2017 19:56

.

Jodie Whittaker to be 13th Doctor Who
cardibach · 16/07/2017 19:58

Fuck's sake Mrs T it isn't at all because I'm not willing to believe a woman can save the u inverse! It's because I'd prefer a female character, not one co-opted, to do this. How does this translate as anti-feminist?
It is about willing suspension of disbelief, though. I've willingly accepted a pile of impossibilities here. One more is one too many.
How many of you screaming it's anti-feminist to believe the Doctor can sex change also have concerns about trans woman issues?

PantPlot · 16/07/2017 19:59

I'm perhaps biased because I know her, but I think she'll be fab.

RippleEffects · 16/07/2017 19:59

I never, ever like or approve of the new doctor.

I keep watching though and always warm to them as they make the role their own. Its something that i really love about the formula for the show.

I don't approve, not for gender reasons, but because I don't like change.

I'm sure there have been references in the past the in previous itterations the doctor has been in female form.