Jodie Whittaker IS the Thirteenth Doctor

[PNGwynne]

I'm only a casual Who fan and I could watch Hartnell through Davidson episodes and be perfectly happy. (I guess that's stagnation, I call it nostalgia.)

But I've made a decent effort to keep up with "new" Who and have enjoyed aspects of it all along. I will admit to not having a lot of buy-in, but I'm interested in this change and more interested in how it plays out over the season.

The great thing about Dr. Who is that a re-set is always an option, built into the show. I don't think Whittaker will sink the franchise, but if ratings dive, there's always a solution.

For those concerned about a gender change, don't you think that charisma and good writing define a memorable Doctor more than sex?

[Werewolf]

The current change was in response to a din of complainers who wanted the Doctor to "be like them" -- i.e., make them feel included and safe so the show would support/protect their feelings.

If someone doesn't like change, fine, I get that. But that's not what this is really about and it's disappointing to see comments like that here.

[palitoy]

But isn't that what hey did by bowing to pressure from the bloggers, etc. and a subset of fans who felt it was time the Doctor was woman? Had they done it, say, around 1980 when Tom Baker left (as I've read they were considering) then it would have been more organic and an expression of pushing in a different direction. The current change was in response to a din of complainers who wanted the Doctor to "be like them" -- i.e., make them feel included and safe so the show would support/protect their feelings.

And for the record, I'm waiting to see how it plays out before deciding if the change is a good one.

I cautioned my comments with "I question it's motives" because we don't know if Chris Chibnall always wanted this and has a plan. We can't know if this is bowing to pressure or merely a creative choice.

It'll be an interesting conversation after say, the first few episodes, especially if it's viewed with zero expectations like you're suggesting. I still may not like it but if i can see it has a meaning.

There has been fan pressure to do it for over thirty years, I personally think JNT would have done it, it would be purely for shock value and he would have had no plan but we'll never know. His casting choices were largely reactionary to the previous Doctor IMO.

Turning the reigns over to Romana for a season but quickly returning the male doctor by the end is pandering to me though. It's not organic at all and would smack of it.

[knight errant00]

Totally disagree, I don't think it's art's job to keep you safe or protect your feelings.

But isn't that what hey did by bowing to pressure from the bloggers, etc. and a subset of fans who felt it was time the Doctor was woman? Had they done it, say, around 1980 when Tom Baker left (as I've read they were considering) then it would have been more organic and an expression of pushing in a different direction. The current change was in response to a din of complainers who wanted the Doctor to "be like them" -- i.e., make them feel included and safe so the show would support/protect their feelings.

And for the record, I'm waiting to see how it plays out before deciding if the change is a good one.

[palitoy]

Regardless of what "Fan Historians" will think, you've already made up your mind.

i'd rather have a show willing to make changes despite possible backlash than one that softens the concept to pander to a segment of their fan base. I think that's death.

It could be really good, it could be bad or not for me. I don't know but I'll hold all predictions until I've watched it a few times.

[Mikey]

I'm just trying to think of a way to keep a shaky-in-ratings show on the air -- and IMO fan historians will note this season is when Doctor Who Jumped the Shark

[palitoy]

Well because you said you want a safe solution that placates fans who are having a tough time accepting the concept. I just don't think it has to do that.

[Mikey]

Why would you say that ?

I don't think the show owes ANY of us anything and they are welcomed to do what they want.

I'm just giving an opinion about how I would like them to work in a female lead.

[palitoy]

Totally disagree, I don't think it's art's job to keep you safe or protect your feelings.

This may not be my favourite choice, I question the motivation but I don't think the show owes me a single thing. Either I watch it or I don't.

[Mikey]

I would have been all over the series if they would have had the Doctor missing, presumed dead even.

Romana returns and this Timelord is her.

The series could continue as usual with an ever present background story -- where is the Doctor ?

I think that scenario would placate many fans (including myself) that believes Timelords should remain the same sex (not counting the Master stealing bodies)

[palitoy]

As a teaser, it doesn't tease very much.
But I'm trying to stay optimistic about this... the next trailers will probably be more exciting.

Yeah, I'm optimistic this could be good. Chibnall's record with Doctor Who is hit or miss but I enjoyed Broadchurch and he certainly can create interesting characters.

[Bruce Banner]

As a teaser, it doesn't tease very much.
But I'm trying to stay optimistic about this... the next trailers will probably be more exciting.

[ODBJBG]

I'm glad they haven't overly made her look odd. I like the more plain look. I don't need a female Colin Baker. And her stuff looks more genuine to me, whereas I though Matt Smith's first seasons had him look very gimmicky with the goofy stuff.

Sonic looks odd though.

[Werewolf]

Comic Con trailer.

[LonnieFisher]

m

Flair for the dramatic...