Dear Doctor,
I know your show gets reviewed a lot, mostly by amateur writers in tedious sorts of ways, so I’m going to keep this brief. In fact, I bet only Americans review your show these days, as most British people grew up with it as a sort of “children’s show”, and therefore a review on their part would mostly be rehash (unless they’re comparing seasons or doctors). But your show isn’t a “children’s show” anymore, is it? Oh no. I know this because sometimes after watching I am scared shitless and afraid to go down the hall to the bathroom. Of course, being of slightly warped mind, I consider this a good thing.
I have to admit that I’m something of a fan of your work. In fact, I’m writing this by the light of my sonic screwdriver at about 1:30 in the morning. So this letter is mostly full of praise. In fact, it’s chock full of praise. Let’s be serious.
Let’s go back to the start. The first time I heard about your program was back in 2006. I was in a friend’s living room with some members of my improv troupe, when one of them randomly mentioned that your show was, in fact, a good one. I was immediately intrigued, as I was, and always have been, a fan of all things British. Unfortunately back then I didn’t really watch television, so I didn’t get a chance to look into it. Later, I tuned in while cruising the Time Warner cable scroll down menu for something to watch. “Sounds interesting” I thought, and tuned in. I found a dying spaceship filled with gold robots and a woman in love with a squishy pink Admiral Ackbar. My mind wasn’t ready for this much interesting. The TV went off. Later- people on tons of little space ships, singing. Still no. Finally, when I got back from my first year of college, my sister said- “Doctor Who is on tonight- want to watch it?” My mom thought the Daleks were irritating and left. You used a cookie to save the world. I was sold. And that’s the story of how my sister introduced me to something good.
I’m glad your show isn’t a children’s show anymore. There isn’t anything wrong with children’s/family shows like yours used to be. In fact I know John Cleese showed up and thought the TARDIS was art once. What I’m saying is maybe I’m being wrong in calling it a “children’s show” and should look at it as more of a “show from the 60’s to the 80’s that everybody could enjoy.” Thing was, it was really campy and therefore pretty difficult to take seriously*. Now obviously some did, and you garnered quite the number of fans from it (generally in the UK) but I’m glad you made this new switch to a more serious sci-fi approach. Why? Oh for a number of reasons, doctor.
For one, I love the depth that your show now conveys. In the old series, it seems the show mostly stuck to a happy medium. In the new series, I laugh, I cry, I’m full of joy, I’m angry, I learn something, I’m scared shitless. For the most part, the way you romp about with your cavalier comments is endearing and funny, but sometimes we are granted a moment of reflection as your current companion compares you to a space whale. Meaning how alone you are, not that you could loose some weight. Your loneliness as the last Time Lord breaks my heart, and the hearts of other viewers, but we know you’re not alone, because you have your friends, whether they’re physically with you or not. And if all else fails, you can come get us. I personally would like to recommend myself, because I can’t use a compass or any other kind of orienteering equipment, and you don’t need a compass while traveling through time and space. I also think bow ties are cool.
Of course there’s those moments like in “The Impossible Planet”/”The Satan Pit”, where the devil is like “DON’T TURN AROUND TOBY OR YOU’LL DIE. DON’T TURN AROUND! I’M GOING TO MOLEST YOU NOW BUT DON’T TURN AROUND!” or when Rose picks up her phone in an area with no service and a voice says “he is awake”, or like in “The Empty Child” where a little boy with a gas mask for a face runs around asking for his mommy. It’s during these moments that I suddenly get very hungry or need to go to the bathroom but can’t because Satan will kill me in the kitchen.
And then on the other side of the spectrum, there’s those episodes that make me cry like a sappy middle aged woman watching the Titanic or the Notebook. For example, I just watched “Doomsday”, the finale of series 2. Towards the end of the episode, I cried my eyes out, giggled through the tears at something for a second, went back to crying, and then went to pee because I wasn’t scared shitless of going to the bathroom.
Another thing I love about your show is the fact that every time I watch it, I’m reminded just how big and infinite and beautiful the universe is. I’m reminded how fascinating and significant each person is, and how we always have something to fight for, no matter how small and worthless we may feel. I don’t follow an organized religion- but I do believe in the infinite imagination of the human mind, and every episode is a rousing sermon followed by a heartfelt hallehluia, amen. Carry on Doctor- we all have a lot to learn from you. Teach us to love the universe, and more importantly, each other, like you do.
I’ve watched a fair amount of all of your more recent forms, and really, I love them all equally. I mean, they were all the same person- you. I must admit though, I was pretty raving mad about your ninth form, the one represented by the actor Christopher Eccleston, while I was watching. But really I’d be pretty down with giving just about any of your forms a hug. You’re all funny, smart, loveable and utterly heroic.
Long live the Doctor!
Lovingly yours,
Alicia
*I can’t ground this in experience. Stop judging me, I have a lot of stuff to get through.
P.S. Sorry, this wasn’t brief at all. Guess I’m a liar.
P.P.S. 100th post! It’s fitting.
