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dr who and the politically correct script writers

(144 Posts)
petunia Mon 29-Oct-18 08:50:38

I’ve been a Dr Who fan since I was a little girl. I’ve hidden behind the sofa when the Daleks were on screen. I’ve had nightmares about Cybermen. I was unnerved by the Weeping Angels. I’ve loved each and every one of the incarnations of the Dr, particularly David Tennant and Christopher Eccleston. I was thrilled when it was announced that the new Dr would be female. About time too.
But oh dear, they are laying it on thick. Each week feels like a lecture-racism, the environment, sexism. I await transgenderism. While I accept that some political statements are bound to happen, it’s the clumsy way they are shoehorned into each episode. It’s almost as though the producers are standing by with a clip board and checklist.
It makes me want to keep a check list of my own to see how many isms’ can be piled into each episode.
By the way, I love the new female incarnation

lemongrove Mon 29-Oct-18 09:02:16

Yes, I like the new Doctor too.
I know what you mean Petunia and I didn’t feel at all sorry for the spiders!

GrannyGravy13 Mon 29-Oct-18 09:08:27

petunia I couldn't agree more with your OP.

I think Jodie Whittaker is very "believable" as The Doctor. I found the Rosa Parkes episode quite moving and handled very well. They even managed to get "Trump" into last nights episode.

I hope that every episode is not going to have a message, as it is nice just to have some old fashioned escapism.

I have been a fan all my life, I was terrified of the weeping angels. The episode were The Doctors assistant was turned into a cyberman had me on the edge of my seat.

Perhaps we can have a gransnett bingo card for Dr Who political correctness lines!!!

petunia Mon 29-Oct-18 09:25:02

ha ha grannygravy. what a great idea. next saturday will see me pausing and rewinding every sentance for whatever pc idea can be found. will we have a prize for the person who catches the most

Nonnie Mon 29-Oct-18 09:38:15

I think PC is creeping into so many programmes, producers must be scared stiff of being accused of so many non-PC things

Day6 Mon 29-Oct-18 09:39:00

But oh dear, they are laying it on thick. Each week feels like a lecture-racism, the environment, sexism. I await transgenderism. While I accept that some political statements are bound to happen, it’s the clumsy way they are shoehorned into each episode. It’s almost as though the producers are standing by with a clip board and checklist.

Bravo petunia! Thank you! Worth repeating!

It is so off-putting. It really is awful. I imagine some youngster at the BBC preening because the script is so 'right-on'. It makes me want to puke. It is patronising and ruins the plot and flow of the story.

I must be the only one who isn't too taken with Jodie either. I think she is trying to hard to be street smart and her delivery is well - 'acting' -and not particularly convincing. I am sort of waiting for wobbly sets too. grin I am hoping once she settles into the role, later episodes will seem a bit more natural. Mind you, with such awful politically correct lectures to deliver several times during every storyline, it will make her job more difficult.

Yes, despite that I am quite enjoying it and loved the Rosa Parks episode.

lemongrove Mon 29-Oct-18 09:47:47

I think (hope) that the ultra whacky persona will settle down as she adjusts to realising who and what she is.
The next episode may see that, although thinking about it, Tom Baker’s portrayal was also whacky.

stree Mon 29-Oct-18 10:02:38

Getting like the Archers, "Public Information Broadcast"
The BBC seem to think they have an obligation to guide us on how to think and act, in the guise of entertainment.

POGS Mon 29-Oct-18 10:15:26

I heard one of my GD's friends say she wasn't keen on it , she thought she was at school having a weird history lesson. Another said I hoped it would be better. It will be interesting to see how the reaction will be and the viewing numbers I guess will tell that.

petunia
As for your comment :-

" While I accept that some political statements are bound to happen, it’s the clumsy way they are shoehorned into each episode. "

I just wish the BBC stopped shoehorning their political view into practically every ruddy programme from comedy to serious drama . The BBC. no longer sends out subliminal messaging it is blatantly biased.

Greyduster Mon 29-Oct-18 10:23:28

DH and I were only talking about that this morning. I agree. It is blatant and it is clumsy, but it’s not only Dr Who. Upstart Crow is going the same way and it is all beginning to stick in my throat. I expect the Beeb would throw up their hands, if challenged, cry “ooh no not us - we would never abuse our licence fee payers in such a way.” At least in DW we got some spiders this week, but they weren’t very scary. The BBC are a lot scarier.

POGS Mon 29-Oct-18 11:12:23

Greyduster √

oldbatty Mon 29-Oct-18 11:47:17

I love Upstart Crow.

Allegra22 Mon 29-Oct-18 20:35:30

Totally agree with you petunia. I’m an avid sci-fi/fantasy buff and have loved Dr who since the Jon pertwee days. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all the latest incarnations of the Dr and was excited when I heard the latest one was going to be a woman. About time! I think Jodie could be fab, but she’s being let down terribly by the ridiculous script. It’s so PC it seems the writer has forgotten to write an actual story. If the writing is good enough and clever enough it can be politically correct without having to mug you and beat you about the head with a PC stick.
I fell asleep watching the spiders which are a rehash of a so many comic book, giant arachnid cocooning people, tales. Yawn!
I’m going to give it a couple more episodes but if they haven’t improved I’ll jump ship till hopefully a better writer takes the helm.

Nandalot Mon 29-Oct-18 21:45:00

I am swimming against the tide here, as I am thoroughly enjoying the new series. I haven’t found it too ‘preachy’. Yes, the Rosa Parks episode could be said to have had a ‘message’ but it was delivered with an interesting story line with the attempts to subvert history. We let our youngest two GC watch the episode (their first ever Dr. Who) and they asked a lot of questions about segregation afterwards. I enjoyed this week’s with the ‘Trump’ figure and had to think hard about where the PC element came in but I suppose you are all talking about the illegal dumping and, perhaps, the interfering with nature, but to me it wasn’t blatant, just the natural plot line.

PECS Mon 29-Oct-18 23:22:48

They don't sound very correct to me politically or in any other way! Sound like scripts,are simply a bit facile and unconvincing. But then I am not a fan & do not watch!

Kerenhappuch Mon 29-Oct-18 23:54:02

When was Upstart Crow ever politically correct?

Grandma2213 Tue 30-Oct-18 01:21:18

Nandalot you are not the only one. I am loving this series and the many little asides poke fun at the PC brigade I think. Jodie Whittaker has her own style but also echoes previous doctors. I especially like the range of accents. that was why I did not like the David Tennant Doctor. He is Scottish so why did they not let him speak that way?

Talking of pc did you see the one where Peter Capaldi met the first Doctor and his face when he was told he should get his assistant to clean up the Tardis or said that she should have a smacked bottom (or words to that effect). He cringed in horror and said, 'You can't say that!' Each series reflects the time in which it was made. Are we not being beaten 'about the head with a PC stick' currently Allegra22?

anitamp1 Tue 30-Oct-18 11:26:46

I watched the first episode of the new series. But afraid, whilst I was looking forward to seeing a woman doctor, I couldn't warm to her. Think it was because she was too manic. Not convinced it worked for a woman. Hoping it will calm down a little.

sarahcyn Tue 30-Oct-18 11:26:52

Jodie W is delightful but you're so right about the messages. A weekly sermon.
Of course, you'll never see the Doctor stepping in to help someone who's started up a business and created jobs.

grannytotwins Tue 30-Oct-18 11:36:14

I watched it in the early days. My husband loves it so I go to bed while he watches it on catch up. On Sunday I decided to watch with him to see what all the fuss regarding the new doctor was about. I lasted fifteen minutes. I found the acting forced and the female doctor, who I’ve liked in other shows, massively out of her depth in the role. It used to be a fun programme. This was cringe worthy.

mabon1 Tue 30-Oct-18 11:39:37

Never ever seen any Doctor Who and have lived a good life without it. If you don't care for it don't watch it and stop moaning.

MawBroon Tue 30-Oct-18 11:39:45

Peter Capaldi is also Scottish Grandma2213 and , much as I love hearing a Scottish voice, as a Scot myself, I don’t necessarily expect actors to speak in their own accent unless the Director so chooses.
Oddly Christopher Ecclestone was not a Doctor I warmed to but we each have our favourites I expect.

vickya Tue 30-Oct-18 11:51:56

I am determind to like the new Dr as she's female but am struggling smile. I was scared of the spiders and then actually felt sad for the big one that died. Eclestone did take a while to settle in. I didn't like him at first. The first Dr was my one. I was in the 5th form then. I really disliked Matt Smith. Hated him and the assistants and didn't like Clara. Loved Tennant and liked Eclestone by the end. I hope the stories get better, but lots of those for the last Dr were pants.

vickya Tue 30-Oct-18 11:52:48

Oh I love Bradley in anything so hope he stays as companion and I like the others too. I don't like the Dr being so ..unsure. needy.

Aepgirl Tue 30-Oct-18 12:06:22

I'm getting fed up with nearly every post that has been done by a male, now being done by a woman - Zoe Ball, Holly Willoughby, Jodie Whitaker, etc. I like listening to men's voices too. It's even happening on our local BBC radio.