Okay, so it’s been a while since I’ve posted as, quite honestly, child rearing, studying a degree and running a reviewing site have been taking up my time.
But with my next book out soon you may see more activity. But today I am here to set the record straight.
As you would know, if you’ve read my other posts, I am a lifelong Doctor Who fan. Not one of those Johnny come lately who only know the new Who… I am a LIFELONG fan. I grew up with it, the REAL Doctor Who where special effects were not letting the zipper show on the alien and 101 uses of bubble wrap by painting it green.
I own nearly all of the original Doctor Who stories as books in their original publications. I own almost all of the first 300 Doctor Who Magazines. Knowing Old Who (and some new Who) is the savant part of my idiot!
So, being annoyed by all old Who Lore being ignored and suddenly making it okay that Time Lords can change genders… that’s not me being sexist. And anyone who thinks it does, really doesn’t know me nor want to say it to my face and expect to keep all their teeth. Just saying.
Nor am I condemning Doctor Who for “moving with the times” or keeping up with the expectations of the tweeny millennials it now caters to (thanks SO MUCH Moffat you idiot). I am merely stepping away from my lifelong fandom to let this new generation – who only knows of reboots and the like and doesn’t give two hoots for the history or Lore of a show – and letting them have their turn in the sun. May they love and look after this show for the next 50 odd years. But me? I am out.
To give Moffat credit, he has been doing an excellent job in weening me off Doctor Who ever since he took over. And, despite my belief that Peter Capaldi would have been as great a Doctor as Tom Baker himself, Moffat ensured he wasn’t as he caters to the tweeny world where nothing bad happens. Companions don’t die – giving their lives to save the world anymore – they merely go off having adventures without the Doctor. Gosh I bet Katarina, Sara Kingdom, Adric and even Ace are a little annoyed that this option was available. Hey companions – you don’t need to die, just let the Moffinator give you the HEA tweens of today need! Stay strong – don’t die! In the tweeny world people don’t die, they merely have adventures without you… and vampires sparkle and can be good. Oh yay for this new golden era of life!
Note sarcasm. 
So yes, offer me potentially the best Doctor Who actor since the series was rebooted – but then write total rubbish stories so his potential is lost and the show dies a slow, sad death within my interest.
Good way to ween me off it all. Which is for the best, as I will not go with the reboot of Who suddenly allowing Time Lords to swap gender. It was bad enough when Missy was “somehow” made. Moffat totally missed a trick there by not making it Romana returned and in a bad mood – read the books of the series if you don’t know what I mean. Yes some of them spun off in a totally weird and insane direction (see Patience the TARDIS) but there are some gems out there and some bloody good ones about how Romana could almost be the Rani…. Think about it. Oh wait, Moffat doesn’t know about them as he wasn’t really that big a fan, merely did it for the money? My mistake.
As said, not wanting the Doctor to become female is NOT me being a sexist old prude. It is me sticking to the original stories and comments made within them. I mean yes, alright, Douglas Adams had his fun with Romana when Mary Tamm wanted to leave the series and was replace by Lalla Ward. He took Terry Nation’s story concept and added that typical Adams whimsical nature to it. Time Lords can’t change on whim, but Time Ladies can? And they can try on new bodies like trying on new outfits? Brought to you by the man who ensures I know where my towel is at all times. But that is different – and jarred with me back when I first saw those episodes (as repeats) as a child. There you go, I’ve been that pedantic and traditionalist since back then!
Time Lords/ Ladies do not swap genders. This is not true Who, this is a reboot. And, as with most reboots – see Star Trek and Ghostbusters – I refuse to acknowledge them as they don’t appeal to me. This does not make them wrong, it just means they are not for me and so I stepped away from them. As I will now with Doctor Who. After the Christmas special my kids are aware it won’t be allowed in my house. Simple. When they are old enough to rebel, get iview on their tablets and watch it – let them. But it is not my Who and not welcome here. Though may those who are embracing this new concept (reboot) of Who enjoy it without me. Seriously. If this is what needs to be done to keep it alive – then make it so… oh Trek got in there somehow. 😉
And speaking of Trek, look to it before you make your dumb arse comments about it being about time a sci-fi show allowed the dominant lead to be a woman. I love this meme and did indeed read it in Janeway’s droll tones.
But let’s not forget Captain (then General) Samantha Carter of Stargate. Kira Nerys of Deep Space Nine? And many others… Not the MAIN role? Puh-lease…. Don’t get me started on that as you won’t like where I stick it.
So, yes I am saying goodbye to Doctor Who. No I am not condemning it, wishing it fails and fall flat on its face or anything negative. It is just time it and I break up. I will keep my books and magazines and remember the good old days, but won’t be keeping in touch after Christmas. As I have said, let the new generation have their turn to care for and love what it has become. It is no longer Doctor Who to me, but that doesn’t mean it is wrong (well to me it does but I’m not in charge so meh), it merely means we’re not the BFF we once were.
Peter Capaldi – and I’m not just saying this as we’ve both hugged that wonderful writer Ann – you were a brilliant Doctor. You were what the Doctor needed to be. But you needed a writer who would do your talent and passion for the role justice… and you did not get this. I do hope this hasn’t ruined your lifelong love of Who too.
And so, goodbye Doctor Who. I will remember how you were fondly and prey this is not your death knell. But from here, the Cloister Bell is tolling and it’s time for me to leave. ❤
Until next time,
Janis.
Janis Hill 