# Doctor Who Series 9 discussion (spoilers as it airs) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 19, 2015, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-series-9-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/731754 "2015-09-19T11:40:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 38
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-series-9-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/731754/741 "2015-12-09T17:05:38Z")
> [@Dendarii\_Dame](#): > > Thanks for the ending, anyrose! Likewise. My DVR cut off right when Clara opened the door. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-series-9-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/731754/742 "2015-12-09T19:09:02Z")
> [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](#): > > Yes. Nobody’s saying that the Doctor never used guns. But after the atrocities of the time war, it’s been made very clear that he’d given the manner some thought and decided that guns are bad, mkay. Reneging on this is sort of an unexpected about-face for the character. So it’s like he’s learned a moral lesson—that violence is the easy way out—, limiting himself to his wits in order to get out of bad situations, and then just goes, oh screw that, and starts shooting people in the face. Heh. I remember someone complaining after _Robot of Sherwood_ when the Doctor got into a swordfight {well, spoonfight} with Robin. because _obviously_ the Doctor would never descend to such vulgar brawling. I think we lost quite a lot when they retired the Doctor as action hero: now there’s too much THE MAN WHO NEVER WOULD sententious moralising. Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker were very physical heroes, but all the older Doctors were very pragmatic when it came to using weapons; they were never a first resort and always a response to violence, but the attitude was always that the Doctor got the job done, with fists and swords if necessary. I find that Doctor a lot more appealing. There was one Pertwee story, can’t remember which, where Jo Grant was being snarky about hurr-durr, dumb old Brigadier just wants to shoot stuff, and the Doctor bit her head off and told her that he was doing the best he could to protect people with the resources he had. I liked that Doctor much better than the one who sneers at UNIT. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-series-9-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/731754/743 "2015-12-09T20:27:28Z")
> [@Penfeather](#): > > Heh. I remember someone complaining after _Robot of Sherwood_ when the Doctor got into a swordfight {well, spoonfight} with Robin. because _obviously_ the Doctor would never descend to such vulgar brawling. I think we lost quite a lot when they retired the Doctor as action hero: now there’s too much THE MAN WHO NEVER WOULD sententious moralising. Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker were very physical heroes, but all the older Doctors were very pragmatic when it came to using weapons; they were never a first resort and always a response to violence, but the attitude was always that the Doctor got the job done, with fists and swords if necessary. I find that Doctor a lot more appealing. […] I think Peter Capaldi does too. He [doesn’t want a male companion](http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/doctor-who-peter-capaldi-doesnt-want-a-male-companion-as-writers-would-give-them-all-the-action-a6764651.html) because he’s afraid if they bring in a young guy, they’ll give him all the action stuff and have the Doctor just standing around “spouting scientific gobbledygook.” I like Peter Capaldi. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-series-9-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/731754/744 "2015-12-09T20:38:35Z")
> [@Penfeather](#): > > Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker were very physical heroes, but all the older Doctors were very pragmatic when it came to using weapons; they were never a first resort and always a response to violence, but the attitude was always that the Doctor got the job done, with fists and swords if necessary. Not just fists! Venusian aikido! ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-series-9-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/731754/745 "2015-12-09T20:58:43Z")
> [@Infovore](#): > > I think Peter Capaldi does too. He [doesn’t want a male companion](http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/doctor-who-peter-capaldi-doesnt-want-a-male-companion-as-writers-would-give-them-all-the-action-a6764651.html) because he’s afraid if they bring in a young guy, they’ll give him all the action stuff and have the Doctor just standing around “spouting scientific gobbledygook.” > > I like Peter Capaldi. 😃 Moffat says they want a different dynamic. I’m hoping for an older companion, like Donna. ---
**Author:** ![Penfeather](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penfeather/32/384_2.png) [@Penfeather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Penfeather)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-series-9-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/731754/746 "2015-12-09T21:02:29Z")
> [@The\_Hamster\_King](#): > > Not just fists! Venusian aikido! [Jon Pertwee would fight you with a sword, break off to eat your sandwich, and then give you your sword back so he could finish schooling you.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-dXZePMOX4) Be like Pertwee. ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-series-9-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/731754/747 "2015-12-09T21:06:51Z")
> [@Penfeather](#): > > Heh. I remember someone complaining after _Robot of Sherwood_ when the Doctor got into a swordfight {well, spoonfight} with Robin. because _obviously_ the Doctor would never descend to such vulgar brawling. I think we lost quite a lot when they retired the Doctor as action hero: now there’s too much THE MAN WHO NEVER WOULD sententious moralising. Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker were very physical heroes, but all the older Doctors were very pragmatic when it came to using weapons; they were never a first resort and always a response to violence, but the attitude was always that the Doctor got the job done, with fists and swords if necessary. I find that Doctor a lot more appealing. There was one Pertwee story, can’t remember which, where Jo Grant was being snarky about hurr-durr, dumb old Brigadier just wants to shoot stuff, and the Doctor bit her head off and told her that he was doing the best he could to protect people with the resources he had. I liked that Doctor much better than the one who sneers at UNIT. I don’t mind the action. Action’s fine. It’s the inconsistent characterization that grates. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-series-9-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/731754/748 "2015-12-09T21:15:55Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Likewise. My DVR cut off right when Clara opened the door. I would also like to thank **anyrose** as my DVR also cut off the last five minutes or solo. Great great ending to a season. I am very satisfied. And now that we know River is coming back are they ever gonna have them get married? Isn’t that why she knows his name? ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-series-9-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/731754/749 "2015-12-09T21:56:26Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > I would also like to thank **anyrose** as my DVR also cut off the last five minutes or solo. > > Great great ending to a season. I am very satisfied. > > And now that we know River is coming back are they ever gonna have them get married? Isn’t that why she knows his name? They did get married. They did a hand fastening near the end of The Wedding Of River Song in season six. eta - hang on to that link (in the message that I posted the ending). The transcripts are updated within 48 hours, sometimes faster. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-series-9-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/731754/750 "2015-12-09T21:58:18Z")
Thanks. I totally forgot about that. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-series-9-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/731754/751 "2015-12-09T22:22:55Z")
Did they ever reveal when the Doctor tells her his name though? He said he did during the wedding but that was a lie. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-series-9-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/731754/752 "2015-12-09T23:09:51Z")
Let’s just all accept the fact that he told her at some point in her timeline between **The Wedding of River Song** and **Silence in the Library**. We know she knows it - not only did she say it back to him, but she opened his tomb with it in **The Name Of The Doctor** ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-series-9-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/731754/753 "2015-12-09T23:16:47Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > Let’s just all accept the fact that he told her at some point in her timeline between **The Wedding of River Song** and **Silence in the Library**. We know she knows it - not only did she say it back to him, but she opened his tomb with it in **The Name Of The Doctor** But the real question is, when in The Doctor’s timeline did he tell her. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-series-9-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/731754/754 "2015-12-09T23:20:13Z")
As much as I’d like to know his name I’m thinking they may not ever show us the scene when he tells her that way they never have to name him and it can remain the mystery it is. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2015, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-series-9-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/731754/755 "2015-12-09T23:21:55Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > As much as I’d like to know his name I’m thinking they may not ever show us the scene when he tells her that way they never have to name him and it can remain the mystery it is. Yes. This. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-series-9-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/731754/756 "2015-12-10T01:06:09Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > Me has been watching and studying the Doctor for centuries. Plus, Clara has had free run of the TARDIS for the last year and probably found some reference to it. I’ll buy that! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-series-9-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/731754/757 "2015-12-10T02:02:32Z")
> [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](#): > > Yes. Nobody’s saying that the Doctor never used guns. But after the atrocities of the time war, it’s been made very clear that he’d given the manner some thought and decided that guns are bad, mkay. Reneging on this is sort of an unexpected about-face for the character. So it’s like he’s learned a moral lesson—that violence is the easy way out—, limiting himself to his wits in order to get out of bad situations, and then just goes, oh screw that, and starts shooting people in the face. Well remember not only was he identified as The Doctor of War by a soldier but there was this interaction with Clara: CLARA: What happened to your coat? The velvety coat. I liked that one, it was it was very Doctor-y. DOCTOR: I changed it. CLARA: Why? DOCTOR: Well, I can’t be the Doctor all the time. Hurt’s “Doctor” - the Doctor of War - excluded himself from being “the Doctor” … knowing that as the War Doctor he would not be living by the code he had set for the Doctor to abide by. Seems like Capaldi’s Doctor did a brief stint of the same thing, psychologically allowing himself to step away from that persona and the codes that he, at that point in his timelines, felt that character had to abide by. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-series-9-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/731754/758 "2015-12-10T03:20:06Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > As much as I’d like to know his name I’m thinking they may not ever show us the scene when he tells her that way they never have to name him and it can remain the mystery it is. We know his name. It’s Basil Disco. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![MacSpon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/34f0e0/32.png) [@MacSpon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacSpon)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-series-9-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/731754/759 "2015-12-10T04:27:24Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > I would also like to thank **anyrose** as my DVR also cut off the last five minutes or solo. It was a long episode: a good 15 minutes longer than normal, iirc. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2015, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-series-9-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/731754/760 "2015-12-10T17:18:11Z")
> [@MacSpon](#): > > It was a long episode: a good 15 minutes longer than normal, iirc. Damn, then apparently my DVR cut off the last 20 minutes or so. Hopefully they’ll replay it soon. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-series-9-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/731754.md?page=37) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/doctor-who-series-9-discussion-spoilers-as-it-airs/731754.md?page=39)