# From Doctor Who to Doctor...Who? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 5, 2017, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-doctor-who-to-doctor-who/790557 "2017-07-05T19:13:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 16
**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:** [July 20, 2017, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-doctor-who-to-doctor-who/790557/302 "2017-07-20T21:00:16Z")
> [@Pantastic](#): > > It always amuses me when someone has a problem with something that’s been a part of the show for more than 50 years and acts like it’s a new, bad decision. The first Doctor had to deal with The Monk, another renegade time lord who picked a name and started cavorting around the galaxy, in a story that aired in 1965. And that’s not the only one, The War Chief, The Rani, and Drax were all knocking around in their own TARDISes back before the turn of 1980. You may as well have a problem with the TARDIS’s chameleon circuit not working, other Time Lords running around has been established for about as long as the show has existed. Gaiman Ruined Doctor Who Forever! Also you missed Morbius. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2017, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-doctor-who-to-doctor-who/790557/303 "2017-07-20T22:58:18Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > I am aware that if I am speaking of a real person who has transitioned, I should refer to them in the past as their current gender. M to F transition should be referred to as a “her”, even if talking about the time before transition. Is that a similar etiquette when talking about regenerating aliens, do we refer to the Tom Baker years as “her” as well, or do Time Lords look at it differently? I’m not sure if you’re joking, but in case you aren’t: The Doctor isn’t and wasn’t transgender. The regeneration changes the personality, which presumably means their actual gender changes. The Doctor was never a woman in a man’s body. He was a man in a man’s body, and now she’s a woman in a woman’s body. (Unless the 13th Doctor turns out to be a transgender male… ) ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2017, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-doctor-who-to-doctor-who/790557/304 "2017-07-20T23:26:03Z")
I dunno, if I had 13 lifetimes and each time it wasn’t Me me, but a new personality in a new body with all the old memories, I don’t think I’d have a problem if some of the past or future personalities (which I wouldn’t necessarily think of as ‘me’) were female. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-doctor-who-to-doctor-who/790557/305 "2017-07-25T14:37:24Z")
As a transchick, I’m kind of dreading 1. Any stupid trans jokes they may unthinkingly attempt right at the regeneration 2. Any awful, stunted, awkward attempt to explore gender identity (probably without talking to an actual transperson) The Doctor being a woman is fine, pretty cool even, but unless they really, really think they got the writing staff for it they need to stay far away from trans stuff. As far as I’m concerned, Time Lords have fluid genders when they regenerate and suffer no dysphoria or identity distress aside from the typical finding of their own identity (and what type of gross comfort food they like) that typically happens during post-regeneration disorientation. And, of course, the obligatory “Am I A Good Person” overarching plot we get every regeneration that’s hopefully going away with Moffat. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-doctor-who-to-doctor-who/790557/306 "2017-07-25T14:51:08Z")
> [@Jragon](#): > > As a transchick, I’m kind of dreading > > 1. Any stupid trans jokes they may unthinkingly attempt right at the regeneration > 2. Any awful, stunted, awkward attempt to explore gender identity (probably without talking to an actual transperson) > > The Doctor being a woman is fine, pretty cool even, but unless they really, really think they got the writing staff for it they need to stay far away from trans stuff. As far as I’m concerned, Time Lords have fluid genders when they regenerate and suffer no dysphoria or identity distress aside from the typical finding of their own identity (and what type of gross comfort food they like) that typically happens during post-regeneration disorientation. > > And, of course, the obligatory “Am I A Good Person” overarching plot we get every regeneration that’s hopefully going away with Moffat. I don’t know whether it qualifies as “trans” stuff but I too worry that they’re going to go heavy and stupid on the “hey, I’m a woman now” material". I’m reasonably optimistic that they’ll manage to restrain themselves from the standard “Look, everyone - I’ve got girl boobies!”\* joke but am less confident there won’t be moments of “I’m a lady and I like lady things!” (ironically, given the recent departure of Matt Lucas). And even if the writers don’t put those things in, I’ll bet dollars to donuts some of the reviewers do. - A line only Patrick Stewart can pull off successfully. ---
**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:** [July 25, 2017, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-doctor-who-to-doctor-who/790557/307 "2017-07-25T15:14:36Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > I don’t know whether it qualifies as “trans” stuff but I too worry that they’re going to go heavy and stupid on the “hey, I’m a woman now” material". I’m reasonably optimistic that they’ll manage to restrain themselves from the standard “Look, everyone - I’ve got girl boobies!”\* joke but am less confident there won’t be moments of “I’m a lady and I like lady things!” (ironically, given the recent departure of Matt Lucas). That’s the thing I’m really worried about. I will be watching with great trepidation until I’m successfully assured that there won’t be a bunch of “bras in the TARDIS” jokes. Basically, if they didn’t joke about something for the male Doctor, I hope they won’t for the female as well (and I used to cringe at some of Matt Smith’s stuff, like when he was running around naked for no good reason). I like my Doctors sexy but sexless, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-doctor-who-to-doctor-who/790557/308 "2017-07-25T16:25:20Z")
> [@Infovore](#): > > That’s the thing I’m really worried about. I will be watching with great trepidation until I’m successfully assured that there won’t be a bunch of “bras in the TARDIS” jokes. Basically, if they didn’t joke about something for the male Doctor, I hope they won’t for the female as well (and I used to cringe at some of Matt Smith’s stuff, like when he was running around naked for no good reason). > > I like my Doctors sexy but sexless, thanks. The current trailer for the upcoming Christmas episode reveals that Pearl Mackie will be back as Bill. Since there has been no announcement about a new companion, nor to my knowledge any official announcement that Bill is indeed not returning, there is a chance that she may be sticking around for the next season. I would not mind at all if Bill sticks around, as she’s been my favorite companion for a while (despite all the bad writing from this past series). But her being a lesbian and the Doctor being a woman opens the door to a possible… …Lovesick companion lusting for a unavailable Doctor! (OH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!) ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-doctor-who-to-doctor-who/790557/309 "2017-07-25T16:26:27Z")
Eh, she has a girlfriend. Heather. Typically the new companion isn’t introduced until the first episode of the new season/series. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-doctor-who-to-doctor-who/790557/310 "2017-07-25T16:30:56Z")
Clara is appearing too. It may all be flashbacks and imagined scenes, so I wouldn’t get too excited about who is in the Christmas episode. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-doctor-who-to-doctor-who/790557/311 "2017-07-25T16:42:17Z")
> [@Don\_Draper](#): > > The current trailer for the upcoming Christmas episode reveals that Pearl Mackie will be back as Bill. Since there has been no announcement about a new companion, nor to my knowledge any official announcement that Bill is indeed not returning, there is a chance that she may be sticking around for the next season. > > I would not mind at all if Bill sticks around, as she’s been my favorite companion for a while (despite all the bad writing from this past series). But her being a lesbian and the Doctor being a woman opens the door to a possible… > > …Lovesick companion lusting for a unavailable Doctor! > (OH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!) I don’t think that bill will be making a comeback, but it would be cool if she did. She’s gotten a bit of an upgrade from the pilot, I assume she’s a bit more durable, harder to kill or trap. Useful as the doctor’s companion. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-doctor-who-to-doctor-who/790557/312 "2017-07-25T16:44:47Z")
But now Bill is gender fluid. ---
**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:** [July 25, 2017, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-doctor-who-to-doctor-who/790557/313 "2017-07-25T16:53:36Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > I don’t think that bill will be making a comeback, but it would be cool if she did. She’s gotten a bit of an upgrade from the pilot, I assume she’s a bit more durable, harder to kill or trap. Useful as the doctor’s companion. Everything I’ve heard says Bill will not be returning past the Christmas special. I think we’re getting both a new Doctor and a new companion. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-doctor-who-to-doctor-who/790557/314 "2017-07-25T16:54:55Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Eh, she has a girlfriend. Heather. > > Typically the new companion isn’t introduced until the first episode of the new season/series. There’ve been some companions that carried over between doctors. Rose stuck around for 9-10, then amy started with 11, but clara finished 11 and was with 12. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-doctor-who-to-doctor-who/790557/315 "2017-07-25T17:05:09Z")
Yes, but new companions are typically (but not always) introduced at the beginning of the season/series. Note I said season, not new Doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-doctor-who-to-doctor-who/790557/316 "2017-07-25T17:55:31Z")
Just thought I’d post an update since this thread was bumped. I’m on episode ten of the first season (series) in which I guess I’ll be subjected to the last annoying, farting alien (Slitheen). There are minor issues that annoy me like the stereotyped Americans and Rose doing stupid crap (No, Rose, don’t do it! Don’t…Oh, geez.), but overall I’m really enjoying this show. _Dalek_ is my favorite episode. I was riveted watching a pure killing machine being transformed by human DNA and eventually turning on itself because it couldn’t resolve the feelings it had. Looks like you all recruited another fan. 🙂 Thanks again for all your suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-doctor-who-to-doctor-who/790557/317 "2017-07-25T17:59:26Z")
Y’know, they could always bring back K-9 as a companion. 😃 ---
**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:** [July 25, 2017, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-doctor-who-to-doctor-who/790557/318 "2017-07-25T20:12:59Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > I guess I’ll be subjected to the last annoying, farting alien (Slitheen). As long as you stay away from the Sarah Jane spin-off. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-doctor-who-to-doctor-who/790557/319 "2017-07-25T20:15:25Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > _Dalek_ is my favorite episode. I was riveted watching a pure killing machine being transformed by human DNA and eventually turning on itself because it couldn’t resolve the feelings it had. > > Looks like you all recruited another fan. 🙂 Thanks again for all your suggestions. Watch out for an episode called ‘Blink’. 🆒 ---
**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:** [July 25, 2017, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-doctor-who-to-doctor-who/790557/320 "2017-07-25T20:25:11Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > But now Bill is gender fluid. Snerk. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2017, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-doctor-who-to-doctor-who/790557/321 "2017-07-25T21:12:54Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Y’know, they could always bring back K-9 as a companion. 😃 Given that they’ve recast the first Doctor with a new actor, they could always dredge up some of the long-gone companions, recast them with new actors who are the same approximate age of said characters when they left the series, and have them ‘rejoin’ the Doctor. Imagine, a whole new crew made up of Barbara, Ben, Liz, Harry… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-doctor-who-to-doctor-who/790557.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/from-doctor-who-to-doctor-who/790557.md?page=17)