# Whom would you rather call for help: The Doctor or Thor?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whom-would-you-rather-call-for-help-the-doctor-or-thor/645858
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [January 2, 2013, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whom-would-you-rather-call-for-help-the-doctor-or-thor/645858 "2013-01-02T18:31:28Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)
#### Post date: [January 2, 2013, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whom-would-you-rather-call-for-help-the-doctor-or-thor/645858/21 "2013-01-02T20:10:39Z")
Huge Doctor Who fan here. (Jon Pertwee FTW!) I will have to go with Movie Thor, though.
See, I have this little allergy to being collateral damage, which The Doctor, Comic Thor, and especially Eddas Thor leave behind in spades.
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### Author:  [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)
#### Post date: [January 2, 2013, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whom-would-you-rather-call-for-help-the-doctor-or-thor/645858/22 "2013-01-02T20:16:50Z")
Another vote for Thor. Like you didn’t already know that.
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### Author:  [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)
#### Post date: [January 2, 2013, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whom-would-you-rather-call-for-help-the-doctor-or-thor/645858/23 "2013-01-02T20:18:15Z")
> [@Oakminster](#):
>
> Another vote for Thor. Like you didn’t already know that.
Not only did I know that, I knew that you would point out that I knew that, and also that you’d decline to specify which Thor.
I PREDICT you mean Edda-Thor, but that’s only a guess.
> [@Anaamika](#):
>
> I’m actually not that fond of Amelia Pond. She’s all right, and by no means my least favorite, but I prefer Donna.
>
> And definitely movie Aragorn. But I also love Viggo.
> I really came in here to post that of the Avengers, my favorite Avengers are Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, and Hawkeye. Two of them are hands down by far the brightest members of the cast and certifiable geniuses. I always loved Spock, best, too. 🙂
The Avengers movie was pretty good, but I don’t actually care for Hulk being a regular member of the team. He simply doesn’t have a disposition that works with the others, even though he probably has more use for teammates than Thor does (the latter having more tools in his toolbox).
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### Author:  [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)
#### Post date: [January 2, 2013, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whom-would-you-rather-call-for-help-the-doctor-or-thor/645858/24 "2013-01-02T20:25:07Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#):
>
> The Avengers movie was pretty good, but I don’t actually care for Hulk being a regular member of the team. He simply doesn’t have a disposition that works with the others, even though he probably has more use for teammates than Thor does (the latter having more tools in his toolbox).
Maybe not, but Mark Ruffalo was so brilliant, and they incorporated the Hulk just right. But I will come right out and say you’re wrong. Maybe the Hulk doesn’t fit on the team…but Bruce Banner does, and he does more than fit. He could be a vital member of the team.
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### Author:  [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)
#### Post date: [January 2, 2013, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whom-would-you-rather-call-for-help-the-doctor-or-thor/645858/25 "2013-01-02T20:27:47Z")
I almost went with “why confine me to nuhu”, but if I can be very specific, I want eleven when he was in his Basically . . . Run phase. It appeals to my sense of efficiency and has the least collateral damage.
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### Author:  [@Rubixcube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubixcube)
#### Post date: [January 2, 2013, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whom-would-you-rather-call-for-help-the-doctor-or-thor/645858/26 "2013-01-02T20:28:30Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#):
>
> The Avengers movie was pretty good, but I don’t actually care for Hulk being a regular member of the team. He simply doesn’t have a disposition that works with the others, even though he probably has more use for teammates than Thor does (the latter having more tools in his toolbox).
Personally I’d rather like to see the Hulk leave the team in a huff and make that the plot of one of the Avengers sequels. They could even use that to introduce Namor and follow through with that by making a Defenders film. Even better they could then adapt Avengers vs. Defenders. _squee_
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### Author:  [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)
#### Post date: [January 2, 2013, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whom-would-you-rather-call-for-help-the-doctor-or-thor/645858/27 "2013-01-02T20:31:49Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#):
>
> As an aside, I’ve been wondering something one of you Whovians may be able to help me with. It’s canon (I think) that the current Doctor’s incarnation has lasted at least 200 years of his personal time. Is it ever specified how long, by his own measure, he was the Tenth or the Ninth?
Well, that’s what he _says_.
What’s the first rule?
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### Author:  [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)
#### Post date: [January 2, 2013, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whom-would-you-rather-call-for-help-the-doctor-or-thor/645858/28 "2013-01-02T21:31:29Z")
> [@Anaamika](#):
>
> Maybe not, but Mark Ruffalo was so brilliant, and they incorporated the Hulk just right. But I will come right out and say you’re wrong. Maybe the Hulk doesn’t fit on the team…but Bruce Banner does, and he does more than fit. He could be a vital member of the team.
I’ll agree that Ruffalo did a fine job. I’ve seen him in several other movies, but this was the first time I really enjoyed his performance. And Avengers-Hulk had (barely) enough control that he could be a member of the team.
I still haven’t forgiven Whedon for using the Black Widow rather than the Wasp, though. Someone remind me to sic the bees on him later.
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#):
>
> Well, that’s what he _says_.
>
> What’s the first rule?
“Anyone who harms Amelia Pond must be violently, cleverly, and disproportionately punished. That includes all their friends.”
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### Author:  [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)
#### Post date: [January 2, 2013, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whom-would-you-rather-call-for-help-the-doctor-or-thor/645858/29 "2013-01-02T21:34:39Z")
> [@hogarth](#):
>
> I’d go for the first Doctor. Then the maximum death and destruction caused by the aliens would be capped at the BBC’s budget for a TV episode circa 1964, compared with the death and destruction that can be envisioned by a comic book artist or that can be produced for a 21st century blockbuster movie.
Unfortunately, all records of his triumph over the alien horde will be erased by value-conscious BBC staff, and will live on only as legends passed down from generation to generation…
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### Author:  [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)
#### Post date: [January 2, 2013, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whom-would-you-rather-call-for-help-the-doctor-or-thor/645858/30 "2013-01-02T21:42:46Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#):
>
> I’ll agree that Ruffalo did a fine job. I’ve seen him in several other movies, but this was the first time I really enjoyed his performance. And Avengers-Hulk had (barely) enough control that he could be a member of the team.
Besides, it was so worth it to watch him shitkick Loki.
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### Author:  [@Lasciel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lasciel)
#### Post date: [January 2, 2013, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whom-would-you-rather-call-for-help-the-doctor-or-thor/645858/31 "2013-01-02T22:17:00Z")
> [@Anaamika](#):
>
> Besides, it was so worth it to watch him shitkick Loki.
I swear to God, that scene made my month.
I voted Movie Thor, because it’s a tie between him and the 11th Doctor as to who leaves the least residual damage/gives a shit about random puny humans who aren’t his companions. In case of a tie, pretty wins, so Thor it is!
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### Author:  [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)
#### Post date: [January 2, 2013, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whom-would-you-rather-call-for-help-the-doctor-or-thor/645858/32 "2013-01-02T22:19:11Z")
> [@Anaamika](#):
>
> Besides, it was so worth it to watch him shitkick Loki.
I thought about saying that the beatdown should have come from Thor, but in fact I think it was better from the Hulk. Movie-Thor genuinely loves Loki in a way that comics-Thor, throughout most of his history, has not. Loki’s not Thor’s long-hated rival; he’s Thor’s little brother who has lost his way. Thor’ll use violence to restrain him, or in self-defense; he might even kill him if it came to it. But he’s not going to glory in it.
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### Author:  [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)
#### Post date: [January 2, 2013, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whom-would-you-rather-call-for-help-the-doctor-or-thor/645858/33 "2013-01-02T22:19:21Z")
Another vote for The Doctor.
Thor totally kicks ass, but if this is going to be an ongoing thing I would trust to The Doctor to redirect those who consider Earth a buffet. One and done. Interspecies mediation is more his thing anyway.
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### Author:  [@Mrs.Cake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs.Cake)
#### Post date: [January 2, 2013, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whom-would-you-rather-call-for-help-the-doctor-or-thor/645858/34 "2013-01-02T22:29:52Z")
I’d have to go with movie-Thor, from a completely selfish point of view. If I personally called in the Doctor in any incarnation, not being a companion, there is an excellent chance I will die before he send the aliens on their way. I have a better chance of surviving if I call movie-Thor.
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### Author:  [@Sevencl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sevencl)
#### Post date: [January 3, 2013, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whom-would-you-rather-call-for-help-the-doctor-or-thor/645858/35 "2013-01-03T01:23:21Z")
I loved the 10th Doctor, and I generally hate pacifistic characters, so he must be pretty damn awesome and effective to have overcome that. But in the scenario given, his methods just aren’t direct enough. While the Doctor wastes time trying to talk the aliens out of it, people are dying. There’s a time for diplomacy and it’s BEFORE the invasion. When it’s already happening, I’d call Thor. Any of them.
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### Author:  [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)
#### Post date: [January 3, 2013, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whom-would-you-rather-call-for-help-the-doctor-or-thor/645858/36 "2013-01-03T01:35:12Z")
Thor.
Unless the 4th Doctor is available.
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### Author:  [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)
#### Post date: [January 3, 2013, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whom-would-you-rather-call-for-help-the-doctor-or-thor/645858/37 "2013-01-03T02:27:27Z")
None of the NuWho doctors. They all tend to get people killed. Even though afterwards they’re sorry. They’re so so sorry. But people are still dead.
I’ll take **The Third Doctor**. He always saves the day with a minimum of collateral damage. He knows Venusian aikido, and doesn’t have any qualms about kicking alien butt. He works cheap, so he’ll probably solve the whole crisis with some clever gadget made out of forks and a wine cork. And he’ll look dashing and fabulous the whole time.
Plus he’ll have Liz, Jo, Sarah or the Brig in tow – any one of whom could probably destroy the aliens on their own thank you very much.
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### Author:  [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)
#### Post date: [January 3, 2013, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whom-would-you-rather-call-for-help-the-doctor-or-thor/645858/38 "2013-01-03T03:09:24Z")
I’m going with the Doctor, the Tom Baker version\*. I get the feeling Thor suffers from Fearless Fosdick Syndrome, or rather others suffer as a result of it. He’ll destroy the alien ship, turn it into smithereens, along with the city I’m living in. There will be nothing but a pile of rubble left, and half the population will be dead. Dr. Who will tell the alien commander his shoe is untied and press the self destruct button cleverly disguised as a large red button, causing the aliens to disappear in a puff of smoke.
\*Because I’m old, damnit. That’s who Who is to me.
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### Author:  [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)
#### Post date: [January 3, 2013, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whom-would-you-rather-call-for-help-the-doctor-or-thor/645858/39 "2013-01-03T03:21:37Z")
No question: The Doctor in a heartbeat.
I’d prefer #4 though…but the results will be basically the same no matter which incarnation shows up.
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### Author:  [@dogbutler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dogbutler)
#### Post date: [January 3, 2013, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whom-would-you-rather-call-for-help-the-doctor-or-thor/645858/40 "2013-01-03T03:31:58Z")
The 4th Doctor. he’ll try peaceful, but he’s not afraid to blow up a moon to stop evil.
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