Many Whovians are asking questions. What is the deal?
In 1966, the first Doctor Who regenerated. The actor, played by William Hartnell, had
started to play Doctor Who in 1962. By
1966, the actor was having health issues.
Since the production company did not want to end the series, they came
up with a plausible reason to switch to another actor without having to
reboot. They called it regeneration.
He transitioned through the metaphysical characteristics of
the Gallifreyan race into his next life.
It wasn’t death as we know it. It
was reincarnation: a new body with the memories of the previous existence but
without going through preadolescence.
The original principle was that the Doctor, as he is
commonly called, had only 12 regenerations.
In each case, he became a white British male of various
characteristics. Short, tall, dark hair,
light hair, it didn’t matter the exact model.
They kept the gag running though that he wasn’t allowed to be a
ginger. In the end, the British white
male was maintained, even if no other principles were. Why?
The writers were sampling the waters to determine how far they could
push the edge.
Tom Baker, the 4th Doctor, hinted at a possible
female transition, and the director used it to keep interest in the show. However, it was not done. The Master, Doctor Who’s nemesis, became a
woman in “The Doctor Falls.” The
General, another Time Lord from “Day of the Doctor,” transitioned from a white
British male into a black British female.
Doctor Who fudged on his regenerations, extending the reincarnations
beyond what they should have been. For a
brief period, he even broke his motto of never
to kill and evolved into the War Doctor.
All in all, his newest, becoming a white British woman, will technically
be his 14th incarnation. (See
the chart at the end of this article.
BBC gives him the 13th based upon the official doctor #. The unofficial doctor # is 14.)
There have been other Time Lords who were female throughout
the series. There were male and female
companions. However, the one consistency
has always been Doctor Who as a white British male, a cornerstone of
expectation.
But with the present announcement that the 13th
Doctor (Really the 14th) will be Jodie Whittaker, all that is about
to change. Is this a political agenda
covered by the facade of Sci-Fi? If it
is, it wouldn’t be the first nor shall it be the last.
There have been other forms of entertainment throughout the
ages which have used this idea. Here are
just a few:
Ursula Le Guin wrote “The Left Hand of Darkness.” It is set in a world where the gender of its
inhabitants changes like the seasons.
Robert A. Heinlein wrote “I Will Fear No Evil.” A dying rich man has his brain implanted into
a female secretary and lives out his fantasies.
In the novel “Steel Beach” by John Varley, people can change
their gender by mere thought.
But is this what Doctor Who is about? For many Whovians, Doctor Who being a British
white male is a trademark in an iconic series presented by the BBC.
Questions Brought on by Fans Include
Is the BBC promoting transgender? It appears there could be evidence to the
fact.
Are they pushing the envelope and removing some the
uniqueness to the series? Possibly, though they claim to be staying canon.
Will diehard Whovians continue to follow the series? Maybe. In any case, it has created quite a division. The BBC is using the debate for all it is worth.
The acceptance of the series over the next season will
certainly be the tell. Perhaps those Whovians
who refuse to accept it will be replaced by a whole new breed that do.
Thanks for reading!
James William Peercy
Regeneration Chart
Unofficial Doctor#
|
Official Doctor#
|
Regeneration#
|
Body Count
|
Actor Name
|
Notes
|
1
|
1
|
None
|
1
|
William Hartnell
|
|
2
|
2
|
1
|
2
|
Patrick Thoughton
|
|
3
|
3
|
2
|
3
|
Jon Pertwee
|
|
4
|
4
|
3
|
4
|
Tom Baker
|
|
5
|
5
|
4
|
5
|
Peter Davidson
|
|
6
|
6
|
5
|
6
|
Colin Baker
|
|
7
|
7
|
6
|
7
|
Sylvestor McCoy
|
|
8
|
8
|
7
|
8
|
Paul McGann
|
|
9
|
|
8
|
9
|
John Hurt
|
Refuses to go by Doctor Who because he kills to defend his people.
|
10
|
9
|
9
|
10
|
Christopher Eccleston
|
|
11
|
10
|
10
|
11
|
David Tenant
|
|
|
|
11
|
11
|
David Tenant
|
Regenerates to remain the 10th doctor but in 11th
body.
|
12
|
11
|
12
|
12
|
Matt Smith
|
|
|
|
Freebie
|
Freebie
|
Matt Smith
|
Old Time Lord’s regenerate body.
May be considered a freebie.
|
13
|
12
|
13
|
13
|
Peter Capaldi
|
|
14
|
13
|
14
|
14
|
Jodie Whittaker
|
|