Doctor Who - NO SPOILERS, Discussions for both old and new series... Options

[MikeTheC]

It amazes me that the Beeb would show military people saluting and genuflecting before the Doctor, considering he is:

1. Not a part of the U.K. military chain-of-command;
2. Not a soldier of any kind;
3. Not even a citizen of the planet.

But then again, considering the comments of Dave, et al, elsewhere on this board vis a vis the continual neutering of the military in general by the U.K. specifically and Europe in general, I suppose it really shouldn't surprise me. That's what you get from people who don't have enough respect for the military to do it proper justice.

</rant>

[RaiderDave2112]

It amazes me that the Beeb would show military people saluting and genuflecting before the Doctor, considering he is:

1. Not a part of the U.K. military chain-of-command;
2. Not a soldier of any kind;
3. Not even a citizen of the planet.

But then again, considering the comments of Dave, et al, elsewhere on this board vis a vis the continual neutering of the military in general by the U.K. specifically and Europe in general, I suppose it really shouldn't surprise me. That's what you get from people who don't have enough respect for the military to do it proper justice.

</rant>

Why not, the Doctor is after all THE MAN. Seriously though, its done as a mark of respect, also the doctor is regarded as an UNIT advisor.

I am just bemoaning the decline of the Senior Service (the Navy), the RAF and the Army are doing pretty well at the moment. Are you saying the writers of Doctor Who don't show the military any respect or the politicans ?

This post has been edited by RaiderDave2112: Jun 30 2008, 09:39 PM

[MikeTheC]

Why not, the Doctor is after all THE MAN. Seriously though, its done as a mark of respect, also the doctor is regarded as an UNIT advisor.

I am just bemoaning the decline of the Senior Service (the Navy), the RAF and the Army are doing pretty well at the moment. Are you saying the writers of Doctor Who don't show the military any respect or the politicans ?

First off, I was going to respond to your post in Rank Structure vis a vis watching and discussing Dr. Who. However, as you're clearly here in this thread, I guess I'll just eighty-six that response. Damn. What a fine little bit of good-natured sarcasm that would have been... :)

Anyhow, to your points about my points about writers not showing due respect to the military, et al...

I'm afraid RTD and his successor are, in this respect, even worse than RDM and DE. Military do not salute non-military, at least not in any kind of official manner. So, to show British military as, what -- fanboys? -- of The Doctor and extending to him courtesies reserved exclusively for members of the military is so wrong as to be worse than the dragging of one's fingernails down a chalk board.

It's also completely out of compliance and keeping with Dr. Who tradition. Alister Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart never saluted The Doctor, nor did any of his either commissioned officer nor enlisted man lieutenants. Ever. So for a General-rank officer to salute an alien, foreign-national civilian is just out of character with the history of the series. Mind you, I'm a civilian, never have served in the military, and even I get this.

I mean, imagine -- try if you might -- Admiral Adama saluting The Doctor. That shit just wouldn't happen. I mean, even RDM isn't that brainless. Well, maybe. I dunno. But I don't *think* so.

Were I in "Dr. Who Series Runner/Producer"'s shoes, I can guarantee you it wouldn't happen. I mean, not short of some military officer being in some kind of exotic mind-control circumstance where he could be made to salute a frog or something.

[RaiderDave2112]

Are you talking about The Sontaren Experiment/The Poison Sky because that is the only time he has met UNIT this series.

Anyway I'm sure I've seen the same thing on US TV etc, So its not just RTD and Co.

I'll ask the question in RS and see what they say.

[MikeTheC]

Are you talking about The Sontaren Experiment/The Poison Sky because that is the only time he has met UNIT this series.

Anyway I'm sure I've seen the same thing on US TV etc, So its not just RTD and Co.

I'll ask the question in RS and see what they say.

In Turn Left, members of UNIT and/or Torchwood (but they're in uniform, so I'm assuming it's UNIT) salute anyone associated with The Doctor, just like in The Sontaran Experiment and The Poison Sky.

And why the hell is it that only "bad guy" military are portrayed semi-pseudo correctly? Is the point being made that a "real" military is a bad thing? Or that you have to be dumb, ignorant, stupid or evil to be a soldier? Maybe that's going a bit far, but it just seems like it's in line with the left's anti-military agenda.

Sorry, I don't mean to turn this thread into a political shooting match. It's just that present-day politics have permeated and insinuated themselves into nearly every facet of our lives, and when I see it in Dr. Who, I find it revolting and disgusting. It's worse than Dr. Who being treated as a "for kids" show.

[RaiderDave2112]

I wouldn't say Doctor Who is a kid's show But it is a family show with a target audience 3 and up.

Mike about the whole Military issue in Doctor Who's case you may be reading a little too much into the fact some of the soliders saluted non-military people, the way I see it, It was done as a sign of respect for the person concerned, nothing more.

[MikeTheC]

I wouldn't say Doctor Who is a kid's show But it is a family show with a target audience 3 and up.

Mike about the whole Military issue in Doctor Who's case you may be reading a little too much into the fact some of the soliders saluted non-military people, the way I see it, It was done as a sign of respect for the person concerned, nothing more.

I suppose it's minor, but it's a real annoyance for me.

And "3 and up"? Well, what else do you call someone who's 3, other than a kid?

[RaiderDave2112]

The BBC describe Dr Who as a family show.

So what did you think of "The Stolen Earth" I for one cannot wait for next Saturday especially as the episode is going to be about 60 minuites long, woohoo.

[MikeTheC]

Dave:

Thanks for reminding me. I forgot! oh noes!!!!11111

I'll let you know as soon as I D/L it as soon as I get to see it.

EDIT: Problem resolved. Reversed the 4 and the 9.

Most interesting. What the hell was not to like about that episode, huh? I mean, given this is Doctor Who we're talking about here.

Hmm... Now I'm going to have to start that Dr. Who Spoilers Thread...

[RaiderDave2112]

Tommorrow is the day when the extended episode of Doctor Who is shown and there is nothing until the Christmas special, then there are the specials for 2009 and then the 5th season for 2010.

I've just relised something, The 5th series of Doctor Who starts the same year as the Space Shuttle retires, coincidence I think not.

[MikeTheC]

Nifty Neat-o Dr. Who Gear From ThinkGeek.com

Dalek Voice Changer Helmet




The Doctor's New Sonic Screw Driver/Invisible Ink Pen




The Master's Laser Screwdriver




TARDIS 4 Port USB Hub




R/C K-9

[Fizzix]

Nifty Neat-o Dr. Who Gear From ThinkGeek.com

Dalek Voice Changer Helmet


The Doctor's New Sonic Screw Driver/Invisible Ink Pen


The Master's Laser Screwdriver


TARDIS 4 Port USB Hub


R/C K-9

I have the Sonic and the USB hub. With me. At the computer. Right now. :D :D :D *presses TARDIS button, which disturbs non-Whovian cat*

[MikeTheC]

I have the Sonic and the USB hub. With me. At the computer. Right now. :D :D :D *presses TARDIS button, which disturbs non-Whovian cat*

How good of a job did they do with the Sonic Screwdriver? I'm thinking of getting one.

Oh, and I also have the USB hub. However, my two owners -- er, my two neighbors' cats -- are definitely Whovians as they have not yet reacted badly to the pressing of the button.

*presses button*

*laughs maniacally*

[Fizzix]

How good of a job did they do with the Sonic Screwdriver? I'm thinking of getting one.

Oh, and I also have the USB hub. However, my two owners -- er, my two neighbors' cats -- are definitely Whovians as they have not yet reacted badly to the pressing of the button.

*presses button*

*laughs maniacally*

Aww. My kitties don't like it.

[MikeTheC]

Fizzix:

Why is it every time I see you post somewhere, the following keeps coming to mind...

"Good morning, class. Are we sitting comfortably? So, physics. Physics, eh? Phy-sics. Physics, physics, physics, physics, physics, physics, physics. Right, I hope you're getting this all down."
-- The Doctor, School Reunion

[Fizzix]

Fizzix:

Why is it every time I see you post somewhere, the following keeps coming to mind...

"Good morning, class. Are we sitting comfortably? So, physics. Physics, eh? Phy-sics. Physics, physics, physics, physics, physics, physics, physics. Right, I hope you're getting this all down."
-- The Doctor, School Reunion

Because it's full of typos, that's why. :D No, I had the name before that. Also, before the yogurt. IF the Doctor said your names that many times, you'd fall over squeeing, right?

[MikeTheC]

If The Doctor said *my* name that many times, I'd have to re-evaluate my medication needs. (Whether I need to start, or if I should up the dosage, I will not say.)

[RaiderDave2112]

If The Doctor said *my* name that many times, I'd have to re-evaluate my medication needs. (Whether I need to start, or if I should up the dosage, I will not say.)

Yeah, right. you would be all "He noticed me, he noticed me" don't try to deny it.

[Fizzix]

If The Doctor said *my* name that many times, I'd have to re-evaluate my medication needs. (Whether I need to start, or if I should up the dosage, I will not say.)

LOL. But you don't have a sound recording of it, do you?

[MikeTheC]

LOL. But you don't have a sound recording of it, do you?

No. As a matter of fact, no one does. However, it could sound almost totally nothing at all like this.