Doctor Who and the POA

I’m now starting to feel that the new Doctor Who series has disturbing parallels to the Alfonso Cuarón era of the Harry Potter movies.

When Cuarón helmed the third movie, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, fans rejoiced. Most fans rejoiced. I did not. The tone of the entire series darkened, most strikingly, visually. Figurative darkening was a necessity, as the source material was becoming more dangerous and entangled, but visually, the movie felt as if it had been shot through fog and the world seemed dim as a result. The sets showed the darkness, too. Everything began to look dilapidated and uninviting, even Hogwarts, which had seemed magical and bright in the previous films. This hazy, dark look continued throughout the films and was the primary reason I stopped watching them.

Steven Moffat, similarly genius in his storytelling, appears to be doing the same to Doctor Who. His Series 3 episode “Blink” is universally considered one of the best episodes of the modern era. As a standalone ep, I agree, it’s striking in its difference. As the tone of a series, it’s depressing and dull. I allowed the thought that Series 5 was a bit less colorful because of the transition to our Eleventh Doctor. I, like all of fandom, was feeling him out along with the new sassy companion. I was pleased. As this season began, we were hit with too many cliches and teases in the first two episodes. Following the convoluted story of the opener, we were treated with two dark, dank episodes that did little to harken back to the glory days of FUN Doctor Who, and I fear we will not return.

My fear is that I am alone in my distaste for the new style. I was completely isolated in the HP fandom as someone who preferred that a children’s story (and regardless of what is said, Harry Potter is a children’s story) remain a bit fantastic and bright. The response to last night’s cheerless episode “The Doctor’s Wife” written by Neil Gaiman has been exceedingly positive. Having several scenes of suffering and misery seems to appease fandom, and on that count we differ. I accept and appreciate darkness in the right fandom (BSG, GoT) but this is still, at heart, a show for younger fans with a fifty year tradition that should be respected.

8,940 thoughts on “Doctor Who and the POA”

  1. Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
    The text in your article seem to be running off the screen in Internet
    explorer. I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with browser compatibility
    but I figured I’d post to let you know.
    The design and style look great though! Hope
    you get the issue resolved soon. Thanks

  2. Nice blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere?
    A design like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog shine.
    Please let me know where you got your theme. Bless you

  3. Hi there, just was alert to your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative. I’m gonna be careful for brussels. I’ll be grateful should you continue this in future. Many other people can be benefited out of your writing. Cheers!

  4. I have to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this blog.
    I am hoping to check out the same high-grade
    blog posts from you in the future as well. In fact,
    your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own, personal blog now
    😉

  5. Good day! This post could not be written any better!
    Reading this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept chatting
    about this. I will forward this write-up to him.
    Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

  6. Hi there! I know this is somewhat off-topic however I had
    to ask. Does managing a well-established blog such as yours take a lot of work?

    I am completely new to blogging but I do write in my journal everyday.
    I’d like to start a blog so I can easily share my own experience and thoughts online.
    Please let me know if you have any kind of ideas or tips for brand new
    aspiring bloggers. Thankyou!

  7. It is the best time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to
    be happy. I’ve read this post and if I may
    just I wish to suggest you some fascinating issues or advice.

    Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article.
    I wish to read even more things about it!

  8. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this topic to be really something
    that I think I would never understand. It seems too
    complicated and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for
    your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!

  9. Asking questions are in fact pleasant thing if you are not understanding anything totally, however this piece of writing offers good understanding yet.

  10. The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesn’t disappoint me just as much as this one. I mean, Yes, it was my choice to read through, however I actually believed you’d have something useful to say. All I hear is a bunch of crying about something you could fix if you were not too busy seeking attention.

  11. What i don’t realize is in truth how you are no longer actually a lot more well-liked than you might be now.

    You’re very intelligent. You know thus significantly relating
    to this topic, made me individually imagine it from so many varied
    angles. Its like men and women aren’t interested unless it is something to do with Lady gaga!
    Your personal stuffs nice. All the time care for it up!

  12. Thank you, I have just been searching for information about this topic for a long time and yours is
    the greatest I have came upon till now. But, what about the bottom line?
    Are you sure in regards to the supply?

  13. We absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post’s to be exactly
    I’m looking for. can you offer guest writers to write content to suit your needs?
    I wouldn’t mind writing a post or elaborating on a lot of
    the subjects you write concerning here. Again, awesome blog!

  14. I think that is among the most vital info for me. And i am glad reading your article.
    However wanna remark on some normal things, The website style is perfect, the
    articles is in point of fact excellent : D. Excellent job, cheers

Leave a Reply to Pgyrip Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *