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.

7,051 thoughts on “Doctor Who and the POA”

  1. Does your site have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an email. I’ve got some ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.|

  2. We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your site provided us with valuable information to work on. You have done a formidable job and our entire community will be thankful to you.|

  3. Hi there! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any suggestions?|

  4. Simply wish to say your article is as astonishing. The clearness in your post is simply spectacular and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to keep updated with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the gratifying work.|

  5. Please let me know if you’re looking for a article author for your blog. You have some really good posts and I think I would be a good asset. If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d really like to write some content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine. Please send me an e-mail if interested. Many thanks!|

  6. Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem with your site in web explorer, may test this? IE nonetheless is the marketplace leader and a large section of folks will omit your wonderful writing due to this problem.|

  7. Hello, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues. When I look at your blog in Ie, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, amazing blog!|

  8. Genuinely no matter if someone doesn’t be aware of afterward its up to other viewers that they will assist, so here it takes place.|

  9. I do not even understand how I stopped up right here, but I believed this put up was good. I don’t know who you might be but certainly you are going to a famous blogger should you are not already. Cheers!|

  10. I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you make this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz respond as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like to find out where u got this from. appreciate it|

  11. Excellent post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed! Very useful information specifically the final section 🙂 I maintain such info much. I used to be looking for this certain information for a long time. Thank you and good luck. |

  12. Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all folks you actually realize what you’re talking about! Bookmarked. Kindly also visit my website =). We could have a link change contract between us|

  13. I truly love your website.. Great colors & theme. Did you create this amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m planning to create my very own site and would love to know where you got this from or just what the theme is called. Cheers!|

  14. If you are going for finest contents like me, simply pay a visit this site daily for the reason that it presents quality contents, thanks|

  15. Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the pictures on this blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.|

  16. Howdy very nice web site!! Guy .. Excellent .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds additionally? I’m satisfied to search out so many helpful information right here in the submit, we want develop extra strategies in this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .|

Leave a Reply

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