Romance and the Doctor

[fringey]

I may be opening a can of worms here, but that can be fun, so why not?

I have heard LOTS of people decrying the seemingly romantic aspects of the new series of Doctor Who. Frankly, I have not figured out why yet. I LIKE the fact that the Doctor has a side we have seen very little of. And it is not like romance has never been part of Doctor Who. As far back as William Hartnell, romace has been there.

The first Doctor had a brush with romance in "The Aztecs". The third Doctor definitely seemed to have a sadness about him when Jo left him to get married that was more than just the loss of a companion in "The Green Death". The fourth Doctor seemed almost heartbroken when he had to leave Sarah Jane behind in "The Hand of Fear" and there definitely seemed to be a little more than just a companionship between Romana and the Doctor. Of course, with Romana, it could have been the budding relationship between Lalla Ward and Tom Baker that came across on the screen with their characters, I won't deny that. But, there seemed to be a little bit of a romantic aspect between the fifth Doctor and Nyssa as well. And let's not forget the kiss the seventh Doctor got in the TV movie.

I think the only thing that is different with the way things are now is that it is a little more blatant than it was in the old days. Quite honestly, a more romantic Doctor makes sense, and I will tell you why.

This is a man (okay, a Time Lord) who has lost his entire race. At his doing, no less. His home is gone, his people are gone, and he is completely alone. After the events of the Time War, it is only logical that his thoughts might turn to wanting something a little more than just a companion. Maybe even offspring, as he has lost his descendents. There is no chance he can have a relationship with another Time Lord, so a companion would be the next logical step.

Of course, his reason tells him it will never work, as we saw (or will see for those of you haven't yet) in series two. But, that doesn't mean the desire for a relationship on a more solid level than just a companion isn't there. We all know the heart can often overrule the brain no matter how much we try to stay logical.

Also, the Doctor, as we meet him in series one, is a person who has become dark and brooding. His pleasure at his life in the TARDIS has been burned away. Rose's joy at her new experiences with him helps to bring him back to life and find that joy himself. Isn't that exactly the kind of experience that would inspire love?

In the early days of Doctor Who, we never got an overt relationship, but that was more a product of the times, I believe, than anything else. Doctor aired in the sixties originally and it wasn't even okay to show a man and wife sharing a bed on television back then. But, we are ina new millenium, and the times have changed drastically in the last 43 years. The writing on the new show is more realistic in showing the kind of relationships the Doctor might have. Now will those kinds of relationsips continue? Only RTD knows for sure. But, I , for one, applaud the added dimension to the Doctor as both realistic and logical.

Patrick
a.k.a. Fringey, The Fringe Element
"A life lived without passion is a life not lived.

[cooky37]

you can get away with alot on tv these days (even U. S. TV) why not let the doctor get it on. But will he ever have a romantic affair with a companion?

Will someone shut that man up
NEVER!

[fringey]

I don't know whether he ever actually will, but you definitely get the distinct impression he and Rose were pretty close to it in series two.

Patrick
a.k.a. Fringey, The Fringe Element
"A life lived without passion is a life not lived.

[iswallowedabug (deleted)]

"Is this a kissing book"? -- the grandson, "The Princess Bride"

I hate to embrace my inner Fred Savage, but I am definitely one
of those that would prefer the Doctor to not "Kirk it up" in his
travels through time and space.

I'm with Jamie77 -- if you want to watch an immortal in romantic
dalliances, check out "Highlander."

I'm not sure why this is my gut reaction -- and I guess I wouldn't
mind as much if there was a romantic connection between
him and the Rani, or even the Doctor and the Master, but it really bugs
me the idea of a romantic interlude with a companion...(shudder).

[fringey]

To both Jamie and bug, I am not talking about him sleeping with every alien he comes across. Just a nice healthy romantic relationship.

Patrick
a.k.a. Fringey, The Fringe Element
"A life lived without passion is a life not lived.

[iswallowedabug (deleted)]

Yes, and to follow up on what Jamie said, the Doctor is definitely
not some creepy, skanky old man who would date someone so
much younger -- he's the Doctor!!!!!

[cooky37]

Nyssa did seem to shed more clothes each story
I saw Teegan more with the doctor

Will someone shut that man up
NEVER!

[maise_PREV (deleted)]

I agree with Fringey, why shouldn't there be a romantic element to the show. The Doctor and Sarah Jane. The Doctor and Charley. The Doctor and Rose. These were romances.

and we all know the Doctor would have said 'I love you too' in Doomsday if the power had not run out on him.

[fringey]

maise wrote: I agree with Fringey, why shouldn't there be a romantic element to the show. The Doctor and Sarah Jane. The Doctor and Charley. The Doctor and Rose. These were romances.

and we all know the Doctor would have said 'I love you too' in Doomsday if the power had not run out on him.



I thought that was a cop out by RTD, a sop to the fans who didn't want to admit to the romance s they could stay in denial.

Patrick
a.k.a. Fringey, The Fringe Element
"A life lived without passion is a life not lived.

[maise_PREV (deleted)]

Big Finish did actually have the Doctor say he loved Charley on their cds. But that storyline seems to have been swept under the carpet since the new series started and the divergent universe was wrapped up.

It would be a tragedy to be a man with two hearts and not fall in love. Yes, it must hurt twice as much when they are broken but to have twice the feeling beating in your chest when you are in love but be bliss.

[fringey]

maise wrote: Big Finish did actually have the Doctor say he loved Charley on their cds. But that storyline seems to have been swept under the carpet since the new series started and the divergent universe was wrapped up.

It would be a tragedy to be a man with two hearts and not fall in love. Yes, it must hurt twice as much when they are broken but to have twice the feeling beating in your chest when you are in love but be bliss.





Poetry! The only logical reason i can see for the Doctor to NOT get involved with someone would be the fact that he lives so much longer and would outlive his loves. But, that doesn't mean his heart won't overule his head at times.

Patrick
a.k.a. Fringey, The Fringe Element
"A life lived without passion is a life not lived.

[iswallowedabug (deleted)]

maise wrote: It would be a tragedy to be a man with two hearts and not fall in love. Yes, it must hurt twice as much when they are broken but to have twice the feeling beating in your chest when you are in love but be bliss.

Alternatively, one could argue that two hearts creates a redundancy.

Break one, and you aren't as devastated because you've got a
backup that keeps right on pumping while the broken one is
mending.

Of course, people didn't always equate love with the heart organ.

I'm not so much opposed to the idea of the doctor being in love,
but I don't want to see it happen with a companion who is one tenth
his age. Sure, when you live for centuries and centuries, you may
not always find someone your own age, but would it be
right for a 50 year old man to be dating a 15 year old? Just so,
I find it creepy for someone who has literally lived lifetimes to be
romantically linked to someone barely in adulthood in their
first life.

I was always taught the "your age divded by 2 + 7" rule; granted, this
would change for a time lord. But certainly, decency would dictate that
romantic involvement with someone just out of adolescence would
be inappropriate when you're centuries old.

[iswallowedabug (deleted)]

Ah, but Jamie, you are using the actors' ages, but it's the
characters' ages that matter.

Is it really appropriate for someone just shy of his millenium
to be dating a teenager? Or even someone in her 20s?

(900/2)+7 = 457. As I mentioned, the rule likely would have to
be adjusted for someone with such a long lifespan, but I think
the spirit of the rule should still apply.

19 would be cradle-robbing and skanky. And the Doctor is
NOT an immoral cradle-robbing skank!

[jamie77]

[deleted]