The New Doctor is a Woman and We Don’t Care That You Don’t Like It
If you were anywhere on the Internet in the past seven days, you probably saw the announcement that Jodie Whittaker has been named as BBC’s next Doctor Who. Because the Internet is a completely wholesome and kind space, the reveal attracted nothing but praise and excitement for the thirteenth incarnation of Doctor Who.
Oops. That is incorrect.
Nearly immediately the Web flooded with comments about what this could possibly mean for the show. Most noticeably, people seemed to be very angry about one specific thing. Was it that this is an entire show built around a time traveling space alien with a magical screwdriver? No, of course it wasn’t. Instead, Twitter lit up like a Christmas tree with messages from angry people — read: angry men — complaining that having a female lead would completely ruin the story and upcoming season of the show.
Imagine. Having to see a character that you love being portrayed by someone that doesn’t represent you or your experience. How f*cking tragic.
While the tears of the patriarchy flowed through the streets, women and young girls all across the Web were openly ecstatic about what the announcement meant for them. Memes, tweets, and exceptionally sweet videos hit the Internet as women in the fandom applauded the decision. Finally, we would see one of our favorite heroes played by a woman. A hero, I might add, that has more character, joy, darkness, history, and sense for adventure than any other out there.
But it’s 2017, you say. Why are people so angry about a completely fictional character being portrayed by a woman?
The honest answer is that I’m not quite sure.
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In the past year or two of television we have been gifted with truly incredible works of television. From Master of None to Big Little Lies, we’re seeing diversity play out in a different way on the small screen. Don’t get me wrong, we are nowhere near close to diverse representation in the entertainment industry, but there are diverse actors, actresses, directors, producers, and creators who are legit killing it right now. And we are getting some of the best art and stories in the world as a result. But for some reason, it’s apparently still unconscionable to believe that a woman can replace a man in the role of — and I honestly can’t say this enough — a completely fictional character.
Interestingly, the most important thing about Doctor Who has always been his capacity for empathy. Empathy, if you weren’t aware, isn’t a gendered personality trait. Whether you’re male, female, or a giant tomato on this show, the Doctor values treating all creatures fairly and with deep compassion. As he says himself,
“Nobody important? Blimey, that’s amazing. You know that in nine hundred years of time and space and I’ve never met anybody who wasn’t important before.” — Twelve
So, angry men of the Internet. Leave the Doctor, and us, frankly, the f*ck alone. We’ve spent decades watching caricatures of ourselves on television.
We were raised believing that women don’t speak unless spoken to and those who have the balls to do so will be vilified.
We were raised believing that one size should fit all and that if we don’t fit said size then maybe we just don’t fit in this world.
We were raised believing that adventures were for men and that women were destined to be companions. In life and on screen.
We don’t want our daughters being raised the same way.
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