Today is a very significant day for fans of Doctor Who, that is, the 50th anniversary of the original broadcast. What better time to do some “pop culture criticism” on the show, in the spirit of Anita Sarkeesian?
Those of you familiar with the show may have noticed a recurring theme: very old man meets a young attractive woman, she falls for his otherworldly good looks and amazing spaceship, jumps in the mysterious blue box, and then he spends his days trying to rescue her from dangerous if somewhat campy space monsters. Eventually, the young woman moves on with her life, but usually not before having some sort of mind-shattering break with reality. A truly feminist critique of Doctor Who practically writes itself, there is so much damnable damseling going on in that show.
To be clear, I don’t actually have any problem with men rescuing women (or vice-versa), it can be a wonderful way to drive the plot forward. I am genuinely puzzled, however, as to how the Sarkeesianist sort of feminist can possibly enjoy this show. Perhaps they are able to overlook the constant recurrence of the damsel trope when it is a show they personally enjoy, rather than someone else’s favorite video game?
To take the most recent example of damseling in the show, consider the UNIT scientist called Osgood. She cries out to be saved by The Doctor twice during the 50th anniversary show. On the first occasion her pleas are to no avail, but on the second occasion no less than three Doctoral incarnations appear and completely save the day.
It has been fifty years, so I’m not nearly the first person to notice this trend. Mitch Benn wrote a song about it:
“Doctor Who Girl” by Mitch Benn
Everything I need to know, I learned from watching my TV,
But I’m afraid that it has had a serious effect on me.
My head’s stuck in the seventies,
I can’t be fashionable or hip,
And it has influenced what I look for
In all of my relationships.Can’t handle independent women with their modern ways,
I need a woman like the ones I saw on Saturdays.Be my Doctor Who girl,
With a trusting face,
Patient and understanding
As I drag you through time and space.
My beautiful assistant,
To flash your eyes and toss your curls,
And tell me that I’m brilliant,
Be my Doctor Who girl.Saturday afternoon – what excitement, what a rush,
Between the end of Final Score and the start of Basil Brush.
I loved the show, I loved the tune,
I loved the scarf, I loved the hat,
I loved the girls, I told myself
One day I’d have a girl like that.
Behind my sofa there’s a special place that we can hide;
You’ll find my love is bigger on the inside than the outside.Be my Doctor Who girl,
We’ll make a real good team,
I’ll do all the thinking,
You’ll look good in shorts and scream.
Give me someone to rescue,
Get changed and give us all a twirl,
Keep quiet and never argue,
Be my Doctor Who girl.Be my Doctor Who girl,
Follow me a lot,
Ask me heaps of questions,
So I can explain the plot.
Say you’ll stand beside me,
Say you’ll help me save the world,
Fall and twist your ankle,
Be my Doctor Who girl.
