Lauren Gray, Baylor University
Bigger on the Inside: Narrative Construction within “Doctor Who”
time= strict progression? big ball of timey wimey stuff
Time Lord
the doctor is worth loving
John Cordeaux and Michelle Cordeaux say that the doctor character is reliable across the different actors, traits transcend the actors for a metanarrative
narrative theory: 2 books
Film Art: An Introduction
Narrative and Fiction Film
looking at seasons 2-4
narrative at season level
narrative at episode level
also narrative of points with episode
4-5.5 revivals in seasons 2-4
numerical regeneration used to talk about the doctors, 9th regeneration
Christmas special, 10th regeneration of the doctor
his right hand is cut off, but he regenerates
between the first 1989 and the second 2003, there is involvement w Time Lords
home planet lost
Daleks and Timelords lost (then why do Daleks keep showing up?)
trademark continuance= sonic screwdriver and the tardis (me: even though both of these change as well)
overarching themes of human experience
for Davies each season has a unique saying or symbol
Moffat, on the other hand, followed season idea more loosely.
…
doctor defining narrative theory
historical, linear timeline
Doctor is deterministic, fatalistic perspective for himself BUT emphasizes everyone else’s choice.
people were trying to protect their own future by getting rid of the doctor
narratology work w Moffat—Moffar more complicated, not focused within each season
seasons are not tied up 5-9 open
Davies pieces were within seasons, 2-4.
? Were 2-4 more self-contained because of concerns about renewal?
Moffat always assumed the show would last.
Davies? how popular? they didn’t know. It’s why it begins very campy.
Doctor Who is pivotal in speculative fiction. It has been around for 50 years. Many things stand on the shoulders of Dr. Who.