Why I like the Movellans (Redux)

[cameca]

Okay guys, I'm breaking my own rules and doing something I've never really done before, which is revisiting a topic I have already written on. There is already a "Why I like the Movellans" post kicking around the project somewhere, but (1) that post kinda sucked and (2) the Movellans have suddenly become relevant again in a way I could not have

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Unfortunate implications ...

[ext_4142758]

Call me weird or perverse (or even politically correct gone mad) but every time I watch this story I find myself liking the Movellans more and the Doctor less, and this is in spite of them basically confessing to wanting to launch a conquest of the galaxy. By the final act, I can really see their logic ...

For me, the rot really sets in at what should have been the story's most badass moment: that moment when the Doctor and Tyssan - having been very stupidly having a chit-chat right next to the Dalek mine workings - nearly get killed by a Dalek, only for a Movellan guard to shoot said Dalek. The Doctor's life being saved by a black woman could have just been the most positive thing ... except it isn't, of course, as the next thing he does is ambush her, rip open her bodysuit, declare her to be a sub-standard form of life, and abandon her in disgust. Kind of justified plot-wise, but so not cool (and unnecessarily rapey).

Of course, it doesn't help that he then goes on to ice most of her comrades and reprogram the survivors as slaves. Very undoctorish, and considering that the Movellans are mostly portrayed by people of colour, also a mine of unfortunate implications. Probably lazy writing rather than intentional coded racism, but still unfortunate, and a colossal wasted opportunity to do something positive (It is interesting to note that the very next Dalek story, for all its flaws, actually does very well for strong roles for female and POC actors).

I really hope someone will meaningfully revive the Movellans, though. An ethnically diverse, gender-neutral race of rogue AIs (considered in most expanded universe media to be self-freed slaves) who are, it seems, individual beings attempting to develop a culture of their own is actually a pretty fruitful concept, and could furnish strong roles for a diverse range of actors (like, I really wish that poor Movellan guard had been given a shade more development before her ignominious demise). The creators will either have to seriously update their 'disco' uniforms, though, or just risk being completely audacious with the concept (They could have a flying disco ball for a spaceship ... assuming the Sontarans don't sue for copyright).