The Doctor as a father figure.

[mrv3000]

In fandom some have said that the Doctor is more of a father figure to Rose than anything else. Can you see where this is coming from? Maybe you subscribe to this notion in full or in part? Or do you completely disagree? Can the father figure and romantic figure co-exist or is that just too distasteful?

Comments

[sensiblecat]

I think he's a father figure, but not more than anything else. It's not unusual for girls to romanticise their dads, particularly when they've never really known them. But I wouldn't labour the point because one of the most attractive things about their relationship is that she has so much to offer him. And I think one of the things that appeals to him in the early days, and is appealing to us as viewers, is tha there's none of the legendary-figure baggage that became attached to the Doctor later on - she just sees him as someone with straightforward needs.

(Actually I see Eleven as a far more paternal character than Nine or Ten)

[flockofgulls]

I agree! In my mind 9 and 10 were very kid like. Like Donna said- he needed someone who would stop him. And like 10 said if nine - needed Rose to make him a better man. If anything she was Wendy ti a lost boy doctor.

11 is the sum of it all.

[flockofgulls]

If=of

[sherrilina]

Well said, and I especially agree that 11 is a more paternal figure than Ten/Nine, both in his personality and probably because when he first met Amy, she was a little girl (and he gives the impression he still sees her that way).

I feel the dynamic with Rose and 10/9 was not that fatherly though, way more romantic...

[sensiblecat]

By the time you get to Fear Her, if anything she's a mother figure to him. That's why the jam scene is so adorable.

[kilodalton]

I can't speak for Eleven, but I definitely don't think that Nine or Ten were father figures to her in the least. It's neither in the text, nor in the way the characters were portrayed (which is precisely why Rose was aged up - because her chemistry with CE was hotter than expected). I can't help but notice that a lot of fans who say this about Nine and Ten are classic!Who fans, where the Doctor was historically much more paternal. I think there's some projection of expectation going on there, nothing more.

[bloose09]

It's neither in the text, nor in the way the characters were portrayed (which is precisely why Rose was aged up - because her chemistry with CE was hotter than expected).

You are spot on with this!

[fogsblue]

Right. I can't say I ever saw any indication of the Doctor being a father figure for Rose. Actually, the idea seems kind of wrong to me, given the way the story played out. If Rose was a couple of years younger, say 16 or so, I probably could have bought it, but then I think I would have been disturbed if they'd gone with the romantic angle in that case.

Rose may only be 19, but I think the way the character is written and portrayed shows she is like most 21st century 19 year olds. She's old enough to be adult most of the time. I mean yes she sometimes acts like a teenager but so does the Doctor sometimes (Half of S2 anyone?).

[annissag]

I think that the original intent was to have the Doctor be a father-figure. He'd played that role in the past, especially with Ace, and I think a lot of people still see him in that role. I think the chemistry between Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper changed their dynamic pretty early on in the series. I'm thinking specifically of the Doctor's "I'm so glad I met you" and Rose's glance down at his lips.

Can the father figure and romantic figure co-exist or is that just too distasteful?
Towards the same person? No. That feels far too Humbert Humbert, in my opinion. I don't think you can have someone be a father figure and romantic interest to the same person without acknowledging that it is a gross abuse of his power.