On the Importance of the Loss of Gallifrey

[tardis_stowaway]

Just before the 50th anniversary special last week, I re-watched a few of Clara's episodes to remind myself of the recent plot arcs, and I also watched "School Reunion" from S2 because it's among my favorite Ten and Rose episodes and because of the theme of connecting this show's past and future.  In "School Reunion," there's an exchange that I

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[tardis_stowaway]

Did I enjoy the 50th? Yes. Do I want to completely disregard anything Moffat era as canon? Yes, I do. Maybe his show is slick, but RTD's had heart.

Yeah, I agree with this so much! Well, I would let a handful of things from Moffat's era stay canon: The Doctor's Wife, the existence of Madame Vastra and Jenny, perhaps Vincent and the Doctor. For the rest of it, even the parts I generally liked (much of S5, for example) are problematic. The show looks great, and I usually enjoy watching it, but it rarely moves me to anything besides irritation.

I wish I could lean in toward the executives at the BBC, point to a picture of Moffat, and whisper "don't you think he looks tired?" I'm disappointed that he's not leaving with Matt Smith. Still, new Doctor, new start.

[kaydeefalls]

I would have loved to see either of your alternate 50th anniversaries as real. I didn't hate what we got the way some fans do, but I do agree, the Doctor's arc from 9 onward does feel cheapened to me now. I really did want all three Doctors to push the button together. Emotionally, that would have been enough closure for me.

[tardis_stowaway]

I would have loved to see either of your alternate 50th anniversaries as real.

Thanks! Too bad the BBC persists in not hiring me as a consultant. ;)

I really did want all three Doctors to push the button together. Emotionally, that would have been enough closure for me.

I agree, that would have been good emotional closure. Or hell, even having the Moment decide to push her own button would have been more satisfying to me than what actually occurred.

[iwouldbegood]

I feel like having the Doctor mourn and agonize over something that didn't actually happen makes all of those deep emotions feel a little cheapened
Exactly. I was talking about the same thing with a friend of mine, and really hate how Moffat probably changed the way I'm gonna feel about that during my future DW marathons.

Also, I've never watched Classic Who and don't really feel like exploring the show's history, and the little glimpses of Gallifrey we got during New Who I actually never found that interesting. I just liked having a concept of this big, deep tragedy in Doctor's life, but as something that happened off screen. All the changes to the canon aside, I am just not interested in getting more stories about Gallifrey and seeing more Time Lords in the future of the show...

[tardis_stowaway]

One of the problems of watching a show featuring time travel is that later episodes can legitimately change what happened in the show's past and not have it be a continuity error. When the old timeline was preferable, that can be annoying. I may have to envision Doctor Who from this point onwards as existing in an alternate universe from the rest of New Who, so that when re-watching previous episodes I'm looking back in the old universe what we previously knew about the Time War still applies.

If you ever do decide to explore Classic Who, there is some good stuff. I think "The Genesis of the Daleks" is especially interesting for fans of the New Who Doctors who lived in the shadow of the Time War. There, the Fourth Doctor is sent back in time to destroy the Daleks at their inception. It's interesting to see the similarities and differences of the choices he makes there. I love the dynamic between Seven and Ace.

Gallifrey was more interesting as an absence in the Doctor's life than its presence ever was.

[joking]

For the purposes of my own fic writing, I'm going to have to either ignore or willfully misinterpret "The Name of the Doctor" and "The Day of the Doctor." The former because I think Clara pointing out which TARDIS the Doctor should steal COMPLETELY RUINS the breathtaking romance of "The Doctor's Wife," so I simply refuse to believe that happened. The latter because I can't write about a Nine, Ten, or Eleven who's based his moral system on a lie.

I'm still going to watch the show, but I'm no longer fannishly engaged with this brave new canon Moffat has created.

[tardis_stowaway]

I think Clara pointing out which TARDIS the Doctor should steal COMPLETELY RUINS the breathtaking romance of "The Doctor's Wife," so I simply refuse to believe that happened.

Well put indeed! I took issue with this too. The only way I can explain that scene in a way I even sort of like is that perhaps Gallifreyan!Clara was a TARDIS technician who had been working on our beloved Type 40 and sort of ended up being the TARDIS's wingman. When Sexy decided to steal the Doctor and run away, perhaps she ordered Clara "bring me THAT one!"

I am 100% in favor of the practice of ignoring or willfully misinterpreting unwanted canon for fic purposes (or purposes of enjoyment of earlier episodes without dealing with problematic retcon, or many other purposes)

[trobadora]

Oh, thank you so much for this post! I agree with basically every word, and I've been feeling very alone with that! *clings to you*

(About to go to bed - it's late here - but I needed to say that now, even if I'm too tired to be more eloquent.)

[tardis_stowaway]

*clings back*

Thanks for the support! I've seen other people expressing similar opinions (including an excellent essay I found just after making my post, What Steven Moffat Doesn't Understand About Grief, And Why It's Killing Doctor Who), but it does seem to be the minority attitude.

[trobadora]

That is a very good post. I like Moffat better than most, and I had equally as many (though different) problems with RTD, but this is definitely his weak spot, and what he does in the Anniversary Special undermines basically all of New Who for me.