Comments on: The How of Who http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/06/17/the-how-of-who/ Overthinking It subjects the popular culture to a level of scrutiny it probably doesn't deserve. Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:52:17 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Lisa http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/06/17/the-how-of-who/#comment-11516 Lisa Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:38:31 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=8358#comment-11516 New to OTI and just found this article. I may have to sit down and do an analysis of my own, because, while I generally have a low tolerance for DEM endings, I haven't felt too disappointed in the endings since the reboot. Sure, there are technobabble things involved, but the real answers are because of how the characters interact and investigate and connect with the best aspects of humanity. Take the Sontaran Strategem/Poison Sky two-parter. There's a problem, but the true scope of it is not immediately apparent. Something's weird, but it requires investigation to find out what's really going on. Sure, there's some technobabble involved in the final solution, but the real solution comes from the genius kid's actions, not from the technobabble. The Empty Child/Doctor Dance's two-parter from Eccleston's first season is similar--weird stuff's going on, but only when the human element is put right, when Nancy and Jamie reconnect, can the Doctor solve the problem. Granted, maybe you considered the first episode I pointed out as one of the non-technobabble ones, but since you don't have a list by episode (understandable because of spoilers), I'm not sure. Doctor Who usually has a really good handle on how to use technology. The sonic screwdriver will open locks and cut barbed wire and a lot of other things that get the characters further involved in the story, but it doesn't just magically stop the aliens. And if it would provide a convenient escape, making it too easy, it doesn't work. New to OTI and just found this article. I may have to sit down and do an analysis of my own, because, while I generally have a low tolerance for DEM endings, I haven’t felt too disappointed in the endings since the reboot. Sure, there are technobabble things involved, but the real answers are because of how the characters interact and investigate and connect with the best aspects of humanity.

Take the Sontaran Strategem/Poison Sky two-parter. There’s a problem, but the true scope of it is not immediately apparent. Something’s weird, but it requires investigation to find out what’s really going on. Sure, there’s some technobabble involved in the final solution, but the real solution comes from the genius kid’s actions, not from the technobabble.

The Empty Child/Doctor Dance’s two-parter from Eccleston’s first season is similar–weird stuff’s going on, but only when the human element is put right, when Nancy and Jamie reconnect, can the Doctor solve the problem.

Granted, maybe you considered the first episode I pointed out as one of the non-technobabble ones, but since you don’t have a list by episode (understandable because of spoilers), I’m not sure.

Doctor Who usually has a really good handle on how to use technology. The sonic screwdriver will open locks and cut barbed wire and a lot of other things that get the characters further involved in the story, but it doesn’t just magically stop the aliens. And if it would provide a convenient escape, making it too easy, it doesn’t work.

]]> By: CeeMackay http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/06/17/the-how-of-who/#comment-11495 CeeMackay Thu, 20 Aug 2009 10:30:10 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=8358#comment-11495 Really good (over) thinking... "The Doctor is more guide than hero, staying mysterious because the show isn’t really about him, it’s about the people who go with him" So the 'serial' can continue.. he doesnt 'change' in the way we expect a character in a single story to 'grow'/'change' Audiences hate the Deus ex machina because of the 'betrayal'. Its also possible to 'judge' these Deus ex machina in Dr Who on another level. Do the audience believe it more if its actually both 'inevitable' and 'unexpected'? see http://www.agoodstorywelltold.com/article-seven-story-types-overcoming-the-monster Really good (over) thinking…
“The Doctor is more guide than hero, staying mysterious because the show isn’t really about him, it’s about the people who go with him”
So the ’serial’ can continue.. he doesnt ‘change’ in the way
we expect a character in a single story to ‘grow’/'change’
Audiences hate the Deus ex machina because of the ‘betrayal’.

Its also possible to ‘judge’ these Deus ex machina in Dr Who on another level. Do the audience believe it more if its actually both ‘inevitable’ and ‘unexpected’?
see http://www.agoodstorywelltold.com/article-seven-story-types-overcoming-the-monster

]]> By: Doctor Who and the Robot « Gender Goggles http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/06/17/the-how-of-who/#comment-11286 Doctor Who and the Robot « Gender Goggles Sun, 09 Aug 2009 23:09:30 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=8358#comment-11286 [...] out some technobabbly deux-ex-machina solution. I love the Reboot, but there is an awful lot of deus ex machina going on there! We also see the beginning of a trend where the Doctor uses his scarf for a [...] [...] out some technobabbly deux-ex-machina solution. I love the Reboot, but there is an awful lot of deus ex machina going on there! We also see the beginning of a trend where the Doctor uses his scarf for a [...]

]]> By: mlawski http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/06/17/the-how-of-who/#comment-10566 mlawski Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:03:18 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=8358#comment-10566 Sorry to revive a sleeping thread, but I just had a thought. Are Samantha Who? and Dr. Who? related? Please answer in a well-organized 5-paragraph essay. Sorry to revive a sleeping thread, but I just had a thought. Are Samantha Who? and Dr. Who? related? Please answer in a well-organized 5-paragraph essay.

]]> By: Zeus Blog » Fast Return - June 2009 http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/06/17/the-how-of-who/#comment-10345 Zeus Blog » Fast Return - June 2009 Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:34:21 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=8358#comment-10345 [...] on the old Deus Ex machina, and that a reliance on it is lazy writing. Who said that? Where? Why, these people - here, though there’s a rather nifty article all about it you’d be best to read yourself. It [...] [...] on the old Deus Ex machina, and that a reliance on it is lazy writing. Who said that? Where? Why, these people – here, though there’s a rather nifty article all about it you’d be best to read yourself. It [...]

]]> By: BillMcD http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/06/17/the-how-of-who/#comment-10224 BillMcD Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:06:01 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=8358#comment-10224 Unfortunately Farscape is no longer on the air or I would nominate John Cricton as the American incarnation of the Doctor. He has companions. (Though they are more like equals) usually is able to solve problems based on some weird aspect of his humanity (phycical, mental or spirtual) and his actions often result in the death of minor charcters (for those who point out that Paol Zahn ?sp? Was not minor I refer you to the poor fate of Adric, the young math genius who maybe was a lizard). I do admit that Farscape was not an American show, but Crichton was an American charcter. Similarly, Hugh Laurie isn't American (please watch Jeeves and Wooster; and please skip a Bit of Fry and Laurie) but House is an American character so I humbly stand by my nomination. Also, if House is the Doctor he is definitely William Hartnell. This is confusing for me because Dr. Cuddy is totally Rose Tyler. I humbly submit that Wilson may, in fact, be House's Romana. I will leave it at that. Unfortunately Farscape is no longer on the air or I would nominate John Cricton as the American incarnation of the Doctor. He has companions. (Though they are more like equals) usually is able to solve problems based on some weird aspect of his humanity (phycical, mental or spirtual) and his actions often result in the death of minor charcters (for those who point out that Paol Zahn ?sp? Was not minor I refer you to the poor fate of Adric, the young math genius who maybe was a lizard).

I do admit that Farscape was not an American show, but Crichton was an American charcter. Similarly, Hugh Laurie isn’t American (please watch Jeeves and Wooster; and please skip a Bit of Fry and Laurie) but House is an American character so I humbly stand by my nomination.

Also, if House is the Doctor he is definitely William Hartnell. This is confusing for me because Dr. Cuddy is totally Rose Tyler. I humbly submit that Wilson may, in fact, be House’s Romana. I will leave it at that.

]]> By: Links « Stuff http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/06/17/the-how-of-who/#comment-10033 Links « Stuff Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:11:18 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=8358#comment-10033 [...] Doctor Who, Overthought. [And a new photo for the season finale.] [...] [...] Doctor Who, Overthought. [And a new photo for the season finale.] [...]

]]> By: ronin http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/06/17/the-how-of-who/#comment-9976 ronin Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:50:38 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=8358#comment-9976 yea, the current american silverscreen archetype for america...House: 1.completely sure of himself, especially when he's wrong 2.takes every advantage in every situation 3.ultimately gets it right every time (american self-image) 4.genius (hey, i am an american after all) 5.a little nuts I could go on, but its late and i'm tired... plus, @fenzel i came up with house after reading your description... it just fits perfectly yea, the current american silverscreen archetype for america…House:

1.completely sure of himself, especially when he’s wrong
2.takes every advantage in every situation
3.ultimately gets it right every time (american self-image)
4.genius (hey, i am an american after all)
5.a little nuts

I could go on, but its late and i’m tired…

plus, @fenzel

i came up with house after reading your description… it just fits perfectly

]]> By: Megan from Lombard http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/06/17/the-how-of-who/#comment-9972 Megan from Lombard Mon, 22 Jun 2009 05:29:56 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=8358#comment-9972 To quote Ten; Brilliant! I started watching New Who with Chris E. but it wasn't until David showed up that I really began to enjoy it (I also enjoy the spin-off Torchwood but that's for a whole other reason *coughJohnBarrowmancough*) also to quote Capt. Jack Harkness, "a little technobabble is good for the soul" but at the same time it *can* be over used and it gets old fast. It kind of reminds me of Lost and the constant cliff-hangers and the ads that say 'this episode will rock your world!' or 'this changes everything!!!' and what happens is a five second bit at the end of the episode that they deal with at the beginning of the next and then it's 40 mins of flashbacks/forwards that seem like they were thrown in there to pad out the episode. But I digress... What I would like to be overthought in the Whoverse is the use of the Jesus figure in the Doctor and how religion does (and doesn't) play a part in the world of the Doctor. p.s. I knew exactly which episodes you were refering to through out the post (and the few in the comment section) ^-^ To quote Ten; Brilliant!

I started watching New Who with Chris E. but it wasn’t until David showed up that I really began to enjoy it (I also enjoy the spin-off Torchwood but that’s for a whole other reason *coughJohnBarrowmancough*)

also to quote Capt. Jack Harkness, “a little technobabble is good for the soul” but at the same time it *can* be over used and it gets old fast. It kind of reminds me of Lost and the constant cliff-hangers and the ads that say ‘this episode will rock your world!’ or ‘this changes everything!!!’ and what happens is a five second bit at the end of the episode that they deal with at the beginning of the next and then it’s 40 mins of flashbacks/forwards that seem like they were thrown in there to pad out the episode. But I digress…

What I would like to be overthought in the Whoverse is the use of the Jesus figure in the Doctor and how religion does (and doesn’t) play a part in the world of the Doctor.

p.s. I knew exactly which episodes you were refering to through out the post (and the few in the comment section) ^-^

]]> By: Gab http://www.overthinkingit.com/2009/06/17/the-how-of-who/#comment-9967 Gab Mon, 22 Jun 2009 03:41:47 +0000 http://www.overthinkingit.com/?p=8358#comment-9967 I first started watching _Dr. Who_ with the 9th Doctor, Christopher Eccleston. I think you basically said this, Fenzel, but DEM works in the "world" of the show because the point is that since the main character (the Companion, not the Doctor) doesn't know what's going on, a spoon-fed solution is the only thing that could possibly fix the problem. I find the self-sacrifice solutions the most annoying because that has nothing to do with knowledge or understanding- those are purely situational (usually- I'm sure there are exceptions), not informational. The technobabble episodes are easier to swallow because I'd be in the same situation as the Companion and would, as they do, take what is presented to me pretty much at face value once it has been shown in action. Further, there are indeed times where it's alluded to and glossed over ("The Empty Child"/"The Doctor Dances"), and it is sometimes done better than others; but not always, and yeah, stuff (sometimes literally) drops out of the sky, but so does the Doctor himself into the life of his Companion each time she changes. The foundation of the show depends on a sort of DEM, the Doctor himself intruding and usurping his Companion. About _The Matrix_: I haven't seen the third one since it was in theaters, but I think that if The Architect had been played by The Oracle, wouldn't that make HER the DEM? The Doctor is played by a British actor and has a British accent as such, but the character isn't British, he's a Time Lord, an alien race. So by that standard, the American equivalent doesn't necessarily have to *be* American, right? They wouldn't even need to be human. I have no idea who this could be, but I'm just throwing that monkey wrench in there to see if anyone else is more clever than I. Although I do think pretty much anybody from Dunder Mifflin could, in some ways, work. Really, I think the "American" (if I could somehow double-capitalize, I would) chosen depends on what image is being emphasized. So sure, why not Homer Simpson? Also *does* the show/movie still need to be going? I mean, what about Tim Taylor from _Home Improvement_ or Tony Soprano from (duh) _The Sopranos_? Two very distinct characters, each portraying different aspects of "Americans" that we project into the global Popular Culture. Or Wilson from _Castaway_. I first started watching _Dr. Who_ with the 9th Doctor, Christopher Eccleston. I think you basically said this, Fenzel, but DEM works in the “world” of the show because the point is that since the main character (the Companion, not the Doctor) doesn’t know what’s going on, a spoon-fed solution is the only thing that could possibly fix the problem. I find the self-sacrifice solutions the most annoying because that has nothing to do with knowledge or understanding- those are purely situational (usually- I’m sure there are exceptions), not informational. The technobabble episodes are easier to swallow because I’d be in the same situation as the Companion and would, as they do, take what is presented to me pretty much at face value once it has been shown in action. Further, there are indeed times where it’s alluded to and glossed over (“The Empty Child”/”The Doctor Dances”), and it is sometimes done better than others; but not always, and yeah, stuff (sometimes literally) drops out of the sky, but so does the Doctor himself into the life of his Companion each time she changes. The foundation of the show depends on a sort of DEM, the Doctor himself intruding and usurping his Companion.

About _The Matrix_: I haven’t seen the third one since it was in theaters, but I think that if The Architect had been played by The Oracle, wouldn’t that make HER the DEM?

The Doctor is played by a British actor and has a British accent as such, but the character isn’t British, he’s a Time Lord, an alien race. So by that standard, the American equivalent doesn’t necessarily have to *be* American, right? They wouldn’t even need to be human. I have no idea who this could be, but I’m just throwing that monkey wrench in there to see if anyone else is more clever than I. Although I do think pretty much anybody from Dunder Mifflin could, in some ways, work. Really, I think the “American” (if I could somehow double-capitalize, I would) chosen depends on what image is being emphasized. So sure, why not Homer Simpson? Also *does* the show/movie still need to be going? I mean, what about Tim Taylor from _Home Improvement_ or Tony Soprano from (duh) _The Sopranos_? Two very distinct characters, each portraying different aspects of “Americans” that we project into the global Popular Culture.

Or Wilson from _Castaway_.

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