When Jodie Whittaker was announced as the next Doctor, former Doctor Colin Baker was one of her most vocal immediate supporters. He took to Twitter to praise Whittaker and to condemn the sexist criticism she faced.
Well I never the BBC really did do the right thing and let the Doctor be in touch with her feminine side. As a father of daughters – result!
— Colin Baker (@SawbonesHex) July 16, 2017
Change my dears and not a moment too soon – she IS the Doctor whether you like it or not!
— Colin Baker (@SawbonesHex) July 16, 2017
Cannot deny that I am amazed by the ‘never watch it again’ reaction by some viewers ( I hesitate to call them ‘fans’). Very sad
— Colin Baker (@SawbonesHex) July 16, 2017
At Comic-Con Thursday, Baker was once again effusive in his excitement. He called the casting “long overdue,” and said, “I’m really excited. I’ve got four daughters, and it’s time girls have a real role model in the Tardis, not just a companion.”
“I can understand that some people find it a shock. But they have to deal with it. With every Doctor that came along people are critics. Two years later they love him.”
But Baker’s predecessor, Peter Davison, isn’t quite so enthusiastic. Speaking about the battle happening online, he said, “I’ve been a little distressed by both sides of the argument. The people who think it’s a great idea need to be understanding. Any change in the Doctor has a big impact. When I took over, it was a problem because I was too young. When Peter Capaldi took over it was a problem because he was too old.”
Except criticizing casting for age is NOT the same as declaring women in general are not fit to take on the role, which is what a lot of people are saying as the basis of their arguments. But sure, the non-sexists should be more understanding. The “tolerant left” and all that.
Ultimately, Davison said “Jodie Whittaker is a fine actress. I think she’ll do fine.” But he still felt the need to mourn what he sees as a loss for young boys.
“If I feel any doubts, it’s the loss of a role model for boys who I think Doctor Who is vitally important for. So I feel a bit sad about that, but I understand the argument that you need to open it up.”
First of all, why is it not important to him that girls might possibly be gaining something? Second, boys aren’t losing shit. Colin Baker shut down that idea right quick, calling it “absolute rubbish.”
“They’ve had 50 years of having a role model,” he said. “So sorry Peter, you’re talking rubbish there – absolute rubbish.” As Baker explained, “Well you don’t have to be of a gender of someone to be a role model. Can’t you be a role model as people?”
We sure think so.
(via OC Register, Telegraph, featured image: BBC)
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