The Long Game

[elisi]

My 14 year old wanted to do a Doctor Who re-watch, so we started with [New Who] S1. It's all rather lovely and my hat off to RTD. He did an amazing job. And then last night we watched The Long Game, which I mostly remembered for 'Adam, the bad companion'. Except that's not what it's about... (the clue is rather in the title)

And this line really made me sit up:

EDITOR: Create a climate of fear and it's easy to keep the borders closed. It's just a matter of emphasis. The right word in the right broadcast repeated often enough can destabilise an economy, invent an enemy, change a vote.

HI THERE WARNING FROM THE PAST! Isn't it fun to have seen this play out in real time and living in the midst of it?

Comments

[owlboy]

also rather prescient of rtd, i think, to make the Master a racial supremacist incel

[elisi]

Mmmm. We watched the Slitheen episodes and they are SAVAGE. God I love political Doctor Who.

[beer_good_foamy]

Has anyone tried snapping their fingers around BoJo? See if his forehead does something interesting?

...God, that's why he wears his hair like that, isn't it?

[elisi]

... More likely to have a concealed zip.

[promethia_tenk]

Wow, he does look exactly like a Slitheen. Cannot unsee.

[elisi]

More racist though...

[yourlibrarian]

Yes, I was thinking the other day that the theoretical questions about killing Baby Hitler have become moot. We can't even be bothered to vote someone out of office, or actually think they're doing a great job.

[elisi]

As the Twelfth Doctor puts it in a later episode:

DOCTOR: Yes, well, I mean, you had free will, and look at what you did with it. Worse than that, you had history. History was saying to you, look, I've got some examples of fascism here for you to look at. No? Fundamentalism? No? Oh, okay, you carry on.

Sad, but true.

[laurashapiro]

holee shiiiiit

[elisi]

I just... love this show. This is from The Sun Makers (1977):

DOCTOR: You blood-sucking leech! You won't stop until you own the entire galaxy, will you. Don't you think commercial imperialism is as bad as military conquest?
COLLECTOR: We have tried war, but the use of economic power is far more effective.

[laurashapiro]

When they get it right, they get it right.

[elisi]

DOCTOR: Never be cruel and never be cowardly. And if you ever are, always make amends.

[laurashapiro]

<3

[elisi]

<3 <3 <3

[ruuger]

This is one my favourites from the 9th Doctor era. Parts of it are very dated but those parts that are still relevant, are very relevant indeed.

(also, this episode is one of my arguments against "Twelve is meaner than other Doctors" because what the Doctor does to Adam is beyond cruel)

I'm not a huge fan of the first series in general, because I feel like often the writing doesn't match Eccleston's strengths as an actor (I would have loved to have seen what he'd have done with the kind of scripts that Capaldi had), plus the editing often undermines his performance, but the Bad Wolf arc is probably my all-time favourite series arc.

[elisi]

This is one my favourites from the 9th Doctor era. Parts of it are very dated but those parts that are still relevant, are very relevant indeed.
They really are. :(

(also, this episode is one of my arguments against "Twelve is meaner than other Doctors" because what the Doctor does to Adam is beyond cruel)
Nine is... generally harsh? He basically executes Cassandra and doesn't even flinch. I think all the Doctors have that basic, ruthless streak, the only difference is how close to the surface it sits, and how much they let it show through.

KOVARIAN: The anger of a good man is not a problem. Good men have too many rules.
DOCTOR: Good men don't need rules. Today is not the day to find out why I have so many.

I'm not a huge fan of the first series in general, because I feel like often the writing doesn't match Eccleston's strengths as an actor (I would have loved to have seen what he'd have done with the kind of scripts that Capaldi had)
Yes, they are very much finding their way, but. It's so solid? The bones are great, even if the tone is a little wobbly at times. And Eccleston just shines.

the Bad Wolf arc is probably my all-time favourite series arc.
Good choice.

[starlady]

I started with New Who S2 last year and the Ghost of Brexit Yet to Come was all over it, it was uncanny and honestly kind of hard to get through at times. Well spotted RTD! More people should have paid attention!

[elisi]

the Ghost of Brexit Yet to Come was all over it, it was uncanny and honestly kind of hard to get through at times.
... That is far too on the nose. S2 was never my favourite (not a case of disliking it, just liking all the others more), but I am now curious to watch it through the lens of history.

Well spotted RTD! More people should have paid attention!
No one listens to prophets.

[starlady]

No one listens to prophets.

I have similar feelings about the politics of the Star Wars prequels, and you're so right.

[elisi]

I haven't watched them in forever, but I hear ya.

[ginger_rude]

"This is how democracy dies. To thunderous applause."

something like it.

[promethia_tenk]

RTD's style of social/political allegory doesn't do it for me, but rock on.

[elisi]

It's... not really allegory, just thinly veiled commentary. As subtle as The Happiness Patrol. :)

[maia]

Damn.

[elisi]

Go RTD!

[maia]

Next he'll be telling us that governments are happy to sacrifice other people's children to protect their own interests. That would never happen, of course...

...oh, wait. *glances at southern border of U.S.*

Shit.

[elisi]

Protest or forget.

[maia]

Icon.

[elisi]

Such an amazing episode.

[juliet]

L & I finished S1 just before the new season started and OH GOSH YES, hard agree.

[elisi]

:D

Also Beelzebub was in this one! I flailed muchly, and the 14 y.o. was confused.

[juliet]

Gosh I didn't even notice that!

[elisi]

She plays the undercover freedom fighter. (And to be fair, she is a lot less demon-y *g*)

[sea_thoughts]

A lot of the first RTD series was about the hidden evils in British society, criticising them and fighting them, really. Any kids who watched it could not fail to be aware of that and I would like to believe that's one of the reasons why you have so many young people fighting against the system. Sadly, it's the adults who are in charge.

[elisi]

The Slitheen episodes are SAVAGE re. Tony Blair and the Iraq War. Like, Hitting People Over The Head levels of subtle. I am so here for it.

[sea_thoughts]

They are and that's another reason I'm sad over what happened with Harriet. :/