Adherence to the Repeated Meme

Remember the mention of the "Bad Wolf Scenario" in conversation between the Face of Boe and the Moxx of Balhoon? Or the "Bad Wolf" channel on Station Five? There was also that graffiti on the Tardis during Aliens of London and the "Bad Wolf One" callsign as the helicopter landed in Dalek. It's been hard to miss the meme.

If you've been watching the new series of Doctor Who and you haven't noticed all the Bad Wolf references, you probably haven't been paying much attention. But the Who fans noticed. It's the meme that spawned a thousand Internet threads--and it continues to be debated on news groups and web forums.

Bad Wolf may be a red herring or it may yet become an essential plot element. It may simply be "art". Or a big joke. Some suggest it's fictional product placement. (They believe the new Who series is faux "reality" television. These viewers expect a big reveal in the upcoming episode 12.) The Who producers have titillated us and teased us until we're Nocens Lupused to our gills.

Although the Bad Wolf meme takes front and center stage in the newest series of Doctor Who, another more subtle meme permeates the series: classist anti-capitalism. Never have so many villains had such a commonality of interests.

The Nestene consciousness wanted to exploit Earth's toxins. The lady Cassandra O'Brien (for once disproving the notion that you can't be too rich or too thin) willingly let others die so she could create a hostage scenario for profit. The Slitheen tried to start nuclear war so they could exploit cheap energy. Henry vanStatten scavenged alien artifacts for profit. Adam Mitchell tried to leverage the future for personal gain; a future where a cartel of ruthless bankers allowed the Mighty Jagrafess of the Holy Hadrojassic Maxarodenfoe to enslave humanity.

Doctor Who 2005 is a new Who in many ways. Gone is the Doctor's received pronunciation and upper class background. Christopher Eccleston's working class accent and everyday bloke background brings a new feel to the program. Companion Rose Tyler, who lives on a council estate, manages to befriend plumbers, psychic maids and other workers through the ages. Even the loss of Gallifrey, which was little more than Cambridge-in-Space, is a relief, class-wise.

The sole upper class hero of the series to date is Harriet Jones, MP of Flydale North. She's certainly a member of Labour (and we're told she voted against the Iraq war) and given her dialog throughout Aliens of London and World War III, possibly a socialist. Apparently as prime minister, she will usher in Britain's "golden age".

Another series hero is the Long Game's Suki, an "anarchist" who attempts to bring down the Jagrafess and losing her life in the attempt. It's odd to think of an anarchist, the philosophical enemy of social contract and societal responsibility, as a hero but here she is, bravely fighting to restore truth in a world where corrupt media controls the people. As the Editor points out, "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 destabilize an economy, invent an enemy, change a vote..."

So where does this leave Doctor Who, the series?

To date, the anti-capitalist meme has not diminished my delight in the series. Davies' message although noticeable has not been particularly heavy handed or distracting. I'd far rather watch television made with a strong artistic vision and viewpoint than one simply slapped together, regardless of whether I agree with the politics or not (and I'm scoring about 50-50 on that. Or, maybe 40-60.). Art provides an excellent starting point for political commentary and social criticism. Doctor Who 2005 offers both.

Comments

[Damien Ryan]

I love the idea of Gallefry as 'Cambridge-in-Space'. Excellent turn of phrase, sir.

[Wayne]

I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed "e"'s essay on the "anti-capitalist meme" that he feels is prevalent throughout the new series. It's one of the reasons I choose to read and occasionally participate in this blog and not on any of the OG forums.

I just love these "academic" style essays about the cultural / political / philosophical significance / contribution of "Doctor Who". When "Doctor Who" does do social commentary, and does it well, it is usually sublime and thought-provoking and sparks off debate and argument.

Thanks again for article "e". Look forward to reading more from you.

[Neil]

Feel the love, people. FEEL THE LOVE!

Sorry, had a bit too much ti drink and I'm feeling a bit emotional.

Can I just say, as we reach the half-way point in the new series run, thank you very much to everyone who has ever posted here, especially the authors who strive to consistently review the stories each week with such thoughtfullness, humour and originality.

You lot have made my year. Cheers.

Normal service will now resume...

[Kevin Jordan]

Neil,

On behalf of everyone can I say a big thanks to YOU for making this blog available to all of us.

It has been a joy to discuss the wonder of the new series with others and has rekindled my love for Doctor Who which had waned slightly in the last few years.

My only regret is that personal committments have meant that I have not had the time to post detailed reviews on every episode as I would have liked. However, other authors have posted thoughts similar to my own and often far better than my humble ramblings could have been.

I am sure that all our contributions, no matter how small, have added greatly to the whole shared experience.

[e]

Feeling the love, enjoying the blog!

[John Paul]

Feel the love indeed Neil. Someone has been sinking too many reds and whites I fear :) But seriously, this blog rocks.

[John Paul]

Oh I forgot to add 10-3.

[Neil]

Oh, by the way 'e' is a 'she'. Since we don't have nearly enough women (story of my life) I thought you might like to know ;-)

[e]

You outed me!

:) -- e(rica, or 2.71828 if you like)

[ELISABETH PULMAN]

i,m realy a fan of dr who and sarah-jane adventures! Especially the dr who episode called time crash one in dr who and the episode in the sarah-jane adventures called the lost boy.i lovvvvve dr who and the sarah-jane adventures!( i really do)i nearly watch all the episode,s of the sarah-jane adventures and all of the dr who episodes of christipher ekeltston and david tennant!

[ELISABETH PULMAN]

i,m realy a fan of dr who and sarah-jane adventures! Especially the dr who episode called time crash one in dr who and the episode in the sarah-jane adventures called the lost boy.i lovvvvve dr who and the sarah-jane adventures!( i really do)i nearly watch all the episode,s of the sarah-jane adventures and all of the dr who episodes of christipher ekeltston and david tennant!

[elisabeth pulman]

i love dr who so much!its really good i enjoy it so so so so so so s so so so so so much!i love it!if i enjoy it you will enjoyit(you will)

[elisabeth pulman]

i love you i love blue i love doctor-who!

[elisabeth pulman]

i hate the slitheen like a bean! because i love you i love doctor-who!

[elisabeth pulman]

i love doctor-who so much(i love dr)