The BBC attempts to explain the Doctor's lack of empathy to a companion's fears of dying alone in a recent Doctor Who episode exploring mental health.
The BBC issued an official statement explaining The Doctor'sawkward response to mental health fears in a recent episode of Doctor Who. "Can You Hear Me,"was an episode in which the Doctor and her companions are forced to face their worst mental traumas. Still, fans found the Doctor's lack of empathy towards her companion, Graham, at the end of the episode to be deeply unsettling.
Doctor Whofollowsa time-traveling, 900-year old Time Lord called the Doctor (from the planet Gallifrey), as he gallivants across time and space. The Doctor doesn't like to travel alone, and frequently plucks humans filled with wanderlust to go along for the journey. Not only do the humans (typically referred to as the Doctor's companions) act as the audience surrogate, but they also serve to balance out the Doctor's alien tendencies - mainly when a dose of humanity is more than necessary to avoid chaos in the universe. The Thirteenth Doctorchose to travel with three companions, Yaz, Ryan, and Graham.
Related: Doctor Who: The Chameleon Arch Explained-How A Time Lord Becomes Human
The controversial episode in question, which prompted the BBC's official response, was supposed to shine a spotlight on mental health issues. The episode also intended toshow that there is nothing wrong with seeking supportfor mental healthproblems, caused by trauma or other means. The official statement offered no apology for the fan outcry, but rather an explanation.
"The intention of the scene was to acknowledge how hard it can be to deal with conversations on this subject matter...When faced with these situations, people dont always have the right words to say at the right time, and this can often lead to feelings of guilt. By showing the Doctor struggling to find the right words, the intention was to sympathise with all those who may have found themselves in a similar position."
While a significant part of the Doctor's character is the fact that they are indeed an alien (two hearts, regenerations, and all), the Time Lord has never lacked compassion for humans or other species. It was completely understandable that fans were disappointed when the Doctor responded, rather callously, to Graham, who not only was relaying his fears about his cancer returning, but also his concern about dying alone. (A major character arc for Graham was mourning the loss of his beloved wife, Grace.) Although the Doctor's indifferent reaction was probably not meant to be malicious, it was quite out of character for the Doctor, who should've known better by this point.
Doctor Whohas lasted for fifty years and counting for a reason, the series may star an alien in aspaceship shaped like a telephone booth, but it's really the humans who are the heroes. While the Doctor may lack humanity in certain situations, the character learns by interacting with humans, and observing how they care and exude compassion for others.Over timethe Doctor begins to understand these interactions and displays their own sense of empathy for others, humans or otherwise. The companions and the Doctor learn from each other on every adventure they take, and the worlds they save on the way make the show so worthwhile to watch. Hopefully, the backlash from the episode encourages the writers to impart more compassion on the Doctor, so the same situation doesn't happen again.
Next: Doctor Who Season 12 Already Set Up How the Time Lords Can Return
Source: BBC
Fast & Furious: The Actor Who Almost Played Dom
Read the original post:
Doctor Who's Awkward Mental Health Fears Reaction Explained by BBC - Screen Rant
- Mental Health - June 23rd, 2018 [June 23rd, 2018]
- Mental Health - Harvard Health - July 26th, 2018 [July 26th, 2018]
- Mental Health UK :: Home - July 26th, 2018 [July 26th, 2018]
- Mental Health : NPR - July 26th, 2018 [July 26th, 2018]
- Mental Health | Youth.gov - July 26th, 2018 [July 26th, 2018]
- Mental Health - Orange County, Florida - November 2nd, 2018 [November 2nd, 2018]
- Care Manager - Tarrytown, NY | MHA - November 3rd, 2018 [November 3rd, 2018]
- Home - Henderson Behavioral Health - November 16th, 2018 [November 16th, 2018]
- Adult Mental Health | Georgia Department of Behavioral ... - November 23rd, 2018 [November 23rd, 2018]
- A Digital Home - Mental Health Partners - November 23rd, 2018 [November 23rd, 2018]
- Mental Health | Health & Wellness - November 23rd, 2018 [November 23rd, 2018]
- Mental Health UK - Working together for everyone's mental ... - November 23rd, 2018 [November 23rd, 2018]
- Mental disorder - Wikipedia - December 20th, 2018 [December 20th, 2018]
- Mental Health | NCAA.org - The Official Site of the NCAA - December 26th, 2018 [December 26th, 2018]
- Home - SAMHSA Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator - December 26th, 2018 [December 26th, 2018]
- Volunteers of America's Mental Health Services | Volunteers ... - December 26th, 2018 [December 26th, 2018]
- Mental Health CSG Justice Center - December 26th, 2018 [December 26th, 2018]
- WHO classifies 'gaming disorder' as mental health condition - CNN - December 26th, 2018 [December 26th, 2018]
- Adult Mental Health - December 26th, 2018 [December 26th, 2018]
- Mental health - Wikipedia - December 27th, 2018 [December 27th, 2018]
- What Is Mental Health? | MentalHealth.gov - December 27th, 2018 [December 27th, 2018]
- New York State Office of Mental Health - December 27th, 2018 [December 27th, 2018]
- Mental Health and Mental Disorders | Healthy People 2020 - January 1st, 2019 [January 1st, 2019]
- Mental Health - CHOC Children's - January 1st, 2019 [January 1st, 2019]
- Mental Health Care | Health.mil - January 1st, 2019 [January 1st, 2019]
- Outpatient Mental Health Facilities programs City of ... - January 2nd, 2019 [January 2nd, 2019]
- Mental and Behavioral Health - AAP.org - February 11th, 2019 [February 11th, 2019]
- Sleep and mental health - Harvard Health - February 11th, 2019 [February 11th, 2019]
- Mental Health: American Diabetes Association - February 11th, 2019 [February 11th, 2019]
- Mental Health Problem Symptoms, Causes and Effects - February 11th, 2019 [February 11th, 2019]
- Promoting Childrens Mental Health - AAP.org - February 11th, 2019 [February 11th, 2019]
- Ten Things You Can Do for Your Mental Health | University ... - February 11th, 2019 [February 11th, 2019]
- Mental Health | MS Department of Mental Health - February 11th, 2019 [February 11th, 2019]
- Mental Health Screening Tools | Screening 2 Supports - February 11th, 2019 [February 11th, 2019]
- What is mental health - February 11th, 2019 [February 11th, 2019]
- MS Department of Mental Health - February 11th, 2019 [February 11th, 2019]
- Mental Health Hotline | 24 Hour Mental Health & Illness Helpline - February 12th, 2019 [February 12th, 2019]
- 50 Mental Health Quotes for Happiness and Success (2019) - February 12th, 2019 [February 12th, 2019]
- Mental illness - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic - February 21st, 2019 [February 21st, 2019]
- Home Page | Department of Mental Health - March 8th, 2019 [March 8th, 2019]
- Mental Disorders: MedlinePlus - March 23rd, 2019 [March 23rd, 2019]
- Mental Health | Healthy People 2020 - March 23rd, 2019 [March 23rd, 2019]
- Health - lds.org - April 13th, 2019 [April 13th, 2019]
- Mental Health | ADA - September 11th, 2019 [September 11th, 2019]
- Faces of Loudoun: Mental Illness Just Means I Need Help Now and Then - Loudoun Now - September 27th, 2019 [September 27th, 2019]
- Youth mental health work more important than ever after tornadoes, shooting - Dayton Daily News - September 27th, 2019 [September 27th, 2019]
- BOMBARDED Part 3: Mental health struggles weigh heavily on LGBTQ+ youth - Keizertimes - September 27th, 2019 [September 27th, 2019]
- The Uses and Abuses of the Term Mental Illness - National Review - September 27th, 2019 [September 27th, 2019]
- Natures Role in Mental Illness: Prevention or Treatment? - Psychology Today - September 27th, 2019 [September 27th, 2019]
- Meghan Markle Says There Is a Global Consciousness Crisis Regarding Mental Health - TownandCountrymag.com - September 27th, 2019 [September 27th, 2019]
- Letter from the Editor: Michigans mental health crisis is affecting all of us. Something must be done - MLive.com - September 27th, 2019 [September 27th, 2019]
- Voices For Mental Health: Clodagh, on how Ireland has changed its perspective on mental health #NowWereTalking - hotpress.com - September 27th, 2019 [September 27th, 2019]
- Timberlake Jr. High teacher's focus on mental health earns her Idaho Teacher of the Year award - KXLY Spokane - September 27th, 2019 [September 27th, 2019]
- New rule could leave tens of thousands in Michigan without their mental-health counselor - MLive.com - September 27th, 2019 [September 27th, 2019]
- Lawmakers and law enforcement officials push for more mental health beds in northwest Wisconsin - WEAU - September 27th, 2019 [September 27th, 2019]
- One Way to Think About Mental Health: Zero-Proof Cocktails - Houstonia Magazine - September 27th, 2019 [September 27th, 2019]
- Evaluating Jumaane Williams' proposal to reform mental health crisis response - City & State - September 27th, 2019 [September 27th, 2019]
- How to talk to children about their mental health - TODAY - September 27th, 2019 [September 27th, 2019]
- NC bill aimed at providing more mental health resources in schools - WSOC Charlotte - September 27th, 2019 [September 27th, 2019]
- Northeastern University researcher studies the use of social robots in mental health and well-being research - News@Northeastern - September 27th, 2019 [September 27th, 2019]
- 'The way universities are run is making us ill': inside the student mental health crisis - The Guardian - September 27th, 2019 [September 27th, 2019]
- TC's Greg Epstein and Kate Clark talk mental health startups and the 'Cult of the Founder' - TechCrunch - September 27th, 2019 [September 27th, 2019]
- Key resources: Shining light on mental health in New Hampshire - WMUR Manchester - September 27th, 2019 [September 27th, 2019]
- Mental-health issues hit home for lots of Michigan families. Including mine. - MLive.com - September 27th, 2019 [September 27th, 2019]
- Voices For Mental Health: Kano, on telling his truth - hotpress.com - October 3rd, 2019 [October 3rd, 2019]
- See which Michigan counties have highest, lowest ratio of mental-health providers - MLive.com - October 3rd, 2019 [October 3rd, 2019]
- The Politician: why the Netflix show is being criticised by mental health charities - iNews - October 3rd, 2019 [October 3rd, 2019]
- In survey of working women in Japan with mental health issues, a third blame harassment at work - The Japan Times - October 3rd, 2019 [October 3rd, 2019]
- Brexit is affecting our mental health, warn doctors - cosmopolitan.com - October 3rd, 2019 [October 3rd, 2019]
- Odd Socks Day helps to tackle stigma and discrimination around mental health - The Sector - October 3rd, 2019 [October 3rd, 2019]
- Statehouse Online: Rep. Puppolo advocates for mental health and education funding - WWLP.com - October 3rd, 2019 [October 3rd, 2019]
- Living By The Coast May Be Better For Your Mental Health, Study Finds - CBS Boston - October 3rd, 2019 [October 3rd, 2019]
- Jumaane Williams: De Blasio and McCray have failed on mental health crisis - New York Post - October 3rd, 2019 [October 3rd, 2019]
- Family of accused Woodfield Mall driver says his mental health is to blame, not terrorism - WGN TV Chicago - October 3rd, 2019 [October 3rd, 2019]
- Supes Haney And Ronen Unveil Sweeping Mental Health Bill, Mayor Is Quick To Oppose It - SFist - October 3rd, 2019 [October 3rd, 2019]
- Discord in SF City Hall over ambitious mental health system overhaul - Mission Local - October 3rd, 2019 [October 3rd, 2019]
- Your Mental Health and Your Work - Harvard Business Review - October 3rd, 2019 [October 3rd, 2019]
- Mental health and the court system - WCBI - October 3rd, 2019 [October 3rd, 2019]
- Artists to work on mural downtown in support of mental health - pacificsandiego.com - October 3rd, 2019 [October 3rd, 2019]
- Providence St. Patrick Hospital How to know if you have a mental illness? - KPAX-TV - October 3rd, 2019 [October 3rd, 2019]