The show that changed everything.
It’s fair to say that the world is quite a scary place right now. 2020 has not been anyones year, we have a global pandemic that is affecting us all in so many scary ways. This got me thinking about the TV show I always turn too for reassurance and comfort, Doctor Who. I thought I would talk a little about this TV show that not just gives me reassurance, but in essence, saved and shaped my life.
For context, Doctor Who is a show about an Alien from the planet of Gallifrey, They have two hearts and travel time and space in their ship named a TARDIS. I could talk all about the show’s 50+ year history for hours, in deep context, but that is another post entirely (One that you should possibly look out for). This post I just want to talk about its effect on me and my life.
In 2005, a 7-year old me was running around my living room, wondering what I was going to watch with my mum and dad that evening. My dad mentions a show being brought back called Doctor Who. Me being 7 years old thought nothing of this, but sat down and got ready to watch the new series starting with Episode 1 Rose, By Russell T Davies. Little did i know how much i would grow to love it and how it would change everything. 7 year old me was blown away, a fan was born.
What people are probably thinking right now is, why is he obsessing over a TV show, too which I say, how is it any different from loving a football team, collecting football cards or obsessing over boy bands and singers. It’s not. Yet growing up it was very clear that loving a TV show was considered weird or wrong, which it isn't, at all. Yet there was always this toxic mentality around it, usually those that would bully you about the subject would go home and obsess over FIFA or their local football team. So why did I ‘obsess’ over it to this day. Why did I continue to obsess over this show that in school, was considered weird. The answer is simple. It gave me hope and still does.
Getting to spend 45 minutes a week, with a character that gets to travel wherever and whenever they wanted, saving people and stopping monsters was a joy to me. Getting to lose myself to this universe of wonder and excitement and forget everything about the state of the world, whether that be in the past or today, is something I feel is special. It’s a comfort to many people around the world, including me. The Doctor taught a young me that it was okay to be scared, it was okay to ask questions and it was okay to take things a step at a time, but it also told me to always have hope, there’s always light around the corner if you just keep going. It’s a message that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
One quote in particular that always sticks with me from this show comes from my favourite doctor. The 11th Doctor (Played by Matt Smith), in an episode named ‘Vincent and the Doctor’, The Doctor says the following:
“The way I see it, every life is a pile of good things and bad things. The good things don’t always soften the bad things, but vice versa, the bad things don’t necessarily spoil the good things or make them unimportant.”
This is a quote that will stick for me forever, because The Doctor is right, life is a mixture of both good and bad, and that's okay, as long as you remember the good moments and don’t let the bad ruin those for you.
That’s the main reason that I'm writing this short post, is to tell you all, things will be okay. Yes things may seem scary right now, things may seem like they’re not going to get any better, but they will. We just have to have hope, stick with those closest to you and follow the guidelines. If times seem dark, reach out to someone or put on something that gives you comfort like I do.
Doctor Who is a TV show to many, but It gave me hope, laughter, and happiness when I needed it the most. It is something I will always carry with me, the memories I have made through it i will always cherish. It’s more than a TV show for me. It’s a friend.
Thanks for reading everyone, a short and quite personal post today, this won't be the last i talk about Doctor Who! I will be doing a retrospective look back at some of my favourite moments soon!
Until then, Come back next week for a new post.
Stay Safe, Don’t lose hope.
Harry
X