A Son of the Rock

I’ve just watched the second of the Doctor Who specials which were on over the holiday season.

The story was pretty much awful. (Thank you, Onebrow, for this pithy summing up.)

The coda epitomised everything that was wrong with Russell T Davies’s oversight of the series. It was so far up itself it was excruciating. All of the Doctor’s companions since the programme’s resurrection (and their families!) made an appearance merely in order that Tennant’s Doctor could say farewell. Ladle on the treacle why don’t you?

And the new Doctor didn’t get himself off on the right foot, either. Examining himself for changes in appearance he dragged a lock of hair down past his eyes and said in a pleased tone, “And still not ginger.”

And still not ginger? And still not ginger?

Would you think it acceptable, Russell, if your character had said, “And still not black?” or “And still not gay?”

To pose this question is to underline the gratuitousness – not to mention offensiveness – of the comment.

The Doctor surely ought to be above such things, Russell, even if you’re not.