Professor
Diggins' Dragons
I
wrote yesterday that I used to get really annoyed every time the
Daleks appeared again, until I realize that each
time they are threatening different humans, so the Doctor has to
intervene over and over again, to save different people.
This
has, I believe, a metaphorical application:
The
sci-fi enemies represent the recurring problems that humans face over
and over and over again. Every human faces the same temptations, the
same tragedies, the same weaknesses, the same challenges. We don't
really learn by example. We make the same mistakes our parents and
grandparents and ancient ancestors made. We suffer the same diseases.
So
the Daleks, Cybermen, Carrionites, Sycorax, Weeping Angels, Family of
Blood, and all the other enemies recur, season after season, just as
we suffer in the same ways, generation after generation, day after
day.
This
is one way that someone who is not usually a sci-fi fan could perhaps
come to enjoy Doctor
Who.
I mean, even I hate these stupid aliens and overdone monsters.
But
they're metaphors. None of us will ever face a Dalek (well, we might
dredge
one up in a pond somewhere), but each enemy represents
something awful that we actually do fight every day.
The
Cybermen could represent our addictions to technology and our
increasing willingness to allow the virtual world to take over our
identities.
(I type this as I'm following the #BenedictCumberbatch hashtag on twitter and clicking on all the pictures).
The
Daleks could represent our proclivity towards racism and genocide.
The
Family of Blood could be an embodiment of ways in which we prioritize
our own tribe, culture, and other in-group over other people's needs.
The
Weeping Angels will get a post of their own!
Oh,
and by the way, what's with the title of this post? Professor
Diggins' Dragons
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