Theology: Superman and Dr Who

[Aravar]

This thought is inspired by something I've just read in Di's signature:

Superman is the American conception of the divine, Dr Who the English.

Discuss.

[ToshoftheWuffingas]

Well, God is an Englishman.

I don't know about the divinity of Doctor Who though the recent series have had a quasi-religious feel to them. I do think that his character appeals to something in the British: eccentric, elliptical, mysterious, curious, amateur and quirkily ingenious.

[Padme]

God couldn't be English. He likes the Irish.

[Pearly Di]

Superman is the American conception of the divine, Dr Who the English.

You betcha, baby.

*tries to curb fangirl tendencies*



Dr Who is cooler than Superman. Anyone who time travels is way cooler than Superman.

Seriously: I find the new Who's nods to spirituality interesting.

It was like the way Babylon 5 used to treat spirituality - it was not assumed that in the far future that faith would be a thing of the past.

Man, I loved that show.

[Alatar]

Dr Who is cooler than Superman. Anyone who time travels is way cooler than Superman.

Seriously: I find the new Who's nods to spirituality interesting.

It was like the way Babylon 5 used to treat spirituality - it was not assumed that in the far future that faith would be a thing of the past.

Man, I loved that show.

I think I'm in love...

[Pearly Di]

B5 was awesome!

A bit like The Silmarillion in space.

[ToshoftheWuffingas]

Er, we do like the Irish though that is not definite proof that God is English.

[truehobbit]

I'm happy to say I have no idea what Dr Who is about, and from the one episode I've seen I want to keep it that way.

[Primula Baggins]

You're missing a lot, but oh well (not all the episodes are the same; in fact they're wildly various in flavor and style, much more so than any other program I've ever seen—so what you hated about the one is probably not even in any of the others).

[Padme]

Er, we do like the Irish though that is not definite proof that God is English.

I would mention Smallville, but that would make God a Canuk.

[Alatar]

You're missing a lot, but oh well (not all the episodes are the same; in fact they're wildly various in flavor and style, much more so than any other program I've ever seen—so what you hated about the one is probably not even in any of the others).

Indeed. If I recall correctly, Hobby saw the werewolf episode.

[Primula Baggins]

Eyewww. Not a good introduction, I think.

[Pearly Di]

Phhhffttt. The werewolf ep was just dandy. There was Rose constantly egging Queen Victoria on to say that she wasn't amused.

Season Three was pretty good. Some awesome stories.

[Primula Baggins]

I thought it was kind of claustrophobic and a bit precious, but there you go.

We're two episodes into Season Three over here. I'm liking the new companion quite a lot, and the Doctor more than ever.

[Alatar]

Oooh. Msg me when you get to the two-parter "Human Nature" and "Family of Blood". I want your reactions!

[Pearly Di]

Oooh, I loved that two-parter.

And "Blink"!

Christmas special looks awesome.

[Primula Baggins]

I heard "Blink" was the scariest Who episode in a loooong time. Can't wait.

[ToshoftheWuffingas]

Blink was trailed as the scariest which spoiled it a little for me as I didn't think the fright factor matched the hype. Anyway the whole series has had moments that make kiddiwinks (and the more senior amongst us) reluctant to go to bed alone. However it was very good indeed which is a different matter with an excellent performance by the heroine.

[Pearly Di]

'Blink' is very creepy, and very clever!

And I really liked the young actress who stars in it, Carey Mulligan.


Anyway ... back to Aravar's original post - yes, I do think the writers of the Doctor have given him a definite messianic edge. This new season has revealed powers I never knew the Doctor had - he keeps them under wraps a great deal. Heck, he even has power to turn back time itself.

I don't want to say too much more otherwise I will be giving away spoilers!

But it has certainly occured to me that the Doctor is not only Elvish (although he is not actually immortal, he can keep on cheating death by regenerating ... the Doctor is currently nine hundred years old) but he has Maia-like powers that border on being Vala-like. Sauron himself would envy the powers the Doctor has.

And yet the Doctor is always unarmed. He never instructs his companions to kill. He has a Tolkienesque commitment to mercy.

Wow, Time Lord.

I do hope that one day the writers will give us a real flashback to Gallifrey. They've given us glimpses. That would be so brilliant.

[WampusCat]

This thought is inspired by something I've just read in Di's signature:

Superman is the American conception of the divine, Dr Who the English.

Discuss.

I think this is insightful, at least if you're dealing in a societal view of God rather than the various individual expressions of faith.

Superman: invincible, fast, solitary, muscled (he looks powerful), morally straight, hides his identity. He's the sort of God who lives in Metropolis and is always there to rescue those in peril, pulling them from danger but with no real vulnerabilities of his own, and expects everyone to follow the law to the letter because it is Right. He's the defender of Truth, Justice and the American Way. How could this possibly be more American?

Dr. Who: clever, intellectual, funny, solitary because he's the last of his kind but takes on select companions, willing to bend the rules to save a planet. He's compassionate but doesn't meddle in others' lives. He has great power but looks ordinary. He interferes at key points in human history, when the danger is greatest, but then disappears in his Tardis.

I'm less familiar with English culture, but I suspect that that description is closer to how the divine is perceived (in general) there. I'm sure Superman is closer to the American perception.