With Respect to Peter Capaldi

     Another straight white man? Don't get me wrong, I don't think this is the worst thing to happen ever, I just think it's a shame. A show that's gone out of its way to tell us the main character can be anything when he regenerates and yet, presumably, eleven (probably twelve, we've still got to deal with that John Hurt thing yet) times in a row he's regenerated into a white man. Fair enough if this is part of the Doctor's personal identity, if that's the only skin his multiple personalities feel comfortable in then fine.

    But that demands a story. The Doctor is respectful, celebratory of diversity, then why does he only ever choose to respawn as the lowest common denominator? I think that needs to be addressed. I think it'd be interesting. Something that sophisticated is probably out of the reach of Moffat, who I've lost all confidence in, but writers are replaced on this show too. (Hopefully soon.) (Hopefully Joss Whedon)

     As part of the real world, though, Doctor Who is often, and rightly, touted as something to aspire to. It's diverse and hopeful, exciting, reflective. It can be anything! the overwhelming majority of the communities based around it, at least the ones I've visited, are all very anti-bullying of any kind.

     Maintaining this habit the doctor has, without ever addressing it as a character point, is saying to girls and boys of 'the other', that they will never be the most important character in history, simply because of who they are. No girls you can only hope to be the one who keeps him in line, his manic pixie dream girl. And non-white boys? You get to be the muppet that can't tell he'd been dumped.

     This goes as much for the playground as it does for people genuinely aspiring to act in the show. When Matt Smith first announced his departure, one of the most exciting names that cropped up to replace him was Zawe Ashton, who plays Vod in Fresh Meat. More than talented enough for the role, and I could totally see it working. But no, You will never have the most important role in television history, because of who you are.

     It's a message counter to what the rest of the show stands for.

     This tradition of the role being given to a straight white man can still be broken. The picture that I think best illustrates this I can't find right now, but it's easy to describe. Forty-Three old white faces followed by one black face. American presidents. The point of it being, that the longer you maintain pointless or even harmful traditions the stupider you'll look in the long run.