Scholars convene to discuss Doctor Who's politics and law

On Friday 5th September Doctor Who scholars met at the University of Westminster to hear and discuss a wide range of papers on the politics and law of Doctor Who.

Topics included the show's politics, the Doctor's political morality, the role of law, lawyers and the Church, comparisons with other science fiction political texts, and the role of women in the programme.

One pervasive theme was the question (raised by the Doctor himself in the recent episode "Into the Dalek" (2014)) of whether he is, politically, a good man; another pervasive theme was the extent to which the contemporary show, through its depiction of women, promotes or undermines gender equality.

Professor Andrew Lynch and Dr Penny Crofts
speaking on "The New, Ruthless Doctor"

To give just a brief flavour: speaking on the impossible politics of Steven Moffat's story arcs, Professor Matt Hills argued that our object of study was less the text of the scripts but with the interpretations thereof: it was the interpretations which make Doctor Who political. As such, it is possible to find interpretations which find reactionary elements in the show (the portrayal of Amy Pond and River Song in subordinate or passive roles) as well as progressive ones (which depict Amy and River as strong women). Matt also argued that Steven Moffat's obession with playing around with time meant that political readings become highly provisional.

Addressing the feminine mystique of Doctor Who, Alyssa Franke argued that recent developments in the show reinforce the image of "happy housewife heroine", such as Amy ultimately adopting husband Rory's surname and the unspoken assumption that Amy's life was worthless without Rory. As such the representation of femininity has regressed. Women characters are assertive but comply with the Doctor's demands, a paternalistic Doctor who will save them.

Professor Danny Nicol on "Is the Doctor a war criminal?"

Talking on the Church's role, Dr Andrew Crome pointed to the new visibility of the Church being reflected in the programme, but at the same time being radically de-theologised, prioritising more the public good in the form of maintaining peace. He tackled questions inter alia about the role of women in Steven Moffat's vision of the Church, at one and the same time holding leadership positions, acting as authoritarian dominatrixes and serving as sex objects for the Doctor.

Organiser Professor Danny Nicol said he hoped this very enjoyable event would be the start not the finish of Westminster Law School's engagement with Doctor Who.