Doctor Who returns on August 23 with new Doctor Peter Capaldi at the helm of the TARDIS. For decades people have loved watching the Doctor go on extraordinary adventures and a fandom of proud Whovians was born.
I was late to the Doctor Who party. I didn’t start watching until the second season of the reboot but once I started I couldn’t stop. There is something captivating about a man/alien who travels through all of space and time trying to make the universe a better place. While that may not always be his goal, his compassion for others is unparalleled. Doctor Who can teach us a great many things about differences and working to resolve them. It’s a show you can watch with the family and there is something in it for everyone.
Doctor Who is also a show that has amazing story lines. From the intricately woven Bad Wolf to the question of who River Song really was, Doctor Who keeps you thinking. You become invested in the characters even when you only meet them for one episode. The show also knows how to create a monster. Cherubic angels have never been more terrifying and I will never look at creepy shadows in the library the same way. It has a way of taking the most normal things and making them scary.
There are so many reasons to be a proud Whovian.
Hypable staff give their reasons for being a proud Whovian
What makes me proud to be a Whovian is that we’re part of a fandom that’s so incredibly nurturing and supportive. There aren’t any shipping wars and the vast majority of Whovians (seriously, like 95%) are so good with not spoiling people who don’t want to be spoiled. We know how to pick apart an episode and constructively criticize plots and story arcs while still loving the series, and there’s so much of it that it’s really a never-ending universe of awesome. – Tariq Kyle
What makes me proud be a Whovian is that the show, since the reboot era, isn’t afraid to tackle LGBT characters on a regular basis, and what is more, the fandom has embraced this. They don’t do just a one-off, token show and then never be inclusive again. Characters who are LGBT are folded into ongoing scripts as both minor and major characters whose sexual identity is only one facet of who they are. John Barrowman, who played Captain Jack Harkness, has also spoken out on how Doctor Who doesn’t portray LGBT characters as just types that are all fem or all butch. After Elton described Jack Harkness as, “a gay basher’s worst nightmare: a queer weapon-wielding, ass-kicking superhero gleefully chewing his way through awesome fight scenes.” The same comment could be applied to Vastra and Jenny in the current series. They are complex, kick-ass women/aliens from the Victorian Era who just so happen to be lesbians.– Laura Bryne Cristiano
I’m proud to be a Whovian because Doctor Who is a show about complex stories that aren’t dumbed down so they can be enjoyed by the masses. It celebrates geekdom in a positive, non-apologetic way. Fans of the show range from young to old all around the world, and it brings people together in order to talk intelligently about the series and the discussions it fosters. When you meet another Doctor Who fan, you know you’re talking to someone on your level. – Karen Rought
I’m proud to be a Whovian because Doctor Who has never been afraid to show that heroes don’t have to be sword-wielding, gun-toting action stars. Armed only with a screwdriver, a blue box and a genuine desire to make people and things better (the show suggests we got our name for doctors from the Time lord himself), The Doctor values intelligence, compassion and kindness above fire-power, looks, and status. That the fan base observes his philosophy of “everyone’s important” is a testament to the magic and power of the show. Plus, you won’t ever find another series where farting aliens in zip-up human suits are only an episode away from emotionless, genocidal monsters with Nazi connotations. -Harri Sargeant
From Twitter
@Hypable @WhoHype because it's an amazing show that can have me laughing and then crying all in 1hr of great tv
— Suzanne Barton (@suzyliz78) August 19, 2014
@Hypable @WhoHype Because it teaches us that everyone is important, you don't have to be big to make a difference & that bow ties are cool!
— Stephanie B (@TheKeyOfSteph) August 19, 2014
@jenlam26 Because he has two hearts, and seriously, who couldn't use an extra these days?
— Myra McEntire (@MyraMcEntire) August 20, 2014
@jenlam26 @bethrevis @MyraMcEntire The width of emotions the writers elicit. And because bow ties, scarves, and Allons-y. #DoctorWho
— Nichole Chase (@NicholeChase) August 20, 2014
@jenlam26 Because you never know where in time or space the Doctor will take you next! It's always an adventure w/ heart(s).
— Beth Revis (@bethrevis) August 20, 2014
Why are you a proud Whovian?
Doctor Who returns with “Deep Breath” on August 23, 8 p.m. ET/PT on BBC America.
We want to hear your thoughts on this topic!
Write a comment below or submit an article to Hypable.