I would highly recommend this series as it is awesome!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Doctor Who
So ever since I've started this class, I keep looking for examples of Faustian characters in day to day life. My friends and I really like this show Doctor Who, which is about a time traveling humanoid (known as a Time Lord) who maintains balance in the universe. As a whole, the show does not seem to relate to Faust themes but one episode entitled The Family of Blood Part 2 really struck me as Faustian. The Doctor is not a human, he is an alien but in this episode he becomes human and falls in love. (By the way I'm going to spoil the end of the episode, just a heads up). However, at the end of the episode he turns back into a Time Lord. As the Time Lord, The Doctor travels the universe, seeking adventure, and solving conflicts. He cannot remain in one place- or tarry- because it is his duty to protect the universe and he loves exploring. At the end of this episode the woman begs him to stay with her and part of The Doctor wants too. However, his desire for adventure and knowledge is too great and he ultimately rejects her and becomes a Time Lord once more. This reminded me of Goethe's Faust, who wants to live with Margarete and marry her but is too tempted by the acquisition of knowledge and thus will not tarry.
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My family and I are watch Dr. Who all the time when I am at home. I did not see this episode though, it seems really interesting. However, Faust in Goethe's Faust wanted to rescue Margarete from Prison. Where as Dr. Who is emotionally honest with himself enough to know that what he really craves is adventure.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure if Faust was consciously aware of this. But you are right, I never realized how Faustian Dr. Who was.
I WORSHIP DOCTOR WHO!!!!
ReplyDeleteA couple thoughts:
ReplyDelete-I think that the biggest deal the Doctor made was in the Last Great Time War. He had to give up everything to end the war and as a result he now has to be the ONLY (kinda) Time Lord aka he has to continually strive and never tarry. Protecting the Earth/ Universe is a big job.
-I agree that this episode is very Faustian but I don't think that the Doctor craves adventure. I think he knows he doesn't have a choice.
-ALSO the Doctor is not every emotionally honest with himself. He lets everything build up until it is too much. He also ignores his feelings when it comes to his relationships, case and point: Rose Tyler. It took him just a little too long to tell her how he felt.
Ok, so I could legit talk about this for 100 pages, so I'm going to end there.
Anyhow... now every time I watch Doctor Who I will be looking.
"All of time and space; everywhere and anywhere; every star that ever was. Where do you want to start?"- The Doctor