William Hartnell’s Doctor was, so the histories state, an irascible man.
As a kid in 1981 discovering Doctor Who’s back catalogue on the science fiction shelf of Bury St Edmunds’ WHSmith, I wondered what Hartnell’s Doctor was like. I only had Target’s Programme Guide and a handful of novelisations to paint a picture. It wasn’t until the 20th anniversary story I got a glimpse.
There’s a famous quote from the first ever Doctor – William Hartnell’s Doctor. It’s a rare moment in our history when the first, possibly miscast lead, comes across as utterly adorable and painfully vulnerable. The purple, sentimental monologue is actually the Doctor saying goodbye to his first ‘companion’ – Susan.
Today, makes for uncomfortable listening, but It’s inclusion in the 20th anniversary story was a touching tribute to a man who had died 8 years before. The man who began the story. The man who couldn’t be present. It was arresting television. Chosen by a fan for the fans.
Just like many of Hartnell’s generation (and far too many of the generation that followed his), he chose to have the ‘difficult goodbye’ a step removed – the historical equivalent of dumping someone by text, or managing poor performance by email. Hartnell’s Doctor conducts his conversation via a video link. Shame on him. He couldn’t even look Susan in the eye. The Doctor trapped her outside the TARDIS, and then flicked the switch. Coward.
I always preferred Peter Davison’s swansong – a bittersweet journey towards his inevitable regeneration featuring a teary goodbye, and a subsequent new friend.
Davison was ‘my’ Doctor. Heroic, vulnerable, daring, loyal. Quite possibly even cute.
. That’s because she was strong. He felt the loss of her. We all did. We wanted her to stay – to work it out with the Doctor. Yes there had been a lot of killing, but there are people you can speak to about that Tegan. There’s bound to be a room somewhere in the TARDIS you can go to sort things out. Couldn’t you just stay Tegan? Stay. Stick with it. Don’t abandon the Doctor.
And when Davison’s Doctor stumbled on the adorable Peri, we all took a moment to draw breath. We stared at the screen slightly bemused. What was she getting into? Hadn’t she seen the news bulletins? Hadn’t she subscribed to Doctor Who Monthly? Didn’t she know that Peter Davison was leaving? Why was she getting involved at this late stage?
Lines get blurred in Who. They always have. They do even now, thirty years later. That’s why it works even now. When a Doctor leaves there’s a bittersweet tinge.
I’m leaving the 主播大秀 today. I never imagined I’d ever say that, never believed I’d ever be able to write that and not be affected by it.
That’s what the 主播大秀 does, you see. For those who work here, its somewhere we’ve always wanted to work. When we work here we’re fiercely proud to be a part of it. Leaving is then, or presents itself as such, a difficult process.
Working at the 主播大秀 is personal. It’s a bit like love. Indescribable. You invest in it. And it’s because you invest in it, that the prospect of leaving it feels a little like abandoning a trusted friend.
In the grand scheme of things – me in amongst the entire 主播大秀 workforce and definitely in the wider media landscape – I am a nobody. I’m just lucky enough to be responsible for a platform and publication. So forgive this moment of self-indulgence.
I’ve been lucky to come into contact with some quite remarkable people during my time at the 主播大秀. Through their skill and experience, I’ve developed. Some have shared some valuable insights, others have encouraged and empowered me. I’ve seen colleagues close and far off develop too over the time I’ve been here. The 主播大秀’s working environment help makes that a reality for people.
If you’re thinking of working here, then you must. It is an incredible organisation that almost certainly needs people like you.
All that said, goodbyes remain difficult. The last day is the worst.
Which is why, not unlike William Hartnell’s Doctor, I’ve chosen to shut the doors and communicate my goodbye with the exquisite distance digital communication offers.
You’d expect nothing less from a blog editor, I’m sure.
Jon Jacob is Editor, About the 主播大秀 Blog