Changing of the Doctor: What Goes Into A Regeneration

 

If you poll a group of Doctor Who fans who their first Doctor was, you'll probably get a good variety in the results. Since the show's inception in 1963, there have been thirteen incarnations of the Doctor. The recasting of the Doctor is done in-show through regeneration, an ability Time Lords possess where their entire person goes through a metamorphosis that changes them physically and mentally, usually triggered when they're near death. This allows each actor who has portrayed the Doctor to put their own spin on the character, and has helped the show retain the same continuity for nearly sixty years.
When I first decided to watch Doctor Who, it was David Tennant's Tenth Doctor that got me hooked. After his three seasons as the Time Lord, I was really hesitant to continue the show without him. I did give Matt Smith's Eleventh Doctor a chance, and I was still having a good time. I had similar reservations when it came to Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor, and while it took a little longer, he won me over as well. As such, Capaldi was still the Doctor when I was finally caught up and watching new episodes as they aired, including his farewell and regeneration into Jodie Whittaker's Thirteenth Doctor. And as for Whitaker, I loved her from the start as she brought back the young energy that was present in Tenant and Smith's seasons.
So where am I going with all this? Well, between the recent holiday marathon on BBC and rewatching some episodes on HBO Max, I started to think more about the Doctor's regenerations. Along with outside factors and the implications of subconscious input from the Doctor while preparing for his next form, I thought back to where each of my Doctors were at the moment of regeneration and how it influenced the next incarnation.
So for this post, I'll be examining the progression of the Doctor's character and the transitions of Ten to Eleven, Eleven to Twelve, and Twelve to Thirteen.

TEN TO ELEVEN

"I don't want to go." That line has more connotations to the Eleventh Doctor than you may think.
There's no doubt that there are many similarities between the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors. Young guys with brown hair, fun personalities but knowing when to get serious, and both have some of my favorite epic and emotional moments of the show. It's probably why I always struggle with which one is my favorite. I know deep down it's Tennant, but Smith just knows how to but his way into my heart.
Ten's reluctance to regenerate most likely resulted in Eleven having such similarities, which made the change less overwhelming compared to other metamorphoses we've seen the Doctor go through. But I see that unwillingness to let go carrying over to the Eleventh Doctor, particularly when it came to his companions. As River Song put it, he doesn't like endings. While Ten had various companions and was dismayed when they departed, he seemed to bury the pain deep as he moved on to the next adventure. For two and a half seasons, the Eleventh Doctor travelled with Amy Pond and Rory Williams. While the couple had their own lives to live, the Doctor saw them as his family and wanted to be with them for as long as he could. So when he lost them in "The Angels Take Manhattan", it left the Doctor devastated, so much so that he briefly gave up travelling until coming across Clara Oswald and the Impossible Girl mystery.
This also plays into another difference between Ten and Eleven. While Ten had a more youthful personality and exuberated coolness, Eleven was more of an old man trapped in a young man's body trying harder to be cool and accepted by his companions. It certainly explains the suspenders and bow tie, even though he pulls them off beautifully (and of course bow ties are cool). Despite the thrill of travelling through time and space and constantly facing universal threats, the old soul of the Eleventh Doctor may have sought some stability, and he found that in Rory and Amy for quite some time.
In summation, the Eleventh Doctor came about out of a reluctance of change and fought it throughout his tenure as best he could, which culminated in his next regeneration.

ELEVEN TO TWELVE

Believing himself to be on his last incarnation and recent events having him revisit and coming to terms with his past, the Doctor was prepared to meet his end. But after being granted a new cycle of regenerations, the Doctor had come full circle as he prepared for his next change. Whereas Ten didn't want to go, Eleven bid farewell with full acceptance of what was coming. And his regeneration scene, from the Long Song instrumental in the background to the Doctor imagining Amy being there, is the one that always makes me tear up no matter how many times I watch it.
So gone were the youthful Doctors of Tennant and Smith as we welcomed the older Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor. This plays into the acceptance of Eleven's regeneration as he now looked as old as he felt; as Madame Vastra put it, the veil had lifted. The idea of acceptance also applied to his companion at the time, Clara Oswald. While Clara had known the Eleventh Doctor first and had encountered all the previous Doctors in a way due to some timey-wimey reasons, it took time for her to adjust to the new one. I myself took some time to get used to Capaldi's Doctor as during his first season, I found his bluntness, while funny at times, to be a little off putting; honestly, he could be kind of a dick. He got better in his subsequent seasons, which I attribute to Clara helping him form his moral compass. In any case, Capaldi had some great moments as the Doctor and I was sad to see him go in the end.
Upon rewatching his first season recently though, I understood better what they were going for when the Twelfth Doctor debuted. From facing his past and being granted a new regeneration cycle, it was almost like a hard reset. You could say it's an inverse of Eleven, being a young man in an old man's body (and you can see that in some of the activities Twelve enjoys). The Doctor was acting like he did when he first came to Earth in his original incarnation, and had to relearn how to be a part of humanity again. It almost seemed fitting then in Capaldi's final episode, "Twice Upon A Christmas" that his Twelfth Doctor encountered the First Doctor, which I believe played a factor in the next regeneration.

TWELVE TO THIRTEEN

On the cusp of his next regeneration, the Twelfth Doctor had had enough of all the losses he had suffered, his past selves included, and was willing to succumb to his injuries rather than change again and go on. But after facing his past self (the First Doctor approaching his first regeneration) and the memories of his past companions, he decides to give it one go around. Enter Jodie Whittaker's Thirteenth Doctor.
So how did we get from old Scotsman to a young woman? I think it comes down to two central themes. The first is open mindedness. Part of it has to do with his interactions with both his past self and his last companion, Bill Potts, in his final episode. I mean, we have an old man from the 60's with, shall we say, "old fashioned values" and a young gay woman from the 21st century. Twelve is visibly embarrassed by his former self's "not very PC" comments, especially in front of Bill. The change could be seen as the Doctor hoping to make amends for any past behavior that could be viewed as offensive.
But there's also the change in personality as well. Like Tennant and Smith, Whittaker brings back some youthful energy as the Doctor and is much more approachable than her predecessor, leading to a large travel entourage in Yaz, Graham, and Ryan as her tenure began. That brings us to the second theme: hope. As times got dark for Twelve, he wanted something better for his next incarnation and to be a symbol for good that the universe needed. This results in Thirteen's shining personality, positive nature, and her resilient chipper attitude which has all gotten her through some pretty touch scrapes so far.

While it's easy to see each Doctor as their own character, there's definitely progression from each regeneration to the next with a fundamental road map to the changes that occur. It'll be interesting to see where the Thirteenth Doctor goes and what events will influence the Fourteenth when the time comes. But no matter the face or personality, there is one constant: the Doctor is a wise, caring person who will always look for fun and stand up for what's right.

Retro Review: "Batman: Ego"

 

I'm very much looking forward to next year's "The Batman" film directed by Matt Reeves of Cloverfield and Planet of the Apes fame. Based on the first trailer, it'll feel like Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy with a new flare. And I really have faith Robert Pattinson will pull it off as the Caped Crusader and feel some people really need to let go of the Twilight hate, separate the actor from Edward, and give him a chance. 
The new film will be set during Bruce Wayne's second year as Batman. In addition to newer material like Scott Snyder's "Zero Year" and Geoff Johns' "Earth One" series, inspiration for the film will be taken from classic Batman stories "Year One" and "The Long Halloween", much like the Nolan series. But there's one story Matt Reeves is drawing from that may have been overlooked by fans compared to other well known Batman tales.
"Batman: Ego" was a one-shot graphic novel released in 2000 written and drawn by the late Darwyn Cooke. With this story playing a part of what will be the next cinematic version of Batman, I decided to give it a look. And boy we are in for something quite different next year.

The story takes place from what I surmise to be around Bruce's fourth year as Batman. After capturing the Joker again, a physically and mentally exhausted Batman is on the hunt for one left over Joker thug he had previously interrogated, Buster Snibbs, while wondering if his crusade against crime is making any real difference. Batman catches up to Buster, who is fearful of the Joker inevitably escaping yet again and coming after him and his family for his betrayal. Not wanting to face the clown's wrath, Buster reveals he had already killed his family before taking his own life in front of Batman. Bruce is shaken by the act as he returns back to the Batcave and contemplates giving up the cowl. It's at this point Bruce's mind splits and he finds himself speaking to a monstrous form of Batman, as the two spend the rest of the book discussing the creation and ramifications of Batman and what the best possible path ahead should be.

And that's all I'm saying about the plot without delving too far into spoilers. "Batman: Ego" is a deep dive into Bruce Wayne's psyche done in a very creative way as he questions the pledge he made on his parents' graves. Such a concept will be new territory in terms of Batman movies when the 2022 film comes out. Sure we've seen Michael Keaton's Batman brooding and Christian Bale's Batman mourning over Rachel's death while being shaken by Joker's actions. But any insight into Keaton's Batman is subtle since much focus went to his villains and Bale's Batman was active for only a short time before his eight year retirement. When we meet Robert Pattinson's Batman, he'll already be a seasoned vigilante and the events of the film are sure to put him through the wringer. You know that one scene in the trailer where we see Pattinson's Bruce removing his mask in the Batcave and looking so defeated, hair disheveled and the eye make-up still on?

People have made the emo jokes over it, but after reading "Ego", I see more clearly where the film is going and how vulnerable Bruce may be feeling in this moment.

The writing is no doubt good, but the art is where the story really comes to life. Darwyn Cooke was regarded as one of the best artists in the comic industry, and "Ego" is no exception. Not only are Bruce's conversations with his Batman persona (whose design is simple yet unsettling) done in a dynamic way, but the scenes in the city and flashbacks give the story a very timeless quality. It reminds me a lot of "Batman: The Animated Series", which actually makes sense after finding out Cooke worked on storyboards for that and other shows set in the DC Animated Universe.

For Batman fans, "Ego" truly is recommended reading and I'm sorry I overlooked it for so long. Hopefully this story is a harbinger of the kind greatness we can expect from "Battinson".

My Top 10 Favorite Nickelback Songs

 

Considering what a crapstorm 2020 was, I feel it's best to start off the new year with a little positivity. So let's talk about Nickelback.
That little joke aside, I never got the hate for Nickelback. They're far from my favorite band, but they're hardly the worst. When it comes to music in the 2000's, you couldn't listen to the radio or watch MTV or VH1 during their music video blocks without the band popping up. And from what I could remember, I and a lot of people enjoyed them (their chart performance and awards being the proof in the pudding). The significant wave of negativity towards them didn't really seem to come until the following decade, hating them just becoming the popular thing to do. It's like people who make "Aquaman sucks" jokes but know next to nothing about the character.
The main criticism is that their music is too formulaic. While there's some basis for that claim, you could arguably say the same about almost every band. Some artists just tend to create music they and their fans enjoy without straying too far from the norm, and there's nothing necessarily wrong with that. Ironically, the jokes people make over the band have gotten as repetitive as the music they criticize.
Look, if you don't like Nickelback, it's fine; you're entitled to your opinion. But the idea that they're the worst band ever is pure hyperbole. So I feel the need to talk about the songs that stand out with a good sound and lyrics with substance. These are my top 10 favorite Nickelback songs.

10. FEED THE MACHINE

I admittedly didn't follow Nickelback as much after their 2011 album "Here and Now", but when "Feed the Machine" came out in 2017, this song really lit up on my radar. I just never thought of Nickelback doing a political/revolutionary type of song, but here we are. And considering my love for stories like "Code Geass" and "V for Vendetta", I'm a sucker for songs like this. The only reason it's on the bottom of the list is how recent it is compared to the rest of the entries.
The heavy sound can really get you riled up while the lyrics do a good job of conveying the oppressive idea of society only working right if everyone does the job they're assigned without question. The way 2020 played out, I feel the themes of this song hit even harder than it did back in 2017. As Donald Trump's presidency was partial inspiration for the song, it seems poetic that this song came out when he first took office and I decided to do this list as he's on his way out.

9. PHOTOGRAPH

Man, there was no escape from this song when it came out. I mean, it is quite catchy with a good mix of acoustic and electric guitar, also being easy to sing along to. While this is more of a personal song for the band about looking back at their hometown lives and how things have changed since they became famous, the themes "Photograph" represents can be relatable to anyone. We can look back with fondness at both good and bad times in our lives as they make us who we are today, but it's important to not dwell on them and keep moving forward. Whatever it may invoke in you, "Photograph" should make you feel something.

8. FEELIN' WAY TOO DAMN GOOD

It's not one of their biggest hits, but "Feelin' Way Too Damn Good" has always spoke to me. In my younger days, I connected with it as a long-distance relationship song. And while that sentiment remains, listening to it again recently has me getting a "expectations vs. reality" vibe. I think we all have those moments where things are going so well in our lives, like a relationship as it applies to this song, but are cautious of something coming in to ruin it. Feelings like that can be self-sabotage in a way. In either case, "Feelin' Way Too Damn Good" is an underrated song that deserves a listen.
 

7. NEVER AGAIN

This is probably the Nickelback song with the darkest subject matter, detailing an abusive relationship that has reached its breaking point. The first two thirds of the song go into the worst it has ever been, touching on things like how it must be "her fault", worry from others, and covering it up at the hospital. It really takes a turn in the last third when it's time to go on the defensive and I just love the following stanza:

"Father's a name you haven't earned yet 

You're just a child with a temper

Haven't you heard don't hit a lady?

Kicking your ass would be a pleasure"

Following that, the next stanza is a parallel to how the song begins, only this time the woman is prepared, gun in hand, putting him down before he has the chance to do anything. To me, it really invokes a feeling of satisfaction and liberation.
Overall, the music and lyric composition of "Never Again" do well crafting the story it tells and shows Nickelback can deal with such a serious topic.

6. IF TODAY WAS YOUR LAST DAY

It seems like almost every Nickelback album has that one song that's motivational, uplifting, or a call for unity. While songs like "If Everyone Cared" and "When We Stand Together" are more about world peace, "If Today Was Your Last Day" is about inner peace. These days, that concept seems more probable to attain than the others. The message of the song still rings true and much like "Feed the Machine", it should hit a lot harder the way 2020 went. Tomorrow's not a guarantee for you or those you care about, so make peace with your past, do right by others, and take those risks that could lead to something grand.

5. BURN IT TO THE GROUND

Out of Nickelback's partying/drinking songs, "Burn it to the Ground" is the best in this regard. It's a real headbanger with energy from start to finish as the lyrics describe a night of debauchery. What I really like in the last third of the song is how Chad Kroeger's vocals start to calm down, signaling the good times are about over, only for him to get his second wind and close out the song even stronger than when it started. What also helps put this song high on the list for me is how much exposure it got, like being used as the theme song for WWE Raw for a time and included in "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen"; and say what you will about that movie, but it had a damn good soundtrack.

4. GOTTA BE SOMEBODY

If there was an anthem for the hopeless romantics who believe in soul mates, "Gotta Be Somebody" is definitely a front runner. While it's definitely as "pop rock" as Nickelback can get, the song does well in describing the search for the ideal relationship, going so far as to compare it something out of a movie. And I really just like the song's hopeful message, urging those who have yet to find someone to grow old with not to give up.

3. ROCKSTAR

If you claim you weren't singing along to "Rockstar" (especially in a group) when it came out and was hitting its pique popularity, you might be lying. I mean, who hasn't in some point in their lives want to be a famous rockstar? Imagine my surprise while making this list when I found out that despite this song's popularity, it received a lot of negative reviews. Some people just really need to lighten up. It's a catchy and fun song about the perks of living the sweet life, slightly touching on its' dark side, with vocal cameos from Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top as the cherry on top.

2. SAVIN' ME

I unashamedly have this one in my emo playlist. The contents and the title itself are essentially a cry for help, seeking reassurance that their life has merit. Just for a few examples, "Savin' Me" can apply to dealing with mental illness or to find salvation from a self-destructive life style. Along with the message, I love the overall composition of the song, from the acoustic guitar in the beginning, the piano at the end, and the echo of the back-up vocals, signifying a distant call to anyone who will listen. It's definitely worth a listen.

And my favorite Nickelback song is...

HOW YOU REMIND ME

The song that first shot the band to super stardom. Even if you don't like Nickelback, how can you not be singing and/or headbanging along to this rocking classic? The guitar notes and drum beats alone make "How You Remind Me" iconic and easily identifiable. And as the song draws inspiration from a past dysfunctional relationship of Kroeger's, the song paints the ups and downs and struggle to let it go. It all builds to a finish that is climactic in sound and bittersweet in lyrics, coupled with Kroeger's explosive vocals during the final chorus. Will you be having fun listening to this one? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

And that's my top ten favorite Nickelback songs. If my selections and reasonings have given anyone any inklings to give the band a second chance, I'll consider that a win. Happy New Year and stay positive!