Being Human - Series 3 Theme (Maybe Spoilers)

[Paul Monk]

Dave Lewis pointed this out in a thread a while ago now and I thought it worthwhile creating its own thread.
So far with what we know of series 3 there seems to be a bit of a common theme running through. Many of the episodes seem to be exploring what it means to be human or some aspect of humanity.
Not too sure about where Smith and Jones fits into this.
The Shakespeare Code explores the human imagination and the power of words.
Gridlock I'm not entirely sure of.
Daleks In Manhatton/Evolution of the Daleks explores the notion of the daleks becoming human to survive.
And the Lazarus Experiment challenges the notion of what being human is.
As for the future we know Paul Cornell's episodes deal with the Doctor actually becoming human.

So is this theme intentional or just a coincidence? Could you argue that all Dr Who has this theme?
Or am I just seeing patterns in things that just aren't there?

What do we think?

[SiHart]

Gridlock could be about the adaptability and survival instinct in humans, who will cope with whatever situation befalls them and find a way to make it work. Maybe.

Si xx

[Dirk Gently]

I'd hazard a guess that 'what is it to be human' or words to that effect was part of th brief that R.T.D gave to the writers. I agree with your comments on the episodes that you do comment on so I'll tackle the one you're not sure on.

Smith & Jones. First & fore most this was an introduction story but there was some thing to be said about the force that made the hospital staff bow to the superior might of the 'invaders' but also the survival instinct of both the humans & Florence Finnegan (Plasmavore). I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel aren't I?

Gridlock. The Human nature part of that episode is that people as a group will usually follow the the heard. They were stuck in a traffic jam but because that was what they expected to be, no one questioned it because that's what people do.

Yes/No?

[Pip Madeley]

I think it's all leading to episodes 8 and 9, personally...

[Milky Tears]

It was all mentioned months ago in the pre-series publicity stuff, wasn't it. Or was that only in the spoilers? I'm confused!?

Pip Madeley I think it's all leading to episodes 8 and 9, personally...

and probably episodes 12-13 as well... just before Tennant buggers off.

[Lord President]

Being Human? I must give that a try sometime!

[Dirk Gently]

And of course the Doctor is half Human anyway.

[Jon Masters]

I would say its been a major theme of all of the New Series - RTD seems very keen to big up the human race, and being human, as being for the most part something laudible and to be admired. That hasn't stopped him picking up some of our negatives (like Adam's greed or Magpie's cowardice or Cassandra's vanity) as well though. I just hope we never get to the Star Trek syndrome where humans are always right and always best, and all those aliens would be wise to bask in our glory and wisdom

[Dave Lewis]

Dave Lewis pointed this out in a thread a while ago now...

Did I?

... and I thought it worthwhile creating its own thread.
So far with what we know of series 3 there seems to be a bit of a common theme running through. Many of the episodes seem to be exploring what it means to be human or some aspect of humanity.
Not too sure about where Smith and Jones fits into this.
The Shakespeare Code explores the human imagination and the power of words.
Gridlock I'm not entirely sure of.
Daleks In Manhatton/Evolution of the Daleks explores the notion of the daleks becoming human to survive.
And the Lazarus Experiment challenges the notion of what being human is.
As for the future we know Paul Cornell's episodes deal with the Doctor actually becoming human.

So is this theme intentional or just a coincidence? Could you argue that all Dr Who has this theme?
Or am I just seeing patterns in things that just aren't there?

What do we think?

I think that I agree with myself.

[Martin Penny]

The Human stuff is definately a big theme this series.
I was thinking the other day that Names and meanings was quite important this series too, after the talk of naming and such in the second episode. And we've had characters like Solomon and Lazarus whose names relate to biblical characters.

[Paul Monk]

Did I?

Yes but I couldn't remember where. I could have imagined it I suppose!

And Tim we're all ignoring your post on purpose.

[Dirk Gently]

Both of them? Hmmmm, it's confirms what I've thought for some years.

[Milky Tears]

I'm still waiting for Tim to post in this thread.

[Paul Monk]

Tim who?