You Are Overthinking Bigeneration: A Thematic Analysis
You Are Overthinking Bigeneration:
A Thematic Analysis
I'm fully aware of the irony of writing a whole post about a topic while saying "you are overthinking it" - but I am a chronic over-thinker too. However, I mean "overthinking" as in applying logic to a problem - instead bigeneration should be "overfelt", applying feelings to it.
I see discussion quite a lot here on Reddit saying "Bigeneration doesn't make sense!" or "Why did he do his emotional healing offscreen?" or trying to connect it to some logical framework.
The main theory I see offered is as follows;
- The Dr bigenerates and 14 splits from 15.
- 14 has a whole separate life for a while.
- When 14 dies, he will be re-merged with the Dr and become 15.
The argument for this is that the line;
"I'm fine because you fixed yourself."
... implies 15 is in 14's future. People also argue other lines, or lines from the novelisation also support this. While this still could be true... I have never liked it and there is also counter-evidence - the Rani.
Mrs Flood bigenerated into Mrs Flood and The Rani. The Rani got eaten, and Mrs Flood survived. It is implied at the very least that The Rani as a character lives on in Mrs Flood. Again it still could be true that Mrs Flood will die and become The Rani... but nothing is suggesting that thus far.
It's... logical, but overly so. And I think it misses the core of what bigeneration is on a thematic level.
So... what is it?
The Doctor
"There's no such thing. Bigeneration is supposed to be a myth..."
The whole point is that it is impossible. This whole era is playing with what is real. Gods and magic have been unleashed upon the universe like never seen before, and the impossible is becoming possible.
"You doubled us."
But not just focusing on what is said, lets look at the next scene - the Dr and the Dr are both coordinated. They win a game of catch against the Trickster. But 15 doesn't seem to know what 14 will do, and 15 throws the ball in a way 14 struggles to catch - and earnestly apologises for it.
Following that Donna says;
"You changed your face and then you found me. Do you know why? [...] To come home."
We then see the Dr settled down enjoying a family meal with the Nobles and Mel and he says;
"Funny thing is I fought all those battles for all those years, and now I know what for. This."
He's even given his own TARDIS... which could threaten the settled-down-ness, but Donna says
"You're grounded until the Doctor feel's better."
Which implies he is at least encouraged to heal first before going on any adventures again. He and Rose then sneakily admit they have been on some quick, safe, adventures and Donna says this;
"You don't have to stay forever." "We'll see."
Implying that the Doctor is staying of his own volition, which is probably why the writers gave him a Tardis.
What does this all add up to? A theme.
The thematic story being told is not linear - it's one of the Doctor being split into two parts - each part doing something other cannot. One settles down while the other adventures. Both offer eachother the emotional fulfilment that the other's life cannot.
Because the Doctor acting as the Doctor can never settle down. There is always someone to save. There is always more to do. If he did settle down, then another disaster would occur and he would feel responsible for all their deaths via inaction. Up on UNIT tower they even have that interaction;
15:"We did it." 14:"But how many died down there?" Donna:"That's not your fault." 15:"You can't save everyone." 14:"Why not?" 15:"Come here. I've got you. It's okay, I'm here."
The whole point is that the Doctor always carries that weight. And 15 says;
"I'm fine because you fixed yourself." [...] "We're Timelords, we're doing rehab out of order."
Not only because they are, but because they have to. To try to make it a linear timeline that loops back upon itself misses the point - 14's healing ripples back onto 15 by magic because that is the only way for the Doctor to heal. Because if he ever tried to heal in a linear way, he'd have to forgo saving someone - and that would break him all over again.
So if that is what the Doctor's bigeneration represents, what about The Rani?
The Ranis
Here are some choice quotes;
Rani: "Oh must we? How inelegant."
Mrs Flood: "Oh I'm ever-so-sorry ma'am."
[...]
Rani: "She's become a Rani, while I'm The Rani. The definite article so to speak."
[..]
Mrs Flood: "Do this. Do that. Yes ma'am. No ma'am. Can I cut your toenails ma'am? Snip bloody snip."
We also see a lot of Mrs Flood acting as a servant, almost a faithful dog, to The Rani. Note that The Rani doesn't seem to be able to remember, or hear, Mr's Flood's negative comments about her - but that Mrs Flood's demeanour changes the moment The Rani is born - implying an emotional influence (be that supernatural or not).
I think this reflects two things;
- The Rani is a mythologised figure. Every woman character has had speculation as to "SHE'S THE RANI" since the revival. Even in classic she was domineering. Thus when she returns - she fulfils this role.
- Mrs Flood evidently wasn't that - and thus saw herself as serving the eventual return of The Rani. When she bigenerated - she takes second place but isn't completely happy about it.
Eventually, before Omega eats her, The Rani's lasts words are;
"I think you'll find."
... a hubristic death. The death of a person who thinks far too much of themselves. It is second-place Mrs Flood, who is cunning in her own right, who nicks the teleport bracelet and survives.
The thematic element there is saying; the old Rani could not continue - this character will live on and return, but not in the same form.
It opens new doors for the character to be explored in new ways.
But before I wrap up I need to address the infamous Russel comments.
Russel's Headcannon
I'll leave this video as evidence;
"I think down the timeline they all separate."
This... isn't cannon, meaning depicted in the show. But it presents interesting themes in a different way.
It is clear that this is a change to the universe - and the themes would essentially be that of reversing the traumas of regeneration - allowing infinite possibility.
I think this is a bad idea, and I am glad it was never picked up upon in the main show. Everyone is allowed to have bad ideas - and this is just a fun but bad idea from RTD. Trying to make this make sense is a fool's errand.
My Headcannon
Now for some headcannon. I like to think that 14 became the Curator. He fully eschewed the title of "Doctor" - and began doing something far more sedentary. Perhaps he catalogues and understands the aliens and artefacts for UNIT. This, of course, would be why he kept a TARDIS, so he could meet the Dr in a previous episode...
Similarly - making him become the Valeyard would make sense - if something turned him bitter. But that is for a future writer to write should they be inclined.
But... How Does It Work?
If this question is still lingering I want to use this as a moment to conclude everything I have said.
Bigeneration is impossible and nonsensical. The question can be asked, but the answer must be that it is magic, that it is a blip or a glitch in the universe caused by the gods.
The two forms emotionally influence the other - either in a supernatural way, or just via the fact that each knows the other is out there. Both are considered nebulously the same and different beings - an inherent contradiction in the nature of bigeneration.
But bigeneration always has a theme. Beyond the logic is the theme - a reason why it occurred. A way for it to emotionally make sense even if it is logically contradictory. That is how magic has always worked in storytelling, it does what it does because it must for the story to continue and the themes to be felt.
To be clear, none of this is a vindication of the RTD2 era. But I think bigeneration is fine. It works from a thematic and magical perspective rather than a sci-fi one - and while some people are upset that this era was less sci-fi than other eras - I think the actual failings of this era lie in other issues. But that is an essay for another time.
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