Women Can Be Doctors Too

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Spotlight Pick:

Photo Courtesy of Amazon's Affiliate Program.

Since I last updated this blog, Netflix dropped the third thirteen episode season of its inaugural Marvel Comics series, Daredevil.  Picking up shortly after the end of the first season of Defenders, season 3, based loosely on the graphic novel "Daredevil: Born Again," tells the story of Matt Murdoch trying to recoup from his injuries and put his life back together.

While I'm a little disappointed that Matt utilizes his black costume from season one, rather than his red costume from season two, I'm enjoying the show.  The highlight of the season is seeing Vincent D'Onofrio reprise his role as the villainous Wilson Fisk AKA Kingpin.

On a related note, although the second season of Iron Fist was far better than the first season, Netflix decided to cancel the season after season two.

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Women Can Be Doctors Too:

Photo Courtesy of Amazon's Affiliate Program.

Since 1963, the Doctor has traveled through time and space rescuing people from the forces of evil.  Being a Time Lord is dangerous work, which has resulted in the Doctor's death more than once.  Fortunately, every time the Doctor dies he regenerates into an all new person. The 13th incarnation (not counting John Hurt as the War Doctor) of the doctor happens to be a women played by Jodie Whittaker.

There was speculation for almost a year about how audiences would receive the a female Doctor.  So far fans have welcomed the lady doctor with open arms.  While I'm sure that the liberal attitudes towards sexualilty in England helped, I don't think it was the only factor.  Over the last two decades audiences have been softened up to the idea of gender transformation.

In 2004, the Sci-Fi Channel aired a revamped version of Battlestar Galactica.  In that show the characters Starbuck and Boomer were changed from men into women without loosing their heroic toughness.  It took some getting used to, but after the first season viewers accepted the cigar chomping fighter pilots as favorite characters in their own right.

Outside the sci-fi realm, the CBS show Elementary reimagined the characters Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as modern day characters in New York.  The show cast Lucy Liu to play Dr. Watson was an Asian women.  While this was an obvious departure from the classic Doyle character, it worked. The character was still a smart courageous side-kick for Sherlock Holmes.

Over in the world of comics, Thor's hammer was wielded by a women for over a year.  After the initial grumbling died down, the comic sold as well as it always had.

After watching four episodes of Doctor Who, I feel safe in saying Jodie Whittaker has captured the spirit of the doctor.  We are still transported through time and space and treated to exciting adventures fraught with danger.  The Doctor still uses her wits and courage to save the day.

Perhaps viewers have embraced the idea that one's character isn't solely defined by their gender.  If so, there may be hope for society to apply this noble truth to life outside of fiction.  Wouldn't that be nice?