Things I've Learnt from Watching My Favourite Doctor Who Stories: Part 19 - Rosa

19: Rosa

You can't change the past but you can learn from it!

Chris Chibnall is definitely channelling the David Whittaker style of historicals in series 11, with both this and Rosa taking the stance that you can't change history, not one line! For Jodie's first historical, we go back to 1955 and a landmark historical event - Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat on the bus for a white man. It's very much in the remit of the original series to educate as well as to entertain. If this is what being "woke" is all about, then bring it on! 

I have a confession to make, in that I was well into adulthood before I had even heard of Rosa Parks (and likewise Mary Seacole!) I'm pleased to say that in my work I cannot go into primary schools now without seeing books, posters and even school houses named after her. So it's not surprising that Chris Chibnall chose her story to be turned into an episode. It's inspirational; one woman raging against the system, the injustice, the persecution. If they'd cast a woman as the Doctor from the very beginning back in 1963, Rosa Parks would have certainly been an inspiration. 

Former Children's Laureate Malorie Blackman became the first woman of colour to write for the series and her script carefully balances plot and political comment, so you don't feel preached at all. In a time when the show has come under fire for being "woke" and "badly written", I do wonder if any of those making those criticisms have actually watched this episode? Particularly as the events of the episode are very faithful to actual events, including dialogue spoken between Rosa and the bus driver, James Blake.*

And it is an episode that I believe needs to be seen. Events over the last seven years have shown the world has become extremely divisive in terms of what is right and wrong, and how we view ourselves as individuals and as nations. The Brexit vote for some, with the mantra "Taking back control" was a vote for a less varied and multi cultural society. 68 years after the events in Montgomery, Alabama we have had in the news this week that a Conservative MP has been sacked after telling an activist to "go back to Bahrain" 

Meanwhile during the production of this episode, the USA had a president who failed to disguise his racist tendencies (and a lot of other failures too!) The scene where Ryan goes to pick up the lady's glove and is hit by her husband shows this episode is not going to sugarcoat the story, it's not going to hold back on what segregated life in the Southern states of America was really like, because we still need to learn this is not the way! As the Doctor says at the end "It's a struggle, but they keep fighting." And sadly the fight goes on... 

Enough of the politics, this episode is exceptionally well done. The Filming in South Africa looks remarkably authentic with it's American style streets and diners, we could be watching Happy Days or Grease. But underneath the veneer of that happy 50s style we get the scene in the bar where the Doctor and fam are told by the waitress they don't serve "negroes" or Ryan getting slapped for picking up a lady's glove. These scenes are uncomfortable to watch, but deliberately so. 

Vinette Robinson is brilliant as Rosa Parks, probably the joint best guest turn in series 11, along with Alan Cummings as King James in the Witchfinders. But while Cummings is a very showy camp performance, Robinson is contained and understated as Rosa, allowing her impeccable manners and strength come to the fore.. 

Joshua Bowman is suitably nasty as Krasko, looking like one of the T-Birds from Grease but with a British accent to show he is nasty! The scene where he almost strangles the Doctor is a little troubling, if you're squeamish like I am about violence against women, even when she's the Doctor and even if he has a neural restrictor (or limiter as they known in Blake's 7!) in his brain to stop killing anyone. 

The episode works well at giving the fam plenty to do. The conversation with Ryan and Yaz behind the motel is unshowy but perfectly performed and written, again the shock of hearing Yaz use the P word on British TV is undeniable but we know there are those out there that still use that word as a pejorative term. The final scene where the fam are reduced to bystanders and cannot change anything is heartbreaking; just look at Bradley Walsh's expression when Graham realises he cannot move out of his seat. Bradley's such a good actor and when he was announced as joining the show, I knew he would be good. I didn't know he'd be that good. 

If you think Rosa turned Doctor Who woke, you've really not been paying attention for the last 59 years, 11 months and 14 days. It's attention to detail in character and history doesn't come at the expense of plot and maintains Doctor Who's finest tradition of thrilling us and making us think! 

Next time: You can't change the past but you can learn from it! (Part 2) 

* Source: https://www.blogtorwho.com/rosa-vs-reality-did-doctor-who-get-it-right/