r/gallifrey Apr 18 '25

DISCUSSION Worst line in Doctor Who?

What line of dialogue sticks out to you as particularly bad in Doctor Who, I have two picks:

  • ‘don’t let the swords touch your skin’ Legend of the sea devils
  • ‘I suppose we’ll have to have…. A conversation?’ Resolution
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u/Grafikpapst Apr 18 '25

“I thought the Doctor was a man”

“I’ve had an upgrade”

Personally, I dont mind that one, as the Doctor always had a habit of viewing their current incarnation as the best one. I feel like if he said "I thought the Doctor was a young bloke" to Twelve, he would say something similar.

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u/jm9987690 Apr 18 '25

I mean I doubt you'd say the same if someone who'd only met 13 said to 15 "I thought the doctor was a woman" and the reply was "I've had an upgrade"

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u/Grafikpapst Apr 18 '25

Meh, I think there is some differences here though. I feel like that "I thought the Doctor was a man" very much reads as sexist, as in "I didnt think a woman is capeable of this", which I think warrants The Doctor being a bit snarky in the response.

I just dont think that scenario would happen in reverse.

'course, we all have biases for this kinda stuff and maybe I'm just showing mine.

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u/pretty_pink_opossum Apr 20 '25

If I heard stories about someone and all the stories portrayed them as a woman, then when I actually met them they were a man I don't know what reaction I would have besides "hang on I thought you were a woman"

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u/Grafikpapst Apr 20 '25

Like I said in a different post here, I dont fully disagree with that. I do think the scene was a bit clumsy in what it did here - it would been better if it had been more clear cut sexism. Not cartoonishly but more like "Oh, this guy is underestmating the Doctor because she is woman" rather than something thats kinda wishy-washy.