Gender and the Quest in British Science Fiction Television: An Analysis of Doctor Who, Blake’s 7, Red Dwarf and Torchwood

This title is printed to order. This book may have been self-published. If so, we cannot guarantee the quality of the content. In the main most books will have gone through the editing process however some may not. We therefore suggest that you be aware of this before ordering this book. If in doubt check either the author or publisher’s details as we are unable to accept any returns unless they are faulty. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Doctor Who, Blake’s 7, Red Dwarf, and Torchwood represent a significant cross section of BBC science-fiction television. With such respective characters as the Doctor, an enigmatic time-traveling alien; Roj Blake, a problematic rebel leader; Dave Lister, a slovenly last surviving human; and Captain Jack Harkness, a complicated immortal omnisexual, these shows have equally reinforced and challenged viewer expectations for a masculine leading hero. Accordingly, this work explores the construction of gendered heroic identity from both production and fan perspectives by applying a variety of critical lens (media, fan culture, and queer theory). In addition, fan fiction, criticism, and videos that celebrate and resist BBC SF television heroes and villains are considered. As a result, the synergistic and antagonistic tension occurring between these four series’ producers/writers/actors and their fans is articulated for a finer understanding of their paradoxical relationship.