Dr Prior losing the battle
- Publication: News Letter
- Date: 1983-12-09
- Author:
- Page: 7
- Language: English
SIR-While watching the recent "Dr Who" extravaganza on TV I was. struck by the many resemblances which the programme-bears to that other long-running fantasy "Secretary of State for Northern Ireland".
In each the central character, though he goes through a succession of physical changes, remains the same person; despite his arrogance he a confused woebegone figure with no real grip on the situation.
No matter how much time passes the Doctor/Secretary is repeatedly called upon to confront a bewildering array of grotesque monsters who are intent on the domination or extermination of his innocent companions (the ordinary people of Ulster). The differences in plot between the two series are as interesting as the characters are similar. Whereas the Doctor always tries to protect his friends, in recent episodes The Secretary has locked himself in his Castle/Tardis leaving his companions to face fend for themselves as they ever more brutal assaults from the monsters. The Secretary now believes that if only his companions will agree among themselves the monsters will go away without his having to do anything.
Many people are very unhappy about the performance of the present incumbent. He was never happy in the role, which should never have been given to him in the first place, and the general feeling is that he should immediately make way for someone much tougher with greater credibility, or face the prospect of being written out of the script entirely. Yours, &C.
DISGRUNTLED VIEWER
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- APA 6th ed.: (1983-12-09). Dr Prior losing the battle. News Letter p. 7.
- MLA 7th ed.: "Dr Prior losing the battle." News Letter [add city] 1983-12-09, 7. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: "Dr Prior losing the battle." News Letter, edition, sec., 1983-12-09
- Turabian: "Dr Prior losing the battle." News Letter, 1983-12-09, section, 7 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Dr Prior losing the battle | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Dr_Prior_losing_the_battle | work=News Letter | pages=7 | date=1983-12-09 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=5 December 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Dr Prior losing the battle | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Dr_Prior_losing_the_battle | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=5 December 2025}}</ref>
