BBC Cuts Doctor Who Beheading

[Karloff]

BBC Cuts Doctor Who Beheading


Recent events persuaded the BBC that an on-air beheading was a bad idea.

The Doctor Who fans out there know that on Saturday Capaldi [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/moviesandtv/tvrecaps/doctorwho/12151-Doctor-Who-Review-Season-8-Episode-1-Deep-Breath]'s Doctor is about to come face to face with a very familiar folk hero. However the BBC has decided to truncate the episode, removing a beheading scene "in light of recent news events."

The recent deaths of James Foley and Steven Sotloff prompted the BBC to make this change. Sotloff's murder by Islamic militants was confirmed in a video release this week. Sotloff was murdered despite pleas from his mother to spare his life. The killers have said they will murder another hostage, this time a Briton, if US air strikes in Iraq aren't stopped.

The edited portion is believed to involve a fight scene between the Sheriff of Nottingham and Robin Hood. The episode was filmed months ago, in February; unfortunate coincidence led to this change.

"In light of recent news events, we have made an edit to episode three out of respect," says the BBC.

Source: BBC [http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-29068551]


Permalink

 

[Colour Scientist]

That's a nice gesture.

Maybe they'll put it back in when the season eventually goes to DVD or something.

I would say something about hoping that it doesn't take away from the episode but they've been pretty abysmal so far anyway. XD

 

[scotth266]

AKA the Japanese method of censorship, where if an unrelated event occurs it can fuck up or delay an entire episode (see the Psycho-Pass revamp, which if I recall correctly had an episode featuring a murderous schoolgirl taken out of the schedule after an ACTUAL murderous schoolgirl who liked anime killed someone).

I don't see how you're supposed to draw a parallel between the beheading of a journalist and the beheading of a medieval person, and I disagree entirely with the decision.

 

[Verlander]

That a woman was beheaded in London last night probably cemented that decision somewhat

 

[AstaresPanda]

I get it, but at the same time i dont agree with it. Do they want to hold out hands thru life ? Pretty much what scotth266 said medievil setting. Its just abit "THINK OF THE CHILDREN WONT SOMONE PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN"

 

[Parasondox]

I do see why they did it. The BBC is a public funded (us the tax payers) company and they just don't want to get any complaints after what happened in London in the last 24 hours and what's been happening with the journalist. And yes people will complain to OfCom regardless. This is Britain we are talking about here.

 

[gigastar]

That a woman was beheaded in London last night probably cemented that decision somewhat

Though domestic murders are hardly the sort of thing that makes international news anyway. So cant really expect Karloff to know about it if it wasnt explicitly mentioned.

 

[Riff Moonraker]

I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that they were showing a beheading... in Dr. Who???!!!!???? Yeah, sure, I realize there are deaths in Dr. Who all the time, but this seems a bit out of place for the series to me. Even IF something like that would happen in the Who-niverse, I would have imagined it would have only been implied and happen off screen, not that they would SHOW it, which is the impression this article gives.

 

[webkilla]

As long as the full version comes out eventually...

 

[Fasckira]

Im sure the full version will come to head eventually.

 

[Karloff]

That a woman was beheaded in London last night probably cemented that decision somewhat

Though domestic murders are hardly the sort of thing that makes international news anyway. So cant really expect Karloff to know about it if it wasnt explicitly mentioned.

No, I knew about the London incident. However the BBC didn't mention it, and it's likely that the decision was already made before that crime. After all, edits - and the decision to make those edits - don't happen that quickly, and the London incident only made the news very recently.

Edit: I also suspect the BBC has that captured Briton in mind. After all, whoever it is may be the next to appear in a video, and soon.

 

[Verlander]

That a woman was beheaded in London last night probably cemented that decision somewhat

Though domestic murders are hardly the sort of thing that makes international news anyway. So cant really expect Karloff to know about it if it wasnt explicitly mentioned.

Definitely wasn't an accusation, just pointing out for the other users that may not have heard, beheadings are kind of a sore subject right now in the UK.

 

[Something Amyss]

That's a nice gesture.

I can't wait to read how it's a bad thing.

*looks down* Yeah.

Anyway, it very likely will be at least a deleted scene.

 

[Dragonlayer]

"Insider sources report that the scene depicting the Doctor's conversion to Wahabi Islam will proceed."

Also: I haven't watched this show in eons, but isn't beheading a bit hardcore?

 

[medv4380]

I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that they were showing a beheading... in Dr. Who???!!!!???? Yeah, sure, I realize there are deaths in Dr. Who all the time, but this seems a bit out of place for the series to me. Even IF something like that would happen in the Who-niverse, I would have imagined it would have only been implied and happen off screen, not that they would SHOW it, which is the impression this article gives.

The title Robot of Sherwood should tell you why they'd show a beheading. Beheading someone who is made to be real and then going "just kidding" it was a robot would be seen as making light of a situation that really shouldn't be. It wasn't intended to be made as commentary on reality so it's cut. Since we have two reporters beheaded, and one lady in London beheaded by a crazy man with a machete yelling something about cats it's just bad timing.

 

[Deathfish15]

Um....this is kind of messed up. It's like that whole episode of South Park where Family Guy was going to air images of Allah, only to have everyone trying to censor it or bury their heads in the sand. Why? Because they're allowing terrorists to win!. Any time a terrorist act causes a dramatic change in the way we live our lives, then they've won. The whole point of "terrorism" is to incite fear so that they can get their way. It's how DICKtators like Kim Jon Un (sp?) can rule with an iron fist in his country: he terrorizes his citizens.


This change is not for the sake of respect and is completely unrelated too. What does Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham have in common with terrorists? Is there a kidnapping where they take one hostage and behead him, pike his head, and say "stop doing XXX or we'll behead more". Maybe if they did that I can understand....but come on, this is just stretching it to an unbelievable extent.

 

[Nikolaz72]

Um....this is kind of messed up. It's like that whole episode of South Park where Family Guy was going to air images of Allah, only to have everyone trying to censor it or bury their heads in the sand. Why? Because they're allowing terrorists to win!. Any time a terrorist act causes a dramatic change in the way we live our lives, then they've won. The whole point of "terrorism" is to incite fear so that they can get their way. It's how DICKtators like Kim Jon Un (sp?) can rule with an iron fist in his country: he terrorizes his citizens.


This change is not for the sake of respect and is completely unrelated too. What does Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham have in common with terrorists? Is there a kidnapping where they take one hostage and behead him, pike his head, and say "stop doing XXX or we'll behead more". Maybe if they did that I can understand....but come on, this is just stretching it to an unbelievable extent.

in your book cutting a beheading scene due to a domestic murder-beheading in London to avoid leaving the main viewers in England with a bad taste in their mouths is a Drastic Change let alone the terrorists 'winning'?

I'm sure the IS currently being bombed to the stone age agrees with you, the cutting of this scene from Doctor Who definitely gave them a leg up in the conflict that they're going to be able to use to achieve victory.

 

[EeveeElectro]

I haven't watched every single episode of DW so I could be wrong, but isn't beheading a bit... much? It's supposed to be a family show after all.

I suppose this makes sense, places like Channel 4 probably wouldn't give a fuck and air it anyway and have to apologise after. It does seem in bad taste considering the recent story about the woman in London too.

 

[CardinalPiggles]

People get beheaded all the time all across the world. Are we supposed to wait for a grace period before we can have our entertainment? The earth doesn't stop spinning every time someone is killed and we shouldn't stop going about our lives.

Maybe a little message expressing their 'condolences' at the beginning of the episode would have been a better solution.

And before anyone calls me a selfish prick I don't want those people to die anymore than anyone else. I wish that kind of thing didn't happen to anyone who doesn't deserve it.