Once relegated to the realm of indulgent fan fiction, the subject of sex was rarely addressed in Doctor Who during the show's original run from 1963 to 1989. However, beginning with the 1996 TV movie starring Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor, we've now had four consecutive Doctors either intentionally or unintentionally making out with their respective companions through various story conveniences.
In this past Series Five, companion Amy Pond, as played by Karen Gillan, even takes things considerably further by openly propositioning Matt Smith's Eleventh Doctor in the episode "Flesh and Stone." This, rather predictably, bothered some fans of the show and in a new interview for Vulture, current Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat addresses some of the criticism and also discusses the Doctor's sex life, those darn internets and what's coming up for character River Song.
On the introduction of sexual tension:
I just thought it would be, you know, Bad Girl in the TARDIS. They’ve always been so well behaved, those girls! I just thought, I haven’t met any girls like that. Most of the girls I know would just jump the Doctor as soon as they look at him. I said, It’s time we have one of those.
I think if a man and a woman go through a life-or-death experience and they’re both young and attractive, that’s really quite plausible. In fact, you’d really have to ask why it hasn’t happened before in Doctor Who. I just thought it would be funny. ‘Cause the Doctor is used to deflecting people who are madly in love with him, but he’s never had to deflect someone who has a much shorter and more passionate agenda.
On the Doctor's ability to have a sexual relationship:
We know that he had a family once. And we could pretend that he doesn’t have an eye for the pretty girl, but you’d be struggling to justify that view, wouldn’t you, looking at his choice of travel companions. I think he has at some point in his life indulged. Whether he still does is a secret between him and that big blue box.
On the subject of a River Song hate group on Facebook:
Oh, you’re talking about the Internet. Twelve people and their talking dog. Ignore it! I never go online. The Internet stuff is bonkers. You must not look at it.
On what's coming up for River Song in Series Six:
Well, you will find out who she is and what’s going on and how it all makes sense. And that will explain a number of things. I’m writing the episode right now where the Doctor finds out who she is. We’re not just going to endlessly tease.
Some interesting stuff, especially the part where Moffat claims to never go online. Of course he doesn't.
Some interesting stuff, especially the part where Moffat claims to never go online. Of course he doesn't.