Ethical dilemma

[shivver]

Here's a question to think about.

Let's change "The End of Time" in the following way: While the Doctor is talking to Wilf in the cafe, Wilf asks him to come back and fix Donna, to give her back her memories and her life with the Doctor. We know that the Doctor can't do that, but let's change it so that at that moment, he realizes that he knows how to do it - he can use his current biodata to filter from Donna what's actually him and remove it, leaving just her behind as a perfectly normal human, with intact memories of her life up through traveling with the Doctor.

With that knowledge, he and Wilf go off to find Donna to fix her, but the other events of the episode begin to happen, and they proceed as we saw on screen. After the Doctor defeats Rassilon and Gallifrey retreats back into the Time War, Wilf knocks four times. The Doctor then must choose: if he saves Wilf, he not only dies, but the regeneration rewrites his biodata and he can no longer fix Donna; but to save Donna, he must let Wilf die.

So, the question is, what do you think the Doctor would choose? And also, what would you want him to choose, since they are not necessarily the same thing? (Note: Meta is not within reach, so you can't choose "Save Wilf, then go get Meta to fix Donna." ;) )

Comments

[dtstrainers.livejournal.com]

Emo Time Boy would save Wilf and feel extra guilty for not saving Donna sooner and simply derail faster. The only way I see anything different happening is if Wilf pushes a button and floods the chamber with radiation himself, figuring that it would force Ten’s hand and he’d fix Donna once he was gone. But then that great big outer space dunce would be afraid to bring Donna’s memories back for fear that she’d hate him for not saving Wilf. Honestly, Ten would be screwed either way.

( Are you going to the Fanfic Pannel at Gally?)

[dm12.livejournal.com]

I've got to agree... even in canon, Wilf told the Doctor not to save him, that he's lived long enough. If Wilf took matters into his own hands, the Doctor would feel guilty. If the Doctor did save him, he'd feel guilty and WIlf himself might get angry at him if he knew Ten could have saved Donna. Ten just always feels guilty, and it always seems that the Doctor is constantly put into no-win situations.

I'm wondering what would happen if Wilf explicitly told the Doctor to save Donna or Wilf's death would mean nothing, then Wilf pushed the button. Hmm...

I really, really wouldn't want to be in Ten's shoes!

[serenityslady.livejournal.com]

I think a lot will depend on whether you believe the Doctor was in love with Donna or not. If he is, then while it will pain him to let Wilf die, he will have to save Donna. If he's not, and she is just his best friend, he will waiver, but ultimately save Wilf. That way BOTH humans are saved; Donna will just not remember him.

The whole "She can't remember me or she'll burn" however, is one of the most poorly thought out idea in Whodom. What happens when her local bookstore has a big Agatha Christie celebration, and the giant wasp cover is displayed? How about the time Donna goes to the London Zoo and sees the black rhinos?? Or visits Glasgow on her honeymoon and sees the lone Police Box?!?!? There is so much in everyday life that could trigger her.

(sorry. Rant over)

[tkel-paris.livejournal.com]

Okay, I was about to post more to my current series when I spotted this post of yours. I'll throw in my instincts on it.

Wilfred might take the choice out of his hands. It depends on how much seeing Donna making do is killing him emotionally, and what not remembering has cost Donna. If part of why she's struggling for work is because she can't account for her work history and because they don't know what will trigger her to remember, then Wilfred might consider his life an acceptable price to pay for his grandchild's safety and future.

One other point that wasn't clarified: what happened to the people blasted by the defense mechanism? Wilfred would likely ask about that, and if the Doctor couldn't assure him that those people are okay, then Wilfred would press the button to protect others. Besides, what about the dangers to Donna? Surely that would get her noticed sooner or later. Who's to say that some government agency wouldn't consider Donna dangerous and imprison her over that?

Okay, that's my two cents on it. I wonder if a plot bunny or two will emerge from this.