Canonicity: Difference between revisions
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'''Canonicity''', also called '''canon''', was a concept that determined whether or not a certain source (such as a [[religious]] or [[fiction]]al text) could count as a proper part of a greater whole; this concept was used by [[human]]s on [[Earth]], whether they be practitioners of [[Christianity]] ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|The Council of Nicaea (audio story)}}) or fans of the fictional adventures of ''Iris Wildthyme''. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|From Wildthyme with Love (novel)}}) | '''Canonicity''', also called '''canon''', was a concept that determined whether or not a certain source (such as a [[religious]] or [[fiction]]al text) could count as a proper part of a greater whole; this concept was used by [[human]]s on [[Earth]], whether they be practitioners of [[Christianity]] ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|The Council of Nicaea (audio story)}}) or fans of the fictional adventures of ''Iris Wildthyme''. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|From Wildthyme with Love (novel)}}) | ||
However, many individuals within [[the Doctor's universe]] inexplicably questioned the canonicity of either parts of their own lives or of others, ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Doctor Who and the Pirates (audio story)}}, [[PROSE]]: {{cs|Lady Peinforte (short story)}}, [[WC]]: {{cs|The Story of the Diary of River Song (webcast)}}, [[TV]]: {{cs|Destination: Skaro (TV story)|timestamp=03:41}}) with the [[Time Lord]]s even having a [[Towers of Canonicity and Likelihood|Tower of Canonicity]]. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|The Blue Angel (novel)}}, {{cs|The Gallifrey Chronicles (novel)}}, {{cs|Rebel Rebel (short story)}}) | However, many individuals within [[the Doctor's universe]] inexplicably questioned the canonicity of either parts of their own lives or of others, ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Doctor Who and the Pirates (audio story)}}, [[PROSE]]: {{cs|Lady Peinforte (short story)}}, [[WC]]: {{cs|The Story of the Diary of River Song (webcast)}}, [[TV]]: {{cs|Destination: Skaro (TV story)|timestamp=03:41}}, {{cs|Heart of TARDIS (novel)}}) with the [[Time Lord]]s even having a [[Towers of Canonicity and Likelihood|Tower of Canonicity]]. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|The Blue Angel (novel)}}, {{cs|The Gallifrey Chronicles (novel)}}, {{cs|Rebel Rebel (short story)}}) | ||
== Usage == | ==Usage== | ||
=== On Earth === | ===On Earth=== | ||
==== Religious canon ==== | ====Religious canon==== | ||
In [[325]], the [[Council of Nicaea]] (to which the [[Fifth Doctor]] bore witness alongside companions [[Erimem]] and [[Peri Brown|Peri]]) saw a gathering of the greatest scholars and leaders of [[4th century]] [[Christianity]] to debate and solidify the reaches of [[Bible|biblical]] canon, showing the concept was applied by [[human]]s to [[religion]]. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|The Council of Nicaea (audio story)}}) | In [[325]], the [[Council of Nicaea]] (to which the [[Fifth Doctor]] bore witness alongside companions [[Erimem]] and [[Peri Brown|Peri]]) saw a gathering of the greatest scholars and leaders of [[4th century]] [[Christianity]] to debate and solidify the reaches of [[Bible|biblical]] canon, showing the concept was applied by [[human]]s to [[religion]]. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|The Council of Nicaea (audio story)}}) | ||
==== Fictional canon ==== | ====Fictional canon==== | ||
[[Panda]] found out about the spin-offs from the ''Iris Wildthyme'' series from "[[super-fan]]" who "hardly knew what was canonical". ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|From Wildthyme with Love (novel)}}) | [[Panda]] found out about the spin-offs from the ''Iris Wildthyme'' series from "[[super-fan]]" who "hardly knew what was canonical". ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|From Wildthyme with Love (novel)}}) | ||
=== By Time Lords and other time travellers === | ===By Time Lords and other time travellers=== | ||
[[File:Hecate Cult Screenshot1.jpg|thumb|The [[Sixth Doctor]] didn't believe [[Hecate Cult|something to do]] with [[Hecate]] was "canonical". ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Doctor Who and the Pirates (audio story)|Doctor Who and the Pirates]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[A Girl's Best Friend (TV story)|A Girl's Best Friend]]'')]] | [[File:Hecate Cult Screenshot1.jpg|thumb|The [[Sixth Doctor]] didn't believe [[Hecate Cult|something to do]] with [[Hecate]] was "canonical". ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Doctor Who and the Pirates (audio story)|Doctor Who and the Pirates]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[A Girl's Best Friend (TV story)|A Girl's Best Friend]]'')]] | ||
Canonicity was seemingly of interest to the [[Time Lord]]s, as there existed a [[Towers of Canonicity and Likelihood|Tower of Canonicity]] in the [[Capitol]], twin to the Tower of Likelihood. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|The Blue Angel (novel)}}) | Canonicity was seemingly of interest to the [[Time Lord]]s, as there existed a [[Towers of Canonicity and Likelihood|Tower of Canonicity]] in the [[Capitol]], twin to the Tower of Likelihood. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|The Blue Angel (novel)}}) | ||
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When the [[Fourteenth Doctor]] inadvertently travelled to the [[genesis of the Daleks]], he realised that the events were different ([[TV]]: {{cs|Destination: Skaro (TV story)}}) from the version his [[fourth incarnation]] lived through ([[TV]]: {{cs|Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)}}) due to "the [[timeline]]s and canon" [[rupture|rupturing]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Destination: Skaro (TV story)}}) | When the [[Fourteenth Doctor]] inadvertently travelled to the [[genesis of the Daleks]], he realised that the events were different ([[TV]]: {{cs|Destination: Skaro (TV story)}}) from the version his [[fourth incarnation]] lived through ([[TV]]: {{cs|Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)}}) due to "the [[timeline]]s and canon" [[rupture|rupturing]]. ([[TV]]: {{cs|Destination: Skaro (TV story)}}) | ||
== Behind the scenes == | ==Behind the scenes== | ||
* In the real world, [[canon]] is (as detailed on this page) a concept originally concerning religious texts, and later more widely applied to works of fiction, beginning with the tradition of ''[[Sherlock Holmes]]''. | * In the real world, [[canon]] is (as detailed on this page) a concept originally concerning religious texts, and later more widely applied to works of fiction, beginning with the tradition of ''[[Sherlock Holmes]]''. | ||
** That the [[Time Lord]]s and others such as the [[Sixth Doctor]] and [[River Song]], whom are fictional characters, would thus consider canonicity a genuine property of their (fictional) universe, on par with "likelihood", should therefore be read as a borderline-[[Fourth wall|fourth-wall]]-breaking, metafictional joke. | **That the [[Time Lord]]s and others such as the [[Sixth Doctor]] and [[River Song]], whom are fictional characters, would thus consider canonicity a genuine property of their (fictional) universe, on par with "likelihood", should therefore be read as a borderline-[[Fourth wall|fourth-wall]]-breaking, metafictional joke. | ||
* Whilst the song ''[[I Am the Very Model of a Gallifreyan Buccaneer]]'' contained numerous references to classic ''[[Doctor Who]]'' serials, the reference to [[Hecate]] was distinct in that it was derived from ''[[A Girl's Best Friend (TV story)|A Girl's Best Friend]]'', the first and only instalment of the [[spin-off]] ''[[K9 and Company (TV series)|K9 and Company]]''. | *Whilst the song ''[[I Am the Very Model of a Gallifreyan Buccaneer]]'' contained numerous references to classic ''[[Doctor Who]]'' serials, the reference to [[Hecate]] was distinct in that it was derived from ''[[A Girl's Best Friend (TV story)|A Girl's Best Friend]]'', the first and only instalment of the [[spin-off]] ''[[K9 and Company (TV series)|K9 and Company]]''. | ||
=== Information from invalid sources === | ===Information from invalid sources=== | ||
[[Ken Book]] interviewed [[Beep the Meep]] for ''[[Doctor Who Magazine (in-universe)|Doctor Who Magazine]]'', and after Ken asked if Beep had any plans to appear on television, he responded no, explaining it was a "backwards step" that'd be repeating what had already been done thirty years prior in ''[[The Star Beast (in-universe)|The Star Beast]]'', and ultimately, he didn't consider [[Doctor Who (in-universe)|''Doctor Who'' on TV]] to be canonical. He also added he was afraid they'd "do [him] in [[CGI]]". ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Who on Earth is... Beep the Meep (short story)}}) | [[Ken Book]] interviewed [[Beep the Meep]] for ''[[Doctor Who Magazine (in-universe)|Doctor Who Magazine]]'', and after Ken asked if Beep had any plans to appear on television, he responded no, explaining it was a "backwards step" that'd be repeating what had already been done thirty years prior in ''[[The Star Beast (in-universe)|The Star Beast]]'', and ultimately, he didn't consider [[Doctor Who (in-universe)|''Doctor Who'' on TV]] to be canonical. He also added he was afraid they'd "do [him] in [[CGI]]". ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Who on Earth is... Beep the Meep (short story)}}) | ||
Revision as of 11:23, 2 December 2023
- You may be looking for real world concept or this Wiki's policy on canon.
Canonicity, also called canon, was a concept that determined whether or not a certain source (such as a religious or fictional text) could count as a proper part of a greater whole; this concept was used by humans on Earth, whether they be practitioners of Christianity (AUDIO: The Council of Nicaea [+]Loading...["The Council of Nicaea (audio story)"]) or fans of the fictional adventures of Iris Wildthyme. (PROSE: From Wildthyme with Love [+]Loading...["From Wildthyme with Love (novel)"])
However, many individuals within the Doctor's universe inexplicably questioned the canonicity of either parts of their own lives or of others, (AUDIO: Doctor Who and the Pirates [+]Loading...["Doctor Who and the Pirates (audio story)"], PROSE: Lady Peinforte [+]Loading...["Lady Peinforte (short story)"], WC: The Story of the Diary of River Song [+]Loading...["The Story of the Diary of River Song (webcast)"], TV: Destination: Skaro [+]Loading...{"timestamp":"03:41","1":"Destination: Skaro (TV story)"}, Heart of TARDIS [+]Loading...["Heart of TARDIS (novel)"]) with the Time Lords even having a Tower of Canonicity. (PROSE: The Blue Angel [+]Loading...["The Blue Angel (novel)"], The Gallifrey Chronicles [+]Loading...["The Gallifrey Chronicles (novel)"], Rebel Rebel [+]Loading...["Rebel Rebel (short story)"])
Usage
On Earth
Religious canon
In 325, the Council of Nicaea (to which the Fifth Doctor bore witness alongside companions Erimem and Peri) saw a gathering of the greatest scholars and leaders of 4th century Christianity to debate and solidify the reaches of biblical canon, showing the concept was applied by humans to religion. (AUDIO: The Council of Nicaea [+]Loading...["The Council of Nicaea (audio story)"])
Fictional canon
Panda found out about the spin-offs from the Iris Wildthyme series from "super-fan" who "hardly knew what was canonical". (PROSE: From Wildthyme with Love [+]Loading...["From Wildthyme with Love (novel)"])
By Time Lords and other time travellers
Canonicity was seemingly of interest to the Time Lords, as there existed a Tower of Canonicity in the Capitol, twin to the Tower of Likelihood. (PROSE: The Blue Angel [+]Loading...["The Blue Angel (novel)"])
The Sixth Doctor once expressed doubt on whether something to do with Hecate (about which he didn't elaborate) was "canonical". (AUDIO: Doctor Who and the Pirates [+]Loading...["Doctor Who and the Pirates (audio story)"], TV: A Girl's Best Friend [+]Loading...["A Girl's Best Friend (TV story)"])
The information contained on the TARDIS Wiki influenced Lady Peinforte's search for information on the Doctor, and she disbelieved that the Looms were canonical. (PROSE: Lady Peinforte [+]Loading...["Lady Peinforte (short story)"])
A group of three Retconning Crocodiles once swore on their canonicity to uphold their side of a bargain with Auteur, in that they would fully resurrect him in exchange for his authorship of a cursed abecedarium; however, while true to their bargain, they left Auteur in the crumbling reality he was in. (PROSE: Auteur's Abecedarium [+]Loading...["Auteur's Abecedarium (short story)"])
The adventures experienced by River Song where she met her adoptive mother, her "sort-of" sisters, and various incarnations of the Master (including the War Master and Missy) were "probably" canonical. (WC: The Story of the Diary of River Song [+]Loading...["The Story of the Diary of River Song (webcast)"])
When the Fourteenth Doctor inadvertently travelled to the genesis of the Daleks, he realised that the events were different (TV: Destination: Skaro [+]Loading...["Destination: Skaro (TV story)"]) from the version his fourth incarnation lived through (TV: Genesis of the Daleks [+]Loading...["Genesis of the Daleks (TV story)"]) due to "the timelines and canon" rupturing. (TV: Destination: Skaro [+]Loading...["Destination: Skaro (TV story)"])
Behind the scenes
- In the real world, canon is (as detailed on this page) a concept originally concerning religious texts, and later more widely applied to works of fiction, beginning with the tradition of Sherlock Holmes.
- That the Time Lords and others such as the Sixth Doctor and River Song, whom are fictional characters, would thus consider canonicity a genuine property of their (fictional) universe, on par with "likelihood", should therefore be read as a borderline-fourth-wall-breaking, metafictional joke.
- Whilst the song I Am the Very Model of a Gallifreyan Buccaneer contained numerous references to classic Doctor Who serials, the reference to Hecate was distinct in that it was derived from A Girl's Best Friend, the first and only instalment of the spin-off K9 and Company.
Information from invalid sources
Ken Book interviewed Beep the Meep for Doctor Who Magazine, and after Ken asked if Beep had any plans to appear on television, he responded no, explaining it was a "backwards step" that'd be repeating what had already been done thirty years prior in The Star Beast, and ultimately, he didn't consider Doctor Who on TV to be canonical. He also added he was afraid they'd "do [him] in CGI". (PROSE: Who on Earth is... Beep the Meep [+]Loading...["Who on Earth is... Beep the Meep (short story)"])
