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'''Fanon''' is a body of popular suppositions and theories accepted by fans concerning the [[Doctor Who Universe]]. It is a [[wikipedia:portmanteau|portmanteau]] of the words "fan" and "canon". | {{real world}} | ||
'''Fanon''' is a body of popular suppositions and theories accepted by fans concerning the [[Doctor Who Universe]]. It is a [[wikipedia:portmanteau|portmanteau]] of the words "fan" and "[[canon]]". | |||
Fanon often gets confused for "canon", even if it is not supported by on-screen evidence. | |||
Some fan theories, such as the [[Season 6B]] theory, | Some fanon derives from from non-[[canon]] sources such as ''[[The Doctor Who Role Playing Game]]'', which, for example, made [[the Master]], [[the Monk]] and [[the War Chief]] into the same [[Time Lord]]. | ||
Some fan theories, such as the [[Season 6B]] theory, while not as yet confirmed on screen, have been supported by expanded universe spin-offs such as novels (which are of uncertain canonicity). Others, such as the question raised by [[DW]]: ''[[Planet of Fire]]'' as to whether the Doctor and the Master are actually brothers, have been denied by off-screen sources, if not necessarily on screen. | |||
A recent example of fan is the question of "[[Doctor's TARDIS|TARDIS]] coral". Fans have come to use this term to refer to pieces of TARDIS obtained by [[Jack Harkness]] (''[[Torchwood]]'') and the [[Meta-Crisis Tenth Doctor]] ([[DW]]: ''[[Journey's End]]'' - deleted scene). In fact, as of July 2009 no episode has ever used the term to describe these objects, nor have any close-ups indicated whether they are, indeed, coral-like. The issue is further muddied by the fact the ''Journey's End'' reference was deleted from the final episode, raising the question of its canonicity. | |||
==When fanon becomes canon== | |||
There is precedent for "fanon" to cross over into official "canon". The aforementioned Season 6B theory comes close, having been featured in a [[Past Doctors Adventures]] novel and endorsed by former script editor [[Terence Dicks]] (who wrote the book in question); the BBC has never made a firm proclamation regarding whether novels and other spin-off works should be considered canonical. | |||
In the Star Trek franchise, a recent example of fanon becoming canon involves Lt. Uhura's first name. For decades, fans postulated that it was Nyota, and this was supported by Uhura actress Nichelle Nichols and was also mentioned in numerous novels and comic book spinoffs. However, Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, along with Trek franchise owner Paramount Pictures, set firm rules on what is considered canon in the Trek franchise -- live-action TV and film productions only. But in the 2009 ''Star Trek'' film, the name Nyota was used on screen, rendering it canon. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[Canon]] | *[[Canon]] | ||
{{wikipediainfo|Canon_(fiction)#Nature_of_fictional_canons}} | {{wikipediainfo|Canon_(fiction)#Nature_of_fictional_canons}} | ||
[[Category:Canon and continuity]] | [[Category:Canon and continuity]] | ||
[[Category:Fandom]] | [[Category:Fandom]] | ||
Revision as of 13:11, 31 July 2009
Fanon is a body of popular suppositions and theories accepted by fans concerning the Doctor Who Universe. It is a portmanteau of the words "fan" and "canon".
Fanon often gets confused for "canon", even if it is not supported by on-screen evidence.
Some fanon derives from from non-canon sources such as The Doctor Who Role Playing Game, which, for example, made the Master, the Monk and the War Chief into the same Time Lord.
Some fan theories, such as the Season 6B theory, while not as yet confirmed on screen, have been supported by expanded universe spin-offs such as novels (which are of uncertain canonicity). Others, such as the question raised by DW: Planet of Fire as to whether the Doctor and the Master are actually brothers, have been denied by off-screen sources, if not necessarily on screen.
A recent example of fan is the question of "TARDIS coral". Fans have come to use this term to refer to pieces of TARDIS obtained by Jack Harkness (Torchwood) and the Meta-Crisis Tenth Doctor (DW: Journey's End - deleted scene). In fact, as of July 2009 no episode has ever used the term to describe these objects, nor have any close-ups indicated whether they are, indeed, coral-like. The issue is further muddied by the fact the Journey's End reference was deleted from the final episode, raising the question of its canonicity.
When fanon becomes canon
There is precedent for "fanon" to cross over into official "canon". The aforementioned Season 6B theory comes close, having been featured in a Past Doctors Adventures novel and endorsed by former script editor Terence Dicks (who wrote the book in question); the BBC has never made a firm proclamation regarding whether novels and other spin-off works should be considered canonical.
In the Star Trek franchise, a recent example of fanon becoming canon involves Lt. Uhura's first name. For decades, fans postulated that it was Nyota, and this was supported by Uhura actress Nichelle Nichols and was also mentioned in numerous novels and comic book spinoffs. However, Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, along with Trek franchise owner Paramount Pictures, set firm rules on what is considered canon in the Trek franchise -- live-action TV and film productions only. But in the 2009 Star Trek film, the name Nyota was used on screen, rendering it canon.
See also
