From The Doctor to my son Thomas

From The Doctor to my son Thomas

Peter Capaldi looking at camera

Screenshot from the video
Written by Peter Capaldi
Based on Twelfth Doctor, Doctor Who  
by Steven Moffat
Starring Peter Capaldi
Distributed by YouTube
Release dates
  • 6 November 2014
Running time
 42 seconds
Country United Kingdom
Language English

From The Doctor to my son Thomas is a viral video recorded by actor Peter Capaldi and sent to autistic nine-year-old Thomas Goodall to console him over grief from the death of his grandmother. Capaldi filmed the video in character as the twelfth incarnation of the Doctor in the BBC science-fiction series Doctor Who. Capaldi's message had a positive impact on Thomas; his father stated the boy smiled for the first time since learning of his grandmother's death and gained the courage to go to her funeral. Thomas's father Ross Goodall posted the video to YouTube on 6 November 2014. He explained to media that he wanted to make the video available to his family and had no idea it would become popular to the wider public on the Internet.

CNN reported that after its appearance on YouTube, the video garnered over 200,000 views in its first 48-hour period of availability.[1] BBC News noted that by the next day it had received greater than 500,000 views.[2] By 11 November 2014 it had over 900,000 total views.[3] BBC News observed that Capaldi's message had become a viral video.[2][4] ITV News described response to the video as global phenomenon.[5]

The Guardian called the recording by Capaldi, "a heartwarming video message".[6] CNN characterized the video similarly,[1] as did other publications in Spanish,[7][4] and Dutch.[8] The Independent wrote that Capaldi "showed his softer side" by sending the message.[9] MTV called Capaldi "a super awesome human being".[10] The Daily Telegraph described the video as a "touching message" to a "grieving boy".[11] The Hollywood Reporter observed that as his character the Doctor, Capaldi was "doing what he can to lift spirits".[12] Hollywood Life admitted: "We shed a bunch of happy tears after listening to that message."[13] International Business Times reported: "It was a short and simple message, but one that has had a profound impact on the little boy."[14] BT commented of Capaldi's contribution: "this unique performance may well be his most admirable adventure yet."[15]

Background

Peter Capaldi in 2009

Scottish actor and film director Peter Capaldi was cast in 2013 as the twelfth incarnation of the Doctor in the BBC science-fiction series Doctor Who. His casting was announced on 4 August 2013 in a special BBC programme hosted by Zoë Ball.[16] Capaldi first appeared as the Doctor in a cameo in the 50th anniversary special, "The Day of the Doctor", before appearing in the 2013 Christmas special, "The Time of the Doctor". A lifelong fan of the series, Capaldi had previously played Lobus Caecilius in the 2008 episode "The Fires of Pompeii" as well as playing civil servant John Frobisher in the 2009 spin-off Torchwood: Children of Earth.[17][18]

Before taking the role, Capaldi stated that he had to seriously consider the increased level of visibility that would come with the part.[19] He revealed in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that he had been invited to audition for the role of the Eighth Doctor in 1995 prior to the production of the 1996 TV film but did not go, stating: "I didn't go. I loved the show so much, and I didn't think I would get it, and I didn't want to just be part of a big cull of actors."[20]

Prior correspondence

Thomas Goodall was a devoted fan of Doctor Who from North Baddesley, England since the age of two, and penned a letter to Peter Capaldi stating he hoped the actor found success portraying the character of The Doctor in his newly cast role.[1][6] The Goodall family were all fans of Doctor Who, describing themselves as Whovians.[21] Thomas decorated his home with objects related to the television series.[22] Capaldi wrote back to Thomas in gratitude for the boy's well-wishes, and additionally sent a note to the child's father stating his intentions to send a video message.[6] Capaldi enclosed guidance to Ross Goodall on how to organize a tour of the production studios for Doctor Who.[6]

Ross Goodall subsequently communicated with Capaldi by getting in touch with the actor's agent, to inform him that Thomas's grandmother had died.[1] Helen, aged 72, died in early October 2014.[21][4][8]

He told Capaldi that his son was not dealing well with the grief from his grandmother's death.[1][3] The subsequent video message to Thomas from Capaldi was received by the family three weeks after the death of the child's grandmother.[6]

Video message

Capaldi appears in character as the Doctor and addresses Thomas directly, stating: "Thomas, hello!"[14][23][6] He states his gratitude at receiving the child's letter: "Thank you very much for your letter. I really enjoyed getting it."[23][6][24]

He then goes on to speak to Thomas about grief, while referencing the Doctor's adventures with traveling companion Clara Oswald (portrayed by actress Jenna Coleman).[11] He tells Thomas: "Because you see, when Clara and I are travelling around in time and space, sometimes bad things happen to us. And you know what, Thomas? Sometimes sad things happen to us too. So, it’s nice to know that there's somebody like you out there who's on our side. And you should know that we're on your side too."[10][23][6]

Capaldi concludes the video message by wishing Thomas to experience joy: "So you look after yourself, and take care, and be happy. Bye!"[14][23][6] The video is 42 seconds in length.[25][26][3]

Impact

The boy referred to in the video by Capaldi was a devoted fan of the BBC television series Doctor Who.[12][1][3]

The family received the video from Capaldi on 3 November 2014.[12][1] After viewing the video, Thomas felt encouraged to attend the funeral of his grandmother.[6] In an interview with The Guardian, Ross Goodall explained: "When he said 'sometimes sad things happen', it was as though he was mentioning it (the bereavement) without mentioning it."[6] He discussed the manner in which Thomas perceived emotions: "Thomas only sees black and white – there is no grey area – and he has taken it to mean that you can be happy, even though sad things happen."[6] Ross Goodall told The Guardian that prior to viewing the video from Capaldi his son did not want to attend his grandmother's funeral.[6]

The boy's mother said that the video had positively impacted him and "it helped him to deal with his grief in a profound way".[27][9] After watching Capaldi's message to him, Ross Goodall stated, "He was a different child."[6] This change included the ability to comfort his sister and step out of his day-to-day behavior patterns.[6] Ross Goodall said after watching the video his son smiled for the first time since his grandmother died.[1][6] The family framed the letter from Capaldi that came before the video message, and Ross Goodall said Thomas looks upon it when he feels distraught.[6]

Posted to YouTube

Ross Goodall uploaded the message from Capaldi to the video-sharing website YouTube on 6 November 2014.[11][1][6] He made the video available on YouTube so that other members of his family could view Capaldi's message to his son.[1]

He posted in a follow-up comment on the video's location on YouTube that he was surprised at the response it had gotten online: "Wow. Had no idea this would go viral. We only posted it so family could see it after the funeral."[9] He made a similar statement on Twitter.[28] He told BBC News that he had only uploaded the video to YouTube so that his aunt and uncle would be able to watch Capaldi's message to Thomas.[2]

Thomas's father wrote: "Made such a huge difference and helped him cope with the hardest of days. It was an incredibly kind thing to do that has help Thomas gain perspective and not feel so alone in his grief. Where Thomas is autistic, he doesn't feel emotions the same way the rest of us do so this has been incredibly hard for him. This message seems to have given him the strength to keep going, with his chin up."[9][10][24]

By 10 November 2014, total comments by viewers posted below the video on YouTube numbered in the hundreds.[29] The majority of comments were supportive.[14] Visitors to the site wrote favorably of Capaldi's actions to record the video for the child.[14] A few observed that Capaldi's version of the Doctor character is sinister and serious, and contrasted this with the actor's depiction of the character as warm and effusive in his recording.[14]

Reception

"this unique performance may well be his most admirable adventure yet."

 —BT[15]

CNN reported that subsequent to its appearance on YouTube, the video garnered over 200,000 views in its first 48-hour period of availability.[1] BBC News noted that by the next day, it had received over 500,000 views.[2] By 10 November 2014 it had over 750,000 total views.[30][31] The Washington Post noted that by the next day the view count was above 900,000.[3] Multiple publications observed that Capaldi's message had become a viral video.[2][4][32] ITV News called online reaction to the video "a worldwide phenomenon".[5]

The Guardian called the recording by Capaldi, "a heartwarming video message".[6] CNN characterized the video similarly,[1] as did Digital Spy,[23] ITV News,[33] TV 3;[34] and other publications in Spanish,[7][4] and Dutch.[8] Spanish-language newspaper La Vanguardia, based in Barcelona, wrote that Capaldi's video was an example of bringing joy into someone's life through a small act.[7] The Washington Post called it a "moving tribute".[3] The Daily Dot called the video inspirational.[35] The Independent wrote: "Peter Capaldi's Doctor Who may be one of the more sinister incarnations of the much-loved TV character British television has seen. But the actor never-the-less showed his softer side when he sent this heart-warming YouTube message".[9] MTV favorably covered the video: "Scottish actor Peter Capaldi is not only one of the best doctors to ever exist on 'Doctor Who' ... he's also a super awesome human being".[10] MTV concluded, "Is there anything in the world cuter than this?!"[10]

The Daily Telegraph described the video as a "touching message" to a "grieving boy".[11] The Hollywood Reporter observed: "When the Time Lord isn't busy preventing the destruction of the universe, he's also doing what he can to lift spirits."[12] Daily Mirror positively reviewed the video, writing: "Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi has demonstrated exactly why he is a hero to millions across the globe by sending a young boy who recently lost his grandmother a personal video message of support."[36] Hollywood Life admitted: "We shed a bunch of happy tears after listening to that message."[13] Their review concluded, "Peter clearly applied the show's exploration of loss and death to Thomas' own grief. We not only think this is incredibly sweet, but it's also is very powerful!"[13]

International Business Times reported: "It was a short and simple message, but one that has had a profound impact on the little boy."[14] International Business Times noted in a follow-up piece that Capaldi's video was featured in headlines of multiple newspapers.[37] The Huffington Post wrote: "You could travel through time and space and never find a sweeter story."[38] io9 appreciated that Capaldi was using his celebrity status to effect positive impact: "It's always immensely sweet when actors who play iconic characters understand the power those characters have and wield them for good."[39] Digital Spy followed up on its earlier favorable coverage of Capaldi's video, and highlighted it as the number one entry among "7 awesome celebrity moments that will melt your heart".[40]

South Wales Evening Post noted Capaldi had previously appeared in a brief video as himself congratulating a bride on her wedding, writing: "and now he's gone one better".[41] Metro commented favorably: "Just when you thought Peter Capaldi couldn’t possibly get any cooler, he’s gone and outdone himself with this video."[42] After the Scottish Daily Record reported on the video,[24] they followed up the next day noting several readers wrote the paper to express their gratitude to Capaldi.[43] One reader told the Daily Record he had Asperger syndrome along the autism spectrum and particularly understood Thomas Goodall's situation and therefore appreciated how the video from Capaldi was meaningful.[43] Capaldi's actions received favorable coverage from the Autism Daily Newscast.[44]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 Grinberg, Emanuella (8 November 2014). "'Doctor Who' Peter Capaldi sends heartwarming message to grieving fan". CNN. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Doctor Who actor Peter Capaldi comforts bereaved boy". BBC News. 9 November 2014. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014. A video in which Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi comforts a bereaved nine-year-old boy with autism has gone viral on YouTube.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Johnson, Thomas. "'Doctor Who' actor Peter Capaldi records moving tribute for grieving child". The Washington Post (The Washington Post Company; Style Blog). Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "El video que el actor de Doctor Who le envió a un niño autista para reconfortarlo". BBC Mundo (in Spanish) (BBC). 10 November 2014. Archived from the original on 11 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014. El video, publicado por Ross Goodall en YouTube el 6 de octubre, se volvió viral.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Pate, Andrew (10 November 2014). "A message through time". ITV News. Archived from the original on 11 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014. Dr Who, the time travelling superhero, has sent a personal message to a boy from Southampton who has lost his Grandma. And the video has now become a worldwide phenomenon.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 6.16 6.17 6.18 Rawlinson, Kevin (9 November 2014). "Doctor Who’s Peter Capaldi sends video message to bereaved autistic boy". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "El vídeo que el actor de 'Doctor Who' manda a un niño con autismo". La Vanguardia (in Spanish) (Barcelona: La Vanguardia Ediciones S.L.). 12 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014. Una bonita historia que demuestra lo feliz que se puede hacer a alguien con un pequeño gesto.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Verstraete, Alexander (9 November 2014). "Doctor Who: 'Ik wil dat je weet dat wij ook aan je kant staan'". Deredactie.be (in Dutch) (Belgium). Archived from the original on 11 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Selby, Jenn (9 November 2014). "Peter Capaldi sends heart-warming YouTube message to autistic boy learning to cope with grief". The Independent. Archived from the original on 9 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Roth, Madeline (8 November 2014). "Watch Peter Capaldi Channel His ‘Doctor Who’ Character To Help A Grieving Boy". MTV. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Vincent, Alice (9 November 2014). "Peter Capaldi's touching message to grieving boy". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Gajewski, Ryan (8 November 2014). "Watch 'Doctor Who' Star Peter Capaldi Channel the Time Lord in Video for Grieving Boy". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Shaffer, Jordyn (8 November 2014). "Peter Capaldi: ‘Doctor Who' Star Sends Moving Video To Grieving Boy, 9". Hollywood Life. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 14.6 Lu, Anne (10 November 2014). "'Doctor Who' Star Peter Capaldi Sends Touching Video to Autistic Boy, 9, Who Lost His Grandma [VIDEO]". International Business Times. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi sends heartwarming video message to grieving autistic boy". BT. 10 November 2014. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  16. ↑ "Doctor Who: Peter Capaldi revealed as 12th Doctor". BBC News (BBC). 4 August 2013. Archived from the original on 27 April 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  17. ↑ "Doctor Who sets the controls for Rome, AD 79". What's on TV (Time, Inc). 25 September 2007. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  18. ↑ BBC (26 August 2008). "Filming under way for new series of Torchwood". BBC Press Office. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  19. ↑ "Doctor Who: Peter Capaldi promises 'no flirting' with sidekick in new series". The Guardian. 27 July 2014. Archived from the original on 28 August 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  20. ↑ Collis, Clark (1 August 2014). "Once Upon a Time Lord". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Doctor makes it all better". Romsey Advertiser (Romsey, England). 14 November 2014. Archived from the original on 14 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  22. ↑ González de la Huebra, Javier (13 November 2014). "El Duodécimo Doctor ayuda a un niño autista fan de ‘Doctor Who’". La Casa de El (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 November 2014.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 Finbow, Katy (10 November 2014). "Peter Capaldi sends heartfelt video to autistic Doctor Who fan". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 McGivern, Mark (10 November 2014). "Watch Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi's heartwarming video message to autistic boy following death of his gran". Scottish Daily Record. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  25. ↑ Smith, Jennifer (8 November 2014). "Just what the doctor ordered: Peter Capaldi sends heartwarming video to nine-year-old autistic fan to help him cope with death of his grandmother". Daily Mail. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  26. ↑ The Citizen staff (8 November 2014). "Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi sends heartwarming message to grieving autistic nine-year-old boy". Gloucester Citizen. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  27. ↑ Radio Times staff (7 November 2014). "Peter Capaldi sends heartwarming video message to grieving 9-year-old boy". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  28. ↑ Koerber, Brian (9 November 2014). "'Doctor Who' star helps 9-year-old boy with autism through a tough time". Mashable. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  29. ↑ McIennan, William (10 November 2014). "Time Lord takes some time out to comfort a troubled fan". The Independent (Independent News and Media Limited). p. 14 – via Westlaw.
  30. ↑ "The Doctor Peter Capaldi sends video to nine-year-old Thomas Goodall ahead of his grandmother's funeral". Southern Daily Echo. 10 November 2014. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  31. ↑ "The Doctor Peter Capaldi sends video to nine-year-old Thomas Goodall ahead of his grandmother's funeral". Hampshire Chronicle. 10 November 2014. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  32. ↑ Edwards, Tim (10 November 2014). "Doctor Who video for bereaved boy". The Week (United Kingdom). Archived from the original on 11 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014 – via Westlaw.
  33. ↑ "Peter Capaldi sends heartwarming message to grieving autistic boy". ITV News. 9 November 2014. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  34. ↑ "Doctor Who records a sweet message for grieving boy". TV 3 (Ireland). 8 November 2014. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  35. ↑ Sankin, Aaron (9 November 2014). "'Doctor Who' actor sends inspiring video message to grieving autistic boy". The Daily Dot. Archived from the original on 11 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014 – via Westlaw.
  36. ↑ Leigh, Rob (7 November 2014). "Watch Doctor Who hero Peter Capaldi offer 9-year-old autistic boy soothing words of comfort". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 9 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  37. ↑ McCarthy, Tyler (17 November 2014). "'Doctor Who' Star Peter Capaldi Confirmed For Season 9 And 10; Will Jenna-Louise Coleman Return?". International Business Times. Archived from the original on 18 November 2014. Retrieved 18 November 2014.
  38. ↑ Bradley, Bill (8 November 2014). "Peter Capaldi's Heartfelt Message To Young Fan Transcends Time And Space". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on 9 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  39. ↑ Davis, Lauren (7 November 2014). "Peter Capaldi Recorded This Message In Character To Help A Grieving Boy". io9. Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
  40. ↑ Taylor, Frances (16 November 2014). "7 awesome celebrity moments that will melt your heart". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 17 November 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.
  41. ↑ Dawson, Ruth (7 November 2014). "VIDEO: Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi sends heartwarming message to autistic boy mourning nanny". South Wales Evening Post. Archived from the original on 11 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  42. ↑ Westbrook, Caroline (7 November 2014). "Peter Capaldi becomes even more awesome as he records special message for autistic boy mourning his nanny". Metro. Archived from the original on 8 November 2014. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 "@dailyrecord". Scottish Daily Record (Scotland: MGN Ltd. Scottish Daily Record & Sunday Mail Ltd). 11 November 2014. p. 33 – via InfoTrac.
  44. ↑ Worgan, Jo (9 November 2014). "Peter Capaldi sends heartwarming video mesaage to young autistic boy whose grandmother has recently died". Autism Daily Newscast. Archived from the original on 14 November 2014. Retrieved 14 November 2014.

Further reading

External links

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