The complications of Tick Tock’s view of Derpy Hooves in the audio series “Doctor Whooves and Assistant” PART 1
The complications of Tick Tock’s view of Derpy Hooves in the audio series “Doctor Whooves and Assistant” PART 1
Theory paper post written by kandy-the-pony
A quick note before reading the rest of this theory: this is just a theory. Constructive criticism and adding evidence for both sides is more than appreciated! Also, this was written before Episode 12: Elementary is Magic was released.
Doctor Whooves and Assistant belongs to @whoovesnassistant
When we are first introduced to Tick Tock, he was nothing more than a grumpy loner who was outcasted by his own society despite his high ranking in the royalty system of Fort Neighers just because of his preferred passtime, inventing. Having his guard up when Derpy Hooves and Doctor Whooves phase into his room with the TARDIS is understandable and completely normal and is a quite likely reaction someone else may have. Tick Tock is quite persistent with his wall up as Doctor Whooves tries to explain why they were in his abode. However, when Derpy steps up and tries to explain as well, the gingercorn sounds more accepting to Derpy’s blatant lies with the wind currents. After that, when she requests the gingercorn to look into her eyes, he calms himself down. In her presence, he lowers his crossbow even. This is noted as quite a quick change in attitude for a pony portrayed to be quite stubborn in the beginning.
Derpy: Just move over, I’ll handle this. [clear throat] We’re really sorry about crashing, mister. We really just got lost, honest, you know how crazy the wind currents get and we were just testing our… wagon.
Gingercorn: [lower crossbow] A more logical explanation, but-
Derpy: We’re friendly, I promise. Just look me in the eyes and tell me. Do I look like a bad pony?
[SFX violin stroke for eye]
Gingercorn: [long pause] … Yes, point acknowledged… [sigh] If you aren’t a threat then I request that you leave immediately. I am working on an important project right now.
However, part of his guard is still up. Tick Tock is still clearly cautious about the two new, time-traveling ponies.
Derpy: [various sounds of awe] What’s this thingie you’re working on now?
Gingercorn: It’s… a thing.
Derpy: …. Ooo, I love things!
Gingercorn: How… Fascinating… [tinker, thunk] It would be appreciated if you–
The time we see Tick Tock have his highest wall up is directly after he was mocked at and questioned why he hasn’t died. He is at his most stubborn, not wanting anypony to get in the way. Please note that in the Episode 8 script, Tick Tock is called Cuckoo Clock for the majority of it.
Cuckoo Clock: [mutter] Insecurity through ignorance. [picking up objects again]
Cuckoo Clock: A common occurrence, though significantly more escalated than normal.
Derpy: ‘Common’? That makes it even more not okay! Lemme help you…
Cuckoo Clock: …Not necessary.
Derpy: [picking up SFX] Oh boy, I remember being like that too. I’m gonna help anyway. Here’s your um… Thingie.
It is important to note that he is slowly beginning to warm up with the duo. But why? Put simply, Tick Tock lived a life of war and sorrow. Cooped up in your own home inventing devices and upsetting your own townsfolk is quite a depressing lifestyle. The demeanor seen in the duo was eye-opening to him, and decided to follow the two:
Cuckoo Clock: Highly unlikely, but I’ll humor you. I admit I’m curious to note your methods of persuasion. [follows]
However, this is a simple headcanon. This can be ignored if wished.
Here is where things begin to get interesting. Derpy Hooves asks Tick Tock to try a canned peach slice. Tick Tock hasn’t eaten anything more than mushrooms for years. He seemed almost disgusted by its slimy appearance, and yet the golden-eyed mare asked him to try one. This mare shares a key memory with Tick Tock! This memory is extremely important as his favorite food is canned peaches because of this event.
Derpy: Oo, don’t mind if I have one. Mmmm!
Cuckoo Clock: …I am only aware of these by name…they’re…slimy….I was informed they had a more fuzzy exterior.
Derpy: [gasp] You never had a peach before? These ones are sliced and put in syrup, they usually are fuzzy though. Here, try one!
Cuckoo Clock: …This is perhaps the most flavorful thing I’ve eaten in years…Years of mushrooms.
During an argument about to go down between the Doctor and Tick Tock, the gingercorn mentions that no one would really care if he died. While he is stubborn on the outside, his guard is slowly crumbling, revealing just how insecure he can be.
Cuckoo Clock: …Listen Doctor, even if you can help me complete these creations, there is still the matter of stigma. I have no incentive to aid a town who has mocked me my whole life.
Doctor: Is the mockery really a justification for all of their deaths?!
Cuckoo Clock: And what of my own? The only reason I haven’t been left to die is because of the general. They wouldn’t give any second thought about my passing.
Derpy decides to step in and give Tick Tock a pep talk, explaining how he isn’t the only one to be an “outcast.” Derpy has a unique and beautiful way of tapping into otherponies logos, or emotional appeal. It seems to do the trick for Tick Tock, and is convinced to help save is small town of Fort Neighers.
Derpy: [sympathetic] Doctor… Let me…
Doctor: [pause] …. Alright.
Derpy: Look, I know how you feel. Well, kinda… Nopony really treated me very nice much either. And… And for a long time I told myself I didn’t need any friends or any help. Maybe they are mean, and maybe it seems like no one would care. But if you give up on them and yourself, then nothing’s going to change.
Cuckoo Clock: What they think of me really doesn’t matter any more.
Derpy: … What about the General?
Derpy: I can tell he cares about you, even when nopony else seems to. Maybe.. Maybe you don’t want to help them, maybe you wouldn’t care if they… [gulp] You know, lost… But he’d care. I think it would break his heart if he lost them. And you. Would you be willing to help him…?
Cuckoo Clock: [quietly] Father…
Cuckoo Clock: Very well. We’ve got a lot of work to do and only three nights to do it.
In fact, Derpy’s speech worked so well that Tick Tock’s willing to put aside his differences with his brother, which he would otherwise be too stubborn to do so along with his brother.
Cuckoo Clock: You didn’t inform me that he would be attending
Lionheart: Listen, you need to set aside your differences for this fight…This could be our last.
Cuckoo Clock: …I suppose you’re right.
When Terror approaches, it affects any creatures amygdala, which is the part of the brain that deals with the experiencing of one’s emotions. This is confirmed by the Doctor’s analyzing of the creature itself:
Doctor: Miss Hooves! …. Get her back in the tent, she can’t handle that… energy… coming from that creature… [quieter] It must have some kind of telepathic field that heavily affects the amygdalae… Even I feel the urge to bolt away… So this is ‘Terror’…
This helps us see where our two ponies, Derpy Hooves and Tick Tock, are on a pictured scale of how emotional they cast themselves as. Here is a diagram for a better visual context.
Down below are reasonings for each character’s placement.
General Lionheart: The only mention of him being frightened by it is when he uses the pronoun “us”, generalizing his army, making his statement slightly more vague.
Lionheart: By Celestia…what is it?!
Lionheart: Stay in the tent, we’ll handle everything from here… I hope.
Lionheart: [Sadly] So, fate has abandoned us today. Everyone, we must flee…
Lionheart: Don’t be a fool! If just looking at it makes us terrified, then we couldn’t possibly get close to it! We’re better off- [cut off]
Tick Tock: He states that he is frightened by its presence, but is able to push those feelings aside and focus on the war.
Cuckoo Clock: It’s very presence…it frightens me.
Cuckoo Clock: I desire nothing more right now. But you of all others should know that my paralyzation would prevent me from getting too far. I’m afraid I would only be a burden even if someone carries. I do however have a trump card.
Doctor Whooves: He mentions that he wants to bolt away, but stays in place.
Doctor: Miss Hooves! …. Get her back in the tent, she can’t handle that… energy… coming from that creature… [quieter] It must have some kind of telepathic field that heavily affects the amygdalae… Even I feel the urge to bolt away… So this is ‘Terror’…
Lightwing: He’s clearly frightened and has a hard time composing himself together to fight Terror.
Lightwing: I-I stand by my general to the death! Look, it’s just s…standing there mocking us, daring us to strike, w-we can attack it, we can show it the folly of it’s challenge!
Jot: Flees off in fright before returning to the general to tell him that the army is retreating.
Jot: [Scurries in, terrified] G-g-general! something’s out there!
Jot: General! The troops are in a full retreat.
Derpy Hooves: She’s sick to the stomach and sounds as though she may pass out.
Derpy: [sounding faint] I… I think I’m gonna be…sick… I…
Derpy: [weak] I- I’ll be okay… I’m okay…
This diagram, along with the information, shows that Derpy Hooves and Tick Tock are nearly on opposite sides of the diagram. It is also noted that Tick Tock is very much kept to himself and not showing much emotion.
It’s clear that Tick Tock, known as “Cuckoo Clock” in the script, isn’t too keen on making any new friends just yet. Despite Derpy being persuasive on having him help in the battle, her persuasion didn’t cause him to be open to new friends. In fact, he still sees these two ponies, especially Derpy Hooves, in not the best light.
Derpy: I’m going with you Doctor!
Doctor: Are you absolutely sure about that? You nearly fainted at the sight of it, and this whole situation has been draining for you. I can tell…
Derpy: With all we’ve been through together, I can’t let you go without me.
Doctor: [slightly distressed] I understand how you feel but-
Derpy: I’ll be careful, I promise.
Cuckoo Clock: As counterproductive as her presence may seem, it’s clear her choice won’t waver.
However, he is beginning to be slightly more friendly towards his brother, Lightwing.
Cuckoo Clock: Another escapade to impress our father again?
Lightwing: [sputtering] I…no..shut up you-! You..
Cuckoo Clock: Brother, have you not figured it out? With their general absent, the troops require guidance.
Lightwing: Wait…you mean?
Lionheart: That’s right, I’m giving temporary command over the troops to you. You’ve always wanted to prove yourself to me, now is your chance.
Lightwing: Yes father, I won’t let you down. What do you need me to do?
Lionheart: Find a way to create an opening for us to sneak past their lines.
Lightwing: Sir! At once, father!
Cuckoo Clock: …Good luck.
Lightwing: …Take care of our father, Tick Tock. [Flies off]
Switching perspectives for a quick moment, it’s clear that Derpy Hooves has noted Tick Tock as a “good” pony. It took quite a while for her to make this mental note with Doctor Whooves. This is believed to be from the fact that her and Tick Tock share similar backgrounds of being bullied by their societies. She is the pony to notice that Tick Tock is lagging behind. This can be partially excused by the fact that his family know Tick Tock to be slow, yet, in a time like this, one would think that they would be more persistent on the fact.
Lionheart: Don’t think about it! Just keep running, we made it past, we’re on our own now!
Doctor: There’s the cave it fled into!
Derpy: Where’s Tick Tock? Did he get left behind?
Lionheart: Don’t worry, he made it through, he’ll catch up. He’s a bit slower from venom, and If I know him he’s getting something ready. He’s far more reliable than his old tinkering. In the meantime we can’t waste anymore opportunity. [Sound of flint lighting a torch up] Let’s go!
Going back to the main subject of this topic, Tick Tock. When he pulls out his last resort weapon to fight Terror, he’s more open to Derpy’s question than before. This could be because he thinks he’ll pass away soon. Either way, it sounds as though he is much more tolerating towards Derpy.
Derpy: [various sounds of awe] What’s this thingie you’re working on now?
Gingercorn: It’s… a thing.
Derpy: What’s he holding?!
Tick Tock: I made this in hopes I would never have to use this…It’s a shame, I would have liked to see this all to the end.
Also note the connection between Derpy Hooves’s and TIck Tock’s lines.
Derpy: We’re friendly, I promise. Just look me in the eyes and tell me. Do I look like a bad pony?
Tick Tock: Doctor, can you honestly look me in the eyes and tell me there’s another way?
He tries to comfort the scared mare as best as can by telling her and the Doctor to run and not turn back.
Derpy: [scared] W-what’s going on, I-I-I don’t understand…
Tick Tock: Derpy, go with the Doctor, go and don’t turn back.
Another extremely important memory is here. This is the first time Derpy hugs Tick Tock, showing the friendly compassion she holds for him already. Hugs are brought up multiple times in the series later on between the two.
Derpy: …. Tick Tock… [hug sound] Thank you… I wish I could have hugged you for a different reason…
Terror: [Envy] Aww how sweet.
Tick Tock: [silently] …Go.
Once Tick Tock is safely inside of the TARDIS, Derpy gives the gingercorn another hug. This time, he doesn’t give a neutral/gloomy reaction towards the hug. Instead, he gives a positive response to it.
Derpy: And now you’re safe and sound, isn’t that great?! [hug]
Doctor: Derpy, you’re hugging him too tight!
Tick Tock: [a few more individual cracks] Hm. Actually, I think you put something back into place.
Derpy: [proud] I give good hugs.
On Derpy’s side of things, the fundamentals for a strong friendship have been set already. This can be shown by the fact that Derpy can read Tick Tock like a book, unlike the Doctor, who’s confused and impressed by his female companion.
Doctor: How can you tell? He never has an expression, he always looks bored.
Derpy: I dunno, I can just… see it.
We now go to the next episode.
But before we do that, we must go through the short Domestics along with a Q&A session.
It was confirmed via an anonymous ask that both the shorts along with the Q&A sessions are real.
Between the 8th episode and the 9th, there is one short and three Q&As, but only one of them has Tick Tock in it. Let’s start off with the short.
The short titled “Domestics” is about just how annoying the Doctor can be when the newly founded trio have nothing better to do. You can tell that Tick Tock is beginning to warm up to the crew as he no longer fires back quippy and sarcastic answers, but rather the longer and more explaining (and quite complicated at times) sentences. Mostly towards Derpy as she isn’t the one being the annoying pony in the TARDIS throughout this short.
Derpy [tired out]: And I can’t hear myself think! When are we gonna go on another adventure? We’ve been sitting around listening to you talk and poor Tick Tock hasn’t even been able to experience one single adventure with us yet.
Tick Tock [perky]: I don’t mind. I’ve been spending time taking note on the fascinating interior of this TARDIS. In addition, relocating my belongings to a room of my choosing has been a good occupation of my time.
INTERACTION WITH DOCTOR WHOOVES:
Doctor [serious]: Well, don’t blame her, I suppose. [perky] Well then, it’s just you and me now, my gingery friend! We’re gonna be the best of pals, you and I!
Tick Tock [sarcastic]: Oh, how wondrous.
There is nothing much after that. Just the Doctor asking Tick Tock if he’s into virgins and getting punched right afterwards at the very end of the short.
Moving onto the Q&A session, this is when we see Tick Tock really begin to lighten up with his mood.
Tick Tock [surprised]: Dealing with hypotheticals, I had never really given any thought previously.
[Tick Tock and Jot talk over each other]
Derpy Hooves and Doctor [in unison]: Tick Tack?
[Derpy Hooves and Doctor Whooves burst into laughter]
Jot: Oh-kay, um. You thought my “light” pun was bad?
Doctor: Well, “O” is usually masculine, “A” is feminine. So, Tick Tack!
Tick Tock [witty]: They don’t call you Dactar!
[Derpy Hooves and Doctor Whooves burst out into laughter again]
Jot: I much prefer “Avante”.
Tick Tock [doesn’t sound as happy due to paralyzation]: Avante…!
And he is even taking traveling in the TARDIS as a positive expirience!
Derpy: Oh, here’s one for Tick Tock! Kyleboy21d-a, or dah. So, Tick Tock, How was it like to join in with the Doctor and Derpy in their forthcoming adventure?
Tick Tock: Um… it is, rather exciting. I have to admit, though, it is highly life threatening. Though, being a pony of war, I’m no stranger to danger.
Derpy [jokingly]: Stranger dangerrr! [giggles]
Doctor: Well, ya, you are. Still a ginger.
Tick Tock: What does that have to do with anything?
And finally, of course, questions relating to the DerpTock ship finally show up. Here is how they all responded:
Doctor: So, digi-pony-of-destiny asked, So Tick Tock, have you ever considered asking Derpy out?
Doctor: [chuckles] Considering your circumstances, she’s probably the only mare you’d really be able to have a relationship with.
Derpy and Tick Tock: What?!
Doctor: [chuckles, again] Unless of course you prefer stallions, in which case I’m sure the Doctor would love to-
Derpy: [laughs hysterically]
Doctor [offended]: The Doctor would love to! Wha?!
Derpy [still laughing]: Um… um…
Jot: What did I just hear?
Doctor [speechless]: Uh, uh…
Tick Tock: Derpy, why did you have to tell him that?
Doctor: I can have a gin-
Tick Tock: Don’t act like you don’t remember. Saying that you might become a unicorn if you kiss one!
Doctor [intrigued]: Ooh! Can I try that?
Tick Tock: I highly object to that.
Doctor: But, can I kiss you?
Derpy [teasing]: No means no, Doctor!
And then another question right after that is asked about Tick Tock having any romantic interests in Derpy.
Derpy: [clears throat] Joeywaggoner asked, To Tick Tock, you seem to be very nice towards Derpy, do you have a crush- [inaudible noises]
Tick Tock [flustered]: Um, uh, just skip that one.
Derpy: Okay, skipping! [laughing it off] These ponies are hilarious, [chuckles a little] I mean we just met, c’mon.
http://whoovesnassistant.tumblr.com/post/170216333900/im-pretty-sure-that-this-has-been-answered-andor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wo2QeWTL4Io
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLfawoT6aDU
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EbzQDBemvuFWHvAzQxmq5HftDZdWYyeaQPpgedByvak/edit
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HJkgeEdjOAcKK09nJ5ky9eGu9nbLi0UmoaNUiiI1Lec/edit
https://pre00.deviantart.net/620e/th/pre/i/2014/031/3/b/doctor_whooves_and_assistant_doodles_by_dream_of_serenity-d74gzmh.png
Please correct me on any incorrect or missing information. Thank you!
