--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A better time. A simpler time,' said the…" description: "\"“A better time. A simpler time,' said the Doctor. 'That's what we all yearn for. The pain of wanting to belong somewhere. To go home.”\" — Mark Gatiss" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/344/mark-gatiss-10930_bbc_a-better-time-a-simpler-time-said-the-do_602993.jpg" --- # A better time. A simpler time,' said the Doctor. 'That's… ![“A better time. A simpler time,' said the Doctor. 'That's what we all yearn for. The pain of wanting to belong somewhere. To go home.” quote by Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/344/mark-gatiss-10930_bbc_a-better-time-a-simpler-time-said-the-do_602993.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/344/mark-gatiss-10930_bbc_a-better-time-a-simpler-time-said-the-do_602993.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/344/mark-gatiss-10930_bbc_a-better-time-a-simpler-time-said-the-do_602993.jpg) > ““A better time. A simpler time,' said the Doctor. 'That's what we all yearn for. The pain of wanting to belong somewhere. To go home.”” [Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Doctor longs for a simpler, belonging place, expressing universal yearning for home and peace amidst chaos. **In simple terms:** Desires a simpler, belonging home. Key Takeaway Seek simplicity and belonging. Themes nostalgia belonging search for home Mood hopeful melancholic Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - times of stress - personal reflection - creative writing Key Concepts existential yearning comfort zones Questions to Reflect On - What does “home” mean to you? - How can you find belonging now? A Different Perspective Idealizing the past can overlook present opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doctor who](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctor-who/) [Medicine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medicine/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“You know, the Elizabethans thought nostalgia was a diagnosable disease. Perhaps they were right.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-gatiss/you-know-the-elizabethans-thought-nostalgia-was-a-diagnosable-disease/) [Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) > [“I know that what's done … is done. No sense living in the past. The only way for me is forward. Always forward.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-gatiss/i-know-that-what-s-done-is-done-no-sense-living-in-the-past-the-only/) [Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) > [“Any time, any place, any where. He's not called Doctor Martini, is he?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-gatiss/any-time-any-place-any-where-he-s-not-called-doctor-martini-is-he/) [Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) > [“I've told you, I don't know!' bellowed the Doctor, angrily. 'I can't have an answer for everything.' Oh, that's a good one, thought Ace.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-gatiss/i-ve-told-you-i-don-t-know-bellowed-the-doctor-angrily-i-can-t-have/) [Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) > [The dream factory of that time was much simpler. As media outlets grew, everything became so complicated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-leigh/the-dream-factory-of-that-time-was-much-simpler-as-media-outlets-grew/) [Janet Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-leigh/) > [People often refer to bygone days as a simpler time. Perhaps, more accurately, my grandparents' generation focused better on what mattered. Traffic jams and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristina-mcmorris/people-often-refer-to-bygone-days-as-a-simpler-time-perhaps-more/) [Kristina McMorris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristina-mcmorris/) > [I think people are gravitating towards these period dramas because I think they're looking for a simpler time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-piven/i-think-people-are-gravitating-towards-these-period-dramas-because-i/) [Jeremy Piven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-piven/) > [“Lies are simpler, and most of the time they make better sense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-rothfuss/lies-are-simpler-and-most-of-the-time-they-make-better-sense/) [Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-rothfuss/) > [There wasn't so many ISSUES like there are today. It was a simpler time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-jackson/there-wasn-t-so-many-issues-like-there-are-today-it-was-a-simpler-time/) [Wanda Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-jackson/) > [Our clothing, our food, our household furnishings - all could be much simpler than they now are and at the same time be better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/our-clothing-our-food-our-household-furnishings-all-could-be-much/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) > [“For some people, small, beautiful events are what life is all about.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cavan-scott/for-some-people-small-beautiful-events-are-what-life-is-all-about/) Cavan Scott > [“If I could describe myself, I'd say that I am a poetic gerd. 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I found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-paige/they-say-you-can-t-go-home-again-well-i-m-proof-that-s-not-true-home/) [Danielle Paige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-paige/) ## More by Mark Gatiss > [“History is a burden. Stories can make us fly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-gatiss/history-is-a-burden-stories-can-make-us-fly/) [Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) > [They are called 'Emos' now, and before that they were 'Goths.' They didn't have a name for it when I was one, but I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-gatiss/they-are-called-emos-now-and-before-that-they-were-goths-they-didn-t/) [Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) > [Fear is an underrated emotion. And that's why I think it's very dangerous to try and cosset children from it. A healthy scare is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-gatiss/fear-is-an-underrated-emotion-and-that-s-why-i-think-it-s-very/) [Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) > [One of the pleasures of the original 'Grimm's Fairy Tales' is how incredibly ghastly they are. The ugly sisters have their eyes pecked out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-gatiss/one-of-the-pleasures-of-the-original-grimm-s-fairy-tales-is-how/) [Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) > [It's a cliche, but it's true that all the fun lies in baddies, grotesques and comic roles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-gatiss/it-s-a-cliche-but-it-s-true-that-all-the-fun-lies-in-baddies/) [Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) > [I had a girlfriend before I ever had a boyfriend, but it was just a phase.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-gatiss/i-had-a-girlfriend-before-i-ever-had-a-boyfriend-but-it-was-just-a/) [Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) > [The thing is, horror is a big part of 'Sherlock Holmes.' Doyle also wrote a lot of great horror stories, so there's a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-gatiss/the-thing-is-horror-is-a-big-part-of-sherlock-holmes-doyle-also-wrote/) [Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) > [ \[Toby Jones\] is completely different. It's a completely different character. He's the darkest villain we've had. There was always something charming and engaging about… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-gatiss/toby-jones-is-completely-different-it-s-a-completely-different/) [Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) > [It was all quite ghastly and I was very fond of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-gatiss/it-was-all-quite-ghastly-and-i-was-very-fond-of-it/) [Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) > [I always compare reading anything on the Internet to listening at doors. If you don't want to hear anything bad about yourself, you should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-gatiss/i-always-compare-reading-anything-on-the-internet-to-listening-at/) [Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) > [My dad was quite a forbidding figure. I realise now that that was mainly because he worked so hard. He wasn't unkind, but he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-gatiss/my-dad-was-quite-a-forbidding-figure-i-realise-now-that-that-was/) [Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) > [All pleasure should be a little bent, don't you think?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-gatiss/all-pleasure-should-be-a-little-bent-don-t-you-think/) [Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) > [At school I briefly wanted to be a palaeontologist, but I was no good at chemistry and physics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-gatiss/at-school-i-briefly-wanted-to-be-a-palaeontologist-but-i-was-no-good/) [Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) > [I'm an actor and a writer, that's how I think of myself. Sometimes my time is divided equally, sometimes less equally, but that's what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-gatiss/i-m-an-actor-and-a-writer-that-s-how-i-think-of-myself-sometimes-my/) [Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) > [“I've heard of such a legend!' I gasped. 'A child descended from a union between Christ and Mary Magdalene!' 'Don't be so fucking stupid,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-gatiss/i-ve-heard-of-such-a-legend-i-gasped-a-child-descended-from-a-union/) [Mark Gatiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) [Explore all 62 Mark Gatiss quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-gatiss/) ## More Bbc quotes > [My first job was a film called 'Storm Damage' for the BBC. I was 16 and working with really respected British actors. 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They were my specialist subject on BBC's 'Celebrity Mastermind' a few years ago!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-roberts/i-m-slightly-obsessed-with-moomins-they-were-my-specialist-subject-on/) [Alice Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-roberts/) > [I don't have any quarrel with the BBC.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-may/i-don-t-have-any-quarrel-with-the-bbc/) [James May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-may/) > [The BBC will always be attacked by whoever is in government. It is that George Bush thing of 'If you're not with us you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-norton/the-bbc-will-always-be-attacked-by-whoever-is-in-government-it-is/) [Graham Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-norton/) > [I'm obsessed with the BBC comedy 'Mum.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-cox/i-m-obsessed-with-the-bbc-comedy-mum/) [Sara Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-cox/) > [The BBC can be infuriating at times but I love it with a passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sweeney/the-bbc-can-be-infuriating-at-times-but-i-love-it-with-a-passion/) [John Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sweeney/) > [I wish I hadn't lost it, and for the rest of my life I can never again lose my temper on TV. The BBC…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sweeney/i-wish-i-hadn-t-lost-it-and-for-the-rest-of-my-life-i-can-never-again/) [John Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sweeney/) > [In my opinion, the BBC are one of the best producers of drama in the world, and it made me incredibly happy to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-pasqualino/in-my-opinion-the-bbc-are-one-of-the-best-producers-of-drama-in-the/) [Luke Pasqualino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-pasqualino/) > [I'm a fan of the BBC, and have worked there on many projects.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-watkins/i-m-a-fan-of-the-bbc-and-have-worked-there-on-many-projects/) [Jason Watkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-watkins/) > [I've always had an unsentimental view. I don't think the BBC is my auntie. I worked there for years, and you learn that they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-wogan/i-ve-always-had-an-unsentimental-view-i-don-t-think-the-bbc-is-my/) [Terry Wogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-wogan/) > [ “Fran Katzenjammer: "You need someone normal around here". Bernard: "Normal! He's normal is he, is he"? Fran Katzenjammer: \[chuckles\] Bernard: "What am I then"?… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dylan-moran/fran-katzenjammer-you-need-someone-normal-around-here-bernard-normal/) [Dylan Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dylan-moran/) > [I played Nelson Mandela in one thing for laughs - and I did it because this thing had come round from the BBC that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-enfield/i-played-nelson-mandela-in-one-thing-for-laughs-and-i-did-it-because/) [Harry Enfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-enfield/) > [It's sad that the BBC is toning down Dennis the Menace for a cartoon series. 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