Russel T Davies coming back as writer!!
this post was submitted on 18 Jun 2023
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I'm most looking forward to RTD's writing. I really connect with how he wrote his characters in the first four seasons and I'm really excited to see the new ideas he's got in store.
If there's one thing RTD does well, it's injecting life into the franchise. It's really felt like the show has been slowly dying the past few years.
Steven Moffat was an excellent showrunner for Doctor Who, but didn't really extend his ambition beyond that. We had increasingly short seasons, and only one half-hearted attempt at a spin-off that never really got advertised. I'm sure there are still people who don't know that Class even existed.
Then Chris Chibnall did even shorter seasons, gave up the Christmas specials, and just in general seemed to do the bare minimum to keep it on the air. Admittedly the pandemic didn't help, but through his whole run it felt like there was a spectre of cancellation hanging over the show.
For the first time in ages now it feels like Doctor Who is actually coming back to life. New spin-offs, new seasons every year. If RTD can deliver even half of what he's promising it'll be a real golden age.
Regular Doctor Who again.
But I'm really interested to see what RTD's new take on the show is going to be like. I have a feeling that while the specials might be more similar to RTD1, series 14 might take a very different shape. RTD has become a lot more jaded and cynical over the last decade, even more than he already was, and I expect that to shine through.
I expect to see more political satires like his first era, but while previously they came from a place of disappointment of the Blair years, now they are likely to come from a place of anger. He's never hid his dislike of the Tory governments we've had, and I expect that to show in his writing.
I'm expecting a darker core to the show, even if on the surface it should keep the fun camp that defined his last era.
I'm excited to be getting back on the Who bandwagon! I fell off ages ago after Matt Smiths first season. But just a few months ago, my wife and I decided to properly go through and catch up in time for Tennants return.
We just finished season 6 (Smith's 2nd season) and man I was really missing out on some great Who! Excited to wrap up Smith as I'm incredibly curious about Capaldi. Glad to be back into the Whoniverse
There are a couple of Capaldi episodes that are not well-written. Don't let that deter you - it's all worth watching - just the occasional disappointment along the way.
I've somehow sat through every season of The Flash, so don't worry I'll manage a few mediocre episodes lol
I think Moffat's era is sort of bowl-shaped in quality. Seasons 5 and 10 are amazing, 6 and 9 are great, and 7 and 8 are a bit uneven. If season 8 was excluded from Capaldi's run he's easily be the best Doctor ever.
You mentioned it in your post, but I'm psyched that RTD seems to be giving style and historical fashion more of an emphasis this season. It's new and I think the promo images look great.
I can't wait to see familiar faces again in reprising their roles - not just the main two but everyone else as well
I'm most looking forward to Ruth Madeley's character. I know that she isn't playing Hebe but it'll be so fun to see her together with Mel on the TV. Water Worlds are the main reason why I got back into Doctor Who a few months ago. Speaking of which, if anyone hasn't heard the Big Finish boxsets with 6th Doctor, Mel, Hebe and friends old and new I strongly reccomend them.
Other than her I'm really looking forward to Indira Varma's character. What else can I say other than I love Torchwood and Suzie.