The Astonishing Transformation of Doctor Who under Chris Chibnall: Unveiled!

Summary

Chris Chibnall's bold decisions improved diversity in Doctor Who, with Jodie Whittaker as the first female Doctor and tackling difficult historical moments.

The changes made to Doctor Who canon sparked controversy, particularly the revelation that the Doctor's origins were not on Gallifrey.

Under Chris Chibnall's direction, new elements were introduced to the show, including the depiction of multiple regenerations for the Doctor prior to the First Doctor and the granting of unlimited regenerations for the Time Lord.

Since Russell T Davies revitalized Doctor Who in 2005, subsequent showrunners have continued to expand the show's mythology, and Chris Chibnall is no different. One of Chibnall's bold decisions was to cast Jodie Whittaker as the first female Doctor, which not only improved diversity on and off screen but also resulted in fresh and compelling storytelling. The show delved into difficult moments in history, such as the Partition of India and the birth of the Civil Rights Movement, offering a refreshing perspective that aligns with Doctor Who's original purpose to educate and entertain.

However, it was Chibnall's modifications to the Doctor Whocanon that caused the most controversy. Despite change and renewal being inherent to Doctor Who, many fans were displeased with the alterations made during the Chibnall and Whittaker era. Notably, various aspects of the show's mythology were forever changed, including the process of regeneration, the Doctor's origins, and even the fundamental structure of the Doctor Who universe.

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11 The Doctor Is Not From Gallifrey (Or This Universe)

The Doctor's true origins were unveiled in the season 12 finale of Doctor Who, shattering 50 years of established canon. In a daring move, Chris Chibnall injected a sense of intrigue into the character by challenging everything previously believed about the Doctor. Rather than being born or woven into the fabric of Gallifreyan society, the Doctor was in fact a lost child from a completely different universe. Kidnapped by the Gallifreyan scientist Tecteun, the Timeless Child became the genetic blueprint for Time Lord society, with the Time Lords effectively stealing their regenerative abilities from this extraordinary being.

As the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who approaches, there is now a greater sense of mystery surrounding the Doctor's origins. Whether Russell T Davies will address the Timeless Child in his new era remains uncertain, but the open-ended nature of this storyline was always intentional. The true importance lies not in where the Doctor came from or who their biological parents were, but rather in the incredible hero that the Doctor has become. The Doctor's steadfast refusal to allow the Master (Sacha Dhawan) to manipulate this information and transform them into a vengeful villain showcases the undeniable strength of the Doctor's character.

10 Tecteun Was The Doctor's Mother

The Doctor's adoptive mother, Tecteun, misused their authority to conduct genetic experiments on their own child, exploiting their regenerative abilities. Tecteun's impactful research elevated their status in Time Lord society, placing them among legendary figures like Rassilon and Omega. Chris Chibnall's Timeless Child storyline revolutionized fans' perception of Ancient Gallifrey's darker moments.

9 The Doctor Was Part Of The Division

8 The Doctor Regenerated Many Times Before The First Doctor

The theory surrounding the Second Doctor's involvement with Gallifrey's Celestial Intervention Agency gained considerable popularity. It suggests that Patrick Troughton's Doctor joined the agency between the events of "The War Games" and "Spearhead from Space". Chris Chibnall built upon Doctor Who's season 6b theory by introducing the intriguing character of Jo Martin's Fugitive Doctor. This previously unknown incarnation was depicted as engaging in dubious activities on behalf of the Time Lords. However, instead of being affiliated with the Celestial Intervention Agency, the Fugitive Doctor belonged to the Division. This specialized group appeared to recruit agents from various corners of the galaxy. Surprisingly, Weeping Angels, Lupari, and an Ood were all uncovered as operatives of the Division during the Chris Chibnall era. These revelations suggest that the Time Lords were more directly involved and engaged than their supposed stance of non-intervention would imply.

In the realm of Doctor Who, Chris Chibnall made a significant addition to the canon by confirming the existence of pre-Hartnell Doctors. While this notion had been subtly suggested in the Tom Baker serial "The Brain of Morbius", it was ultimately Jo Martin's portrayal of the Fugitive Doctor that solidified it. The Doctor's regenerations have occurred numerous times, beginning with a childhood mishap that catalyzed Tecteun's genetic studies, and continuing until the Fugitive Doctor presumably transformed into William Hartnell's First Doctor. Consequently, the numerical ordering of the Doctors is now inconsequential, as there exist an unfathomable number of incarnations, each dedicated to enhancing the universe. Delving into this thought can actually offer a sense of solace.

7 There's No Regeneration Limit

6 Chris Chibnall Fixed UNIT Dating

: With Steven Moffat granting the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith) an entire new cycle of regenerations in "The Time of the Doctor," Chris Chibnall takes it a step further by bestowing the Time Lord with unlimited regenerations. This decision, however, raises concerns as it could potentially eliminate any sense of danger from the show. If the Doctor can continuously regenerate without limit, there would be no genuine threat of death. Fortunately, Doctor Who has previously demonstrated that Time Lords can perish without undergoing regeneration, ensuring that jeopardy can still be present when necessary. Chris Chibnall's inclusion of boundless regenerations means that the series will never again need to grapple with the controversial topic of regeneration limits.

The Doctor Who fandom has long been divided over the timeline of Jon Pertwee's Third Doctor era, whether it occurred in the 1970s or 1980s. This debate was further complicated by the events of the Fifth Doctor serial "Mawdryn Undead", where the Brigadier's retirement in the late 1970s was implied. However, during Doctor Who: Flux, the Grand Serpent intervened with history, implying his involvement with UNIT from the very beginning. This alteration, although controversial among fans, actually resolved the contentious UNIT dating issue.

If the Grand Serpent had the ability to travel back in time and prevent the Brigadier from advancing in his career, it is conceivable that someone may have altered the timeline to push the inception of UNIT back by ten years. Fans of Doctor Who are known for their adherence to a linear approach when it comes to a TV show that revolves around time travel. By modifying the origins of UNIT during the Flux, Chibnall made it clear that the established history of Doctor Who is in a perpetual state of change. This opens up the possibility of attributing any continuity issues in the future to the interference of a malevolent time traveler.

5 The Doctor's Flux Genocide

The Flux, a catastrophic event orchestrated by Division, aimed to eradicate any evidence of their existence and the Doctor's prior involvement. In order to prevent the universe from complete destruction, the Doctor had no choice but to sacrifice numerous Dalek, Cybermen, and Sontaran vessels. The brunt of the Flux's impact was borne by the Doctor's greatest adversaries, weakening its potency enough to be contained within the Passenger. "Eve of the Daleks" clarified that the Doctor significantly diminished these forces, posing potential challenges for Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor, as desperate Cybermen, Daleks, or Sontarans are the epitome of danger.

4 The Guardians Of The Edge

3 Gallifrey Is Destroyed (Again)

Chris Chibnall introduced yet another regeneration innovation with the interior world of the Edge. After being forcibly expelled from their body by the Master, the Thirteenth Doctor discovered themselves in a desolate wasteland known as the Edge. In this desolation, the Doctor encountered the Guardians – their previous incarnations – who provided the necessary resolve to combat the Master. This intriguing concept solidifies the notion that the Doctor retains fragments of their past selves within their psyche. Speculations suggest that the Edge will make an appearance in the 60th anniversary special, wherein Ncuti Gatwa becomes trapped there due to the manipulations of the Toymaker (Neil Patrick Harris).

In "Spyfall," we discover that the Master, upon learning about the Timeless Child, destroyed Gallifrey. This marks the second time that the Doctor's home planet has faced destruction, although technically the first time since "Day of the Doctor" rescued it from the brink. Chris Chibnall may not have entirely destroyed Gallifrey, as viewers only witness the ruined Capitol and its surroundings. It is more plausible that the Master, driven by anger over the Time Lords concealing the Doctor's secrets, wiped out the entire High Council of Time Lords and other privileged Gallifreyans residing in the Capitol. Consequently, it is likely that a nascent replacement government of Gallifreyans relocated to another city on the planet.

2 Five & Seven Reunited With Tegan & Ace

"The Power of the Doctor" brought back cherished Doctor Who companions Tegan Jovanka (Janet Fielding) and Ace (Sophie Aldred) from the 1980s. Joining forces with UNIT, Ace and Tegan supported the Doctor in his battle against the Master and were joyfully reunited with "their" past incarnations of the Doctor. Through a sentient hologram that relayed guidance to her former companions, the Thirteenth Doctor's image transformed into the familiar faces of the Fifth and Seventh Doctors. This heartfelt moment provided Tegan and Ace with the long-awaited opportunity to bid their respective Doctors a proper farewell, an experience that circumstances had previously denied them. Tegan's conversation with the Fifth Doctor about the Cybermen also served as a belated tribute to the tragic demise of Adric, an event that had occurred four decades ago.

1 The Doctor Who Companion Support Group

One of the significant alterations made by Chris Chibnall to the Doctor Who canon was the inclusion of a companion support group in "The Power of the Doctor". In the past, the Doctor's companions usually had limited awareness of one another, although there were a few exceptions such as Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) and Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen). However, now all the former companions of the Doctor gather together to exchange their thrilling stories. Jemma Redgrave's character, Kate Stewart, hinted that the support group also serves as a hub for recruiting members, implying the potential development of a UNIT spinoff on Disney+, as per the rumors surrounding Russell T Davies. Love them or hate them, Chris Chibnall's modifications to Doctor Who have left an enduring impact on the beloved series.