The Mystery Madness of Doctor Who Season 14

Doctor Who's 60th Anniversary and Christmas Extravaganza

Doctor Who season 14 faces a potentially insurmountable obstacle thanks to the specials that aired throughout late 2023. In celebration of Doctor Who's 60th anniversary, a trio of specials released across November and December 2023, which were then followed by 'The Church on Ruby Road' marking the return of Doctor Who's Christmas special tradition. These episodes also served as a relaunch for Doctor Who, now once again under the leadership of showrunner Russell T Davies and enjoying its widest international audience yet thanks to a streaming deal with Disney+.

Millie Gibson and Ncuti Gatwa as Ruby and The Doctor in Doctor Who's The Church On Ruby Road

Naturally, then, Doctor Who's 60th anniversary and Christmas extravaganza functioned as a lead-in for Doctor Who season 14. Scheduled for spring 2024, Doctor Who will resume its typical weekly format with Ncuti Gatwa starring as the Fifteenth Doctor and Millie Gibson as new companion Ruby Sunday.

Ruby Sunday's baby flashback in Doctor Who

Doctor Who Season 14 Has Too Many Mysteries To Solve

Thanks to Doctor Who's 2023 specials, season 14 now has far too many mysteries to resolve properly. Across just four episodes, RTD sowed the seeds for a vast number of upcoming stories, with at least six major mysteries left dangling.

Doctor Who's Beep The Meep During the Doctor's Trial in the 60th-Anniversary Special "The Star Beast"

The Boss, the One Who Waits, the Toymaker's legions, and the red-nailed hand had already provided Doctor Who with plenty of mysteries for season 14, but the Christmas special went further, answering none yet adding two more to the growing pile - Ruby Sunday's parentage and the identity of Mrs. Flood.

Anita Dobson as Mrs Flood crossing her arms outside her house in Doctor Who

Doctor Who's Mystery Overload Dampens Excitement For Season 14

When executed correctly, ominous hints and subtle teases can build intrigue and enhance excitement by generating discussion. Russell teeing up one mystery after another in quick succession, however, has diminishing returns, and the TARDIS cloister bell is a great parallel to show why this is problematic. The bell is supposed to ring whenever the universe is facing imminent and extreme danger, but the more frequently Doctor Who uses it, the less drama it creates.

Neil Patrick Harris as The Toymaker looking serious in Doctor Who 60th anniversary special The Giggle.

Similarly, the more story hints and mysterious plot points get teased for Doctor Who season 14, the less intrigue they create. The One Who Waits was a huge piece of Doctor Who setup in 'The Giggle,' but the spotlight has been taken away by discussion over who Mrs. Flood could be. Likewise, focusing on the identity of Mrs. Flood becomes difficult after remembering Doctor Who still hasn't addressed Meep's boss, and so the cycle continues. Ultimately, none of the mysteries are having the impact they should be because attention is spread too thinly between them. And that's without even factoring in the many unanswered questions still remaining from the Timeless Child.

A hand picks up the Master's tooth in Doctor Who episode The Giggle