The Spectacular Solutions RTD's Return Has Brought to Doctor Who
Russell T Davies resurrects Doctor Who with a vengeance, solving 10 long-standing issues Obscure villains, high excitement, limited companions, bigger budget, revived Christmas specials, continued unleashed universe, classic roots, diverse casting, strategic marketing, and a major role for UNIT
Summary
Russell T Davies' return to
Doctor Who
has brought about positive changes to the beloved sci-fi show, including the use of more obscure villains like The Celestial Toymaker and Beep The Meep.
Davies' choice to have the Doctor accompanied by only one companion has caused enthusiasm among fans, enabling more profound character growth and storytelling.
The augmented budget for the 60th Anniversary specials has enhanced the production quality of the show.
Doctor Who
, resulting in improved visuals and distribution, with episodes being streamed on Disney Plus.
Russell T Davies has made a triumphant return to Doctor Who, rejuvenating the beloved sci-fi show with his involvement in the new series and the upcoming 60th Anniversary specials. Since reclaiming his role as showrunner, Davies has not only revitalized the story but also implemented refreshing marketing and promotional strategies. As a result, Doctor Who has once again become an exhilarating show, dispelling any disappointment that may have lingered among audiences.
Davies is renowned for his tenure as showrunner during the show's revival in 2005. Not only did he bring in talented actors like Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, and Billie Piper, but he also crafted captivating and well-crafted stories, leaving a lasting impact on Doctor Who. Davies's contributions extended beyond writing, as he played a pivotal role in enhancing the show's technical aspects and spearheading a golden era of behind-the-scenes content, exceptional marketing efforts, and special surprises. This made Doctor Who a hot topic in the television realm and solidified its position as a cultural phenomenon.
10 Doctor Who Is Bringing Back More Obscure Villains
9 Doctor Who Excitement Is High Once Again
RTD may have sometimes fallen into this trap, but one of the major issues affecting Doctor Who lately is the repetitive use of villains. The constant reliance on the Daleks, Cybermen, and Time Lords as the main antagonists each season has become incredibly predictable. Thankfully, Davies has already embraced the boundless potential of this imaginative TV series by introducing lesser-known adversaries such as The Celestial Toymaker and Beep The Meep.
Excitement is mounting among audiences as new information emerges about the highly anticipated season 14 of Doctor Who. The show’s return, coupled with the upcoming 60th Anniversary, has generated considerable buzz. However, it is showrunner Davies' knack for making bold decisions that truly keeps fans engaged. From casting two exceptional actors as The Doctor and Ruby Sunday, to bringing back Tennant and Tate for the specials, Davies' choices never fail to ignite conversations about the show.
8 The Fifteenth Doctor Only Has 1 Companion
Throughout RTD's original tenure as showrunner, an unwritten rule was introduced that The Doctor would only have one official companion. Rose accompanied The Doctor in the first and second seasons, Martha in the third, and Donna in the fourth. Although there were occasional appearances of other companions, this was the established pattern. However, Steven Moffat deviated from this tradition by introducing both Amy and Rory simultaneously, and Chris Chibnall took it a step further by incorporating three separate companions into his stories. Unfortunately, this abundance of companions in Chibnall's era hindered their individual development. That is why Davies' decision to return to a single companion is incredibly exciting.
7 Doctor Who Has A Bigger Budget & Improved Distribution
With the news of an expanded budget for Doctor Who's 60th Anniversary specials, the show's production has reached new heights. It's reminiscent of the remarkable leap in quality between the fourth and fifth seasons, but this time the improvement is even more striking. A single trailer revealed the staggering visual enhancements in Doctor Who since Jodie Whittaker's final season, all made possible by a substantial increase in budget courtesy of Disney. As part of their financial contributions, Disney also secured the rights to stream the new episodes on Disney Plus, expanding the show's reach to a much wider audience.
6 Doctor Who Christmas Specials Are Coming Back
The Doctor Who Christmas Specials were arguably one of the most beloved additions introduced by RTD during his original tenure as showrunner. They provided audiences with an exciting treat to anticipate in the lull between seasons, becoming a cherished part of many British families' holiday traditions. While these specials continued under Steven Moffat's reign, Jodie Whittaker's seasons unfortunately excluded them, resulting in significant gaps between episodes. Fortunately, one of Davies' first decrees upon his return to the show was to revive these specials.
5 Doctor Who: Unleashed Continues On From Doctor Who: Confidential
Undoubtedly, one aspect of Davies' tenure on Doctor Who that deserves more attention is his visionary move to capture the show's production process and transform it into a captivating docu-series called Doctor Who: Confidential. This groundbreaking initiative allowed fans to delve into the making of their favorite episodes, gaining insights and fresh information directly from the dedicated crew. It quickly became adored by ardent Doctor Who enthusiasts, making Moffat's decision to discontinue the show a significant blow. While Confidential may not be returning, a similar concept can be found in the all-new behind-the-scenes series, Doctor Who: Unleashed.
4 Doctor Who Is Returning To Its Classic Roots
As evidenced by the 60th Anniversary Specials, Doctor Who has a rich and storied history. It is disappointing to see writers disregard the countless possibilities this history presents and instead focus solely on new ideas. While it is necessary to introduce fresh characters and narratives to propel the show forward, it is a shame to neglect the plethora of magnificent villains and planets that Doctor Who has already established. During his first tenure as showrunner, Davies notably revived beloved characters like Sarah Jane and The Master, and he is now mirroring this approach with The Celestial Toymaker.
3 Ncuti Gatwa's Casting Fixed A Major Diversity Problem
The announcement of Ncuti Gatwa, known for his role in Sex Education, as the Fifteenth Doctor in Doctor Who, brought unparalleled excitement. This decision not only showcases the brilliant choices made by Davies, the showrunner, but also tackles the long-standing issue of diversity that Doctor Who has faced. With the exception of Jodie Whittaker's incarnation, the Doctor has always been portrayed as a white male. By including Gatwa in the cast, Doctor Who instantaneously becomes more inclusive and accessible. The timing of Gatwa's casting as the Fifteenth Doctor couldn't be more perfect, considering his previous success in Sex Education.
2 Doctor Who Marketing Isn't Revealing Too Much Too Early
Doctor Who is a show filled with unexpected plot twists and plot developments. However, when it comes to keeping these surprises a secret, the show has not always succeeded. While some major details, such as casting announcements, are inevitable due to filming restrictions, Doctor Who has, in recent years, divulged significant twists without any apparent justification. For instance, the long-awaited return of John Simm's character was announced on social media well in advance of the episode's broadcast, dampening the impact for fans. These surprises would have been far more enjoyable without needless announcements. Thankfully, Davies seems to be aware of this and is taking steps to address the issue.
1 UNIT Has A Major Role In Doctor Who's Future
Ever since Kate Lethbridge-Stewart was introduced in the seventh season of Doctor Who, the significance of UNIT has been steadily increasing. The character, or rather the organization itself, has been a consistent presence in nearly every season, always ready to lend a hand when The Doctor requires assistance. RTD, in particular, has shown a fondness for incorporating UNIT into his stories. Thus, it comes as no surprise that he plans to bring them back in the 60th Anniversary Specials. In fact, there are even rumors circulating about a potential Doctor Who spin-off centered around UNIT, which would undoubtedly launch the show into its new home on Disney Plus.
