Troubles surfacing in the Doctor Who series.
Revamped Reboot: Doctor Who's Troubled Run and Potential for Redemption
It's a rocky ride for Doctor Who these days, with the show celebrating its 20th anniversary on British screens, yet facing some of the poorest viewing figures in the program's history. The disappointment doesn't lie in Russell T Davies' efforts to revitalize the show upon his return as showrunner, but rather the fact that he fails to cater to the evolving TV landscape of the modern era.
Following the disappointing tenure of Jodie Whittaker as The Doctor, Davies rightly addressed the issues that haunted the show. He revisited the Saturday night and Christmas day timeslots, introduced a youthful and energetic cast that brings a spark to the series, and abolished the overly serious tone of Chris Chibnall's reign. However, despite these improvements, the current series can barely capture half the viewership that Chibnall's last season garnered.
A Conventional Revival?
The surprising issue lies in Davies' surprisingly conservative approach upon returning as showrunner. In contrast to the groundbreaking changes he brought in 2005, this time around there's no significant reimagining to take into account the changes that have occurred since then.
For instance, the show's 45-minute running time, originally implemented for ad insertions when selling to other channels, no longer serves a purpose. Doctor Who is no longer being syndicated in this manner, and the move away from serialization was primarily to accommodate casual fans who might miss an episode. With today's technology, viewers can catch up at their convenience.
Practically, the cost of securing new sets, actors, and monsters weekly has rendered the show practically impossible for the BBC to fund alone. And the pressure on the actor playing The Doctor, leading to numerous accidents and injuries, suggests that the format needs re-evaluation.
The Achilles' Heel of Doctor Who
The format is most certainly showing its age in its characterization. Each episode demands the introduction of a complex sci-fi setting, a new cast of allies and villains, and the resolution of the whole situation within 45 minutes. This rush and variety make the show taxing to watch on streaming services, particularly as it struggles to hold the attention of today's audiences.
Something as simple as giving more time to "The Robot Revolution," turning the one-off into a multi-part serial, could have provided room for minor characters to be developed and the story to breathe. A slower pace and more thoughtful storytelling might better suit today's viewers, allowing the show to attempt new things.
Navigating the Future
Speculation on whether Disney will renew an expensive third-party show with limited U.S. appeal is prevalent. Nevertheless, the dismal British viewing figures send a clear message that the BBC needs to rethink its approach to create a show that resonates with modern audiences. Davies' efforts to reignite the spark of Doctor Who are commendable, but perhaps it's time for a fresh perspective, one that's tailored for the television landscape of 2022 and beyond.
Will Cooling is a writer covering politics and pop culture at It Could be Said Substack.
Insights:
- Character Development: Deepening character backstories and tying them into larger arcs can increase emotional investment. Leveraging legacy characters for continuity can create a sense of familiarity.
- Tighten Seasonal Arcs: Clear midpoint payoffs and tighter ties between episodic storylines and the overarching threat can maintain momentum and improve narrative coherence.
- Enhance Production/Pacing: Improving the balance between visual effects and script quality can result in smoother pacing. Carefully incorporating callbacks to classic elements can engage long-term fans without alienating newcomers.
- Expand Accessibility: Brief summaries of past events and exploring secondary characters in spin-offs can make the series more accessible to casual viewers.
- Interactive Engagement: Integrating Easter eggs, fan-driven content, and gamified experiences can increase viewer investment and rewatch value.
Moffat, the new showrunner, seems to be facing challenges as he navigates the evolving TV landscape, despite his impressive past revitalization of Doctor Who. The show's traditional 45-minute timeslots and the rushed characterization might not cater to today's viewers, leading to lower viewership figures. Yaz, a character in the series, could benefit from more developed backstories to enhance emotional connections with the audience. Cost is another concern, as the weekly production of sets, actors, and monsters is becoming increasingly difficult for the BBC to fund alone. With these challenges in mind, it's crucial for Moffat to consider new approaches that align with the needs of modern audiences.
