DOCTOR WHO – Looking to the future, the past and inbetween
On the heels of David Tennant’s announcement that he is to leave the role of the world’s favourite Time Lord upon completion of the 2009 special episodes, the Doctor Who fan community has ignited with theories and suggestions for the future of the series. While some of these ideas are pretty outlandish, we can be sure that new showrunner Steven Moffat will do his utmost to remain true to the central core values and ideals of the series itself. There are elements that will always be there, whoever the Doctor is played by. It will always boring adventure and excitement, there will always be monsters, and you can bet there’ll always be a companion helping the Doctor get into more trouble.
Much is being made over the identity of the next Doctor, with many calling for either a female Doctor or a black Doctor. Really though, does it matter? As long as whoever is cast has a strong voice, a strong presence and an appreciation of the source material, then the future of the Doctor’s adventures is in safe hands. The key here is the new man in charge. Moffat really is the only person that could follow on from the achievements if Russell T Davies, and with Phil Collinson and Julie Gardner also moving on, it is reassuring that someone with so much experience of the new era, as well as the classic material, will be the man who takes the Doctor into the next decade. He certainly has his work cut out for him. Then again, you only need to look at the stories Moffat penned so far for the new era of Doctor Who for proof that he knows the series well.
Series one saw his breathtaking two part story The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances become a fan favourite, and it also enjoyed much in the way of critical acclaim. It also introduced us to the character of Captain Jack Harkness, played by John Barrowman, who would take the lead in Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood. Series two saw Moffat take David Tennant’s tenth Doctor to meet The Girl In The Fireplace, which was a rather flawed episode in some ways but it still hit the mark with fans. The third series featured his award winning episode ‘Blink’, which took many viewers by surprise with its chilling nature and ingenious plot. The fourth series had Silence In The Library/Forest of The Dead, which saw Moffat in serious science fiction territory, as well as boasting a massive scale of production for the show. With a heck of a lot of previous TV experience, I think that fans are in for some real treats once his era as head honcho commences.
But what of the remaining specials to feature David Tennant and the influence of Russell T Davies? Each one is clearly going to be something of an event, that much is certain. The rumours persist of previous incarnations of the Doctor showing up, but as these are the final stories for David Tennant’s hugely popular tenth Doctor, this is looking more and more unlikely. It would be a great thing for the fans, but this year is all about the tenth Doctor having his final adventures. As much as I’d love to see a previous Doctor crossover, I’d like David Tennant to have a proper send-off from the character that he made his own. Personally I would like it for the last two specials he stars in to be a two-part story, in order to give him a final story with some real weight.
Some things will have to change with the Doctor Who series, which is only natural. With another Doctor in the TARDIS after so long, some elements of the series could do with changing a little. These are just personal preference, but I’d like them out there. The opening titles, for example. They have long since been a bit of a sore point with some fans who long for the Doctor’s face to be in the sequence. I’m not hugely bothered either way, but a new title sequence of some kind would be nice after four years. many fans would also like to see more of the TARDIS interior. not necessarily whole episodes set inside the ship, but as the craft is potentially infinite in size inside, it would be nice to see a little more than just the console room.
Speaking of which, how about giving the now familiar console room a bit of a facelift before it starts to date? At least the console itself could do with a bit of an overhaul. Then there is the format itself. How about some more multi-part stories? Two or three-part stories have some great things in their favour- not only do they give more room for character and plot development, but are also rather cost effective due to less sets needed to be but and locations to be found. I’d also love to see less reliance on old villains, but still have them involved to some extent.
Whatever happens to the Doctor along the way, it does look like fans are in for a very memorable year of specials and a very exciting future to look forward to. Have the jelly babies at the ready.