10 Predictions For Series 10 (10-6)
Connor Johnston peers into his Who-infused crystal ball and makes his first 5 predictions.
With the next several months sure to see an influx of news and announcements regarding the hotly anticipated tenth series of Doctor Who, it seems like the ideal time for speculation, wish lists and predictions to migrate their ways to the comment threads and thoughts of Whovians everywhere. To fill the void until our thirst is once again quenched with Peter Capaldi’s third series in the titular role, join me in peering into my own “Who-infused” crystal ball and picking out 10 predictions for next series. The probable, wishful and slightly bonkers choices lie before us, won’t you join me?
The Track Record So Far…
Now let it be known that this isn’t the first time I’ve tackled quite a daunting task, so be aware dear friends – you are playing with no amateur. Long-time readers may remember that last year at the commencement of filming for Series 9 I wrote a similar article titled “9 Predictions for Doctor Who Series 9” … and looking back 12 months later the parallels to what came to be are quite impressive! Of the 9 Predictions (all of which you can read here) a stunning 83% of them came true including the announcement of a new spin-off, Gallifrey’s return and the fandom’s crazed lunatics over ratings. This bulletproof evidence is clearly all one needs to be able to verify my incredible psychic abilities – so prepare to be amazed readers of DWTV… We’re about to travel into the future!
10. We’ve Split Up…
It’s not you… It’s me! Far too often we forget the massive amount of work that goes into creating Doctor Who, especially given that it relies on a minuscule budget and an even more restricting schedule. On top of that, the very nature of Doctor Who rejects the orthodox notion of an established environment – with each episode requiring brand new sets, supporting characters and essentially an entirely different show to be created every week.
Aside from the usual responsibilities associated with a normal run of episodes, Series 10 has the added job of casting, writing and introducing an entirely new companion and the formation of a brand new story arc. With all this in mind it’s clear why production has been pushed back to accommodate the scripting process. Regardless of the fact that it seems impossible 2016 will see a complete run of 13 episodes, there’s little doubt that the year will be entirely Who-free. The most likely scenario in my mind would be a series split divided by a Christmas Special, in a similar vein to Series 7. Personally, I’ve always loved the idea of a Series split for the reasons that it
- Ensures the run of episodes are more spaced out meaning that the smaller waits between episodes are more durable, and
- Includes more ‘Event’ episodes including mid-series finales and mid-series openers.
9. …Or Maybe Just A Break With Benefits?
Or perhaps 2016-17 could see a different layout for Doctor Who completely. Personally, my ideal scenario would see Series 10 air from late Spring 2017, and the Christmas Special in the Winter, bridging the gap between Series 11. “What! How can you endorse such a ridiculous delay you handsome, yet obviously deluded contributor!” I hear you scream – but don’t sharpen your pitchforks just yet. Though it would require an ounce of patience on the part of the fandom, the benefits of a delay are actually quite appealing when considered carefully.
For one, it would mean that Doctor Who would more or less return to the timeslot in which it reached peak popularity – aka ‘Not Summer’ when most people would rather be enjoying the light evenings rather than watching TV, and ‘Not Winter’ when the competition from reality and sporting programs is near fatal. On top of the awarding the ideal airtime that the show deserves, such a schedule would allow the time and comfort to fill 2016 with alternative treats to quench audience’s deprivations. Perhaps a mini-series or additional specials preceding the 2016 Christmas episode such as a solid Halloween special could become a reality – lending weight to recent reports of negotiations over an increased number of episodes. The opportunities for a format shake-up are as endless as they are exciting – and would reinvigorate Doctor Who’s label as “Event Television”, with further cinematic releases being a foreseeable reality. What we need to remember however is that whatever shape the future of Doctor Who elects to take, the show remains to flourish and thrive in whatever format… and will succeed regardless of schedule.
8. New Companion
At the risk of stating the obvious, it’s no secret that Series 10 will see the introduction of a new companion – though we have little idea what kind of character this could be. As with the casting of a new Doctor, the casting and characterisation of a new companion HAS to offer a clear contrast to that of his or her predecessor, so what we do know is that whoever Series 9’s new leading lady is – her personality will not in anyway resemble that of a school teacher with a passion for literacy and an indulgence for recklessness. Though I still stand by my original hopes for a certain Journey Blue to re-meet the Doctor, (See my reasoning here), Steven Moffat’s insistence that the new companion will be a brand new character makes this theory more and more unlikely.
Regardless of the fact that the pool of possible candidates is swimming with talent, an actress I would love to be awarded the part is Antonia Thomas, who most will know from her appearance in the first 3 series of “Misfits.” In her work as Alisha on the E4 thriller (as well as in her appearances on “The Musketeers” and “Scrotal Recall”), Thomas has exhibited a certain vulnerability, charisma and cheek that’s integral to the role of the companion. On top of this, she’s also shown her ability to tackle and adapt to various different characteristics and environments, making her my standout choice for Series 10.
7. The Gallifreyan Puzzlebox Continues To Be Solved
For the first time since the revival’s return in 2005, Gallifrey has been properly submerged into the realm of possibility, and while “Hell Bent” touched upon the potential of the planet’s presence in the universe in an amazing way – it’s no secret how many more points of narrative are yet to be indulged. For Series 10 it would be an absolute joy to see the Time Lords engaged in all out civil war exploring the politics of Gallifrey and the tension between the Doctor and what remains of the High Council. On top of that the list of Gallifreyan personalities that can be introduced (or reintroduced) to the universe of Doctor Who is endless. In her short moments on screen in last year’s finale, I personally found T’Nia Miller’s portrayal of the General confident, assertive and utterly impressive. Given how little time she’s been given so far, it’s less of a prediction and more of an intense wish to see her reprise the role in the new series.
6. Yet Another Utterly Stupid and Frustrating #Hashtag Will Be Born
Doctor Who fans are among the brightest, most creative, loyal and generous communities that exist – there is no question about it! However like every fun-loving and like-minded group of people, there are always the more ‘interesting’ characters that tend to find fuel in even the most mundane of disputes. Of course there is nothing wrong with criticism and alternative views expressed about Doctor Who episodes, but it’s no secret that some smaller groups of people take their bitterness to a whole new level, and nothing enables said bitterness than the evil bandwagon-enducing entity known as… the hashtag.
For the last two years the rise of frustratingly pointless hashtags have plagued the comment sections of various Doctor Who media platforms, each of which labelled utterly ridiculous for a number of reasons. 2014 saw #DoctorWhoNotClaraWho attempt to persuade eager moaners that a companion had never been the focus of the show to the extent that the Doctor was, despite the fact the equality of attention has been more or less constant since the show’s beginnings. 2015 saw #SaveTheSonicScrewdriver put up a wall of disallowance to any hint of experimentation or cheek with a piece of technology that really wasn’t that much of a big deal. Whether or not either of causes were founded with any sense of justification no-one can deny that when their popularity infected every conversation regardless of relevance, they had gone too far! With #impeachMoffat already attempting to gain traction my fears for 2016 have risen dramatically. What will it be: #RetireTheRockstar #IsMoffatGallifried … the horrors go on and on.
Join us tomorrow for the final 5 predictions.
