Guest Feature: My 5 Big Hopes for Doctor Who in 2024 and Beyond
Feature article by guest contributor Albert Connors.
In my last article, I tackled the potential future of David Tennant’s Fourteenth Doctor. Now, I want to look into the Fifteenth Doctor’s era (Ncuti Gatwa). This time though, instead of speculating on what might happen, I’ve put together my wish list for his upcoming season and beyond – my five biggest hopes, if you will. Let’s dive right in!
More Off-Earth Episodes
With RTD, I get the sense he finds comfort in writing earthly Doctor Who stories, particularly those set in modern-day Britain. However, with the Doctor/companion introduction out of the way now, the TARDIS should broaden its horizons. With a bigger budget, there is even less of an excuse. The show has the means to create more alien worlds and civilizations, and this is where the writers can truly flex their creative muscles – showcasing stories that are only possible in the realms of the unknown. Think of planets with bizarre landscapes, societies with complex customs, and conflicts that stretch the imagination.
These off-Earth stories aren’t just visually appealing; they offer a wealth of new narrative possibilities. Such stories provide a perfect platform to explore themes and ideas that are challenging to address in Earth-bound narratives. They also reinforce the show’s core appeal – the joy of escaping to a universe brimming with wonder and adventure. With the advancements in visual effects and set design, these alien escapades can be more immersive than ever.
A Darker, More Mature Show
It’s been nearly 20 years since RTD first revived Doctor Who, but the landscape of television has changed massively in that time. Burping wheelie bins and gassy aliens don’t really pass muster now. Today’s audiences have developed a taste for shows that are darker and more complex. Just look at Stranger Things and Black Mirror. Doctor Who has a golden opportunity to tap into this. I’d like to see the show embrace a scarier, and more mature turn, whilst still retaining its essence.
This is not about morphing Doctor Who into a horror series, but rather about weaving darker elements into the stories, creating plots that linger in the mind and set our hearts racing. Episodes like “Blink” and “Midnight” have shown us glimpses of this potential. Why not explore this territory further? “Wild Blue Yonder” was a good step in the right direction, but I’d like it to go further. The show has always been about innovation, and a darker tone could be just what it needs to stay captivating.
Fresh, Enduring Monsters
Doctor Who tends to play safe with its big villains and monsters, but the regular returns of the Master, Daleks, and Cybermen are becoming a bit predictable by this stage. Yes, they’re iconic and will always be a part of the show, but the Whoniverse is also vast and full of unexplored terrors. I think it’s time to introduce new threats that bring a fresh wave of excitement and fear. These creatures should be more than just visually frightening; they should have strong motivations and backstories. A new breed of monster that not only scares us for an episode but leaves a lingering sense of unease.
And these new foes shouldn’t just be fleeting one-and-done encounters. They need to be developed over time, with story arcs that keep us guessing and invested. Imagine a new adversary that slowly unveils its horrifying agenda across a season or more, creating a sense of dread and anticipation with each appearance. This approach could reignite the unpredictability and thrill that is so crucial to Doctor Who, taking us away from the over-familiarity of the Master and company, and into a new era of monstrous intrigue.
The Return of the Unexpected
While newness is preferred, if Doctor Who does revisit the past, it should delve more into its vast library of lesser-known foes. I want to be surprised at a reveal, not going, ‘Oh, it’s the Master, again!’ Especially when characters like the Valeyard or Omega are brimming with untapped potential. Their return could inject a fresh dose of unpredictability into the series. It’s akin to the Toymaker’s unexpected comeback after so long, like rediscovering hidden gems in the show’s history.
Reviving these characters offers more than just a nod to nostalgia; it’s a chance to add new layers to the Whoniverse. It opens up opportunities to explore storylines and themes previously untouched. How would the modern Doctor handle the complexities of facing the Valeyard, a manifestation of his own potential for evil? How would the story weave in Omega’s tragic past? These are the kinds of narrative explorations that could offer a deeper, more nuanced look at Doctor Who, enriching the lore for new and long-time fans alike. It’s about taking familiar elements and spinning them into something fresh and captivating.
Back to Basics Storytelling
Sometimes it feels like Doctor Who can try a bit too hard to remain topical. While it’s important to be reflective of the times, it shouldn’t be at the expense of good old-fashioned storytelling. The show shines brightest when it provides a source of escapism, transporting viewers to extraordinary realms with its imaginative storytelling. Whether it’s dodging dangers in an alien bazaar, solving mysteries in a futuristic city, or embarking on a time-hopping quest, the focus should squarely be on crafting stories that offer viewers an escape from everyday life. The beauty of Doctor Who lies in its ability to whisk us away from the mundanities and concerns of the real world, wrapping us in the cozy blanket of adventure and imagination.
Conclusion
To sum up, I hope that some of my ideas are more than just wishful thinking. I want RTD to give fans something that surpasses his previous work, not just a 2024 gloss of paint over what he already did in 2005. By breathing new life into its storytelling, exploring new worlds and monsters, and daring to adopt a darker tone, Doctor Who can exceed my expectations.
