My Wishlist for Moffat’s Swan Song Series (Part 2)
Guest contributor Connor Hamilton concludes his list.
Welcome back. This is Part 2 of my personal wishlist for Moffat’s swan song Series, a countdown of 10 things I would like to see worked into Series 10, one way or another.
5. An Explosive Final Dalek Story
I don’t have the details for this. I don’t know specifically what I want, or what we should see. I just know that a Dalek story is needed from Moffat before he leaves. He’s given us some great ones *cough* The Witch’s Familiar, and some awful ones *cough* Asylum of the Daleks, but he still deserves to, like any show runner would, pen one final Dalek story before they leave. And I reckon if we get one, it will be amazing.
4. A Consideration for Chibnall’s Era
This is hugely important, because a lack of continuity when crossing the borders from one show runner to the next could be a problem. Subtle hints to what Chibnall’s era promises to give, or maybe even just the slight mention of something we’ll see in his era would be a good thing. This allows us to go from Moffat to Chibnall without feeling like we’re watching a new show that we don’t know much about yet, instead of Doctor Who. It’s just a kindness to take Chibnall’s era into consideration when wrapping up, because Moffat has to remember how he leaves Doctor Who is how Chibnall carries it on. And nobody should ever need to clean up after a previous show runners messes.
3. Work out Where Gallifrey is Going
I’m thrilled Gallifrey is back, however, I can’t help but feel that for such a build up to its return, it was oddly sidelined in the final episodes of Series 9 to focus on Clara. Which I feel was a stupid move, no matter how much I love Clara. Moffat needs to make a decision as to what’s happening to Gallifrey, because as I said in my previous point, Chibnall shouldn’t have to clean up any of Moffat’s messes. And if Moffat’s going to cause a problem leaving Gallifrey open for future episodes, or by making Gallifrey disappear, then he needs to work out the best method for the long run of the show. Consider Chibnall and what he wants to do with Gallifrey, and then integrate his decision into Series 10. I personally would like Gallifrey to stick around for now and be open to future visits, but I still feel like Gallifrey has been left on the shelf, which is hugely anti-climatic, so an explanation to the fate and future of Gallifrey is majorly needed.
2. A Weeping Angel Story To Top Them All
If there’s anything we can look back on and truly thank Moffat for, it would be the invention of these terrifying, yet brilliant monsters. Sadly, despite being Head Writer, Moffat has barely utilised them since The Angels Take Manhattan (cameos aside), which I think is an injustice to such an amazing creation. So before Moffat goes, I hope dearly he’ll think long and hard about making a final Weeping Angel story, because if he doesn’t, somebody else will, and as they are his creation I feel he should be the one to write it. This should be the Weeping Angel story to end all Weeping Angel stories. Whether it be an origin story, or just a scary thriller, I want more Weeping Angels in Series 10. If we don’t get them, I’ll be shocked by Moffat, and I know one day he’ll really regret not bringing them back for his swan song series.
1. The Right to Regenerate Capaldi
Here it is! My number one hope for Moffat’s swan song series, and this is potentially the most controversial request. It’s not something 3 months ago that I would have wanted. But with the announcement of Moffat’s farewell, and the possibility to provide us with 14 more incredible stories (I have no doubt), Capaldi has the opportunity to leave, and if rumours are to be believed, I wouldn’t want anyone but Moffat to write his farewell. If Capaldi stays for Series 11, he runs the risk of a weak ending. This isn’t me lacking faith in Chibnall at all, I promise. Series 5 compared to Series 9 shows a huge growth for Moffat as a writer, and shows that like fine wine, his writing becomes better with age. I just don’t want to see Chibnall in his first year writing Capaldi out, because for a first series, it’s hard to do, especially with such an amazing Doctor as Capaldi.
Moffat would be able to give Capaldi the ending he deserves – explosive and amazing. Whereas hand him over to Chibnall for a series, the timing may never be properly right in Series 11, and then by Series 12, if Capaldi still hasn’t gone, we either find ourselves with a mediocre regeneration for the Doctor, or a few more series overworking and eventually overusing Capaldi. I could be wrong and Chibnall could shock me by giving Capaldi the farewell he needs, but I stand by my decision for now. Moffat would provide an amazing ending for Capaldi, and that’s the least he deserves after what he’s given the show.
So there you have it. My completed wishlist. Some ideas were admittedly very generic and will always have people agreeing, and others slightly more controversial, yet necessary in my opinion. Let us know down in the comments what you want to see and what points you agree or disagree with, and why?
