Should Series 9 Be Moffat’s Last?
Guest contributor Jason McDonald doesn’t think Moffat should outstay his welcome.
As Series 9 draws closer, we as Whovians are all looking forward to another season of terrifying monsters, heartbreaking moments and shocking plot twists. However, there is a particular twist which I cannot help hoping happens by the end of the upcoming season: That it be Moffat’s last as showrunner.
Please note that this is not in any way, shape or form a ”Moffat hate” article. Although the Russell T Davies era is ”my” era of Doctor Who, I have enjoyed every season of the Moffat era thus far and am greatly looking forward to Series 9. However, despite this I still hope that somebody new steps in to run the show from the tenth season onwards and I wish to outline my reasons for this.
A different vision for the show
When Davies brought the show back in 2005, and when Moffat took over in 2010, both put their distinctive ”visions” for the show across (Davies’ tenure can be referred to as a human drama with sci-fi elements, while Moffat’s era is often referred to as a ”fairy tale”). One of the best things about Doctor Who is that beyond the basic structure of the show (the Doctor, the TARDIS, one or more companions, all of time and space) it can be effectively anything. There are so many writers out there who are fans of the show who all have their own visions of what Doctor Who should be. We have watched and enjoyed Moffat’s vision for the show for four seasons already, and with a fifth on it’s way, I think it’s time someone new put their vision across.
Give Capaldi some variety
Something that hasn’t happened yet in Nu-Who is an incarnation of the Doctor staying beyond the departure of the showrunner who introduced them. Eccleston left after a single season, Tennant left at the same time as Davies, and Smith served the entirety of his tenure under Moffat.
Peter Capaldi is a committed and passionate actor, so it is certain that at the very least he will do the ”traditional” three seasons in the role. Given that Capaldi is such a fan of the show, however, he may decide to stick around and do even more (we can dream, can we not?). But assuming that Capaldi does decide that Series 10 is to be his last, were Moffat to leave a season earlier it would give Capaldi a season with the new showrunner, something that is unprecedented for Nu-Who.
Not only will this be interesting to watch as viewers, it will also take some weight off the shoulders of Moffat’s successor. Assuming whoever it is decides to revamp the show the same way Moffat did back in Series 5, introducing a new TARDIS, a new companion, a new Sonic Screwdriver and a new supporting cast, having a familiar face for the viewing public in Capaldi would help smooth the transition.
Also, if Moffat does stick around for Series 10, that means that in the worst case scenario of Capaldi leaving after three seasons, Moffat and Capaldi may leave together. Although this may strike most as a good thing, I am personally weary of another showrunner-Doctor leaving combo in case Moffat decides to turn Capaldi’s departure into another ”regeneration whingefest” much like Davies did with Tennant’s departure.
Outstaying his welcome
Personally, I think six seasons or above is overkill for any showrunner. Davies left after four seasons, in my opinion, a reasonable amount. Five seasons under Moffat also seems reasonable. The last thing any of us want is for things to veer into JNT territory, where the show ends up being tired and stale and dies a slow, painful and undignified death. Of course, this reason is minor as things were very different back then. The show is still very popular with the public and the BBC is not actively trying to kill it, and as far as I’m aware none of the higher-ups have a problem with the lead actor. Moffat would have to stay another ten years before him outstaying his welcome starts to cause a serious problem.
Conclusion
I’m sure this article may not resonate well with certain sections of the fandom. Nevertheless, I stand by my opinions and hope at least to start a discussion. As I mentioned above, I do not hate Steven Moffat or consider him a bad writer. Indeed, were he to decide to stay on beyond the ninth series, I would still be watching and in all likelihood still enjoy this wonderful programme.
