Russell T Davies Has Already Saved Doctor Who
Russell T Davies is back to save Doctor Who (again), but before we’ve even seen one episode of his new run, he’s already done it. He’s recruited Netflix stars from hit young adult shows, brought in American viewers with the casting of Neil Patrick Harris, and is winning back older fans with David Tennant’s return. Everyone, whether they’re old fans, new fans, or just people who’ve never watched an episode, are watching the news trickle out with excitement. Open TikTok, Twitter, or browse American news outlets, and you’ll be met with Doctor Who.
It’s a heartwarming relief because Doctor Who was dying a slow and dragged-out death. Gone were the heartwarming stories and messages of hope with beautiful and accepting queer undertones—it had become a shadow of its former self with political commentary that was as subtle and nuanced as smashing down your front door with a sledgehammer because you left your keys at work. And it kept getting worse. The latest two seasons catered almost exclusively to diehard fans with obscure references to even obscurer ‘80s one-off episodes, trying to make producer self-insert Easter eggs canon. The casual audience was abandoned in favour of self-indulgent fan wank. It wasn’t—isn’t—sustainable.
RELATED: Why Ncuti Gatwa Is The Perfect Choice For The Fourteenth Doctor
RTD meanwhile is celebrating New, Classic, and Future Who. We have Tennant back, celebrating the show’s original return, Harris seems to be playing a classic villain, The Celestial Toymaker, and hype is drumming for Ncuti Gatwa, the next Doctor. Every era of Who is on display which is perfect for an anniversary, but it’s also perfect for making the show accessible again. All you need to know is that the Doctor is facing an old
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