Random Doctor Who Picture: Damaged Goods

[purplecat]

I have not commented on the news that RTD is to return to Doctor Who. Mostly because I'm still all a bit turned around and, if not lacking in time exactly, somewhat lacking in motivation and energy. Still I do have an opinion, which is mild trepidation. I wasn't grabbed by his vision for the show back in 2005 and definitely preferred Moffat's run as show runner (which isn't to ignore how wildly popular his version of the show was, and how much it did to shape and secure the show's future). Obviously RTD has done exciting things since, but I have a vague sense that comebacks are tricky things and often of dubious success. On the other hand, he does know how to adapt to time and circumstance. His one foray into the novels during the wilderness years (cover above) was very much of their time and style and, while one can draw links between it and 2005 Doctor Who (mostly that it's set on a council estate) he created something very different for the family audience. Perhaps he will do something exciting and different again for the modern TV landscape.

Comments

[thisbluespirit]

This is very much my feeling too.

[daniel-saunders.livejournal.com]

I share your feelings for much the same reasons. I've been re-watching Davies' Who with my girlfriend (long-distance) and we've enjoyed much of it, but I find a lot press my negative buttons. All new Who does that to me, but with Moffat I found enough to enjoy to distract me from it, which I didn't always find with Davies (or with Chibnall). That said, we just finished series three, and thought it was very strong overall; the second half seemed very good indeed, even the often-criticised Last of the Time Lords.

[purplecat]

I mean, I definitely like his Who work better in retrospect, now I'm more used to the vernacular, as it were. But even so, I'm not sure more of the same would work now.

[purplecat]

Davies' Who had a couple of spectacular runs - of which Human Nature through to The Sound of Drums is one. I don't think it stuck the landing - though I suspect if Last of the Time Lords had been 20 minutes shorter and removed most of the Dobby Doctor stuff (and perhaps toned down the Peter-Pan I-believe-in-fairies nature of the resolution a bit), I would like it better.