Sci-Fi Doctor Who (2023- ) [Disney]

[Kevin]

After the 'Timeless Child' and 'Flux' stories that weren't exactly well received by fans, combined with the temporary return of David Tennant, I was expecting a much more powerful story line as the transition is made to Ncuti Gatwa being the new Doctor. I should be used to being disappointed by now when it comes to Who.

In the US the transition was presented as four 60th anniversary 'specials' streamed on Disney+. The first three specials were centered on Tennant's Doctor and the return of Donna. The fourth episode was the 2023 Christmas special with Gatwa now fully in the role and introducting new sidekick Ruby played by Millie Gibson.

Good parts of watching all four specials back-to-back was that the Christmas episode shows that Gatwa and Gibson are capable of carrying the show and, if they can get viewers to find them on Disney+, will likely attract a fan following of viewers in younger demographics.

The bad parts of watching all four specials back-to-back was that you are left with feeling like the first three specials serve absolutely no purpose other than for Russell T Davies (RTD) to try & wipe-out the past 15 years of Doctor Who so he can resume where he ended with Tennant in 2008. While that itself might be a little eyebrow raising to some, RTD spends so much time preaching about certain inclusivity issues (and actually making it a part of the plot about how the world gets saved this time) that the first three specials with Tennant come off as PSAa (Public Service Announcements) starring Doctor Who characters instead of actual shows. "Hey kids, you remember Doctor Who from 20 years ago? Well, he is back along with some of his friends to talk about inclusivity!"

The really interesting take-away, though, is that if the Disney era of Doctor Who fails miserably then the the BBC has a way of essentially wiping out everything with Gatwa & his successors and to try another reboot starting with Tennant again as a starting point. It does help explain why, here in the US at least, Disney+ is not getting any of the past Who content. For anything prior to these 60th anniversary PSAs specials and the new future episodes with Gatwa, US viewers will need HBO Max to watch the Eccleston to Whitaker period and BritBox to watch classic Who along with the offshoots like the old specials and the Sarah Jane-Smith K9 spin-off.

 

[Kevin]

The four Disney+ specials with the transition from Tennant to Gatwa, and the Gatwa Christmas special, is being labeled "Season 0" by TMDB.

It makes sense since now there'll be three clearly distinct eras of Doctor Who.

• 1983-1989: Classic Doctor Who
• 2005-2021: NuWho Doctor Who
• 2023- : Disney Who

IMDB by contrast still shows it as just Classic and NuWho. 🤷‍♂️

 

[Kevin]

new sidekick Ruby played by Millie Gibson

... and she's gone, supposedly.

‘Doctor Who’ Star Millie Gibson to Be Replaced by Varada Sethu After One Season

Millie Gibson, who stars opposite Ncuti Gatwa in the upcoming 14th season of 'Doctor Who,' is set to be replaced by Varada Sethu.

variety.com

Gibson's Ruby is supposedly leaving after just one season to be replaced by a different character. The new season (either "Season 14" or "Season 1" depending on which listing service you go by) will drop in May 2024 and S15/S2 has already started filming but with a different sidekick, actress Varada Sethu who sci-fi fans may recognize from Andor.

 

[Bella]

... and she's gone, supposedly

Noooooo!

 

[Jethro]

Gatwa also gone, along with RTD, and now apparently the show as Disney decide they can spend their money on other mockeries of long running franchises. Now I know how the comic book crowd feel about their franchise being ruined.

 

[Kevin]

Gatwa also gone, along with RTD, and now apparently the show as Disney decide they can spend their money on other mockeries of long running franchises. Now I know how the comic book crowd feel about their franchise being ruined.

I didn't know that Gatwa is now confirmed also for leaving but I can't say I'm surprised. I have no negative feeling towards him as an actor but after watching the first two seasons of Disney Who it has to be obvious to even the most ardent of fans that his interpretation of the character, under Disney's guidance, is not working.

I've been a Who fan my entire life and watching the Tom Baker era on my local PBS station was a big influence on me as a kid. I've kept up with every Who series over the years and had always remained a fan even through some of the questionable 'New Who' decisions. But now, with the Disney version, I've lost interest in it to the point where if Disney Who was cancelled I think I'd just shrug and wonder how the BBC will reboot it again in the future.

 

[Jethro]

Gatwa always plays Gatwa, he was fairly excellent in Sex Education (English comedy series), playing the same character as he plays as the Doctor. Yes he is one note, as Hollywood is about to find out.

We have another Gatwa season coming at us, or the second half of series 14 if you prefer, and then who knows. Rumour has it that Disney have dropped the franchise as its doing nothing for D+. It's going to be questionable whether or not the BBC can afford the show anymore, with Bad Wolf still owning the rights.

Personally, I think they should go into hibernation for five or so years, and come back with better show runners, i.e. people that get the franchise, and jettison everything from the Chibs era onwards.

Have a friend who runs a Comic Book shop, now that's a dicey proposition in the modern age, who says he can't move Doctor Who comics or merch, and is jettisoning it. BTW those retro Marvel hardcover editions apparently he can't keep on the shelves, every time they come in they sell out as he is putting them out. Nice.

 

[Jethro]

And we are in a new series/season with the first episode simply being called Planet of the Incels by viewers, guess we have gone well beyond RTD's claim of child friendly.

Haven't watched as yet, and judging from the reviews not in a hurry to do so, but food for thought worse ever overnight ratings with only 2 million tuning in across the U.K.

And they can definitely jettison new companion Varada Sethu, who gets my nod as most obnoxious companion in the entire franchise. Bring back Martha!

 

[Kevin]

And we are in a new series/season with the first episode simply being called Planet of the Incels by viewers, guess we have gone well beyond RTD's claim of child friendly.

I watched it, the name is actually used by the new companion near the end of the episode when it's revealed who the nemesis really is and her connection to them.

The only thing I liked about the episode was the design of the ship & robots since they were obviously meant to invoke the style of the 50's/early 60's.

I'm going to be really surprised if Disney funds another season without big changes.