A friggin' Umbrella Season! How awesome is that?! Haven't gotten one of those since waaayy back in the mid-80s. In fact, I didn't think we'd ever see another one again.
New Who audiences - both the casual viewer or the hardcore fan - seem resistant to change. It's like they're just fine with the way RTD set things up in those first four seasons and don't really want anything all that different from it. The very fact that Davis has been brought back and everyone is convinced he'll "save" Doctor Who is the best evidence of this.
But there are other situations that support this idea. Another strong one is the "Graham Williams Approach" that Steven Moffat took as he became Head Writer. Many people observe how his first few seasons do feel like a continuation of the format RTD first laid out. He makes some tweaks here and there - but things still feel very "RTDesque". It's not 'til he brings in Capaldi that he really starts molding the show more into the image he wants. Shortly after that, the ratings start dropping. Which indicates to me that the audience is, quite simply, saying: "Give us back a Doctor Who that looks like the one RTD made!"
While Moff seemed more like Graham Williams when he took over, Chibnall comes in like JNT. He is not the slightest bit afraid to radically change the show. Which creates massive amounts of pushback from the viewers. Particularly during his first season. Not only is he giving his audience something they don't really want, but he's stumbling a bit with his own format. Series Twelve, however, is going a lot smoother (aside from some people objecting to what he did with the show's Lore). He seems to be establishing a format that the viewers are growing accustomed to. There might even be a chance that the ratings start looking healthier.
Those who are more concerned with marketability than artistic merit might say that the smartest thing Chibnall could have done in his third season was to continue making the show the exact same way he'd been doing in Series Eleven and Twelve. His audience will appreciate the stability and stick with him. Instead, though, he throws the entire formula he's established out the window and gives us Flux.
And I have tremendous respect for him for doing that.
THE NEW FORMAT
So an Umbrella Season isn't something totally new to the show. We've seen it twice before. But this one definitely has some unique features to it:
1. Plot structure
Our other two Umbrella Seasons do tell one long adventure, but they tend to like to divide things into sub-sections. Key to Time, for instance, has six separate stories in it (that even have their own titles) that come together to tell one big tale. Though Trial of a Time Lord uses the same name through its entire fourteen episodes, there are still four distinct divisions to it that we all recognize as stories within their own right. In both instances, everything does link together within a single narrative thread. But there's also a strong sense that the pieces are very separate. The plots to each sub-section feel complete. What joins them all together can even feel a bit tenuous, at times.
The continuity between the six episodes of Flux is much tighter than its two predecessors. Admittedly, each episode does have its own plot going on that reaches a sort of conclusion by the time it ends. But there are so many links that start in one part and carry over into future ones that it definitely feels more like one single long story with no real subsections to it. It's almost more like watching Dalek Masterplan or The War Games than an actual Umbrella Season. Particularly since we do tend lump the Specials in with all of this. So it really does feel like Series Thirteen had a really big story in it along with a few smaller ones. Much like the Classic Who seasons that had Masterplan and War Games.
This significant difference in plot structure, of course, creates a very different narrative flow to Flux. As I said: everything is much tighter. The pacing is even quite relentless, in places. Things feel legitimately breakneck for multiple episodes in a row. Which creates a very spectacular effect for the viewer as we follow along. You almost need to catch your breath as each episode concludes. Only to be sped along again as you dive into the next one!
2. Character Involvement
With the exception of the Valeyard and the Inquisitor during Trial of a Time Lord (and, of course, all the Time Lord extras sitting in the background), secondary characters in Umbrella Seasons tend to be treated in much the same as they are in regular ones. For the most part, they are appearing in one story and are never seen again. Occasionally, you get someone like Sabalom Glitz who comes back later. But then, you have that same situation in a normal season. Professor Travers, for instance, appears in both Yeti stories during Season Five.
Flux totally messes with that formula. Recurring characters pop in and out all over the place. Some, like Vinder, Swarm, Azure and Joseph "Mad Mole" Williamson (I love this guy - both the fictional portrayal and the real person he is based on) will appear in every episode. Others, like Karvanista (I also love this guy and want so badly to see him return to the show), Claire, Bel and the Grand Serpent appear more intermittently.
In this sense, Flux is quite unique. There are some formulas that vaguely resemble it. The use of the UNIT Family during the Pertwee Era. Or the way we do get certain recurring characters in the "civilian lives" of New Who companions (Jackie Tyler or Danny Pink). But it's still not quite the same vibe we get from the characters in Flux. For just one season, Doctor Who feels more like a normal show. With characters who we follow on a regular ongoing basis. It's quite ironic how actually being a more ordinary program feels fresh and innovative.
What makes all this even more enjoyable is how attached I feel to the secondary cast. As you've already seen in some of the parentheses from two paragraphs back - I really do love some of these guys. But, really, all of them are great. I particularly like the variety of characters that we get. Some are more colorful like Williamson, Karvanista and Jericho. Others are "straighter", like Claire and Diane. Regardless of the style of portrayal, though, I find all of them very engaging. It's especially cool that we even have a really gorgeous romantic storyline with Vinder and Bel.
These two unique traits to Flux set it apart in some significant ways from anything we've seen before. But I recently came across an interesting little proverb: "You can crap in the kitchen and eat in the bathroom. But, just because it's new and different, doesn't make it good!" Introducing change doesn't, automatically, create something better. In fact, it can make things worse. Fortunately, these very different elements that are brought into Flux are handled brilliantly.
In this instance, all the changes don't just work. They work great.
CHIBNALL BRINGING BACK OLD FOES
PART ONE: THE GLORY OF SONTARA RESTORED
Having shown us, last year, how he writes the "Big Baddies" like Daleks, Cybermen and the Master, Chibnall is now handling some slightly more obscure returning foes. In this season, he starts by tackling those cranky 'ole Potato Heads.
I'm just gonna come out swinging by simply stating that War of the Sontarans is the best story ever made that features them. Some will argue, of course, that such a title should go to The Time Warrior. And it is a pretty good story - but it does have a few problems (the Doctor dodging musket shots at point-blank range for a good ten minutes would be one of the bigger ones!). Whereas War of the Sontarans is, pretty much, flawless. The only issue I might genuinely take with it is that you'd think the Sontarans in the Crimean War might protect their ships a tad better. But then, they did have that big hologram that they were hiding behind so it might be possible that they put too much confidence in that one defense. Something an arrogant Sontaran might actually do.
Otherwise, this is a magnificent Sontaran adventure. And an excellent story, in general. Which was something the Sontarans definitely needed, at this point. New Who had not been kind to them. Their one-and-only tale during the RTD era was, quite frankly, pretty bad. And did not represent them well (I was near-aghast to see that they were suddenly vulnerable to mere bullets!) Moff treats them a bit better when we see them in the Alliance Against the Doctor during the Series Five finale. I am also quite amused by Strax when he comes along. But it is a bit frustrating that Sontarans now seem to be reduced comic relief and nothing more.
War of the Sontarans resets the balance beautifully. They still get a few moments here and there where they appear as military buffoons. But, overall, they're very menacing and dangerous. I particularly like how it doesn't seem like a single Sontaran falls during that great big battle they have against the British soldiers. But, at the same time, Dan is running around knocking them out with a wok! The juxtaposition shows that Chibnall hasn't forgotten what's been done with the Sontarans throughout the Revived Series. However, he's still going to restore those Sontarans to their former glory. To a time when they were so powerful that they actually managed to successfully invade Gallifrey.
I will add, here, that The Vanquishers does a great job with these creatures, too. But I wouldn't consider it a fully-fledged Sontaran story. There's so much other stuff going on in the plot that they do get regulated a bit more to the background. It is still quite cool that they manage to outwit both the Daleks and the Cybermen, though. In many ways, they become the most powerful race in the Universe during that instant. Thanks to the Doctor(s), however, that victory is short-lived.
Nonetheless, I am very pleased with how Chibnall treats the Sontarans this season. Once more, he proves that no one handles previously-established monsters better than he does.
CHIBNALL BRINGING BACK OLD FOES
PART TWO: "ALL MY LIFE I'VE BEEN WORKIN' THEM ANGELS" - Neil Peart
Chibnall's other gift to us from the past is a much more recent baddie. One that I felt no one could write better than the man who created them. But good 'ole Chibbers pulls it off!
Village of the Angels is the best Weeping Angels story. I should clarify that Blink is a better episode, in general, than Village. But, in terms of how the Angels are actually represented in the story, Chibnall's offering does a better job. If that makes any sense!
I like how all the previously-established powers that Angels have are put on display at some point. Like the way the image of an Angel can become one. Or how they can take people over and convert them into their own kind. And I love how a new power is revealed: their ability to create a quantum extraction. Or the concept that if an Angel zaps you twice, you just turn to dust. The whole mythos that has been built around them is respected and expanded upon. It's all constructed quite excellently.
Chibnall also remembers to keep the Angels terrifying. The horror aspect of this particular monster is quite crucial to their success. Probably the creepiest part is when Thirteen and friends are trying to make their way through the secret tunnel and Angel arms start protruding from the walls. That was definitely eerie. Especially since each pointing finger represents an unplanned trip in time if they should touch you.
There's also a few really great points in the story that don't relate as much to the Weeping Angels. I love it, for instance, when Jericho tells off the Angel in the TV that's using his voice. I was liking him quite a bit, already. But I fall in love with him, here. He's not just an eccentric scientist - he's pretty big bad-ass, too! The plot twist with poor Peggy and Mrs. Hayward is also brilliant. And, at the same time, brutal. The poor woman has known since childhood what's going to become of her home village but still isn't able to stop it.
But the coolest thing of all happens during the final seconds of the episode (before the post-credits scene - which is still quite nice, too!). Watching Thirteen turn into a Weeping Angel is both a stunning and disturbing visual. The whole season has many potent Cliffhangers - but this one is the best. It's impossible to not want to see what's going to happen next week!
THE ABSOLUTE CLASSIC
Once, Upon Time is the absolute masterpiece of the season. Right from its very first seconds after the title sequence (although the pre-titles with Bel and the Daleks are nice, too!), it takes you on a totally wild ride. The whole central premise is very weird and abstract. And also remarkably fun.
On the most superficial of levels, it's a quick easy way to provide a lot of backstory for a few new characters that are important to the season. Given that there are considerably less episodes this year, it's a great little shortcut to take so that we feel a lot more attached to Vinder and Dan. Particularly when Vinder gets his revenge on the Great Serpent at the conclusion.
But the real highlight of the story, of course, is watching the Doctor re-live a memory of the Timeless Child. Her stopping in front of a mirror and seeing the Fugitive Doctor in her reflection just might be the coolest thing ever. But, really, the entire episode is brilliant. Even Yaz's past gets a lot of attention since she's the one dealing with a Weeping Angel. All the different plot threads work beautifully in conjunction with each other. The whole narrative is a work of art.
Of course, Once, Upon Time also introduces The Black Coat Debate. An incredibly frivolous issue that steals so much focus away from admiring the brilliance of this story.
"Why doesn't she wear the Black Coat more often?!" fans moaned after the episode came out, "It looks so much better than the one she wears normally."
First off, either coat works just fine. Aesthetically, the black one might look a bit better. But it doesn't really suit this Doctor's character. She's always trying to be upbeat and black makes her look more sullen.
Secondly, I much prefer seeing the Black Coat only in a surreal context. Like here, where she's really meant to be the Timeless Child rather Thirteen. The next time she appears in this color is when the Personification of Time takes her form for a bit. And then she's wearing it again in Power of the Doctor when she meets the Guardians of the Edge. It's so much cooler to see the coat used this way rather than just something she throws on now and again when she's in a glum mood!
And, there you go: The Black Coat Debate has even interfered with this Review. I've dwelt on it just as long as I did when talking about how great this episode is!
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
PART ONE: LAYING THE FOUNDATION
We're handling things a bit out of order, here. But there's a method to my madness! At long last, though, we'll go back to the beginning.
The Halloween Apocalypse is quite excellent on several levels. Firstly, it lays some great foundations for the whole season. We are introduced to several new characters that will have key roles to play in the plot. Swarm comes along and is an especially-interesting villain because he knows the Doctor from her previous life. His telepathic confrontation with her is truly chilling. But the friendlier people populating the narrative are also very engaging. Dan gets a fantastic introduction that makes him instantly likeable (how can you not warm up to a guy that loves his community so much that he gets in trouble for giving free tours at his local museum?!). Chibnall creates another great companion who doesn't have to be all big and melodramatic or fall madly in love with the Doctor like so many New Who companions before him. He's just a nice guy who we're glad to see aboard the TARDIS.
Once the introductions are dispensed with, the episode gets to the real essence of the story. I actually love that it takes a while for us to finally reach the point where the Flux is released into our Universe. All the set-up that leads to that Event was executed perfectly.
But there is another very important mission that Halloween Apocalypse accomplishes: it establishes a pace. Various plot threads intertwine together and move at an almost breakneck speed. There are brief pauses for us to catch our breath and, even, have a quick laugh. Like when Dan yells at the adult trick-or-treater. But, most of the time, the adventure propels along quite rapidly. I honestly don't think I've ever seen anything on the show move with such intensity.
Because of these two crucial elements that the opening episode establishes, it makes an absolutely amazing first impression. As the Doctor fails to stop the Flux with vortex energy, I'm dying to see what happens next....
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
PART TWO: WHERE THINGS GET TRICKY
So, even though I reviewed the first four episodes of Flux out of order, you can still see that I'm very happy with them. I'd even confidently claim that they are near-flawless (although, Once, Upon Time might actually be a perfect episode). Essentially, I am massively impressed with everything I'm seeing.
But, in a story with such tight continuity, a certain type of problem can arise. Audiences are getting heavily-invested in what they're seeing. And this can lead to high expectations. Or, more accurately, very precise expectations. Because of the attachments we've formed, we're more likely to want the whole plot to end in a certain way.
With the usual format, it's easier for us to get detached from everything that's going on. The TARDIS is going to different locations on a regular basis. We're getting to know new characters all the time so we can only build so much of a rapport with them before they're gone again. But with characters and premises that are sticking around for the whole season, we're going to make connections with them. Which, in turn, creates these expectations I'm talking about.
Basically, we start wanting things to go in a certain direction. We can even see this happening in earlier New Who with season-long arcs. It's a similar process that is, perhaps, less poignant than what an Umbrella Season creates. But it leads to, very much, the same thing. The viewer, for instance, keeps hearing this Saxon character being mentioned throughout Series Three. They start making guesses on who they want this person to be. When Saxon isn't who they thought he was, they can be disappointed. Or, maybe they did want him to be the Master, but they weren't expecting him to be defeated in a way that resembled the Resurrection of Tinker Bell in Peter Pan. That can also be a let-down!
Any ongoing plot will get expectations heaped upon it. The tighter the plot, the higher or more precise the expectations. And, of course, the greater the risk of disappointment.
A good writer recognizes that giving their audience the exact ending that they're expecting is not the greatest move. It makes the whole story-telling experience feel hollow. Why even write something if it just resolves itself the way everyone thought it would? A good writer must, however, choose their fights as they reach the conclusion of their tale. Certain expectations must still be met. In Series Thirteen, for example, we needed the Doctor to come up with some clever way to stop the Flux. She might not be able to undo some of its damage, but she needed to stop it from destroying the entire Universe. The Doctor giving up on our reality and just going to the next dimension with Tecteun would not have been satisfactory.
However, there are plenty of other things that Chibnall can do to subvert our expectations. And, as a good writer, he should. But it's a tricky balance. Stray too far from our expectations and we won't be happy at all. There needs to be compromise.
Fans, however, can be harsh. Particularly as they react to this era. Even straying a bit from the way most people feel the way Flux should end can create massive backlash. Chibbers could have, easily, tried to work out the algorithm. Figure out what ending his audience would most want and give it to them.
Thankfully, he maintains his integrity and plays a bit with our expectations. But it does make these last two episodes a bit trickier. They are just as strong as the first four, but I do find that they create some degree of consumer resistance. Being given four magnificent episodes in a row did rope us in quite strongly. Which means we really do want to see the conflict resolve itself in very specific ways. The ending Chibnall does give us is fantastic. But, because it wasn't the ending we expected, it can be difficult to accept.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
PART THREE: THE END (BUT THE MOMENT HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR)
Survivors of the Flux is where I feel the divergence begins. Everything had been going the way we felt it should until we hit this episode. I don't think anyone thought so much time would be devoted to getting Dan, Yaz and Jericho out of the time period they're trapped in. Especially when they hatch a huge scheme at the Great Wall of China that is merely met with: "I can't time travel, you idiots!"
While it did mess with me a bit at the time, I do actually see that this was actually the best direction things could have gone in. Flux had gotten so very intense and was coming perilously close to taking itself too seriously. At this exact time, we needed a plot thread that would lighten things up a bit. It was really great fun to have a wiseman on a mountain that liked to tease his visitors. Or an anthropomorphic dog pointing out the fatal flaw in their plan to humans who thought themselves clever. We weren't anticipating something like this, but it still serves the story better than if Chibnall had just kept ramping up the drama.
Of course, he doesn't turn everything into a complete farce, either. The Doctor confronts Tecteun and we get some more much-needed answers about the Division. So, in amongst the comedy, we're also getting some pay-off that we've wanted for a while.
But then, there's another unexpected plot thread that develops in this episode. The Grand Serpent is messing with UNIT so that Earth will be properly vulnerable for the season finale. I don't think anyone was expecting to see this happen. And it's a wonderful surprise. The fan-servicing, here, is fun but still tasteful. We love that soundbyte of the Brigadier from the next room as the Grand Serpent and Dopey UNIT General go strolling by. But it's actually quite nice that it's all we get of him. The plot moves on in a new direction that will eventually lead to an absolutely brilliant scene with his daughter.
The Vanquishers pushes things even further in wild directions. Sontarans handing Daleks and Cybermen their assess was legitimately shocking. It seemed these guys would always be in Third Place as intergalactic conquerors. But they showed us!
The Doctor suddenly getting split into three vestiges was probably another development none of us had anticipated. But it was quite fun, too. Love the little quips like: "I've got such a crush on her!"
Ultimately, however, we also get what we needed from this season-long storyline. While the effectiveness of Sontaran treachery was a nice twist, the Doctor does still manage to stop them from taking over the Earth. And, most importantly, she grabs a readily-available resource that was under our nose the whole time to hoover up the rest of the anti-matter that's floating around and wrecking the Universe. These were the endings that we definitely needed. And we got them. Which makes those other elements that went against the outcome we desired more-than-acceptable.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
PART FOUR: TWO MAJOR SUBVERSIONS
Having said all that I did in the last section, I do still feel the need to discuss two major outcomes to Flux that really threw most of us for a pretty big loop. For some, I think, it was too much. But there are always certain fans that will never be pleased with anything. Particularly when Chibnall was at the helm.
But could these fans, for once, be right? Did the Head Writer stray too far from the ending he should have given us? Or was this yet another case of certain people over-reacting?
Let's examine these two points more closely to find out:
No Re-Set
When I began watching Flux, the first thing I thought was: "Okay. This is going to be like Last of the Time Lords or The Big Bang. The Doctor will find some way to undo what was done and get everything back to normal!"
My beliefs were all-the-more re-enforced as we reached The Vanquishers and the Doctor actually found a way to reverse what Tecteun had done.
"There it is!" I acknowledged, "The Reboot Button!"
When we get to the final episode and the Doctor does discover a method to get rid of the Flux but can't fix the damage it has caused, I'm in a state of legitimate shock. I couldn't believe they were ending things this way. A good chunk of the Universe is just going to stay destroyed. There's no Paradox Machine to bust or Box of Parandorica to send into an Event Horizon that will put everything right, again.
And I loved that.
Too often, major disasters in New Who have no real threat to them because the writer creates a re-set button. The Doctor will then find it and employ it. Suddenly, everything goes back to normal. It's so nice to see that not happen, for once. That the damage remains after the event is over. It's a genuinely pleasant change.
Timeless Child Still Stays a Mystery
Admittedly, my initial reaction to this one was a bit more negative. I had expected a full explanation of the Timeless Child by the time the Chibnall/Whitaker Era reached its end. Thirteen hurling the fob watch down a chasm in the TARDIS rather than opening it and going into the weird-looking house in her mindscape was a bit of a wtf? Moment. I was slightly upset.
But then I made an important realization.
"What is it about the Timeless Child Storyline that you love so much, Rob?!" I reminded myself.
"I love that it has, once more, made the Doctor a mysterious character." I answered myself (which is always a weird thing!), "That, once again, there are things about her past that we don't know about. That her origins run deeper than we know."
"Then why would Chibnall take all that mystery away again so quickly by revealing everything we need to know about the Timeless Child in the span of just a few seasons?!" I point out to me
"Hey, yeah." I concede to myself, "That's a good point."
Smugly, I smile to myself.
And I am right. The Timeless Child should still stay a mystery for someone else to pick back up and expand upon at a later point if they desire to. It's not like Chibnall didn't give us enough information about this secret life that the Doctor had before she was William Hartnell. Most of the Timeless Child's story, if you're following closely, has been revealed. Chibnall just didn't give us every single detail. But we, as pedants, just naturally want everything answered right away. Not over the span of the many more years the show may have.
Chibnall leaving things the way he did puts the Who back in Doctor Who. And, upon reflection (and some weird dialogue with myself), I'm a happier person for it.
In the end, the Head Writer does hit a perfect balance as he concludes Flux. I will still admit it's slightly hard to accept when you first watch it. But it doesn't take much reflection or re-watching to see that he did things right. The ending is both satisfying and packs a few fun surprises, too.
CONCLUSION ON THE FLUX
Recently, I saw someone make a very bold claim on a Fanpage. It was met with some resistance, of course. Because it was saying something positive about the Chibnall/Whitaker Era. While there was a certain amount of pushback, some did manage to offer the backhanded compliment of: "Jodie was good. But Chibnall still can't write!" Amazingly enough, however, most people chimed in with full-hearted agreements in the comments.
The statement was simple. They posted some highly-familiar images from Flux and a message that said: "This season is the best thing New Who has given us."
Someone really did say that (no, it wasn't me!). Most people even supported the idea. And I was glad to see that statement as I was writing this Review. Cause it really got me thinking. They were right. This really was the best thing New Who has produced.
I have re-watched this season several times, now. Not just for the sake of this Review but also because I really do love going back to this season and enjoying it over and over. There's always something new to find in the material that gets me to love it even more. Some nuance to the plot that wasn't as clear to me on previous viewings. Or something I catch in the overall flow that I'd not noticed before that gets me to appreciate it even more. There's just a lot of really gorgeous layers to this narrative that keep coming out every time you go back to it. It's some pretty damned spectacular writing. All the other components you need for excellent television are there too, of course. But it all starts with one of the best-told stories we've seen in the whole history of the show.
Throughout these Reviews of New Who, I've shown great loyalty to Series One. It really did start things off on a great foot. Only a few seasons, since, have come anywhere close to matching its potency. I can't say for sure if Flux truly beats it. But it's definitely a very solid tie.
THE SPECIALS
PART ONE: EVE OF THE DALEKS
Once more, we start off the new year on the right foot: The Daleks are back. Yes, yes, I know they were just in Flux but their presence was very much pushed to the background in that adventure. Here, we're getting another New Year's Day featuring a Proper Dalek Story.
Again, Chibnall proves that he writes the Daleks so well that even Terry Nation would be a bit jealous.
He's taking the monsters in another interesting direction. Resolution showed the effectiveness of a single Dalek. Revolution of the Daleks was about the grandeur of massive Dalek armies swooping in on each other. On this occasion, we've got a small taskforce ruthlessly trying to execute a single mission. It's a bit like The Chase. Only, this time, there's an actual plot!
Setting the whole thing in a warehouse was an interesting risk to take that paid off nicely on several levels. It made the story more about dialogue than usual. And Chibnall showed off just how well he can write the words that come out of his characters' mouths. In order to make up for the lack of action that can take place in a warehouse, he gives us a much stronger comedy element. But I love how subtle he's still able to keep things. We're amused by the cooky guest stars but it doesn't get in the way of the drama and tension that the story still needs. And the material is genuinely funny. Segun Akinola doesn't need to do like Murray Gold and put a bunch of farty trumpet music behind the jokes in an attempt enhance their effect. And I'm thankful for this. Gold's technique never actually worked. If anything, it highlighted how ineffective some of the comedy was!
Creating such a static context also gave the Daleks, themselves, a bit more dialogue than they usually get. Some of which even had some comedy impact of its own ("Daleks do not have managers!"). Other bits were quite chilling ("Daleks learn."). Giving Daleks interesting things to say is, perhaps, one of the greatest challenges any writer for the show can face. It's the whole reason why Nation came up with Davros. He wanted someone to represent the Daleks and speak more eloquently on their behalf. But Chibnall really does show off how great he writes these monsters. He hasn't just restored their sense of menace, but he actually gets us to enjoy the words that come out of their vocal equipment (I know the more traditional phraseology is: "words from their mouths" but I don't think it's actually applicable, here!).
I also quite like how we finally get a plot that really explores that concept of time loops. We've seen hints of them here and there. They get mentioned in stories like Claws of Axos and Invasion of Time. We even see them in action a bit during Meglos and The Big Bang. But this is the first time we really get a proper story involving one. And it's executed magnificently. The game of cat-and-mouse that erupts between the Daleks and their victims is put together quite cleverly.
It should also be mentioned that I have loved all the inspirational speeches Thirteen has given throughout her run. They always managed to be genuinely uplifting rather than cheesy. But her "rallying the troops" when everyone's getting discouraged about beating the time loop is probably one of the best ones she delivers. It's a simple but accurate way of describing how we face challenges and get through difficult times.
There's little to legitimately complain about, here. Once more, Chibnall gives a great New Year's Day Dalek Story. Personally, I would have liked more civil wars to erupt between the "pure" Daleks and the Recon Dalek offshoots, but this is still very good!
THE SPECIALS
PART TWO: LEGEND OF THE SEA DEVILS
While I have little or no problems with Arachnids in the UK or Tsurango Conundrum or even Orphan 55, it's difficult for me to defend Legend of the Sea Devils. This is the weakest offering from the entire era. Its deficiencies become especially poignant when you consider that Chibnall had been doing such a great job of bringing back other recurring foes. In this instance, however, he really does miss the mark.
The Haters, as usual, go on endlessly about this one. At this point, Chibnall has been giving us such high quality stuff that they are looking for every little opportunity they can to complain. But I still wouldn't call this story genuinely terrible. Lacking a bit in quality, yes. But not so much that I'm writing it off completely. The only episodes I consider truly "bad" during New Who were during the RTD era. Moffat and Chibnall had some that were "a bit off" but still redeemable. I would even be bold enough to say that Moff produced more poor content than Chibbers did (averaging things out, of course. I recognize that Steven did twice the number of seasons).
While on the subject of RTD, I should discuss a great irony I saw going on as Legend aired. Sometime around the transmission of the episode, it had been announced that Davis was coming back to Doctor Who to "save" it.
"Yay!" the haters rejoiced, "Doctor Who will finally be good again! We won't be getting crap episodes like Legend of the Sea Devils anymore!"
Here's the Great Irony: most of the problems Legend had were caused by tropes RTD had used quite heavily during his first period as Showrunner. The A Plot, for instance, is virtually non-existent. Way too much focus is given, instead, to the "Will they? Won't they?" soap opera subplot regarding Yaz and the Doctor. The presence of "historical celebrities" has, once again, become cosmetic. Just as it often was during those first four seasons of New Who. Instead of getting a tale that takes a detailed look at the life of Tesla or Rosa Parks, the writer seems to just be thinking: "I want some pirates in this story! Who were some famous ones?! Let's put them in!" And we really don't get much more than that. Just like those episodes that featured Dickens or Queen Victoria back in the early days. The scriptwriter, maybe, did a quick google of them so that they could add in a few interesting little factoids. Otherwise, the famous historical figure didn't really serve much purpose to the story.
We even get a "re-imaging of a past character that goes too far". Something we saw RTD do over and over with a non-existent love affair between Sarah Jane Smith and the Doctor or the Master complaining of drums in his head when he's never mentioned them before. In this instance, the Sea Devils suddenly become pirates! This action contradicts anything we'd ever seen about Sea Devils. They're a highly-advanced species - why would they decide to regress into something more primitive like a pirate? For that matter, why would they desire to imitate anything human when they hate them so much? Aside from wanting to make the Sea Devils fit in more with the whole motif of the story, it's pretty damned silly! But it's definitely the sort of thing RTD was notorious for. Change something firmly established in canon to suit whatever it is he wants to do in a current plot.
Essentially, Legend of the Sea Devils is a very RTDesque tale.
Which means that I found it quite amusing that fans were praising RTD as the Messiah. While, at the same time, they were complaining about this story. The failings of the whole adventure all tended to hinge on the fact that they were re-using devices that were found in great abundance during the initial run of the man they worship.
In amongst all these problems, however, is a major compliment I can give to this Special: I do like the way it resolves the romantic storyline between Yaz and the Doctor. The whole situation is handled quite maturely. Yaz accepts the choice the Doctor is making and still remains friends with her. The Doctor allows us another insight into the complicated nature of her personal life. Most importantly, however, she doesn't need to turn into an "Angsty Ten" as she does it!
THE SPECIALS
PART THREE: POWER OF THE DOCTOR
And so, once more, we reach an end. And, of course, a new beginning. Although, sort of, not a new beginning since an old face is being re-visited and a previous Head Writer is coming back! So it's like an old/new beginning/return. Or.... something like that. I'm not sure. Essentially, this is about to be a very weird period for the show!
But before all that happens, we have to deal with losing Thirteen and the Showrunner that came with her.
I know, already, that Jodie's departure will be legitimately rough on me. Before she came along, Eleven was my favorite New Who Doctor and his swansong depressed the Hell out of me. With Thirteen being my new Best Doc, I figured watching her regenerate wasn't going to be easy for me, either.
There was one thing that made the whole bereavement process just a little easier: Power of the Doctor is one of - if not - the best Doctor Who stories ever. As miserable as I am during the last few minutes of Thirteen's life, the incredible thrill ride that got me there has been so rewarding that the sting of having to let her go is that little bit less vicious. Yes, she's leaving us. But, damn, did she go out in style!
There is an insurmountable amount of fan service in this episode. Something that I find doesn't always work so well on the show. Particularly as a Head Writer is near the end of their era. Usually, nods to the past during times like these lead to previous incarnations acting more sexist than they actually were for the sake of a cheap recurring joke. Or entire episodes get devoted to old companions reacting to a Dalek invasion. Or other such nonsense.
This is not the case with Chibnall. I'm not sure if Thirteen's final adventure was originally meant to be such an extravaganza of nostalgia, but it is what the BBC asked him to make to celebrate their centennial anniversary. But he reigns himself in beautifully so that we get a great last episode for Jodie rather than a piece of bad fanfic. Even the encounter with the Guardians of the Edge - something every fan has believed in and wanted to see - is delivered with economy. The earlier Doctors make their cameos, pick on Eight for not wearing robes, and then get out of the way. Nothing feels over-indulgent. There's a plethora of Blasts from the Past but there's also an actual plot moving things forward. It's an absolutely flawless balancing act that makes me feel like this might have made a better Sixtieth Anniversary Special than what we actually got.
Once I'm finished with these Reviews (one more to go!) one of the first things I write will be a POINT OF DEBATE essay where I pit Power of the Doctor against my all-time favorite Doctor Who story and truly determine which one wins. Pretty sure it's gonna be Power. That's just how much I love this tale.
FINAL ULTIMATE CONCLUSION
And ... that's it. Chibnall, Jodie, Segun and a few others are taking their leave. Some "fans" are quite happy to see the back of them. Others are quite sad. There are even people that are insane enough to think that this has been the best era the show has had since its Revival.
Writing these Reviews has revealed something to me. I don't hate New Who - but I definitely like the Classic Series better. I get that the show had to progress and keep pace with modern-day television audiences, but I do feel that a little too much streamlining happened when the new foundations were laid. RTD trimmed the show's roots more than he should have. Moff took some steps to improve this. But, in many ways, it still wasn't quite enough.
But Dear Chibnall gave us a version of New Who that really did resemble the show that had come before it. The stories were still well-paced, but they slowed down just enough to allow for more character moments and other similar indulgences to return. While he was in charge, we got so many things back from the Classic Series that I had loved so much.
Which is why I'll make the insane claim that I think this is the best version of New Who, thus far. It started on slightly shaky ground but then just kept improving and improving. So that, by the time we reached the end, it was a complete triumph.
According to Legend, Chibnall originally had a five year plan for the show. But, sadly, Covid forced him to accomplish everything in three seasons, instead. Even under those reduced circumstances, he built some beautiful arcs into his era. Already, when I'm in the mood to re-watch some New Who, I'm going more frequently to this period than anywhere else.
Special Note:
Before I totally shut down this discussion, I want my last words on this subject to be about Jodie. I've already mentioned how much I love her portrayal. How she's my favorite New Who Doctor. But we should also note her professionalism. I can't think of a single occasion where I heard her address some of the horribly negative things certain "fans" were saying about her or the show, in general. She just pressed on and did her job. She not only impresses me as a performer, but also as a person.
I enjoyed her so much that I actually find myself believing that the role is better-suited to a woman. In fact, I'm genuinely hoping that we will see more female Doctors in the future. If we do, we owe it all to the talent and dedication of Jodie Whitaker.
