Season 14; Russell T Davies Returns

pixelburp · 24-09-2021 3:36pm #1

Oh wow, this I did not predict when spitballing who might take over. Oddly, this is kinda conflicting news TBH:

https://www.doctorwho.tv/news/?article=russell-t-davies-to-return-as-doctor-who-showrunner

FunLover18 · 24-09-2021 3:47pm

That is an interesting move! Presumably they see the show as needing another revival in a way after the Chibnall era which has been disappointing from a story perspective. I'm looking forward to it, the show was a light lighter in tone when he was in charge which I think suits Doctor Who.

Agent Coulson · 24-09-2021 3:50pm

Just feels like the easy option, I really like Davies however it just feel like the BBC want safe hands to hold the show steady instead of bringing in a fresh new voice and taking a risk like they did when they hired Davies the first time.

It might be a fitting way to bookend this era of Who going with the show runner who brought it back after so many years before taking a break for a while.

pixelburp · 24-09-2021 3:58pm

I wouldn't say it's an easy option, but it's definitely ... well. Not a panic, not lazy; but perhaps a realisation by the BBC they let Dr. Who drift into minor irrelevance - but are unsure how to grab that back. And being a bit of an insular, incestuous organisation, they look to someone still at the top of his game, who worked with Dr. Who before.

So rather than take another wild swing (which Davies' appointment truly was back in the day), they're instead hoping the man can get lightning from a bottle twice over. It all depends on what the creative brief is: I'd be bold enough to say Davies will have a lot less wriggle room than he did around 2005; nobody could have expected that soggy old sci-fi show to become such a worldwide hit. Whereas now there's a solid brand, lots of merchandise and so on; the BBC might be breathing down his neck.

FunLover18 · 24-09-2021 6:51pm

https://twitter.com/dcnnanoble/status/1441434169612111872?s=19

:D

ebbsy · 24-09-2021 9:01pm

The good news is here that he should be able to convince a proper actor to do the role, just like he did before.

He does have a major job on his hands however to turn this around, and remember we dont know what further damage Jodie and Chibnall will inflict before they leave.

pixelburp · 25-09-2021 6:15am

That reads a bit unfair. Smith, Capaldi and Whitaker are all "proper" actors, and the latter was given nothing to work with during her stint under Chibnall. Nobody could make a part sing that contained no discernible direction.

In fact, it's a shame Whitaker has decided to leave because I'd say Davies would give her something useful to get her teeth into.

TheValeyard · 25-09-2021 12:12pm

It's a real shame about Whitaker. So much potential we never got to see.

I do think Chibnall really made a balls of it to be honest. It hasnt gone well.

Davies is the BBC trying to about turn.

If I were a betting man I think there will be a fair bit of retcon incoming, particularly with the Doctor origin story.

ebbsy · 26-09-2021 6:33pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117936264#Comment_117936264

I thought Smith was terrible myself, but again that may have come down to the scripts.

ixoy · 28-09-2021 11:14pm

Mixed feelings - I'd have preferred some fresh blood in there rather than the easy route or, as they did, giving it to one of their mates. On one hand, I grew very tired of RTD's episodes and their OTT plots and, too often, childish antics (adipose, farting aliens, etc). On the other hand, I've recently loved "Years and Years" and "It's a Sin" - he can really excel at characters and dialogue.. it's just I don't think he captures Who as I want to see it. A lot will come down now to his casting of the Doctor (I was never a massive Tenant fan). It could work well and obviously it's better than Chibs.

ebbsy · 29-10-2021 4:50pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117936981#Comment_117936981

That origin story was just like John Connor turning bad in Terminator - a horrific idea.

Angron · 30-10-2021 10:46am

I kinda drifted away from the show before the full story played out, and when I read the origin story afterwards I was just baffled at how they thought it was a good idea.

pixelburp · 03-11-2021 5:43pm

May be an interesting development, especially given how rote the show had become: apparently full creative control has moved to a 3rd party; Russell T Davies' return to the show being contingent on said control given to "Bad Wolf Studios", which is (part) run by former Dr. Who producer Julie Gardner. And if reports are to be believed from The Times, the BBC may lose up to £40 million per 10 episodes because of this deal. Creative and production responsibility is now going to be on the shoulders of Bad Wolf, with the BBC retaining broadcasting, merchandising rights.

This below article does go into speculation territory, wondering if perhaps this is going to be part of another attempt at spin-offs, but it's an interesting development given how tightly internal the production has been throughout the new series' run. It could just be a classic case of a private company gouging a public institution as far as it can.

https://gizmodo.com/doctor-whos-new-era-might-cost-the-bbc-a-pretty-penny-1847988726

FunLover18 · 03-11-2021 5:53pm

I think I'm correct in saying that Bad Wolf productions has also recently been bought by Sony.

ebbsy · 04-01-2022 9:13pm

I think Lenny Henry would be a good Doctor ??

TheValeyard · 05-01-2022 11:25pm

And some weird crossover now between Eve Online and Doctor Who.

pixelburp · 06-01-2022 8:35am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118424177#Comment_118424177

I had seen that. Weird is right; apparently the long time fans of the game are not impressed at all.

Doctor DooM · 11-01-2022 10:56am

I'm torn on all of this.

RTD brought back the Doctor: wrote some of the best episodes of the new series to date personally: but also did some awful stuff in his time, and by the end, despite how some people remember it, the vast majority were dying for the Moffat takeover (although you have to point out RTD GAVE Moffat his role as a writer so even there he's an influence). The whole lonely god thing was truly dragged out a couple of years too long.

That being said RTD seems to have gotten even better when he's good in the meantime, so I'm not doom and gloom, but wait and see.

I'm also in the "Jodie didn't ever get a chance" camp, I'd have liked her to have time with a different showrunner, but alas it's not to be.

pixelburp · 11-01-2022 11:52am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118454103#Comment_118454103

Oh I still remember writing a big angry rant here on this forum after End of Time (RTD and David Tenant's final episodes); Davies later work on Who really nosedived to the point of entering self-parody. As you say, people were champing at the bit for Moffat to take over by then 'cos the wheels had spun off the show IMO. Fundamentally, I just didn't always dig his deeply camp or cheesy approach when it was indulged to the max; the question then becomes what kind of tone will he return to the show with?

Doctor DooM · 12-01-2022 11:29am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118454392#Comment_118454392

Yeah, I guess tone's the fundamental question: I wouldn't expect (or hope) him to come back and basically continue as if it's just business as usual. He's smart enough to know the landscape of TV has changed a lot since his last run.

TheValeyard · 18-01-2022 3:18pm

And he has probably changed as grown as a show runner since then. Could hopefully bring the life back into the show.

pixelburp · 18-01-2022 4:43pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118494782#Comment_118494782

Usually, when old hands return to previous parishes, it's after a string of failures or bombs; but RTD has only gone on to further success and praise. Which is why my personal theory is that he might have been given carte blanche to take the show wherever he likes - including a "finish" or full blown reboot.

Mollyb60 · 24-01-2022 5:55pm

Ugh posted this in the wrong thread and I can't delete it:

Thoughts?

FunLover18 · 24-01-2022 5:58pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118526758#Comment_118526758

An interesting theory I saw on Twitter where I could see this working is if they brought back Tennent as the tenth Doctor to introduce the new Doctor in a multi-doctor story. Kind of like that story with David Morrissey but it's not a fake out.

pixelburp · 24-01-2022 6:44pm

Jesus I hope that's wrong cos I hate it. I gave the rehiring of RTD the benefit of the doubt it wasn't just a desperate grab for relevance again - but also getting Tenant back? Yikes, no.

fritzelly · 24-01-2022 6:49pm

Its nothing more than some nobody on FB wanting views, tabloids pick it up and we descend in to the nine circles of hell

pixelburp · 24-01-2022 6:56pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118527072#Comment_118527072

Oh I don't believe it, or anything til the BBC reveal it (and they can rarely keep their mouth shut re. Doctor Who), but doesn't mean we can't add some 2 cents. It's a bizarre rumour really, less believable on the face of it than - say - "Idris Elba is the new Doctor".

fritzelly · 24-01-2022 6:59pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118527106#Comment_118527106

He's probably got the Bond gig

pixelburp · 25-01-2022 9:12am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118527115#Comment_118527115

Ah he's probably too old now for the gig. Though you'd have to wonder if the most obvious Who casting is staring at us in the face. Chibnell's 2nd biggest switch to the mythology was the introduction of a (sorta) parallel, mystery Doctor we had never met before; seems like the obvious choice would be for RTD to take Jo Martin's version and run with it. I've no idea what broader fandom has made of Jo Martin & her Doc mind you: maybe RTD will Poochie her first chance he gets.

B.A._Baracus · 25-01-2022 11:32am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118526758#Comment_118526758

I would love it if it was true. Viewers would certainly flock back to watch. Tenant seems to be a busy man so the idea of three specials sounds like something he could commit to but I think its almost a certain he will be back for the 60th. So it's possible just is it accurate.

They should do something special anyways. Last episode lowest viewing figures since new who started, Jodie is leaving, her last episodes are shot and there's 22 months until 60th special airs (assuming November again like 50th)

Only problem is... if tennant did come back then another actor takes over... couldn't people just tune out once tenant leaves? Wouldn't it make more sense to have the new doctor getting the "rub" by tennant by sharing scenes.

ebbsy · 08-02-2022 5:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118526758#Comment_118526758

My 3 favourite Doctors are 1.Baker 2. Tennant 3.Capaldi

However Tennant coming back ? That would be the ultimate confirmation that the show is in the deepest trouble possible.

I would go for Lenny Henry or somebody similar, a safe pair of hands and an experienced actor.

Season 14; Russell T Davies Returns

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