The 2005 Doctor Who Reboot: A Legacy That Respected the Original Series

There is a common belief among some that the 2005 reboot of Doctor Who destroyed the lineage of the original series. However, this argument is misleading. The reboot, while criticized for various reasons, has not eradicated the original show's legacy but rather expanded and built upon its lore in innovative ways.

The Criticisms and Validities

Despite the numerous criticisms levied against the 2005 run, many of these criticisms have been valid in their own contexts. However, it should be emphasized that the reboot has not destroyed the original series. In fact, it has integrated many beneficial elements of the original show while forging its own path.

Doctor Who's Evolution Through Reboot

The 2005 reboot, starring Christopher Eccleston, did not bring an iconic costume like many of the classic Doctors, but it set the stage for subsequent Doctors such as David Tennant and Peter Capaldi. Here's a deeper look at how each of these Doctors contributed to the legacy of the series:

Christopher Eccleston (2005-2007)

Eccleston may not have had an iconic costume, which was in line with the bulk of the classic series, but his performance was competent and helped to bring the show back into the public eye. Under Russell T Davies' (RTD) direction, Eccleston laid foundational groundwork for the more beloved and popular Doctors to follow.

David Tennant (2007-2010)

Tennant significantly increased the pace of the show and produced very few 'lemon' episodes. His performances and storylines were instrumental in cementing important aspects of the original lore, contributing to the continued evolution of the series.

Neil Gaiman (2011)

After a period of hiatus, Neil Gaiman wrote the storyline for eight Doctors, merging the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors to create the Twelfth. This series, loved by fans for its creative blend and higher production values, continued to preserve and enhance the original series' legacy.

Peter Capaldi (2013-2016)

Capaldi's Doctor was a significant improvement, adhering closely to how Colin Baker's Doctor should have been treated. Capaldi maintained many of the classic Who values until the last series, where Steven Moffat's (Moffatt) experimentation began to impact the narrative and legacy negatively.

The Arrival of Bill

The introduction of Bill Potts as Clara's successor in the series was met with mixed reactions. Critics, including myself, argue that her character was unnecessary and not well-integrated into the story. It is often surmised that the criticism is due to her being described as a 'tick-box' character. However, this is not entirely accurate.

Bill is not criticized for being a black, female, or gay character but rather for her portrayal. She was written as a character with her defining traits – race, sexuality, and gender – being the primary focus of her characterization. This approach impacted the storytelling negatively. While universal in appreciation, these traits came across as forced and did not contribute positively to the narrative.

The Chris Chibnall Era

Chibnall's tenure as showrunner began with a promising casting decision for Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor. However, his subsequent decisions and weak character development led to a series that was criticized for its poor storylines, weak character development, and an overly preachy format. This series also attempted to overrule the rich, established lore of the show in a way that many found detrimental to the legacy of the series.

Chibnall's second series further solidified these critiques. The casting of leading roles, minimal character development, weak stories, and a preachy format combined with the attempt to overwrite the established lore in a misguided manner have drawn negative feedback, leading to a Docless year following the controversy.

It is clear that while the reboot has made some significant missteps, it has not destroyed the legacy of the original series. However, if Chibnall is left in charge for too long, the risk of irreparably damaging the rich lore of the series posed by his run is very real. It is vitally important that the legacy is not ignored but respected and built upon with care and creativity.