Steven Moffat is leaving Doctor Who after 2017! And there will be almost no new Doctor Who until 2017?
A few days ago, big news about Doctor Who was dropped; some good, some bad, but all interesting. First, Doctor Who will not return with a new season (series) until Spring 2017, with only a Christmas special at the end of 2016. The following is a quote by BBC1 controller Charlotte Moore about the reasoning behind the delay of Doctor Who: “I have decided to schedule Steven’s big finale series in Spring 2017 to bring the nation together for what will be a huge event on the channel. 2016 is spoilt with national moments including the Euros and Olympics and I want to hold something big back for 2017 - I promise it will be worth the wait!”
Honestly, this reason sounds like BS. This barely answers why we have to wait, but who knows. Regardless, that's what is happening, so no new Doctor Who until Christmas of this year.
On the good news side, Steven Moffat is leaving as showrunner after the 2017 season! Moffat might have written some of the best episodes of Doctor Who, such as "Blink" and "The Girl in the Fireplace." However, his convoluted style of storytelling may have worked for a few seasons, but it is getting old. He seems unable to come up with enough new ideas, especially in the season finales, so I, for one, am glad to get new blood into the mix! Maybe he can devote his effort to the always exceptional Sherlock!
In Moffat's place, Chris Chibnall will take over as the showrunner. Chibnall is known for being the creator of the popular Broadchurch series starring David Tennant. If you are interested, definitely watch the first season and forget that there is a second season, because it is barely worth watching. Chibnall's other credits include episodes for Life on Mars, Torchwood, Law & Order: UK, and even Doctor Who. The following are the Doctor Who episodes and web-shorts he has written:
- "42" (2007)
- "The Hungry Earth" / "Cold Blood" (2010)
- Pond Life (2012)
- "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship" (2012)
- "The Power of Three" (2012)
- "P.S." (2012)
Honestly, I do not remember "42" at all. "The Hungry Earth" / "Cold Blood," "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship," and "The Power of Three" were all rather mediocre episodes, and far from the quality Doctor Who should be. Pond Life is the short webseries about Amy and Rory, and "P.S." is basically a deleted scene from "The Angels Take Manhattan" released online. Overall, his work on Doctor Who is rather unimpressive. However, Broadchurch's first season is brilliant, so I have high hopes that Chris Chibnall will finally bring something new to the Doctor Who franchise.
Lastly, Peter Capaldi is rumored to be leaving the series after season 9 to give the series a fresh start with Chibnall at the helm. While it might seem a little too soon for Capaldi to be leaving the series, the previous actors only stayed onboard for 3 seasons, plus specials, and considering that 2016 is basically an off-year, Capaldi's tenure would be about as long as the others. With that said, Capaldi showed his true potential last season, and if he were given stronger scripts that fit his style, instead of Moffat's often clashing tone, Capaldi could truly shine in the role. With that said, Moffat started with a new Doctor and the same will likely be true for Chibnall (wow, I am going to have to get used to spelling that name, haha). Fingers crossed for the extremely unlikely choice of Idris Elba as the Thirteenth Doctor!
Overall, while Doctor Who being delayed is disappointing, Moffat leaving is a more than welcome change, because we desperately need something new and fresh!
What are your thoughts on the Doctor Who news? Please comment below and let me know!
Source: IGN.com
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I'm THRILLED Moffat's going. I've made no secret of my disdain for what he's done on DW, and no amount of "Blink"-ing will make up for the convoluted nonsense he's thrown the past few years.
ReplyDeleteI think that if Capaldi does leave, the 'big finale' we'll get is The Doctor as a woman, which I oppose.
I knew you would be thrilled, and even though I liked Moffat's work in the past, we definitely need something new and fresh!
DeleteAnd agreed, that would be terrible!
-James
Moffat leaving is fantastic news! I am rather disappointed that it's gonna take so long to happen though. I agree, Chibnall's record isn't impressive, but I bet he'll take the opportunity and run with it. Anyway, almost anyone would be better than Moffat at this point. I agree that Capaldi could be a good Doctor under someone else's writing, but honestly I really want to see a new Doctor. A clean start, and stuff. Unless of course like Rick said, the new Doctor's a woman *shudders*. It does seem like a less-likely atrocity to occur, now that Moffat's leaving... You know who'd make an amazingly fun Doctor? John Boyega. He should quit Star Wars and do it!! (He really shouldn't.) :P
ReplyDelete& I tagged/mentioned you on my blog. :)
DeleteI agree: Capaldi has the potential to be a fantastic Doctor, but the scripts are almost constantly letting him down. He's had his moments (Flatline, Under the Lake) but by and large he can only do so much. W/out a good script, even someone as great as Capaldi can't lift it all by himself.
Delete@Sarah: I agree. It is disappointing that it we have to wait another year for Doctor Who and then another year under Moffat. It almost seems a little too early for this announcement, at least Moffat is leaving.
DeleteMy thoughts on Capaldi returning were more presenting ideas rather than wanting him to stay. I'm not a big fan of his, but he has been good in his own way. Boyega would be great.... if he wasn't in Star Wars. lol But yeah, I hope it won't be a woman!
-James
I'm so glad that Moffat is finally leaving! While I did like the last two seasons his stories have been getting old. Looking forward to seeing what this new guy brings! Though I do hope Peter Capaldi stays for a while since I really like him.
ReplyDelete