When Russell T Davies brought back Doctor Who in 2005, it was grounded with a contemporary Earth setting, from which the Ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) and Rose (Billie Piper) would travel across the planet’s past, present, and future. RTD’s ban on alien worlds in Doctor Who did cause consternation among old-school fans, but the approach guaranteed that the relaunch had a hugely successful crossover appeal. However, 18 years later, it feels like Davies still wants to avoid alien worlds, which feels like a regressive and potentially harmful approach to Doctor Who’s future.

While the exact plot details of Doctor Who season 14 are still under wraps, the show’s social media accounts have shared various enticing images of what to expect. Each of these images depicted the Doctor and Ruby in various period costumes that suggest the majority of Doctor Who season 14 will be set on Earth. Of course, the nature of VFX means that any alien landscapes likely wouldn’t be ready to share on social media so far away from the date of broadcast. However, Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson’s costumes, and the return of Bonnie Langford as Melanie Bush give a good sense of how much of season 14 will be set on Earth in various time periods.

During RTD’s first Doctor Who era it made sense to set a good chunk of the episodes on Earth, to make the show appeal to a much broader audience. However, in 2023 it feels like TV audiences are far more comfortable with mainstream sci-fi after over a decade of seeing Marvel movies and watching Star Wars shows on Disney+ in recent years. On top of that, high-concept sci-fi shows like Rick and Morty have had crossover appeal, using broad comedy to introduce complex science-fiction ideas to audiences that may not have previously had an interest.

  • HeartyBeast@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    This sounds like bollocks. Stories set on Earth have always been a key part of Who. It’s more likely that any alien worlds stories are still having the FX finished

    • Piecemakers@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      It seems to me like someone’s whining like a little bitch, stirring up drama for no reason other than to get attention.

      Of course, the nature of VFX means that any alien landscapes likely wouldn’t be ready to share on social media so far away from the date of broadcast.

      Oh? So you admit that your entire argument is bullshit? That tracks.

      During RTD’s first Doctor Who era it made sense to set a good chunk of the episodes on Earth, to make the show appeal to a much broader audience.

      FFS. Why is this whinge even given an outlet? It’s less worthy than a fleeting mid-piss notion.

      However, in 2023 it feels like…

      No. You argue like a toddler. Sit down and zip it.

  • ᴇᴍᴘᴇʀᴏʀ 帝@feddit.ukOPM
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    1 year ago

    I mean, I have concerns about RTD’s return but largely because the quality of the stories in his run was highly variable, seeing some of the worst of nu-Who. I’d like to see a greater variety of settings but, if the stories are good the. I won’t complain (much).