Big news dropped yesterday on all fronts, but firstly Doctor Who.
After what could be described as a disappointing trailer during the World Cup Final, it was pleasing to see a more lengthy trailer out. Very little however was still given away. No sign of any enemies etc.
What we did learn is that another guest start has been added, Shuan Dooley and we saw a glimpse of the new Sonic Screwdriver. He are my thoughts on a few things that were stated and shown.
New Beginning, new adventures, new enemies
Every Doctor Who series wants to invite new viewers into the show and this one is no different. We've seen only one major shake up of the show before which is when Russel handed over to Steven in 2010 but this seems to be bigger. Nikki Wilson, producer from series 8 onwards, is staying on but apart from that everyone is new, including the composer who has been announced to be Segun Akinola. Unlike the RTD era, Moffat didn't have an array of regular recurring characters (he had recurring characters but not ones that spanned the entire era, with the exception of River Song who has been given a conclusion). This does truly seem to be the start of a new era, which is hardly surprising. New enemies is something that is predicted for every series but what would be interesting is whether any returning foes appear. If this was the case it would be contrary to the significant rumour of the return of the Sontarans, unseen in a major monster role since series 4. New enemies does suggest and support the recent rumour that the Daleks will be absent for the series, perhaps for the first time if there literally is no appearance of them, although this would go against the Terry Nation estate conditions which are unconfirmed but obviously true. A completely new batch of aliens is excellent but I and many fans do like to see the odd story or two with some old favourites.
No Two Parters
The show has enjoyed many formats over the years, not just in classic who but in new who as well. With the drop to 10 episodes, following 12 for three years and 13 for 7 before that, a new format was expected. Series 1-5 played with the format of mostly single episodes with a few two parters included (or in series 3's case a three part finale). Series 6 and 7 were split into two halves with Series 6 adopting the same sort of style as Series 1-5 in terms of episode parts but with a couple instead of 3. Series 7 was a complete run of single episodes. Series 8 and 10 were mostly single episodes with a two part finale, a format that I think would work the best for series 11. Series 9 was a half and half mix mostly with single and double episodes, with 4 two parters and 4 single episodes. Series 11 being all single episodes is to make every episode unique. I completely get this, particularly as we have less episodes but I would enjoy a two part finale. It is possible that we will see them return in the future as no series has remained the same from the previous since 2010. It is also possible that two parters might actually be back and therefore making the cliffhanger of episode 9 even more exciting as it would be a surprise. If this was the case it wouldn't be the first time that Chibnall has lied to us, he said he didn't want to cast a gimmick for the role of the Doctor but did that all the same as that was always his intention. We will have to wait and see.
Writer's Room
It has been long rumoured that a US style writers room was to be established for the first time for Doctor Who in Series 11 and this does seem to be the case. A large interest of mine and other Doctor Who fans of my nature is the writers and who writes the best episodes. If that has been lost I will be most disappointed. I don't really want a team of 10 writers writing every episode. I want there to be some written by some and some written by others. I am hoping that as it was described to a mix between the British and American systems that the writer's room idea is only for the foundation and not for the actual script. One can only hope.
Sonic Screwdriver
New Doctor, New COMPANIONS, new TARDIS exterior and theme tune, a sonic was only to be expected. The Sonic Screwdriver has seen many renditions but there has been in total 7 main versions. There was Troughton's, there was Pertwee-Davison, there was McCoy-McGann, Eccleston-Tennant, Smith-Capalaldi and the short lived Series 10 one. This time the Sonic seems to be curved and it now has a red glow after a years of being green. It does look odd, I have to admit. I will have to have time to get used to it and form a proper opinion but at the moment I think it is fine. One interesting thing to note that was said at the Comic Con is that the Doctor makes this one, which means this is technically the second sonic screwdriver the Doctor uses as the previous ones have all been versions of the same sonic.
Christmas Special
This had already been leaked but it now has been officially confirmed that we are indeed getting a Christmas Special after it was rumoured that the festive treat had been cancelled. I am very pleased about this as Doctor Who is a large part of my Christmas Day celebrations. It will be interesting to see whether the special will be part of Series 10 or 11. It will also be interesting to see who will depart and when from the regular cast. I have a feeling that Graham will depart at the end of Series 10 and is currently only there to boost Whitaker's performance as Walsh is quite a big TV star in the UK.
Friends not companions
Well Chibnall has only gone an ignored me more. For the classic series the term assistant was used for the Doctor's time travelling associates, then in modern who the term companion has been used, which was used to a degree in the classic series as well. The term friends strikes the bell of political correctness right to me. I despise this. They are companions, not friends. I don't want to see a list of top 10 friends. I want to see companions! This is so wet-washy that I hope it doesn't last.
And they my friends, were my thoughts.
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