The future of Doctor Who is currently precarious, with audiences expressing a strong desire for the series not to face cancellation again. For Doctor Who to endure, it is essential that it embraces a significant aspect of its classic era that has been overlooked. Following the unexpected thwarting of the Rani’s ambitious scheme in Doctor Who season 15, the Fifteenth Doctor undergoes a regeneration, leading to the surprising emergence of Billie Piper in a central role.

Since the airing of “The Reality War,” fans have been left feeling anxious about the future trajectory of Doctor Who. The confirmation of Doctor Who season 16 remains elusive, and for the first time since its revival in 2005, concerns about potential cancellation loom large.

Despite these uncertainties, Doctor Who remains a beloved sci-fi franchise with a dedicated and passionate fanbase. While the series will undoubtedly find a way to move forward, it must also embrace necessary changes. Reintroducing certain core qualities from the classic era of Doctor Who could prove invaluable.

Reviving Classic Storytelling: Why Doctor Who Needs a Serialized Structure

Doctor Who Season 16: Drawing Inspiration from Classic Serials such as “The Trial of a Time Lord” & “Flux”

While the Doctor Who classic era had its share of challenges, one significant aspect that could be beneficial for the series’ future is its storytelling format. The classic seasons of Doctor Who are structured around serials, whereby each narrative is typically divided into four or more episodes. This approach stands in contrast to the modern trend of standalone or two-part episodes, although serialized seasons have also been part of the show’s history.

For instance, narratives like “The Trial of a Time Lord” showcase an overarching storyline that persists throughout the entire season. Additionally, there are interconnected adventures that may deviate from the central plot at various points yet remain relevant and connected to the overall story arc.

To safeguard the show’s future, Doctor Who should strongly consider revisiting this serialized structure. This approach would facilitate enhanced character and story development, minimizing the need to cut content due to time limitations. Furthermore, it could lead to a reduction in plot inconsistencies.

The modern era of Doctor Who has explored this concept previously with season 13, famously known as Flux. However, a prevalent critique of Flux is its complexity, which at times can be overwhelming. This is a lesson that Doctor Who season 16 can learn from to create a more streamlined narrative experience.

Additionally, there’s Torchwood: Children of Earth, which stands out as one of the finest examples of an overarching narrative in the Doctor Who spinoff. In contrast, Torchwood: Miracle Day fails to capture this format in a similarly captivating manner. Although not every attempt at a serialized approach since the 2005 reboot of Doctor Who has succeeded, it is clear that when executed effectively, it can lead to great results.

Billie Piper: A Symbol of the Doctor’s Journey, Not Just the Sixteenth Doctor

The Impact of Returning Past Doctor Who Characters on the Doctor’s Journey

Currently, it remains ambiguous whether Billie Piper is taking on the role of the Sixteenth Doctor in Doctor Who. Although she is positioned as the successor to Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor following a regeneration, the unexpected and intriguing nature of her appearance, along with the absence of any credits in “The Reality War,” suggests she may not be portraying the titular figure.

Traditionally, Doctor Who fans recognize Piper as the companion of both the Ninth and Tenth Doctors, Rose Tyler. However, she embodies various other personas within the series as well. One notable role is the Bad Wolf entity, which serves as a warning to the Doctor throughout time and space after Rose gazes into the heart of the TARDIS.

Piper’s character also makes a return in the 50th anniversary special, “The Day of the Doctor,” where she appears as the Moment’s interface. The Moment is a powerful weapon wielded by the War Doctor in an attempt to conclude the Time War, and it adopts the visage of Bad Wolf/Rose to communicate its message.

As fans speculate about the true nature of Piper’s current role in Doctor Who, it’s imperative to consider that she might not be portraying the Doctor at all. For the show’s future, it would be beneficial for Piper’s latest character to transcend the role of the titular figure or any of her earlier identities.

Piper’s character should symbolize something significant for the Doctor, serving as a reflective element rather than a mere reminder of their past involving Rose. A plausible explanation is that the Doctor has regenerated into the Bad Wolf form due to the Fifteenth Doctor releasing regeneration energy into the Time Vortex. However, this does not imply that the Bad Wolf form is synonymous with Rose herself.

Regardless of Piper’s true identity, the character must embody a representation of the Doctor’s overarching journey, irrespective of the Timeless Child storyline’s canonicity. With the visage of Rose Tyler, this character can compel the Doctor to introspect on their relationship with companions and the impact of these connections on their respective stories.

Prioritizing Plot Resolutions in Doctor Who Season 16 Over New Character Introductions

Ensuring Justice and Satisfactory Endings for Past Doctor Who Characters

One of the most significant concerns regarding Doctor Who seasons 14 and 15 is the lack of conclusive resolutions. The arcs of characters like Ruby and Belinda presented intriguing mysteries, yet their conclusions felt unsatisfactory and, frankly, disrespectful to the characters’ journeys. Following the season 15 finale, numerous questions remain unanswered.

With Doctor Who‘s future at stake, and to maintain audience engagement, it is imperative that the show addresses these unresolved storylines. This is where the serialized format can play a crucial role. A comprehensive, overarching narrative that weaves together various past Doctor Who characters could offer the much-needed closure that fans are craving.

Doctor Who’s canon and lore are prone to sudden shifts, and while this fluidity can be intriguing, recent story arcs have often failed to clarify the reasons behind these changes. For instance, the introduction of the Time Lords’ sterility raises questions: Is this a consequence of the Time War, or is it rooted in something else entirely?

Moreover, it’s not just the recent narratives that require attention; many past plot details cry out for acknowledgment. Fans are eager for clarity on various elements, such as the numerous versions of Clara Oswald throughout the Doctor’s timeline, the backstories of Sarah Jane’s children, and the chronological order of the Master’s incarnations—all aspects of Doctor Who that merit further exploration and explanation.

Despite considerable efforts, Doctor Who has struggled to effectively convey that season 14 signifies a new era for the series. While it attempted to position itself as the beginning of a transformative phase, audiences have yet to fully embrace this notion. This may stem from the fact that numerous plot threads from the show’s history remain unresolved, ambiguous, or even nonsensical.

A comprehensive season dedicated to tying up these loose ends would allow Doctor Who to truly embark on a fresh journey for seasons 17 and beyond. This doesn’t imply that the show should refrain from reintroducing fan-favorite characters or iconic figures from Doctor Who’s rich lore. Instead, it ensures that their returns are accompanied by appropriate character development.

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  Doctor Who
  

  Release Date

  
  1963 – 1989-00-00
  

  Network

  
  BBC One, BBC Television
  

  Directors

  
  Douglas Camfield, David Maloney, Christopher Barry, Michael E. Briant, Barry Letts, Michael Ferguson, Peter Moffatt, Richard Martin, Chris Clough, Lennie Mayne, Pennant Roberts, Ron Jones, Paddy Russell, Paul Bernard, Michael Hayes, Timothy Combe, Morris Barry, Graeme Harper, Gerald Blake, Hugh David, Mervyn Pinfield, Rodney Bennett, Waris Hussein, John Gorrie
  

  Writers

  
  Robert Holmes, Bob Baker, Malcolm Hulke, Dave Martin, David Whitaker, Brian Hayles, Robert Sloman, David Fisher, Dennis Spooner, Terrance Dicks, Eric Saward, John Lucarotti, Don Houghton, Chris Boucher, Ian Stuart Black, Louis Marks, Peter Grimwade, Henry Lincoln, Johnny Byrne, Mervyn Haisman, Jane Baker, Pip Baker, Robert Banks Stewart, Anthony Read
  

  • 

    Barry Jackson

    Gordon Lowery

  • 

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  Doctor Who
  

  Release Date

  
  2005 – 2022-00-00
  

  Directors

  
  Graeme Harper, Euros Lyn, Douglas Mackinnon, Jamie Magnus Stone, Charles Palmer, Rachel Talalay, Joe Ahearne, James Strong, Jamie Childs, Saul Metzstein, Toby Haynes, Wayne Che Yip, Nick Hurran, Richard Clark, James Hawes, Daniel Nettheim, Colin Teague, Keith Boak, Azhur Saleem, Adam Smith, Andrew Gunn, Nida Manzoor, Lawrence Gough, Paul Murphy
  

  Writers

  
  Steven Moffat, Russell T. Davies
  

  • 

    Jodie Whittaker

    The Doctor

  • 

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  Doctor Who
  

  Release Date

  
  December 25, 2023
  

  Directors

  
  Douglas Camfield, David Maloney, Christopher Barry, Michael E. Briant, Barry Letts, Michael Ferguson, Richard Martin, Peter Moffatt, Pennant Roberts, Lennie Mayne, Chris Clough, Ron Jones, Paddy Russell, Paul Bernard, Michael Hayes, Timothy Combe, Morris Barry, Gerald Blake, Graeme Harper, Waris Hussein, Rodney Bennett, Mervyn Pinfield, Hugh David, John Gorrie
  

  Writers

  
  Russell T. Davies, Dave Gibbons, Kate Herron, Steven Moffat
  

  Franchise(s)

  
  Doctor Who / Whoniverse