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@nerys Story arcs in Dr Who have been a mixed blessing. I like a story arc but I think they made them too important, some small narratives threads linking episodes, the odd little mystery to keep fans, (like us), guessing and theorising are fun and add depth but they had to make the end reveal too big, to noisy to flashy and that always fell flat.…[Read more]

Much as I love Steven Moffat’s writing, I did feel that the complexity of his story arcs led to a conundrum for Doctor Who: How do you top this? Chris Chibnall tried … with largely disastrous results. His best episodes were the stand-alones that didn’t seem hell-bent on one-upping the story arcs of his predecessor.

I’d hoped that with RTD’s…[Read more]

@whohar @janetteb @translstorcircuit

The Big Spoof? As you say, surely not. The only explanation must be the slow motion car crash. This was coming since RTD finished series 4 with The Parting of The Ways.

At some point the special was planned and The BBC then decided they couldn’t back it. It’s not the same institution that brought the show bac…[Read more]

@whohar @janetteb @translatorcircuit

I did have a thought that this is all a bluff by the BBC / Bad Wolf / RTD, and that the Christmas special is already in the bag – with Tennant and Piper reverse bi-generating into the new Doc. Surely not though.

Assuming we take it at face value – and remember that RTD has basically admitted that he / BBC / B…[Read more]

@whohar @janetteb @translatorcircuit

The cliff-hanger, as Belam says, does seem to be the key, almost a taunt. ‘You want a show based on continuity but without continuity? Try THIS.’ This suggests both sides knew what was coming.

I am actually very annoyed, mainly with the BBC. I’m afraid for The Corporation too; it’s been in right wing’s…[Read more]

@janetteb

I think it would be good fun. I’ve been part of / run writers groups / rooms before and found it really rewarding.

Not sure about the logistics of doing that on here though.

(I might work on it while I am on holidays in two months time.)

If you do and if you want another pair of eyes on it, I’m happy to take a look.

and the reason I came to this page was to share this  An insightful article by Martin Belam

cheers

Janette

@whohar I like that idea. I did write a draft of a story about J.W Doctor meeting up with Ian and introducing Alfred Enoch as Ian and Barbara’s grandson and potentially a new companion some years ago. I also had some convoluted theories to explain the Danny/Orson conundrum. I think though the challenge now is to explain who Billie Piper is and to…[Read more]

@translatorcircuit

I’m considering writing a script for a sci fi series which is similar to Doctor Who,

You could call it Professor Why. 😀

Seriously though, go for it. Sounds like fun and you’ll get a lot out of it even if it comes to naught.

I’ve often said that, with the creatives and the learned on here, this board could write an episode of < …[Read more]

@janetteb @ps1l0v3y0u

Bravado. Yes. Creative Differences. Also yes.

The BBC are going to go out to competitive temder for the new series, so my read is that there was definitely some tension about the show. Maybe the external discussion also affected the decision.

The BBC went out to tender for the CBeebies version of DW last year. It’s…[Read more]

I can’t tell you how much I hate the BBC for this latest announcement, especially after wasting more than a year!

I think the licence fee must now be abolished, the BBC should be forced to show commercials and even do sponsorship deals. I never watch BBC TV, so I don’t care!

Everything the current BBC management cares about should be des…[Read more]

@whohar @jeanetteb

The bbc are not holding the purse strings without creative control. But if someone else holds the purse strings and annoys the telegraphed mailfist, that’s not our fault.

yours faithfully PW

@whohar it does sound like RTD bravado. I do suspect a falling out.”Creative differences” is the euphemism generally used I think. I hope that, whoever takes over, the fine work done by AG writers is not forgotten and RTD and Moffat get to pen the odd episode. they were both at their best when writing one offs. It was the big bang series endings…[Read more]

Also this from The Guardian

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2026/jun/10/bbc-abandons-plans-for-doctor-who-christmas-special

RTD quotes:

“As a result, there won’t be a Christmas Special – we only cooked that up to guarantee a future when no one knew what would happen, but now we do know, there’s no need for it.”

“For the record: the…[Read more]

Well, I did say I’d be quite annoyed.

The ratings were an insurmountable problem.

BBC funding issues and allergy to continuity writing win out.

@ubik beat me too it.. (And welcome.) It isn’t too much of a surprise. I hope that the emphasis going forward will be on good writing rather than expensive flashy special effects. I would prefer wobbly sets and bubble wrap monsters if the stories are good. (Well maybe not bubble wrap. that looked silly back in the day.) I just hope that the BBC…[Read more]

This just in:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2026/update-doctor-who-future

@janetteb   Um, yes.   I might have found Lux more alarming if he wasn’t so intensely irritating.   Don’t know how you’d find ‘Cool World’, the main character was seductive Holli Wood, voiced by Kim Basinger, so much more appealing (in my view) eben if she was a ruthless femme fatale.   I think sometimes the success of concepts like ‘cartoo…[Read more]