4 Years Ago, 'Doctor Who’s Biggest Failure Was Just the Beginning of the End
Doctor Who has faced problems for years, and it all traces back to one specific finale.
In 2017, Jodie Whittaker made history by becoming the first female to play the iconic role of Doctor Who. This monumental milestone came with immense pressure for Whittaker and the show's creatives, including showrunner Chris Chibnall. The final episode of Whittaker's tenure, "The Power of the Doctor," marks the culmination of a multi-episode arc where the Doctor battles the Daleks, Cybermen, and the Master, who plots to destroy humanity.
The Master disguises himself as historical Russian figure Rasputin to manipulate the Doctor, Cybermen, and Daleks into triggering worldwide volcanic eruptions. However, the Doctor foils the Master's plan, but not before a defeated Master mortally wounds her, forcing her to regenerate into David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor. While "The Power of the Doctor" is lauded as one of the best episodes under Chibnall's tenure, it fails to address Chibnall's common overreliance on monologues, nostalgia, and poor development of Doctor-companion relationships.
The episode's focus on revisiting classic enemies and storylines detracts from the heart of the show: the relationship between the Doctor and their companion(s). The inclusion of returning companions, such as Yaz, whose romantic relationship with the Doctor is tragically cut short, feels forced and uninspired. Despite Tennant's brief but popular return as the Fourteenth Doctor, "The Power of the Doctor" ultimately marks a low point in Doctor Who's willingness to take risks, leaving the show on shaky ground as it waits for fresh ideas to save it from extinction.
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