Agreed, and the editing was a bit odd at times, in fact it all had an oddly rough around the edges feel about it. I think basically they just changed too much, both onscreen and behind it, it was too much and the show struggled to gel, everyone was trying to do a new job and fit in with new people, and it showed.
Apart from Chibnall, the others have no experience writing Sci Fi. And Chibnall's idea of Sci Fi is "write a story, stick a random alien in it as an afterthought"
Agree with almost everything, but I would also like to include that the dialogue needs to be vastly improved. Davies had a way of making great banter and real sounding conversations. Moffat had amazing, thoughtprovoking lines from both Smith and Capaldi. Chibnall....has Whittaker give exposition and say recycled lines from Smith and Tennant. Yikes.
I think you really nailed this analysis. The only thing I see differently, is that I think Graham had a clear reason to go with the Doctor, (his grief) and I actually think Yaz had a pretty decent reason as well. Her job isn't satisfying to her, she wants more out of life, actually somewhat similar to Rose. Ryan's motivation is the least clear to me, of course he is grieving as well, but it's not explained very clearly if that's his reason for coming. Seems like he's more just along for the ride because he likes it and doesn't know what else he would want to be doing.
Graham is like "my wife would enjoy to join you and my life is meanless anyway, so why not". Ryan "i want do something. Without grandpa i don't have any idea on how to make any progress... I'm so lost" (doctor is lost too, but ofc writing cast don't used it, they are dumb, you see). For me is hardest to get Yaz. She is so minor character, that i don't even care about her grandpa story
To put it frankly, In my opinion, is that the 13th Doctor's biggest flaw from Series 11 is that she felt like a side character instead of the star of the show. Almost like an "oh yeah, we need to include her somewhere", which is fine for an episode here and there, but not an entire series.
You know where problem lays? As spin-off this would WORK VERY WELL. In spin-off you could get MC that is not decisive and wouldn't cause such huge rage in community
I completely agree with most of your points ! Particularly about the lack of ambition. Its sad when it feels like something you love isnt getting the effort it deserves. Cmon Chibs, pull your socks up !
I actually think it was a pretty ambitious season. For Chibnall. His Chibness isn't really an ambitious writer. I'm honestly surprised it came out as good as it did but admittedly I'm biased. No one has a lower opinion of Chibnall than I do, so anytime he doesn't absolutely suck I'm shocked & amazed.
Kay Blackmer I think it’s more of a compliment than alt right Nazi (ha!) or crazy communist. I’m joking. I’m trying to draw attention to the fact that I didn’t get a political viewpoint from diamondunicorn1983. I may be wrong, but I felt they were just saying that he wasn’t taking any points to the extreme and instead simply taking a fair stance that a lot of people may agree with or not. He’s just being a reasonable reviewer. Something which is sorely missing most of the time.
wasn't talking politics...just how he doesn't go extreme with his reviews....it isn't all "I absolutely love this" or "This is the biggest load of crap"
diamondunicorn1983, Yes exactly--I understood what you meant and agree--reasonable points need to be made in order to be heard. I honestly wish the BBC would just hear this video. They keep dismissing complaints for gender bias instead of taking them seriously and firing Chibs for his subpar writing/direction/ideas
Man, you are just so amazingly exact and precise with these arguments and I'm really glad to see such reasonable opinions on this whole thing. Especially when pretty much all of them coincide with mine ;)
Exactly , been thinking all of this, but wasn't able to articulate it. It's like the bloke reached Into me brain and took the thoughts right out of it. Then said it in a clever way.
I agree. Very well said. I have been summarizing the problem with simply...Chibnall. But it was nice to see this broken down. The whole thing is so depressing.
That's what got me subbed. Although I sometimes disagree with his opinions he's a different perspective and well spoken. He uses logic and facts to supplement his opinions on reviews.
Does anyone else feel like S1-10 should now be characterized under a different label? Classic Who, The New Classic Who, for example? Series 11 just needs a new category
I think a problem was, it wasn't 'weird' enough. We had this wacky main character, who was playing a wacky main character pretty well - but she was surrounded by (todays standards) pretty bland sci fi concepts. The most tonally awesome thing that happened this season was the talking frog. People like weird shit - this is the perfect time for Doctor Who to go full Gotham and just do whatever it wants to do. I know that sounds weird, but honestly I think that's why everything felt so tonally off for the whole season. It was painted as a show where crazy stuff happens, but it very rarely did.
@@mtr801 It didn't fail. Not by any recordable measure. And most people liked it okay. You might not have liked it but that doesn't mean it failed. I don't know why some people have so much trouble sorting the difference between their own personal opinions & objective reality, or why they think that their views equate to "most" people's views.
Series 12 just needs to be more bold and ambitious. For example I'd like to see at least a couple of two parters including the finale because I felt stories like Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos could have benefited from more time to flesh out each of its five or more ideas and characters. I also found myself not being a fan of the dialogue that was shoehorned in to certain episodes like when Ryan and Yaz talked about his dad in Tsuranga Conundrum, it just felt completely out of place. The show suffered from too much telling and not enough showing for example, the lake with deadly microbes in Ghost Monument, have one of the side characters slip and either die or lose a shoe or something idk. A narrative throughline for the series would've been excellent as well, maybe not a mystery box but perhaps a quest like the key to time series in classic who or one of the companions secretly being a manipulative alien or something. I know this was a bit long but I just feel the show needs to be more ambitious and make bold decisions with a clear storyline and Less telling but more showing.
Joe Espin, yes, the writing needed is beyond Chibys capability. BBC needs to admit that and move the hell on. Hand him the memory worm and show him the door!
@@joeespin4377 Exposition isn't necessarily a no-no. There are times when it's an absolute necessity. But there's a knack to incorporating it naturally into the script, and that has *not* happened this season.
'The Witchfinders' *really* needed to be a two-parter too. And 'It Takes You Away' probably would've benefited from it as well. . Honestly, none of the decisions Chibnall made (no classic enemies, no two-parters, no season-arc, three companions etc.) were bad in themselves. They could've all led to great things. He just royally flubbed the execution.
I think chibnall maybe writes one or two and acts more as a Cartmel character guiding the overall arc than taking up the weight of script writing and trying to rival Moffat creativity. Incidnetly I'd love jms to try writing a script.
I haven't had that 'They Are The Doctor' moment with Jodie Whittaker. To me she is still a mediocre actor doing bad imitations of Tennant's and Smith's Doctors. 🙁
That was glaring at the start of the series. She seemed to tone it down a bit towards the end but it always came across more as an attempt to impersonate the Doctor rather than to be the Doctor.
I really don't get the "ripoff of Tennant or Smith." Critique. Tennant & Smith are my least favorite Doctors (Smith more so for what the series was doing than his own portrayal), so I feel like if she was ripping them off, i would have known. To me personally, in my own personal opinion (feel free to agree or disagree), Jodie's performance feels more akin to Tom Baker
Still way ahead of Sylvester McCoy's rubber-necked performance. When I first saw the beginning of Time and the Rani I new that, not only was I never going to have a 'He is the Doctor' moment,but never would (not even on any of the Big Finish audios I've caught)but Im never going to have my 'she is a companion' moment with Bonnie Bastard Langford ever,ever,ever, ever, ever. Guaranteed you're all going to write essays on how fantastic they both are.......please don't bother.
Moffat actually made an incredibly good decision, which was to wait until about halfway through the respective series before properly introducing both Rory and Nardole as companions. This was an extremely good decision as it allowed for us to properly understand the primary companion first and appreciate all of the characters. Also, this all makes me feel very sad, because the writers are taken an epic character and making her so shallow and plain. It kind of attacks and defies (effectively undoing) all of the beautiful character development that has come before it. 😥 I couldn't agree more with with Mulfred100's comment about this.
It doesn't undo the previous character work. Each incarnation of the Doctor is always their own person. There's core elements that usually carry over, but Thirteen's character doesn't reflect on Twelve's or Eleven's...
I agree with everything you say here (although I didn't find as many redeeming features about season 11 as you were able to); but I think you could perhaps have focussed on the dialogue a little more. So much of it was staggeringly clunky & not in the least bit credible. Too often, characters brought any action that was taking place to a shuddering halt in order to have a conversation about their feelings, or indulge in repetitious exposition. So. Much. Exposition. It ruined the pacing & deprived the episodes of any true dramatic tension. I do not think JW is a good Doctor, either, & whilst better scripts would have obviously mitigated this, I personally don't believe it would have addressed the problems I have with her. Other Doctors have been able to elevate a poor script. She simply seems to...deliver it. She doesn't act with her face. There is no hint of any nuance or complexity; that what she is saying/doing may not altogether reflect who this character is. What you see is what you get. From what I have seen on screen & what she has said herself in interviews, I get the distinct impression that whilst she relishes the opportunities being The Doctor gives her to promote certain issues (ones I agree with, incidentally) & be a strong role model for girls (also something I believe is very important), she has no real interest in the character in its own right. I think this influenced the whole tone of the show, tbh.
Yeah. Exposition destroyed episode on medical ship.... THIS COULD BE BEST DOCTOR EPISODE IN 11 SEASON! And i agree about her. As not native speaker i HATE her VOICE. You could get what Capaldi says without using subtitles, but with her? I changed into lektor (voice-over(?)), when i wanted really hard to use this oppurtonity into polishing my english. With lektor episodes were at least "watchable". This says how much you can hate her
I totally agree with all of this, just fyi! I did have a thought towards the end though. That whole 5 year plan thing, as you said seems in evident. There doesn't seem to be any trace of a forward thinking move or narrative. But what if every stand alone story in this series, every seemingly disconnected story perhaps had an underlying theme we all missed... kinda like a mystery box we couldn't see... which is then steadily revealed over the events of the next series? And maybe we as the audience start to notice things that the Doctor herself didn't... I dunno... also when that living bandage thingy calls the Doctor the timeless child... maybe something will come of that... but that would require more time lord related lore... which maybe isn't the best idea....
1 of the issues (deffo not the only one) Series 11 had a lot of changes which caused a huge loss of familiarity, it didn't feel like doctor who as far as i'm concerned..
Some flaws I had with the series, and keep in mind I do really like it on the whole- 1) Chibnall's writing is too much tell not show. He explains a lot. This isn't a problem with the other writers, just Chibnall and it's odd because he never used to have this problem. 2) There needed to be an arc. Not a complex one, but something to keep viewers engaged and not just standalones, especially when Chibnall wrote most and he isn't the best writer for balanced material. 3) Yaz had barely any character. 4) We needed more episodes like It Takes You Away that gave Thirteen dramatic material to chew on. I enjoy her a lot (certainly a lot more than Capaldi) but we need more darkness. 5) Tsuranga Conundrum. =(. Still, I think the series was a success on the whole and I enjoyed it a lot more than Series 8 and 9 and on par with Series 10, although that had a more solid arc. Nothing in Series 11 was as bad as Kill the Moon, Hell Bent, Twice Upon a Time or any number of clunkers from Moffat's later years. I didn't want to reach into the screen and slap the leads nor did I ever question my love of the show like I did frequently before. Hopefully Chibnall takes a look at the legitimate criticism and takes it on board for Series 12.
I completely disagree with your assessment of Capaldi. I will defend my position that he was the best actor to fill the role and imo one of the best doctors. I completely agree with your points on the flaws of Season 11. I didn't like the ending of It Takes You Away, but I did like the eerie-ness of the whole episode.
I agree with most but Capaldi was amazing in the role. He's not my favourite Doctor - that will for ever be Tom Baker - nor is he my favourite New Who Doctor - that is still Matt Smith - but he was good and definitely better than Whittaker. Whittaker's portrayl is pointless. While Moffat jumped a bit with the characterisation of the twelfth Doctor due to outside pressure between seasons, within the seasons he tried to keep it coherent and even the jump between the seasons was never like "this is a completely new character". With Whittaker, her Doctor has no real rhyme or reason to her. And that is, according to someone I know, because Chibnall never sat down with her to discuss how she should play the Doctor. In general Chibnall doesn't seem to do his job as the showrunner really well and according to several rumours the BBC is looking to drop him like a hot potato as soon as they can find a replacement. And there certainly were episodes that were as bad if not worse than the lowlights of the previous two or three seasons. The Tsuranga Conundrum was beyond pathetic, that spider episode came across as if they had stolen the script straight from The Asylum, the finale was one big joke and in retrospective the premiere doesn't hold up either, also due to the return of that tooth fairy monster.
First of all: sorry for any incorrectness of language. I love your work. Well-developed comments (with a particular view but still objective). And the best: out of any kind of hate speech. When I first saw the Doctor I was having trouble to sleep. Then I turned on the tv and saw a bizarre show. There was a huge library and some astronauts wandering around and an invisible menace and machines with human faces and I thought… WHAT A … IS THIS???!!! Then I fell in LOVE. What I love about Doctor Who is it’s capacity to make you feel astonished (the most strange and impossible things may happen, because the universe is open to you. And look: it can be fun!!!!). It’s like to dive into the rabbit hole and, in this case, to make no sense is better than being dull. That’s why I like “It Takes You Away”. I don’t think it’s perfect, but it is the only episode in this season that has that quality (that explorer feeling) that makes my eyes pop!!! “Kerblam!”: is the most similar to the previous WHO. And a fun, kind of creepy and very good episode. “Rosa” and “Demons of the Punjab”: beautiful! But there are some issues about the alien threat. One is a total cliché and the other is not a real threat (not a problem, but something feels missing for me - although I understand the beauty of that allegory). "Arachnids in the UK" and "The Tsuranga Conundrum": total failure Well, as a fan, I sincerely hope the next season bring some “brave new worlds and brave new things”.
You have to bear in mind as well that Rory wasn't initially a companion. It was originally just Eleven and Amy with occasional visits to Rory. He didn't become a companion until the end of season 5 onwards. We had time to get used to Amy on her own, with glimpses of Rory, then bring him on board later. That approach might have worked better for season 11's companions. Start with two, giving glimpses of the third, then bring the third in later. I liked the idea of three companions but it was handled poorly, especially Yas who often had little to do or say and never once capitalised on her career..
I would also call it a cluster. A handful of episodes were interesting, but there isn't anything that would make me want to watch them again, and the others just felt bad. The show felt lower budget from the start. The series is worlds apart from its epic storylines around 2010-2011.
Great video - I think my biggest issue was the lacking of good villains - made the threat of the episodes a bit... meh - I also think they really need to work on giving everyone something to do when there’s 4 main characters plus a billion others - lastly: the dialogue is very stilted and wooden in many places (Demons of the Punjab being the worst offender despite liking that episode) and I think they definitely need to work on the whole show not tell think Also.. LESS SONIC SCREWDRIVER / don’t turn it into the plot saver I’d give the series a 6/10 - not awful but certainly lacklustre - once again great video - I think the New Years special was my favourite alongside Kerblam
Largely agree except that I think their use of the sonic screwdriver this season has actually been pretty good. In Kerblam! it let her interface with the system, but extra actions (stealing the bot) were required to actually fix the issue. Similarly in The Witchfinders it gave her a hint as to how to address the problem, but the screwdriver itself wasn't the solution. . Mostly the screwdriver acts as plot lubricant. Minor things that would slow down the episode like "How does the Doctor get access to this apartment?" or "How does the Doctor access a different alien computer system each episode?" so we can get to the actual meat of the story. . It's not like Thirteen ever used it like a magic wand to blow up cybermen or anything. -_-
irrevenant3 Ah that’s where we disagree then - that’s how the sonic used to be used in my opinion... now it is literally used whenever there’s a part that needs to be easily fixed - while I get your point about not blowing up a cyberman, that wasn’t really what I meant - I feel it’s just an lazy excuse for anything that the episodes can’t be bothered to explain and has essentially become a magic wand: subsequently making its use infuriating to me rather than something nifty and as you say, a lubricant, for the series as it once was I think it actually takes away some of the meat because in many cases it becomes an easy fix
@@mad_the_monk That's a common opinion, and not without justification. It *has* been overused, especially in the Moffat era (the "blowing up Cybermen" comment was a dig at "The Doctor Falls"). IMO, one of the things Chibnall has done right with this season is dial back the power of the sonic screwdriver and give it some constraints. For example, in the Tsuranga Conundrum, the Doctor was able to use it to override the ship's systems - but if she did, HQ would recognise the attack on the ship's systems and detonate it remotely. So it turned into a point of tension rather than a boon. In Kerblam! she used it to access the system, but having done so was unable to actually repair it without physically obtaining a copy of the original code. And so on. I *am* docking points for the screwdriver's use in The Woman who fell to Earth to physically transfer DNA bombs, though. That's just silly, and counter to the Doctor's pacifist nature besides.
@@irrevenant3 Ah I just feel that while yes, the sonic has been dialed down, it's now been limited to the most mundane things that do not require it; things that other Doctor's have used their intelligence to solve whilst for her its just a constant easy quick miracle stick - It is seriously overused even if its actual power is toned down... It's the physical number of times its constantly used for such small things including lowering a bloody rope in Demons of the Punjab (I get its more ceremonial but I mean come on)
@@mad_the_monk Basically the way I see the sonic screwdriver is as plot lubricant - its main purpose is to get us quickly past uninteresting things so we can spend more time on the interesting ones. We don't really want to dedicate time every episode or two showing the Doctor manually hacking computer systems or going through the necessary steps to pick complex locks. There's no particular dramatic tension in "can the Doctor pick this lock" or "can the Doctor hack onto this system". So those moments are streamlined by use of sufficiently advanced technology. And in cases where there *are* narrative reasons for an obstacle to challenge the Doctor, that's achieved through sufficiently advanced technology too: most of the tension-popping "get out of trouble free" properties of the screwdriver went away with the introduction of the deadlock seal. (The TARDIS's ability to translate languages and the psychic paper serve similar purposes - leapfrogging over recurring problems that would become tedious). . The secondary purpose the sonic screwdriver serves is style. Its use highlights the Doctor as an alien in possession of technology so advanced it might as well be magic. And the way (s)he uses it tells us a lot about the character. The War Doctor viewed it as a simple utilitarian tool. Thirteen, and a number of the previous Doctors, are quite showy with it, using it to give a dramatic flourish to whatever they're doing. In most cases the screwdriver is almost(?) an extension of the character in itself, which is why its design changes whenever the Doctor does (I'm sure increased merchandising opportunities don't hurt either. :P). . Personally, I have zero objections to the Doctor using the screwdriver to lower a rope. There's no reason she wouldn't, it keeps the story moving, and it highlights the Doctor as casually capable of amazing things. . That's my thoughts. I think it's pretty hard to overuse the screwdriver unless it's destroying plot tension or something. In any other situation it's just a character flourish/quirk. But I'm open to new perspectives - what about the screwdriver getting frequent use do you see as a negative? In your original post you said "Don't use it as a plot saver" on which we agree, but it seems like you also have issues with it being used a lot in general?
@@jonathanskinner7647 well.... Difficult story for me. I like the overall story (especially after watching the finale) and the twist at the end. Professor Yana and that alien bug girl (Chan Do? What was her name?) were great, but what killed that episode for me were the villains. They just never came across any threatening to me and all of the actors, when they showed those cannibal creatures to the audience, just looked as if they were just about to laugh directly into the camera. Couldn't stand those.....
I was intending to write a retrospective on Series 11 on my website, but now I can just post a link to this video, because I concur completely. Although I would add that I think a great series should mix up the formats. Have a mixture of one- and two-parters; a mixture of returning villains and new ones; a mixture of Doctor-centric episodes and companion-focused ones; even a mixture of deep, impactful stories and light-hearted fluff ones. This is where having 12 or 13 episodes would give them enough room to try pushing the boundaries (of the stories, that is) in every direction rather than staying safe in one place. I think Series 11 totally failed to embrace the fact that it's a science fiction show and all the possibilities that offers. Thanks though, you've saved me a lot of typing! Keep up the awesome videos!
I was on board with the gender change but not enthusiastic about it. I agree that the problems with the series were not related to the gender change but the politics did have a big influence. The politics gave it a form of protection from criticism in that many people (straight white males) who made the same observations that you have here were brushed off as being "afraid of a woman in the role". A similar thing on Captain Marvel (a film I liked and thought was very gender neutral) where criticism was tagged as "not liking the fact a woman was in the role". Clark Gregg's comments emphasize this. He and the host of the interview show how much they really do not understand the problem. They see the problem that people have with it is that there is a character who is "not like them". The problem being that it is not that the lead is a woman but that the only thing the people behind the film seem to care about is that she is a woman. That is what most of the pre-conversation was about. Mr. Gregg did say something that I thought was very interesting in that interview: "someday we will look back and say 'It was a big deal she was woman?" Meaning that in future people will not care if the lead is a woman or a man. We could be doing that now if the people behind these films, including Mr. Gregg, would start doing so.
About the use of identity politics as a shield from criticism - you kind of have a point about it. But my issue with this take is that many people *did* go down the whole "political correctness has ruined the show" route, and these criticisms are baseless and, ironically, they push a political agenda (specifically an anti-woke one) more than the show itself does. I feel less annoyed at the creators and more annoyed at the people who are hating on the show for all the wrong reasons, because their desperate screeching stops reasoned complaint from being heard and acted upon.
Spot on! Nice to hear a well thought out review that is not clouded by people’s opinions on gender, politics and SJWs. Some people just can’t put that to one side and get down to the nitty gritty of what went wrong. Essentially all the reasons you have said. Let’s just hope the writing improves dramatically next series so we can get passed all the “SJWs have ruined Doctor Who” crap. I loved this video, thank you!
She has a weaker screen presence than the Doctor should have, but even that isn't enough to make her a bad actor or a bad Doctor. I get the feeling she's going to be like Peter Davison, Colin Baker, and Sylvester McCoy, who weren't bad actors or bad Doctors, but victims of bad writing. Big Finish gave them a chance to show off how much better their Doctors are than JNT wrote them as, and I hope she gets the same chance once she leaves the show.
I agree to a certain extend, although I do have a soft spot for Sylvester McCoy. But I don't think, Whittaker's writing was even all that bad. She just had the same bland facial expressions the whole series, plus, I never understood, who she actually was!! I'm sorry, I just happened to jump onto the bandwagon of people saying, that she's a bad actress, even though I LOVED her performance in Black Mirror....
I kind of agree but I don’t think it’s purely the scripts, I think she struggles in two areas, one is gravitas, the other is threat. In situations where she was required to do a face off with her enemy, where, say, Tennant would be spitting with growling bristling command, she came across like a scared bunny asking nicely. I feel she needs some kinda ‘police training’ or something like that, cuz just a change in stance and a more commanding tone would’ve resolved that, which is the sort of tricks they learn.
Blandness was definitely a problem too. Maybe "weak presence" was a poor choice of words? As for pros, she definitely nailed the Doctor's eccentricity right away. Unfortunately that's just not good enough. She also continues the trend that I hoped Capaldi had broken when he punched the guy who insulted Bill, where people were mistaking the Doctor's preference for nonviolence for pacifism. What it comes down to for me is that I can't see her being a foil to characters like the Master/Missy, the Rani, the Monk, River Song, and Davros. Paired up with any one of those characters, I can't see her standing out as her own character like Missy did when paired with the Monk in her first Big Finish series, and although I haven't heard the series where she and River Song meet, I can't imagine any scenario where they don't go well together. My favorite was a tossup between The Witch Finder and Demons of Punjab. I did have to laugh at the image it put in my head of every incarnation lined up together to be burned at the stake as witches.
Xtra Spice Mikey Honestly I thought Series 2 was pretty messy for the most part. Aside from some stand out episodes, the overall feel of the season just wasn’t my thing. Sort of the same thing with Series 11, but Series 11 felt more fresh.
I know this is a bit of topic, but My Davidson moment was actually in the Big Finish stuff. But in relation to the video, I personally would have liked Yaz to join later, like in episode 6 or 7 and she should have been an alien, or at least from another time period. Actually Demons of the Punjab would have been a good episode to come on. That way we'd have the Doctor, Ryan and Graham, gotten to know them, then gotten to know Yaz, and over the episodes seen how they act together. I still have hope for series 12 though, surprisingly pumped for seeing it after seeing this video. Just made me think of how much they can improve if they try, which I imagine they are.
I still remember having my "Ah ha" moment with Capaldi's doctor and really ended up liking the character, I hope Jodi gets a moment to really shine through so I get the same reaction, I felt this was a really mixed series. Though I did quite enjoy the new years special. And the one set in the cabin.
It took time but it was worth it. Great video. Off the cuff as well. No script. I think this is one of the best break downs of series 11 of Doctor Who (2005- ). If there was one video I'd like Chibs and the Doctor Who staff or the BBC to watch it would be this one. #HatsOff! #BestofDoctorWho
The main problems with series 11 include the weak dialogue Mandip was given. She would have been better accepted if better written and involved in the plot. There were other writing flaws with each episode but I won't go into those. Too much focus on Sheffield was another problem I think. We had the Arachnids in Sheffield, Dalek of Sheffield, Witchfinders near Sheffield, Nanu dreaming of going to Sheffield. The over focus on the London area of previous series was replaced by an over focus on Sheffield (even though a lot of the "Sheffield" scenes were shot in South Wales). The UK is small enough for the BBC to have episodes all over the UK and even multiple locations in one episode.Ryan's dyspraxia was only mentioned for convenience and often forgotten or not an issue during the other episodes. Would it have been un-PC for the Dr to take him to a future hospital and get him cured of it? Also some of Ryan's behaviour/dialogue was unrealistic or cliché. He is supposed to be 19 but was written by what middle aged people think 19 year olds are like. My main complaint is that I feel series 11 forgot who and what the Dr is. She is a high born member of an ancient alien race, Lord President of Galifrey, grandly strode the halls of time, re-started the Universe, sung about and remembered by many planets. What we got was a weak, needy, often unsure of themselves, out of puff, emotionally drained Doctor.
Writing is second part of "DIVERSION STRATEGY" which BBC and Chibnall loves. Most of them DON'T HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE. For example experience had author "Kerblam" episode
I don't really have a problem with the Sheffield focus. Like you say, previous seasons did a lot of hanging around London because that's where the companion was from. The new companions are based in Sheffield so the season is too. . Though of the entire season, only two and a bit episodes were set in Sheffield anyway ('The Woman who fell to Earth' and 'Arachnids in the UK' were set there. 'Demons of the Punjab' started there but the story pretty quickly whisked off to partition-era India).
Dyspraxia is something yo had Enron with and doesn’t need a cure, like most neurodivergency society needs to change the way we handle things. You can’t get rid of something that develops naturally in the womb, especially once the person is an adult
100% agree with you on this. The major visible changes weren't bad within the Chibnal era, what was bad was the quality of the writing and the stories. Jodie had so much potential and I could see that in so many flashes in her first episode. But the writing was just disappointing and gave her little to work with
one of the pluses of season 11 was the casting of Bradley walsh as Graham! He acted up a storm in the majority of the show.Poured real heart and feeling and emotion into a lot of the episodes.! His repour with the doctor was superb the best of all the three current companions! It would not be such a bad idea if we binned off yas and ryan and just kept graham!! brilliant character very retro!I also completely agree with you on this video too! It was a rough season, I do love Jodie,s Doctor I feel there is more to come from her we have not completely seen all of her character so far! We got a glimpe of her dark side in the new years day special.. so lots more to come from this doctor.. Season 11 was good in parts but could do a whole lot better it has potential.!
"The writers had no background in sci fi, that makes them bad at sci fi." This argument is incredibly stupid. If we used this logic, no one could ever do any job ever. Before you work as waiter in a restaurant, you have no background as a waiter, and yet you can get a hire. Why can't sci if writing be the same?
Agreed. Many of the best Classic Who writers had little or no sci-fi experience, most of them having mainly written for comedy/variety shows, police dramas and soap-operas.
@@ftumschk exactly, you don’t need to be a Professional Sci-Fi writer to writer to write good Sci-Fi, look at Russell T Davies, before Doctor Who, he was doing dramas like Queer as Folk and The Second Coming.
If it were up to me, I would like to see Ms. Whittaker play #13 with a heaping helping of #5 (Peter Davison), with elements of the War Doctor (Sir John Hurt) and #'s 9, 10 and 11 (Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant And Matt Smith, respectively.). #1 (William Hartnell) was grumpy. #2 (Patrick Troughton) was mischievous. #3. (Jon Pertwee) was action-packed. #4 (Tom Baker) was wacky. #5 was fraternal. #6 (Colin Baker) was brash. #7 (Sylvester McCoy) was sneaky. #8 (Paul McGann) was romantic. The War Doctor and #9 were both world(s) weary due to the Time War. #10 was still recovering from the Time War and had elements of #'s 2, 3, 6 and 8. #11 was youthful. #12 (Peter Capaldi) had elements of #1, 3, 4 and 7.
It was utterly bland and unsophisticated in every respect, in every respect, that's why it failed. Everything in the show was literal. It was like watching a Dr Who spin-off made for pre-school children.
I can't help be reminded of the old Borsht Belt joke: "The food was terrible, terrible. And such small portions!" ;) (I know, I know. I got it. But it's still pretty apt on the surface!)
My favourite thing about watching your videos is I always find you articulate things in exactly the right way when I’ve been struggling to!! I always have a “yes that’s exactly what I mean!!” moment so thank you for clarifying my thoughts better than I can 😂
Agree entirely, decent acting & good directing let down by uninspired even sometimes dare I say simply thoughtless writing (though some writing was quite good) and I’d add a lack of oversight/overall planning as well. (For ex I loved Kerblam except for the weird death and v confusing moral message. What in the world was that about?) It was miserable being embarrassed almost every week, as I’m the biggest fan in my family and made them watch with me :P Thanks for making a great space for constructive criticism, and some really well thought out/smart/decent (as in kindly-put) comments below. It was so frustrating during the series to wade through the haters looking for like-minded fans (all the love, but with issues!) This is not the only real critique out there, but it’s close. It’s a massive relief that it’s not just me, thx!
I think they were doing it with four characters because they pulled it off in An Unearthly Child, with that episode we had a complete understanding of each character after only 25 minutes, but, in that episode, it was just worked around better, as they all have an established relationship with one another, and we came out understanding them in the way they understood each other, because of the pre-established relationships. What really should've happened, is Yaz should've left after Arachnids in the UK. She's just really superfluous.
The current TARDIS crew all had pre-existing relationships too. Honestly it *could* work fine. The problem isn't the number of characters, it's that they're all cardboard cutouts who mostly exist to spit exposition and state the obvious. -_-
Going through all the past companions, I realise that although the audience had to get to know three companions simultaneously once before, this is actually the first time that the docs say him/herself has been getting to know three at once, because the last time that happened was in An Unearthly Child and Susan was already travelling with him at that point.
You basically paraphrased a warning I gave before season 11 aired. I can’t remember how I phrased it exactly but it went to the effect of, “if there is going to be a problem with this season, if it is going to fail, it will be because of bad writing”. And while it gives me no satisfaction to admit it, that was basically the biggest flaw. Chibnal really doesn’t give jodie’s doctor her own voice, the companions are generally just bystanders, the plot of most episodes, including the ones you liked, were basically meh, or oh hum. Now I actually enjoyed the season overall, but the elements I didn’t like were all script related. I’ll put my hand up, I was not on board for a female dr, despite growing to love missy as a character. But I gave her a chance and I think she did a pretty good job. But it was generally in spite of the story, not because of it. And oh boy, did this season really lack a returning villain, or any element to ground it in previous continuity or lore. (Now thanks to season 12 we know why…). In the end, it played it too safe in some elements, yet squandered the couple of inherently risky decisions by not giving us enough episodes to play with those new toys. However, that said of all the new Tardis mob, i actually find ryan the more disposable rather than yaz, because despite her often just being an onlooker passively observing the story, he ends up being a parrot, restating the obvious or asking redundant questions, to the point that it just irked me. And his terrible yorkshire accent, which is totally fake, pissed me off since I used to actually live in Sheffield! Graham I really liked, and part of me wishes they had played it safe and just cast Bradley as the dr, but I get why they didn’t. But even he felt redundant in many episodes. Like you pointed out, four was too many when they are all strangers to each other and the audience. Classic who had several periods with two or three companions, but they also had seasons with over 20 episodes. Far more time to get to know everyone. Fingers crossed reducing the cast down to just two companions from season 13 might fix some of this, but after timeless children…. I’m not sure I care to find out.
Couldn't agree more and you helped me crystallise my own thoughts yet again. The script is everything and these scripts were mostly nothing, and especially Chibnall's. Stretching the episodes to an hour didn't help either as it took the pressure off and the need to keep the narrative tight. Not nearly enough running and far too much relationship angst - which if I wanted that I'd watch a soap. Look back at how much happened in a Moffat or Davies episode and how you had to watch them two or three times (especially Moffat's) because (a) you wanted to make sure you hadn't missed anything (you did) and (b) because, with very few exceptions, you enjoyed it so much that you couldn't wait for next week to enjoy more of it. I haven't re-watched any Series 11 episodes because they gave me nothing the first time, and never waited with bated breath for the next one. Wound up watching all of them on Iview a varying number of days after broadcast when I didn't have anything better to do. Even the good ones lacked that something you pointed out to add something to characterisation or the overall big picture story. Big picture? There wasn't one. That's the problem. Near enough is not good enough and the scripts were not worthy of the quality of the actors and directors that had to work with them and the overall series lacks an arc and a vision. We've come to expect a lot better than this from NuWho.
I just love you. Another well argued, well thought out discussion. I just couldn't put into words why this series failed to excite me, you just did that for me. Great efforts were put into the production aspects of the show, the cinematography especially, has never looked better. But the writing is the keel, and without it the ship sinks. Maybe it was lack of genre experience, and the producers have learned from their mistakes. By the way, if the BBC have a problem with you, they must be about to sue half of RUclips, because yours is one of the few moderate voices here. Most Whotubers are extremophiles and spew nothing but hate, towards the show and those who disagree with them. Great video!
I really still haven't got my head round "It Takes You Away" and don't know how I feel about it. It did some really nice character stuff and explored grief in an interesting way, but my mind still melts slightly when remembering the weird CGI frog that speaks with Grace's voice on a chair and that the Doctor just randomly remembers who the Solitract is from a story she was told ages ago but has never mentioned before. Like my rating for the episode would actually be ?/10. All these months later I still can't decide how I feel about it.
Still think, series 7 was amazing! Just rewatched it with JustsoShayla and Blind Wave and even episodes like The Bells of Saint John, which I felt like "meh" about before, I now actually LOVE. It's so amazing, the production value is outstanding and that moment at the end with Miss Kizlet was so dark, New Who just rarely goes that dark. And I'm sure, I don't have to explain how amazing Night, Day and Time of the Doctor have been or do I? With series 2, pretty much every episode was like "meh" to me. Except for the Satan two parter maybe and some parts of the finale.....
The series was called "3 Earthlings and a Space Lady". We have to love and relate to the Doctor first and foremost. We never had a chance to do that. Dump the companions and set the Doctor free upon the universe
Good video, especially since whilst i don't agree with 100% of the points being made unlike the couple of other YT videos on S11 i could sit through i can at least completely understand and get my head around the problems being laid out. So that's very much a plus point. I overall really enjoyed the season, but i can completely agree that i hope there's a change in the writing approach for S12. Especially since this is one of the rare occasions we're going into a second season with no changes to the main cast - things having to be amped up and ramped up next time.
100% agreed! I can live with this season/series if the next gave us something interesting: a fully realized 13th doctor that has depth and something unique personality wise, or really thought provoking stories that convey complex ideas and feelings in smart allegories. Give me SOMETHING to excite me. And also I totally hate having to wait so long to see if the writing will improve the next series. It's AGONIZING!!
I totally agree with you. I tend to focus on the lack of two part story as the cause of loosing opportunity to develop the personallity of the Dr and allowing the viewer to "buy into" the story.
I personally recognise the complaints being made by people. Too many companions, bad writing and Jodie not ‘being’ the doctor. But personally I loved this series, I loved the relationships between the companions and the doctor. I though the writing in the majority of episodes was good, all but the ghost monument, the tsungra(or however it’s spelled) conundrum and the spiders episode(I can’t remember the name) and I can put up with these because of some great episodes such as the woman who fell to earth, kerblam!, the demons of panjub and it takes you away. I believed Jodie has made her place as the doctor ever since her first episode, I like how exentric and awkward she can be(though I don’t know if that’s the point for her to come across that way). Overall I do see people’s complaints and I don’t want to seem like I think their invalid, not at all. But personally I really liked series 11 and Jodie’s doctor. Of course series 11 is no series 4, maybe not even series 5 but at least it’s not series 6.
In Poland noone do DW opinions, but i saw one vid, where people liked season too. For me biggest problem was that episodes dosen't feel like "Doctor episodes". I don't know why. I just have this feeling. Maybe i dissliked her accent. I'm glad that soembody liked it
I have to say, I do agree with the points laid out and it's always great to hear criticism in a way that well-rounded, well-reasoned and not in the least bit sprinkled with rhetoric. To reiterate what I said on a previous video, I didn't think series 11 was that bad (I rather watch this one than series 6), but it could've been so much better. I never found the series' problem to be that it was SJW to the max, with the exception of Arachnids, where it's so on the nose, but it's the writing, and it's quite telling when the weakest episodes happen to be ones written by the showrunner (aside from Woman). The problems with this series were, of course, all set up and carried on throughout by Chibbers - 1) A Doctor who hasn't fully shined yet, but we're close (I want to see the darkness in her). 2) A companion (Yaz) that has been sorely under-utilised. 3) No major story arc, and even when it sounded like we were getting one, it went nowhere. 4) There are no interesting villains, except maybe Tim Shaw, but I have to refer back to the previous point about story arcs. 5) Too much exposition, and I think Tsuranga is especially guilty of this one. I was bored watching this, cos there was so much talking (a major problem that I had with Fantastic Beasts 2, as well). 6) No consequences (again, referring back to story arcs). For example, if one of the planets taken by the Stenza in Ranskoor av Kolos was Skaro, that would've set up Resolution brilliantly. Overall, I enjoyed this series, but it needed more oomph. Time will just have to tell if Chibnall has taken these criticisms on board for series 12.
Doctor Who was at it's height during the Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker era. Lots of jeopardy, cliffhangers, one companion, great story telling and writing. If the Big Finish production team who produce audio adventures can replicate the success of the original series then why can't Chris Chibnall? The show is in jeopardy with him at the helm.
Interesting and very valid points, I don't agree completely with everything but you do have a solid reasoning and most of my disagreements are a matter of personal taste and preference. Just one thing: you mentioned a few times that you like "It takes you away", and I just don't get the episode. I would like to like it, but to me it just doesn't make sense...? Could you please speak about why you like it, maybe I would understand it better then. To me it mostly sounded like once again bringing up that Graham missed Grace, and yes, of course, mourning is not lineal, but... well, bad writing was a thing through the series, maybe I am focusing too much on that. Still. I don't know. Someone who liked the episode, please explain. I still don't get it.
I think you've done a pretty good job of summing up my thoughts on this season. I'm curious to see what they end up doing with some of the Doctor's recurring enemies after seeing the new style of Dalek in the New Year's special.
Series 11 is definitely uneven, but I see it as testing the waters. With everything being new from the ground up, it's hard to juggle everything (new Doctor, her being a woman, three companions, diverse writing staff, wanting to make a mark but also not drop the ball) and still view the details objectively. They didn't bite off more than they could chew, because what they managed was at times truly great, but they were probably overwhelmed a few times. Creating is all about compromise, and no doubt there was a lot of compromise and shrugging of shoulders and calls of "let's just go with that for now and see how we go." I forgive them their flaws for that reason. However, I do agree with most of your complaints. Most of the broad things you consider problems are definitely things that _need_ to be adjusted for next time. But they have time, they have feedback to work from now, and they are now comfortable with their cast and the new regime. I think they'll find their feet soon.
I think that the doctor hasn't even lied once in series 11... And I think that it is one of the thing that gives some deepness to the character of the doctor, lying to protect the companions
She could use more depth, for sure. Good point about lying. She seems to be the epitome of what 12 had in mind, but then taking it almost too far. I love that she cares about people for a change, but we could take bit more real complexity and mystery as well.
There was a very blatant one in "The Ghost Monument" where they were she was bickering with Epzo about how they were going to die followed by an immediate cheery "Forgot you were there, Yaz, everything's going to be fine"...
I can tell you exactly what I'd add and it's something that would give it purpose and ambition and that is ancient past of the Doctor. Specifically family life, life on Gallifrey long long ago. The Doctor always moves forward yes, but when we see him look back he remembers and it impacts him, like how almost all the companions at some point asked him if he had a family. My idea. Bring back the Doctors Family, at least one of them like a daughter or a son. And this character not be exactly the same as the Doctor. And not shallow as Jenny was just created out of the blue. I mean ancient history ancient struggles, show of ancient culture and how it could affect Timelords that grew up with that dynamic but maybe got separated from earth, fob watched, struggled with mixing with normal human culture with their telepathy and connection to time etc. you could do so much with that. To make it relevant maybe put in a ancient enemy from Gallifrey that's never introduced ever before. Maybe this enemy is after his children because of something ancient or information. For a female doctor it would work amazing. In emotional and inspirational dynamics. This daughter could be thinking about her mother, the Doctors long since dead wife on Gallifrey, the Doctor wants to be a good parent and it could bring a side of protecting his kin. And shed a bit of mystery on his past which even from the old series we don't see much of his family life other than with his niece.
I don't think it would work. We had the same problems with a crowded TARDIS during Peter Davison's run. More characters means less screentime for each of them.
I’m honestly surprised at the amount of negative reaction to series 11. I just finished watching it starting five days ago and maybe watching 2 episodes a night played out better than watching one per week. I really liked Chipnall’s episodes. Woman Who Fell, Ghost Monument, Battle of *** Kollos, and yes even The Churanga Conundrum were great. I agree there were too many companions and none of them connected enough with the Doctor, even though Graeham was close. But that didn’t ruin the experience. I loved Graeham and Ryan’s relationship. I thought the stories were mostly good and kept my interest. But the characterization were the highlight of the season. The moments between characters: Ryan telling Yaz about his mother’s death, Ryan considering being a father with the birth on Conundrum, the Doctor convincing Graeham to be the better man, the Doctor getting through to King James. Unfortunately the Doctor wasn’t the focus on enough of these moments but they were great moments non the less. I fell in love with the Doctor when she told management of Kerblam she would hold them accountable if any more employees went missing. That was a powerful moment. And the show did a great job of letting me feel that she wasn’t quite up to the task only to have her triumph by the end of each conflict. I thought that was a great turn for the show as with all other Doctors it mostly felt inevitable that they would prevail. I didn’t get that feeling this series. And I loved it. I think it comes from how the characters around her would underestimate her (not the companions)due to the fact that she was a woman. They don’t see the strength that she truly has. This element of the series was executed very well. So I know the series wasn’t perfect, Arachnids (yuck), but it was good. I think it is one of the most rewatchable series. It has a comfort similar to Star Trek TNG. You just feel good spending time with these people. And we don’t get that enough in TV these days. It all has to be so shocking and subverting our expectations, we can lose out on good people doing good things. So I look forward to the next series with a hopefulness I don’t think is shared by enough of the Doctors audience. I just hope this pessimism is come by honestly and not skewed by all the politically charged backlash.
Chibnall’s choices weren’t inherently bad - I didn’t think any were particularly good or inspired but on a base level none were terrible - but the execution has been frankly abysmal. More companions, less episodes, no returning monsters, a more outwardly kinder Doctor - none are aspects I would choose but good writers could pull them off. Series 11 did not. Much of the blame is firmly on Chibnall’s shoulders. He chose the majority of these changes then failed to properly execute them. I said before airing, 13 and Series 11 whether a success or failure rests much more on Chibnall than Whittaker and I stand by that. Both his show running and writing was very poor and I consider “The Tsuranga Conundrum” one of - if not the - worst episodes ever. However I was also unimpressed by Whittaker. Yes Chibnall deserves the lions share of the blame and gave Whittaker limited material to work with but she did very little with what she was given. I also found Cole’s performance lacking - better than he was in Hollyoaks but significantly far away from what I’d describe as good. I don’t know if I will bother with Series 12. I’d disliked series in the past but never on a fundamental level has everything across the board being so poor. Bradley Walsh’s charisma can only get you so far and without seeing significant changes, I’m not going to put myself through another series at this low quality. Oh and the way the sonic screwdriver is pointing in that ridiculously large sweeping motion is annoying.
Agree fully here. Chibnall is of course the biggest factor. In many ways he's the opposite of Moffat. Moffat reached for the stars every time, but fell short a lot of the time. But for every blunder, there was brilliance. Even when it failed, you could see what they were going for. Chibnall on the other hand doesn't take risks, nor does he do anything that would be considered even slightly controversial. Which is weird, considering he started out with the controversial move of making The Doctor female. It genuinely seemed like he felt that making enough hubbub outside of the show would mean that he could get away with not trying with the writing itself. It worked in terms of marketing and initial viewing numbers, but has had by far the biggest backlash of any new who season among established fans. Jodie Whittaker is also unimpressive, as you say. Bad writing is an excuse people use to give her a free pass, but I felt that previous Doctors (especially Capaldi and Smith) could always rise above a bad script. Jodie never did. I personally will watch season 12 out of loyalty and because I don't want gaps, but it's literally only because I believe it will get better once Chibnall and Whittaker have moved on, as they are rumoured to after season 12. A light at the end of the tunnel.
Largely agree, though I'll be giving Season 12 a chance in hopes they've addressed a lot of these problems. . I'm probably an outlier on the sonic screwdriver. I like the way she uses it. It's one of the few things so far that give her a unique character and make her stand out from previous Doctors.
I agree with all your points.There were too companians (friends).The stories were not lasting. I want these changes to happen. Also, for me, the music had no impact.
I would go one step further and say the music was actively annoying. The trend in many shows of having “Kumbaya” music, done too loudly and ever so (excessively) soulfully is one that I hope ends soon.
Good talk. I agree with you about the fewer episodes. I don't quite agree with the number of companions. It doesn't need to be a two (wo)man show In old show, both the first Doctor and the fifth Doctor had three companions. I think the showrunners needed to see the chemistry between all the companions and the doctor; and see which ones worked and which did not. But you are correct that more episodes would have helped this. "For as bold as the surface level changes to the show were, the actual episodes are incredibly safe" Big YOU BETCHA here. I agree that the problems were never with the problems were never with the cast, or any cast member.
Yaz wants to test/push herself, which is why she's so frustrated with her assignments at work. Her experience with the Doctor was the first time she really received that and, knowing work isn't going to change anytime soon, she wants more of it and so she travels with the Doctor. Sadly, after that she is rather put in a corner to twiddle her thumbs a bit and we definitely know Ryan and Gram better than we do the Dotor which is not good considering the companions will leave the show first, if current patterns hold.
As a blanket assessment of series 11, the consensus of myself, and my immediate group of friends was that Mr Chibnall somehow got ahold of the gravity control for the series, and maxed it out, making what was once a fun, lighthearted romp through the universe feel heavy, and sluggish. Even 'Kerblam!', which had the potential to be the most 'fun' episode of series 11, was still weighed down by an air of unnecessary seriousness. Let's hope that series 12 can lighten up, at least a little bit. On a more positive, if more personal note, unlike previous incarnations of the Doctor (which would take a couple of episodes to gain acceptance), I found myself 'on board' with Ms Whittaker's portrayal of the character from the start, and I hope she remains in the part for several series to come. A bit of bonus trivia; The idea of having the Doctor regenerate as a female was first considered toward the end of the Tom Baker era. Sadly it was met with the same sort of "But the show's not called 'Nurse Who', har har har" sort of resistance then, as well. I guess some things never change...
I agree with you that Chris Chibnall wrote the weakest scripts for series 11. So it was a pity that he wrote so many of the scripts, and that many of them were in the first half of the season! In terms of sound and picture quality season eleven felt more cinematic (which was an improvement too). I did not like the new interpretation of the Doctor, but to put that into context I have not liked all of the various versions of the Doctor prior to Jodie Whittaker's version. From classic who, Sylvester McCoy is my least liked Doctor, closely followed by Colin Baker's Doctor. So my problem is not with the gender of the Doctor, but it is with the performance of the actor and the quality of the stories... (the lack of onscreen hectic menace did not help either).
Rosa was ambitious. Really tough episode, but a lot of beauty. The first episode was great, a great introduction. Simple stories doesn't mean bad or mediocre. Most of the episodes are 50 minutes long, so the viewer watched a lot of doctor who. I don't believe it was bad writing. The season need this after the complicated stuff of the moffat years. ( I like a lot of the other doctors series as well). I don't think it is tame. I like the way the reactions of the doctor and companions to the situations.
I think the idea of tackling Rosa was ambitious, but I still feel the way they went for that idea was very safe. But again, as I alluded, I have pretty complicated feelings about that episode in general.
As far as why the companions wanting to travel with the doctor I see it as them escaping from reality. For the doctor to take them along is what I don't understand.
Good analysis. I can agree with much of it. The lack of series arc felt like a deliberate choice, but I think that requires (as you note) better stand-alone episodes. You do a really good job making that point with past examples. I think it is fair to say there needed to be some more ambition in the show-runner and even writers' room. I am not sure I can land on the "lack of genre experience" critique of the writers, though. S/F is a broad genre with many varieties, and fan allegiance to particular varieties as THE standard for S/F is both common and regrettable. Some of the oft criticized points of series 11 (e.g. no compelling badies/new monsters/old fiends, etc.) felt like deliberate choices of the series. Often the "monsters" of series 11 tend to be people rather than people in prosthesis. Many of the stories reminded me in tone (though less so in message) of the feminist S/F of the 70s and 80s (stories more like those by Johanna Russ, Ursula K. LeGuin, Marge Piercy, Octavia Butler, etc.). The final episode pulled on themes and even images that reminded me of N.K. Jemisin's recent Hugo winning "Stone Sky" trilogy. These felt suggestive more than deliberate, though; I would welcome a going deeper with these trends in S/F, keeping in mind that doing so would probably only further aggravate the "too PC/SJW" critics. It is interesting to me that you never bonded with Davison. Whitaker's Doctor reminds me most of Davison, more than a poor amalgam of Tennant and Smith. She is youthful, energetic, and (charmingly!) a bit of a doofus. She is the Girl Guide to Davison's Boy Scout, Nancy Drew to his Hardy Boys (combined). I am a bit surprised she doesn't try to wear celery in her hair! Smith was able to have youthful energy but also convey that it was a charade covering a very old, very wise Time Lord of much experience. Davison always seemed like, well, Tristan Farnon ("All Creatures Great and Small") with a TARDIS. It took a long time in Series 11 for me to see through the youth of Whitaker's Doctor to the alien and old wisdom of the renegade Time Lord. Too long, perhaps. I do think there is new "stuff" to this Doctor that is worth noting. These also feel like deliberate developments in the character across regenerations. So, for example, she is more emotionally intelligent and interpersonally aware than previous incarnations (although still prone to the Doctor's blathering awkwardness -- but also AWARE of it). She is also more of a collaborative team leader than previous Doctors. These companions are agential contributors to whatever the plan is to a greater degree, and they are less obviously there just to prevent the Doctor from going too dark if left alone. Now yes, maybe those points needed to be finessed and represented better, perhaps more boldly. Sure. Are there too many companions? Maybe. Classic Who began with three companions. But classic Who was also serialized stories and the old man Doctor was less..."active" in the action of the stories. I feel like the new show-runners were willing to experiment with these familiar (well...) dynamics, but not really willing to explore how they would work in the current series' basic structure. There are hints and suggestions that they get that the basic strategy of this multiple companion game is creating interesting and shifting pairings in parallel and intersecting narratives. But it is a big shift that audiences are going to need help following; an even harder demand when it feels like the writers are also in the process of figuring all this out. But let's be clear: we needed some fresh air breathed into the Doctor/companion dynamic. I loved Bill: I hated that she repeatedly had to remind the Doctor that she wasn't in to him. With female Doctor, I was really afraid they were going to just reverse the genders on an unrequited love/attraction narrative again. So maybe I am more tolerant with the current companion/gang/fam situation because at least it isn't THAT. Good channel and great analysis. I found this video being shared by people who acknowledge some disappointments with Series 11 but are tired of the most strident and banal critiques in what feels like a cross-franchise, coordinated attack on politics and feminism. I really appreciate the time you take to mark significant concerns AND distinguish them from the more facile and petulant dismissals. And I really like that you (unlike most of the most vocal and strident comment critics) are able and willing to mark the evidence and backing for your evaluative claims. It marks the difference between an opinion and an informed opinion. Thank you for that!
I personally really liked Series 11 and a majority of the episodes. That being said I agree with a lot of these points are there are certainly things to be built on and improved. But I do think that although Tardis being crowded is a problem, it's worked a lot better than I originally thought it would and hasn't affected the show nearly as much as its often made out to. Personally I think we have some of the best companions in the show's history
I honestly don't think the number of characters in the TARDIS is the problem. I think it's the quality of the writing. Other SF shows manage to familiarise us with similar sized or larger casts in the same time. 10 episodes into Stargate SG-1 we had a good feel for the characters of Jack, Daniel, Sam and Teal'c. 10 episodes into Firefly we had a good feel for the characters of Mal, Wash, Zoe, Simon, River and Jayne (Shepherd Book remains an enigma :)). Ditto the first 10 episodes of Voyager with Janeway, Tuvok, Paris, Neelix, Torres, etc. . The three companions we have now have loads of potential that just isn't being put up on screen. (Graham is still awesome though. :))
@@irrevenant3 I don't see it as a huge problem as I still really enjoy their interactions and it's one of my favourite Tardis teams. But they could do with more character based stories like Demons of the Punjab. I think the writings been fairly strong but Chibnalls episodes have been very weak and I think he should write more to his strengths.
The writing was bad across the board. I'm not even going to get into the specifics of that because of how much of it was screwed up. 3 Companions + New Doctor made it all a big cluster. The fact that they weren't linking episodes meant each episode had to stand by itself. Less episodes meant less room to work with in regard to characterization. And the list goes on and on and on.
Series 11 was intended to be a jumping on point for new viewers, and as such succeeded admirably. Essentially, it was a brand new show called Doctor Who; the lack of back references, coupled with Chibnall's stated intent, bear witness to that. As for the companions, Yaz is the archetype, while Ryan and Graham were the arc. Frankly, if people were paying more attention to the information given, they would neither be surprised nor disappointed by what they got. I got exactly what I was expecting, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Let the writers tell the stories they want to tell, not the stories you want them to tell.
Well, that's not their fault. Besides, you don't have to watch it. TVs can be both switched over and turned off. If you're not enjoying it after 10 minutes, watch something else. Otherwise you're just indulging your own misery, which is a weird thing to do, I'm sure you'll agree.
@@andrewbowman4611: The stories they want to tell are feeble stories, which is why I don't want to watch them; and I think that is the fault of the writers. However, I agree with you that I don't have to watch them, which is why I've stopped doing so (after watching Doctor Who on and off since 1964). However, I was interested to hear the above analysis of what's wrong, which I agree with pretty well. If I get some indication next year that there's a really significant improvement, I might try watching again. Otherwise, I'll wait for the next showrunner. Naturally, I won't bother commenting on Series 12 if I don't end up watching any of it.
@@andrewbowman4611: So be it. The appeal of any story is entirely subjective. If you get what you want out of these stories, then they succeed for you, and for others (you're evidently not alone), and you have no reason to wish for changes in future. If a sufficiently large audience agrees with you, then Chibnall will probably go on running the show until he wants to stop, at which point I may take an interest in it again. Well, from 1989 to 2005 there was no new Doctor Who at all (apart from the film).
I think I'd be okay with having companions just switch off per episode. So some could be with just the 13th Doctor and Yaz, some with the doctor, Graham and Ryan, some with the Doctor, Yaz and Ryan, etc.
I strongly disagree with "not enough time to introduce characters". They had the time, they just didn't use it at all. Most episodes simply weren't written in a way where any character did anything or got character development. So we got maaaaaaany moments where you just watch characters stand there doing nothing, hoping something happens, and nothing ever did. You've had bunch of shows introduce dozens of characters in less time.
*Thank you!* I have no idea why so many people keep saying that four is too many people in the TARDIS. Lots of SF - even SF with a constantly changing setting like Doctor Who - has managed to juggle as many or more characters and flesh them out. There aren't too many people in the TARDIS, the writing is just shallow.
Good points, all well made. I liked the characters and a few of the episodes, but yeah overall it didn't work, which is a pity since I could see some of the potential of the characters. I liked the Doctor, I saw the traits that were in a different balance in her. In The Psirens of Time the Doctor talks about having the same traits in each incarnation, just in a different balance and this incarnation I feel shows that. This Doctor, for all the faults of the writing at least gave us enthusiasm, which has been sadly lacking in recent series. I have always felt that on some level the Doctor may be doing these things out of necessity, but ultimately the traveling and finding trouble is because the Doctor enjoys exploring the universe, so I'm glad that there was a sense of fun again.
Actually, I love the 3 companions idea. It´s one of the things I really like from Peter Davison´s years (yes, I find him quite weak as The Doctor too, although I have to watch more of him). There are many shows with a group of characters. Is it more complicated for a writer to do that? Yes. But it´s not impossible if you are a great writer. And Doctor Who needs GREAT writers, not mediocre ones.
I think yaz should definitely been added later. She could have been on earth still investigating all these weird alien occurrences only showing up briefly in the earth centered episodes until she finally joins later on since she figures she can do more good with the doctor (can tell the police force doesn't really respect her too much). Would have been a more natural introduction to so many companions and doesn't give us as many characters to have to get to know all at once. Not having an arc I also feel is a detriment. As you said, it puts so much pressure on the episodes to be so much better
On the three companions, it still feels to me that there was partly a 'diversity' requirement that lead to the casting of one character from each of the UK's main ethnic groups (White, Black and Asian) in order to ensure the 'audience' felt fully included, So, there had to be three to make that work. I will have to check out the last time three or more companions traveled with the Doctor to compare motivations (I'm guessing that would be Adric, Tegan, Nyssa and Thurlow, of whom Tegan's was the most random, ie, thinking the Master's TARDIS was a phone box led to her long travels, although she was always wanting to get back to the airport it seemed but most were definitely motivated.)
I agree with you about It Takes You Away, I thought it was the only episode that felt like a Dr Who story. Thank goodness that you can buy individual episodes of the series on amazon as this is the first series of new Who where I will not be buying the box set.
Agree 100% on all points. Would only add that too often the show neutered the threat posed by the villain-the spider's dying, the gremlin's cute, the assassin's arent' assassin's anymore, the villain can't kill anyone directly because (contrived excuse), etc. Not that previous series didn't do it, too, cuz they absolutely did with the Doctor grandstanding in front of his greatest threats.
Chris Chibnall’s Five Year Plan starting to sound a bit like Dave Lister’s Five Year Plan... buying a farm on Fiji, getting a sheep and a cow... and breeding horses.
![Yeat & Quavo - 5BRAZY [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4XxnTAwyxus/mqdefault.jpg)
My main concern before was the writing and my main concern after series 11 is still the writing
Agreed, and the editing was a bit odd at times, in fact it all had an oddly rough around the edges feel about it. I think basically they just changed too much, both onscreen and behind it, it was too much and the show struggled to gel, everyone was trying to do a new job and fit in with new people, and it showed.
I'm in the same place I was before series 11. Worried about the writing more than anything else, but hopeful.
Word
Writing, yes. Other problems, but this was fundamental. Mostly for me the exposition, telling not doing. Oy.
Apart from Chibnall, the others have no experience writing Sci Fi. And Chibnall's idea of Sci Fi is "write a story, stick a random alien in it as an afterthought"
Agree with almost everything, but I would also like to include that the dialogue needs to be vastly improved. Davies had a way of making great banter and real sounding conversations. Moffat had amazing, thoughtprovoking lines from both Smith and Capaldi. Chibnall....has Whittaker give exposition and say recycled lines from Smith and Tennant. Yikes.
Yeah. I thought character and dialogue was supposed to be Chibnall's thing. I've not seen Broadchurch, did he do a good job with it there?
@Nigel So glad I ended it after season 1. Watched the first episode of season 2, thought it was completely unnecessary, and never touched it again.
The masters mad face omfg I LOVE IT
Spot on
I think you really nailed this analysis. The only thing I see differently, is that I think Graham had a clear reason to go with the Doctor, (his grief) and I actually think Yaz had a pretty decent reason as well. Her job isn't satisfying to her, she wants more out of life, actually somewhat similar to Rose. Ryan's motivation is the least clear to me, of course he is grieving as well, but it's not explained very clearly if that's his reason for coming. Seems like he's more just along for the ride because he likes it and doesn't know what else he would want to be doing.
Graham is like "my wife would enjoy to join you and my life is meanless anyway, so why not". Ryan "i want do something. Without grandpa i don't have any idea on how to make any progress... I'm so lost" (doctor is lost too, but ofc writing cast don't used it, they are dumb, you see). For me is hardest to get Yaz. She is so minor character, that i don't even care about her grandpa story
To put it frankly, In my opinion, is that the 13th Doctor's biggest flaw from Series 11 is that she felt like a side character instead of the star of the show. Almost like an "oh yeah, we need to include her somewhere", which is fine for an episode here and there, but not an entire series.
Season 11 honestly just didn’t feel like dr who for me. I sort of just disregard it as part of the show. It feels like a spin off
You know where problem lays? As spin-off this would WORK VERY WELL. In spin-off you could get MC that is not decisive and wouldn't cause such huge rage in community
Because the main characters are copy + pasted from the Sarah Jane Adventures
@@DolanDuking Oh God! Now I'm going to refer to 13's companions as Luke, Clyde, and Rani. LOL
@@DolanDuking OH MY GOD YOURE RIGHT
I completely agree with most of your points ! Particularly about the lack of ambition. Its sad when it feels like something you love isnt getting the effort it deserves. Cmon Chibs, pull your socks up !
I actually think it was a pretty ambitious season. For Chibnall. His Chibness isn't really an ambitious writer. I'm honestly surprised it came out as good as it did but admittedly I'm biased. No one has a lower opinion of Chibnall than I do, so anytime he doesn't absolutely suck I'm shocked & amazed.
Chibs just needs to go. He just has to go. Someone please make him go.
But hey, women aren't supposed to have ambitions ;-)
love how you are a centrist instead of going to one extreme or the other....a fair but critical voice in a wilderness of disharmony and chaos
You don't have to call him a centrist. I definitely am not, and I agree with him 100%.
Kay Blackmer I think it’s more of a compliment than alt right Nazi (ha!) or crazy communist. I’m joking. I’m trying to draw attention to the fact that I didn’t get a political viewpoint from diamondunicorn1983. I may be wrong, but I felt they were just saying that he wasn’t taking any points to the extreme and instead simply taking a fair stance that a lot of people may agree with or not. He’s just being a reasonable reviewer. Something which is sorely missing most of the time.
wasn't talking politics...just how he doesn't go extreme with his reviews....it isn't all "I absolutely love this" or "This is the biggest load of crap"
diamondunicorn1983, Yes exactly--I understood what you meant and agree--reasonable points need to be made in order to be heard. I honestly wish the BBC would just hear this video. They keep dismissing complaints for gender bias instead of taking them seriously and firing Chibs for his subpar writing/direction/ideas
Man, you are just so amazingly exact and precise with these arguments and I'm really glad to see such reasonable opinions on this whole thing. Especially when pretty much all of them coincide with mine ;)
Same here!
Exactly , been thinking all of this, but wasn't able to articulate it. It's like the bloke reached Into me brain and took the thoughts right out of it. Then said it in a clever way.
I agree. Very well said. I have been summarizing the problem with simply...Chibnall. But it was nice to see this broken down. The whole thing is so depressing.
That's what got me subbed. Although I sometimes disagree with his opinions he's a different perspective and well spoken. He uses logic and facts to supplement his opinions on reviews.
Does anyone else feel like S1-10 should now be characterized under a different label? Classic Who, The New Classic Who, for example? Series 11 just needs a new category
Basically, the series didn't fail due to politics. It failed because it was bad.
It didn't fail, it's just some people didn't like it
I think a problem was, it wasn't 'weird' enough. We had this wacky main character, who was playing a wacky main character pretty well - but she was surrounded by (todays standards) pretty bland sci fi concepts. The most tonally awesome thing that happened this season was the talking frog. People like weird shit - this is the perfect time for Doctor Who to go full Gotham and just do whatever it wants to do.
I know that sounds weird, but honestly I think that's why everything felt so tonally off for the whole season. It was painted as a show where crazy stuff happens, but it very rarely did.
Tom Kenning 'most' people is more accurate.Also, yes this season failed
@@mtr801 you can't really put that across as fact though, there aren't any reliable numbers other than ratings which were fine.
@@mtr801 It didn't fail. Not by any recordable measure. And most people liked it okay. You might not have liked it but that doesn't mean it failed. I don't know why some people have so much trouble sorting the difference between their own personal opinions & objective reality, or why they think that their views equate to "most" people's views.
I still feel like Grace would have been a better companion. When they killed her off I remember thinking, 'Whelp, there goes the fun.'
Series 12 just needs to be more bold and ambitious. For example I'd like to see at least a couple of two parters including the finale because I felt stories like Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos could have benefited from more time to flesh out each of its five or more ideas and characters. I also found myself not being a fan of the dialogue that was shoehorned in to certain episodes like when Ryan and Yaz talked about his dad in Tsuranga Conundrum, it just felt completely out of place. The show suffered from too much telling and not enough showing for example, the lake with deadly microbes in Ghost Monument, have one of the side characters slip and either die or lose a shoe or something idk. A narrative throughline for the series would've been excellent as well, maybe not a mystery box but perhaps a quest like the key to time series in classic who or one of the companions secretly being a manipulative alien or something. I know this was a bit long but I just feel the show needs to be more ambitious and make bold decisions with a clear storyline and Less telling but more showing.
Joe Espin, yes, the writing needed is beyond Chibys capability. BBC needs to admit that and move the hell on. Hand him the memory worm and show him the door!
@@joeespin4377 Exposition isn't necessarily a no-no. There are times when it's an absolute necessity. But there's a knack to incorporating it naturally into the script, and that has *not* happened this season.
'The Witchfinders' *really* needed to be a two-parter too. And 'It Takes You Away' probably would've benefited from it as well.
.
Honestly, none of the decisions Chibnall made (no classic enemies, no two-parters, no season-arc, three companions etc.) were bad in themselves. They could've all led to great things. He just royally flubbed the execution.
I think chibnall maybe writes one or two and acts more as a Cartmel character guiding the overall arc than taking up the weight of script writing and trying to rival Moffat creativity. Incidnetly I'd love jms to try writing a script.
This aged well
I haven't had that 'They Are The Doctor' moment with Jodie Whittaker. To me she is still a mediocre actor doing bad imitations of Tennant's and Smith's Doctors. 🙁
That was glaring at the start of the series. She seemed to tone it down a bit towards the end but it always came across more as an attempt to impersonate the Doctor rather than to be the Doctor.
@erosion271 You think? I really enjoyed her in that. And she was great in Broadchurch and Black Mirror.
Agreed
I really don't get the "ripoff of Tennant or Smith." Critique. Tennant & Smith are my least favorite Doctors (Smith more so for what the series was doing than his own portrayal), so I feel like if she was ripping them off, i would have known. To me personally, in my own personal opinion (feel free to agree or disagree), Jodie's performance feels more akin to Tom Baker
I don't see any hint of Tom Baker's Doctor in her performance. 🙁
My connect with Davison was Caves of Androzani, how's that for late?
Na
Still way ahead of Sylvester McCoy's rubber-necked performance. When I first saw the beginning of Time and the Rani I new that, not only was I never going to have a 'He is the Doctor' moment,but never would (not even on any of the Big Finish audios I've caught)but Im never going to have my 'she is a companion' moment with Bonnie Bastard Langford ever,ever,ever, ever, ever. Guaranteed you're all going to write essays on how fantastic they both are.......please don't bother.
Moffat actually made an incredibly good decision, which was to wait until about halfway through the respective series before properly introducing both Rory and Nardole as companions. This was an extremely good decision as it allowed for us to properly understand the primary companion first and appreciate all of the characters.
Also, this all makes me feel very sad, because the writers are taken an epic character and making her so shallow and plain. It kind of attacks and defies (effectively undoing) all of the beautiful character development that has come before it. 😥
I couldn't agree more with with Mulfred100's comment about this.
It doesn't undo the previous character work. Each incarnation of the Doctor is always their own person. There's core elements that usually carry over, but Thirteen's character doesn't reflect on Twelve's or Eleven's...
I agree with everything you say here (although I didn't find as many redeeming features about season 11 as you were able to); but I think you could perhaps have focussed on the dialogue a little more. So much of it was staggeringly clunky & not in the least bit credible. Too often, characters brought any action that was taking place to a shuddering halt in order to have a conversation about their feelings, or indulge in repetitious exposition. So. Much. Exposition. It ruined the pacing & deprived the episodes of any true dramatic tension.
I do not think JW is a good Doctor, either, & whilst better scripts would have obviously mitigated this, I personally don't believe it would have addressed the problems I have with her. Other Doctors have been able to elevate a poor script. She simply seems to...deliver it. She doesn't act with her face. There is no hint of any nuance or complexity; that what she is saying/doing may not altogether reflect who this character is. What you see is what you get. From what I have seen on screen & what she has said herself in interviews, I get the distinct impression that whilst she relishes the opportunities being The Doctor gives her to promote certain issues (ones I agree with, incidentally) & be a strong role model for girls (also something I believe is very important), she has no real interest in the character in its own right. I think this influenced the whole tone of the show, tbh.
Yeah. Exposition destroyed episode on medical ship.... THIS COULD BE BEST DOCTOR EPISODE IN 11 SEASON!
And i agree about her. As not native speaker i HATE her VOICE. You could get what Capaldi says without using subtitles, but with her? I changed into lektor (voice-over(?)), when i wanted really hard to use this oppurtonity into polishing my english. With lektor episodes were at least "watchable". This says how much you can hate her
I totally agree with all of this, just fyi! I did have a thought towards the end though. That whole 5 year plan thing, as you said seems in evident. There doesn't seem to be any trace of a forward thinking move or narrative. But what if every stand alone story in this series, every seemingly disconnected story perhaps had an underlying theme we all missed... kinda like a mystery box we couldn't see... which is then steadily revealed over the events of the next series? And maybe we as the audience start to notice things that the Doctor herself didn't... I dunno... also when that living bandage thingy calls the Doctor the timeless child... maybe something will come of that... but that would require more time lord related lore... which maybe isn't the best idea....
1 of the issues (deffo not the only one)
Series 11 had a lot of changes which caused a huge loss of familiarity, it didn't feel like doctor who as far as i'm concerned..
Some flaws I had with the series, and keep in mind I do really like it on the whole-
1) Chibnall's writing is too much tell not show. He explains a lot. This isn't a problem with the other writers, just Chibnall and it's odd because he never used to have this problem.
2) There needed to be an arc. Not a complex one, but something to keep viewers engaged and not just standalones, especially when Chibnall wrote most and he isn't the best writer for balanced material.
3) Yaz had barely any character.
4) We needed more episodes like It Takes You Away that gave Thirteen dramatic material to chew on. I enjoy her a lot (certainly a lot more than Capaldi) but we need more darkness.
5) Tsuranga Conundrum. =(.
Still, I think the series was a success on the whole and I enjoyed it a lot more than Series 8 and 9 and on par with Series 10, although that had a more solid arc. Nothing in Series 11 was as bad as Kill the Moon, Hell Bent, Twice Upon a Time or any number of clunkers from Moffat's later years. I didn't want to reach into the screen and slap the leads nor did I ever question my love of the show like I did frequently before. Hopefully Chibnall takes a look at the legitimate criticism and takes it on board for Series 12.
I completely disagree with your assessment of Capaldi. I will defend my position that he was the best actor to fill the role and imo one of the best doctors.
I completely agree with your points on the flaws of Season 11. I didn't like the ending of It Takes You Away, but I did like the eerie-ness of the whole episode.
I agree with most but Capaldi was amazing in the role. He's not my favourite Doctor - that will for ever be Tom Baker - nor is he my favourite New Who Doctor - that is still Matt Smith - but he was good and definitely better than Whittaker. Whittaker's portrayl is pointless. While Moffat jumped a bit with the characterisation of the twelfth Doctor due to outside pressure between seasons, within the seasons he tried to keep it coherent and even the jump between the seasons was never like "this is a completely new character". With Whittaker, her Doctor has no real rhyme or reason to her. And that is, according to someone I know, because Chibnall never sat down with her to discuss how she should play the Doctor. In general Chibnall doesn't seem to do his job as the showrunner really well and according to several rumours the BBC is looking to drop him like a hot potato as soon as they can find a replacement.
And there certainly were episodes that were as bad if not worse than the lowlights of the previous two or three seasons. The Tsuranga Conundrum was beyond pathetic, that spider episode came across as if they had stolen the script straight from The Asylum, the finale was one big joke and in retrospective the premiere doesn't hold up either, also due to the return of that tooth fairy monster.
First of all: sorry for any incorrectness of language.
I love your work. Well-developed comments (with a particular view but still objective). And the best: out of any kind of hate speech.
When I first saw the Doctor I was having trouble to sleep. Then I turned on the tv and saw a bizarre show. There was a huge library and some astronauts wandering around and an invisible menace and machines with human faces and I thought… WHAT A … IS THIS???!!! Then I fell in LOVE.
What I love about Doctor Who is it’s capacity to make you feel astonished (the most strange and impossible things may happen, because the universe is open to you. And look: it can be fun!!!!). It’s like to dive into the rabbit hole and, in this case, to make no sense is better than being dull.
That’s why I like “It Takes You Away”. I don’t think it’s perfect, but it is the only episode in this season that has that quality (that explorer feeling) that makes my eyes pop!!!
“Kerblam!”: is the most similar to the previous WHO. And a fun, kind of creepy and very good episode.
“Rosa” and “Demons of the Punjab”: beautiful! But there are some issues about the alien threat. One is a total cliché and the other is not a real threat (not a problem, but something feels missing for me - although I understand the beauty of that allegory).
"Arachnids in the UK" and "The Tsuranga Conundrum": total failure
Well, as a fan, I sincerely hope the next season bring some “brave new worlds and brave new things”.
You have to bear in mind as well that Rory wasn't initially a companion. It was originally just Eleven and Amy with occasional visits to Rory. He didn't become a companion until the end of season 5 onwards. We had time to get used to Amy on her own, with glimpses of Rory, then bring him on board later.
That approach might have worked better for season 11's companions. Start with two, giving glimpses of the third, then bring the third in later. I liked the idea of three companions but it was handled poorly, especially Yas who often had little to do or say and never once capitalised on her career..
I would also call it a cluster. A handful of episodes were interesting, but there isn't anything that would make me want to watch them again, and the others just felt bad.
The show felt lower budget from the start. The series is worlds apart from its epic storylines around 2010-2011.
Great video - I think my biggest issue was the lacking of good villains - made the threat of the episodes a bit... meh - I also think they really need to work on giving everyone something to do when there’s 4 main characters plus a billion others - lastly: the dialogue is very stilted and wooden in many places (Demons of the Punjab being the worst offender despite liking that episode) and I think they definitely need to work on the whole show not tell think
Also.. LESS SONIC SCREWDRIVER / don’t turn it into the plot saver
I’d give the series a 6/10 - not awful but certainly lacklustre - once again great video - I think the New Years special was my favourite alongside Kerblam
Largely agree except that I think their use of the sonic screwdriver this season has actually been pretty good. In Kerblam! it let her interface with the system, but extra actions (stealing the bot) were required to actually fix the issue. Similarly in The Witchfinders it gave her a hint as to how to address the problem, but the screwdriver itself wasn't the solution.
.
Mostly the screwdriver acts as plot lubricant. Minor things that would slow down the episode like "How does the Doctor get access to this apartment?" or "How does the Doctor access a different alien computer system each episode?" so we can get to the actual meat of the story.
.
It's not like Thirteen ever used it like a magic wand to blow up cybermen or anything. -_-
irrevenant3 Ah that’s where we disagree then - that’s how the sonic used to be used in my opinion... now it is literally used whenever there’s a part that needs to be easily fixed - while I get your point about not blowing up a cyberman, that wasn’t really what I meant - I feel it’s just an lazy excuse for anything that the episodes can’t be bothered to explain and has essentially become a magic wand: subsequently making its use infuriating to me rather than something nifty and as you say, a lubricant, for the series as it once was
I think it actually takes away some of the meat because in many cases it becomes an easy fix
@@mad_the_monk That's a common opinion, and not without justification. It *has* been overused, especially in the Moffat era (the "blowing up Cybermen" comment was a dig at "The Doctor Falls").
IMO, one of the things Chibnall has done right with this season is dial back the power of the sonic screwdriver and give it some constraints. For example, in the Tsuranga Conundrum, the Doctor was able to use it to override the ship's systems - but if she did, HQ would recognise the attack on the ship's systems and detonate it remotely. So it turned into a point of tension rather than a boon. In Kerblam! she used it to access the system, but having done so was unable to actually repair it without physically obtaining a copy of the original code. And so on.
I *am* docking points for the screwdriver's use in The Woman who fell to Earth to physically transfer DNA bombs, though. That's just silly, and counter to the Doctor's pacifist nature besides.
@@irrevenant3 Ah I just feel that while yes, the sonic has been dialed down, it's now been limited to the most mundane things that do not require it; things that other Doctor's have used their intelligence to solve whilst for her its just a constant easy quick miracle stick - It is seriously overused even if its actual power is toned down... It's the physical number of times its constantly used for such small things including lowering a bloody rope in Demons of the Punjab (I get its more ceremonial but I mean come on)
@@mad_the_monk Basically the way I see the sonic screwdriver is as plot lubricant - its main purpose is to get us quickly past uninteresting things so we can spend more time on the interesting ones. We don't really want to dedicate time every episode or two showing the Doctor manually hacking computer systems or going through the necessary steps to pick complex locks. There's no particular dramatic tension in "can the Doctor pick this lock" or "can the Doctor hack onto this system". So those moments are streamlined by use of sufficiently advanced technology. And in cases where there *are* narrative reasons for an obstacle to challenge the Doctor, that's achieved through sufficiently advanced technology too: most of the tension-popping "get out of trouble free" properties of the screwdriver went away with the introduction of the deadlock seal. (The TARDIS's ability to translate languages and the psychic paper serve similar purposes - leapfrogging over recurring problems that would become tedious).
.
The secondary purpose the sonic screwdriver serves is style. Its use highlights the Doctor as an alien in possession of technology so advanced it might as well be magic. And the way (s)he uses it tells us a lot about the character. The War Doctor viewed it as a simple utilitarian tool. Thirteen, and a number of the previous Doctors, are quite showy with it, using it to give a dramatic flourish to whatever they're doing. In most cases the screwdriver is almost(?) an extension of the character in itself, which is why its design changes whenever the Doctor does (I'm sure increased merchandising opportunities don't hurt either. :P).
.
Personally, I have zero objections to the Doctor using the screwdriver to lower a rope. There's no reason she wouldn't, it keeps the story moving, and it highlights the Doctor as casually capable of amazing things.
.
That's my thoughts. I think it's pretty hard to overuse the screwdriver unless it's destroying plot tension or something. In any other situation it's just a character flourish/quirk. But I'm open to new perspectives - what about the screwdriver getting frequent use do you see as a negative? In your original post you said "Don't use it as a plot saver" on which we agree, but it seems like you also have issues with it being used a lot in general?
This had better be worth it, I was in the middle of watching Utopia!
Good choice of episode.
YANA
Not every series 11 episode has been worse than Utopia....
@@chanceneck8072 Yeah, but utopia is GREAT!
@@jonathanskinner7647 well.... Difficult story for me. I like the overall story (especially after watching the finale) and the twist at the end. Professor Yana and that alien bug girl (Chan Do? What was her name?) were great, but what killed that episode for me were the villains. They just never came across any threatening to me and all of the actors, when they showed those cannibal creatures to the audience, just looked as if they were just about to laugh directly into the camera. Couldn't stand those.....
I was intending to write a retrospective on Series 11 on my website, but now I can just post a link to this video, because I concur completely.
Although I would add that I think a great series should mix up the formats. Have a mixture of one- and two-parters; a mixture of returning villains and new ones; a mixture of Doctor-centric episodes and companion-focused ones; even a mixture of deep, impactful stories and light-hearted fluff ones. This is where having 12 or 13 episodes would give them enough room to try pushing the boundaries (of the stories, that is) in every direction rather than staying safe in one place. I think Series 11 totally failed to embrace the fact that it's a science fiction show and all the possibilities that offers.
Thanks though, you've saved me a lot of typing! Keep up the awesome videos!
I hadn't actively noticed the series being an episode shorter for Capaldi's doctor, but BOY DID I NOTICE WITH THIS ONE!
I was on board with the gender change but not enthusiastic about it. I agree that the problems with the series were not related to the gender change but the politics did have a big influence. The politics gave it a form of protection from criticism in that many people (straight white males) who made the same observations that you have here were brushed off as being "afraid of a woman in the role".
A similar thing on Captain Marvel (a film I liked and thought was very gender neutral) where criticism was tagged as "not liking the fact a woman was in the role".
Clark Gregg's comments emphasize this. He and the host of the interview show how much they really do not understand the problem. They see the problem that people have with it is that there is a character who is "not like them". The problem being that it is not that the lead is a woman but that the only thing the people behind the film seem to care about is that she is a woman. That is what most of the pre-conversation was about.
Mr. Gregg did say something that I thought was very interesting in that interview: "someday we will look back and say 'It was a big deal she was woman?" Meaning that in future people will not care if the lead is a woman or a man. We could be doing that now if the people behind these films, including Mr. Gregg, would start doing so.
About the use of identity politics as a shield from criticism - you kind of have a point about it. But my issue with this take is that many people *did* go down the whole "political correctness has ruined the show" route, and these criticisms are baseless and, ironically, they push a political agenda (specifically an anti-woke one) more than the show itself does.
I feel less annoyed at the creators and more annoyed at the people who are hating on the show for all the wrong reasons, because their desperate screeching stops reasoned complaint from being heard and acted upon.
Spot on! Nice to hear a well thought out review that is not clouded by people’s opinions on gender, politics and SJWs. Some people just can’t put that to one side and get down to the nitty gritty of what went wrong. Essentially all the reasons you have said. Let’s just hope the writing improves dramatically next series so we can get passed all the “SJWs have ruined Doctor Who” crap. I loved this video, thank you!
It did not feel I was watching Doctor Who.
She has a weaker screen presence than the Doctor should have, but even that isn't enough to make her a bad actor or a bad Doctor. I get the feeling she's going to be like Peter Davison, Colin Baker, and Sylvester McCoy, who weren't bad actors or bad Doctors, but victims of bad writing. Big Finish gave them a chance to show off how much better their Doctors are than JNT wrote them as, and I hope she gets the same chance once she leaves the show.
Than JNT wrote them as?
I agree to a certain extend, although I do have a soft spot for Sylvester McCoy. But I don't think, Whittaker's writing was even all that bad. She just had the same bland facial expressions the whole series, plus, I never understood, who she actually was!! I'm sorry, I just happened to jump onto the bandwagon of people saying, that she's a bad actress, even though I LOVED her performance in Black Mirror....
I kind of agree but I don’t think it’s purely the scripts, I think she struggles in two areas, one is gravitas, the other is threat. In situations where she was required to do a face off with her enemy, where, say, Tennant would be spitting with growling bristling command, she came across like a scared bunny asking nicely. I feel she needs some kinda ‘police training’ or something like that, cuz just a change in stance and a more commanding tone would’ve resolved that, which is the sort of tricks they learn.
@@Lumibear. OMG, SO true! Thank you for pointing that out so brilliantly!...
Blandness was definitely a problem too. Maybe "weak presence" was a poor choice of words? As for pros, she definitely nailed the Doctor's eccentricity right away. Unfortunately that's just not good enough. She also continues the trend that I hoped Capaldi had broken when he punched the guy who insulted Bill, where people were mistaking the Doctor's preference for nonviolence for pacifism.
What it comes down to for me is that I can't see her being a foil to characters like the Master/Missy, the Rani, the Monk, River Song, and Davros. Paired up with any one of those characters, I can't see her standing out as her own character like Missy did when paired with the Monk in her first Big Finish series, and although I haven't heard the series where she and River Song meet, I can't imagine any scenario where they don't go well together.
My favorite was a tossup between The Witch Finder and Demons of Punjab. I did have to laugh at the image it put in my head of every incarnation lined up together to be burned at the stake as witches.
1. Series 4
2. Series 5
3. Series 3
4. Series 9
5. Series 1
6. Series 10
7. Series 6
8. Series 8
9. Series 11
10. Series 2
11. Series 7
Xtra Spice Mikey Honestly I thought Series 2 was pretty messy for the most part. Aside from some stand out episodes, the overall feel of the season just wasn’t my thing. Sort of the same thing with Series 11, but Series 11 felt more fresh.
Great job on this episode! I really like the extra clips that divides the episode, and it's so funny how you refer to yourself with clips :D
It's snappier than trying to give the context to something I said before. I had fun adding those in.
I know this is a bit of topic, but My Davidson moment was actually in the Big Finish stuff.
But in relation to the video, I personally would have liked Yaz to join later, like in episode 6 or 7 and she should have been an alien, or at least from another time period. Actually Demons of the Punjab would have been a good episode to come on. That way we'd have the Doctor, Ryan and Graham, gotten to know them, then gotten to know Yaz, and over the episodes seen how they act together. I still have hope for series 12 though, surprisingly pumped for seeing it after seeing this video. Just made me think of how much they can improve if they try, which I imagine they are.
I still remember having my "Ah ha" moment with Capaldi's doctor and really ended up liking the character,
I hope Jodi gets a moment to really shine through so I get the same reaction, I felt this was a really mixed series.
Though I did quite enjoy the new years special. And the one set in the cabin.
It took time but it was worth it. Great video. Off the cuff as well. No script. I think this is one of the best break downs of series 11 of Doctor Who (2005- ). If there was one video I'd like Chibs and the Doctor Who staff or the BBC to watch it would be this one. #HatsOff! #BestofDoctorWho
The main problems with series 11 include the weak dialogue Mandip was given. She would have been better accepted if better written and involved in the plot.
There were other writing flaws with each episode but I won't go into those. Too much focus on Sheffield was another problem I think.
We had the Arachnids in Sheffield, Dalek of Sheffield, Witchfinders near Sheffield, Nanu dreaming of going to Sheffield.
The over focus on the London area of previous series was replaced by an over focus on Sheffield (even though a lot of the "Sheffield" scenes were shot in South Wales).
The UK is small enough for the BBC to have episodes all over the UK and even multiple locations in one episode.Ryan's dyspraxia was only mentioned for convenience and often forgotten or not an issue during the other episodes. Would it have been un-PC for the Dr to take him to a future hospital and get him cured of it? Also some of Ryan's behaviour/dialogue was unrealistic or cliché. He is supposed to be 19 but was written by what middle aged people think 19 year olds are like. My main complaint is that I feel series 11 forgot who and what the Dr is.
She is a high born member of an ancient alien race, Lord President of Galifrey, grandly strode the halls of time, re-started the Universe, sung about and remembered by many planets.
What we got was a weak, needy, often unsure of themselves, out of puff, emotionally drained Doctor.
Writing is second part of "DIVERSION STRATEGY" which BBC and Chibnall loves. Most of them DON'T HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE. For example experience had author "Kerblam" episode
I don't really have a problem with the Sheffield focus. Like you say, previous seasons did a lot of hanging around London because that's where the companion was from. The new companions are based in Sheffield so the season is too.
.
Though of the entire season, only two and a bit episodes were set in Sheffield anyway ('The Woman who fell to Earth' and 'Arachnids in the UK' were set there. 'Demons of the Punjab' started there but the story pretty quickly whisked off to partition-era India).
Dyspraxia is something yo had Enron with and doesn’t need a cure, like most neurodivergency society needs to change the way we handle things. You can’t get rid of something that develops naturally in the womb, especially once the person is an adult
100% agree with you on this. The major visible changes weren't bad within the Chibnal era, what was bad was the quality of the writing and the stories. Jodie had so much potential and I could see that in so many flashes in her first episode. But the writing was just disappointing and gave her little to work with
one of the pluses of season 11 was the casting of Bradley walsh as Graham! He acted up a storm in the majority of the show.Poured real heart and feeling and emotion into a lot of the episodes.! His repour with the doctor was superb the best of all the three current companions! It would not be such a bad idea if we binned off yas and ryan and just kept graham!! brilliant character very retro!I also completely agree with you on this video too! It was a rough season, I do love Jodie,s Doctor I feel there is more to come from her we have not completely seen all of her character so far! We got a glimpe of her dark side in the new years day special.. so lots more to come from this doctor.. Season 11 was good in parts but could do a whole lot better it has potential.!
"The writers had no background in sci fi, that makes them bad at sci fi."
This argument is incredibly stupid. If we used this logic, no one could ever do any job ever. Before you work as waiter in a restaurant, you have no background as a waiter, and yet you can get a hire. Why can't sci if writing be the same?
Agreed. Many of the best Classic Who writers had little or no sci-fi experience, most of them having mainly written for comedy/variety shows, police dramas and soap-operas.
@@ftumschk exactly, you don’t need to be a Professional Sci-Fi writer to writer to write good Sci-Fi, look at Russell T Davies, before Doctor Who, he was doing dramas like Queer as Folk and The Second Coming.
What sci-fi had Richard Curtis and Simon Nye written before Vincent / Amy’s Choice? Or Moffat before Doctor Who?
@@robthorpe5388 the most notable Moffat-penned Sci FinI can of before The Empty Child was that Doctor Who parody whet his with Roman Atkinson.
If it were up to me, I would like to see Ms. Whittaker play #13 with a heaping helping of #5 (Peter Davison), with elements of the War Doctor (Sir John Hurt) and #'s 9, 10 and 11 (Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant And Matt Smith, respectively.).
#1 (William Hartnell) was grumpy.
#2 (Patrick Troughton) was mischievous.
#3. (Jon Pertwee) was action-packed.
#4 (Tom Baker) was wacky.
#5 was fraternal.
#6 (Colin Baker) was brash.
#7 (Sylvester McCoy) was sneaky.
#8 (Paul McGann) was romantic.
The War Doctor and #9 were both world(s) weary due to the Time War.
#10 was still recovering from the Time War and had elements of #'s 2, 3, 6 and 8.
#11 was youthful.
#12 (Peter Capaldi) had elements of #1, 3, 4 and 7.
It was utterly bland and unsophisticated in every respect, in every respect, that's why it failed. Everything in the show was literal. It was like watching a Dr Who spin-off made for pre-school children.
I can't help be reminded of the old Borsht Belt joke: "The food was terrible, terrible. And such small portions!" ;)
(I know, I know. I got it. But it's still pretty apt on the surface!)
My favourite thing about watching your videos is I always find you articulate things in exactly the right way when I’ve been struggling to!! I always have a “yes that’s exactly what I mean!!” moment so thank you for clarifying my thoughts better than I can 😂
Agree entirely, decent acting & good directing let down by uninspired even sometimes dare I say simply thoughtless writing (though some writing was quite good) and I’d add a lack of oversight/overall planning as well. (For ex I loved Kerblam except for the weird death and v confusing moral message. What in the world was that about?) It was miserable being embarrassed almost every week, as I’m the biggest fan in my family and made them watch with me :P Thanks for making a great space for constructive criticism, and some really well thought out/smart/decent (as in kindly-put) comments below. It was so frustrating during the series to wade through the haters looking for like-minded fans (all the love, but with issues!) This is not the only real critique out there, but it’s close. It’s a massive relief that it’s not just me, thx!
I rewatched this series this week, I liked it a lot more than my first viewings. Demons of the Punjab and Kerblam! are great in my opinion.
The trend towards shorter seasons does not benefit the media consumer.
"The stories are in service to nothing other than themselves." - Best succinct, summation of series 11 as a whole.
I think they were doing it with four characters because they pulled it off in An Unearthly Child, with that episode we had a complete understanding of each character after only 25 minutes, but, in that episode, it was just worked around better, as they all have an established relationship with one another, and we came out understanding them in the way they understood each other, because of the pre-established relationships.
What really should've happened, is Yaz should've left after Arachnids in the UK. She's just really superfluous.
The current TARDIS crew all had pre-existing relationships too. Honestly it *could* work fine. The problem isn't the number of characters, it's that they're all cardboard cutouts who mostly exist to spit exposition and state the obvious. -_-
Man the way you lay out your arguments and opinions is amazing and spot on! Some really nice work here
18:25 It's the ghost of Council of Geeks past....
24:06 And he's still mad about Hell Bent.
It appears that we're now just pretending Hell Bent didn't happen. I am absolutely okay with that!
@@Ben-vf5gk Say what you will about Hell Bent but the acting is still far superior to ANYTHING in Series 11
Going through all the past companions, I realise that although the audience had to get to know three companions simultaneously once before, this is actually the first time that the docs say him/herself has been getting to know three at once, because the last time that happened was in An Unearthly Child and Susan was already travelling with him at that point.
You basically paraphrased a warning I gave before season 11 aired. I can’t remember how I phrased it exactly but it went to the effect of, “if there is going to be a problem with this season, if it is going to fail, it will be because of bad writing”. And while it gives me no satisfaction to admit it, that was basically the biggest flaw. Chibnal really doesn’t give jodie’s doctor her own voice, the companions are generally just bystanders, the plot of most episodes, including the ones you liked, were basically meh, or oh hum. Now I actually enjoyed the season overall, but the elements I didn’t like were all script related.
I’ll put my hand up, I was not on board for a female dr, despite growing to love missy as a character. But I gave her a chance and I think she did a pretty good job. But it was generally in spite of the story, not because of it. And oh boy, did this season really lack a returning villain, or any element to ground it in previous continuity or lore. (Now thanks to season 12 we know why…).
In the end, it played it too safe in some elements, yet squandered the couple of inherently risky decisions by not giving us enough episodes to play with those new toys.
However, that said of all the new Tardis mob, i actually find ryan the more disposable rather than yaz, because despite her often just being an onlooker passively observing the story, he ends up being a parrot, restating the obvious or asking redundant questions, to the point that it just irked me. And his terrible yorkshire accent, which is totally fake, pissed me off since I used to actually live in Sheffield! Graham I really liked, and part of me wishes they had played it safe and just cast Bradley as the dr, but I get why they didn’t. But even he felt redundant in many episodes. Like you pointed out, four was too many when they are all strangers to each other and the audience.
Classic who had several periods with two or three companions, but they also had seasons with over 20 episodes. Far more time to get to know everyone.
Fingers crossed reducing the cast down to just two companions from season 13 might fix some of this, but after timeless children…. I’m not sure I care to find out.
Couldn't agree more and you helped me crystallise my own thoughts yet again. The script is everything and these scripts were mostly nothing, and especially Chibnall's. Stretching the episodes to an hour didn't help either as it took the pressure off and the need to keep the narrative tight. Not nearly enough running and far too much relationship angst - which if I wanted that I'd watch a soap. Look back at how much happened in a Moffat or Davies episode and how you had to watch them two or three times (especially Moffat's) because (a) you wanted to make sure you hadn't missed anything (you did) and (b) because, with very few exceptions, you enjoyed it so much that you couldn't wait for next week to enjoy more of it. I haven't re-watched any Series 11 episodes because they gave me nothing the first time, and never waited with bated breath for the next one. Wound up watching all of them on Iview a varying number of days after broadcast when I didn't have anything better to do. Even the good ones lacked that something you pointed out to add something to characterisation or the overall big picture story. Big picture? There wasn't one. That's the problem. Near enough is not good enough and the scripts were not worthy of the quality of the actors and directors that had to work with them and the overall series lacks an arc and a vision. We've come to expect a lot better than this from NuWho.
I just love you. Another well argued, well thought out discussion. I just couldn't put into words why this series failed to excite me, you just did that for me. Great efforts were put into the production aspects of the show, the cinematography especially, has never looked better. But the writing is the keel, and without it the ship sinks. Maybe it was lack of genre experience, and the producers have learned from their mistakes. By the way, if the BBC have a problem with you, they must be about to sue half of RUclips, because yours is one of the few moderate voices here. Most Whotubers are extremophiles and spew nothing but hate, towards the show and those who disagree with them. Great video!
I completely agree with everything you said
I really still haven't got my head round "It Takes You Away" and don't know how I feel about it. It did some really nice character stuff and explored grief in an interesting way, but my mind still melts slightly when remembering the weird CGI frog that speaks with Grace's voice on a chair and that the Doctor just randomly remembers who the Solitract is from a story she was told ages ago but has never mentioned before. Like my rating for the episode would actually be ?/10. All these months later I still can't decide how I feel about it.
Still think, series 7 was amazing! Just rewatched it with JustsoShayla and Blind Wave and even episodes like The Bells of Saint John, which I felt like "meh" about before, I now actually LOVE. It's so amazing, the production value is outstanding and that moment at the end with Miss Kizlet was so dark, New Who just rarely goes that dark.
And I'm sure, I don't have to explain how amazing Night, Day and Time of the Doctor have been or do I? With series 2, pretty much every episode was like "meh" to me. Except for the Satan two parter maybe and some parts of the finale.....
The series was called "3 Earthlings and a Space Lady". We have to love and relate to the Doctor first and foremost. We never had a chance to do that. Dump the companions and set the Doctor free upon the universe
Good video, especially since whilst i don't agree with 100% of the points being made unlike the couple of other YT videos on S11 i could sit through i can at least completely understand and get my head around the problems being laid out. So that's very much a plus point. I overall really enjoyed the season, but i can completely agree that i hope there's a change in the writing approach for S12. Especially since this is one of the rare occasions we're going into a second season with no changes to the main cast - things having to be amped up and ramped up next time.
100% agreed! I can live with this season/series if the next gave us something interesting: a fully realized 13th doctor that has depth and something unique personality wise, or really thought provoking stories that convey complex ideas and feelings in smart allegories. Give me SOMETHING to excite me. And also I totally hate having to wait so long to see if the writing will improve the next series. It's AGONIZING!!
Chibnall needs to take a look at this video and use it to make Series 12 better.
I totally agree with you. I tend to focus on the lack of two part story as the cause of loosing opportunity to develop the personallity of the Dr and allowing the viewer to "buy into" the story.
I personally recognise the complaints being made by people. Too many companions, bad writing and Jodie not ‘being’ the doctor. But personally I loved this series, I loved the relationships between the companions and the doctor. I though the writing in the majority of episodes was good, all but the ghost monument, the tsungra(or however it’s spelled) conundrum and the spiders episode(I can’t remember the name) and I can put up with these because of some great episodes such as the woman who fell to earth, kerblam!, the demons of panjub and it takes you away. I believed Jodie has made her place as the doctor ever since her first episode, I like how exentric and awkward she can be(though I don’t know if that’s the point for her to come across that way).
Overall I do see people’s complaints and I don’t want to seem like I think their invalid, not at all. But personally I really liked series 11 and Jodie’s doctor. Of course series 11 is no series 4, maybe not even series 5 but at least it’s not series 6.
In Poland noone do DW opinions, but i saw one vid, where people liked season too. For me biggest problem was that episodes dosen't feel like "Doctor episodes". I don't know why. I just have this feeling. Maybe i dissliked her accent. I'm glad that soembody liked it
I have to say, I do agree with the points laid out and it's always great to hear criticism in a way that well-rounded, well-reasoned and not in the least bit sprinkled with rhetoric. To reiterate what I said on a previous video, I didn't think series 11 was that bad (I rather watch this one than series 6), but it could've been so much better. I never found the series' problem to be that it was SJW to the max, with the exception of Arachnids, where it's so on the nose, but it's the writing, and it's quite telling when the weakest episodes happen to be ones written by the showrunner (aside from Woman). The problems with this series were, of course, all set up and carried on throughout by Chibbers -
1) A Doctor who hasn't fully shined yet, but we're close (I want to see the darkness in her).
2) A companion (Yaz) that has been sorely under-utilised.
3) No major story arc, and even when it sounded like we were getting one, it went nowhere.
4) There are no interesting villains, except maybe Tim Shaw, but I have to refer back to the previous point about story arcs.
5) Too much exposition, and I think Tsuranga is especially guilty of this one. I was bored watching this, cos there was so much talking (a major problem that I had with Fantastic Beasts 2, as well).
6) No consequences (again, referring back to story arcs). For example, if one of the planets taken by the Stenza in Ranskoor av Kolos was Skaro, that would've set up Resolution brilliantly.
Overall, I enjoyed this series, but it needed more oomph. Time will just have to tell if Chibnall has taken these criticisms on board for series 12.
This video was great. You made all your points very well. It sounded really structured and thought out!
Doctor Who was at it's height during the Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker era. Lots of jeopardy, cliffhangers, one companion, great story telling and writing. If the Big Finish production team who produce audio adventures can replicate the success of the original series then why can't Chris Chibnall? The show is in jeopardy with him at the helm.
There’s a big difference with an audio drama and a fully acted, edited and produced series of television
Those 12 years were the Doctor Who of my Childhood.
Interesting and very valid points, I don't agree completely with everything but you do have a solid reasoning and most of my disagreements are a matter of personal taste and preference. Just one thing: you mentioned a few times that you like "It takes you away", and I just don't get the episode. I would like to like it, but to me it just doesn't make sense...? Could you please speak about why you like it, maybe I would understand it better then. To me it mostly sounded like once again bringing up that Graham missed Grace, and yes, of course, mourning is not lineal, but... well, bad writing was a thing through the series, maybe I am focusing too much on that. Still. I don't know. Someone who liked the episode, please explain. I still don't get it.
I think you've done a pretty good job of summing up my thoughts on this season. I'm curious to see what they end up doing with some of the Doctor's recurring enemies after seeing the new style of Dalek in the New Year's special.
Series 11 is definitely uneven, but I see it as testing the waters. With everything being new from the ground up, it's hard to juggle everything (new Doctor, her being a woman, three companions, diverse writing staff, wanting to make a mark but also not drop the ball) and still view the details objectively. They didn't bite off more than they could chew, because what they managed was at times truly great, but they were probably overwhelmed a few times. Creating is all about compromise, and no doubt there was a lot of compromise and shrugging of shoulders and calls of "let's just go with that for now and see how we go." I forgive them their flaws for that reason. However, I do agree with most of your complaints. Most of the broad things you consider problems are definitely things that _need_ to be adjusted for next time. But they have time, they have feedback to work from now, and they are now comfortable with their cast and the new regime. I think they'll find their feet soon.
I think that the doctor hasn't even lied once in series 11...
And I think that it is one of the thing that gives some deepness to the character of the doctor, lying to protect the companions
I mean, unless it's the Woolly Rebellion... that has to be a wind-up right? ;)
She could use more depth, for sure. Good point about lying. She seems to be the epitome of what 12 had in mind, but then taking it almost too far. I love that she cares about people for a change, but we could take bit more real complexity and mystery as well.
There was a very blatant one in "The Ghost Monument" where they were she was bickering with Epzo about how they were going to die followed by an immediate cheery "Forgot you were there, Yaz, everything's going to be fine"...
I can tell you exactly what I'd add and it's something that would give it purpose and ambition and that is ancient past of the Doctor. Specifically family life, life on Gallifrey long long ago. The Doctor always moves forward yes, but when we see him look back he remembers and it impacts him, like how almost all the companions at some point asked him if he had a family.
My idea. Bring back the Doctors Family, at least one of them like a daughter or a son. And this character not be exactly the same as the Doctor. And not shallow as Jenny was just created out of the blue. I mean ancient history ancient struggles, show of ancient culture and how it could affect Timelords that grew up with that dynamic but maybe got separated from earth, fob watched, struggled with mixing with normal human culture with their telepathy and connection to time etc. you could do so much with that.
To make it relevant maybe put in a ancient enemy from Gallifrey that's never introduced ever before. Maybe this enemy is after his children because of something ancient or information.
For a female doctor it would work amazing. In emotional and inspirational dynamics. This daughter could be thinking about her mother, the Doctors long since dead wife on Gallifrey, the Doctor wants to be a good parent and it could bring a side of protecting his kin. And shed a bit of mystery on his past which even from the old series we don't see much of his family life other than with his niece.
8:54 Gosh, BRILLIANTLY EXPLAINED!!! Like I clapped out loud, when I heard your point about this!
I don't think it would work. We had the same problems with a crowded TARDIS during Peter Davison's run. More characters means less screentime for each of them.
I’m honestly surprised at the amount of negative reaction to series 11. I just finished watching it starting five days ago and maybe watching 2 episodes a night played out better than watching one per week. I really liked Chipnall’s episodes. Woman Who Fell, Ghost Monument, Battle of *** Kollos, and yes even The Churanga Conundrum were great. I agree there were too many companions and none of them connected enough with the Doctor, even though Graeham was close. But that didn’t ruin the experience. I loved Graeham and Ryan’s relationship. I thought the stories were mostly good and kept my interest. But the characterization were the highlight of the season. The moments between characters: Ryan telling Yaz about his mother’s death, Ryan considering being a father with the birth on Conundrum, the Doctor convincing Graeham to be the better man, the Doctor getting through to King James. Unfortunately the Doctor wasn’t the focus on enough of these moments but they were great moments non the less. I fell in love with the Doctor when she told management of Kerblam she would hold them accountable if any more employees went missing. That was a powerful moment. And the show did a great job of letting me feel that she wasn’t quite up to the task only to have her triumph by the end of each conflict. I thought that was a great turn for the show as with all other Doctors it mostly felt inevitable that they would prevail. I didn’t get that feeling this series. And I loved it. I think it comes from how the characters around her would underestimate her (not the companions)due to the fact that she was a woman. They don’t see the strength that she truly has. This element of the series was executed very well. So I know the series wasn’t perfect, Arachnids (yuck), but it was good. I think it is one of the most rewatchable series. It has a comfort similar to Star Trek TNG. You just feel good spending time with these people. And we don’t get that enough in TV these days. It all has to be so shocking and subverting our expectations, we can lose out on good people doing good things. So I look forward to the next series with a hopefulness I don’t think is shared by enough of the Doctors audience. I just hope this pessimism is come by honestly and not skewed by all the politically charged backlash.
I appreciate your in-depth, non-shouty commentary on series 11. Thank you.
Chibnall’s choices weren’t inherently bad - I didn’t think any were particularly good or inspired but on a base level none were terrible - but the execution has been frankly abysmal. More companions, less episodes, no returning monsters, a more outwardly kinder Doctor - none are aspects I would choose but good writers could pull them off. Series 11 did not.
Much of the blame is firmly on Chibnall’s shoulders. He chose the majority of these changes then failed to properly execute them. I said before airing, 13 and Series 11 whether a success or failure rests much more on Chibnall than Whittaker and I stand by that. Both his show running and writing was very poor and I consider “The Tsuranga Conundrum” one of - if not the - worst episodes ever.
However I was also unimpressed by Whittaker. Yes Chibnall deserves the lions share of the blame and gave Whittaker limited material to work with but she did very little with what she was given. I also found Cole’s performance lacking - better than he was in Hollyoaks but significantly far away from what I’d describe as good.
I don’t know if I will bother with Series 12. I’d disliked series in the past but never on a fundamental level has everything across the board being so poor. Bradley Walsh’s charisma can only get you so far and without seeing significant changes, I’m not going to put myself through another series at this low quality.
Oh and the way the sonic screwdriver is pointing in that ridiculously large sweeping motion is annoying.
Agree fully here. Chibnall is of course the biggest factor. In many ways he's the opposite of Moffat. Moffat reached for the stars every time, but fell short a lot of the time. But for every blunder, there was brilliance. Even when it failed, you could see what they were going for. Chibnall on the other hand doesn't take risks, nor does he do anything that would be considered even slightly controversial. Which is weird, considering he started out with the controversial move of making The Doctor female. It genuinely seemed like he felt that making enough hubbub outside of the show would mean that he could get away with not trying with the writing itself. It worked in terms of marketing and initial viewing numbers, but has had by far the biggest backlash of any new who season among established fans.
Jodie Whittaker is also unimpressive, as you say. Bad writing is an excuse people use to give her a free pass, but I felt that previous Doctors (especially Capaldi and Smith) could always rise above a bad script. Jodie never did.
I personally will watch season 12 out of loyalty and because I don't want gaps, but it's literally only because I believe it will get better once Chibnall and Whittaker have moved on, as they are rumoured to after season 12. A light at the end of the tunnel.
Largely agree, though I'll be giving Season 12 a chance in hopes they've addressed a lot of these problems.
.
I'm probably an outlier on the sonic screwdriver. I like the way she uses it. It's one of the few things so far that give her a unique character and make her stand out from previous Doctors.
I agree with all your points.There were too companians (friends).The stories were not lasting. I want these changes to happen. Also, for me, the music had no impact.
I would go one step further and say the music was actively annoying. The trend in many shows of having “Kumbaya” music, done too loudly and ever so (excessively) soulfully is one that I hope ends soon.
I love your Doctor Who videos. Really some of the best in depth analysis of Doctor Who.
Good talk. I agree with you about the fewer episodes. I don't quite agree with the number of companions. It doesn't need to be a two (wo)man show In old show, both the first Doctor and the fifth Doctor had three companions. I think the showrunners needed to see the chemistry between all the companions and the doctor; and see which ones worked and which did not. But you are correct that more episodes would have helped this.
"For as bold as the surface level changes to the show were, the actual episodes are incredibly safe"
Big YOU BETCHA here.
I agree that the problems were never with the problems were never with the cast, or any cast member.
Yaz wants to test/push herself, which is why she's so frustrated with her assignments at work. Her experience with the Doctor was the first time she really received that and, knowing work isn't going to change anytime soon, she wants more of it and so she travels with the Doctor. Sadly, after that she is rather put in a corner to twiddle her thumbs a bit and we definitely know Ryan and Gram better than we do the Dotor which is not good considering the companions will leave the show first, if current patterns hold.
There was a framework for Yaz to be relevant but the show never really did anything with it.
As a blanket assessment of series 11, the consensus of myself, and my immediate group of friends was that Mr Chibnall somehow got ahold of the gravity control for the series, and maxed it out, making what was once a fun, lighthearted romp through the universe feel heavy, and sluggish.
Even 'Kerblam!', which had the potential to be the most 'fun' episode of series 11, was still weighed down by an air of unnecessary seriousness.
Let's hope that series 12 can lighten up, at least a little bit.
On a more positive, if more personal note, unlike previous incarnations of the Doctor (which would take a couple of episodes to gain acceptance), I found myself 'on board' with Ms Whittaker's portrayal of the character from the start, and I hope she remains in the part for several series to come.
A bit of bonus trivia; The idea of having the Doctor regenerate as a female was first considered toward the end of the Tom Baker era. Sadly it was met with the same sort of "But the show's not called 'Nurse Who', har har har" sort of resistance then, as well. I guess some things never change...
your "treading water" portion was on point. i was thinking it'd be cool if chibnall uses series 11 stuff as the over arching story for series 12
I agree with you that Chris Chibnall wrote the weakest scripts for series 11. So it was a pity that he wrote so many of the scripts, and that many of them were in the first half of the season! In terms of sound and picture quality season eleven felt more cinematic (which was an improvement too). I did not like the new interpretation of the Doctor, but to put that into context I have not liked all of the various versions of the Doctor prior to Jodie Whittaker's version. From classic who, Sylvester McCoy is my least liked Doctor, closely followed by Colin Baker's Doctor. So my problem is not with the gender of the Doctor, but it is with the performance of the actor and the quality of the stories... (the lack of onscreen hectic menace did not help either).
Chibs is a disaster.
Rosa was ambitious. Really tough episode, but a lot of beauty. The first episode was great, a great introduction. Simple stories doesn't mean bad or mediocre. Most of the episodes are 50 minutes long, so the viewer watched a lot of doctor who. I don't believe it was bad writing. The season need this after the complicated stuff of the moffat years. ( I like a lot of the other doctors series as well). I don't think it is tame. I like the way the reactions of the doctor and companions to the situations.
I think the idea of tackling Rosa was ambitious, but I still feel the way they went for that idea was very safe. But again, as I alluded, I have pretty complicated feelings about that episode in general.
As far as why the companions wanting to travel with the doctor I see it as them escaping from reality. For the doctor to take them along is what I don't understand.
Good analysis. I can agree with much of it. The lack of series arc felt like a deliberate choice, but I think that requires (as you note) better stand-alone episodes. You do a really good job making that point with past examples. I think it is fair to say there needed to be some more ambition in the show-runner and even writers' room. I am not sure I can land on the "lack of genre experience" critique of the writers, though. S/F is a broad genre with many varieties, and fan allegiance to particular varieties as THE standard for S/F is both common and regrettable. Some of the oft criticized points of series 11 (e.g. no compelling badies/new monsters/old fiends, etc.) felt like deliberate choices of the series. Often the "monsters" of series 11 tend to be people rather than people in prosthesis. Many of the stories reminded me in tone (though less so in message) of the feminist S/F of the 70s and 80s (stories more like those by Johanna Russ, Ursula K. LeGuin, Marge Piercy, Octavia Butler, etc.). The final episode pulled on themes and even images that reminded me of N.K. Jemisin's recent Hugo winning "Stone Sky" trilogy. These felt suggestive more than deliberate, though; I would welcome a going deeper with these trends in S/F, keeping in mind that doing so would probably only further aggravate the "too PC/SJW" critics.
It is interesting to me that you never bonded with Davison. Whitaker's Doctor reminds me most of Davison, more than a poor amalgam of Tennant and Smith. She is youthful, energetic, and (charmingly!) a bit of a doofus. She is the Girl Guide to Davison's Boy Scout, Nancy Drew to his Hardy Boys (combined). I am a bit surprised she doesn't try to wear celery in her hair! Smith was able to have youthful energy but also convey that it was a charade covering a very old, very wise Time Lord of much experience. Davison always seemed like, well, Tristan Farnon ("All Creatures Great and Small") with a TARDIS. It took a long time in Series 11 for me to see through the youth of Whitaker's Doctor to the alien and old wisdom of the renegade Time Lord. Too long, perhaps.
I do think there is new "stuff" to this Doctor that is worth noting. These also feel like deliberate developments in the character across regenerations. So, for example, she is more emotionally intelligent and interpersonally aware than previous incarnations (although still prone to the Doctor's blathering awkwardness -- but also AWARE of it). She is also more of a collaborative team leader than previous Doctors. These companions are agential contributors to whatever the plan is to a greater degree, and they are less obviously there just to prevent the Doctor from going too dark if left alone. Now yes, maybe those points needed to be finessed and represented better, perhaps more boldly. Sure.
Are there too many companions? Maybe. Classic Who began with three companions. But classic Who was also serialized stories and the old man Doctor was less..."active" in the action of the stories. I feel like the new show-runners were willing to experiment with these familiar (well...) dynamics, but not really willing to explore how they would work in the current series' basic structure. There are hints and suggestions that they get that the basic strategy of this multiple companion game is creating interesting and shifting pairings in parallel and intersecting narratives. But it is a big shift that audiences are going to need help following; an even harder demand when it feels like the writers are also in the process of figuring all this out. But let's be clear: we needed some fresh air breathed into the Doctor/companion dynamic. I loved Bill: I hated that she repeatedly had to remind the Doctor that she wasn't in to him. With female Doctor, I was really afraid they were going to just reverse the genders on an unrequited love/attraction narrative again. So maybe I am more tolerant with the current companion/gang/fam situation because at least it isn't THAT.
Good channel and great analysis. I found this video being shared by people who acknowledge some disappointments with Series 11 but are tired of the most strident and banal critiques in what feels like a cross-franchise, coordinated attack on politics and feminism. I really appreciate the time you take to mark significant concerns AND distinguish them from the more facile and petulant dismissals. And I really like that you (unlike most of the most vocal and strident comment critics) are able and willing to mark the evidence and backing for your evaluative claims. It marks the difference between an opinion and an informed opinion. Thank you for that!
Havent watched your channel for a few months, your camera quality looks a ton better!
I personally really liked Series 11 and a majority of the episodes. That being said I agree with a lot of these points are there are certainly things to be built on and improved. But I do think that although Tardis being crowded is a problem, it's worked a lot better than I originally thought it would and hasn't affected the show nearly as much as its often made out to. Personally I think we have some of the best companions in the show's history
I honestly don't think the number of characters in the TARDIS is the problem. I think it's the quality of the writing. Other SF shows manage to familiarise us with similar sized or larger casts in the same time. 10 episodes into Stargate SG-1 we had a good feel for the characters of Jack, Daniel, Sam and Teal'c. 10 episodes into Firefly we had a good feel for the characters of Mal, Wash, Zoe, Simon, River and Jayne (Shepherd Book remains an enigma :)). Ditto the first 10 episodes of Voyager with Janeway, Tuvok, Paris, Neelix, Torres, etc.
.
The three companions we have now have loads of potential that just isn't being put up on screen. (Graham is still awesome though. :))
@@irrevenant3 I don't see it as a huge problem as I still really enjoy their interactions and it's one of my favourite Tardis teams. But they could do with more character based stories like Demons of the Punjab. I think the writings been fairly strong but Chibnalls episodes have been very weak and I think he should write more to his strengths.
Interesting that three of the series you name are first series for the given Doctor. Maybe we need to give Chibnell a series to bed in.
It fails for many reasons, NOT because she’s a woman but because she’s “wooden” among many other things.
The writing was bad across the board. I'm not even going to get into the specifics of that because of how much of it was screwed up.
3 Companions + New Doctor made it all a big cluster.
The fact that they weren't linking episodes meant each episode had to stand by itself.
Less episodes meant less room to work with in regard to characterization.
And the list goes on and on and on.
Extremely fair, balanced and insightful.....as ever! Thanks..
I mean I loved Capaldi from day one, so I'm not really understanding the not immediately likeable doctor.
Capaldi was "dark" from the very beggining, Jode was... I still can't figure out what her Doctor shall represent
Series 11 was intended to be a jumping on point for new viewers, and as such succeeded admirably. Essentially, it was a brand new show called Doctor Who; the lack of back references, coupled with Chibnall's stated intent, bear witness to that. As for the companions, Yaz is the archetype, while Ryan and Graham were the arc. Frankly, if people were paying more attention to the information given, they would neither be surprised nor disappointed by what they got. I got exactly what I was expecting, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Let the writers tell the stories they want to tell, not the stories you want them to tell.
The stories they want to tell are not the stories I want to watch.
Well, that's not their fault. Besides, you don't have to watch it. TVs can be both switched over and turned off. If you're not enjoying it after 10 minutes, watch something else. Otherwise you're just indulging your own misery, which is a weird thing to do, I'm sure you'll agree.
@@andrewbowman4611: The stories they want to tell are feeble stories, which is why I don't want to watch them; and I think that is the fault of the writers. However, I agree with you that I don't have to watch them, which is why I've stopped doing so (after watching Doctor Who on and off since 1964). However, I was interested to hear the above analysis of what's wrong, which I agree with pretty well.
If I get some indication next year that there's a really significant improvement, I might try watching again. Otherwise, I'll wait for the next showrunner. Naturally, I won't bother commenting on Series 12 if I don't end up watching any of it.
Jonathan Palfrey One man's feeble is another man's fresh, obviously.
@@andrewbowman4611: So be it. The appeal of any story is entirely subjective. If you get what you want out of these stories, then they succeed for you, and for others (you're evidently not alone), and you have no reason to wish for changes in future. If a sufficiently large audience agrees with you, then Chibnall will probably go on running the show until he wants to stop, at which point I may take an interest in it again. Well, from 1989 to 2005 there was no new Doctor Who at all (apart from the film).
I think I'd be okay with having companions just switch off per episode. So some could be with just the 13th Doctor and Yaz, some with the doctor, Graham and Ryan, some with the Doctor, Yaz and Ryan, etc.
I strongly disagree with "not enough time to introduce characters". They had the time, they just didn't use it at all. Most episodes simply weren't written in a way where any character did anything or got character development. So we got maaaaaaany moments where you just watch characters stand there doing nothing, hoping something happens, and nothing ever did.
You've had bunch of shows introduce dozens of characters in less time.
*Thank you!* I have no idea why so many people keep saying that four is too many people in the TARDIS. Lots of SF - even SF with a constantly changing setting like Doctor Who - has managed to juggle as many or more characters and flesh them out. There aren't too many people in the TARDIS, the writing is just shallow.
Good points, all well made. I liked the characters and a few of the episodes, but yeah overall it didn't work, which is a pity since I could see some of the potential of the characters. I liked the Doctor, I saw the traits that were in a different balance in her. In The Psirens of Time the Doctor talks about having the same traits in each incarnation, just in a different balance and this incarnation I feel shows that. This Doctor, for all the faults of the writing at least gave us enthusiasm, which has been sadly lacking in recent series. I have always felt that on some level the Doctor may be doing these things out of necessity, but ultimately the traveling and finding trouble is because the Doctor enjoys exploring the universe, so I'm glad that there was a sense of fun again.
Actually, I love the 3 companions idea. It´s one of the things I really like from Peter Davison´s years (yes, I find him quite weak as The Doctor too, although I have to watch more of him). There are many shows with a group of characters. Is it more complicated for a writer to do that? Yes. But it´s not impossible if you are a great writer. And Doctor Who needs GREAT writers, not mediocre ones.
I think yaz should definitely been added later. She could have been on earth still investigating all these weird alien occurrences only showing up briefly in the earth centered episodes until she finally joins later on since she figures she can do more good with the doctor (can tell the police force doesn't really respect her too much). Would have been a more natural introduction to so many companions and doesn't give us as many characters to have to get to know all at once.
Not having an arc I also feel is a detriment. As you said, it puts so much pressure on the episodes to be so much better
On the three companions, it still feels to me that there was partly a 'diversity' requirement that lead to the casting of one character from each of the UK's main ethnic groups (White, Black and Asian) in order to ensure the 'audience' felt fully included, So, there had to be three to make that work. I will have to check out the last time three or more companions traveled with the Doctor to compare motivations (I'm guessing that would be Adric, Tegan, Nyssa and Thurlow, of whom Tegan's was the most random, ie, thinking the Master's TARDIS was a phone box led to her long travels, although she was always wanting to get back to the airport it seemed but most were definitely motivated.)
I agree with you about It Takes You Away, I thought it was the only episode that felt like a Dr Who story. Thank goodness that you can buy individual episodes of the series on amazon as this is the first series of new Who where I will not be buying the box set.
Agree 100% on all points. Would only add that too often the show neutered the threat posed by the villain-the spider's dying, the gremlin's cute, the assassin's arent' assassin's anymore, the villain can't kill anyone directly because (contrived excuse), etc. Not that previous series didn't do it, too, cuz they absolutely did with the Doctor grandstanding in front of his greatest threats.
Chris Chibnall’s Five Year Plan starting to sound a bit like Dave Lister’s Five Year Plan... buying a farm on Fiji, getting a sheep and a cow... and breeding horses.