The REAL Problem With Chibnall Era Politics | Why Doctor Who Should Be "More Woke" | Video Essay

[@adzinco6916]

would say the chibnall era handles politics like a kids show with it being very surface level and not going too deep into things but there actually are some kid shows that do handle things the chibnall era try to tackle way better

[@formercrow5242]

Definitely agree Chibnall's run has been far more milk toast, even overtly political episodes (e.g Rosa or the witchfinder) are extremely superficial in their examination of the issues.

[@TheAtual]

This is the best criticism I've seen of the Chibnall Era, thank you. As you say and this is why for me the Hartnell Doctor was the best Dr Who. I'll admit, I was a 1960s Whoverian, and what made it the best for me, is how it educated as well as entertained. Broadened the mind with issues of prejudice, inequality, inhumanity, use of technology from Daleks, Cybermen etc. It's why I'd really like to see David Bradley as the First Doctor in a series which brings back that element that's been lost. I don't know what difference watching Dr Who in the 1960s made, but it must be a factor in who I am and why I care about inequality, the future of humanity as well as why I'm interested in astronomy and cosmology even now in my late 60s. Thank You!

[@martinwood744]

POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@wheatley9601]

I came to the show at about 3 years old in 2005, finally got around to the early classics recently and was very surprised with how sophisticated the script was for such a niche show that had only just started, but it really does put the dumbing-down of the audience into perspective. Hartnell's era rarely feels like a kids' show, even though Doctor Who was intended more for kids then than it is now

[@TheAtual]

@@wheatley9601, agreed, I like sci-fi that has human drama as well as aliens, spaceships and a bit more depth than the recent Dr Who stories. As well as the Doctor and companions, Blake's 7 remains one of my favourite sci-fi programmers’. I'm interested in social, political, economic and environmental issues, so I like it when the Doctor goes back in history such as ‘An Unearthly Child’, ‘The Reign of Terror’ and what was at the time a contemporary setting with ‘The War Machine’ or in the future such as ‘The Savages’ because these stories confront the moral issues faced by humanity, such as how we organize society and use technology.. Stories with aliens and spaceships like ‘The Daleks' Master Plan’ or ‘The Tenth Planet’ with Cybermen tick the boxes for me as well, as they also explore these issues. Even at the tender age of 9, I think I was already becoming aware of adult issues. I’m fascinated by astronomy and cosmology, and suspect that watching Dr Who as a child influenced me in my interest in astrophysics as well as social, economic and political issues.

[@jaschul]

12th Doctor: "Like every worker everywhere, we're fighting the suits." 13th Doctor: "I love [Amazon] Kerblam!" God, what a degeneration. Back in the "nonpolitical" (ha!) Classic series, we had stories like "The Green Death" where the enemy was the Biomorphic Organisational Systems Supervisor. Yes, *B.O.S.S.* It wasn't subtle!! People have selective memories.

[@ms.antithesis]

i agree that the show should characterise the doctor as right on, and against brutal or inhumane systems in any context, as that's been a part of their characterisation for a while. and use societal issues as concepts for episodes.. however my personal problem with chibnel era politics, and this is an issue in a lot of mainstream media writing right now. is it feels like the writer has a very VERY surface level understanding of the issues at hand, so is either shoving it into otherwise unremarkable stories for the appeal of "hey, look how cool and woke and hip we are guys" or making stories about issues with no actual passion behind them, no actual investment in the issue beyond "hey you guys think this is what's important right??... uhh, we agree..." ideally i'd like the show to genuinely be able to analyse social issues in a way that gives the idea that they actually understand the complexity of issues, instead of feeding into this modern populist political world of "hey isn't it cool how woke and epic we are guys, we totally care" without anything to say beyond vapid popularity contests. Personally I'd love an episode where the doctor has to contemplate the morals of letting a brutal dictator continue his reign because they know the fallout of the dictators regime collapsing would cause a chaotic power struggle that kills far more than it saves. or really any real morally complex issue with more complexity than "trump bad amiright guys?". I don't personally think chibnel's era is like.. pushing super ultra progressive propaganda down people's throats or anything, it never was. it's just his entire writing style is so ridiculously empty and messageless that it comes across as intensely irritating, which people misatribute to it being political in the first place, as opposed to being completely devoid of value. like good, political media, is media where even people who fundementally disagree with the message presented can go "hey that's interesting and brings up a perspective that was actually worth the budget and time put into it". he has nothing to say, and it really shows.

[@Pterosauria]

What gets me about kerblam is that, for a lot of it's runtime, it seems like it's heading towards an ending which goes "Automation isn't inherently evil and could just be a tool to make our lives better, the problem is an economy which doesn't adjust to the fact that people no longer need to work and causes everyone to scramble for a dwindling amount of exploitative jobs"... which of course is a pretty pointed thing to say right now. It spends a lot of time questioning why people are stuck in this satirically awful job supporting families they can't afford to see when the work itself doesn't actually /need/ any human component, calling out the foundations of a system that would cause that... But then its actual ending, what it presents as a step forward, is "we should get rid of automation and have more people work at space amazon! people need to work!". It's super odd how almost-radical it is about labor and automation before it flips to incredibly conservative.

[@quintencrook6068]

This, 100% this. While I don't mind Jodie, I feel like she's getting the same treatment as the fifth Doctor where nobody knows what to do and want to keep it absolutely safe.

[@mateogarcia3866]

I feel the same. Though the truth Is Pete's era had some pretty good episodes

[@2271graham]

Difference is Peter was a GOOD Doctor whereas the first female Doctor played by Jodie Whittaker who we will LOVINGLY call Doctor KAREN has been an unmitigated DISASTER. Viewing figures or the LACK of them since Chibnall and Whittaker began their vandalism of Doctor Who don't lie.

[@quintencrook6068]

@@mateogarcia3866 I would say so does this one, but five has had the benefits of hindsight to help. Yes, Caves is great, but remember that Black Orchid was still an episode.

[@quintencrook6068]

@@2271graham was he? I mean, he was constantly yelling at his companions, very flawed, and constantly flustered and grouchy. We have the power of hindsight, big finish, and other factors to say "this was his good points." Jodie has many of these same qualities, but has not had the benefit of time to tumble away the edges.

[@2271graham]

@@quintencrook6068, Whittaker has QUALITIES, if so please name them? I've spoken to people who thought she was good in Broadchurch but has been rank ROTTEN as The Doctor.

[@strbourne]

YES!!! That was exactly my opinion! It only feels like it’s more woke because it’s so rarely woke that when it is, it feels much more significant. Also, most woke moments are so poorly handled that they become easy targets (for example having cheesy pop music playing over Rosa Parks getting taken away from the bus, making the moment feel more like inspiration p*rn and completely devaluing her accomplishments). It’s exactly what happens when a bunch of backwards thinking showrunners try to be wrong to attract viewership, but their bigotry and hypocrisy shines so brightly behind it.

[@ItsTheCatSpeaking24]

Couldn't agree more. The writing is unsubtle, ignorant and devoid of all nuance and complexity. This is what is needed to write any good stories- never mind those about diversity and equality that demand quality writing to be meaningful and poignant! Chibnall just tried to shoehorn in diversity in a cheap and arrogant way- and it all feels off! Can't wait for more full, complex worlds, characters and relationships that I'm sure will come from more RTD

[@Duraffinity]

This makes so much sense and absolutely explains why the Chibnall era has felt so shallow. The stories have felt just as uncreative as the characters, and there haven't been any surprises or challenges that truly felt worth watching an episode for. If for nothing else, I really look forward to RTD2 in hopes that he brings back more thought-provoking stories.

[@solomonkane6442]

The lone cyber man story was pretty good

[@Duraffinity]

@@solomonkane6442 - It started off pretty strong, yeah. But it seemed cut short and ended in a way that felt weaker than I think was anticipated.

[@solomonkane6442]

@@Duraffinity yeah maybe but I thought it was great

[@novawolf_gaming]

This states the issues clearly and it's a shame I really wanted to enjoy this era of the show but I couldn't pin point exactly why I couldn't (minus the rather bad/odd writing choices) but this does explain my issues and it's sadly true, while the show has been questionable at times it's not being "too political" that's the issue as the show always has been but it's the fact that it's telling us that things must just be accepted as they are and that's wrong Everyone should feel safe and accepted in their environment, EVERY single person, no matter who they are, what they have (with all respect) and where they come from and this era is telling us that we should just sit down and take the shit because the bigger corperations say that's how it should be

[@emilygilbeyful]

Really good points! I think that is why it has at times felt too dystopian and depressing of late. Dr Who can inspire when it is done well! When the doctor sees the good in humanity it can make us feel like there is hope and that individuals can make a difference!

[@cozmothemagician7243]

I think you hit the nail on the head with this. Chibnall's Doctor has always just seemed 'off' to me, and I could not put it so simply as to WHY. Thank you..

[@erictuxen]

I loved your candid and honest takes about this particular series of Doctor Who and your own personal journey… Your content is magnificent and I really appreciate it!

[@Pancake3225]

The biggest problem with Chibnall’s political stories is they tell you how to feel about certain characters just because you should. Master political story telling presents both sides and wants you to be the judge of it.

[@tomojr9561]

Would love to see more scripted/analysis stuff like this!

[@Tharries]

I’ll bear that in mind for the future :)

[@silverdragon3132]

I double that.

[@richardgale4827]

Well-reasoned essays are always welcome

[@tobchamp5873]

Basically what I gather is the show has taken the middle ground but very hard whereas previously the show has quietly taken the progressive side meaning that they have managed to annoy both sides instead of the attentive part of one side. Great video fully agree with everything said here

[@dominicg2456]

I feel like the show went "woke" instead of providing actually meaningful discourse. And I say woke in the sense that it's being progressive for the sake of being progressive instead of being progressive for the sake of progress.

[@aleatoriac7356]

It depends on what one means by "the system." Typically this seems to mean some human-generated and managed system. If so, yes both the system and the humans managing it are the problem. If "the system" is the descriptive laws of physics, then it is a matter of how people exploit that that is the problem. Either way, I agree the Doctor's response in "Kerblam!" was psychotically stupid.

[@whatsup4825]

Regardless of how you feel about RTD and Moffat, I got the sense they worked day and night to get the scripts as fine-tuned and perfect as possible. On the other hand, I get the sense Chibnall rushes the finish of a script so he can be in bed by 10pm.

[@Ociloc]

The entire series feels so heavy-handed yet so basic. Tbh, it's an impressive combo.

[@alternatethirteenth5594]

Chibnall once said 'I think we should be writing about the times we're living in'. Now, A) I'm not sure anyone actually wants to watch TV to be reminded of the current world state, and B) If the writing won't acknowledge the inherent and underlying problems of the world then it's failing in its goal. It's writing surface level, reminding us 'Hey yea Trump and Climate Change and bigotry baaaaaad guys!' but refusing or being incapable of then going 'And these are the reasons WHY' (for the most part). It's just a clear cut 'These are issues, look they exist' and ignore or even disagree (?) with the reasons why. The writing seems to know that some corporations aren't brilliant places and have problems but then decide 'Well no, the reason why ISN'T the reason why. People aren't being exploited, they're ungrateful!' and that is wrong. How are people to be educated on these issues and how to fix them if they're not being told enough, or the right things?

[@silverdragon3132]

I know right? This was the problem with episodes like the failed one to critique Amazon and Orphan 55. It was also the reason Rosa and Demons of the Punjab, they painted the problem but refused to get into the why. Which means it is all nothing more than Chibnall virtue signaling.

[@Musa313]

I like to see videos like this that point out much Chibnal makes DW not make sense, just makes me more excited to see how RTD will fix it, I completely agree on the wrongs you pointed out on the episodes like kerblam maybe Chibnal will see this video and realise how bad he's turning Doctor who into a political show, if your gunna turn Doctor who into a political show do it properly like Steven and Russell did.

[@droptheleash1992]

Or even how Barry Letts and Terence Dicks did it!

[@joepucci7719]

I think you've nailed it. Something has been wrong with the writing of Doctor Who. I've tried to endure through the last two seasons, hoping that it would turn the corner, and the writing would get better but it is clear that the writers do not understand the character. I actually found the supporting characters a bit more palatable, and maybe that is because my expectations of them are lower. I have to admit, I stopped watching after the third episode of the current season, even though I paid for it, it's just too painful to watch.

[@enki345]

Loved this video. I first discovered your channel thanks to your "Doctor Who is Stuck in A Loop" video essay, and I think this type of video essay stuff really is where you create your best content. You're really good at expressing your *exact* thoughts in a really clear and elegant way, better than some fulltime video essay youtubers for sure. Been enjoying all your videos, but I really hope you make more scripted video essay stuff! Anyway, I'm a queer middle-easterner with dyspraxia. Imagine how fucking dissappointed I have been with the approach of the Chibnall era to basically everything lol. And I'm horrible at putting my thoughts to words about complicated and nuanced stuff like this topic, so it's brilliant to have someone expressing the same opinions I have, in such a brilliant way, in videos like this!

[@KindaKhul0205]

I agree with most of your points. However, a lot of fans have been saying this since Series 11 back in 2018! The White Saviours In Rosa, the morally dubious decisions in Kerblam!, Arachnids in the UK, The Demons in the Punjab, Can You Hear Me? etc. Where were you and the rest back in 2018? Have you just come to these conclusions or have you held them back for a long time? It seems that with this Chibnall/ Whittaker era coming to an end that others are now questioning why it didn’t appeal to the mainstream public. I’ve watched a lot of Who during the Lockdown period and it’s staggering the difference in quality from the RTD, Moffat eras to the Chibnall era. As in the whole production. The acting, the directing, the music and in particular the writing. People say these are all subjective. Are they? Is Chibnall as good a writer as RTD, Steven Moffat? Is Jodie as good as her predecessors, Eccleston, Tennant, Smith, Capaldi? I would say no and that is my opinion and has been over the last 4 years. It’s interesting to see the media and now KZbinrs now coming out and pointing all the faults of the Chibnall era. I have to question why they couldn’t see them 4 years ago and only now are deciding to speak out. Quite baffling!

[@thevacuumofcomments2946]

Yahtzee Crowhaw: "The first thing a good story should do is disrupt the status quo"

[@chaserseven2886]

lmao i bet this guy never said this

[@thevacuumofcomments2946]

@@chaserseven2886 Citation: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKuxZYuLr9aGh6c

[@drewcampbell8555]

Really good analysis. I'll admit I'd not really thought about the political (ahem) "philosophy" of no.13's era, buried as it was in the blizzard of whinging "anti-woke" trolls. If I'm honest I find Chibnall's writing so staggeringly poor all the show's other issues - casting, content, characters - pale by comparison. No one can shine with shoddy scripts and self-indulgent storylines. So interesting to hear someone cutting through all that. Roll on RTD and no.14!!!

[@jamescappio7434]

This is the best critique of the Chibnall era I've ever seen. I gave up on Thirteen in disgust over "Kerblam!" for the key reason you cite-*the Doctor wouldn't act that way*-and you've hit all the ways it matters.

[@rockotarsoldaccount]

This is very similar to my opinion. I've rarely had any problems with political stories prior to the Chibnall era (only a couple Capaldi ones which were a little bit too on the nose). Chibnall's political stories are poorly written and do not make good points or arguments, they rarely go beyond surface level and they are usually presented in uninteresting or cringey ways.

[@TheAlyconaria]

I agree. 13s politics have been bland, basic, unchallenging. Basic twitter stuff. Nothing really challenging to adult audiendes. And sometimes very off/ignorant/regressive.

[@TheSmart-CasualGamer]

This is going to be a total warzone of a comments section. Edit: He says, forgetting every Doctor Who video has a warzone of a comments section.

[@JacksMelancholy]

You’ve really hit the nail on the head. Thanks for summarizing what I think a lot of people were thinking.

[@rsienicki]

I think it's not the wokeness itself, because with some of his agenda I agree, but the way it is presented. Both "Rosa" and "Orphan" ended with Doctor giving her companions a lecture like they were pre-school children on a magic bus. "That's why racism is bad, kids", "Thank, Doc! We learned so much today!". Chibnall is making woke decisions for wokeness sake. He wants to show us powerful women, but can't write them as engaging character and it ends up on Doctor namedropping them and their successes. And that's not the way in my opinion. RTD did a great thing with Jack Harkness, because apart from that character being gay (well, omni-sexual, but the further in the series I felt he was more narrow-minded in that ;)) he was a properly awesome character you get to love and cheer for. He wasn't just a gay token thrown into the series, because RTD was so woke. So it's all in the execution for me. Also sometimes I don't agree with Chibnall, like when the Doctor refused to shoot the spiders, because it's barbaric, but letting them suffocate for hours and die horrible death is cool and fine, let's move on!

[@louissdelaney7125]

Really enjoyed this analysis if you could do some more stuff like this would be amazing. I think this also explains why I feel so disconnected from parts of this era. The Doctor is a Radical through and through, who will change the injustices of the world and inspire others to do the same. I think that mentality is why series 10 is one of my favourites because it is so definitely pointing out the flaws in the systems we live under.

[@mahfuzurchowdhury2765]

"Doctor Who hasn't been woke enough". Be careful, Tharries - these NMDs will take you out of context and send a hate brigade after you.

[@chrisbailey1966]

The Chibnall Era has missed the 'target' in so many ways. I hope RTD2 has a freehand in the concepts/writing he will bring back to the show - otherwise it needs to have a rest for 5 years until the current 'craze' of just being opposite in shallow ways fades away.

[@LuckyStarShi-Roku]

Tharries im like you too i too have cerebral palsy not quite the same level as you as my legs do work but we are still similar enough i may not be in a wheelchair like you but my cerebral palsy still gives me my own set of challenges it mostly affects my Hands meaning they don't work properly there are a few of things but I can't do like tying a knot and i also can't just use any old game controler only ones with a xbox stick layout i guess what im trying to say is im just happy to know there is someone else in the Doctor Who community who at lest to some degree understands the struggles i face so Thankyou.

[@robert98765432]

This is so right. I would also add that having cast a female doctor, Chibnal then does nothing with it. It's almost completely ignored, making the doctor almost androgynous. Like the lack of political nuance it's a totally empty choice that only helped serve the critics who argued that the doctor couldn't be a woman. All in all, I think it boils down to the fact that he never knew what message he wanted to make. The Chibnal era ticks all the doctor boxes but has no soul, or substance.

[@dvdvnr]

Very good arguments that have certainly opened my eyes to the reasons I've not liked Chibnaill's era at all. It's interesting going back and watching some of RTD's and Moffat's episodes and finding them to be SO much more rounded, complete and satisfying. Thank you for putting into words what has been nagging at me since Chibnall took over.

[@slaaneshhedonite7068]

Everything you pointed out is correct. I even had to stop watching religiously post the timeless dismemberment of Whovian Lore. However, being British (I am guessing) and myself an American I think we have differing perspectives of “woke”. All those examples were 127% wokeism at its worst. But it still did it’s best to suck the marrow out of one of the best franchises in history. I hope it can come back to life.

[@NemesisHero123]

I totally agree with you, I hate how the Chibnall era isn't subtle with its message and has the need to talk down to its audience, but it's made worse with how utterly flawed the messages are, and that really makes me angry.

[@TheSamsquidge]

This is exactly how I’ve felt about this era too. Similarly to you I have also been mistreated either because of my disabilities or any of my family members disabilities. It is uncomfortable to watch many of Jodie’s episodes because Chris Chibnall has missed the point of politics in Doctor Who. It is also worth mentioning that whenever I have tried critiquing Jodie’s episodes because of how it does politics in a lazy way I am labelled as a bigot for reasons I can’t understand because nowhere do I mention disagreeing with the message

[@jaded6530]

I think it's the least woke era, but when it is, it's so much more obvious, so it looks it. The others were very woke, even more, just way more subtle

[@thewhitewolf1156]

Real Doctor wasn’t a superhero, he left to explore, not specifically to find evil, but yeah if he could help he did.

[@droptheleash1992]

Tharries, this is a most excellent analysis. I've been making these points for a while now to highlight why the Doctor in this era seems to have the superficial trappings of the Doctor (specifically Ten and Eleven), but by and large acts totally out of character - because they act in the favour of people that any other incarnation would rail against. Seeing as you highlighted the issues with Kerblam, a perfect case and point would be the episode Planet of the Ood - a corporation lobotomises and enslaves an indigenous species and sells them off as a workforce for profit until the Tenth Doctor arrives and actively works to fight the injustice - eventually, with the help of Ood Sigma, toppling the head of the corporation responsible for making such barbaric actions. If this was Thirteen acting in that situation, that company would still be operating by the end of the episode and, at best, the Ood would get a wage and a bed for the brutality they experience. It truly is a damn crying shame that this is happening with the first canonised female incarnation of the Doctor. But here's the thing. What you've described perfect exemplifies the point I make regarding Chibnall as a show runner. He is the definition of a virtue signaller in the fact that he clearly wants to be lauded as a progressive for hiring a female Doctor, for showcasing the first known non-white Doctor, for writing a disabled character as a companion in Ryan, but when you get right down to what the content is actually saying, then that progressivism only really runs skin deep. Underneath the surface, nothing truly challenging is actually being said - it just says things like "racism/exploitation" is wrong, but never ever acknowledges the systems at play which are not only complicit in perpetuating such issues, but consciously and actively maintains them. So, no. Thirteen is not my Doctor, but not for the reason that 99% of the NMDs yammer on about so incessantly. In fact. Their claims of the show being 'too woke' nowadays perfectly exemplifies why the fans who have an issue with a female Doctor don't actually know what they're talking about and don't know what progressivism actually looks like. The irony is that they unwittingly illuminate their own ignorance with such claims of wokery, and in so doing, betray the values of the hero they supposedly hold so lauded.

[@josgibbons6777]

It always amuses me how many ways one can refute "this thing is too woke" complaints by pointing to aspects that have if anything an anti-woke tinge. I've long since listed a few of these: * The Chibnall era killed off a black woman in the first episode * Villains included Art Malik, a Trump critic, an Indian rather than anyone British during partition, and a left-wing Amazon critic * It made the idea of a pregnant man a joke * The only adult from Norway, one of the most left-wing nations, was a horrible father * The Doctor, who is our hero, exploited the Master's dark skin when she'd already beaten him and he was surrounded by Nazis * The first Doctor who isn't white was introduced as on the run from police * The Daleks exterminated a clear parody of the UK's second female Prime Minister * The Asian female companion basically has no personality or development These aren't anywhere near as serious or insightful as Tharries's examples (except for us making overlapping points about Kerblam!), but it's funny how many of these one can list. Some of them may be "pushing it", but I'd throw the same criticism back at anyone who finds "overly" woke content in these episodes.

[@bjnz]

Why are correlating race with right/left wing?...

[@josgibbons6777]

@@bjnz I'll leave that as an exercise for the reader.

[@silverdragon3132]

Exactly

[@doctorwhoredux]

The fact that you assimilate the death of a black woman and the poor writing of an Asian female character to the right wing just shows your total lack of knowledge about politics. I have to agree with Benjnz here

[@josgibbons6777]

@@doctorwhoredux Apparently the meaning of "pushing it" needed to be an exercise too, but since I didn't set it I'll reveal the answer: arguing anti-woke amounts to right-wing in practice by dint of overlap in people (rather than qualifying as an "official" right-wing policy such as fiscal responsibility), which is at least as good an argument as any made when a work is argued to be too woke.

[@TheDrZube]

Very interesting take on the current eta of the show, I think you make very salient points here, good work!

[@brendannahor1460]

Doctor Who was a British Television Series that ran between Saturday 23/11/63 and Saturday 16/07/17 and featured a Humanoid Alien and his adventures in a Time Machine (that looked like a Police Box). The character could "Regenerate", an ability to change its appearance in times of trouble. This could only be done 12 times. The title character; just known as the Doctor was played by 13 actors. William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, John Hurt, Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith and Peter Capaldi! A "Reboot" was attempted in 2017, but due to FAILING viewing figures it was decided to restart the original series! 🤔

[@thetasigma412]

Mate. Brendan. I don’t know how to say this. You don’t like the show now, good on you. I have no problem with this. But it’s still Doctor Who. It just is lmao

[@keef-baker]

Kerblam is basically like Tom Baker arriving in The Sunmakers, stopping the bloke killing himself, then rubbing his hands, saying, "I'm done", and going home.

[@patrickmusson4571]

I've been a fan of Doctor Who since I was 11 years old in November 1963 when I first watched the show, which had a person running the show who was a woman, which, in1963, was quite a feat for the time. Of course, the BBC didn't advertise that fact. Even at 11, the 1963 Daleks scared me back then, 59 years ago.

[@martyncole537]

Doctor Who has really gone down hill and they either need to bring it to an end or return it to it’s original format

[@hobbytherapy]

Great content. Happy to hear a deeper look at who. I've been watching for a bit longer (Destiny of the Daleks was my first story) and completely agree with your views on the current era. It's just poorly written and shallow with no nuance what so ever. They feel the need to tell you everything rather than just show it to you and then make up your own mind. Here's to the future.

[@2271graham]

We can only hope Russell T Davies can SAVE Doctor Who's future and regenerating The Doctor back into a man would be the first step in the right direction. Bringing a regenerated Romana and Susan Foreman back and giving them their own spin-off show would also help. Would be good if Lalla Ward and Carole Ann Ford could return for pre-regeneration cameo appearances should this get the go-ahead.

[@hobbytherapy]

I don't even mind about the Doctor being a man or a woman. Michelle Gomez showed with the master if the writing and the actor is right the gender doesn't matter.

[@2271graham]

@@hobbytherapy I guess you have missed the point that the total UNNECESSARY changing of The Doctor's gender has been as much of a factor in so many fans male AND female no longer watching as Chibnall's choked with WOKE preachy writing. The female Doctor experiment has been a DISASTER and Russell T Davies must surely KNOW it can't continue. If another woman is cast as The Doctor I'm DONE with it and I know I won't be the only one. As for what you were saying about Michelle Gomez, yeah she was BRILLIANT in Doctor Who but would have been JUST as brilliant playing the regenerated RANI rather than a female version of The Master as her portrayal of Missy wasn't really all that different from Kate O'Mara's Rani. As I said in my previous post, I DO very much want to see a series set in the Doctor Who Universe with a female Time Lord as the main character, so bringing back Romana and even Susan should be a NO-BRAINER. Both are well loved characters who have been away from the Doctor Who Universe for far too long. If RTD does this then the failed female Doctor experiment can be consigned to the dustbin of history forever as The Doctor once more becomes and REMAINS a man.

[@hobbytherapy]

@@2271graham Hi. Fair point. Agree that it doesn't need to be done. There are plenty of female characters they could use as well as the Doctor.

[@cologne2792]

Wow! There is more intelligence, depth, understanding and reason in your 13 minute video than in an entire era of Chibnall! RTD should hire you. Brilliant stuff!

[@pauln4056]

I never thought about it this way, but you have put the last few seasons in a whole new light.

[@UltimateKyuubiFox]

I really enjoyed this. I’d be up for more video essays in the future.

[@cybermatstrikes7557]

Your examples illustrate the mischaracterisation of the Doctor and the writer's inconsistent values in the Chibnall era.

[@bluevortexpng1211]

really good video essay! i haven't watched classic who, but i have watched all of rtd's run so far and what struck me about nine's run when i first started watching was how blatantly obvious it was about its progressive themes. over half the episodes revolved around corporate greed, corrupt officials profiting off of manufactured war, Space Fox News ... and for ten's run there's still anti-war and anti-capitalist sentiment obviously but also definitely some queer themes/subtext in terms of the characters-the doomed nature of every single one of the deep connections the doctor makes and how that is the most primary element of his identity he's afraid to let go of, can speak to how lots of queer people know their lives are dangerous but live true to themselves anyway because it would be denying who they are. the fact rtd is an openly gay man really makes these themes sing. i'm not particularly looking forward to getting to thirteen's run on my watchthrough. definitely seems to be a step down from what's come before, lol.

[@osnatashtaralevin8944]

I think you summed it beautifully, though I would say that this era's biggest failure is not _having_ a true moral compass. We don't live in a world of black and white, people's intentions versus people's actions in any given conflict or situation each have weight when you consider what is the moral and right solution. Above all people's lives, quality as well as them actually getting to live it is something that the Doctor (in previous incarnations) have always valued above all else. I think that's what I loved the most about Doctor Who when I first started watching it, take for example a story like "Human Nature +The Family of Blood" the Doctor's motivating goal in running from the family was to allow them to live out the remainder of their lives and to save the rest of the universe from their hunger, should they succeed in feeding off of him. These guys were killers, by any means of the word, but the Doctor still valued their lives enough to not attempt to go head to head with them. And when Joan points out to him that had he not chosen their town and that particular point in history to hide, none of the families and boys from the school would have died, it's apparent on the Doctor's face that the unfortunate result of his choice to hide there did not escape him and pained him greatly. This is one of those cases, that the show excelled in back in the day, I don't remember the Doctor actually saying anything in response, I just remember David Tennant's face when faced with that question. The show wasn't afraid to show that even the Doctor, when trying to act morally can get it wrong. People's intentions, Pople's actions...It doesn't always have to be so complex, but even something as supposedly straightforward as the Doctor's famous " _I_ would never!" line, in "The Doctor's Daughter", after the general shoots Jenny (sorry I'm evoking Tennant's era a lot here.. it simply has such great examples of the subtlety morality sometimes presents us with..) is so missing from this era in my opinion. To go from that to Her not even betting an eye when the "system" bombs that activist is in my opinion the grossest example of how much the character of the Doctor has lost its moral compass.

[@LDrosophila]

I also think Whitaker has a responsibility she didnt love the Doctor not care about the character of the Doctor. When you compare Gomez' fantastic potrayal of the Master to Whitaker she seems to have taken a role she didnt understand.

[@kevinatkab5219]

Jodie Whittaker returns for her third series as the Thirteenth Doctor, the most recent incarnation of the Doctor, an alien Time Lord who [ travels through time and space in the TARDIS, which appears to be a British police box on the outside ]. And yet, the blue box never played much of a role in the 13th doctors run. If you don't take me with you in the blue box, it's not Doctor Who, its is just another who dun it. I bristle at the opening shot of Chibnall on the TARDIS set. often we see stills like this, but in fact there was very little filming on that set.

[@achromat666]

Well said. I think the observation encompasses much if the failings of this run, and I would add that the need to approach complex situations with at least some level of nuance and a sense of actual danger is inherent to making the best episodes of this series work. Often, the original series would tackle political themes in allegorical terms or touch on a theme without pointing the finger at the immediate issue. Remembrance of the Daleks for example focuses of racism and the inherent fear of those different than you, but at no point are those terms front and center in the script. It's demonstrated in the color choices of the Daleks themselves, the source of the conflict, and subsequent division. Certainly not everything is that subtle, but Chibnall doesn't approach any of these important subjects with anything other than a literal surface level reading of the problem with a hand waving preachy solution. Politics have always been apart of the show, but as a motivator to tell effective stories that make people think. You don't have to think with any of his work, and somehow the message still comes off as muddled. Telling stories should make the characters feel relatable enough to be captivating, so that the plights they undergo have weight. If the characters aren't interesting and don't grow, they can't motivate you to watch them. It's sort of why I find the Doctor and Master of this run so frustrating, they're literally an amalgam of the revival's greatest hits with zero nuance and no real motivation. All of the companions have been some version of a wooden expository plank, but they started out with really interesting ideas that should have been more of the focus of the show (well except Yaz, who started out and continued to be pretty aimless. She has potential at least). But it's been a series of wasted opportunities and muddled ideas that only make the overall story feel empty.

[@friday6448]

Virgin commentor: "Chibnall's Who is too political and woke!" Chad Tharries: "Chabnall's Who is not political and woke enough."

[@videogamesworld01]

Actual politics is the last thing chibnal has done. At best he has done some surface level commentary on something. Doctor who has been commenting on politics of the times with each incarnation it has just mixed other stories there too and that's fine as well that's why I like the show mostly(also it's unique mythology and characters) but the chibnal era doesn't have any discussion on that I mean look at venegance on varos or the curse of fenric those were great stories and both had great political commentary. Vengeance might have been more cynical that doctor who usually does but it was still great. Big finish has done great stories with political messages(well some have failed but it's to be expected with so much content) jubille is really a good one.

[@concon09090]

if folks wanna see a more detailed breakdown of how this sort of political writing works in modern fiction, i'd highly reccomend Shaun's Harry Potter video, where he also examines that series' unwavering commitment to maintaining the status quo at all costs

[@DavidSmith-cx8dg]

You are spot on , most of Chibnalls era I have watched seem like good ideas crammed superficially into a short time slot . Covid may have affected the more recent series but it's helped me understand why I felt something was missing .

[@martinbennett8752]

Sorry to disagree, but the Doctor originally was not an adventurer. As played by William Hartnell the main theme of the stories - whether set in space or on Earth in history, was for the travellers to get back to the TARDIS and leave wherever it was they landed. In the second adventure - featuring the daleks - the Doctor sabotaged his own ship to get the chance to explore the city - which chimed with a line from Pat Troughton in The War Games, that he left to explore - if the daleks had not confiscated the fluid link he - and Susan Ian and Barbara would have left the Thals to fend for themselves. In the Aztecs the Tardis was inside a tomb - the trick was to get back into the tomb without giving the Aztecs the wheel - or changing history. Ian and Barbara's motivation was to get back to their time and place - London. When they met the daleks again it was in a ruined London and initially they were trying again to get back into the TARDIS. It was their influence which gradually changed the Doctor, together with the daleks of all things - which convinced him that the universe had some truly terrible things which had to be fought.

[@CineScarborough]

Great video. I think in regards Sacha Dhawan's casting, I meant more the actor being in the episode rather than confirming he is the Master. I agree they were right to keep that a secret, but they should have announced Sacha Dhawan was going to be in Spyfall.

[@DanBen07]

I've been a Doctor Who fan since 2005. Before that I had seen some classic Doctor Who DVDs in a shop but I didn't know what it was. In 2005 i hard people talking about the new show so i decided to watch it.

[@jnielson1121]

Completely agree - especially with Orphan 55 and Kablam!... I think in Rosa, Malorie Blackman did need to acknowledge the fact that a status quo exists in the present and can't be magicked away, and her focus was more on the interpersonal reality and subjective experience of racism rather than systemic issues, but I take your point that those perhaps weren't looked at - I guess there's only so much you can do in 45 minutes. I also found the Dr's ethics in the giant Spiders episode bizzare - slow starvation favoured over mercy-killing? Surely the Doctor would take them all off to a planet ideal for giant spiders or something?? Didn't feel like the same character.

[@jjk28141984]

Very well said, Tharries! I have to wonder if this speaks to Chibnall's political reality. I can't imagine so but could his own politics so shallow? Or was BBC blunting the messaging? Regardless it was all a tremendous letdown for me. From beginning to end or near end. I can't believe I've seen the day I'm actually looking forward to a regeneration.

[@markrobinson2493]

This an extremely well thought out, intelligent critique of the Chibnall era. I really think that you've hit the nail on the head.

[@Krshna28]

It's become too preachy but fails to ask any of the important questions. Remember when 4th Doctor asked, "Do I have the right?". Modern Doctor presents the Doctor as some all knowing God, but in reality, they're just a traveller who tries their best to do right.

[@jonathan.palfrey]

This is something I hadn't noticed myself. I just thought the stories of the Chibnall era weren't good stories; and I still think that. But you seem to be right that there's this further problem: you could perhaps say that the Doctor should be less conservative, more subversive. Congratulations: well spotted and well argued.

[@vonsixteen548]

I generally agree about the politics in Chibnal's era does not woke enough. However, speaking of the Dcotor challenging evil in system reminds me of last 90's where the Doctor was depicted as "dismantling your infrastructure, destroying your system and blowing up your sun before starting negotiating politics with you", literally a supreme interfer who influenced trillions of lives with his own opinion on good and evil. And after Time War, I personally believe the Doctor decided to abandon this past style, focusing more on individuals rather than society or civilization. It's still the "do I have the right?" issue, that the Dcotor may think even the system is bad enough, his/her interference would only result in something far worse. That's why even in RTD era we saw the Doctor challenge Harriet Jones herself instead of this whole govertment/torchwood business. Maybe in the end, the Doctor chooses only to talk about basic morality becuase at least in this way the Doctor can believe/hope she is doing something good.

[@trainsurfer7593]

Great video - one of your best imo. I agree with your arguments 100%.

[@Sir.M]

Dam. You just spoke out my thoughts perfectly!!(awsome video)

[@jamesgourlay6877]

This was nagging at me too! I was never clear on what morals I was supposed to take from the show, like it mostly just repeats bland obvious points such as racism bad, misogyny bad. It does feel rather underwhelming for the volume of criticism from the American right.

[@xBoringPerfectionx]

Agree completely, this era is problematic AF

[@initiatinreallife]

Probably the best video on this topic I have seen!

[@JEEEVANJOHN]

As a person of colour and a paraplegic, I 100% agree with the message of this video.

[@NankitaBR]

Thank you for putting into words how I feel about Chibnal's Doctor Who. I agree 1000% with everything you said.

[@WordTweak]

Great work!

[@griffinlaw9367]

This reminds me of a problem that a lot of people have with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

[@dfunkt2291]

Hey this was great. More content like this please. It was especially nice to listen to someone from a younger generation give their thoughts. I agree with you on this one. Nice work.

[@mikechrisg467]

Oh wow! Thanks for this perspective. You are absolutely right.

[@lukaslane7086]

This channel is a hidden gem

[@r0b0coffee]

I think Chris Chibnall is changing the Doctors personality and ethics on purpose as a result of his Timeless child arc.

[@adelucas4824]

I think you have hit the nail on the head. I've found all the Chibnall stories to be shallow and bland. They aren't terrible, but there has been nothing that stood out as a classic. The message each episode was hammered home with no subtlety, and even then it was bloody obvious without needing the moralising. "Racism bad!!" or "Environment in danger!!". Older Who asked the same questions, had the same messages, but wrapped them up in entertaining and well crafted stories. The humour falls flat, and it's just a bland mediocre mess.

[@MastersofHumility]

Good video. I'd always thought of Kerblam! as a weird one-off, instead of emblematic of the problem with Chibnall's run.

[@soullessmin]

Fantastic video dude! I agree with a lot of your points and think more videos like this giving your opinions and thoughts on different eras of the show would be great

[@drivesanoldcar]

I agree they half-assed it. Criticism would've been the same and the rest could have actually enjoyed it.

[@Jamestopboy]

The Thirteenth Doctor says herself: "fighting for *fair play*". The Kerblam situation is a "fair play" situation - "fair" in favour of the system, who's being sabotaged by a human - that isn't fair.

[@dogblessamerica]

What a great analysis. Did you study sociology or politics or is it something you have just picked up?

Yes, thanks! You put all my issues into much better words I ever could.

[@michaelrose1839]

Excellent criticism there. I understand where you are coming from as I have Beckers Muscular Dystrophy. I agreed with the comments you made, but hopefully things will change with RTD returning.

[@c64emulator]

Totally agree. Great video btw. Love to hear your opinions

[@mathieuleader8601]

the Dreggs could have been reworked as the Hoix returning the big scaly creature seen in Love & Monsters

[@MrJimiJam]

I don't think there's any question of the "real problem" with the Chibnall era. The man can't show run Doctor Who well. He clearly can't write well for The Doctor. He has WRECKED the show. It couldn't even beat a re-run of Antiques Roadshow in the ratings with Jodie's penultimate episode. Never let Chibnall near Doctor Who again.

[@sylar5899]

Iv always thought doctor who should be apolitical and just focus on entertainment

[@johndelye3402]

My biggest Rosa complaint was that it never showed the white allies of the Civil Rights movement of that period. It just showed every white person of the era as fire breathing racists. I know its a fantasy show to a certain degree but learn from earlier Doctor Who stories. I feel like some fans that want the show to function as a political mouthpiece for their views who use stories like The Green Death as Who being always woke. It was always progressive to be sure but there was nuance to political allegory stories like that one. Not everyone who was antagonistic to the "Nuthatch" were portrayed as strawman but actual people worried about providing for their families. The series lacks this nuance and to quote Rich Evans in the latest Redlettermedia Picard season 2 review in regard to this current crop of writers: "They're using a surgeon's sledgehammer"

[@gladiator652004]

Hard agree on Kerblam! and generally. There is also the resilience of Jack Robinson and the lack of specific comeuppance of Daniel Barton, contributing to a "capitalism is inevitable', therefore resistance is useless" feel. But your terminology is wrong. The word "woke" is associated with identity politics, which is counterposed to class politics. As such, wokeness is entirely pro-capitalist, hence woke capitalism, which we see every day. In a nutshell, woke does not question the system! The show's traditional hostility to corporations might better be described as 'progressive' or 'leftish' or even on occasion 'socialistic': woke's just the wrong word. Great vid though. For me, the Chibnall era has been a move to the right on politics not the left.

[@gladiator652004]

To prove my point here's an example, alas from America and alas lengthy. Toure Reed argues that the woke in the USA want everything to be about race....so that nothing is about class. Therefore there is no need to transform economy. For me, this is the political thinking that makes sense of the Chibnall era. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJKoiomifNpkpMk