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What was Moffatt's series finale? If we are talking about the one where he shat on the First Doctor from a great height, then I'm reckoning the Chibnall Era a resounding success in comparison.
There's been plenty of bland, pish Doctor Who, both new and old, before now. So I can't see it as suddenly being reduced to this level.
There's been plenty of poor Doctor Who in the past, but there was at least a sense that they were trying to do something good. The reduction in quality has been sudden. Compare this years series finale to last years finale and the gulf in quality is enormous. While there have been huge dips in quality between stories before - for example, Caves of Androzani being followed by The Twin Dilemma - they still existed in series where something new and exciting was just around the corner. Unfortunately, with Chris Chibnall in charge of the show, there is no sense that anything even passably good is just around the corner. 'It Takes You Away' feels like it was a success in-spite of its producer, rather than because of him. Ultimately, the problem with the show now is Chris Chibnall, and that's why there's genuine concern about the show so long as he's in charge.
Yes, Season 24 was pretty poor (aside from Paradise Towers), but in both Delta and the Bannerman and Dragonfire I could at least see that they were trying to do something worthawhile. Bear in mind that Season 24 was a season rushed to production so that the new script editor, Andrew Cartmel, didn't have enough time to turn the show around so that it reflected his future vision for the programme. He was, however, able to sow a few seeds which would later blossom into the, ultimately curtailed, Cartmel masterplan. So while Season 24 was pretty bad, there was light at the end of that tunnel, a sense that the show was in a transitionary phase; although I will grant you that the show was cancelled not long after. As of now, there is no light at end of the tunnel. All we have is Chibnall and his surface level scripts and basic ideas.
I'm quite sure I'm not alone in not wanting to bash either the show or production team to this degree. But, ultimately, it's because I care, and it matters to me that Doctor Who should be quite this vapid.
There's been plenty of bland, pish Doctor Who, both new and old, before now. So I can't see it as suddenly being reduced to this level.
Heh, that was a great piece! Cheers Taryn. It does make me realise the source of our contrasting reactions: I really don't care enough, which is probably a big failing for the series as a whole. For me, sitting down with the kids after an early tea, the episode moved along, Graham had some good dramatic moments, the Doctor was fine, it was fun. But on the terms discussed in that Eruditorum review, it was a disaster.
In fact, having given it a bit more thought, I'm genuinely considering that episode as a new entry in my top (or bottom) ten all-time worst episodes of Doctor Who. I loathed everything about it.
I’m not sure I’d be that harsh on it, but I’d agree it was terrible — it made literally no sense whatsoever. I’d be happy to keep Whitaker, but Chibnall will kill this show within three years.
), but I couldn't find a single thing about that episode which rose above 'boring', let alone anything I would call fun.No series next year either, just the New Year's episode...
That's likely the first time Berwick has ever been mentioned in a televised episode of Doctor Who, so...score one for the home team.(I live ten minutes from Berwick, so this was as exciting as seeing Sheffield was to some of you.)
Sorry to potentially burst your Berwicky bubble, but I think it needs pointed out that King James VI/I was likely referring to North Berwick, and not Berwick-Upon-Tweed.