Spoilers Russell T. Davies Returns to Doctor Who as New Showrunner

[Judge Death]

Rose is a masterstroke. Best intro for any new fan, period.

Which makes his decision to rewrite The Reality War genuinely baffling. Why does it have to end with a regeneration? Why not replicate Survival so that, the next start can be as surprising as Rose was?

I think his argument was that having the regeneration and Billie pop up was a shock (though obviously not to anyone on this forum) and a mystery, it prompted continuing interest in the show rather than going with something more limp. I'm guessing as well that Ncuti made it clear he definitely wanted out (in a Gareth Thomas "use more squibs" kinda way).

I'm not saying I agree with the choice (I think Chibnall's original idea of a regeneration but you don't see who the Doctor regenerates into is better) but I do understand the logic and it does fit with RTD's personality because he is such a showman.

"Roll up! Roll up! You'd better hope the show comes back if you want to find out why the Doctor has regenerated into Billie!"

No real skin in the game, I genuinely believe RTD's PT Barnum, Greatest Showman, in your face, promotion of the show has both helped and hindered the show in different ways and at different times.

I'll always prefer Moffat's smoke and mirrors/stage magician approach, but I do appreciate RTD's strengths (and acknowledge his weaknesses!)

 

[The Nightmare Doctor]

Indeed, for some time, many viewers argued about whether or not this was an actual continuation of the old show, IIRC.

Ah, those were the days. Frustrating, mind-boggling days.

I think his argument was that having the regeneration and Billie pop up was a shock (though obviously not to anyone on this forum)

I wish it was a shock for some of us here but some people went out of their way to talk about it with just enough information to easily extrapolate what was being said outside of spoiler boxes.

 

[oktay]

If they were to go that route, I don't think any of that would be necessary, you compare this to the Star Trek movies, but they were the complete opposite of what you're talking about here. We got all of the original cast back, they did mention things that happened on the show, and they never explained the origins of the crew.

Yes, the entire cast is back. But at the same time, in the second film, aside from a few things explaining Khan and Kirk's backstory, they don't mention anything about the original series. The same goes for the TNG films. In GEN, Kirk makes a reference to a quote from Spock, and Picard never mentions his two-part encounter with Spock in TNG. Why? Because it's a theatrical film, so viewers who come to see this film who are familiar with the Star Trek films but haven't seen the tv series's won't be confused.

 

[Samurai8472]

RTD on whether or not new streaming partners will fund the show if Disney+ pulls out

"We're not going there"

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[Allyn Gibson]

Ah, those were the days. Frustrating, mind-boggling days.

Driven in part by that RTD line in Queer as Folk -- "Paul McGann doesn't count!" Fans mistaking what a character says for what the writer believes.

When Panini published The Flood collected edition -- "The Flood" being in the last eighth Doctor story in Doctor Who Magazine -- it's evident that McGann very much did count for RTD in 2004-5, as RTD suggested DWM do a McGann-to-Eccleston regeneration scene, but they wouldn't have been able to follow that with the post-regeneration aftermath.

In some ways, that's what I find so frustrating with "Night" and "Day of the Doctor" -- Moffat gives us the regeneration scene (Eight-to-War, War-to-Nine) as if that's all that's necessary, when the aftermath is so potent for storytelling. (Yes, I know Big Finish has dealt with that for War at least.)

RTD on whether or not new streaming partners will fund the show if Disney+ pulls out

"We're not going there"

Nor should he. It's a matter for the business people, not the creatives. The creatives and the fans have to deal, while the business people do their business.

 

[Rich Watson]

RTD on whether or not new streaming partners will fund the show if Disney+ pulls out

"We're not going there"

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What is he expected to say exactly?

In fact, he won't even be involved in any discussions with Disney or whoever, as it will be between the BBC and them.

And as has been made clear nothing can happen until after TWB airs anyway.