After the excitement of the specials and David Tennant’s return, I approached the latest series of Doctor Who with genuine optimism. Like many long-time viewers, I was eager to see where the show would go next. However, several episodes in, a sense of detachment has begun to creep in, prompting this Doctor Who Review from a fan who’s feeling increasingly distant.
It’s a strange feeling, not one of outright dislike, but more of an indifference. It’s akin to that point in a long-term relationship where you slowly realize you’ve grown apart. The effort to recapture what was once there feels increasingly strained. You might try to rekindle the flame, wanting things to work, but the undeniable truth is, the spark has diminished.
This isn’t a criticism aimed at the actors; they are doing their best with the material. Instead, my concern lies with the overarching direction of the show. Perhaps Russell T Davies and Disney are deliberately aiming for a completely new, younger demographic. If that’s the strategy, they might well succeed in attracting a fresh wave of fans. However, speaking as someone whose formative Doctor was Tom Baker, and who ranks Tennant and Smith as standout Doctors of the reboot era (with Smith perhaps having a slight edge), I find myself questioning if this new era is truly for me.
The time has come for me to acknowledge that my deep connection with Doctor Who is fading. There will always be a cherished place in my heart for the Time Lord and his adventures. I may occasionally tune in out of habit or nostalgia, but the feelings of profound commitment and engagement are simply no longer present.
It’s as if I need to say to the Doctor: “I hope you find a new companion, someone who embraces who you are now.” And to myself: “Don’t worry about the Doctor; I’ll be alright.” We’ve shared some incredible journeys, but perhaps it’s time for me to move on. Or maybe, just maybe, I’ll retreat into comforting re-runs of classic episodes with Tom Baker and Jon Pertwee on iPlayer, accompanied by a cup of tea and the quiet contemplation of adopting yet another cat.
Nothing can truly replace the Doctor, and perhaps solitude is the best course for now. It’s a bittersweet realization, but these things happen. So, all the best for the future, Doctor. Oh, and one more thing – I’m definitely keeping K9 in my memories.
