The trailer for Doctor Who season 15 has ignited excitement with glimpses of thrilling episodes ahead. However, a nagging concern lingers: is Ncuti Gatwa’s second season as the iconic Time Lord already retracing familiar steps from his debut? Season 14 of the Doctor Who TV show concluded by resolving many mysteries established in the Disney era, although some resolutions were met with mixed reactions. Notably, one particular storyline proved to be quite divisive, and it appears that showrunner Russell T. Davies might be revisiting a similar narrative arc.
Unlike the seamless introduction of Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday in the 2023 Christmas special, “The Church on Ruby Road,” the conclusion of the Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special didn’t explicitly set the stage for the upcoming season. Fortunately, a fast-paced trailer offering a sneak peek into Doctor Who season 15’s story has been released. While much of what’s shown appears refreshingly original, one implied storyline has sparked apprehension, hinting at a potentially recycled plotline from recent memory.
Is the TARDIS Malfunctioning Again in Doctor Who Season 15?
The Doctor’s cryptic remark about taking “the long way round” raises concerns
A significant subplot in Doctor Who season 14 revolved around the notion that the Doctor’s trusty TARDIS was experiencing some malfunctions. While not overtly stated, subtle groans and glitches fueled speculation that the blue box wasn’t operating at its peak. Perhaps the most telling incident was in “73 Yards,” where the TARDIS inexplicably prevented Ruby from entering. While this detail was somewhat buried within the episode’s narrative, it contributed to the growing theory. Despite the intrigue, the prospect of Doctor Who season 15 revisiting this TARDIS issue feels somewhat underwhelming.
[ 
Custom image blending Sutekh from Doctor Who with Thanos from Avengers: Infinity War, highlighting a content expression on both characters, suggesting a connection between their powerful and potentially controversial storylines.
](/doctor-who-sutekh-death-wave-mcu-thanos-snap/) Related
Doctor Who Season 14 Echoed an MCU Movie, But Missed a Key Element
During the finale of Doctor Who season 14, parallels to a specific MCU narrative became apparent, prompting reflection on the latter’s superior execution.
The trailer for Gatwa’s second season introduces Varada Sethu as Belinda Chandra, the new companion succeeding Ruby. In an early scene, Belinda urgently requests the Doctor to use the TARDIS to take her home. However, the Doctor visibly struggles, informing Belinda that they might have to take “the long way round.” This strongly implies a recurring issue with the TARDIS. If this is indeed the case, it’s slightly disappointing that Davies is already circling back to a storyline that was swiftly introduced and resolved within Doctor Who‘s Disney era. This raises questions about the freshness of the narrative direction for the Doctor Who TV show.
The Divisive Reception of Sutekh’s Return in Doctor Who Season 14
Sutekh’s comeback after decades lacked the anticipated impact for some viewers
Gatwa’s initial season as the Doctor ultimately unfolded as a subtle sequel to the classic 1975 serial, “Pyramids of Mars” starring Tom Baker. While the TARDIS malfunctions in season 14 initially seemed like a minor plot point, the unexpected return of Gabriel Woolf as Sutekh brought back a classic Doctor Who villain in a significant way. However, discussions surrounding the reveal of the One Who Waits’ true identity in Doctor Who season 14 reveal a significant divide in audience opinion regarding the writing quality. Reactions ranged from fervent praise to outright dislike, with many viewers remaining undecided.
Perhaps Davies anticipated a more positive reception to the TARDIS storyline than it ultimately received. This could explain why he might be employing a similar narrative approach in the current season of the Doctor Who TV show.
Davies is known for his unwavering commitment to his creative vision, often disregarding external criticism. It’s unlikely that public opinion would have influenced his direction for Doctor Who seasons 14 and 15, considering the advanced production stage of the current season even before Gatwa’s debut aired. Therefore, the potential TARDIS storyline repetition might stem from Davies’ belief in its narrative potential, regardless of audience reception to similar themes in the previous season. Whether this approach will resonate remains to be seen as Doctor Who season 15 unfolds.
Could TARDIS Instability Be a Masterstroke for Doctor Who Season 15?
Davies might be channeling the unpredictable spirit of classic Doctor Who
[
](/doctor-who-the-daleks-william-hartnell-jacqueline-hill-william-russell-and-carole-ann-ford-as-the-first-doctor-barbara-ian-and-susan-in-colour.jpg)
Despite Doctor Who‘s Disney era functioning as a soft reboot of the beloved franchise, Davies’ incorporation of Sutekh and numerous references to both classic and revived episodes demonstrates a clear intention to acknowledge the extensive Doctor Who canon rather than starting anew. Therefore, rendering the TARDIS navigationally unreliable could be another deliberate attempt to bridge the various eras of Doctor Who. Devotees of William Hartnell’s tenure as the First Doctor will recall his often tenuous control over the TARDIS. Consequently, Doctor Who season 15 might be designed as a significant homage to the unpredictable and often chaotic travels of the First Doctor in his iconic blue box. This approach could inject a sense of nostalgic adventure into the Doctor Who TV show.
[ 
Custom Doctor Who art featuring John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness, set against a backdrop of the Time Hotel and the Face of Boe, subtly referencing elements of his complex backstory and connection to time travel within the Doctor Who universe.
](/doctor-who-2024-christmas-special-jack-harkness-time-travel-reference-explainer/) Related
Doctor Who’s 2024 Christmas Special Subtly Revealed a Key Aspect of Jack Harkness’ Origin
“Joy to the World,” the Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special, quietly enriches the intriguing backstory of John Barrowman’s Captain Jack Harkness within the Doctor Who mythology.
Throughout Doctor Who season 14, despite the TARDIS exhibiting mysterious symptoms, its core functionality remained largely consistent. It wasn’t until the Sutekh reveal in the two-part finale that significant stakes were truly introduced. The prospect of the TARDIS’ navigation systems genuinely compromised in Doctor Who season 15 is appealing. Imagine the Doctor and Belinda landing haphazardly across space and time, mirroring the uncontrolled journeys of the show’s earliest seasons. This could lead to exciting and unpredictable adventures, reminiscent of the foundational era of the Doctor Who TV show.
Success!
