Memo to Russell T. Davies: Re Doctor Who
Russell,
You have done, without doubt, the most amazing job at reinventing Doctor Who. You are, without argument, a superb writer and a visionary Executive Producer. Your place in heaven is assured. You have my unerring admiration for not just bringing Doctor Who back but for ensuring that it’s better than it’s ever been. Thanks.
A few minor points:
Sometimes Small Works.
The big budget, apocalyptic , end of the world thing is part of Doctor Who. But many of the great Who moments have been very small. Tom Baker’s “have I the right?” speech in Genesis of the Daleks springs to mind. Classics from the classic series are often marked by understatement. The Curse of Fenric is so subtle it’s almost oblique and the tragedy in the Tomb of the Cybermen is touchingly personal and the Caves of Androzani hangs on the Doctor saving Peri. The entire universe doesn’t need to be at stake to engage us.
Let Tennant Act More
These ‘small moments’ (like the end of the Parting of the Ways) need a good actor and David Tennant is superb. He could be the best Doctor ever, he might even be better than Tom Baker. So please, let’s have lots more of him. He’s good when he’s shouting or running. He’s great when he’s flying the Tardis. But he’s best when he playing the Doctor as vulnerable, lost and almost lonely.
Enough Jesus Already
We’ve had the resurrection (Last of the Time Lords) and the ascension (Voyage of the Damned) so there’s not much more Jesus to ape. But please, no more. Oh, and the kissing has to stop too.
You’d better be right about Catherine Tate.
Enough said.
Don’t Listen to the Fans
On no account take a scrap of notice of the old fans. Doctor Who is about thrilling and petrifying the average 9 year old, imbuing them with subversion and ensuring they know that good can win. What a 30-something bloke, who should have better things to worry about, thinks is entirely unimportant.
Stumble it!
April 4th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Agree with you on everything but the last point