thought dump #1 – Doctor Who
okay this might be controversial (ik ik) but i need to get this out.
i’m relatively new to doctor who compared to long-time fans. my first doctor was matt smith and i adore him. i’ve seen a few episodes with david tennant, but matt was my doctor, yk? i’ve watched every season since then.
and now… we’re at ncuti’s doctor. and i’m struggling.
quick disclaimer: this is 100% not hate toward the actors. i’m sure ncuti is amazing, he’s clearly talented and bringing a lot of energy and joy to the role. my issue is really with the writing. it’s just not working for me.
i’m not someone who gets bored easily, but this is genuinely the first time doctor who has bored me. some episodes just feel empty or idk too clean. it feels disneyfied. the stakes are ridiculously high, but they somehow feel less impactful? it’s empty.
and i’m sorry, but where is the doctor who’s supposed to be this weird, unknowable alien? the one who can walk into a room and make armies rethink everything just by hearing his name? this version feels too human-coded. yeah, it’s fun hearing the slang and pop culture references, but it makes the doctor too human, too cool almost. i miss the mystery, the "what is the doctor thinking?" energy.
also, the villains being literal gods?? human-coded gods at that?? where are the creepy, slimy, unsettling aliens?? everything is just too human
as for the companions, i do like belinda. she’s so real for just wanting to go home, tbh. and ruby’s story is interesting and had a good dark vibe to it. but weirdly, their strength kind of highlights how… idk, weak the doctor feels this time? and i know that sounds dumb because doctor who has always centered companions too, but i still want the doctor to feel like the center of their own story.
anyway, i haven’t seen the final episode yet. fingers crossed things turn around (and yes I've seen the spoilers from the last episode)