RTD’s Doctor Who Comeback Gives The Perfect Hat-Tip To Jodie Whittaker’s Era

Doctor Who

Release Date: 1963-11-23

Cast: Jenna Coleman, Jodie Whittaker, Alex Kingston, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi

Genres: Adventure, Mystery, Sci-Fi

Seasons: 26

Summary: As the last of the alien species known as the Time Lords, the Doctor travels through time and space in his TARDIS, a time machine thats bigger on the inside than the outside, seeking out adventures in the ancient past and unimagined future while also serving as the protector of Earth and mankind. With a human companion by his side, the Doctor meets extraordinary – and sometimes deadly – characters and creatures from across the universe.

Franchise: Doctor Who

Story By: Sydney Newman C. E. Webber Donald Wilson

Writers: Mark Gatiss, Toby Whithouse, Neil Cross, Steven Moffat, Chris Chibnall

Network: BBC

Summary

Russell T. Davies’ return for Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary specials embraces both the show’s past and future. “The Star Beast” validates the importance of the Thirteenth Doctor’s female-presenting identity and the feminine perspective. The episode continues the political focus of Chris Chibnall’s era, addressing gender identities and disabilities head-on.

Russell T. Davies’ return to Doctor Who in the series’ 60th anniversary specials not only signals the show’s future, but gives an important nod to Doctor Who’s previous era. Since 1963, Doctor Who has been a British television staple, delivering decades of exciting adventures involving the Doctor and the character’s companions. 2023 has ushered in a major celebration of Doctor Who by the BBC, including the release of three Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials featuring David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor. This creates a bridge between past Doctor Who and the show’s recent era, which was helmed by Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor.

Doctor Who’s 60th anniversary specials signal both a celebration of the franchise’s history and the path to its future, but its first installment, “The Star Beast”, doesn’t attempt to keep Jodie Whittaker’s era in the past. Bringing David Tennant back as the Doctor could easily be seen as a way to undo the bold strokes of Jodie Whittaker and Chris Chibnall’s eras. However, “The Star Beast” instead gives an important nod to what made Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor so special, making room for both the past and present in Russell T. Davies’ new take on Doctor Who.

Donna Admits The Thirteenth Doctor Had Something No Other Doctor Has

Although the idea of the Thirteenth Doctor presenting as female for the first time was difficult for some audiences to wrap their head around, Donna acknowledges how important this aspect of the Thirteenth Doctor was. Towards the end of the first Doctor Who 60th anniversary special, David Tennant’s Doctor begins to explain that Rose and Donna must release their residual Time Lord energy after they defeat Beep the Meep. Donna pointed out, “We know everything, and you know nothing. It’s a shame you’re not a woman anymore, because she would have understood.” This not only validates the Thirteenth Doctor’s female-presenting identity once and for all, but acknowledges its importance.

Donna’s sentiments about the Doctor’s previous regeneration are not only a fun comeback to the Doctor, but also help drive home one of the most important points of Doctor Who’s “The Star Beast” episode. The fact that the Doctor needed Donna and Rose’s help as Time Lords to take down Beep the Meep shows the necessary importance of the feminine perspective. Feminine energy is again proven to be vital when Donna and Rose see how to expel their Time Lord energy when the Doctor doesn’t. This scene further legitimizes the Thirteenth Doctor’s identity, as Donna’s quote points out that she had something no other Doctor has: the feminine perspective.

RTD’s Doctor Who Continues A Major Theme From Chris Chibnall’s Era

RTD’s Doctor Who return continues the political focus of Chris Chibnall’s era of the show

Doctor Who’s adaptation of “The Star Beast” not only provides an important nod to Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor, but to the Chris Chibnall era by continuing one of its features. Chibnall’s Doctor Who was considered by some to have an increased political slant, and whether that is true, “The Star Beast” continues this theme. In many ways, “The Star Beast” is bolder with its social commentary, taking topics like gender identities and disabilities head-on. “The Star Beast” and this thematic approach shows Russell T. Davies’ return will not erase Chibnall’s changes to the franchise, but will instead chart a path for the future of Doctor Who.