Last season, Doctor Who gravitated towards the two part episodes almost exclusively. Should they continue with that format, or transition back to a more episodic approach?
Series Nine of Doctor Who was a departure from the norm. Not only did the season have a darker feel, but the format changed as well. Instead of having those single episodes that made up an overarching storyline, Series Nine was primarily made up of two part episodes, frequently providing cliffhangers leading to quite a bit of speculation amongst the fans.
That change to the two part episodes worked quite well. In previous seasons of Doctor Who, it felt as though we did not have enough character development. Secondary characters were mainly there to be used as cannon fodder or to further the quest for the Doctor and his companions. Now, they were fleshed out, given their own stories and lives. It was a welcome change.
Obviously, there are benefits to either format. The singular episodes are faster paced, and typically more action driven. The two parters, meanwhile, focused more on character development and had more of a classic feel. The contrast from Series Eight to Series Nine, just on the format alone, was notable.
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Perhaps the best way to handle future seasons would be a blend of the two concepts. The two part episode, if used occasionally and with those more in depth stories, would be a perfect counter to the singular episodes. Add in the underlying series arc, and the potential that different episodes will lead to a grand finale where the important questions are answered, and the combination of the two styles could be perfect for future seasons.
At times, programs get caught up in changing the dynamic. Series Nine certainly made changes, the majority of which did not have to do with the formatting of the episodes. Series Ten is also expected to undergo a major shift, especially with the introduction of a new companion. Perhaps fluctuating between the two part and the single episodes would help with those changes, especially over the long term.
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Doctor Who had quite the different feel last season, and a part of that was due to the two part episode format that they brought out. Hopefully, at least in some aspect, the two part episodes will continue, but mixing them in with the more episodic approach may be the best format for the show going forward.