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Doctor Who: No story arc in Series Eleven – refreshing change or risky idea?

By James Aggas

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With Series Eleven being heavily reported as being more stand-alone in nature than previous series of Doctor Who, will this be a refreshing change? Or is it too risky in the age of Netflix and serialized television?

It’s recently been confirmed by executive producer Matt Strevens that there won’t be a story arc for Series Eleven. We might expect some character development, but plot-wise, all the episodes will be standalone.

"I’d say the only series arc is the growing relationship between the Doctor and her new friends, and how that team builds across the series. In terms of a story arc, there’s a few little treats in there if you watch every episode, there’s a few little things, but no – mainly it’s standalone. The ‘serial’, if you like, is the growing relationship between the companions."

Chris Chibnall has discussed this before, but it’s still a surprising decision. One reason that leaps to mind is how every series since 2005 has had, in some way, a story arc.

Russell T Davies’s era had story arcs that were initially more low-key, focusing on recurring arc words like “Bad Wolf” and “Torchwood”. But over time, the arcs became more intricate and subtle as the series went on.

Moffat’s era was in some ways more ambitious, particularly during his earlier series with Matt Smith. Series Five not only had the Cracks in Time, but also acted as part of a much grander arc with the Silence across the Eleventh Doctor’s entire era. Even while Series Seven was a little more standalone in its early episodes, it brought back the arc with the mystery of Clara Oswald during its second half.

And of course, Capaldi had his own arcs. Series Eight had the “Promised Land” and the mystery of Missy; Nine had the Hybrid; Ten had the Vault.

So, with Series Eleven, it sounds like it’ll be the first time that we won’t have a plot based arc in the New Series. This is certainly quite a move away from what’s come before.

New Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall has stated before that episodes will be more standalone in Series Eleven. Is this the right move for Doctor Who?

(Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for BBC America)

Standalone episodes in the age of Netflix?

But there’s another reason why this is surprising. Chibnall has stated that he wanted to make Doctor Who in the age of Netflix. Of course, there’s one thing that some of the most popular Netflix shows have in common. Stranger Things, House of Cards, even American Vandal – they’re all heavily focused on serial storytelling.

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So Chibnall and Strevens confirming that the series will be even less focused on larger narratives is surprising. Especially considering that the former created Broadchurch, which was very heavily serialized.

Still, Broadchurch was also aimed at an older audience and set in just one location. I’d imagine it would be easier for Chibnall and other writers to tell stories of different times and places using a standalone structure, really.

That, plus Chibnall is very keen to focus on fresh storytelling. On grabbing the audience’s attention, whether they’ve seen Doctor Who before or not. And after many years of heavy continuity, (especially with the last episode, which directly referenced a story from over fifty years ago,) I think audiences are ready for that.

I hope we do get the return of fresh arcs eventually. But only once Chibnall and everyone else is ready, at least. For the moment, a standalone plot could work very well, especially if it allows us to get to know the new team better. I can’t wait to see how their relationship will unfold, at least.

My “behind the sofa” moment: Bubble wrap in The Ark in Space. dark. Next

Do you enjoy Doctor Who stories told as part of huge arcs? Or do you prefer the more standalone episodes? Let us know in the comments below.

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