One thing we’re hoping for from Series 12 is for more development of Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor.
(Photo credit: Doctor Who/BBC. Image courtesy: BBC Press.)
With Series 12 of Doctor Who finally arriving soon, here are a few things we hope to see in Jodie Whittaker’s second series as the Thirteenth Doctor.
It’s been a gruelling drought, but the next series of Doctor Who will soon be upon us. No, this isn’t some feverish fantasy concocted by the Dream Lord – Team TARDIS are returning in early 2020. With the release of a trailer and the short length of time we have left to wait – my mind has begun whirring on what I expect out of Series 12. The last series had many flaws, but still built some solid foundations on which to build from. This piques an intense curiosity: How exactly will the follow-up series be handled?
Series 12 could be the turning point and defining moment of the Whittaker/Chibnall era, so join me as I tell you what I would personally like out of a second venture with the Thirteenth Doctor.
1. Development of Thirteen
Let’s make one thing abundantly clear. I don’t hate Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor. In fact, I broadly enjoyed her. But, for me, her development was botched. Thirteen does not feel like her own incarnation of the Doctor as of yet. Despite some cracking moments throughout Series 11, I feel a distinct disconnect with her characterisation. I haven’t fallen in love with her Doctor and can’t gauge exactly who she is.
There are definitely some intrinsic features to Thirteen glimmering underneath, highly empathetic and forgiving, wide-eyed wonderment, child-like naivety and social awkwardness. But, none of these have coalesced into something tangible. At the moment she feels like a Doctor in waiting and hasn’t truly arrived as her own unique person.
I’m hoping Series 12 rectifies this by taking what’s already there and developing it – injecting Thirteen with more individuality, nuance, leadership and assertiveness. All of these factors were inhibited by Series 11 – for example, the writers couldn’t adequately balance our large TARDIS team, resulting in the Doctor often feeling like a side-character in her own show. Another reason that resulted in the underdevelopment of Thirteen conveniently leads me to another one of my hopes for Series 12…
One thing that Series 11 lacked was a strong variety of villains, with characters like Robertson (Chris Noth) failing to make an impact. Could Series 12 improve on this?
(Photo credit: Doctor Who/BBC. Image courtesy: BBC Press.)
2. Formidable foes
One of the single most egregious issues with Series 11 was the lack of compelling and threatening villains. I’ve made the point many times before, but heroes are defined by the villains they encounter. It increases characterisation, reveals more of the antagonist’s moral fortitude and exposes a more volatile part of their psyche. The underwhelming to non-existent threat level really undermined the Thirteenth Doctor last series.
Also, on a more fundamental level, the villains are fun. They are one of the main reasons why we watch Doctor Who in the first place. Or as Madame Du Pompadour exclaimed in The Girl In The Fireplace, “the monsters and the Doctor. It seems you cannot have one without the other”. Well, Series 11 essentially tried to do this and it didn’t turn out too well. So let’s bring back the menace.
We know the Cybermen are returning and judging from the trailer they seem to be a mismatch of parts. There are rumours that Mary Shelley of Frankenstein fame will be a feature in this story too. Regardless, I’m hoping for a very creepy body-horror episode here.
3. More Yaz
Look, I quite liked Yasmin Khan (especially in Demons of The Punjab) but, there’s no doubt that she was sorely underdeveloped. She lacked the character focus lent to Graham and Ryan so she largely got lost among the crowd and became a bit of a non-entity. I’m very much expecting Series 12 to rectify this by giving us far more Yaz-centric storylines and emotional development. According to rumours and casting leaks, it seems we shall be seeing more of Yaz’s family so that’s a positive step in the right direction.
You’d be forgiven if you forgot that Yaz was/is a police officer too. This was an aspect of her character that was basically swept away with after the series opener. I really hope she gets to demonstrate her policing skills as a companion and have her career background be imbued into her character further. When Clara Oswald randomly became a teacher, it was odd but you did genuinely buy the fact she now was one. I want that authenticity leant to Yaz next series.
Rosa was a strong episode, and we’re certainly hoping for more historical episodes in Series 12.
(Photo credit: Doctor Who/BBC. Image courtesy: BBC Press.)
4. Return of ‘pure’ historicals
My favourite element of Series 11 was the pseudo return of the pure historical. They worked in the 1960’s and I think their return in 2018 was a triumphant one. Both Rosa and Demons of The Punjab were excellent stories and they invigorated Series 11 with freshness and a unique identity. I think it would be a missed opportunity if they weren’t continued, but I believe they will be.
We know Nazi-occupied Paris will feature next series and it seems likely that scientist Nikola Tesla will be in an episode too. I’m passionate about the idea of Doctor Who being educational when they do historical stories. I thought how the show handled the heavy and emotional issues of racial segregation and the Indian partition was genuinely inspired. If we got the same with the crimes of Nazism? Or the development of energy and the bitter battle between Thomas Edison and Tesla? Well I would be a very happy man indeed.
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5. Story arc
More interconnectedness would really help develop the Whittaker era. I thought the lack of such did bring down Series 11. I believe any shift to more serialisation would work in modernising Doctor Who into becoming exciting event television. So I would really appreciate at least some semblance of a story arc.
We had a hint of one with the Timeless Child in The Ghost Monument, but that seemingly didn’t amount to anything. Maybe it will be brought back? In the trailer Thirteen did mention that “something is coming for me”. Could there be a wider threat in the shadows? I would like to think so.
6. Captain Jack returning
Hey, we can only hope right? Maybe if I write it down enough times it may actually happen?
In conclusion, I’m both excited and curious as to what Doctor Who will bring next year. I believe if my musing were implemented it would lead to an improvement – but I suppose I would think that. What are your thoughts on the upcoming Series 12? What are your hopes? And how do you think it can improve? Write them down in the comments below.