Doctor Who has been through turbulent times in recent years. Coming out of the journey of Matt Smith, the most recognizable Doctor since the resumption of the series, the production was not sure how to use the version interpreted by Peter Capaldi for a long time. Now, in the farewell year of the actor to the program, it seems that things have been successful.
The tenth season fails to rely so much on the recent mythology of the series and returns a few steps to focus on the basic premise: the Doctor traveling through time and space alongside some fellow. The decision ends up creating a kind of reboot that serves as a gateway for new fans, but its impact can also be felt by veterans.
Priding the simplicity and not being tied to a large narrative bow enabled a wide variety of writers to write stories for the character. With this, the season is full of several interesting tones and plots. Many episodes even show some horror, like a dead girl made of water or a mansion that fades with a group of young people, one by one. The feeling is that Doctor Who has returned to its roots, delivering an adventure more like that of Christopher Eccleston than Smith's, for example.
A formula that finally gave personality to the 12th Doctor. Capaldi now appears as a figure who speaks and acts with propriety, mystery, and intelligence. Even with his humorous moments, it's great that he found his voice after a bland introductory year and a ninth season where he just tried, unsuccessfully, to emulate the "young and funky" spirit of the recent characters.
Much of the Doctor's performance must be attributed to the introduction of Bill Potts, the new companion interpreted by Pearl Mackie. Bill is an interesting addition to the show for not being as innocent as Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman), which makes the girl often leave the position of student and oppose the protagonist with propriety. This dynamic is well used and creates situations where the viewer is not sure which side to listen to.
The end of an era
As much as the program has found the voice of the protagonist and the tone of the plots, everything should change soon. Not only the tenth season marks the last of Capaldi but also the end of the era of Steven Moffat, the controversial screenwriter, and showrunner who contributed to the popularization and renewal of Doctor Who.
Although the quality of his writing is inconsistent and his narrative bows are weak, Moffat is a hardcore fan of the program and manages to create tense situations that use all the lore established to shake the heart of any veteran viewer. The excellent chapter "World Enough and Time" is proof of this, delivering one of the most striking hours in recent years by showing the creation of an iconic villain and the return of John Simm's Master.
It's a shame that the tenth season is a farewell. It's hard not to think where things could go from now on. Doctor Who finally figured out how to tell stories with Peter Capaldi and introduce the Whovian universe to beginners without forgetting the fans, even delivering surprises of weight to them. There is yet another adventure before the Scotsman hangs his coat, but thanks to this tenth year, overcoming it will be a challenge for the next Doctor - or a she Doctor, ‘who’ knows?
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