Full Season Review: Doctor Who Season 14

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6TMJqRvNM8CtbNJFuALrj2?si=CjKi5IvKSHi3izQSMjeUPw

The first run of Doctor Who as a co-production between the BBC and Disney+ is at an end and, confusing numbering system on Disney+ aside, the season was kind of a mixed bag that was overall more positive than negative, even if not everything worked. The dynamic between Ruby and The Doctor definitely will take some getting used to, but once they hit their stride about halfway through the season the two are really endearing. Thankfully Millie Gibson will be returning next season because she really carried quite a few episodes this season, including the emotional core of the finale.

I think resolving the mystery of Ruby's past by saying she's no one special would have hit a little bit better if the show didn't attempt to make this seem like there was something bigger to it. It's fine to have her be nobody and have her parents just be regular people because there is something powerful about having the literal physical embodiment of death be perplexed by something he cannot fathom and end up being defeated by that. The problem is the way the show portrayed the window in time back to the night she was left at the church when coupled with things like the DNA scan that The Doctor ran made it seem like there was something way bigger was in play. It just seems like cheap drama for speculation to keep the show in discussion for the duration of the season.

Still, looking ahead to the impending second season I can't help but wonder if the place they leave The Doctor off in would indicate that there will be more appearances from legacy cast members in the future. Sure we got Kate Lethbridge-Stewart and Mel but I would not be surprised if we got a Susan regeneration or an appearance from a Martha or River Song. It appears that the lesson The Doctor has learned is that he cannot be the loner he has developed into and he must learn to rely on this found family he has developed over the decades which would also provide something for the impending new bad guy to rip away.

Even if the effects are a little spotty, this season is definitely worth checking out and does a great job onboarding lapsed and new fans into the world of Doctor Who.

★★★★