Summary
For any show to last up to seven years is impressive. Many of the most successful TV shows of all time have hit this benchmark. Therefore, the fact thatDoctor Whohas got to celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2023 is astounding. The special event used to mark this momentous occasion was a little different this time, as to mark the return of Russel T Davies as the nextDoctor Whoshowrunner at the same time, the 60th anniversary featured three episodes which saw the writers bring back fan favorites David Tennant and Catherine Tate to play the 14thDoctor and Donna Noble, respectively.
Many fans will also remember the 50th-anniversary episode from a decade ago. This special chose to go in a more traditional direction by having one feature-length multi-doctor episode. Both were great in their own right, but there were a few things the new anniversary did better than the previous one.
6Companions Returning
A Return Of Donna Noble, Mel Bush, Kate Stewart & Wilfred Mott
It is normal for a special episode ofDoctor Whoto feature more than one version of The Doctor. They are the show’s central character after all. However, the series wouldn’t be the same without the many companions who have featured throughout its history. While the 50th anniversary was a great multi-doctor story, the only companion in the episode to appear as themselves was the current companion at the time, Clara Oswald.
The 60th anniversary does the opposite and spends time with some of The Doctor’s companions. The three episodes feature Donna Temple-Noble, Mel Bush, Kate Leftbridge Stewart, Wilfred Mott, and introduce fans toa completely new side character in Rose Temple-Noble.As such, there are plenty of returning companions for fans to see this time around,
5Raising Expectations
One of the sad realities affectingDoctor Whoas the show went into its 60th anniversary was that the show was coming off of a season with the lowest number of viewers since the revival began in 2005. The first episode of the thirteenth season debuted to 5.8 million viewers, which is a drop of nearly half a million viewers since the premier of the previous season. As such, the BBC brought back fan-favorite showrunner, Russel T Davies, in an effort to boost the ratings for the anniversary specials and the upcoming season 14.
It seems that this plan was a success, as the final special received around 6.2 million viewers. Also, since the episode has received a very positive score of 8.6 from fans on IMDb, many of these viewers are expected to watch it when the show returns in 2024, complete with a new Doctor andnew companion. As such, the anniversary did a great job of raising people’s expectations for the show.
4Remarkable Villains
The Meep, Not-Things, & The Toymaker
The Doctor spends most of his time in the show saving the universe from a variety of enemies. These include the Daleks, Cybermen, The Master, and many others. The Daleks were included in a significant role in the 50th anniversary, but the main villains in that story were the shape-shifting Zygons. They worked effectively enough, but the villains didn’t really make much of an impression. Fast-forward ten years, however, and the next anniversary specials have some of the best villains in the show to date.
The first special starts with a villainous twist from the incredibly cute Meep, the second features two scary entities at the end of the universe, and the last special treats fans to a theatrical performance as Neil Patrick Harris stars as an old foe, The Toymaker. These villains do not overshadow the show’s heroes, but they do go a long way to raising the stakes this time around.
3Splitting The Story Into Three
The Star Beast, Wild Blue Yonder, & The Giggle
The natural thing for the show to do when it reaches its 60th anniversary is to have an episode air on the premier date of the series. The 50th anniversary did this by showing its feature-length special on the 25th of November. The 60th anniversary did this too, buttwo more episodesfollowed the initial anniversary special.
As such, fans got to spend much more time with the 14th Doctor, and the network was able to analyze how the viewing figures changed each week. All of this led to a much more cohesive story for this anniversary and a much more well-rounded adventure.
2Showcasing The Future
Introducing Ncuti Gatwa As The 15th Doctor
Although fans of the show were excited to see David Tennant return as the 14th Doctor, everyone knew his appearance would be short-lived. That is because it was announced that Ncuti Gatwa would be playing the 15th incarnation of The Doctor in May 2022. His version of the Timelord was also heavily featured in the marketing of the 60th anniversary specials. However, no one knew how much of this new incarnation of The Doctor would be shown.
The 50th anniversary also had the opportunity to show the 12th version of The Doctor when it aired. Sadly, fans did not get a full look at Peter Capaldi in action. His appearance in the episode was more of a cameo. This time, though, the anniversary specials feature the next incarnation of the character in a big way. During the 14th Doctor’s regeneration,the Timelord is split into a new incarnation instead of being replaced. This allows the 14th Doctor to retire comfortably, while Ncuti Gatwa gets a good portion of the episode to show off what he will bring to the show next year. As a result, fans get a good look into whatDoctor Whohas in store for the future.
1A Happy Ending
David Tennant Continues As The Doctor
Thanks to the unheard-of bi-generation, The Doctor has seemingly split into two. Both are the Doctor, except whilst one is happy and ready to get back out there, and everywhere, into a wide universe, the 14th Doctor is set to have a quiet life, an adventure he could never have before. David Tennant is arguably the face of NuWho, and the most iconic Doctor since Tom Baker, so it’s great that this icon can return whenever he would like.
This marks the first time, ever, that a Doctor and a companion have received the best and happiest ending of all. There is room for David Tennant’s return, as well as all Doctors to return thanks toRussel T Davies' comments on a ‘Doctorverse’. The 15th Doctor is cheery and hopeful, ready to start new adventures with a smile, all whilst the rehab-needing 14th Doctor gets a desired break.
