Russell T. Davies Returns to ‘Doctor Who’ with a Fresh Take for Season 14 Featuring Ncuti Gatwa. It’s here at last. Russell T. Davies is back in the ‘Doctor Who’ universe with the highly anticipated 14th season, showcasing breakout star Ncuti Gatwa from ‘Sex Education.’
Though I’m not a die-hard Doctor Who enthusiast, I’ve kept up with the show through its various iterations since the reboot in 2005. I’ve sampled each new Doctor’s arrival, though my interest often wanes after a few episodes. David Tennant’s portrayal remains the one I watched the most, while Matt Smith’s run, partly due to Karen Gillan’s Amy Pond, held my attention the longest. Peter Capaldi, despite my initial excitement, didn’t quite resonate with me.
From what we’ve seen in the December 2023 specials and the first two episodes now available on Disney+, Ncuti Gatwa’s debut as the Fifteenth Doctor is off to a lively and engaging start. The transition from David Tennant’s dual roles as the Tenth and Fourteenth Doctors remains a bit confusing, but Gatwa’s introduction is refreshingly accessible.
For those new to Gatwa’s Doctor, “The Giggle” might be a good entry point, showcasing the unique “bi-generation” process—distinct from the usual “regeneration” in ways that may either be quite clear or perplexing, depending on your level of interest.
The Christmas episode, “The Church on Ruby Road,” is more essential for grasping this Doctor’s personality and the dynamic with new companion Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson). It’s a festive episode featuring a full-blown musical number with goblins—an entertaining blend of holiday cheer and whimsy.
Typically, diving into Doctor Who isn’t a major hurdle given its long history since 1963. The show’s ongoing nature means many viewers have already determined if it suits their taste. Recent casting choices reflect an effort to broaden appeal and acknowledge that a constantly regenerating Time Lord portrayed as a slender white British man could benefit from more diversity.
Russell T. Davies, who previously led the series from 2005 to 2010, introduces Gatwa in a manner that welcomes new fans, especially those familiar with his work from ‘Sex Education,’ without alienating viewers who might struggle with the concept of a Scottish-Rwandan Doctor.
For this casual viewer, Gatwa’s portrayal is a delightful addition to the series, embodying a compelling aspect of the Doctor’s character. Any shortcomings will likely be attributed to the writing rather than Gatwa’s performance. His vibrant energy brings back the enthusiasm I enjoyed in Matt Smith’s portrayal.
Doctor Who : A Light-hearted Take on Space Babies
The Doctor’s journey through time and space could be depicted with either familiarity or exhaustion towards each new experience. Personally, I prefer Gatwa’s joyful and amazed approach to the Doctor’s adventures, which aligns well with his strengths. His Doctor is both humorous and approachable, with a wardrobe that showcases a variety of looks.
With ‘Doctor Who‘ exploring different identities over its 800 episodes, it’s exciting to see how a diverse Doctor can lead to new kinds of adventures. As for Ruby, played by Gibson, she’s a more conventional companion whose backstory will likely gain significance later on.
The first two episodes match Ruby’s more straightforward sensibilities rather than Gatwa’s dynamic take. While Doctor Who is known for its darker and more mythological tones, these episodes feature easily digestible plots and somewhat restrained thematic elements.
Is “Space Babies” a playful critique of reproductive policies? Possibly! But it also delivers a humorous and quirky mix of alien themes and talking babies with British accents. It’s a light-hearted episode that can be enjoyed on its own terms.
