By Michaela Gordoni
DOCTOR WHO flopped after introducing a queer Doctor into the Whoniverse, but now it’s correcting its course by reintroducing a beloved character who appeared in the series in 2005.
When Ncuti Gatwa debuted as a queer Doctor Who, the show flopped. Viewers tuned out after their favorite show became politically correct.
The first four episodes of the current season averaged 2.9 million viewers, a million less than Gatwa’s first season as Doctor Who. In comparison, his Doctor predecessor Jodie Whittaker’s final season averaged five million viewers in its first four episodes, AV Club reported last month.
“The general consensus amongst fans is the stories are simply awful,” Cosmic Book reported. “Instead of focusing on a quality story, which Doctor Who is known for, starting with Jodie Whittaker, it became all about the agenda where the series was retconned for DEI and woke purposes to ‘send the message.’”
In an effort to save face, the last part of the current season showed Gatwa regenerating into Billie Piper, who performed in the series in 2005 as Rose Tyler.
@itvnews Billie Piper appears to be new Doctor as Ncuti Gatwa regenerates in Doctor Who #itvnews #news #doctorwho
Showrunner and writer Russell T. Davies said, “Billie once changed the whole of television, back in 2005, and now she’s done it again! It’s an honour and a hoot to welcome her back to the TARDIS, but quite how and why and who is a story yet to be told. After 62 years, the Doctor’s adventures are only just beginning!”
Related: DOCTOR WHO’s Ratings Drop Due to ‘Woke’ Storylines
Piper said, “It’s no secret how much I love this show, and I have always said I would love to return to the Whoniverse as I have some of my best memories there, so to be given the opportunity to step back on that TARDIS one more time was just something I couldn’t refuse, but who, how, why and when, you’ll just have to wait and see.”
There is no official confirmation whether the show will be renewed. BBC has a 26-episode contract with Disney, yet it’s only aired 21 episodes. Given the big flop, there’s only a 50/50 chance that it will be renewed.
One fan pointed out that DOCTOR WHO’s tank seems to be running dry, even though Piper’s return is creating some buzz.
“Billie Piper’s amazing and Rose was a wonderful character, but you want something new now, you want to be excited,” the fan said. “I loved [David] Tennant in the 60th anniversary special, but bringing back characters loses its novelty if you just keep on bringing the old ones back all the time. It’s lacking in original ideas.”
Time will tell if DOCTOR WHO can fully correct course and reengage fans.
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