Doctor Who likes to change things up now and again, and perhaps this is the way forward.
In a streaming world full of binge watchers watching serialised storytelling this makes a whole lot of sense to shift away from the standalone stories with an arc running through them format.
Whilst the new version of Doctor Who was great and there were some fantastic episodes, I don't actually think much had changed in the set up of the season from RTD's first four series - other than less episodes.
We had the fun romp Christmas special (TCI, TRB, TVotD), we had the slightly goofy opening episode (SaJ, PiC), we had the go back in time episode (TUD, TSC, TFoP) followed by the go forward in time episode (TEotW, NE, Gridlock, PotO). We had the Doctor-lite episode (Blink, L&M, TL), we had the arc (Bad Wolf, Torchwood, Saxon), we had the dramatic conclusion to the penultimate episode. Look back on series one to four and they are the same each time. All that is really missing is a two parter for episodes four and five and nine and ten.
This might be a bit dated now. I don't watch a lot of TV, but of the other series I do watch none of them are like Doctor Who - I know that in itself is a plus point in some ways.
Here are some reasons why I think one big story might work:
Deeper Character Development and Emotional Stakes
One of the advantages of a long, continuous storyline is the opportunity for deeper character development. When a story unfolds across multiple episodes, it is allowed to move at a slower pace and gives us a good chance to see what is going on in characters heads. The Doctor is a character with the potential for any storyline, one in the past or the future, good or bad. By focusing on a single storyline for a full series, the show can explore the Doctor’s moral dilemmas, relationships, and internal conflicts in a richer, more nuanced way.
We don't have to look to far away from Doctor Who for a good example of this. Children of Earth was an absolute banger series (possibly better than any Doctor Who series if I am being honest with myself) and we got to see Jack's torment of things he had done in his past and it was explored further with a gripping, morally challenging plot. Honestly, Children of Earth is some of the best TV ever made. Over five episodes, Jack is forced to make impossible decisions, leading to powerful moments of guilt and loss, a lot of loss, topped off with a horrific ending.
Similarly, Doctor Who could use a serialised structure to delve into the Doctor's struggles and the emotional consequences of their actions. The Doctor can be a bit of a bugger at times, why can't their be more consequences for this?
Heightened Narrative Complexity
A series long story allows for more intricate plotting, making room for twists, call backs, and deeper themes that would be difficult to execute within a single episode. Imagine a series with multiple twists littered throughout it. We generally get one twist per series and we know when it is coming most of the time. Why not whack a twist in the middle of the third episode? When Doctor Who experimented with this in Flux, it created a more sprawling and interconnected narrative than what we typically see in a season. Flux had its critics (a lot of them actually), but it showcased how the series could build a richer world by introducing multi-layered mysteries, various character arcs, and interwoven plot threads that paid off (or didn't pay off depending on who you are) by the end of the series. I honestly think Flux was so close to being top, top tier - it was a shame that the villains just sort of vanished in the blink of an eye near the end. Maybe one thread could of been ignored for more Doctor and Yaz time as well, but I am being very critical here.
Serialised stories enable slow-burn revelations, where details dropped in earlier episodes gain significance as the series progresses. The payoff becomes more rewarding for the viewer as themes are explored in greater depth. This could elevate Doctor Who to a new level of storytelling sophistication, moving beyond the sometimes limited structure of standalone episodes.
I am thinking Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul (in space) here - why the hell not?
Stronger Villains and Antagonists
One major benefit of a serialised format is the chance to develop more compelling and complex villains. Doctor Who has always had great one-off monsters, but the ability to craft a fully developed villain with clear motivations and a deeper connection to the Doctor could lead to more memorable monsters.
Children of Earth is a good example of this again. The 456 become more and more terrifying through the series as more is revealed about them. We see their plans slowly unfold until they cause complete and utter carnage. The tension of watching this was unbearable at times - in a good way. Similarly, Doctor Who could create long lasting villains who challenge the Doctor over multiple episodes, creating a personal rivalry or threat that feels more impactful by the end of the season.
Villains in standalone episodes can often feel underdeveloped, appearing for only 40 minutes before being defeated. How many monsters will you actually remember from the last series? Cosplaying birds? The Bogeyman made of actual bogeys?
Even Sutekh had a lot of issues. I will always remember a guy in front of me at the cinema putting his head in his hands when Kate was turned to dust in Empire of Death. I wonder if he was still gutted when everyone in the world was turned to dust moments later? The whole threat went in a second. We all knew that at that moment there was no way EVERYONE would die, therefore we knew the Doctor would bring them all back. If Kate, and Kate alone, perished midway through the fourth episode of an eight part series though...!
In Flux I thought Swarm and Azure had the potential to be all timer villains. They got more time to be evil shits and they were great. I want a new, iconic monster taking shape over a number of episodes. You could maybe class the Silence as a great enemy given a bit of time to breath as they had a few episodes in series 6 to develop.
Increased Viewer Engagement and Anticipation
Serialised storytelling is increasingly popular in modern television because it encourages viewer investment. When a story carries over from episode to episode, viewers are more likely to tune in week after week, eager to see how the plot will resolve. This format also creates a sense of anticipation that can generate buzz and conversation between episodes, as fans speculate about where the story will go next.
Shows like Game of Thrones and The Mandalorian have capitalised on this model, leaving audiences eagerly awaiting each new instalment. For Doctor Who, a serialised approach could reignite the fandom's excitement and create moments that are talked about endlessly online. Watercooler moments I think they are called. Storylines that still need to be resolved each week and a cliffhanger after every episode would also keep viewers hooked.
A More Cohesive and Cinematic Experience
A continuous storyline also opens the door for a more cinematic feel. Flux looked bloody awesome. Would focussing on a certain area/planet/ship mean more money could be spent on this rather than endless sets. Steven Moffat once said Doctor Who was the hardest show to make, you have one set that remains - the TARDIS - each episode spends a couple of minutes in their and then you need to build an entirely new set for each episode.
The whole series would have its own type of atmosphere, it could be amazing.
Flux and Children of Earth both benefited from a sense of unity in their storytelling, where each episode felt like a chapter in a larger novel rather than a short story. This can also improve pacing, allowing for more meaningful moments of tension and drama. Rather than rushing through a self contained plot in 45 minutes, the show can take its time to let scenes breathe, delivering more emotional impact and narrative depth.
Final thoughts
Don't get me wrong, I love Doctor Who, I would love it however it came out. I would love for RTD to try this format however, especially RTD actually. He writes so many good characters in everything he does, all he needs now is a soon to be iconic villain with a fuck off evil plan and with a bloody good reason of having their evil plan. Just like that things could get very epic very quickly!! There is certainly no harm in trying anyway.
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