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The Doctor Who franchise has come a long way since its early days in 1960s Britain. After over a decade off the air, the sci-fi series was brought back to life in 2005. Under Russell T Davies’ expert guidance, a whole new generation was introduced to the wonders of time travel and space adventure.
Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper starred as the enduring alien hero the Doctor and his companion Rose Tyler. Their journey kicked off over 160 new episodes across 13 seasons.
While the revived show gained millions of loyal fans worldwide, in recent years some believed it had lost its way. Paced slowed as stories grew overly complex. A leadership change brought new vision, but left unanswered questions. After three years away, now Davies returns, hoping to reignite old magic. He’s put together an incredible new team to take viewers boldly forward.
Stepping into the role of the Fifteenth Doctor is Ncuti Gatwa, bringing boundless charm and strength. Joining him is rising star Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday, an enigmatic young explorer. With Disney backing, budgets are higher than ever.
Creative control is restored to the timey-wimey tale’s original mastermind. But not all fans are pleased by the streaming shift. Can this season return fun and wonder to the top of the priority list? The answers are rising with Flight 14’s premiere, as the Doctor and Ruby set off on fresh adventures, seeking to inspire a new era of fans once more lifting the series to greater heights.
Russell T. Davies’ Triumphant Return
It’s impossible to discuss this new era of Doctor Who without mentioning Russell T Davies. As the man who revived the franchise in 2005, he established the modern template that allowed it to thrive for over a decade. Now he’s back, with a wealth of ideas and renewed excitement for exploring this vibrant world.
Davies wastes no time making changes. A new Doctor, new companion, and the move to streaming signals a fresh start. But this isn’t a total reimagining. Davies understands what drew fans in over 60 years – that sense of joyful possibility. He pays tribute while leading the show to new shores.
In these early episodes, his deft hand is evident. Plots zip by at a breakneck pace yet leave room for humor and heart. References to classic eras surprise old fans while excluding no one. Best of all, the magic of discovery is back. From space babies to musical mysteries, nothing is off limits in Davies’ playground of imagination.
Beneath the fun lies thoughtful musings too. An allegory about human spirit faces a music-stealing villain. A Doctor grappling with trauma hints at depth to come. Davies strikes a balance, as he did before, between escapist fun and meaningful social explores through a sci-fi lens.
Most exciting is where he may steer the ship next. A looming season-long serial and pantheon of gods pose opportunities for layering mythology or refreshingly standalone tales. Through it all, Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson’s chemistry promises to be the beating heart we’ll return for. Russell T. Davies has only just begun, but it’s clear his Doctor Who is in the safest of hands. Fans both old and new will find much to savor.
The First Flights of Fourteen
Ncuti Gatwa’s debut as the Doctor is a remarkable one. From his first scene, this incarnation radiates confidence and experience, yet with a refreshing air of fun. While easily explaining the TARDIS and more to new companion Ruby, the levity never undercuts our hero’s sense of history and responsibility.
This Fourteenth Doctor feels joyful in a manner audiences haven’t seen in some time. Scenes of wide-eyed glee at new destinations are tempered by quiet moments where the lonely side of the Time Lord bleeds through. Gatwa captures both ends of this spectrum with earnestness and nuance, crafting a fully realized portrayal from the outset.
His dynamic with Millie Gibson’s Ruby is also a highlight. These first adventures see their rapport developing at an organic pace, introducing an engaging will-they/won’t-they element to their travels. Laughter and trust are easily shared, but hints of deeper understanding lurk beneath in thoughtful looks.
From guiding Ruby through the stars with humor to gazing upon their ruination with thousand-year-old eyes, Gatwa imbues the Doctor with captivating layers. Stepping into a role with such history, he makes it feel vital and new again through compassion and wit. Fans would be hard pressed to ask for a stronger start to this Doctor’s tenure. With Gatwa at the controls, the future of the TARDIS looks bright indeed.
Millie Gibson’s Promising Start as Companion Ruby
Millie Gibson slips convincingly into the companion role as Ruby Sunday. While still getting acquainted with her time traveling circumstances, Ruby acts as the viewers’ eyes and ears with thoughtful inquisitiveness. She engages the Doctor with clever remarks, prodding his vast intellect with questions both profound and playful.
Reflecting their developing bond over adventures, Ruby challenges the Doctor to experience history’s joys rather than rush through explanations. Their trip to 1960s London sparks the young companion’s musical spirit. Yet hints of mystery endure within Ruby too, woven deftly into offhand remarks. Promising intrigues lie ahead regarding her past and understanding of the Doctor’s heavy burdens.
Gibson brings Ruby to life with youthful levity and empathy. Her performance captures the wide range of emotions companions feel: fear when aliens pursued, joy atop Big Ben overlooking the Beatles’ recording.
Subtly too, the actress hints at depths within Ruby still coming forth, fostering wonder at futures yet to unfold with this new TARDIS team. While the path forward remains unwritten, the first steps Gibson and Gatwa take together show great potential for many returns alongside the Doctor.
Back to the Whoniverse
The first two episodes of Doctor Who’s new Series 14 under showrunner Russell T Davies take the audience on a trip through time and space. “Space Babies” kicks things off with a bizarre premise – babies running a space station – but manages to craft a fun and engaging story from it. Introducing Ncuti Gatwa’s Fourteenth Doctor and companion Millie Gibson’s Ruby Sunday, it focuses on establishing their dynamic as they learn to work together.
This new dynamic differs from past Doctors, with the pairing still feeling each other out. Their raw energy shows the excitement of discovery, drawing viewers along for the ride. The comedy and thrills keep things moving as the Doctor’s exposition is woven naturally into adventures. Far from dumbing things down, it showcases what makes Doctor Who so weirdly wonderful.
Episode two, “The Devil’s Chord,” takes ambition to new heights. Transporting the Doctor and Ruby to 1960s London, they uncover a musical villain stealing the Beatles’ talent. Jinkx Monsoon sinks teeth into the sinister Maestro role, igniting tension with flair. Steeped in reverence for the power of music, it finds profundity through whimsy and camp.
Nods to classic eras add layers for long-time fans, like a scene recreated with modern style. But newcomers simply enjoy the story on its own fantastical terms. Strong performances throughout sell the sense of high stakes, whether facing off against babies or devious deities.
Back are also the elements making Doctor Who beloved – colorful adventures, reflections on what it means to be human, and heroes to believe in as they battle the impossible. Russell T Davies’ touch returns the Whoniverse to its former glory of simple fun blended with deeper meanings. Through these episodes, Doctor Who reminds audiences of both its history and the unlimited potential of its future.
Cinematic Storytelling Returns to Doctor Who
Under Russell T Davies’ charge once more, Doctor Who looks more vibrant than ever. With backing from Disney+, the production values have shot through the roof. Viewers are treated to sprawling locations that transport the imagination, whether 1960s London swarming with Beatles fever or a futuristic space station in disarray. Murray Gold’s swelling score matches every inch, lifting adventures like “The Devil’s Chord” to pulse-pounding heights.
This resplendent canvas allows Davies’ vision to shine without constraints. Nuances unseen in episodes past, like the Doctor’s thousand-yard stare masking eons of pain, now captivate. Fantastical realms feel boundless, from the abandoned nursery overrun by crawling babies in “Space Babies” to the soulless Britain devoid of music under the Maestro’s thumb. Audiences become fully immersed, joining the Doctor and Ruby as their eyes expand to the universe’s endless wonders.
Some might argue such flash undercuts the show’s punk roots. But for Davies, visuals honor Who’s legacy by fueling imaginations. If the TARDIS teaching moments and giggle-filled grins don’t tug hearts, the splendor zipping between galaxies will. Under Disney+’s glow, Doctor Who rediscovers the pure cinematic joy that first sparked generations of fans.
The Eccentric Energy of New Beginnings
With its inaugural two-episode block, Season 14 of Doctor Who serves as an exuberant introduction to the new era under Russell T Davies’ helm. While some initial growing pains were evident as the 14th Doctor and Ruby Sunday continue developing their unique double act dynamic, Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson bring an infectious enthusiasm that lifts every scene. Their natural charisma leaves no doubt these two are perfectly fitted to lead the TARDIS crew into adventures ahead.
Beneath the manic escapades of “Space Babies” and musical high-jinks of “The Devil’s Chord” lurks a thoughtful appreciation for Doctor Who’s roots continued by Davies. Classic lore receives modern upgrades through creative storytelling. Politically-charged allegories surface but never at the cost of fun. This balance nods to the show’s family-friendly nature while retaining its ability to spark reflection.
Early episodes invite both longtime fans and newcomers aboard with a enjoyable, low-commitment tone. Yet flashes of Davies’ masterful serialized storytelling hint at mysteries soon to deepen. As with his prior era, plots feel bound only by limitless imagination. With Disney resources now at his creative control, there’s excitable potential for ever grander spectacles.
Season 14 offers an eccentric, heartwarming reintroduction to Doctor Who. Under Davies’ devoted guidance and cast’s exuberant performances, the future remains brighter than ever for this timeless series. Though in its starting phases, delightful signs show it remains in safe, visionary hands for many more brilliant adventures across space and time.
The Review
Doctor Who Season 14
In conclusion, Season 14 of Doctor Who marks a joyous new beginning for the long-running series. Under Russell T Davies' passionate leadership and powered by Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson's irresistible energy, these opening episodes inject new vitality into the TARDIS while respecting traditions that made the show a worldwide phenomenon. With boundaries of time and space yet again rendered playthings of boundless imagination, Doctor Who is primed for its most exciting chapter still to come.
PROS
- Return of Russell T Davies invigorates show with fun, ambitious storytelling
- Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson have excellent comedic and dramatic chemistry
- Season embraces classic elements while pushing boundaries in magical new directions
- Disney resources allow for even more visually spectacular production values
CONS
- Early episodes still feel like they're finding Gatwa and Gibson's characters' voices
- Narrative logic not as tight as in Davies' previous era
- Leans further into fantasy than hard sci-fi for some fans' tastes
