#limbel

(2) Another big problem that bothers me is the large amount of plot holes. I mean, I know it’s REALLY hard to write a sci-fi show, especially when it’s about time travels and ESPECIALLY when it has been going on for 50 years. I’ve not a problem with plot holes, I understand how difficult it must be to move and act in an universe as wide and complex as the one of Doctor Who: contradictions are almost inevitable. But what I’m feeling right now is that they are not even trying anymore.

(3) They are just ignoring things. The first example that comes to my mind is of course the end of series 7, in which the Doctor enters his own time stream and saves Clara… somehow? But how? I was waiting for some sort of explanation but they just ignored what had happened. For more than two years now. I hope I’m wrong, I really do: series 9 is started two weeks ago and I’m already impatient for answers. I’m afraid I’ll be left with nothing but doubts.

(4) I try to be confident that by the end of the season things will be made clear: how did Missy escape from Gallifrey? How did Davros survived? Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to talk about this with someone. Doctor Who is one of the few things that make me happy, it’s natural that I want the best for this show. Can you say something to make me feel better? (u’re amazing btw, and sorry for my english) :)

Honey, I don’t mind you coming to me (and thank you for the compliments, you’re really lovely), but I’m not sure I can help you.

I’m sorry you are currently not enjoying the show a lot, but I don’t see how it’s something I can fix. Pretty much the only way I can think of would be trying to see the show through other people’s eyes - someone made me like The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe once and that is not a small feat… however, meta isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Reading long essays probably just fills most people with (mild) boredom. That being said, I did want to mention it, because seeing other people’s love and enthusiasm and the depth of their understanding of the show is a beautiful thing and it does help me occasionally, when something isn’t reaching me.

I think it’s interesting that you mention that this started with series 6, because that is definitely when Steven Moffat started to be more experimental in his approach to Who. There were many new things introduced in series 5, from the fairytale elements and higher production values to his style of writing companions, but it’s not until series 6 that he really starts getting bold and branching out in the style and scope of his stories. Ironically, series 6 is what made me a Doctor Who fan, so we are coming from two very different points of view here.

Alright, thoughts:

1) You don’t need to feel bad about yourself. You’ve done your best to love this show and it’s just not working for you. That’s sad, but it just happens. You haven’t done anything wrong, the show might not have done anything wrong either, sometimes these things just don’t work well together. And I do think that emotional connection is the thing which bothers you most here, because most of the other stuff seems like complaints which happen as mere afterthoughts.

2) What are the things which usually caused your excitement and affection? Characters, inspirational storylines…? Or just a feeling which you can’t capture again? There’s not a lot of things to do about the second one (whereas reading other people’s impressions may help understand characters or how any of this matters). That being said, I think most of the Moffat era greatly benefits from a re-watch. It may be just torture for you, so I’m not sure that’s an ethical recommendation, but that is really when one does start picking up on all the beautiful little details, especially in Moffat’s own episodes.

3) Almost none of the things which you mentioned are actual plot holes (semantics, but still). These are moments in which an explanation for something is dropped, to be filled with your own imagination or not to be filled at all. While the TNotD case is sort of borderline and they did actually mean to film a scene in which the Doctor carries Clara out of the time stream before Matt Smith injured himself, it’s also not strictly speaking important. (I tend to think the important thing is identity. The Doctor helped Clara regain hers and that is what saved them.) Ultimately, there’s no true relevance for the emotional resonance and meaning of that story - of seeing other people as human beings, of facing your grief, of choosing heroism.

The other two instances are thing which happen because by narrative rule they always happen. There’s no soul on the planet who didn’t expect Davros or Missy to reappear and sometimes Steven Moffat just takes these meta facts for granted… or explains it a couple of episodes later, like Missy’s description in The Witch’s Familiar. Personally, it’s something I think is charming, this deliberate play on the fact that you are a story and this story has certain rules. Missy’s escape from Gallifrey will be explained in case it is necessary or it adds something to future stories - otherwise I’m relatively sure that you’re a bit out of luck there.

4) This isn’t the end. This isn’t even a bump in the road of your love for Doctor Who. For once, as much as it saddens me, Moffat is not going to be showrunner forever and there’s a decent chance that you will be able to get back into the show when he leaves. You might even want to stop watching for  a bit, if it does nothing but frustrate you. On the other hand, it’s hardly the only Doctor Who out there. Give Classic Who a try; there are hundreds of introductory guides. Or, if you are like me and 1960s television is a bit of a challenge for your attention span, try Big Finish! If you enjoyed Rose and Donna a lot, you should love Lucie Miller, of the Eighth Doctor Adventures!