Why Doctor Who's 50th Anniversary Should Not Be A Party

"If you have a really good story that motors on the fact that this is one man experiencing the same adventure at several different points of his life, that would be worth doing. But you can€™t do a special or an episode as a reunion party. That€™s not a story, that€™s a party. Nothing wrong with parties but they€™re not great fun to watch."
He absolutely hits the nail on the head. Parties are fun but they usually involve geeks like me, slurring and stuttering Colin Baker's name. If all the Doctors arrive in one episode, it needs to be done really well, otherwise you fall into the trap of having them just for the sake of it. Some ideas I have seen tossed around on this website involve previous companions, monsters, planets and Bessie. We had that - it was called the Five Doctors - and let's be honest with ourselves, rose-tinted glasses on the table, it was awful. I would much rather a good, exciting story that respects the past and makes reference to it, whilst realising that the show made it to 2013 for a reason - its modern audience. If this could include previous Doctors, fantastic, perfect etc. Modern Who is at its best when it looks to its past with a subtle lowering of its Stetson. For example, the death of the Brigadier in "The Wedding of River Song" was really well done and for older fans (I'm 19, although I feel 40) it was a wonderful nod to a childhood hero. More moments like that are needed if the 50th anniversary is to live up to the billing. If that can involve those who came before Matt Smith, then all credit for that. But if this involves the sacrifice of a good, poignant story, then I would rather the one good man going to war. Agree or disagree? Leave a comment below.
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