13 Things Non-Fans Always Get Wrong About Doctor Who

By Matt Dunn /

12. The 2005 Revival Was A Reboot Of The Original Series

To use the term 'reboot' in relation to the revived series of Doctor Who is to suggest that it was restarted in 2005 with only the basic elements of the original series in place, while paying scant regard to the established mythology and effectively creating an entirely new and different program. This is so far from the truth that it's almost laughable. The revived series has so many direct links to the old series, so many themes and concepts that are, quite explicitly, a continuation of where the old series left off, as to make the 'reboot' assertion null and void. The basic elements are indeed all there €“ the TARDIS, Gallifrey, the Time Lords €“ but there's so much more that's carried over from the classic series to the new series €“ references to and appearances by classic series companions in the new series, the backstory of the Daleks and Cybermen, the very number of incarnations of The Doctor himself. Proponents of the reboot theory need only look to last month's 50th anniversary special for absolute proof - if any were needed - that the revival is unequivocally not a reboot. If that isn't sufficient, there's still more proof scattered liberally throughout the previous 102 episodes.