It It has been cited on more than a couple occasions that one of the greatest strengths that Doctor Who has as a program is its ability to radically transform itself on a regular basis. Over the course of the shows five+ decades its changed not only its lead actor, but also its entire tone. To illustrate, the feeling of an episode from The Hinchcliff Era is palpably and radically different even from an episode of the Graham Williams Era, despite having the exact same cast and most of the same production crew. Its with that in mind that we find ourselves with an opportunity. The Matt Smith era, whatever you may have thought of its tone, is officially at a close and while the change of lead actor doesnt necessarily require that the tone of the program changes, it does at least provide a fairly convenient excuse to shake things up. Indeed, Stephen Moffat has even gone so far as to flat out state in interviews that the introduction of Peter Capaldis Doctor will very clearly carry with it a change in tone for the program. So, while we wait for the program to return to our screens and show us what that new tone will be, here are some suggestions for eleven previous episodes that the production crew should be drawing inspiration from. Because it's never to early to start giving advice that no one asked for.
11. The Aztecs
There is an unfortunate tendency to view history as a serious of Big Important People who did Big Important Things while the rest of the population sits around not mattering. The reality of course is that History (capital H) is actually made up of lot of people, most of whom did not go down in the annals of 'Big Important People'. In actual fact, a lot of History is masses of people we've never heard of, just getting on with their lives and reacting to events around them as best they can. Of course, you'd never know that from watching modern genre television, since any trip back to the past immediately assumes that you're going to be meeting a Big Important Person and finding out how history was all about them, really. This is at least partially understandable for two reasons; First, going back into the past means (usually) costume drama, and the opportunity to throw in a Big Important Person must be irresistibly tempting, seeing as we're already getting dressed up anyway, and second, Doctor Who does still theoretically have an educational remit, so it's nice to throw in a bit of info about notable historical figures when we can. That said, it's a little disappointing that the only trip to the past that hasn't revolved around a BIP since the series rebooted was set in 1983, which leaves us to assume that Adam Ant just wasn't available that week. It was not, however, always like this. Back in the show's first year (admittedly, after a trip to meet Marco Polo) we traveled back in time to meet The Aztecs. While visiting the Aztecs we met the famous historical figure of...Autloc. Indeed, the whole point of The Aztecs is that it's the little people who do matter, and that while you can't change the entire course of History (capital H) you can - and more importantly, should - help the 'little people'.