Doctor Who is a show about change. Not just the title character or the companions but also behind the scenes. The show is unusual, particularly in modern television, for having a single showrunner who dictates the creative direction of the show. Because of this, Doctor Who has been several different shows during its half century history. It started as an educational show, but over the years it's been pure sci-fi, espionage, gothic horror, courtroom drama, action-adventure, the 80s... The transition from Russell T Davies to Steven Moffat was the first modern example of something that occurred numerous times in the Classic Series. Newer fans, who were only dimly aware of the original show, had come to know Doctor Who as a reasonably grounded sci-fi show about a lonely god who plucks people from their mundane existence and shows them how to reach their full potential. Under Moffat the show has become more fantastical, a mad wizard in a magic box who comes to whisk you away to Wonderland where the timey is wimey and nothing makes sense. Whoever the next showrunner is, no doubt their take on Doctor Who will be vastly different from either one. Times change and so must we. One day, probably the same day that Peter Capaldi hangs up his Crombie coat, fans will have to say goodbye to Moffat and close the book on his era. They'll compare, critique and over analyse for years to come and people will form their own opinions on the Moffat years. But the one thing they'll never be able to say is that they weren't entertained. Moffat has added innumerable things to the Doctor Who canon, things that future writers will be able to play with, build on break apart. His influence on Doctor Who will be felt for as long as Doctor who continues to exist and the show is stronger for what he's added. So thanks for the stories, Steven. What did you think of this list? Are there any other reasons Steven Moffat has saved Doctor Who? Join the conversation in the comments section below!
