Doctor Who 50th Anniversary: 5 Things That Are or Aren't Happening (Probably)

4. The Writers (Or, The Song Remains The Same. Again.)

In my previous speculative article, I also mused that the drafting of Neil Gaiman to write "The Doctor's Wife" stood head and shoulders above most of Series Six not only because he's Neil Gaiman - He's also outside of the usual stable of writers that have written for Doctor Who since Steven Moffat took over ahead of Series 5. I hoped that this kind of bold choice would expand their horizons, and encourage more imaginative writers being sourced from hitherto unseen sources. I understood the first half of Series 7 being largely more of the same, because then the Ponds' era would wrap up feeling much the same as it had been. But the anniversary year could mean so much more..... Or not. It's the Gatiss and Moffat show, with a couple of exceptions. The same two people we've pretty much counted on for 50% of all the stories we've seen the last three years. (Check the math, I'm pretty close.) Oddly enough, this being the anniversary year and their being lifelong fans doesn't make this a bad thing. But, anyone who's been on the fence about Matt Smith's tenure isn't likely to see this as a promise of anything new or radical. It's funny, because in my previous article I said what'll probably happen would be: "More of the same" but earlier I'd said if I couldn't have a more diverse palette, I'd be contented in one particular way: "Another go for Gaiman would be nice, too."

Lo and behold, He's back! And, with Gaiman's pen behind it I can enjoy what has the potential to be the best Cyberman story since "Earthshock". (Those who champion "Army of Ghosts/Doomsday" - It's alright, but the Daleks and Rose's leaving upstage them. Those who champion "Closing Time" or "The Next Doctor" - You're adorable.) WILL IT BE ANY GOOD? Well, I guess that's down to if you've enjoyed Series 5-7ish and like Moffat and Gatiss' writing in particular. Me, I am holding faith that they know that this is a great year and opportunity - I don't doubt that their habit of trying to make their own stamp on the series mythology will continue (Oh, he's married now? Only when Moffat's writing, it seems...) but pulling the Great Intelligence out of the depths of the 1960's lost episodes AND making "The Snowmen" a prequel to the relevant Troughton episodes? Clearly these men are at least trying to look back and forward. I say give them your trust, and that's coming from someone who was overall disappointed by Series Six (Outside of Gaiman, anyway). OVERALL LIKELIHOOD: 10 out of 10. It's a done deal, unless they're lying and brought back Robert Holmes from the dead.