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AI review the Fan disstatifaction with Doctor Who 2023 to current

Google Gemini

Fan dissatisfaction with Russell T. Davies's (RTD) return
to Doctor Who in the 2023-2025 period appears to stem from
several key areas, as indicated by recent online discussions and reviews:

Creative Direction and Tone:

"Campy" and "Family-Friendly" Focus: Some fans express
disappointment that RTD's current era leans too heavily
into a "fun, campy, and family-friendly" style, believing
it has lost the "heavy plots" and "horror" elements that
previous seasons (including his own first run and those
of Moffat and Capaldi) balanced. Critics argue that
the show now feels "too safe and prescriptively wholesome"
and that the Doctor sometimes behaves "like a human
who woke up with superpower and can't wait to see
if he knows how to use it."

"End of the Universe" Stakes vs. "Monster of the Week":
There's a desire for more self-contained, character-driven
"monster of the week" episodes and less of the "never ending
end of the Universe crap" or "visual spectacle" that some
feel only appeals to young children.

Musical Elements: The inclusion of musical interludes,
particularly in "The Devil's Chord," has been a point
of contention for some, who found
it "self-indulgent and unnecessary."

Storytelling and Narrative Choices:

"Timeless Child" Arc: Despite significant backlash
to the "Timeless Child" storyline from the previous
showrunner (Chris Chibnall), RTD not only kept
it but reportedly "doubled down on it"
in the 60th Anniversary Specials
and "The Church on Ruby Road." This has
alienated some long-time fans who wished
for a clean break from that controversial retcon.

Lack of Setup to Payoff: Some critics argue
that the finales in RTD's second era lack
sufficient setup for their payoffs, feeling
"wishy-washy" or "self-indulgent."

Underdeveloped Characters: Characters
like Rose Noble and Shirley Bingham have
been criticised for not being fully developed
or meaningfully integrated into the narrative,
sometimes feeling like they "lack narrative purpose."

"The Message" vs. Story: A recurring complaint
is that the show has become "preachy"
and "always has some message to tell,"
with some fans feeling that it prioritises
"agenda's" over compelling storytelling,
similar to criticisms leveled
at other Disney-backed franchises.

Production and Episode Count:

Fewer Episodes: Despite an increased
budget from the Disney+ deal, the number
of episodes per season has reportedly
decreased (e.g., eight episodes compared
to 10 or 13 in previous eras). This puts
"undue pressure on each episode"
and leaves fans feeling they don't
get enough time with the new Doctor.

Budget Allocation: Some question if
the increased budget is being spent effectively,
with reports suggesting much goes towards
upscaling for 4K HDR, rather than producing
more episodes or improving other aspects.
Some visual effects choices have been perceived
as "bad VFX" or "skill issues" in 4K.

Audience Engagement and Ratings:

Falling Viewing Figures: Despite RTD's
stated goal of attracting younger audiences
and his claim of "massively successful"
engagement with the under-30 demographic,
some reports suggest that viewing figures,
even among this group, are declining,
indicating the show "clearly isn't
growing its audience."

"Toxic Fandom": There's an acknowledgement
within the fandom that a "vocal minority"
or "toxic fandom" exists, where some
fans "only find the negative"
or "enjoy creating friction and arguments,"
regardless of the showrunner. However,
even some of the show's biggest fan
sites have expressed significant disappointment.

Perceived Lack of Adaptability:

Some fans believe RTD is "pig headed
and just doubling down" on creative decisions,
not reflecting much on criticism, especially
given his continuation of the Timeless Child arc.

It's important to note that fan reactions
are diverse, and many viewers still enjoy
RTD's current run, defending its tone and themes.
However, the points above represent common areas
of dissatisfaction expressed by a segment
of the Doctor Who fanbase during the 2023-2025 period.

ChatGPT

Alright - let’s unpack this carefully
and honestly, because it's a big topic
in the *Doctor Who* fan community right now.

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## 📺 **Background**

**Russell T Davies (RTD)** was
the showrunner who *relaunched* *Doctor Who*
in 2005 after its long hiatus. His era (2005–2010)
is beloved by many: it’s seen as a golden age
of *Doctor Who* with David Tennant
and Christopher Eccleston, strong
emotional storytelling, popular companions
like Rose, Martha, and Donna, and huge mainstream
success in the UK and worldwide.

After a period with Steven Moffat
and Chris Chibnall at the helm,
RTD returned as showrunner
for the 60th anniversary specials (2023)
and Series 14/Season 1 (2024) starring
Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth {Real 14th} Doctor
and Millie Gibson as companion Ruby Sunday.

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## 📌 **Why some fans are dissatisfied (2023–2025)**

Not *all* fans are unhappy - there's still
huge goodwill for RTD. But here are the main
points of *criticism* and frustration voiced
in fan circles (Reddit, GallifreyBase, YouTube, social media):

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### 1️⃣ **Tone and Style: Lighter, “Disneyfied” Fe