Doctor Who Season 15: A Must-Watch Comeback That Will Blow Your Mind!

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Approach with Caution: Contains Spoilers for Doctor Who Season 15, Episode 6 titled “The Interstellar Song Contest.”

While I can appreciate some criticisms leveled against certain aspects of Doctor Who Season 14, Ncuti Gatwa’s second stint as the Fifteenth Doctor has truly revitalized this long-standing British science fiction series. It’s not that I thought his debut season was poor, but since Varada Sethu’s introduction as Belinda Chandra in Doctor Who Season 15, Episode 1, “The Robot Revolution,” the show has been delivering one great episode after another in my opinion. Even Gatwa’s impressive portrayal of the Doctor in the Season 14 cast has continued to grow since his return.

The Disney era of Doctor Who brought numerous alterations following the conclusion of “The Giggle” in 2023, and it’s not just about the series’ updated visuals that caught my attention. Science fiction elements have been replaced by fantastical narratives, which initially caused a stir among devoted fans. Initially, I was among those feeling a bit disgruntled with Russell T. Davies’ new approach, but I’ve since come to appreciate it as a refreshing shift. In essence, for those not enjoying Doctor Who season 15 up until now, I believe they might be setting an unrealistically high standard for themselves.

Doctor Who Season 15 Improves Massively Upon Season 14’s Weaknesses

Gatwa’s return for another run of episodes has allowed Davies to refine the show’s new formula

Season 14 of Doctor Who had a rocky start, as “Space Babies” remains the least favorite episode during the Gatwa era. While there were some standout episodes like “Boom” and “73 Yards,” many other scripts didn’t quite reach their potential. The return of Gabriel Woolf as Sutekh in season 14 finale was a missed opportunity. Additionally, Millie Gibson joined the show brilliantly as Ruby Sunday, but her true lineage’s revelation was underwhelming, and her relationship with the Doctor lacked tension, which weakened her run’s dynamic as a companion.

Season 15 of Doctor Who has yet to feature any weak episodes. Instead, it’s been delivering high-quality content consistently. Belinda has managed to test the Doctor in ways that Ruby didn’t before. Additionally, Gatwa’s current series has done an impressive job of referencing both recent and distant past events by reintroducing familiar characters for unexpected appearances. Highlights of this include “The Well” serving as a follow-up to 2008’s “Midnight,” Jo Martin reappearing as the Fugitive Doctor in “The Story and the Engine,” and Carole Ann Ford making a surprise return as Susan in “The Interstellar Song Contest.

Ncuti Gatwa Isn’t Alone In Having His Era Hit Its Stride In His Second Season As The Doctor

A new Doctor often means Doctor Who finding its feet again

Even though “Doctor Who” is known for its constant evolution, introducing a new lead actor can sometimes stir up tension. In fact, a fresh Doctor often brings about a change in the showrunner as well. Interestingly, even though Russell T Davies has been in this esteemed role twice, “Doctor Who” season 14 marked his first collaboration with Gatwa on the show. Consequently, they had to navigate their way through an initial learning phase to figure out the most effective ways to work together. This isn’t unique to their experience; such periods of adaptation are not uncommon within the series’ history.

It’s often the case that a new Doctor’s initial season is solid but not exceptional, with their performance generally improving over time as they become more comfortable in the role. Few actors are able to jump straight into the role of the Doctor and deliver an outstanding debut. This can make it hard for fans to warm up to the new actor after being invested in a previous Doctor for so long. However, I believe that Gatwa’s first season surpassed the initial performances of other Doctor actors, laying a strong foundation for his era to flourish during season 15.

Doctor Who Season 15 Has Paid Off The Show’s Very Soft Reboot For The Disney+ Era

Gatwa’s first season set up the chance to reference Fifteen’s past in his second

Due to BBC’s agreement with Disney granting them international streaming rights for “Doctor Who” starting from 2023, the show experienced a somewhat confusing rebrand. The first season featuring Ncuti Gatwa was marketed as “Doctor Who” season 1, making it the initial collection of episodes affected by this new deal following the 60th anniversary trilogy. Contrary to the impression given by the change in the show’s numbering system, the Fifteenth Doctor’s escapades continue directly from where Jodie Whittaker left off at the end of “Doctor Who” season 13. Therefore, there has been no alteration to the continuity, despite the suggestion that there might have been.

As a devoted movie critic revisiting Doctor Who on Disney+, I’ve discovered that fans new to the series can only catch up from “The Star Beast” and beyond. To fully appreciate the show’s captivating backstory, one must delve into its history on other platforms. Nevertheless, Russell T Davies has cleverly woven in nods to characters and storylines dating back long before “The Star Beast,” which might elude those who joined the journey in 2023. Fortunately, season 14 of Doctor Who paved the way for the exhilarating momentum we witness in season 15, ensuring that every episode remains engaging and satisfying to both old and new viewers alike.

Season 15 has expanded on the idea of Doctor Who’s Pantheon, a crucial element in the series’ 2023 reboot. Moreover, the appearance of Ruby Sunday in “Lucky Day” has sparked fresh interest among new viewers, making them eager and pointing at their screens. This is merely a glimpse into what long-time Doctor Who fans have enjoyed for years, and now, those just starting with the show can finally appreciate the fun of recognizing a nod to the franchise’s deep-rooted history.

I Would Strongly Advise Those Who Stopped Watching Doctor Who After Season 14 To Give Season 15 A Shot

Doctor Who season 15 has been an incredible ride so far

As a dedicated movie buff who’s been following Doctor Who since its transformation in recent years, I must admit that I approached the revamped series with a mix of excitement and trepidation, eager to see if it would still resonate with me as a fan. While hordes of newcomers embraced Russell T Davies’ rejuvenated take on the show, some long-time viewers, myself included, found ourselves drifting away before even reaching the end of season 14. Frankly, this development leaves me utterly disheartened to the very core. Despite my initial reluctance to rank it among my favorite eras, I cannot deny that it marked a significant leap forward from Chris Chibnall’s tenure as showrunner.

No matter where you left off during Doctor Who’s Season 14, I highly recommend revisiting and completing your journey. Skipping ahead would mean missing out on an extraordinary second run by Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor and the show overall, which is currently experiencing a significant resurgence. In many aspects, Doctor Who’s Season 15 follows a structure similar to its predecessor, but the formula has been finessed, with guest writers delivering exceptional work.

If Doctor Who Season 15 Finishes Strong, I’m Confident The Show Will Continue

The Fifteenth Doctor is on the cusp of a massive fight

The response to this phase of “Doctor Who” has been varied, yet it seems the critical voices are getting more attention. This has led to speculation that the series might be terminated or put on hold following season 15, unless there’s noticeable improvement – even though Disney’s agreement with the BBC wouldn’t expire by then. Fortunately, “Doctor Who season 15” has been impressing viewers, giving me optimism about the show’s prospects moving forward.

Absolutely, for Doctor Who’s season 15 to secure its future, it needs to wrap up effectively first. Fortunately, the unexpected disclosure in “The Interstellar Song Contest” that Mrs. Flood, played by Anita Doboon, has been a renowned Doctor Who antagonist adds an exciting twist to the upcoming two-part finale. Unfortunately, if the series continues, there’s no assurance that Gatwa will remain as the Doctor. I hope Doctor Who season 16 is produced and that it keeps its current lead actor on board, as I believe there’s a lot more story to be told in the series.

Doctor Who Season 15’s Release Schedule On Disney+
Episode Title Release Date (2025)
1 “The Robot Revolution” April 12
2 “Lux” April 19
3 “The Well” April 26
4 “Lucky Day” May 3
5 “The Story and the Engine” May 10
6 “The Interstellar Song Contest” May 17
7 “Wish World” May 24
8 “The Reality War” May 31

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2025-05-21 16:19