Doctor Who Series 11 overall review

Doctor Who – Series 11 overall review

The first season with Chris Chibnall as showrunner. Quite interesting, especially when it came to important moments in 20^th Century history, but there are many aspects that left things to be desired, especially towards the end of the series. (It was such a good beginning.) Where did it go well, and where did it go wrong. There are many threads running through this series. The Doctor getting used to her new regeneration. Family, particularly through Graham and Ryan, but also Yas' family (Demons in the Punjab in particular).

Grief, especially Graham's for Grace, is a major theme through the series. It is a major part of why he wants to travel with the Doctor, and is a major plot point in It Takes You Away, where the Solitract uses a simulacrum of her to hook Graham. (This would make a more satisfying conclusion than The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos). Villainy not being the result of being a megalomaniac (except for 'Tim Shaw', but as a result of typical human prejudices (especially in Rosa and Demons of the Punjab, but also in The Witchfinders).

Other forms of ordinary human villainy are on display. For instance, the mistreatment of human workers by the Kerblam! Corporation, which parallels the treatment of human works in real life corporations like Amazon. This links back to the prejudice theme, with Charlie's prejudice against Amazon, leading him to his terrorism plot with the explosive bubblewrap. This aspect was rather well done. However these aren't the only themes running through the series. There is also the theme of family.

The best example of this is the relationship between Graham and Ryan, which improves through the series. In The Woman Who Fell to Earth, the only connection between the two of them is Grace. However, their experiences through the season, starting with working together despite the pervasive racism in Montgomery, 1995, allow them to draw closer as grandfather and grandson. Indeed, it is the Solitract!Grace's refusal to help Ryan (stuck in the Antizone) which convinces Graham that it indeed isn't Grace.

Thus Ryan's admission of love on the alien ship. Family is also important for Yas, but we find out more about Umbreen in Demons of the Punjab, than about Yas herself through the entire season. Some hints are dropped about the Doctor, but they aren't (yet) brought up. Maybe those are for a future season. 8.5/10. (There is room for improvement in Resolution.) Despite some missteps, this has been a good season.