Editorial: What to Fix for Series 9 of Doctor Who

Doctor Who is in slight peril right now in my eyes. Whilst the love for Series 8 has been screamed across the rooftops by many a fan, it has also lead to a good number of backlash, with my own reviews being somewhat negative for a good portion of 2014's output (with the exception of the occasion average scores and the oddly enjoyable Flatline) and common trends beginning to be more and more noticeable. But with filming for Series 9 in full swing, and some details revealed as to what's to come, it's seems like a good time to see where the series could improve with the aspects already on the cards.

Tone down Missy

If I could, I would get rid of Missy altogether. She was never an interesting character in the run up to her reveal (falling under the same mysteries as Who is River Song and Who is the Other Doctor from the past few series) and I practically exploded with anger when it was revealed that she was the Master. I still stand by my comments about her in Dark Water, and follow-up Death in Heaven did nothing but confirm my fears that she was just another River Song - cringeworthy, cliched, and crass. But alas, she's confirmed for a swift return into the show following her apparent destruction under the hands of Cyber-Brig (don't ask, it's stupid), so comments must be made. Make her more like the Master. She doesn't need to sing her own versions of popular music, hang around with human versions of Tumblr, have abysmal strategies and act like a clingy girlfriend. Basically, rewrite her enitrely, because what you have right now is a huge mess. Heck, I'd be pleased beyond belief if she regenerates. That's my number one wish.

Bring Back Death

It's been too long since we've had a proper death on the show from a major character which hasn't had a later resurrection. Sure, last year we had a number of noteworthy deaths - but the only one that comes to mind for a character with importance to the story as opposed to a disposable side character with little purpose outside of to die is the Sherrif of Nottingham in Robot of Sherwood. Outside of that, it's just unnamed people or people who haven't really done much in the overarching story. Heck, even episodes like Mummy on the Orient Express or Flatline failed to have any major death despite being key aspects of the episodes. As for Osgood, who died in Death in Heaven, has been confirmed for a return in the next series. The last time a major character has died in the show was Rory Williams in 2012 - and he was resurrected multiple times before and died offscreen! Bring back death and bring it back completely; stop crawling away from it.

Make Two-Parters Good Again

Following a series of one story episodes across Series 7, Series 8 featured a single double episode in the form of the finale with bad results. The last two-parter before then? 2011's The Rebel Flesh/The Almost People, a story often reviled and dismissed due to the reputation of writer Matthew Graham (*cough* Fear Her *cough*). With that, the last good two-parter - and it was a great one - was Series 5 finale The Pandorica Opens/The Big Bang, meaning we've been five years since our last good two part story. With Series 9 said to feature a lot more of them right off the bat, it means we have plenty of opportunities for improvement. It's a little difficult to explain how to improve them, as it all depends on the story, but as long as the ending isn't as rushed as Series 7 episodes were or as bad a story as the ones we've had recently, we should be fine.

Pin down the Twelfth Doctor

Okay, confession time: I'm not a fan of the Twelfth Doctor. While I have no complaints against Peter Capaldi himself, as he's often the saving grace of many episodes, but the character is lacking a coherent personality and feel by comparison of his predecessors. He hasn't exactly had any growth per say just yet against the transition by Christopher Eccleston and Matt Smith by the same point in the incarnations' lives, and there's been a common thing with blending him with the Eleventh Doctor in Deep Breath and Last Christmas, Despite coming across as the crochety complainer like William Hartnell and Colin Baker before him, he also has random spurs of madcap humour and cheerfulness in his nature. With that, you can't pinpoint what he's like, or how new he is against what's already been. Offer audiences something more, and don't try so hard to make audiences prefer this guise.

Wave Goodbye to Clara

Again, I have nothing against Jenna Coleman, or indeed much with Clara. But with her often being shoehorned into the past of Doctor Who and becoming a part of its mythos, it's become tiring and unbearable. Just look at the backlash many had against Listen's ending, where she influences the events that conspire and the Doctor's entire life. It was fine with The Name of the Doctor, and a clever twist to boot. But now? She's everywhere and always on show. With that, and the cop-out that was Last Christmas (done because Coleman couldn't decide whether to stay or not), it's clear that it's time to say goodbye before we have companion fatigue. I would say leave on a high, but we're kinda low down in terms of quality right now.

Write GOOD Female Characters

It's been a long time since we've seen something new from the female character back catelogue and that hasn't been diminished with returns and resurrections. Poor Vastra and Jenny were turned into walking signposts with "WE'RE MARRIED LESBIANS" scribbled all over in Deep Breath, every female villain and even a number of allies (Missy, River, Madade Koverian, Ms Delphox, etc.) have the same character traits, and those that do have some subtle differences are either minor or disposable. We need REAL WOMEN on screen - good luck Maisie Williams.

Better Soundtrack

This is more of a nitpick if anything, but we have been lacking a strong soundtrack in quite some time. Outside of Twelve's theme, Series 8 had nothing humworthy to show for it, and with past seasons having some great tunes it's off that we've apparently reached the end of that streak. Come on Murray Gold, whip up a good tune!

Less Steven Moffat-written Episodes

Once, seeing his name in the opening titles was something to celebrate. Now, it's something to pray that it's okay. After scripting the majority of episodes last year, and his solo scripts being those which I've despised or found watchable at best, What happened to this man? It's clear that Doctor Who isn't his only problem (Sherlock also hit a stumbling block with Series 3) but it's bad when he - the showrunner, no less - is what can drive people away from the show. It's too late to change it for Series 9 (he already has a number of credits) but either make it a last hurrah somehow or lessen the number for Series 10 - if you stick around for that long, that is.

Have Stronger Foes

Today, it was announced that the Zygons are set for a return, following the strong success of Day of the Doctor. Now, I like the Zygons. I like Day of the Doctor. One of the weaker aspects of Day was the Zygon plot, which was quickly pushed aside for the main treat. I imagine it will be followed on here, but foes have been a little weaker as of late with both plans, defeats and concepts. I'm done with the "Don't ______!" motiff and enemies destroyed with the Sonic Screwdriver (still overused, FYI), because it means there isn't anything special against all the others that have been faced. There's a lack of freshness to bad guys old and new, so try and recitify that.

That's it for right now, but it's safe to say that more fixtures will inevitably be needed.  But until then, try and face these factors BBC.