If there is one fact people know – or should know – of me, it is that I am a massive Doctor Who fan. Huge. In fact, if you look up “Whovian” in Urban Dictionary, you will se a picture of me. (You won’t. But I’m being hyperbolic to make my point.) Ever since I first laid eyes on the first episode of Christopher Eccleston’s Ninth Doctor way back in 2009 (thanks to fellow geek and filmmaker Khairil M. Bahar), I have been obsessed with this British institution. So much so that I even took the 14 hour journey over to the U.K. back in 2013, just to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of this beloved show. (That’s right kids, Doctor Who has been on our screens for close to 60 years now.) I am not as obsessed or dedicated to any other piece of fiction as much as I am with Doctor Who. It is a fandom that I will defend with my life. But on this occasion, even that passion could not make me look past the massive shortcomings of The Legend of the Sea Devils.
But for those of you wondering, Doctor what? Let me give you a quick introduction to my life. Doctor Who first aired on British TV way back on November 23rd 1963 and introduced us to the first Doctor (William Hartnell), a Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey, who travels through space and time in his TARDIS (you could call it his time traveling spaceship), setting off on many adventures throughout history, usually alongside a companion or two. It was originally supposed to be a historically educational show for children, but Doctor Who eventually become one of the greatest and longest running science fiction shows of all time, raising the stakes and escapades with every season.
At this very moment, we are currently witnessing the 13th Doctor, played by Jodie Whitaker, say her final farewells in a series of three specials, before she begins her “regeneration” process at the end of the year, and handing over the role to someone new. Needless to say, Jodie’s tenure as The Doctor has been rocky from the beginning, not because she is our first female Doctor, but simply because, the writing over the last three seasons has just not been up to par. Which is an incredible shame, considering that it was now being overseen – and sometimes written – by showrunner Chris Chibnall, who famously wrote the brilliant Broadchurch (which coincidentally stars my favourite Doctor, David Tennant). It just hasn’t been the most spectacular run for the series, but nothing, nothing, could have prepared me for the disaster that was, The Legend of the Sea Devils.
Strangers in the Night, Exchanging Glances…
In this second special of the year, we follow the Doctor as she… actually, you know what, I don’t even know what she does. This has got to be, by far, one of the worst episodes of her entire run as the Doctor. Why is this even a special? Where is this even leading to? How is this even relevant to anything that’s been going on so far? These 43 minutes left me stunned and confused. From shoddy CGI (which looked like it came straight out of 2010), cheap looking sets, monotoned visuals, and humour that would make Tommy Wiseau wince, The Legend of the Sea Devils was just poorly made right from the start.
This was an opportunity to showcase history’s most successful Asian female pirate, Madame Ching. But instead, all of her power and glory was taken away by shoddy writing and piss poor storytelling. (You would be better off Googling her name. Go on. Do it. Trust me, this woman was a badass.)
It gets worse. Since the first special at the beginning of the year, the writers thought it would be a good time to introduce a sort of flirtatious, sexual tension between the Doctor and her current companion, Yaz. Initially, it felt extremely forced, simply because there had absolutely no hint of this at all over the last 3 years. With this special, the writers felt it might be an even better idea to really drive that point home. But none of it works. And all of it just feels a little disrespectful towards our great Time Lord.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not against the Doctor falling in love with a companion. It’s happened before. There have been many companions who have been thirsty for the Doctor. But on this occasion, it just feels forced and cringey. Their glances at each other. The random flirtatious quips. The worst part? During one particularly tense moment, WHERE THE DOCTOR EVEN SAYS THEY HAVE 20 MINUTES TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OR THE SEA DEVILS WILL FLOOD THE EARTH, the writers write in a full on confessional about their sexual tension. Because you know, saving the Earth is important, but not as important as having a conversation about where you two stand in this “relationship.” (See: Superman and Lois making out amidst the rubble of Metropolis in Man of Steel.)
The Long Goodbye
Given my love for this series, it’s been difficult for me to be critical of Doctor Who in the past. That said, I just cannot bring myself to defend this one. There is absolutely nothing redeeming about this special. (If you happen to be following my other podcast, Geeks In Malaysia, you would have heard my comparisons of these farewell episodes to those of the 10th Doctor, David Tennant.) When it was his time to go, Tennant’s Doctor also had a series of specials, essentially tying up any loose ends, traveling to say goodbye to his various companions, and eventually culminating in what was possibly the best two finale episodes in the history of Doctor Who, battling his greatest foe, the Master, while facing the imminent threat of his death. All of those episodes told a fantastic overall arc which made his farewell both powerful and heartbreaking. As for Jodie’s? We had no idea where it was going with the first special, and are left even more confused by this one. Where is this going? Why are these specials? What are you doing Chibnall?
When I messaged the Goggler team about writing this article, I told them I had a lot of words about The Legend of the Sea Devils. This episode truly infuriated me. For a casual watcher, you may be wondering, why all the anger? It’s just an episode of television. But to me, it’s always been more than that. I don’t want Jodie to go out like this. She is our first female Doctor and I would hate for the books of Whoology to state that her time was sub-par. She deserves so much more than that. She has been doing the best with what she is given, but it’s just unfortunate that what she has been given… has been a pile of Dalek doo doo.
There is now a trailer for Jodie’s final special. The Master is coming back. So are classic companions Tegan and Ace. Here’s hoping Chibnall has something up his sleeves to make it all worthwhile. But if I’m honest with you, and this hurts me more than anything to say, I am not getting my hopes up.
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