Doctor Who season 9 debuts this Saturday at 9:00 p.m. on BBC America, and we have 10 reasons to celebrate.
The BBC has given an overview of the entire season of Doctor Who. Just like last year, the season is a straight run of 12 episodes, with a couple of two-parters. It’s not split in half with several months of hiatus. The BBC dropped several pieces of information that have us excited.
1. Missy returns
Michelle Gomez provided a really fresh take on The Master last year. Obviously, by having The Master played by a woman it provided a whole new spin on the character, but Gomez brought more to the table than just her DNA. She gives Missy this psychotic, slightly playful, Mary Poppins-on-crack air that leaves us not knowing quite what to make of her. This unknown is a good thing. The last thing we want is a boring or predictable Master. Now, as much as we do love her, we hope she disappears after this season. An ultra-nemesis is only scary and fun in small dosages. Missy hasn’t yet outworn her welcome, but after this season it should be time to bid adieu for a while.
2. Maisie Williams guest stars
Doctor Who in the reboot era has always be packed with guest stars. In the early reboot years these stars were mostly not well known outside of the U.K., predominantly featuring British TV actors or presenters. Recently, some larger names have been popping up, like Academy Award winner Sir Ian McKellan. This year Maise Williams, best known as Arya Stark on Game of Thrones, will play a role. It’s hard to think of another child actor who has gown up on camera from an unknown to be one of the best loved and respected characters on a worldwide cable series. Arya Stark is a meaty role devoid of fluff, and we are hoping whatever they throw at Maisie, it has some teeth to it.
3. Capaldi hit his prime
We went into last season really positive on Peter Capaldi. We’ve been fans since his appearance in the cult classic Local Hero. Now, as much as we liked Capaldi going in, we felt he didn’t really, consistently hit his stride until halfway through the season. Once we got to “Mummy on the Orient Express” Capaldi, for us, was consistently the Doctor. The irascible and the intriguing had found just the right balance, and we were with him on his journey with Clara.
4. U.N.I.T.
If there was anything that was underutilized in the first half of the reboot era it was incorporating U.N.I.T. In particular, it’s a shame we never had the Brig make a proper appearance in reboot Doctor Who. At least we’ve made up for lost time, and the Brig’s daughter, Kate, who is still helming U.N.I.T., is back. Also back along with her, and we can’t wait until they explain this one, is Ingrid Oliver as Osgood. Yes, yes, we know she was supposedly killed off last year, but we really want to know how she makes a comeback, because she was an awful lot of fun.
5. The female influence improving
Now, don’t get us wrong, Doctor Who still has a long way to go in involving women writers and directors. This year we have three who we love: writers Catherine Tregenna and Sarah Dollard, as well as director Rachel Talalay. Tregenna is already familiar with the universe via the Torchwood scripts she penned several years back. Talalay is directing the season closers as she did last year. Granted three women is not enough, especially when you consider the women who are at the helm in other productions in the U.K., such as Downton Abbey, Outlander, and Poldark. The talent is out there, and for whatever reason, Doctor Who has a poor track record of tapping it!
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