I wouldn’t even say unnecessary; I kinda wish we moved on from the bronze design
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idk, I think their initial appearance isn’t great, but the redesigns they got later were solid
These are just a little bright, plasticy, and bulky at the back for me
But the 2013 version, darkening them a bit, giving them a metallic sheen, and slimming the back a little, was great
I prefer the bronze ones overall, but I love seeing variants in crowd shots, and these work really nicely for that
Also I prefer the eyes of the NDP to other modern daleks, that little bit of organic feel just adds a lot
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The Chibnall era was some of the most ambitious and visually stunning Doctor Who we’ve ever had — and the show’s been coasting on nostalgia and shallow fan service ever since.
People love to dunk on Chibnall’s run, but honestly? He took real risks. He gave us gorgeous cinematography, compelling standalone stories, and a Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) who was refreshingly kind, curious, and alien — a return to the show’s heart. The era expanded the mythology in bold (yes, controversial) ways, instead of just rehashing old enemies and bringing back legacy characters to score cheap applause.
Since Chibnall left, it feels like the show’s more interested in pandering to classic fans than pushing boundaries. There’s more style, sure, but less substance. At least Chibnall tried something new — and that’s what Doctor Who should be all about.
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We’re agreed here! This is the design I wish we got more of
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Agreed.
I just liked the colourful ones because they stuck out and was a bold new take
Looking back tho - maybe too much paint splashed on them
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Ironically, Chibnall’s era always felt very inspired by the Classic era so it goes to show that DW fans just never know what they want and are never happy abiut it 
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I will definitely echo the cinematography aspect, I remember those first shots of Sheffield in TWWFTA and being blown away by how beautifully England was being shown on-screen, and you are right, the show was a visual treat for a lot of the run, something that I think has been kept in the best of RTD2. The Well was gorgeous to look at.
Then there’s Lucky Day.
I think sometimes we put a little too much emphasis on the writer of an episode because we’re Doctor Who fans, but I think Lucky Day (and a couple other RTD2 eps, Empire of Death springs to mind) could have been rescued if they weren’t directed and shot so flatly and without energy. The Time Window sequence in Empire drags along and I had to pause and stop Lucky Day multiple times out of just boredom. In contrast, I couldn’t take my eyes off Lux and The Well.
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I completely agree 
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I do hate the giant floating letters above Sheffield though, they’re quite off-putting
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I don’t really understand how RTD2 has been coasting on nostalgia and shallow fan service.
Since after The Power of the Doctor and the 60th (which were celebrations, so it’s fine to bring back some things from the past), we’ve not actually had a return of anything “Classic” apart from Sutekh.
Whereas Chibnall brought back:
- The Master
- The Daleks
- The Cybermen
- Gallifrey (and destroyed it again, but worse)
- The Ood
- The Weeping Angels
- Sontarans
- Judoon
- Sea Devils
- The Chameleon arch
- Time Lords
Did I miss any?
IMO it’s RTD who is actually trying something new with the Pantheon of Gods, and apart from The Well, we haven’t really had any nostalgia at all.
So I don’t really get what you’re saying.
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Exactly this. I don’t get why people feel the need to talk down on stuff when talking about the things they like. Why not just say that you liked the Chibnall era without making things up about the current era?
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It was well shot yes. it’s no where near as bad as what people online will tell you.
RTD has only really bought back one classic villain so far in The Toymaker. So not sure where you’re coming from with your nostalgia point
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He also brought back Sutekh
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Forgot about him 
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Love it or hate it, I don’t know how anyone could forget Empire of Death 
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Easy to forget it when almost all episodes of this era are really good!
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I think S1 (2005) is my fav Modern Who season
It just had a lot of great episodes i hold dearly.
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Also, we’ve seen plenty of experimentation in RTD2, stuff that hasn’t been done before.
An episode with the two main cast members playing both the good guys and the bad guys.
Bigeneration.
An episode with a musical number.
An episode where the Doctor stands still on a landmine for 45 minutes.
An episode with an animated sequence that also literally breaks the fourth wall.
An unexpected sequel.
To name just a few.
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Why did you not like it?
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