Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Doctor Who season 14 and the 2024 Christmas special!
Six months after the end of season 14, Doctor Who doubles down on his controversial Sutekh ending with a subtle joke in the 2024 Christmas special. Over the past 61 years, Doctor Who has consistently ranked among the best and most ambitious science fiction shows of all time. Even when it went off the air from 1989 to 2005, the show maintained a dedicated fan base. Unfortunately, the show's ambition didn't always pay off, with certain narrative choices falling flat.
THE Doctor Who The season 14 finale became a prime example of showrunner, Russell T. Davies (RTD), biting off more than he can chew. It's pretty clear that RTD has a strong grasp on foreshadowing and creating tension. Sutekh, the antagonist of the Pyramids of Mars series, appearing on screen again after almost 50 years is also exciting. However, the villain's defeat does not live up to the expectations he set. Despite negative fan reaction Doctor Who doubles down on the 2024 Christmas special with an easily missed line.
Doctor Who's Christmas Joke Pays Homage to Sutekh's Controversial Season 14 Defeat
The doctor makes reference to the fact that they are good with rope
During the climax of Doctor Who 2024 Christmas Special, the Doctor exclaimed that they are very good with rope. At first glance, this statement references the rope technology for learning characters in the 2023 Christmas special. However, it is also a reference to Sutekh's controversial defeat at the end of the Doctor Who season 14, which sees the Doctor dragging Sutekh through the time vortex to reverse the deaths. The method and ease with which the titular main character defeats the villain did not please many viewers.
Although Sutekh is considered the god of all gods, the Doctor defeats him more easily than the Toymaker and the Maestro – two lesser members of the Pantheon. It's curious that the rope could overpower Sutekh, and the fact that he didn't just cut the rope doesn't make sense. This does not mean that Doctor Who The season 14 finale isn't pleasant, but it is narratively flawed. Unfortunately, the rope joke at the end of the Doctor Who The 2024 Christmas special looks like the show is doubling down on the controversial storyline.
Doctor Who season 15 must learn from the divisive reaction to Sutekh
RTD needs to focus on writing a really great story
Although the BBC has not directly confirmed the release date, Doctor Who season 15 is expected to return in May 2025. When it does, the show will fight an uphill battle to win over fans after the divisive finale. 2024 Doctor Who The Christmas special helps, but there's still a long way to go. RTD needs to take note of the reaction to Sutekh's defeat as well as other questionable stories.
RTD should focus on narrative consistency and character integrity in the future rather than randomly reconfiguring a beloved classic Who serial.
Over the past six decades, Doctor Who fans have become accustomed to unanswered questions and well-timed antics. Science fiction and fantasy genres, which Doctor Who mixtures, require some suspension of disbelief. Still, writers shouldn't rely on this just to explain plot holes. There's so much room for maneuver Doctor Who fans will offer, especially when it comes to stories based on characters and arcs from the past. Ultimately, RTD should focus on narrative consistency and character integrity moving forward rather than haphazardly reconfiguring a beloved classic. Who serial.