Has Doctor Who fallen in quality in Season 11?

The series skews younger now

Another big change in this season is that Doctor Who storytelling style clearly skews a bit younger than it has in years past. While I wouldn’t go as far as to say the stories this season have been dumbed down, they are considerably simpler than most of those presented in the revival era.

In every episode thus far, the chronology characterization and plotting have been very straightforward. And the darkness and intensity that was a hallmark of the series in its most recent years have been greatly toned down.

Moreover, the show has been presenting its historical episodes in a way that is markedly different from the past. Instead of being largely lighthearted romps that would occasionally touch on various social issues, “Rosa,” “The Demons of Punjab” and “The Witchfinders” have all told serious stories about how brutal the past could be for marginalized groups. And each of those episodes has clearly been intended to educate the audience about events and figures they might not be familiar with.

Personally, I found the change in storytelling style to be a positive one, particularly as Doctor Who is intended for a family audience. But I can see how older viewers might view the stories as being ham-fisted. Still, given that the show has treated very serious issues and events with almost maniacal glibness in the past, I prefer the new mode of storytelling.

With that said, like the Doctor’s characterization, the show’s solemn approach to history could use some fine-tuning.