Is Chris Chibnall the Worst Doctor Who Showrunner Ever?

Evaluating whether Chris Chibnall is the worst Doctor Who showrunner ever is a subjective matter that depends on individual perspectives. Chibnall served as the show's executive producer from 2018 to 2022, overseeing the Thirteenth Doctor, played by Jodie Whittaker. While some viewers and critics praised his contributions, others felt that his tenure was far from stellar.

Critiques of Chibnall's Tenure

Storytelling and Character Development: Some fans and critics have noted that the story arcs under Chibnall's watch were perceived as inconsistent. They felt that the character development suffered in comparison to previous showrunners like Russell T Davies and Steven Moffat. This uneven storytelling style may have contributed to a sense of dissatisfaction among long-time viewers.

Writing Style: Chibnall's writing was often described as more focused on social commentary. While this approach garnered some appreciation, others felt that it detracted from the show's traditional sci-fi elements. The heavy emphasis on social issues might have made some episodes feel more like lectures than engaging stories.

Reception of Episodes: Certain episodes received a mixed to negative reception, particularly in terms of pacing and coherence. Viewers reported feeling that the episodes were disjointed and lacked the excitement and cohesion that characterized previous seasons.

Support for Chibnall

Diversity and Representation: Chibnall's era was celebrated for its efforts to diversify the cast and crew, bringing in new, fresh perspectives that added depth to the stories and characters. This push for inclusivity and diversity in the show's universe is widely recognized and appreciated by many fans.

Unique Vision: Some fans appreciated Chibnall's attempt to take the show in new directions and explore different themes. His approach brought a fresh perspective to the series, which may have catered to a different audience and introduced new concepts to the long-running show.

Conclusion

While there are certainly criticisms of Chibnall's time as showrunner, labeling him as the worst does not necessarily do justice to the complexity of his tenure. The show's direction, while polarizing, was marked by both its strengths and weaknesses.

In my opinion, yes, Doctor Who was not at its best during Chibnall's watch. An episode about giant mutant spiders stands out as a particularly disappointing entry, lacking excitement and coherence. For me, this one episode was the end of it. The show steadily declined, and I felt that the moral lectures about social issues often overshadowed the core storytelling that fans have always loved. The reintroduction of Daleks at the end of the season was a poor move that seemed to go against the very essence of the show.

With Russell T Davies, I hope to see a revival of my love for Doctor Who. My love for the show appears to be on its deathbed, and I feel I need a funeral to bury it.