Steven Moffat & Russell T Davies on What Makes a Good Doctor Who Story: Season 1/14 (Disney, BBC) 

This is me and two mates talking about Doctor Who during a 12-hour pub bender.

This is a perfect example of why the two of them should be co-showrunners. They honestly are the Dynamic Duo Of Who.

Give these two a Big Finish story. Just them two talking for hours on end about the Doctor's adventures while a very confused Sixth Doctor alternates between flattered and insulted.

Actually, the reason that the Doctor was knocked out in episode 3 of a lot of classic episodes was that this was when the actor went on leave. Most of the time his unconscious body was played by a random crew guy, with the Doctor's Coat just strewn over him, posing as a body double for the scenes that he'd be on screen. In reality, William Hartnell was in Scarborough with his family, at the seaside.

Moff doesn’t seem to agree about the fantasy elements. He’s nice though.

Its great that Moffat brought back some genuine scares to Dr Who with Boom, that is what the show has been lacking for some time.

Can you imagine if they wrote together a doctor who story?

I think this should be retitled Steven Moffat on What Makes a Good Doctor Who Story with commentary by Russell.

These two have like effortlessly redefined Modern Who into this beautiful orchestra, able to break down what makes the show what it is. It's chemistry that is lightning in a bottle.

I could listen to these two talk for hours on end, they're so good at what they do. They understand what Doctor Who is better than anyone else

This totally feels like these two were just hanging out in the TARDIS after hours, nerding it up, and someone picked up a camera and captured it.

The greatest minds this show has ever had yet. I wish they could both be showrunners together

Boom is a movie in 40 minutes-- definetly very sci-fi.

What makes them such great writers is that they’re regular old fans just like us

When it’s time to look back on the very best of Ncuti’s era, Boom will stand tall. Instant classic, all time great episode. Wow.

These two get it, so so well. AN arguably Moffat the most. I loved his episode, he needs to do MORE NOW.

0:40 I love how the TARDIS set has gone _backwards_ in design. It went from a single-floored partial set, to a multi-floored one, to a multi-floored, fully 3D set, back to a single floor, then back to a single-floored partial set. I _really_ wouldn't have minded it if they'd kept Capaldi's TARDIS and just switched out the console and colours every now and then; I mean, it's what they did in Classic Who.

I love how funny Russell finds Moffat. This is wholesome.

I have many criticisms and what not of the new era, and the old era, and the every era, and especially the chibnall era, and it's amazing how quickly it jumps from 'THIS is representing the show now?' to 'eh it is what it is' the instant the new thing becomes the old thing, consumed as just another piece of the shows history, while the new new thing becomes the new potential show killer and the unstable current thing, but no matter how much I complain I ENJOY that there's anything to analyse at all. So I really appreciate when I get stuff like this. It kind of levels the playing field, and the cynical skeptical nerd-fan-rage gets filtered out by the reminder we're all human and they're doing their best to enjoy it as well when it's such a damn hard job. It's also good for fair analysis. A window into the mindset behind the production because it reminds me a) they have in fact thought about it, they're in charge for a reason, and b) despite being on that pedestal, remember they are fans just like us who are convinced they know what's best, but who really knows for sure what the next best thing to do is, because doctor who is so malleable with such a vast variety of audience. It reminds me they have the same passion for it that I do, but twice the stress because they actually have to make it work (whereas I can just say "do it better" and not have to back it up with the actual job) and yet half the seriousness because they let themselves play just to get through it. For my money I wish there was more of a follow through and personal development, less mystery box. Do both if you must, but the big ideas are all worthless if they're not founded on getting to know this doctor and this companion at this specific time. I know they're continuing the adopted storyline but I feel like Chibnall should have first put more consideration into Capaldi's "be kind" conclusion. Make each doctor feel like a natural evolution of the last. And then Gatwa being adopted is a backstory not a character trait. Gatwa is doing a wonderful job, but who is THIS doctor? How are we getting to know this doctor through these adventures? So far it just feels like he's giving big emotional performances but there's no written characterisation behind it. What would he lie for? What would he sacrifice for? What would he want above all else if he could instantly get it? He literally said in the first episode that he has no purpose and he doesn't even seem to care because he has freedom. Okay, so ... unless you're saying "character development done, show over" what does he do next? What does he expect to get from that freedom? What is it about Ruby that makes him think that freedom will be the best it's ever been? Why does Ruby not once question why he skips from "I have no rent" to "I have no purpose" like wow, that was fast, and now she has almost died. Like I'm glad they raised the tension and stakes, but this should lead to character development and internal dilemmas, but they shrug it off. But this is also why it's so easy to say "This is why it works, so if I include these things in all my ideas then all of my ideas will work" and yet RTD both resurrected the show and also made Love And Monsters and Moffat kept it going for 6 seasons yet also wrote Let's Kill Hitler so what would I know as someone who never had to put my money where my mouth is. Neil Gaiman only got it working 50% of the time (although in all cases production stress seems to be the real problem). I find it curious with the death comment because both Space Babies and Devils Chord felt too pantomime cbbc to have that death factor on a real tension scale. It didn't feel at all grounded till episode 3. I don't think it needs literal death, just clear stakes and character development like any show that matters. Doctor Who may be an adventure show, and whether its sci fi or fantasy there's no substance in the fantasy if it isn't grounded in PEOPLE doing things for EMOTIONAL GAIN, and encountering PROFOUNDLY CHALLENGING situations as a result of failing that emotional gain. It's extremely interesting to me this is the same writer who said "no one cares about what the blarbledorks are doing" because whatever the story, whatever the genre, we need the humanizing core first, so I'm not sure what prompted the change of heart in focusing more on the grand scale gods.

As far as the modern showrunners of DW are concerned, here's my personal ranking: 1) Steven Moffat - He got the tone of the series perfect during his time as showrunner. Plenty of intrigue, mystery and suspense. DW under his reign was smart and compelling. Not without its flaws. The show did get a little too clever and convoluted at times, but overall Moffat's time marked a highpoint in the modern era of the series. 2) Russell T Davies - Give this guy the credit he deserves. This is the man who took the show out of its 16 year "hiatus" and right back into the public eye where it became an instant hit. His time as showrunner was marked by high energy adventures, broad humor and moments of deep emotional resonance that are still fondly remembered. He brings the fun, devil may care quality that fans and viewers have enjoyed. He perhaps goes a tad overboard with the comedic element/silly hijinks, but there's plenty of heart. 3) Chris Chibnall - Chibnall's time as showrunner brought a more thoughtful approach to DW's storytelling with several episodes making a fair amount of social commentary on various issues (ie: racism and prejudice) as well as changing the types of companions who travelled with the Doctor. This period had far more male companions than previously seen as well as introducing a complex backstory regarding what we knew about the history of the Time Lords. However, his style and approach to storytelling has had a divisive impact amongst fans - some who felt he strayed too far from the formula which has led to mixed reactions amongst the DW base.

0:25 'Who donnit' . Well, that's a given, I'd say. Every time.

Hearing these two talk about story writing, especially Doctor Who, is one of the most fascinating things I think I could listen to.

See I think Moffat disagrees slightly on the whole 'don't even pretend there's any hard sci-fi left' because he loves writing those kinds of stories. Stories like 'A good Man goes to War' capture that fantasy/fairytale vibe but only because you've build up so much of your world (and I LOVED Moffat's universe-building through S5 and S6) so much that it feels like fantasy. The supernatural stuff crept in a bit too much with The Devil's Chord imo. Just gotta tread that line carefully because the Devil's Chord was on the verge of alienating me

The video I never knew I always wanted!!!! THANKS for this!!!!

These two work so well together, like a comedy double act!!!

Two masters at their craft. Incredible

Honestly these two should operate as a team like Hinchcliffe and Holmes did for Tom Baker.

They mention about death, yet every time these two kill off a companion in series, post-2005, they have a loophole to bring them back in another way. Pointless. In the classic series, the death of a key character seemed more final, hard hitting and poignant.

I think that's the wonder of this season so far... the Doctor has still been the doctor but his success' have heavily depended on others and it seems like episode 4 will be Ruby saving the day.

Steven’s writing was a very well return fish fingers and custard

I'd love it if we got another doctor who film someday. It could be about anything, but I'd love to see a feature length horror film about the weeping angels.

I stopped watching Who a few years ago, but still get recommendations such as these since I used to love it. the chap in the orange wig at 2:05 is that Matt Lucas?? Do they have him playing another character in the show?

I miss Moffat

“‘Cause presumably he doesn’t watch the show”… … is that another hint?

I’m so happy that they reunited 🎉🎉🎉😮😊

It's fun when not 30 seconds in I disagree with them. Don't get me wrong, it's all just opinions and they're welcome to theirs, but why can't he just solve a whodunnit? I'd vastly prefer that over most of New Who and we've had great examples of just that in both classic and new who. Classic who did do a lot of straight forward suspense and was famous for it. New Who's most popular episodes tend also to do straightforward suspense (Midnight, Blink, Empty Child). I agree death is a big ingredient of the show though, but then again, Moffat and RTD are the people who have done the most to cheapen that concept in Doctor Who! What with the resurrecting every character they kill and all that. Anyway, I really enjoyed Boom, so that's good.

The thing is, Davies has set the template for Nu-Who and Moffat, to keep in line with what people expect from the show, kind of has to keep an eye on that. So this idea that Who has to compete with big budget blockbusters, is a recent thing. The idea that Who has to get bigger and bigger and constantly top itself, is one of the main problems that the show has now become locked into. When Davies tells you the ending of the series is going to be 'big', then you can't help but wince as everything becomes louder, and more massive, with time and all the universes at once all about to collapse simultaneously, unless the Doctor saves us at the last minute. Yet, these big payoffs that define Nu-Who kind of run into one another and leave little trace. What episodes are people still talking about? The smaller, more intense pieces like Listen, Blink, Midnight, even Heaven Sent, which was basically Capaldi carrying the whole thing on his own, and, I have to say, tonight's Boom. Which felt not only much more Who-like, but also allowed Gatwa to really land the character in a way that Whittaker was never quite given the space to do.

Imagine if these two ran the show together like Hinchcliffe and Holmes did in the classic era!

Hopefully the new season will get better

Good stuff, perhaps they should watch their own interview. Especially RTD.

weirdly the last few episodes have actually felt smaller to me than RTD's original run. Fewer side characters with generally less development, a lot of shooting in CG environments and sets. Sure its great production but I'd like more scale

RTD & Moffat should both be co-showrunners

2:23 it's truly funny to say all that to moffet, because the 11th doctors era was like full stop fairytale fantasy lol

Always two there are: a master and an apprentice.

Is there anywhere online where the full conversation is? Is it like a BBC player thing?

The Doctor is a "complex space-time event."

2:51 so Eric Saward's DR Who?

They should run the show together seriously, Moffat was the principle of doctor who in its seriousness, but needs Russel to tell him no we can’t go all serious it needs to be more camp.

To be honest I somewhat disagree with both of them, maybe I'm stuck in my ways, but a lot of shows suffer because they try and out-pace themselves, I feel like that's what Doctor Who is doing, but I understand what they mean, what was the example though? "Enters a factory overrun by Monsters, that isn't enough for him" yes it is, in the next breath they say "be imaginative" you can be imaginative in a factory of Monsters, why does the Doctor have to be SO grand and epic? For me, the Doctor is an Alien bloke, he's only clever because of his species... Tell me if I'm missing the point

How are the ratings?

the doctor gets knocked out by episode 3. Now I have to review all the episode 3s of the seasons.

Russell taking notes from Moffat about how to write a good story.

Hope RTD listens to Steven. The first two of this series were self-indulgent drivel with dreadful deux ex-machina. 'Boom', by contrast, was real, meaty Dr Who - genuine tension, clear jeopardy, and the Doctor thinking on his feet - or foot, in this case. Terrific performances too, from Ncuti of course and, more surprisingly, Millie Gibson. Have a feeling, however, this series lurch into supernatural weirdness will - along with RTD's penchant for showbiz moments - unfortunately squander the darker, dangerous, and therefore more interesting elements of the Doctor.

But how could they know?

Chibnal watching this like :')

It always starts with a Giggle, before they start skipping over things...

Is this off unleashed?

Sketched

RTD has some brass talking about the risk of death when he consistently undermines Regeneration.

These guys don't know based on the latest ones they've written

Asking those two what makes a good Dr Who story is like asking Greta Thumberg for an educated, reasoned and balanced view about oil.... Pointless. Bring back quality writers like Terrance Dicks who actually made use of plot.... And didn't use it as a celebration of perversity

I've seen Ncuti running about, acting like a cartoon character, having things happen to him, but I've never seen him do anything particularly clever.

Why isn't chibnall there listening

Arsepulls. They're the key ingredient of this new slop.

First off, you need a person who "gets Doctor Who" .... Last person I know of, who fit the description was Steven Moffat...

Moffat the guy that made the brigadier a cyberman WTF he has just sheer arrogance, sorry mate for me as showrunner your stories did not make any sense. It was just timey wimey mumbo jumbo he has the cheek to say what makes a good dr who story. For his rein as show runner i could pick out 3 that were ok still very poor, as the ratings showed anyway

DEI

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 really

Two powerhouses in one Tardis!

Boom was simply brilliant.

Could spend hours of watching these two

Moffat is great. Davies has also written for Dr Who. Community guidelines

Hahahaha.... as if these 2 knew...... last night's was lazy and dull......

2 main villains of Doctor Who - 2 members of The Pantheon

Simple. Don't let RTD near it.

Moffat wrote brilliant stories with brain and Davies wrote brilliant stories with heart. Sadly the people writing the pay checks have other priorities. Pity.

It’s a bit saddening that the show needed these back to save it, the next generation almost has no higher level writers….

when do they start farting into paper bags and huffing it like spray paint?

Not from these guys

What makes a good Dr. who story? Lack of input by Russel T. Davies.

Christ, they're getting desperate now. Theyve dropped the ball trying to please a tiny demographic of confused teenagers screaming about being triggered.

I get that Russell enjoys writing wild fantasy stories; unfortunately, I don’t enjoy watching them. I can enjoy a disciplined kind of fantasy in its place, but I don’t think Doctor Who is the place for it. And Steven Moffat, although he’s the best writer we’ve had, has also introduced fantasy elements into the show. Fantasy tends to weaken fiction, because in a fantasy story you can do anything: if the hero’s in trouble, a bit of magic will get him out of it, no problem! Fine for lazy writers. Incidentally, the sonic screwdriver used to be a scientific gadget of very limited functionality, but it’s gradually turned into a magic wand. Bah.

The only reason they came back. Money.

Here's the best way to tell a good Dr who story, Tell a damn story, don't give us 45 minutes of begging and pleading for us not to be offended in someway, boom was good make more like that keep doing that style n it may yet be redeemed

For me RTD is an ideas man, but Steven is a writer, some might say genius, but then I would say that…

Hate to say it as I love Dr Who ..this season is complete rubbish so far apart from jinx as a villan .. I will stick with it ...

Has anyone in the comments section actually seen the new Doctor WHO, these two can longer longer write tosave themselves. The shows dead now

RTD should be ashamed of what he has done to the Doctor

R.I.P DOCTOR WHO.

You can see Moffats “…yes” in reaction to RTD proudly declaring he no longer has to bother with that sci-fi bit he’s not interested in is the same as fandoms. The joy of Doctor who is taking something absurd and getting the audience to believe it, and that takes *work*, RTD has always been an absolute slacker in this regard and now he’s boasting about that. As the fifth Doctor said “like Alice I try and believe 5 impossible things before breakfast” but the writers have to put in the work to get there. RTD is just ignoring a part of the show which makes the difference between taking only those who revel in the absurd along for the ride and taking absolutely everyone as the show used to.

Better writing ?

....not musicals...

Worst doctor who writers from the entire history of the show

The Doctor forgetting his sonic is a bit of lazy writing

Notice how Moffat did not say the, they or them…but He

my god it so easy... dont make him gay or agenda driven

What makes a good story,Russell?! Um,one where Mickey Mouse isn't holding your nether regions to the fire unless you dumb New Who down?!

I'm gonna call out R.T.D as a right wing plant one of the likes of George Santos or clearance Thomas......get him out of the works he's only gonna cause unrest.

The irony of this ..RTD should sit down and listen....

Hopefully this is the last thing they ever work on..