Steven Moffat’s Last Two Doctor Who Episodes Introduce an Exciting New Villain for Season 15 and Future Storylines

Attention: Spoilers Ahead for the 2024 Christmas special of Doctor Who, titled “Joy to the World.”Steven Moffat’s brief return to the iconic series has significantly shaped the future landscape for Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor. His recent narrative contributions have not only revived classic elements but set the stage for a formidable antagonist that could influence all future incarnations of the Doctor. This suggests that season 15 might evolve as a gradual continuation of revitalized story arcs initiated by Moffat.

Having established his legacy during Christopher Eccleston’s era, Moffat truly left his imprint from 2008 onward, when he succeeded Russell T. Davies as the showrunner. His contributions may seem understated in the Disney era of Doctor Who, but a closer look reveals a narrative depth that cannot be overlooked.

Villengard’s Emergence in Doctor Who

Gatwa’s Doctor Faces Villengard

Villengard, introduced in season 1 with the episode “The Empty Child,”is depicted as a planet teeming with weapons manufacturing capabilities. Initially, its portrayal was limited, but following Moffat’s ascension as showrunner, the presence of Villengard began to expand across multiple narratives.

Significant focus on Villengard emerged during the 2017 Christmas special “Twice Upon a Time,”yet it is in the latest episodes—particularly in season 14’s “Boom”and the recent special, “Joy to the World”—that Villengard’s narrative role reached new heights. Moffat’s recent storytelling ensures that Villengard is a central force that cannot simply fade into oblivion.

Has The Doctor Defeated Villengard? Uncertain Outcomes

The Ninth Doctor and companions in The Empty Child

In the two-part story “The Empty Child”and “The Doctor Dances,”the Ninth Doctor claims to have obliterated Villengard’s factories. Yet, while his assertion appears truthful, it provokes questions about the finality of his victory. If extended in-universe, it is plausible that Villengard has persisted beyond the Doctor’s efforts.

In the comics, an alternate portrayal features John Hurt’s War Doctor utilizing a molecular fruit bomb to transform Villengard’s factories into palm trees, raising doubts about the inclusion of this event in the official canon. Villengard represents a sprawling organization with vast resources and entrenchments, suggesting the Doctor’s actions may have merely postponed the threat rather than completely eradicated it.

The potential for Villengard to evolve into a more significant threat is immense. Even if the Doctor believes he has neutralized the danger, the lingering specter of Villengard offers exciting narrative possibilities for future seasons. Their story does not simply evaporate; it continues to exist along the timeline.

Villengard as a Future Adversary in Doctor Who

Moffat’s Legacy Can Endure

Ncuti Gatwa expressing shock as the Doctor

While Villengard has not been entirely overlooked in past storylines, its significance has fluctuated. For instance, “Boom”merely brushes on the organization’s destructive influence on a single world, with broader implications felt throughout the universe. Consequently, the Doctor often addresses the surface effects, allowing the true danger posed by Villengard to persist behind the scenes, preparing for its return.

As the narrative unfolds, the persistent threat of Villengard is expected to misfire. It would be advantageous for Russell T. Davies to harness and expand upon Moffat’s groundwork, further showcasing Villengard as a formidable adversary for the Doctor. By doing so, the series would venture beyond its tendency to revolve around the Cybermen, Daleks, and the Master, refreshing the landscape of antagonism within the show. The eventual triumph of the Doctor is inevitable; however, the journey remains the essence of what makes Doctor Who compelling.

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