Finally, after year-long anticipation, the long-running British sci-fi series, Doctor Who, returns to our screens with a fresh look, some familiar faces, and another swashbuckling adventure for its title character. But does the show’s triumphant return live up to the hype? Sort of.

Following Chris Chibnall’s withdrawal from Doctor Who as showrunner, and Jodie Whittaker’s somber departure from her role as the 13th Doctor last year, the show had created a bitter taste through its critically panned 13th season and 2022 specials. The fate of Doctor Who was uncertain, until it was picked back up again by returning showrunner and producer, Russell T. Davies, who had run the show between 2005-2010. Doctor Who was on course for critical success because the BBC decided to broaden the scale of the show’s production, and fan-favourite David Tennant was scheduled to play the role of the Doctor once again in the show’s cliffhanger. 

Three weeks ago, the first of three 60th Anniversary Specials on Disney+ was released to commemorate the show’s initial airing, all the way back on November 25th, 1963.Titled “The Star Beast,” this special was mediocre. It began with the Doctor and his companion, Donna Noble, played by Catherine Tate, idly standing, or sitting, glaring at the camera as they recapped the show’s previous story arcs. Despite its efforts to elicit the sense that this special introduction was a grandiose opening to a blockbuster feature, I found it off-putting and out of place for a Doctor Who episode.

Later in the special, the audience met more of the cast, particularly Donna’s daughter, Rose Noble, who is played by Yasmin Finney, and Beep the Meep, an alien character voiced by Miriam Margolyes. 

I found Finney’s performance flat at times, specifically when interacting with the Meep and when she has a heart-to-heart conversation with her mother at their house. Moreover, while the reveal that Beep was responsible for the plot’s conflict was amusing, its motivation of destroying London to refuel its spacecraft was generic.

Donna’s husband Shaun Temple, played by Karl Collins, was underwhelming as a character. I found his ideals as a loyal family man to be rather interesting. Unfortunately, they are not explored or given much thought as the special progressed, demoting Shaun to the role of comic relief to undercut the tension in scenes.

However, despite its flaws, “The Star Beast” has much to offer. Doctor Who has never looked better, as shown by the elaborate London Street battle, the visual and practical effects done for the alien characters, and the re-design of the TARDIS’ interior. Meanwhile, Tennant’s rapport with his co-lead was just as snappy and engaging as their interactions during Davies’ initial run on Doctor Who. I especially enjoyed the fact that Donna Noble, who had more agency over the plot than the Doctor, chose to sacrifice herself to save her family and home, giving up her Time Lord status to be human again.

Although Doctor Who started in a rough patch, I am certain that it will find its footing in the subsequent 60th Anniversary Specials, and in what is to come next year with its 14th season.