Doctor Who: The Myth of the Non Essential Episode
By David Hill
There is an idea amongst fans that, in Doctor Who, there are episodes that one can skip over. Is that really the case?
One of the pleasures of watching Doctor Who is the season-long storyline; in more cases than not, there is an overarching theme that spans the length of the season, with the various episodes leading up to the climactic revelations at the end of the season. When done right, it can be truly glorious to behold.
And yet, there are those who consider each season to have non essential episodes — those episodes that are either mediocre, or barely advance the overall plotline. That is especially the case in the more episodic seasons, where the majority of the stories involve some “freak of the week” creature. But does a non essential episode really exist?
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In reality, each episode should be considered essential. Even if the plot has nothing to do with an overall storyline for the season, there is still plenty to witness. Each episode is a chance for character development, and given the situations in which the Doctor and his companions find themselves, that growth can make a difference. Even a subtle exchange could be enough to give the Doctor more trust in his companion, which can have an effect on the coming episodes.
While Doctor Who is largely an action based program, these character interactions still drive the show. The Doctor needs his companions, or other allies with whom he occasionally travels, to be on the same page. He needs to trust them, to know that they will be able to be in the right place at the right time. That can only happen through various adventures, and through trial by fire.
Maybe an episode can be non essential when it comes to the main storyline, but every episode has its place in the Whoniverse. The interactions, and the growing trust between the Doctor and his companion, make each episode a must watch. Otherwise, considering how quickly things can change, the action could leave a fan wondering what happened to cause a change in the dynamic.
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