Part 7/10:

This pattern is reminiscent of other franchises suffering from what fans perceive as virtue signaling—using beloved characters to push political or social agendas rather than focusing on quality storytelling. The effect has been a noticeable estrangement of core audiences, with many feeling that the essence of Doctor Who is getting lost amid the noise of “woke” narratives.

Media Defense and Ongoing Backlash

Predictably, some media outlets have scrambled to defend the declining ratings with accusations of racism, misogyny, or homophobia—classic tactics to deflect criticism. Headlines have claimed that the Doctor Who Christmas special sparked a "racist backlash," yet such defenses have failed to stem the tide of dissatisfaction among viewers.