Part 4/12:
The decline isn't solely due to ratings—it’s also rooted in the show's creative choices over recent years. The tenure of Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor was marked by controversy among traditional fans, especially with the decision to make the Doctor a woman. While this change was praised by some as progressive, many long-time fans felt alienated by the show's narrative shifts, including the retconning of the Doctor's origins—significantly, the revelation that the Doctor is no longer a Time Lord, which many considered a "middle finger" to core lore.