As Doctor Who approaches its fiftieth anniversary, recent series have taken the show to new heights in terms of popular appeal and critical acclaim. The Doctor and his TARDIS-driven adventures, along with companions and iconic monsters, are now recognized and enjoyed globally. The time is ripe for a detailed analytic assessment of this cultural phenomenon.

Focusing on the most recent television output, The Inner World of Doctor Who examines why the show continues to fascinate contemporary audiences. Presenting closely-observed psychoanalytic readings of selected episodes,...