Names carry a lot of weight in science fiction, and changing a name can completely change a character. For example, in the first season of The Mandalorian, Din Djarin’s tiny green ward was only known as “the Child” or “Baby Yoda.” That cloaked him in an air of mystery, meaning he could be anyone. But halfway through Season 2, we learned he was actually a former Jedi youngling named Grogu, and slowly his character morphed into something more specific with an entire personality.
Now, Doctor Who is trying something similar with one of its most underrated villains. However, there’s not just one season of precedent. This show is attempting to rewrite over a half-century of history... but for a very good reason.
