The credibility of any story lies surely in its narrative, not in its scenery.
When budget starts determining the former, that could be seen as a really worrying sign that you’re starting to run out of ideas. Why does an alien landscape have to be so “hugely” expensive?
Doctor Who was built on working around a limited budget. A conveniently small and cheaply constructed police box that travels through time and space – and thus easily from one story to another? A lead character who is capable of changing his appearance whenever the actor playing him gets a little bored? Since when did this series develop a Hollywood ethos of production – that the more money you throw at it, the more convincing its story will be?
Think outside the box. It’s bigger on the outside.
