Every time we have a long dry spell between new episodes (which, let’s face it, is pretty much constantly the last five years or so), I find my mind wandering away from Doctor Who (as I previously outlined in great detail)—and I’m sure I’m not alone. And yet, when I do have the chance to watch again, even if it’s not new content, I find myself getting sucked back in.

For instance, as I started re-watching Series 4, I got all caught up in memories of my first experience with the series (the beginning of my fandom). Now I’m full of anticipation for the next installment—at least when I stop to think about it. Truthfully, my mind is full of all sorts of other things right now (aging parents, maturing children, various other sources of entertainment…), but given a moment’s mindshare, Doctor Who can still capture my attention.

That’s why I think it’s safe to say that I’m still a fangirl. Even though those moments when I’m drawn back into the Doctor’s world have been few and far between, the reentry is both rapid and natural. It’s one of those feelings of homecoming one gets, a comfortable mental or emotional state, when settling back into a frame of mind is like kicking off your shoes when you get home.

Similarly, when I think about the opportunity to meet up with friends and talk about all aspects of the show, and even to meet new-to-me cast and crew, I get a rush of energy and excitement. (Only another month or so until Gallifrey One starts announcing their first batch of guests for 2024…) The love I have for the show that forms the basis of my fandom is clearly still present. I doubt anything will ever be able to take that away entirely, even if (powers-that-be forfend) Doctor Who itself ever went away again.

And, of course, it never really will. Even should the televised show eventually face another cancellation, spinoff media of one sort or another will endure—I mean, whatever else, there will always be fanfic! The vast possibilities provided by the framework of the Doctor and their TARDIS traveling through time and space will spark the imaginations of fans for years and years to come. Whatever may happen to the formal franchise itself, fandom will remain.

That’s why, no matter how my interest waxes and wanes (as do new episodes), I will forever be a fangirl. I don’t care what others think of someone my age who claims that identity. It’s a label I’ll happily wear for the rest of my life.