A word on Who (spoiler free)
I wasn't really ever a Dr Who fan. I remember Tom Baker with his scarf and thinking K9 was kind of cool and that's about it. I approached it with an open mind and quite liked it when they brought it back with Christopher Ecclestone, but I gave up on it during the years of Russel T Davies demonstrating why you shouldn't put a fan in charge of something whilst David Tennant had to hire Catherine Tate just to not be the most annoying thing on screen. However, my favourite episodes were those written by Steven Moffat, so I was intrigued to see where he'd take the idea.
I've really enjoyed this series. Sure, the dalek ep was a bit naff, but then I suspect they are contractually obliged to have at least one episode with a dalek in it, and I can honestly say I enjoyed the others. Even the one with James Corden in it. The Van Gogh one was so full of inaccuracies it was silly but if it made a few kids look at some paintings (which I'm sure it has) then that was all worth it. Sure, the fact that he has a very cute redheaded assistant running about after him doesn't do it any harm, but I like the new guy as well. He's just a bit barmy and seems to be quite happy to let stuff happen and take the ride rather than be in control all the time. I like that much more than Tennant's always-in-charge, always-on-the-ball Doctor. And if River Song is the new Captain Jack, then that's a massive improvement too - a character that's slightly more than an immortal pan-sexual nymphomaniac.
Plus, this is officially the first season finale that hasn't sucked. Really.
One thing I noticed though; all the way through since the show has come back its biggest enemy has been the press, who seemed completely unable to just let it be a surprise. Every appearance by an old (or new) enemy or friend was foretold in the press; we knew Ms Tate was making her exit way before she did and we had about eight bloody episodes to get rid of Tennant in the end. It was like waiting for bloody Tony Blair to quit by the end. I thought this was the BBC and the press, always desperate to get a story, but no : this series - not a thing. OK, we knew who the new guy was going to be but that was about it. This tells me that it was in all likelihood Russel Davies that did that - he used the news to leak spoilers as advertising for his show. That's pretty low I reckon, and this series (particularly the finale, which I shan't spoil for anyone yet to see it) has benefited enormously from the element of surprise.
So Bravo Steven Moffat; bravo Matt Smith and bravo whoever-plays-Amy. That was thirteen episodes of darn good family television and I look forward to more next time.
I've really enjoyed this series. Sure, the dalek ep was a bit naff, but then I suspect they are contractually obliged to have at least one episode with a dalek in it, and I can honestly say I enjoyed the others. Even the one with James Corden in it. The Van Gogh one was so full of inaccuracies it was silly but if it made a few kids look at some paintings (which I'm sure it has) then that was all worth it. Sure, the fact that he has a very cute redheaded assistant running about after him doesn't do it any harm, but I like the new guy as well. He's just a bit barmy and seems to be quite happy to let stuff happen and take the ride rather than be in control all the time. I like that much more than Tennant's always-in-charge, always-on-the-ball Doctor. And if River Song is the new Captain Jack, then that's a massive improvement too - a character that's slightly more than an immortal pan-sexual nymphomaniac.
Plus, this is officially the first season finale that hasn't sucked. Really.
One thing I noticed though; all the way through since the show has come back its biggest enemy has been the press, who seemed completely unable to just let it be a surprise. Every appearance by an old (or new) enemy or friend was foretold in the press; we knew Ms Tate was making her exit way before she did and we had about eight bloody episodes to get rid of Tennant in the end. It was like waiting for bloody Tony Blair to quit by the end. I thought this was the BBC and the press, always desperate to get a story, but no : this series - not a thing. OK, we knew who the new guy was going to be but that was about it. This tells me that it was in all likelihood Russel Davies that did that - he used the news to leak spoilers as advertising for his show. That's pretty low I reckon, and this series (particularly the finale, which I shan't spoil for anyone yet to see it) has benefited enormously from the element of surprise.
So Bravo Steven Moffat; bravo Matt Smith and bravo whoever-plays-Amy. That was thirteen episodes of darn good family television and I look forward to more next time.