Doctor Who

kevo_koma

He apparently said 'Well, she's really good. It's just a shame she's so wee and dumpy.' That was apparently before he actually met her, so maybe she looked bad in a camera test or something, but still?

Oh my god, you cannot be serious.

This is something to get upset about? Like really, are you being serious right now.

Like, the man was probably expressing an n]honest opinion about a potential cast.

I fully believe that this are the kind of statements casting agents and directors make all the time.

My friend, one of the most important aspects to a performer is how they look. Its what determines the roles they get.

How in any universe, is this something to get upset about.

Get outta here with that nonsense.

Robby

@kevo_koma:

Oh my god, you cannot be serious.

This is something to get upset about? Like really, are you being serious right now.

1. You're replying to a post from 3 months ago.

2. I'm not upset about it.

Like, the man was probably expressing an n]honest opinion about a potential cast.

The context of the conversation was that Moffatt has a problem with women, (and gay men) and that's very clear if you've seen just about any episode he's written. Especially any of the River episodes or the later seasons of Sherlock where the female characters exists purely to monologue about how brilliant and amazing the men in their lives are, and literally die for them. He fridged his female characters quite a bit. Heck, Clara died three or four different times!

That one quote is an on the record quote of him insulting an actress for her looks, one of many, that in tandem with his scripts paints a picture. The quote by itself in isolation isn't much, no.

There's also an hour long video on the subject higher up on the page which was part of the conversation, but if you skipped that then I guess its easy to take things out of context and jump to wild conclusions.

I fully believe that this are the kind of statements casting agents and directors make all the time.

So ALL of hollywood is sexist and awful, and that makes it better? Got it!

So Harvey Weinstein and Joss Whedon are in the clear then? Casting agents and directors are abusive all the time, but everyone does it so its okay.

My friend, one of the most important aspects to a performer is how they look. Its what determines the roles they get.

Ah, that's why Karen Gillan's biggest role has involved her shaving her head and going through four hours of makeup?

Yes, looks matter, but makeup departments are like 90% of that particular battle, especially in sci-fi.

"Ugly" people get acting roles all the time too. Because they can act. Heck, most of the Doctors are weird looking non-conventional guys.

How in any universe, is this something to get upset about.

Get outta here with that nonsense.

Again, there was an entire conversation, hour long video, and 10 seasons of television scripts that you skipped over.

Nobodyman

Bit late to the party, but I'm finally watching Torchwood and Sarah Jane Adventures. Finished up the first season of both.

Torchwood - Woof. This got off to a rough start. I don't know why, but apparently the writers thought it would be great to have the main cast be as unlikable as possible. Well…okay, they're not irredeemably bad and this season does have some good stuff in it. Still, the first half of the season may be hard for a lot of people to get through. As for me, I mainly just felt kinda "meh" about most of the episodes. I guess there are some neat plot ideas, but they're not carried out in exceptionally interesting ways and the portrayal of the characters don't help either. But the second half of the season does turn things around a bit with episodes like Random Shoes, Out of Time, and Captain Jack Harkness. Funny enough, my first exposure to Torchwood was through the first three audio stories from Big Finish, which I quite enjoyed, so I know this series has potential. And while I'm not super excited for season 2, I'll definitely stick with it for the Children of Earth five-parter, which I've heard nothing but great things about.

Sarah Jane - This was a lot of fun and pretty much what you'd expect from a show focusing on a Doctor Who companion. And that's quite impressive considering two of the stories from the first season are Slitheen episodes, and, honestly, they aren't bad (well, the second one at least, in which they finally got rid of that farting nonsense). Interestingly, each story in this show is a two-parter with a half hour for each, so I'm not sure why they didn't just make it a 50-minute show like Doctor Who and Torchwood, but whatever. Also impressive is that this show has three child actors and they all do a darn good job. And, of course, Elisabeth Sladen, God rest her soul, gives a great performance as well. Oh, and Maria's dad definitely deserves some kind of award for being one of the coolest dads ever. Yeah, definitely had more fun with this than Torchwood.

Also, it's kind of funny how both shows just sort of drop you into the lives of these characters who are doing totally different things from when we last saw them without any explanation. With Sarah Jane it's more excusable since you can more or less conclude that she's been continuing her alien investigative stuff and been having lots of adventures since separating from the Fourth Doctor. They even explain how she got Mr. Smith at the end of the season. With Torchwood though, I still have no clue how Jack became the head of Torchwood.

Darkstorm

Sarah Jane Adventures was a ton of fun.

I was actually never the biggest fan of Liz as SJS the companion (far preferred Ace, Zoe, Leela, Romana I & Barbara), but in SJA she's absolutely fantastic.

desa

I remember quite enjoying Torchwood and his more messed up people and creepy in the first 2 seasons. Thought it made a nice other side of the coin to the the more bright and hopeful Doctor Who. Random shoes I found very terrible. Out time was great with the different pairings it had and probably my favourite of the first season.

Nobodyman

Also, I forgot how bad the CGI was in the early seasons of New Who. lol

Darkstorm

@Nobodyman:

Also, I forgot how bad the CGI was in the early seasons of New Who. lol

Yessss.
I think it really got pretty good in Season 4. Remember liking all the CG in the Stolen Earth/Journey's End finale. There were good bits here and there before that though, like the beast in season 2's The Satan Pit

@desa:

I remember quite enjoying Torchwood and his more messed up people and creepy in the first 2 seasons. Thought it made a nice other side of the coin to the the more bright and hopeful Doctor Who. Random shoes I found very terrible. Out time was great with the different pairings it had and probably my favourite of the first season.

Honestly I'm surprised I stuck with it after Cyberwoman. Eventually worth it due to season 3.

kevo_koma

@Robby:

"Ugly" people get acting roles all the time too. Because they can act. Heck, most of the Doctors are weird looking non-conventional guys.

Again, there was an entire conversation, hour long video, and 10 seasons of television scripts that you skipped over.

I never said ugly people don't get roles. I said that your appearance determines the role you get.

But you are right, i had responded to a month's long comment.

No need to dredge it up again.

But I still maintain that there was nothing wrong with that comment. Unless you were there or have video of him actually saying it.

Kaiolino

Russell T. Davies will return as showrunner in 2023: https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/doctor-who-showrunner-russell-t-davies-returns-1235073307/

andre

I'm amazingly hyped for this! I like Moffat, but Davies was a bit better and more consistent. And they both are miles better than Chibnall. If they get The Doctor right then this could be really special.

Robby

@Kaiolino:

Russell T. Davies will return as showrunner in 2023: https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/doctor-who-showrunner-russell-t-davies-returns-1235073307/

They coulda had muther luvin Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski and they go back to Davies?

Sigh.

Not like i've been digging the show the last few years anyway.

I overall really disliked the Davies era and never go back to it… it was largely carried on the raw strength of Tennant... and the episodes Moffat wrote.

but then, most of that not-enjoying is the fact that I really, REALLY hate Rose and she ate the first three seasons, including the third one she wasn't even in, and the back end of the fourth, so I guess if she's not returning it might be better.

The Donna season is the only one I consistently enjoy, and even she gets her time eaten up by Martha returning after a "super long absence of about 20 minutes".

Nobodyman

Well, obviously the producers are scared and going back to someone that has worked for them in the past.

I didn't mind the RTD era. I thought it was least fun and colorful, but then I haven't rewatched most of it since my initial viewing.

And I don't take this at all as a guarantee that the show will become great again.

andre

@Robby:

They coulda had muther luvin Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski and they go back to Davies?

Sigh.

Not like i've been digging the show the last few years anyway.

I overall really disliked the Davies era and never go back to it… it was largely carried on the raw strength of Tennant... and the episodes Moffat wrote.

but then, most of that not-enjoying is the fact that I really, REALLY hate Rose and she ate the first three seasons, including the third one she wasn't even in, and the back end of the fourth, so I guess if she's not returning it might be better. The Donna season is the only one I consistently enjoy.

I gotta disagree since Series 1 without Tennant is so strong. In fact, it may be my favorite full series of NuWho and I personally don't think there are any bad episodes in it, but I know a lot of people don't like the Slitheen 2-parter. I didn't like Rose the first time I watched everything, but I watched all of nuwho last year and most of the stuff was solid. There are definitely some clunkers in the Tennant seasons, but I think the ratio of good/to bad episodes is better than with 11, 12, or 13.

Robby

His return season will be the 60th anniversary season so it definitely makes sense that they're going with someone dependable.

Wonder if we're going to get a reunion special with all the recent doctors while they're still young enough to look like themselves. By the 70th or 75th you'd run into the same problem the 50th where 4-7 had aged too much to reasonably put onscreen as their classic character.

They won't be filming that till like, spring of 2023 so a long ways away, but still. Smith and Tennant would almost certainly be willing to come back. Its harder to tell with Capaldi, he comes off in interviews as if he's done, and Whitaker will have just left, (and might find it unfair for whoever the new person is) but… It will also be the last real chance to get any of the classic ones on in some capacity, even if not playing the Doctor, given they'll all except Davidson be pushing 80 at that point, and Tom Baker almost 90.

CosmicDebris

Just saw the news. It's an interesting turn of events, and I hope he is prepared to mix things up and not just go back to his original formula. Like Nobodyman said, it seems they're too timid to take a chance with a fresh new face, which is probably what they actually need.

andre

They just had a relatively fresh new face take over for 3 series and at least 2 of them were duds. Going back to a guy who gave them 4 knockout series seems like a safe bet for at least a couple more.

JulieYBM

I'm honestly shocked. I loved his original run and cannot wait to see what he does this time.

desa

I loved the RTD era. Made me love the Daleks and gave me the sense of whimsy I associate with who. Also I think the best Moffat episodes are from that era where his vision was forced into self contained stories and were spaced out instead of the full narrative.

However I always appreciate who always changing and moving forward with its main character the supporting cast and who was at helm. So I have feel weird about going back to hold grounds instead of seeing a new vision.. For an anniversary or maybe introduce a new season that's nice. But a full series? It feels like unfortunate step back.

starlalilymoon

Woah!!! I never thought Russel T Davies will come back! This is extremely unexpected, but exciting at the same time!

Also, I'm guessing I'm one of the few people that actually likes Rose! I guess I'm the weird one out of the bunch. I enjoy all of his seasons!

Regardless, I think this is great news and I'm super hyped about this! :happy:

CosmicDebris

@andre:

They just had a relatively fresh new face take over for 3 series and at least 2 of them were duds. Going back to a guy who gave them 4 knockout series seems like a safe bet for at least a couple more.

Chris Chibnall was not a fresh face. He was already a writer on the show and part of the same circle as Moffat and RTD. When he was chosen as the next show runner, I just rolled my eyes knowing he was Mr. Play it safe.
I'm looking towards an actual new generation.
Wouldn't call RTDs seasons pure "knockouts" either, he had a lot of shit episodes, like every other producer of the show.

@starlalilymoon:

Also, I'm guessing I'm one of the few people that actually likes Rose!:

She's been voted favorite companion by a landslide everywhere as long as she's existed so probably one of the few.

andre

@CosmicDebris:

Wouldn't call RTDs seasons pure "knockouts" either, he had a lot of shit episodes, like every other producer of the show.

I didn't say every episode of his series were knockouts, but that the series themselves were, which I'll definitely stand by. Every Doctor Who series has shit episodes (except for NuWho series 1 imo), but the great ones have enough great episodes and moments that you remember them more than the bull. The seasons also were behemoths when it came to viewership and selling merchandise. All of them were definitely knockouts to me. And for the record 1>3>4>2.

desa

My RTD ranking is 4 > 2 > 1 >> 3

4 win because most consistent. I dont think there's an episode I truly dislike in it. And the Donna-10th friendship is one of my favorite relations of the show. And I liked how more active the companion felt to the plot. truly felt like partners rather then overzealous student. Both learning from each other.

2 I think it has the best finale. And my favorite who episode. And I like Rose so the drama of the final moments worked very well for me.

1 had a nice narrative progression. I dont care for it that much but I still think its a nice well told season.

3 ended strong but I wasnt a fan of Martha and the whole shtick with the rebound that makes you feel bad for liking Rose.

CosmicDebris

My ranking is 4 > 3> 1 > 2. Series 2 had the majority of my least favorite episodes, the budget was the lowest since pre-return so it looked pretty bad, and I was never really hot on 10/Rose. The highlights were The Girl In the Fireplace and School Reunion, but a lot of it was forgettable.

I'm honestly more of a fan of the Moffat seasons, even though there were times when I wanted to throw him off a roof. As much as I love Tennant and Eccleston, Smith and Capaldi were more "my doctors".

desa

I am a big 12th fan. 11th I dont like. Although his relation with Amy was interesting.

Darkstorm

As a writer Moff was better, but as a showrunner I far preferred RTD. For one thing his finales generally made far more sense, even if he pulled deus ex's too frequently.

Only concern for me is it's been ten years since he was in charge and I wonder if he can recapture the vibe of his first tenure. Hope so!

desa

@Darkstorm:

As a writer Moff was better, but as a showrunner I far preferred RTD.

Agreed

Only concern for me is it's been ten years since he was in charge and I wonder if he can recapture the vibe of his first tenure. Hope so!

I do wish Jodie could have lasted a little bit to see how RTD handle her as I think she took many cues from Tennant.

Nobodyman

Yeah, I think RTD was better at paying off his season-long story arcs, whereas I think Moffat bit off more than he could chew by having a storyline that encompassed the entire 11th Doctor's run. And that's fine in theory, but you really gotta know what you're doing for that to work. By the 12th Doctor, I'm not sure he even cared anymore.

Robby

The biggest problem with Mofatt doing a series-long arc for 11, is that he very, VERY clearly thought he was still going to have Matt for another season. You do NOT write the ending to the 50th anniversary the way he did, "well now I'm off on a quest to find Gallifrey!" and then end it the very next episode. Not to mention offhand haphazardly wrapping everything up in a couple throwaway lines in the same episode?

I understand WHY he didn't want to drag that arc into the next iteration, but like the River arc before that, he maybe should have had held a piece or two to end it slightly more organically.

Or maybe just focused more on wrapping it up quicker rather than doing Clara's impossible girl thing.

CosmicDebris

We've still got one more season with Jodie, so I do hope she'll be sent off in a good way. Personally, I think the show has been OK, and there have been some good episodes, but there's just been something missing in the feel of the show that I can't put my finger on. Then of course the whole problem with too many companions. They've had that problem before and it never works well. I've always said someone could potentially make it work, but it seems to me it's not worth trying because nobody does make it work. You just can't get to know any of them enough or see them form a real bond with the Doctor.

–- Update From New Post Merge ---

Also, the BBC could really benefit from building their own Volume studio. Doctor Who would benefit greatly from it, and would save money put into building it in the long run.

SympathyX

RTD returns and so do I…

Mr. Zoro

I saw the news and it took me a good few minutes and news sources before realizing it wasn't a misleading clickbait article.

And… I'm excited? I never thought I'd say that about RTD. I use to trash talk him a lot but have gained a lot of respect and appreciation for him over the years. And while I don't like quite a few of his writing choices (e.g. garbage cans eating people and… large chunks of The End of Time), I definitely would prefer his stuff compared to the weird dialogue and characterization we've gotten for the last two seasons.

I really want season 13 to not live in RTD's oncoming shadow. Not that the show will do any mentions about it, obviously, but I really hope fans don't just compare it to what may come.

Nobodyman

A little surprised no one's mentioned it yet, but Season 13 will premiere on October 31st and will be 6 episodes, under the title Doctor Who: Flux.

https://tvline.com/2021/10/09/doctor-who-season-13-premiere-date-teaser-jodie-whittaker/

Mr. Zoro

So we knew the season would be one long continuous story, but wow, Chibnall's really going ambitious here.

! Going for a continuous story, but with so many plotlines? Curious to see how it all connects by the end. I'm not sure if they plan to juggle so many threads each episode, or just have each episode follow one thread from the first. If it's the latter, I can see how that would easily work best with Doctor Who's format and maintain a different monster/villain per episode.
! And with this first episode, I think I liked it. The only complete plot it had was the Doc following Karvanista, saving Dan (from being saved by Karvanista), and protecting earth from the Flux. While everything else is still up in the air. There was so much going on and I could follow it all, and it did keep me intrigued. I don't know if I could say I thoroughly like it yet though, definitely going to be the kind of season where watching it all in one sitting will have it's perks.
! I'm eager to see how the Sontarans are handled, I'd be happy to see them not as silly as Strax has been. They're inherently goofy as is, so some of that will still be there, I just don't want it to be as overt as it has been since Strax has been around.
! Great to see the Division plotline be followed so soon. I really enjoy the angle of a villain that remembers all of the Doc's previous lives while the Doc is oblivious. Definitely putting her at a disadvantage and fighting an uphill battle from the start.

aku-chan

@Mr.:

So we knew the season would be one long continuous story, but wow, Chibnall's really going ambitious here.

! Going for a continuous story, but with so many plotlines? Curious to see how it all connects by the end. I'm not sure if they plan to juggle so many threads each episode, or just have each episode follow one thread from the first. If it's the latter, I can see how that would easily work best with Doctor Who's format and maintain a different monster/villain per episode.
! And with this first episode, I think I liked it. The only complete plot it had was the Doc following Karvanista, saving Dan (from being saved by Karvanista), and protecting earth from the Flux. While everything else is still up in the air. There was so much going on and I could follow it all, and it did keep me intrigued. I don't know if I could say I thoroughly like it yet though, definitely going to be the kind of season where watching it all in one sitting will have it's perks.
! I'm eager to see how the Sontarans are handled, I'd be happy to see them not as silly as Strax has been. They're inherently goofy as is, so some of that will still be there, I just don't want it to be as overt as it has been since Strax has been around.
! Great to see the Division plotline be followed so soon. I really enjoy the angle of a villain that remembers all of the Doc's previous lives while the Doc is oblivious. Definitely putting her at a disadvantage and fighting an uphill battle from the start.

I liked it apart from one thing,

! The whole dog alien "we're going to save 7 billion humans with 7 billion indestructible spaceships because that's the whole point of our species" was really goofy. But everything thing else is off to a good start, and I think focusing on the Doctors secret past as a Black Ops operative instead of the much more controversial 'Timeless Child' plot line is the right choice (although I'm guessing it'll come up at some point).
! Bonus points for having a Weeping Angel being creepy again in what feels like ages.

Nobodyman

! Yeah, this episode was kinda hard to pin down. On the one hand, it had some really good stuff in it like the Weeping Angel scene, and the Flux itself is a very threatening entity. Just this huge maelstrom that can annihilate planets in an instant. And it does feel a little unfair to completely pass judgment on it now since this is very much one big continuing story and this episode was just setting up a lot of it. That said, it may have thrown a few too many things at us, as it came off as a bit disorienting. But overall I think I enjoyed it, and I am looking forward to seeing how it all plays out.

Darkstorm

The first two episodes of this season are so far superior to his work in the last two seasons it's bizarre. Jodie really feels like the Doctor for the first time, Yas is at least less annoying and superflous than last season, and Dan has been ok. Best usage of the Sontaran's in nuwho as well (though could have done with the scene with Dan running away and the "greatest warriors" missing wildly with their shots being omitted). The new antagonists are interesting.

Dunno if it's because this format, which Chibers is used to fits him better, or because he's feeling less restraint because he knows that whatever happens RTD will be there to pick up the pieces, but whatever, the first two episodes have been quite enjoyable. Of course with this format the payoff in the finale will be more important then ever.

aku-chan

Episode 3 was a bit confusing with all the jumping about, but I'm still enjoying this mini series so far.

Mr. Zoro

I really liked episode 2, especially since that's the most competent we've seen the Sontarans. Even considering their weakness was kind of… lacking in military strategy, but still fine regardless. Swarm is such a great mix of camp and villainous.

Most recent episode was… something? I feel the same as I do the first episode, I'm not sure how I feel on it and I'll know once I see how it all plays out. But as a mid-season episode it was entertaining enough. Kind of confusing, and a reminder that doing wild timeline plots takea lot of time careful thinking to get right.

@Darkstorm:

The first two episodes of this season are so far superior to his work in the last two seasons it's bizarre. Jodie really feels like the Doctor for the first time, Yas is at least less annoying and superflous than last season, and Dan has been ok. Best usage of the Sontaran's in nuwho as well (though could have done with the scene with Dan running away and the "greatest warriors" missing wildly with their shots being omitted). The new antagonists are interesting.

Dunno if it's because this format, which Chibers is used to fits him better, or because he's feeling less restraint because he knows that whatever happens RTD will be there to pick up the pieces, but whatever, the first two episodes have been quite enjoyable. Of course with this format the payoff in the finale will be more important then ever.

Yeah it's odd, I love to see these episodes but I hate that Chibnall seems to be hitting it off really well in his last season. Jodie really seems to be getting into her groove of the Doctor, and I think it helps that she doesn't have such a cluttered TARDIS team this time around, mixed in with her being pulled away from them during the War of the Sontarans.

Really interesting to keep in mind that this season was filmed during the pandemic, I've nearly forgotten! Makes sense when you consider a lot of scenes have about 2-3 people, and rarely go beyond that. And fortunately it really works in the season's favor, even when there's so many plotlines jumbling around.

Nobodyman

Episode 3 was fine, but it really felt like they were stretching things out to fill the running time.

@Mr.:

Yeah it's odd, I love to see these episodes but I hate that Chibnall seems to be hitting it off really well in his last season. Jodie really seems to be getting into her groove of the Doctor, and I think it helps that she doesn't have such a cluttered TARDIS team this time around, mixed in with her being pulled away from them during the War of the Sontarans.

It's a shame that NuWho seems committed to the idea that no Doctor can run for more than three seasons. Why can't we have another long-runner like Baker or even Pertwee?

kevo_koma

@Nobodyman:

Episode 3 was fine, but it really felt like they were stretching things out to fill the running time.

It's a shame that NuWho seems committed to the idea that no Doctor can run for more than three seasons. Why can't we have another long-runner like Baker or even Pertwee?

Most likely because the leading actors don't want to commit that long to one project and risk becoming type cast.

Take a look at all the other former NuWho doctors. All of them have gone on to do some really interesting projects that they otherwise would not have done if they were still committed to doctor who.

Robby

@Nobodyman:

It's a shame that NuWho seems committed to the idea that no Doctor can run for more than three seasons. Why can't we have another long-runner like Baker or even Pertwee?

That isn't the show deciding it, it's the actors. Tennant and Smith have both said they had to leave before they stayed forever, Sith in particular kind of regrets not staying for another year. (And Moffatt certainly THOUGHT he had him for another year when he wrote the 50th) Capaldi gives the impression he may be burnt out on it by the end since he doesn't seem eager to return for any anniversary specials..

Even with that aisde, Tennant and Smith both had three full seasons followed by a year of specials, so they both kind of had 4 year runs.

Colin Baker WANTED to stay on for a long ass run and have his character evolve over time, that's why he was okay starting dark but he obviously got completely screwed by the production.

Even Tom Baker says 7 seasons was way too long, he should have left after the sixth.

Seven years on any project is a long, long time. Too long for a lot of actors, its also when shows lose steam if they havent shaken things up at all.

Nobodyman

That was a great Weeping Angels episode, and a wowzer of a cliffhanger.

aku-chan

@Nobodyman:

That was a great Weeping Angels episode with a wowzer of a climax.

Yeah they've really got the hang of using the Angels, they've even made talking Angels creepy not goofy like last time.

! Given what was said on the last episode, I'm guessing The Division is a much bigger deal than just being Time Lord Secret Police?

Darkstorm

Best use of the Angels since Blink really. I also like the emphasis on the cruelty of the Angels, as they're so powerful that if they were working at 100% efficiency the Doctor wouldn't really stand a chance.

Maxine Alderton with another fantastic episode (also wrote "The Haunting of Villa Diodati"), I think this would be the best 13th doctor episode for me. 3/4 great episodes for this season thus far, only "Once, Upon Time" hasn't been a winner.

In other good doctor who news, "The Abominable Snowmen" has had an animation announced, so when that comes out, half the missing serials will have been done.

https://www.doctorwho.tv/news/?article=missing-adventure-the-abominable-snowmen-animation#_

@Mr.:

Yeah it's odd, I love to see these episodes but I hate that Chibnall seems to be hitting it off really well in his last season. Jodie really seems to be getting into her groove of the Doctor, and I think it helps that she doesn't have such a cluttered TARDIS team this time around, mixed in with her being pulled away from them during the War of the Sontarans.

Yep. Three companions has never really worked that well. Even at the beginning which is probably when it worked best Susan/Vicki kind of felt edged out a bit and didn't have a great deal to do but scream.

@Robby:

That isn't the show deciding it, it's the actors. Tennant and Smith have both said they had to leave before they stayed forever, Sith in particular kind of regrets not staying for another year. (And Moffatt certainly THOUGHT he had him for another year when he wrote the 50th) Capaldi gives the impression he may be burnt out on it by the end since he doesn't seem eager to return for any anniversary specials..

Even with that aisde, Tennant and Smith both had three full seasons followed by a year of specials, so they both kind of had 4 year runs.

Colin Baker WANTED to stay on for a long ass run and have his character evolve over time, that's why he was okay starting dark but he obviously got completely screwed by the production.

Even Tom Baker says 7 seasons was way too long, he should have left after the sixth.

Seven years on any project is a long, long time. Too long for a lot of actors, its also when shows lose steam if they havent shaken things up at all.

Really I think Tom should have left after 5. I know we got City of Death out of him continuing on, but that was about it. The Armageddon Factor would have been a good time for a change too.

Mr. Zoro

Village of the Angels was the best episode of the season, and probably one of the best 13th Doctor eps right now.

I'm always nervous whenever they bring the Angels back because they worked so well as a one off villain, and… it's hard to add much else without watering them down a bit. Here, however, they utilized past tricks that worked and added some nice stylistic touches.

! Drawing of an Angel? Scary enough, burn the paper. Oh, you just made a fiery Angel? Oh hell yeah. The caves?
Also nice to have a supporting character (the professor) that's interesting. Looks like we'll see more of him in the next episode!
! I love the idea of an Angel on the run and asking for the Doctor's help, and then I loved the further twist that it was part of the Division. And then! It making a deal with the other angels. Man, that's some fun twists.
! Haven't had that bonkers of a cliffhanger since maybe Pandorica Opens. I'm not holding my breath on the resolution, though. Chibnall seems to make great cliffhangers that have weak solutions: Doctor regenerating and falling from tardis in season 11-> Simply survives the fall.
The Flux takes over the tardis is ep 1 of this season, and… they just survive and get sent back in time?
I get the sense that the Doctor will just be un-stoned like a Han Solo carbonate. Whatever, it's still a fun ending for an episode.
! Also, that was the most "meh" mid-credit sequence I've seen. To be fair, though, I'm not sure where else you could've put it in the episode without it being awkward.

This season's been going pretty well, with ep 3 being the current low point.

Mr. Zoro

Well that was another fun episode! Again, we had quite a few plotlines being juggled with, so there wasn't a whole lot of plot to it outside of the Doctor's storyline. So I wouldn't say it surpassed last week's episode. Although it was nice to get a few answers to some big questions.

! Interesting how the Doc's plotline in this episode was just info dumping, whereas the companions went on the globetrotting adventure, and connecting with the Liverpool guy. Which is pretty fun. Along with the Grand Serpent and him pulling strings around UNIT for so long. Although I'm still not entirely sure why he's bothered to get involved with Earth to begin with?
! Did NOT expect the Sontarans to show up again. I was used to the old format of the monsters being done for the season when their episode was over. Nicely played, Chibnall.
! Now… Please stick the landing!

Robby

@Darkstorm:

Really I think Tom should have left after 5. I know we got City of Death out of him continuing on, but that was about it. The Armageddon Factor would have been a good time for a change too.

I was going to say "what about…" but looking at an episode list the only memorable one from the last two seasons is the one where he regenerated... and that had little to do with the actual episode.

I suppose we get the legend that is "Shada" but since we've seen that sort of completed now, well... it's much better as the legendary lost Douglas Adams episode than it could ever actually live up to.

It did bring in Romana 2 who Tom Baker would later marry, so that's something. Though only for two years so maybe not a great something. She didn't have to be a Tom Baker companion though.

aku-chan

They kinda lost me with episode 5, too much just didn't make sense IMO.

! Why is Snake Guy on Earth, and how did UNIT not notice him not ageing while he worked for them for 50 years?
How have those guys spent years globe-trotting during the early 20th century without any resources or info or anything?
Division is destroying the Universe and moving to another one because they're frightened of the Doctor despite the whole being powerful enough to destroy the Universe thing?

Hopefully it all comes together in the final episode, but I have serious doubts now.

Robby

Finally marathoning my way through the Jodie seasons to try and catch up before she leaves.

I just got to the episode where the evil villain plan is to make explosive bubble wrap. Whut.

I know Who likes to go "here's this innocent innocuous thing you see all the time but its actually dangerous!" but that's just… whut.

Mr. Zoro

Yeah, along with the bubble wrap, that episode in general leaves me feeling… icky. Since I last recall that the Doctor ends up being somewhat pro-Amazon in that story?