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guardianreadersofthegalaxy · 4 years

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My thoughts on each series of NuWho (updated 2020)

(NB episode titles would make this too long so I’m just referring to them by number. Also I’m not counting specials so if I refer to Series 2 Episode 2 for example, I’m talking about Tooth & Claw, not New Earth. EXCEPT in Series 7 where I count the Xmas special as part of the series)

Series 1, the charmingly low budget one: S1 is carried by the writers and actors more than sci fi spectacle. The Doctor is loveable and compelling, though it’s a shame he never got a chance for further development. There are some boring episodes but 6, 9/10 & 12/13 are masterpieces that really stayed with me.

Series 2, the not so charmingly low budget one: Slightly coasts off the momentum of series 1. It’s nice to see the Doctor and Rose in love but not that interesting. Episodes 2,4 & 9 are good and 10 is sorely underrated but 3 and 11 are pretty limp and there’s nothing here that makes my top ten.

Series 3, the really solid one: There’s clearly a budget increase here and it’s put to good use. Martha’s pretty good and her departure at the end is uplifting. Even the weaker 6 & 7 would have been highlights had they come in S7 or S11. The second half is particularly brilliant, not that the first half doesn’t also have thrills and spills. David Tennant hits his stride and has great chemistry with Agyeman, Barrowman and Simm.

Series 4, the one with Donna & Wilf: Donna is funny and deeply relatable, due to her insecurities. Her relationship with the Doctor is one of DWs best as their friendship never stops her from keeping him in line, morally. The episodes are consistently decent until 10 & 11 blow my socks off and 12 & 13 disappoint. I can’t overstate the quality of both Tate & Cribbons’ performances

Series 5, the one that made me think Moffat was good: Though Moffat leans into the arc a bit too heavily, it’s not as egregious as in later series. Smith’s Doctor is just different enough from Tennant to feel fresh and not the caricature he’d go on to be. Amy is a little irritating and her relationship with Rory makes light of disfunction. Still, on the whole, S5 combines the best of RTD and Moffat’s show-running, with 10 being a particular standout.

Series 6, basically ‘LOST’: The more fraught Doctor-companion dynamic is interesting here, but that gets disposed of halfway through. Still, Amy is more likeable now. The opening two-partner features mystery-box seeding that would make JJ Abrams blush and the resolution to both the Silence and River Song mysteries are total cop-outs. 9 and 11 are decent but otherwise this is a forgettable series

Series 7, the one where every episode is special and therefore none of them are: Each episode here has a great elevator pitch, but sadly the execution is never there, despite some cool visuals in 9, 11 & 13. Both the Trenzalore and ‘Impossible Girl’ mysteries were uninteresting and, thanks to S6, I never invested in them in the first place. The Ponds feel like they’ve outstayed their welcome and Clara has no character at all. And the Doctor touches her too much.

Series 8, Rick & Morty for kids: Props to Capaldi for his bold new take on the Doctor, but in practice he comes across as a child-friendly Rick Sanchez i.e. punchable. Clara is much better here though, with a more fleshed-out home life. Danny provides a counterpoint to the Doctor much as Mickey and Rory did before him. 8 & 9 are good but, otherwise, it’s forgettable.

Series 9, the one with the massively overrated war-monologue: After a painfully ‘Moffat-y’ opener, the episodes are consistently decent – on a par with Series 4. 10 & 11 are masterpieces and 12 delivers a moving conclusion (albeit after a dismal first 20 minutes). Capaldi is more likeable here and Clara has a strong exit. The two-parter structure really helps the stories feel more developed and stops the series arc from intruding too much.

(Updated) Series 10, the really fresh one: This really does have the feel of a reboot, despite changing very little from the previous series. Capaldi is at his best here, Bill is charming, if underused, and Nardole does more than mere comic relief. It’s a shame then that so many episodes are forgettable, though 5, 8, 11 & 12 stand out and the series has one of the show’s stronger endings.

Series 11, the other one that made me think Moffat was good: Despite some cool visuals and sound design this just feels like Doctor Who on autopilot, with neither RTD’s emotional grounding nor Moffat’s interesting concepts. Whittaker’s performance is two-note and unsubtle. Graham is charming but Ryan is gormless and Yas is nothing. The monsters are unintimidating and the villains are too serious to be taken seriously. Segun Akinola’s score is cool but lacks the heart that Murray Gold provided. Bland.

Series 12, “nothing ventured, nothing blown”: Most of what I criticised about Series 11 is still here but there’s steady improvement across the board. Chibnall’s dialogue still blows but the other writers seem to be trying harder this time. Ryan and Yas have more personality, Akinola creates memorable themes for The Master and the ‘fam’, and the special effects and production design are the best the show has seen (though the lens flares are a bit much). And then of course there are episodes 2, 5, 9 & 10 where Chibnall (albeit clumsily) crafts a compelling mystery that displays a willingness to take risks that was absent in series 11.

Ranking (updated):

1. S3

2. S5

3. S4

4. S9

5. S1

6. S10

7. S8

8. S2

9. S6

10. S12

11. S7

12. S11

20 notes · View notes

guardianreadersofthegalaxy · 4 years

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My thoughts on each series of NuWho

Series 10, also a series of Doctor Who: Capaldi is at his best here, although Bill and Nardole are just fine. 5 and 8 are good and 7 has a brilliant cliff-hanger but the rest is pretty forgettable. EXCEPT for 11 and 12 which make up Moffat’s first and only great finale – better late than never.

Series 11, the other one that made me think Moffat was good: Despite some cool visuals and sfx this just feels like Doctor Who on autopilot, with neither RTD’s emotional grounding nor Moffat’s interesting concepts. Whittaker’s performance is two-note and unsubtle. Graham is charming but Ryan is gormless and Yas is nothing. The monsters are unintimidating and the villains are too serious to be taken seriously. Segun Akinola’s score is cool but lacks the heart that Murray Gold provided. Bland.

Ranking:

1. S3

2. S5

3. S4

4. S9

5. S1

6. S2

7. S10

8. S8

9. S6

10. S7

11. S11

7 notes · View notes