Jodie Whittaker IS the Thirteenth Doctor

[johnnystorm]

The finale did not impress me. A poor villain who did not deserve a return. And sorry, I couldn't get over seeing Mrs. Hughes from Downton Abbey in alien makeup. And I realize Phyllis Logan is a good actress (not that you could tell from the crappy part she was given). Just took me right out of the show.

The last few shows have focused on Graham, who is most assuredly the strongest character on the show. Stronger and better characterized than The Doctor. Which is sad. And also sad is I get the feeling he'll be the first companion to exit, leaving three cyphers in the Tardis. I think they've just gone overboard trying to make the new Doctor a "fun upbeat" character, from the trendy Gap outfit to the cool fun Tardis with cookie dispenser...she would be so much better swrved as a stronger, more authoriative figure. More of a professorial or teacher image than a cool buddy.

[Gorn Captain]

I think the worst you can do, when a series is struggling a bit, is take a break before resolving some of the problems. One good episode, one return to form, will keep the fans patient enough to accept a shorter season or a hiatus.
As it stands now, we will be left feeling disappointed (for a very long time). Let's hope the one on New Year's day will be good. I am glad they ditched the Christmas theme, wouldn't have worked in this season anyway, I feel...

[LonnieFisher]

I'm done until the current Who is all gone. Everybody and everything. It just sucks so fricken bad. Bad stories and bad acting and an ugly tardis. I wish Capaldi would wake up, and it was all a nightmare! I'd actually like to see it cancelled. Chibnalls "reboot" sucks Dalek plunger.

[Godzilla]

There's some interesting perspectives in this article. While I have a few complaints, I think the one guy who really dislikes this season is off base.


https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-r...-of-doctor-who

[Wee67]

I think the fact that I have the last three episodes sitting on my DVR says a lot about my relationship this season- I still like it enough to record each episode, but I feel no urgency is getting to them.

The ones I have watched feel like the characters are never really fleshed out, including this Doctor. The same is really true for the plots. They've been decent ideas that start out well. I wouldn't even say they end badly. Its more like they just end. They do not come to dramatic finish or tie everything together in a clever knot. They just finish.

What upsets me most about the upcoming hiatus is it still feels like they are close to breaking through to something fun. I think they need to keep doing it every week if they are going to make that breakthrough, not take a year to make new episodes. You can practice all you want, but there's nothing like actual game play to make you better.

[palitoy]

In another interview, Chibnall said he considers this to be a reboot. So he doesn't want any classic villians, he feels "man is the greatest enemy", with all-new stories that don't refer to anything in the past. I am not saying you should re-do old stories, but hey, throw us a bone now and then...

Yeah, i'm not on board with completely shutting the door, i don't believe you need Daleks every season but if you have a good Dalek story, the option should be there. Also, "Man is the greatest enemy" theme is starting to wear out it's welcome, it loses power each time it's done.

The season finale is indicative of the show's flaws this season, the story held an interesting concept but there was no sense of urgency, it sort of just plodded along until the resolution. AND THE ONLY CHARACTER THAT EXPERIENCES ANYTHING MEANINGFUL IS GRAHAM (OK Ryan too, that was the highlight). Tim Shaw doesn't really deserve closure like this, he was half baked as a concept. Sure the Doctor saves the universe but it feels like she didn't have much real trouble doing it. The Doctor again feels like the "B" story while a companion (usually Graham) experiences conflict and grows as a person.

Also, not to repeat myself but the musical score is actually working against it, it's like it's from another show, about a funeral.

It ended with the Doctor calling her team "Fam", I did like that a lot. I wish Whittaker would get an episode to showcase her Doctor better, at times you see this interesting, empathetic old soul but then it's back to the "Matt Tennant" routine.

What a mixed bag this all was, there is a marathon on New Years day here and I'll be honest, I may watch "Ghost Monument" again maybe?

[Bruce Banner]

I disagree with Chibnall's stance on that. I think he's approaching the show from entirely the wrong angle in that regard.

And the fact that the next season won't air until 2020 certainly won't do the show any favours.

[Gorn Captain]

I agree, she deserves better scripts, and I never had a problem with the gender switch in the first place. So far, she hasn't convinced me, but what can you do if all you get is mediocre writing? Indeed, Capaldi also had some poor stories to begin with, and he ended up being my favorite "new era" Doctor. So it is possible, if the producer is willing to step up.

In another interview, Chibnall said he considers this to be a reboot. So he doesn't want any classic villians, he feels "man is the greatest enemy", with all-new stories that don't refer to anything in the past. I am not saying you should re-do old stories, but hey, throw us a bone now and then...

[Bruce Banner]

Another Chibnall episode tonight to finish the season. Not terrible, not great.
All in all, I've pretty much enjoyed Jodie's portrayal of The Doctor throughout these ten episodes.
The New Year's Special looks interesting.

[Werewolf]

Well, I don't blame her for wanting to leave, there really is a swath of entitled, toxic misogynist rhetoric out there and those folks are never going to warm to her. They're only watching it scanning for negatives to push their narrative.

However, I think she's been done a disservice by mediocre writing, middling music, and some draggy, slow-paced direction. That all falls on the producer, I would not be upset to lose Chibnall.

It would be a shame to abandon the concept without a really good turnaround. I didn't love Capaldi's first season either but he became one of my favorite Doctors.

Yes, to all of this.

[palitoy]

Well, I don't blame her for wanting to leave, there really is a swath of entitled, toxic misogynist rhetoric out there and those folks are never going to warm to her. They're only watching it scanning for negatives to push their narrative.

However, I think she's been done a disservice by mediocre writing, middling music, and some draggy, slow-paced direction. That all falls on the producer, I would not be upset to lose Chibnall.

It would be a shame to abandon the concept without a really good turnaround. I didn't love Capaldi's first season either but he became one of my favorite Doctors.

[Gorn Captain]

Ok, seems like it's a bit more than rumors.
In an interview (Starburst magazine I believe), Whittaker was asked about her "leaving", and the answer was "speak to the BBC". Not exactly "No, I'm not leaving at all!"
The plot so far: Chibnall was asked to leave by the BBC. Whittaker is friends with him, and decides to stick by her friend.
She would leave at the end of next season, which will only be six episodes.
I can understand the friendship bond, but please, can we keep it professional and just do the job? First all the hype of the female Doctor, and now she leaves after a handful of episodes?

Let's hope it all blows over, because we would be left with very little Who in the near future, and what we have had so far recently, wasn't much to begin with.

[Gorn Captain]

Some of the vocal tracks evoke so much emotion, I agree, it brings a tear to the eye.
To be honest, I feel this music stands up to any "classical music" piece, any opera.
Not bad for a little SciFi kids show, right?

I, too, have all the Murray Gold soundtrack CDs and the depth and breadth of his work, having been on it since the 2005 relaunch, is nothing less than astounding, IMHO. I know there were people who grumbled a lot about his various takes on the main Doctor Who theme music, but I liked all of them. Plus his themes for each Doctor, and Companion really, were unique and much appreciated. He really hit his stride, I think, with the score for “The End of Time” (I defy anyone to listen to “Vale Decem” with a dry eye) and that momentum carried through to Series Five. His theme for Matt Smith’s Doctor was catchy and quirky and really captured Eleven’s personality, but his theme for Twelve “A Good Man?” is likely my favorite and will really get your blood moving.

On a side note, while I have enjoyed all of the MCU movies, their scores have all left me feeling a little flat. If they had worked with Murray Gold, I bet we would have gotten some serious, kick-*** theme music.

[palitoy]

I've faithfully powered through, it got hard around the middle though.

[toothaction]

Well, for the first time since the rebirth of Who I actually forgot that there was a new episode last weekend. I only remembered on Wednesday that I'd missed one and still haven't remedied the situation. Speaks volumes, I guess, about my enthusiasm for this latest run. Maybe tonight?