The new season of the British science fiction show Doctor Who, and the first to star Matt Smith as the titular time traveler, premiered in the UK earlier today. I saw the debut episode, “The Eleventh Hour,” a couple of weeks back, but can’t really weigh in on whether it’s good or not, due to the fact that I interviewed Smith for next week’s issue. However, I can report that, while the show finds the Doc a bit out of sorts by his recent “regeneration,” he does succeed in both recruiting a new assistant, Karen Gillan, and finding a new, and sharply fanged, foe to fight. Moreover, the 7-year-old Who fan that lives inside me says there were at least three moments when he wanted to find a couch to hide behind. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, given the amount of introductions taking place the show doesn’t feature the emotional heft of some of the most memorable episodes from the last few seasons. But Smith told me that that fans should be satisfied on that score by this year’s overarching storyline.
Of course, as all Whovians know, Smith has a hard act to follow. The previous Doctor, David Tennant, became something of a national treasure in my homeland of Britain during his spell behind the wheel of the TARDIS (or whatever the hell the Doctor’s time-and-space machine has instead of a wheel) and there was pretty much weeping in the streets when it was announced he was leaving the show. On the other hand—and at the risk, nay certainty, of sounding 100 years old—I can remember back in the mid-70s thinking that Jon Pertwee’s Doctor couldn’t ever be bested, only for his replacement Tom Baker to do just that. Indeed, for my money, Baker remains the definitive Doctor, though I would concede that Tennant ran him a very, very, close second.
So, Doctor Who fans, are you excited for the new season, which BBC America will start airing here on April 17? Who is your favorite Doctor? And what do you think of the cut of Matt Smith’s jib? (Said jib can be inspected in the trailer I’ve embedded after the jump.)
I have been a fan of Doctor Who ever since I first saw it on the Canadian Channel when I was 21 or so. I like to think that Peter Davison was my Doctor. But I absolutely fell in love with the new series, both Christopher Ecelson and David Tennent. So much so, that I now have their DVD seasons. I think that Matt Smith will do fine. I can’t wait!
I just watched it, and I thought Smith was fantastic. The TARDIS is in good hands!
I agree. He’s kinda charming.
I really had my doubts with Smith, but I have to say, I really enjoyed The Eleventh Hour. I’m feeling a lot better now, and I think the guy’s going to do pretty good.
Now if only they’d go back to the Eccleston/Tennant theme music …
TPTB have done a very good job with casting, so I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and reserve judgment until after I watch the first few episodes. I think it’ll be fine and I’m hopeful that it will be.
i gotta say Tom Baker was my favorite Doctor till Tennent
Just one problem with the ending of the first episode, why did that ferarri fall into the tardis just when he killed the cyberman with the giant spiderweb… does not make any sense and there whole “there can be only one” isn’t that from highlander?
I got to watch the episode tonight, and while I haven’t been entirely won over yet, I think the faith in Steven Moffat has been rewarded. Matt Smith doesn’t “read” quite as dramatically young as he is, compared to other Doctors, at least.
I’m also intrigued by the hints of this season’s arc that were dropped tonight. I suspect we’ll be hearing a lot more about “cracks,” hm?
Doctor Who went downhill after the second season (after Showtime’s British hooker left the program). So it would take a miracle to right all the wrongs since then…
omg… I LOVE BILLIE PIPER… I still cry whenever I watch Doomsday.
What doomsday are you talking about. Cause she wasnt in the movie doomsday.
Doomsday is the finale of Doctor Who series 2…you know, the show this thread is about.
And RyRyNYC, glad to know I’m not the only person to weep over that episode. I have such a girl-crush on Billie.
Oh yeah, “Doomsday” is a tearjerker.
So far, so good. Matt Smith really owns the part. Won’t go into details so as to not spoil anyone, but I liked it a lot (save the crap remix of the theme tune).
I thought the remix was just bizarre.
But my optimism paid off. Matt Smith is just the perfect amount of quirky-charming, and the new companion is adorable, as well. I love David Tennant, but I’m not in mourning anymore!
I love the new “Doctor Who” series. Was heartbroken when David Tennant announced his departure, but what was even worse was that they only showed a few “specials” in 2009, instead of starting up with a proper new season. SO excited the new season is finally getting underway; CANNOT WAIT to see it!!!
I have faith this Doctor will do well. I have been a fan of most of the Doctors except for the last one of the original series before it was cancelled in 1989. I don’t know if it was his fault or bad writing but those episodes toward the end were terrible.
I heard a LOT of stories about what went down during Colin Baker’s reign, the hiatus, and eventual cancellation. The version that always ringed true to me was the BBC had a freehand for years with Doctor Who in exploiting the actors’ images for merchandise revenue for a LOT of money, and Colin Baker was the first one (with the support of then producer John Nathan-Turner) to stand up to BBC on this issue, won a fair and typical share of that revenue, but then the BBC retaliated against the actor, producer and series. In the end, it was the fans that suffered.
rang true… reading make our English good.
I’m a big David Tennant fan, and he will probably always be my favorite Doctor. However, I still wish Matt Smith all the best. He’s got big shoes to fill, but I’m sure he’ll do fine. Now, here’s to hoping David gets some good television or movie offers. I don’t know how long I can go without seeming him on my screen!
not really
I just watched the episode. I was/am a big Tennant fan, and I thought it would take some time to adjust to Matt Smith. But, I was really impressed, the writing was excellent- crisp and sharp. I liked the pace of the episode. And I actually really liked Matt Smith. I now have very high hopes!
I was a huge Tennant fan, and I can already say with certainty that I like Matt better. There was a sense of fun in Eleventh Hour that there hadn’t been with David’s Doctor in a long time. Not that that wasn’t interesting to watch, but the change is what makes this show so rewarding! I really liked Amy, as well. This season looks really promising.
yes!
I remember folks saying the same thing when Tennent replaced Christopher Eccelston. And as you mentioned, pretty much every Doctor has the shadow of his predecessors before him but manage to form their own unique touches for the role. Smith may be young but that makes his performance as a thousand-year old alien more compelling and can’t wait for it to develop more.
I’m proud to say that I’ve never seen a single episode of Doctor Who. It always looks so low budget, with a soap opera production value. No thanks.
You should not be proud NOT to know something. If you don’t want to see it, fine. But it doesn’t make any sense to be PROUD. I should warn you that someone forced me to see ONE episode of Doctor Who and now I’m a real fan. Can not wait to see this one!
lol. yet you find the time to post on a blog about a show you have never watched. Impressive.
I, too, don’t understand why you feel the need to boast about that. But I’m curious how you can form a credible opinion on a show without ever watching a single episode?
Haven’t you heard? Informed opinions are so 2009.
Really, being willfully and completely ignorant of a thing of great value, and yet STILL venturing an opinion about it really isn’t something to brag about. In fact, it makes you rather ridiculous.
you’re an idiot, jpx.
So, like many Americans (and I am one) you confuse appearance and quality, style and substance, and your opinion and reality.
Yes because the thing we should be spending MORE money on is TV! I love TV but low budget tv is always the best. There’s no room for Michael Bay or James Cameron on primetime.
The only thing you should be proud of is that your mama decided to keep you despite the fact you were challenged.
As for the episode, more than anything, I found the writing to be a big disappointment. Smith isn’t bad, but plays it a little too much like Tennant. Still, should be interesting to see where it goes.
I agree that the writing was the big disappointment. Moffet was supposed to bring new life to the show, but I now question if he really is up to the job. Too much of the plot was “borrowed” from other episodes, especially “The Girl In the Fireplace.”
Matt Smith did a decent job, and I think he’ll grow in the role.
The opening “lightning” credits, new logo, and new version of the theme song, all have to go. Yuck!!!
ive watched and couldn’t agree more. the effects seem amatuerish(though i know from specials that the creators put a lot of time and energy into them). kind of like what they did on buffy and angel and charmed. and like those shows, it is popular solely based on the charisma of its actors, like christopher eccleston.
I can’t wait and am really excited for the new Doctor. I am sure there will be growing pains, but anyone bailing before giving him a chance isn’t really a fan of Doctor Who.
Thanks for this story!!
I did enjoy the new episode. David will be missed but I am looking forward to Steven Moffat being at the helm of the new series. My favorite episodes of the past 4 years were written by Moffat.