I think I’m going to like these two…
Monday, April 5th, 2010
The new season of Doctor Who = made of awesome. At least judging by episode one.
I mostly agree with io9′s verdict (notably the “David who?” bit):
The episode lives and dies based on Matt Smith’s and Karen Gillan’s performances. And they’re both captivating. Smith’s hyperactive, joyful Doctor is already firmly established in my mind as THE Doctor. He gets some defining “fuck yeah” moments towards the end of the episode which seal the deal, if anybody was still doubtful, and his final speech to the Atraxi – very clearly recalling Tennant’s speech to the Sycorax in “The Christmas Invasion” - puts him squarely in the proud tradition of Doctors, defending the Earth.
Where io9 and I disagree, though, is that reviewess Charlie Jane Anders found the story a little “meh”, especially compared to the season one opener ‘Rose’. I liked the story – Doctor Who is at its best when it’s rampantly silly and implausible, and juuuuust managing to avoid falling into a nonsensical abyss. And ‘The Eleventh Hour’ was very silly indeed. (Fish custard? Hello!)
