THIS IS AN OPINION. IF YOU DON'T LIKE OPINIONS, PLEASE TURN AWAY. THANK YOU.
Unfortunately, they did. If 'Everybody's Favourite Doctor' leaving wasn't bad enough, Moffat went ahead and revamped the entire show - literally. Doctor Who now became a darker show, with a different atmosphere. Long gone were the days when the Doctor could tow the Earth with his friends. And many fans were not happy.
The series opened magnificently: The Eleventh Hour, also praised by critics, boasted an intriguing storyline and a very unusual encounter with the future companion. A week later, the edge-of-your-seat stuff we had seen was replaced by a depressing 45 minutes, in which we see a chav-monarch (she's the bloody Queen!) and a Space Whale. 'nuff said.
As weeks progressed, the pattern continued as the story quality fluctuated. Whereas Victory of the Daleks polarised fans, The Time of Angels fuelled applauses across the country. Amy Pond was also a cause of controversy amongst Whovians; is she still a cold, silhouetted figure whom nobody really knows, or is she a fantastically shaped character? Truthfully, we still don't know who she is. Those cringing moments coupled with the odd emotional scene made her a really incoherent character. Whether that was intentional remains to be unknown.
But the most irritating matter, is that Doctor Who needed no strong, well-thought climax... because the Doctor is famous. He's now a universal celebrity who can simply declare his name and make aliens tremble at their knees. What good is that, apart from depreciating the essence of Doctor Who? Moffat should not rely on the Doctor's popularity as a solution, because that does not make him the strong and morally brave character he is meant to be.
Ultimately, the series lacked that something: whether it was the special ingredient which was used by Mr. T Davies, or if it was the emotional strength of the companion... it made the series seem hollow and not living up to its generous expectations. There were many gems in the series which definitely shaped Matt's Doctor, namely The Eleventh Hour and Flesh & Stone but by placing them with apathetic stories, they were brought down to a point where nobody could truly appreciate their brilliance.
6/10
47 comments:
I loved David Tennant as much as the next guy (gal?), and this series obviously had its shortcomings, but I find your review and reasoning hard to understand.
Looking at some of the episodes in previous series, I feel this was the most well rounded series with the most even quality throughout. It scaled down the level of bombast but scaled up believability (so far as one can believe DW).
RTD definitely deserves respect for his work and for bringing back the series, but he had grown tired, had his fair share of problems, and finales were definitely not his strong suite. Frankly I found the idea of the TARDIS towing the Earth rather ridiculous, and his solutions to series-ending cliffhangers were generally a let down.
In fact this was IMO the most well-thought out finale to date, and hanging on to the point of him shouting at the aliens is rather moot. Yes I agree those are not his best moments, but he definitely had them in RTD's time as well, and his "scaring off" the aliens was far from being a Deus Ex Machina (which RTD loved) as it was all a trap anyway.
Oh, and Matt is FANTASTIC as the doctor. I loved DT but in a way his mannerisms had grown old on me by the end of his run. I miss him, but am glad for the breath of fresh air.
The Queen in the beast below was not a chav. Just because a person is common or has a common accent it does not make them a chav. This is just a discusting media stereotype you are using. I have no quams with your opinion of the episode you are entitled to that. But your definition of a chav is down right discusting!
The "Eleventh Hour" was brilliant and there was real hope for the 5th season. However, the problem is not the writing, not that the series was darker, but that Matt Smith is really not up for the task. He lacked the correct emotions throughout most of the series and in many instances he appeared just to be reading his lines. He should be the center of attention in the show, but was out acted by the guest actors. I don't know what Moffat saw in him, because it did not come through on the screen through most of the series. I suspect that Matt Smith will be another Colin Baker, but it might also cost Moffat his job.
I like opinions, but I do not agree with this particular one.
'Common' is also a stereotype. 'Chav' was not meant to be said in spite.
I agree with a lot of this review. The Eleventh Hour, The Big Bang and the Angel episodes were my favourites. But i really liked Amy, as I felt she was a change from the usual companions.
Some episodes I found useless. The Beast Below was a good way to connect Amy and the Doctor, but could have been better thought out. I didn't really enjoy the Lodger either.
But overall I really enjoyed this series, but I do think they took the whole 'NEW!' thing too far and felt that some parts were made to appeal to American audiences.
I would give 8/10 as I enjoyed a lot of the stories, but some of the aliens were stupid and the whole series was overhyped for way too long.
And Liz 10 was a chav.
This is a bizarre opinion piece that seems to ignore a lot of what has made this series so good.
I mean, there wasn't even a slight mention of how the series' story arc was woven so completely and cleverly throughout the episodes. Unlike with previous series, it seemed as if every episode and every character had a purpose in the overall scheme of things.
I can respect your opinion, Brian, but I don't see how Matt Smith is a bad actor.
Smith is brilliant to me, just because he doesn't go out kicking and screaming every episode much like Tennant did does not make him any less of a doctor. I'm sure that's Moffat's aim was not to make him such an emotionally scarred Doctor as tennant. and frankly that was a breath of fresh air, free from the mannerisms and emotion Tennant attacked into every line.
I was really hoping for a longer review with more examples and more references to the episodes... perhaps a reference to the story arc. Disappointing review.
I don't completely disagree with your overall summary - there were some duff episodes in this season, but there were some corkers too.
To cover some of the episodes you didn't mention in your review:
The Hungry Earth / Cold Blood = major letdown, and the ending overshadowed the rest of the storyline (but it was a good ending). Amy's Choice was bizarre and a bit of a cop-out; Vampires was average and I didn't enjoy Victory all that much.
I loved Vincent and the Doctor. The Lodger was really quite good for a standalone episode so late in the season. And the two-part finale was stunning.
I particularly liked the story arc, and the fact that some things were not resolved, giving some fuel for the next season.
I too thought that towing the Earth home in Journey's End was ridiculous, and Last of the Time Lords seemed like a poor resolution. On the other hand, The Parting of the Ways and Doomsday were both decent endings, so I don't think that RTD delivered poor endings throughout.
For me though, The Big Bang was by far the best ending I've seen, coupled with the best penultimate episode I've seen. Despite some duff standalone episodes I couldn't possibly agree that "nobody could truly appreciate" this series. It gets 7/10 from me.
Firstly, I think Matt Smith has had a brilliant series, and is a great Doctor. I thought David Tennent was very good, but Matt Smith was a breath of fresh air as someone else said.
The Eleventh Hour was fantastic, but the Beast Below was a slight dissapointment and Victory of the Daleks was awful. Spitfires in Space? Ridiculous, and that's not a Doctor Who sort of 'funny' ridiculous, it's just ridiculous.
However, the angel two parter was outstanding, as was Amy's Choice, but again we had a letdown with the Silurians. However, Vincent, The Lodger and the finale were all excellent, with the finale being one of the best in NewWho, actually making some sense (as opposed to 'let's all thinkn about the Doctor and he'll get magic powers and defy the laws of physics la la la!)
Overall, a great Series but with a few downpoints.
I thought Matt Smith was brilliant. He reminded me of the Doctor's of old, and despite his young age, I felt I was watching an old man many times. I was hooked. I loved David Tennant dearly, but every doctor should be different. I now love Matt Smith but for different reasons than I did Tennant.
As for the season, I thought it was brilliant. Again, it harkens back to the old series. RTD did a lot of one-offs and didn't always have clear lines through the season. This one you saw so much tying in the entire season and it done brilliantly. It was intelligent. And I even more thrilled not all questions are answered, because now I'm ready for next season to see if we get more answers to the questions. It's a journey, just like the Doctor is taking. Even while something seems to be ending, another should be beginning - a neverending adventure.
I thought this opinion was way off, but that is okay. That's what opinions are all about. I will say that I thought Amy was brilliant too. She's a fiery ginger Scot who, to me shows someone who feels she must be tough and ready to take on challenges, but doesn't want to have to rely on anyone much because she wasn't able to growing up. I love that we get to see glimps of that inner weakness and emotion from time to time while seeing her put up the tough facade. I look forward to her, Rory and Doctor as their journey continues.
Have to say completely agree with this review. All thoughts I have had about this series. I sincerely hope it picks up. I hope the christmas ep is something special or it may lose my interest.
I did not cover everything because I wanted to speak about certain things only and that's how I review things :)
Being an older Doctor Who fan, I think Steven Moffat is returning the Doctor to his old self. I know many thought Tennat was great but I began to grow tired of his grinning, sometimes overly done slap stick antics and lack of emotions. However Partners in crime was one of the best episodes and I warmed to Donna much more than Martha or Rose.
Matt has been good and slips into an older, darker side of the Doctor very well, altho again there is a sillyness(head slaps and such)that I wish would go.
As for this series I think the quality of the writing has been so improved, yes they wern't all danger and death but a more paced and emotive. Moffat is building to something and taking his time, a great story shouldn't be rushed.
Completely agree with this. I was a 6/10 series. That whole "i'm the Doctor look me up u have to be scared of me" was really naff. Thinking about it the big bang was the only ep this series where the Doctor himself saved the day, even then Amy had to save him.
Mac your review was very insightful - well done. Although I do not agree with everything, I very much concur with the fact that the Doctor is now a 'celebrity'. This should be stopped because of exactly what you wrote :)
Good review.
i disagree with this - sorry. it should not have been that low because of brilliant episodes overshadowing the blander ones.i think that they were still appreciated!
I agree with Just_Fee. The Doctor is more like a 'classic' Doctor and as with all the Regenerations..it takes time to get use to it and for the actor and writers as well. I would say if your going to use old aliens then not to make a total rehash would better.. Give it time peep's..Like the Daleks ..it will grow stronger...
Nice to see such an honest review from a fan! I would agree that the writing this season has been highly variable (Mark Gatiss in particular should not be allowed near a typewriter ever again) and some of the revamping was overdone ('Power Ranger' Daleks spring immediately to mind and bath taps on the TARDIS console Hmmm....). Hopefully next season will command some more quality in the writing department (I'm particularly looking forward to Neil Gaimans contribution). I think Matt Smith has done a good job, strangely reminiscent to me of a young Roger Moore. Difficult following in Tennants footsteps, but he has made the part his own and thankfully didn't try to ape his predecessor. Karen has also handled things pretty well and her portryal of an emotionally damaged individual has been captivating, and sometimes awkward (in a good way)to watch. I actually think the most interesting character this season has been Rory. As someone who's grown up in the shadow of the 'Raggedy Doctor' he's not intimidated by him and is increasing ready to remind the Doctor that he has a dangerous influence on his companions. Long may this insightfulness continue. All in all, this season has been about moving on and setting up the big River Song/Silence will fall plotline. An in saeson story arc is difficult enough to pull off, but a multi-season story arc more difficult still (thinking of the disappointment of Babylon 5's woefully understated resolution after the big build up). Anyhoo, I for one sincerely hope The Grand Moff Moffat has his act together and doesn't disappoint us!
Now That Is An Interesting Opinion. although i don't quite agree, it was very interesting to read, see how the other side of who is. i really enjoyed that. it was an interesting article :)
Mac your review was one of doubt and dissapointment, but what i cant understand is the simplistic review you have churned out for such a great show.
I disagree with you as personally for me the stories in the 5th season had more depth and character based, not like RTD where he was a bit cartoonie.
The series had to change to keep it fresh and appealing, with David's doctor he was more a emotional person, where Matt is more geeky.
The whole series was amazing, with the last two parter being breath taking in story and cgi.
RTD last two were as flat as a pancake, especially episode one of the end of time, which the ending of that was just over the top to say the least.
Stephen Moffat has produced in my opinion the best who episodes ever and am pleased he is the anchor man for the next few seasons.
The Doctor being all "Look at me, run away," etc, is supposed to show his weakness, which is his pride. He makes a ton of monsters fly away, not knowing he's reminding them of the reason they're here.
Amy's Choice was a fantastic episode, showing development on Amy's part, and strengthening her relationship with Rory. In my opinion, the best episode of the season.
The season has had a lot of ups and downs, but it was fairly constant. There was only one really BAD episode and a couple that I might never watch again, but there's also many good episodes.
Vincent and the Doctor was a rare treet, while The Lodger was all around fun. The Eleventh Hour allowed Matt Smith, while Karen Gillan shines in Amy's Choice (because The Beast Below wasn't good enough). Arthur Darvill was brilliant in the finale, and makes a fantastic companion, one who deserves a spot in the TARDIS.
The bad stuff:
The Victory of the Daleks: No, just, no.
The Beast Below: Crap pacing. Would've done better as a two parter, like The Victory of the Daleks.
The Vampires of Venice: Pretty pointless. Good stuff at some parts, but was all-around... pointless.
Amy Pond's character isn't a very developed character in the slightest. Yeah, next year, we'll probably get closer to her family, but her personality is inconsistent and sometimes boring, and she barely shows any real emotion until Amy's Choice, Vincent and the Doctor, and small bits of the finale. Karen Gillan is an amazing actor, the character is just... bleah.
(And yes, the emotion isn't as good as the RTD era emotion, but I'm glad this season had a finale with a FREAKING HAPPY ENDING)
Overall, its a 4/5, for the fun finale, the unique stories (Amy's Choice, Vincent and the Doctor, The Lodger, The Eleventh Hour, etc.), the brilliant acting, and the celeverness.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but they are not entitled to their own facts. Complaining that the companion who shouted "Why did you say five minutes?", noticed the children weren't being attacked, walked through the forest with their eyes closed, tried to hold on to a fading memory, stuck up for the village madman, etc., lacks emotional strength ignores the evidence.
This wasn't RTD pantomime and it was much better for it. Towing the Earth with the Tardis hosting a tupperware party was cringeworthy. If this was 6/10, RTD never got above 4/10.
Wrong. Being entitled to your own facts is called an opinion. Perhaps you don't understand what a review is? You don't start each opinion with 'I think...' do you? Hmmm... :)
This opinion is 100% true. And all those idiots who are hypocrites are stupid idiots who can't handle other people's opinions. Read the top of the post, folks! Gosh. And also, MacMachiavelli is a reviewer who has an opinion, so he can say what the flaming hell he/she likes because it's an opinion and it won't agree to everyone's tastes. People need to learn to get over it already. And not only that, but don't tell them what they should have written because you're not the ones writing the flaming review, are you? If you are so wound up, write your own.
mmm122 the finale happy ending was horrid and really poor.
So...I love Matt Smith. I think he's an amazing Doctor. I do miss Tennant at times, but I am loving the geekiness of this Doctor.
Rory is also an amazing companion.
I also thought the stories were great this season. The finale was probably my favorite finale in NuWho. While I do hate the questions left unanswered, I also love it at the same time because (while ultimately finding this series slightly above average), I am pumped for the "Silence will Fall" and the River Song storylines.
My problem lies with charactization, particularly with Amy Pond. She's a very inconsistent character. I only loved her in 2 stories--2 stories shown far apart (The Eleventh Hour and Vincent and the Doctor). The other times I found her "meh" or downright annoying. I don't want to not like her (I loved every single companion). I thought she started off great...but I love Rory more than Amy. She could have been great, but fell flat in my opinion.
And then there's this other little bit about the show not having enough emotional depth in it. Well, I can live without that if the character of Amy gets better. I really hope she does. She should be more like the way she was in "Vincent and the Doctor." THAT's what I thought Amy was going to be like.
Overall, 7/10 for the amazing stories, fantastic story arc, Eleventh Doctor, Rory, River Song, and inconsistant writing with Amy.
To all dem haterz out there, you don't have to LIKE anything in a review, nor do you have to make it balanced. Get out yer shells and read other reviews. Mac wrote it to convey his opinion but it wasn't ALL BAD was it?! Nooo it has positive points too, which makes it a fine review because it's an opinion!! He doesn't have to appreciate everything in the series because it's an opinion!!!
I partially agree with the review. I think some episodes were appreciated. But I agree about the Doctor being famous. mmm122 you are wrong. He said that in The Eleventh Hour too... showing lazy writing and no proper conclusion, so there.
Amy was the worst thing in this series. She was so rubbish, I think it's the actress!! Everytime she speaks, some nasty comes outta her mouth like say wha'? Nasty.
I agree with most of what you said in your review. I just found that season 5 was lacking something in comparison to past seasons. Like, it didn't have that special spark that season 1-4 did. But just so you don't think I disliked the season outright, there were a few eps I rather enjoyed: The Eleventh Hour, The Time of Angels/Flesh and Stone, and Amy's Choice.
Matt Smith is definitely growing on me, although David Tennant will always be the best, imho. I figure I'd give MS 1 season for me to figure out if I like him (which I do), another season for him to start to grow on me, and 1 more season for me to grow attached to him.
I don't dislike the entire series, either.
I totally agree with this sites comments this series has lacked something, I love David as the doctor and boy do i miss him i am totally saddend at the nasty comments i have read on other forums about David as 10, for me he was fantastic, Matt is good but not fantastic he lacks many emotions as the doctor sometime i beleive he is the doctor other times i do not, i dont know whether it is the writing i am not keen on Moffets writing i am sorry its just me. Something is lacking with this last series and i cant put my finger on it, but the veiwing figures are down, i have back tracked to the previous series and the veiwing figures have taken a dip. to me this series has gone more children orientated they seem to have fogotten about the adult children who still watch the show, i only hope things get better with the next series but for me i am not as excited as previous series i have been watching since i was 6 and i am now 43, but i guess are agegroup comments dont matter.
Without having read the previous comments, I couldn't agree more with what you've stated in this review Mac! The series wasn't as strong as others but a good watch nonetheless. Very nicely done--thumbs up to you!
I respect what you've said, and agree with some of it. But I do believe this has been the best series since the shows return. I didn't like it when Moffatt had the aliens trembling at their feet as you put it, but on the whole, this series was much better. A stronger companion, darker, better stories (this season's worst beat all the mediocre stories of the past)and I hope Moffat continues to keep the show in the direction it is in.
God you are so wrong Mac this is one of the best series since 2005. Matt and Steven have both made it really popular it is as popular if not a bit more so than the Russell T era. The stories have been more thought through and featured better more well rounded characters. As well as being more character driven.
Thats right it's an opinion, and its bollocks, greatest season of Who ever,it was well writen, well thought out and executed even better! Davies was getting ridiculous,with his series arks and stories, and im afraid to say i was glad to see the back of Tennant, even though he was a good Doctor!!! Long live the Moff and may Matt stay for many years, one of the greatest Doctors ever (although Amy can go and die painfully lol)
john you are such a hypocrite. How can you claim it's an opinion, call it bollocks and then speak as if your opinion is correct? It's a review - dumbass.
with all doctor who series there are good and not so good episodes and different ones appeal to different people. i loved matt but i also loved david. they both did an amazing job and both were very different, think matts doctor has evolved from david's one after what happen to the doctor at the end of series 4 and the specials.
i liked your opinion on the series, i don't agree with it all but we all have different tastes so we are all going to like different parts. the build up in the this series i think worked well with the crack and how the doctor went back on his own timeline. for me i can not wait to the christmas episode and the next series and i still just love watching these ones back and all the series before. i love how each series is different with the different actor playing the doctor and we, i guess see different sides to the doctors character!
Best ever season of Doctor Who. This review is VERY BIAS towards Russell T Davies. So you could hardly call it a review!
I and I'm sure many others were getting tired of RTD, most stories were lame and boring.
The stories in this series were great, the only letdowns were Victory of the Daleks and The Lodger.
YOUR comment is very biased towards Moffat, so shut your trap. It's a REVIEW and it's their opinion.
Hey Mac,
You said this:
"I did not cover everything because I wanted to speak about certain things only and that's how I review things"
Which is fair enough, but something didn't quite add up for me. IMO the season improved towards the end. It's fine not to comment on everything, but I noticed that your review didn't comment beyond episode 5 - Flesh & Stone - and when I look in the blog sidebar, this is also the last episode you've reviewed from series 5. Maybe you wrote more and didn't link them, but I remember you said you didn't have a lot of time for this blog a month or two back. If that's not the case now, I'd be really interested to hear your views on the final four episodes in particular :)
I haven't reviewed anything in the sidebar. I am yet to review the entire series. I think I did review the finale on another post.
The episode boasted the magic of time-travelling to an extent we have never seen before, and Moffat's writing made sure it didn't jump the shark. The technical details laid since The Eleventh Hour finally came to light - and it was surprising at how it bonded together. The wedding scene was slightly off-white in contrast to the rest of the story, but the mysterious telephone call made up for it! Who is on the other end, I wonder?
I like matt smith just as much as david t I wouldnt blame it on him but besides that i totally agree how comes steven m can do fantastic episodes when russel t davies was the official writer (such as blink silence in the library ect) but when the role is passed to him doctor who gets a total downfall but im so glad that russel is still in sarah jane adventures at least that will still be as good
I disagree with your opinion, but I agree with the other comments that of course you are entitled to it.
However I do think the review itself is bad as you give the impression that your opinion is the general view of the series when it is not. It is very hard to find a review that sees this series negatively and most of the people I have spoke to enjoyed this series a lot and liked Matt Smith's portrayal.
Like I said you are entitled to your opinion, but you are not entitled to decide the opinion of the whole population.
I think your review was a good review, not that I agreed with alot of it, sorry. I really liked the Beast Below :P
I think Steven's episodes this series have been really good, but I do think that the Doctor's popularity thing is being used too much, although DT did say it before, but again that was in a Moffat ep.
I do think there have been some bad episodes this series - like the Silurian one, and I couldn't really get into the Lodger or Amy's Choice. I thought all of Moffat's eps were really good and I really liked Vincent and the Doctor too.
As for the Doctor - I'm beginning to really like him now, I think Matt's just found it hard to get into the role, but he's fitting into it now. And I really like Amy, I think she's the best companion ever!
I think that the series didn't have something that the other series did, maybe the RTD touch, but I feel that this series had something extra - perhaps the Moffat touch :P
Lrrr - that is called reviewing. If you don't like it, get lost and write your own.
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