Doctor Who

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Season 1
Season #: 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 678 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 598 out of 678
  2. Mixed: 38 out of 678
  3. Negative: 42 out of 678
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User Reviews

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  1. ChristianW
    May 10, 2006
    6
    Dr Who was the greatest show ever, so I was disappointed that the formula had been tampered with to make it more of a soap opera. Who cares about Rose's mother or boyfriend? Just when things looked to be getting on track in the last two episodes, it got totally out of control, with a climax like a Steven Speilberg nightmare. And Eccleston's Doctor looked and dressed like an Dr Who was the greatest show ever, so I was disappointed that the formula had been tampered with to make it more of a soap opera. Who cares about Rose's mother or boyfriend? Just when things looked to be getting on track in the last two episodes, it got totally out of control, with a climax like a Steven Speilberg nightmare. And Eccleston's Doctor looked and dressed like an undercover cop, rather than an eccentric time traveller.… Expand
  2. matiigo
    Dec 11, 2014
    4
    I'm a HUGE science fiction guy, and on the outside, this show looked like it was my type of show. I mean, it had spaceships, adventure, moral dilemmas, exploration of the human condition, Peter frickin' Capaldi (!), what's there not to love? Well... most of it, actually. I'll be honest here (hell, I have to be), this is not a very good show. It does have an interesting concept, and someI'm a HUGE science fiction guy, and on the outside, this show looked like it was my type of show. I mean, it had spaceships, adventure, moral dilemmas, exploration of the human condition, Peter frickin' Capaldi (!), what's there not to love? Well... most of it, actually. I'll be honest here (hell, I have to be), this is not a very good show. It does have an interesting concept, and some cool storylines, but most of the plot feels so rushed and unpolished that I find it hard to keep track of every single thing happening on screen. Yeah, "unpolished" is the word I'd use to describe this show. Most of the episodes are very poorly written, which, of course, is a really big issue with almost every literary work, but it is even more big of a deal here that it is sci fi. Let me explain, in science fiction you can get away with many things (it is, after all, fiction), but the story elements have to make sense. "Doctor Who: Series 8" doesn't make sense, at least when it comes to the story. The main characters (The Doctor and Clara) are better done than the rest of the show, mostly because of the acting (which Capaldi and Coleman are both very good at), but they still have to keep up with a series filled with rushed and nonsensical plot lines, weak secondary characters, some very inappropriate british humour which for some reason tends to pop up at the worst times possible, and, if I must, some very, very campy special effects that only manage to annoy me.
    It's a shame, really, because like I mentioned, the show is somewhat inventive and, at times, can get very close to good sci fi. But, man, to me, "Doctor Who" just was frustrating and underwhelming, from start to finish.    … Expand
  3. carpmaster
    Mar 17, 2015
    5
    Series One disappoints, with a less than stellar Doctor, and only a decent companion, and don't even get me started on the Slithene. The Daleks return is triumphant, and some episodes (Empty Child/Doctor Dances & Bad Wolf) are amazing. Barrowman's Jack Harkness is great, and Piper has her moments, but this season is one of the worst.
  4. wordy_actions
    Jul 29, 2011
    5
    I hate to be the one to criticize such a beloved series as it will no doubt make fans blood boil, but hear me out. I find the show to be very hit-and-miss. The episodes that I like are usually the ones that are connected to the overarching plot. I usually find them to be compelling and lots of fun. The episodes that I don't like are usually the "monster/alien/evil thing"-of-the-weekI hate to be the one to criticize such a beloved series as it will no doubt make fans blood boil, but hear me out. I find the show to be very hit-and-miss. The episodes that I like are usually the ones that are connected to the overarching plot. I usually find them to be compelling and lots of fun. The episodes that I don't like are usually the "monster/alien/evil thing"-of-the-week episodes, as I unfortunately find myself going "This is a bit silly." Not to say that there are no episodes of that type that I enjoy (I enjoy the Dalek and Weeping Angel episodes in particular). Truth be told, there are a lot of things I enjoy about the show, but I can't give it a higher score because so often I run into an episode that bores me and I end up skipping it. The same thing happened when I watched the original Star Trek series. Some episodes were great, but some were silly and/or boring. And trust me. I tried to like Dr. Who as much as the rest of the fans, since I'm a huge fan of science fiction and I would love to fall in love with a new show. If I could rate the episodes I loved separately, I'd give them an 8 out of 10. But too often mediocre episodes are thrown in the mix and I lose interest. This is my honest opinion, and I'm willing to give the show more chances. But at the moment I'm just not feeling the love.… Expand
  5. cmyk
    Dec 22, 2013
    4
    I'm a huge fan of science fiction and the general "venue" of other similar productions, but the series just seems so terribly silly for most episodes that I simply lose interest a few episodes in. Don't get me wrong, there's a smattering of excellent episodes throughout the seasons, and I understand that said 'silliness' is a part of its charm; it's often a hit-or-miss as many others haveI'm a huge fan of science fiction and the general "venue" of other similar productions, but the series just seems so terribly silly for most episodes that I simply lose interest a few episodes in. Don't get me wrong, there's a smattering of excellent episodes throughout the seasons, and I understand that said 'silliness' is a part of its charm; it's often a hit-or-miss as many others have stated, the question is whether you have enough time and patience to go through them all.… Expand
  6. FrerF
    Apr 6, 2014
    5
    Compared to the classic series, the new Doctor Who just pails in comparison. My biggest problem is the Doctor. His new characters show him being all 'bouncy and eccentric' one minute and screaming at some space-bourne entity with tears trickling down his face. The plots don't make sense or are hard to follow half the time, and the 11th Doctor felt almost exactly like the 10th Doctor inCompared to the classic series, the new Doctor Who just pails in comparison. My biggest problem is the Doctor. His new characters show him being all 'bouncy and eccentric' one minute and screaming at some space-bourne entity with tears trickling down his face. The plots don't make sense or are hard to follow half the time, and the 11th Doctor felt almost exactly like the 10th Doctor in terms of personality.

    The very first series with the 9th Doctor was really good - but from then on the quality declined. It became less of a drama and more of a humorous adventure (GGGAAAAH!!!) and by the time of Matt Smith's departure the show was a complete wreck. It's semi-enjoyable, if a little hit-and-miss, but watch some classic Doctor Who is you want some good entertainment.    … Expand
  7. KIRAMH
    Oct 21, 2014
    4
    I discovered Doctor Who when it revamped in 2005, only deciding to check it out because I had liked Christopher Eccleston in "Gone in 60 Seconds." From there I was hooked. Didn't know about the regeneration thing, so when his head went up in flames and turned into David Tennant's, I freaked out. I figured that the show would be ruined. But I thought I'd give him a chance and I LOVEDI discovered Doctor Who when it revamped in 2005, only deciding to check it out because I had liked Christopher Eccleston in "Gone in 60 Seconds." From there I was hooked. Didn't know about the regeneration thing, so when his head went up in flames and turned into David Tennant's, I freaked out. I figured that the show would be ruined. But I thought I'd give him a chance and I LOVED him....even more! Then when it happened again and Matt Smith's head replaced Tennant's, I was like "who is this goofball? I'm gonna HATE him!" But sure enough, Matt Smith became my favorite Doctor.

    Then when I heard Smith was leaving and Peter Capaldi was announced as his replacement I was SO disappointed, not because he was a lot older but because he was well known. Even by me, an American. The great thing about the past two actors playing the Doctors were that they WERE them. They weren't actors I'd seen in other stuff just playing another role. They became the Doctor because they were never anyone else for me. But Capaldi has been in a bunch of other things. And watching him in the new season I can't look past the ACTOR playing the CHARACTER. I'm trying to enjoy him, but I can't watch without constantly looking forward to the day when a new Doctor will be picked.    … Expand
  8. lovemeneedme
    Jan 31, 2015
    5
    i loved doctor who then in season 6 he changed everything the tardis the companion the face the screwdriver even the clothes i hate it now it is horrible
  9. Inphyniti
    Dec 14, 2018
    5
    I am a Doctor Who fan & also thought Jodie Whittaker was brilliant in Broadchurch. Unfortunately, in casting a female Doctor Who, the new showrunners have underwritten Jodie Whittaker, who is capable of far more challenging scripts. Worse, they seem to have forgotten WHO The Doctor is. He/She makes people better. He/She guides them into better versions of themselves and, sometimes theI am a Doctor Who fan & also thought Jodie Whittaker was brilliant in Broadchurch. Unfortunately, in casting a female Doctor Who, the new showrunners have underwritten Jodie Whittaker, who is capable of far more challenging scripts. Worse, they seem to have forgotten WHO The Doctor is. He/She makes people better. He/She guides them into better versions of themselves and, sometimes the companions fill that role for The Doctor. And that is what is missing from the new series. Its heart. The soul of The Doctor. Jodie Whittaker is brimming with potential, as are her companions, but they have been failed by the 2 dimensional writing... Take the training wheels off this new team and write scripts worthy of their talent!… Expand
  10. SimboTheKing
    Jun 25, 2020
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'm starting a big rewatch of the Doctor Who reboot and I must say this season is not quite as good as I remember it being as a 6 year old lmao.

    I think that's it biggest problem is that it is still clearly finding its feet to the point where some episodes feel so comically over-the-top (e.g. slitheen). When it strikes the correct tone it is very good though.

    The season finale was particularly great and I loved the way that Bad Wolf was hinted at throughout the season.

    Overall, I think I can sum up my review with this season is good but inconsistent.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

14
#14 Best TV Season of 2005
11
#11 Most Discussed TV Season of 2005
1
#1 Most Shared TV Season of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Marilyn Moss
    70
    Silly, sophomoric stuff that is sure to please its television audience.
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  2. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Sharon Eberson
    70
    Some of the pop-culture humor and creatures owe a nod to "Farscape," but the camp level is high and can be mighty funny.
    Read full review
  3. San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times
    Reviewed by: Charlie McCollum
    80
    If you're looking for allegorical, intriguing science fiction, this isn't it. If you're OK with rapid-fire, light-hearted dialogue with an occasional dig at politics and culture, this "Doctor Who" is your cup of tea.
    Read full review
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