Doctor Who

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Season 5
Season #: 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 383 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 337 out of 383
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 383
  3. Negative: 26 out of 383
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  1. RoyReno
    Apr 18, 2023
    9
    Doctor Who has been in several similar situations in the past in which the previous actor to play the Doctor was so beloved that many believe that the show cannot continue without him. In 2010, this was the crisis the show was in, and it was so bad that the BBC was seriously considering cancelling the show, but everyone behind the scenes of Series 5 gave their very best and the result wasDoctor Who has been in several similar situations in the past in which the previous actor to play the Doctor was so beloved that many believe that the show cannot continue without him. In 2010, this was the crisis the show was in, and it was so bad that the BBC was seriously considering cancelling the show, but everyone behind the scenes of Series 5 gave their very best and the result was another magical, unique, exciting, and worthy season of Doctor Who. Let's talk about the acting and characters first. Matt Smith brings endless amounts of eccentric charm and humor to role that make him a delight to watch, yet at the same time we have glimpses of darkness that contrast his mostly fun and childish personality that generates interest about who this new Doctor really is. Karen Gillian is a sassy and funny redhead whose romance with Arthur Darvil's Rory makes the adventures sweet, dramatic, and tragic all at the same time. The only problem with these two characters is the unnecessary love triangle between them and the Doctor that even the writers admitted was bad. But other than that, the show makes the them well-rounded and likeable characters in just a few episodes. Moving on the stories, there are plenty of strange and original concepts for most of the stories that are ones that only Doctor Who could do. There is also genres for everyone. There are light-hearted comedies like the Eleventh Hour and the Lodger, tragic romances such as Vincent and the Doctor and Cold Blood, and dark think-pieces such the Beast Below and Amy's Choice. The overarching story-line is also a plus, as every episode sets up something that is important to the finale, which gives the series a bow to wrap up any loose threads. This type of tight writing is very much something you would see in the RTD era. Finally, I would like to talk about the music. Murray Gold had already written countless masterpieces during Davies's time, but this time no pieces from the previous era return and are instead replaced with more beautiful and magical themes. Seriously, the amount of awe-inspiring, wonderful, and downright masterful new pieces of music Gold composed for this season is impressive. To close everything off, Doctor Who Series 5 is a refreshing love-letter to the show that proves to viewers that the show is in safe hands. My number scores for each episode are: The Eleventh Hour 7/10, The Beast Below 9/10, Victory of the Daleks 2/10, Time of the Angels 7/10, Flesh and Stone 7/10, Vampires of Venice 7/10, Amy's Choice 10/10, The Hungry Earth 7/10, Cold Blood 7/10, Vincent and the Doctor 10/10, The Lodger 4/10, The Pandorica Opens 8/10, The Big Bang 7/10.… Expand
  2. imthenoob
    Nov 30, 2020
    8
    Smith is fantastic as the Doctor and his new companions (Gillian and Darvill) Amy and Rory are as great of a pair of companions as you can ask for. The cast really elevates the material, which is already good, above and beyond for a pretty stellar season.
  3. SimboTheKing
    Aug 20, 2020
    6
    I think this season of Doctor Who is characterized by some good episodes but also a lot of very forgettable episodes. I think that Moffat sometimes strays into putting more of his focus into the big episodes and a lot of the smaller episodes fell very flat for me.

    I really like Matt Smith's portrayal of the doctor and both Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill are great companions. The    I think this season of Doctor Who is characterized by some good episodes but also a lot of very forgettable episodes. I think that Moffat sometimes strays into putting more of his focus into the big episodes and a lot of the smaller episodes fell very flat for me.

    I really like Matt Smith's portrayal of the doctor and both Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill are great companions.

    The definite heights of this season are the more experimental episodes such as 'Amy's Choice' and I do like the silence hints throughout the season. However, I also found myself unenthusiastic about some of the villains in this season. One issue of this is they often overuse CGI and I absolutely prefer the more practical aliens. A lot of the aliens feel very generic (Van Gogh's monster and Prisoner Zero for example) and I usually expect better from Doctor Who. Most of the other elements are fine but I have to stress that the plots are my biggest problem with this season.    … Expand
  4. jarekwg
    Jan 15, 2020
    10
    Kicks off with an amazing introduction to the new Doctor and companion. Eleventh Hour is one of my favourite Who episodes of all time.
    Every episode in this season stands strongly by itself, with the overarching season plot managing to both not be overly intrusive into the individual stories, whilst also giving a great payoff when it resolves at the end of the season.
    Matt Smith is    Kicks off with an amazing introduction to the new Doctor and companion. Eleventh Hour is one of my favourite Who episodes of all time.
    Every episode in this season stands strongly by itself, with the overarching season plot managing to both not be overly intrusive into the individual stories, whilst also giving a great payoff when it resolves at the end of the season.
    Matt Smith is amazing. Karen Gillan is amazing. Alex Kingston is amazing. Arthur Darvill, and the remaining supporting cast all do a great job too.
    I cannot find a fault. This season delivers on my expectations for Doctor Who, then continues on to surpass them every which way. I'm very happy.    … Expand
  5. AmenAllahRhouma
    May 7, 2019
    10
    It was the best in television at least before season 8 came out but still trilled by the fantastic writing of Steven Moffat
  6. Caldan58
    Apr 29, 2019
    9
    9.1/10
  7. des-troy
    Dec 28, 2018
    10
    The best season of nu-who;Matt Smith was one of the most charismatic Doctors.Moffats scripts were intelligent & engaging.The quality of the show in 2010 contrasts completely with the disaster that was to come in Series 11...
  8. carpmaster
    Mar 17, 2015
    7
    The Series does a pretty good job introducing the not so great Series 6, and the storyline is OK. A good beginning for Matt Smith, and Gillan, Darvill, and Kingston are good. Tony Curran as Vincent Van Gogh is amazing, and for everyone's sake we'll just forget Victory of the Daleks.
  9. MightyMatt
    Jan 11, 2015
    10
    This season, rebooted by Steven Moffat as showrunner and Matt Smith and Karen Gillan starring, had me from the first episode, the brilliant The Eleventh Hour. Having seen all of Nine's run and a handful of Ten's, Eleven really sold me on the show--there are just so many memorable episodes. This was genre storytelling at its finest, with Moffat's vision of the show at its strongest. I canThis season, rebooted by Steven Moffat as showrunner and Matt Smith and Karen Gillan starring, had me from the first episode, the brilliant The Eleventh Hour. Having seen all of Nine's run and a handful of Ten's, Eleven really sold me on the show--there are just so many memorable episodes. This was genre storytelling at its finest, with Moffat's vision of the show at its strongest. I can go back and enjoy most of the previous actors in this role, and enjoy a bit of Capaldi, but Matt remains My Doctor, with Karen my favorite companion. (although I have to say, she is so sweet and cheery in interviews, I wish they had more of her real personality in Amy!)… Expand
  10. vikesh2206
    Nov 10, 2014
    8
    The Fifth Series of Doctor Who is by far the best. Matt Smith and Karren Gillan make for enjoyable leads and the plot becomes more complex and deep. Additionaly, the visual effects and production values are a huge step up from the previous series. There were a few episodes which misfired, but overall, Doctor Who continues its great streak uptil now.
  11. Tommings
    Jul 22, 2014
    6
    After a well needed regeneration, a new style of who unfolds. Steven Moffat is now in control of the show, and (at the time) this was a great choice, Steven Moffat pretty much wrote the best stories of each season up till now. Now its gone a little down hill, I can't really understand why this doesn't live up to the previous series, I mean its Steven Moffat! and not to mention the newAfter a well needed regeneration, a new style of who unfolds. Steven Moffat is now in control of the show, and (at the time) this was a great choice, Steven Moffat pretty much wrote the best stories of each season up till now. Now its gone a little down hill, I can't really understand why this doesn't live up to the previous series, I mean its Steven Moffat! and not to mention the new doctor probably the best of the new series doctors and some of the classic's so far. Matt Smith is just fantastic, truly a new lease of live that has charm as this series adopts a fairytale style format of storytelling, its nice and suites it but this is where the series fails, its just quite weak and fails to live up to the previous series completely, but only as an integral series, individually the episodes are disguised and fool you to thinking this series is good . Because I tell you what this series doesn't know whether its coming or going, everything just feels out of order, lost and pretty basic, apart from some well written, episodes, directing and acting this series is completely missable if you so wish it and to be honest I wouldn't blame anyone who does. this series is just... basic... nothing interesting... big disappointment.

    5.01: The Eleventh Hour
    After that big rant, I'll contradict myself here by saying that this is one of the best episodes ever! its beautifully acted, the best after regeneration story to date. its beautifully written and beautifully directed basically a gem of an episode. and sadly nothing in this series will ever live up to it. 1st of 10 stories
    5.02: The Beast Below
    A casual watch nothing really that interesting, I have to say the themes and convention here are a little too early for the doctor to be experiencing especially when the audience is trying to figure out who there new doctor is. This story isn't amazing but compared to the rest its decent. 5th out of 10 stories
    5.03: Victory of the Daleks
    A dalek story that follows continuity, sadly the rest of the story doesn't live up to its promises, the new daleks are just..well just new daleks, and the whole story is just running around waiting to end 6 out of 10 stories
    5.04: The Time of the Angels / 5.05: Flesh and Stone
    Probably the most decent two parter of the series, its a pretty simple plot but its very well mad, and the return of the weeping angels was just great, compared to everything else this two parter was great. 2nd out of 10 stories.
    5.06: The Vampires of Venice
    Another casual flick, that uses the past as its primary cause for concern if the doctor succeeds or not, its just ok, using a comical outlook on things. 7 out of 10 stories
    5.07: Amy's Choice
    Ok so now we get something interesting, however far fetched this episode is, its still quite brilliant, some great imagination here, but is a little silly, but hey ho, this episode is still good. 3rd out of 10 stories
    5.08: The Hungry Earth / 5.09: Cold Blood
    A really bad execution towards the "new" Silurians, I'm deeply disappointed in this two parter, nearly two hours of dribble. 10 out of 10 stories
    5.10: Vincent and the Doctor
    Not a bad effort at making a more quirkier tale of Doctor Who, I actually quite liked the chemistry behind this one, I found it very different not to mention the fact that it really puts the spotlight on Vincent Van Gough. 4th out of 10 stories
    5.11: The Lodger
    The most comical episode so far this episode justifys why I say this series sis neither one type or the other its just juggling to many things. but this episode, this episode is just bad.
    9th out of the stories
    5.12: The Pandorica Opens / 5.13: The Big Bang
    stupidly complicated that really throws out a good plot ark through the window, Steven Moffat has written a dreadfull two parter thats too complicated to care, the universe reboots....-.- ok whatever mate. 8 out of 10 stories

    so too round up, this series wasn't good at all what saved it was some fabulous writing and excellent acting from Matt Smith and Karen Gillan as Amy pond who is just ok as a companion, I find it hard to like this series, so I'm going to shut up now, for what looked like it could be the best series ever turned out to be a complete flop.    … Expand
  12. eagleeyeviking
    Apr 25, 2014
    8
    The Fifth Series of Doctor Who is by far the best. Matt Smith and Karren Gillan make for enjoyable leads and the plot becomes more complex and deep. Additinaly, the visual effects and production values are a huge step up from the previpus series. There were a few episodes which misfired, but overall, Doctor Who continues its great streak uptil now.
  13. DoctorTorchwood
    Apr 19, 2014
    8
    This season is so different from the previous four that it's practically a different show, which isn't necessarily bad. Matt Smith is a good Doctor, though it's hard to beat David Tennant. I liked most of the episodes in the first half of the season, but then lost some interest. Steven Moffat has taken the show in a new direction with this season. Though it's not as good as the previousThis season is so different from the previous four that it's practically a different show, which isn't necessarily bad. Matt Smith is a good Doctor, though it's hard to beat David Tennant. I liked most of the episodes in the first half of the season, but then lost some interest. Steven Moffat has taken the show in a new direction with this season. Though it's not as good as the previous four, it's still a great season. Collapse… Expand
  14. nivs10
    Mar 31, 2014
    10
    A brilliant series and the one which got me hooked on to become a Whovian. I really love Matt Smith's Doctor and I feel it well written most of the time.
    You must watch it.
  15. PolisKanin
    Feb 18, 2014
    8
    David Tennant and Matt Smith are very different Doctors. David Tennant was serious and silly, which was great in seasons 2-4. However, the writers saw this and thought the series needed a silly Doctor, which is what Matt Smith became. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed some of the silliness of Matt Smith, but the writers seemed to think they were writing a comedy with science fiction elements,David Tennant and Matt Smith are very different Doctors. David Tennant was serious and silly, which was great in seasons 2-4. However, the writers saw this and thought the series needed a silly Doctor, which is what Matt Smith became. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed some of the silliness of Matt Smith, but the writers seemed to think they were writing a comedy with science fiction elements, when really they should have been writing a science fiction with comedy elements.… Expand
  16. Rabiul
    Apr 14, 2013
    10
    Joshua Jacobi is well known person in Texas area. He is man of great heart, I definitely want to say. His intelligence, experience, mentality are something different than other. Please give him a chance to come in TV show. I hope the Christmas episode makes up for an above-average Doctor so far. Jacobi can make a episode more successful. We are looking forward to hearing from authority.
  17. Necromus
    Dec 28, 2012
    10
    After David Tennant was gone from the show I was concerned that I wouldn't like the next Doctor, but Matt Smith manages to pull it off well and put his own spin on the Character. Amy is the strongest companion since Rose Tyler, Rory is kind of weak in this season (although I like him more in later seasons). This season takes the show in a more "Tim Burton-esk" fantasy and steam-punkAfter David Tennant was gone from the show I was concerned that I wouldn't like the next Doctor, but Matt Smith manages to pull it off well and put his own spin on the Character. Amy is the strongest companion since Rose Tyler, Rory is kind of weak in this season (although I like him more in later seasons). This season takes the show in a more "Tim Burton-esk" fantasy and steam-punk direction which is an interesting direction for the show.… Expand
  18. TARDISlore7
    Jun 18, 2012
    3
    As a dedicated Whovian and general sci-fi fan, there has never been a bigger disappointment to me than when I began watching Matt Smith's first series of Doctor Who. When Smith was first announced as the new Doctor, and the first images circulated, there was much negativity, but I decided, despite first impressions, to give the new incumbent a chance, and saved my judgment. Then I startedAs a dedicated Whovian and general sci-fi fan, there has never been a bigger disappointment to me than when I began watching Matt Smith's first series of Doctor Who. When Smith was first announced as the new Doctor, and the first images circulated, there was much negativity, but I decided, despite first impressions, to give the new incumbent a chance, and saved my judgment. Then I started watching the series and realised what an idiot I had been. I have nothing against Matt Smith personally, but I find his performance to be a shallow reflection of previous Doctors, a politically-correct, Tennant-lite, court jester who is not funny, but simply irritating. In fact, I find it impossible to take his Doctor seriously in 'tense' moments, due to his 'comedy' nerd voice and mannerisms- more to the point, he lacks the sense of gravitas that all of the previous actors (yes, even Colin Baker) added to the role. Amy Pond is also a very irritating and unlikeable character, often promiscuous and rude (see especially her last-minute 'seduction' of the Doctor at the end of 'Flesh and Stone').However, I lay most of the blame for the gradual collapse of a once-intelligent show squarely at the current showrunner, Steven Moffat, whose reliance on repeatedly killing Rory as quick-fix drama, lazy depiction of the sonic screwdriver as an all-powerful, get-out-of-jail-free magic wand, and tedious overuse of 'sexy'/'sweetie'/'ginger' "jokes", are slowly but surely destroying a television phenomenon. Oh, and let's not forget the hideous new 'redesigns' of elements such as the daleks, the TARDIS interior and the silurians. All in all, a pretentious and hollow show disguised and fattened heavily by an increasing amount of marketing, and an equally hollow Doctor.… Expand
  19. thescifijovian
    Jan 7, 2012
    10
    The best season of Doctor Who ever!!! Season 4 was the lowest point of the new series, a non-existent story arc, mediocre start, a disappointing finish and several horrid episodes. The 2009 Specials didn't fair much better, with The End of Time gaining the reputation for being the DW equivalent to Episode I (but that's probably just me).
    The good news was that the series was getting an    The best season of Doctor Who ever!!! Season 4 was the lowest point of the new series, a non-existent story arc, mediocre start, a disappointing finish and several horrid episodes. The 2009 Specials didn't fair much better, with The End of Time gaining the reputation for being the DW equivalent to Episode I (but that's probably just me).
    The good news was that the series was getting an overhaul, with new cast, new directors, new writers, new producers, and most importantly: a new showrunner. Steven Moffat in my opinion is for the new series, what Terry Nation was for the classic series. An amazing writer that brought into the show a wade array of memorable villains. Naturally him becoming the showrunner was one of the best things to happen to the show. And that's especially true with Season 5. Steven Moffat began the season with the best premiere any show could ask for, The Eleventh Hour, which introduced the new Doctor and companions perfectly and is among my top 20 best episodes. The resulting momentum wasn't lost in the following 12 episodes, most of which were pretty good, 2 were average, and 2 were bad (but not too bad). The season finale, The Big Bang is by far one of the best finales in Doctor Who history, with an amazing script and performances, winning a Hugo award for best dramatic presentation (short form).
    The season as a whole consisted of 7 awesome episodes and 4 average-to-subpar episodes. So if you haven't seen the show yet then this is the perfect season to start it off.    … Expand
  20. EssenceOfSugar
    Nov 27, 2011
    7
    As always, I love looking forward to Doctor Who. I found it fascinating when Matt Smith appeared on the scene and was always willing to give the next incarnation of the Doctor a try. There was much I liked about this season, like the introduction of new characters such as the vampires which were actually aliens and the comeback of the Weeping Angels. Of course, it was then that I realisedAs always, I love looking forward to Doctor Who. I found it fascinating when Matt Smith appeared on the scene and was always willing to give the next incarnation of the Doctor a try. There was much I liked about this season, like the introduction of new characters such as the vampires which were actually aliens and the comeback of the Weeping Angels. Of course, it was then that I realised it looked more like a kid's show than a family favourite, which it isn't supposed to be. Not too bad for Matt's first series, although it could have been a little better - on another note, my favourite episode was Time of Angels.… Expand
  21. Hasriona
    Sep 14, 2011
    8
    Good for the most part, but some plots were far too complicated. Still, Matt Smith proves himself as the best Doctor yet, and the companions have some more substance than previous ones.
  22. TatrTotz
    Sep 3, 2011
    10
    Hands down the best season of Doctor Who so far. Moffat is a clever writer, with episodes that make you realize that The Doctor is more than just a silly man with a time machine. Sure, its ridiculous, but if you're bashing this season for being overly ridiculous, you should step back and realize that you're watching a show starring a man named "The Doctor" who is a time traveling alienHands down the best season of Doctor Who so far. Moffat is a clever writer, with episodes that make you realize that The Doctor is more than just a silly man with a time machine. Sure, its ridiculous, but if you're bashing this season for being overly ridiculous, you should step back and realize that you're watching a show starring a man named "The Doctor" who is a time traveling alien called a Time Lord, with two hearts and a sonic screwdriver that can basically do anything, and can't die because he just turns into a different person basically. If that's not ridiculous, you have no business watching this show. As a friend of mine said, The Doctor's greatest tool is his cartoon resourcefulness. Every episode in this season is brilliant, Matt Smith is an incredible actor, and everything is so shiny and fancy, not cheap-feeling like seasons before. I'm glad Moffat took the reigns. He's a brilliant writer and is turning the show into something great and its never been before.… Expand
  23. Revilo
    Jul 3, 2011
    9
    Although inconsistent standard of Episodes, the Head Writer Steven Moffat showcased brilliance (except 'The Beast Below') all the way through, the Crack in the Wall was a great premise but was obvious the last two Episodes would be dedicated towards it. The Structure of the Plot was flawless, it fooled me what this 'Perception Filter' Business was and decided not to conclude to it.Although inconsistent standard of Episodes, the Head Writer Steven Moffat showcased brilliance (except 'The Beast Below') all the way through, the Crack in the Wall was a great premise but was obvious the last two Episodes would be dedicated towards it. The Structure of the Plot was flawless, it fooled me what this 'Perception Filter' Business was and decided not to conclude to it. Altogether, the Vortex Manipulator was a cop out end to this AMAZING plot but was blown out the water by AMAZING Episodes like 'Vincent and the Doctor', 'Victory of the Daleks', 'The Hungry Earth', 'Cold Blood' and the brilliant season opener 'The Eleventh Hour'. The greatest series of Doctor Who since the revival!… Expand
  24. GreenLeaf
    May 29, 2011
    1
    Steven Moffat's storylines are for the most part ridiculous and full of plot holes. Matt Smith is but a shadow of Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant - good enough for the Doctor's nephew, but not the Doctor himself. Amy Pond is an uninteresting girl with no life, obsessed with the Doctor and Rory is just as pathetic. The music theme has changed for the worse and I even hate the newSteven Moffat's storylines are for the most part ridiculous and full of plot holes. Matt Smith is but a shadow of Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant - good enough for the Doctor's nephew, but not the Doctor himself. Amy Pond is an uninteresting girl with no life, obsessed with the Doctor and Rory is just as pathetic. The music theme has changed for the worse and I even hate the new sonic screwdriver! Russell T. Davies, David Tennant, Billie Piper, Catherine Tate, you are terribly missed...… Expand
  25. PevMaster
    May 22, 2011
    5
    What's happened, Doctor? I used to love your show but now it's just terrible writing, too many reccuring characters and overfamiliar plots of 'Problem+Another character who's come back from death for the 17th time+Doctor+Sad casualty=Weak happy ending with everything solved.' It's saddening to watch a great series turn spineless and weak. Rory and Amy are good characters, if generic, though.
  26. Tardis
    Mar 23, 2011
    10
    Amazing! The writing in this series is the best it has ever been. Plus, great performances from Matt Smith and other cast members. And the soundtrack is incredible! Way to go Moffat and team
  27. CritiqueGirl
    Mar 2, 2011
    0
    I didn't like it from way back when and it is no different now. Campy at its dumbest. I have a few friends that liked it many years ago but they have also lost interest.
  28. tce
    Dec 4, 2010
    10
    Well, thank god. This show had pretty much become an embarrassment to all British TV under Russell T Davies, culminating in last year's utterly horrendous specials. Thankfully Steven Moffat, as head writer and executive producer, has gotten rid of all the disgusting cloying emotionalism, manipulative nonsense, terrible plotting, pathetic direction and soap-opera tone that seemed to plagueWell, thank god. This show had pretty much become an embarrassment to all British TV under Russell T Davies, culminating in last year's utterly horrendous specials. Thankfully Steven Moffat, as head writer and executive producer, has gotten rid of all the disgusting cloying emotionalism, manipulative nonsense, terrible plotting, pathetic direction and soap-opera tone that seemed to plague the RTD years. Perhaps once all the tasteless fanboys have gotten over the transition, Doctor Who can go back to being appropriate for ALL ages again, instead of just being targeted at moody teenagers?

    But enough complaining! The fifth season of the revived series has been brilliant on all fronts.

    The fresh Doctor, Matt Smith ditches Tennant's forced wackiness and forced seriousness, in favour of a much subtler and more subdued approach that deserves to make him a favourite among all age groups. He's NATURALLY strange - strange face, strange voice, strange physicality - and exudes a wholly natural, seamless eccentricity that we haven't really had since the days of Tom Baker (no disrespect to Davison, C. Baker, McCoy, McGann or Eccleston's lovely portrayals (yes, Colin and McGann were really good in their audio plays)). Instead of conforming to a range of very specific acting tropes, he's good at sliding around between them, conveying lots of mixed emotions simultaneously. Of course, it helps that the character of his Doctor in the scripts is massively improved as well - a return to the zany professor of Classic Who, as opposed to the moody graphic novel superhero Ten seemed to become.

    As for the rest of the cast? Karen Gillan is fun to watch and plays up the amazing chemistry between Amy and the Doctor to a great extent, even in the face of her rather vague characterization. Arthur Darvill as her nice-guy boyfriend Rory is effortlessly hilarious and sympathetic - a perfect piece of casting there. And Alex Kingston infuses River Song with just the right balance of RAGE-inducing smugness ("Spoilers!") and femme-fatale charisma.

    You can spot a noticeable rise in the standard of writing this season too. Funnily enough, in the RTD years, it wasn't RTD himself producing most of the embarassing rubbish. It was the rest of the writers (not including Moffat or Paul Cornell, of course). But this year, we had a pair of brilliant efforts from guest writers Simon Nye and Richard Curtis, a very fun companion-lite episode from the usually subpar Gareth Roberts, and a mostly tolerable story set in Venice from Toby Whithouse (who did the rather naff School Reunion one with Sarah Jane). Let's just try to forget Victory of the Daleks (which shouldn't be too hard as it was pretty damn forgettable to begin with. I don't mind the new Daleks though!).

    Steven Moffat's new approach to Who storytelling has proved a success so far, doing away with RTD's "hint at the season finale" gimmick in favour of a slow-burning, intrigue-laden arc plot that seems to extend across multiple seasons. Unlike the writers of a certain popular American serial that concluded on a flat note this year, Moffat has a very clear knowledge of where he's taking this all (having possibly planned it as far back as 2008 when River made her first appearance) so we can be sure that the inevitable revelation surrounding her true connection to the Doctor, the nature of the Silence, and the ultimate significance of Amy, will be a jaw-dropping one.

    Congratulation must also go to everyone else involved (save that trollop who laid Graham Norton over The Time of Angels). New cameras and new directors made this season utterly gorgeous, freeing it of that cheap look that it's had since 2005 (when the camera was like an abused child). The new TARDIS set is stunning and a hell of a lot nicer to look at than that ugly coral one. Murray Gold's score is much more reserved now and complements the action rather than competing with it (and the new theme tune is much more appropriate to the tone of the show, even if it still doesn't compare with Delia's). And to top it all off, even the new CGI opening titles, with that stormy time vortex, make nicer viewing than the slipstream of alien vomit we had before.

    So, in summary, brilliant. Doctor Who is in safe hands, the safest it's been in a long time. And, phwoar - does that Christmas special look brilliant or what? A Who Xmas special that's actually about Xmas. Incredible. Moffat had better stay on for a very long time, and so had Smith.    … Expand
  29. misskeshanicole
    Nov 10, 2010
    10
    This is an excellent show! and the new doctor, although not David Tennant, is brilliant. I hope this show never goes off the air, I can't get enough of it.
  30. Sabrinna
    Nov 10, 2010
    1
    This season is losing me. I don't like Matt Smith or the girl who plays Amy. The story-lines have just died and the 'crack' in time that is meant to tie the stories together is just a pathetic, poor excuse. There was no mystery. We knew what it was before the last episode. Sad! The series has been Americanized. Totally ruined what Doctor Who is and the series has got too young. May as wellThis season is losing me. I don't like Matt Smith or the girl who plays Amy. The story-lines have just died and the 'crack' in time that is meant to tie the stories together is just a pathetic, poor excuse. There was no mystery. We knew what it was before the last episode. Sad! The series has been Americanized. Totally ruined what Doctor Who is and the series has got too young. May as well be watching some American teen drama. BORING!… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

26
#26 Best TV Season of 2010
16
#16 Most Discussed TV Season of 2010
49
#49 Most Shared TV Season of 2010

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Randee Dawn
    80
    It's family-friendly and adult-pleasing, over-the-top and nightmarish, witty and deep all at the same time.
    Read full review
  2. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    80
    Truth is there’s nothing off in either Smith’s infectiously enthusiastic spin on the good Doctor or in newly installed executive producer Steven Moffat's confident storytelling.
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  3. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    75
    There's no darkness looming just yet, and the season premiere is almost too jokey at times--certain comedic bits are stretched longer than they should be. Still, this is quite a bold and energetic (if not frenetic) new edition of Doctor Who. Hang on to the TARDIS, fans, it looks like we're in for quite a ride.
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