Doctor Who

:

Season 8
Season #: 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 346 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 232 out of 346
  2. Mixed: 55 out of 346
  3. Negative: 59 out of 346
Watch Now

Where To Watch

Buy on
Stream On
Stream On

Review this tv show

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling

User Reviews

view
per page
  1. thetvreviewman
    Nov 4, 2014
    10
    Its always tough to get used to a new doctor, but Peter Capaldi does a good job of showing us how he is ready to take on the role. This season of Doctor Who continues to give the audience great science fiction action and just the right amount of weirdness that we are used to seeing in Doctor who.
  2. Grato
    Sep 29, 2014
    0
    Oh my,this is definitely the worst season since new Doctor Who started. I don't know what they're thinking by turning this amazing series so boring. I know that if things keeps so dull, many viewers will only stop watching it...
  3. Maeta
    Aug 23, 2014
    3
    Promising a serious version of the Doctor, all we got was a body of random eccentricity, fan service and awful slapstick wrapped around a few seconds of character development at a point when the episode was beyond redemption. There was no real plot, though that can be given a bit of a let off as an intro for Mr Capaldi's Doctor, but the attempts at comedy came across as insulting.
  4. eagleeyeviking
    Jan 5, 2016
    7
    Steven Moffat's metaphysical storylines are overcomplicated as usual, but it is redeemed by Peter Capaldi's brilliant performance as the twelfth Doctor.
  5. Benerd
    Sep 19, 2015
    10
    I think this is one of the best Doctor Who seasons in a while. The writing was awesome, really clever and funny. Plotlines were interesting with excellent twists. The past few seasons had been hit or miss, I'm glad this one was so solid. This Capaldi is an excellent Doctor, I like the Doctor as a cranky old man better than as a young stud. I hope season 9 lives up to the high expectationsI think this is one of the best Doctor Who seasons in a while. The writing was awesome, really clever and funny. Plotlines were interesting with excellent twists. The past few seasons had been hit or miss, I'm glad this one was so solid. This Capaldi is an excellent Doctor, I like the Doctor as a cranky old man better than as a young stud. I hope season 9 lives up to the high expectations that have been set!… Expand
  6. Ryan13cla
    Oct 11, 2015
    10
    Undeniably the most divisive season this show has aired yet. Season 8 is focused more on the characters of the Doctor and Clara than the monsters and action sequences. Some feel this subtracts from what this show is about, others feel it strengthens the stories. I agree firmly with the latter. Into the Dalek, Listen, Time Heist, The Caretaker, Kill the Moon, Mummy on the Orient Express,Undeniably the most divisive season this show has aired yet. Season 8 is focused more on the characters of the Doctor and Clara than the monsters and action sequences. Some feel this subtracts from what this show is about, others feel it strengthens the stories. I agree firmly with the latter. Into the Dalek, Listen, Time Heist, The Caretaker, Kill the Moon, Mummy on the Orient Express, Flatline and Dark Water are all exceptional episodes of a superb season.… Expand
  7. hyperbeast321
    Jan 3, 2016
    8
    After watching all 8 seasons on Netflix, I certainly enjoyed Doctor Who, and it's one of my favorite TV shows. However, since I watched every single episode, I was forced through the monotony of the awful Doctor Who episodes, the ones that people see and turn them away from the show forever. And why are these episodes an entry point for so many people? Because after sitting down and makingAfter watching all 8 seasons on Netflix, I certainly enjoyed Doctor Who, and it's one of my favorite TV shows. However, since I watched every single episode, I was forced through the monotony of the awful Doctor Who episodes, the ones that people see and turn them away from the show forever. And why are these episodes an entry point for so many people? Because after sitting down and making a list, I calculated that roughly 1/4 of the shows episodes are bad! 1/4! And it doesn't help that another 2/4 are simply "enjoyable" at best. That leaves 1/4 of the show that I can use to explain why the show is good. This inconsistency among the episodes is what kills Doctor Who for many people. For me personally, the "enjoyable" episodes were what saved the show for me. If the show was 2/3 "bad" episodes, and 1/3 "good" episodes, I wouldn't be able to watch it. But thankfully, the "enjoyable" episodes are just that, enjoyable, and the help give you a good experience in between the highs of the "good" and the horrors of the "bad". Let me put it this way: if you watch four episodes of the show, you will have 2 that give you some enjoyment, 1 that is very bad, and 1 that will blow you away. If that sounds like not enough quality for your time, then you won't like Doctor Who. The reason I'm giving the show an 8 after all of this is because the show has proven that it's capable of immense highs, and the new season shows that there is a better move towards quality. Episodes like "Listen", "Time Heist", "Deep Breath", and of course the finale two-parter "Dark Water/Death in Heaven" all represent some of the best the show has to offer. And better yet there are really only 2 stinkers! This is a good direction for Doctor Who, and this score reflects that.… Expand
  8. dwfan42
    Jun 12, 2016
    10
    While not as fun as other series, Into the Dalek, Listen, Kill the Moon, Mummy on the Orient Express, Flatline and Dark Water were fantastic. It's a step up from series 7, but it feels weighed down.
  9. user12
    Dec 15, 2017
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. To this day, no other science fiction series I have ever seen is better than Doctor Who. The eighth season is easily the best one yet. Peter Capaldi is the best Doctor yet.… Expand
  10. Cyruptsaram
    Apr 9, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Perhaps not as consistent as previous seasons, Series 8 still has the same science-fiction feel coupled with the new and extraordinary special effects. Peter Capaldi's debut is a little shaky to begin with, but once Listen comes round it quickly saves itself. Standout episodes include Listen, Time Heist, Flatline and Dark Water/Death in Heaven, the latter more so than the rest. There were two major lows however this season, with Robot of Sherwood and In the Forest of the Night, which were not engaging whatsoever. Nevertheless, the show is still going strong and with the return of the Master, there could be a lot of new things happening next season!… Expand
  11. carpmaster
    Mar 17, 2015
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Probably the best Series to date. Capaldi is immediately the Doctor, and will quickly take a spot as one of your favorites. Brilliant episodes such as Flatline, and Mummy on the Orient Express, and lacks the terrible episode that in Series 4 was Midnight. Every episode is great, and Capaldi really shines. Coleman finally steps into a comfortable role as Clara, and The Gatekeeper of the Nethersphere, better known as Missy or the Master. (I told you spoilers) is immediately competing with Roger Delgado. A good storyline that is always there, but doesn't encompass. Osgood's death was an unnecessary and cruel play by Moffat.… Expand
  12. marc5477
    Nov 20, 2014
    5
    I really dont mind the new doctor nor Clara but the season itself was very boring. The tie ins were very iffy and not well developed to make them interesting, and the final episodes were simply not very smartly written. I think its time for new writers. I know that they have already gone through almost any common idea ever conceived but that is the case for every tv show new and old. TheI really dont mind the new doctor nor Clara but the season itself was very boring. The tie ins were very iffy and not well developed to make them interesting, and the final episodes were simply not very smartly written. I think its time for new writers. I know that they have already gone through almost any common idea ever conceived but that is the case for every tv show new and old. The key is to make the recycled story fun by making the character and their interaction fun or interesting. This season was just boring...… Expand
  13. vikesh2206
    Nov 10, 2014
    8
    Series 8 of Doctor Who impresses with its consistency in the quality of its stories and the well realized characters even if some of the episodes (including the finale) are somewhat convoluted.
  14. AlfieTimewolf
    Oct 5, 2014
    4
    Just like when Matt took over, I was willing to give Peter Capaldi a chance to prove himself as the Doctor, bur so far all I've been is disappointed. Capaldi is an excellent actor, he was excellent as Caecilius in 'The Fires of Pompeii', as well as John Frobisher in season three of Torchwood, but his recent appearance as the space and time travelling Time lord has left nothing to beJust like when Matt took over, I was willing to give Peter Capaldi a chance to prove himself as the Doctor, bur so far all I've been is disappointed. Capaldi is an excellent actor, he was excellent as Caecilius in 'The Fires of Pompeii', as well as John Frobisher in season three of Torchwood, but his recent appearance as the space and time travelling Time lord has left nothing to be desired about.

    Deep Breath left me confused and unsatisfied, a little annoyed and definitely amused by the high pitched theme tune - in fact, I haven't /stopped/ laughing at the theme tune, it's just not right. Episode two was better, but I still didn't enjoy it. Robot of Sherwood (episode 3) has been the one I've liked the most, and it wasn't written by Steven Moffat.

    In regards to Sherlock, Moffat is an excellent writer. But now, watching series 8, I think he definitely needs to take a step back from being the head writer of Doctor Who. He's making show far too complicated now, and not even in the good way anymore.    … Expand
  15. Xzenor
    Oct 11, 2014
    3
    I was a real fan of the 2005 series up until now.
    The entire season feels like it's gonna be the last one. Like they're not putting any energy into it because they're pulling the plug anyway.
    It's rushed, there's not really a back-story, it's covered with plot-holes and it's insulting the viewers intelligence on more than one occasion. The new doctor is a terribly written selfish    I was a real fan of the 2005 series up until now.
    The entire season feels like it's gonna be the last one. Like they're not putting any energy into it because they're pulling the plug anyway.
    It's rushed, there's not really a back-story, it's covered with plot-holes and it's insulting the viewers intelligence on more than one occasion.
    The new doctor is a terribly written selfish prick, with Alzheimer because he seems to have forgotten everything his previous regenerations learned and stood for..

    So much is wrong about this season. Doctor who has really lost its soul.    … Expand
  16. Tryenigh
    Aug 23, 2014
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A strong introduction for the Peter Capaldi-era of Doctor Who. The first half sets it's self as focusing on the new iteration of Doctor adapting, remembering and getting used to his new body, whereas the second half goes on a more philosophical path; drawing some interesting parallels between Clara/The DW Fans, and very much The Doctor/Antagonist.

    The main 'gimmick' of the episode is that robots are stupid (shouldn't come as too much of a surprise), and they can only detect you when you're breathing. This works well when it comes to Clara hiding from them whilst trying to escape, although feels a bit insulting when it comes into effect in the middle of sword-combat.

    There is a dinosaur introduced in the start, although she is used mainly to illustrate the strength of the antagonists main goal; it works well, since you want to learn about the new Doctor, although something more could have been done with that.

    Overall, a very strong start to the series, leaving just a tiny glimpse of what's to come. The new, more serious tone is refreshing; feeling like an odd child of Steven Moffat's style and some more old-school tones. Slapstick could do with departing.    … Expand
  17. 1371113
    Sep 19, 2014
    2
    Not liking this season much. Sad, b/c I wanted to. The new Dr is boring and I don't care much what happens to him. The new Tardis interior seems like compensation to try and interest us, knowing that the plot and actors will not. Kind of...hmmm... I guess the word is shallow. The Tennant and Smith seasons seemed to be about complicated men who acted shallow and playful, occasionallyNot liking this season much. Sad, b/c I wanted to. The new Dr is boring and I don't care much what happens to him. The new Tardis interior seems like compensation to try and interest us, knowing that the plot and actors will not. Kind of...hmmm... I guess the word is shallow. The Tennant and Smith seasons seemed to be about complicated men who acted shallow and playful, occasionally showing their (often tragic) depth and power. This season seems like shallow people trying to act deep, in other words, posers or maybe high schoolish, something that would play after Teen Wolf. Not my cup of tea so rather than pursue this season I will wait until I have some time to waste and catch it on Hulu or some such thing.… Expand
  18. caslo
    Sep 24, 2014
    4
    Having just watched S08E01 I am very disappointed with the integration of Clara with the new doctor. How can you take one of the most entertaining companions ever and stick her in such a sad vehicle. Jenna Coleman is brilliant in the part yet almost everything else begs for her to find a way to break her contract.
    On a side note: If you didn't know that Madame Vastra was "married" to the    Having just watched S08E01 I am very disappointed with the integration of Clara with the new doctor. How can you take one of the most entertaining companions ever and stick her in such a sad vehicle. Jenna Coleman is brilliant in the part yet almost everything else begs for her to find a way to break her contract.
    On a side note: If you didn't know that Madame Vastra was "married" to the female character Jenny you will get plenty of that... Get rid of the LGBT cultural advisor and hire a writer for God's sake.    … Expand
  19. LegendofDaniel
    Sep 9, 2014
    3
    Disappointing. It's not even the new doctor. The script was terrible, and even some of the acting was bad. The story was downright confusing; I lost track of it about 20 minutes in, and Capaldi's forced quirkiness was off-putting.
  20. analogkid280
    Aug 26, 2014
    4
    The new doctor is excellent. Being a Pertwee and later fan I am so happy to see a return to real classic style episodes, and with dinosaurs! That being said it looked like this script was written on the back of a sugar cereal box by kindergarteners. All characters other than the Doctor where cookie cutter stagnant and not persistent with how we have gotten to know them in the past coupleThe new doctor is excellent. Being a Pertwee and later fan I am so happy to see a return to real classic style episodes, and with dinosaurs! That being said it looked like this script was written on the back of a sugar cereal box by kindergarteners. All characters other than the Doctor where cookie cutter stagnant and not persistent with how we have gotten to know them in the past couple of seasons. Even a good set of clever one liners and references could not save this jumbled mess. Also yes, we know they are lesbians! Please stop telling us that. What is this 2004 or what? It was like being stuck in a hipster public service announcement playing in loop mode. Am I the only one that thought that the cyborg guy looked like Leslie Nielsen's brother?… Expand
  21. Yokomoko
    Sep 15, 2014
    0
    The new doctor plays this new series well, because the new series is boring, stupid and infantile.

    There is a very vague story line and frankly I wonder how they are going to eek this out for another (however many more likes the doctor has) series.
  22. Dickison
    Oct 6, 2014
    0
    I've been watching Doctor Who since 2005, every episode. Series 8 may break that habit. The writing is terrible, Capaldi's attitude is terrible. Get some writers that know SciFi, not high school dropouts that have been given an assignment to write something they hate. This is not the venue for C class horror stories, it's for SCI-FI. Find writers that know the difference.
  23. Murdocdelrey
    Sep 2, 2014
    7
    Not as great as the first 4 seasons, but I like the new season so far, sooooo much better than the past three seasons which were absolute crap,Season 6 in particular, the show's never gonna be great again because of Steven Moffat, BUT it can Still be "good" because of Peter Capaldi who I like way more than Matt Smith but we'll see if he screws up before the season's end
  24. eye4things
    Aug 25, 2014
    9
    Peter Capaldi has the potential to be the best Doctor yet. He brilliantly and convincingly swings from sharp humor to a more the serious Doctor that we all knew was underneath. His performance made me laugh, cheer, and worry about the Doctor's moral grounding. In short, Capaldi is captivating in the role, showing both the spark and the dark that reminds me of the best performances ofPeter Capaldi has the potential to be the best Doctor yet. He brilliantly and convincingly swings from sharp humor to a more the serious Doctor that we all knew was underneath. His performance made me laugh, cheer, and worry about the Doctor's moral grounding. In short, Capaldi is captivating in the role, showing both the spark and the dark that reminds me of the best performances of Smith and Tennant--and this is the first episode! Cannot wait to see more.… Expand
  25. Oddacity
    Oct 25, 2014
    4
    I know that Peter Capaldi could be an amazing Doctor. I know because I've seen it. "Time Heist" had a distinct flavor of excellent Doctor Who writing in which Capaldi flourished and really felt like the Doctor and he did it with his own style. In "Mummy on the Orient Express" it was classic whovian wonder and suspense and Capaldi really shined in the episode. All the others were soI know that Peter Capaldi could be an amazing Doctor. I know because I've seen it. "Time Heist" had a distinct flavor of excellent Doctor Who writing in which Capaldi flourished and really felt like the Doctor and he did it with his own style. In "Mummy on the Orient Express" it was classic whovian wonder and suspense and Capaldi really shined in the episode. All the others were so disappointing, especially after waiting so long for this new series. I really think Moffat has lost touch with what makes good episodes. That thing, that X factor, is ultimately always allowing the Doctor to flourish. I think that this season should have focused on the Doctor far more and, though it's not over, I say it's too late to build up a Doctor that will be so beloved as to stand the test of time as a whovian favorite. It could have happened, but it didn't. I say it's on Moffat.… Expand
  26. AlexanderLuthor
    Oct 4, 2014
    2
    Having watched three episodes so far, I find the writing and the new doctor to be just dreadful. What a bitter disappointment. And I thought season 7 was bad.
  27. tvnewsguido
    Aug 24, 2014
    6
    The pilot's plot was dumb (not as dumb as some of the Season 6 stuff but still D U M B).

    Peter Capaldi was interesting to watch as always.

    I fear for the future of this show.
  28. Goopler
    Oct 9, 2014
    0
    Series 8 keeps getting worse. It's lame and boring. Many of my friends aren't even watching Doctor Who anymore, and I'm seriously considering stopping watching it too. It's the worst series so far.
    I mean, 7 terribly boring episodes ina row? What are they thinking? Don't they want people to watch it anymore? It used to be such a fun show. I',m definitely HATING this series so far. I have    Series 8 keeps getting worse. It's lame and boring. Many of my friends aren't even watching Doctor Who anymore, and I'm seriously considering stopping watching it too. It's the worst series so far.
    I mean, 7 terribly boring episodes ina row? What are they thinking? Don't they want people to watch it anymore? It used to be such a fun show. I',m definitely HATING this series so far. I have nothing good to say about it. It's like they're just ignoring everything the show and the Doctor stood for.    … Expand
  29. madscientist15
    Oct 16, 2014
    0
    By far the worst Dr. Who series of the new era. I have watched all episodes starting from the 9th on to the 12th doctor, and while the scriptwriting was tanking in Season 7 it has hit rock bottom in Season 8. Coupled with a cantankerous senile doctor that can't seem to remember anything experienced in his past 1500 or more years of existence and a "companion" who takes on the role of theBy far the worst Dr. Who series of the new era. I have watched all episodes starting from the 9th on to the 12th doctor, and while the scriptwriting was tanking in Season 7 it has hit rock bottom in Season 8. Coupled with a cantankerous senile doctor that can't seem to remember anything experienced in his past 1500 or more years of existence and a "companion" who takes on the role of the Time Lord far too often and you have a recipe for complete disaster.

    Steven Moffat is ovbiously written out at this point. The plots are shallow, insulting, extremely childish, and a great departure from the fine television normally expected when tuning into the BBC. Instead of an old, wise man with some quirks taking his companions (and the audience) to experience the wonders, horrors, and pathos of the universe we get Ms. Frizzle and the Magic School B̶u̶s̶ Box.

    Please, please hand over the show to someone else; all the previous seasons had guest writers yet all we really have had in this series is a steady diet of Moffat's social agenda promoting soap opera. I've quit watching it as of the 5th episode and so have most of the people I know.    … Expand
  30. PCAriza
    Sep 29, 2014
    0
    Really boring season. I'm not at all pleased by it. The episodes make me yawn and the new Doctor is pretty much an idiot. It's been already 6 episodes and until now, it's been lame. Last episode was the best and even so it wasn't fun like doctor Who used to be. I wished Matt haven't left, because Capaldi is not working. He doesn't feel like the Doctor. Just a confused boring guy.
  31. Airaindust
    Sep 2, 2014
    8
    I'm liking Peter Capaldi and find him a nice fit for the roll. I love the 10th and 11th doctors for their own reasons and I'm certain I'll come to love 12 just as much in time. As for the episodes so far and the tone of series 8 I'm enjoying the darker feel and find it a good change of pace.
  32. mosconstein
    Nov 12, 2014
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This season is AWFUL! I like the Capaldi's grumpy Doctor but Clara is awfully Mary Poppins-like. The science in most of the episodes is all screwed-up (egg-moon??), there's no continuity with other series (where's River?) and the all Master-Missy issue is just understated.… Expand
  33. Kal-Hell
    Oct 19, 2014
    10
    If there ever was a super-nerd-friendly live action TV show it would be Doctor Who. The longest running science fiction television series in history. What's not to love about a smart ass alien who likes to take earthlings into his time machine to run amok around time and space? If you've never seen this series and people you know keep begging you to do so, there's a reason. "Don't blink."
  34. Movi3R3vi3wer
    Nov 27, 2014
    8
    I really enjoyed this season of Doctor Who, Peter Capaldi is excellent as The Doctor, add in the excellent Chemistry with Jenna Coleman's Clara this was a very fun season despite it's flaws.
  35. blaxout1213
    Nov 16, 2014
    3
    When the doctor opened the TARDIS doors after following the coordinates in the last episode, that's where this season led. Peter did a great job but there was too much drama this season, bring it back to reality.
  36. killergranny100
    Jan 4, 2015
    4
    For every good episode we got, we got 3 or 4 average or terrible episode. Worst series by far. Plus what the hell was up with that forest episode? It was like something you would find on CBBC. Anyways i like peter capaldi as an actor, but i don't think he's the doctor we were expecting. I think it would have been fun if he were more like emmet brown out of back to the future, instead ofFor every good episode we got, we got 3 or 4 average or terrible episode. Worst series by far. Plus what the hell was up with that forest episode? It was like something you would find on CBBC. Anyways i like peter capaldi as an actor, but i don't think he's the doctor we were expecting. I think it would have been fun if he were more like emmet brown out of back to the future, instead of the cold, mean and just bad attitude doctor we got. Adding insult to injury the scripts were god awful!… Expand
  37. CuptralCritique
    Oct 19, 2014
    9
    I know that the critics love this season, but the reaction was HUGELY mixed. I like it though! I think that this season is a bit underrated, and I like the new doctor.
  38. egg
    Sep 2, 2014
    3
    This is based on the first episode only, and I'd like to say don't listen to the critics. They're just kissing asses. This episode was a struggle to watch because it was so painfully boring, and with extremely dumb and childish concepts, and I know that this show is like that at times but these are just unimaginative. It feels as though Moffat wrote this in a half delirious state on paperThis is based on the first episode only, and I'd like to say don't listen to the critics. They're just kissing asses. This episode was a struggle to watch because it was so painfully boring, and with extremely dumb and childish concepts, and I know that this show is like that at times but these are just unimaginative. It feels as though Moffat wrote this in a half delirious state on paper soggy from his semen produced when he thinks about himself. He needs to go. The new Doctor should bring change but Moffat hasn't moved on, which is why Peter Capaldi doesn't sound like he knows who he's supposed to be. It's because no one knows who he should be. I just feel like he can do so much more but Moffat has given him nothing.… Expand
  39. shavenwookie
    Aug 24, 2014
    8
    Peter Capaldi is an excellent Doctor and has much more chemistry in the first episode with Clara then Matt Smith's Doctor had through out his whole run. The problem is the writing in this episode was a little thin it feels like the storyline in this episode was an after thought with some character development. Capaldis a nice change from Smith's constantly over the top Doctor.
  40. 22312065
    Oct 4, 2014
    2
    This series is fast becoming a dull outing and I'm sure it's American following will part ways soon at this pace!
    This is how season 8 part 1 has performed.
    Ep 1 average E2 poor E3 dreadful E4 above average E5 best in series E6 dreadful E7 dreadful I would almost say this is the worst season so far since the doctors return. Check back later for season 8 part 2! Will it redeem it's self    This series is fast becoming a dull outing and I'm sure it's American following will part ways soon at this pace!
    This is how season 8 part 1 has performed.
    Ep 1 average E2 poor E3 dreadful E4 above average E5 best in series E6 dreadful E7 dreadful
    I would almost say this is the worst season so far since the doctors return.
    Check back later for season 8 part 2! Will it redeem it's self or crash and burn.    … Expand
  41. donald
    Oct 10, 2014
    0
    Numerous plot holes, Deus Ex Machina at the end, Revolting attempts at moralising. Capaldi's acting is the only thing of any worth so far, that's my impression from 1-8th episodes.
  42. kirkers
    Nov 28, 2014
    0
    The so-called "Finale" to the simply dreadful debut season of the 12th Doctor certainly does nothing to break the mould. The misery just keeps on coming. I can really identify with dead Danny in the Cyberman suit. I am sure my face must look at least a bit like his while slogging through these concluding episodes. I cannot even bear to go over the details, as it simply brings on aThe so-called "Finale" to the simply dreadful debut season of the 12th Doctor certainly does nothing to break the mould. The misery just keeps on coming. I can really identify with dead Danny in the Cyberman suit. I am sure my face must look at least a bit like his while slogging through these concluding episodes. I cannot even bear to go over the details, as it simply brings on a sensation not unlike post-traumatic stress disorder. Suffice it to say that all the potentially meaningful relationships that might have developed over the course of the season (but never really did) have been brutally slagged off and binned. Like the dear departed Danny, I too am dying to get away from the show. If the Mistress (once known as the Master) is lucky, she really has been popped off permanently. As gruesome a character as she was, at least she offered a smidgen of passing entertainment -- but not nearly enough to wish for her regeneration. If I were Clara, I would be thrilled to cut my ties with this Doctor. Peter Capaldi deserves to be left utterly abandoned and alone. Just try living with that awful Scottish accent and attitude all by yourself! The only advantage will be that there will be no one around to whom he can brazenly and pointlessly lie through his teeth about virtually anything of importance. I do not envy Saint Nick figuring out what this very bad boy deserves for Christmas. If the holiday special turns out to be anything beyond a lump of coal, it will be a Christmas miracle indeed.

    This marks the low point of Doctor Who since its revival in 2005. In fact, I don't think things have been quite this bad since the miserable, mean-spirited but mercifully brief 3-season tenure of the 6th Doctor (Colin Baker) in the mid-1980s. At times Mr Capaldi seems to be channeling Mr Baker's negativity, not to mention his penchant for finger-pointing. At least Mr Baker's garb was more colourful; Mr Capaldi's outfit seems perfectly suited to the very up-tight Presbyterian minister role he has settled into.

    Will the 12th Doctor be quickly jettisoned like the 6th? Given the damage currently being done to the franchise, I'm actually rooting against Mr Capaldi & Co. going beyond a single season. Time for another hiatus, perhaps? Let a whole new team emerge in a few years' time to take up the cause once inspiration rather than mere repetition guides the development of Who-ville.    … Expand
  43. awesomefastguy
    Aug 24, 2014
    6
    Peter Capaldi joined Doctor Who too late. Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant were two original Doctors which they acted well at and were given a good script and plot. Unfortunately, when Russell T Davies left, the show became a mess. Steven Moffat has lowered the target audience and evidently try to manipulate a program that children used to watch with their parents to a programPeter Capaldi joined Doctor Who too late. Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant were two original Doctors which they acted well at and were given a good script and plot. Unfortunately, when Russell T Davies left, the show became a mess. Steven Moffat has lowered the target audience and evidently try to manipulate a program that children used to watch with their parents to a program aimed solely at young children. The scariness is gone from a show that used to be terrifying and is now filled to the brim with silly comedic lines and over-complicated plots that people stop caring about within minutes with are forced to bare through it for at least one year. The latest Doctor was a breath of fresh air, and he is definitely a brilliant Doctor. It's just a shame he joined Doctor Who when it had already been ruined.
    This episode was actually better than I expected, but his assistant is still as irritating as ever and the pitiful and pointless 'jokes' still don't work. I think that Peter Capaldi was brilliant, but I won't be watching any more (new) episodes of this show for a very long time...    … Expand
  44. lsfdgdhh
    Sep 29, 2014
    0
    Not pleased at all with the season. It's lame. The Doctor has zero charisma. They decided to ignore all the Doctor and Clara had. And the attempts to be funny... Embarassing. Worst 6 episodes I've seen of NW. And they're all from this season.
  45. Trendingfish
    Oct 21, 2014
    0
    Series 8 have been so bad it's even hard to describe it. Ugh... It's definitely the worst series since Doctor Who's revival. The Doctor is now a nasty guy that's rude just for the sake of being rude. People call him dark, but that's not it. He's just sick. Oh, and TV is already saturated with dark toned stuff, so when people say they're doing something new with the show by making itSeries 8 have been so bad it's even hard to describe it. Ugh... It's definitely the worst series since Doctor Who's revival. The Doctor is now a nasty guy that's rude just for the sake of being rude. People call him dark, but that's not it. He's just sick. Oh, and TV is already saturated with dark toned stuff, so when people say they're doing something new with the show by making it darker, it makes me want to laugh.
    The attempts to be funny are so lame it makes me sick
    Too many things that insult our intelligence are happening during series 8.
    The Doctor simply "forgot" who he really is and everything he stood for.
    The episodes are so boring that it's making people give up watching it. My children, for example (who are 8 and 11) used to love watching Doctor Who, but know, they say it's not entertaining anymore. They already stopped watching it.
    The big storyline, or arc, of the show isn't interesting.
    I wished the Doctor regenerated already, and that the writing got better. Otherwise, I'll give up.
    Series 8 makes me sick!!!    … Expand
  46. Lannart
    Oct 21, 2014
    0
    Season 8 has been so bad I just don't care anymore. I don't want to watch it anymore. I don't crave for new episodes as I used to. I just don't care. The Doctor is an idiot, Clara is terrible, the supporting characters are worst than that. If they wanted to make fans just don't care anymore, I congratulate them, because they're succeeding. They revive a series renewing it for the type ofSeason 8 has been so bad I just don't care anymore. I don't want to watch it anymore. I don't crave for new episodes as I used to. I just don't care. The Doctor is an idiot, Clara is terrible, the supporting characters are worst than that. If they wanted to make fans just don't care anymore, I congratulate them, because they're succeeding. They revive a series renewing it for the type of audience we have today, but then they decided to screw up with all work they had over last past 9 years. Because that's what they're doing. Throwing all that happened from season 1 to 7 down at the garbage disposal. And for what? A delusional dream that it's what the fans want? Pathetic.… Expand
  47. vincerus
    Nov 11, 2014
    0
    Ok so I created an account to express how bad season 8 was. So I watched all of season 8 in two days. I have a miniature Tardis on my desk at work. I'm a big fan of the creativity, storyline, amazingness of the previous doctors. It was a great show. I forced myself to continue watching the episodes in season 8 because they were boring, sporadic, and did not seem relevant to anything.Ok so I created an account to express how bad season 8 was. So I watched all of season 8 in two days. I have a miniature Tardis on my desk at work. I'm a big fan of the creativity, storyline, amazingness of the previous doctors. It was a great show. I forced myself to continue watching the episodes in season 8 because they were boring, sporadic, and did not seem relevant to anything. So I was really counting on the last 2 episodes to make everything make sense. However the last 2 episodes where poop. hot garbage. liquid feces in a blender, no top. I think the writer never seen a real doctor who episode in his life. Any doctor who fan that says they liked season 8 is lying to themselves. I understand its hard to see such a great show get ruined like this. So we pretend it was good. Its not the end of the world stop pretending. No matter what his face looks like we all know that this WAS NOT the Doctor.… Expand
  48. Swampy
    Nov 9, 2014
    1
    Aside from Mummy On The Orient Express and Flatline, Series 8 has been impressive at how underwhelming and poorly written it has managed to be. The story lines generally lacked any sort of depth and overtly relied on clichéd plot devices.. an example, having established the "guidelines" of the Clara/Doctor relationship... á la "Clara I'm not your boyfriend" they rush in a stand in loveAside from Mummy On The Orient Express and Flatline, Series 8 has been impressive at how underwhelming and poorly written it has managed to be. The story lines generally lacked any sort of depth and overtly relied on clichéd plot devices.. an example, having established the "guidelines" of the Clara/Doctor relationship... á la "Clara I'm not your boyfriend" they rush in a stand in love interest for Clara, and even worse a whiny control freak at that.. just shallow! The stories are so full of plot holes the entire series could fall through them... Then there's the poor sound editing, coupled with Peter Capaldi's strong Glaswegian accent leaves the viewer often wondering "what the hell did he just say?" and probably missing an important plot point! Which in itself is incredibly annoying because actual plot points are few and far between!… Expand
  49. WhiskeyClone85
    Oct 9, 2014
    10
    "Times change, and so must I." These words were part of the last soliloquy of the 11th Doctor, who just so happens to also be my favorite doctor. The transition from one doctor to the next is never easy, but the constant alteration is part of what makes the show great. To be honest, it took me a while to warm up to the new doctor, especially considering his prickly-ness when compared to"Times change, and so must I." These words were part of the last soliloquy of the 11th Doctor, who just so happens to also be my favorite doctor. The transition from one doctor to the next is never easy, but the constant alteration is part of what makes the show great. To be honest, it took me a while to warm up to the new doctor, especially considering his prickly-ness when compared to the 10th and 11th. However, by the episodes "Listen" and "The Caretaker" I feel he has won me over. Where he will rank overall is still to be determined, but I am excited to see where the show takes us.… Expand
  50. intruder313
    Aug 24, 2014
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. My niggles:
    Not enough screen-time for Capaldi, instead we got some slightly forced humour among the companions.
    The Scottish nationalism / Anglo-phobia was light-hearted but still slightly overdone.
    The giant T-Rex was wasted and obviously created just to have something interesting to place into the trailers.
    Rubbish cyborgs, though that was part-deliberate.

    Otherwise very good I'm confident Capaldi will be one of the great Doctors.    … Expand
  51. OpinionatedGuy
    Nov 19, 2014
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The backlash from the fans about how this season made the show “jump the shark” made me wonder if they’re watching the same show as I do. If they complain a lot, that attributes why this season of the show was not enjoyable to them. This season of Doctor Who was very entertaining since Season 5!

    Season 8 managed to make Peter Capaldi as my new favorite doctor since David Tennant. He is the Doctor I have been waiting for. His signature rebellious, grumpy attitude made the Twelfth Doctor oddly likable as it fits with Peter Capaldi’s excellent performance.

    Speaking of performance, Jenna Coleman did a good job portraying the companion Clara Oswald. Both Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman had a great working chemistry together as opposites attract.

    I would admit that this season is mostly about the character development of Clara. However, if you didn’t notice, the show focuses a lot about the companions without taking the spotlight of the Doctor. Clara had a better character development this season and she was changed from “damsel in distress” to becoming a potential female Doctor.

    Speaking of a female Doctor, I loved how the mysterious Missy is a female incarnation of The Master. She was the fun yet scary version of The Master. Michele Gomez did a great job portraying the female version of the Master. I am glad that we’re not seeing the last of her yet because I want to see more Missy.

    Back to character development, the Twelfth Doctor started out as rebellious and grumpy but at the end, we can see that he still cares a lot just like his previous incarnations of the Doctor, he just hides it and he did not lose his grumpiness at all.

    Most of the episode were very entertaining hence makes this season very entertaining since Season 5. While The Caretaker was my favorite episode this season, the Mummy on the Orient Express and Flatline which was both written by Jamie Mathieson had a very good storytelling that it makes Jamie Mathieson a new candidate for a showrunner of the show when Steven Moffat leaves.

    The arc this season was very interesting and something new to the show. The show did deal about afterlife in the previous seasons but this is when the season gets deep about the afterlife that it becomes a bit heartbreaking.

    Even though this season is not really the best season ever, the eighth season of Doctor Who managed to be a very enjoyable season since Season 5 with a mix of brilliant performances from Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman and Michele Gomez, great character development as well as providing a thought-provoking arc story. Season 8 will be the season I remember that the Twelfth Doctor is my new favorite doctor.    … Expand
  52. billybob1212
    Oct 2, 2014
    2
    People judge the new doctor for being old, but that is not a problem. What is a problem however, is the writers absolutely slaughtering everything the show ever stood for. The new episodes like "Listen" are full of plot holes, and quite frankly it's becoming a soap opera. The companion: "Clara", is taking centre stage and she certainly isn't as interesting as the 2000 year old Time Lord.People judge the new doctor for being old, but that is not a problem. What is a problem however, is the writers absolutely slaughtering everything the show ever stood for. The new episodes like "Listen" are full of plot holes, and quite frankly it's becoming a soap opera. The companion: "Clara", is taking centre stage and she certainly isn't as interesting as the 2000 year old Time Lord. The humour attempts are as dry as a bone, and we are just not seeing much of the new doctor's personality. The past ones have had a lot of depth of character, and practically none of that has been seen yet. Even the "anger" he is supposed to be famous for is rather weak. It is not Capaldi's fault though, new writers are required because Steven Moffat has well and truly lost his touch, and the show is nothing like classic Doctor Who or the previous modern seasons of the show; it's worse than nearly all of them.… Expand
  53. mag07
    Oct 26, 2014
    0
    I tried for several weeks to give Capaldi a chance. Questionable writing aside, he just does not seem to be fit for the role. It's a bit strange, if you watch him without voice, he seems really good. The moment you turn up the volume, he comes across as dull and awkward. If it wasn't for Clara and the fact that I simply love the Doctor, don't think I would've lasted 8 episodes. As itI tried for several weeks to give Capaldi a chance. Questionable writing aside, he just does not seem to be fit for the role. It's a bit strange, if you watch him without voice, he seems really good. The moment you turn up the volume, he comes across as dull and awkward. If it wasn't for Clara and the fact that I simply love the Doctor, don't think I would've lasted 8 episodes. As it is, doubt I will be making the effort to watch anymore. It's heartbreaking to see what's become of the show. The sense of adventure it always had is gone. He is neither grim nor funny.

    They've insisted on casting an older doctor, yet do everything possible to make him act young. He is supposed to be darker, more ruthless - instead comes across as emotionally unstable, unconvincing, almost ridiculous.

    It's a sad, sad day for Dr Who.

    Bad story, poor acting from Capaldi who simply does not "feel"the role and lack of any vision for the future of the show make the current season a waste of time...and space.    … Expand
  54. Old_Harry
    Nov 8, 2014
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The current series of Doctor Who is a shambles quite frankly, a failure on the likes of similar British TV drama Atlantis and look how that turned out: a truly dreadful eyesore of a programme that disregards the source material, accuracy of the setting and just a half-arsed replacement for the modestly successful Merlin.

    The point I'm trying to make here is that the show has abandoned what made it popular in the first place, the wonder and spectacle of the strange and bizarre thing that is our universe, the show is dumbing down its science fiction elements for practically toddlers who are the most entertained and amused and perhaps on a smaller note, the pacing of the show as I feel which further links back to the dumbing down as it tries to make the Doctor too clever too soon and spoils the thrill of a rescue in the nick of time or other dramatic element placed in an episode plot as well as trying to cram too many ideas in a short space of time with no room for character development (see Tenth Doctor episodes The Impossible Planet and The Satan Pit to see what I mean) compared to earlier episodes which reflects the writer's (Steven Moffat's) direction for the show, to have more one episode stories than two parters which delve more into each episode's sub plots and backstory which give the science fiction elements of the show justice.

    The plot lacked any sort of tension, real fear and adrenaline like previous series where any character in any real episode was at risk of death, now it is darkly comical whenever someone dies and I deeply disregard sadism. Now here's the spoiling bit though you're probably not missing much though: in a not particularly inspiring twist at the end of the series, the mysterious woman called Missy taking people who've died to heaven turns out to be the Master in female form with the ambition of turning all life, dead and alive to a cyberman army which she gives to the Doctor? There's a massive glaring plot hole in which how on earth the Master ever escaped Gallifrey if you bother remembering David Tenant's last regular adventure "The End of Time Part Two"and how the Master even got a sex change seeing as it is not acknowledged whether this is even possible and lastly, you know that geeky sidekick to the character of Kate Lethbridge-Stewart? well she gets killed promptly without much care given by the doctor and is forgotten rather quickly about by the end of the episode after his descent sequence to the TARDIS was the most melodramatic action sequence I have ever seen in the show. After a touching moment where Danny Pink or rather mismatched love interest for Clara, has been resurrected as a cyberman (and thinking about it, the cyberman only needs a human brain to function so it didn't need to keep his body whole or even allow for a detachable face plate hmm) and wished to have his emotional inhibitor activated, which it should have in the first place, no real exceptions for him if you think about for a second with that handy little piece of intelligence called "logic". To put icing on the proverbial cake, it doesn't matter either and reverts back giving a rather dreary speech on his army of cybermen to burn up the cyber pollen cloud. The plot quickly loses its drama with it inexplicably cutting foward a fortnight only to have the boy Pink killed in Afghanistan appear before her rather than him coming through a gateway t the supposed "real afterlife" and while all this is happening, the Doctor and Clara just go their separate ways, just like that with the Doctor hitting his TARDIS angrily for wondering why he was ever cast for this show and Clara left with a random afghan kid in her house as a way of saying to the audience we haven't forgotten that place!

    Peter Capaldi's Doctor lacks any sympathy towards those around him and treats like them as if they were petty children crying over broken toys rather than dead friends unlike his predecessors who were truly more captivating and more believable when it came to themes of remorse over the Doctor's experiences of "the Time War". If Capaldi seriously wants to be the Doctor for a modern audience, he must show a more positive and sympathetic attitude when dealing with vulnerable characters in the numerous sub-plots of the show.

    Jenna-Louise Colman's "Clara" doesn't do much of being a good companion either, instead of being someone who helps the Doctor in his darkest hours, she hinders and contradicts him at every turn and when she's finished being angry with him, she has a bipolar turn and acts as if everything's happy again, compared to previous companions she is the most predictable and unreliable there ever has been. Why the Doctor travels with such an annoying and dishonest creature I'll probably never know.

    With a poor plot with equally poorer characters, this entire rebooted series will eventually need a re-reboot if nothing is done to sack the head writer, change both the Doctor and companion characters and raise the budget    … Expand
  55. TheWaylandSmith
    Nov 11, 2014
    0
    There are a few good things about this series. Capaldi himself is a fine actor, and the cinematography was particularly well done. However, the complete rewrite of Clara's character, the insertion of an insipid love story and the worst line I can remember in quite some time 'Love is not an emotion; love is a promise' as the great white hope for earth is too great to allow me to give itThere are a few good things about this series. Capaldi himself is a fine actor, and the cinematography was particularly well done. However, the complete rewrite of Clara's character, the insertion of an insipid love story and the worst line I can remember in quite some time 'Love is not an emotion; love is a promise' as the great white hope for earth is too great to allow me to give it even a slightly positive review. The constant use of Deus ex Machina devices and poorly conceived 'ethical' questions made this series painful to watch, for me. In the end I fear that I may have to give Doctor Who a break until Moffat is replaced and they find someone who actually understands the art of storytelling to take over.… Expand
  56. elbalk-kev
    Jan 3, 2015
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Moffat's Doctor Who is Prettier on the Outside but Stupider on the Inside.

    I have been watching Doctor Who almost my entire life from the first episode with the first Doctor (William Hartnell – 1963). The original concept of the show was to be a children’s’ science show. As it matured, Doctor Who became the thinking person’s sci-fi show. It had almost no budget and no special effects but it did have incredibly good writing with meticulous internal logic. This is what saved the show from its reliance on tinfoil and toilet plungers.

    Now the show appears to be in the opposite situation. The reboot of Doctor Who (2005 to present) has all the resources of modern CGI technology and a decent budget but the writing for the past four years has been desperately in need of a toilet plunger. Episode after episode, logic is thrown out into the vortex leaving massive plot holes in the fabric of space and time. Situations that could be explained logically in one or two lines are simply left unexplained or attributed to vague miracles, mysteries or happenstance. Characters repeatedly die and come back as if they were soap opera stars. Why the absence of coherent plots? Why the lazy short cuts? Why write the show into crazy corners in the first place? One needs only to go back and watch a few episodes of the Troughton or Pertwee or Tom Baker or Tennant series to appreciate how the writing was mostly consistent with the show’s canon and the characters.

    Under Moffat’s leadership there hasn’t been a single episode that has been free of logical gaps, implausible twists and unbelievable resolutions. The key to good fantasy/science fiction is helping your audience suspend their disbelief. I’ve tried really hard to be carried along by the story and the superb acting performances but the clumsy writing and jarring plot holes keep throwing buckets of water on my suspended disbelief bringing it crashing to the ground. In contrast, the seasons helmed by Russell T. Davies (2005-2010), though not without flaws, were consistently logical. The 9th and 10th Doctors (Christoper Eccelston and David Tennant) explained the science (or imagined science) behind even the most complex and bizarre situations – often at lightening speed. Belief was not only easy to suspend it was positively buoyed up by the combination of well-crafted scripts and brilliant performances. Then Davies left and took his beautiful, logical, lightening prose and gave it to Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes (2010 – 2014). Doctor Who has been a tongue-tied, fumble-footed shadow of its former self ever since.

    Most recent case in point – the 2014 Christmas special. The mash-up of Alien/the Thing/Inception/Miracle on 34th Street – self-consciously acknowledged in the leaden dialogue – featured face-hugging dream crabs that drink your brain while placing you in a dream state within a dream state within a dream state. There was no effort made to explain the basic premise of the episode: there are dream crabs – only six of them – on earth – on Christmas day. What are these dream crabs? Where did they come from? Why did they suddenly show up on earth and why did they attack only these six people? None of this is ever explained. The season finale before this special saw the grand villain, Missy, revealed as the Master – in the form of a woman (a sop to those disappointed in the casting of yet another white male Doctor) transferring the consciousness of the newly dead into cybermen (the go-to re-hash threat for the uninspired). How the Master survived his/her apparent destruction several seasons back was never explained. He/she apparently was destroyed this time but who knows – maybe it was all a dream-crab induced fantasy.

    The question is why has the show been allowed to disintegrate to this point? The reason Doctor Who became relevant was because the plots were so strong and the premises were airtight. It stood the test of time because the internal logic was respected. What the show has gained in techno-wizardry it has lost in essential good sense and plausible scientific foundations. It is coasting on the fumes of bizarrely uncritical fan adulation.

    Moffat has offered good scripts in the past under the direction of Davies. Is he stretched too thin as the director and show-runner? Is he farming the scripts out? Or has the show been purposely dumbed down to appeal to a more mainstream (i.e. North American) audience? Perhaps Moffat has been attacked by the mysterious dream crabs and is incapable of writing himself out of the dream state.

    Here’s a new year’s resolution for Steven Moffat that I hope he will take to heart: Hire a serious writing team and bring back the science and logic of Doctor Who.    … Expand
  57. F0SSILGUY
    Sep 12, 2014
    4
    I'm a fan of Dr. Who, at least the new series, but the new Doctor definitely disappoints. I was quite interested in how it would work having Peter Capaldi as the Doctor, but the character retains very little of the restrained insanity that Christopher Eccleston through Matt Smith provided, and that gave the Doctor his charm. Peter Capaldi is a good actor, and I thought he'd make a goodI'm a fan of Dr. Who, at least the new series, but the new Doctor definitely disappoints. I was quite interested in how it would work having Peter Capaldi as the Doctor, but the character retains very little of the restrained insanity that Christopher Eccleston through Matt Smith provided, and that gave the Doctor his charm. Peter Capaldi is a good actor, and I thought he'd make a good Doctor, but an actor is only as good as his script, and in the first three episodes the scripts have been real stinkers. The Doctor has lost all his charm, he's just annoying. Clara, who was in my opinion the best companion of the new series, has become irrelevant, since her connection with the Doctor has become almost nonexistent. The worst episode was number 2. 1 and 3 weren't terrible, but they also weren't really very good. Maybe someone can turn the Doctor back into the Doctor, and get the story back on track. Yes, I know the Doctor's personality changes with every regeneration, but the Doctor is always the Doctor. The weird quirkiness that makes him instantly recognizable even with a new face and a new personality is entirely missing in the new Doctor, and they really need it back.… Expand
  58. Genmarrie
    Sep 16, 2014
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Enchanting. great script writing, and so much depth to the Doctor and Jenna. Much better than poor Matt Smith had to deal with, with all that mindless prattling which caused me to stop watching last series. If I haven't made it clear THIS IS MAGICAL. Thank you big time.… Expand
  59. AchedTeacher
    Oct 29, 2014
    4
    Solid "meh" all around. The Doctor seems to have no drive at all, and some of the cast is really annoying. The kids, mostly.

    The Doctor seems to be... sort of a scientist this incarnation but then the showrunners seem to do research on sciency things. They had him reference the Fibonacci sequence as if it's some scientist's know-it-all, some quantum mechanics but it's not. This    Solid "meh" all around. The Doctor seems to have no drive at all, and some of the cast is really annoying. The kids, mostly.

    The Doctor seems to be... sort of a scientist this incarnation but then the showrunners seem to do research on sciency things. They had him reference the Fibonacci sequence as if it's some scientist's know-it-all, some quantum mechanics but it's not.

    This Doctor seems not human like Tennant and not goofy like Smith and not particularly smarter than your average college professor.    … Expand
  60. Doctor12Who
    Dec 26, 2014
    10
    Its amazing all the bad reviews i see on this. i was skeptical about Peter Capaldi at first, i thought he would be to serious and that the show wouldn't be able to go to its normal extremes due to his age and limitations. but right away i could tell he wasn't going to be to serious and honestly why would you want a serious Doctor the show is witty and fun, a serious Doctor would bringIts amazing all the bad reviews i see on this. i was skeptical about Peter Capaldi at first, i thought he would be to serious and that the show wouldn't be able to go to its normal extremes due to his age and limitations. but right away i could tell he wasn't going to be to serious and honestly why would you want a serious Doctor the show is witty and fun, a serious Doctor would bring nothing interesting to the show, I like to see Clara and The Doctor being together a lot more then previous companions, not always separated. The show has been great this season its made small steps of change and that's great for a show that i hope says on for a longgg time.… Expand
  61. themacman33
    Jan 15, 2015
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I had high expectations. I was excited to see Capaldi as a doctor, but the writing is horrendous, and the Doctor has died inside. Ecleston was serious, with plenty of wit an sarcasm. Tenant was emotional, humorous, and a perfect dash of energy and excitement. Smith was quirky, funny, witty, child-like, with moments of emotional rawness. For example, a Town Called Christmas. Capaldi's Doctor is rarely funny, seems unattached to any characters, is dark, grumpy, and occasionally emotionally appealing. Honesty, I grew more attatched to the War Doctor than Capaldi. I could live with Capaldi as an okay doctor, if it weren't for the terrible writing.

    What happened to the writers? The plot in season 8 had very little overarching conflict, unconvincing story, and seems to have been shoddily taped together, like a dinner party of Mad Libs for screenwriters. The plot is simply boring, trying too hard, and alienates viewers by being dark with influences of horror movies, with no humour. Sure, previous seasons had the occasional episode, such as Silence in the Library, but many season 8 episodes are dark, with no humour, and simply shambled together.

    I really hope season 9 is better.    … Expand
  62. MetaRogue
    Nov 11, 2014
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I've been a fan of Doctor Who since 2005, but Season 8 shows me how far it has fallen from grace.

    The first episode is absolutely ridiculous and non-sensical, achieving a vague and dissatisfying resolution. More importantly, how could anyone have allowed it to be written in the FIRST PLACE? Obviously no-one was conducting any brain checks during production. Seriously, the TARDIS getting coughed up by a dinosaur is easily the worst idea since ever. It was so bad that no-one, not even I, saw it coming.

    *Also, Tyrannosauruses were big, but not that big*

    The second episode is no better, resulting in Daleks meets Inner Space/ Fantastic Voyage and an ending that sees us laughing at Capaldi's overbearingly 'dark' nature. The biggest flaw of the episode is that no meaningful context is given to the Human vs.Dalek conflict.

    Episode 3 is another prime example of how lost DW has become, introducing fictional folk character, Robin Hood as a 'real person'. The episode further demonstrates how inflexible Capaldi's Doctor is and does him no favourable credit.

    'Listen' felt like an episode that could have achieved Blink-esque status, but yielded nothing because it followed the mis-direction ploy.

    Episode 5 was another dose of mis-direction, stupidly titled 'Time Heist'.

    The following episode 'The Caretaker' felt like deja vu mixed with stupidity. Capaldi meets Danny 'Questionably Surnamed' Pink and the two, obviously, don't get along. *Cue some meaningless character development*

    'Kill The Moon' looked scary in the teaser trailer, but largely resulted in procrastination and even a Twitter reference (yay social media), showing how hip and with it our 'new' Doctor is despite his horrid shortcomings.

    Next up was 'Mummy on the Orient Express', an episode with a title that sounded more like an idea that had been scribbled down and left to rot much like it's decaying antagonist. The whole episode felt as though it had been deliberately constructed to manipulate the audience's emotions, ultimately showing how weak the series has become by resorting to said manipulative techniques. Evident in the episode was the Doctor's general lack of empathy, and when imperilled by the Mummy was (predictably) saved by the writers. GUS was also horrible as a character and even more horribly voice acted.

    'Flatline' was by far the best offering of Season 8 (though not the best episode ever). It showed some sign of originality, being the Blink episode of Capaldi's debut series. That said, the most annoying feature was Clara's impersonation of the Doctor and, possibly, Capaldi's end speech.

    'In the Forest of the Night' sounded like a dark spin-off to 'In the Night Garden' and in all honesty yielded nothing, but filler-dialogue, filler-plotline, and a sing-songy voiced girl in a red coat with a dark overlay voice.

    The 'epic', but predictable two-part ending ('Darkwater & 'Death In Heaven') resulted in a double surprise reveal, a manipulative procrastinating plotline, questionable plot-twists, and ultimately, a disappointing conclusion to a disappointing season. There were also a few easter egg moments for fans, but none of which could redeem the series.

    From start to finish, there were questionable decisions made during this season.

    Why did Capaldi's Doctor need a Scottish accent? Tennant was Scottish, but was a good enough actor to do a convincing English accent. Was it for variation or distinction? Why bother when you have Capaldi's ever grumpy face.

    Who allowed the first episode to be written? Steven Moffat has written better and has been busy on other projects, but that doesn't excuse the lack of quality to the episodes that he wrote.

    What surprises me more than the series overall 'badness' is how the fan base has readily accepted the calamity that is known as Season 8. Sure Capaldi could do better, but why go older and grumpier when you could get younger and happier? This is a family show after all. Also what happened to the interior of the TARDIS? If the Doctor is so old, then how does he expect to see anything in that dark cave around the centre console?

    The first episode really felt like a sales pitch: 'Like this new Doctor'. Why did we need Matt Smith calling Clara to convince her to like the new Doctor? Why did we have a whole episode that felt like a collage of badly scripted, poorly acted sequences that had a story in it somewhere?

    Don't get me wrong because I am a true Doctor Who fan, but are they deliberately trying to blacken Doctor Who's name back into obscurity?

    For me, I'm glad Season 8 is over. I can rest easy without worrying about Doctor Who for the rest of the year.

    Oh...wait...there's the Christmas Special.    … Expand
  63. Cofmontecristo
    Oct 26, 2014
    2
    Terribly disappointing, and bordering insulting. It's clear that the show is at its lowest point since the reboot. The Doctor's character manages to be awkward without the charm, character relations are weak across the board, certain sound effects made me cringe, dialogue is boring and appears to be written by mediocre high-school students, attempts at comedy fail 90% of the time, andTerribly disappointing, and bordering insulting. It's clear that the show is at its lowest point since the reboot. The Doctor's character manages to be awkward without the charm, character relations are weak across the board, certain sound effects made me cringe, dialogue is boring and appears to be written by mediocre high-school students, attempts at comedy fail 90% of the time, and themes are being repeated ad nauseam at this point.… Expand
  64. jblow899577
    Oct 26, 2014
    2
    Season 8 is quiet bad as far as writing and directing/editing goes, We are 10 episodes in and the the back stories is just missing or so bad they don't make sense. With leak of the episode scripts before the start of the season i can only hope that the reason for all the problems with episode storyline has to do with someone trying to change the episodes to make it into somethingSeason 8 is quiet bad as far as writing and directing/editing goes, We are 10 episodes in and the the back stories is just missing or so bad they don't make sense. With leak of the episode scripts before the start of the season i can only hope that the reason for all the problems with episode storyline has to do with someone trying to change the episodes to make it into something different in post production and has failed hopelessly.

    Peter Capaldi looks to be another good doctor, that's if they can find writers & scripts to suit the new doctor's style not just squeeze into scripts for the old ones. This has always been the way the doctor keeps fresh and current to the times.

    No matter how good the 8th doctor (Paul McGann) was, he could not save that intolerable bad script in that movie and so it is with this season 8. i hope Peter Capaldi has better success with season 9 because this one is a lost cause.    … Expand
  65. HomeBoyJake
    Nov 16, 2014
    10
    This season is probably the best season of the show, and the most underrated season of any show ever! This blows a genuine portion of season 7 out of the water!
  66. sniper710
    Nov 7, 2014
    2
    I'm into episode 7 of season 8 and I still am not pleased with the changes. With all the past seasons I am glued to the TV every second. This season, not so much. Not sure if it's the writing or the characters but i'm bored. This was my favorite show on TV. I really hope it gets better.
  67. Pelu
    Nov 30, 2014
    3
    The main plot is pretty much non-existent. Even the final episodes, written by Moffat, were annoying.Peter is fine but Clara is not, plus I hated all that drama.
  68. Squall1967
    Sep 9, 2014
    9
    Peter Capaldi is the new Doctor...and he really is. Darker, maddest then the previous doc, he can take the series in a new direction. Hope the writers can serve him solid stories.
  69. Tui
    Dec 29, 2014
    2
    Following a 50 year tradition, Doctor Who has had its ups and downs. This season was particularly unfruitful, taking away characteristics of the Doctor that made the show so entertaining. Though that is not all to be blamed as the scripts and episodes also fell short of grand expectations held by long time fans. As Season 9 approaches we hope for a better start to the new Doctor.
  70. henrickz
    Mar 8, 2015
    1
    I quit watching after the first three episodes and saved the rest of the episodes on my DVR. I thought I needed some time away from the Doctor. I just binge watched the rest of the season and it was hard work for me. I just don't like the new darker Doctor or the story lines. I actually hated them both and I'm a fan of Doctor Who back forever. I'll try watching it again but right now II quit watching after the first three episodes and saved the rest of the episodes on my DVR. I thought I needed some time away from the Doctor. I just binge watched the rest of the season and it was hard work for me. I just don't like the new darker Doctor or the story lines. I actually hated them both and I'm a fan of Doctor Who back forever. I'll try watching it again but right now I don't care of it comes back or not for another series.… Expand
  71. NewWhovian
    Mar 22, 2015
    3
    I found three things wrong with season 8.

    1. The relationship between Danny Pink and Claire. Where did it come from? There was no chemistry. It just seemed that during one episode she turned to him and said "I love you". It came from nowhere. And even after that, their relationship was always a struggle and got in the way of the stories. 2. The stories were lame. I guess I am    I found three things wrong with season 8.

    1. The relationship between Danny Pink and Claire. Where did it come from? There was no chemistry. It just seemed that during one episode she turned to him and said "I love you". It came from nowhere. And even after that, their relationship was always a struggle and got in the way of the stories.

    2. The stories were lame. I guess I am comparing too much with the previous 7 seasons. The stories and the arcs seem to get bigger and better each season, until the 50th anniversary episode, and then fell flat. Frankly, if I made a list of the top 30 episodes, none fro season 8 would be included.

    3. I am O.K with the new doctor. But he is hard to understand at times.    … Expand
  72. Dalek
    May 27, 2015
    3
    After watching this series for the past 9 years, I no longer have an interest in this show as it's literally the same thing season after season. The only interesting episodes are the last few episodes when there's a minor plot twist, or something actually happens to the Doctor. As he is literally invincible pretty much throughout every episode except the last few at the end of a season.After watching this series for the past 9 years, I no longer have an interest in this show as it's literally the same thing season after season. The only interesting episodes are the last few episodes when there's a minor plot twist, or something actually happens to the Doctor. As he is literally invincible pretty much throughout every episode except the last few at the end of a season.

    Whilst I do like Capaldri as the new Doctor, and Clara as the assistant, it's just really obvious as to how the episodes will pan out now. The Doctor and his assistant go to a dangerous place, they will either end up separated or end up close to being killed, but they will always end up back at the Tardis in some way for the next episode.

    It's just really boring now, and I think it's about time they pull the plug as there's really no where else they can go with the show. It will literally be the same thing over and over, much like other shows on the BBC such as Eastenders, because people keep watching it, and will have no end in sight, and will keep on repeating itself endlessly until it ends again (much like it did before)

    Rarely do any of the episodes relate or go back to one another, so they're pretty much non-existent adventures most of the time too.

    There's only so much you can do with a TV series, before it turns stale, and uninteresting. Which is why you have shows like Breaking Bad that still to this day keep getting awards because it wasn't dragged on for financial gain and/or hype and was ended when it should have ended.

    I wish Doctor Who would just make a final series that would actually have more meaning and excitement, and to actually see something really different and interesting happen, and end itself and to end itself on a high note rather than just see it dragged on for years to come, doing the same thing over and over again.

    Oh, and this series ending was majorly disappointing. I expected the reveal of the mysterious character to actually be interesting. But it wasn't at all, because it has been done before.    … Expand
  73. Curioso
    Aug 23, 2014
    3
    Peter Capaldi is very far from the previous doctors

    Hasn't neither the energy nor the charisma of Matt Smith or David Tennant. The first episode of Season 8 was definitely boring and bland.
  74. xxbend3er
    Sep 10, 2014
    10
    I LOVE DOCTOR WHO!!!! Meata As Said in Family Guy

    "I DISAGREE" I Fell they really blew this out of the water. Every time there is a new doctor it is always heartbreaking. And you have to get used to the new doctor. But i fell this doctor has allot of the original doctors aspects from the first season of the new series Plus a little of the other doctors aspects as well. I mean the first    I LOVE DOCTOR WHO!!!! Meata As Said in Family Guy

    "I DISAGREE" I Fell they really blew this out of the water. Every time there is a new doctor it is always heartbreaking. And you have to get used to the new doctor. But i fell this doctor has allot of the original doctors aspects from the first season of the new series Plus a little of the other doctors aspects as well. I mean the first doctor was a a## but i learned to love him as well.    … Expand
  75. ef88
    Oct 28, 2014
    1
    Can Bobby please appear in the Shower (think Dallas) Maybe this season is just a bad dream and never really happened. I find myself watching each episode hoping to like it, hoping to like Capaldi. I'm sure he's a fantastic actor... but his portrayal of the Doctor is extremely unlikable. I'm re-watching the series from Tennant onward and it was so much more enjoyable to watch thoseCan Bobby please appear in the Shower (think Dallas) Maybe this season is just a bad dream and never really happened. I find myself watching each episode hoping to like it, hoping to like Capaldi. I'm sure he's a fantastic actor... but his portrayal of the Doctor is extremely unlikable. I'm re-watching the series from Tennant onward and it was so much more enjoyable to watch those episodes.. The forest episode was the final straw. It used to be so much more fun and exciting... now it's like watching ... trees grow.… Expand
  76. DarknutMike
    Jul 20, 2015
    0
    Season 8 was SO bad! The show is zero fun now & the writing is embarrassingly bad. Clara is the worst companion, she is SO flat & boring & has brought the show to a all time low.
    Capaldi is a great actor but his doctor is written so poorly it is hard to like him. So far he is the worst in the modern era by far. If S9 is more of the same I'm done with Doctor Who!
  77. Skayt26
    Nov 17, 2014
    5
    Peter Capaldi plays a very good Doctor ; i like it.
    Clara is more interessant than in the season 7.
    Several very good surprises... and several deception too (unfortunately)
    I like and I dislike.
    I expected so much more
  78. IcarusV
    Aug 25, 2014
    0
    Honestly I don't like Peter Capaldi's doctor... seems very forced...
    He's trying to hard to be combination of the previous doctors and fails... he should just ''make'' his own like Matt Smith, David Tennant or Christopher Eccleston.
  79. Volupian
    Nov 18, 2014
    4
    Probably the worst season since the modern reboot. Sorry, as much as I love Capaldi in other things - he is not a great Doctor. All the Doctors (modern) have had, underneath, that crucial layer of sadness and pathos. The weariness of all that he has seen and done. And Capaldi does not capture that. The moment that Clara 'betrays' him and then asks him why he isn't mad - why he isProbably the worst season since the modern reboot. Sorry, as much as I love Capaldi in other things - he is not a great Doctor. All the Doctors (modern) have had, underneath, that crucial layer of sadness and pathos. The weariness of all that he has seen and done. And Capaldi does not capture that. The moment that Clara 'betrays' him and then asks him why he isn't mad - why he is helping her exemplifies this. He doesn't respond with anything like the sort of layered emotional response that we are used to from previous Docs. And for all the talk about him being a darker, more menacing Doctor... I didn't see it. All the potential darkness promised by a set of stern eyes covered by severe brows dwindled with their most obvious grooming as the series went on. By the last episode, Mr Capaldi's brows were really quite ordinary - plucked and trimmed into docile submission.
    Beyond Capaldi, you then have to address the bad writing of this series as well. It was all so.... boring, so filled with Clara Clara Clara. I honestly did think they had to be going in the direction of making Clara the next Doctor somehow - because it was the only way I could explain this obsession with focusing on her. Everything seemed to be leading it to it as well .. all the moments when Clara had to be or act like the Doctor. Perhaps it's all still going there... who knows? But there was no real meat underneath any of the stories this time. They attempted to inject some with the last episode and the question of whether the Doctor was a good man - was he a man that required and desired an army; is he very similar to the Master after all? But they totally bottled out of that question and didn't even bother to answer.
    I did enjoy the potential hand-wringer reaction to those last episodes though. Injecting the idea of knowing you get burned up in a crematorium after you die was perfectly villainous in what is largely considered still to be kiddie-fare. Now THAT was dark.    … Expand
  80. Rafhael
    Nov 26, 2014
    6
    Note: this review is being written after the season finale. I voted 06 because is Doctor Who, and yes we have great episodes here, but talking about Doctor Who, the minimum score acceptable is 8.5/9.0, so we had a bad season this year...

    Peter Capaldi work well, he has a different point of view and it's good for the evolution of the Doctor. But some bad episodes (too bad, by the way!!),    Note: this review is being written after the season finale. I voted 06 because is Doctor Who, and yes we have great episodes here, but talking about Doctor Who, the minimum score acceptable is 8.5/9.0, so we had a bad season this year...

    Peter Capaldi work well, he has a different point of view and it's good for the evolution of the Doctor. But some bad episodes (too bad, by the way!!), bad performance of Pink, less links with other seasons screwed up everything on the whole season.

    In season 07 we see more than "friendship" in the relation of Clara and the last Doctor, to fix it (because of the age of the actors, i thing) they make a fast, empty and boring relation with Clara and Pink, Samuel Anderson work pretty bad in the whole season, maybe fault of the script/character writing. Is not why is Doctor Who we don't need to have sense in some things and explanations...

    Stay with Capaldi, he's really good, more serious and experienced, put more "history" on the next season and a better companion, make a good point and a good work writing something good and with good explanations to get to the season finale! And please, not screw up something to fix another!    … Expand
  81. KadeSmash85
    Mar 26, 2015
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. So there were certainly moments in season 8 that I absolutely loved, such as some of the cheeky humor in part of the 12th Doctor and even some of the emotions you see in Clara dealing with this freshly new regenerated Doctor... My favorite like had to be "I will slap you so hard you will regenerate." When she got absolutely livid with the Doctor in Kill the Moon. But those moments were so... far and few between it was hard to know how I felt about the new season. The magic and playfulness from the previous seven seasons just didn't feel like it existed and the Robots of Sharewood episode just stuck out like a sore thumb and seemed unbelievable; even at the end of the episode when it revealed Robin Hood was in fact a real person of history (I still feel like he isn't by the end of that episode). The dark themes, the struggle with the concept of life and death especially just felt more like a confusing mess and turn off than something I was interested in. Danny Pink's death was fairly predictable and while I felt for Clara's emotions at losing Danny I personally didn't feel like I was losing anything with his death. All I felt in the matter was a tad bit of sympathy for Clara, and that was about it. Speaking of Clara, that was another issue I took.... Clara seemed more straight forward and blunt, and you certainly see that here and there in the new series, and while I love when a character is fleshed out.... All the lying was like... What are you doing, Clara? When did you become such a liar? I didn't like it... And while she was an emotional wreck over Danny's death I just couldn't BELIEVE she was willing to destroy the Tardis keys and force the Doctor into bringing Danny back from the dead by rewriting history.... I also couldn't believe that The Doctor was not absolutely livid with her for it. Any other Doctor would have told her to leave. To leave and never come back. To just flat out go. But he didn't even seem remotely upset over it and that just ruined the tension I felt over the whole thing when she was tossing the Tardis keys into the lava... End of this long winded bla... I don't know how to feel over this season. It seemed so... out of place... Just a sore thumb sticking out compared to the previous 7 seasons of the New Who. I sincerely hope season 9 will make an attempt to return to the awe inspiring magical feeling you get from Doctor Who. That playfulness, the timey wimey bits. This season felt... like a really bad let down. There were parts I loved it.. parts where I wondered what had happened to the show. But maybe it's because Capaldi is the new Doctor and we're still getting used to him.. I don't know. I didn't know how to feel about Matt Smith in my Netflix binge to watch all of the New Who at first but ended up loving him in the end. So maybe it'll be the same for Capaldi's take on the Doctor.… Expand
  82. jsakman
    Sep 18, 2015
    4
    Here we are almost time for the new season. I have to say I hope it is much better than last season. I gave Capaldi the best try I could but he just is not doing it for me. Maybe it is the scripts but he just an unlikable character that you really have a hard time caring about. Not to mention a hard time understanding. Contrary to many I think Clara is a great companion and adds the onlyHere we are almost time for the new season. I have to say I hope it is much better than last season. I gave Capaldi the best try I could but he just is not doing it for me. Maybe it is the scripts but he just an unlikable character that you really have a hard time caring about. Not to mention a hard time understanding. Contrary to many I think Clara is a great companion and adds the only highlight to the show there is. She is witty and feisty and provides some human character to the show. I do think the Danny Pink story line was a really bad addition.
    So here is hoping we have a better season that we can care about and enjoy. Maybe the writers cn work some magic.    … Expand
  83. Flashman1822
    Mar 4, 2016
    3
    Imagine replacing the best Dr Who with one of the least convincing. The rest of the cast, crew and writers are brilliant as usual. How about a Dr Who revisited series with the best and most convincing Dr Who, Matt Smith.
  84. mitokio
    Nov 2, 2018
    10
    I honestly didn't realize how spectacular Peter Capaldi was as the Doctor until too late. Going back and rewatching his seasons there are so many layers and intricacies, so many subtle and clever touches. Both Capaldi and Moffat are lifelong fans of the Doctor and it shows. I'm sad it landed on deaf ears at the time, but here's hoping people go back and see how amazing their tenure was.
  85. AmenAllahRhouma
    May 7, 2019
    10
    The best season ever made introducing the best era on Doctor Who this season is a real Master piece
  86. imthenoob
    Nov 30, 2020
    9
    Capaldi killed it as the Doctor and with the show clearly firing on all cylinders, Season 8 gave us one of the best seasons of Modern Who by far IMO.
  87. TimW001
    Dec 24, 2015
    4
    This is certainly the weakest season of NoWho. The writers seemed to be unsure what they were trying to do with Capaldi, they were still figuring out what kind of Doctor he is. The season felt very aimless, like we were heading no where. Missy was a great villain but with a lame story and a lamer solution. The entire love story of Pink and Clara was utter trash. I wasn not convinced eitherThis is certainly the weakest season of NoWho. The writers seemed to be unsure what they were trying to do with Capaldi, they were still figuring out what kind of Doctor he is. The season felt very aimless, like we were heading no where. Missy was a great villain but with a lame story and a lamer solution. The entire love story of Pink and Clara was utter trash. I wasn not convinced either character could be loved, least of all by viewers.
    Many episodes felt bland with no interesting solutions or characters. Just a very average season.    … Expand
  88. xxxboilozxxx
    May 21, 2017
    6
    not bad the series was okay the doctor was brilliant Clara's character was executed poorly she was done decently being a mystery in this season it was like they couldn't bother with character development on her and he acting like a moaning 6 year old to the newly regenerated doctor.
  89. AllanBarbosa
    Aug 22, 2017
    5
    After the wonderful trilogy of Doctor Matt Smith (5th - 6th - 7th season), Peter Capaldi replaces him, being his first show as Doctor, in a tedious and not fun 8th season - that neither (in the 1st EPISODE) Steven Moffat as writer - presented an unbalanced debut episode. A very disappointing direction and script from the 1st episode to the 10th, and an end-of-plot solution argued for loveAfter the wonderful trilogy of Doctor Matt Smith (5th - 6th - 7th season), Peter Capaldi replaces him, being his first show as Doctor, in a tedious and not fun 8th season - that neither (in the 1st EPISODE) Steven Moffat as writer - presented an unbalanced debut episode. A very disappointing direction and script from the 1st episode to the 10th, and an end-of-plot solution argued for love made in such a way that it looks like you're watching a children's series. However, she saves herself from not having a negative rating because of the perfomance of Jenna Coleman (as Clara) and Steven Moffat's script and the Rachel Talalay's direction in episodes 11-12 and the final plot-twist of the last episode that really are the best things of this boring season. But that does not even come close to the brightness of last season.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Best TV Season of 2014
15
#15 Most Discussed TV Season of 2014
72
#72 Most Shared TV Season of 2014

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Under The Radar
    Reviewed by: Cody Ray Shafer
    Aug 26, 2014
    70
    The story serves as little more than set pieces to the real conflict here, which is Clara's relationship with The Doctor.
    Read full review
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Mary McNamara
    Aug 25, 2014
    80
    For a program known for its harum-scarum pace and keep-up-or-shut-up iconography, the Season 8 Saturday premiere of BBC America's Doctor Who opens slowly--even with the T. rex--and radiates a newly modern self-consciousness, albeit dressed in Victorian garb.
    Read full review
  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    Aug 22, 2014
    70
    Capaldi's Doctor is not just older but looks to be drier in his humor, more reticent, more coldblooded and dangerous. From a critic’s point of view, that’s interesting and potentially an improvement.... In other ways, the season premiere is a bit of a space holder, a middling story that’s concerned mainly with introducing Mr. Capaldi and establishing the relationship between the new Doctor and his sidekick, Clara.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »