Having seen all doctors, David Tennant was The Doctor, surpassing even the great Tom Baker. Then the regeneration sequence. A regeneration that wasn't simply a necessity after an actor left the role, but a regeneration well thought out and with a burst of imagination that not only paid handsome tribute to the departing tenth doctor but a mark of recognition of not only a new doctor, but a new team taking the helm. With the iconic Tardis in flames hurtling through space to the cry of 'Geronimo' we knew that although our beloved Doctor had left, there were good times ahead.

But then the new series lost over one million viewers. What, if anything went wrong? Was Matt Smith, the youngest Doctor ever to take on the role, a poor choice? Oh no, Matt Smith is timeless and simply superb having all the characteristics for him to develop into the definitive Doctor, together with an impeccable sense of comic timing. Was Karen Gillan, as Amy Pond, a poor choice of companion? Again no. Fun, feisty, independent  minded and cool, she is simply brilliant as is her relationship with Rory.

So why did millions switch off? Well the first episode under the stewardship of Stephen Moffat was a poor start. After previous reincarnations the Doctor had battled with Autons, robots, the Master in Castrovalva, Slithorax etc. Our new Doctor faced an inanimate crack in the wall whilst exploring whether or not he liked fish fingers. True, the first episode of the new series was a foundation for the entire series, but it could ~ and should ~ have been done so much better.

Episode 2 was clever, witty and inventive, but ultimately unbelievable and something of a turn off. And viewers did. By the time the Daleks arrived with their new phrase "would you like a cup of tea" things were looking up, but again, the episode was marred by an over complicated sequence with their 'creator'. This was going over the head of the show's younger audience.

Then Moffat set out to scare. The Venice and Weeping Angel episodes were good horror stories, but unengaging. Towards the end of the run, the show began to find its feet. The episodes with Vincent Van Gough and The Lodger were humorous, well written ~ very well written ~ and helped Matt Smith truly establish himself within the role. The final double episode was also clever, perhaps too clever as your average child cannot understand the complexities of a paradox, but nonetheless left those of us who had remained loyal, thirsting for more, and, of course, whilst the first series had been built around the explosion of the Tardis ripping a tear in the fabric of time and space, the next series can explore those events in more depth. Oh, and Rory, is fully on board now. We like Rory. Rory's cool.

Disney/Pixar have developed a wonderful way of creating stories that work on two levels. The kids love them for their warmth, wit and inventiveness and adults can enjoy them as well, seeing things that are above the heads of young children, such as Dory's mental health issues in Finding Nemo. Stephen Moffat needs to discover that balance. Accessible and enjoyable romps for the kids, clever science fiction for their accompanying adults. Here's to the next series. Stephen, don't try so hard, harness the abilities of Matt Smith and rediscover the energy and fun of the David Tennant years. Geronimo!