"I don't want to go". David Tennant's last words as the tenth Doctor
reflected the views of legions of fans, we didn't want him to go either. The
tenth doctor's final two episodes were simply superb and the final sequence was
beautifully rendered as he collected his reward as we were given permission to
capture ours.
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!