It's hard to believe that we're already an entire series into Matt Smith's reign as the Doctor. After last year's long goodbye to Tennant, it seemed as though the show would never go on after the Tenth Doctor's regeneration. Lucky for us, it did.
Series 5 of the show was, in my opinion, the strongest season of the show since its revival in 2005. I attribute that to the brand new production team, headed by former staff writer Steven Moffat, who really brought the show into a new light. While the first four series of Doctor Who was known for its famously bad special effects ("The Unicorn and the Wasp," anyone?), this year didn't really have any of those old groan-worthy moments of CGI. (Well, save for the Atraxi in "The Eleventh Hour." I hope to God those never come back, because they looked horrible.)
But why am I rambling on about special effects? This season was made by the brilliant cast, headed up by new Doctor Matt Smith (you can read all about why I love his portrayal here). His companion Amy Pond was portrayed wonderfully by Karen Gillan, who lit up the screen from her first appearance in "The Eleventh Hour," until that final shot of her in "The Big Bang." Sure, she didn't have a lot of character development, but her dynamic with every other character on the show was absolutely fantastic. The fact that she'll be the first companion to last more than one series since Rose Tyler is very fitting.
Playing the role of Amy's fiance (later husband) Rory Williams was Arthur Darvill, who might just be one of the best actors on television currently. His performance, though less of a focus than Smith or Gillan's, had a degree of depth to it that made even the oddest predicaments -- being killed twice, being reborn as a plastic soldier, and having an alien teleport into his wedding -- seem very human. His portrayal as a sort of everyman is so brilliantly understated that not many notice how solid of a player he is in the season.
Other than the Doctor, the only character from the past four series to return was Alex Kingston's River Song, an enigma of a woman who appeared in four episodes throughout the year, and left us wishing she'd appeared in more. Though her character died in "Forest of the Dead" back in series four, her interaction with the Doctor is an interesting dynamic -- his first meeting with her was his last, and they appear to be meeting in reverse. Each sequential time he sees her is a step back into her past. As such, she still knows more about his future than he does, but refuses to tell him, citing "spoilers." River Song's last appearance in the series was one of the funniest moments of "The Big Bang" -- and might have just been a marriage proposal from the Doctor.
The episodes were all so solid as well, though it's interesting to note that few of the episodes took place on an alien planet. "The Time of Angels," "Flesh and Stone," and "The Pandorica Opens" all have scenes that take place on alien worlds, though for the most part, the series had two settings: Earth, or spaceships. Not that I'm complaining about that at all -- perhaps this smaller demand for special features made the ones we did get much better. I would, however, like to see the Doctor, Amy, and Rory branch out more in the future, perhaps visiting some more exotic locales.
And finally, there are the monsters. The season was a mixed bag really, spanning the entire spectrum of the creature category. The Atraxi from "The Eleventh Hour" were the only really terrible ones, though Prisoner Zero did make up for that. The Daleks and Silurians make up the "not-that-threatening" category, while character-based episodes like "Vincent and the Doctor" and "The Lodger," really only had creatures to serve as plot points. However, some creatures were truly great. The Star Whale from "The Beast Below," was a fantastic parallel to the Doctor, while the Weeping Angels from episodes 5.04 and 5.05 were completely solid as they were in "Blink," and continued to evolve and flesh out as creatures. However, the best villain of the series was the Dream Lord, a manifestation of the dark side of the Doctor. His identity was totally guessable from the moment the Doctor realized that "there's only one person in the universe who hates me as much as you do." Toby Jones was absolutely fantastic in the role, and he's someone I'd like to see back come series 6. And the unknown villain who orchestrated the "Silence Will Fall" plot arc? I'm ready to see who he is too -- kudos to Moffat for not revealing everything in the finale.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this series more than any of the past four series, and even those I loved a lot. I'd even go so far as to call this season the second greatest season of television so far in 2010, right after LOST's final season. Am I anxious to see more? Of course -- but I'm going to have to wait until Christmas to do so. A
I was one of the nay sayers when tennant bowed out thinking nah matt smith wont do even remotly well but i have to admit i was very wrong doctor whos new reinvisioning with a new doctor new companion new tardis new head writer new enemies including a few old onesi say bring on season 6
This Sam Mcpherson is a complete dolt! I can't think of one episode of season 5 that I didn't fall asleep during. An A? Gimme a break this is a total F-!!! Moffat isn't anywhere near RTD, Amy is the worst shallowest companion in Who history, and who cares about a Pandorica whatever after Davros and the Timelords and a world full of Master clones all ready to destroy the universe? Matt smith is too weak to cover for boring Amy. Moffat ruined his weeping angels. Blink wasn't broken, but he decided to fix it. A complete snore. This jerk Mcpherson is putting down the CGI of the great episode of "The Unicorn and The Wasp" and saying yay to the Prisoner Zero when the CGI for every creature this season including Prisoner Zero looked half-baked and fake? Notice that this year's Moffat Who has THE LOWEST RATED EPISODES SINCE 2005. Why? Because everyone with good taste realized the show became garbage under Moffat.
Thanks for your opinion man — which is just that: an opinion.
Read this Boo: http://www.digitalspy.com/cult/s7/doctor-who/ne….. Russel T. Davies LOVES the new stuff. Flat out loves it, loves it so much he requests a new DVD be sent in to him every week to Los Angeles so he can watch it. This new stuff is great. It might not be YOUR exact cup of tea, but Russel's wasn't exactly mine either. I enjoyed it, and I respect your opinion, but who the crap are YOU to argue with Russel T. Davies, who you venerate so much?
From what planet is the author of this review? He not only liked Series 5 but thought it was the best? I want what he is smoking! IMHO this Series was the WORST Series so far! It did have it's moments in a few episodes, but overall in acting and capturing the spirit of Dr. Who, Steven Moffatt can do MUCH better! He is a great writer, but being at the helm of this show may be more than he can handle. RTD hit the mark almost every time in the first four Series. He brought back the feel and character of the show that began with William Hartnell. I have seen practically every episode of Dr. Who available including the spin-offs, specials and movies. I missed a few of the early shows where the original prints were lost. I do agree that "special effects" can be an asset or distraction to any programme, but since 2005, the effects team have been top notch when you look at the special effects from the older shows. The true test of the show is not one actor or effect but the combination of the ensemble. Series 5 missed the mark for me and virtually ever fan I know. I have been told that Matt Smith has a face "only a mother could love." That is a bit harsh but I am afraid I agree. His acting is acceptable but he is not the Dr. When he leaves the role of the Doctor it will be an improvement. For example, the moment Tom Baker, Peter Davison or Jon Pertwee took the role of the Doctor, it fit! My favorite three Doctors are David Tennant, Jon Pertwee and Peter Davison in that order. Matt Smith just does not fill the shoes of a time lord.
I only disagree that the final season of Lost was better than this season of Doctor Who. I like Lost a lot, but this final season felt very contrived and lame. The finale was strong up until the very last moments though. One of the best episodes of the entire Lost series I'd say.
I loved this season of doctor who, I thought it was also the best yet! Because the problm with RTD is that he relied to much on the special effects and CGI. I know that's what doctor who is about, and we had plenty of monsters and CGI this season, but what makes Steven moffat so great is that he makes the show entertaining, gripping and suspenseful with out the use of CGI. I love matt, the new tardis, amy (shes hot), rorys great too, and i lov the new daleks too!
I thought this was the weakest series of Doctor Who yet. Matt Smith is fine for the most part, except he doesn't pull off the "I am smarter than anyone" thing off quite as convincing as Tennant. Amy is annoying though she has her moments – too much screaming though. What I found most disappointing was the storytelling. Hardly any real drama. Every 2nd Episode the Doctor "faces a terrible choice" and comes across as this guy feeling so guilty because he always ruins somebody's life. Meh. Then the gravity and the threats – this all had started in the last series already but in S05 it took over, it was way too much. I missed the fantastic adventures, meeting "the face", and in general, just boundless creativity this show used to have. For me it turned from the best TV show into an A-OK Sci-Fi show. The Pandorica episodes were admittedly fantastic, and saved the whole thing a little. A 2000 year old plastic gladiator is hard to beat.
He's from the same planet I am apparently. Actually, come to think of it, I don't have nearly as hard a time accepting that some people didn't find every episode this series to be brilliant as I do understanding the perspective of someone who thought the previous series "hit the mark every time". Have you gone back and viewed Tennant's first series recently? Some pretty dreadful stuff there and Tennant didn't really gel with the part until series 3 IMHO. Smith deserves the same chance.