I've been so busy with the move in the last week that I didn't realize the first new episode debuted last week. So, I was treated with TWO in a row. Some thoughts, unspoiled since anyone reading this thread should really expect spoilers:
-The change in production: still not sold on the new opening theme, but it's growing on me. I effing LOVE the TARDIS' new "desktop theme", which I believe could be called "steampunk". There's also sorts of oldschool moving parts and it has a retro feeling with a modern twist. Loved the addition of the typewriter and hope we see it again. On top of that, the 50's steampunk theme works great with The Doctor's wardrobe. It's so suiting (no pun intended). Speaking of Doctors...
-Smith is damn good as the Doctor. He hadn't sold me after the first episode, but I saw a lot of potential. I honestly think he has potential to go beyond Tennant, to be honest. Tennant was great but he was a little too...cartoony, sometimes? But the thing that cinched it for me was Smith's "angry Doctor" in this week's episode. It was similar to Tennant's line: "No second chances. I'm that sort of a man." It was the kind of performance that made me believe that he just "out-darked" Eccelston. And Smith's angry performance here was so much fucking better than Tennant's. That alone, like Tennant's "satasuma" moment, filled me with ridiculous amounts of hope.
-Amy Pond is, hands down, the most gorgeous companion to date. That's speaking as a huge Rose fan and, quite honestly in terms of looks alone, Martha, as well. Whether she'll be as great a companion as Donna is yet to be seen, but her hero work at the end of this second episode sold it. She's possibly
more capable than the Doctor for seeing that which is unseen. Speaking of which...
-The one thing that I love about episodes by Moffat is that, taken to the core, there are some very basic rules: Don't blink, don't step in the shadows, etc. They're almost child-like warnings, which works great because Doctor Who is meant to be kid-accessible. With the running theme so far of "look closer", that basic rule idea continues.
-Everybody lives!! In both episodes, there was not a single scene where we saw someone die or get killed. Yes, there were previous people "fed" to the ship in this week's episode, but on the episode itself, no one died because of the monsters or the Doctor's actions. God, I love Moffat!
-Still a little iffy about having Dalek's and Cybermen back, but I'm okay with them being in a one or two-part episode rather than the finale. Again. I get the feeling they won't be. In fact, notice the common backround theme of "Magpie Electricals"?
http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/Magpie_Electricals I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a return of The Wire from "The Idiot's Lantern". It might be the one hinted at with the cracks in time and such.
So yeah, I'm totally geeking out for this new season/series, so far. Damn great stuff right out of the gate that's filled me with nothing but confidence for the rest.
he definitely seems different enough from tennant. and i can already tell moffats direction is going to be awesome all the way through.
He'll never be as good as David...*sigh* I miss him already, he is The Doctor to me.
I want David back.. why..why did he have to leave