Doctor Who S5 Review!

Doctor Who season 5 had a lot riding on it with a whirlwind of uncertainties, similar to how the Doctor Who landscape is now between S10 and S11. It was the beginning of a new regeneration for the Doctor, by a young actor that barely anyone knew, and coming off a stellar run by David Tennant for the past five years. Then, you had the show runner who revived this magnificent property also leaving, leaving fans of the show in a state of uncertainty as season 5 acts, almost, like a reboot. Thankfully, every worry was put to rest after the first episode.

The Eleventh Hour starts off this season on a high, introducing the new Doctor as an energetic, hopeful, a tad wonky, type of hero as he meets a young girl named Amelia Pond. Going through the usual craziness that affects the Doctor whenever he regenerates the Doctor stumbles upon a girl with a mysterious crack in her wall, which begins the season long mystery that new show runner Steven Moffat will be known for going forward.

After a mishap the Doctor travels to the future when Amelia is now an adult (who goes by Amy). Eventually, the Doctor saves the world, is introduced to Rory, Amy's friend that comes up later in the season, and wraps Amy up in his fantastical adventuring through space and time. Thus starts a surprisingly strong season in the revived Doctor Who.

Normally, I find Doctor Who to have a few okay episodes, a few bad episodes, a few good episodes, and one excellent episode per season when watching the revived series up to this point. Season 5, however, blew those expectations out of the water for me upon the first watch. This season did have its share of dull episodes, however, unlike the two previous Doctors, it was Matt Smith's fresh take and energy, as well as the companions in Amy and Rory, that pulled me through. Also, it doesn't hurt to have a season long story going in the background of nearly every episode, enticing you, nay, daring you, to watch the next.

As I keep bringing up, the acting is what impressed me the most. Matt Smith is such a different take, yet completely natural progression of the Doctor character. He is mesmerizing to watch in every scene, and whenever he goes serious for just one line you intake a breath because you know He. Is. Serious. While other actors had to adjust, and have a little time for their interpretations, it's very clear that Smith knew exactly what his Doctor would be from the start, and it's that confidence he portrays that'll suck you into every scene, and every episode.

Amy is a fan favorite. She felt so different compared to past companions. No damsel in distress, and even if she were in that position she seemed more competent than previous actresses in her shoes. As the season progressed you got to see her confidence grow, and with it a sense of heroism. By the end of the season you can tell that she's not just a side kick to the Doctor, but a character equally as important. She did have an awkward few episodes where they tried to write a love triangle between her, the Doctor, and Rory, but thankfully that was short lived, because the two part season finale gave Amy and Rory a very emotional, and heart warming romance story.

With all that said and done, this season isn't without its faults. Most of which, are on the writing side of things. While the season does start strong with two really well written episodes, it does start to droop for three after that; in particular the two part weeping angels episode. Granted all those episodes are memorable to an extant, it really came down to two things; doing a standard episode that didn't change the characters much, and changing what fans already knew about the series. The weeping angel two parter is probably the most controversial episodes of this season only because Moffat had written them prior, but what he wrote here contradicts what he did before. If not for the amazing introduction to those adversaries, the two part episode they feature in would have been a solid adventure, especially since there's a call back to it.

So, overall, Doctor Who season 5 may have started out as a whirlwind of uncertainty, but near immediately once the first episode starts you are swept up onto a fantastical adventure that doesn't stop until the fantastic two part season finale. It doesn't always work, but it is the most consistent season to come out of the revived series and the actors are all strong enough to capture your imagination and hearts. This was also the year that Doctor Who blew up worldwide in culture. It's a fantastic season overall, with some of Moffat's best work as show runner. It includes an energetic pacing to it, but also allows for emotional scenes. And, it's a perfect jumping on point for new fans.

Best Episode: Vincent and the Doctor

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