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How Is Matt Smith As Doctor Who?

Some thoughts on the first new episode.

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“Doctor Who” is the longest running science fiction TV show in existence.  While it did stop for several years, in 2005, Russell T. Davies dived into the grave and dragged it out and what a fine job he did.  Christopher Eccleston did a fantastic job for the first season before David Tennant took over in 2006. His tenure, that sadly ended four months ago, was arguably one of the best we’ve ever seen.  Along with Tennant, Davies departed as the shows head writer and the job was given to the new team of Matt Smith and Steven Moffat.          

The casting of Smith was controversial, but after “The Eleventh Hour”, the first episode of the “fifth” season will air on BBC America on the 17th April. I can guarantee that if you had a dubious mind regarding Smith, it will be set to rest.  He was good.  Scrap that, he was awesome.  Smith acting was a new type of quirky for the show, and definitely coincides with the shows new direction.  Along side Smith, Karen Gillian’s Amy Pond looks as if she’s shaping up to be one of the best companions we’ve ever seen on the show: her feistiness lived up to that of old companions but she also possessed that intuitive personality that slots her perfectly into the Doctor Who world.

Moffat’s script was fantastic as predicted: he wrote a fantastic script that was fast paced, had some fantastically quotable dialogue that really made the characters their own, set up the over arcing story for the rest of the series and even manage to make it slightly scary, all the while including the much loved technobabble needed for the show.  New director on the block Adam Smith also succeeds in filming the episode with creative techniques and the stop/start photo technique used was incredibly effective and insightful.  While the episode surely didn't lack in the imagination department, it was obvious that parts of it were limited by budgetary constraints and weren't up to the standard of some of the previous seasons 
(although this could be because they need it for future use. I have faith).

Basically, the show rocked. It really made clear the fact that while it is "Doctor Who", it did make sure that we knew that it is it's own series and the upcoming series looks like is gonna be, in the words of the Ninth Doctor, "Fantastic!"  

36 Comments

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Moomin123

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Edited By Moomin123


Well as a British Comicviner, I can say that the episode was very...different. Matt Smith was a good Doctor, but it seemed a little bit like he was impersonating David Tennant's Doctor. But in overall, the episode was good. 
RULE BRITANNIA & RULE DOCTOR WHO!!!!!!!!!!

 


 

 
 


 

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inferiorego

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Edited By inferiorego  Staff

.......April 17th grrrrrr I'm waiting

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timrothsays

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Edited By timrothsays

this Doctor is more... insolent. he is behaving provocatively and most importantly - is not afraid to use violence. the 10th was a crybaby

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Omega Ray Jay

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Edited By Omega Ray Jay

Very enjoyable, a smooth transition into a new era. I was very impressed and looking forward to episode 2 this saturday, mwhahah

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Benzo

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Edited By Benzo

I loved the first episode, I can't wait to watch the next one this Saturday! :D

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Kayak

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Edited By Kayak

He's gonna make a great Doctor

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Subject 30

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Edited By Subject 30

I, like many others, had my doubts.
But after watching the first episode, It's safe to say he's shaping up to be a very good Doctor indeed!

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xerox_kitty

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Edited By xerox_kitty
@inferiorego said:
" .......April 17th grrrrrr I'm waiting "
*cough* *cough* download it *cough* *cough* 
 
I really enjoyed it.  I can see why people think it's too similar to DT, but I think that's a winning formula so the producers wanted to stick with it... 
 
There were a few potential themes & future plots that were a bit too obvious for my liking.  But it's hardly Shakespeare though, is it ;) 
 
Couple of vids: end of episode 1 (series 5 trailer) & episodes 2 trailer.   
 

SPOILER WARNING!!! 

 
  
   
 
  
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NightFang3

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Edited By NightFang3

I messed the the 1st episode, so i'm gonna have too download it.

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CaptHowdy

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Edited By CaptHowdy

Normally it takes a while for me to start t like a new doctor... this time it is different, I love this one... that, plus the new companion Karen Gillan is smokin!
 

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EisforExtinction

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Edited By EisforExtinction

I'm not a huge fan but I did watch and I very much enjoyed it.

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Joe Venom

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Edited By Joe Venom

I never watch Doctor Who until I saw this episode a few days ago and WOW it was much better than I expected it to be, I look forward to seeing the next episode

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.Mistress Redhead.

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There is already a Dr Who thread...

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AngelFrost

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Edited By AngelFrost

I had total faith in Matt Smith as the new Doctor and he didn't disappoint.
I thought he was really really good. I love his style, hand gestures and his facial expressions. They made me laugh, cry, stop and think. It was great.
 
Karen Gillian is fast becomming my favourite companion ever!  - she's sexy, funny, witty and a redhead. (:  like a mixture of the incredible Catherine Tate but with Billie Piper's fiestiness. Plus, she's doing it for the tall-chicks out there.  ;)   - their chemistry is just, fantastic too.
 

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E.I.S.A.M.

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Edited By E.I.S.A.M.

I believed in Matt Smith, I gave him the benefit of the doubt. I was not disappointed, and thank god for that. Love the new Who. Tennant is still MY doctor, but Smith owns the role. 

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Nickrp

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Edited By Nickrp

LOVED IT. GREAT EP. Best part was right at the end " Now you have to ask yourself...what happened to them? Hello I'm the doctor...basically..run."
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welshguy

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Edited By welshguy

After a bit of an iffy start I think the episode turned into a damn fine one. 
I don't want to spoilt for anyone yet to see it but one scene stands out with The Doctor casually reminding aliens of the amount of times other aliens have threatened the Earth and how a Doctor has always been there. The writing was brilliant, Smith's performance top notch and it was a brilliant way to introduce this new Doctor. 
I really am looking forward to the new series

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welshguy

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Edited By welshguy
@Nickrp:
precisely the scene i meant. brilliant.
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Nickrp

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Edited By Nickrp

I down loaded that scene and can't seem to stop watching it.

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Emperor Gonzo Noir

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I'm on the Matt Smith train now

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Omega Ray Jay

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Edited By Omega Ray Jay
@Emperor Gonzo Noir:  Next stop, Everywhere!
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xerox_kitty

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Edited By xerox_kitty

I am really enjoying this so far.  A few obvious hints of things to come, like how they have to have a theme or something that leads up to a big series finale.  But otherwise, still fun & enjoyable with a few scares to keep the kids behind the sofa ;)
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Constantine

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Edited By Constantine

The first two eps have been great the new one looks to be good also, I hope they can keep it up. Though Tennant is still my fave I'm sure Smith will be awesome. Karen is also great in her role.

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ore77

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Edited By ore77

While DT will remain my favorite Doctor, Matt Smith did a great job. I not a huge fan of the new look, but at least I now I don't have to boycott Doctor Who

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Final Arrow

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Edited By Final Arrow

I don't hate him but I don't love him, if it does not pick up I don't think he will get past more then one series.
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Constantine

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Edited By Constantine
@Final Arrow said:
" I don't hate him but I don't love him, if it does not pick up I don't think he will get past more then one series. "
he's signed on for next series already
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Omega Ray Jay

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Edited By Omega Ray Jay

This two parter that finnished this week put the series back on track, somthing has been missing since episode 1 and hopefully it sticks now.

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Omega Ray Jay

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Edited By Omega Ray Jay

 

  
How'd you like them apples.
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Captain Bintang

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Edited By Captain Bintang

Only caught the 1st episode so far. I was disappointed - hopefully he`ll improve...

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bumnut

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Edited By bumnut
@CaptHowdy said:
"Normally it takes a while for me to start t like a new doctor... this time it is different, I love this one... that, plus the new companion Karen Gillan is smokin!
 

 
 
"

Red Heads, eh.  Can't blame ya :-)
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Do I have to give a name?

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I thought he showed potential at first, but now I'm just not enjoying the show. I don't think it does the drama very well anymore, what always appealed to me about the previous incarnation of the show was the way it could effortlessly switch between comic moments and melancholy story telling. Now it seems that the show comes off as cheesy when they try comedy and I just don't feel tension when they try to use a more serious tone.  
 
That's only partly because of Matt Smith, he, like the show itself, does do some things well. (unfortunately, not consistently) The writing also doesn't seem to be as good this time round, which surprised me as I thought it would get better with Moffat as head writer. The main issue though, is the music. It's just terrible, it almost never fits the scene. And I don't just mean the main tune. Almost any scene I've watched that was trying to build a sense of tension or awe was spoiled by the choice of score. Hey, that rhymes!

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Cherry Bomb

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Edited By Cherry Bomb

Matt Smith is amazing :D  
He's my favourite Doctor.

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Do I have to give a name?

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@Do I have to give a name? said:
" I thought he showed potential at first, but now I'm just not enjoying the show. I don't think it does the drama very well anymore, what always appealed to me about the previous incarnation of the show was the way it could effortlessly switch between comic moments and melancholy story telling. Now it seems that the show comes off as cheesy when they try comedy and I just don't feel tension when they try to use a more serious tone.   That's only partly because of Matt Smith, he, like the show itself, does do some things well. (unfortunately, not consistently) The writing also doesn't seem to be as good this time round, which surprised me as I thought it would get better with Moffat as head writer. The main issue though, is the music. It's just terrible, it almost never fits the scene. And I don't just mean the main tune. Almost any scene I've watched that was trying to build a sense of tension or awe was spoiled by the choice of score. Hey, that rhymes! "
Iv'e changed my mind. The Van Gogh episode, despite some cheesy bits was quite good.  SPOILER WARNING: Click here to reveal hidden content. The James Corden episode was enjoyable, and The pandorica opens was awesome. So, since I wrote the above comment my opinions have made a polar change....Nice work, BBC.
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Omega Ray Jay

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Edited By Omega Ray Jay

The Pandorica Opens was indeed Awesome.

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Constantine

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Edited By Constantine

I really enjoy him as the doc, Tennant is still my fave but he has Eccleston beat

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Doctor_Whom

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Edited By Doctor_Whom

As a fan of Doctor Who, and in particular Matt Smith, I am delighted to finally find somewhere not filled with entirely mindless people. I had given up almost all hope in humanity at the appalling comments people made about Matt. Not only did they not take into account his acting ability (though sometimes cheesy, it may be) but they judged him in comparison to someone with whom they had built up a relationship. 
Anyway, I look forward to the Christmas special and the oncoming series with some degree of anticipation  and excitement.