Life on Mars... (or lack of, after Doctor Who)

OK, so Duncan beat me to the Doctor Who post.

I've just been watching 'Blink' on iPlayer, which is quite possibly the best episode of DW since 'New Who' started (and ironically, the one with the least Doctor) and it's really making me look forward to the new series, when Steven Moffat takes over as the creative genius behind the scenes.

Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy RTD's stories; they have the wants and needs of the fans down to a fine art, they pull out the epic stories and crowd pleasing characters but at the end of the day I feel they are fluffy, childlike and sometimes lack substance.

SM on the other hand, writes drama, immersive stories and scares, while delivering a heavier, more grown up episode.

Whereas RTD's DW is seen as a 'kids' show, i'm hoping SM's DW will be more a 'young adult' show. After all, it's been back on our screens for almost 5 years, and many of the kids who formed a new generation of fans are growing up and are probably teenagers now.. so maybe DW (a bit like Harry Potter has done) is growing up with it's audience.

As much as I like David Tennant's Doctor, I'm looking forward to seeing how Matt Smith will play our favourite Time Lord. It's especially interesting as to how the character will be compared to the Doctor we have seen of late. In 'Waters of Mars' - Which contains one of TV's best puns in the naming of the Mars base - The Doctor became reckless, 'The Time Lord Victorious' and made a mistake, one which I'm sure is the catalyst for the final two specials, and the Doctor's impending regeneration. As of yet, I don't think we've seen the Doctor make a mistake.. or a lapse in judgment; he's always been the knowledgeable fix-it man. However, now he is vulnerable and I think we will see a new side of him. From a plot point of view, i'm sure this is to add a chink in his armour, so we will be more ready to accept a new Doctor, a Doctor Atoned, for want of a better phrase.

I'm also hoping that the new series will end the continual bringing back of old characters. Well, except for Sarah Jane, since she has her own show AND has traveled with 3 doctors now! The only exception should be characters from SM stories.. so Jack, River Song and Sally Sparrow would be OK. And PLEASE let's have a 'Weeping Angel' appear somewhere. Even if it is in a 'Where's Wally?' capacity just like 'Bad Wolf' was in Season 1.

So, 2 more eps to go before 'New New Who' - Can't wait!