My main concern before was the writing and my main concern after series 11 is still the writing

Agree with almost everything, but I would also like to include that the dialogue needs to be vastly improved. Davies had a way of making great banter and real sounding conversations. Moffat had amazing, thoughtprovoking lines from both Smith and Capaldi. Chibnall....has Whittaker give exposition and say recycled lines from Smith and Tennant. Yikes.

To put it frankly, In my opinion, is that the 13th Doctor's biggest flaw from Series 11 is that she felt like a side character instead of the star of the show. Almost like an "oh yeah, we need to include her somewhere", which is fine for an episode here and there, but not an entire series.

Basically, the series didn't fail due to politics. It failed because it was bad.

I still feel like Grace would have been a better companion. When they killed her off I remember thinking, 'Whelp, there goes the fun.'

Season 11 honestly just didn’t feel like dr who for me. I sort of just disregard it as part of the show. It feels like a spin off

I think you really nailed this analysis. The only thing I see differently, is that I think Graham had a clear reason to go with the Doctor, (his grief) and I actually think Yaz had a pretty decent reason as well. Her job isn't satisfying to her, she wants more out of life, actually somewhat similar to Rose. Ryan's motivation is the least clear to me, of course he is grieving as well, but it's not explained very clearly if that's his reason for coming. Seems like he's more just along for the ride because he likes it and doesn't know what else he would want to be doing.

love how you are a centrist instead of going to one extreme or the other....a fair but critical voice in a wilderness of disharmony and chaos

I completely agree with most of your points ! Particularly about the lack of ambition. Its sad when it feels like something you love isnt getting the effort it deserves. Cmon Chibs, pull your socks up !

Moffat actually made an incredibly good decision, which was to wait until about halfway through the respective series before properly introducing both Rory and Nardole as companions. This was an extremely good decision as it allowed for us to properly understand the primary companion first and appreciate all of the characters. Also, this all makes me feel very sad, because the writers are taken an epic character and making her so shallow and plain. It kind of attacks and defies (effectively undoing) all of the beautiful character development that has come before it. 😥 I couldn't agree more with with Mulfred100's comment about this.

Series 12 just needs to be more bold and ambitious. For example I'd like to see at least a couple of two parters including the finale because I felt stories like Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos could have benefited from more time to flesh out each of its five or more ideas and characters. I also found myself not being a fan of the dialogue that was shoehorned in to certain episodes like when Ryan and Yaz talked about his dad in Tsuranga Conundrum, it just felt completely out of place. The show suffered from too much telling and not enough showing for example, the lake with deadly microbes in Ghost Monument, have one of the side characters slip and either die or lose a shoe or something idk. A narrative throughline for the series would've been excellent as well, maybe not a mystery box but perhaps a quest like the key to time series in classic who or one of the companions secretly being a manipulative alien or something. I know this was a bit long but I just feel the show needs to be more ambitious and make bold decisions with a clear storyline and Less telling but more showing.

Man, you are just so amazingly exact and precise with these arguments and I'm really glad to see such reasonable opinions on this whole thing. Especially when pretty much all of them coincide with mine ;)

I haven't had that 'They Are The Doctor' moment with Jodie Whittaker. To me she is still a mediocre actor doing bad imitations of Tennant's and Smith's Doctors. 🙁

My connect with Davison was Caves of Androzani, how's that for late?

1. Series 4 2. Series 5 3. Series 3 4. Series 9 5. Series 1 6. Series 10 7. Series 6 8. Series 8 9. Series 11 10. Series 2 11. Series 7

"The writers had no background in sci fi, that makes them bad at sci fi." This argument is incredibly stupid. If we used this logic, no one could ever do any job ever. Before you work as waiter in a restaurant, you have no background as a waiter, and yet you can get a hire. Why can't sci if writing be the same?

My favourite thing about watching your videos is I always find you articulate things in exactly the right way when I’ve been struggling to!! I always have a “yes that’s exactly what I mean!!” moment so thank you for clarifying my thoughts better than I can 😂

Man the way you lay out your arguments and opinions is amazing and spot on! Some really nice work here

I was intending to write a retrospective on Series 11 on my website, but now I can just post a link to this video, because I concur completely. Although I would add that I think a great series should mix up the formats. Have a mixture of one- and two-parters; a mixture of returning villains and new ones; a mixture of Doctor-centric episodes and companion-focused ones; even a mixture of deep, impactful stories and light-hearted fluff ones. This is where having 12 or 13 episodes would give them enough room to try pushing the boundaries (of the stories, that is) in every direction rather than staying safe in one place. I think Series 11 totally failed to embrace the fact that it's a science fiction show and all the possibilities that offers. Thanks though, you've saved me a lot of typing! Keep up the awesome videos!

The shelf behind you in the iron fist video looks so empty by comparison to now 😂

It did not feel I was watching Doctor Who.

You have to bear in mind as well that Rory wasn't initially a companion. It was originally just Eleven and Amy with occasional visits to Rory. He didn't become a companion until the end of season 5 onwards. We had time to get used to Amy on her own, with glimpses of Rory, then bring him on board later. That approach might have worked better for season 11's companions. Start with two, giving glimpses of the third, then bring the third in later. I liked the idea of three companions but it was handled poorly, especially Yas who often had little to do or say and never once capitalised on her career..

I agree with everything you say here (although I didn't find as many redeeming features about season 11 as you were able to); but I think you could perhaps have focussed on the dialogue a little more. So much of it was staggeringly clunky & not in the least bit credible. Too often, characters brought any action that was taking place to a shuddering halt in order to have a conversation about their feelings, or indulge in repetitious exposition. So. Much. Exposition. It ruined the pacing & deprived the episodes of any true dramatic tension. I do not think JW is a good Doctor, either, & whilst better scripts would have obviously mitigated this, I personally don't believe it would have addressed the problems I have with her. Other Doctors have been able to elevate a poor script. She simply seems to...deliver it. She doesn't act with her face. There is no hint of any nuance or complexity; that what she is saying/doing may not altogether reflect who this character is. What you see is what you get. From what I have seen on screen & what she has said herself in interviews, I get the distinct impression that whilst she relishes the opportunities being The Doctor gives her to promote certain issues (ones I agree with, incidentally) & be a strong role model for girls (also something I believe is very important), she has no real interest in the character in its own right. I think this influenced the whole tone of the show, tbh.

I totally agree with all of this, just fyi! I did have a thought towards the end though. That whole 5 year plan thing, as you said seems in evident. There doesn't seem to be any trace of a forward thinking move or narrative. But what if every stand alone story in this series, every seemingly disconnected story perhaps had an underlying theme we all missed... kinda like a mystery box we couldn't see... which is then steadily revealed over the events of the next series? And maybe we as the audience start to notice things that the Doctor herself didn't... I dunno... also when that living bandage thingy calls the Doctor the timeless child... maybe something will come of that... but that would require more time lord related lore... which maybe isn't the best idea....

1 of the issues (deffo not the only one) Series 11 had a lot of changes which caused a huge loss of familiarity, it didn't feel like doctor who as far as i'm concerned..

Some flaws I had with the series, and keep in mind I do really like it on the whole- 1) Chibnall's writing is too much tell not show. He explains a lot. This isn't a problem with the other writers, just Chibnall and it's odd because he never used to have this problem. 2) There needed to be an arc. Not a complex one, but something to keep viewers engaged and not just standalones, especially when Chibnall wrote most and he isn't the best writer for balanced material. 3) Yaz had barely any character. 4) We needed more episodes like It Takes You Away that gave Thirteen dramatic material to chew on. I enjoy her a lot (certainly a lot more than Capaldi) but we need more darkness. 5) Tsuranga Conundrum. =(. Still, I think the series was a success on the whole and I enjoyed it a lot more than Series 8 and 9 and on par with Series 10, although that had a more solid arc. Nothing in Series 11 was as bad as Kill the Moon, Hell Bent, Twice Upon a Time or any number of clunkers from Moffat's later years. I didn't want to reach into the screen and slap the leads nor did I ever question my love of the show like I did frequently before. Hopefully Chibnall takes a look at the legitimate criticism and takes it on board for Series 12.

Great job on this episode! I really like the extra clips that divides the episode, and it's so funny how you refer to yourself with clips :D

This video was great. You made all your points very well. It sounded really structured and thought out!

It took time but it was worth it. Great video. Off the cuff as well. No script. I think this is one of the best break downs of series 11 of Doctor Who (2005- ). If there was one video I'd like Chibs and the Doctor Who staff or the BBC to watch it would be this one. #HatsOff! #BestofDoctorWho

The trend towards shorter seasons does not benefit the media consumer.

I think you've done a pretty good job of summing up my thoughts on this season. I'm curious to see what they end up doing with some of the Doctor's recurring enemies after seeing the new style of Dalek in the New Year's special.

Good video, especially since whilst i don't agree with 100% of the points being made unlike the couple of other YT videos on S11 i could sit through i can at least completely understand and get my head around the problems being laid out. So that's very much a plus point. I overall really enjoyed the season, but i can completely agree that i hope there's a change in the writing approach for S12. Especially since this is one of the rare occasions we're going into a second season with no changes to the main cast - things having to be amped up and ramped up next time.

I hadn't actively noticed the series being an episode shorter for Capaldi's doctor, but BOY DID I NOTICE WITH THIS ONE!

First of all: sorry for any incorrectness of language. I love your work. Well-developed comments (with a particular view but still objective). And the best: out of any kind of hate speech. When I first saw the Doctor I was having trouble to sleep. Then I turned on the tv and saw a bizarre show. There was a huge library and some astronauts wandering around and an invisible menace and machines with human faces and I thought… WHAT A … IS THIS???!!! Then I fell in LOVE. What I love about Doctor Who is it’s capacity to make you feel astonished (the most strange and impossible things may happen, because the universe is open to you. And look: it can be fun!!!!). It’s like to dive into the rabbit hole and, in this case, to make no sense is better than being dull. That’s why I like “It Takes You Away”. I don’t think it’s perfect, but it is the only episode in this season that has that quality (that explorer feeling) that makes my eyes pop!!! “Kerblam!”: is the most similar to the previous WHO. And a fun, kind of creepy and very good episode. “Rosa” and “Demons of the Punjab”: beautiful! But there are some issues about the alien threat. One is a total cliché and the other is not a real threat (not a problem, but something feels missing for me - although I understand the beauty of that allegory). "Arachnids in the UK" and "The Tsuranga Conundrum": total failure Well, as a fan, I sincerely hope the next season bring some “brave new worlds and brave new things”.

I love your Doctor Who videos. Really some of the best in depth analysis of Doctor Who.

your "treading water" portion was on point. i was thinking it'd be cool if chibnall uses series 11 stuff as the over arching story for series 12

I was on board with the gender change but not enthusiastic about it. I agree that the problems with the series were not related to the gender change but the politics did have a big influence. The politics gave it a form of protection from criticism in that many people (straight white males) who made the same observations that you have here were brushed off as being "afraid of a woman in the role". A similar thing on Captain Marvel (a film I liked and thought was very gender neutral) where criticism was tagged as "not liking the fact a woman was in the role". Clark Gregg's comments emphasize this. He and the host of the interview show how much they really do not understand the problem. They see the problem that people have with it is that there is a character who is "not like them". The problem being that it is not that the lead is a woman but that the only thing the people behind the film seem to care about is that she is a woman. That is what most of the pre-conversation was about. Mr. Gregg did say something that I thought was very interesting in that interview: "someday we will look back and say 'It was a big deal she was woman?" Meaning that in future people will not care if the lead is a woman or a man. We could be doing that now if the people behind these films, including Mr. Gregg, would start doing so.

Couldn't agree more and you helped me crystallise my own thoughts yet again. The script is everything and these scripts were mostly nothing, and especially Chibnall's. Stretching the episodes to an hour didn't help either as it took the pressure off and the need to keep the narrative tight. Not nearly enough running and far too much relationship angst - which if I wanted that I'd watch a soap. Look back at how much happened in a Moffat or Davies episode and how you had to watch them two or three times (especially Moffat's) because (a) you wanted to make sure you hadn't missed anything (you did) and (b) because, with very few exceptions, you enjoyed it so much that you couldn't wait for next week to enjoy more of it. I haven't re-watched any Series 11 episodes because they gave me nothing the first time, and never waited with bated breath for the next one. Wound up watching all of them on Iview a varying number of days after broadcast when I didn't have anything better to do. Even the good ones lacked that something you pointed out to add something to characterisation or the overall big picture story. Big picture? There wasn't one. That's the problem. Near enough is not good enough and the scripts were not worthy of the quality of the actors and directors that had to work with them and the overall series lacks an arc and a vision. We've come to expect a lot better than this from NuWho.

I would also call it a cluster. A handful of episodes were interesting, but there isn't anything that would make me want to watch them again, and the others just felt bad. The show felt lower budget from the start. The series is worlds apart from its epic storylines around 2010-2011.

Havent watched your channel for a few months, your camera quality looks a ton better!

I appreciate your in-depth, non-shouty commentary on series 11. Thank you.

Your comments are very well thought out. You are correct about the writing from what I have seen.

I think they were doing it with four characters because they pulled it off in An Unearthly Child, with that episode we had a complete understanding of each character after only 25 minutes, but, in that episode, it was just worked around better, as they all have an established relationship with one another, and we came out understanding them in the way they understood each other, because of the pre-established relationships. What really should've happened, is Yaz should've left after Arachnids in the UK. She's just really superfluous.

100% agree with you on this. The major visible changes weren't bad within the Chibnal era, what was bad was the quality of the writing and the stories. Jodie had so much potential and I could see that in so many flashes in her first episode. But the writing was just disappointing and gave her little to work with

I just love you. Another well argued, well thought out discussion. I just couldn't put into words why this series failed to excite me, you just did that for me. Great efforts were put into the production aspects of the show, the cinematography especially, has never looked better. But the writing is the keel, and without it the ship sinks. Maybe it was lack of genre experience, and the producers have learned from their mistakes. By the way, if the BBC have a problem with you, they must be about to sue half of KZfaq, because yours is one of the few moderate voices here. Most Whotubers are extremophiles and spew nothing but hate, towards the show and those who disagree with them. Great video!

I still remember having my "Ah ha" moment with Capaldi's doctor and really ended up liking the character, I hope Jodi gets a moment to really shine through so I get the same reaction, I felt this was a really mixed series. Though I did quite enjoy the new years special. And the one set in the cabin.

one of the pluses of season 11 was the casting of Bradley walsh as Graham! He acted up a storm in the majority of the show.Poured real heart and feeling and emotion into a lot of the episodes.! His repour with the doctor was superb the best of all the three current companions! It would not be such a bad idea if we binned off yas and ryan and just kept graham!! brilliant character very retro!I also completely agree with you on this video too! It was a rough season, I do love Jodie,s Doctor I feel there is more to come from her we have not completely seen all of her character so far! We got a glimpe of her dark side in the new years day special.. so lots more to come from this doctor.. Season 11 was good in parts but could do a whole lot better it has potential.!

Chibnall needs to take a look at this video and use it to make Series 12 better.

The main problems with series 11 include the weak dialogue Mandip was given. She would have been better accepted if better written and involved in the plot. There were other writing flaws with each episode but I won't go into those. Too much focus on Sheffield was another problem I think. We had the Arachnids in Sheffield, Dalek of Sheffield, Witchfinders near Sheffield, Nanu dreaming of going to Sheffield. The over focus on the London area of previous series was replaced by an over focus on Sheffield (even though a lot of the "Sheffield" scenes were shot in South Wales). The UK is small enough for the BBC to have episodes all over the UK and even multiple locations in one episode.Ryan's dyspraxia was only mentioned for convenience and often forgotten or not an issue during the other episodes. Would it have been un-PC for the Dr to take him to a future hospital and get him cured of it? Also some of Ryan's behaviour/dialogue was unrealistic or cliché. He is supposed to be 19 but was written by what middle aged people think 19 year olds are like. My main complaint is that I feel series 11 forgot who and what the Dr is. She is a high born member of an ancient alien race, Lord President of Galifrey, grandly strode the halls of time, re-started the Universe, sung about and remembered by many planets. What we got was a weak, needy, often unsure of themselves, out of puff, emotionally drained Doctor.

Spot on! Nice to hear a well thought out review that is not clouded by people’s opinions on gender, politics and SJWs. Some people just can’t put that to one side and get down to the nitty gritty of what went wrong. Essentially all the reasons you have said. Let’s just hope the writing improves dramatically next series so we can get passed all the “SJWs have ruined Doctor Who” crap. I loved this video, thank you!

18:25 It's the ghost of Council of Geeks past.... 24:06 And he's still mad about Hell Bent.

"The stories are in service to nothing other than themselves." - Best succinct, summation of series 11 as a whole.

If it were up to me, I would like to see Ms. Whittaker play #13 with a heaping helping of #5 (Peter Davison), with elements of the War Doctor (Sir John Hurt) and #'s 9, 10 and 11 (Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant And Matt Smith, respectively.). #1 (William Hartnell) was grumpy. #2 (Patrick Troughton) was mischievous. #3. (Jon Pertwee) was action-packed. #4 (Tom Baker) was wacky. #5 was fraternal. #6 (Colin Baker) was brash. #7 (Sylvester McCoy) was sneaky. #8 (Paul McGann) was romantic. The War Doctor and #9 were both world(s) weary due to the Time War. #10 was still recovering from the Time War and had elements of #'s 2, 3, 6 and 8. #11 was youthful. #12 (Peter Capaldi) had elements of #1, 3, 4 and 7.

Extremely fair, balanced and insightful.....as ever! Thanks..

100% agreed! I can live with this season/series if the next gave us something interesting: a fully realized 13th doctor that has depth and something unique personality wise, or really thought provoking stories that convey complex ideas and feelings in smart allegories. Give me SOMETHING to excite me. And also I totally hate having to wait so long to see if the writing will improve the next series. It's AGONIZING!!

I totally agree with you. I tend to focus on the lack of two part story as the cause of loosing opportunity to develop the personallity of the Dr and allowing the viewer to "buy into" the story.

I completely agree with everything you said

Good talk. I agree with you about the fewer episodes. I don't quite agree with the number of companions. It doesn't need to be a two (wo)man show In old show, both the first Doctor and the fifth Doctor had three companions. I think the showrunners needed to see the chemistry between all the companions and the doctor; and see which ones worked and which did not. But you are correct that more episodes would have helped this. "For as bold as the surface level changes to the show were, the actual episodes are incredibly safe" Big YOU BETCHA here. I agree that the problems were never with the problems were never with the cast, or any cast member.

I know this is a bit of topic, but My Davidson moment was actually in the Big Finish stuff. But in relation to the video, I personally would have liked Yaz to join later, like in episode 6 or 7 and she should have been an alien, or at least from another time period. Actually Demons of the Punjab would have been a good episode to come on. That way we'd have the Doctor, Ryan and Graham, gotten to know them, then gotten to know Yaz, and over the episodes seen how they act together. I still have hope for series 12 though, surprisingly pumped for seeing it after seeing this video. Just made me think of how much they can improve if they try, which I imagine they are.

You basically paraphrased a warning I gave before season 11 aired. I can’t remember how I phrased it exactly but it went to the effect of, “if there is going to be a problem with this season, if it is going to fail, it will be because of bad writing”. And while it gives me no satisfaction to admit it, that was basically the biggest flaw. Chibnal really doesn’t give jodie’s doctor her own voice, the companions are generally just bystanders, the plot of most episodes, including the ones you liked, were basically meh, or oh hum. Now I actually enjoyed the season overall, but the elements I didn’t like were all script related. I’ll put my hand up, I was not on board for a female dr, despite growing to love missy as a character. But I gave her a chance and I think she did a pretty good job. But it was generally in spite of the story, not because of it. And oh boy, did this season really lack a returning villain, or any element to ground it in previous continuity or lore. (Now thanks to season 12 we know why…). In the end, it played it too safe in some elements, yet squandered the couple of inherently risky decisions by not giving us enough episodes to play with those new toys. However, that said of all the new Tardis mob, i actually find ryan the more disposable rather than yaz, because despite her often just being an onlooker passively observing the story, he ends up being a parrot, restating the obvious or asking redundant questions, to the point that it just irked me. And his terrible yorkshire accent, which is totally fake, pissed me off since I used to actually live in Sheffield! Graham I really liked, and part of me wishes they had played it safe and just cast Bradley as the dr, but I get why they didn’t. But even he felt redundant in many episodes. Like you pointed out, four was too many when they are all strangers to each other and the audience. Classic who had several periods with two or three companions, but they also had seasons with over 20 episodes. Far more time to get to know everyone. Fingers crossed reducing the cast down to just two companions from season 13 might fix some of this, but after timeless children…. I’m not sure I care to find out.

Good points, all well made. I liked the characters and a few of the episodes, but yeah overall it didn't work, which is a pity since I could see some of the potential of the characters. I liked the Doctor, I saw the traits that were in a different balance in her. In The Psirens of Time the Doctor talks about having the same traits in each incarnation, just in a different balance and this incarnation I feel shows that. This Doctor, for all the faults of the writing at least gave us enthusiasm, which has been sadly lacking in recent series. I have always felt that on some level the Doctor may be doing these things out of necessity, but ultimately the traveling and finding trouble is because the Doctor enjoys exploring the universe, so I'm glad that there was a sense of fun again.

I can't help be reminded of the old Borsht Belt joke: "The food was terrible, terrible. And such small portions!" ;) (I know, I know. I got it. But it's still pretty apt on the surface!)

Good analysis. I can agree with much of it. The lack of series arc felt like a deliberate choice, but I think that requires (as you note) better stand-alone episodes. You do a really good job making that point with past examples. I think it is fair to say there needed to be some more ambition in the show-runner and even writers' room. I am not sure I can land on the "lack of genre experience" critique of the writers, though. S/F is a broad genre with many varieties, and fan allegiance to particular varieties as THE standard for S/F is both common and regrettable. Some of the oft criticized points of series 11 (e.g. no compelling badies/new monsters/old fiends, etc.) felt like deliberate choices of the series. Often the "monsters" of series 11 tend to be people rather than people in prosthesis. Many of the stories reminded me in tone (though less so in message) of the feminist S/F of the 70s and 80s (stories more like those by Johanna Russ, Ursula K. LeGuin, Marge Piercy, Octavia Butler, etc.). The final episode pulled on themes and even images that reminded me of N.K. Jemisin's recent Hugo winning "Stone Sky" trilogy. These felt suggestive more than deliberate, though; I would welcome a going deeper with these trends in S/F, keeping in mind that doing so would probably only further aggravate the "too PC/SJW" critics. It is interesting to me that you never bonded with Davison. Whitaker's Doctor reminds me most of Davison, more than a poor amalgam of Tennant and Smith. She is youthful, energetic, and (charmingly!) a bit of a doofus. She is the Girl Guide to Davison's Boy Scout, Nancy Drew to his Hardy Boys (combined). I am a bit surprised she doesn't try to wear celery in her hair! Smith was able to have youthful energy but also convey that it was a charade covering a very old, very wise Time Lord of much experience. Davison always seemed like, well, Tristan Farnon ("All Creatures Great and Small") with a TARDIS. It took a long time in Series 11 for me to see through the youth of Whitaker's Doctor to the alien and old wisdom of the renegade Time Lord. Too long, perhaps. I do think there is new "stuff" to this Doctor that is worth noting. These also feel like deliberate developments in the character across regenerations. So, for example, she is more emotionally intelligent and interpersonally aware than previous incarnations (although still prone to the Doctor's blathering awkwardness -- but also AWARE of it). She is also more of a collaborative team leader than previous Doctors. These companions are agential contributors to whatever the plan is to a greater degree, and they are less obviously there just to prevent the Doctor from going too dark if left alone. Now yes, maybe those points needed to be finessed and represented better, perhaps more boldly. Sure. Are there too many companions? Maybe. Classic Who began with three companions. But classic Who was also serialized stories and the old man Doctor was less..."active" in the action of the stories. I feel like the new show-runners were willing to experiment with these familiar (well...) dynamics, but not really willing to explore how they would work in the current series' basic structure. There are hints and suggestions that they get that the basic strategy of this multiple companion game is creating interesting and shifting pairings in parallel and intersecting narratives. But it is a big shift that audiences are going to need help following; an even harder demand when it feels like the writers are also in the process of figuring all this out. But let's be clear: we needed some fresh air breathed into the Doctor/companion dynamic. I loved Bill: I hated that she repeatedly had to remind the Doctor that she wasn't in to him. With female Doctor, I was really afraid they were going to just reverse the genders on an unrequited love/attraction narrative again. So maybe I am more tolerant with the current companion/gang/fam situation because at least it isn't THAT. Good channel and great analysis. I found this video being shared by people who acknowledge some disappointments with Series 11 but are tired of the most strident and banal critiques in what feels like a cross-franchise, coordinated attack on politics and feminism. I really appreciate the time you take to mark significant concerns AND distinguish them from the more facile and petulant dismissals. And I really like that you (unlike most of the most vocal and strident comment critics) are able and willing to mark the evidence and backing for your evaluative claims. It marks the difference between an opinion and an informed opinion. Thank you for that!

Really well done. Crystal clear and i completely agree.

She has a weaker screen presence than the Doctor should have, but even that isn't enough to make her a bad actor or a bad Doctor. I get the feeling she's going to be like Peter Davison, Colin Baker, and Sylvester McCoy, who weren't bad actors or bad Doctors, but victims of bad writing. Big Finish gave them a chance to show off how much better their Doctors are than JNT wrote them as, and I hope she gets the same chance once she leaves the show.

Going through all the past companions, I realise that although the audience had to get to know three companions simultaneously once before, this is actually the first time that the docs say him/herself has been getting to know three at once, because the last time that happened was in An Unearthly Child and Susan was already travelling with him at that point.

I rewatched this series this week, I liked it a lot more than my first viewings. Demons of the Punjab and Kerblam! are great in my opinion.

I agree with you about It Takes You Away, I thought it was the only episode that felt like a Dr Who story. Thank goodness that you can buy individual episodes of the series on amazon as this is the first series of new Who where I will not be buying the box set.

I think they should eventually have a no companion series, or maybe for a few episodes. Like if the doctor regenerated with no companions, it would be a great opportunity to have a unique start with the doctor. He could be darker with no companion instantly, it would be very unique.

The series was called "3 Earthlings and a Space Lady". We have to love and relate to the Doctor first and foremost. We never had a chance to do that. Dump the companions and set the Doctor free upon the universe

8:54 Gosh, BRILLIANTLY EXPLAINED!!! Like I clapped out loud, when I heard your point about this!

I strongly disagree with "not enough time to introduce characters". They had the time, they just didn't use it at all. Most episodes simply weren't written in a way where any character did anything or got character development. So we got maaaaaaany moments where you just watch characters stand there doing nothing, hoping something happens, and nothing ever did. You've had bunch of shows introduce dozens of characters in less time.

I really still haven't got my head round "It Takes You Away" and don't know how I feel about it. It did some really nice character stuff and explored grief in an interesting way, but my mind still melts slightly when remembering the weird CGI frog that speaks with Grace's voice on a chair and that the Doctor just randomly remembers who the Solitract is from a story she was told ages ago but has never mentioned before. Like my rating for the episode would actually be ?/10. All these months later I still can't decide how I feel about it.

Yaz wants to test/push herself, which is why she's so frustrated with her assignments at work. Her experience with the Doctor was the first time she really received that and, knowing work isn't going to change anytime soon, she wants more of it and so she travels with the Doctor. Sadly, after that she is rather put in a corner to twiddle her thumbs a bit and we definitely know Ryan and Gram better than we do the Dotor which is not good considering the companions will leave the show first, if current patterns hold.

Interesting and very valid points, I don't agree completely with everything but you do have a solid reasoning and most of my disagreements are a matter of personal taste and preference. Just one thing: you mentioned a few times that you like "It takes you away", and I just don't get the episode. I would like to like it, but to me it just doesn't make sense...? Could you please speak about why you like it, maybe I would understand it better then. To me it mostly sounded like once again bringing up that Graham missed Grace, and yes, of course, mourning is not lineal, but... well, bad writing was a thing through the series, maybe I am focusing too much on that. Still. I don't know. Someone who liked the episode, please explain. I still don't get it.

Great video!

A damn good summing up. I find it hard to disagree with any of this.

Still think, series 7 was amazing! Just rewatched it with JustsoShayla and Blind Wave and even episodes like The Bells of Saint John, which I felt like "meh" about before, I now actually LOVE. It's so amazing, the production value is outstanding and that moment at the end with Miss Kizlet was so dark, New Who just rarely goes that dark. And I'm sure, I don't have to explain how amazing Night, Day and Time of the Doctor have been or do I? With series 2, pretty much every episode was like "meh" to me. Except for the Satan two parter maybe and some parts of the finale.....

I mean I loved Capaldi from day one, so I'm not really understanding the not immediately likeable doctor.

I agree with all your points.There were too companians (friends).The stories were not lasting. I want these changes to happen. Also, for me, the music had no impact.

Series 11 is definitely uneven, but I see it as testing the waters. With everything being new from the ground up, it's hard to juggle everything (new Doctor, her being a woman, three companions, diverse writing staff, wanting to make a mark but also not drop the ball) and still view the details objectively. They didn't bite off more than they could chew, because what they managed was at times truly great, but they were probably overwhelmed a few times. Creating is all about compromise, and no doubt there was a lot of compromise and shrugging of shoulders and calls of "let's just go with that for now and see how we go." I forgive them their flaws for that reason. However, I do agree with most of your complaints. Most of the broad things you consider problems are definitely things that _need_ to be adjusted for next time. But they have time, they have feedback to work from now, and they are now comfortable with their cast and the new regime. I think they'll find their feet soon.

As a blanket assessment of series 11, the consensus of myself, and my immediate group of friends was that Mr Chibnall somehow got ahold of the gravity control for the series, and maxed it out, making what was once a fun, lighthearted romp through the universe feel heavy, and sluggish. Even 'Kerblam!', which had the potential to be the most 'fun' episode of series 11, was still weighed down by an air of unnecessary seriousness. Let's hope that series 12 can lighten up, at least a little bit. On a more positive, if more personal note, unlike previous incarnations of the Doctor (which would take a couple of episodes to gain acceptance), I found myself 'on board' with Ms Whittaker's portrayal of the character from the start, and I hope she remains in the part for several series to come. A bit of bonus trivia; The idea of having the Doctor regenerate as a female was first considered toward the end of the Tom Baker era. Sadly it was met with the same sort of "But the show's not called 'Nurse Who', har har har" sort of resistance then, as well. I guess some things never change...

Very good video. The only thing I disagree with is that while series 8 may have not been one of the better seasons, it by no means belongs in the same category of series 2 and 7

Great video - I think my biggest issue was the lacking of good villains - made the threat of the episodes a bit... meh - I also think they really need to work on giving everyone something to do when there’s 4 main characters plus a billion others - lastly: the dialogue is very stilted and wooden in many places (Demons of the Punjab being the worst offender despite liking that episode) and I think they definitely need to work on the whole show not tell think Also.. LESS SONIC SCREWDRIVER / don’t turn it into the plot saver I’d give the series a 6/10 - not awful but certainly lacklustre - once again great video - I think the New Years special was my favourite alongside Kerblam

I’m honestly surprised at the amount of negative reaction to series 11. I just finished watching it starting five days ago and maybe watching 2 episodes a night played out better than watching one per week. I really liked Chipnall’s episodes. Woman Who Fell, Ghost Monument, Battle of *** Kollos, and yes even The Churanga Conundrum were great. I agree there were too many companions and none of them connected enough with the Doctor, even though Graeham was close. But that didn’t ruin the experience. I loved Graeham and Ryan’s relationship. I thought the stories were mostly good and kept my interest. But the characterization were the highlight of the season. The moments between characters: Ryan telling Yaz about his mother’s death, Ryan considering being a father with the birth on Conundrum, the Doctor convincing Graeham to be the better man, the Doctor getting through to King James. Unfortunately the Doctor wasn’t the focus on enough of these moments but they were great moments non the less. I fell in love with the Doctor when she told management of Kerblam she would hold them accountable if any more employees went missing. That was a powerful moment. And the show did a great job of letting me feel that she wasn’t quite up to the task only to have her triumph by the end of each conflict. I thought that was a great turn for the show as with all other Doctors it mostly felt inevitable that they would prevail. I didn’t get that feeling this series. And I loved it. I think it comes from how the characters around her would underestimate her (not the companions)due to the fact that she was a woman. They don’t see the strength that she truly has. This element of the series was executed very well. So I know the series wasn’t perfect, Arachnids (yuck), but it was good. I think it is one of the most rewatchable series. It has a comfort similar to Star Trek TNG. You just feel good spending time with these people. And we don’t get that enough in TV these days. It all has to be so shocking and subverting our expectations, we can lose out on good people doing good things. So I look forward to the next series with a hopefulness I don’t think is shared by enough of the Doctors audience. I just hope this pessimism is come by honestly and not skewed by all the politically charged backlash.

excellent points

I think you hit it right on the head. Regardless of the casting choices, the majority of the episodes just weren't all that Fun/Interesting. To me the true test of a season (series) is if I want to rewatch it, both in the current time or in the future. There is very little here that I would really care to revisit and actively have fun revisiting.

This had better be worth it, I was in the middle of watching Utopia!

Agree 100% on all points. Would only add that too often the show neutered the threat posed by the villain-the spider's dying, the gremlin's cute, the assassin's arent' assassin's anymore, the villain can't kill anyone directly because (contrived excuse), etc. Not that previous series didn't do it, too, cuz they absolutely did with the Doctor grandstanding in front of his greatest threats.

Rosa was ambitious. Really tough episode, but a lot of beauty. The first episode was great, a great introduction. Simple stories doesn't mean bad or mediocre. Most of the episodes are 50 minutes long, so the viewer watched a lot of doctor who. I don't believe it was bad writing. The season need this after the complicated stuff of the moffat years. ( I like a lot of the other doctors series as well). I don't think it is tame. I like the way the reactions of the doctor and companions to the situations.

I think that the doctor hasn't even lied once in series 11... And I think that it is one of the thing that gives some deepness to the character of the doctor, lying to protect the companions

I would have liked to have seen the stories played out over a few episodes (a bit old school) as they seemed to be very rushed. There were some interesting ideas and potential background and world-building. It would have been nice to see a build up of mystery and time to get to know and evolve the characters (even the minor ones). Just my thoughts :)

I think yaz should definitely been added later. She could have been on earth still investigating all these weird alien occurrences only showing up briefly in the earth centered episodes until she finally joins later on since she figures she can do more good with the doctor (can tell the police force doesn't really respect her too much). Would have been a more natural introduction to so many companions and doesn't give us as many characters to have to get to know all at once. Not having an arc I also feel is a detriment. As you said, it puts so much pressure on the episodes to be so much better

Chibnall’s choices weren’t inherently bad - I didn’t think any were particularly good or inspired but on a base level none were terrible - but the execution has been frankly abysmal. More companions, less episodes, no returning monsters, a more outwardly kinder Doctor - none are aspects I would choose but good writers could pull them off. Series 11 did not. Much of the blame is firmly on Chibnall’s shoulders. He chose the majority of these changes then failed to properly execute them. I said before airing, 13 and Series 11 whether a success or failure rests much more on Chibnall than Whittaker and I stand by that. Both his show running and writing was very poor and I consider “The Tsuranga Conundrum” one of - if not the - worst episodes ever. However I was also unimpressed by Whittaker. Yes Chibnall deserves the lions share of the blame and gave Whittaker limited material to work with but she did very little with what she was given. I also found Cole’s performance lacking - better than he was in Hollyoaks but significantly far away from what I’d describe as good. I don’t know if I will bother with Series 12. I’d disliked series in the past but never on a fundamental level has everything across the board being so poor. Bradley Walsh’s charisma can only get you so far and without seeing significant changes, I’m not going to put myself through another series at this low quality. Oh and the way the sonic screwdriver is pointing in that ridiculously large sweeping motion is annoying.

Agree entirely, decent acting & good directing let down by uninspired even sometimes dare I say simply thoughtless writing (though some writing was quite good) and I’d add a lack of oversight/overall planning as well. (For ex I loved Kerblam except for the weird death and v confusing moral message. What in the world was that about?) It was miserable being embarrassed almost every week, as I’m the biggest fan in my family and made them watch with me :P Thanks for making a great space for constructive criticism, and some really well thought out/smart/decent (as in kindly-put) comments below. It was so frustrating during the series to wade through the haters looking for like-minded fans (all the love, but with issues!) This is not the only real critique out there, but it’s close. It’s a massive relief that it’s not just me, thx!

I loved some of the episodes but it was to few episodes to get to know the Doctor. There were so many new things to get to get to know, so we needed more episodes.

While I sometimes disagree, like Roger Ebert, you always bring up interesting points. Unlike many other channels Doctor Who videos, this leaves me with a lot to think about. #BangOn

I personally really liked Series 11 and a majority of the episodes. That being said I agree with a lot of these points are there are certainly things to be built on and improved. But I do think that although Tardis being crowded is a problem, it's worked a lot better than I originally thought it would and hasn't affected the show nearly as much as its often made out to. Personally I think we have some of the best companions in the show's history

I think the episode reduction is the BBC controlling costs but simultaneously trying to stand up to Netflix. I agree 100% the writing specifically chibnall is the issue. I'm hoping this was an slow establishing series, hopefully the next one will ratchet up everything. What I saw in resolution did show he can do it. I'm hoping he will do. I like your reasoned analysis. Good channel. Keep up the good positive work.

I’m coming in late but the very first season managed 3 new companions and a new doctor and i felt like I got them within a couple of stories much less two seasons.