FIRST CONTACT
Talking Doctor Who – and why you’re thrilled by Bill.
Dicky Crisps, Facebook I thought we’d have to wait for the new showrunner to give it that “fresh start”, jumping-on-point feel, but it felt like exactly that.
Paul Anthony, Facebook I was ready to knock it on the head after all the overlong story arcs and subtle nods to shows that aired 40 years ago (and last season’s shenanigans in general).
Michelle Rulton, Facebook So pleased that it’s returning to form after the last series.
Rachael Simpson, email I still feel there’s something fundamental that’s not currently being written into the episodes. There is not enough at stake. The Doctor has become the protector of the individual – the companion – and not the protector of the universe. His encyclopaedic knowledge is faltering, and his other occupations are deciding what he does, and limiting where he goes.
James E Parsons, Twitter “The Pilot” was packed with a playfulness and energy missing for a good while. Bill seemed like a great new companion minutes into the show.
SFX I think Bill is the first Steven Moffat companion I’ve really taken a shine to! See p125 for more on her brilliance.
Kerry Doherty, Facebook Wasn’t sure I was going to like Bill, as she seemed a bit OTT in the trailers, but I have quite taken to her.
Tina Price-Johnson, Twitter Bill is a breath of fresh air: quirky, feisty, asking all the slightly wrong questions... She had me at “Dr What?”
Carolyn Percy, Twitter Clara was a great character, but we needed something different.
Sarah Wheatstone I love that Bill asks the questions we are all thinking about... and some we haven’t thought of yet!
Edgar Torné, Facebook I love the Doctor and Bill’s moments together. The scene with Bill asking the Doctor why the chairs are so far from the TARDIS controls was priceless!
Andy Scarlett, Facebook I thought the reference back to Bill Hartnell was great (his wife was called Heather). SFX I found this particular tribute to William Hartnell very amusing as he was, by all accounts, not terribly open-minded or liberal. If he’s up there watching on, he probably spluttered in disbelief…
Bill seemed like a great new companion minutes into it
Brian Lee Whitworth, Facebook Bill is a combination of all the companions: Rose, Martha, Donna, Amy and Clara… but mainly the first three!
Trevor James, Facebook The second thing we find out about the new companion is that she’s gay. A character’s sexual orientation – straight, bi or gay – simply isn’t needed in what is after all supposed to be family entertainment. SFX: Er, we found out that Rose likes fellas minutes into her first episode, when we met her boyfriend. What’s the difference, exactly?
Alan Wilkinson, Twitter Sentient space oil? Sure. That can travel through time by itself? What?! That’s a tad “because the action needed it to”. And what was that voice coming from the puddle? Who was that? And why does this vocal presence give up?!
Jim Albins, Twitter The first episode was a rehash of “The Snowmen”, with the same “The Doctor’s given up travelling” – and I’m sick of all those bloody Sherlock edits and flashbacks!
Darren Brookes-Wright, Facebook I found “Smile” surprisingly dark in content, which is a good thing in my opinion. I’m also intrigued to see where the underlying Vault plot shall lead.
Peter Quill, Facebook All the Doctor and Bill had to do was take the badges off (or not put them on at all) and the robots couldn’t read their feelings – sorted!
Robert Graham, Facebook Matt Lucas continues to improve as Nardole, seemingly turning him into a modern male version of the screaming companions of the ’60s.
Charlotte Howard, Twitter Loved episode one – especially as I watched it with new friends who all recognised the Movellans! SFX The brief glimpse of the Dalek/Movellan War was a highlight for me too – I LOVE those ’70s disco robots! I’m not sure what Nardole brings though, beyond a funny walk. He seems kinda extraneous.