Leigh Talks: What do I think of S7

Series 7 was broadcast between 2012 and 2013 and was the last series for Matt Smith’s Eleventh Doctor. This series saw Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvil leeave the show and replaced an episode after by Jenna Coleman who appeared in Asylum of the Daleks. Smith’s replacement was revealed by be Peter Capaldi who like Jenna, had appeared on Doctor Who before in S4 and on the spin off show Torchwood. Peter made a surprise appearance in Day of the Doctor where John Hurt made a guest role appearance and were joined by David Tennant (Tenth Doctor) and Billie Piper (Rose Tyler but played The Moment) in the 50th Anniversary. Matt left in Time of the Doctor and Peter made his first ever proper appearance at the end.

Matt did a great job but had a few issues which he didn’t have in S5 or S6 as he had his only companion departure in S7. I appreciate what they tried to do but it just went too long but it does create a story to bring in Clara. My other issue his treatment towards Clara when she is not there and then goes too far in Journey To The Centre Of The TARDIS when he threatens Clara which makes me thing, “TOO FAR! BACK DOWN GOOD SIR!” Luckily, he is able to back down but it was a good try but it just felt a bit too far for me but if we take it out, his relationship with Clara is amazing as he cares about her a episode later. Him and the Ponds is quite a amazing as they care about each other but when they get separated, I enjoyed it at first but am not sure if it’s translating as well, same way with 10 and Rose’s last series but Amy gives him  advice in the afterword but unfortunately he takes it away when retires.

Karen and Arthur did ok but I think they could have been a lot better and Jenna overshadows them for me later in the series and I think they could have had better roles because S6, they were much better but Chris Chibnall wrote them best and did much better. The divorce thing just didn’t do anything for me but they took s risk but it didn’t work, one episode is not enough but it was a emotional performance.

Jenna gives a strong and faultless performance and plays Clara well, I love her heart and her motivation to help others which is probably a asset to S11 even if the episode doesn’t light my fire, always rely on Jenna to save them.

Richard E Grant played Dr Simeon, later the Great Intelligence. The Great Intelligence was 2 time villain in Patrick Troughton’s era and I do prefer that era of Intelligence than modern day but Richard does well with what he has got and his best performance is in The Snowmen.

Mark Gatiss who  is a regular writer brought back The Ice Warriors, last seen in The Minster Of Peladon. This story was in the second part called The Cold War and Gatiss would later bring them back in Peter’s final series in The Empress Of Mars. Gatiss wrote a great story for the Ice Warriors but not sure of them being out of the suit but it does make a greater threat.

The story arc is The Impossible Girl which I quite like which is centred around the mystery of Clara Oswald which began in Asylum Of The Daleks. Jenna makes it work and I may not be a fan of Name of the Doctor, it works in her favour.

The episodes are good but some of my favourites airings of Akhaten and Hide and underrated and are good stories. The opener and the finale just didn’t light my fire and that is a bit of a problem as you need a good start and finish and I don’t get that. Town Called Mercy has some good Doctor bits but Amy being a brief damsel and not having much to do was a big issue and it could have been a lot better. Name of the Doctor didn’t get River’s story right and luckily The Husbands Of River Song is able to fix that. Another error was made Angie and Artie into annoying children and the crimson horror ending ruined a fantastic episode cause of those kids and that is disappointing.

My highlight has to be the Doctor trilogy as it works well and even though each episode improves, Matt and Jenna put on a great performance.

Things I would improve:

  1. Amy and Rory had more memorable moments
  2. Made the River Song involvement in the finale better.
  3. Not include Angie and Artie