“Doctor Who” blasted back into being with its recent season premiere — new Doctor onboard. The ditzy family sci-fi show, which just celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, debuted Aug. 23 and promised many changes to tradition.
The New Doctor
The Doctor’s regeneration from baby-faced Matt Smith, 31, to the older, more experienced Peter Capaldi, 56, worried many when first announced. How do we feel about this Doctor? How does this man move, talk, walk and dress? Who is he?
So far, Capaldi’s Doctor seems to be brasher, darker and more mature. He’s Scottish now – a tribute to the last companion, Amy Pond – and struggling to identify who he is. Capaldi also has zero chemistry with his companion, Clara, which should demonstrate some interesting shifts from the will-they-or-won’t-they of last season.
The New Companions
Season eight started out with rumors of companion Clara Oswald’s (Jenna Coleman) departure from the show, but these have not been confirmed. Coleman has said she prefers to “watch and see” as the season unfolds.
This season also brings another companion, one of Clara’s fellow teachers and a former soldier, Danny Pink (Samuel Anderson). There’s not much word yet on what kind of role he will play, but fan reactions to him were generally positive.
The New Show
As always, “Doctor Who” promises a bit of old and a bit of new. It’s still a wacky time-travel show. It’s got a fancy new credit sequence and a new Doctor. Some fans worry because of the way things are departing from, and many times completely altering, “Doctor Who” history, but others are excited for the future. Only time will tell if this new path is a smooth one.
