When Cuarón helmed the third movie, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, fans rejoiced. Most fans rejoiced. I did not. The tone of the entire series darkened, most strikingly, visually. Figurative darkening was a necessity, as the source material was becoming more dangerous and entangled, but visually, the movie felt as if it had been shot through fog and the world seemed dim as a result. The sets showed the darkness, too. Everything began to look dilapidated and uninviting, even Hogwarts, which had seemed magical and bright in the previous films. This hazy, dark look continued throughout the films and was the primary reason I stopped watching them.

Steven Moffat, similarly genius in his storytelling, appears to be doing the same to Doctor Who. His Series 3 episode “Blink” is universally considered one of the best episodes of the modern era. As a standalone ep, I agree, it’s striking in its difference. As the tone of a series, it’s depressing and dull. I allowed the thought that Series 5 was a bit less colorful because of the transition to our Eleventh Doctor. I, like all of fandom, was feeling him out along with the new sassy companion. I was pleased. As this season began, we were hit with too many cliches and teases in the first two episodes. Following the convoluted story of the opener, we were treated with two dark, dank episodes that did little to harken back to the glory days of FUN Doctor Who, and I fear we will not return.

My fear is that I am alone in my distaste for the new style. I was completely isolated in the HP fandom as someone who preferred that a children’s story (and regardless of what is said, Harry Potter is a children’s story) remain a bit fantastic and bright. The response to last night’s cheerless episode “The Doctor’s Wife” written by Neil Gaiman has been exceedingly positive. Having several scenes of suffering and misery seems to appease fandom, and on that count we differ. I accept and appreciate darkness in the right fandom (BSG, GoT) but this is still, at heart, a show for younger fans with a fifty year tradition that should be respected.

Mood: Pessimistic

What’s wrong? I don’t know. There are a few things I’ve already identified, such as Dead!NotDead Doctor, the River Song mystery which has gone on far too long, baby mama drama, lack of fun, etc. However, I think the biggest problem I have right now is that I can’t even name the baddies (is it Silence or Silents?!?) and I can’t understand a damn thing they say. How can I be sucked into the drama if I CAN’T UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY’RE SAYING?!? Give me back my Doctor Who, please!

Mood: Annoyed

Fortunately, there was no world domination plot, no ridiculous villain to fight, no messianic Doctor, and it WORKED. At its core, this was a story of love, loss, and redemption….all the things that a Christmas special need. I don’t know where they found young Kazran, but that boy absolutely killed it. Actually, everyone was fantastic. I loved seeing Rory and Amy honeymooning, and the juxtaposition of their ultra modern ship crashing into the Old World-esque planet was a great way to tie them in.

The Eleventh Doctor has the benefit of a tremendous production team, and though I love Nine’s entire being, I would have to say that Eleven has become my second favorite Doctor, well on his way to becoming my favorite.

Halfway out of the dark has never been so grand.

Mood: Touched

My head is still spinning from all the greatness of S5. Matt Smith, I get teary eyed just thinking about how great your Doctor is. I’m just as thrilled to find that many of my friends, who are diehard fans of The Tenth Doctor, have come to love Eleven as well. There is a magic in the eyes that just sucks us in. This, combined with an utterly delightful companion or two has made this a great time to be a fan. This series was also significant to me because of the excellent writing. I’m on record as defending RTD, and I will continue to do so, but this series we got to see a poignancy that most sci-fi shows are too timid to allow. The Doctor’s concern for his companions, other races, and other worlds is a given, but seeing The Doctor’s interactions with young Pond was both inspiring and heartbreaking.

I always try to keep my posts (mostly) spoiler-free, so there’s not much more I can say. This is probably just an excuse though, because I’m still so ridiculously giddy that I can’t really find words anyway. I can’t wait for the next special, and thank you, Doctor Who, for making this the year of redemption.

Mood: Giddy

You can always attempt to call them out, right? I very much cheered for The Doctor as he made his last stand speech. His Jesus-pose > Ten’s. I’m just saying… I didn’t cringe once during the speech, which is rare for me. I normally roll my eyes at grandstanding, or maybe I’m just flashing back to the buffoonery of the last few years. Then again, I’m also one of those people who has weird nervous habits, for instance, in high pressure situations, I yawn. Constantly. It’s a wonder I’ve ever landed a job.

Without overspoiling anyone, I think it’s safe to say that I don’t think we’ve seen the end of our three-ish companions just yet. River Song, love her or hate her, is important. Furthermore, I think she’s important in way more than a deus ex machina way. I’m smiling punningly at myself right now, because I am in full support of THIS THEORY. As a matter of fact, if this doesn’t turn out to be mostly true, I’m going to be a little disappointed.

Since, like most series enders, we have no preview for next week, I’m going to just re-watch “The Pandorica Opens” a few more times and prepare for the worst, but hope for the best.

Mood: Hyper

Now before I start talking about the next episode, let me just say, “WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE END OF THE SERIES IS UPON US?!?!?” I can’t believe there are only two episodes left. I won’t even discuss the “specials (which weren’t)”, but for the last few years, I’ve been sitting here tapping my finger on the desk thinking, “Just wrap this up so I can go on with my life” as time went by. By the time the last two episodes of S2, 3, and 4 arrived, I was ready to get it over with. I do NOT feel that way this time. I feel like we’ve been given just a taste of this new experience, and I want more. A lot more. *sigh*

On to the preview: The Pandorica. Still don’t know what it is, why it’s important, or what it holds. Old faces are back, which I personally look forward to seeing. I’m not claustrophobic, but there’s something non-threatening in all the empty space in the cave. I’m certain that it’s all very, very threatening, which will no doubt make me feel foolish for thinking there’s enough space to maneuver out of harm’s way. Heh.

My one big hope is that the next two episodes are not striving to be the epicness of all epicocity (i.e. Journey’s End). There appear to be many elements coming together, and with a title like “Big Bang” we’re sure to have some big things happening, but as long as it stays confined to our Doctor and his companions, I’m ok with that.

Mood: Okay

Moving back: I may be the only viewer who thought the crack was sealed for the rest of this series. I don’t know why I thought it was, and I was actually a bit surprised to see it again. The shock of the events at the end of “Cold Blood” was nearly overridden by the opening of the crack, but I’m not disappointed that it’s still relevant. The Doctor, always so brave, reaching into the crack to pull out “shrapnel” was frightening enough, but when the collected fragment was revealed, I let out an audible gasp and my heart raced. This isn’t good. No, it’s not good at all. Seems to me that The Doctor and Amy are due for some serious treachery in the remaining episodes. Whoa. I’ll definitely be watching on the edge of my seat!

Mood: Touched

This episode did two much needed things in a very simple way. It used “dreams” to allow us to wrap up the issue of Amy’s choice and to remind us that our Doctor is carrying his demons heavily. I’m enjoying the season possibly even more than Nine’s because I honestly do not know what to expect from The Doctor, and that is a very good feeling.

Mood: Contemplative

I’m completely over the teeth thing. Why have we had two sets of baddies already with teeth that are so long that no matter how pointed they are, the owners wouldn’t be able to open up wide enough to actually bite?!? I can’t get scared of bad guys if I’m laughing at them. I just can’t do it. Also? “Our planet was lost…wah wah wah” We did this. Last year. Maybe it was the delivery of the line, and maybe it was because we did just do this, but I’m not as sucked in to the story’s potential as I’d like to be at this point. Pun, y’all. PUN. Sucked in? VAMPIRES?!? OK, not really, but still…

Next week: My word, that Doctor has amazing profile close-ups!!

Mood: Indifferent

While I very much enjoyed the episode, I can’t be sure if my divided attention prevented me from following some of the “science” as I watched, or if I just needed a re-watch to get a lot of the nuances. Either way, after a quick re-watch, I’m pretty sure I’ve caught what I needed to catch.

I’m not going to address the last scene yet. The whole thing is a giant, NO NO NO, wait, they wouldn’t do that to us again, OR WOULD THEY, no, definitely not, there has to be something timey-wimey or odd happening, right? RIGHT?!?!?!?

Mood: Confused

That’s the big difference with the new series; it’s smarter. Certainly not to disparage RTD’s helm, which was still largely better than anything else on television, but the nuances now are just a bit more mature and cerebral. Perhaps the least cerebral clue, as I mentioned before, is “The Crack” and though I did not spot the crack in the episode, it’s FINALLY being seen by The Doctor in the preview for next week’s episode. Next week’s episode, by the way, looks to be full of excitement, and motion, and intrigue.

In what I consider to be the mark of greatness for a show, a Twitter friend of mine is just getting into Doctor Who, and I’m proud to have him jump on board with Eleven and Amy. Welcome to the greatest show on Earth. Or Gallifrey. Or Raxacoricofallapatorius. Or, well, you get the picture. With The Doctor and the TARDIS, anything is possible!

Mood: Ditzy

I feel a bit guilty about “finding” the crack this episode since it STARES US IN THE FACE. Heh. No “Spot the Observer” Fringe level of difficulty here, guys. The clue is right here, in plain, unobstructed view for all to see. I guess I’m not going to complain because with a thread this blatant, the pay off is going to have to deliver the goods. Got that Doctor Who team?? We are expecting greatness (and I have no doubt we’ll get it, too!).

Mood: Impressed

What is scary, however, is the crack. The crack in Amy’s wall is now on the platform of the UK. We saw Prisoner Zero slip through the crack with terrible consequences, and now that we’ve seen the crack again, we have to fear what it is and what’s behind it. Is it related to The Silence? Is the color of the crack significant in light of (PUN!) last week’s observation about the blue lens flare/mystery light with The Doctor and Amy?

However, this is the biggest question on my mind: Is The Doctor following the crack, or is the crack following The Doctor?

Mood: Worried

I’m already re-watching because I let a lot of information slip past me the first time. I also want to compile a list of “clues” to watch for as the series progresses because I think there will be quite the payoff with this writing team. For instance, there is a blue lens flare that lingers for a considerable amount of time when there is no known source of light for that scene. Hmmmm. I’m also curious about the possible significance of the “Myth” laptop. Each of those things may be inconsequential, of course, or they could be related to the coming Silence. Who knows?

Who knows, indeed!! *ahem*

Mood: Cheerful

It has taken me all of an hour after seeing the pics of the new Doctor and Companion to decide that I LIKE IT! I’m so ready for a change and I’m strangely nostalgic for the 80s looking at the pics. I think I’ll like Eleven no matter what he actually does just because, you know, he’s not Ten. Whoo!

Mood: Cheerful