A bit of a mixed bag this week, but the over all feedback seems to be (a) the publicity had over-promised what we'd get to see/learn and (b) the story was too thin.

The Telegraph: The only redeeming feature was the spiky development of the Doctor/Clara relationship, particularly their confrontation in the engine room and the Doctor’s confusion (along with most viewers one suspects) regarding Clara’s link with the other Jenna-Louise Coleman characters this series. But this was nowhere near enough to save this deadly dull episode.

The Independent: Sadly this adventure just felt like an excuse to explore the TARDIS but that was about it. While it was an interesting idea the story was thin on the ground. On a more positive note, the show continues to look filmic and stunning and unlike Doctor Who. While the story quality is questionable, the aesthetics do add value to this adventure, in particular the Doctor’s library.

SFX: Journey is a decent enough, small-screen, sci-fi romp with some effective action scenes (the bit with the metal bars smashing through the walls is great) but the episode doesn’t deliver on the promise of its title. You’re expecting something magical – especially given Moffat’s love of a fairytale approach – and instead you get Danny Boyle’s Sunshine on a budget. File under: missed opportunities.

The Daily Mirror: Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS is an episode long-term fans will enjoy more than the casual viewer. The story itself is relatively slight, but the visuals, sense of mystery and shock-horror moments will keep audiences hooked. It's the second episode in a row that's been genuinely creepy (Clearly Steven Moffat read my review last week and adjusted things accordingly), and it's refreshing to see the darker side of Who represented.

It seems like some reviewers have it in their heads what they wanted to see and didn't take the time to consider the episode on its own merits.

As always, I go to the [url=http://www.avclub.com/articles/journey-to-the-centre-of-the-tardis,96573/]AV Club[url] for a thoughtful review of an episode.


Amen.

hmmm, I've read a lot more positive reviews than negative ones for this episode, so I'm not sure that the OP presents a fair and balanced reflection of them here at all.

I'll add the one from The Guardian to add more balance:


http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-rad...-centre-tardis

I like his review because he actually seems to get the joke...

Unfortunately the credibility of this drama critic is undermined because he doesn't know what deus ex machina is. Which, for a Daily Telegraph drama critic is pretty poor.

Sorry, Muttley, missed that one. Wasn't left out on purpose, I promise,

This is the problem with standalone 45 minute episodes - it's not always the case, but often there simply isn't enough time to develop the plot and resolve it satisfyingly.

I would like to see one of two things happen (and I doubt they will happen, it would simply be my preference): -

1). Stick with standalone episodes, but have each episode 60 minutes rather than 45 minutes. Life On Mars and Ashes To Ashes did that - a series compromised of eight 60 minute episodes.

2). Stick with 45 minute episodes, but make each story a two-parter - so a series would comprise of fourteen 45 minute episodes / 7 stories.

On a seperate note, Moffat does have a habit of making dramatic claims and promising game-changing things, raising people's expectations, but failing to fully deliver on screen. I guess it's his role as show-runner to publisise the show, but it can be frustrating at times.

I preferred this episode more than Hide and Cold War.

It is as developed as it needs to be. The risk of a longer episode and a more involved plot is that you can get too tangled up in events. Some say a plot is thin, I'd say it's lean.

Worked fine for Star Trek, X-Files, et al.

I thought this was a good episode (certainly better than the one with the singing). The three salvage men could have been better but Matt Smith was great.

I think they make a fair point about the plot being a bit thin. But I still thought it was good. The brother played a double deception - persuading the thick one to go along with the Android prank for a laugh, when in reality he was using it as a chance to grab power from his more intelligent brother. I think they could have just spent a little longer on that. Perhaps the thick brother should have been present for that scene.

But the reset button plot was a little thin too. But very well done.

So two slightly thin plots. Fair comment. I still loved it though. And the directing, monsters, special effects and fun made it a treat.

This is what I meant to say. But I windbagged again.

Also missing from the review list is the saturday edition of The Times. Which praised it highly. They said the directing was "heroic", the special effects "epic" and nice things about the story and script. It was their main Pick of the Day.

IGN also liked it and gave it 8.5/10


And Den of the Geek were very favourable also:


http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-w...-tardis-review

Don't get me wrong, it's not my favourite episode this series by a long shot, but I do think the sample presented in the OP isn't representative, though I appreciate from Mulett's later comment it wasn't the intention.

I'd like to and respond to some of the newspapers

Telegraph- they don't think characters on TV should be confused. Guess TV shows should never have any mystery now and we should all know every thing even stuff every character doesn't know yet.

Independent-the story is thin on the ground according to them. I thought it was fine, along with many who voted in the Poll here, where a large majority voted good or excellent. don't have to be crammed full to be good either . At least they aren't just ripping it to shreds there with no reason I suppose. Fairly done by their own opinion.

Sfx- they basically admit they expected to see something and when they didn't see exactly that they were disappointed.what happened to just watching to see what happens.

Mirror-seem to have given a fair review of what they thought. night not agree with their thoughts but what they've written seems fair honest.


Like the quote in the second post i too think the show is on a hot streak since 7b started.

I am absolutely loving series 7b so far. Which is why I have posted so much positive stuff about it. I like this thread with a round up of reviews from newspapers. Because television critics DO have a legitimacy that fansites and forums lack. The critics went through some sort of selection process for their job (could argue about the processes themselves, but the point stands), and they normally have to cover more than just Doctor Who, scifi and fantasy.

So - thanks OP. It is a mixed bag. The Telegraph did slate it. Others have either slated it, given a middling to positive review or (e.g. the times) raved about it.

But I still say that the bloke from the Telegraph needs to explain his understanding of Deus Ex Machina - it's the Telegraph for heaven's sake! Classically educated Colonels in Tunbridge Wells are probably putting green ink to paper as we speak!

Oi! Nebo! Wot maykes u fink ownly classikly ejucated Colonels in Tonnebridge Well's unnastand Des, err Due, err Does X Matchina proply?

Well, I suppose there is a slim possibility of oiks from the lower classes having some sort of idea about these matters. But it's the public school educated elite who shoulder the burden of actually writing letters to the editor of the Telegraph on such matters. And certainly the only type of person the editor of the Telegraph should feel the need to listen to. After all, would you like to waste your time answering a letter from someone whose family is unknown among proper society?

Whatever next, every Tom, Dick or Harry having access to the internet?