These days I don't see that it matters when/how you watch Dr Who.

The OP has the time to see if the 12th gets any buzz, and make a decision from there.

I didn't like 9 at all (even watching it back CE seems not have really got to grips with it) but I've been delighted by 10 and 11.

I'm hoping 12 will be very good.

I do agree about the scheduling, it all seems a bit chaotic.

Back on topic.. is this the thread for shows we are considering stopping watching. I may dump antiques roadshow as I keep expecting telephone number valuations

Yes a show that is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a special feature length episode due to be broadcast in 75 countries worldwide simultaneously, as well as in selected Cinemas, with viewing figures generally around 7 million just for the initial broadcast not counting DVR's downloads iPlayer and foreign markets, that makes BBC Worldwide so much money in merchandising is a dying show. sure ok

We know very little about her family, because aside from the flashbacks in one solitary episode, her family haven't interacted with the audience - we haven't seen them! We knew Donna's mother and grandpa, and we knew Rose's mother and boyfriend - because we saw them in several episodes. They were real people.

Clara's family may have been referenced, they may have been seen in one episode's worth of flashbacks, but we don't know them!

And to be honest, we really don't know Clara either! She is a cardboard cut-out. She's taken Tardis travel in her stride, we've barely seen any of the emotional struggle and incomprehension any normal real person would have experienced when travelling with the doctor.

I wasn't sold on post 'Asylum' and 'The Snowmen' Clars on first viewing. On rewatching her lack of focus and development only becomes more glaring. Half baked potential. Its not Jennas fsult. She proved in two episodes she was more than good enough for the role. Its just the character and material that has been wanting. They really need to give her some purpose sharpish once Twelves era begins or else just get rid.

*looks at thread title*

You know, one of these days someone might consider stopping watching and do just exactly that: stop watching.
Not continue watching just as much repeated Original/Modern who as they normally do but also create an attention seeking thread where the same old complaints are made in a slightly less same-old way.

Here's the big secret about how to maintain a long standing relationship with Doctor Who as a fan: just be patient.

The whole show changes its entire format every 5 years or so.
So if you're not a fan of a particular direction the show is taking, just wait around, try to gleam as much enjoyment as possible out of the shows you are getting, it is "our" Doctor and "our" TARDIS, DALEKS, Cybermen etc after all, and then come back again when there's a regeneration or showrunner change and see if the next iteration of the show is more appealing to you.

Over the course of it's life Who has been a cosmic mystery, a hard sci-fi serial, a standalone romp, a comedy horror, an earthbound invasion of the week episodic drama, laughingly bad, stunningly good and everything else in-between.

Just hang on there, it'll come back around again soon

RTD wasnt hit by one of the biggest cost cutting exercises the BBC has ever seen,they have had no increase in funding for a few years now,and have had to make cuts in budgets all over the board,and its not as if they can make the show with Cardboard and Sticky Backed Plastic is it,its an expensive show to make with a lot of Special Effects and CGI

I watched Atlantis last night - self-evidently an expensive show to make. It looks beautiful and it has a full 13 episode series. Similarly, Merlin ran in the same timeslot for five consecutive series, despite being expensive to film.

This isn't about budget cuts, it's about the ability of Moffat and his team to get scripts ready in time and work within what constraints there are.

Contrary to the thread title, I actually decided to watch MORE Who, or at least more 'classic' Who.

Ordered The Invasion, The Space Museum/The Chase, The War Machines, and The War Games on DVD yesterday.

Also dug out my copies of The Beginning, The Dalek Invasion of Earth and Tomb of the Cybermen as well.

Happy viewing coming up!

Love that story, and Tomb of the Cybermen too.

What utter nonsense OP.

agreed. i started randomly topping up my classic archives by ordering the invasion, dalek invasion and a few others.. my interest in doctor who has if anything increased.. the anticipation of the boundless possibilities brought about by a regeneration are cause for more excitement even though i think matt is utter genius in the role. I'm excited about the past, present AND future of the show. it's a fantastic time to be a dr who fan. and who would have thought that a couple of decades ago???!!!
As for the attention seeking thread title? - Yawn..

Well you clearly thought your three line opinion was worth writing, so why shouldnt the OP?

Personally I may stop watching soon myself. But thats because the more I think about it, I'm more an 11th Doctor fan than a Dr Who fan in general. I like Matt Smith, I like how he portrays the doctor and I like his companions and his interactions with them.

I have rarely liked any other doctors/companions. so I may stick with it when the next doctor starts or I may not.

"I'm considering stopping watching Doctor Who" ?

PMSL

You'll either watch it or you won't, your choice, doesn't bother me either way.

I'd comment on the opinions in the OP if they were referenced in the thread title, but as the title isn't very explanatory and you set out with your defense before making your point, I am going to abstain on principal from giving any feedback on which bits i do/don't agree with

Why not? Hopefully you're not making a stupid agest comment, he's only 55.


Watch his mesmerising performance in Dalek or any episode in fact, if that's a sign of not getting to grips with the role I don't think those of us who appreciate acting would be able to cope if he did get to grips with it. Then, I know that some people prefer overacting of Tennant and occasionally Smith. I cannot abide it myself.

I'll stick with it.

I get some of the OP's gripes but I take comfort that at least they still have decent actors in the role and can come up with the odd staggering one off like The Doctors Wife which makes some of the dross in between worth ploughing through.

Moffatt arcs have ended up being nonsensical at times and even worse, gloating cheats on the audience. His flamboyant exciting forebodings such as The Fall of The Eleventh have turned out to be damp squibs.

Too many assistants have fallen into the "special one/maguffin" model.

But, as I say, every now and then....

Yeah as opposed to infusing new creativity and a decent sized budget to it.

I don't understand why people feel the need to broadcast their intent to stop viewing. If you're going to stop then do so. If lots of people stop BBC....... won't care less as they get the money out you anyway.

Indeed! The amount of physicality he displayed in the Thick of It alone is more than enough proof that he's fit for the job.

Stick with it; Moffat will have to retire someday and then we can have a good show again.

Fixed that for you.

Michael Grade didn't actually kill it - Jonathan Powell did that - but by taking it off the air for 18 months and then firing the lead actor while allowing the same useless producer to stay in charge he did some pretty terminal damage. If he'd flat-out cancelled Doctor Who in 1985 I might have had more respect for him, but instead he was weaselly and disingenuous.

And I am thinking of starting to watch again. Now celebrate, because I'm back in the fold!