It wasn't really an expectation because we'd all known for a couple of years that production had been scaled back and season 7 was being stretched across 2012/2013.

It's more of a preference, that I would have preferred production to have stayed on track and to have had season 8 delivered on schedule for 2013. This would have given far more room to celebrate 50 years of the show than a single episode.

But, as said, I did enjoy the 50th episode itself and I agree it did well around the world. And it was great seeing David back in the role (and Tom for that matter!).

Fair enough.

It would have been nice to have an Easter Special. It would have kept the show in the public eye without over exposing it and tide us all over till the Autumn. At least it would have helped with the "January" feelings.

Thankfully, it seems as if the production side of the show is now on a firmer, settled footing. If the BBC have committed to full seasons at the right time of year without mid season breaks, they must now recognise it's value.

Think there might be a break between Moffat leaving and the new show runner starting. Maybe not long just one year or something. Would like a special next easter for the 10th anniversary of Dr Who returing. However will have to accept they might not do it for various reasons time ,budget ect. If they do a good job with S8 it will carry on. Hope Capaldi will do 3 full seasons and a few specials in his tenure as Doctor.

Hopefully that changing the feel of the show includes creating equal well rounded, resolved in series arcs from now on, rather than the 'build them up to disappoint them or keep them waiting forever' way it has been done in recent years.

That being said though, I feel that in recent comments Moffat has said things to the effect that he is realising this sort of thing, so hopefully Capaldi will get a good arc with a start, middle and end, as he deserves, for his first series and hopefully every series thereafter

I think there are already signs of that - Clara's 'impossible girl' story arc was wrapped up in a single season. And with all of Matt's story arcs wrapped up in his final episode, it is looking like we might start getting something a bit more structured again.

Yes. The partys over. Also in other news the sky is falling.

I really do hope so, because I Know Moffat writes fantastic individual stories, so if he could just sort this out, he would get acclaim all round for the series as a whole.

Technically the 50th Anniversary is still going on, particularly with the very first season's episodes. Happy continuing 50th Doctor!