Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

The best Dr. Who has good stories, magnetic personalities such as Capaldi and Coleman, and sometimes a subtle dash of social commentary. This version falls well short of that, which I blame on the new showrunner/head writer Chibnall. There's nothing subtle about his preachy social commentary. Whether Whittaker will make this role her own remains to be seen, but I don't think it will happen under the heavy hand of Chibnall. Maybe in the next series they could put Jenna Coleman in the role, assuming she is done with her queen duties. Who says the Dr. can't look like a former companion? Dr. Who doesn't have to make sense, just make up a reason. I also have an objection to Chibnall's gratuitous violence. In the first episode, a kindly grandpa says goodnight on the phone to his granddaughter, then is immediately killed by the Predator-like villain. The Dr. finds the old man face down in the mud and displays no empathy whatsoever. But the Dr. takes time at the end of the episode to berate an intended victim for kicking the villain off a crane. I'm not sure what the message is there. Old white grandpas are disposable, but don't hurt murderers when you apprehend them? Politely but firmly invite them to leave. Other examples of gratuitous violence against innocent people: Episode 5, nice guy Atsos is trapped in an escape pod and blown to bits. Episode 7, nice guy Cooper shows Yaz the lovely chain his daughter made, then gets dragged away to his death. Episode 7 again, sweet Kira brings a smile to everyone she meets, then gets locked in a room and exploded. That's not to say Dr. Who didn't have a body count in previous seasons, but with the way Chibnall sets up these lovely characters then murders them, I'm starting to think he is a nasty psychopath. Maybe he thinks desensitized millennials won't watch unless the show emulates a violent video game, and maybe I'm old fashioned for thinking it is disturbing. I've tried to watch the first seven episodes and am about to give up. Amy and Rory, where are you? Perhaps having only nine episodes in this season is a kindness.