he was kinda badass at the end. But charmingly excitable.

Yep, the quiet confidence, that brings back planet-destroying aliens to tell them not to do it again, mixed with the ability to have fun, was rather cool. River's Doctor. Nice.

Which reminds me - I so adored the flashes of all the past Doctors through the Atraxi's mind. Nice way to establish continuity.

The Girl has a theory that he was channelling past Doctors during his very changeable time while he's "still cooking". Regardless, I liked the personality shifts as he added to his personality repertoire. The change at the duck pond was particularly impressive. That Smith with his acting and that Moffat with his writing, they make a good team.

Regarding Jeff - a future UNIT leader or something? " I'm fond of the empowering of other people: "You have to be magnificent."

General thoughts: Some fantastic lines. This is a very funny Doctor. "Sun's gone wibbly." "Get a girlfriend, Jeff." "Who da man? Oh. I'm never saying that again." I also like how he's got a whole village on hand to be useful, because they've known him far longer than he's actually been Eleven. And his costume is surprisingly fetching.

Oh, and someone on my twitter feed tipped me off that Amy's eyes change colour somewhere between the ages of seven and nineteen.

I'm completely with you Anne, about the differences in 10 vs. 11 presentation with one refinement: I agree that there is so much less anger in 11's bravado. But, in my mind, that makes him WAY more badass. That simple "Run" made me sit back, whereas, 10 saying that was more unstable and, therefore, less effective.

Very cool. And, I'll say it again, unexpected.

As for the slapstick. I've never been a fan of that sort of comedy, but, it WAS an element of 10's regeneration, so it didn't stand out for me. In fact, I concluded that it was used as a purposeful delineation. The one nod to what 11 might retain of 10 ...aaaand now we're done. From here on out, 11 is his own timelord.

I didn't think I was going to like the wardrobe change. Bowtie? Really? As it turns out, SUPER hot.

Not to go too wibbly, but I really like the way he walks.

eta: Heh. Crosspost with Seska. Thanks for bringing up Jeff and his future potential. As soon as I saw him, I said outloud, "Oh my god. It's AWESOME." Not only does he look like Chuck's bil, but he acts like him too, AND has a similar role.

I'm completely with you Anne, about the differences in 10 vs. 11 presentation with one refinement:

Ooh, yes. I like that refinement. It means that instead of letting emotion run things, Eleven has the potential to be a lot more pragmatic and to think things through more carefully when push comes to shove. In short, less volatile but potentially far more dangerous.

See? That's exactly what I was thinking Anne. Waaaay more dangerous because, his thinking process is not based as much on emotion, just a complete confidence in his ability to win. Period .

11, calling back the Atraxi to let them know just how serious he is about protecting Earth came off as much more effective than 10's sword and jim jams speech. I was impressed with the latter, but far MORE impressed with the latest.

Not to go too wibbly, but I really like the way he walks.

He's quite bow-legged, but it suits him. And he moves really well.

Is the difference between Ten and Eleven maybe summed up in the difference between "it is defended" and "it is protected"... ?

Oh, but I didn't like the new credits. As I read somewhere, "a sort of space/time colonoscopy". Or what they've done to the theme tune. Again.

Dr. Who:

I didn't like the new credits or music AT ALL, but thankfully things improved after that.

The common theme of the Doctor leaving people behind in his wake was beautifully put front and center, as the trauma of his appearance, his promise to make the darkness go away to a young girl is an utter failure through no malice on his part, just... the fact that he couldn't handle time and space during this transformation.

I arched my eyebrow at when the nurse boyfriend mentioned having to dress up like the Doctor - I immediately thought that Eleven had imprinted himself on Amelia's awakening sexuality and was a little weirded out by that. I didn't think the doll/drawing stuff was cute, either- more psychosexually eerie. The fact that her job at the time was, basically, dressing up and selling sexual favors also seemed to track with that.

The whole setup reminded me of The Girl in the Fireplace and Madame du Pompador. But more heartbreaking. If what was said upthread about not pursuing a romantic relationship angle is true, then I am genuinely relieved, because I think for once the Companion has more Issues than the Doctor.

I'm so pleased that I don't hate Eleven! I actually like him quite a lot and am looking forward to see what happens. What was that ominous stuff about the cracks and the silence that Prisoner Zero was saying before it got zapped? I assume it's the start of this season's Bad Wolf.

bonny: I also immediately thought of Captain Awesome when we saw Jeff.

Nora: I hadn't really thought about the psychosexual aspects of the dolls and such. I agree that there's a creepiness to it. However, the objects themselves were still cute, you have to admit!

Regarding the dolls and cartoons, I think it has to have been significant that she had laid them out next to her wedding dress on the night before her wedding. Not necessarily in sexual terms, but in terms of trying to choose between 'fantasy' and a reality with Rory. It looked to me like she hadn't made her mind up when the Doctor reappeared. That said, I don't think the show was trying to push any idea of chemistry between them. I hope they don't start with that, because the platonic 'making up for broken promises' dynamic would be much more powerful. And also because Rose and Martha gave us quite enough of that.

Let me echo back Seska's last spoiler-fonty line, and also say that wrt to the Doctor's impact on Amy's sexuality, is kindda where my mind went to with the Jungian interpretations to Doctor and brides theme. If they'll hit the "once you've gone Doctor, you can never go back", I'll be very, very crossed.

Also, what's up with Black River Song? She seemed like a bad guy.

Shir, what do you mean by Black River Song?

I also thought the dolls were more creepy than cute. Making them, I can totally see, and that's not creepy. She was a kid, and probably hugely affected. It's that she kept them.