But I've been watching Capaldi since Local Hero and Lair of the White Worm so I may just be used to his voice, though it has gruffed up a bit since those days.

I didn't realize Capaldi was in Lair of the White Worm. I haven't seen that flick since it came out so now I'll have to see it again. I'd also forgotten all about the movie Local Hero - maybe I'll check that out again too.

On rewatch I've decided I love Capaldi's take on the Doctor. And I liked Clara a lot more this episode as they've given her more to do. Love her interaction with the Doctor.

Don't forget this Capaldi gem: [link]

I watched a segment of BBC Breakfast featuring Peter Capaldi that included a couple of clips from upcoming episodes.

I have to say, the clips erased any reservations I might have had about the 12th. I can't wait to see what's next!

Favorite line: As they walk down a hallway, the Doctor says of Clara, "She's not my companion she's my...what it is?" Clara retorts, "I'm his carer." "Oh yes, he finishes, "she cares so I don't have to ."

Yep. That's the Doctor I had hoped for.

Yep. That's the Doctor I had hoped for.

I like where this is heading. I loved the Doctor's callousness when Clara got trapped during their escape - and she only got trapped ensuring the Doctor made it out too - especially "You could at least leave me the sonic screwdriver." "...I might need it." [Leaves]

Loved that too!

What I liked about what I saw even more than the moment you mentioned though, was that sonic moment felt...as intended, I'm sure, pretty callous whereas the most recent thing felt like 'Team Curmudgeon. Go US !'

I can really get behind that as it seems more like the Doctor traveling with his granddaughter .

With less focus on smoochy-smoochy, perhaps they can spend more energy on actually, you know, plot .

I agree completely. I don't think Moffatt does that other stuff terribly well, for all that Coupling remains one of the funniest TV shows I've ever seen. I'm happy to see Doctor Who stepping away from it.

I think it'll be interesting comparing Capaldi's Doctor to the First Doctor, the only other Doctor played by someone over 50, and also quite cantankerous. In fact, as initially envisaged, he was frequently rather less than heroic; his companions seemed to be the real protagonists, with the Doctor being more of a wild card. On the commentary for one adventure (The Aztecs, I think), you have Verity Lambert (the first showrunner) commenting that Sydney Newman suggested to her that the Doctor should be quite unpredictable; as then they could use him to push the plot in almost any direction they wanted to go.

In conclusion, let me just say: "There is NOTHING more important than my egomania!"

I am all for an older actor in the role. Despite first encountering Dr. Who during the Tom Baker era on PBS, I was utterly delighted by Richard Hurndall's depiction of the First Doctor.

I am all for an older actor in the role. Despite first encountering Dr. Who during the Tom Baker era on PBS, I was utterly delighted by Richard Hurndall's depiction of the First Doctor.

I just watched The Five Doctors last weekend! Richard Hurndall did very well evoking Hartnell. Really, the first three Doctors bickering with one another is a joy. (Likewise the best thing in The Three Doctors.)

The DVD releases of the classic Who adventures are superb, and I'm enjoying greatly watching something of the First Doctor, really for the first time ever. Hartnell is a refreshing contrast to the stable elements that defined the show later on.

I'm losing track of what's being whitefonted? Are these unaired details?

This screencap edit cracked me up, in light of Capaldi's work on "The Thick of It."