Six years since it first aired, we take a look back at Matt Smith’s second season as the Doctor.
1) Matt Smith
There’s something special about Matt’s version of the Doctor. He may look like a hot hipster with his floppy hair, lanky frame and boundless energy, but the moments where he shines is when we see the old man behind the attitude. A Time Lord who has seen and lost so much.
He has had to make the pragmatic choices and fight for those he loves – and he doesn’t always win. His infectious enthusiasm to blistering rage to tragic sadness draws us in, causing us to root for him, no matter how much he lies.
2) The Power of Three
There’s something refreshing about the partnership of the Doctor with his companions. Amy and Rory’s relationship is often met with derision, some saying that she was too bossy and he was too pliable, but they keep forgetting the big moments that forged their union.
Season 5 gives us the build up, the engagement and the wedding. Season 6 shows us what happens after the honeymoon. Two people growing up together in unusual circumstances and the friendships they have with the Doctor.
Amy’s iconic line: “They’re just called Time Lords. It doesn’t mean he actually knows what he’s doing,” sums up her protective attitude towards him. The mutual respect of each person for the other plays far better than the soppiness of 2006’s season.
3) Neil Gaiman
How can you not put Neil Gaiman penned episodes on a top ten list. ‘The Doctor’s Wife’ is one of those truly canon building episodes. We finally have answers to questions we didn’t even know we had.
It was an episode all about relationships and gave us some excellent one liners. I am always eager to see where Neil Gaiman takes the characters. We know it won’t be pretty or easy but he is able to find the most honest versions of The Doctor and companions.
4) River Song
There’s something about watching the banter between River Song and The Doctor that harks back to screwball comedies from the 30s and 40s. River Song is a character that always intrigued me and the pay off of her origins was on point. This season was all about her and that makes it that much better. Her evolution from a viewers standpoint is quite screwy as we keep meeting her moving backwards.
From the brilliant professor who sacrifices herself in Silence in the Library to an unhinged psychopath in ‘Let’s Kill Hitler’, it’s the kind of character we embrace. Alex Kingston steals every scene she’s in and her character will be sorely missed.
5) James Corden
Returning as Craig Owens with baby Alfie in ‘Closing Time’, it is always a treat to watch James Corden on the screen. His portrayal of new helpless dad was hilarious, helped by the brilliant script from Gareth Roberts (who also penned ‘The Shakespeare Code’ and ‘The Lodger’).
“Robot dog; not as much fun as I remember,” and “Yes, he likes that, Alfie. Though personally he prefers to be called Stormaggedon, Dark Lord of All,” are often quoted in conversations I have.
6) Pirates and hotels and scary toys, oh my…
There isn’t much room for self-contained episodes in a season that was primarily the River Song story, but they managed to squeeze in a few. The best part is, these standalones don’t feel like mere filler episodes like in certain other seasons.
Each story is brilliantly captivating, embracing its mood completely. From the almost panto stylings of ‘The Curse of the Black Spot’ to the ice cold torture in ‘Night Terrors’, you could almost forget the foreshadowed drama from the main arc.
7) New bad guys!
This is definitely the season to watch if you’re suffering from Dalek over exposure. And with the exception of ‘Closing Time’, all the episodes feature new bad guys – from Kazran Sardick bah humbugging his way through the ‘Christmas Carol’ special, to the Silence, the Headless Monks, and the creepy as hell Madame Kovarian.
This season was bursting with new, interesting bad guys.
8) New good guys!
Mark Sheppard must have an extremely good agent. His list of acting credits reads like the who’s who of geek culture, with his characters always seeming a little morally ambiguous. His rogue FBI agent Canton Delaware III was a treat to watch.
Let’s also not forget Hugh Bonneville’s turn as the pirate captain Henry Avery. He keeps his performance restrained from what could have been a rather cheesy Jack Sparrow imitation and yet is full of the yo-ho-ho-and-a-bottle-of-rum aplomb.
9) The wedding!
I’m not sure how many times the Doctor has been married (so far we have a definite marriage to Elizabeth I and presumably a wife from Gallifrey), but the circumstances surrounding his union with River Song makes for one of the most compelling episodes to watch.
The world all topsy-turvy, a real treat for history nerds with references flying thick and fast. This is an episode that manages to wrap up an insane season in such a satisfying way that few can.
10) Comfort food
This is my mac ‘n cheese season. The one to come back to time and again when everything in the real world becomes overwhelming. It reminds us that we can be like The Doctor and that no matter how dire things seem, we will come out on the other end mostly unscathed, but certainly changed.
No matter how unsavoury our origins, we can transform ourselves into whatever we want – just like River Song. We are reminded not to judge without exploring and examining the big picture. It encapsulates, for me at least, what the point of The Doctor is – to be brave, better people.
What’s your favourite moment in 2011’s season? Let us know below…