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It’s official…Peter Capaldi is Doctor Who after his Christmas day debut.
Millions of viewers tuned in to see his arrival, which kicked off with a somewhat rapid regeneration – and a line about kidneys. I didn’t love it…
The Thick Of It star, who will take over the highly sought-after role next year, made his first appearance as Matt Smith bowed out of the show with a farewell which saw him briefly reunited with Amy Pond, that was about as exciting as Rose Tyler’s return in the 50th anniversary… Then like a flick of a switch, I mean literally – a flick of a switch, Smith simply swapped faces with Capaldi!
And the latter wasted no time in making his mark on the show, with a look of wild bewilderment before declaring: ‘Kidneys…I’ve got new kidneys,’ adding: ‘I don’t like the colour’.
Here, for the benefit of those who missed it, or might want to recall the details, is how it all unfolded:
Matt Smith spent much of the episode underneath a barrage of old-person make-up as it became apparent the Doctor’s regenerations were all used up.
The change seemed to come as something of a shock for companion Clara Oswald played by Jenna Coleman. Maybe she was hoping for another young, dishy model (far from it), or perhaps it was just the suddenness with which Smith’s face was replaced by Capaldi’s, but her character appeared to recoiled at her first sight of his rather fearsome-looking visage.
As the show ended with him grappling with the Tardis controls, he added: “Just one question, do you happen to know how to fly this thing?” The episode ended with Clara looking on in amazement.
The show’s main writer – Steven Moffat – is not worried about signing up self-confessed fan Capaldi.
He said: “He can separate the job he’s doing from the fact he’s a fan of it.”
Former Doctor Smith said he has no doubts about Capaldi either, saying: “I don’t think anything can prepare you for the experience of what being the Doctor in Doctor Who is but I think he’s as ready as he can be.
“I’ve just said ‘Have a good time, mate’. He’ll be great. Peter will hit the ground running and keep flying.”
I have to say, I wasn’t impressed with Capaldi’s arrival, but then it’s often the writer’s fault and not the actor’s. I thought Matt Smith was a great and would have been amazing with Russell T. Davies at the helm. Moffatt is a big no, no for me… I hope Capaldi can bring something more traditional to the role!
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