Doctor Who: Ranking The New Who Openers From Worst To Best

Coming off the back of Matt Smith's era, and the 50th Anniversary celebrations, Steven Moffat decided to make some necessary changes to revamp the show. He wanted The Doctor to be older again, lifting the veil on his previous façade to reveal the true ancient being beneath his childish exterior. Peter Capaldi stepped in, and delivered a much sterner portrayal of the character, enveloping the notion that he would no longer be as human in nature, as well as being a lot more alien, and ambiguous.

The only real negative about this entire opener is Clara's selfish attitude throughout, as she is unable to accept the change, with Madame Vastra even calling her out for not appreciating the amount of trust The Doctor placed in her, given his radical alteration. Considering she was already acquainted with regeneration, it shouldn't have been such a huge deal, but frustratingly, she's more preoccupied with her handsome hero now becoming a grumpy old Scotsman. Apparently it's not renewal because he now looks older, despite the fact he's an ancient being that walks eternity.

It was a smart move to have the Paternoster Gang present to give audience members that firm bridge between eras, and they were generally a pleasant side cast as always, with Strax getting some amusing moments to shine. The Victorian setting was also a great way to establish the new darker, and adult feeling tone, incorporating many unsettling, and questionable, sequences that left you wondering if The Doctor was still a good man. Plus, seeing the Clockwork Droids brought back was a welcome addition, especially since their made far more relentless and sadistic, due to their warped ideas of reaching the Promised Lands.