It's the lack of mainstream publicity with just over three weeks to go that's surprising. They've got in Bradley Walsh one of the most popular people on British TV, who should be an ideal weapon for bringing back some of the lapsed general audience but he's nowhere to be seen.
"Weapon"? He's not going to whip out an uzi like a postman?! Besides, stunt casting only goes so far. Less if audiences don't recognize the actor being used as stunt fodder. Doesn't mean stunt casting doesn't result in a fantastic performance - I've seen many long before finding out person x was a big name in such'n'such... There are stunts best worth avoiding. If I see it when the episodes air, I'll mention it.
I just wish they would focus on story, I don't personally care about ongoing angst regards the human condition. If it's background or is about humanity as a whole, fine, but tedious lecturing and preaching is just that - tedious. I've been watching Doctor Who since I was not allowed and did that stereotypical hiding behind the couch thing - scared to watch. Last thing I want to do is fall asleep because it's 'lesson' time. I grew to like Capaldi but his Doctor and his companions and even Missy were exhausting in their portrayals. Damn that Clara she tried my last bit of patience. I hope this new Doctor and the companions just get on with it. If they indulge in a pile of sanctimonious preaching I will tune out. I want STORY, drama, aliens... journey. Though I'm beginning to wonder why it is taking so long to get this show on the road. That inadequate ceiling shattering promo didn't help. What was that all about?
Clara was a bit off-putting. Bill was a refreshing change. A couple of her episodes were way too overt and heavyhanded, but WHO has always had politics from day one. Sometimes more tactful, less direct.
A greater sense of adventure as well - the "soap opera" is just people standing there going blahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblahblah. The style of exposition has changed over the decades.
Capaldi's final season was a step up and even the Master (Missy) got some proper dialogue in her final story. Wish her episodes prior to weren't loaded with as many sex jokes but Gomez really stole the show when getting to the "I'm evil" stuff. There were times I didn't care for the other Masters... and it was great to see Simm back, doubly so because he finally got a halfway decent script and, wow, he sold it.
Far better than the tripe he got during Tennant's tenure. Capaldi's final 135 minutes largely had the feel of proper Doctor Who. Little soap opera, adventure and suspense, horror, science that's updated and relevant for the time (probably accurate but either which was it was entertaining as heck, and keeping in mind I liked "Underworld" part one and its misuse of science, I can only quibble so much - but the more accurate only makes it that much
better), little self-aware trash (the Masters' stuff largely worked, the opening 4th wall stuff I wasn't fond of originally but being a swansong I rewatched and found ways to appreciate it more).
The ceiling shattering thing seems bizarre given the number of times WHO has broken the glass ceiling before. The first time was in 1963, when women faced far more discrimination only because they were women back then.) Many times in the 1970s there were more directors and other production unit staff. A few notable ones in the 1980s, especially a writer. Not that Barbara Clegg was the first, and what statistics prove sex bias versus scripts that didn't seem to be workable? But they didn't pull that ceiling shattering hubris. Why now? Also and to compare, when Edison invented the light bulb, did he go around parading because of his sex? There's a fun college thesis right there. But these teasers may or may not be related to the tone of the season and the other ones shown do far more to intrigue than to sell an unintentionally wrong message. Yes, discrimination still exists. No, it should not be blown out of proportion.