Why Is This Doctor Who Series So Overlooked? 

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I feel like the Capaldi era has been getting looked back even more fondly as the years go by. And this makes me happy tbh, his era is such an underrated gem. I was mixed about series 8 when it first came out (I liked 12 but I felt that sometimes he was too grouchy and the severe change in tone was kind of depressing at the time) but I rewatched it not too long ago and DAMN it was way better than I remembered. On a rewatch you notice the complexities and such and I came to appreciate peter's portrayal of an angrier doctor (back then I didn't truly fall in love with 12 until The Zygon Inversion but rewatching series 8 made me fall in love in a whole new way). I loved seeing 12 and clara's complicated yet so real relationship and how it involved into a loving one. I also loved seeing a more evolved and friendlier (kind of) take on the Doctor and the Master's relationship. It really annoyed me how this evolution was ignored in the chibnall era.

Clara and Capaldi’s relationship is my favorite Doctor companion relationship. Nobody bosses The Doctor around so much or as well as Clara does 12. Love the times she has to tell him to stop being dickish because that’s not him and explains what he IS like, helping him rise to the occasion.

Flatline is one of my favorite episodes and the one that I show people who have never seen Who

Great video! This is like therapy for Capaldi fans, Series 8 doesn't get the love it deserves so this was a really refreshing watch. Series 8 has some truly excellent episodes like Flatline, Mummy on the Orient Express, Time Heist, and Into the Dalek, in fact I should rewatch the entire series as its been too long

Finally! Someone who has acknowledged the relationship between Clara and the Doctor as I have been trying to do for a while now on various videos as being one of two platonic soulmates as opposed to a romantic one. I've always argued that the Doctor shouldn't get romantically involved with his/ her Companions as the backlash to 10 and Rose and Amy trying to sleep with 11 on the eve of her wedding can attest to. Clara and 12 had a deeper, more profound relationship, one where they eventually became equals of sorts. I know that sets some fans on edge since they think Clara then tries to take over the show, but that's the point, she becomes so much like the Doctor that in the end it ends up getting her killed in Face the Raven. When she loses Danny, she loses any thether to a normal life on Earth, all she knows now is her adventures with the Doctor. Series 8 demonstrates this really well with her constant lying to Danny to keep from having to confront what she believes as having to make a decision between him and the Doctor. Things might have turned out different with him if she had been more honest from the beginning, but from this point on we start to see her downfall and inevitable break up with the Doctor. All the other points are good too. 12 not being accepted, first by Clara, and by extension the fans, because he wasn't a pretty face like 10 and 11. He's 2,000 years old! You wouldn't go out with someone who looked like you grandfather, imagine falling for someoen who looks literally like the Mummy on the Orient Express, that's old he would look really if he were human and didn't regenerate! The soldiers arc is well done, and the fact that 12 has to rediscover himself and questions whether or not he is a good man. Of course in the end he is, or at least he tries to be. The Doctor at times can be morally grey on certain things, but he's always trying to look at the big picture, what might save the most people in the future at the expense of a few poor souls in the present. Series 8 is a good series, maybe not the best, but it's up there with other favorite ones. Now on to series 9!

You are so right that Series 8 is very underrated. Criminally underrated, I think. That season is filled with so many great episodes, and it's a shame many people write it off. It is one of the most, if not THE most, character driven series in the show. Nice seeing appreciation for Danny and his importance in tying Clara to Earth.

I love the observation that Clara is The Doctor’s anchor to humanity but Danny is Clara’s. Great thought provoking analysis.

For me series 8 and 9 were the golden era of the show, story wise. That's when it got more deep and "less silly" but it was still fun

Series 8 and 9 are easily my favorite in all of DW. And it boils down to Capaldi and Clara (obviously). Not only is Capaldi a close second for favorite doctor, and a truly fantastic actor. I love how he brought a fresh and distinct flare to the role. But I mostly adored Clara, and her relationship to the doctor. I DESPISE, the stupid Doctor x Companion romances that happen. (I did not like Amy). But Clara felt like she was hanging out with her “Cool Space Dad” and what was such an absurdly enjoyable dynamic. I loved it so.

I absolutely loved the way the trailer for “Dark Water”/”Death in Heaven” teased Clara as some sleeper enemy with “Clara Oswald has never existed…” Unfortunately, they never followed through on this potential. I think it would’ve been a great story that 2 seasons of this companion had been entirely orchestrated by Missy, and not even as a way to conquer or kill the Doctor, but still in the same misguided attempt to show him affection.

Really underrated series. I rewatched it and series 9 recently, and that part of my rewatch marathon has solidified the Capaldi era as my all time favourite period of new Doctor Who. I've always loved most of the individual episodes, but my rewatch got me to really appreciate the arc a lot more than initially.

Love this review. Capaldi is my favorite doctor. Keep coming to his series’ defense. He is always great - even in bad episodes (looking at you Sleep No More).

Series 8 is one of my favorites for sure, and definitely my favorite Capaldi season. It's super underrated and I'm glad you've explored why

Only at 1:04 but I love this series or season of Who. Even hated episodes like Kill The Moon with their ridiculous premises(s) imo are very enjoyable. Especially kill the moon because it’s so clear that each character also knows how ridiculous it is, and 12 saying “The moon is an egg” with that sly smile saying “fing hell this is dumb”. Then there’s tons of brilliant lines from capaldi throughout the season, every ep has just wonderfully rude 12th doctor lines. And the awesome living with otters line is one of my favourite one liners. I’d say this is the season with capaldis one liners and the next one is is the season with amazing speeches.

Series 8 is actually one of my favorites. And the way you describe 12 and Clara's relationship is exactly how I see it. I don't like the idea of "reducing their relationship to romance" I think that would weaken their friendship. They're much bigger than romance and that's what makes them a great duo!

I fully believe that people were just bitter because the doctor wasn’t a “young man” anymore, and I say that because those were my thoughts. After rewatching his run, capaldi is absolutely one of my favorite doctors because you can feel the love he has

I loved when the writers made Capaldi's Doctor like House. Making seemingly callous decisions to win and save the majority of the people he's with. This is expressly seen in Mummy On The Orient Express and I wish this characterization continued into later seasons. To me Mummy is an enjoyable throwback to Classic Who, introducing a lot of secondary characters, sketching them out, and killing a lot of them off. I could see it as a classic 4-parter. I'm not a fan of the hoodie/sunglasses Doctor who jams guitar (even though Capaldi actually does). It came off as a bit too "Hello fellow teenagers" and lost some style.

Other people dont like that season? I love the scary intesity of that incarnation of the Doctor. I think its the eyebrows (j/k) and Rupert Pink was a very under-utilised character : A Doctor-skeptic=perfect!

i love capaldi, his entire tenure is a mixed bag that will hold things anybody will love, its so difficult for me to pick a favourite between series 8, 9 and 10 as they all feel a lot different yet still with capaldi's same performance. The appreciation he has gotten in general has deff upped a lot tho over the years as capaldi is your "lategame scaling" doctor as id like to call it. he's enjoyable and quickly feels like the doctor, you accept him in the role, enjoy the good, hate the bad, etc. usual doctor who stuff... then you look back when he's gone and oh my god his speeching, his acting, the detail put in makes you realise more n more with time how relatable he is and how deep he struck your heart.

DW, the only TV show all about change, with a bunch of 'fans' who don't want anything to change. Thanks for a great overview of this underrated, but fantastic series!

Not sure how you manage to be so engaging and mimic how I feel about the show whilst challenging some notions that I have. Thanks Harbo and i cant wait for season 9 when it comes

Capaldi is my favorite doctor bar none and I'm so glad hes getting the recognition he deserves. And Clara/Jenna is similarly massively underrated.

I love series 8. I love how much Twelve evolved throughout his era. It seemed his brusqueness was partly a cover for his immense vulnerability. He genuinely cared so much but had to make those difficult decisions over and over again. Oh, and Peter Capaldi is my absolute favorite Doctor.

I personally think people often forget that 12 has a defence mechanism hence his arrogance and sarcasm and not liking hugs to avoid connecting to people to avoid breaking his heart like so many times before but he starts to realise he shouldn’t be living like this till he finally realises during dark water/death in heaven (am I an idiot speech). It also doesn’t help that the doctor is also trying to work out whether he should still judge himself to the promise of the name of the doctor. I’m personally someone who prefers 12s era over 10s era (10 is my least favourite doctor). Overall I feel 12 has the best character development

season 8 was my first proper season watching it live, and thus it will always hold a special place in my heart. i fcking love not only how incredible, high concept, engaging, and just pretty the capaldi era is, but also its challenging of the audience... most of whom failed! i know so many people who left because of 11s 'death,' and its truly unfortunate just how much *amazing* television they've missed.

Great wrap up! This era on re-watch is quality Doctor Who. I remember when the scripts leaked early for this season, I snuck a read and even on paper these are gems before the acting and visuals bring it to life. Capaldi, Coleman and Gomez were great.

Mummy on the orient express is one of my favourite Capaldi stories

Thank you so much for making this video. Series 8 is my favourite series alongside Series 5 & 10, and of those three it's by far the most under-rated. Into the Dalek in particular is one of my favourite episodes, and seeing DW youtubers that I usually respect criticising it without fully understanding the point of the story (Mr TARDIS, for example) makes me sad. This video is just what I needed to affirm my faith in Capaldi, Moffat, Coleman, and Series 8 overall. Flatline is another fantastic episode, Clara is by far the best companion

A great review of Series 8, Harbo! I'm glad to see some Doctor Who appreciation videos. For me, Series 8 is a series I have come to appreciate more once I rewatched it years after its release. At first, I didn't love the series and found it a mess. Now, while I do think it still has problems, it is filled to the brim with phenomenal ideas that are very welcome. Love the idea of The Doctor's arc! Overall, if you didn't like Series 8 on first viewing like quite a number of people I know, I'd recommend giving it a rewatch, cause from my discussions and my own experience, it definitely improves after a second viewing. Very excited about your Series 9 reviews, Harbo!

I think the idea of a earth-bound romance is good, but felt there was zero chemistry between Danny and Clara.

Series 8 is definitely one of my faves (as is 10), I think it’s such a good stepping off point for new viewers because Capaldi has more of that Classic Who vibe with his incarnation, and it’s nice have this type of maturation :)!

I would also include the (reanimated) Brigadier in the list of soldiers. I think the Doctor's salute demonstrates his new-found respect for soldiers as well as his interactions with Danny. Thanks for another great video.

Series 8 is one of my all time favourite Seasons of the whole show, the doctor's arc is fantastic and fresh, Clara is an actually good character, Missy is a brilliant master, and I don't think there is an unenjoyabe episode in the whole season. The only bad episode is forest of the night, and even then its not a boring watch. Kill the moon is criminaly underrated, Time Heist is fantastic, Robot of Sherwood is (no joke) one of the best adaptations of Robin Hood ever, Listen is one of the best episodes of whole show.

the capaldi years are such a strong deconstruction and reinvention of everything that came before it, to the point where Series 10 still feels like the freshest series to me six years, a doctor and a showrunner later. easily the most consistent run doctor who has ever had, which feels like a breakthrough after an exciting but wildly inconsistent first few years for steven moffat as showrunner. we had it so good back then.

I loved the 12th doctor anyway but felt his era missed the mark. Upon a rewatch though, I completely changed my mind. His era is incredible. His character arc is brilliant. The Missy arc is really well done and Clara was actually a really great foil for the 12th doctor. His era is a far more mature era compared to the 11th doctor.

This is arguably better than the clips they awkwardly stitched in the actual thing, this actually felt like they were talking to each other. And adding the future doctors beyond Capaldi was a master stroke, I hope we see a new version when Gatwa lands 😉

Harbo, you are my favorite Doctor Who commentator. Literally the best of youtube. Thanks fam.

I loved it at the time and still do. Forests of the Night is almost as bad as Fear Her but Capaldi is always fun. Danny is one of my favourite NuWho characters. Never understood why people vocally disliked him.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS SERIES AND PETER CAPALDI AND JENNA COLEMAN'S INTERACTION IN THIS SERIES 8!!!GARY BAILEY KING OF DARKNESS AND GOD OF THUNDER AND LIGHTNING

Capaldi's era is the golden age of the modern Doctor - nobody did more than him to develop the character. If people are too lazy intellectually and want just entertainment - I pity them

Woo thanks for this hard day at work but glad to have a series review to decompress!

14:40 I said this in the vid you made on Mummy on the Orient express, but I'll repeat it again here cause its so true to what you said. The doctor and Clara's relationship is the dark version of a similar one I've seen in the Japanese lightnovel Toaru Majutsu no Index. They are flawed Understanders which means while they can quickly grasp what the other wants or needs at the foundation they have a single misconception that poisons their understanding. Rather than a mutual desire for the other's well being, they have an addiction of sorts to the other where even though things keep getting worse they can't step away. It was a relationship born purely out of happenstance with them meeting as allies and the doctor desiring to know who and what Clara is. This is, amusingly a direct contrast and in some cases inversion of that LN relationship I mentioned prior involving the characters Kamijou Touma and Magic God Othinus. The two of them are true Understanders meaning there are no secrets between them and words needn't even be spoken for the other to know what the other is trying to say. They physically cannot misunderstand the other's actions or words and thus hold no misconceptions or insecurities about the other. They share a mutual desire for the other's well being and happiness acting as the other's anchor and moral compass in order to bring out the best in eachother. While they may not always agree with eachother, they will always work towards a mutual goal and will modify their plans in order to ensure the other's happiness in the end. Rather than being a relationship born our of happenstance and being allies however, ironically their bond was born out of intent as worst enemies. Forged out of a trial by fire which ended in them truly getting to know the other as who they were rather than the titles or faces they wore. In a very interesting turn of events, The 12th doctor is very much what Touma could become like if he lost Othinus, or if you took Othinus and Touma's personalities and mashed them together. In fact the similarities between the 12th doctor and Touma are so numerous that the episodes Hell Bent and Heaven Sent are like the NT9-10 of doctor who. Right down to both of them spending billions of years reliving the same hell over and over again, (and in the novelization the architech of that hell even developing feelings for them due to forming an understanding of the one they were tormenting and desiring to see them happy. Except the veil was more an unwilling participant where Othinus until she realized the truth was actively trying to break the main character.) With the both of them going against the universe/world itself to save the one they suffered through hell for, (the doctor Violating the fixed point in time that was Clara's death. And Touma declaring war against the world to protect Othinus and give her a fair trial, which is one of the many details that shows that he doesn't have stockholm syndrome.) And knowing Doctor who's writers have often been Anime fans and the point at which this story was released, it wouldn't be entirely surprising if there was some inspiration. However due to the obscurity of Toaru, it's unlikely the writers would admit to being inspired unless you directly asked about Toaru specifically... even then it's quite the coincidence.

Series 8 in my opinion probably one of the best new series seasons it’s so fun and action packed I see it as a strong season definitely one of Stephen Moffat’s best seasons

Capaldi doctor is truly my favorite, i love his arc

The Capaldi era was when Dr Who grew up!

Love love love series 8, Capaldi, and Clara!! It’s way underrated and I closely identified with Clara’s character, so it is always a little personal when people say she’s annoying, controlling, all that. She just met the doctor as an imperfect equal. Capaldi felt like a true doctor, funny and old and alien. His particular relationship with River was beautiful. The episodes were aesthetically pleasing, and Clara’s life is much more fleshed out than past characters’.

I think two big contributing factors were 1) fans dropping off with the loss of Matt Smith, and 2) the collective hate the fan-base had against Clara Oswald. A lot of people refused to see how she grew as a character from season 7b into season 8, and nothing she did could change their minds. Haters also seem completely unwilling to admit how deep the relationship between Clara and the Doctor is, so they effectively missed the emotional cores of season 8 and 9. If you don't believe that Clara and the Doctor deeply love each other (platonically/romantically, it doesn't matter) then you WILL MISS THE ENTIRE FUCKING POINT OF BOTH SEASONS!!!! Hopefully, as time passes, people will begin to realize how amazing seasons 8 & 9 were, and how truely great 12 & Clara were together.

If I were to rate capaldi’s era I’d rate series 10 as the best, then series 8, then series 9. Series 8 just has more good episodes and has a more clear over arching story thing(the Missy teasers leading to the finale) and character development. Series 10 is just good overall on all things

I didn't like it very much at the time (I was quite young and bitter about Matt Smith leaving tbh) but upon rewatching it Season 8 is actually very strong

Not sure where to categorise myself as Dr Who fan. I came in as a youngster with Sylvester McCoy as it was dying and was delighted to see it return in the modern era done with a respectable enough budget to take it beyond the sometimes charming sometimes ridiculous looking days of old. I've dipped in and out of some of the stuff that predated my viewing, I liked Hartnell and loved Tom Baker but never took to any of the others too fondly. Doing some of them a disservice I'm sure. I did enjoy some Jon Pertwee episodes but I can't say I warmed to him. I've never seen a Colin Baker episode and no disrespect to Peter Davison but I can't help but see Tristam Farnham and I seriously disliked his cricket blazer look or whatever it is he wore. I've rarely rewatch an episode but I always look forward to new ones but I can safely say my favourite iteration of the new era is Peter Capaldi. I really enjoyed Eccleston, Tennant and Smith but there was something just the right amount of blunt curmudgeon and charisma about Capaldi and I liked the dynamic with Clara and Bill much more than other companions who I liked well enough at the time. Was a shame he didn't stay longer but I guess no one wants to be tied to it for too long.

I totally agree. I was not initially a fan of certain aspects of this season, but later felt they built up and came together quite well for a very satisfying story.

This era (Capaldi's era) feels like going back to RTD....but fresher, I don't know why but for me the eleventh Doctor era seems a little out of place, it might be because of the incarnation but things feel a little odd to me, but season eight-ten feels right, am I making sense here?

bro that ad transition was seamless

I feel like the reaction to Capaldi (and thus to season 8) was quite severely divided down the line of "people who had only/mainly watched revival Who" and "people who started with/loved classic". To me the Peter Capaldi version was the first time that I really felt that this could be the same guy as Hartnell, Troughton, Pertwee, the Bakers or McCoy - Eccelstone was going for a very different "updated" approach and both Smith and Tennant just felt so YOUNG and energetic that I could only really see Davidson and McGann in them. Capaldi was so much THE DOCTOR and I loved him from the start because of that.

I just realised the episode is only an hour old. Keep up the great work.

Glad you gave it the appreciation it deserves. Series 8 is my third favorite, right after series 1 and series 4

Gonna sound ridiculous but the iPlayer thumbnails are a key part in me frequently overlooking this series

I enjoyed series 8 and the direction the writer chose to explore. Those that are giving it negative remarks/reviews are not recognising the depth and his identity being explored given that the doctor has been around so long.👍

I love series 8 back when I was in High School, and I still love it! I will admit I felt more connected to Peter Capaldi as the 12th Doctor, and he is my second favorite Doctor in the new series. I really felt like the writing was getting better and when I first watched this series, I was like this is pure Doctor Who. When I see the 12th Doctor hating soldiers, I felt like that was the 9th Doctor in him who would hate soldiers because of the Time War. Series 8 was my last series in High School and Peter Capaldi was my Doctor in my Senior year in High School.

This video literally explains what I cannot communicate well about the season. On first watch this season was what stopped me watching the show but After my recent rewatch I love it. All the things I love too is what you are saying, just you do it way better xd

Ironically, series 8 was one that I also didn't really like when I first watched it, the next series was the only one I watched in full until Whittaker started, yet rewatching it the last few weeks I enjoyed it. I dont think I knew it was the jumping off point for a lot of fans. I guess that kind of storytelling wasn't something that I got or was able to enjoy at the time, glad to see that that's changed now

Honestly, I prefer these early Capaldi Episodes. A good way to gauge my enjoyment is to track the length of the Doctor's hair. The shorter, the better lol. After years of "Hot Boyfriend from Space" Series 8 made him feel so... Alien. I will admit, I was a naughty nelly by reading the leaked scripts beforehand (I knew "Listen" was going to be amazing weeks in advance). I fell in love with this abrasive version... As he softened, I was less enthused.

Series 8 was where my long time love for Doctor Who really started to die…now this had happened before, namely with Matt Smith’s first series which was just too great a change for me initially, I remember particularly with the Dalek story and Amy not knowing who the Daleks were after Earth had been invaded by them (twice!) during Amy’s life at least…it just felt like they wrote it and then remembered what happened in Series 2 and 4 and said Oh damn! And then tried to squeeze in an explanation. But ironically it was River and especially the Angel 2 parter that pulled me back in, then again River in the Pandorica story tho I didn’t initially take to her in The Library story. But here she was familiar, at least a bit, which I desperately needed because I suddenly felt like my series that I loved and brought me much comfort and happiness in life was suddenly alien and unfamiliar and left me feeling odd and alone at the characters I didn’t know, a TARDIS I no longer recognized, etc. But Ari er saved it for me; and her mystery allowed me to get used to Amy and the Doctor so by Series 6 I was once again and big ole happy FanBoy! This never happened with Series 8, even tho the Paternoster Gang being in the opening story gave it an Ernest effort; I wish they’d been in it more, even acting as a “home base” briefly between main stories….I didn’t like Capaldo’s Doctor. At all. This felt traitorous to me as I knew Capaldi was a long time fan. Partly, and I know this will be odd, but I loved Fires,of Pompeii and had watched it many times…and the whole “why this face?” But they talked about in the meds to explain why the doctor “picked” this face…absolutely NOTHING was done with this. It’s like they knew the change would be a shock and brought in the Paternoster Gang. And that die hard fans would recall Capaldi (but hey, happened with Colin Baker…and that went okay…right?). But again the Doctor was too different. He was mean and didn’t feel like the cool wacky friend you want to run off exploring the Universe with…this guy was a prick and anyone would have left the TARDIS, or kicked out the asshole and tried to pilot it yourself. Clara turned intolerable. The whole Danny Pink double life and sudden career as a teacher just felt so…forced? And full disclosure, I’m a Yank, never have trouble with accents, but I absolutely could not understand what Capaldi said half the time! Maybe I’m getting old, I dunno. Missy was an exciting and unexpected twist, but I HATED the Cyberman bringing back the dead…especially people we loved. It felt disrespectful and nightmarish. And jumping around, I know, but Kill the Moon was the absolute stupidest, most idiotic piece of shite ever masquerading as “Science” Fiction. Seriously, I was so repulsed at how immediately stupid it was…suspension of disbelief works if you have even a basic attempt at reconciling with the real world…have the characters who are supposed to be intelligent RECOGNIZE when something wouldn’t happen in the real world and offer a bit of technobabble about it, even if it’s just to say “well that shouldn’t happen!” Or “that doesn’t make any sense!” It lets the viewer say “Okay, so they realize this is ludicrous or bizarre, we’ll get an explanation later”. That either never happened or no explanation was ever adequately offered. Moon gravitational disruptions are fine…but not that can cause a person in a moon base room to float away yet not affect the other characters in the room! They even try to reach her to pull her down? They All should have floated! The whole “turn your lights on to signal yay or nay that we’ll see on the moon!” Absolute ignorance; you can’t see lights from the moon and they already said a lot of the earth had suffered catastrophes so this “democratic” decision couldn’t been seen and most of the earth might not have had power or have passed into night that would,d even be viewable,from the moon which also revolves around the earth as well within that limited time period…there are so many things in this single episode that absolutely shat on Doctor Who’s legacy as an educational series that teaches while entertaining. Most of the stories were just awful drivel. I didn’t enjoy a Capaldi episode until the Zygon invasion one (another significant point; I always knew the titles of Doctor Who stories…until series 8. I then mainly would only remember the ones that that were particularly awful like Kill the Moon. I didn’t enjoy more episodes in a Capaldi than one I *hated* until Series 10. And tho The River Song Christmas special gets riled by apparently many fans, to me it was the ONLY Capaldi Christmas special worth watching and the ONLY Capaldi story that I watched more than once. It’s the only story that feels even tenuously related to the show I previously loved or convincingly makes the character Capaldi plays the same one that was David Tennant and Matt Smith. Even River takes forever to realize who this person is, which to me is quite telling, if on a subconscious level, that the writer (ahem, who was that again?) ;-) realized on some level how drastically different (and alienating?) this take on the Doctor was and said it by having his WiFE who knew every incarnation couldn’t even recognize who he was. I think that’s why the character seems so much more tolerable in Series 10. And Bill is a much needed breath of fresh air as Clara was one of the few companions that way overstayed her welcome. Gesus I wanted her gone! Bill and Nardole are great, as is Missy’s inclusion near the end…I so wish that could have been a TARDIS foursome for several episodes, even half a series (or more?). It was wonderful, and would have made the old mean Master’s return and fight/union/fight with Missy that we’ve come to like that much more poignant and tragic. Anyway, I know this was just Series 8 but it was so dreadful and felt so weird and unenjoyably alien to me that I had to include that I did find some redeeming qualities later. But my love for Who never fully recovered and I felt the 13th Doctor and her “fam” were even worse than the Capaldi era. That too felt a bit better in her last series but only barely; the Village of Angels or whatever it’s called being the only Jodie Whitaker episode I would watch again. Maybe Power of the Doctor for nostalgia. It it says how important familiar elements can be, even for long time viewers like myself who literally grew up on Tom Baker and similarly felt drifting away from the series with later classic Doctors. Those familiar and known friendly (not always, but you know what I mean) can sometimes be the difference between sticking with the series, and ditching it completely. Having no returning monsters or friends in Whittaker’s first season and limited even in her second I think really hurt the series. Something to keep in mind for future show runners, tho let’s hope RTD will bring back the magic to Doctor Who and stay around an very very long time to come and just keep our favorite series getting better and better!!! :-)

My series ranking is: 11 - in the forest of the shite 10- robot of sherwood 9 - into the darlek 8- deep breath 7 - time heist 6 - the caretaker 5- kill the moon 4 - listen 3 - mummy on the orient express 2 - dark water / death in heaven 1 - flatline

Series 8 was the first NuWho series I'd directly watched along with following my inundation into the fandom during its week-long full series run-up leading to the premiere. So while I wouldn't necessarily call it my *top* favorite season, it'll always hold a special place in my heart. 💙🕰

Great video man. Keep up the good work.

Another cool topic for a video would be like what would happen if a different doctor was in another doctors episode and what the outcome would be

Agreeing that a lot of people discovered Doctor Who with the New Era, and so they got used to David T. and Matt S., so they're disappointed to see a Peter Capaldi's Doctor, because he is extremely different. 4 reasons at least to explain that : 1 - He does not look like them, physically. He is much older and will not have this same charming, almost seductive relationship with the public, who will have more difficulty to identify with him. 2 - He is older and therefore it can be even more difficult for the younger audience to identify with. 3 - This Doctor is a bit of an anti-doctor, if we compare him to the two previous doctors of the New Era. Where David T. was playful, very similar to humans, sometimes angry but overall very enthusiastic and outgoing, and where Matt S. was similar but wackier, more "alien", with a lot of tenderness and humor, the Doctor of Peter C. is grumpy, more introverted, less empathetic, judgmental, and often condescending. 4 - The fact that this Doctor thinks out loud a lot reinforces his egocentric facet. He gives the impression of being even more indifferent to those around him by placing much more value on his intellect and his thoughts. Somehow, Peter Capaldi's doctor is the Sheldon Cooper of the doctors.

I always tune out when we get a new doctor. It's like I enter a mourning phase and need time to process a real death. I end up coming back after a year or so and thoroughly enjoy myself with the new characters including the new doctor. Capaldi was the first doctor I identified with and while i cant definitively say he's my favorite doctor, some of my personal favorite episodes definitely come from his run.

I do think the initial reaction was more to do with the ratings creating a narrative that the show was in decline. To me, the very best legacy of the early Nu Who era being so popular is that it allowed risks and complexity to be introduced in series 8, 9 and 10.

I remember disliking a lot of Series 8 but having rewatched it in its entirety alongside the release of these videos, its become my favorite of the Capaldi era, heck even the Moffat era. Absolutely superb series. Even the obviously bad episodes like Kill the Moon and In the Forest of the Night are filled with exceptional acting and character work. And it has Listen, Time Heist, Mummy on the Orient Express, and Flatline. What a great season

Big hugs ... S8 is one of my favourites.

Series 8 is easily the series that I enjoyed the least overall on first viewing, but I feel like that’s largely a combination of it being the first series since series 3 that I’d watched during the original broadcast and the fact that, after getting back into the show just after the 50th anniversary, I had binged my way through the preceding episodes largely at random, causing my idea of a “good” episode to be largely based on Russell T Davies’ run rather than Steven Moffat’s

Take out kill the moon ,so awful that episode ,it will be a great series .I happy that no 12 is now being greatly appreciated and recognised as the best actor to play the doctor .

12 was always the best. He was my favorite from day one. Glad you nimrods in the comments are finally coming around.

2nd fav series after the 1st. Loved it since it aired and just couldn't understand how people were switching off.

Watching the reviews of this series have made me appreciate it more than I did when it aired. Whilst I still regard it as not the most stand out series, I have since realised over the years it is better than I remember it when it aired and realised what the stories were trying to do. But watching these videos has made me actually like it more and want to re-watch as well. Maybe its nostalgia now, maybe its just because I was 12 when it aired and remember cringing a lot at the awkward romance and humour when watching with my family or perhaps because the last 5 years of the show have made me re-evaluate what doctor who is/can be and what makes a good series. Maybe its just because its the type that's less obvious what's good about it and requires multiple re-watches to truly appreciate because it is more layered than some. Whatever it is, I can't believe its almost 10 years old and I sorely miss Capaldi in the role.

First i knew sbout it, i love and own the S8 limited edition box set with Tardis cover and sound effect.

I like to think of 12 and Clara's relationship as something that can't quite be defined by human standards. It expresses platonically but they have twinges of romance. In internet speak: not platonic, not romantic, but a secret thrid thing 😂

I enjoy this season. Mummy on the Orient Express, Flatline and Time Heist are my favorites, but I really enjoy just about every episode. One or two episodes are pretty bad, but I just ignore those episodes.

Iv always viewed the show in this way: Eccelsten and tennants era was very soap opera Matt smiths era was very fairy tale Peter capaldys era was very sci fi Joadie whittikas was very shit - i - i mean very political

I think season 9 is a bit better then 8 as upon re watching both there were some inconsistencies that stuck out to me in a few episodes but both are super solid and I addore both of them so much.

The pallet for cinematography feels more muted in most of this series, only the woodland ones are different, due to woods. Gives a different feeling before a word is said. It is a foundation for the filter you watch the show with. Something I didn't enjoy as much as 5-7 even though the writing is comparable.

0:49 You missed the opportunity to say "Why Series 8 is so GREAT"!

Amazing video as usual

Its always been one of my favorites

thank you so much for making this!! it has driven me INSANE how much people hate on Capaldi's seasons with no appreciation. this is peak Who for me. there is no way in heck you could convince me the majority of Tennant's series writing is better than this, that's just baloney. I've watched through all those series once, and revisited specific eps, but ive watched Capaldi's run at least 3 times all the way through + tons of watches on episodes like listen and heaven sent. jeez it's great. your telling me people will hate on Danny pink while loving Mickey and Jackie??? SMH

Take a shot every time Harbo procrastinates by making another video that isn’t reviewing series 9

I wish the Foretold was a decayed version of the Doctor much like the Master had a decayed incarnation or for a really heartbreaking twist have the Foretold be a corpse like incarnation of Romana.

Great review

25:26 - 25:40 That seems to be the standard of DW by this point whenever the show goes into a bold new direction to keep being fresh. Fans who got used to the previous style of the show are suddenly confronted with a whole new style that is often deliberately different to distinguish it from what came before. But instead of embracing this difference just like the difference of the Doctor in a new incarnation, the fans refuse to accept the new incarnation of the show (sometimes along with the new incarnation of the Doctor). I wonder how many fans will do that with the 15th Doctor and series 14.

the only real dud in s8 is in the forest of the night. everything else is good to great

Very underrated series. Its one of the best

Sometimes i think I'm the only person in the world who loves Danny Pink.😭

Of all companions, Clara knows the intricacies of regeneration better than anyone. The fact that she's so thrown by this regeneration is very out of character.

I'm with you Harbo. I love series 8.

Because we didn’t know how bad the future and Jodie would be. If we had any idea we would have savored every second like it was our last breath or last taste of candy before having to drink septic waste.

honestly i always liked this series and icl apart from hell bent and heaven sent i overlooked series 9 way more in comparison but id also say series 6 for me was fairly overlooked on my half i can still never remember what episodes are in that series

not gonna lie you did the 10th doc dirty with this one 11:09