So I binged Doctor Who to see if it got any better.
After some really, really horrible episodes... (Seriously, if I showed a complete newbie the Robots Of Sherwood or Listen, they would probably never watch the show again. The TARDIS is essentially an infinite adventure seed - you can write whatever conflict you want literally anywhere/anywhen and have the Doctor get caught up in it - practically limitless potential wasted on really underwhelming episodes featuring Robin Hood then the Boogieman. And really, evolution makes perfect predators and perfect hiders now?! *Charles Darwin spinning in his grave*)
...THE SHOW GETS BETTER!
From Flatline to the finale is golden. I think my main issue was that it's such a dreadfully cantankerous and unlikable Doctor, underwhelming villains, and complete lack of an overarching plot. There's no real mystery or epicness, there's just stuff not happening then occasionally happening then it's over. Woo hoo. But thankfully, that all changed.
In Flatline, the Doctor is indisposed and Clara Oswald is trying to save the world against some actually pretty strange and unnerving alien invaders. Then there's an okay episode involving lots and lots of trees. Then there's the two-part finale, the very first episode this season that actually got me excited:
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And what's more, the Cybermen make their grand return. I've always liked them. They're very dispassionate and no-nonsense villains. They destroy and assimilate. They can curbstomp any army on the world and they're hilariously logical and matter-of-fact. They're not too bright, but that doesn't matter when they have a good leader. There's just so much about them that's strangely likeable rather than horrifying. Sign me up for an upgrade! *cranks up The Lion Sleeps Tonight and takes his place in the queue, marching in time with the song*