Well, the episode was not quite what I expected — though that's not necessarily a bad thing. …
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(Spoilers, sweetie, though mostly at a high level.)
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Capaldi channeling Matt Smith for about the first half of the episode was also unexpected, but brilliant (and in keeping with the personality issues each of the Doctors of the modern era, at least, have had upon regeneration). The episode (as I'm guessing a lot of the series will be) was about identity: Who is the Doctor? And why is he different? And is he different? If so, how? And if so, again, why?
(Questions seem important.)
Part of the answer seems tied up in Clara, almost to an excessive degree. I don't like the idea that the Doctor is that dependent on the Companion, for a variety of reasons.
Identity, of course, was a key to the whole plotline on the SS Marie Antoinette, focusing on the identity of the cyborg captain and whether, over the millennia, replacement after replacement of the parts meant that the cyborg was no longer who he originally was (and, in case that was too subtle, there's the Doctor, seeing his own reflection in the mirror).
There was plenty of setup for some series-spanning plotting, related to the Mysterious Creepy Woman at the end, whether it was a jump or a push, the nature of the Promised Land and its possible relationship to the Creepy Clockwork of the Girl in the Fireplace …
I found Clara's difficulty in accepting the Doctor's regen to be annoying, even though it was a bit refreshing, too. Of course, I find Clara annoying, too, though she was a bit less so overall this time, until we got to the end and suddenly the Doctor is so dependent upon the Companion. Except that Clara appears to know this, and is willing to take (even jokingly) advantage of it. Ugh.
The dinosaur subplot was both fascinating and irritating, the latter due to (a) some awful scaling [T-Rexes were not 300-odd feet tall] and (b) the logistics of the dinosaur's final disposition and the motivations thereto, not to mention (c) it just felt a bit gratuitous.
It was, of course, a joy to see the Paternoster Gang again, especially seeing more of them and their relationship. Watching how folk touched by the Doctor go about their lives when he's not around (the PG, Sarah Jane Smith, Captain Jack, Mickey and Martha) is always fascinating, and that trio are the most fascinating of all.
Overall, it was a much more scattered ep than I'd expected, and the Doctor not quite as all grim-dark as had been hinted (though he had his moments).
l look forward to watching more.
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Where did the nickname "Patternoster Gang" come from?
I liked the episode, although Capaldi doing Smith made the first little bit a bumpy ride. Much better when the personality started leveling out. Personally, I don't understand the mystery around whether the Doctor pushed the cyborg or if the cyborg jumped. There's no wondering if the Doctor can murder people. We know the answer because he has murdered people.
I also liked that Clara had problems with the regen. It made it more real to me. In the past, everyone was like 'Oh, you have a new face and sound completely different but nothing to carry on about.' Even human Companions that are used to time travel and crazy adventures should be a little freaked over such a change.
However, I wasn't thrilled with the angle they took with it. Clara seemed more perturbed that the Doctor has gone from young to old, making comments about the lines on his face and grey hair.
Aside from those bits, I was impressed, and I liked the phone call at the end, although I hope it doesn't happen again. Moffat can sometimes take something sentimental and make it crass by beating us over the head with it. Nice touch but now it's time to move on.
+Isaac Sher The street where Madame Vastra's house is ( http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/Paternoster_Row). The narrator in the episode "The Great Detective" use the term "Paternoster Gang" (http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/Thread:130311#5).
The age angle was oddly played. There seemed to be a big to-do about whether Eleven and Clara had a flirting (at least) arrangement. There's no sign left of it in Twelve, but …
… well, apparently it was still the (hotly-denied) case for her. The veiled conversation with Madame Vastra was well done (and interesting), but it still felt clumsy from Clara's perspective (certainly didn't make me like the character any more).
I agree that should be a one-time phone call. A nice surprise, but too much of a rabbit out of the hat.
A comment was made in a conversation at my office that, given how Clara has been up and down and all around the Doctor's past time line, why is she so confused about the Regeneration cycle, let alone surprised by a Doctor looking old?
I had actually wondered that myself. Considering she had interacted with every incarnation of the Doctor, right down to directing the First Doctor on which TARDIS to take, her reaction was odd.
Honestly, I think this was an episode designed to send a message to viewers, with Clara taking on the role of viewer and the Doctor assuring the newer fans that he's still the same exciting character even though he no longer looks like Matt Smith or David Tennant.
+Marty Shaw It would be terribly disappointing to see them mishandle the character that way, just to send a message. Especially since most folk (albeit fandom types) have been thrilled about a more mature acting toaking on the role. And, I mean, all the Eleven / Clara shippers aren't going to suddenly feel all warm and fuzzy about Clara hugging some old man, even if it's been officially sanctioned by the Doctor himself.
I agree, and I could be misinterpreting the episode, but it just seemed like we were being beat over the head with the age issue (repeated comments about lines on his face, why is his hair grey if it's new hair, etc). After a while, I was like 'Yes! He'd older. Got it!'
Incidentally, while on the subject of the new Doctor. Did Twelve… ummm… rob a bum? I know he told Clara he traded his pocket watch for the clothes and coat he was wearing, but he was wearing a nightgown (or whatever it's called) during that scene. Where was he keeping the watch?
+Marty Shaw No matter where he goes, he always has Space for Time somewhere …
+Marty Shaw (I presumed he rolled the bum. Not the most dodgy thing he did that episode.)