I think the new cast is a good one, and I have no issues with the casting. The special effects are also pretty good, and much better that Dr Who of yore, for instance the realism of the giant spiders was pretty impressive.

However, that being said, I'm close to giving up on watching it. I think the writing and the plots are bad, verging on terrible. Far too preachy, moralising and politically correct for my stomach. I want something escapist entertaining that I can chill out to, and which surprises me from time to time. Instead this series seems to be a series of moralising tales based on contemporary political issues (racism in america, evil capitalists making a quick buck by dumping industrial waste.....), which makes it more irritating than entertaining. If I wanted that sort of entertainment, I could just watch a Green Party campaign video instead.

Plus, I find it a bit irritating that every hole in the plot is "magicked" over with the wondrous all-singing all-dancing sonic screwdriver, which is becoming very over-used as a plot device.

Overall:

• Casting 8/10
• Special effects 9/10
• Plots 5/10
• Writing 3/10