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June 13th, 2010
48 comments
Vincent and the Doctor Final Ratings
Final viewing figures for Matt Smiths Tenth story, Vincent and the Doctor show that the story achieved a Total Rating of 6.8m viewers (inc Hd).
6.3m Watched on BBC1 whilst a further 0.47m watched on the HD channel.
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48 Responses to Vincent and the Doctor Final Ratings
Posted by: SandraB January 23rd, 2011
My husband and I (both 50+) are enjoying Matt Smith as the Doctor, and we’ve been fans since the mid 1970′s of the Tardis and her pilot! The stories in this current series are quite good, but our one and only turnoff is Karen as Amy. The girl can’t act at all, and my husband and I should know – we’re both actors (he on stage, screen and as an acting instructor)! She poses and mugs, and her character has become so annoying that we seriously debated whether or not to even keep watching the series. Please, Mr. Moffat, please cast someone else as the companion and give us someone who can show emotion beyond the range of A to B. Otherwise, we’re enjoying the series – kudos especially for bringing back the Silurians with their new “look” and a continuing thread of possibilities with them!
Posted by: ESJAYSEA January 13th, 2011
Series 33 (or Series 5 for those who are newish to Doctor Who) for me was one of the best series that I’ve seen in the 37/38 years that I have been a Doctor Who fan… For me it was like a mishmash of the best bits of series 6 and series 7 (my favourite series) with new ideas thrown into the mix…
I also have to say that Matt Smith plays the part very well, and reminds me of a mix between Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwie with bits of Peter Davidson thrown in…
Can’t wait for series 34 to start now
Posted by: Mark Surrey January 3rd, 2011
I think Matt Smith isn’t very good; David tenant was good but too emotional and effeminate. I prefer the older series but thought the first series in 2005 was absolutely brilliant, i wish they’d kept Chris Eccleston, and Rose they were magnificent and the stories were good. However although it was my favourite TV program i have now given up on it, the stories have no depth and most of the time are stupid. They literally start off and then it’s like magic the doctor solves it not by some ingenious solution but by some god like power, well too me that’s just boring. I have to say The Sarah Jane Adventures are more inventive and captivating.
Posted by: The Last Warrior July 12th, 2010
can i just say another thing, alot of people seem to say theyd never heard of Matt before, literally every doctor was unknown, DT….. unknown, Tom Baker…. unknown, i rest my case.
Posted by: Reys July 12th, 2010
I started watching doctor who with David and i too believe that he was a wonderful doctor and he made you believe the story he was tell so to speak Ive watched Matt smith not judging but ready to give him a fair chance and i did i however do not like his acting at all its like he gives no emotion at all. He’s boring and David was loud, energetic over the top and it was fun to watch now i just wanna go to sleep i know 6 major doctor who fans who have watch from the very beginning who now refuses to watch it at all
Posted by: The Last Warrior July 1st, 2010
will everyone shut up about these overnight figures, they mean nothing. Doctor Who is doing better now than series 1. yeh i agree there have been sum pretty dire episodes in this series, but they all have. series 1 had sum bad eps as did S2, S3, S4 and the specials.
sumtimes sum of u r reading the Sun to much
Posted by: jaye June 30th, 2010
I would watch Doctor Who regardless of who is the doctor, but I’m not a fan of Matt Smith’s Doctor. I’d never heard of him before he became The Doctor, so I didn’t have a preconceived idea about him. !. after 13 episode Smith’s still unconvincing to me when he says ‘I am The Doctor’. 2. He’s WAY too silly. Wackiness or a certain eccentricity is expected, but he ‘s over playing it. 3. He lacks the capacity to convey emotions in a convincing way. When he gave his speech before his collective enemies, I thought, Who the heck would be afraid of him. A Time Lord should be able to manifest anger and yeah be a little arrogant and intimidating. Smith is too much like milk toast. I like a Doctor with a bit more edge, not the absent minded Professor. It’s the 21st century not 1963. 4. The lifesaver colored Daleks was a bad idea. They seem more like toys than deadly aliens. 5. I don’t think the companions need to get any younger; I don’t want to watch a kid’s afternoon special. 6. The writing while imaginative was not cohesive, it seemed like a whole lot of jumbled ideas thrown together sometimes, particularly with regard to the 2 part finale. There were some really good episodes like the Vincent one and the lodger, but Moffat seems to be struggling a bit. If this is Doctor Who’s roots, he needs a touch up.
Posted by: Whovian19 June 21st, 2010
Average ratings for each series based on the first 10 epiosdes of every series (excluding Xmas specials):
Series 1 – 8.204
Series 2 – 7.65
Series 3 – 7.41
Series 4 – 7.708
Series 5 – 7.978
The average is actually at its highest since 2005.
And back then we didn’t have the iPlayer!
Posted by: dylan June 19th, 2010
I thought part 1 of the series finale was amazing!!! I loved it and i cant wait for the big bang next week!!:D
Posted by: RedBlu June 17th, 2010
I think a lot of the negativity is reactionary a LOT has changed.
But then I think the change is reactionary. The RTD era built up the epic cliffhangers and world altering events to the point of lunacy, the first two season finales were enjoyable tat, but the last two (and especially the End of Time) were just a sign that the show had entirely lost the plot, complete nonsense without a coherent thought to them.
I’d like to point out the the viewing figures haven’t dropped (just the overnights), if I were to guess the BBC are dialling the show down to a more sustainable level, the kind of level which survived 25 years! Under Davies it burnt its self out in under 3 years, this season (which incidentally despite the improved weather and various sports events has HIGHER viewing figures than last), working on half the budget, has sustained the viewers whilst keeping the show comparably low key. If you’re hoping the show goes the distance then you should be looking on these changes as a positive.
Posted by: Phillip Wright June 17th, 2010
I had gotten very used to Tennant, and as such I feel a high level of fan loyalty to him and the story arcs associated with him. So my gut reaction is to not be impressed by whomever next fills the doctor’s shoes.
BUT, I have tried to put aside my bias and judge Matt Smith’s doctor on fair and equal grounds. Each Regeneration since the First Doctor brings a new feel to the series and I am not going to look to this season or the next to further the same nature of the Tennant years.
Judging Matt Smith and Karen Gilliam fairly I believe they are both excellent actors, and the stories so far this season have been of fair quality. Some better than others, but the quality of storytelling I don’t believe has really changed since the new series began. I thought the Vincent Van Gogh episode was in fact quite an excellent episode with real thought put in to the characters. The true focus of the story was on Van Gogh, not the Alien. The science fiction aspects of this episode were appropriately used to frame real storytelling about real issues that we face in our lives regarding depression, talent, self-esteem, and concepts of loneliness. All very well observed with a classic Dr. Who flavor.
Even though the number of viewers has gone down I don’t believe this is bad or even unexpected. It’s a new Doctor, a new Companion, a new Tardis. It’s just going to take audiences a while to adjust, and within a year I’m sure there will be a devoted following for Matt Smith just as there was for Tennant, and just as there was for Eccleston before him. The main advantage I think Tennant had in the changeover from season 1 to 2 is that Rose remained as companion, helping to ease Eccleston’s audience into accepting Tennant.
Posted by: Mike D June 15th, 2010
Why are so many people quick to kick. Doctor Who remains as it has been for the past five years a show that exists and excites in many layers. Action and adventure, humour and pathos. I challenge anyone not to revisit Vincent and the Doctor and applaud the way the subject of depression is sensitively handled within that story. Some people see the show wrapped in a sci fi blanket and cannot see beyond that to the high standard of writing, production values and acting which exceed many of the more ‘applauded’ costume, police or hospital dramas. Karen Gillan is utterly believable in the role. Matt Smith has already made the role his own but is clearly still finding his feet. Go back and compare David Tennant in The Christmas Invasion to his utterly heart rendering scenes with Bernard Cribbins in the End of Time. Totally magic tv.
Give the show, the actors and the production your continuing support. I’m sure they will evaluate their first year and come back next year even better. Let’s be proud of such a fabulous BRITISH iconic show, yes give constructive criticsm but also give credit where its due and just enjoy. Blimey average of 7 million people watching early evening tv is something to be proud of!! People forget (crack in THEIR wall maybe!lol) that before its return in 2005 saturday evening tv was dead!!! Doctor Who has brought the family back into the same room for 45 minutes at least.
Posted by: Yopeepee June 15th, 2010
Thanks so much Whovian19, it shows that this series is going just fine! I mean, look back at Series 1. The finale had only 6.9 million viewers!
Posted by: Jo Rowbottom (Davros Ironside) June 15th, 2010
Dr Who has definitely lost the plot somewhere in the Galaxy. I think Matt Smith is weird but cute in a very disturbing way… but he is not a great Doctor. I hope that crack swallows them all up and spits out something a bit more acceptable!
Posted by: Sonic The Screwdriver (Davros Ironside) June 15th, 2010
We are living in difficult times. Obviously the BBC have had to cut the budget and go back to the 1970′s with Cheap and nasty sets. This week was no exception as we had a door with flashing lights behind it! WOW!!!!
The actors are also poor and if it is true that Smith has signed a 5 year contract then I am switching off for good. Most annoying weak actress I have seen for a long long time and her squeaky voice is driving me madder than the Vuvuzales at the World Cup.
Posted by: Amy (Davros Ironside) June 15th, 2010
It isn’t working. The stories are weak, the acting weaker and the casting awful. I think so many people are shocked by the way D W has completely changed. Some things don’t add up… and yes, agree that the new Daleks are rank. It is just a ploy by the BBC and Toy companies to sell merchandise. I wondered where I had seen Matt Smith before also…. was it on one of the 1980′s Tefal Ads? Remember… he can travel in time so it is possible!
Posted by: Davros Ironside June 15th, 2010
Cannot understand the BBC. As you can see, the viewing figures have fallen constantly since the start of the series.
There is an old saying, If it isn’t broken, don’t mend it and the Beeb are guilty of breaking this rule.
Matt Smith is an excellent actor but his character as this doctor is not right. He is a throwback, dare I say it, to Sylvester (o man) McCoy, the worst doctor by a trillion light years. Matt’s Character is too similar. I think if he were to calm down the role, not be too zany then it will work better but it is not serious enough for me and the writers are to blame here for turning it into a comedy. Do you remember when the Beeb got rid of Freema Aggaman as the assistant for weak acting? Well she must be watching her TV laughing her head off… because Amy is not growing on me at all. I find her irritating. Oh… and while we are at it, the Daleks need to go to Weightwatchers. Terrible!
My son loved Doctor Who, but he is finding all the changes way too much.
The ratings are falling and the Beeb need to re-install confidence. I know the Doctor can only regenerate a certain number of times but can Matt be paid off and Get the doctor to regenerate back into a more sane character… perhaps do the unthinkable and re-generate back into an old doctor… I would pay good money to see Ecclestone back. He could do with the work!
Posted by: RedBlu June 15th, 2010
Do these figures count those 1million iplayer views? Or are these independent.
Has anyone collated the total viewing figures including iplayer?
Posted by: booboo June 14th, 2010
Yes i agree, its the overnights that look bad, what has changed are viewing habbits. people no longer see the need to “watch on the night” as there are so many alternatives, especially I player.
as you say nothing has really changed, the viewing figures AI etc are fine.
Posted by: Whovian19 June 14th, 2010
Why do people think that these ratings are bad? Accoring to the Gallifrey Base every episode this series has also had over 1 million views on the iPlayer.
Also, take a look at previous series’ ratings:
Series 1
Rose – 10.81
End of the World – 7.97
The Unquiet Dead – 8.86
Aliens of London – 7.6
World War Three – 8.3
Dalek – 8.6
The Long Game - 8.0
Fathers Day – 8.0
The Empty Child – 7.1
The Doctor Dances – 6.8
Boom Town – 7.6
Bad Wolf – 6.8
Parting of Ways – 6.9
Series 2
Christmas Invasion – 9.8
New Earth – 8.6
Tooth and Claw – 9.2
School Reunion – 8.3
Girl in Fireplace – 7.9
Rise of Cybermen – 9.2
Age of Steel – 7.6
The Idiot’s Lantern – 6.8
Impossible Planet – 6.3
The Satan Pit - 6.0
Love & Monsters – 6.6
Fear Her – 6.9
Army od Ghosts – 7.9
Doomsday – 8.0
Series 3
Runaway Bride - 9.4
Smith and Jones – 8.7
Shakespeare Code – 7.2
Gridlock – 8.4
Daleks in Manhattan – 6.7
Evolution of Daleks – 7.0
Lazarus Experiment – 7.2
42 – 7.4
Human Nature – 7.7
Family of Blood – 7.2
Blink - 6.6
Utopia – 7.8
Sound of Drums – 7.5
Last of TimeLords – 8.6
Series 4
Voyage of Damned – 13.2
Partners in Crime – 9.1
Fires of Pompeii – 9.0
Planet of the Ood – 7.5
Sontaran Stratagem – 7.06
The Poison Sky – 6.53
Doctor’s Daughter – 7.33
Unicorn and Wasp – 8.41
Silence in Library – 6.27
Forest of the Dead – 7.84
Midnight – 8.05
Turn Left – 8.09
The Stolen Earth – 8.78
Journey’s End - 10.57
THE VIEWING FIGURES ARE NOT TERRIBLE. THEY HAVE HARDLY CHANGED!!!
Posted by: princebenjibella June 14th, 2010
I have watched Doctor Who since the 70′s and have to say this season is fantastic Matt Smith has given us back The Doctor.Chris Eccleston was great but it was clearly just a job to him David Tennent tended to chew up the scenery and could be camper than a row of tents.Don’t get me wrong l feel we owe a great dept to C.E. D.T. and R.T.D but i for one was tired of a Doctor who could be reduced to tears just by mentioning Gallifrey,Rose Tyler or what a curse it is to be a Timelord and the constant gay references Russell felt needed adding.Steven and Matt have returned Doctor Who to it’s roots good,solid family entertainment my only complaint is the effects aren’t as good now but the slashed budget is to blame for that.
Posted by: someone June 14th, 2010
it was such a great story – don’t people know that, best season so far, so there. new tardis, new screwdrvier, first episode – best introduction of a doctor so far, second – best trip for a companion, 4th & 5th – no question just perfect, 6th & 7th – excellent mid series episodes, 8th & 9th – great return for the silruians, best silruian story ever, 10th – great, the most emotional episode of doctor who ever, first one i cried in, i nearly cried in earthshock, end of time and the end of gridlock weirdly enough but that was the best, 11th – great concept, the doctor lives at a real house!!! the season finale – looks good at a good idea bringing monsters from the past too, what i expected for ages of a sci-fi finale. to end with the series is the best – some of my friends who hated the idea of doctor who, got into it from this series and now they want tot watch classic series episodes. p.s. matt smith is great, i have actually forgotten about david what was his name? – reminds me about classic who doctors, he is perfect, his cloths – bow ties are COOL, his hair and etc.
Posted by: Barry Rix June 14th, 2010
The problem is not with Matt Smith, I think he makes an excellent Doctor.
The new production team have made this series for the younger viewer, and it simply does not have the same zing of series 1-4, and as a result many casual viewers are no longer watching.
As a 50+ fan, I have struggled to get into this series, too much change all at once, change for change sake (including the Daleks).
I had high hopes for Mr Moffat, he has written some of the best Who ever, but I don’t think he is as good a producer.
Next year will be the acid test, if the bar is not raised, and we simply get more of the same, the I fear that may be out lot.
Posted by: King Ninja June 14th, 2010
Hrrm. I don’t understand my own species. Matt is one of the best Doctors. The new daleks are as good as the old. The new theme tune is just fine.
Back when we had Russell, people complained that his episodes were silly and the Moff was a better writer. Now Russell’s gone it’s all, “Ooo! Not as good as them good old days with Russel T Davies!”
Those Matt Smith hater’s will suddenly be his biggest fans when he’s gone. Make your mind up! Dr Who is brill and part of what makes it brill is the fact it changes the whole time. Or the show would have ended 50 years ago (or around about then- don’t make me do the maths!)!
Posted by: Mallo June 14th, 2010
Smith is a wonderful contrast to Mr Shout-at-it, sorry I mean Tennant. I think this series is fantastic and is my second favourite series (after the awesome third series). I do agree, however, that the show needs to be moved back to the autumn. It would be lovely to look forward to something in the dark, chilly autumn/winter months. That then would lead lovely into the Christmas Special. That, IMO, is the only thing that needs changing.
Posted by: Felix June 14th, 2010
matt smith is not different 2 david tennant, there both the same personality
Posted by: Don’t dis the Sonic June 14th, 2010
People need to get over the fact that David Tennant is no longer the Doctor and Matt Smith now plays him, every time he regenerates, he looks different and has a new personality, which makes him different to David Tennant.
Posted by: Tennentite June 12th, 2010
After watching all the current episodes the new doctor does not have any levity as “The Doctor”. He has the whacky side, but he is not the one you would run to in a crisis!!! Amy has more umph!! As does river song! He’s not an Alpha male. Some acts are too tough to follow(David was brill)…. or make him more convincing! I don’t want Dr Who to go I love Dr Who but it needs sorting!!
Posted by: Tim Mayo June 9th, 2010
It is becoming a worrying trend these viewing figures. Is it too early to say that Matt Smith hasn’t quite won over the viewers?
I do think the very warm weather has played a part, and I do strongly feel that the next series should be held back until the autumn/winter months. Doctor Who seems much more suited to the darker nights in my opinion. I think the BBC need to take note of the latest trend in viewing figures and I’m sure they are watching closely. But if this trend continues then they must do three things.
1) Move the series to later in the year (with a September/October starting point)
2) Keep Doctor Who on at a regular timeslot which stays at that time(i.e 6.30pm or 7.00pm, probably before ‘Strictly Come Dancing’)
3) And (some may or may not agree) recast the Doctor!
Posted by: koquillion June 9th, 2010
Vincent Van Moff…or is that Steven Goughat? Artists not appreciated in their own lifetimes (by some at least).
Posted by: BrannersTheHamster June 8th, 2010
Actually, I think Karen Gillan is fantastic as Amy – she and Martha are my two favourites. Although perhaps I’m biased as I have a soft spot for both Scottish accents and redheads, so it was a foregone conclusion, really. In fact, up to about 3 weeks ago, I thought it was the best series so far since the revival. And I know of 1 person who stopped watching when David Tennant took over, and has become a regular viewer again. And far from hating the show, I still love it – I’m just want to forget about last week’s episode.
Posted by: Za June 8th, 2010
Why do people seem to hate the series now. Stop moaning about how seasons 1-4 were so good and how it’s all rubbish now. Ok, DT was a great Doctor but we’ve got Matt Smith now… Doctor Who’s moved on. It’s how it’s survived all these years. So stop whinging about how the new Daleks are rubbish, or how KG is a rubbish companion and just enjoy the show.
Za
Posted by: Cats June 8th, 2010
Lehela is partly right. The show hasn’t had an emotional core up to now. Maybe, just maybe, it will develop one. Matt Smith was better in Vincent and the Doctor. He and the guy who played Vincent almost managed to carry Karen, who is a paper doll. She’s an emotional void at the heart of the show. What a ridiculous moment when Vincent notices that Amy is sad. That’s some trick when Karen’s incapable of showing inner sadness — or inner anything. She has no interior life. Amy wipes a nonexistent tear from a dry eye and you have snort with disbelief. There’s never been the slightest indication in Karen’s performance that Amy loved Rory or would care much that he was gone even if she remembered. But Matt Smith’s face expresses enough feeling to help you suspend your disbelief just a little. Not enough; I wish they’d get rid of her. Imagine almost any other companion in her place. Imagine a Carey Mulligan! It would transform the show. But I suppose I’ll keep watching a little bit longer because Matt Smith, little by little, is getting a little bit better.
Posted by: BrannersTheHamster June 7th, 2010
Blown away by Matt Smith’s Doctor, Amy and Episode 1. Initially reacted negatively when he won the part (“too young!”) but i was wrong, he’s won me over. Episodes 2-5 also very good. Episodes 6 and 7 – good. Something seemed to go wrong from there. Ep 8 seemed to drag in places, and for some reason I felt indifferent about it. Episode 9 better. Maybe both would have benefitted from trimming say 5 minutes to increase the pace? i watched both again back to back on iplayer and enjoyed them far more 2nd time around, so probably just me. Episode 10 though – I hate to admit this as Ive watched the show since the 70s through thick and thin, but actually I was bored – first time ever. Next week’s looks really good tho
Posted by: pc June 7th, 2010
Am i panicing yet over the ratings? of course not as the final figures are not in yet. besides who with this fantastic weather we are having ( global warming whingers please shut up!!) why would we not want to go out and play?
But i do think that the writers need to take the lessons of how things were done over the last 4 years because there have been some amazing stories!
Posted by: Laheyla June 7th, 2010
The show has no emotional core. Matt Smith is okay as the Doctor. Amy would have made an exceptional Old School companion. But we are being told that they are both fantastic instead of allowing their greatness to grow on us from a real place. This is what is wrong with the show now. The writers are lazy and are asking us to simply become the simple minded fanbase of old school when we have experienced two versions of the Doctor and several companions with greater emotional depth and far more complex lives. I feel Moff doesn’t really respect his characters. He just shoves them, and us, through a series of adventures without giving us any reason to relate to them. Case in point: Would a REAL girl of 22, faced with aliens and her own death tell her boyfriend to stop being so clingy when he shows he cares for her? Not likely. Yes, we know that some people lack emotional depth…but not to this extent. This is just lazy writing and so the ratings are dropping, simply because this is no longer compelling television. It’s just a show about some space alien guy traveling around the universe in his blue box.
Posted by: IWasBored! June 6th, 2010
Has anyone noticed that the “Silence will fall” part of the site has two “other clues” that are wrong? If not, here they are:
1: “A woman says that she has seen the Doctor before.” The woman recognised the Doctor because of the cartoons Amy made when she was little.
2: “Amelia clearly hears the TARDIS when she couldn’t have.” 21 year old Amy was having a dream about being left behind in 1996, when the TARDIS appeared (it’s quicker than writing the other word) in her garden, interrupting the dream and causing the 7 year old Amelia in the dream to “hear” it.
Think I’m wrong? Let me know on this part of the site.
Posted by: RedBlu June 6th, 2010
Only two weeks have the numbers actually been cause for concern. Now the Hungry Earth did actually achieve higher viewing figures in the end than the episode in the same slot last season, so we’ll just have to wait and see if the boost in deferred viewings remains. Previous episodes in this slot have had 6.6mill, 6.6, 8.05 and 7.6.
In other words so long as the final figures go up by over 1.6million again it’s all fine (not fantastic, but not even remotely cause for panic).
Posted by: Joe June 6th, 2010
for people saying these are “low” ratings, 5 million people watched. Thats alot of people. Also, the BGT final was on, and yesterday was a VERY hot day, so people were probably enjoying the weather.
Posted by: Sean June 6th, 2010
Then again with BGT, they weren’t on at the same time and they managed to pull over 12 million from the sunny streets. Lets hope they do raise.
Posted by: someone June 6th, 2010
next week, looks like another good story – i didnt get the chance of seeing it on time since i went out but regretted as soon as i saw the episode, helpline service, when was the last time that was needed. Next weeks rating is going to be higher full stop – Britian’s got talent is finished and is near to the season finale. everyone is curious of the mysterious cracks in the universe and why they are following amy? so ratings will increase.
Posted by: Neil June 6th, 2010
Why don`t we have a petition to try and get the show moved to a more favorable time of year and in a time slot that doesn`t tread on the more popular shows,in terms of mass ratings.
Dr Who works better when it is dark and the nights are colder.
Posted by: Dalek Emperour June 6th, 2010
although vatd
(vincent and the doctor) was low ratings, 5.0 million was because it was a sunny day and the BGT final was on the same day.
So due to BGT ended now, dr who ratings will hopefully rise!!!!
Cheers,
Dalek Emperour
Posted by: King Ninja June 6th, 2010
Again humanity has failed.
They must be upgraded!
Posted by: 1 June 6th, 2010
the final of britain’s got talent was on last night to be fair to doctor who other wise it would have been a bigger share
Posted by: Anonymous June 6th, 2010
If the BBC aren’t careful with there schelduling then i can see Doctor Who being axed! Especially with these poor ratings!!! They used to have 8 million viewers now they geting 5-6 million
Posted by: Sam June 6th, 2010
Hopefully there will be a big time shift again
Posted by: CA June 6th, 2010
These viewing figures are terrible, especially on the best episode this season! It’s good they’re making stories and scenes intended for the maturer audiences, especially since I started watching Who when I was 8 in 2005.