Breath deep, because the air is strangely fresh in the newest series of Doctor Who.

At least that’s my take on it after watching the premiere of the new season at the theater.  I’m glad I waited this time around, as it made everything much more immediate.  While the episode had many of the traits of modern Who, it also had a risky sensibility that I liked.

The thing that I liked most about the episode was its healthy self-awareness.  Moffatt knew he was doing something different from the get-go by casting an older Doctor, and he doesn’t dodge the issue.  The episode says a lot about what it means to know someone.  And almost every character in the episode gets a comment to that effect.  Not only that, but there are some nice references to older stories whose significance dawns on you even as it dawns on the Doctor.  And because it’s a callback, it doesn’t feel like an unnecessary retread.

Peter Capaldi feels like a natural at this.  He plays confidently-confused perfectly.  And while Clara isn’t my favorite companion, she definitely does things that no other companion in recent memory could do, and she does so amazingly.  Even the Paternoster Gang worked well for me in the episode, which was a nice surprise.

The question that always has to be asked, though, is whether or not the episode was scary.  No Daleks here.  No Weeping Angels in sight.  And yet the seen in the restaurant, once you realize what is going on, is quite creepy and effective.  I’m not even sure that the villain in the episode had a real name.  His visual, though, was brilliant.

BBC America definitely knows how to make fans happy.  As with the 50th Anniversary Special, the episode was book-ended by extra material.  And while the post-show “making of” video was enjoyable, it was the introduction by Strax that was brilliant.  In order to help the new viewer, Strax made a video blog about the various incarnations of the Doctor.  Lots of humor, lots of joking around about what made each Doctor unique (and laughable).  Hopefully it will show up online sometime.

I feel like I’ve said both too much and nothing at all.  I’m glad the Doctor is back.  And I’m glad that while he is himself, he is also something and someone different.  I think it will make for a wonderfully enjoyable season.