Oh man, so much to respond to.
I can't beleive I forgot about Captain Jack I love him, so funny and such a great character. Although I watched the first half of Torchwood season 1 and wasn't really all that impressed.
Yeah, the first episode is great but after that the first series is weak, but it does start to pick up towards the end. The second series is an absolute romp, terrific fun and starts taking itself less seriously. Third (mini-) series is more serious again, but genuinely good. I recommend catching up.
And you're right about holding off on the Weeping Angels. Part of what made them to creepy the first and second time around is that you had NO IDEA what could happen, since they were so mysterious. They were scary, powerful and brilliantly executed, but if they keep using them than they will lose that punch. Plus, the writers would keep having to think of really contrived reasons to bring them back (much like the Daleks are now). I saw keep them in pocket for a little while, let them fade from memory a bit, then WHAM, just when we least expect it, spring them on us.
I'd also like to see the Daleks and Weeping Angels take a bit of a rest this season. I mean, yeah, Daleks are iconic and all that, but having them show up every season (and typically in the finale) is practically expected at this point, though it was cool in the Big Bang where it was just one Dalek giving them trouble instead of an army again. Made them scarier.
Yeah the daleks tend to be brought back for fun more than anything else these days, which is fine; it's a family show so we need some fun episodes mixed in with the more serious/epic ones. I guess there was a dalek in the finale of Series 5 but it wasn't the villain at all, was more of a tangential character. RTD overused them a bit maybe, particularly in the finales, but Moffat seems a little more sparing with them, which is good. And yeah like I said, apparently no returning monsters in Series 6.
On the note of recurring characters, possibly my least favorite character in the entire modern re-boot has got to be Mickey. He's got no reason to be there, especially in the End of Time when he and Martha are married. Or was that an alternate dimension? I don't remember.
I found Mickey pretty annoying at the start but he ends up being pretty good, especially in the second season. And yeah, he ends up marrying Martha, but that wasn't a major plot point, it was just to tie up the stories as those specials were the end of an era for both Tennant and RTD.
As for the Ood, they were well done in the Impossible Planet, but the more we saw of them the more I thought they were being shoehorned into different roles for which they we'rent really suited. But if they pull it off as well as you hope they will in series 6, it could work.
I like the Ood a lot, and we've only seen them a total of, what, 3 times? I'd have no problem with them returning.
What I'm really excited for is the Gaiman episode. He's a master of the creepy and yet hilarious, a perfect fit for the Doctor. Can't wait to see what he's got written.
Gaiman is my favourite author and, like you say, PERFECT for Doctor Who. Absolutely cannot wait!
I'd also like to see Rory and Amy rise to the occasion. They're both great characters, and could have some really great moments. Since the Christmas Special was Doctor centric, I'd like to see at least one episode where Amy and Rory have a really heroic moment.
Yeah they are brilliant companions. They had some fantastic stuff in Series 5, but you're right about the special it was more focussed on the Doctor and also on the guest stars. I'm sure they'll be utilised well once the regular series starts up again.
Incidentally, have either of you seen www.markwatches.net ? I don't generally follow blogs, but he's been going from the very beginning with no spoilers whatsoever, and he reports back after each episode, which he watches each weekday. He totally gets Doctor Who, it's an absolute joy. He's up to the Sontaran Stratagem, now, and he was surprised enough when Martha showed up. The Stolen Earth is going to turn his brains to mush. He doesn't even know when David regenerates! Can't wait for him to get to that bit.
Hadn't seen that blog, might check it out at some point!
I've been reading up on the new season coming up. Very excited to see the Silence and Neil Gaiman pop up. I really hope we get a bit more info on River.
Again agreed about Gaiman, and I'm fairly sure we're going to find out about the Silence and also who the hell River is. If they do it well it could be a really amazing series!