The whole point of making "The Doctor" a woman and certainly as it was portrayed across the media as that , was that it was TIME that a woman was cast in the role. It was time for a change!
I had absolutely zero argument with this.
The series had been spiralling downward for a while, with an overall story quality that was often way below what I would have reasonable expected of it, with more than its fairer share of truely awful episodes. I was hoping that when this Moffat era came to end, along with Peters Doctor ,that a new broom would sweep somewhat clean and regenerate the series.
Two episodes in and I am definitely not feeling that.
I really enjoyed the female version of the Master. Michelle Gomez brought at the very least, a delightful deranged eccentricity to Missy.I was sorry to see her go.
I had hoped Jodi might bring something similarly unexpected, but there is so far really nothing there.
Nice hair, good teeth and a fair complexion, much like David T, but so far it feels like she was directly chosen because she could imitate him, and thats as boring as hell, it brings nothing new to the role. Its in part the Clara effect, shes just too normal and none descript to pass muster as an interesting Doctor. Her main characteristic so far seems to be talking too fast ,too much and about nothing in particular, and some of the lines spouted in this episode made me want to weep.
For all that this far trumpeted change to the Doctor would bring , well, so far it just hasn't. They played it too safe, too bland and its pointedly failed to mark itself out as the promised event that would significantly move the perception of how a leading character roles can be played and improved by altering the gender stereotype.
Want to watch a series that has done that? Try "Killing Eve". Its as totally far fetched as a story as the very best of Dr Who, but you'll buy into it because of the absolutely brilliant way the lead female characters are written and played, just like their male counterparts, and how they constantly and cleverly subvert the usual role stereo types to really astonishing effect at times.
I personally now think they jumped too early and played way too safe with their choice of actress. Phoebe Waller Bridge was strongly tipped to be the next Doctor and lord ,did they miss a tremendous opportunity when they went with Jodi. I hope they can develop her as they go along, but its going to be an uphill struggle from what i can see (and the rest of the cast).