Hey Meems!
I jumped up and down pointing when I saw where it was. It's Llandaff Cathedral and the square next to it, about forty minutes walk from my house. It's an odd place, really close so as to be a suburb of Cardiff, but like a little village instead. It's a nice place. Possibly 'Daily Mail nice', though. All the village outdoor stuff seemed to be filmed there, not sure where the hospital is but I think it might be Whitchurch, also near Cardiff. Natch.
I for one very much liked it! Wonderful opening third. The plot became a teensy bit shakey with techno-wibble and the threatening monster was interesting if a little ineffectual, but the entire rompy nature of it and the script was pure win. Am I forgiven in thinking that this is already the best companion/Doctor team up since the revamped series came back? (Baker / Sladen for me, overall.)
I really, really liked Matt Smith in it. Whatever murmurs about him being a bit of an arrogant meester in real life (and we only have Pop Bitch to go for there) I care not, he's nailed the Doctor and that's good enough for me. The entire regen-food thing was delivered perfectly, and the screen does seem to love his wonky face. Amy Pond is lots of fun too, its nice to have a baggage-less wonder filled companion who doesn't screech and just seems happy.
Also lots of top jokes. Lord Rixondale felt it merely mildly entertaining, but...
ZOMG Spoiler! Click here to view!
Patrick Moore
... did make him laugh heartily. (Ta for letting me watch it on your spingly-spangly HD TV, btw, Rix.)
Series trailer looked almost too spoilerific in its goodness. I have confidence in this new series though, I feel it's on solid ground. As long as it remembers not to get too pompous and tries to avoid having 'Earth/Planet in peril' EVERY week or so, I'll likes lots.
Also, it's obvious the kids are gonna love him.