Score: 10 out of 10

(Obligatory OBNOXIOUS Animated GIF!)

He's back.  Clinging onto a dying T.A.R.D.I.S. that's plummeting towards the Earth, the newly regenerated Doctor enters the screen with almost everyone on the production team the same save for Russel T. Davies, Julie Gardener, and the venerated David Tennant.  Now, losing that team is pretty much like the old Superbowl Monsters the New England Patriots losing Belichick, the Head Defensive Coordinator, and Tom Brady.  I know I just used an American Football reference to compare with the firepower lost on this current Doctor Who team, but it really IS that big of a deal.  The good news is... Belichick was replaced by... erm... a really good coach who trained under him, and produced a few episodes...

ahhhh fuck it.

The GOOD NEWS IS, Stephen Moffat, someone who worked very closely with Davies on the previous seasons who was also responsible for some of the most memorable episodes of the newer Who series is taking the helm, and his star 'Matt Smith' is being regarded very highly as the newest Gallifrayan Timelord who pilots the chameleon chip busted blue box.

And the new companion is SMOKIN.  So that works for me.

Let me jump off this burning airship of my lead up.

The new episode is fabulous and brilliant.  Moffat is charged with a VERY daunting task, and executes it with poise and power.  Matt Smith jumps into the skin with a much more flamboyant and obviously youthfull 'Docta'. Karen Gillan is a spunky firecracker of a side-kick who looks like she's not afraid to show some skin.

• The storyline is sharp and upbeat. 
• The monsters are to some extent pretty freaky.
• The New Doctor is topical to Web 2.0
• Murray Gold's music is heroic and engaging
• The MILL has a couple more bucks to beef up their CGI
• Moffat's script is witty, humours, and on the ball
• Smith's delivery is energetic and whimsical

Shall I go on?  Want me to nitpick?  I can. 

There's a scene where the Doctor is facing off with an alien baddy and he's pulling a very similar speech that Tennant delivered during "Forest of the Dead".  The script is on point, fact is, Moffat wrote the 'Library' script as well.  So then it falls to how intimidating Smith can deliver it.  Personally, I think it could've been scarier.  He is THE EARTH'S GREATEST DEFENDER.  Eccleston would've made the Eyeball monster poop some tears.  Tennant would've gotten us to shiver with proud excitement.  Smith spoke the words adequately.  But I hope he can really embrace the reality that 'The Doctor' is the most terrifying thing that any non-Earth-based lifeform could EVER cross.

Also... Davies was a MASTER of breadcrumbs.  He like to weave his series with small subtle hints that meant nothing until the big reveal.  Then you suddenly wanted to see all the old episodes to see the big picture.  He (Davies) was reserved with his hints, and only during the climactic perfect moment did he connect all his loose ends beautifully.  It just seemed like Moffat BROKE IT OVER OUR HEADS on this episode.  I can say I didn't notice the "Myth" logo until my second viewing, but the Silence coming through the crack was so heavy handed, that it couldn't be avoided if you tried.  So this wasn't like the 'bees disappearing', it wasn't offhanded mentions to Cardiff & Torchwood, and it wasn't a simple 'Bad Wolf' logo in the background.

But once again, this is nitpicking.  And I don't like to do that if I don't have to. 

My wife is already hyperventillating for the next episode.  And I can't blame her.  Moffat, Smith, and Gillan are coming out swinging.

Allons-y!!

P.S.  I going to mention this RIGHT NOW.  The Doc's current sidekick 'Pond' is coming off as a little obsessed.  Making her boyfriend dress as the Doctor?  A room filled with dolls and drawings that are piled on piles?  KNOWING that she's getting married in hours, then running of with him and trusting the Doc to bring her back in time, when he's already misfired his returns by... 12 years, and 2 years.

I think Miss Pond has a minor mental problem.  I really do.  I'd like to see if that's a psychosis that Moffat will actually touch on.

I'd be impressed.