So I was really just unhappy with the four episodes directly preceding the finale. I'd really enjoyed most of the episodes before that. And it's a fair point that I might enjoy them more upon re-watching. I think a key source of my discontent was my impatience and frustration with the fact that they kept picking up and dropping storylines left and right when they were supposed to be wrapping up the show. And in general I get frustrated with ensemble shows that ignore characters and relationships for whole episodes. It's not so bad when there's some indefinite number of episodes left to make up for the neglect, but it drove me nuts knowing that the series was ending and I had no idea what was happening with certain characters.

Doctor Who is very much a show that I've enjoyed without much involvement in online fandom. I talk about it with some people on my flist, but it's usually a secondary shared interest, and I don't follow any communities. I find the show really fun, and I don't want to lose that. It's probable that starting with the specials, I won't even read any reaction that doesn't seem to match my own. My SO and one of my friends from law school both watch it, and that may be the extent to which I get different perspectives on the show.

I feel really lame for shutting out some discussion, as that can be one of the most enjoyable parts of watching a show for me, but I really am learning that it's hard for me to forget other people's negative reactions, even if I don't agree with them in the least. There are some episodes of Doctor Who that I loved on first viewing that now make me think of someone's dissertation on sexism or whatever. Enough shows are ruined for me by my own opinions that I can't really afford to let other people's opinions spoil the few I do like, you know?