Not having the audience hear what God says, which I assume is the case in the film, does create that ambiguity. Once you hear the same thing Noah hears, it's easier to pick a side. Imagine GHOSTBUSTERS if the audience never actually saw any of the ghosts.

(or go watch HARVEY )

Others have mentioned that the Smith/Capaldi transition is very similar to the Davidson/Colin Baker one. In each case, you're seeing a change from childish to almost anti-hero. Baker was given his own companion to start things off with, though.

You would think, nowadays, that wouldn't be a problem. Unless they actually used a script written for a "generic" Doctor (as was done with the first McCoy episode), it should have been written to show off how his new personality was forming and tell us where the show was going. A good producer would also have filmed a couple other episodes first, letting the actor settle into his part before he has to deal with how he becomes the Doctor (this was done with Peter Davidson)

She's leaving this year, I believe. Companions rarely last more than two years.

In fact, the whole 13 regeneration thing was invented simply so they could have a story where The Master looked like an undead monster because he had used up his regenerations. Actually, thinking about it, that may have just mentioned a limit, with the number 13 coming from a 5th doctor episode where he's asked to give up all his remaining regenerations to save a group of people (one regeneration per individual).

Remember, this kind of thing is thrown in by each writer with no concern given to how it will effect the show in the future

Not every atheist seeks to turn religious fables into anti-god sermons. He just treated it as he would a film about greek mythology, where the gods are real and everyone knows it.

I do think, though, the film probably could have been improved if they brought in Bill Cosby to help with the script.

"Noah, I want you to build an Ark!"
"Right... What's an ark?"

I freely admit, I'm a fan of scholar Margaret Barker, and her theories about exactly what was practiced in the First Temple. It could be complete bullshit and is about as far from mainstream Biblical criticism as those who say Abraham and Moses actually existed, but it's a fun idea. I'm getting her new book for my birthday next month, which with luck will give more details on her theory that Christianity was an attempt to return to First Temple beliefs (she thinks what we call Pagan influences are actually from early Hebrew practices). Her "The Mother of the Lord" is a great read, and available as an ebook.

Mind you, if they're hoping Nick will pay for a 4th season, you wouldn't expect them to say anything else.

There is a theory that just like circumcision was mandated to replace killing the first born male child, Jesus was sacrificed to replace replace circumcision AND animal sacrifices. God doesn't change what he needs, just the form it takes.

(it actually was a female wisdom goddess who demanded human sacrifice, and they got rid of her when they went to one god just before the Babylonian exile. Many, naturally, blamed tossing her out of the Temple for that disaster, so I'm sure there were some backsliders)

It's interesting that this was the season of Korra they decided to only release online in the US then. I had no idea it was out yet.

I love Nowflake too!