I was lucky enough to be at the press launch last night, and thought I'd share some of my thoughts observations about the episodes etc, and some of the news that has already been reported in threads elsewhere.
As you know, we were treated to the first screening of Smith & Jones and The Shakespeare Code. Both episodes benefited from being shown on a huge screen. The effects were especially impressive - The Mill's work looking like movie standard, the Shakespeare episode especially.
Some observations/impressions then, though I'm going to keep it spoiler-lite, even though we're in the spoiler section.
The main thing: I liked Martha Jones immediately from her first scene. By the time she meets the Doctor, I loved her. Freema brings such enthusiasm and honesty to the role, that the audience will, while not exactly have forgotten Rose, certainly won't miss her. The dynamic between her and the Doctor was excellent, in many ways she's a better foil for Tennant's Doctor than Rose was. She challenges him, takes everything in her stride and tries to see the positive. Freema was truly impressive in both episodes, a great addition to the team.
Smith & Jones is quite a romp, with a lot of setting up (Martha, her job, the family situation) to cover, and although this is dispensed with fairly quickly, the plot itself is a little slight naturally enough. however, it's a packed 45 mins, full of incident, great lines and set pieces. In retrospect I can see how certain corners were cut for the sake of the budget (there are several excellent, but costly effects shots) but you don't really notice as the episode unfolds.
David Tennant is confident and assured as the Doctor - some manic and mannnered moments, but these seem more natural and less forced than last season. A bold and confident start to the season I'd say.
The Shakespeare Code is perhaps even better. I'd say the funniest script of new Who by far. Some terrific lines, including not one, but two great Harry Potter gags (cleverly acknowledging that much of new Who's young fanbase are more than aquainted with the Potter books). The villains were sinister in places, but slightly more comic. Dean Lennox Kelly was excellent as a 'Liam Gallagher-esque' Shakespeare, sharing a flirtatious relationship with Martha - Freema really shines in these scenes.
The effects are truly excellent, from the shots of London and the Globe to the well, that'd be telling. However, it's the witty script that impresses the most. And the Doctor makes an enemy he never knew he had - interesting to see how that one plays out.
The episodes were followed by a trailer that included scenes from the first three shows, and snippets from the rest of the season.
Anyway, the season looks as though it'll be bigger and better than ever. The show is bristling with confidence, and on the evidence of what I saw last night, they have every right to!
and there's still two weeks of the alternate DW 
