Doctor Who: how does series structure affect story?

Each approach has positives and negatives, but how if at all does it affect the stories?

Series 6 had two finales, both of which ended on a cliffhanger.

So, more cliffhangers, more excitement?

A great cliffhanger needs a great resolution, and some threads of the Silence arc ended better than others.

In the following series, Claras character didnt fully emerge from under The Impossible Girl arc.

There was a feeling of treading water, maintaining a holding pattern until the fireworks of the anniversary episodes.

However, the circumstances made this necessary.

Would it have been as popular if it was split in two?

Would it even work?

Thats not to say Series 6 and 7 were bad.

Personally, I feel that Series 6 especially has some great individual episodes, especially in the second half.

This is especially true after a long wait.

We know the BBCs situation.

Were back to the longer run once a year, but one episode shorter.

As it was, Season 7A/Season Pond felt like a starter rather than a main course.

David Tennants outgoing run of specials was announced in advance and few grumbles were had.

Its an intensive process, making a TV show, especially one so thoroughly scrutinised.

Now budgets are tighter, and audiences are harder to surprise.