Last week the world got its first glimpse of Peter Capaldi as the Doctor at the tail end of what was arguably the worst episode since Moffat took over as showrunner. I’ve seen comment after Internet comment about how Moffat effectively jumped the shark with The Time of the Doctor, and I can’t say I completely disagree. And yet, I still find myself oddly hopeful that the upcoming series with Capaldi’s Twelfth* Doctor won’t suck the proverbial big one.

Given how many times I’ve been burned by Moffat (as mentioned last week, my enjoyment of his episodes has generally decreased over time), you’d think I’d learn not to let my expectations get the better of me. Despite experience, though, here I sit, cautiously optimistic that the show will undergo a positive change.

The rumor mill obviously has something to do with this attitude. Once folks started posting I-heard‘s and according-to‘s claiming Capaldi’s first series would trend away from the “fairy tale” motif Moffat ensured was infused throughout Smith’s run and toward a more “gothic” feel, that treasonous spark of hope rekindled.

What would it be like to return to a darker show, reminiscent of the Hinchcliffe/Holmes “Golden Age” (think Pyramids of Mars, The Brain of Morbius, and The Talons of Weng-Chiang)? Granted, under Moffat it would be nothing like late ’70s Who, but one likes to think it would be better than what we’ve been getting more recently.

If I get really wild and crazy with my speculations and dare to dream about “what could be” in an ideal world, I go a bit off the rails. “There could be consequences! People we care about could actually die and stay dead! Horrible deaths, even! Or the Doctor could discover that although Gallifrey survived in an alternate universe, the process did something terrible to them, like driving everyone mad at some random time—everyone will go mad eventually, but no one knows when any given person will succumb! It’s like death, only for your mind! Or… or…”

Well, you see how this is going: distinctly away from how Moffat writes. But a fan can dream! And the New Year is a time for fresh starts and clean slates, so here’s your chance, Mr. Moffat. I’m willing to give you another series in which to win me over again rather than going into every episode with clenched teeth at the ready.

At least he’s got a talented leading man to keep the fanbase engaged.

*Numbering open to interpretation