Honestly, I couldn't agree with you more. I loved Amy in the first few episodes and I still think I like the person she could be if Moffat doesn't keep on the path he's on right now. And YES to the heavy-handedness of the plot. It's so... clumsy compared to previous seasons. I remember Bad Wolf being delightfully creepy and mysterious until the very end of the season.

Has is been confirmed that River Song is Rani? Because that would be Awesome. And I agree with Brina, I think it would explain her total self-insertyness and make it so much more palatable.

So far I have found the new season entertaining, but not quite up to snuff as far as storytelling, which honestly, is pretty much what I expected. I did not, however expect to miss just watching the show in general as much as I did. ^^