Why the War Doctor Was a Pointless Act of Creative Cowardice

It's been almost a year since the landmark 50th Anniversary episode of Doctor Who aired. Upon repeat viewings, the episode does still hold up, but there is one thing I now find irksome; the War Doctor really didn't need to be there. Either the 8th or 9th (preferably the former) would have functioned in that role without a massive retcon and the creation of a zero sum character. Let's look at Moffat's reasons for bringing in the 8.5th Doctor and see why they are invalid and just created more problems. 

Beginner's Guide to Classic Star Trek

Let's face the sad fact that J.J. Abrams new Star Trek films are here to stay.  While they are increasing the number of people who are aware of Star Trek and have seen the movies, most of these new people are often viciously reprimanded that they chose the wrong installment to enter Trek.  Indeed, the new films are truly dumbed down action pieces with little substance and lackluster plots.  Action was never the lure for Trekkies, it was the gravy.

Speaking personally, every time I've told someone to try to watch the older Trek, they usually express intimidation at the size of the franchise, and with 726 episodes plus 12 films, I don't blame them.  What I've done for them is pare the franchise down to absolute essentials.  Instead of watching six full series, they only watch a sampling of each of them to get gist of them.  Ideally, this is enough to hook them into watching more, but if not, they can at least counter the reprimands of the die hard trekkies with an informed decision.