It's the 8 episode format that's the problem. As good as he was, it felt like he was hardly present. The long waits between series don't help either. I also don't want to see tennant back. I think he was brilliant as the doctor but his time is done. He really shouldn't come back again for a long time, if ever.
I just can't get behind 8 episode season. If Gatwa couldn't commit to the role fully, he shouldn't have been hired in the first place. He's been really good in the role when he's appeared, it just feels like he was barely present during his first season. Maybe the next season will improve that. More episodes, less time between seasons. You can't build a momentum with huge breaks between seasons. Very frustrating.
