We got proactively moved from -DOH-LHR-AMS to the direct flight upon arrival at Hamad last year, leading to a six hour layover rather than something sub-three. There’s nothing much to do in Al-Mourjan, plus it was a honeymoon so no work to be done (even if I were inclined to volunteer for my employer). The food is acceptable - nothing spectacular - and even the booze on the ground isn’t top shelf even in AS. I’d never book an eight hour layover if another were available, I’d also be very unlikely to double my travel time going the wrong way when a direct flight exists.