The Beast Below by Steven Moffat
"I'm the bloody queen, mate"
Another work of genius from The Moff. To be honest, it's probably a bit too busy for a second episode; bit too much going on. A lot to take in, on top of trying to get used to the new Doctor, new TARDIS, new sonic, new POND... Bit early in the run to start bombarding me with musings on Democracy and Cruelty and Queen-related Timey-wimey stuff.
But that's a minor quibble.
Actually, here's another: Sophie Okinikinoinoikioiokio's comedy Dick Van Dyke impression as Liz Ten. What the frig was that all about?!
And what in the name of all that is holy are you doing employing the Demon Headmaster - the man responsible for 99% of all children's nightmares and bed-wettings in the early 90's - and then NOT using him as a baddie?! Worse than that, barely having him on screen in the first place! Shame on you, The Moff. Mr Demon Headmaster is a leg-end, and should be treated as such.
All that aside, I really enjoyed this episode. The Starwhale - surely the only name WORSE than that for a Doctor Who alien would be Clive?! - saving the UK because it couldn't bear to hear the children cry was a nice touch, and weaved in beautifully with the whole point of the Doctor. As Amy POND cleverly deduces.
The Smilers were a creepy and effective foe. But with so much else going on, they took a bit of a backseat. If only there had just been less ideas fighting for screen time. I hope (somehow) we get to see them again, because the revived Doctor Who has been lacking in truly memorable ORIGINAL baddies - save for the Ood - and these just look SO horrible that it would be a shame not to see them a bit more. Such a startling creation.
Matt Smith still continues to impress. And the scene where he and POND are in Clive's mouth. Sorry, the Starwhale's mouth, is probably one of my favourite sequences of all time. "On the plus side: Roomy!" Complete and utter genius.
A lot of things happened - including another appearance from Amy's CRACK - and there was much to praise about this episode. But because it was such a busy one, and because I'm due Covent Garden in a minute, I can't talk about all of it. Plus, the episode speaks for itself, really. And once I've mocked Liz Ten's ridiculous dialect, what else is there for me to say?! Another thumbs up for The Moff.
Total Score: EIGHT out of TEN
(Would have got a TEN if Sir Terrance of Hardiman had featured a bit more!)
"I'm the bloody queen, mate"
Another work of genius from The Moff. To be honest, it's probably a bit too busy for a second episode; bit too much going on. A lot to take in, on top of trying to get used to the new Doctor, new TARDIS, new sonic, new POND... Bit early in the run to start bombarding me with musings on Democracy and Cruelty and Queen-related Timey-wimey stuff.
But that's a minor quibble.
Actually, here's another: Sophie Okinikinoinoikioiokio's comedy Dick Van Dyke impression as Liz Ten. What the frig was that all about?!
And what in the name of all that is holy are you doing employing the Demon Headmaster - the man responsible for 99% of all children's nightmares and bed-wettings in the early 90's - and then NOT using him as a baddie?! Worse than that, barely having him on screen in the first place! Shame on you, The Moff. Mr Demon Headmaster is a leg-end, and should be treated as such.
All that aside, I really enjoyed this episode. The Starwhale - surely the only name WORSE than that for a Doctor Who alien would be Clive?! - saving the UK because it couldn't bear to hear the children cry was a nice touch, and weaved in beautifully with the whole point of the Doctor. As Amy POND cleverly deduces.
The Smilers were a creepy and effective foe. But with so much else going on, they took a bit of a backseat. If only there had just been less ideas fighting for screen time. I hope (somehow) we get to see them again, because the revived Doctor Who has been lacking in truly memorable ORIGINAL baddies - save for the Ood - and these just look SO horrible that it would be a shame not to see them a bit more. Such a startling creation.
Matt Smith still continues to impress. And the scene where he and POND are in Clive's mouth. Sorry, the Starwhale's mouth, is probably one of my favourite sequences of all time. "On the plus side: Roomy!" Complete and utter genius.
A lot of things happened - including another appearance from Amy's CRACK - and there was much to praise about this episode. But because it was such a busy one, and because I'm due Covent Garden in a minute, I can't talk about all of it. Plus, the episode speaks for itself, really. And once I've mocked Liz Ten's ridiculous dialect, what else is there for me to say?! Another thumbs up for The Moff.
Total Score: EIGHT out of TEN
(Would have got a TEN if Sir Terrance of Hardiman had featured a bit more!)
Victory Of The Daleks by Mark Gatiss
"Keep buggering on!"
The problem with Dalek episodes is that they never seem as scary or potent as they did in their first 2005 appearance, in the appropriately named Dalek. The law of diminishing returns. And they're back again to prove that point rather successfully.
You can imagine the story meeting:
"What's new that can be done with the Daleks?"
"Erm... Well... Erm... We could stick 'em in World War Two, with Winston Churchill, fighting the Nazis?"
It was an inspired idea, and the World War Two elements were great. Apart from a dull subplot about some bint losing her man in battle, it was all brilliant. Bracewell turning out to be a creation of the 'Ironsides' rather than the other way round was a neat twist. Matt Smith going proper mental in a way that only Chris Eccleston has really done when faced with a Dalek was gripping. And this version of the Doctor had a SPANNER!
Sadly not dribbling as much as he did in the Doctor Who Confidential interview shown afterwards, Ian McNice-Nice-Bum-Bum (That's his ACTUAL name) put in a great performance as Winnie.
Churchill, not Mandela.
Although I'd pay good money to see that!
And for the first time since 2005, I actually found the Daleks frightening. Their toadying manner; their tea-making and folder-carrying... It was completely unnerving. The calm before the storm. You were just waiting for them to snap and revert to type. It really built up the tension in a way that no other Dalek tale had done since the Utah-based epic featuring sexy Bruno Langely and sexy Bruno Langley's bot-bot.
Shame, then, that once the Dalek's DO realise that they are mad-alien-killer-types, the episode loses its fear factor and turns into yet another farcical attempt to prolong their existence. Now in technicolour.
(Yes... The multi-coloured Daleks. Did someone say "blatent merchandising opportunity" at the back there?! No? Just me hearing things again then!)
Bracewell turning out to be a walking, talking bomb, gave the episode a nice bit of danger towards the end. It was nice to see The Doctor unable to convince Bracewell that he's human. Let's not forget, the Doctor himself isn't particularly au fait with the human emotions, what with being a Time Lord an' all.
It's left to the POND to swoop in and save the day by talking about love. Love. What could be more human than that?
It had a few good jokes - I particularly loved the Dorabella gag - and it was very atmospheric to start with, but the moment we found ourselves in the Dalek Spaceship opposite the new Duplo Daleks, I just lost all interest. A great disappointment, really.
Although I did chuckle when I misheard what the White Dalek was saying, mistaking it for: "We will shat on the planet below"
Now THAT's something new that can be done with the Daleks!
Total Score: FIVE out of TEN
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