Peter Capaldi returns as the Doctor in the latest, much
anticipated series of the show with fan favourite, Jenna Coleman reprising her
role as the ever-lovely Clara Oswald.
From the first episode, The
Magician’s Apprentice, we are thrust into the compelling tale as Moffatt
takes us back in time (or is it forward? I can never be truly sure!) to meet
the creator of the Daleks and so begins the complex moral predicament
underpinning the story. After all, what is one to do when faced with the child
who would grow up to create the mechanical monsters who would destroy the lives
of millions?
Brilliant filming locations and impressive special effects
are complemented by the excellent dialogue which creates a combination of
humour and mystery, notably, with Michelle Gomez’ witty one-liners as she
delivers yet another profound performance as Missy, drawing you in to the
perplexing relationship between the Doctor and the Master. The historical
allusions never cease to surprise as Clara is hinted to have had a fling with
the one and only Jane Austen while the episode unsurprisingly ends on a rather
serious cliff-hanger.
The
Witch’s Familiar follows as the Doctor continues to
contemplate his situation with Davros while Missy and Clara continue to
navigate their complex and admitting strange ‘friendship’ as they continue
their search for the Doctor. The unwavering compassion for which the Doctor is
renowned almost prevails as he is tricked into using his regeneration energy on
Davros until he is saved by Missy. The age old ending to this moral tale, that
the future should never be meddled with, ironically seems to be the lesson in
this episode as the Doctor’s ultimate decision to preserve Davros’ life might just
prove to be the wrong decision after all. So in adhering to tradition, the
episode leaves you wanting as it inevitably introduces more questions than it
answers.
Episode 3 Under the
Lake takes on a supernatural vibe us the Doctor and Clara, having being
reunited in the last episode; investigate a haunted spaceship while trying to
communicate with the ship’s crew of ghosts who are, unsurprisingly, trying to
kill them. The episode incorporates conventions of a thriller and gave me
chills at times but nevertheless felt like a filler despite unveiling even more
questions to be answered.
Before
the Flood continues to increase the levels of genius and confusion
from the last episode as you are introduced to new and even more perplexing
paradoxes as you try to piece together the mysteries of the ghost ship and the
Doctor’s appearance as a ghost.
The next episode, The
Girl Who Died, brings along exciting news for Game of Thrones fans as Maisie Williams guest stars a Viking named
Ashildr. When the Doctor and Clara arrive in Viking territory, they are
confronted by the alien race, the Mire, who transports their fiercest warriors to
what the Vikings believe to be Valhalla. For those of you who are not
particularly familiar with Norse mythology, Valhalla is the name of the
majestic hall in Asgard ruled over by the god Odin, where warriors who had
fallen in battle went after they died. Despite Clara’s almost successful
attempt at reasoning with the Mire, Ashildr, in true Viking fashion, declares
war. Back on earth, the townspeople are learning to fight until they concoct an
ingenious plan using electric eels to defeat the Mire and their leader.
Ashildr uses her vivid imagination to imagine a story using one
of the dead Mire’s helmets. She successfully telepathically transmits the story
to the Mire leader who yields to save their pride and reputation. In the midst
of the commotion, Ashildr is killed and as the Doctor agonises in his own self
guilt, he remembers the reason why he chose his current face. Although I nearly
cried in flashback to Tennant’s Doctor in the episode titled, Pompeii, in which the Tenth Doctor and
his companion Donna saved Peter Capaldi’s character, Caecilius, and his family.
Maisie Williams’s fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the Doctor
uses this memory, motivating him to implant a chip that will constantly repair
a life form, essentially making Ashildr immortal. I love that we finally have a
connection to Peter Capaldi’s old Doctor Who character as it allowed the
writers to further define the type of Doctor he will be, even if it meant
emotional times for die-hard 10 fans!
Current speculation suggests that Ashildr is to be the
companion that the Doctor created who would never leave him. What are your
thoughts and theories?
Until next time, Whovians! Stay tuned.
~ Kiki ~
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