Producer: BBC
Writer: Toby Whithouse
Director: Daniel O’Hara
Featuring: Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman, Colin McFarlane, Sophie Stone, Zaqi Ismail, Morven Christie, Steven Robertson, Paul Kaye
Release date: OUT NOW!

The Drum, an underwater mining facility and flooded military base, has been invaded by g-g-ghosts. That’s the conceit of this monster-of-the-week two-part episode of Doctor Who. The story goes back to the basics: alien threats, running and mental gymnastics.

Clara’s (Jenna Coleman) relationship with the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) has evolved from her arguing with him at every opportunity to one where Clara guides him in the ways of humanity. She’s given the Doctor a series of cards to read when he says something rude. It’s a funny gag as we get to read them. One of the cards says: “It was my fault. I should have known you didn’t live in Aberdeen.”

There is a nod to their previous disagreements as the Doctor protests Clara’s eagerness to confront danger. “I’ve got duty care,” he tells her, and she appreciates it. And with that it’s back to the running. It also a foreshadow, as Jenna Coleman is leaving the series.

The dialogue is machine gun fast and furious. “Look at you lovely chaps,” the bushy-eyed Doctor says, when he first confronts the threat. When crew member O’Donnell (Morven Christie) meets him and gushes, “You’re really the Doctor. I’m a huge fan.”

The only clunker is Vector Petroleum representative Richard Pritchard (Steven Robertson), a typical insufferable, stereotypical bad capitalist. Still, it gives the Doctor somebody to insult. “It’s OK, I understand,” says the Doctor. “You’re an idiot.”

Like the Doctor’s previous incarnations, Peter Capaldi has made the character his own while maintaining the Doctor’s basic instincts. Capaldi’s Dr Who is manic, rude, brilliant and fun. And after losing some companions, the Doctor now takes his responsibility more seriously. And the episode comes together for a program that should please fans and entice newcomers. Regardless of what you might hear. This Doctor Who is as good as all the others……….and some might say, Capaldi’s interpretation is the best……Sometimes, thankfully, fans do not get what they want, but they do get what they need. In this case an excellent Doctor, even if it takes retrospect to realise that.

Reviewer: Joe Lovece
Reviews Editor: Steve Hooker