Well, we’re now 3 episodes into the new series of Doctor Who. We’ve had a present day episode (ish… more on that later) a far future episode and one set during the Second World War. The first episode appeared to be set on Earth during the present or recent years and featured a lot of seemingly innocuous details that will prove to be relevant later on. The second episode took us into space in the far future where England had escaped Earth’s destruction by way of Sir Terry Pratchett’s Discworld, carried around atop the back of a giant space whale. I love how this is a show where characters have to say lines like “It’s a giant space whale!” with a straight face. This week’s episode was the new Doctor’s first clash with his old nemesis, the Daleks. They had infiltrated the Second World War as automatons for the British Army, but as always, things started to go pear-shaped and the Doctor had to stop them. Again. More set-up during this episode and a very obvious “This isn’t over” ending suggests that the overall arc of the season is pretty tight.
I have to admit, I’m rather impressed. Matt Smith’s appointment as David Tennant’s replacement was not greeted with universal cheers. If anything there was a lot of nay saying and anger from fans that he got the role in the first place. Many felt the rumoured Patterson Joseph (Marquis de Carabas in Neverwhere and Johnson in the ridiculously funny Peep Show) should have snagged the role.
I had doubts as to his suitability, I’m not going to deny that at all, but having now seen him in action, I think he was a good choice and I was wrong. He’s aped Tennant successfully in a number of scenes but still managed to be his own man. Two things need to go: the outfit and the catchphrase. Seriously, he dresses like a maths teacher from the 1940’s, bad form… The “Geronimo!” catchphrase is equally cringe-inducing. Goes to show that if the only real issues I have with him are his sartorial choices and a naff catchphrase, then he must be doing something right.
Now, the new companion, Amy Pond played by Karen Gillan. Yum.
Let me get this straight, new companion is early-20s, long red hair, legs that go for miles, totally unable to wear trousers and the first time we see her, she’s dressed as a policewoman stripper? Hah! Suck it, Rose Tyler! Amy Pond FTW! Is this what is was like for my dad when Leela joined Tom Baker’s 4th Doctor in her skivvies?
There’s something not entirely right about Amy, it’s looking like she’s going to be key to the overall season arc and finale. Mysterious, and identical, cracks are appearing in reality wherever she goes, she has no memory of the Daleks’ various shenanigans in her alleged era of origin and the Doctor can’t work out why. Not yet anyway. Young Miss Gillan HAS signed on for the next season so at least we’re relatively confident that she’ll survive.
Moffat has set his showrunner stall up early and well. He’s given us three distinct settings in three episodes, made the new Doctor every bit as entertaining and unbalanced as his predecessors and started a nice little mystery. Coming up we’ve got the return of the Weeping Angels, the Doctor’s future wife River Song, Cybermen, Silurians, Vampires and doubtless the return of the new Daleks.
On that note, the new Daleks are now colour-coded for your convenience. Honestly it’s like a Power Rangers cruet set… They are larger, meaner looking and altogether more imposing. I have to say the slightly Beyonce/J-Lo rear end is a bit odd, I keep imagining one of them going on X-Factor and barking it’s way through “My Humps”…
Right, must dash, need to compile my feelings on Leterrier’s recent Clash of The Titans remake.
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