This was perhaps my most eagerly anticipated episode of Doctor Who since Deep Breath. However, the description was perplexing.
On a remote army outpost, a fearsome alien warlord called the Fisher King sets in motion a twisted plan to ensure his own survival.
Seriously, they couldn’t think of a better name for the twisted alien behind the enslaving of human souls?
Anyway, onto the actual episode. Definitely keeping up with the higher quality of the series so far, but didn’t quite match up to last week’s spectacular.
‘So there’s a man, and he has a time machine’
He also has an electric guitar hooked up to an amp from… what’s that? Magpie’s electrical! Remember him?
Last week’s cliffhanger gave us a ‘ghost doctor’, which shaped the whole story around simultaneously saving the Doctor, Clara, the base and humanity. Just a normal episode then.
#DoctorWho was okay, I preferred last week’s 1st part. I like it when timelines cross & he has to decide how to act. pic.twitter.com/HmZBYWQzVa
— Gary C (@oohgaryc) October 11, 2015
The episode continued with some great character development, from a very strong supporting cast. It reminded me why I love stories with a bunch of new faces, they provide some fresh drama and dynamics to the show.
O’Donnell casually mentioned a mysterious villain known as ‘The Minister of War’… sounds like foreshadowing to me. I’m definitely looking forward to that one!
We got to see the return of the trivolians, the inhabitants of the most invaded planet in the galaxy (they’re still annoying).
Doctor, Bennet and O’Donnell land in a very creepy soviet-style army base, where they have to evade the less-than-terrifying Fisher King. I would have liked a bit more of the chase scene through the army base, because once we saw the glorious Fisher King, I wasn’t scared any more.
Does anyone else find it worrying that the Doctor doesn’t immediately intervene to save ordinary lives anymore?
Doctor Who tonight was clever. Really good ep. I need to watch it again though for sure. #BeforeTheFlood #DoctorWho
— Claudia Boleyn (@ClaudiaBoleyn) October 10, 2015
Once the Doctor comes face-to-face with the Fisher King (seriously, worst name ever) I lost the suspense. The main villain seemed clumsy and less scary then the ghosts from the last two episodes.
However, the sequence with deaf Cass being stalked by a ghost was terrifying. I really liked the graphics when she placed her hand to the ground and felt the vibrations of movement behind to escape her pursuer.
Admit it… who thought Cass was for the chop at this point? http://t.co/c8Nuqsv1Vi #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/bOWgTo9Eyn
— Doctor Who Official (@bbcdoctorwho) October 11, 2015
The Doctor eliminated the Fisher King in a way that I can only describe as DAMBUSTERS!!!!
And the Doctor placed himself in the suspended animation chamber. I SO CALLED THAT. No one mentioned that the Doctor needed a certain number of people to die in order for the chamber to open. So he let people die. Definitely a big change in his character from previous series.
The episode ended with some kissy kissy. I wasn’t really paying attention, I was too busy pondering the changed morality of the Doctor.
NEXT WEEK – VIKINGS. ROBOTS. MAISIE WILLIAMS.
SEE YOU THEN!
Did you see the Before the Flood episode? Let us know what you thought in the comments below!
