After last week's bombshell-dropping instalment and general upturn in quality, tonight's offering felt like a slide back into mediocrity. Although the story itself was satisfactory, and there was nothing particularly offensive about the way the science lesson was delivered, the whole thing felt flat. Clearly it followed on from last week's instalment, but the Doctor wasn't kidding when she called it a distraction. Where did all the good stuff go?
I suppose it was predictable that the bulk of the mid-season setup would take a back seat until episode nine, but I expected the odd mention of Ruth and Gallifrey, especially with Chris Chibnall taking a writing credit alongside Pete McTighe. Whereas in previous co-written episodes it's been relatively easy to speculate on who wrote what, I found it much harder to guess tonight as this was ostensibly a stand-alone devoid of any season arc continuity. At least that's how it felt. Did they slip something past us that could later reappear as significant? Or was McTighe's original script so problematic that Chibbers had to step in to save it?
By far the strongest element of tonight's story was the relationship between Adam and Jake. Finally a gay couple that weren't just some token gesture who get obliterated immediately. I rolled my eyes at what seemed like Jake's inevitable death, only to be pleasantly surprised to see the Doctor save him at the last minute. True, the way she did it was frustrating, as are all TARDIS/sonic screwdriver saves—mainly because they're almost always a product of lazy storytelling—but since the episode managed to dodge the dreaded 'bury your gays' trope, I was content to look the other way.
One small criticism: I didn't feel that Warren Brown and Matthew McNulty had much chemistry together. I found Jake's backstory—his failing relationship with Adam, his feelings of inadequacy, etc.—compelling stuff, but when the two characters finally shared a scene, I just didn't feel it. But the action-cop stuff was fun, and I thought Graham's melancholic smile at Jake's comment about the challenges of being married to an impressive person both understated and touching. Finally, a character beat that reflected something of Graham's personality, rather than some generic pap that any of them could've pulled off.
Shame Ryan wasn't given the same love. Rumours have been rife of late over his potential exit from the show due to his casting in AMC's 61st Street, and it's understandable that Cole would want out of a role which gives him so little to work with. Assuming he has the ability to turn in a good performance. Yaz fared slightly better. Sending her off with Gabriela fitted in perfectly with her desire to both do and be more, and was precisely the sort of thing a probationary police officer might do. In fact, it's amazing what splitting the Doctor from her entourage does for all involved. Which feels like a sad indictment on the current Doctor/companion dynamic; they're just better off apart.
The microfibre plot I thought worked well. I gritted my teeth, awaiting the last-minute clumsy lecture, only for it never to arrive. As I've said before, it's their delivery method I object to rather than their message. The show frequently grinds to a halt when it engages teaching-mode, but tonight's attempt at ecological awareness felt comparatively subtle and didn't interfere with the story. Admittedly, the fact that nobody knew what 'pathogen' meant, necessitating an explanation from the Doctor, undid some of the good grace they'd earned. They've heard of Rosa Parks, but not Nikola Tesla or the word pathogen? What are they teaching these kids? Surely Graham should've known? He rigged up an IV... the man's practically a doctor.
Without an actual villain, there wasn't a great deal of tension throughout, although that woman under the sheet (whom no one appeared to give a shit about) opening her eyes and then exploding gave me a bit of a start. And as is the norm, the episode looked great: the bird CGI looked very Hitchcockian, and the prosthetics were splendid. But every week the companions are overshadowed by the infinitely more compelling guest cast. I'm starting to think there's an argument for turning in the occasional Doctor-lite script that focuses solely around a single companion. Not that I want to see less of the Doctor—in fact even she could do with an episode detailing what makes this current incarnation tick—but at this juncture I'm starting to worry that the actors will leave before their characters have a chance to blossom.
Other Thoughts:
—I want a talking cat episode and I want it NOW!
—I think the biggest issue I'm having with the companions this season is that the guest cast are doing the companion's jobs, leaving them with little to do.
—There's a fascinating theory circulating on Twitter that Yaz—either knowingly or unknowingly—is working for the Master. Now that would be spicy.
—Overnights were 3.97m. Not good.
—I wish the Doctor had more of an internal monologue. The writers seems obsessed with having her explain everything that she sees, hears or thinks.
Quotes:
None.
9 comments:
Were the viewing figures really only 3.97? Is this a new all time low?
Nah... I think 'The Eaters of Light' dipped below 3 million.
This was a tough one. The story itself was a mishmash of all the usual things the Moffat era used to throw together to wow us with, but the overall effect was lesser. There's obviously a difference in craft here, but it's difficult to say exactly what's lacking. Character building is obviously weaker, that's a given, and the show's politics are definitely more at the forefront. But is that it? Doctor Who's never been subtle, but has it crossed some invisible line in its preachiness that's somehow dragging us out of the story and into analysis mode?
So which alien race was Suki? Did they say?
Your internal discourse observation sounds right. It's like some of the script direction has bled into the dialogue and she's reading aloud the prompts.
I don't agree that the plot worked well however. It felt like a patchwork of badly sewn together ideas which may have been coherent, but didn't result in an interesting story.
Why is the Doctor still dressed like Leo Sayer?
Showing your age there RoyZ. Or your love of Big Brother.
I don't think the character development you wish to see will ever be forthcoming. Chibnall's had over two seasons to flesh out his creations and we're still waiting. At this point I've lost all confidence. Even his previously adequate storytelling abilities seem to have been swapped out for a reliance on shock tactics and twists. Where is the Chris Chibnall of season 5? True, that wasn't a great Chibnall, but it was the better one that we have right now.
It's pretty sad that we're asking where season 5 Chibnall is .That guy was awful, but I'd take him over showrunner Chibnall any day.
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