I have been absolutely blown away by the first two episodes of Doctor Who this year.
First the killing of The Doctor in the first ten minutes which seemed inconceivable until his younger self appeared giving him a couple of hundred years to prevent his own death (even if he doesn’t know about it yet).
Then the new “monster”. How inspired! A creature who you cannot remember but can still influence your behaviour through a kind of post hypnotic suggestion.
And a little girl being kept alive in a space suit. The same girl who is seen in a photo of Amy Pond (who may or may not be pregnant). And when she does get out of the suit, instead of dying, she regenerates!
Not forgetting the triangle between The Doctor, Amy and Rory. And who is River Song? She is obviously involved with The Doctor in some way after planting that kiss on him.
Unfortunately, by posing all these intriguing questions Steven Moffat seems to have opened himself up to the criticism that his episodes are getting too complicated. Poppycock, I say.
The basic plot was easy to follow if you ignore the series arc elements. The answers to the unanswered questions will come at the appropriate time and will be quite apparent in context, of that I have no doubt.
You only have to look back at the classic series to see how they wove complicated plots over the course of up to four, and sometimes six weeks, and this is what Moffat is reintroducing, a reason to watch next week’s episode.
If there is one criticism I do have, it is that these two episodes have gone very dark and the rest of the series sounds like it may continue in a similar vein. I like a little bit of dark drama but dark does not equate to better. Doctor Who also needs its lighter side to remind us that the universe is also full of joy.
Next week’s episode looks to be a return to a simpler plot structure which will please some. It still looks rather dark in both senses of the word.
