I remembered loving this episode on transmission and haven’t seen it since.

It’s a shame that the way the pre-titles sequence seeds drama is to pit Amy and Rory against each other. After having invested in their relationship and marriage all the way through series 5; and watching Rory endure so much unkindness from his wife; it is sad to see them in such disarray so close to their departure. Amy is still a model, but now even colder, cooler and more remote. I miss Amelia. Thank God they resolve this plot point before the end of the episode and everything is back to normal.

It feels like the relationship drama was so that there would be a contrast with the surprise new companion appearance. Jenna Louise Coleman’s unexpected entrance a few stories early is a monumental success. I could take or leave the cringey Moffat “flirty” dialogue which is as dated as rotten eggs. But the performance and all other aspects of the writing lands perfectly. Her turning out to be a Dalek by the end of the story is utterly heartbreaking.

I love the Dalek’s plan to put the Doctor on a suicide mission. It is a plan that all adds up perfectly in the end and includes what was billed as featuring “EVERY DALEK EVER”; which is kind of true if you squint. The idea of an asylum for Daleks is a little slice of Moffat genius.

I’m looking forward to seeing more of Coleman.