Horribly camp in all the best ways possible. What many people seem to gloss over though, is that it’s not just camp. The TV Movie/The Enemy Within is often dismissed after the previous compliment, which I think is unfair. It’s absolutely an accurate observation in my opinion, but just because it’s full of cliche American Hollywood tropes doesn’t mean that it’s just that, and not also still really good Doctor Who.

Matthew Jacobs has a really poetic vision of the Doctor in my opinion, which I think can be seen best in the scene where he talks with Grace about her being a doctor. Paul McGann sells these types of moments extra well, and he was not only perfectly cast as Doctor Who (like every single actor has been) but also perfect for this vision of Jacobs. He’s like a fairytale figure, but not in the way that Matt Smith’s version is. Eight is less a magical hero, and more a mysterious being of age old wiseness and unhingedness. He takes a very passive role for a big chunk of the movie, and even as the main character, manages to come off as a wanderer who passes by.

Right i was talking about poeticisms. Eight literally picking up where Seven left off both as the main star of the franchise, and the book they are reading. That’s cool, I like that. The Doctor forgetting who he was being a perfect premise for a soft reboot without constraints of the past, but the story actively fighting against that, and embracing its history, not letting Doctor Who end up as an oddity that stumbles through America. Hey why not, f**k it. Look at this. We can see the Master and his American accent as a metaphor for the American entertainment market in general, trying to claim everything for themselves. Trying to claim that Doctor Who’s regenerations are actually his. Another body to be stolen by the Master. But not this time. Sometimes they might succeed, but not at getting the Doctor. No matter what he goes through, Doctor Who stays what they are. They hold onto the power and richness in who and what they are, and won’t let itself be taken only to be used up quickly and then thrown away to let the next one come in. Doctor Who isn’t that kind of TV show. He’s an alien. A really stubborn alien. Like an Englishman in New York. Or something like that.

There’s also parts to criticize about the movie, like for example, making the Doctor a romantic figure. But while it may feel out of place after the classic series, it could be as easily said that this part was actually far ahead of its time, considering what Russel T Davies would later do. It’s not something one could be more critical of then of the modern series. Neither am I of the opinion that such things as the Doctor being half human can be seen as genuine points of critique. I really don’t think relating the Doctor’s interest of Earth to him wanting to connect to his mother’s culture is an inherently bad idea. Like in the end I find a lot of people’s dislikes come more from them not liking stylistic choices than the movie being ‘objectively’ badly made.

There’s some pacing issues (though i find that more another fun camp element), and the ending I find really vague. Like I had no clue what was actually going on. But that might be me. I could possibly require a rewatch. But for the rest, issa just very enjoyable doccy who man, idk whatchu wan. Imo is ofc v good.