New Who Review #121

Before the Flood

This story was alright. I did prefer part one because I felt myself get slightly bored during part two. I love the rock theme in this and that cold open was honestly amazing. I love when the doctor breaks the 4th wall and this was a perfect example of that. We even got the rock theme played by Peter Capaldi himself. Part two was way too confusing for my brain to follow along which is why I got lost and just stopped really caring which is never what I should be feeling during any story. The death of O Donnell was sad because she was the best side character in this. The Fisher King itself was honestly scary and had a good design. The reveal that the doctor ghost was just a hologram takes away from the cliffhanger but sure I guess. Also I love Clara's outfit in this it's so adorable. Overall a confusing story that has a good idea but you can get lost in part two. 6/10

This production just seems a bit off to me. The Fischer King looks kind of whack. A monster a director would typically want to keep to the shadows, with half glimpses but for so much of proceedings is in full view; warts and all. Murray Gold’s music seems to be stuck in a loop with the same couple of pieces playing again and again.

Others seem to love the guest characters, but I must admit there it is only Cass who particularly stands out to me. The others seem pretty interchangeable.

I do like Clara and The Doctor’s performances though. They are on fire this series. And having a lot of fun, which is just what I need from these two.

In my opinion, this story might just be the peak of Doctor Who. Likeable side characters are always a good thing, and this story might have the most well rounded one-off characters of NuWho (Big Finish box set when?), but that's merely an aside to the true meat of this story.

A time travel story that isn't overly complex, whilst still using a well-known paradox. And the explanation of that paradox, 12 breaking the fourth wall and playing guitar, might just be the most Doctor Who scene ever.

Meanwhile, in the future, we have a fantastic Base Under Siege, with a classic example of Who taking the supernatural and making it scientific.

The Fisher King has a fantastic design, and his ghosts look wonderfully spooky.

I love this story, and it has been my comfort watch since first airing.

10/10

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