Doctor Who: Season 10

[Formalhaut]

I was camping over the weekend so I've only just been able to watch Deep Breath.

Overall, I can't really see the criticism. As regeneration stories go it served as a good introduction to our new doctor without actually having him in practically every scene. It certainly wasn't a 'Doctor lite' episode, but there were less of him than one would expect in an introductory episode.

The story took a back seat but then most regeneration episodes was never about the villain of the week. The dinosaur was just there, and possibly there to connect the doctor's own feelings of loneliness. Really, to be fair, the first third of the story is the weakest. For me, the episode grew on me more as it continued. The first part was pretty heavily CGI. Really, the story really only moved on for me when the dinosaur combusts.

The trio of Jenny, Strax and Vastra are hilarious as ever and provides a nod a sense of the familiar with the new Doctor. Really the primary theme of the story is identity and belonging. The cyborg doesn't know who he is anymore, replacing spare part after spare part until he has nothing original left, and he is inimitably lonely and almost sympathetic as villains go. The Doctor meanwhile, has to contend with a new body, new emotions, and trying to convince Clara that he is still the same man. The last bit with the Cyborg and the Doctor in that escape pod, talking about who was lying about their basic programming. Deep stuff.

In fact, the whole mystery surrounding whether the doctor pushed the Cyborg or not is a very interesting one and taps into the question as to whether the Doctor's morality is the same as ever. Clara's slow acceptance of her new doctor is an interesting one, brought into force when he simply states "I'm not your boyfriend". Whether or not I found Clara annoying in the episode is a tough one, because it is such a change. Tennant to Smith wasn't so huge a change, but Smith to Capaldi is, I think. I think by the end of the episode she's accepted the difference.

This episode was as much a regeneration episode as it is a rethinking episode for Clara. I agree with the idea that a new companion is needed. I think Clara and the Doctor's relationship is well enough established, to the point that Clara's identity and story is basically how she relates to the Doctor. Another companion would be great as it showcases Clara's relationships to others, not just the Doctor.

We don't know who Missy is, or what her supposed 'Promised Land' is. It all seems fairly strange, and I think she's probably the main villain of this series. Her relation to the Doctor is going to be very important, I think.

Overall, I really liked it. I like it enough to write a fairly long piece on it anyway. While the primary story is fairly straightforward as stories go, it is what happens in the interactions that really shape the episode. In other words, it is character driven, as opposed to story driven, and I really loved it.