Doctor Who- Before the Flood Review

The concluding episode of Under the Lake delivers highly in its explanation of who the Fisher King is and how the Doctor cheats death, although he doesn't really- it was a hologram! It's strange because I was speculating in my head about whether the ghost Doctor was actually real, and I thought, 'Maybe it's a hologram' but then I dismissed it and then I found it to be true! I felt quite proud.

It was so cool when the Doctor began talking to us all, it felt so personal like he was talking to me. It so rarely happens I was thrilled and the rock version of the theme tune should definitely be made official, it was glorious!

So the Doctor arrives in 1980 with Bennet and O'Donnell tagging along, I was thinking what the twelfth Doctor would be like with a couple as companions and thought it would be quite nice and refreshing. O'Donnell's glee at the Tardis being bigger on the inside was adorable, I couldn't help but smile and think that is exactly what I would do... and then she dies.

This was a shocking moment and my body felt stunned, I genuinely couldn't believe it. I think this gave Bennet time to show multiple sides of himself which was to be expected but I was relieved that the supporting characters arre given different material to work with.

It enables the Doctor to respond in new and strange ways, I would expect him to stab Bennet with his eyebrows and argue back when Bennet says about O'Donnell dying was a part of the Doctor's theory.

Back in the base, Clara is mirroring the Doctor's attitude towards using people to 'do what has to be done' as she calls it. I find this evolution of Clara fascinating, I think everything that has happened with Danny and the Doctor regenerating has not had the most positive impact on her and it shouldn't. I like that the writers are showing what can happen to the Doctor's companions when they kind of lose all they are, and that this life with the Doctor isn't always inspiring and fun, everything comes at a cost, and if Clara wants to have this kind of life she's going to have to change to fit in with it.

Her order to send Lunn out of the faraday cage to get her phone back was hard to watch in a way because I love Clara but seeing her this narcissitic was quite worrying. Essentially though, I think that it gave good cause because we got to see that wonderful interaction between Clara and Cass. The atmosphere was intense, Sophie Stone did magnificently well portraying the worried friend and ashamed colleague.

Onto the monster- the Fisher King was a mighty looking alien, and alien he felt. His immense size and the skull like head with boney skeletel structures were vile and menacing bringing some quality villiany.

The pace kept its rhythm as I was completely enthralled by the Doctor and Clara's conversation about time and escaping death, Cass being stalked by Moran was genius and the Doctor popping out of the stasis chamber was entirely what I thought would happen. Not that it was predictable, but I knew it would be something that the Doctor would do, to fool everyone.

By the end, I could feel the coldness and empty space between everyone as the effect of the crewmembers dying being felt hard here. This was lit up beatifully with Bennet ordering Lunn to tell Cass that he loves her. It shred some hope for these characters and knowing that these two were safe gave me some comfort.

A compelling, thrilling, emotional, heartmwarming and shocking conclusion to a story that I value highly as what Doctor Who should be.

Doctor Who- Under the Lake Review

Under the Lake feels like a mix of wonderfully delicious underwater fun that delves into an extremely fascinating ghost story.

I loved the visuals of the story; the illuminated green, dirty corridors that add history and depth to the setting.

From the beginning, the suppporting characters feel very appealing and charismatic as they extend towards their own personality. The script allows us to see glimpses of who these people could be. Of course, we could have seen more from them but I think the sudden deaths lend itself to the frightening realisation that the Doctor, Clara and the team literally have no idea who these ghosts are- are they real or not?

One of the most memorable highlights was the ever evolving relationship between the Doctor and Clara; a sparkling conversation where the Doctor tries to tell Clara not to go Native. Clara has become scarily like the doctor with her wrecklessness attitude seemingly obvious in this episode.

However, it does give us some playful, quirky and fun moments; Clara wanting to high five the Doctor and the Doctor's social cards (I could do with some of those) all adding to a sprinkle of fun in the midst of some fascinating investigating.

More so, the script holds brilliant tension and suspense; the ghosts were incredibly scary with their silent movement and their slight appointment to trying to kill but always staying close behind their victims.

I have a high interest in stories involving water which I think stemmed from The Waters of Mars, the wavy effect reflected on the corridor walls and the water separating the Doctor and Clara gave me shivers.

The mysterious symbols, the spaceship gave the story some unique qualities in that the characters and the audience believe that these ghosts could be real ghosts, but with a nagging sensation that there has to be more to be uncovered.

A slick, funny, compelling, suspenseful with a rocky music score that gives a classic Who story a very modern sheebang! 

Doctor Who- The Witch's Familiar Review

Wait, Clara and Missy aren't dead- well, that wasn't much of a surprise but Missy's explanation of how she managed to teleport instead of disintegrating was very helpful.

The opening of when she's describing one of the doctor's past adventures was visually very dynamic and slick; the black and white colour and freezing of time.

Two parters always need to have the level raised in the second installment and the Witch's familiar definitely amped up the quality of this story.

I'd only ever seen Davros in Genesis of the Daleks and the series 4 finale so I never felt like I knew much about him and his past.

Being able to see his motivations and manipulations take hold in such a deceiving manner was quite ruthless and shocking. I really felt like you could see into the cracks of the doctor and Davros personalities; their guilt, regret and honesty albeit slightly not in this case. 

The doctor and Davros are both playing each other, well, they know each other so well. Davros knows that the doctor's weakness is compassion and uses that to manipulate him. 

He is a very complex enemy of the doctor because he's not evil but just wants to protect his race and ensure their survival.

I found it a bit hypocritical of him when the doctor second guessed his plan, Davros then asked for the his help.

In contrast to all the complex conversations between two old scientists, there is Missy and Clara who, after threatening to kill each other with a pointy stick, seemingly begin to like each other. I can definitely see Missy flirting with Clara at some points, her manic laugh and bonkers range of accents is beyond funny. 

I feel like these two could have their own spin-off show which has led me to wander whether Missy has travelling companions and then kills them after their adventures together. Just a thought.

Oh, and she had a daughter, what? I wouldn't be surprised if she had killed her own child. If she believes that being friends with someone means trying to kill them, then who knows what goes on in that maddening Time Lady brain of hers. There is so much to like about the Dalek sewer scene; Clara inside a Dalek, Missy being Missy and a lone Dalek who has no idea what its gliding into.

The doctor taking a little ride in Davros chair was quite a sight and the comedy value that comes with it was extraordinary. As the decaying Daleks come squelching through the pipes, explosions are a foot and Missy cannot help but try to make the doctor kill Clara! 

This was a great turn of events  because as you can't help liking Missy, you always need to remember that she is a mad, bonkers Time Lady who always has plans of conquering worlds and dominating them. There's not much warmth in those two hearts, well only for the doctor.

After this phenomenal two parter opening, I think we have a staggeringly fabulous series of adventures to come! Now I want to know about the vampire monkeys......

Doctor Who-The Witch's Familiar Review

Here at the beginning of a new chapter of adventure, and what a beginning it was.

It was a tidal wave of ideas, history and monumentous dialogue. A beginning of a battlefield ensures we are immediately entranced and questioning where is the doctor?

This is the question on everyone's lips.

The evolution of the doctor and Clara as individuals and their relationship is seemingly intriguing- she feels stronger, knowledgable and constantly searching for a new mission. Her teaching job looks like it has become her secondary priority.  He looks more relaxed, caring, and fun showing off.

There were so many obsurd and wonderful aliens/ creatures to feast our eyes upon as Colony Sarff, a creature made of snakes, searches for the doctor on behalf of Davros! DAVROS, I truly was shocked and my jaw did not return to its original position for quite some time- The Shadow Proclamation, Maldovarium and planet Karn. Also, encountering old faces- Judoon, Hath and that fish alien from Torchwood! 

He has to be one of the most disturbing creatures in the show- the creepy and spooky way that he travels and the slimy serpents collaborate into one almighty foe!

So the frozen planes in the sky was just Missy trying to get UNIT's and Clara's attention- it's such a Missy thing to do and I love her for it especially the despicable texting, she loves to play games.

Her opposition from playful to killer was completely frightening and added definite devleopment to her character.

Clara and Missy find him in Essex ( my hometown!) 1138AD pleasing the crowds with his guitar! 

I was flabbergasted at this sight but that's the magic of this show- it's imagination and unpredictability is unlimited. 

As a knowing trap ensures, the doctor is confronted with the realisation that he made Davros and that he's standing on Skaro, Clara and Missy have been killed, so the doctor has gone back to when he first met Davros to ultimately, Exterminate him. 

Well, that was certainly a cliffhanger!

Davros depicting that the Daleks are willing Clara to run like hunters toying with its prey was a twisted and horrifying revelation, that made me even more afraid of these tank monsters.

One of my favourite episodes and it's only episode 1 - this is going to be magic!