Writer: Catherine Tregenna
Director: Ed Bazalgette
Cast: Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman, Maisie Williams, Rufus Hound
Synopsis: 17th Century, England. The Doctor is searching for an alien artifact. Instead, he discovers Ashildr, the Viking girl he made immortal, now posing as a Highwayman known as The Nightmare.
Verdict:
A lot of fan speculation and wishful thinking this past week has concerned the character of Ashildr, played by Maisie Williams. Would she make a great full time companion to the Doctor? Could she bring something new to the show if she were relegated to main cast member status? Any of those discussing such matters will certainly have an answer of sorts upon watching The Woman Who Lived.
Acclaimed Torchwood scribe Catherine Tregenna’s first script for the series is a beautifully played out rumination on the subject of immortality. The Doctor, for all his good intentions in last week’s episode, is confronted with the idea that giving someone the power to live forever doesn’t mean that the person they originally were will live on forever. Here, Ashildr is completely changed by her several centuries of experiences – unable to recall her family or her old life, her memories of past loves and losses faded into nothing, she’s become another person entirely, closed off from others. The snippet of footage and dialogue which delves into the loss of her children at the hands of plague gives the episode much in the way of genuine emotional depth and pathos.
In some ways, she’s both the companion and the villain of the episode. Left alone by the Doctor for centuries, she’s now a bitter and betrayed reflection of her former self, turning to the alien Leandro for some kind of salvation. Her moral compass is skewed greatly, tricking the Doctor and willingly murdering good folk in a bid to achieve her goals. Its the brilliant performance from Maisie Williams which sells it, especially in the stories climactic moments. Suffice to say, she plays a cold hearted villain well!
Of course, its not all gloom and misery. Peter Capaldi and Williams’ both play the comedy extremely well together, showing off the excellent chemistry they share at every turn. And kudos to Rufus Hound as rival down-on-his-luck thief Sam Swift, who gives the episode a welcome lightness of touch with his jovial, upbeat portrayal.
In contrast to last week’s more wacky action adventure, The Woman Who Lived is much more somber and thoughtful in its approach. The final scenes in particular, with Ashildr now the watcher of the Doctor’s former companions, as well as further hints towards dark days ahead for the Doctor and Clara’s friendship, certainly ensure that The Woman Who Lived will have us contemplating this episode long after credits finish rolling.
Best Bit:
We could watch Sam Swift and the Doctor exchange rubbish jokes and gallows humour for a full 45 minutes. Some rather blue jokes and two excellent performances by our leading man and guest star certainly give this episode a bit of a lift in terms of lightness. Groan-worthy jokes, yes! But funny? Much yes!
Best Line(s):
The Doctor: Sorry, were you talking to me there? Try again, I’ll promise that I’ll listen this time.
The Nightmare: You have interrupted my robbery sir, and you will step away if you wish to draw another breath.
The Doctor: Sorry, sorry. I really was planning to listen that time, but basically…I didn’t.
Doctor Who returns to BBC One next Saturday at 8.15pm.
