Writers: Steven Moffat, Phil Ford
Director: Ben Wheatley
The Story: The Doctor is in, and he has a new patient. The Timelord faces his greatest enemy with Clara by his side, but as he is forced to examine his own conscience, he will truly find out the answer to the question: Am I a good man?
The Verdict:
Those time-old foes the Dalek’s are back! After the opening episode, we noticed a definite return to older sensibilities and Into the Dalek is encapsulated by that feeling. It’s written by Phil Ford, who also wrote the excellent Waters of Mars, so if you recall the darkness and depth of that episode – he’s here once again and it’s hugely impressive.
From the off, Peter Capaldi pushes aside his own indecision of which Who he is and he’s back to being the most important piece of the Doctor Who puzzle. It’s essential after the changing/regeneration process to disperse with doubt in belief for the viewer and so our 12th wastes no time in dealing with a rescue scenario before the opening credits roll. It starts with an intense space-entwined war sequence as lasers take out spaceships and we discover an asteroid protecting a secret medical outpost. Just as Journey (Zawe Ashton) is about to die, she’s picked up by the Doctor who saves her. However, she’s not exactly thankful because her brother has literally just died and her reaction is to pull a gun on the Doctor, in his TARDIS, who’s stood holding two coffees. In recent incarnations of the Doctor, the script might lead towards ‘why’ he’s holding coffee but it’s clear there are now more important things.
Into the Dalek sees our 12th Doctor, Clara and some ‘hospital’ soldiers physically miniaturised for the sake of literally going inside a Dalek (via a wonderfully spooky visual sequence) to see if they can help it to become good. There’s a reason though, as the usually all-evil Dalek tells us, with Nicholas Briggs on fine form, that it’s seen a star being born and has witnessed the beauty of creation. Of course these things never go to plan and while the 12th tries his best, there’s a twist coming and Capaldi manages to confuse us once again with his true intentions. The underlying premise is the Doctor trying to find out if he’s a good man and current conclusion? Even he doesn’t know yet. The question we’ve seen in trailer raises its head as the Doctor says ‘Clara, be my pal and tell me…am I a good man?’ and with it, the unknown sub-plot continues to develop.
So much happens in this episode and we haven’t even got to Clara and her teaching narrative. In her day job, she flirts naturally and meets new co-worker Danny Pink (Samuel Anderson) and tries to strike up a life outside her TARDIS adventures. This welcomingly adds a deeper dimension to Jenna Coleman’s character. She shines again and also gets the chance to give a mighty slap to the Doctor – and he deserves it. Her presence grows with every story and it’s long overdue.
One thing that hasn’t changed is the endless clever play on words and circumstance. I loved the nod to Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, old Who and Star Trek with ‘Resistance is Futile’, plus Destiny of the Daleks ‘Seek, Locate…’chant from the Daleks. There’s also a fresh reminder that the Doctor doesn’t like soldiers or guns.
It can be problematic as a Doctor Who fan to be subjective but the quality of the writing and directing has seen it come on leaps and bounds since 2005. It’s already clear this new series is purposefully rediscovering an intrigue that we’d forgotten about and was felt so vividly in the pre-2005 years. We’re only two episodes in but when I watch Capaldi as the 12th Doctor I already understand his new creation. Obviously, I know this the point of regeneration but we’ve moved to where he’s questioning who he’s become and if he is the same man that set out to make things better thousands of years ago. It’s a deeply satisfying episode, so what have they got for us next time?
Best Bit: Although there’s surely revelations still to come, I particularly liked the very forceful slap across the face from Clara to the Doctor at the perfect time. It reminded me a little of Amy Pond taking over from the 11th in the finale of The Beast Below and it’s vital for her character.
Best Line(s): So many in this one! My favourites include…
The Doctor: Dry your eyes, Johnny Blue, crying’s for civilians.
And…
Soldier: Are you out of your mind?!
The Doctor: No! I’m inside a Dalek!
[usr=4] THN’s Doctor Who Series 8 Blog returns next Saturday.
