Doctor Who – The Magician’s Apprentice & The Witch’s Familiar

As a lot of Matt Smith’s episodes had a bit of extras – prologues or minisodes – we have for the first time for Peter Capaldi’s Doctor a prologue and a prequel ‘The Doctor’s Meditation’ to this new series first story – the prologue can be watched on the video below …

‘Where is the Doctor?’ When the skies of Earth are frozen by a mysterious alien force, Clara needs her friend. But where is the Doctor, and what is he hiding from? As past deeds come back to haunt him, old enemies will come face to face, and for the Doctor and Clara, survival seems impossible.

Trapped and alone on the terrifying planet Skaro, the Doctor is at the heart of the evil Dalek Empire – no sonic, no TARDIS, nobody to help. With his greatest temptation before him, can the Doctor resist? And will there be mercy?

*** BEWARE – SPOILERS ! ***

When I read months ago that this new series was to be made of two parts stories, I was really glad as it promised us well developed storylines. I enjoyed this very first, in which are shown familiar faces, with the return of Davros, Missy and Kate Stewart. We meet for the first time the efficient Jac – played by Jaye Griffiths – who will replace the very missed Osgood … I found Peter Capaldi having fun and as usual Michelle Gomez portraying a very humourous and naughty Missy. For moments I thought of Jenna Coleman’s very first episode as souflé girl and dreaded to see her go right away as was announced her leaving the show – fortunately we will have the joy to watch her again in the TARDIS for some new adventures.

Sci-fi adventure, starring Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman, Michelle Gomez, Jemma Redgrave, Julian Bleach, Jami Reid-Quarrell, Daniel Hoffmann-Gill and Jaye Griffiths.

Doctor Who – Last Christmas

On Christmas Eve, Clara is woken by the sound of something on her rooftop, and is astonished to find Santa Claus, two elfs, a sleigh and flying reindeer. Although she tries to deny his existence as a fairytale, Santa questions if she still believes in them, before being interrupted by the Doctor who takes her into the TARDIS. At the North Pole, a group of scientists work on trying to save their fellow base personnel who have been taken over by crab-like creatures. The Doctor and Clara arrive and while introductions are being made, they come under attack from the crabs only to be rescued by Santa …

Sci-fi adventure, starring Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman, Nick Frost, Dan Starkey, Nathan McMullen, Faye Marsay, Natalie Gumede, Maureen Beattien, Michael Troughton and Samuel Anderson.

I had to watch this episode a second time to really appreciate it. In the style of Christopher Nolan’s Inception, we travel in a four level dream story. I love this episode, as between scary and hilarious moments, Steven Moffat added emotion and tenderness. Too bad we had to wait after the death of Danny to get the chance of watching the most beautiful scene written for him and Clara ! Furthermore, we had the pleasure to see the second Doctor’s son and Dan Starkey’s real face – who usually is hidden playing Strax’s part. Anyway, I’m glad that Jenna Coleman is staying for the 9th series and hope we’ll get some answers next year …

Doctor Who – Dark Water & Death In Heaven

In the mysterious world of the Nethersphere, plans have been drawn. Old friends and old enemies manoeuvre around the Doctor, and an impossible choice is looming before him. Death is not the end, promises the sinister organisation known only as 3W – but, as the Doctor and Clara discover, you might wish it was.

With Cybermen on the streets of London, old friends unite against old enemies and the Doctor takes to the air in a startling new role. Can the mighty UNIT contain Missy ? As the Doctor faces his greatest challenge, sacrifices must be made before the day is won.

Sci-fi adventure, starring Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman, Samuel Anderson, Michelle Gomez, Jemma Redgrave, Ingrid Oliver and Chris Addison.

This is my favourite episode for this series since “Deep Breath” ! That two part story is well written, well played and the darkest of them all ! We know at last who is Missy … some guessed from the beginning … well done for them ! Michelle Gomez was excellent in all appearances throughout the series. The only flaw to that all is that I didn’t feel any sorrow or emotion … David Tennant, Billie Piper, Freema Agyeman, Catherine Tate, Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, Arthur Darvill and Alex Kingston moved me to tears many times in the earlier series … Jenna Coleman’s Clara belongs to Matt Smith’s Doctor, they were so well together … never in this series I was convinced by her duo with Peter Capaldi. He is excellent as the new Doctor, but he reminds me too much of the first Doctor played by William Hartnell – that Doctor is not lovable, he’s hard and cruel. He never believed that Clara was in love with Danny … I never was convinced either. I love what Jenna Coleman did with her character, but it would be wise to get a new companion to bring Peter Capaldi’s acting out …

Doctor Who – In The Forest Of The Night

One morning in London, and every city and town in the world, the human race wakes up to the most surprising invasion yet – the trees have moved back in. Everywhere, in every land, a forest has grown overnight and taken back the Earth – an impossible stranglehold of vegetation. The Doctor soon realises that the final days of humanity have arrived …

Sci-fi adventure, starring Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman, Samuel Anderson and Abigail Eames.

I love this poetic episode where nature can be protective over Earth … as sweet as the hatching Moon earlier in the series.

Doctor Who – Flatline

Separated from the Doctor, Clara discovers a new menace from another dimension. But how do you hide when even the walls are no protection ? With people to save and no madman in a box to help, Clara goes against an enemy that exists beyond normal humain perception.

Sci-fi adventure, starring Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman, Samuel Anderson and Christopher Fairbank .

My least favourite episode of this series… Except for the mini Tardis concept with the very funny moment when the Doctor moves it as a hermit crab.

 

Doctor Who – Mummy On The Orient Express

Abroad the most beautiful train in history, speeding among the stars of the future, a legend is stalking the passengers. Once you see the Mummy, you have 66 seconds to live. No exceptions, no reprieve. As the Doctor races against the clock to defeat this mythical foe, Clara sees him at his deadliest and most ruthless – and finally realises she’s made the right decision. Because this is their last adventure – it’s time to say goodbye to the Time Lord.

Sci-fi adventure, starring Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman, Samuel Anderson and David Bamber.

After David Tennant’s adventure on the Titanic, we have the pleasure to travel on a future 1920s style Orient Express. I loved that mix of past and future atmosphere in a story that I think will be a classic episode …

Doctor Who – Kill The Moon

In the near future, the Doctor and Clara arrive on a decrepit shuttle making a suicide mission to the Moon. Crashing on the lunar surface, they find a mining base full of eviscerated corpses, spider-like creatures scuttling in the dark, and a terrible dilemma. When Clara turns to the Doctor for help, she gets the shock of her life. Is the man she’s trusted so long really a hero after all ? Is he even her friend ?

Sci-fi adventure, starring Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman, Samuel Anderson, Ellis George and Hermione Norris.

I have to say that I am arachnophobic, so I was not really happy with this episode. Apart from those creatures, this story has a poetic ending …

Doctor Who – The Caretaker

Clara has it all under control – her life at school, her life in space, her new boyfriend and her mad old Time Lord. Everything is humming along just fine, so long as everybody never actually meets. And then, one morning, just before assembly, Coal Hill welcomes a new relief caretaker with a Scottish accent. With Clara’s world about to explode around her, terrifying events near the school make it clear that the rest of the world is about to do the same. The Skovox Blitzer is ready to destroy all humanity – and worse, any second now, Danny Pink and the Doctor are going to meet …

Sci-fi adventure, starring Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman, Samuel Anderson and Ellis George.

At last, another funny episode after the Robot of Sherwood … For once, Jenna Coleman and Peter Capaldi are having fun together … I was about to miss her relationship with Matt Smith’s Doctor !

Doctor Who – Time Heist

The Bank of Karabraxos is the deadliest bank in the cosmos – only a fool or a genius would attempt to rob it. Fortunately for the Doctor, he’s both. With the help of a beautiful shape-shifter and a cyber-augmented gamer, the Doctor and Clara fight their way past the most dangerous security system ever devised. But nothing even the Doctor has encountered can prepare them for the Teller – a creature of terrifying power that can detect guilt.

Sci-fi adventure, starring Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman, Pippa Bennett-Warner, Jonathan Bailey and Keeley Hawes.

I loved this original and well paced episode and I enjoyed watching a very sophisticated Keeley Hawes.

Doctor Who – Listen

What happens when the Doctor is alone – pacing the Tardis by candlelight, poking the shadows with a stick, listening for a footfall among all those endless, empty rooms. What scares the grand old man of space and time? What horrors lurk under his bed? Ghosts of the past and future crowd into the lives of the Doctor and Clara – a terrified caretaker in a children’s home, the last man standing in the universe, and a little boy who doesn’t want to join the army … (Steven Moffat)

Sci-fi adventure, starring Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman, Samuel Anderson and Remi Gooding.

Everyone I guess has been afraid of what was under one’s bed … but after all the stories with the Doctor, it’s hard to me to imagine him being a scared little boy .  I love the way the relationship between Danny Pink and Clara goes as it gets more and more intriguing …