Writer: Steven Moffat
Director: Hettie MacDonald
Cast: Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman, Michelle Gomez, Julian Bleach
Synopsis: The Doctor is trapped in a Dalek City at the mercy of his greatest enemy! With no allies, no resources and no chance of escape, the Doctor is forced to confront his past and make a terrible choice.
Verdict:
You would of thought that after the shocking and downright conclusion to last week’s episode that Steven Moffat would have used up all the big ideas and reveals by now. Well, you were wrong, as The Witch’s Familiar is yet another ace in the hole for the Peter Capaldi era, building on the drama established in Episode 1 in a way that satisfies and shocks in equal quantities.
Its an episode that really explores the relationship between the Doctor and Davros in a way that one wouldn’t have expected. Playing out almost as a two hander, the episode certainly boasts some of the best dialogue exchanges we’ve had in Who for quite some time. Peter Capaldi and Julian Bleach are both on fine form, playing out each scene with quiet, understated fury and menace, yet equally solemn with hints of respect and compassion. This is dark adult drama, intricate and full of big imaginative, philosophical ideas, all played out during children’s tea-time. In other words, this is proper Doctor Who!
Along with The Magician’s Apprentice, this is certainly one of Moffat’s smartest scripts to date. Its certainly packed full of incident – the Doctor’s escape attempt in Davros’ chair is hilarious, whilst the Skaro sewer scene is unexpectedly grim. The scenes of Clara inside a Dalek are claustrophobic and terrifying, and also allow for some interesting developments in regards to Dalek lore and mythology, making them all the more alien and terrifying! Even the throwaway line from last week concerning Missy’s return to life after the events of Death in Heaven is built upon in a way that is both clever and beneficial to the story at hand.
Speaking of which, once again, a lot of the fun comes from Michelle Gomez as Missy, who gets pretty much all the funniest lines this episode. Whether sharpening her pointy stick, reveling in insane murderous glee whilst dispatching a Dalek, meeting Davros for the first time, or simply cackling in joy whilst avoiding Dalek gunfire, she’s clearly having a whale of a time. And so are we!
Ultimately though, this whole story really belongs to the Doctor and Davros. Two mortal enemies, stuck in a room together, forced to talk about just why they’ve always tried to hurt and kill each other all these years. Its riveting, emotional stuff, all building up to an insane climax that has been quietly foreshadowed throughout the story. The final scene is a tad predictable (well, of course, we weren’t really gonna end an episode with the Doctor now a child-killer), but the rest of the story is so well thought out and structured that it certainly is an ending that feels earned.
In all honesty, we weren’t really expecting this episode could top The Magician’s Apprentice. Perhaps it doesn’t match up to it’s predecessor in terms of shock value, but in terms of solid sci-fi drama on an epic scale, its a perfect fit!
Best Bit:
There’s plenty of moments worth nominating here, but the scene featuring the dying Davros slowly opening his eyes and gazing upon his enemy is a moment that stirs up all manner of complex and mismatched emotions. Even better is the following conversation between the Doctor and Davros, a brilliantly underplayed moment featuring two absolutely superb actors, and a nice sidestep from the action and horror featured elsewhere in the episode.
Best Line(s):
Clara: What are you doing?
Missy: Murdering a Dalek. I’m a Time Lady, it’s our golf!
Doctor Who returns to BBC One next Saturday at 8.25pm, as does our THN Doctor Who Blog.
