Doctor Who In Review: The Witch's Familiar

The Witch's Familiar is part 2 in the Doctor Who series 9 opener.  This episode is best watched with The Magician's Apprentice to get optimum enjoyment.

Anyone that has any objections to Peter Capaldi's Doctor should hae their worries put to rest. In fact, all the main players seem to have found balance now.

Clara and Missy seem to be perfect for each other. Let's face it, both have massive egos and its fun to see these two together, just as The Doctor and Davros play off each other perfectly. (Though the Missy/Clara moments provide the most comic moments of the episode). Oh and Missy gets evil on in a way that makes it impossible not to love her.

Compassion figures in with the dying Davros, and it involves The Doctor losing some regeneration energy. I'm sure this will somehow figure in somewhere down the line, much like 10 and his hand and The War Doctor.

One of the best bits in this episode will have you wondering if a certain companion will start making souffles again. (If Moffat would ever really tie up some loose end)

This has to be one of the most solid Who stories we've had in a long time.

Doctor Who In Review: The Magician's Apprentice

The new series of Doctor Who began with a rocking start.

This is one of the episodes that you really need to watch a few times so you can catch all the little things that you probably missed the first time round.

A few of those times involve Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor, as he made his entrance into the ring. His AXE was blaring an awesome version of the Who theme. It wasn't easy to catch the first time around. Or even the second when you know what it is he's playing. He did a resounding version of Pretty Woman too. Roy Orbison would be pleased!

I found that this episode really saw everyone coming into their own.

12 had some great comic lines, which kept him from being all dark and cranky. Clara was much more likable here than she has been since the Time/Day/Name Trilogy. I wish she would have been this good last season, so that I would be missing her when she leaves. Missy was fantastic as well, divinely crazy as any Master should be. Though I really wish Moffat would give us the backstory on how Simm's Master regenerated into Missy.

I liked the story line with Davros, though I'm sure Moff will leave us with some hug plot holes in the next episode, as that's what he does best.

I really felt this was one of the strongest series openers we've seen in a very long time and considering it involve the very over used Daleks, that is saying a lot.

Doctor Who In Review: Dark Water (And It is full of spoilers)

All is revealed

Yeah..

But there are more questions then there are answers when part one of series 8's finale ended.

Sure we know who Missy is now. Though as much as I was hoping for another answer to this question, I think we all knew who Missy was from the beginning.

And something rather nasty happened to Danny Pink (Ok...why was I so excited about that bit) which leads Clara to do something pretty nasty to the Doctor. And please, does "I love you" have to be the focal point of their story. I still want to know what these two have in common, besides teaching.

Seriously Clara, I could not hate you much more than I did about 10 minutes into this episode. If I were the Doctor, I would have dropped you out a window or something. But yeah, the Doctor likes you for some stupid reason, that no one has quite figured out.

The Cybermen are returning, and frankly this is one way that Moffatt has excelled. The concept of dark water makes the episode great for viewing, especially the day after Halloween.

The Nethersphere is a creepy place and I love how Moffat makes death even scarier. Erm...suddenly cremation doesn't look like a great option.

I almost felt sorry when they got around to Danny's secret. Well, it wasn't really a secret. We all knew after meeting him that he killed someone and that it affected him a great deal.

But the annoying thing about this episode is not really knowing where it is going.

1. We know Missy is the Master but we don't know how that happened or why she's part of the Nethersphere.

2. What is she doing with the Cybermen.

3. Is Danny really dead....somehow I don't think so.

4. When are we going to find out if Clara Oswald is really Clara Oswald. Nearly all the great teasers they showed were from part two and we really don't know much of anything about what Missy is up to.

So may questions..so little time.

Doctor Who In Review: Clara Oswald

Clara Oswald has to be one of Doctor Who's most frustrating companions.

She's the Impossible Girl and then after her impossibleness is revealed she becomes impossibly annoying, yet you don't want to hate her, because she is so sassy, and well, she's so darn cute.

I really wish she could have had a full season with 11 before and after her impossibleness, because to me there are a lot of unanswered questions about her, especially after 11s regeneration.

She's a girl that has saved all the Doctor's, yet she can't deal with 12 at the beginning. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Except that the one thing that Moffat drove home in Deep Breath was true, Clara acted like 11 was her boyfriend, and why not, he was a cute bloke, even if he was a 1000 year old alien.

Her personality really started coming out in the "Doctor Trilogy." She had some sass, and she was fun. Then she was tossed with an older, crankier Doctor who just isn't the hottie that 11 was.

The only thing that has improved with Clara in series 8 are her lines. "Run you clever boy" was her only series 7 gem.

The dynamic between Clara and 12 isn't quite what I hoped it would be. Part of the problem being the time spent reminding us that 12 isn't young and hot. The other part of the problem is Danny Pink.  He's a love him or hate him kind of character. Mostly, I hate him, because I think he's much too controlling for Clara. She's such a sassy kind of girl.

I wish she would have been a bit of a companion to 10 in the Anniversary Special. I think they would have been brilliant together.

Personally, I'm longing for an independent companion that doesn't need a significant other to be complete. I think the whole story arc with Danny Pink really weighs Clara down.

Plus I really want to know when she went from nanny to school teacher, and what happened to the kids from series 7?

I hate that Clara was a companion when she felt like it. Or rather every Wednesday or whatever day it was that she chose to travel with 11.

Also if the trailer for the series 8 finale is to be believed, Clara may be more than just an Impossible Girl which makes me want to scream even more. But I have to say, I'm very excited for the final two episodes of this season and even more for the Christmas special. I just hope Clara doesn't turn out to be even more impossible.

Doctor Who In Review: In The Forest Of The Night

I very seldom find Doctor Who a waste of my hour, but In The Forest Of The Night, might come close to being one of those episodes.

It did have its moments though they were few and far between.

I have learned a few things in series 8.

Peter Capaldi needs a better companion and I'm not knocking Jenna Coleman in any way. She's just the cutest little thing ever, but the writers are doing her a huge disservice.

She has the potential to be great, but instead they have to give her a boyfriend that is so mediocre. She's The Impossible Girl. Danny Pink is just so meh! I am not a Rose Tyler fan, but I think I like her much better than Mr. Pink.

I also wish they would have given us a reason why Clara and Danny like each other. Its the most unbelievable relationship ever. The word love got tossed around so early on, that I thought Doctor Who, might be turning into a romcom.

Then there's the whole Clara acting like Danny saves the world bit, that is also getting old..first with the Caretaker and now here with the tiger.

Steven Moffatt needs to stop with all the story arcs. You know there's something about Danny that's going to affect the world and the whole Nethersphere/Missy thing that's about to come to a head in the finale, but we've spent 11 episodes and I feel we've only gotten to know Clara and not 12. (I mean other than he is the Grumpy Cat of Doctor Who)

Sadly In The Forest of the Night can be reduced to a few great lines...

Peter Capaldi deserves so much better than this!

Doctor Who In Review: Mummy On The Orient Express & Flatline

Mummy On The Orient Express is one of the best episodes of Doctor Who this season Everyone is spectacular.

There are so many things that stand out here.

1. Foxes performance of the Queen tune "Don't Stop Me Now." This was just stunning.

2. Clara, who is one of the hardest companions to like, becomes a little more likable, and her flapper dress makes her one of the best dressed companions ever.

3. The wonderful nods to Doctor 1 and 4. Loved Capaldi's tie as well as his cigarette case of jelly babies.

4. The honesty that you get from 12 at the end of the episode. This season has several arcs going on, but one of them involves the Doctor finding out if he's a good man, and in this episode, I think he proves that even though none of the choices he could make are good ones, he still does his best to save people. He's a good man.

5. The mummy. This monster is really and OMG kind of scary. The way it walks definitely, with the toes that bend under with each step. Shudders....much scarier than the spider/bacteria thingies from Kill The Moon.

6. Frank Skinner as Perkins. Ah....he was a little bit snarky and a whole lot of fun. I wish he would have taken up the Doctor's offer to travel with him. Anyone else out there think it would be fab to have some companions on the TARDIS that aren't boyfriend/girlfriend types?

7. 12's taking on Maisie's emotions to be able to see The Mummy. This was brilliant. It also let you see Capaldi's comedic brilliance. He's a funny guy. You may not have loved Robot Of Sherwood like I did, but you have appreciate how funny it was. Not everything in Doctor Who should be serious.

8. The look of joy on 12's face at the end.

This episode was just wonderful and is one that you can enjoy over and over

Back to back episodes written by the same guy.

Let's send out some kudos to Jamie Mathieson, because he has delivered again.

At first I though that this would be a Doctor Lite episode, since 12 was trapped in his incredible shrinking TARDIS, but it really wasn't.

Clara, has to be "The Doctor" in this episode, and though I'm not usually thrilled with shows that have her being the most important thing ever, I loved this one too.

The monsters in this one, again are really really creepy. Scary creepy. (You may want to hide behind the couch)

This is another episode filled with reasons to watch, even if you aren't a full on Whovian.

1. The whole Addams Family TARDIS thing

2.  It really is bigger on the inside!!!!

3.  Steampunk Doctor Glasses

4 . Clara really delivers in this episode as The Doctor. Overall, Jenna Coleman has been underutilized.  Last season, she was little more than a plot device and you never got to know much about her. You still don't, but she's starting to be smarter and a whole lot sassier than she ever was with 11. Now if only we didn't have to put up with Danny Pink.

5. Missy! OMG I WANT TO KNOW WHO SHE IS NOW!!!!!

Both of these episodes were strong and more importantly are ones that you'll want to rewatch.

All I can say is, Mr. Mathieson, please write more for Who!!

Doctor Who In Review: Kill The Moon

Kill the Moon is undoubtedly one of the strangest episodes of Doctor Who in quite a long time.

It is middle of the road episode that leaves you wondering if the writers don't have it in for Capaldi, as he's tenure as the 12th? Doctor is now past the halfway point of his first season.

The thing is, Capaldi is the reason this episode is half decent, along with Ellis George, who plays Courtney Woods aka disruptive influence!

What makes Courtney so great is that she really isn't the brightest crayon in the box, but traveling in the TARDIS changes her.

Clara and Danny are still beyond annoying in their relationship.

The premise of the episode sees the Doctor, Clara and Courtney arriving on the moon, which is dying, or so they think. The Moon is gaining weight and causing problems on Earth. Oh and there are these huge creepy spiderlike things.

Ewww.

Wouldn't want to run into them, anywhere! But they aren't spiders either, because nothing on Doctor Who is ever what it seems.

I liked that The Doctor left the decision making up to Clara, Courtney and the other astronaut. To me, it seemed fitting that members of humanity decide the fate of the moon, even if it wasn't "all" of humanity making the decision.

Clara's rant at the end, bugged me a lot. Mostly because Clara has been bugging me a lot this season. Can I say that going from no personality to a rather bitchy one doesn't sit well with me. I know its been said over and over, but for a person that's all over The Doctor's timeline, she should understand regeneration better than she does. I feel like 12 is left to his own devices getting used to his new face, even now seven episodes in.

And what's up with "Things" this season?

 This however was the best line of the night. I'm ready for Courtney to take her place in the TARDIS leaving Clara at home with Mr. Pink.

Doctor Who In Review: The Caretaker w/SPOILERS

This episode was bloody brilliant. I don't care what anyone says and everything that is fabulous about it has to do with The Twelfth Doctor.

I love the jabs/banter between 12 and Clara. There are some really great lines in this one and a lot of references to the past.

I loved that he lived among the otters for a month when he had a fight with River. What was even more amusing was the comment that he was the same age as Clara, but he thinks she looks older.

A little impossible girlness going on.

However much I love the banter between these two, Clara and Danny are not the right fit for 12. They just don't work together. I loved when The Doctor took Courtney on a trip in the Tardis. Oddly, Grumpy Doctor and kids work.

And while I'm griping on Clara and Danny, I have to say, there relationship is just unrealistic. At least with the Ponds, you could see the love between Amy and Rory, but Clara declaring love after a few dates, is just not right, especially when we don't see any reason for her to say it. (Other than them seeing that other Pink fellow at the end of the universe).

I am getting more anxious to see how The Doctor's dislike of soldiers and PE teachers is going to figure in as the series goes on, as well as Missy and The Nethersphere.

But a review of this episode wouldn't be complete without a mention of Adrian. The Eleventh Doctor look a like, complete with a bowtie, which, by the way, are still cool.

It was an enjoyable episode, but I'm still waiting for the writers to deliver the goods for Mr. Capaldi, who deserves a hell of a lot better than the scripts he's gotten for this series.

Doctor Who In Review: Time Heist

Time Heist, to me felt like Doctor Who had gone all Leverage. I really enjoyed this episode as a result.

It was fast paced, it had some funny moments, (Lordy the shuttity up scene was fantastic) and it was a pretty good mystery/adventure.

Capaldi is really coming into his own, as the Doctor. You see that more and more each week. The only problem is, with the new personality they've given Clara, the companion and The Doctor just don't seem to fit.

There is one thing that constantly bugs me about Clara. What happened to her nanny job? It seems that we went from one job to another pretty quickly after Eleven's regeneration. I realize a lot of time had passed during the Christmas episode, but it all seems so convoluted at times.

Keeley Hawes was terribly underutilized.. I was expecting her character to be so much more than she actually was. Ms. Delphox was just ho hum. Oh and I hate that our story arc has vanished again. No more clues about The Promised Land or the mysterious Missy.

As for The Teller....there was a market lack of originality there. This was something done last season. Maybe it is time for a few new writers.

So while the episode was good, it wasn't brilliant.

But it did give us, this..

Doctor Who In Review: Listen

I'm not sure what to make of Listen, because there was so much to think about in this one.

1. Is there really a monster?

2. The whole Clara/Danny/Rupert/Orson thing..

3. Holy Time Lords Of Gallifrey!

I was really confused through most of this episode. I loved the dark quality of this season and I love Peter Capaldi as The Doctor, but truth be told, there aren't many actors that have played this role that I didn't like.

I liked Clara very much throughout these last episodes, until the last 10 minutes of this one. There were parts of me that understood why she did what she did, but other parts that instantly hated her. As a companion, I've had such mixed feelings about Clara. I liked that she is getting more of a personality in this season, and her Impossible Girl status is beginning to disappear.

4. Hugging...this part of the epi almost redeemed the hatred I was feeling for Clara at the time.

5. Danny Pink. I don't know why, but I really love him and I love the relationship that's developing with Clara.

6. I the whole soldier thing that is becoming part of this season's crazy story arc. Thanks Moffat...love when you give us a double arc.

I think this is an episode that you have to rewatch a few times, not because it is your favorite, like Robot Of Sherwood (shut up, I loved the silliness and could watch this one over and over) but because there's so much you miss if you are distracted.

This is definitely a strong episode and one that reaffirms how great Peter Capaldi is as The Doctor.

Doctor Who In Review: Robot Of Sherwood

After two rather dark and serious episodes of Doctor Who, Mark Gatiss treats us to something lighter and a whole lot more funny then we'd seen this series.

Sure the old jokes were still there, and quite frankly they are getting a bit stale. Peter Capaldi is 56 years old, and he doesn't have one foot in the grave, so really, the writers need to just STOP!

This episode really brings out the best in everyone in the cast. Peter gets to show of his comedic skills. Jenna gets to be gorgeous, as usual, as well as showing us the spunk we didn't know she had until 11 regenerated. Oh and Tom Riley's Robin Hood, couldn't have been better, or even sexier.

How could you not fall for him, or a few of his merry men?

There's so much to giggle at here, from jousting with a spoon, to all the jabs between The Doctor and Robin Hood. (My favorite being The Doctor calling Robin, Hoodie)

Have I mentioned Ben Miller's Sheriff of Noddingham? He was a fantastic bad guy, who brought a little touch of sexy to the part. You knew he was smarmy, and his story telling made him sound slick, but if Robin Hood wasn't so smokin' hot, he could probably have seduced Clara.

The funky robot aliens were awesome and they were headed to The Promised Land...WTF...can't wait to find out what that place is, as well as who Missy is. Oh and these robots? Oddly a lot creepier than the Cybermen.

This is Doctor Who for everyone. There's nothing in it to terrify the littler fans and it is funny enough to keep the older folks laughing.

Capaldi is definitely coming into his own as The Doctor and he'll likely just get better as the season moves on.

Doctor Who In Review: Into The Dalek

The second episode of series 8 allows us to get to know the 12th Doctor a bit better, as he goes aboard a space ship with a Dalek that has turned Good?!?

This episode also sees him ask Clara whether or not he's "A good man."

I like what we're seeing with Capaldi's Doctor. He isn't all about making everyone love him. He's not Mr. Nice Guy, though he does like to be polite.

He's still cranky, but he's got some of the best lines ever in Doctor Who.

"She's my carer. She cares, so I don't have to."

That is brilliance!

Clara is still full of piss and vinegar. Which is a whole lot better than her series 7 Impossible Girl self. She finally has a personality. She's spunky and her soon to be love interest, Danny Pink seems like he'll make a great time traveler.

But back to our Dalek, Rusty. It was really fun and quite scary to get inside a Dalek. The antibodies were probably the most frightening thing there, along with the reappearance of Missy towards the end. She's getting to be as obnoxious as that crack in the wall, we saw during Matt's tenure on the TARDIS.

I loved seeing through the Dalek that the Doctor is not perfect. In fact, for being an alien he's quite human in a lot of his feelings, especially those concerning Daleks.

This was definitely a much better episode than the series opener. There's more drama and less comedy, which is really much better when it comes to Doctor Who.

I'm definitely looking forward to the Robin Hood themed next episode

Doctor Who In Review: Deep Breath (minor spoilers)

It seems like forever since we had a full season/series of Doctor Who.

Finally, we have one, and though the episode was far from perfect you can take away a few things from it.

The 12th Doctor is going to be badass.

He isn't your boyfriend. (OK, maybe he can be mine, cos I'm 40, and I don't mind thinking a bloke of 56 is pretty attractive)

Clara has finally gotten herself a personality! It took a half season and two specials for it to happen, but they finally did it, and she's a lot easier to take now. (Which leaves me grumbling that she'll probably leave at Christmas just when I started to like her)

There's an odd bit of comedy going on here too. Some of it works and some of it feels out of place. (Like Strax and The Times). And the sexual tension comes from Madame Vastra and Jenny.

I don't know what Moffat did with these two, but I liked when they were smart characters and suddenly Vastra was channeling Captain Jack. If she had been like that in previous episodes it would have made more sense, but I guess there's a leg humping clause written into New Who.

The episode has a good creepy vibe going on, with our baddies being someone we've seen before, back in David Tennant's era of Who.

The best part of the episode was getting to know Capaldi's Doctor. He's angry and confused and there were a few times when you were waiting for him to drop an "F" bomb. (Cos Capaldi does that so well). He really steals the show, especially as he's coming to terms with his new face.

Overall a pretty great start to 12's run, with a cameo from Eleven which will have fangirls the world over sniffling.

I love Matt, but I didn't really think that scene was necessary.

Which brings me to the question...why was Clara having such difficulty with this version of the Doctor when she'd seen all his other selves?  As much as I hate to give Rose Tyler any credit, she transitioned much better and more believably.

Loved the new title sequence, but hated what they did to the theme song.

I'm looking forward to next week's episode.

Doctor Who In Review: The Time Of The Doctor

I've learned something in watching the last 4 full episodes of Doctor Who.

You have to watch them more than once to get the full effect.

On Christmas Day when I watched The Time Of The Doctor, I didn't shed a tear.

Today when I rewatched the episode, tears poured down my face when Handles died and when Matt slowly regenerated ...or quickly regenerated...however you want to look at it, into Peter's 12th Doctor.

There's so much I loved and hated about this episode.

Matt's interaction with the children in Christmas is really fantastic and the return of the giraffe dance...and of course the whole naked scene....followed by him clothed but naked at Clara's house.

And when the bowtie fell...oh god, I cried. I think it would have been even more powerful if it had been his original costume. If Moffatt had added a fez...I think I would have gone mental.

As far as regenerations are concerned, I think Matt's quirky as it were, was better and more poignant than David Tennant's. Perhaps because, Matt's looking back wasn't quite so...disgustingly perfect.

It is a shame that the story just isn't enough...it isn't good enough to be a send off for Matt Smith's fabulous Doctor.

Matt deserved better, especially after the stellar 50th anniversary episode.

The Time Of The Doctor just felt like a half hearted effort to say goodbye to an old friend.

I think the huge problem with the story is the total lack of action, until the last 10 minutes or so. It didn't feel like The Doctor was fighting to save anyone.

And poor Clara, who is not one of my favorite companions, but she really gets left in the dust here.

Maybe after I watch it a few more times it will win me over completely

Doctor Who In Review: The Day Of The Doctor (A Mostly Spoiler Free Review)

Anyone of the millions that watched the 50th anniversary special of Doctor Who, had to come away with a smile on their face and a few tears in their eyes.

I know I did.

Without any real plot spoilers...

Steven Moffat delivered an episode that wasn't scary...but more reaffirming what The Doctor and his companions are all about. This episode is about The Doctor...his past and his future.

You'll see one very early on in the form of an asthmatic girl who who is working for U.N.I.T.

But they are all over the place when you watch.

Plus you also have the return of David Tennant's 10th Doctor. He was the Doctor who drew me into the show, and I admit I was a fangirl for most of his tenure, and I love him, I really do, but for me, he was possibly the only slightly downside of the special. Not for any bad acting or leg humping that we got in the Rose Tyler days...(though Billie is in the special.....) but because it seemed like he was having trouble getting back into character.....except one time early on....with a woodland creature. I dare you not to laugh there.

But this special really is all about John Hurt's character. He was brilliant. He had humor and seriousness and a bit of the curmudgeonliness that will remind longtime fans of William Hartnell's 1st Doctor all those 50 years ago.

Probably my only gripe with the whole thing revolves around David Tennant. He just didn't seem to come back into character as well as I had hoped he would. Other people were smashing in their return..but Tennant...just didn't feel quite like 10.

This is also an episode that you want to watch over and over again, because you'll catch all sorts of wonderful things that Moffat tossed in to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the show's airing. Each time you watch you'll find something new.

If you are a Whovian, you're mind will be blown.

10 out of 10 Tardis

Doctor Who In Review: Series 7 Part Deux

from fanpop.com

The second half of Doctor Who's 7 series, took a bit of adjusting. The story arc wasn't quite as prominent here, and the new companion, Clara, just wasn't as fun, as The Ponds.

The episodes ran the gamut from fantastic to downright awful.

"The Bells Of St John", introduces us to the new version of Clara...or one of the many Claras, but the episode didn't go anywhere and Clara was pretty unlikable.

The only good thing about her was her snarky comment about the TARDIS being a "Snogbox."

"Cold War" was a total disappointment. A wonderfully scary old monster from the classic show "The Ice Warriors" makes a comeback, and it really was a dud. The little comments about 80s new wave bands probably were the only things that brought about any entertainment, especially Clara singing "Hungry Like The Wolf."

"Journey To The Center of the TARDIS" could have been so much more, but instead, it is really one of this series worst episodes. I think if the characters are going to see the TARDIS for all she is, the viewers should as well.

Now there were some brilliant episodes here, "The Rings of Akhaten" was emotional and good with the heart string tugging. "Hide" was superb, creepy and brilliantly acted. The best episodes though were the final three, "The Crimson Horror", "The Nightmare In Silver" and of course, "The Name Of The Doctor."

Now that Clara's secret is revealed, I'm kinda hoping she turns into a better companion in the 50th and going forward, since she's supposed to have signed on for the next series.

Which were your favorite episodes? How would you rate this series?

My rating: 8 out of 10 stars

Doctor Who In Review: The Name Of The Doctor

Anyone that doubted Steven Moffat's ability to deliver a finale that leaves fans breathless and chomping at the bit for Nov 23, will have their opinion changed.

The name of the Doctor is not revealed, so Whovians can breath a sigh of relief and stop bitching that they don't want to know.

That's the only spoiler I'll give you in this review.

Basically The Doctor has to go to the one place he shouldn't go to save his friends and more.

I wasn't sure what role a post library River Song would play in this episode, but I loved her, as I've always loved River. She's a character you either love or hate. I love her, because I find her love for The Doctor to be quite genuine, even though she prides herself in trying to be more clever than he is.

What I love is when River and Clara meet, there isn't a repeat of the Rose/Sarah Jane jealousy. That's why I like River better than Rose.

There is one part of the episode when I was in tears and clapping at the same time, because Moffat nailed it with 11 and River. She's his wife, and it is nice that though she's been the least leg humpy woman to be with him, she deserves his affection. (Oops is that a spoiler?)

Then there is the matter of Clara, from the first seconds of the episode her secret is revealed. I like her impossibleness, and I found myself liking her, finally. I still wish Madame Vastra, Jenny and Strax would be full time companions, because there was a lot of fun and good times with them. I would have liked to have seen them in The Tardis.

Strax is probably the funniest thing to happen to Doctor Who in years. He has some prize winning lines in this episode, especially in his beginning scenes.

The whole episode was really mind blowing and the end even more so, as it leaves you wondering...which is something the show's finale's seldom do. It leaves a lot to speculate on until the Anniversary episode airs.

I think this episode really gives the nod to the past in a way that will make old and new fans very happy.

Bloody Brilliant!

It will also leave you with instant Who withdrawal, which is never a good thing.

Doctor Who In Review: The Crimson Horror

The Crimson Horror is Doctor Who at its finest. It reminds you of all the reasons this show is so great as well as some other things that will just make you smile.

1. It has the super creepy factor.

2. Great companions! Madame Vastra, Jenny and Strax!!! Oh Strax! I love thee!

3. Nods to Tegan...I love how 11 has been mentioning things from his past this season, it is something I wish he'd do regardless of it being the 50th anniversary of the show. He has a past and he should share parts of it with his friends.

4. Tom Tom..the little boy GPS!

This episode also makes you wonder if the BBC has bought stock in red cosmetic paint.

For a season that has been primarily hit and miss episodes with a companion that you aren't sure whether you are supposed like or feel anything for her or not, this was an episode you really liked.

Oh and props for craziness

This was by far one of the best episodes in this half a series.

Also, wouldn't is be kewl, if Madame Vastra, Jenny and Strax would actually be REAL companions to the Doctor..and different.

Doctor Who In Review: Cold War

Cold War was one of those episode where you may find yourself sitting on the fence.

It is a good episode but it lacks something, maybe that's why it took me 3 viewings to watch the whole thing.

I tried watching at 8, and a family issue interrupted, so I watched again at 11 and fell asleep through part of it.

That doesn't bode well for my feelings on the episode.

So I finally watched it, On Demand, thank you Comcast!

I had heard so much about the classic Ice Warriors that I think I may have had higher expectations going in for this Who monster, because truth be told, I was a little bit Meh. Skaldak could've been more terrifying, but he wasn't. Truthfully, the crew of the Russian submarine were more frightening than Skaldak.

The only thing that really amused me in this episode was the professor and his fondness for British New Romantic bands. Oh and Clara singing Hungry Like The Wolf, that filled me with many giggles. I always love finding Duran Duran references in TV shows.

Clara feels like she's coming into her own a bit more, but I wish she felt special or something, she's the most lackluster companion for all her super cuteness. I hope when The Doctor finds out why she's "Impossible" the whole thing will be worth it.

Overall the first 2 episodes were excellent to good, with Cold War being the worst of the lot. Here's hoping Hide will be stronger overall.

Doctor Who In Review: The Rings Of Akhaten

The Rings Of Akhaten is one of those episodes that really remind you why Doctor Who is such a great show.

I've found that the first real traveling episodes with the new companions are always fantastic. With Donna it was The Last Days Of Pompeii, which this episode strangely reminds me of and in other ways it reminds me a bit of Gridlock from the Tennant years...sans the cute cats.

This episode packs a punch from the starting scenes where you get a glimpse into the life and family of Clara Oswald to the Doctor saving the day as always.

But aside from getting a few more clues, or not, about Clara, its is the Doctor's interaction with the little girl who plays the Queen of Years that really reminds you how good Matt Smith can be in this role.

He isn't all about getting the cute companion, and even as a girl myself, I have to admit Jenna Louise Coleman is flipping cute. 11 just has a way with kids. You saw it in The Eleventh Hour with the young Amy and in the prequel to The Bells Of St John with the young Clara. Matt Smith is just great with kids. It is a shame that Lis Sladen passed away, if he could have made a few more appearances on Sarah Jane Adventures, things would have been really fab. Glad he did get to go on that show once.

Another highlight of this show was the music. Completely stunning.

But back to the scary. The grandfather/God that they were singing too is a rather psycho parasitic vampire of sorts that kinda looks like a jack-o-lantern!

This episode brought back all that is good about Doctor Who. A little scary, but something you can't pull your eyes away from.

Oh and super 50th Anniversary nod in the episode as The Doctor said he came to that planet once with his Granddaughter. Love that some of the classic show is popping up, rather than stuff about the reboot and whinging and wining about Rose etc.

This episode will definitely go down as one of the best in the 11th Doctor's era.