With the Death of the Doctor/Trenzalore storyline finally dealt with, and the Doctor equipped with another set of regenarations, it was only fitting to see some major changes to the show. Gone is the era of the Doctor being a young and dashing hero, now we finally see him return to his more classic form. With veteran award winning actor, and long time Doctor Who fan, Peter Capaldi, portraying a much darker and sinister version of the character, there's all kinds of possibilities as to where the show can go.
Starting with a markedly different tone, complete with a new opening title theme, Moffat was sure to get the audience ready to expect something different from previous years. Post regeneration episodes are always difficult to deal with; there is a need for reinvention and introducing us to the new Doctor, while still delivering a solid story to go with it.
Starting with a markedly different tone, complete with a new opening title theme, Moffat was sure to get the audience ready to expect something different from previous years. Post regeneration episodes are always difficult to deal with; there is a need for reinvention and introducing us to the new Doctor, while still delivering a solid story to go with it.
If that's what 'Deep Breath' was trying to achieve, for the most part, it was a success. Peter Capaldi really owned as the Doctor, and was easily the strongest part of the episode. He certainly brought a breath of fresh air to the series. (see what I did there?) The first scene with him was as crazy and brilliant as you would expect from an actor of his caliber. Each Doctor has had his own way of dealing with post-regeneration-trauma, and Capaldi's confused and haphazard portrayal of the Doctor was certainly interesting to watch.
The best part though, was how Clara dealt with the whole situation. The little talk between her and Madame Vastra at the beginning of the episode was just fantastic. That's when the show got a bit meta, as it addressed the concerns some fans had when Capaldi was cast as the Doctor. The idea of Clara being a mirror to how some fans reacted when the regeneration was announced was brilliantly executed. And that cameo in the end from a little someone certainly helped the cause.
Another concern that the fans were hoping to be addressed was also explored in the episode. Capaldi is not a new face in the Whoniverse, and has already portrayed two different characters previously, including one that met the Tenth Doctor. This being tackled head on, with the Doctor trying to figure out why he chose this face will hopefully get explored further in the future.
The best part though, was how Clara dealt with the whole situation. The little talk between her and Madame Vastra at the beginning of the episode was just fantastic. That's when the show got a bit meta, as it addressed the concerns some fans had when Capaldi was cast as the Doctor. The idea of Clara being a mirror to how some fans reacted when the regeneration was announced was brilliantly executed. And that cameo in the end from a little someone certainly helped the cause.
Another concern that the fans were hoping to be addressed was also explored in the episode. Capaldi is not a new face in the Whoniverse, and has already portrayed two different characters previously, including one that met the Tenth Doctor. This being tackled head on, with the Doctor trying to figure out why he chose this face will hopefully get explored further in the future.
The episodes wasn't without its faults though, running at over 75 minutes, there were definitely some parts which could do with some improving. Notably, the villain wasn't particularly interesting. It felt like the comparisons made between him and the Doctor were a bit too over the nose, and it was as if his existence hinged on it. And what about those random flashbacks Clara had? They were pretty awkward as well.
Other than that, the last scene was pretty exciting, and proved that the season will have a big bad after all, even though Moffat recently asserted that it won't. Though, he's not one to shy away from lying, after all he is the one who lied his ass off about the 50th anniversary episode.
All in all, the episode was a great start to Series 8 of Doctor Who, and Capaldi's run as the Doctor, and achieved most of what it set to do. However, most importantly it gave us a brilliant first episode featuring a new Doctor, and with those last couple of scenes, made sure to make us want to tune in next week for another dose of our favourite dual-hearted-time-travelling-alien.
Other than that, the last scene was pretty exciting, and proved that the season will have a big bad after all, even though Moffat recently asserted that it won't. Though, he's not one to shy away from lying, after all he is the one who lied his ass off about the 50th anniversary episode.
All in all, the episode was a great start to Series 8 of Doctor Who, and Capaldi's run as the Doctor, and achieved most of what it set to do. However, most importantly it gave us a brilliant first episode featuring a new Doctor, and with those last couple of scenes, made sure to make us want to tune in next week for another dose of our favourite dual-hearted-time-travelling-alien.
SCORE: 8.5