Following the poor
show that was Deep Breath, I had
fears that this Dalek adventure could fall in the same field, especially
following Steven Moffat's usage of
them in 2013's The Time of the Doctor. There was still
some hope with co-writer Phil Ford
(2009's The Waters of Mars and
various Sarah Jane Adventures
episodes) who has written some good stories for the show. It makes me thankful that this episode was in fact good. However,
that isn't to say it's great.
Previously, I felt that Peter Capaldi was retreading Matt Smith's performance with bad results - such mannerisms don't fit Capaldi - and the limited time we got with the fully energised Twelfth Doctor was too fleeting to make an opinion on him. Here, we see the full deal and it is a force to be reckoned with. Whilst we do still have a few bits of humour reminiscent of Smith and somewhat out of place, Capaldi fills his scenes with gravitas and could grow to be a great Doctor. His dark humour and willingness to sacrifice others to keep himself going – even making a joke about it – gives off a completely new look for a modern Doctor, which really works as we try to know and love him. I'm still not completely won over by him yet, but in time I'm sure I will be.
Jenna Coleman is certainly trying her best to keep any hesitant fans watching as Clara returns to being her old bland self, following her brief personality splurge last week. And whilst she is good enough to watch, you do crave an actual character as opposed to an empty shell. She's a fun watch, but lacking in areas and pretty much unnecessary in actual events until the very end. As for incoming companion Danny Pink (Samuel Anderson), it’s clear that he's there for a reason as obviously shown in the last 5 minutes of the episode. But he seems like a likable character even for a probable love interest, and it'll be interesting to see where his character goes. As for side characters, none of them made a lasting impact. It's clear Moffat and Ford try with Journey Blue (Zawe Ashton) but she does end up like any other solider from the last 50 years, just with a sudden wish to join the TARDIS team near the end, whereas Michael Smiley is the usual military grunt. Others make no lasting impact besides Laura dos Santos as Gretchen, but only for a minuscule reason.
The idea of a good Dalek is one which has not been done in the show itself. In graphic novels and novelisations yes, but rarely in the show (1967’s Evil of the Daleks and, to an extent, 2005’s Dalek do feature emotional Daleks), so to feature one does show that there is still plenty to do with these monumental foes. That being said, there was something a little lacking from them. As great as it is to see them actually exterminating people unlike the past few years, they didn't have as much as an onscreen presence as preferred. Granted, it is mainly set inside the Dalek, but outside a few anti-bodies within they aren't quite as menacing. It's fun to see Dalek-on-Dalek warfare a la Remembrance of the Daleks (1988) though, and that segment is shot and orchestrated brilliantly, so perhaps a bit more spectacle is required for future Dalek incursions. Aside from that, Daleks and storyline is good but requires improvement.
Into the Dalek is a much needed improvement from Deep Breath, with a much more enjoyable Doctor and some great visuals alongside the Dalek presence. However, it does include a rehash from a far superior Dalek story and secondary characters that are in dire need of actual personality outside of being soldiers. 6/10
Previously, I felt that Peter Capaldi was retreading Matt Smith's performance with bad results - such mannerisms don't fit Capaldi - and the limited time we got with the fully energised Twelfth Doctor was too fleeting to make an opinion on him. Here, we see the full deal and it is a force to be reckoned with. Whilst we do still have a few bits of humour reminiscent of Smith and somewhat out of place, Capaldi fills his scenes with gravitas and could grow to be a great Doctor. His dark humour and willingness to sacrifice others to keep himself going – even making a joke about it – gives off a completely new look for a modern Doctor, which really works as we try to know and love him. I'm still not completely won over by him yet, but in time I'm sure I will be.
Jenna Coleman is certainly trying her best to keep any hesitant fans watching as Clara returns to being her old bland self, following her brief personality splurge last week. And whilst she is good enough to watch, you do crave an actual character as opposed to an empty shell. She's a fun watch, but lacking in areas and pretty much unnecessary in actual events until the very end. As for incoming companion Danny Pink (Samuel Anderson), it’s clear that he's there for a reason as obviously shown in the last 5 minutes of the episode. But he seems like a likable character even for a probable love interest, and it'll be interesting to see where his character goes. As for side characters, none of them made a lasting impact. It's clear Moffat and Ford try with Journey Blue (Zawe Ashton) but she does end up like any other solider from the last 50 years, just with a sudden wish to join the TARDIS team near the end, whereas Michael Smiley is the usual military grunt. Others make no lasting impact besides Laura dos Santos as Gretchen, but only for a minuscule reason.
The idea of a good Dalek is one which has not been done in the show itself. In graphic novels and novelisations yes, but rarely in the show (1967’s Evil of the Daleks and, to an extent, 2005’s Dalek do feature emotional Daleks), so to feature one does show that there is still plenty to do with these monumental foes. That being said, there was something a little lacking from them. As great as it is to see them actually exterminating people unlike the past few years, they didn't have as much as an onscreen presence as preferred. Granted, it is mainly set inside the Dalek, but outside a few anti-bodies within they aren't quite as menacing. It's fun to see Dalek-on-Dalek warfare a la Remembrance of the Daleks (1988) though, and that segment is shot and orchestrated brilliantly, so perhaps a bit more spectacle is required for future Dalek incursions. Aside from that, Daleks and storyline is good but requires improvement.
Into the Dalek is a much needed improvement from Deep Breath, with a much more enjoyable Doctor and some great visuals alongside the Dalek presence. However, it does include a rehash from a far superior Dalek story and secondary characters that are in dire need of actual personality outside of being soldiers. 6/10
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