The Woman Who Lived - discussion the same night

It was fun seeing Maisie Williams in different looks and portraying a character that isn't a daughter fighting to overcome difficult circumstances.  Already such talent at such a young age.  I look forward to seeing her in other roles after Game of Thrones.

The story this week, however, was okay - not great, okay.  I might have preferred it had last week's episode not ended with a "to be continued" and this week's episode been placed later in the series.  It does seem like Ashildr is being set up to be brought back.  That could be fun to see.  Had this episode been placed later in the series, it might have been more exciting seeing her return.

That's all I have to say about The Woman Who Lived.  My favorite bit this week was seeing that next week we'll see the highly anticipated (by me) return of Osgood!  I've been a fan of that character since the 50th anniversary episode, and I can't wait to see her return . . . if she's human or Zygon or something not quite so simple.  Let's indulge in the trailer until next week: 

https://youtu.be/mdFS9hspkQM

The Girl Who Died - discussion the day after

One word sums up the last 8 minutes of The Girl Who Died - SQUEEEE!!!!!!!!!

You could feel the excitement and anticipation building as we saw the reflections of Peter Capaldi's face in the eel tanks.  Finally, we were going to get the link back to The Fires of Pompeii.  We would see how Stephen Moffat was going to explain why Caecilius and the 12th Doctor look like the same person.

The reason itself wasn't that interesting or surprising (I do hope it gets developed more as the series continues), but the way it was explained was fantastic!  It was so beautiful how the flashbacks to Deep Breath and The Fires of Pompeii were incorporated.  Storytelling at its finest!

Who didn't gasp and hold their breath as the 10th Doctor first appeared with that look to Donna?  And Donna!  The amazing Donna and her heartfelt plea to the Doctor to save someone.  Then seeing the 10th Doctor reach out to save Caecilius.  It was better than watching that episode the first time.

That entire sequence was my favorite bit of Series 9 so far.

In the last 8 minutes, we also saw more brilliant moments of acting from Peter Capaldi.  The introspective Doctor, who we don't get to see that often, elicits such emotion.  The monologue about losing people before the flashback sequence and then the questioning of his saving Ashildr . . . I don't know what to say.  The only way I can describe it is an emotional sigh.

Finally, the set up for future adventures with Ashildr was exciting.  I can't wait to see more of it next week.

Before the Flood discussion/The Girl Who Died prep

Well I'm a bit slow this week in discussing the most recent episode, but the good news is, it's almost time for the next one, so I'm going to make this post a look back and look ahead!

Before the Flood

For once I was right, the Under the Lake/Before the Flood two parter is my favorite Toby Whithouse contribution to Doctor Who.  With back-to-back two parters and such a spectacle of a series opener, it was nice having a typical-feeling Who story: TARDIS drops Doctor and companion in an unexpected place.  Doctor and companion meet locals facing an unknown monster.  Tension between Doctor and locals on how to approach the situation.  All seems lost.  Doctor outsmarts the monster.

Okay, the hologram was predictable and a bit of a cop out, but I may be willing to overlook it because it was incorporated into the bootstrap paradox, and the Doctor gave an entertaining, straight to camera explanation of the paradox at the top of the episode.  The nerd in me loves it when science fiction incorporates science.  And this Doctor's more frequent bouts of educating the audience and speaking to camera is fun.

And more rocking out by the Doctor!  I truly want Peter Capaldi and Craig Ferguson to get their band back together.

The hints that Clara's getting carried away are being layered on pretty thick.  She's challenged again on how traveling with the Doctor may have made her more callus, and her pleads to the Doctor are screaming her unhealthy dependence on him.  I do like these themes, but I hope they take more subtle forms through at least some of the episodes this series.

That said, one of my favorite moments was at the end when Clara explains how you have to keep going after losing a loved one.  Such a sweet speech.  Not over the top or overly sentimental.  It had just the right tone and delivery to indicate understanding without being preachy.  It allowed us to think of Danny, feel a twinge, but then carry on.

The Girl Who Died
Moving on - I am very excited for the next episode, featuring our beloved Arya from Game of Thrones, Maisie Williams.  The pre-series teasers have implied that Maisie Williams' character may have some previous connection with the Doctor.  I would love for it to be a connection we know and not a connection from the Doctor's past that has just been written in this episode.  Actually, it'd be nice just to have it be a connection and not have been tricked by teasers taking things out of context again.  (I fall for it every time!)

Think there's any chance they'll throw in a Game of Thrones reference?  The reboot, particularly under Moffat, loves slipping in those under-the-breath one-liners acknowledging the real world.

In case you missed it or just want to watch it over and over, here's a trailer for this Saturday's episode.