For me, this episode is like a sigh of relief. It’s not mind-blowing or anything, but it really feels like Who, and with the exception of some untidy plotting and one niggling irritant (more on that later,) I can sit back and enjoy it rather than feel like a grumpy killjoy of a Whovian. This fast, fun romp is probably my favorite of the season so far.
The Doctor, Clara, technologically-augmented human Psi, and shape-shifting mutant-human Saibra find themselves unwanted guests in the most secure bank in the universe with their recent memories wiped and a distorted voice on a screen telling them they’ve agreed to rob it. As they try to follow their scant, piece-meal instructions and figure out how they ended up here, they’re hunted by the Teller, a psychic alien that can hear guilt and turn brains into soup.
The central mystery is convoluted but enjoyable, packed with action and quick thinking. What’s more, it resolves in a fairly satisfying way. The Teller is good and creepy, and the one-off characters are excellent. Both Psi and Saibra are clever, brave, and entertaining to watch, and hints of pathos flesh them out nicely. Saibra, who takes on the appearance of anyone she touches, admits the loneliness of her impressive gift, and while Psi’s augmented mind can interface with any computer, he’s erased certain memories from his hard drive that he yearns to recover. I really like seeing them interact with the Doctor and Clara, gradually learning to trust and assist each other.
Because it seems I always end these episode reviews with a gripe, I’m moving my only major complaint here so I can end on a higher note. It’s soweird to me that Clara is such a part-time companion. It was sort of understandable at the end of Amy and Rory’s run, because they traveled with the Doctor for a long time and were at the point where they were getting ready to move on. But Clara, it seems, has always been an occasional day-tripper, popping off for a quick jaunt across time and space when she’s not too busy with work or her social life. This episode opens with the Doctor practically begging Clara to go on any one of countless fantastical excursions with him and her basically saying, “No thanks, got a date, catch you later.” It makes Clara feel a lot less relatable for me, because who does that? What has the entire universe at their fingertips but only wants to see it when it fits into their schedule?
Twelve feels well and truly Doctory here, a fine blend of perceptive, funny, and inquisitive while maintaining his sharpness and alien detachment. And even better, he gets to be effective. Far too often this season, it seems the Doctor hasn’t been terribly involved in solving the mysteries or saving the day, and I’m not sure why that is (sure seems like a strange way to get the audience invested in a new Doctor!) In this episode, though, his tactical skills and knowhow back up his take-charge attitude, and he has a lot of cheer-worthy moments. All I can say is, “Thank goodness!” It’s the Doctor’s show, after all, and regeneration or no regeneration, I still want him to be the mad and brilliant Time Lord we all love. With this episode, I’m pleased to report that I see it.
Warnings
The Teller’s “feasting” on people’s minds is incredibly gross.
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