Jasmine Sahu is well suited with this new American drama exclusive to Dave.
Lois Cameron explains why this series is much more than your average cosy period drama.
The last episode of this series sees Sherlock and Moriarty attempt to solve the final problem with devastating consequences.
With major cast changes afoot, Jacob Martin ponders whether Being Human can live up to its own scarily high standard.
Alas, once more, Doctor Who has departed our screens. But what a series it was, beginning with the Doctor's death and ending with his wedding, with a few things in between. But enough of these generalities – just what elements get my very particular seal of approval? And yes, the name 'Hugh Bonneville' may, just may, pop up here somewhere.
As always, there were many contenders here, but in the end I just couldn't look past the two Amys discussing their love for Rory in 'The Girl Who Waited'. When old Amy says, 'You're asking me to defy destiny, causality, the nexus of time, for a boy?', there's only one possible answer: 'You're Amy. He's Rory. And oh yes, I am.'
Suranne Jones made a marvellous personification of the TARDIS, and James Corden was just as charming this year as last, but there was really only ever going to be one winner here. Yes, 'The Curse of the Black Spot' was a bit of a let-down, but it gave us Hugh Bonneville as a bearded pirate in red velvet, which is really all my dreams coming true at once.
The most during relationship in history of the programme was given a beautiful focus in 'The Doctor's Wife'. Amongst many charming and touching scenes between the Doctor and his ship, one stood out. As the Doctor and Idris said 'hello' and 'goodbye' at the same time, the Time Lord's eyes were a little wet, and so were mine.
Splitting the series in half might have allowed for that epic mid-series cliff-hanger, but it also ruined any momentum that had been building, and made an already complicated story even more convoluted by widening the gap between the first and last episodes. The programme has been especially on fire for the last six episodes, but this run was just too short – by the time it had really started going, it was over. An interesting experiment, but one that didn't really work for me.
Writer Tom MacRae's previous Who episodes weren't exactly classics, so I was thrilled with just how much 'The Girl Who Waited' surpassed my expectations. A marvellous study of the depth of Amy's love for Rory, complete with top notch performances from Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill, this was just about as engaging and wonderful an episode of Doctor Who can get.
Oh, Toby Whithouse, you old dog. 'The God Complex' mixed comedy, chills and big ideas with an astonishing sense of ease and grace. Aided by brilliant performances from Smith, Gillan and Darvill, this took Amy's complete trust in the Doctor and twisted it to look at the darker side of travelling through time and space with a mad man in a blue box. And the Doctor's final decision, which was masterfully worked through the episode, finished it off in a beautifully heartbreaking, and completely unforgettable, way.
Of all the elements I love about Matt Smith's Doctor, one stands above them all: his gloriously strange, strangely glorious face. It's absolutely perfect for playing the Time Lord, as he manages to look both youthful and impossibly old at the same time. And in no moment is that quality better utilised than in his scene with baby Alfie in 'Closing Time'. As he talks to the child about his life, I didn't question the assertion that he had 'owned the stage', nor did I doubt that this was a 1000 year old alien facing his death. And, for an actor playing the Doctor, I can think of no higher praise.
You must log in to submit a comment.
