Fully LOADED

Article first published as TV Review: LOADED on Seat42F.

AMC’s newest series is a British import adapted from an Israeli series, and yet, you won’t be able to watch it without comparing it to a popular U.S. program. LOADED tells the story of four entrepreneurs who make it rich with a game they developed. Through a series of bad decisions and dumb mistakes, they frustratingly begin losing the money just as quickly as they acquired it.

Yes, if LOADED sounds a bit like HBO’s Silicon Valley to you, that’s because they two programs are very similar, down to some of the characters that populate it. The main differences are that LOADED is starting from a point of success, the core characters actually love one another, and this is a drama infused with comedy, rather than a comedy infused with drama.

That last may be a slight distinction, but it’s also an important one. There are fewer laugh-out-loud moments in LOADED than there are in Silicon Valley, but there is more complexity in the characters and the relationships. For instance, one of the four, Watto (Nick Helm, Uncle), is struggling with his sobriety. The way he hangs onto it in episode one is hilarious, but there’s true darkness and pain lurking right below the surface.

The two most central figures are Leon (Samuel Anderson, Doctor Who) and Josh (Jim Howick, Yonderland), who appear polar opposites at first. Leon spends his cash on a Ferrari, champagne baths, and a revenge barbershop quartet, while Josh wants to invest in a living space of his own (he shares a flat with the other three). But even in the pilot, Leon wises up in some ways, and Josh gets more reckless in others. We see how they balance one another out, and the deep respect and affection they have for one another. Together, they make for good leadership. Separately, they’d probably fall apart.

Rounding out the quartet is Ewan (Jonny Sweet, Together), who, at first, I believed to be there only for comic relief, similar as he is to Silicon Valley’s Jared. But then I realized there’s more there. He is the one who is overlooked, forgotten about. Even on a lawsuit against the company, his name is left off of the writ. And we see him work to correct that imbalance, overcompensating in a sad way.

Along with these four, there’s Casey (Mary McCormack, In Plain Sight, The West Wing), their overbearing “sexy Darth Vader” American boss, and Naomi (Lolly Adefope, Rovers), Casey’s assistant who is the true character just there for a joke. Together, the ensemble is a strong one, with a lot going on, and plenty of possibilities for the eight-episode first season.

The question becomes, despite the good characters, is it worth watching if you’re already into Silicon Valley, given how alike the two series are? I can’t say for sure. I don’t mind watching British versions of shows I’ve already seen in America, and that’s kind of how I see this (even though the British is a remake of a show from elsewhere). But with everything that’s out there, does anyone really have time to watch two of (essentially) the same show right now? That’s a question you’ll have to answer for yourself.

I will say, I am most displeased that AMC has censored LOADED so much, forcing reshoots of scenes and the limitation of how many and which curse words can be said per episodes. Some basic cable networks are loosening up their restrictions, and I think AMC should follow suit, especially because HBO places no such requirements on Silicon Valley, and that makes LOADED come off as a tamer version. Plus, the characters suffer from it, feeling not quite as realistic. It’s just language, and LOADED airs late at night. What’s the big deal?

LOADED airs Mondays at 10/9c on AMC.

Sadly, Not Clara's "Last Christmas" On DOCTOR WHO

Article firs published as TV Review: 'Doctor Who' - 'Last Christmas' on Blogcritics.

As it has many years in the past, the BBC presented a brand-new Doctor Who special on Christmas Day, which also aired on BBC America. Titled “Last Christmas,” The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) and Clara (Jenna Coleman) are visited by Santa Claus (Nick Frost, Shaun of the Dead, Mr. Sloane), and then head to the North Pole to help a group of scientists. But things get dreamy-weamy when a brain-sucking alien that can alter perception attacks them.

“Last Christmas” is better than most of this past fall’s eighth season, but also displays some of the weaknesses that have plagued Doctor Who this year. It is fun and scary and has a classic-type villain that poses a puzzle for our clever heroes. It also flirts with character development without fully committing to it, teasing at some depth between the show’s leads, but failing to deliver a meaningful package. In short, it’s enjoyable, but also disappointing.

When last we left them, The Doctor and Clara separated because they both lied. Well, The Doctor lied, and Clara didn’t correct his assumptions about her, spelling an end to their time traveling together. Thrust back into adventure (which is explained adequately enough), they do have a brief screaming match to air the truth, but then they decide to resume their past arrangement with no discussion of the problems between them.

I finally have a theory as to why this might be the case, as frustrating as it is that the writers don’t deal with the underlying issues between this pairing. The Doctor is never one to dwell on his darkness when a companion is around, trying to present a cheery front. Normally, his companions help ground him, but Clara is also an avoider of reality, and between the two of them, a true confrontation and discussion just isn’t likely to spring. Which is why Clara needs to go.

Part of why Doctor Who is so awesome is because of the complexity of its main Time Lord. With Clara by his side, The Doctor is allowed to ignore his issues, as she just wants to find the fun. But Capaldi’s version of The Doctor definitely has things to deal with, as the series has hinted that his older appearance is not merely selected by chance. Even Clara has gotten fed up with him at times, yet she always backs off before forcing anything from him, and in order to unlock this mystery, The Doctor needs a companion that will stick to their guns.

That aside, the episode itself is mostly satisfying because it messes with the viewer’s brain. Some of the best installments of Doctor Who present something to fear and then outline why you cannot protect yourself from it. “Last Christmas” does that brilliantly with it’s Inception-like concept of dreams within dreams. Making Santa Claus a part of this makes a lot of sense. It’s not as mythology heavy as the previous two Christmas episodes, but it’s a fine stand-alone.

Toss in Nick Frost, who is always terrific, a guest turn by Michael Troughton, Second Doctor Patrick Troughton’s son, as one of the scientists, and Dan Starkey, who plays recurring part Strax, as an elf, and there’s plenty for fans to get excited about.

On a side note, how did The Doctor and Clara encounter Danny Pink’s (Samuel Anderson) descendant in series eight when he later dies without having children? Danny’s cameo in “Last Christmas” makes me think his story may not quite be over, but I don’t see a way for it go forward from here, unless the show repeats itself with him as it did with Rory. I keep expecting Clara to be pregnant, but it doesn’t seem like Doctor Who is going that way, and Danny doesn’t seem to have coupled with anyone else, given his mental state. Will the series follow up and explain this?

Doctor Who will return for a ninth series (since the reboot) sometime in 2015.

DOCTOR WHO Finale Good, Not Great

Article first published as TV Review: 'Doctor Who' - Series Eight Finale on Blogcritics.

The BBC’s Doctor Who has been building to a big finale all season, as per usual. That ending is finally here in the two-part episode “Dark Water” and “Death in Heaven.” As expected, this adventure pays off much of the story from not just season eight, but ties itself into past mythology as well, and it almost makes up for the overall-mediocre year. Almost.

In “Dark Water,” The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) takes a devastated Clara (Jenna Coleman) to find her recently deceased boyfriend, Danny Pink (Samuel Anderson). What they stumble into is Missy’s (Michelle Gomez) plot, which involves turning all of the deceased of Earth into Cyberman which she can then use to conquer the planet, or multiple planets. Or just give them to The Doctor, as she does in “Death in Heaven,” to try to repair their friendship, as she’s actually old frenemy The Master reincarnated as a woman.

“Dark Water” and “Death in Heaven” are good episodes because they hit a lot of excellent notes. Any chance to see UNIT is delightful. Clara’s grief over losing Danny is palpable. Danny’s love overcoming the Cyberman programming is very moving. The Doctor finally giving a salute to old friend Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart (played for many years by Nicholas Courtney, but seen here only as a Cyberman) is nothing short of amazing, giving long-time fans a much-deserved reward.

The goodbye between The Doctor and Clara is equally good. Neither gets what they want, and they each lie to the other to make it seem like things turned out OK. That’s a hanging thread begging to be explored, and it will be in the upcoming Christmas special. But for now, the scene in which Clara quits her travels, never really saying what she means to say to The Doctor, is terrific enough.

An unresolved mystery, that of where Galifrey is and how The Master found it, or if he/she really did, remains, tantalizing, sure to be picked up in season nine. We know The Master is a liar, of course, but since Galifrey is out there, somewhere, The Doctor needs to find it.

This finale explores the question posed earlier this year as to if The Doctor is a good man. He decides he’s not, but he’s not a bad man either. In doing so, he’s able to let go of some of his hangups and trust Danny Pink, a solider, something The Doctor detests. This is a beautiful, solid conclusion to the subplot, though The Doctor is far from done in his evolution as an individual, nor has he addressed why he now looks the way he does, surely connected to his internal turmoil.

Lastly, it’s no small thing that The Doctor is made President of Earth in “Death in Heaven.” He may not stay in the position full-time, but it means something, and since Kate Stewart (Jemma Redgrave) survived, it will have to be dealt with again. It’s a post The Doctor doesn’t want, but it might be useful to him at some point. How much will he invest in the power and is his term finite?

Now, there are still quite a few holes, though, and that’s why “Dark Water” and “Death in Heaven” continue the trends of this season, rather than making up for them and fixing the series entirely. For one, Missy’s ability to capture the souls of deceased people and then transform their corpses into Cybermen is never adequately explained, nor is how she can control Cybermen in the first place dealt with. I do not understand her plot to win back The Doctor, either. She’s crazy, sure, but there has to be some reason she thinks her plan will work. We don’t know why she puts Clara and The Doctor together, not really. I doubt we’ve seen the last of The Master / Mistress, as Time Lords regenerate, and hopefully future glimpses will explain these things, but this two-parter doesn’t do a good job making itself cohesive here.

I also feel like Osgood’s (Ingrid Oliver) death is quick and cheap. Her presence is a memorable one, and I love how she references older versions of The Doctor in her wardrobe. Killing her should have affected someone and meant something, and instead, it’s just a throw-away moment, scary, but not worth it.

Doctor Who‘s season eight is, overall, the weakest since the show’s reincarnation in 2005. Yet, the season finale has enough wonderful tidbits to prove the magic is not dead, even if it skips over them too quickly instead of giving them the exploration they deserve. A refocus is in order, hopefully without Clara, playing on the strengths still running through the show and minimizing the inconsistencies and stand-alone tales that just don’t work. I’m cautiously optimistic season nine and a new companion can get the show back on track.

Doctor Who will next see a Christmas special on that holiday, and then (reportedly) return to the BBC and BBC America sometime in 2015 for season nine.

"Night" Is Near For DOCTOR WHO Season 8

Article first published as TV Review: 'Doctor Who' - 'In the Forest of the Night' on Blogcritics.

In the latest episode of the BBC’s Doctor Who, “In the Forest of the Night,” trees suddenly sprout all over the Earth, clogging major cities and seemingly taking over everything. Is this an alien invasion? The environment fighting back against human intrusion? An attempt to create chaos? Or something else entirely? The Doctor (Peter Capaldi), assisted by Clara (Jenna Coleman), Danny Pink (Samuel Anderson), and a group of schoolchildren, intends to find out.

The core mystery at the center of “In the Forest of the Night” is interesting. Like the Weeping Angels and the creatures that live under the bed, the trees are an ever-present, real thing made creepy. When The Doctor theorizes that fairytales paint the woods as haunted because the trees have long been a threat to mankind, it makes sense. Not only that, but the motivation for attacking us, who harm them, is sound. But when that idea is turned on its head, that the trees actually protect us, not hurt us, it’s a twist on a structure used often in Doctor Who, making it seem somewhat fresh.

It is also interesting that no one wants to be saved by The Doctor if their families will die. The kids need their parents, Danny needs to stay and stand his ground, and Clara doesn’t to be the last remaining human. There’s a theme of loneliness explored a bit, forcing a perspective that many compassionate humans can agree with and get behind.

The Doctor doesn’t understand this. The 12th Doctor, more than previous incarnations, is self-involved and doesn’t worry about others unless they’re among the few individuals he cares about. At one point, The Doctor considers leaving the Earth to its fate, everyone doomed to die, and I kind of wish the series had gone through with this. Not only would it irrevocably shift the dynamic between Clara and The Doctor, it would force the writers to deal with a callous part of The Doctor that has been festering all season. Instead, it’s hinted at and then dropped, disappointingly, as The Doctor reverts to form and figures out the puzzle.

Clara is in the opposite position from The Doctor, learning to care a lot about those around her. A year ago, while she would have continued to urge The Doctor to fight on, she might not have been so willing to die with everyone else. Now, she has Danny, understanding Danny who will forgive her lies about cutting off ties with The Doctor if she can figure out how to be true to herself. He gives his very good explanation of what he wants out of life, and it appeals to her. I think Danny will help Clara be who she should be, giving up her adventures and escapism to finally start living the life she’s meant to have.

It’s actually pretty ridiculous how the children fold into this story. Doctor Who has involved civilians in the past, but rarely on this magnitude. All of Clara and Danny’s charges (none among the recognizable ones from previous weeks) are in on the secret, present for the important parts. What’s more, it phases none of them to learn The Doctor’s secrets, which is tongue-in-cheekily dealt with, but certainly not in a satisfactory manner.

As has been usual this fall, “In the Forest of the Night” is mostly a stand-alone episode. There is barely a glimpse of Missy (Michelle Gomez), and character arcs are only touched upon, not explored. Doctor Who‘s large stories would lose nothing by leaving this episode out of the run, and that’s never a good sign. Where has the series, which used to be complex and convoluted, gone so wrong that most hours these days are forgettable?

So, as has happened a lot lately, “In the Forest of the Night” leaves one with an empty feeling. Good ideas are not realized as fully as they should, and the story does not sufficiently tie into the bigger picture. Where once there is a mythology-heavy must-see program, in the eighth season, those in charge have made the show more “normal,” more pedestrian, and far less appealing to discerning fans. I don’t know if this is meant to help the show continue to grow in its appeal to the masses, but it’s having the opposite effect on the fans, with viewing numbers shrinking greatly this year. This episode is not the way to fix that.

Doctor Who airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET on BBC America.

DOCTOR WHO Barely Avoids "Flatline" This Season

Article first published as TV Review: 'Doctor Who' - 'The 48' on Blogcritics.

In last night’s episode of Doctor Who (BBC America), “Flatline,” the TARDIS begins shrinking and draining of power. Clara (Jenna Coleman) gets out to investigate, but The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) stays in, soon becoming trapped in a box that fits in Clara’s purse. This means, though The Doctor offers a bit of help, Clara must take on his normal role in the crisis at hand, involving the invasion of two-dimensional beings that are killing human beings, whether intentionally or not.

“Flatline” does not feel out of character for Clara because she steps up on a regular basis. While the crutch of The Doctor may be sort of gone here, she is on her own enough in other episodes that this isn’t all that novel a concept to see again. I like the idea presented, that Clara must become like The Doctor, but because of who she is, the execution is not all that impressive, as it doesn’t change her much, if any.

At least, that is, until the end of the hour. Saving the day, Clara takes a moment to gloat that she’s a good Doctor. The Doctor says she is an excellent Doctor, but not necessarily a good one. This echoes the debate playing out throughout this season as to whether The Doctor is good or not. It’s hard to know exactly the meaning of the dialogue in this scene, but there are many things to consider. Does The Doctor not see himself as good? Is he afraid that by forcing Clara to act like him this week, he’s making her take on the worst parts of him? Is his judgment of her related to the way she’s been lying to Danny (Samuel Anderson) about quitting her adventures, something The Doctor clearly does not approve of?

Strange, too, how we see Missy (Michelle Gomez) crowing over ‘picking’ Clara. Did she arrange for Clara to meet The Doctor in the first place? If so, there are a lot of implications to explore, given Clara’s importance, more so than any Companion in memory, to Doctor Who. She saves every incarnation of The Doctor and the entire universe itself. Why is Missy shown to be proud here, at a comparably small moment, rather than during the bigger ones? Does this scene mean something else entirely that just isn’t obvious in the presentation of this episode?

The Doctor himself is a bit uneven in “Flatline.” For most of the episode, he’s the same as he’s been in previous weeks of Doctor Who, a bit too callous and uncaring. Then, at the climax, he steps out triumphantly to expel the aliens and declares Earth under his protection, making a heroic speech. At first glance, this is an inspiring moment for him, but upon further reflection, it feels unearned. What has he done, really, besides the obvious and necessary? He’s still not The Doctor fans love, and has not been since the latest incarnation takes over; still a broken man who needs mending.

I know I’m complaining a bit about character inconsistencies, but “Flatline” is certainly a better episode than last week’s, and highly enjoyable. The guest cast may be a bit weak and flat, 3-D beings more so than the literally flat monsters, but the pacing is solid and the story builds suspense appropriately. There is a mystery that unfolds quite naturally, and the writing makes us think about who the aliens are and what their motivations could be. It’s an examination of a new species with a different framework from our own, and paired with some intense running and clever problem solving, it’s a pretty good hour. Plus, the sacrifice of a noble headband is quite moving.

The special effects are also mostly amazing. There are some weird things when the TARDIS first goes small (not to mention, why doesn’t it keep shrinking at a regular rate?), but the tiny TARDIS is cool and the creatures are really well designed. It’s easy to imagine what we’re seeing is exactly how a 2-D life form might manifest in three dimensions, not yet understanding the concept enough. The folding in of the art and graffiti is neat, and the design of “Flatline” leaves much to be revisited and appreciated.

With only one week left before the big, two-part finale, I’m still not confident this will all come together as well as it has in the past, but I’m getting excited to be done with the mundane cases and see what this season has been about. Will it make year eight worth it, or will the conclusion be as disappointing as certain weeks have been recently? And will River Song finally make a long-overdue appearance?

Doctor Who airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET on BBC America.

DOCTOR WHO Taking "Express" Ride to Bad Season

Article first published as TV Review: 'Doctor Who' - 'Mummy on the Orient Express' on Blogcritics.

When last we left BBC’s Doctor Who, Clara (Jenna Coleman) tells off The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) in what looks like an end to their partnership. Viewers are further led to believe this because promos for the latest installment, “Mummy on the Orient Express,” don’t include Clara, a wise decision, given the cliffhanger. However, this week the twosome is back together, traveling on the Orient Express in space, which is being haunted by a mummy, as the episode title suggests. Have they repaired their broken bond? Not quite; they are on one last adventure together before Clara hangs up her traveling shoes for good.

“Mummy on the Orient Express” is extremely disappointing in how it treats the relationship between The Doctor and Clara. It makes sense that her anger will ebb eventually, and that they could possibly remain friends, but since The Doctor’s last change, the two have not gotten along. Why is Clara being so nice to him now? Their issues cannot just be ignored, and last mission or no, they are far too chummy as the episode begins.

Clara thinks that once she retires, The Doctor will still pop ’round to visit. She ought to know better. He lies and says he will, but longtime viewers of the show are smart enough not to believe him. That’s not to say The Doctor will never see Clara again once she stops being his companion, but they certainly won’t be getting together on a regular basis. At most, their paths may cross a few times by chance. The Doctor doesn’t keep friends in the manner a typical human would.

“Mummy on the Orient Express” does give an explanation for Clara’s about-face. She is addicted to the rush of the adventure, lying to both The Doctor and Danny (Samuel Anderson) to cover her destructive actions. Once she stops traveling with The Doctor, that part of her life, the adrenaline-fueled danger, goes away. That’s not something Clara is capable of quitting at this point, and that’s why she changes her mind about leaving by the end of the hour. Her decision has nothing to do with The Doctor and everything about her own compulsions.

This would be fine if the tension between Clara and The Doctor remained. Clara’s eruption last week isn’t a one-time occurrence; it’s the release of some long building emotions. As I said, she and the Twelfth Doctor have not seen eye-to-eye since his existence started. Clara and the Eleventh (Matt Smith) are good friends, but this doesn’t extend to the newest Doctor. Unfortunately, “Mummy on the Orient Express” is a return to status quo, rather than an examination of a complex dynamic, and thus squanders a chance at a really good, character-driven story. Even if future episodes attempt to rectify this, it can’t negate what is done this week.

Keeping to the wasted characters theme, there’s a charming, intelligent engineer named Perkins (Frank Skinner, Shane) introduced whom The Doctor takes a shine to. The Doctor likes Perkins so much he invites the man to join the TARDIS crew, but Perkins declines. Unfortunately, aside from quick peeks at his personality we don’t see why Perkins would get such an offer, nor why he would turn it down. He could have been very interesting, but wasn’t.

The case of the week is standard Doctor Who fare. The mummy is picking off passengers on the train one by one. Only the person about to die can see the monster, and they have only 66 seconds of life once they see it. The Doctor is dispassionate about losing victims, viewing their deaths primarily as a way to study the phenomena. (This is the exact thing Clara is frustrated with him about, by the way, making even less sense that they’re friends again). It’s sort of a murder mystery, and in the end, The Doctor saves the day, just as one expects him to.

There are some fun one-liners sprinkled throughout the hour. The Orient Express itself is pretty cool, inside and out. I like the futuristic setting mixed with a 1920s vibe, and the singer (experimental pop star Foxes) performing the Queen classic “Don’t Stop Me Now” in an older style is awesome. But these are not nearly enough to make up for a mediocre story and a lackluster handling of the main characters. In an uneven season, arguably the worst since the franchise’s reboot, “Mummy on the Orient Express” ranks low for what it lacks more than for what it presents.

Doctor Who airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET on BBC America.

DOCTOR WHO Hits It to the "Moon"

Article first published as TV Review: 'Doctor Who' - 'Kill the Moon' on Blogcritics.

I mentioned in last week’s Doctor Who review  that I hoped The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) would wipe Courtney Woods’ (Ellis George) memory, rather than let her come on future TARDIS adventures. This definitely did not happen. I’ve also complained a lot recently about shows starting at the climax, then backing up and telling the story from an earlier period, working their way up to the opening. The latest episode of Doctor Who does exactly that. And yet, I can’t help but feel that this week’s installment, “Kill the Moon,” is an excellent hour of smart science fiction television.

The episode begins with Courtney upset when The Doctor tells her she isn’t special. Clara (Jenna Coleman) confronts The Doctor about this, and rather than give into Clara’s prompting that he say something he doesn’t believe, The Doctor whisks all three of them to the moon, circa 2049. There, Courtney becomes the first girl to set foot on the satellite, but this is quickly overshadowed by the fact that the moon is broken. A team of astronauts led by Captain Lundvik (MI-5‘s Hermione Norris) have arrived to blow up the thing before it wrecks more havoc on Earth. The decision to do this becomes complicated, though, when The Doctor reveals the moon is an egg about to hatch, then abandons the humans to figure out how to handle it themselves.

On its face, “Kill the Moon” is a grand adventure. Courtney is having a rollicking good time, no longer worried about being special, and indeed becomes very special. The writers take something everybody takes for granted, the moon, and makes us look at it in a new way. There are scary monsters that can be defeated and serious stakes and logical progressions. We get a little more info about The Doctor and what he can or can’t see of time. It’s a tightly crafted story that most viewers will surely appreciate.

The people of Earth voting to kill the innocent fetus is a powerful message. One can understand why the population feels this way, afraid for their own safety, for which they have cause. Yet, Clara and Courtney’s refusal to sacrifice an innocent for the good of the many, misguided though it may be, is wonderfully optimistic. Doctor Who shows us what people are like, but has hope for what they can be. Heart always beats brains, which certainly makes for feel-good television.

But there is readily apparent a deeper thread in “Kill the Moon.” Clara and The Doctor haven’t been all that chummy since his regeneration, she finding his new, more callous demeanor not to her liking, and he oblivious as to how to fix their relationship. The moment The Doctor leaves Clara, Courtney, and Lundvik to fend for themselves, the bond between the Time Lord and his Companion is broken, most likely permanently.

The Doctor makes a strong case, logistically speaking, as to why he leaves. This is a turning point for all of mankind, and it should be mankind that makes it. They have matured as a species enough to face such a test, and how they deal with it will chart their course forward. They can do this without him, and he trusts Clara to make the right decision. He isn’t necessary and he steps back, exercising his version of the Prime Directive, or a parent sending their child off to face the world alone, having given them the tools to do so.

But Clara’s position, while much more emotional, is equally valid. The Doctor she knew (Matt Smith) didn’t abandon people. After all, he went to Christmas and stayed for centuries. He acts in the name of protecting Clara and her species, and this Doctor doesn’t. Her Doctor had compassion, this one lacks such. Her Doctor understood her, this one cannot. She has lost her Doctor, and she’s been in denial about it, and can’t be any longer.

Which leads to an extremely tense breakup scene in which Clara basically tells The Doctor to leave and never come back. In the moment, she means it, and it’s impossible not to be moved by the tears streaming down her face, which, I’m not ashamed to say, were reflected on my own cheeks. This is beautifully telegraphed in the previous scene, in which The Doctor, Courtney, and Lundvik celebrate their triumph while Clara stands apart, barely keeping herself together. Then it is executed perfectly, a tour de force for Coleman, echoed by the clueless manner Capaldi uses for The Doctor here. It’s no one’s fault, really, but their union is dissolving before our eyes.

I do not think this is the last we’ll see of Clara, though a slightly different ending to the episode could have made it a really good departure. Instead, after she relays the story to Danny Pink (Samuel Anderson), he tells her to see how she feels when she calms down, then talk to The Doctor. While Clara does not appear in next week’s trailer, and is likely to sit out at least one episode, she’ll probably be back for the big finale of the season, if not before. But this does feel like the beginning of the end for her, choosing to discontinue being a Companion because it no longer feels right for her to serve in that capacity.

As much as I’ve been slow to warm to Clara, “Kill the Moon” is a stellar showcase for the character, and highlights Coleman’s considerable talent. I won’t exactly miss her, but she’ll definitely be well-remembered, justifiably, for her contribution to the series, especially if her departure is going to be this well done and so compelling! I don’t mean this to sound like an eulogy yet, but it sure seems like her end is coming, and fans should steel themselves for it to happen sometime in this season’s five remaining episodes.

Doctor Who airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET on BBC America.

DOCTOR WHO Pretends To Be "The Caretaker"

Article first published as TV Review: 'Doctor Who' - 'The Caretaker' on Blogcritics.


The latest installment of the BBC’s Doctor Who is a pretty typical episode. There are actually several types of “typical” episodes in the long-running franchise, and this week’s entry, “The Caretaker,” is the one in which The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) inserts himself into his companion’s life to find out something about her or push her to do something, while also defeating a malevolent alien that coincidentally happens to be in the area. This happens approximately once per companion, so the story in “The Caretaker,” while feeling very familiar, probably won’t be repeated again for awhile.

The benefit of an episode in this mold is two-fold. One, we get to learn a bit more about the current companion, who is much more often seen flitting around the universe or through time with The Doctor, away from the main component of their life. And two, it puts The Doctor secondary in a situation, the rare instance where he is less familiar and comfortable with what’s going on around him than the companion is. Thus, “The Caretaker” and its ilk feel different from other Doctor Who episodes, even if this standard has been repeated many times.

Looking at “The Caretaker” specifically, The Doctor infiltrates Clara’s (Jenna Coleman) school by posing as the substitute caretaker (or custodian, for you American viewers). His stated intention is to stop a killer robot that may have already claimed at least one life, but he also wants to learn who Clara is dating and feel out the guy to see if he’s good enough for her. As one might expect, neither goes quite according to plan, but at the end of the day, all is pretty much right with the world.

We know The Doctor doesn’t approve of soldiers, and since Clara’s beau, Danny Pink (Samuel Anderson), was formerly a solider, he’s not someone The Doctor wants to see Clara with, or even expects her to go for. The Doctor can be somewhat forgiven, then, for assuming a bookish boy who loves literature is Clara’s dating partner, while dismissing Danny as a physical education ape, going by first impressions and prejudices. These impressions are mistaken, but there they are, and at least’s they’re humorous.

What’s interesting in “The Caretaker” is that The Doctor’s judgments on Clara’s man are as much about himself as they are about Danny. The Doctor sees himself as a studious observer of life primarily, not a fighter or defender at his core, though he may be called upon to do those things. He sees himself as that bookish type, identifying with the other teacher, and thinking Clara will go for someone like him. The truth is, Clara is attracted to many qualities of The Doctor, but she sees through him to the hardened soldier he is, not just the surface persona he tries to project. The Doctor despises this part of himself, hoping Clara won’t notice it, and so rejects Danny as he rejects the parts of his own personality he doesn’t approve of.

Danny sees this right away, more quickly than either Clara or The Doctor. He recognizes a kindred spirit in The Doctor, and also the loathing The Doctor has for himself. Danny doesn’t like the way The Doctor handles himself, but is willing to put up with The Doctor because Danny truly does care for Clara, and he feels she needs protecting in the Doctor’s presence. Danny may just be right.

The Doctor doesn’t intentionally harm others (Dalek War, aside), but his actions do sometimes have dire consequences. Just ask some of his past companions who didn’t make it home. Or those departed souls that are now with Missy (Michelle Gomez), whom we glimpse again in this episode, still without a clue as to her purpose. The Doctor has grown especially cold and callous as of late, and while he places more value on Clara than he does on most people, he could do something stupid, such as luring a dangerous robot into her school, that could end in pain and suffering. His presence also risks her job, distracting her and making trouble that she must deal with, which he doesn’t seem to care about. The Doctor isn’t cruel, but he can be careless.

Contrary to The Doctor’s wishes, this adventure actually brings Clara and Danny closer together. They can finally be honest with each other, and start to build a real relationship based on truth and trust. It is worrying that Danny sees Clara’s secret-keeping as selfish (she’s not the first companion to be so), and he may have a point; he’s turning out to be quite the perceptive individual. But they end up on the couch together, and things certainly look cozy between them for now. Plus, there’s that descendant we meet in an earlier episode that certainly implies Clara and Danny will have offspring together.

Besides Danny, another recurring character is introduced to The Doctor this week. He takes one of Clara’s students, mouthy Courtney Woods (Ellis George), up into space. Again, this shows The Doctor’s lack of consideration, as revealing himself to a student and allowing her to leave Earth, presumably without parental permission, isn’t a good thing. What if something happened to her? I do hope Courtney gets a quick memory wipe, though, and her subplot ends here, not because I don’t like her, but because I feel like her presence on the TARDIS could seriously complicate things for Clara and/or Danny, who are supposed to be responsible for her well-being, at least during part of the day. She makes a good comic relief bit part; I don’t see her as a traveling companion.

I enjoyed “The Caretaker” because it has some very interesting character revelations, even if the story isn’t particularly original. It serves as a season-filler better than most recent installments, and while it continues the trend of Doctor Who not quite meeting expectations this season, it isn’t half bad.

Doctor Who airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET on BBC America.

Children Will "Listen" To DOCTOR WHO

Article first published as 'Doctor Who' TV Review - 'Listen' on Blogcritics.

This week’s installment of the BBC’s Doctor Who is titled “Listen.” The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) has a theory that something lurks in the dark, the universe’s perfect race of hiders. Embarking on a quest with Clara (Jenna Coleman) to find them, the two are confronted with the pasts of a couple of individuals, including Clara’s new beau, Danny Pink (Samuel Anderson). But they never quite find out whether The Doctor is right.

“Listen” is probably the scariest Doctor Who episode since “Blink,” which introduced us to the Weeping Angels. Written by series creator Steven Moffat, it ruminates on what lurks just beneath everyone’s notice, making this creature-of-the-week hit home. The story The Doctor tells, of a dream featuring something under the bed, is something every person watching can relate to. When Moffat brings the terror right into our own bedrooms, it evokes a primal fear that lands in a way fighting monsters in space and on alien worlds just doesn’t do.

It’s also one of the best stand-alone episodes in recent memory. I use them ‘stand-alone’ label loosely because there are a lot of connections to other Doctor Who episodes and continuity within the hour. But it can be enjoyed without knowing all that other stuff, as a story unto itself. Personally, I prefer large arcs and serial tales over case-of-the-week stuff, but it’s hard to argue with quality as strong as “Listen” exhibits, and if Doctor Who should become completely procedural with every installment on par with this one, I would still count myself a loyal fan and viewer.

The way the threads of “Listen” are worked together is nothing short of brilliant. There are lots of aspects, Clara on her first date with Danny, The Doctor and Clara visiting Danny as a boy (Remi Gooding), The Doctor and Clara meeting Danny’s grandson, Orson Pink (also played by Anderson), at the end of the universe, Clara calming The Doctor as a child, but they all tie together well, even without the monster. “Listen” crafts a cohesive vision of these three players and their interactions, setting up Danny to play a larger role this season, and cementing Clara’s place as The Doctor’s most important companion ever.

I admit, I do not like Clara all that much, my least favorite companion since Martha Jones. However, there is no denying that she is vital to the entire lifetime of The Doctor, not just the current and previous incarnations. She has traveled through time and encountered all his versions. She now is shown to have influenced him before he really becomes a Time Lord, saying words to him that will be (were?) echoed by the First Doctor near the start of the series. When she eventually leaves The Doctor’s side, it will be the end of a huge era, even if she doesn’t stay much longer, and no one else is likely to fill those kind of shoes anytime soon.

I’m guessing the seeds for Clara’s departure are already being planted. Doctor Who pushes her towards Danny quite strongly this week. Their date is disastrous, yet they keep coming back together. She has an instant bond with both the young version of him and his grandson, who seems to be holding something back from her. Might Clara soon be staying with Danny and becoming Orson’s grandmother? I don’t think she and Danny could have kept coming back together, much as they were screwing up their conversation, if they didn’t have a very solid, unspeakable bond. Not all of The Doctor’s companions have left on such peaceful, happy terms of late, and I think it’s time one did. Clara has served well on the battlefield, and it might be time to take an early retirement.

The Doctor himself is examined this week. We know he doesn’t travel well alone, and his obsession with the ‘thing in the dark’ is an illustration of that. This is what he’s up to when no one else is around. It’s a weakness and a vulnerability that make the Time Lord all the more relatable and human. In his dire hour, we see his mettle and how important his companions are to him. They allow him to get past the fear and persistently looming insanity and do the good things that he does.

I am slightly disappointed that we don’t find out about the creature. Surely it’s real, given the scenes with the young Danny Pink. Yet, later, when Clara talks to the boy Doctor, it seems like it’s not. I could have used just a bit more clarification here, but the fact that Doctor Who doesn’t answer those questions only leaves the menace the monster poses greater and more relevant, scary in its lack of explanation.

The one unnecessary thing in “Listen” may be the glimpse of the War Doctor (John Hurt) returning to the barn where Clara meets the boy Doctor. Yet, that moment will surely make fans happy, providing even more connection to past events and faces.

“Listen” is an excellent script with as-usual compelling performances by the show’s leads. It’s a fine addition to the favorite Doctor Who episodes list, and one not soon forgotten.

Doctor Who airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET on BBC America.

DOCTOR WHO's Introspective Trip "Into the Dalek"

Article first published as 'Doctor Who' Review - 'Into the Dalek' on Blogcritics.

Episode two of Doctor Who‘s eighth season is markedly better than the first. Now that The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) has settled into his new body, he can start to figure out who he is. This week, in “Into the Dalek,” The Doctor struggles with the question of whether he is a good man, after he encounters his most hated foe (a Dalek of course), who seems to be nice. Shrinking himself, he heads into the Dalek’s body to figure out the malfunction, and in the course of the story, there’s as much self-examination as external investigation.

It makes sense that The Doctor has chosen now to ponder whether he is good or not. He’s recently faced his greatest challenge, his various incarnations teaming up to commit genocide and possibly save trillions of lives. He’s also in a new form, head flooding with memories from the previous versions, some good, some bad. The Doctor is trying to process all of this to determine his way forward.

In the season premiere of Doctor Who, Clara (Jenna Coleman) wonders if something has gone wrong when the new Doctor appears old and wrinkled. Combined with the reflection in “Into the Dalek,” it seems he agrees with her. This Doctor regrets some of what he has done and wants to make up for it. He is just having trouble finding the way to do so. This turmoil is illustrated in his appearance.

It’s a good thing he has Clara, then, his ‘carer,’ as he calls her, so he doesn’t have to care. The Doctor can be quite cold, especially when traveling by himself, which we’ve seen in past personalities. The Twelfth Doctor spends only a few weeks alone before picking up Clara in “Into the Dalek,” but his emotional level is low in this installment, especially where the Daleks and human soldiers are concerned, having much trouble finding empathy, even for death. It takes Clara to make him think of others and do the right thing, thereby proving her importance.
 
Unfortunately, there is a setback when the Dalek looks into The Doctor’s soul and sees hate. No matter how much The Doctor tries to do good, which Clara says is the point, he can’t overcome his baser instincts. The result is that The Doctor unleashes a Dalek back among their race that will systematically kill his own people. This may be good news for the Daleks’ would-be victims, but it also is another thing for The Doctor to feel bad about.

He also refuses to take Journey Blue (Zaw Ashton, Fresh Meat) with him, away from the fighting, although she’s probably a good person, because she is a soldier. The Doctor is letting his petty hangups get in the way of someone else’s happiness. For every step forward, there’s another one back. But, oh, what a compelling journey!

The episode also explores the character of Clara. We see her as a teacher both in the classroom and out, helping The Doctor reach his own conclusions, rather than giving him the answers. This part of her personality is one that has not previously been played up to a huge extent, but now we see exactly the type of person she must be in her normal life, and it’s one that The Doctor needs right now. I still may not like Clara, but she is well used here, and the right woman for the moment.

We get glimpses of her flirting with a new teacher, Danny Pink (Samuel Anderson, Emmerdale, The History Boys). He is a soldier, which means The Doctor wouldn’t approve of him, but he is similar to The Doctor in that he regrets the violence he has done, making him worthy, perhaps even more so because he is in touch with his feelings. He’s sort of a simpler version of the title character in a younger, more attractive body, which makes him pretty much perfect for Clara, likely still missing her ‘hunky’ Eleventh.

I’m intrigued by the brief scene featuring Missy (Michelle Gomez) in “Into the Dalek.” Why did she only rescue one of the soldiers that died? What is her plan? How is she saving these people? ‘Heaven’ has to be code for something, but I can’t imagine what. I look forward to how Doctor Who unravels her mystery.

There are a few problems with “Into the Dalek.” I can’t believe Colonel Blue (Michael Smiley, Luther) would let The Doctor go get Clara before going into the Dalek when he is so concerned about security just moments before. The body itself is a bit cheesy, like in other movies that have a similar premise. But overall, there is so much great character stuff that I really enjoyed it. I love the way the Daleks are brought back, fresh yet again, and the peek at Clara’s ‘real’ life.

Doctor Who airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET on BBC America.