By far, this episode proved itself to be my favourite of Season 10, which so far has achieved only middling success. None of the episodes have been terrible, but neither have any stood out. Finally, with The Eaters of Light, I managed to completely enjoy a Season 10 Doctor Who episode.
To begin with, I've become quite enraptured with Bill. She's proving to be one of my favourite companions in NuWho, after Clara and Amy/Rory (and further confusing me as to why Moffat is constantly criticised for not being able to write women). Her repartee with the Doctor is endlessly entertaining and she doesn't hesitate to challenge him, as all good companions do. Nardole, the companion-who-isn't, also functions really well in that dynamic, and it would appear that bringing back a character clearly only meant to appear once (see: decapitation) was a smart play, especially when said character is brought to life by the unmistakable genius that is Matt Lucas.
And on to the story! Right out of the gate, I was hooked on the mystery of the music under the hill. To be fair, this mystery in no way drives the story, but it was enough in the opening minutes to get me settled while the frankly bonkers Roman's vs. Highlanders vs. interdimensional-light-eaters plot got rolling. Another great mini-anti-war monologue from Capaldi and bang, the cairn was collapsed and I was left thoroughly satisfied as the little bow was wrapped around the characters.
There were negatives, however. The monster felt incredibly underdeveloped and frankly underused. I never got a sense of what "eating light" was, or how it was a threat. Hell, even if the torches it walked past blew out I would have been satisfied. I only perceived it as a threat when the characters on screen told me to, whereas a great villain like the Weeping Angels manage to make me feel fear independent of my investment in the story. Coupled with some moments of awkward CGI, this will not be a monster that will be remembered or, likely, ever revisited.
And finally, how could I write this review and not mention Missy? I really, really love Michelle Gomez as Missy in this run of the character, and that was before they started playing with her as a reformed villain learning how to be a Doctor. As an overarching plot thread, I think it has stood out to me as exemplary. As with Nardole, the producers of this show clearly understand when a character is too good to underuse and my god did they strike gold with Missy. Whatever the future may hold for the Master in all of her forms, I am thrilled we get to spend so much time with this one.
So overall, this episode wasn't perfect, but it was damn enjoyable, a simple Doctor Who story that kept me hooked and entertained from start to finish, despite an underdeveloped monster. The jokes land, the performances were top notch from all and the writing never fell flat at all. It did teeter on the edge for a moment with the unexpected insight into crow language at the end, but I think I've decided I loved it.
Definitely the best this season has had to offer - although next week is looking to be an explosive finale, hopefully the send off that Moffat and Capaldi deserve.
To begin with, I've become quite enraptured with Bill. She's proving to be one of my favourite companions in NuWho, after Clara and Amy/Rory (and further confusing me as to why Moffat is constantly criticised for not being able to write women). Her repartee with the Doctor is endlessly entertaining and she doesn't hesitate to challenge him, as all good companions do. Nardole, the companion-who-isn't, also functions really well in that dynamic, and it would appear that bringing back a character clearly only meant to appear once (see: decapitation) was a smart play, especially when said character is brought to life by the unmistakable genius that is Matt Lucas.
And on to the story! Right out of the gate, I was hooked on the mystery of the music under the hill. To be fair, this mystery in no way drives the story, but it was enough in the opening minutes to get me settled while the frankly bonkers Roman's vs. Highlanders vs. interdimensional-light-eaters plot got rolling. Another great mini-anti-war monologue from Capaldi and bang, the cairn was collapsed and I was left thoroughly satisfied as the little bow was wrapped around the characters.
There were negatives, however. The monster felt incredibly underdeveloped and frankly underused. I never got a sense of what "eating light" was, or how it was a threat. Hell, even if the torches it walked past blew out I would have been satisfied. I only perceived it as a threat when the characters on screen told me to, whereas a great villain like the Weeping Angels manage to make me feel fear independent of my investment in the story. Coupled with some moments of awkward CGI, this will not be a monster that will be remembered or, likely, ever revisited.
And finally, how could I write this review and not mention Missy? I really, really love Michelle Gomez as Missy in this run of the character, and that was before they started playing with her as a reformed villain learning how to be a Doctor. As an overarching plot thread, I think it has stood out to me as exemplary. As with Nardole, the producers of this show clearly understand when a character is too good to underuse and my god did they strike gold with Missy. Whatever the future may hold for the Master in all of her forms, I am thrilled we get to spend so much time with this one.
So overall, this episode wasn't perfect, but it was damn enjoyable, a simple Doctor Who story that kept me hooked and entertained from start to finish, despite an underdeveloped monster. The jokes land, the performances were top notch from all and the writing never fell flat at all. It did teeter on the edge for a moment with the unexpected insight into crow language at the end, but I think I've decided I loved it.
Definitely the best this season has had to offer - although next week is looking to be an explosive finale, hopefully the send off that Moffat and Capaldi deserve.