Doctor Who returned last week with the first full episode to feature the new Doctor Peter Capaldi. He quickly established himself, and what we can expect for his interpretation of the iconic character.
In the second episode the Doctor is in, and he has a new patient, a captured Dalek. The Timelord faces his greatest enemy with Clara by his side, but as he is forced to examine his own conscience, he will truly find out the answer to the question: Am I a good man?
But the big event of the episode is the debut of Samuel Anderson, whose Danny Pink is not just a new companion for the Doctor, but also a potential love interest for Jenna Coleman‘s Clara Oswald. The chemistry is there, and dialogue really solid. What really excites me about Anderson’s Mr. Pink is his likely experience as a soldier. Taking a solider, and mixing it with the Doctor who doesn’t know if he’s a good guy (and clearly is willing to get his hands dirtier based on the first episode) should lead to some fascinating moments. It’s also clear Clara’s role will be that of the conscience of the two. There’s lots of potential with the trio.
But the majority of the episode focuses on the Doctor and a team attempting to help a Dalek. The Doctor throughout is clearly conflicted about his actions, and what he should do with a Dalek who needs help, and is good in the beginning. It all is a debate about the nature of the Daleks, and thus the nature of the Doctor. Are Dalek’s inherently evil? Does that make the Doctor as well? It’s all pretty clear what the writers were getting at, and it keeps the theme of this season rolling, the nature of the Doctor.
But beyond themes, there’s also this mystery of Missy and “Heaven” that was presented in the first episode. We see it again after the Doctor gets someone killed. We have a theme for the season, as well as a pretty big mystery.
Overall, the second episode is solid, moving the season’s themes along and giving us an intriguing mystery. And there’s Capaldi’s Doctor which mixes some of the best characteristics we’ve seen of what’s come before.
Overall Score: 8.25