The Time of Angels

The best one so far in my opinion! Steven Moffat once again brings the angels and the fear, to the new doctor along with the mysterious River Song. The angels were, as last time, terrifying and River Song was delightful. I'm not giving anything away, but the angels are something a little different this time and the next episode I'm sure will deliver the same amount of thrills as did the first! Matt Smith is becoming even more brilliant as the new doctor and I hope to see more of these kinds of episodes from now on. Amy Pond takes a slight back role in this, but that may be because of River. My favourite episode so far, oh, and remember, DON'T BLINK!

After what might be considered a less than exemplary début series for Steven Moffat(at least by the standards that you should aqua-it with a man of his sublime talent) "The Time of Angels" was always going to be something acquisitive regarding the return of two of the television screen scribes most triumphant inceptions. For with this latest outing for Moffat's golden boy Matt Smith and latest Who companion Karen Gillan the Doctor not only has to contend with two feisty, head strong females but the reappearance of the malevolent Weeping Angels. An accomplished and innovative menace which made their ominous presence felt in the 2007 episode "Blink". Arguably the Scots executive producers most beautifully crafted story to date. But given the undoubtedly demanding job of achieving the difficult assignment of reinvigorating one of the most terrifying, monstrous figments of the imagination to terrify any eight year old child. He also laboured with the objective to successfully incorporate Prof. River Song(who here is yet to become a professor)played with inspired understated bravado and independence by former E.R. star Alex Kingston.

It is then with some considerable joy that I'm pleased to say that with "The Time of Angels" that Moffat has risen to the challenge and constructed what is arguably one of his finest scripts to date. While some may exult over(some what wrongly in my humble opinion)"The Girl in the Fireplace" being his finest work to date. This latest offering only just pips it to the post only being outclassed by fellow Weeping Angels episode "Blink". An intriguing conceit, Moffat's tale plays with the potential narrative non-linear aspects which were explored in both "Blink" and 2008's two parter "Silence in the Library/The Forest of the Dead". For here with a more youthful and dare I say brash and cocky River Song than previously envisaged by it's writer, we see a slightly different side to her personae. And one who is more than a match for the cavalier Doctor and the beautiful yet head strong Amy Pond.

But the shift in character from what we previously saw(and in a contradiction in terms is yet to be seen by David Tennants tenth incarnation of the Time Lord)is but one of several lesser jewels in Steven Moffats wondrous crown of a script. As with the best of his work it contains some of the most creative concepts imaginable. From a 51st century setting where benevolent holy men have evolved in to military soldiers called Clerics, Warrior Priests which were derived no doubt derived from the Shaolin Monks of old to a sublimely eerie moment of tense and claustrophobic moment of terror as a frightened yet stout hearted Miss Pond faces down a Weeping Angel. One that has emerged from a video screen. A moment that in some small way recalls Italian horror director Lamberto Bavas Demoni 2: L'ncubo ritorna. With further inspiration also coming from Neil Marshall's "The Descent" and 1982 "Doctor Who" story "Earthshock". The ideas keep flowing while director Adam Smith keeps the unravelling pace of the story moving at a steady flow and never lets the tension and imposing sense of dread filter away. Where it be in a moment where an inwardly anguished Doctor talks to what could be mistaken for the ghost of a recently deceased young marine and the revelation that certain alien corpses are not quite what they seem. The pace never sags for a minute. And as is beginning to be more the trend with Moffat we see a nice and conveniently placed reference to "Doctor Who" continuity and mythology with the notable placement of high old ancient Gallifreyan.

As is now becoming to be customary thus far with Moffat's reign as executive producer all the performances on display are uniformly of the highest order. Smith as ever since the curtain raised on his tenure is once again marvellous as the age old alien time traveller who finally and firmly finds his stride in the role. This is complimented exquisitely by Karen Gillan who lends Amy the right combination of understated wonder, awe, courage and strong willed independence. A combination which is also nicely mirrored and contrasted in equal measure by Alex Kingston. While Iain Glen portrays Cleric, Father Octavian with the wisdom, determination and fortitude that you might expect from a man of faith who in the future needs more than that to survive against what are pseudo-statuesque creatures.

All in all "The Time of Angels" marks a resoundingly successfully opening chapter to what is a two part story. One which will come to a head in next weeks conclusive "Flesh and Stone" which if the post-end credits trailer is anything to go by will mark a thrilling and suspenseful denouement. But with alien vampires, Silaurians and the the imposing threat of the Cybermen to look forward to there may be more of the very best yet to come.

This is a show that should have been shot when Donna was still at the Doctor's side; however, we shall forgive the show for its latency in getting us back to the juicy bits about The Doctor and Professor River Song...

If you nearly shat yourself watching "Blink" (which I myself did almost 4 years ago), then you're going to find this episode just as thrilling and, given the fact that it is a two-parter, you'll find yourself watching those statues just a wee bit closer in the next week... (Remember, "don't blink.")

Moffat has shown himself to have the ability to write a wickedly frightening story on-par with Stephen King and still nicely manages to write the witty banter between River Song and The Doctor ala William Shakespeare. (Lest any of us forget "The Taming of the Shrew".)

Flowing back to the current time line, River Song is so elegant, divine, with a tearful cherub, a tormenting seraph, whose only intent's to consign.

Winding up on Alfava Metraxis, Amy Pond comes to terms with a near miss, but while she's petrified, she is not ossified, let's move on, and for now, we can dismiss.

Venture into the Maze of the Dead, Weeping Angels do not fear to tread, soon with lights blinking out, army clerics in doubt, The Aplans missing a second head.

After Victory of the Daleks, I was somewhat cautious of what the series' future might hold. However, after this episode, my faith has been totally restored. This is, without a doubt, the best episode I've seen so far, since the show's revival in 2005. Brilliantly written, incredibly clever, genuinely terrifying, and a complete joy to watch.

The highlight of this episode, I can't decide; whether it's the Doctor himself, the perfectly cast River Song (played by Alex Kingston), or the Weeping Angels. The Doctor becomes far less bumbling in this episode, and transforms into a much more self-confident, trustworthy character. River also makes a welcome return, bringing to light a chemistry between herself and the Doctor which, for lack of a better word, is brilliant. Like an old married couple, and it's a joy to behold when the Doctor meets his match. River is just as intelligent and as accomplished as himself.

The Weeping Angels, on the other hand, are the opposite. In their debut episode, Blink, they were by far the most frightening creatures in the entire history of Doctor Who. Now, although I was doubtful of it actually being possible, they've become much worse. They gain additional abilities and tricks up their sleeves which make them the ideal villain for a darker-toned episode like this.

On a final note, the production values in this episode are far better, thereby making it a well-conceived episode in a technical light, also.

I seriously recommend this to anybody who's ever taken a shine to Doctor Who, or science fiction in general. This episode is an absolute gem.