The Time of Angels

Well, here's the first highlight of the 11th Doctor. With the introductions of new Doctor and Companion done, with the Daleks resurrected, Producer and writer Steven Moffat has begun the integration of the new Whoniverse with the reappearance of River Song and the Weeping Angels, in a two-part variation of Xenophon's ANABASIS: how do we get from Point A to Point B? There's laughs and thrills aplenty -- I'm very impressed with the flashy opening of the story involving people jumping into space, a new view of synchronicity and some fine work in the technical departments: notice the camera-work with its increasingly constricted views and a nice little swish cut about four minutes into the show. Not to mention a fine cliffhanger. That's my main issue with the one-episode stories: I miss the cliffhangers of classic DOCTOR WHO.

The performers also come into their own in this one. Matt Smith can speak technobabble as fast a hockey commentator and Alex Kingston is utterly convincing as the still-mysterious River Song. Even the non-regulars get to shine, with Iain Glenn as a bishop in the Church militant and David Atkins as one of his khakied clerics.

Moffat has been the strongest writer of DOCTOR WHO since its revival, and this is one of the best episodes ever. It isn't one I'd recommend for a first-time viewer, but for the dedicated fan, it is wonderful.

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.

River Song is back, her return is big, bold and wonderfully over the top, as it should be, hallucinogenic lipstick, red high heels, guns, shades (a STRAIGHT man has written this?) The Doctor takes Amy to a museum and discovers a message left by River, simply 'Hello Sweetie, together with some co ordinates.' River was on board a ship, but has given the Doctor her location, she escapes into the TARDIS. River requests the Doctor to follow the Ship she's just left, as there was something nasty on it. They land on Alfava Metraxis next to the crashed ship, the scene is a disaster. Only one survivor, a Weeping Angel. River is joined by warrior monks, Amy stares at an image of the Angel, but something worrying happens, as an image of an angel itself becomes an Angel, she has something in her eye. All go into the maze of the dead, a fabulous cavern adorned with fabulous statues, the Angel is hidden somewhere inside, or is it?

The video effects of the Weeping Angel looks so good, very iconic. Amy's staring at the Angel is so creepy.

Big story, big effects, big everything, it's just brilliant. Nice to finally have a follow up to Blink. After the atrocious Victory of the Daleks, this has been a huge return to form, I honestly cannot highlight a fault. A humdinger of a cliffhanger too, could not wait for the conclusion.

By far this is the best episode of the new series so far.

After last weeks VERY disappointing Dalek episode on seeing the Weeping Angels were back i immediately got my hopes up for this episode. I wasn't disappointed.

I don't care if people call me a wuss, but i found the Angels extremely sinister and without spoiling it, the one scene with Amy and the Angel made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

Let's hope this has raised the bar now and the new series continues to be on a par with this.

Matt Smith and Karen Gillan are doing a great job in their roles, the chemistry between them is great.

Blink was an amazing piece of television, a premise for this. No more Star Wars rip offs like previous weeks, this was far more original.

Each character had their part and each truly shone. Reminds you what Doctor Who is about and why it sets the standard for any other sci-fi show in the world.

Last week I wrote I scything review of the previous two episodes, and I am delighted to say that this one is much better. Firstly, and most importantly, the plot actually makes sense, and despite a few repeated ideas from previous episodes, it is generally quite original too.

Thankfully, unlike the previous two episodes, there is no awful plot to distract you from appreciating the episode. We have a repeat of the quirky, amusing Amy Pond (in contrast to the previous two episodes), who really is a incredible character, and an episode where Matt Smith is really able to show his true colours.

There are some genuine scares rather than the comical attempts at them that we have become used to, and the episode moves at a much better pace thanks to being a two-parter.

I started watching this episode being very pessimistic about how good it would be thanks to the previous two, but I am glad to say that I really enjoyed it. In fact, despite an element of predictability (though only slight), it really was fantastic.

For those of you, like me, who hated the previous few episodes, you will find yourself pleasantly surprised.