It Takes You Away

Dont how poeple are saying this is the worst episode, did you not watch last weeks? Significant improvement from last week although I still feel that they're still getting into their stride.

I enjoyed the episode and could definitely see it reflecting back on its roots of monster of the week. But not once did I lose interest. The episode also gave some realism, finally, on a young blind woman with an actual blind actress. And it even allowed for some character development. In general, a much better episode than some I've watched in other seasons(only so many times can we have the cybermen attack *sigh*).

Nearing the end of a truly disappointing under-scripted, overacted and patronising season we have finally got an episode worthy of Doctor Who.

This is the first story that doesn't smash you over the head with a PC bat (if you don't count the central character being a blind girl - maybe you should count that) and the story is clever, at times moving as it is dark. We have a parallel universe, an ominous nether world and a talking frog - great stuff. So we can forgive the daft flesh-eating giant moths that looked like they were made by a reception class.

There is a genuinely touching side story with Graham, and Bradley Walsh continues to pleasantly surprise us with his subtle delivery and he remains the standout character of the season. Whittaker, not known for her subtlety thus far, gives her most rounded performance to date. Her delivery is still at times too CBeebies but there are certainly moments of command and better timing, with bouts of sternness defused by a witty aside in classic Doctor Who fashion. And I'm happy to report there are no over-the-top physical gestures or inane mugging.

Let's not be clouded by nostalgia. I watched some old Tenant episodes recently and the stories and ropey aliens were at times dreadful - but even with a bad episode Tenant would pull it round with his charisma and delivery. Whittaker doesn't have the natural screen-presence of Smith or Tenant so she lives and dies by the quality of the writing, which has been on the whole wince-inducing this season. This episode though, has suggested that with a decent story and script, Whittaker has the talent to produce a Doctor we just may end up punching the air for.

But still a disappointment with the continued bad writing for this series.

They are coming to take me away, my addled mind can no longer allay, these flesh eating moths, oratorical frogs, a sanatorium the safest place to stay.