Can You Hear Me?

For an episode which began with SUCH promise, it's a tremendous shame that "Can You Hear Me?" suffers from one of the most rushed, pitiful, underdeveloped resolutions seen on the show since Series 7's "The Power of Three" in 2012 (in case anyone's forgotten THAT magic wand / sonic screwdriver ending - also coincidentally written by co-writer Chris Chibnall).

However, the story's not without its moments & we're treated to a number of genuinely great sequences which aid in providing some much needed character development for our main companions, finally fleshing out their backstories - making them seem less painfully two-dimensional.

Hence, though certainly not perfect, this week's installment does have some appeal - though its inconsistencies somewhat mire the overall viewing experience as it struggles to strike a healthy balance between the two: character / plot.

A cunning pair of gods or immortals, play games with the mind and its portals, sticking fingers in pies, any orifice they prise, you'd cry if it didn't make you chortle.

The issue of the week and this monster of the week are very important and an interesting concept. But again for me personally falls so very short on the delivery. This frustrates me more than any other episode these past two seasons as I can identify particularly. I could see the clumsy delivery as a reflection of the issue which historically has been hard to talk about. If it weren't for that fact that we have seen this trait too often of late. Just comes down to the writing style again. Which is not at all engaging, disjointed and clunky. The character interactions are at times devoid of chemistry. I'd say 80% of that is script. But at times it is the a few actors who do not meet the historical standard I expect from the show. The imaginative narrative unimaginatively delivered is a constant complaint I've had. This episode felt like a room full of different people drafted their individual parts of the script and it was stitched together to produce something absent of any identifiable rhythm.

One praise. Finally I had a moment where I began to feel more drawn to Yaz's character. Shame it was in this episode which I don't imagine I will ever watch again with the exception of a Whovian reaction.

Graham talking about his fear of cancer and the doctor as a healer is just responding awkwardly.

In these moments the real character of a person is shown and if this is the character of this doctor it's Just a horrible doctor.

The writing of this new incarnation is underwhelming and makes me think that Chris Chapnell never understood what the Doctor stands for.

I mean. It was really interesting episode. The different one. But in a good meaning :) And we have finally got some storyline for companions which is obviously step forward.