The Haunting of Villa Diodati

It's very hard to distinguish what's gone wrong with doctor who lately, from the writing, acting, or character development. However, all this frigidness becomes clearer and clearer in the fact that it's down to the identity of the show.

Tonight's episode shown something which we are all much familiar with in the last 15 years of Doctor Who. A simple yet unique plot where people can be engrossed because they can relate to the show once again. This episode ended up being far more than what people had expected, and came to be in the much larger arc of the season itself which certainly was a pleasure.

The episode finally got the balance right between diverging storylines - something which became increasingly problematic throughout the writing this year, notably in 'Can You Hear Me?' Nothing felt confusing or rushed, and everything had a meaning to the core of the episode, rather than a political message that's trying to be forced in

Could this episode be better? Yes... but I honestly cannot complain. It certainly was the best episode of the Chibnall era so far and gives us optimistic hope that the finale will be a T Davies'esque epic which fans like myself have been longing for a decade now.

This was an interesting episode, which reminded me of the early series and episodes written by Stephen Moffat (when Russel T Davis was at the helm.) The episode concentrated on storytelling, not lecturing to the audience. We are nearing the end of series 12, and it is now obvious where the weakest link is - the writing. This episode was not written by Chris Chibnal, which speaks volumes. Two decent episodes out of eight, is not a good basis for a successful series.

The Doctor and companions land at a specific point in time, the creation of Frankenstein, however the house is under threat from a strange force.

I did like the tone, the lighting finally was terrific, and I liked the story. We've been in need of a strong ghost story for some time, it didn't seem to make perfect sense initially, and I am pleased, it wasn't formulaic, but complex like say Ghostlight. The last fifteen minutes holding the best sequences.

What seemed to hold this back initially, I thought there were too many characters, with too much going on, sadly another nightmare for poor Ryan though, badly served once again.

So The TARDIS translation circuits work in Italian, but not French? Come on writers that's a Schoolboy error.

Does anybody do period drama better than The BBC? No chance, stunning production values, opulent sets, lavish costumes, the visuals were the biggest strength.

Fingers last week, hands this week, arms next week? That was a good scene though.

Overall, a solid 7/10, good science fiction, excellent production values, poor use of the companions, but a good link to the two part finale.

This episode had me gripped from the very first minute. Entertaining from beginning to end, a perfect way to lead into the epic finale.

It's all a little creepy at the start, quite atmospheric, electric and dark; in an isolated villa, they're about to draft a thriller, cadaver born again from a large spark. There's disinteresting chat from Lord Byron, our Time Lord thinks he's dull and a moron, there are rooms and walls that move, apparitions disapprove, and a wandering hand from a skeleton. Then a rusty bucket suddenly appears, only one side of his face can produce tears, he's angry and he's glum, someone's nicked Cyberium, and he reckons Percy Shelley has the gear.