Finally, in fifty years worth of TV adventures, with 'Listen,' by veteran writer and showrunner Steven Moffat, we get the first insight into the Doctor's childhood. Or did we?
As watchers are aware, Moffat's writings are constantly through a mesh screen and all is not what it seems. This may have been the Doctor's troubled upbringing, but it could easily be the Master's. In 2008's 'The Sound of Drums,' we received a short look at the Master's early life. I am most likely wrong and the idea will probably not be dealt with again, but a possible Moffat-twist would have this being Clara talking to the Master and not the Doctor at all, setting up his inevitable return (one can only hope that when the Master eventually returns, and he will, that he is played by Charles Dance.)
'Listen,' is easily one of the most entertaining episodes of Doctor Who I have seen in recent times and those who say that Moffat is a writer who has past his prime should think again. We have all the necessary Doctor Who we need – Capaldi being awesome as the Doctor, stealing people's coffee whilst having a careful divide between shouting and being kind, a storyline to develop the character of Clara and introduce more backstory for Danny (Rupert)Pink, a really creepy bit in a children's home involving the scariest use of a bedsheet in history, a totally unexpected flashback to Gallifrey which made me seriously go, "Wha wha wha wah wa " and a surprise cameo (via stock footage) by John Hurt's incarnation of the Doctor, who seriously needs more media appearances.
Fair enough, I still have my questions like, "What actually was the bedsheet monster?" and "Why was Danny Pink's relative wearing a Sanctuary Base suit from 2006's 'The Impossible Planet/ The Satan Pit'?" but I'll give Moffat the benefit of the doubt and hope that they are explained at a later date (unless of course they were and I wasn't paying full attention – it is a Saturday night and I'm tired.) The Doctor's jumper aside, I genuinely think that this was one of the best episodes of this series and if the brilliant writing continues, we should have one of the best series of NuWho yet.
Remember, Listen.
As watchers are aware, Moffat's writings are constantly through a mesh screen and all is not what it seems. This may have been the Doctor's troubled upbringing, but it could easily be the Master's. In 2008's 'The Sound of Drums,' we received a short look at the Master's early life. I am most likely wrong and the idea will probably not be dealt with again, but a possible Moffat-twist would have this being Clara talking to the Master and not the Doctor at all, setting up his inevitable return (one can only hope that when the Master eventually returns, and he will, that he is played by Charles Dance.)
'Listen,' is easily one of the most entertaining episodes of Doctor Who I have seen in recent times and those who say that Moffat is a writer who has past his prime should think again. We have all the necessary Doctor Who we need – Capaldi being awesome as the Doctor, stealing people's coffee whilst having a careful divide between shouting and being kind, a storyline to develop the character of Clara and introduce more backstory for Danny (Rupert)Pink, a really creepy bit in a children's home involving the scariest use of a bedsheet in history, a totally unexpected flashback to Gallifrey which made me seriously go, "Wha wha wha wah wa " and a surprise cameo (via stock footage) by John Hurt's incarnation of the Doctor, who seriously needs more media appearances.
Fair enough, I still have my questions like, "What actually was the bedsheet monster?" and "Why was Danny Pink's relative wearing a Sanctuary Base suit from 2006's 'The Impossible Planet/ The Satan Pit'?" but I'll give Moffat the benefit of the doubt and hope that they are explained at a later date (unless of course they were and I wasn't paying full attention – it is a Saturday night and I'm tired.) The Doctor's jumper aside, I genuinely think that this was one of the best episodes of this series and if the brilliant writing continues, we should have one of the best series of NuWho yet.
Remember, Listen.