While actually rather simple when ultimately revealed, the plot to this episode as it (very) gradually unfolds looks enigmatic and complex and distinctly "adult". Like more than one dystopian tale ("Children of Men" springs to mind), this piece of work both tantalises we Brits with patriotic thrills and sends us crashing back to Earth (metaphorically though definitely not in plot terms) when it is revealed at just what price we ensured the survival of our state, albeit minus Scotland but still recognisably British (even down to the ongoing monarchy) some 1000 and more years into the future. It's quite heady stuff, sweetly flattering to the concept of hereditary monarchy (the gun-toting, cockney-voiced Elizabeth the 10th (what other name could she possibly bear?) recalls the encounters between her direct-line ancestors and the Doctor, and takes direct and devoted action in the service of her people, determined to ensure the survival of the British no matter what); posing some extremely interesting (even graduate-level) questions about participatory democracy; and setting a high moral tone. Karen Gillan again does well here as Amy Pond, who - when urged to notice all about the society around her - does so with a vengeance, works out what nobody else has been able to, and yet does so precisely because of the great deal she has learnt (in a such a short time) from and about the Doctor. Matt Smith does not have to try too hard to put across his intriguing mix of the silly and the steely which does set him apart from the David Tennant version, and - as in the first episode of this series - the chemistry between the Doctor and Amy is pretty much "on fire" - especially at the end. While this episode may perhaps be written off as "one for the Brits in particular", it can reasonably be argued that it benefits one and all by taking Dr Who into territory it has never quite occupied before. As such it is an intriguing, enthralling and at times touching watch.
Review of The Beast Below
