Honestly, I can't think of what to say in this review except that Listen is one of the best episodes of television that I have ever seen. Aside from the fantastic acting, music, and directing, the writing is what really makes this episode work. Listen is the perfect blend of creepiness, ambiguity, humor, sci-fi, and utterly phenomenal moments, no matter how subtle, that really make you question whether television can get any better than this. Another thing I have to commend in this episode is the sound design. I don't think any other episode has used complete silence as well as this one, and the music, when there was any, was just beautiful. While I didn't like Clara much in series 7, her character is really developing this series and Jenna Coleman's performance in this episode is flawless. Peter Capaldi's performance as the Doctor here is equally as impressive, and this is easily his best episode yet. Douglas Mackinnon also deserves a mention for his sterling work on this episode. His directing really highlights the tension in the episode and drives the final 10 minutes home beautifully.
Doctor Who isn't a consistently great show. Every episode is usually good, but the level of quality varies a lot from story to story. Listen is one of those episodes that stands head and shoulders above the rest in every single aspect. Steven Moffat hasn't been perfect as a show runner, but you can't deny that Listen is a masterpiece of the highest order and one of Doctor Who's best ever episodes.
A 10/10 if there ever was one.
Doctor Who isn't a consistently great show. Every episode is usually good, but the level of quality varies a lot from story to story. Listen is one of those episodes that stands head and shoulders above the rest in every single aspect. Steven Moffat hasn't been perfect as a show runner, but you can't deny that Listen is a masterpiece of the highest order and one of Doctor Who's best ever episodes.
A 10/10 if there ever was one.