Editorial: The Highs and Lows of Doctor Who series 9

Doctor Who completed it's 9th season and once again it's been a great season...ish, actually a stronger series than series 8. So, join me as we once again look at the top 5 highs and lows of Doctor Who series 9

High #5 - The Doctor rectifying a mistake

"I've made a lot of mistakes. It's time I did something about that" was a line from a trailer for series 8 of the show, but The Woman Who Lived is the first time I felt like that really happened, and I liked this character study into the Doctor

Low #5 - Ashildr

Look, it's a case of too much exposure that's the ultimate problem with Ashildr aka 'me'. I felt like they were truly banking on me liking her because her actress was in Game of Thrones. Well, the problem is, I've never watched Game of Thrones. Her first appearances were OK, her third and fourth appearances are when she became unbearable to watch.You're not exactly perfect yourself, stop telling off the Doctor. And of course, she's the source of a lot of the Doctor's woes in Face the Raven.

High #4 - The Doctor Revealing All in the Witch's Familiar

The entire episode of the Witch's Familiar was weird. Whilst the Clara and Missy segments got annoying I was weirdly intrigued by the relationship between the Doctor and Davros to the point where it was sort of uncomfortable. When it's revealed the Doctor had tricked them in the end that sense of relief was such that it had to go on the list.

Low #4 - Poor use of Gallifrey and the Time Lords

Being back on Gallifrey was a great ending to one of the best episodes of the season, but Hell Bent was full of a lot of wasted potential when it came down to the Time Lords. I know they weren't good with Rassilon in the end of time. But he was defeated by the Doctor with words. This, the man who could turn you to stone whilst in a coma. Beyond that, it felt like the Sisterhood of Khan who are on Gallifrey now for some reason, took over the Time Lords to the point that they were barely relevent.

High #3 - More Focus on the Doctor

One of the bigger issues from last season, even if I didn't identify it on the list last year is that the show focuses more on Clara at the expense of the Doctor. This year the balance was addressed, Peter Capaldi had 2 episodes with no Clara in sight (more on that later) and in general had a greater focus. Whilst Stephen Moffat has always claimed (Russell too) that the companion is the star, it's good that at least he's taking this criticism on board.

Low #3 - Another re-invention of the Daleks, really?

One of the biggest issues since Moffat took over is he really doesn't seem to have a clue what to do with the Daleks. As such he keeps trying to reinvent them in some way with very limited success. This started with Victory of the Daleks inventing the new Dalek Paradigm, which lasted all of 2 seasons before re-invented again, now with thousands of them and a parliament for some reasons, and then they forget about the Doctor only to find out about him again, only to forget again and now they know about him again, Davros is alive, somehow and now they live on Skaro, a planet that was destroyed back in Classic who and the only evidence I've seen of its restoration was an animated feature that I'm not convinced is canon. (Unless Asylum of the Daleks was also on Skaro, that was never clear). For goodness sake Moffat. Pick an idea and stick with it, is what I'm saying.

High #2 - Heaven Sent

One of the most interesting episodes of the season as Capaldi gets the chance to shine on his own with no other supporting cast (aside from a few scenes in the TARDIS of the Doctor's brain) and man does it work. From the cinematography to the atmosphere and including Capaldi this episode is one of the best full episodes of Doctor Who I've ever seen, it only barely misses the number one spot.

Low #2 - The f*cking Sonic Sunglasses

The sonic sunglasses are nothing more than a deliberate attempt to troll the audience. I'll take the bait, f*ck you Stephen Moffat. Beyond that, these seem to be even more of a multi-purpose omni-tool than the screwdriver was. It can project holograms and wipe encoded messages from people's minds because... The plot says so. Yes, I am pointing to Before the Flood for some of the most dire uses of the equipment.

High #1 - The Doctor's speech in Inversion of the Zygons

Man was this good to watch. This is possible the most impassioned speech I've ever seen the Doctor make. The Doctor, whilst he has never ruled violence out as an option, particularly against aliens like the Daleks or the Cybermen is a pacifist. (Or at least, in his modern day incarnations) and is against war wherever possible. Of course this likely draws on his experiences of fighting in the Time War, and it's good he uses those experiences to continue a ceasefire that was on the brink of collapse. Perhaps we should consider this ideology more in the real world. Although, I never want to hear Capaldi do an American accent EVER AGAIN!

Low #1 - Sleep No More

If you've seen my reviews, I don't think this showing up was ever in doubt. I hate this episode passionately. The characters are too bland, the found footage style is annoying, the monster is stupid, the atmosphere never builds up so it isn't scary and good grief the monster is stupid. The only thing that worked about this episode was the cliffhanger ending and honestly I'd be fine if they never addressed it again.

We'll be taking another look at Doctor Who in January with the Christmas special and a re-review of Kill the Moon.

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Images/clips used in this review are from Doctor Who and belong to their respective owners. All images in this review are subject to fair use