Story: Deep Breath
Written By: Steven Moffat
Length: 75 Minutes
Year: 2014
Peter Capaldi's anticipated debut as the 12th incarnation of the Doctor (give or take), is a very welcome return to a more grounded Who. Not that I didn't enjoy Matt Smith's zany portrayal, I really did...but after having spent a few years with the increasingly madcap 11th Doctor, I find myself very excited to have a Doctor that is a bit more serious, like Hartnell, Pertwee, or Eccleston. Not that things are grim and too serious, Capaldi showcases he can be just as nutty, but in a less physical and goofy way that Smith had been. In his debut he comes off like Eccleston with a better talent for the humorous.
The story begins with a dinosaur stomping through Victorian London, with the Paternoster Gang on hand to investigate the very strange occurrence. It is soon discovered how the dinosaur arrived, when it coughs up the TARDIS. The Doctor is not himself, as per usual, and has trouble remembering who everyone is and what exactly is going on. The Dinosaur is later exterminated by flames, which leads the Doctor and Co. to investigate a series of spontaneous combustion incidents that have recently occurred. It turns out that robots from a ship that crashed ages ago have been using humans for spare parts (it is revealed that the ship was similar to the one seen in "The Girl in the Fireplace", though the Doctor never seems to remember why it all seems slightly familiar.
It is a solid feature length debut for Capaldi, who showcases many talents that will serve him well in the role, while leaving the viewer wanting more, and leaving himself plenty of room to grow. He doesn't seem complete at the end of the story, which is good..he still needs to figure himself out. I appreciated that this episode wasn't much like the Smith era, in which so much rapid-fire dialogue and exposition was thrust upon you that it took many viewings to truly appreciate all that was happening.
Capaldi is a slower more deliberate Doctor. This is a welcome change of pace...I liked Smith, but I'm ready for someone who doesn't spout off rapidly after both the 10th and 11th Doctors. The episode didn't feel rushed, and took it's time moving the story along. I think I felt Moffat's stories had been moving so fast that they weren't really taking time to smell the roses as of late. Here is hoping that he focuses a little more on characters and mixes it with his crazy plot lines, rather than just exponentially expanding the crazy plots and forgetting the characters need expanding too.
The scene with Matt Smith was a nice touch for viewers having trouble letting go, but I didn't really need it. It served it's purpose even if I would've rather Clara accepted the new man without the nudging from the old one. Still Smith had a rather protracted run, so if he gets one more short moment, good for his Doctor.
The new title sequence was fun, I like that it is something very different from things we had seen before, and it is neat that it was a fan who made the concept on YouTube only to attract the attention of Moffat and get the chance at making the real deal. The official version is superior to his concept version too. I had seen his video online before he got the gig, and most of the things I thought were weak about it have been improved upon, which is great. The new theme arrangement is very 80s, which I'm less into, but it is still the classic theme we all know and love.
This is a fine opener for the new Doctor, and I am excited for more adventures with Doctor #12 and Clara Oswald, whom I have come to admire even more opposite this new leading man. There is a nice touch of mystery at the end, which I'm sure Moffat plans to use as the series long arc (though let us all hope it is wrapped up sooner rather than later). Here's hoping for a strong series of adventures!
NEXT TIME: Am I a Good Man?
Peter Capaldi's anticipated debut as the 12th incarnation of the Doctor (give or take), is a very welcome return to a more grounded Who. Not that I didn't enjoy Matt Smith's zany portrayal, I really did...but after having spent a few years with the increasingly madcap 11th Doctor, I find myself very excited to have a Doctor that is a bit more serious, like Hartnell, Pertwee, or Eccleston. Not that things are grim and too serious, Capaldi showcases he can be just as nutty, but in a less physical and goofy way that Smith had been. In his debut he comes off like Eccleston with a better talent for the humorous.
It is a solid feature length debut for Capaldi, who showcases many talents that will serve him well in the role, while leaving the viewer wanting more, and leaving himself plenty of room to grow. He doesn't seem complete at the end of the story, which is good..he still needs to figure himself out. I appreciated that this episode wasn't much like the Smith era, in which so much rapid-fire dialogue and exposition was thrust upon you that it took many viewings to truly appreciate all that was happening.
Capaldi is a slower more deliberate Doctor. This is a welcome change of pace...I liked Smith, but I'm ready for someone who doesn't spout off rapidly after both the 10th and 11th Doctors. The episode didn't feel rushed, and took it's time moving the story along. I think I felt Moffat's stories had been moving so fast that they weren't really taking time to smell the roses as of late. Here is hoping that he focuses a little more on characters and mixes it with his crazy plot lines, rather than just exponentially expanding the crazy plots and forgetting the characters need expanding too.
The scene with Matt Smith was a nice touch for viewers having trouble letting go, but I didn't really need it. It served it's purpose even if I would've rather Clara accepted the new man without the nudging from the old one. Still Smith had a rather protracted run, so if he gets one more short moment, good for his Doctor.
The new title sequence was fun, I like that it is something very different from things we had seen before, and it is neat that it was a fan who made the concept on YouTube only to attract the attention of Moffat and get the chance at making the real deal. The official version is superior to his concept version too. I had seen his video online before he got the gig, and most of the things I thought were weak about it have been improved upon, which is great. The new theme arrangement is very 80s, which I'm less into, but it is still the classic theme we all know and love.
This is a fine opener for the new Doctor, and I am excited for more adventures with Doctor #12 and Clara Oswald, whom I have come to admire even more opposite this new leading man. There is a nice touch of mystery at the end, which I'm sure Moffat plans to use as the series long arc (though let us all hope it is wrapped up sooner rather than later). Here's hoping for a strong series of adventures!
NEXT TIME: Am I a Good Man?
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