We saw it in earlier this year in Age of Ultron as we have done many times before (no, not Chris Hemsworth’s chest): the idea that a hero will create their own worst enemy. Most often, we see this coming from the motive to do good only for chance and fate to change the outcome. But what if it wasn’t? What if that fated villain creation was the result of choice? Of a deliberate and wrong decision that would come to haunt you for the rest of your life. Maybe we should ask The Doctor because as he returns for S eries 9, we see how his shame and failure may have created one of his worst enemies.
The Magician’s Apprentice – When every aircraft in Earth’s sky suddenly becomes frozen in place, Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) is called in by UNIT to find out why. It turns to be just one of several faces trying to find The Doctor, including one very particular dying acquaintance that wishes to speak to him one last time.
First things first, this episode is the start of a two-part story. That’s not a spoiler but in fact, vital awareness because viewing this season opener as a single episode will likely leave you disappointed. In terms of self containment, it’s surprisingly lacking in story, and much of the episode is entirely about getting certain characters to their end destination. The best comparison is the (modern) 6th series opener, The Impossible Astronaut, which similarly was the beginning of a two part story but much more rewarding in terms of single episode viewing. So in writing terms, this is a slight clanger from Steven Moffat because he’s proven he can do such a setup better. The “To be continued” ending itself is also a mixed bag. The final moments are a full-blown high-fiving, jammy dodgers, and jelly babies all round triumph in terms of tantalisation for the next episode. Yet some of the preceding drama feels too throwaway, and all too obvious that the consequences will be “timey whimey” fixed/undone next week. The whole effect may cause some proud Fez and long scarf-wearing Whovians to take a nervous step back, but let’s still remember this is just half pages and save the sentencing until after seeing the full picture.
Although the story may be a straight road, there’s no denying that it isn’t Doctor Who as it delivers fun, thrills, and even some chills along the way. The early doors “handmines” play is the creepiest thing the show has produced for a while, and may leave kids terrified of their school playing fields. As the fingertips seep up from the ground like nightmarish saplings it creates some real old school horror vibes (and that’s even before they start looking around). Then there’s the brilliantly imaginative Colony Sarff/”Snake Ness in a dress”. The episode holds the curiosity on his physicality well as he glides through his early scenes and the effects really impress upon the reveal. Plus, you have to love the idea of him being a self-democratic republic. In the fun capacity, the main engine is surprising (even if pre-announced) return of Missy/The Master so soon. Even with her great satirical joke about it, (“I’ m back, I’m not dead, let’s just move on”) it feels like a rushed return but any such concerns quickly dissipate because, like last season, she’s an utter joyous riot. While the show makes it clear she’s still a villain, the events see her tagging along with The Doctor and Clara, and the presence elevates the group to a new level of magnificent madness. From her bitter resentment when The Doctor refers to someone else as his arch enemy to “going Scotish” alongside him, this is a relationship that needs to continue throughout the season, keeping her around in an anti-hero/forced ally arrangement. That’s not to say the raggedy man himself doesn’t pull his wait. In fact, he even makes probably the coolest entrances we’ll see this year that feels like an oddball parody of Time Bandits. Even if Darth Vader shows up in Episode VII, we’ll still be thinking “Yeah, but you’re not riding a tank while playing the guitar in sunglasses are you?”.
There’s a hell of a lot references and links to prior Who history in both the modern decade and classic era. The biggest of course the main focus nemesis (even though it’s mentioned early, the reveal is still the best moment of the episode so no spoilers), and especially the way the episode ties The Doctor to their origin and creation. Much of later confrontation feels a great call back to an infamous Tom Baker era story as well as making for great viewing with Peter Capaldi. The interjected old episode of dialogue feels like playful nostalgia even if it’s a little out of place. We’re even treated to a few location re-visits like Karn and The Shadow Proclamation. We also catch up with UNIT and its implied Clara is working for them as an on call consultant alongside her regular teaching occupation. In fact, her first scenes of reacting to the strange events are a great reinforcement of her character development as we see her acting instinctively and intuitively in the face of danger without any sign of The Doctor.
Even if this episode is not everything we expected, there’s no denying the charms of series are still sparkling. The cast is still electric and the show has always produced its best results by investing into season long plots, so if this episode is a burden of groundwork to bear then it could not be more welcome. Themes of The Doctor’s mortality have featured heavily in recent years but the approach this season is taking still looks fresh. Let’s see what other magic Moffat has up his sleeve this season.