Doctor Who: S07PT2E01 - The Bells of Saint John.

With Beauty and The Beast on another hiatus and both that and Supernatural close to their season finales, I thought I'd pick something new to review.

I was brought up on Doctor Who and my favourite Doctor for the record is Three. And out of the New Doctors, I've personally liked Eleven the best, I find him more consistently written than Ten and although I loved Nine, he just wasn't around long enough for me to get attached. On the whole I have very much enjoyed Doctor Who's return to our screens, even as a long time fan.

Well...at least until Moffat happened. His episodes when he was under Davies were stellar and I, much like everyone else, was very eager to see what he would do with Doctor Who as showrunner. And sadly without any reins on, he really isn't as good. I don't like his attitude to those who critique his work, calling your fans stupid because they can't follow your self-indulgent, convoluted plots? Fuck off. I find his writing is often overly complicated or complicated for complicated's sake and largely because everything is so convoluted, it leads to an anti-climax no matter what happens. However we've got a New Companion, I've got space on my blog, so let's start again, shall we?

The Doctor is currently living under the alias of the Mad Monk in the year 1207 trying to decipher the mystery that is Clara Oswald when the 'Bells of Saint John' ring. Clara, in the present day is on the other end of it trying to get help with her computer. And so their lives are thrown together, once again and this time she doesn't die at the end.

Honestly I don't really know how to feel about Clara. Matt Smith himself seems utterly in his element as he parades around as the Doctor, he is honestly a joy to watch. Likewise the chemistry between him and Coleman is palpable but for me...The Doctor isn't meant to be sexy. It worked, I suppose, with Amy because it was largely one-sided but Moffat seems to be pushing more and more towards an edgier, sexier more romance focused relationship between The Doctor and his companion and that doesn't sit right with me. It's hard to explain, especially for people who haven't watched classic Doctor Who but The Doctor was always more of a father figure - an eternal friend, family. He was always a man-child for the most part but he was also old and wise, like a wizard and ultimately very alien. You were supposed to love him not want to have sex with him. I dunno something about Doctor Who as a romcom just doesn't sit right with me, Eleven seems to be having all the fun without the hidden depth of the wise old man hiding behind the goofy grin and that was always half the character.

The Bells of Saint John has a fascinating and brilliant central concept in how modern and fresh it is. Ghosts in the wi-fi - human minds stored in a data cloud, immortality. Oh it's been done before in some senses but I think now with the way social networking has taken over our lives, this seems the right time to land the most amount of impact. This may be a few steps away from where we are right now but our blogs and social networking profiles are in many senses, a form of immortality, are they not?

Sadly the concept is more a backdrop and plot convenience than really an active part of the narrative to be explored. So although it does provide some charming and thrilling moments they are largely superficial, blink and you'll miss the climax of this episode all together. For such an interesting and fascinating concept, I really did feel that it needed more time spent on it. I'm not a huge fan of two-parters but the Bells of Saint John's biggest battle was the inner plot points battling for time and space within the episode itself. What this in turn left was every piece felt slightly undercooked.

Then again one could argue that perhaps the concept is best left unexplored since the man doesn't know how to keep it simple. Maybe his version of keeping it simple is not really explaining it at all and ultimately I found that a more enjoyable experience than my usual reaction of three 'what the fucks' followed by a 'is that it?'. And that isn't to say there isn't some complexity, either. A keen eye and ear will pick up on a few things here and there which are clearly designed to get you thinking and are probably playful misdirections as much as they are hints but it was just enjoyable that Moffat wasn't screaming it in my face.

Although perhaps the greatest problem is a lack of a singular, identifiable villain. Don't misunderstand me, Celia Imrie is wonderful as Miss Kizlet, she is one of the finest actresses we have to offer but neither her nor her Spoonheads really get a whole lot to do. Being fair though, the first time the Spoonhead appeared it was done in the usual make children cry fashion that Moffat is known for. There are some pretty creepy sequences here, that are well constructed and not held back quite as much by lacklustre special effects.

Although there is a lack of a focused villain to battle the episode doesn't skimp on the action. Seeing The Doctor stop a plane crash and drive up the side of a building on a motorbike...in the same episode, really was a treat. Even Doctor Who at its worst, is heaps of fun and this episode was far from the worst New Who has had to offer. Really, right now, my biggest complaint is where Moffat is taking the Doctor and Clara's relationship next because I for one, have no interest in seeing Doctor Who as a quirky romcom.

Pros;

• Eleven.
• Great central concept.
• Strong chemistry between Smith and Coleman.
• At least an unexplored concept avoids the usual complicatedness. 
• Some solid frights.
• And some fun thrills.
• Miss Kizlet.

Cons;

• The concept probably deserved more than this. 
• Especially when it came to the weak climax.
• No central romance, please.
• Poor pacing.
• Lack of a central villain.

Think About It!

-Locke

What would you rate, 'The Bells of Saint John'?