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Well, I have to admit that I really didn't like The Rings of Akhaten for numerous reasons, but this weeks "Cold War" was a huge improvement. For me, Mark Gattis' work on the series is a bit hit and miss but this time he more or less scores a perfect bullseye with this creepy, fun and very exciting episode which brings back the Ice Warriors for the first time since the Pertwee era (or since the Troughton era if you thinking of them as a fearsome presence).
The claustrophobic setting of a nuclear submarine lends the story much gravitas, particularly in making the Ice Warrior Skaldag appear menacing and pretty frightening (as or as frightening as Doctor Who can, or should get). What's more, there's a very impressive cast on hand here. Both Liam Cunningham and David Warner make considerable impressions, whilst Nicholas Briggs deserves special mention for his sterling voice-work as Skaldag. Indeed, the changing of the way of the Ice Warrior's speak is probably the biggest contention for shall we say, "classic" Who fans like myself, but it's well executed and Briggs still manages to pay homage to the old series by making sure there are the occasional "sssss" and hisses during some sentences.
The special effects/make-up department deserve huge praise for their work on the new Ice Warrior outfit too. Never have they looked so believable or impressive and yet, they're still definitely Ice Warriors. It's not as if they've redesigned them beyond recognition - far from it. I have to admit I was a bit concerned when it looked like they might turn Skaldag into an all CGI creation, but thankfully it doesn't come to fruition.
Alas, there are still a few problems here and there, but I'm afraid they are things which I feel have just become inherent in the new series. For the second episode running it looked like the sonic screwdriver might, just might get lost or be destroyed. It's become such an annoying sight to see the Doctor waving it all around the place (extremely over acted by Mr Smith), using it to solve so many plot problems even if it makes no sense at all, that I can't wait for the thing to seriously be destroyed. However, thankfully Gatiss doesn't rely on the device to save the day and instead harks back to some of the Ice Warrior's more noble traits which reside in their history, to bring the story to a satisfactory conclusion.
Cold War also feels refreshing because it's very much a standalone episode. It's not relying on the whole "Clara" story-arc which is running through this season. I always like these stories as I feel they're not bogged down, or don't get interrupted in efforts to tie in with what else is going on elsewhere.
Overall, a very solid episode and one which probably ranks alongside A Town Called Mercy as the best of the Moffat era to date.
So, for the second half of this season, I would score the stories as follows...
The Bells of Saint John - 6/10
The Rings of Akhaten - 3/10
Cold War - 8/10
What's your scores fellow Who fans?
The claustrophobic setting of a nuclear submarine lends the story much gravitas, particularly in making the Ice Warrior Skaldag appear menacing and pretty frightening (as or as frightening as Doctor Who can, or should get). What's more, there's a very impressive cast on hand here. Both Liam Cunningham and David Warner make considerable impressions, whilst Nicholas Briggs deserves special mention for his sterling voice-work as Skaldag. Indeed, the changing of the way of the Ice Warrior's speak is probably the biggest contention for shall we say, "classic" Who fans like myself, but it's well executed and Briggs still manages to pay homage to the old series by making sure there are the occasional "sssss" and hisses during some sentences.
The special effects/make-up department deserve huge praise for their work on the new Ice Warrior outfit too. Never have they looked so believable or impressive and yet, they're still definitely Ice Warriors. It's not as if they've redesigned them beyond recognition - far from it. I have to admit I was a bit concerned when it looked like they might turn Skaldag into an all CGI creation, but thankfully it doesn't come to fruition.
Alas, there are still a few problems here and there, but I'm afraid they are things which I feel have just become inherent in the new series. For the second episode running it looked like the sonic screwdriver might, just might get lost or be destroyed. It's become such an annoying sight to see the Doctor waving it all around the place (extremely over acted by Mr Smith), using it to solve so many plot problems even if it makes no sense at all, that I can't wait for the thing to seriously be destroyed. However, thankfully Gatiss doesn't rely on the device to save the day and instead harks back to some of the Ice Warrior's more noble traits which reside in their history, to bring the story to a satisfactory conclusion.
Cold War also feels refreshing because it's very much a standalone episode. It's not relying on the whole "Clara" story-arc which is running through this season. I always like these stories as I feel they're not bogged down, or don't get interrupted in efforts to tie in with what else is going on elsewhere.
Overall, a very solid episode and one which probably ranks alongside A Town Called Mercy as the best of the Moffat era to date.
So, for the second half of this season, I would score the stories as follows...
The Bells of Saint John - 6/10
The Rings of Akhaten - 3/10
Cold War - 8/10
What's your scores fellow Who fans?