Things I've Learnt from Watching My Favourite Doctor Who Stories: Part 9 - The Eleventh Hour

     9. The Eleventh Hour

Don't leave everything to the Eleventh Hour... 



Was lightning going to strike twice? Doctor Who was about to get its third leading actor since it's return in 2005 as well as a brand new showrunner in the guise of Steven Moffat, the genius behind "Are you my Mummy?", Madame de Pompadour, the Weeping Angels and Silence in the Library. It would be a soft reboot, with a completely new cast. The last transition between Doctors had been softened by the presence of Rose, as well as Jackie, Mickey and even Harriet Jones (Prime Minister) but here there's no familiar faces, no returning characters, everything brand new! 


However, the question on everyone's lips was "Who is this youngster they've cast as the Doctor?" Honestly, had these people not watched the Sally Lockhart Mysteries? Because that's where I had seen him, in a supporting role, but I'd been impressed by his earnestness and energy in the role. He looked handsome yet alien at the same time, if that's not too defamatory! Steven Moffat puts it much better than I could, describing Smith as "boffin and action hero, schoolboy and professor, hot young guy and ancient wizard. He’s like Patrick Moore in the body of an underwear model."


To accompany this young whipper snapper of a Time Lord was another reasonably unknown actress, Karen Gillan, who's been completely disguised as one of the Sybelline Sisterhood in the Fires of Pompeii. A quick Google check saw me find her appearances in the Kevin Bishop Show, in some cases not wearing much at all. (Maybe that's what Jeff was looking at on his laptop?) And when we first meet her she's wearing a very short skirt for a proper police officer... 


But not before we see her mini-me, her neice Caitlyn Blackwood playing the younger Amelia, who's scared of a crack in her wall. So scared it's making her pray. Pray to Santa, mind you... 

The opening scenes of her meeting the newly-regenerated Doctor are delightful and for a rare occasion, we have a child actor who can actually act! With the haunted house and more rural setting compared with RTD's London centric world of the Powell Estate, Martha's London hospital and the stomping ground of Chiswick's best temp. As a result it feels less rooted in soap roots and more fairy tale-like. The Doctor even comments that Amelia Pond is like a name in a fairy tale. 


The plot is manic and intricate, but still straightforward enough to keep the interest, with lots of characters and guest stars along the way: Olivia Colman, Annette Crosbie, Nina Wadia, Arthur Cox (who's brilliant as Cully in the Dominators, I don't think he's miscast at all!) and even Patrick Moore (Fortunately not dressed as an underwear model!) We even get a fun sequence with the Doctor driving a fire engine and a lovely flashback that JNT would have been proud of! The Doctor appears fully formed "Basically... Run!" and the costume feels cobbled together unlike the other costumes he has later in the run. It's a great costume, easily copied by cosplayers and Hey Duggee! 

He appears fully formed and unlike Tennant who's kept in the background of his first adventure, Matt Smith is up and running and central to the plot. It's obvious that he and Karen have great chemistry between each other and their relationship feels as close and genuine as any other from the modern series, despite the arrival of third-wheel Rory played by Arthur Darvill. Rory feels like the Zeppo to begin with, a bit of a Mickey but that's OK. 

All in all this is my favourite post regeneration story, a beautiful new restatement of the series, with two dazzling young leads and a new showrunner at the top of his game. It's as different enough to feel fresh and familiar enough to ease the general audience into accepting a new Doctor. 

Who da man?! 

(Yeah I'm never saying that again...) 


Next Time: When crossing a wasteland, don't clam up! 





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