This is a good episode to finish the Whittaker era, but unfortunately, Chris Chibinall’s writing was weak in my opinion. For the most part this episode is an enjoyable watch. It gives us a good mix of the sci-fi action we’re used to from Doctor Who but also finds time to take us down memory lane. No less than six former Doctors make cameos and even more former companions feature, begging for us to exclaim, “ I remember them!” at the tv screen.
We are reintroduced to Teegan and Ace, both former companions of the 5th and 7th doctor respectively. Like many a former companion the pair never lose their adventurous spirit, and both set out to investigate the apparent coincidences of disappearing paintings and seismologists, (earthquake specialists, Doctor who is nothing if not educational!) As is typical with Doctor Who, nothing is a coincidence. Both find themselves at UNIT, providing the always welcome return of UNIT chief Kate Stewart (played by Jemma Redgrave) to talk through what’s occurred.
It’s here that companions past meet Doctor present, this scene provides for some good nostalgia, but is ultimately underused in giving Yaz a realisation of how her travelling with the Doctor will end up.
By now you’re probably wondering what threat the Doctor and gang are actually facing? Que the Master (brilliantly played by Sacha Dhawan) at his scheming best, orchestrating a plan which involves a space train heist, a rogue Dalek, and a cyberman as a Russian doll. Oh and all while he is dressing up as Rasputin.
It is here though where some of the main issues of Chris Chibnall’s writing appear. Firstly, the lack of the development of character’s motivations makes it much more confusing to try and follow the events that go on. Dan’s motivation for eventually stopping his travel with the doctor starts and ends in 15 minutes, this is something that could have built throughout the season but is rushed for convenience.
The aim of the game for the Master in this episode is to ruin the reputation of the doctor, we learn throughout the episode how he wants to do it but never why. There’s no time given to why he wants the doctor to hurt, is it disgust for her cause, envy, greed? It’s a shame we never know. There was a great opportunity to explore how the pair go from being best friends on Gallifrey to where they are now.
This is part of a bigger problem with Chris Chibnall’s time as the showrunner. The lack of plotline and continuity has devalued the show as a whole. It’s hard to be invested in the characters if key parts of them change randomly or if they don’t move at all. The whole “timeless child” plotline is a great example of where changing key elements of a character can go so wrong.
At best Chibnall’s writing is lazy, hoping we don’t pick up on it. At worst it’s selfish, the beauty of Doctor Who is that different writers get to build on each other’s work all while introducing their new perspectives on the character. They weave the show into a tapestry that we know it as. It’s simply not fair for one writer to ignore the others. It also isn’t fair on Jodie Whittaker, her acting performances have been overshadowed by the lines she’s having to deliver.
The impact of these problems are reduced in this episode. But, it will ultimately linger on in the background, without a resolution. What makes up for it is the callbacks to previous series of the show, this strikes the right balance between giving us a breather but also nudging the plot along. Ultimately, seeing old Doctors making an appearance will warm the hearts of any Doctor Who fan and is a real highlight in Power of the Doctor.
We also save the best till last in the episode, a moment where we can see just how much the show has meant to both Jodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill respectively. As one adventure ends, another starts with the biggest regeneration twist that Doctor Who has seen. Big things await the show with the return in 2023 of both Russell T Davies as showrunner joined by David Tennant. Plus the introduction of Ncuti Gatwa as the next Doctor and Neil Patrick-Harris as the Villain all as part of the three episode 60th anniversary special.
Ultimately, the Power of the Doctor was a stand out episode for me. I was able to enjoy the past of the show, the present, and the episode showing the 13th Doctor at her best, and also to look forward to the future of the show.
3/5
