Thursday 29 March 2018

"The Pilot" Worst Dr Who episode I've seen

So this was the single worst Dr Who I've experienced. I was even inclined to go online and see what general opinion was on episodes. I was surprised what I found, the lists mainly included episodes which I either enjoyed or where alright. So it's clear that opinion is well divided.

However, I've just watched 'The Pilot' and WOW was it BAD. The actress who was the main character did well with a very bad story and whilst I haven't taken too her as the new companion, I felt the acting was pretty good. The real problem was with the god awful plot.

It started promisingly with an idea about a sentient ship fuel or oil, leaked from a landed ship and now trying to do its task alone. This was very similar to the concept behind 'Girl in the Wardrobe' which I dearly loved (superb episode) so I felt initially there was some promise, then everything went completely silly (and not in the good Matt Smith way).

First of all this 'ship repair fluid' was able to travel anywhere in space and time. What the &#@($&.

So if it's some sort of sentient repair system, it can easily travel back to the main ship with such powers and get right along with its purpose! If it is some kind of 'rebel' sentient repair system, it doesn't make any more sense then (but at least its some kind of excuse). Next, to add silly on top of silly, when confronted with simply a new enemy, instead of the usual intelligent analysis and cunning, the very first thing the doctor does is drag his whole crew into the middle of a Darlek war-zone *face palm*. WHAT THE F#*K? The Doctor, who is a stallwart protector of his companions, who just LOST to the Quantum Shade the most love companion he had (not to mention Amy Pond, Rose and the other most loved predecessors) he goes and immediately takes his new companions from a completely unknown danger (where in fact they don't actually know their really at risk except by a squinting girl) to face or at least encounter an enemy where he certainly knows they aren't safe. WORSE the episode doesn't end, it just simply fizzles out when the new companion has a quick hand hold with the girl (and don't get me wrong, the lesbian story line is definitely something I appalaud as endaging an alternate lifestyle and audience, but come on, DrWho can be better). Adding the lesbian character is a nice touch but then immediately destroying both her immediate love interests felt really bad. Though whilst a weak way to take that plot aspect, it still had more potential than the main story.

Well I'm just two episodes into Season 10 and fully understand why the Who Hype has died down, its because David Tenant left, Matt Smith managed to push past the loss to do a really good set of seasons, then Peter Capaldi managed to bring back a little of the feel of William Hartnel as well as adding some nice freshness as well. It's just a shame that it's sunk so low.

I was rolling my eyes at all the direct lifts from Harry Potter in season 9 (for those who didn't spot them: Moving Staircases, Dementor, Naiagi, Dark Lord *eyerolls*). Seriously, Davros has a name which induces enough fear without referring to him by Harry Potter references and giving him a snake (who should have been named Nagini since they lifted the rest of the idea) as an assassin.

It's so sad how bad its got, I only hope that as I watch more of Season 10 it perks up.

ED: So I'm watching it again, trying to give it a chance in the light of the rest of season 10. Sadly my opinion is not altered, this was a terrible stumbing start for the producer. On one final note, the effects are more than a little reminisant of Waters of Mars.