On the latest episode of Doctor Who, “Extremis“: after returning from space, The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) must face a new challenge, one he has never encountered before. But before coping with his new circumstances, he is sought after by the Pope, who needs him to translate a mysterious text called Veritas. Recruiting Bill (Pearl Mackie) and Nardole (Matt Lucas) on the mission, the trio quickly find out that not everything is what it seems to be…

During TARDISblend 105, we enter the midpoint of the season and begin discussing the secret of the Vault and the return of a familiar villain. We also examine the writing style of this episode, both the highs and the lows.

All this and more on the latest TARDISblend!

Doctor Who
Season 10, Episode 5 “Oxygen”
Directed by Charles Palmer
Written by Jamie Mathieson
Starring Peter Capaldi, Pearl Mackie, Matt Lucas, Kieran Bew, Mimi Ndiweni
BBC America
Air date: May 13, 2017

Ah, now that’s more like it. After a somewhat tepid attempt at atmospheric haunted house horror last week, Doctor Who brings us a full-throated example of zombie horror in Episode 10.5 “Oxygen.” Drawing on a diverse series of film influences that use horror and jeopardy to entertain as well as launch social and economic critiques, experienced Doctor Who hands Charles Palmer (“Smith and Jones,” “The Shakespeare Code”) and Jamie Mathieson (“Mummy On The Orient Express,” “Flatline”) create a tense, kinetic episode that is much of what Episode 10.4 “Knock Knock” wasn’t and raises the average quality of the episodes this season to a very respectable place. More about the episode and its influences after the jump.

Taking Bill (Pearl Mackie) for a trip into space, The Doctor (Peter Capaldi) is also followed by Nardole (Matt Lucas) where they find themselves on a seemingly abandoned space station. But after investigating a little, the trio find themselves in a precarious situation, that could have severe consequences… one breath at a time…

During TARDISblend 104, we celebrate writer Jamie Mathieson‘s return to Doctor Who delivering one of the strongest (and creepiest!) stories of the season. We also examine THAT plot twist (Spoilers, Sweetie!), and drill down into the acting force of Capaldi, Mackie, and Lucas.

All this and more on the latest TARDISblend!

Doctor Who
Season 10, Episode 4 “Knock Knock”
Directed by Bill Anderson
Written by Mike Bartlett
Starring Peter Capaldi, Pearl Mackie, Matt Lucas, David Suchet
BBC America
Air date: May 6, 2017

What do “normal” days in the world of Doctor Who look like? It’s an interesting question. Exposure to the Doctor and his magic box seems to create a hyper-real existence where you meet aliens, humans, leviathans, and gods. Embarking on the hero quest, one cannot help but be changed by it. Does that mean that the TARDIS is a Pandora’s Box? Once that box is opened, the forces unleashed do not seem to be something that can simply be turned on and off like a switch… or can they? In Episode 10.4 “Knock Knock,” we see Bill try to have an ordinary day, with the Doctor along for the ride as little as possible. Luckily for us, she fails.

On Doctor Who Episode 10.4, echoing experiences from the Seventh Doctor and the Eleventh Doctor, our current Doctor (Peter Capaldi) discovers strange “haunted house” happenings in Bill Potts’ (Pearl Mackie) house that she is renting with new students for the new semester. The Doctor’s concerns about the house become reality, and a new mystery is presented before our heroes, that may prove to be fatal…

During TARDISblend 103, we discuss Mark Bartlett‘s first story written for Doctor Who, examine which previous episodes mirror this experience of Episode 10.4 “Knock Knock,” and take a glance at the new friends hanging out with Bill before her next semester begins.

All this and more on the latest TARDISblend!