DOCTOR WHO “Flatline” Review


What will happen when the roles are reversed? read on to find out.

The official description from BBC:

Separated from the Doctor, Clara discovers a new menace from another dimension. But how do you hide when even the walls are no protection? With people to save and the Doctor trapped, Clara goes against an enemy that exists beyond human perception.

Another week, another fix of Doctor Who. Having been around for so long it can’t be easy to keep things fresh, with fans always finding something to complain about. I however have generally enjoyed this new Doctor (Peter Capaldi), as though there’s been the odd thing that has disappointed me, the series as a whole, and the character building of both the new Doctor, and Clara (Jenna Coleman) has spawned some of the most fluid, and enticing moments in recent years.

DW Flatline (2)

Following on from what I classed as the best episode of the series, “Mummy on the Orient Express,” we get yet another amazing episode with “Mummy on the Orient Express” writer, Jamie Mathieson, once again coming up with a clever concept. Helped slightly by show runner Steven Moffat, the idea of shrinking the T.A.R.D.I.S. and having Clara travel with it in her handbag was pure genius, causing some very fun moments. The villains of this episode, the Boneless, also proved rather intriguing, as though physically they aren’t the most impressive, their presence definitely added an aura of dread. Despite this the thing that really grabbed my attention about Mathieson’s script was how the Doctor saw Clara, with it adding to the entire role reversal scenario.

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The performances from Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman have been really impressive over the course of this series, but it seems that they work better apart than together. The way that these two actors managed to show the connection between their characters, given the fact that the Doctor wasn’t in the room was something really clever, with the dialogue allowing for some humorous moments. It is however Coleman that stands out slightly in this episode, with Clara’s leap into the role of “The Doctor” making her the backbone of this episode. Even though Capaldi was a strong presence. The accompanying cast also do a fantastic job of adding depth to this episode, with Joivan Wade (Rigsy) portraying a curious, yet good hearted person, and Christopher Fairbank (Fenton) being the kind of person you want the Boneless to take.

“Flatline” is yet another amazing episode in the latest series of Doctor Who, with the role reversal between Clara and the Doctor, and the character development as a whole being the standout feature. The Boneless also proved to be an intriguing new foe for the Doctor, adding dread at every corner. Highly recommended.

OUR RATING
9
  • + Clara made a excellent Doctor.
  • + Jamie Mathieson produced yet another amazing script.
  • + Great supporting cast.
  • + The Boneless proved to be an interesting foe.