The Doctor encounters her deadliest foe… and it’s not quite how it used to be…

There’s no way of sensibly writing a spoiler-free preview of this episode (and I’m actually glad I didn’t have to try) – so if you’ve not seen it yet, then come back once you’ve done so.

This isn’t quite the “Resolution of the Daleks” that some people predicted – in fact the Resolution applies far more to the B plot, as Ryan, his father and Graham sort out some of their issues. As was pointed out on social media during the episode, the characterisation of Aaron seems a bit suspect (shifty dad who’s apparently trying to sell knock-off microwaves), but some depth is given as the episode progresses, and Daniel Adegboyega’s performance helps paper over some of those cracks. Bradley Walsh’s Graham continues to be the heart of this incarnation of the series.

Charlotte Ritchie is given plenty to do as Lin, spending a good third of the episode under the control of Nick Briggs’ malevolent Dalek recon scout, although we could have cheerfully lost a good part of the set up between her and Mitch – in fact, I suspect a much tauter 50 minute cut could be made of the whole episode. That might, however, increase its resemblance to Robert Shearman’s original Dalek story from 14 years ago (and before people complain too loudly, Doctor Who in 1973 was quite happy to knock off/pay homage to a Dalek story from a mere 10 years earlier!).

The makeshift Dalek was an interesting idea – and led to one laugh aloud moment during its encounter with a few troops – but we do seem to have hit another of those periodic resets where everyone on Earth has forgotten about them! There was an interesting symmetry with the season opener (and yes, no matter what spin is given to get round the ‘old foes’ quote, thematically and every other way, this is part of series 11) as both Doctor and Dalek have to use bits of what they used to have combined with Earth technology to create their vital tools.

And as for the Doctor herself? Jodie Whittaker continues to be a barrel of energy, aided by some nifty camera angles courtesy of director Wayne Yip, and there was, quite rightly, no sign of a ‘but you cannot be the Doctor’ from the Dalek (and yes, the retreat when it realised it was facing a two-hearted opponent was a nice touch). It was good to see her pitted against something that’s implacable hatred, and the core of steel was rather overdue.

Unfortunately once again, Mandip Gill was still left with not that much to do as Yaz – is she still a copper? Wouldn’t the deaths of the two traffic cops have prompted her to return to duty? There are a few too many questions left hanging over her as we go into this hiatus year, and hopefully there’ll be some resolution of her situation early in series 12.

Verdict: A good, but not great, initial encounter between the 13th Doctor and the Daleks – and as with the series opener, not as gripping in its first few minutes as it perhaps needed to be, given the show’s departure for a year or more. 8/10

Paul Simpson