Review: The Magician's Apprentice

Davros is back! What a twist for the episode to start off with. It felt like Moffat really wanted to show what this series was all about in that pre-titles sequence. Cliffhangers. I so wish that it had been kept a surprise to the reveal and The Mirror hadn't leaked it months ago. It would have made that reveal so much more for everyone. But I don't think that mattered too much as there was more twists and turns throughout.

The Episode really focused on the dilemma of time travel. If you knew someone was going to grow up to be evil, could you kill them or watch them die. Some could but I think we all know The Doctor could not! Even if it meant that the Daleks would be created and ultimately the start of the Time War. It was really a rehash of the idea behind Genesis of the Daleks but this time with the start of Davros and not the Daleks but I think it was done well enough and wit some fresh ideas for it not to feel like a repeat.
Though, the Doctor is dieing was used again and I feel that this was really not needed as it was only a few years ago (series 6) we had the whole arc about this and then of course The Time of the Doctor once again. It was just a plot reuse too far in my opinion. It did bring us though some more character development with The Twelfth Doctor. He felt much more relaxed and calmer than last series but could this just be down to him thinking he is about to die at the hands of Davros. I just loved his entrance though. The Doctor with an electric guitar. It just really suited this incarnation.

I was disappointed with the use of UNIT in this episode. As a fan of Kate, I felt it was a shame to see her really underused in this episode. She didn't really do much. Clara just stormed in and took control and Kate just stood there agreeing and doing what Clara said. I wish she could have had more of a presence even though it was only a small part of the episode.
While the whole cast was on form, I think a stand out mention should go out to Julian Bleach and Jami Reid-Quarrell as Davros and Colony Sarff. I will start with Sarff. He felt like a threat from the beginning and I think alot of that was down to the way he moved and the voice acting. It added a presence. And then the reveal of the snake was just such a wow moment and a brilliant bit of CGI.
I was so happy to see Julian Bleach back as Davros as he did a brilliant job in The Stolen Earth / Journey's End in 2008. In this he gave a completely different performance while still being inkeeping with Davros. It was a much more calmer approach and you felt like Davros was at the end of his life. He added to the scene with just the looks he gave, the way he sat and in the voice. I cannot wait to see more of him next week.

Overall I would give this episode a 7/10 but really I think it all depend on how The Witches Familiar turns out. It could easily push it up a bit if the build up is done justice.

2005! Ten Years of NuWho

As a child of the 90's, I didn't grow up with Doctor Who. I vaguely knew what it was but that was all (have memory of going around garden shouting EXTERMINATE.) So when it came back it passed me by. 
My mother had told me to watch it but as a 12 year old I just ignored her. On April 2nd however, I was bored. My 2 nieces were over and had nicked my room so I went into my mums room and turned on the TV. Basically, I tuned in by accident and am still watching. 
I have vivid memories of watching the scene in "The End of the World" where Rose was talking to the plumber while I was lying down on my mums bed, head nearest the TV. Didn't get to see Rose until months later when in Woolworths I asked (probably begged) my mother to buy me Series 1 Volume 1 and 4 on DVD. 
Don't know if I saw week after week but I think I must have as I remember being really excited to see the Daleks back in the trailer at the end of Boom Town. 
Cannot believe its been ten years! Where has the wonderful time gone. Happy Birthday to the current regeneration of Doctor Who! Long may you continue!