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.

When will the Twelfth Doctor's first adventure air?

There is some debate going around at the moment when the Twelfth Doctor will make his debut. The official word at the moment is that 11 will regenerate him at Christmas but there is a few conflicting articles going around. Here is a just a few options floating around at the moment.

Regeneration in 50th, 12's Debut story at Xmas
This would be nice as it would make the regeneration come as a surprise which hasn't been done for a while. (well, not the Doctors regeneration anyway) I do think that this is unlikely though as they seem amendment that Matt is in the Xmas special.

Regeneration early to midway through Xmas special
This is what I would quite like. The Doctor has nearly always (bar the TV Movie) regenerated at the end of the adventure but I think that it would be interesting to see the villain actually cause the regeneration and the new Doctor carry on and then save the day. It will also give us a bit more of a glimpse of the new Doctor. I know Steven Moffat has said that its going to be a traditional regeneration at the end of the episode but as we all know. Rule One - Moffat Lies.

Regeneration at the end of Xmas, 12's Debut Story in Autumn 2014
I think at the moment, this seems the most likely of the 3 I have listed. I think Moffat will want to give the whole special to Matt as his swansong. (and quite right too!) The thing with this though, is the fact we will have to wait 8 months after the regeneration to see 12 in action and this just seems like such a long time. I do hope that they consider doing a special at Easter or something so we can get to properly meet the Twelfth Doctor earlier than August.

Peter Capaldi is the Doctor!

I could not be happier with the announcement that Peter Capaldi has been cast as the Twelfth Doctor. As I said in a previous blog post, I was really hoping that Moffat would cast older with 12 but I did have my doubts that he would after the success that they had with Matt. The majority of the fanbase agree that this is fantastic news that we have such a talented actor on board to bring the new incarnation of the Doctor to life. I have seen on Facebook and some other places people saying he's too old and not "fit" enough but why does the doctor have to be young. He is afterall a 1,100 year old Time Lord who can change his face. Why would he always go for a younger appearance

I was in shock when Zoe Ball announced that Peter had got the part. I was slightly expecting Moffat to go with a younger unknown again but this is a fantastic move. It is going to bring a fantastic new angle to the Doctor and his relationship. I cannot wait for his regeneration and to see his first series in August 2014. I just wish the series was back in the Spring again so the wait would be shorter. But before that of course we have the 50th and Christmas too look forward too and the Fall of the Eleventh. Matt will be missed greatly but I just cannot wait to see what Capaldi brings to the Role

THE DOCTOR IS DEAD - LONG LIVE THE DOCTOR