Ki vagy, doki?

At last an honorable departure for the latest incarnation of the Doctor. The first time it was forced hurried change and the second time a ridiculous parody of itself. And Moffat almost bit off more than he could chew. The grand finale of the mythological storyline where all possible monsters of the past gang up against number Eleven (or Twelve? I just can’t keep up...) over the course of one single hour. Still, it doesn’t seem like over-cluttering, but more of a fateful culmination of all of Moffat’s more and less successful efforts of the past three seasons. The greatest hitch is the length; in view of its scope, it could have done with a few minutes extra. This way, the time jumps to Trenzalore are a bit rushed and fruitless. But in spite of this it works, primarily thanks to thanks to Moffat saving the day not with epic magnificence which would seem to be the most obvious solution in view of what is at stake and of the Doctor’s adversaries, but through a basically simple but functional intimate tearjerker. (2013.12.26)

A Christmas special that, through Sandman-like facehuggers, attempts something quite similar to an episode of Amy's Choice back in the day. However, despite the undeniable qualities of this Holiday Alien Beginning, it managed to do it better; and more subtly. (2014.12.26)

Prologue + The Magician's Apprentice (9x01) + The Witch's Familiar (9x02) 4/5: There is only one flaw. Namely the first episode of this double episode. It's not absolutely bad, but it's kind of packed with average padding. What would really help would be to add some ideas and excessive twists from other episodes that are full of these and which are undoubtedly one of the most successful of the of recent seasons in terms of storytelling. Under the Lake (9x03) + Before the Flood (9x04) 5/5: The first half as a classic Doctor 's plot "cut off from civilization with a pseudo - supernatural element" in the horror guise and the second half is playing with time paradoxes. In both halves, it is so much fun and it’s so packed as nothing else for a long time. The Girl Who Died (9x05) + The Woman Who Lived (9x06) 3/5: Considering how crucial the episodes are in terms of playing out potentially supporting storylines for (not only?) this season, they hardly could have used more mediocre and dull episodes. And Maisie fails in handling her promising character. The Zygon Invasion (9x07) + The Zygon Inversion (9x08) 4/5: Why does peacekeeping always involve killing? Sleep No More (9x09) 2/5: Bam, bam, bam, bam Mister Sandman, bring me a... Found footage from a man with transparent glasses. Ambitious in terms of format and story line, where it is nice that the format is not an end in itself, but it does not change anything about the truly uninteresting characters and the boring course of the movie. Face the Raven (9x10) 5/5: Doctor visiting Příčná Street. A visit that turns into one of the best "mythological" episodes of the last few seasons. Heaven Sent (9x11) + Hell Bent (9x12) 5/5: Last time, was the Doctor running around Příčná Street, this time he is wandering around depopulated Hogwarts in a one man show variation on It Follows to end his journey in the best, most personal and most intimate finale of the nine seasons so far. The Husbands of River Song (9x13) 5/5: See profile of the special. The Return of Doctor Mysterio (9x14) 3/5: See profile of the special. (2016.10.21)

The least Christmas-like Moffat's Christmas specials, but what is missing in terms of the Christmas atmosphere is made up in the stylish of over the top staff. Above all, the first half is one big adventure ride. In the second half, it deviates significantly from the established course towards melancholy, but it is not to the detriment, although the change in style does not suit everyone. In addition, it is all raised to a higher level thanks to the central duo. Not to mention it's not on celluloid, otherwise it might have to ignite because of so many sparks between them. They are unbelievably good together, it would be a sin to be committed to this special if the special will have not have a follow-up. (2015.12.26)

I don't know what's sadder: the fact that this is the weakest (but not weak) Christmas special in many years, or the fact that it's still almost enough to be the comic-book film of the year. By far the best part is the prologue, it's the pure essence of the Doctor. (2016.12.27)

The Pilot (10x01) 2/5: He's good. She's good. There is no plot. I am not saying it´s not good, it is simply missing. I understand that they wanted to devote enough space to the new companion and approach it from her point of view, but to write "a puddle that is not a puddle" and to end it like this, it is simply not enough. Smile (10x02) 3/5: It's very... Lovable. An idea and a start comparable to Silence in the Library, emoji noJamie Vardis sent shivers down your spine, the Valencian design of the colony is magnificent, but the creators were not successful in terms of making a functional whole out of these elements. In addition, the plot, story line, point and the way everything ended up is an unworthy copy of The Empty Child / The Doctor Dances. Thin Ice (10x03) 3/5: "Delayed anger fades away, it melts like brittle ice." One of those potentially not only mediocre episodes that would use a striking half-hour, but in terms of the whole footage and does´t go smoothly and there are sometimes blind spots. The only thing that keeps it afloat, I mean, above the ice are the one liners when Doctor and Bill are becoming closer. If it weren't for one really impressive speech, it would be an episode you will hardly remember, at least until the start of credentials. Knock Knock (10x04) 4/5: "Freaky Scooby Doo house." In terms of structure, this episode explicitly calls for being the first episode where Bill meets Doctor. It would definitely be more stylish than only above a malicious puddle. In any case, a really good use of genre clichés, especially in the first part. On top of that, magnificent silent competing Suchet and Capaldi. The only drawback is a mediocre, doctoral style impression and an unused "returned knock on wood". Oxygen (10x05) 4/5: The invisible hand of the market is capitalistically driven by the vacuum through autonomous robotic space suits with corpses in them. Well, just go for it. Each season must have its episode on a space station with the rest of the crew in life-threatening situation. Most of these "profile" episodes are successful. However, few of them are great, if you strip away politically motivated content of course. Extremis (10x06) 4/5: An excellent premise, a magnificent balance of chillingly disturbing moments (and it's not just about those zombie monks) and funny moments (pope in the bedroom!). From Nardole, it is improving episode by episode and it´s becoming much more than just "second-rate comedy sidekick", high stakes, tangible tension and perfect gradation. And then comes the final contradictory twist, which makes me confused, whether it's a cheap shot or an infinitely sophisticated play with a narrative cliché. The Pyramid at the End of the World (10x07) 3/5: Love is consent. The start and finish of the episode were successful, but what is in between is only mediocre. Sadly. (2017.07.10)