'Deep Breath' gets better and better the more I revisit it. Capaldi is more nuanced and subtly vulnerable than the Doctor's ever been. He's a real actors actor. I think if you first watched this an weren't sure Capaldi was right for the role, watch it again. You'll be pleasantly surprised. Also, the sheer terror Coleman portrays when she's seemingly abandoned is a thing to behold. 5 foot 1 and crying, you never stood a chance!
'Into the Dalek' is the kind of episode you really need for every Doctor. Capaldi's tweaked his performance slightly, or at least watching it immediately after his first story makes it appear different, because he's almost charming in his stern demeanor. Love his look, too. Danny Pink's former-soldier past is obviously a theme that runs throughout the series, as is death and the after life and the Doctor's questioning of whether or not he is a 'good man'. When the Doctor turns down Journey Blue despite thinking shes a good person because she's a soldier is absolutely part of Modern-Who's ongoing anti-war and violence message. While I think I appreciated the sentiment back when Eccelston and Tennant were denouncing it, I much rather the more moderate, measured and fair assessment we get throughout Capaldi's run to date. You can stand against things like war while still respecting the soldiers who fight them. I actually think the least interesting thing about this episode is the Daleks themselves. I love 'em but they don't really provide any new insight, despite the fun the sci-fi shrinking gimmick and exploring inside a Dalek casing provides. 'You are a good Dalek' too closely echoes the sentiment from the phenomenal 2005 episode 'Dalek'.
'Robot of Sherwood' is a fun little story that really let's Capaldi play up his Doctor's humorously humorous side by putting him in a story against an actual hero of legend....who he can't stand. Its not groundbreaking stuff, but it's solidly entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable. A sword fight with a spoon, a silly archery contest, being chained in a dungeon and lots of banter: just the kind of early installment you need in a new Doctor's era to prove you can have fun with him, no matter what kind of man he is. Capaldi clearly loves playing the comedy up but never over eggs it. Clara fangirling is lovely to see as well.
'Listen' is a perfect episode. What's hiding under your bed? I don't think I need to say much that hasn't already been said. The best thing for me is watching a William Hartnell who's just a scared little boy hiding in a barn and knowing that Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor is still a scared little boy who runs and hides.
Side-note: so far Series 8 has mentioned Clara's imminent demise repeatedly. Foreshadowing?
'Time Heist' is a plot over character kind of episode that doesn't satisfactorily deliver on it's concept but it is still fairly entertaining. A lot of nice ideas in there but the supporting characters aren't fleshed out quite enough. I do like it, I just don't love it. Capaldi gets to play another aspect of his Doctor; manipulator. Nice. I realize I haven't talked about the Clara/Danny subplot but that's because it's cute and in offensive, despite the implications of the previous episode suggesting they have a future. Obviously it gets ramped up next episode...
'The Caretaker'. The mundane, sweet little romantic subplot meets bonkers space and time hijinx at Coal Hill School. This one is the opposite of the previous episode, focusing more on character than plot. Its a great watch. Capaldi is willfully ignorant and somehow hilarious as the titular caretaker. Danny seems like a really decent guy who is clearly trying to move away from the shadow of his past. Clara is very flawed but relatable trying to juggle this life and lie. The best scenes are Danny and Twelve clashing: the soldier and the officer. The utter disdain both hold for what the other represents is superb. This is a running theme. A great midpoint for the series.
That's where I'll leave off for now. Until I stop reveling in nostalgia, I remain
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