Doctor Who in Review: Deep Breath

WARNING: SPOILERS

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Now that that's out of the way...

This episode was . . . FANTASTIC. "Deep Breath" was a bit slower paced than the usual romp through time and space, but I think this was important and well done. We don't have the mad-dash that Matt Smith had through "The Eleventh Hour." We don't have the annoyingly absent Tennant from "The Christmas Invasion." Instead, "Deep Breath" focuses on how disorienting regeneration can be, and involves a much smaller-scale plot. The world isn't about to blow up or be enslaved. This allows Capaldi to feel out this new Doctor, allows Clara to really act.

The Paternoster Gang was... well, they were the Paternoster Gang. I felt like they were more of the same--which I quite enjoy. I know there are others who disagree emphatically. I've never had a strong enough attachment to the Sontarans to be upset about Strax becoming a walking gag, and I've always enjoyed Jenny and Vastra's chemistry. So, yay for them being there!

Capaldi as the new Doctor:

He started out a bit chaotic. A lot of his performance centered around his confusion with the regeneration. His scene in the alley when he's antagonizing that poor tramp (who is Sarah Jane Smith's real-life husband) was absolutely perfect. Even as he was trying to figure out who he was, he was perfectly the Doctor. I think he really shined, though, toward the end of the episode, when he lets slip those dark moments. Like when he left Clara beneath the restaurant--choosing to run rather than stay and save her. Sure, he comes back to get her, but we're left with Clara and her panic. Oh, and up in the airship with the main cyborg fella. That scene is oozing with the darker doctor we've been promised.

My favorite line--with such a perfect delivery--has to go to when he's sitting at the table, pouring two glasses of scotch.

Doctor: "I've the horrible feeling I'm going to have to kill you. Thought you might appreciate a drink first."

Clara's performance:

I've never had a problem with Clara. But I have to admit, her character in the second half of season 7 didn't have much depth. This episode... she brought something to the character which had seen conspicuously absent--flaws. Her bossiness and 'control freak' descriptors finally showed up. Previously, we'd been told she was bossy and a control freak. But shown it? Not really. In this episode, we have Clara losing her calm, her temper, telling the doctor what to do, panicking... All very human qualities. Previously she'd been too... perfect. This episode showed us a real person.

My favorite moment with her was when the cyborg fella was interrogating her. She was visibly terrified, but still tried to put up a brave front. It was done so well. We've seen her brave before, but not paired with that very human fear. It brought her to life. It reminded me a bit of her amazing performance toward the end of "Asylum of the Daleks." If her character will be more like that this season... count me excited!

Doctor: "Clara, what is happening right now in this restaurant, to you and me is more important than your egomania." Clara: "Nothing is more important than my egomania!" Doctor: "Right--you actually said that." Clara: "You, never mention that again!"

I'm already viewing her as 12's companion, rather than 11's. If Clara continues the rest of season 8 as she acted this episode, she could become one of my favorites!

Who is Missy?

On top of all of the great everything about "Deep Breath," it ends with a glimpse at what I assume to be the season arc villain. A mysterious woman named "Missy" who somehow got ahold of the dead cyborg and who also called the Doctor her "boyfriend."

I've read a few theories, ranging from the absurd--that she's River Song (when has River ever called the doctor her boyfriend?)--to the devilishly interesting (Missy as the personification of death, with whom the Doctor has always flirted).

My current theory? I'm thinking Missy (short for the Mistress, maybe?) could be a female incarnation of the Master. A problem with that, of course, is that the Master was pulled into Gallfrey back in "The End of Time." Now, it just so happens that the Doctor is searching for Gallifrey, which is locked away in a kind of pocket universe. Sure, he hasn't found Gallifrey yet, supposing he does find it this season.... When has Doctor Who shied away from timey wimey?