The final episode of Doctor Who by Jodie Whittaker leaves her and departing showrunner Chris Chibnall with a lot of work to do. Not only is it Whittaker's final performance, but it also lasts an incredible hour and a half and is a celebration of the BBC's centenary. Rolling up its sleeves and throwing everything at it, The Power of the Doctor has a lot going on and much more than we may have expected.
For the more casual Doctor Who viewers, this episode may seem confusing and a mess. Yet, for fans that have followed each episode, it is grand and jam-packed with Easter eggs and historical references. Yet, Whittaker's signature energy and a just-right lightness of touch carry it through this hefty story—or, more precisely, a series of storylines that eventually collide.
Before the title sequence begins, it starts off with a lengthy mini-episode-like scene that sets up its goals from the start and feels more like a conclusion than an opening. The Doctor is currently battling her old enemies, the Cybermen, after overcoming time loops, Sea Devils, and pirates in the last two special episodes. The only difference is that these Cybermen have been strengthened and given an edge in some way by an angelic-looking child, which always signals the beginning of something truly creepy.
However, any hint of a creepy, slow-burn episode is immediately abandoned and the action picks up speed. The 15 finest artworks in the world are missing. In addition to there being fewer and fewer seismologists. Another moon may or may not be visible in the sky in Siberia in 1916 and linked to London in 2022.
The show's darkest and lightest moments are brought to the audience by Sacha Dhawan. His unhinged panto villain persona really shines in this episode, and there's one scene in particular where he lets go. Getting to see the Master dance is always a joy as it is weird but hilarious. I have loved watching Dhawan as the Master and I hope he appears again in this role. There is no denying that you love and hate this character and that’s thanks to Dhawan’s captivating performance which just feels effortless.
As the episode progresses, there are a number of loose strands heave into view, shifting between planets and centuries. The Doctor is faced with a trio of classic evil. Despite the fact that this episode is quite long, it moves along quickly and hardly slows down. There should be plenty to please both seasoned and new fans.
Ace and Tegan's homecoming combines air-punching hilarity with emotional depth as they each receive their own share of the adventures and time to consider what it means to be an ex-companion. I wasn’t fully convinced of their performance at times, but it was nice to see old faces come back. Although we haven't yet learned how the two met, they are still solving their own secrets like so many of the Doctor's companions usually do. Curiously, A Charitable Earth, Ace's business founded in The Sarah Jane Adventures, is not mentioned.
There are a lot of familiar faces scattered in this episode. Making it a real treat for fans old and new. At times seeing these old faces was quite moving and emotional. We do get one last celebration for all the companions, which includes cameo appearances from Melanie Bush, Jo Jones, and Ian Chesterton in addition to William Russell, who makes a comeback after almost 60 years. It's impossible to deny that seeing them all together is a treat, even though their cameos don't add a single thing to the plot.
This episode is a nice farewell to Whittaker, who brought genuine heart and spirit to the part. There is plenty of material in The Power of the Doctor to acknowledge this accomplishment. Particularly charming is the bond between the Doctor and her companions. Early on, John Bishop's Dan leaves which is a surprise as I expected to see more of him in this episode.
Yet, it gave the Doctor and Yaz some much-needed alone time. We see how much of a bond these two characters have created with one another. Yet, when the Doctor and Yaz's time together must come to an end, their separation is masterfully handled. In spite of all the stunning action, the battles, the villains, and the danger, the programme turns out to have friendship, love, and tenacity as its beating heart.
This is an excellent send-off for Whittaker—focused and emotional—and an appropriate introduction for the next Doctor. The regeneration was a real twist I didn't expect. It’s a shame we will have to wait so long for more new Who, however, the frites of this show is looking even brighter than it did before after this superb episode.
Performance | 4.3/5 |
Enjoyment | 4.5/5 |
Overall Rating | 4.5/5 |