Dot and Bubble comes close to being the equivalent of Russell T. Davies' Blink, as it shares certain traits of this popular episode from 2007. A character driven piece, carried by the very watchable Callie Cooke as Lindy Pepper-Bean, The Doctor and Ruby are on the outskirts, and remain largely interactive onlookers for most of the proceedings (like the Tenth Doctor and Martha in the aforementioned Moffat classic).
The use of social media technology, and the messaging, have echoes of Black Mirror - minus Charlie Brooker's exquisite writing.
Unfortunately, what could have been a first class episode deteriorates as it approaches its finale. Ham-fisted social commentary once again smashes any sense of escapism, and you're left with the impression that Doctor Who is all about delivering broad statements these days. The irony is that ever since I can remember, Doctor Who has delivered meaningful metaphors for the real world. It just did it skilfully, without spoiling the natural flow of the story. Early Pertwee episodes had an ecological edge, for example, but the moral of the stories were intertwined with the adventure and sense of peril that were ever-present.
I had such high hopes for this season, especially after the top-notch Tennant specials. In the end, this episode was close to being a high note of the season. The visuals and effects were ambitious and solid. The delivery was just a little too on-the-nose for my taste.
7 out of 10. I really want to love this season but there's a vital ingredient missing somewhere.
The use of social media technology, and the messaging, have echoes of Black Mirror - minus Charlie Brooker's exquisite writing.
Unfortunately, what could have been a first class episode deteriorates as it approaches its finale. Ham-fisted social commentary once again smashes any sense of escapism, and you're left with the impression that Doctor Who is all about delivering broad statements these days. The irony is that ever since I can remember, Doctor Who has delivered meaningful metaphors for the real world. It just did it skilfully, without spoiling the natural flow of the story. Early Pertwee episodes had an ecological edge, for example, but the moral of the stories were intertwined with the adventure and sense of peril that were ever-present.
I had such high hopes for this season, especially after the top-notch Tennant specials. In the end, this episode was close to being a high note of the season. The visuals and effects were ambitious and solid. The delivery was just a little too on-the-nose for my taste.
7 out of 10. I really want to love this season but there's a vital ingredient missing somewhere.
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