Once again we are coming into a second part of a story, meaning that the characters have already been introduced and the plot is established well enough in the viewer’s minds. Writer Toby Whithouse takes full advantage of this during the pre-credits scene. Instead of a traditional teaser piece which sets up the perils ahead, the Doctor instead breaks the fourth wall and introduces the viewers to the episode, and its devices, himself.
Although this concept has been used in the show previously over the years it has never been taken to this level before, and I can’t say that it works for me unfortunately. It’s not just the talking to the viewers that sits uncomfortably however, it’s the process that he explains too. Giving away clues for the episode at the start of it is probably not the best idea if you want to then surprise people later on, for example. Especially when there are many who have actively spent all week avoiding any spoilers on-line as it is! …show more content…
With such a large cast it’s inevitable that not all of them will be fleshed out, or get sufficient screen time to have us caring about them or their plight. This week it’s the turn of Prentis, played by Paul Kaye. As you have no doubt seen in the promotional photos, the Tivolian is alive and well in 1980 when the Doctor, Bennett and O’Donnell meet him. Yet once again he is woefully under used as a character actor, and I can’t help feeling that someone with his talent could have far more to offer the show than we get to see in these two
Although this concept has been used in the show previously over the years it has never been taken to this level before, and I can’t say that it works for me unfortunately. It’s not just the talking to the viewers that sits uncomfortably however, it’s the process that he explains too. Giving away clues for the episode at the start of it is probably not the best idea if you want to then surprise people later on, for example. Especially when there are many who have actively spent all week avoiding any spoilers on-line as it is! …show more content…
With such a large cast it’s inevitable that not all of them will be fleshed out, or get sufficient screen time to have us caring about them or their plight. This week it’s the turn of Prentis, played by Paul Kaye. As you have no doubt seen in the promotional photos, the Tivolian is alive and well in 1980 when the Doctor, Bennett and O’Donnell meet him. Yet once again he is woefully under used as a character actor, and I can’t help feeling that someone with his talent could have far more to offer the show than we get to see in these two