Doctor Who Review: Playing Catch-Up While BBC America Runs a Marathon

It’s been two weekends now since I’ve had to forego my weekly review of new Doctor Who episodes – prior commitments kept me away from the television, sadly. Although of course when I’m back into the swing of things, BBC America decides not to air a new episode on Saturday night opting instead for a 24-hour marathon to tide us over. Their tricks have only half worked on me because regardless of when the next episode may air, it’s been far too long, and I need to talk Doctor Who! Plus, I have some non-spoilery comments from a friend in England who has already seen next week’s episode. Ohhhhhhh!

The Doctor’s Wife.

Let’s be real: when you heard the title of the episode, you thought it would be all about River Song. At least I certainly did, so I was pleasantly surprised when the focus of the episode was not about a legally-wed wife, but the Doctor’s spiritual wife: the TARDIS.

In this episode, the TARDIS’ very essence is somehow put into that of a living, breathing female. The Doctor and company can actually speak to the TARDIS and she talks back! Actually, she does a bit more than talk back. She can also see the future. Wild. The TARDIS acts a lot like the Doctor: a very rapid speaker and even faster problem solver.

“The Doctor’s Wife” was by far one of the most imaginative Doctor Who episodes to date, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it remains one of the best all season. To see the Doctor’s real emotional connection with the TARDIS (whom he calls “sexy” but only when they’re alone) was a real treat.

The Rebel Flesh (Part 1)

If there were ever an episode where it was hard to keep track of who was who, this would be it. The Doctor, Amy and Rory are caught in a solar storm and land on an island that is currently being inhabited by crazy scientists. The scientists are doing all sorts of weird experiments but nothing is stranger than this type of substance they name “The Flesh” – named so because this gooey-looking substance creates exact doppelgangers of the humans.

Things get wildly out of hand after the solar storm strengthens and the ‘gangers become seemingly permanent fixtures, attempting to coexist with the originals until they face resistance from their creators and an all-out civil war looms.

I found it hard to keep track of who was a ‘ganger and who was not, but it was still an overall enjoyable episode. The ending with the Doctor’s very own ‘ganger leaves a lot of open questions but knowing the Doctor, it’ll also bring us many laughs. “The Rebel Flesh” is also a set-up for the next episode, and boy, with two Doctors and intelligent clones running around, who knows what could happen next!

Coming Soon…

Episode 6 is entitled “The Almost People” and we can only assume it’s a reference to the ‘gangers. This latest episode has already aired in England and my source says it’s a “shocker” that gets very creepy towards the end. We also finally find out whether or not Amy is pregnant (!). Apparently, it’s on the same level as a season finale except that we’re only halfway through this season! And that’s as much as I’m going to be able to share because I’m steering clear of all spoilers…

Until next weekend, dear Who-ligans.

Season 6, Episode 4 & 5: The Doctor’s Wife and The Rebel Flesh (originally aired May 14 and 21, 2011)

Doctor Who airs Saturdays at 9/8c on BBC America.

Images courtesy of BBC America.