Seven years ago, I was really, really excited about the return of Doctor Who. As a long-time fan, I’d endured the wilderness years when being a Doctor Who fan wasn’t necessarily cool, when merchandise was hard to find and every year on April 1, we got that inevitable the show is coming back thread cropping up. So, when news came that Doctor Who was returning in the spring of 2005, I was excited but skeptical. Finally, my skepticism was put to rest that Easter weekend in 2005 when the new series debuted and a new era of Doctor Who was born.
Seven years later, I was even more excited for the sixth series premiere of the revived Doctor Who. After a stellar season first series under the guidance of Steven Moffat and the acting of Matt Smith, I was eager to see where things would go next. Each rumor I heard, each preview sent tingles down my spine in a way that hasn’t happened since season twenty-five of the classic series.
Add in that the series featured a two-part opener filmed in America and that the United States was getting the episodes on the same day as the U.K., and my expectations for series six in general and “The Impossible Astronaut” in particular were enormously high.
But were they too high? Could one episode live up to all of that hype in mind? Could Steven Moffat deliver again?
Thankfully, the answer so far is, yes, yes he can.
If you haven’t seen the episode yet, here’s where the heavy SPOILERS are going to start. And as with all Moffat penned stories, the twists and turns are better if you go in completely unaware of them. Just let the episode wash over you and enjoy it.
That’s what I did.
Once again, Moffat’s script is intent on playing with the notion that Doctor Who is a show about time travel. And while it could seem that Moffat falling back on old strengths, it’s interesting that each story he’s done investigating how time travel impacts the Doctor and those he comes into contact with has kept raising the stakes. Last year, the nature of time travel was used to save the entire universe. This time around, it’s more personal with the Doctor killed in the opening ten minutes and Amy, Rory and River left to pick up the pieces. The Doctor has apparently sent invitations to several of those involved in creating the scenario in which someone in an astronaut suit will gun him down and then shoot him again mid-regeneration. But what led to this and why? And what is the Doctor up to with sending warnings and setting up this scenario? Is he trying to avoid the situation or is he creating it?
Moffat’s script doesn’t try to answer these questions just yet, but I have a feeling that even beyond the resolution in next week’s story of this plotline, these questions will continue to inform series six. Also, the line of the Doctor running harder than he ever has is interesting. What is trying to catch up to him? Is it part of the silence falling that we heard about last year, but was left unresolved? Is it part of the cracks in time from last year?
But back to the specifics of this episode.
Moffat has been a writer who can create monsters that are creepy and unsettling. We’ve got the Weeping Angels as well as the gas mask children from series one. This time out, the monsters are something that are recognized when see but quickly fade from memory when not in view. They’re encountered at various points in the story by everyone but the Doctor.
After assembling the old team, the Doctor and company head to 1969 and a mysterious call that President Nixon is getting each night from a child. The child is asking for help from the astronaut man. The Doctor inserts himself into the situation and begins to figure out what the calls mean and where they’re coming from. The leads to Florida, where the same person in a spacesuit shows up again as do the mysterious creatures. Amy and River are trying to figure out if they should be working to make sure the Doctor doesn’t die in the future they saw and its implications. Amy takes matters into her own hands when the astronaut suit reappears, leading to a cliffhanger than has be on the edge of my seat for next week.
As a story, “The Impossible Astronaut” is all about set-up. It dripped with atmosphere, tension and solid work from the leads. But to judge it fully, we’ll have to wait until next week when Moffat begins to give us some answers and knock over the chess pieces he’s put into play. I can’t wait…
It was such an excellent episode. It really drew in my full attention and imagination, with the captivation and tension that very few shows manage – let alone episodes within the shows that do.
Moffat’s episodes tend to be some of my favorites, along with Russell T. Davies (he and David Tennant were terrific together). It certainly brings out a lot of the shows darker tones. Particularly, the death of the Doctor. Why and how did this happen, and for that matter, will it happen? River Song brought up some good points about why it can’t be changed, but stranger things have happened…
And since I love this show so much, he can’t die! I need to visit the series before the reboot at some point, perhaps while waiting between episodes…
I wonder if there is connection between The Silence (creatures) and The Weeping Angels which both seem have a similar effect on everyone else they encounter. Anyway, I really enjoyed this episode and I know when I enjoy something because it’s been over 48 hours and it’s still rattling around in my head. As much as I loved RTD, Stephen Moffat is much better and being dark.
Thought it was a great episode…not buying the pregnant thing yet since River seemed to be sick as well but you never know. My biggest question…who was really in that suit when the astronaut shot the doctor…not sure if I believe it’s that little kid nor that it will be anything but an alternate reality in the end…after all the Doctor must go on.
You can tell it’s been a good episode when the “To be continued” comes up and you’re puzzled because “only half and hour has gone by”.
I also don’t buy the pregnancy part either. I at first thought it was that when she went to the bathroom, but after River was showing the same symptoms I’m chalking up the nausea to a side effect of the memory loss. I think Amy was remembering strongly that there was something she had to tell the doctor, and with her body reacting like it was her brain filled in pregnant to cope with the missing memory.
1. Am i the only one bothered by the intro?? this ISN’T “Amy Pond and Her Imaginary Friend”!! it’s DOCTOR WHO!!
2. Who out there REALLY believes the doctor will die?! AND how many time is this doctor going to be “dying” anyway!! it’s like the go-to thing for this doctor.. pandorica..the finale… this one.. it’s only been 1 SEASON!
3. Everytime I see Matt Smith… I mourn David Tennant 🙁 I really liked Eccleston and when Tennant finished his first episode, I was ALL IN. This was my doctor! with Smith… it doesn’t quite fit yet. I still feel like he’s an imposter and Tennant will come out when the TARDIS doors open.
@E. The clip you refer to was only on the US version. It wasn’t included in the UK version.
As for missing Tennant, many of us were happy to see he and RTD go. Tennant was good at first, but I grew weary of him towards the end.
My biggest complaint is on how BBC America handled the episode.
The intro thing? Really? Do you think Americans have that short of an attention span? Particularly when you’ve been running Doctor Who all day. Am glad it was not on the UK version. (which I have seen)
“Limited commercial interruptions” I am really glad that was LIMITED interruptions. Just imagine if it had been the regular amount. whew. Every 5 minutes instead of every 10.
The editing. Really?? You are running one of the most popular shows ever and you can’t afford a decent editor? *rolls eyes* The first commercial edit was right in the middle of a sentence. So was the second (I think). It truly makes me reconsider watching DW on BBC America.
Otherwise, “The Impossible Astronaut” was made of total AWESOME!! As a long time fan (Peter Davison is MY Doctor) I was thrilled to see them in America. Steven Moffat is amazing and has he been taking lessons from Joss? Just wondering. Ditto for Matt Smith. He is brilliant as the Doctor.
Onward to next week!
Dr Who, with adverts?
How bizarre!
@E: I had the same reaction to the US intro clip. Really negative start. I also felt the cuts in the scenes to make room for commercials. Really disappointed in not getting the UK version.
As to the story: Loved it. Great setup. Can’t wait for the payoff.