Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Cast: Peter Capaldi, Jenna Coleman, Maisie Wiliams, Davis Schofield, Simon Lipkin, Ian Conningham, Tom Stourton, Alastair Parker, Murray McArthur, Barnaby Kay.
It is the ripples in time, the footprints in the sand that are able to be navigated without too much effect; it is the big things, the death of someone to who history might have forgotten and passed over for ever had it not been for The Doctor coming into their lives and persuading them, quite rightly, that they have a part to play in the way that the Universe evolves.
The fifth episode of the latest series of Doctor Who, The Girl Who Died, deals with an understated intensity to show what can happen to ripples, the stones skimmed on a dark and gloomy lake which lead to a Tsunami of after effects and which can carry destruction forever on its wings.
Whilst the first part of Jamie Mathiesons’ story certainly has the humour that is needed within the framework of Doctor Who, the easing of tension that is required in every season, it also deals with something fundamental, something that is deep rooted in the world of story-telling, that nobody should live forever, that sometimes the hero or heroine of the story should not see beyond their days lest their lives become a corruption, a flaw that can become bitter as everything they have ever loved slowly fades and dies infront of them.
Imagine seeing everybody around you grow old and tired, weathered and beaten by Time and you keep going, unable to join them; it is this corruption in Time which can eat away at a soul and for Ashildr, that corruption could come at a very heavy price as the two-part story unfolds.
Despite the leanings into the world of humour, the excellent Benny Hill Show theme lending a smile to the proceedings, The Girl Who Died was a very powerful and times wonderfully heartfelt performance by Peter Capaldi. The scenes where he is translating the cries of young baby into words that an adult can resonate with are especially touching. It is a story that captures the very best of Peter Capaldi as an actor and in turn is supported by Jenna Coleman and the superb Maisie Williams as the young Viking girl Ashildr a reason to shine resplendently in his wake.
The Girl Who Died might not be as seen as a popular crowd pleasing episode compared the astonishing opening insights into season nine of Doctor Who but it is nonetheless a wonderful take on the reasons for treading carefully in time’s immortal and lengthening shadow. Crisp, concise and good value, The Girl Who Died has the power to change the course of what is to come.
Ian D. Hall