1 It’s this season’s most trad-Who episode so far, but whereas last year’s “trad” story (the Silurian two-parter) was Pertwee era, this is straight out of the Troughton years. Appropriately Matt Smith is at his most Troughton-esque.
2 It also evokes memories of “The Impossible Planet”. There’s a lot of exposition to start with, but it soon becomes very pacy claustrophobic, creepy and full of powerful, well-written character moments for the guest stars and striking images.
3 The pre-titles teaser is frankly disturbing
4 Accident Direct could have to rethink their policies in this world
5 Rory fails to score a double
6 There’s lots and lots of shaky acting
7 There’s a surprising selection of pop songs
8 The Doctor uses his sonic screwdriver when simply reading would suffice
9 The Doctor reveals he’s a fan of someone
10 The Doctor pretends to be a weatherman
11 The Doctor has a great Derren Brown moment
12 Random words: “Poncy”, “cockerel”, “welly-boots”, “football”
13 The Doctor loses two of something
14 The Doctor says something again we’ve never heard him say before
15 Beware the oncoming storm
16 Someone builds a castle
17 There’s a moment straight out of The Thing, and another one straight out of Death Becomes Her
18 Someone’s first words are a big clue
19 Rory puts his foot down
2o The Doctor clearly isn’t from the North any more!
Sfx
