There was the light-hearted opener, an experimental middle-season chapter that foregrounded character work, and the classiceverything-but-the-kitchen-sink finale.
Absent, however, was a sense that the “RTD2” era would be moving in new directions.
This is a spoiler-free review, so we can’t get too deep into plot specifics.
A “random landing” sends the pair to an isolated space station.
If not, well, the next one will probably be more to your taste.
Gatwa, in particular, is fascinating and mercurial in these two episodes.
‘The Devil’s Chord’ is on surer ground and a more obviously crowd-pleasing episode.
Again, we can’t go into specifics here, but it’s not quite that.
It does, however, lead to a final act unlike anything that Doctor Who has ever attempted before.
That’s pretty good company to be keeping.
Doctor Who is weird and wild and unpredictable.
In that sense, at least, the show is the same as it ever was.
The episodes will also be broadcast on BBC One on May 11, starting at 6.20pm.
For more great new TV, check out our guide tothe best new shows coming your way in 2024.
