Doctor Who - The Rings Of Akhaten
Written by Neil Cross
Directed by Farren Blackburn
I actually enjoyed this episode. Visually, it's one of the best looking going and the story, whilst not perfect was solid enough.
I liked examining Clara's backstory from her parents meeting, her mother's death and the fact that she kicked a ball at the Doctor's head. That did make me laugh.
More importantly, I think she was the anti-Martha in the way she point blank told the Doctor she wasn't going to be a subsistitute either for someone else.
I also like that unlike with Amy during Series 5, the Doctor is being slightly more honest with Clara as well, though maybe it wouldn't be such a bad thing for him to actually tell her that he witnessed previous versions of her.
The sacrifice parts with Merry, the mummy and the sun parasite thing we've seen the show do better in other episodes but it worked well and there was something really atmospheric about the use of music in this one too.
I do think the Vigil could've been better utilised though. They really did feel quite pointless to a large degree.
Curious to figure out why the TARDIS doesn't take to Clara as well. After all, it did like Rose, Rory and River, what's Clara done to annoy her?
Overall a solid episode but maybe could've been a little punchier in parts, though those speech moments both the Doctor and Clara were utterly superb, 8/10.
Review ... http://shawnlunn2002.blogspot.ie/2013/04/my-review-of-doctor-whos-7x08-rings-of.html