Final Thoughts from the Doctor Who Episode "Under the Lake"

1. We're three episodes in to the new season and are already on our second "to be continued" episode. While I know my wife and daughter aren't overly thrilled by this, I actually kind of like it. For one, it reminds me of the classic Doctor Who episodes that would usually take three or four episodes to tell a story. Plus, splitting up the story like that gives the writers more time to develop the plot instead of having to rush the adventure.

2.One thing, in particular, I find I like about this episode is the mystery. Even though even the Doctor is describing the creatures as "ghosts," I'm not convinced that's really the case and, in reality, there's something else going on. I can't wait to find out what, exactly, that is.

3. One other trend I'm noticing this year is the Doctor isn't hesitating to leave Clara behind. He did it a couple times while on Skaro earlier this season and, during this episode, was quick to abandon her while he traveled back in time to solve the mystery. I'm not really sure what, if anything, I should be reading from that.

4. I also couldn't help but notice we've been seeing much more of UNIT since last season. I'm wondering, once Clara leaves the show (as Jenna Coleman has said will happen), if the Doctor is going to renew his relationship with them for a season or so.

5. I'm still undecided about the Doctor's new sonic sunglasses. On one hand, they are a clever device and this unique twist does give Peter Capaldi's version of the show's hero a little added uniqueness (they also make his version a little more fun than he was last season). However, I'm not sure if they really are that practical when compared to a sonic screwdriver.

6. One of my favorite moments from this episode had to be the scene with the comment cards, Clara's way of making the Doctor a little less distant while in conversations. The way Capaldi read the one was hilarious and I hope to see more of those cards in future episodes just because, again, they give his version a little more uniqueness and some much-needed quirkiness. 

Since, again, this was the first half of a two-part story, there are still some things about it that feel a little incomplete. However, overall, I thought this was an excellent episode full of mystery and danger and I can't wait to see what happens next week as a result.

My Grade: A