Arriving in 17th Century Lancashire, the TARDIS team become embroiled in a witch trial. With the arrival of King James I, the hunt for witches intensifies. However, could something more dangerous be at play? Can the Doctor, Graham, Yaz and Ryan keep the populous of Bilehurst Cragg safe from the forces surrounding the land?
Episode 8 is called 'The Witchfinders' and sounds like this:
"The Doctor, Ryan, Graham and Yaz arrive in 17th century Lancashire and become embroiled in a witch trial, run by the local landowner. As fear stalks the land, the arrival of King James I only serves to intensify the witch hunt. But is there something even more dangerous at work? Can the Doctor and friends keep the people of Bilehurst Cragg safe from all the forces that are massing in the land?"
Loved it. The atmosphere was like something you would have seen in a 70s Amicus film. Alan Cumming was just flamboyant enough in the role of King James I, but not over the top. The episode certainly correctly portrayed the paranoia of the time that surrounded the witch hunts. Conservatives are already complaining about a "feminist agenda" (really, these assholes need to get laid, or at least jerk off). This is because at one point, The Doctor is being talked down to by the king, and she makes the (absolutely correct) commentary that if she were "still a bloke" she would be taken seriously. Also, the people being killed for being witches have been women, which, again, historically correct, not part of an "agenda". (I have a rant about this coming soon, which is out of the ordinary, because I never rant about anything) If I have to nitpick, then
it would be that the alien threat, while very cool, is only really explained in the last few minutes of the episode, and quickly subdued. It would have been nicer to have a little more explanation as to what the war crimes were that they were punished for, or see them being more of a threat instead of just the reanimated corpses. So this is one episode where they could have used another 10-15 minutes and not have it feel like padding, but giving more explanation as to what the hell the aliens were all about. But yeah, great makeup effects for the threat.
I did like that James seems to be hitting on Ryan a little at the end, giving some recognition to the stories of James being a closet gay (part of what made him such a religious zealot and fanatic about witchcraft and demonology). And also loving that James likes the dark meat. Overall, I thought it was a really great episode. I almost thought at some point we might have seen Vincent Price pop up.
Another historical, with good use of aliens this time. They were a bit one dimensional though. Just pure evil, huh? Although I guess history (and present times) show that such a thing does exist.
I occasionally get annoyed at how self-righteous the Doctor gets. So King James killed Becca. She threatened him and he didn’t know what to do! He’s not a super intelligent space alien with a knowledge of extraterrestrial life and science. Give him a break.
And really chainsaw? Objecting to witch burning is feminist? Are these people serious? You said they were mad she made the valid point that women aren’t taken seriously. They probably think the Doctor is a SJW. Bunch of idiots. Really this show is too intelligent for them, what are they doing watching it?
Duuuude! I am so sick of seeing the comments all over the interwebs. The whole "Doctor Who is just SJW, PC crap now!" These are the same folks who still don't see anything wrong with having a white guy in yellow face for Talons of Weng-Chiang.
Join Yinka Bokinni for a round-up of all the best backstage action of the week. This week we dig the dirt on the Morax, the Doctor takes a dip and we find out how the cast deal with bad weather days on set.
Overall, I thought it was a really great episode. I almost thought at some point we might have seen Vincent Price pop up.