The Beast Below

"And then I find a new name, because I won't be the Doctor anymore." 

Writer: Steven Moffat

Format: TV

Broadcast: 10th April 2010

Series: 5.03

Featuring: Eleventh Doctor, Amy

Synopsis 

For Amy Pond's first trip in the TARDIS, the Doctor brings his new companion to the 33rd century, where all of Britain's citizens live onboard Starship UK, searching for a new home amongst the stars as the Earth is being roasted by solar flares. However, the Doctor soon finds something amiss onboard the vessel. The citizens appear to fear the Smilers and ignore crying children. What is going on? What secrets does the Starship hold at its depths, and who is hiding them? Soon, the Doctor is forced to make an impossible choice. No matter what he chooses, it seems death is the only outcome. 

Verdict

The Beast Below is a tremendous episode and really unites the Eleventh Doctor and Amy together as TARDIS pairing. I really liked the relationship between the pair in their first venture together after meeting in The Eleventh Hour. I adored the Doctor in how the first thing he recognised on a ship containing an entire nation was a little girl crying and nobody consoling her. So typical of the wonderful Time Lord we all love. It was majestic when the Doctor placed the glass on the floor, immediately recognising that a ship moving through space had no motorised engine. The Smilers were unique villains and I thought their design was extremely effective. It was fantastic how they barely said anything yet still had the villainous role! Liz 10 was a tremendous character and I loved that despite the whole nation (excluding Scotland, as was brilliantly referenced) being altogether on one ship, the monarchy still prevailed. I liked how it seemed the British system had reverted back to the Middle Ages with the monarchy being the highest authority, above Parliament. Hawthorne was a weird character but one I really liked. He seemed like the principal of the children somehow yet he also had the eeriness of a villain. I really liked the choices people were given, to 'forget' or 'protest.' Of course, the Doctor would wreak havoc and protest. The message Amy received from her future self was very intriguing and was my only slight problem with the excellent episode, why wasn't it explored further? The anger the Doctor had towards his new companion was particularly an insight as to who this incarnation of the Doctor may be, still in his very early days. The Winders were of particular interest and when they were revealed to be half-Smiler that was a welcomed shock! The story revolving around the Star Whale was particularly poignant and the way Amy established herself as companion was just magical. Using the knowledge she gained from the Doctor in the episode, Amy worked out that there was no need for torturing the Star Whale and she wonderfully saved the human race and rescued the Star Whale from being murdered by the Doctor. I really liked how the Doctor was still trying to show that he was angry about Amy's decision, but I think deep down he'd just found out that he'd gained a fabulous companion. 'Gotcha' indeed. The scene at the end in the TARDIS with Amy on the phone to Winston Churchill was just terrific. And with the shadow of a Dalek approaching the war time Prime Minister, we had ourselves a fantastic lead in to Victory of the Daleks. And of course, we had the image of the series, and what would later become a Smith era, alias. For my final thought, I would just like to show my appreciation towards Steven Moffat for being an incredible writer. As you can see from my opening quote, it echoes that of The Day of the Doctor, and knowing the genius that Moffat is, I like to think that it was intentional. Overall, an excellent episode! 

Rating: 9/10