Spyfall

"Everything you think you know is a lie."

Writer: Chris Chibnall

Format: TV

Broadcast: 1-5 January 2020

Series: 12.01-02

Featuring: Thirteenth Doctor, Yaz, Ryan, Graham

Synopsis

Intelligence agents around the world are under attack from alien forces, so MI6 turn to the only people who can help: the Doctor and friends. As they travel the globe looking for answers, attacks come from all sides. Earth's security rests on the team's shoulders, but where will this planet-threatening conspiracy lead them?

Verdict

Spyfall was an excellent two-part story to kick off the twelfth series of the revived era of Doctor Who! As is customary with a television series, I like to rewatch it ahead of something new and with no airdate or even filming beginning for Series 13, I thought it would be a good idea to get reacquainted with the fam ahead of Revolution of the Daleks. Watching with foreknowledge of what is to come is always fun and provides a much different perspective than what happened on broadcast as for part one, I was just anticipating the moment where O revealed himself to be the Master. It's a wonderful moment on that aeroplane and there really aren't many hints at all before the big reveal which is testament to keeping things a secret and having more impact, but there was just one little line where the Master didn't seem to quite read up on the MI6 agent whose identity he had taken. The use of the term 'classic' between the Doctor and the Master was magnificent and considering this was their first appearance opposing each other, Jodie Whittaker and Sacha Dhawan don't have impress. The chemistry is sublime and is instantly recognisable as the Doctor versus the Master which is testament to the actors. I thought the spy theme of the two episodes was great and the Kasaavin were an impressive menace. Of course, it was Daniel Barton who was the more focused villain alongside the Master and I have to say that Lenny Henry was excellent in the role. The business of Vor was really good and I liked how technology was used throughout. The links it had with the Kasaavin and rewriting DNA was very well done. I thought the scenes at his birthday party were terrific and the moment where the Doctor is playing blackjack and keeps asking for cards before triumphantly yelling 'Snap!' is a favourite of my girlfriend and I's. It went down very well in this household again as we watched. Jodie Whittaker had a very strong outing as the Thirteenth Doctor and I love how she can effortlessly glide from comedy to serious. The change in pace in part two with the visits to 1834 and 1943 with the Doctor joining forces with Ada and Noor worked really well and was definitely beneficial for the two hours run time. The image of the Master as a Nazi captain was marvellous and he and the Doctor atop the Eiffel Tower draped in Nazi banners was quite the image! The Doctor sending a signal to the German forces faking that the Master was a British spy and also distorting the perception filter was really great, but the moment at the end as the Silver Lady is being used and Barton's plan goes up in smoke, the arrival of the Doctor and the way she so emphatically destroys the Master's plan before it's even happened and reveals she has the upper hand is really excellent. You can see the torment in the Master of being defeated yet again. I should mention the companions and I think it's quite fun to play with the idea of Yaz and O having a little flirt before we realise who he is was terrific and disturbing at the same time. The driver assassination along with that of C being revealed as part of the Master's plan from the start was very good and I do have to mention how good the cliffhanger is, because it really is spectacular. The resolution less so, but it's still a lot of fun seeing then Doctor put that plan into action at the end. The revelation that the Kasaavin were invading against spies across time was good and the temporal map was terrific. The Master's TARDIS is fantastic and was great to see and I liked his frustration at having to go the long way round after being left to the Nazis in 1943 by the Doctor. Planting the seeds of Gallifrey's destruction at the Master's hands and the lie of the Timeless Child sets things up nicely for the finale, and it's just refreshing to get long term continuity with this era. The fam learning more about the Doctor is also really good. Overall, a very strong opener!

Rating: 9/10