The Zygon Invasion

"The ceasefire's broken down." 

Writer: Peter Harness

Format: TV

Broadcast: 31st October 2015

Series: 9.07

Featuring: Twelfth Doctor, Clara 

Synopsis 

The fragile peace between humans and Zygons is on a knife edge. Tensions runs high as factions within the Zygon community seek to incite violent action against humans. Called in by UNIT, the Doctor and Clara fight to bring the situation under control. But one question remains: where on Earth is Osgood?

Verdict 

The Zygon Invasion was a very good beginning to this two-part story! Yes, it's another double episode which seems to be theme of this ninth revival era series thus far. It's not a problem from where I'm watching and I know it's pleasing a lot of the older generation by having cliffhangers every fortnight - something they used to get every single week! I'll get to the almighty cliffhanger later on. But first I need to discuss the once again disappointing viewing figures of just under four million. They're nowhere near up to scratch on previous series' ratings which is disappointing and I can only put it down to the horrific BBC scheduling. It's just on too late. This is Doctor Who, a family programme, and it should be starting at no later than 7.30pm. It's such a shame that so many people are missing out on stories like these, with another high standard of adventures for the Twelfth Doctor this year! I'm really loving Peter Capaldi this year and he really is adding his own quirks that seem to go wonderfully with the modern incarnations of the Doctor. He's got the jazzy sonic sunglasses, the funky electric guitar and he's even going around calling himself Doctor Disco. Now to me, that's absolutely the Doctor. I really liked how this was an immediate sequel to The Day of the Doctor and it's actually quite astonishing that an anniversary story of that importance serves as a prelude to a mid-series adventure! But it absolutely works. I loved the flashback at the start to the special reminding us of the beginning of the plot thread and that wasn't the only referencing that I enjoyed. Terror of the Zygons getting a mention was expected but I still enjoyed as much as any other! I also loved the painting of the First Doctor appearing on the wall! That was not expected and really did put a smile on my face. I think we sometimes forget what happened with the Zygons last time we saw them agreeing to the peace treaty. But now it was the nightmare scenario. After twenty-million Zygons were secretly embedded into society, they wanted more. Or some of them at least. Osgood making her return, or at least the other version of her that wasn't killed by Missy in Death in Heaven, was magnificent. She's such a good and just extremely likeable character. She really is fandom represented on screen. The throwback to the Seventh Doctor in her attire was wonderful! Her contacting the Doctor that the ceasefire had broken down was very good, as I loved the Doctor's reaction to seeing that nightmare scenario was now happening. After originally getting what he wanted with the Zygons becoming part of society, much like I imagine he would want with the Silurians, his old enemies were back for more. Jenna Coleman looked stupendously stunning in this story - the best she's ever looked in Doctor Who in my opinion, eclipsing her outrageously good look in Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS. The reveal of her turn at the cliffhanger was fantastic. I knew she was a Zygon from the moment she tied her hair up but it was still a superb moment. Jac realising everything added to that. But if that wasn't enough, it was proclaimed from Zygon Clara, or Bonnie, that Clara and Kate were dead and it appeared the Doctor was next! After his prancing about in the plane as President of Earth, it seems his days are numbered after what we thought was Clara sent a missile straight for his plane! Not a bad start to the story at all! Plot twists, surprises and excitement. I look forward to the second episode very much, which is of course where the story rating as a whole will appear.