Ah, now here’s that episode of Doctor Who series 10 with scary monsters that you were waiting for. An episode that just happens to be terrific. The set up on the surface seems your standard Doctor Who base under siege, but there’s a good deal more to it. This time, the Doctor, Bill and Nardole find themselves on a space station, with oxygen running down, and, well, foes who aren’t keen on them surviving. With more than one nod to Star Trek (heck, you won’t get a more blatant one than the first minute), what unfolds is a compelling story, and a really creepy, quite scary one. Instead, it’s worth noting how, stylistically, Oxygen follows the pattern that the series has been setting thus far. In fact, I’m reading more and more comments from people suggesting that the current run has brought them back to Doctor Who, that the interaction between Peter Capaldi and Pearl Mackie is excellent, and the stories are good. Oxygen will increase the number of comments of that ilk. Personally, I’d throw in too that this series, the structure and pacing of stories has undergone welcome modifications. With this one again, there’s no zapping around and rushing about at the start, and there’s no mad gallop to the finish line. It’s slow build up, detective work, character moments, chills. Whether we settle on declaring all of this a return to the classic Who feel of old, or simply a refinement of the stories Steven Moffat wanted to tell, and the manner in which they’re told, remains up for debate. I do think what’s clear is it’s been to the real benefit of the series. Oxygen? It’s on the same level as Knock Knock for me. A strong standalone piece of work, a creepy, unnerving Doctor Who that for the second week running has a final act that matches the build up. And then there are other things, and one or two moments – don’t look into the subtext of this for clues, because there aren’t any – that’ll make you wish episode six was here already…
