I really liked that a lot. What isn’t accidental is Steven Moffat – and this is the first of his three final scripts for Doctor Who – leaving his mark on the show. At one stage, it felt like he was an outgoing head of state, putting in some last minute legislation before the new regime comes in to do with certain facets of the show. World Enough And Time bears a few of his writing hallmarks and recurring ideas. What it also is, happily, is quite slow and steady. This is the opening part of a story that gradually builds and builds and builds. If you’ve followed the assorted publicity, you’ll have some idea of where it’s headed, and it’s a pity there are things we didn’t get to discover in the context of the episode itself. But still, there’s some really, really nice stuff in here, and a few turns as well. In tone, it reminded me at one stage of The Empty Child, as well as one or two episodes whose name if I dropped I may hint a little too much for a spoiler-free review. I guess if there’s a concern, it’s that World Enough And Time is willing to invest so much time in slowly laying out its story and its cards that it suggests the finale will have to cram an awful lot in. That, though, is a discussion for next week. For the purposes of here and now, I really thought this was strong. I reiterate, though: to have been able to have seen it completely cold, with nothing revealed in promotional materials, would have made it even better. The episode invests time in reveals that have long been spoiled, and that certainly lessens their dramatic impact when they happen, especially considering how skillful the build-up is.
